Voice “A talented boy story”

A new term began, Mrs. Oluwole, went to the sss1 art department to teach them Literature in English.

Mrs. Oluwole started her speech with them, this is the first week of the term, and it’s also the first week of you being in sss1, Mrs. Oluwole introduced herself to the students as a simple teacher who cares a lot about her students, she admonished her students to cooperate with her and be good students.

Justina who is the class representative stood up and said to Mrs. Oluwole,’ You are welcome to our beautiful class ma, we promise to be good students, ‘, thank you, my beautiful girl, Mrs. Oluwole replied.

‘I know some of you in this department, you are not supposed to be in this department, not here alone likewise the other departments like science and commercial, ‘Mrs. Oluwole said.

Everyone in the class looked one at another other, Mrs. Oluwole continued, you are looking at each order, I know the questions in your hearts, Mrs. Oluwole said, you want to ask me why am saying this, Mrs. Oluwole asked?  “yes” the students replied with a chorus answer.

Mrs. Oluwole continued to enlighten the students, some of you are not meant to be in the art department, because your friends are in the art department,  you followed each order here, which isn’t good.

The students listened with rapt attention enjoying the lesson“Yes” Mrs. Oluwole said, some of you followed your parents’ instruction, your dream is to be a Banker, but your parents asked you to be a doctor, and you agreed with them because you don’t want to argue with them.

Mrs. Oluwole stopped for a minute, she called one of the students in the class.

What is your name, Mrs. Oluwole asked, Samuel Benjamin, and he replied.  What is your future ambition, Mrs. Oluwole asked.

Benjamin kept staring  like

 He didn’t understand the question the teacher asked him, so Mrs. Oluwole asked him to sit back.

That is what am saying, you don’t have an understanding of Your future, and you are here, Mrs. Oluwole said.

Mrs. Oluwole checked the time for her period, she noticed she still had 15 minutes with the students.

I will tell you a short story before my period is over, the students listened keenly again, they are enjoying Mrs. Oluwole’s class.

Mrs. Oluwole began the story.

It was a beautiful morning in Mr. Olaniran’s family, Mr. Olaniran, and her wife Mrs. Olaniran called Tobi.

‘Tobi, Tobi, Tobi, how many times did I call you,’ Mr. Olaniran asked. Three times sir, Tobi replied. 

Mr. Olaniran continued, as you know am your father I want you to listen to my advice son, I know you’ve learned the plumbing work from me for some years, and I would like you to further your experience in a polytechnic or a university.  You know, out of my children you are the only one that learned my handwork, if you don’t want it that way let me know, to know what to do about it.  Mr Olaniran stopped.

Mr. Olaniran looked at his son and said you are the one am talking to.

Tobi is not comfortable with his father’s advice but doesn’t have a choice but to accept the advice given to him, he knows that if he says he doesn’t want to go for Plumbing at a polytechnic or a university, he wishes to go for mass communication, to be a broadcaster or journalist his father will not be happy with him, he had nothing to say than yes, he was just smiling, but was not comfortable with the advice.

Talk to me son you are the one am talking to Mr. Olaniran said.

As you can see he is not saying anything,  but merely smiling which means he has accepted your advice Mrs. Olaniran said.

Tobi looked at her mother awkwardly, he smiled again.

Ok, daddy; but daddy.

Her mother shut him up, but what again?

Nothing mum, Tobi said.

He walked out of the room.

Tobi was in his room thinking about whether to tell her mum that he was not comfortable with his father’s advice, “soliloquizing” Mummy l will not, I have to raise my voice and tell them what I want.

Tobi was afraid to talk to his father, so he decided to follow his advice.

The following day, Mr. Olaniran have gone to work, Mrs. Olaniran has gone to the market, Tobi is the only one at home, he is sitting alone thinking of what to do. A minute later, he decided to act as if he was presenting on a TV station to talk about a new revolution.

Here he started, my name is Olaniran Oluwatobiloba, as you all know on this program today we will be talking about a new revolution in our country, and what can we do to start a new revolution in our country, before I continue I will give out our number as we always do so we can discuss it together.

Suddenly Tobi heard his name far behind their house, and said to himself, “Who is calling me” he turned to look who called him, it was Mr. Debare their neighbor who was close to his father, and he greeted him.

