Someone once asked me the people I'd like to help with endless supplies of gifts If I were to be Santa Claus for a day and I didn't have to think too much before I thought about these people who I believe deserve eternal joy and happiness.
The first person my mind went to when I came across the topic was Mrs Niyen. Between 2010 till now, she has lost five of her children; she had seven of them. Adding to her loss, she lost her husband last year, after that, she's been overly withdrawn to herself, a wave of sadness has visibly washed over her. Her eyes reflects depression. For a very long time now, she has refused to speak as much as a word to anyone. People are saying she killed herself, others are saying she's faking dumbness for fear of being questioned for the death of her Husband and Children.
Whatever might have happened, I don't think Mrs Niyen deserves all of the bad-mouthing she's been getting. Before the whole thing happened, she was the nicest person I'd ever known. Now she's just a shadow of her former bubbly self.
If I was Santa Claus for a day, I'd give Mrs Niyen a reason to smile. Even though I don't know if anything can make her smile again, after what happened to her.
Secondly, it would be Mallam Sabo. The man who begs for money across our street. I give him whatever I have whenever I can, but it can never be enough to take him off the street and this aches my heart. My gift to him would be money and a comfortable live, a roof over his head, whatever it takes to live a stress-free and comfortable life.
Then my mum. She deserve to experience good life to the fullest. Even though I'll personally like to work for it, myself, what's the fun in denying her that kind of life if I be made Santa just for a day?
This list would be incomplete without adding Bunmi to it. Before the accident that claimed her left leg, Bunmi was my very good friend. She was a cheerful, giddy and smart kid. She had a big heart too, never to be caught without a smile on her face. Infact She was a bunch of goodness.
But in 2019, our bookclub organized a book fiesta. A festival that Bunmi was to head. She was enthusiastic about it. Their bus had a fatal accident on the way back. And since then Bunmi isn't who she used to be.
