REARVIEW PERPECTIVE OF 2011-A DOTUN ADESUA STORY. 
JANUARY.
After spending memorable festive periods in my Area 11 Garki-home
of my hosts, here was a new year 2011. I had to leave Abuja for Bauchi. After
recuperating from the achaba(hausa word for motorcycle) mishap I was involved
in on the 13th of December 2010. I kissed mild concussion and held it close for
over an hour(meaning I passed out)…Themost painful part was the non-payment of
my allowee by NYSC despite letters of complaint. Thank to my ‘Mummy Abuja’ (Mrs
L. Aiyegbusi) ,who with the the warm family, loaded me with ‘palliative’ kudi.
The same month I was mobilized in absentia for INEC voters registration as an
Ad-hoc staff. I was posted to Jauro Jaku a distant settlement in Bauchi LGA,not
too far from Yankari Games Reserves- a popular tourist attraction site in
Nigeria.(if I had one regret-I never visited it) . I owe my warm
host-communities like Kyangare , Jaoro
Jaku, Bidolo, to mention but a few a debt of gratitude for blessing me with the
scattered Hausa language I now speak.
FEBRUARY.
Serving dear nation
continued due to the additional days for all-inclusive registration,which was
so good-more money for the loyal kopa. Though the dilapidated primary school
that housed us for over three weeks was
‘gosh’. Don’t talk about the conveniences when nature called.
Electricity-generating set was our saving grace. Food-you go fear how we dey
purge. Water – dettol accompanied it. Excessively hot and cold weather in the
day and night, respectively-survival instinct was activated. I was appointed
the spokesperson for the kopa in that ward. Adesua ,my surname, was my
colleagues’ hit song and most played tune. I enjoyed the responsibility as well as the ‘ popularity’ while it lasted.
MARCH.
Back to my place of
primary assignment-International Secondary School, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
University, Bauchi. My students really missed there phonetics emitting
English-language teacher. The same month I was appointed the President of
Publicity Community Development Sercvice(CDS) group. For real, uneasy lies the
head that wears the crown. I was report directly to the Public Relations
Officer almost every other day, oversee
and manage the Corper’s programmes on two radio stations- Federal Radio
Corporation of Nigeria Bauchi and Bauchi Radio Corporation, Bauchi and NTA and
the state owned television-BATV. Also, to preside over CDS meetings and liase
with others for effective and smooth running of the CDS.
APRIL.
‘Mr President’ was up
and doing, general elections was around the corner. Kuvuki ,an exco on my team
and later became the Community Development Service president, came up with sensitization
programmes against violence,rigging and malpractices which ‘they’ did not allow
to see the light of the day. I was posted to Itas Gadau- a 4-hour journey from
Bauchi. I went. I saw. I escaped. I conquered. April 18,2011 remains a black
day in my memory. Gbenga Akindoye, an alumnus of my alma mater-Adekunle Ajasin
University Akungba-Akoko,Ondo State, called to inform me of Kenny’s demise. My
brain went blank…I gathered myself and reflected on how we shared memories of
our sojourn in the North, how he gave me a passport size photograph to give to
another friend of ours for his Nigeria Institute of Strategic studies form and even
how we ate lafun and okro soup from the same pot and passed the night in a
neighbouring room. Adieu Kenny! We became fugitives seeking refuge in our
nation. We found succor in the SSS compound and Dr Tayo,my friend, was a corper-doctor
at their clinic,call him my own ‘Esther’-prepared to be there for a time such
as that.
MAY.
From Bauchi to
Abuja(Rivers state house). From Abuja to Port-Harcourt(my dear sister Busola
Ala was my host).From Port Harcourt to Akure(my Dad and loved ones). From Akure
to Jos(Femi Moraks,my childhood friend, needed to be reached) and from Jos to
Bauchi- all the Mongo Park adventure in 3 (three) weeks. Back to NCCF Bauchi
for service to the Lord, ISS-ATBU for service to humanity and private coachings
for personal fulfillment and pecuniary gains!
JUNE.
Passing out ceremony was 16 th which I had in Jos with Dele
Olowookere(Delman) and AAUA alumnus and friends. Had orientation camp at Wailo,
Bauchi, passed out in Jos(passing-out parade) and collection of discharge certificates(COC) in
NYSC hqtrs. Abuja. Funny! Then off to Brookstone School,Port Harcourt for a job
interview. Nice experience, though it did not come through.
JULY.
Lagos- Eko oni baje
o! after over one year of visit. I had missed my nephews-Damilola and Demilade Akinlade and parents, Ose, Ehime and
Damilola Okougha and warm parents, bros Kuze(my cousin) and very importantly,
my assembly, where I fellowship, the Latter-Rain Assembly, Lagos pastured by
Dr. Tunde Bakare. Signed at FRCN
Training school for CREATIVE WRITING course for two good weeks. Worthwhile
step,it was! Then, Job application mode actvated.
AUGUST.
Very very very
important month in my family. Aug 1-my mum’s birthday. Aug 14-my Dad’s turn.
Aug 27-my twin brother,Dayo, and I mark our entry in to planet earth. Got a
sweet TM Lewin shirt gift. Thanks uncle W and aunty T. Job hunting continues
using home as the base of operations.
SEPTEMBER.
Personal development
courses undertaken. Met Mr Ayodeji Deji-Irawo after winning a seat at a kingdom
creative workshop. He made a world of difference as regards my approach to
media and entertainment from a balanced God’s kingdom perspective. I decided to
attend preliminaries lectures of
membership class of Apostolic Training School of LRA.
OCTOBER. I joined DE-King’s Vision Limited-X-clusive to
Divinity(X2D). Read my previous post titled X2D and I: the experience of a
learner and dreamer.
NOVEMBER.
X2D mode still
activated. Met quite a number of people
and sub-brand TANKFUL was underway. Sought greener pastures by going for a
couple of interviews.
DECEMBER.
At LatterRain Assembly, we had a special 31-day Solemn/Sacred
Assembly-prayed and fasted for divine
intervention in personal life, family, finances, the nation-Nigeria and the body
of Christ(churches) All
hands on deck for TANKFUL-a January 1st thanksgiving concert. In between I made
a journey to Akure, Omuo-Ekiti,and back to Lagos. What a special way to end the
year with WatchNight Service on the 31 st ignoring rumours of possible attack
by an Islamic sect terrorist group-‘BH’-not Bauchi o but book-a-ram tinz(you
understand?)
.
And now to him who is MY HELP IN AGES PAST AND HOPE IN YEARS
TO COME. Amen