Mr. Debare moved to him, I have been watching you for some minutes now, I can see that you are talented, Mr. Debare said.

Thank you, sir, Tobi replied.

Did you tell your parent about your talent?  Mr. Debare asked.

My parents know about it sir, Tobi replied.

That is very good, that means you are going to the university to study mass communication, Mr. Debare said.

Tobi smiled.

My regards to your father when he returns from work, Mr. Debare said and walked away.

Some minutes later, Tobi started blaming himself that why he doesn’t tell, Mr. Debare about his parent’s advice.

Mrs. Oluwole stopped, she took water from the bottle she brought to the class to drink.

She continued.

Mr. Olaniran on his way back from work met Mr. Debare in front of his house, he moved to him to exchange pleasantries, Mr. Olaniran sat on the bench with Mr. Debare discussing.

I want to tell you something about your son, Tobi, said Mr. Debare.

Did he do anything wrong when l was not around, Mr. Olaniran asked.

Not at all, Mr. Olaniran replied, he continued, I can see Tobi is talented, he is to be a journalist or actor in the future, I would like you to let him go mass communication, Mr. Debare stop.

He did not tell me anything when I asked him to sit for the jamb, I asked him several times before collecting the jamb form, Mr. Olaniran said.

Which course is now doing in the institution, Mr. Debare asked.

Plumbing and pipefitting, Mr. Olaniran replied.

That is also good for him, hope is not stressful today, Mr. Debare asked.

Not at all, Mr. Olaniran replied.

After Mr. Olaniran walked to his house, her wife stopped her, she asked what he was discussing with, Mr. Debare.

Mr. Olaniran explained everything to her wife.

Did Tobi complain, Mr. Olaniran asked.

He did not, Mrs. Olaniran replied.

Daddy Tobi between you and I we know that Tobi is very talented, why can’t we ask him again, Mrs. Olaniran said. 

You said the boy did not complain, Mr. Olaniran asked, “Frown”

Yes, Mrs. Olaniran replied.

Mrs. Oluwole looked at the students everywhere were silent, she noticed they were enjoying the class, and she continued.

Tobi got admitted to one of the best polytechnics in Nigeria, his house is 5km from school, and he was very happy about being in the polytechnic, but not happy with the course he went for.

One morning Tobi made up his mind he was not going to that day, here he heard someone knocking.

Who is that, Tobi asked.

It is me, Victor, he replied.

Victor asked Tobi why he didn’t dress up, and if he not going to school, it was a surprise to Victor, that Tobi said he was not going.

Why are you not going to school, Victor asked.

‘I’m not just feeling like going to school today,’ Tobi replied.

Your parent will think you are attending school every day, Victor said, “angrily”.

You can’t understand, Tobi said.

Why are you doing this, you are wasting your parents’ money, Victor said.

Tobi is mute not saying anything.

Out of last week how many times did you attend the class tell me, that is my question for you, Victor asked.

You can’t understand, Tobi replied.

Tobi stood up from where he was seated, and he agreed to go to school that present day, lecturer Bankole was teaching the students in the department of plumbing and pipefitting, Tobi was busy checking on his instincts, if he had told his parents that he love to go for mass communication, what position he would have been with his talent, lecturer Bankole looked straight to Tobi and he said, young boy over there,  are you with us in this class?

The students in the class looked around like who is the lecturer referring to, including his friend Victor, lecturer Bankole repeated himself “angrily” Tobi didn’t even know what was going on in class until the person beside him touched him, and he came to sanity.

The lecture is talking to you, he said.

Are you with us in this class, what is your name, Lecturer Bankole asked.

Olaniran Tobiloba, Tobi replied “Nicely”.

The lecturer asked him why he dumped the class, nothing sir, Tobi replied, The lecturer continued with the class.

After the class Victor started shouting at Tobi, tell me your problem, if I asked you now you are going to say I don’t understand.

Tobi calm Victor, it is not like that, I have a question for you, Tobi said.

Yes, you can, Victor said.

The course you are doing in this school, who asked you to come for it?

No one it is my choice, Victor replied “Confused “

That is okay let go, Tobi said.

Why did you ask, I don’t understand you, am confused, Victor said.

Don’t worry, Tobi said.

