Arrowed But Yet Heroes

“Oh my God! It is past 10pm already". Mr Adelabu said as he rushed to get the TV remote from the centre table. He never misses the National Network news every night. "...the names of the Government owned companies that have now been sold out to some private Bodies are NGPA…" "JESUS!!!" screamed Mr Adelabu with his two hands on his head as he heard the name of the first company the news Reporter mentioned. "My God! So, this later happened? How am I going to fend for my family now? I just have two children. Tinuke is just 9 years old while Tunde is 5. Mama Tinu just owns a provision Shop. So, I am now jobless. House rent, school fees, shop rent, feeding, how will the money come?" Mr Adelabu soliloquised in tears with head bowed. At the shout of Mr Adelabu, his Wife, Mrs Elizabeth who is often called Mama Tinu, a fair skinned, plump and smart woman rushed out of the bedroom to the sitting room. Mr Ade who is already lost in his thoughts did not even notice her presence, up to when she sat beside him on the Sofa. The news reporter was still on the subject of the privatization so she already knew the cause of the alarm. "It is well, Honey. God will take care of us. We are His children; He will foot our bills. He understands everything…" said Mama Tinu with her hand stretched on the shoulders of her husband; but it is obvious that he can't hear her as he keeps releasing deep sighs. A few minutes after she said that, she stood up and returned to the bedroom. She grabbed her Bible, opened and read Matthew 6 vs 30 - 34 out. Afterwards, she knelt down and began to pray with tears flowing freely. Adelabu happened to work with the Nigerian Granite Production Agency (NGPA), a Federal Government owned company for 12years prior to this time. He lives in a rented three-bedroom flat apartment with a wife and two children; a boy and a girl. He earned a substantial amount of money per month and that made him live a quite comfortable life. His first child, a daughter, is already in Junior Secondary School One; while the second, a son, is still in Basic Two. There were rumours during the day that the Company they all worked with would soon lay them all off by the Federal Government. But many of them disbelieved it and now, the papers have been signed, making it a reality. How will they all survive? The Government promised to pay those qualified for pensions, pensions among the Workers of the privatized companies monthly. Will it come to reality? They were all paid off a week after, the sum total of 12months of their individual salaries. Everyone is left to fend for themselves. The struggle has just begun.

Mr Adelabu is seen in a matching black Suit with a red tie dangling loosely driving a Peugeot 802 model Car towards his wife's Shop. His eyes are red and tired. His Wife's Shop is in between two others, selling products that all differ from each other. He finds a safe place to park, puts up a smile on his lips to look cheerful, comes out of his car and greets the familiar faces known to him and walks into his wife's Shop. "My dear, welcome" Mama Tinu said as she collected her Husband's Suit and Bag that contains his C.V documents, pulled out a Chair for him to sit, then rushed to get an Owambe Bottled Water from her Fridge for him to drink. "Ọmọ\! The Management said that they would get back to me. Thank God for you and your Shop. I really need a job to support myself. The money we were paid will soon finish" said Mr Adelabu in reply. "That's true. Don't give up yet. Things will surely get better" replied his Wife. "I hope so. This is the second month already since we were laid off. No job yet despite my many applications…" Mr Adelabu was still speaking when a customer came and his wife had to attend to him. A few minutes later, he began to doze. But his sleep was cut short an hour after when his phone rang. Mr Adebisi, a colleague of Mr Adelabu who also is among the retrenched Workers called. Mr Adelabu yawned tiredly, brought out his phone from his pocket and picked it up waiting for the caller to speak. "Hello, Mr Ade,” said Mr Adebisi "Hello. Who is on the line, please?" Said Mr Adelabu. It is obvious that he didn't look at the Caller's ID before answering. "It is I, Mr Bisi. Don't you have my number saved on your phone again?" "Actually, I do. Don't mind me jare" said Mr Adelabu while he yawned wildly. "I'm just so tired of this whole thing," he continued. "Not only you, my brother. My money has even finished. I had to use half of mine to buy land for farming and the rest on some other bills. I don't even know how I'm going to survive". "Hmm. It's not a small thing. E choke. God will make a way. This one that your Wife is even a full Housewife. Hmm". Said Mr Adelabu "I'm telling you. It's choking already. But I don't want my wife to work. It's my duty to work as a man. She doesn't like stress,” said Mr Adebisi "Toor. If you say so. Everyone has a different way of running his home. You both understand yourselves". Said Mr Adelabu "Yes. Well, I heard that Government will soon start verifications processes for the payment of Pensions through PTAD from next year,” said Mr Adebisi "I heard that also. I just pray they keep to their words because we are all in a Town Hall" said Mr Adelabu and he laughed briefly "Hahaha. That's true. So many unfulfilled promises. May God deliver us from this balablu setting" said Mr Adebisi sarcastically "Amen ooo" said Mr Adelabu and they both burst into laughter. "So how is Madam and the Children?". Said Mr Adebisi "They're fine too. God is committed". Said Mr Adelabu "It is well. I just called to say hi". Said Mr Adebisi "Thank you so much. How is your family too?" Said Mr Adelabu "We're pushing sir. Five Children, all but one in secondary Schools is not an easy task. But we trust God for grace. Kindly extend my greetings to everyone,” said Mr Adebisi "It is well. I will deliver. Kindly extend mine also,” said Mr Adelabu "Yeah, sure. I will,” said Mr Adebisi "Thanks so much for calling, sir,” said Mr Adelabu "It's a pleasure. Ódígbà sir,” said Mr Adebisi "Ódààbọ̀ sir" said Mr Adelabu and the call hung up. "Hmm… Orísirísi\! Five Children, no job, Wife is not working at all. Hunger hasn't touched him yet" Mr Adelabu Said sarcastically to his Wife. At this time, his Wife is not attending to any Customer so she is seated on a Chair beside his. "Well, we can't really say. There must be a reason best known to both of them that made it to be like that". Said his Wife "Toor. If you say so. He sent his greetings". "Oh\! That's good. How are they?" "Well, they're cool. He said his money has even finished and he also reminded me of the rumour". "About the Pensions' verification and payment?" "Yes." "Oluwa a mú sí imusẹ". "Amin óò."

It is the weekend and Mama Tinu is seen in the kitchen, preparing Beans Cake for the family. Tinuke is in the Kitchen assisting with the Dishes and is also watching keenly how her mother goes about with the preparation. "Mummy, I think I can now do this. Let me try" Tinuke said as she made advances to take over the frying from her mother. "Tinu, hold on. Probably next time dear" said Mama Tinu touching her daughter's hair with her hand and with a smile. "We don't really have much now and there is every possibility of it being wasted being that you have not tried it before. This is the only food in the house at present" she continued. Tinuke's facial expression changed to that of sadness but she said nothing. She used to be very robust at her young age, even though her mother has reduced greatly due to growth; but Tunde's size has not changed much. It is over a year now and nothing has been done yet by the Federal Government concerning their Pension payment. Verifications have alread