I never forget random acts of kindness shown to me.
It was the year 2004 and I was having some anxiety because of my 200 level final exams. So much so that I left my ID card in the hostel. The anxiety was driven by the weight of that exam in determining whether I was moving to the next stage or not. I was not allowed to come into the exam hall and I needed to get my student ID card from the hostel. My friend Sade who was one of the few that had a car couldn’t take me as she had been signed into the hall already.
Then came Buki Ayo Bello who was a year ahead of me but all that we ever exchanged were just the regular pleasantries. She heard what happened and ran to get her car. Buki drove like she was about to miss her exam just because she wanted me to make it back in good time from the hostel. For someone that wasn’t a friend, I have never forgotten that kindness.
Dr. Maria Cristina – One of the kindest people I’ve ever met!!
It was the year 2012. I had a car but couldn’t drive yet and I was unable to get a driver. I moved to Lagos to start residency and I couldn’t understand why everyone was always angry and in a hurry. I would miss my bus stop, get to work late, find myself in Mile 12 instead of Ojota at times because I didn’t know my way. I would cry to work sometimes and come back home still with damp eyes.
I was in Nephrology unit for my first posting and was paired with Akinkunmi Afolabi. It was like moth to flame and we were such a happy duo. Akinkunmi came for my wedding in Ilorin within two months of knowing me.
Being a newly wed (with my husband not in town most times) and a new resident IN LAGOS was not child’s play. To add to the stress, this man called my husband then put me in the family way 🤷♀️🤷♀️.
I was going home one day and Akinkunmi saw me waddling like a duck in all my 32 weeks glory. Do you know what it means to drive someone from Idi Araba to Ikeja at 5.30pm on a work day? That was what he did. And not once, but twice.
I never forget random acts of kindness.
It was the year 2013 and I was almost due (36 weeks plus) but still coming to work. I had some Braxton Hicks contractions that felt like the real thing. But it was not and I was cleared to go home. Dr. Marius Ibe (my senior registrar) dipped into his purse and gave me N5000 to take a cab. Also ensured I was fine before leaving.
I never forget random acts of kindness. As much as we have vile people, there are good people out there. Pay it forward. A little bit here and there, makes the world a better place.
Finally, gravitate towards kindness if you are a kind person. Seek it actively. So that you don’t get sucked into the evil that exists in this world.