by Blessed Adjekpagbon)
Mr. Salisu Adamu and his first child, who is fourteen years old. He is a survivor of Bokoharam’s attacks but lost his father and in-law to the evil machinations of the terrorists.
It all began at a popular newsstand along Ikorodu road (expressway) in Ketu axis, Lagos, Nigeria in early 2021, where Mr. Salisu Adamu confirmed my analysis of what has been happening in Borno State, North – Eastern Nigeria since Bokoharam terrorists turned the area into physical hell for its residents.
While some “Road side parliamentarians” (laymen and street commentators on national issues) were arguing amongst themselves and trying to outwit each other with half truths and outright misinformation, l decided to intrude and clear the air as an informed journalist and researcher.
“Everything this man said is the truth. I am an original Shu-Arab, one of the ethnic groups in Borno State. I know that every thing he said is correct,” Salisu said in response to my analysis about Bokoharam members operation there.
From his unexpected comment, l became inquisitive after he had also added that some of the Bokoharam members were familiar faces he knew from childhood.
With the nosy training and inquisitive instincts of journalism in me, l simply politely asked him to give me detailed information about his background. He obliged and we stepped away from the noisy newsstand to a bit quiet place along the road.
“The most painful aspect of the whole thing is that, other Nigerians erroneously suspect anybody from Borno origin as a Bokoharam member. However, there are many law – abiding and reasonable Moslems like me that loves Western education. I want my children to be well educated. I was planning towards it before Bokoharam came with their evil operation,” Salisu elaborated.
l almost wept when he told me how much he has lost to the terrorists. He narrated how his father who was a very successful farmer was killed and his entire farm was set ablaze by the familiar terrorists. His older sister’s husband was also murdered.
Salisu had to escape to Cameroon with his mother and younger siblings, where he was able to keep them in a safe place before coming to Lagos with his own wife and children.
As a Moslem, he is religiously entitled to marry more than one wife, but he has resolved to stick to only his wife in order to concentrate on how to get his children well educated.
After hearing him out, l decided to take another step further, by asking him to show me where he lives with his wife and children. He also agreed.
Upon seeing his family, l was touched by his plea that l should assist him with a loan that he could use to set up a little business for his wife to augment the meagre amount he earns as a gardener to enroll his children in school.
As a published writer, I had hoped to raise money from the sales of my printed books worth about N15 million naira within six months and assist him with some sum, but things have not turned out the way l had expected since there has been total poor demand for books by schools nationwide. Just as things had not worked for me as I had expected, Salisu is having a rough time. He needs help to fulfil his burning desire for his household: Education for his children.
Any time he sees me taking a walk along any street in his neighborhood, he calls me “Mr. Aliheri” which l told him is the Arabic translation of my first name, Blessed.
He keeps reminding me about his utmost desire to give his six children good educational training. And l feel bad as things have not yet improved sales-wise in my book business to raise the loan he requested for. I hope someone reading this story can be used to make Salisu’s dream to get his children enrolled in a proper school to learn, come through soon. He has managed to hire a private teacher who goes to his humble abode to teach them once in a week. But the teacher is no longer coming because Salisu has been unable to pay him.
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Note: Please, contact me via these numbers: Whatsapp: +2348059265333 and Telegram: +2348091087559 for details about how to reach Salisu to assist him.
www.gumroad.com/bulkybonbooks
