Every era in history, of course, has considered itself ‘modern’ in comparison with the past. This era, permit me to say, was in our understanding most modern. Everything has changed: our fashion, media, taboos and the way we conduct our everyday businesses. Internet saw to that. It became easier everywhere in the world for a homeless man that can afford internet data to upload his opinion on the web. No one was left out. Facebook became the new political platform and Twitter, a war front. The alliance of the two formed the social courtroom.
On my list were the names of four most suitable people I could think of. I took my time to write down their qualities and my expectations.
The last on the list was Ola Kunle. I met Ola on Facebook. He was a new generation celebrity whose constructive arguments on Social Media created around him a cult-like followership. With over ten thousand followers on Facebook, and his desire to be a part of Lagos State government, it was not hard to know that he was now a tool in the hands of the opposition.
‘Jonathan Must Go’ was his intelligent political series on Facebook. Like most Facebook warriors, he could be bought like a grocery in a store. But I did not want to make him an offer. I needed his criticism. Like I said earlier, we live in the most modern era where one could be a team member without knowing anything about the team.
Next on the list was Chima. He was a good friend and very resourceful. Though he was not a creative writer, he has the brain of a rocket scientist. Besides, his closeness to the source of my funding made him a vital member of the team. I saw him as a politician, the fading type. He would have made a good grassroot influencer. But everything has changed. Everything. Social media has created a new crop of politicians. The grassroot has relocated to the app in smartphones. Politicians would soon be redefined. Those old monsters should meet their upgraded versions. Who knew that Sowore could be so powerful that the whole senate would want him uprooted?
Ella Esiri was a gentle female lawyer that worked with The Daily Telegrams: a Newspaper company. Smart and objective, she was the smartest person I have discussed events with. A pretty, petite, homely girl whose devotion to work was unshaken. There were days I wished to ask her out, but she hardly smiled.
With Ella, there was no room for dirty talks – unfortunately, that’s the only way I knew to woo a girl. Though she never told me, I knew she had no boyfriend. There is no way a beautiful Abuja girl will bury herself in her work and become so good at it if there is a real distraction in her life. Quote me anytime.
I told her my mission. ‘I am now a social media campaigner for GEJ. I will need you on my team.’
‘Congrats,’ she said in her very intelligent voice. ‘But I doubt if I will have the time to spare. Nevertheless, in my little way, I will help you. Just give me a call whenever you need anything I can do.’
‘Thanks, Ella. You know I will always need you to cross this bridge,’ I replied, and then added: ‘Hope you are still beautiful?’
She ignored the question and hung up.
I was emotionally stabbed but concentration was all I needed. I drew a clear line between Business and Pleasure and decided to focus on the former. Pleasure and business are not good pals. Both should not be enjoyed simultaneously.
I looked at the top of my list: Ifeoma Okoye and wondered what she would bring to the table. It took me minutes to conclude that ‘in all men – and women alike – were drops of greatness’. You should not underestimate anybody. Every woman has something she can offer. So, beside her name, I wrote down her only two qualities: ‘Undiscovered Potential’ and ‘Beauty and Possibly Brainy’.
I called her very early in the morning. ‘Ify dear, how was your night.’
‘It was fine, and yours?’
I told her I was ok. ‘I want you in my campaign team,’ I said. ‘How about that?’
‘Which campaign team?’
I took another ten minutes to explain the plan to her.
‘I don’t know how I will fit into this,’ she flatly said. ‘I don’t like politics and what will be my function in the team.’
‘I don’t know, Ify. But the reason I like you is not because of your beauty. I saw something special in you. You are smart.’
‘Please Ogoo, don’t start this now. The day is still early.’
‘So you don’t want to work with me?’ I dejectedly voiced out. There was a long pause before she asked: ‘How much are you going to pay?’
When the call was over, I saw what this our modern generation has become. It was clear that those that really have something tangible to contribute did not ask for money, but Ifeoma whose potentials were yet to be discovered, who was still confused about her role as a team member, demanded a wage.
But love is patient, love is kind, it is not self-seeking and not easily angered. What could I not do for Ify?
My mind was far off from being angered, I must do the necessary, Ify must be paid for doing nothing.
But an Igbo adage says 'enenia nwa ite, o gbonyua oku' (when a small pot is neglected, it quenches the fire). The first major contribution to the team came from the ‘Undiscovered Potential’.
To Be Cont’d
Written by Ozii Baba Anieto