On their way home they heard the other students talking about the program the mass communication host.

Is it true that the mass communication is having a program tomorrow at the school hall, Tobi asked.

Yes, I think it was a final-year student having a program tomorrow, Victor replied.

Tobi quite.

The next day Tobi was late to lecturer Bankole’s class.

Again, lecturer Bankole said. 

It’s not like that sir, Tobi said.

Did you think you are still in secondary school this is a university where you are going to choose complete success, lecturer Bankole said.

Tobi apologized to lecturer Bankole, I won’t repeat myself, sir, Tobi said.

The lecturer asked him to have his sit, he continued the class.

After the class lecturer Bankole asked Tobi to come with him.

Why did you always mute in class, lecturer Bankole asked.

Nothing sir, am fine, Tobi replied.

Lecturer Bankole received a call from the rector that the program had started already, he hung up the call, he continued talking to Tobi, I am very sure that something is bothering your mind, you don’t want to share it with anybody, if you don’t raise your voice you are going to loose your future, lecturer Bankole said.

I will see you tomorrow the program has started already, lecturer Bankole said.

Sir can I go with you, Tobi asked “gently”

Why not, lecturer Bankole replied “Nicely”

At the program Tobi seat beside lecturer Bankole, he was very happy to be present at the program, the organizers called the students whose names were on the list, to talk about My Voice is my future, the name was called accordingly, Tobi asked lecturer Bankole that can he go to the stage and talk on my voice is my future, lecturer Bankole replied him that he can, lecturer Bankole asked Tobi that is he brave enough to face the crowd, “yes” tobi replied him.

Lecturer Bankole goes to the organizer to give Tobi a chance to talk on the topic given to them, the organizer does as lecturer Bankole says.

Justina weaved her head, Mrs. Oluwole looked at her and said, don’t rush yourself I know your question, you want to know maybe he is going to change his course or help, Justina said yes.

Don’t worry let us know what happens at the program Mrs. Oluwole said.

Hello ladies and gentlemen, I greet all lecturers and my fellow students, I am Olaniran Tobiloba from the Department of Plumbing and Pipefitting.

As Tobi introduced himself to everyone as the student of the plumbing and pipefitting department, everyone eye’s moved to each other including the organizer, lecturer Bankole weaved to Tobi to continue with his speech, he cleared his throat and continued.

Before I start, I will first put the definition of voice,  Voice is the sounds and speech, that a living thing makes using its mouth or the ability to use vocal chords and air to make sounds, Voice is also an expressed desire, You can probably recognize people you know by only hearing their voice. When you talk on the phone, you are listening to someone’s voice. ‘He was giving a round of applause’.

Sometimes I worry about the future and wonder what the future holds and what will happen to me and you,  We need to plan for the future.

‘Every one eye moved to each other again’.

Tobi continues, my voice is my future, your voice is your future, everyone’s voice is their future, for instance when we are talking about our country, our country is not bad we have a bad leader, before we vote them in,  they are going to promise us that they are going to do thousands of things for us if they win the election, we citizen know these people were lying to us, why can’t we raise our voice that we don’t want them, just to save our future, we citizen will mute because a cup of rice they are given to us, we will mute our voice, likewise we are killing our future, they were only giving us those things to shut our mouth, these people will give us one thousand nairas and suffer for another four years which is bad, “let us raise our voice to change our future” “said in loudly voice” he stops.

Everyone was very excited, everyone’s heart was touched by what he said, they gave him a round of applause, and he continued.

Secondly,  raise your voice on any advice given to you be it by your parent, family, or friend, failure to raise your voice you are killing your future. Tobi drops the microphone.

Mrs. Oluwole looked at the students “silently”

I will continue from where I stopped in the next class to tell you what happened to Tobi, Mrs. Oluwole said.

One of the students said to Mrs. Oluwole that she still had 5 minutes with them.

Mistress please it’s true you still have 5 minutes before your period gets over, Justina said.

Your mathematics teacher Mr. Ben is here already, Mrs. Oluwole said.

Continue mistress I am enjoying your class, Mr. Ben said. 

Okay, I will tell you what happened to Tobi, Mrs. Oluwole said.

‘She continues with the tail of her story’.

The next day Lecturer Bankole sent for Tobi.

