Photo Credit:Christopher Campbell
When I resumed work in Bayelsa state in November last year, I soon developed a longing to write about core issues in Bayelsa state. One of which happens to be the infamous story revolving around the coming of the white men to the region, the discovery of oil, the deprivation of the people, and the rape of the land. I quickly made the acquaintance of one young man, who would later be conscripted into my team. Prior, he worked with a different department and I was barely a month old in the public service at the time.
"Going against the torrent"
On this particular day, the guys were engaged in spirited conversations about the culture of elections in Bayelsa and each one shared vivid experiences. And with this young man, I sensed a feeling of remorse for extreme behavior influenced by a deep rooted need for survival, and maybe a longing to be relevant; inflamed by the love of money or the mere want of it in a desperate need to survive. Listening to this young man moved me and I was drawn to his story. So I engaged him in small conversations afterwards. I expressed my interest in his story and told him I would love to write about it if he would oblige me. Then he cleverly turned the spotlight away from himself and brought it to rest on the Oloibiri story. I immediately took an interest in him and told him that I would like him to be my research assistant.
Now, prior moving to Bayelsa, the Lord had already begun to stir my heart in such a way that awakened my interest in the Oloibiri story and everything that happened after that first discovery of oil. As a result, the moment this young man mentioned that he would rather have me write about Oloibiri… it was like a light bulb turned on inside my head. And I knew of a certain that I should pursue this particular story. Days went by, and days became weeks, and weeks tumbled into months and the young man would become a member of my team. He soon began to take liberties with me and would act in a very disapproving manner in revolt to my leadership. I expressed my concerns to my husband and his advise was to let him go. "You will get another research assistant," he assured me. So I immediately terminated all conversations with the young man about my research and focused on my work. It was a painful process for me. He was such a budding historian, and I was hoping to take him under my mentorship. But I had to get over my disappointment. As I had to disengage at once.
In March, the Lord sent a reminder to me via a phone call from a very good friend of mine in Abuja. He wanted to know how far I’d gone with my project. And all I did was whine about my loss of a research assistant. After that phone call, I knew I had to do something about it. After brooding, I decided to engage my new P.A. who happens to be a young writer himself. And to my surprise he brought on board such passion that in just a few days after engaging him, my gmail was spilling over with research gathered by these young writer. For three weeks he did such intense work and my project sprang to life. But there was a little problem. I was yet to attend a single interview and I was yet to visit a single site.
Before the end of April I decided, enough of this lethargy! I drew up a plan and decided to set money aside. I began to talk to my contemporaries in the office and got fresh contacts, after my paycheck came in I put money aside and by the 4th of May I had my first one-on-one interview with a 72 year old man, who used to be a former school principal in Oloibiri. By 5th of May I made my first project related trip to Ogbia kingdom. I set out with my new research assistant, and a young history student from the University of Otueke. We met two old persons at random and had very rewarding conversations with them. We even found a relic (story for another day!). It was such a fulfilling trip last Saturday and we will be going back next Saturday. I don’t have all my needs met but I do have money stashed away to make a second trip this May. I also have at least two interviews in prospect this week before my next trip.
It was during this process of fighting lethargy that the Lord said to me - Take Risks! And I am glad for the grace that accompanied that word. I hope that with these not-so-few words of mine, I’ve been able to convince you to take a little risk, to go against the torrent of the familiar, the usual and the mundane. Rise above inertia! There is grace available to get to the next level. Amen.
Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
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