UDEME
©Kikelomo Fadugbagbe
Episode 9
Udeme sat among other contestant at the State hall for the essay competition organized only for primary school students.
They were to speak about the importance of Agriculture in Nigeria’s Economy.
The moderator; “Now let’s welcome the representative of Glorious Kid Primary School, is no other person than Udeme J. Jesse” Udeme walked out quietly as the audience cheered her up.
She started her speech brilliantly, her friends were constantly hyping her, and her Dad smiling like a proud father.
“Female Genital Mutilation has taken the lives of many young ladies and no one is talking about it.” Udeme deviated
The people’s countenance changed immediately after she changed her topic
“What is she talking about what’s the link between Agriculture and circumcision.” The people murmured
disappointment was written on the faces of Ella and Rejoice.
Her dad walked out of the hall angrily while Miss Mercy followed him.
“Please Sir, I think we should hear what she wants to say.” Mercy pleaded
“Do you know about this, so Udeme brought me here just to embarrass me, I don’t know what the moderators are still doing, they should collect the mic from her.”
“No they won’t do that until her time is over”
Jesse went back into the hall after so many pleas
Udeme cleared her throat as they all silently waited to hear her next line
“Hear my story now that I’m still alive, my Mum died through the process and I see the same thing happening to me. Yes, it will happen if the government refuses to do something about it. They call it tradition but it has put so many lives in tragedy, some of many of its consequences include severe pain, infertility, infections, phycological damage, scarring, and many complications during childbirth including maternal and newborn deaths.
Right now as I’m speaking the maidens of the Eniofot community are going under the blade”
The bell rang as a signal that her time is over but the people told her to continue. It was a great win for her even though she didn’t win the competition.
Her face appeared in the newspaper the following day “Udeme J. Jesse a student of Glorious Kid Primary School campaigned against Female Genital Mutilation in the just concluded State Essay Competition.”
After 24 hours it was said that the President had passed a law to the senate to ban female circumcision.
Udeme was so glad, she became a voice, and she was given an award as the child influencer of the year. This achievement infuriated Caroline as she traveled down to Eniofot Community.
She stopped every passer asking them about Mama Mazi
They run for their lives immediately after they hear the name Mama Mazi.
“What is wrong with these people is she dead?” She lamented
“No, she’s not we are only scared of her” a lady replied
“Please don’t be scared I will give you enough money just take me to her house, I came from Lagos I can’t return without seeing her, please is very urgent, come into the car”
The lady agreed.
Mama Mazi became so wicked after losing her two sons, her injured leg has been amputated. She joined the witches after this event
“I have nothing to lose again I will do evil till I die.” She said. Many young people have disappeared in the village as findings showed she was the one killing them. All the villagers began to fear her.
“Ma, that is her house, you can drop me here” The young lady took to her heels.
“Only God knows why they are running” she walked into the house
“Yes who are you, and what are you looking for?”
Caroline trembles looking at human skulls hung on the wall of her room.
“I’m Caroline, I have something you will like to hear.”
“Go ahead”
“Udeme the child of Udeme is alive.”
She stood up aggressively “You mean my late stepdaughter child, I’ve been looking for her. You will bring her to me, or you will be cursed forever”
“Cursed?”
“Yes, no one comes into my house and goes back the same way, Caroline the child of Gladys you are cursed the sound of a crying baby will never be heard in your house”
“Ah please ma, what did I do?, have mercy” she cried
“Bring Udeme to me, then I will avert the curse”
Caroline ran out and drove speedily, she returned to Lagos very late in the night.
“Caroline where have you been, where are you coming from?” Jesse exclaimed
Caroline began to groan in pain, as blood drooled out from her thighs.
Jesse rushed her to the hospital
“Doctor, what happened to my wife?”
“I’m sorry Mr. Jesse your wife just lost her pregnancy.”
“She’s pregnant?”
“Yes, 5 weeks pregnancy”
“Oh my God, can I see her now?”
“Yes, you can.”
He went to her ward
“Caroline why did you keep that from me”
“I’m sorry I want to make it a surprise, where is Udeme?”
“She relocated to her teacher’s house today, is that not what you want?”
“No, you must bring her back”
To be continued…