Sir, you sent it for me, Tobi asked.

Yes, I sent for you lecturer Bankole replied.

Are you taught how to speak in a present speech in front of a crowd or your dad is a pastor, lecturer Bankole asked.

Not at all sir, it’s talent, Tobi replied.

Why did you go for the plumbing and pipefitting course, lecturer Bankole asked.

Nothing sir it’s just that it’s my father’s job and I learn from him, Tobi replied.

I was so excited yesterday as if you have practiced on the topic before, lecturer Bankole said.

Talabi Mariam raises her hand to ask a question.

What is it my dear, Mrs. Oluwole asked.

I have a question ma, Mariam replied.

Am listening Mrs. Oluwole said.

Did Tobi later change course, Mariam asked.

After you have collected your matrix number you are not allowed to change course anymore, Mrs. Oluwole replied.

I will tell you what happened to Tobi, she continued.

It is examination time, you all know Tobi doesn’t pay attention in class when the lecturer is taunting them, Mrs. Oluwole said, that Tobi failed the exam, and the consequence of failing the exam is polytechnic or university carry-over.

Justina asked Mrs. Oluwole, what carry-over meant.

It means to expel, Mrs. Oluwole replied.

Why carry over, Justina asked.

In institutions they believe that a personal person is not serious with his or her study, Mrs. Oluwole replies.

Mrs. Oluwole continued with her story, Tobi on his way to the garage where is going to take a bus home, he started thinking of what to tell his parents about what happened to him, tobi has lost himself in deep taught, he doesn’t know whether is on the road, he had an accident, he was quickly rush to the nearest hospital.

After some days, they did not see Tobi’s relatives, his picture was taken to TV news.

Tobi parents watched the news, and they quickly rushed to the hospital, After getting there they went to the doctor who was treating Tobi.

Your son’s situation is very critical, Doctor said.

Please can I check on my son, Mrs. Olaniran asked.

Yes, but you can’t talk to him now, Doctor replied.

When they got to the emergency room where Tobi was admitted, her mother looked at his situation, tears rolling down from her eyes. 

Mr. Olaniran just keeps mute where he stands.

You have to take it easy I know how u are feeling but you have to take it easy, Doctor said.

Tobi hadn’t opened his eyes since the incident happened, it’s very surprising to the doctor, Tobi opened his eyes and talked.

Mummy, please stop crying I will be fine, Tobi said.

How did it happen son, Mrs. Olaniran asked.

It’s my fault, Tobi replied.

Tobi parents ’ eyes move at each other.

It’s my fault like I said earlier, my silence killed my future, when you asked me to go for plumbing and pipefitting in an institution I was not satisfied, my dream is to be a journalist or actor in the future, and am afraid of saying no when you asked me to go for the course, I know if I said I don’t like the course you are going to get angry with me because I know you very well, you don’t want your handwork to down, you used your greediness to killed my future dad, when your friend Mr. Debare asked me, if I have raise my voice then, this will have not happen to me.

I failed my exam, I was giving carry over, on my way to bus pack, am thinking of what to tell you, parents, after the accident happens, Tobi said. 

Mrs. Oluwole stopped, she looked around the class, what happened ma? One of the students asked

Mrs. Oluwole looked at the students, “worriedly”.

‘She couldn’t answer the question’, She continued with the story.

‘Lecturer Bankole and two men came to the hospital where Tobi was admitted, lecturer Bankole introduced himself and two other men as a Novelist’.

What can we do for you sir, Mr. Olaniran asked.

Your son Tobi is a creative writer of a story and this person wants to sponsor him, lecturer Bankole replied.

Tears roll down from Mrs. Oluwole’s cheeks,

The students were worried about what could happen to Mrs. Oluwole which made her cry, Mr. Ben the mathematics was even wondered.

She wiped her tears and continued. 

‘Mr. Olaniran turns his head back to look at Tobi. Tobi eyes were closed, Doctor moved close to Tobi to check him.

Tobi gave up on the ghost, Tobi’s dream didn’t later come to success, because he kept silent.

That is the end of my story, Mrs. Oluwole said.

‘She repeats her topic, your voice is your future’.

Our period is over, we are going to meet in the next class, Mrs. Oluwole said.

‘Mrs. Oluwole moved out of the class. 

The End