The women I admire

I  had received a call about two weeks ago now, from one of my egbons (that’s the yoruba word for an older one). She had called to let me know a young lady I had met briefly through her had been diagnosed with that horrible C ailment, cancer. She had a real haste in her voice and when she said to me: “we must do everything in our power to make sure she gets well.” Stronger statements followed thereafter- “We cant just let her die. We’ve got to overcome this cancer.”

Then she reeled off all that was being done-  “I have spoken to the hospital in this country I don’t think this other country for this and this reason, and when she had finished the todos she then added oh and we must raise XX millions within the next couple of days”. “Look Nkiru, if you see her pictures, you will understand why I’m in such a hurry.”

I got off the phone thinking that if one was to judge by the confidence in her voice, you’d be so sure all the money required was available! Just as she had promised, she sent photos,an explanation of the ailment and requirements and then she made a zillion calls afterwards, to a state first lady who I suppose runs a charity, her own mentor who this young lady had served as a P.A to, somewhat.

Look, I know we Nigerians are generous and all, but I haven’t seen such haste and desperation- in one’s voice who isn’t directly affected by the matter at hand. Her unwavering confidence with which she listed the to dos without having even 10% of the fund! I called two days after to see how a programme she had organized went and she somehow took our conversation back into the matter of the unwell girl.

She advised that she had secured an appointment to get a medical visa from the country of choice, was in touch with the young lady’s family and then she said ‘she should be off for treatment  next week. I gave her an update on how I planned to help spread the word and we rounded off.

This young Lady’s ailment had started when she seemingly missed a step, ( and thought she sprained an ankle) landed in hospital and hadn’t walked since December, just when the affected  leg was to be amputated, a doctor requested a biopsy and then the diagnosis was cancer of the bone. That’s when Mrs. Olawale kicked into action. Please note that supporting this where session of prayers with her team.

Still in the same week and a day before the young lady was due to go to the embassy for her medical visa, I was on my way home when Mrs. O called me or I did her- I had promised I’d find her a bank branch where she could open an account so the persons who she had contacted could begin paying in. We rounded up our discussions only to have her call me exactly an hour later, wailing.

Clearly the young lady had passed on whilst sleeping. I was so sad, and even sadder to receive Mrs. O’s email the very next day advising all donors to please hold back their funds, as the recipient had passed on.  I encouraged Mrs. O with all the words and scriptures I could muster that night and went to bed musing about how blessed the people who know her are…me for one.

I had met her couple of years ago, when she had come with a referral from someone regarding advertising in her publication. There was just something about her energy and can do spirit that made me give her audience despite my packed schedule, when she presented her product- a Christian lifestyle magazine, I remember wondering to myself ‘oh dear, how long will it last’, for having been in marketing communications for years, I have seen many  come and go.

Years after she’s added segment specific publications to her stable, many people improving projects, events, and then runs various foundations that are doing gazillion measurable activities. Oh and her theory which I buy into fully is that you must be doing something to improve society-religious engagements are a standard- you must have that which you are consistently doing away from this to improve yourself. Err, that’s why shortly after she’s pulled me into one more project as usual the phone call comes with passion ‘Err, you know that nutrition is key to help children assimilate in schools, so I’m working with a few schools in the ikeja axis to provide breakfast for children everyday-just XXx and XX as a meal, look Nkiru you don’t know how far this goes’…then out comes the testimonies of children who these meals have made such a difference to’.

I have joined her in this; will pull in a person or two. I suppose I’m the one who’s blessed to know such a giving lady, just one of the many that give womanhood such a great identity…Bola Olawale, Womanhood celebrates you.

Nkiru Olumide-Ojo