9 October 2019
Let me say prestissimo! Not only are you an amazon but also, you're a break from the norm. I never knew we could still find one in my life time, and as such! I doff my hat in salutation. What we often see are male victims of assault, persecution and tyranny, many of whom are often downtrodden or too broken to turn the tide in their favour, let alone fight back. Forgive my bewilderment cum ecstasy, but I've been a victim of oppression; a prisoner of conscience sort of, so I can relate. Many of my critics have subtly accused me of being a misogynist, a big fat lie which I do not hesitate to debunk, especially through media like this. I'm only attracted to and respect women based on what they have 'upstairs'.
As usual, when the news broke about your pragmatic and exquisite job for the BBC Africa Eye documentary on 'Sex for Grades' in West African universities; I had to abreast myself with all the facts, which included looking up the investigative journalist. It was in this quest that I came across the fact that you are a 'university dropout'. I could have passed on it as one of those fake news on social media meant to discredit the messenger, but it was confirmed by you. That's when I saw the need to pen this letter. This piece is simply my ten kobo unsolicited advice and encouragement to a sister in the struggle.
Like I said initially, I can relate. Mine was a very sad tale of calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it. I had just finished what I thought was the biggest fight of my life. I went against the powers that be in the university. What I like to describe as; the result of collateral damage from power play among sworn enemies. Of course! I had to stay out of school for a while, thinking of my next line of action as regards my life and my career. Let me assure you, this is usually that period of bliss; that turning point moment, in the life of every colossus. Albeit it being perplexing and gloomy, I must confess that you have made the right choice.
My advice for you is; to never rest on your oasis. Like my father once told me: don't stop till you get enough. You have your whole life already figured out. Don't change for nobody else. Sister you came too prepared, too loaded and too packaged for any threat, stigma or environment to hold you down. You already have a lot going on for you. Who would believe that without a college degree, you could pull off what other integrity and politically challenged journalists wouldn't. At this point, not that I think that you really need a college degree to be successful at whatever you think of doing, but that your detractors should never have the last laugh, I say go get them. And sister while you are at it, please never let cowards who have never done anything in their entire adult lives tell you how to carry out your revolution; how to make your truth louder than the crime. To them, mockery is the homage pay to brave people like you, especially when it seems like your head may be bloodied. Rather be quick to remember these few words of Theodore Roosevelt which says; "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood".
Chidi C. Chilaka is a social commentator
