Prof. as he’s fondly called was a brainy student who was full of life with the sparkling of youthful agility. He swam across the boisterous and tempestuous Oron River without the fear of its deluge to acquire higher education in the famous University of Calabar— all in the quest of becoming an illustrious son of his family and the immediate society.
Sadly, his dreams and the expectations of his people now wallows in the miry clay of psychosomatic oddness. Prof. and most of us were in Unical. We were residents of Malabo Republik (c). I was staying in room 201 in Hall5 that equally housed him. He was in the stock of the core Malabo boys whose aksions (actions) weren’t overlooked though not always reasonable as the slogan were and is, as it stance.
‘Real Malabites and Malabresses (those living in Malabo and female hostels) knew him. His adopted name, Prof. rang like church-bell. In the domain of campus entertainment, he was there to rap like Tupac. When the likes of Agba Enjoyment; Last Prophet (Otuetue of Hit FM) and Professor Aboki of CRBC were learning the trade of comic, he wasn’t left out. In sports, he was the star-boy in the game of football normally played in Malabo Square.
As popular as he was then, his daily and dependable companion never deserted him for second. It was a solid marriage devoid of matrimonial mangles. He was in a nuptial ecstasy with Indian hemp. And the fruit of the union is apparent today.
First, he began absconding from lectures. Gradually, he didn’t know what he was studying anymore. Today, he may be seen receiving lecture with those studying Environmental Education. Another day, he could find his ways to Geography and Regional Planning class. That was how he continued till the bridge couldn’t hold the water anymore. As times went on, he was ejected from his hostel space (bed corner) and new occupant allotted to the space. With no space to squat or hangout; he had to move to the hostel’s pew as he roamed without shelter.
From time to time, loved ones would come to show some affections and often take him home. Not too long, he’s back; but worse than the last time seen. At this stage, he was then qualified to join the other dudes at the pentagon in Hall6 and the annex at the overhead concrete roof of Hall5 to smoke marijuana and draw in Bolivian marching powder. And when he would’ve been back from the pentagon for those around then; him at that moment become “high” as commonly used in local parlance. And afterward, he hit the street in a big way as other mad guys did. At the moment, his life is a fairytale and pathetically tragicomic.
Nowadays, he can’t sing, rap or play soccer as he used to in yesteryears. Methinks this isn’t spirituality as some folks rumored then. It’s the residue of drugs abuse. In a nutshell, Prof. is however, psychologically divergent now. Like Solomon Grundy the fictional comic character in James Orchard Halliwell 1842 lyrics that ended his life in a week; I pray this isn’t the end of Prof.
The error of one man should be a guidepost for another. I chose to share the tale of this Malabite so that you may learn your lesson. In our day, the society is totally immersed and dazed by the havoc of illicit drugs consumption by the youths. The other day, a young man in his prime was shouting and undressing himself; and the passersby yelled from the corner: “no mind that guy, nah igbo de cause am”. If I may concur, that was the resultant effect of drugs. He got himself intoxicated beyond proportion.
Be careful of your drugs consumption. Life is beautiful as LG would advertise. From the pictures inset, even at his lunatic state, you could gladly see the savvy and swagger of prof. that he’s still stylish with that inner knack for fashion. His long-sleeve is tucked with his face-cap to complement the trousers’ colour. That's to tell you that he’s up to date. Take a look at his mustache; sideburns and the goggles in his pocket. Can you beat that? That’s the trendy fashion most city boys wears nowadays. A cursory look at the inset, you could see him in red rapping to the excitement of his fans.
Most of us reading this piece must have had some experiences either personally or witnessed similar narrations before. We must collectively wage war against illegal drugs. The score of youths sent to the streets and refuse-bins are outrageous. Who sent them? Of course, tramadol; cannabis, cocaine, nose candy, white lady, yayo, marijuana, codeine, pethidine and morphine did.
In my post primary school days at Mary Knoll College (MKC), I witnessed students inhaling “solution” wrapped in handkerchief. That’s a liquid substance used for gluing of tyres. Some inhales lighter. Today, they’re some that inhale the ether evaporating from waste dump. Even the gas from latrine.
Conversely, drugs are naturally vital to human health. It’s when they’re used contrarily to their consumptive usages or doctor’s prescription that they posses danger to its users. They’re either taken intravenously or orally. The youths of today can smoke anything leaf. They can drink any liquid called herb without minding its composition.
In the streets, young ladies are hawking all deadly liquid known as shekpe; adogorayo, cat-head, monkey-tail, jedijedi etc. Some are miotic drugs that causes miosis. That’s the constriction of the pupil of the eyes. Pyretic; substance that causes a rise in body temperature. Mydriatic; those herbs dilates the pupil of the eyes due to stimulants such as {meth}amphetamines, coke, etc. Hypnotic herbs; these ones when consumed can induce one to sleep or make the user hypnotized due to the soporific substance it contained.
Most times, drivers and security personnel; mostly police officers are the ones that patronizes these hawkers the most. Any doubting Thomas is advised to take a walk to Habour junction (EPZ,) Calabar to bear witness too. Therefore, they can release fire at will due to the effect of these drugs. What of narcotic and anesthetic? They reduces pain, induces sleep and could alter mood or behavior.
Drugs abuse has become a societal problem which requires everybody’s attention and action. No tribe, sex or age is safe. In times like these, there is no place for the “lone wolf”. Your positive campaign against this monstrous menace can be a powerful jab in reducing this challenge. Therefore, I respectfully call on you to arise and say no to drugs abuse. I repeat, say no to drugs abuse! Copied?
Comr. Ogar, Emmanuel Oko
Young Progressive Party (YPP) Cross River State Chapter Secretary.
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