Alhaja Simbiat Daudu Female Hostel in Yaba, Lagos State, had a reputation of attracting a few men of means and some low and medium-earning men, but men who had bright future and who were in their late 20s and early to late 30s.
Alhaja Simbiat Daudu Female Hostel in Yaba, Lagos State, had a reputation of attracting a few men of means and some low and medium-earning men, but men who had bright future and who were in their late 20s and early to late 30s.
The hostel had a policy of not giving accommodation to every undergraduate, except when they were of advanced age or were recommended by an old boarder, to avoid a situation of having boarders who would quarrel over petty issues and who would attract visitors of similar traits. That made many of the residents to be working-class women, many of whom were pursuing one professional course or the other, and a number of them doing their masters degree.
Some of them were non-students but workers who were not yet married; and most of them were singles, while a few were young mothers and wives who were still pursuing one professional course or the other in the higher institutions and other professional and training institutions in and around Yaba.
Thus, most weekends, the hostel would be almost empty, with the married ones home to spend time with their families and the spinsters off to their guys or fiancés.
The hostel was a building of twenty rooms with toilet facilities and a kitchen attached to each room, and with a broad corridor separating them into ten rooms to each side. Down the corridor was the sitting room, which served as a meeting point because it was very big and had a big television set and two big deep freezers. To reduce power bills, residents were not allowed to own their own television set and refrigerator or to have electric cooker except gas cooker or kerosene stove.
A resident could take and pay for a room alone, but it was, as was its policy and which was the common occurrence, two residents to a room. And they could plan and seek for the accommodation together or could come separately and then be given a room as a pair.
Alhaja had very strict rules to discourage misunderstanding and quarrels, one of which was that male visitors were not allowed to pass the night and must leave by 9p.m. and her permission must be sought before any female visitor could pass the night.
Thus, there was an average of thirty-eight boarders when the rooms were fully occupied. And there were hardly quarrels among boarders of Alhaja Simbiat Daudu Female Hostel.
Alhaja, who lived with her family in a single bungalow at the back of the hostel, hardly had matters brought to her attention because there happened to be one of the boarders who had been able to gain the respect of the others and who, over time, became known as the Matron of the House or Matron or simply Matron Chichi, because this particular boarder treated with much compassion, intelligence and fair judgments every matter brought to her.
Chidinma, for that was her name, was a nursing student at the famous Lagos State College of Health Technology, No. 8, Harvey Road, Yaba. It was difficult to believe she was only twenty-six and unmarried because she had the wisdom and carriage of a forty-year-old woman. Cool and calculated, she had every other boarder under her firm control. And such unauthorised power and eventual honour do not come easy among a group of nearly forty women of different backgrounds, age ranges and professions.
One area where nearly every other woman in the hostel sought Matron Chichi's counsel was marital and romantic issue. She would be calm as a fellow boarder, who could be thirty-five or more and who could be married with kids, pour out her heart on problems with her husband or with her in-laws. And Matron Chichi, who was still single, would listen to the end with uncommon patience, and then calmly, very calmly, provide suggestions or advice, which more often than not, brought solution.
Or it could be an unmarried boarder having problems with her boyfriend or finance, seeking for Matron Chichi's counsel. She never appeared arrogant or superior. She would kindly give her advice, which was most times not only logical, but also realistic and acceptable.
These qualities in her were rare gifts and not from too much academic reading, for she did not even have a university degree, nor from personal reading, nor from watching movies, for she only took such things as hobbies like similar women of her age and status, even less than most women in the hostel. These were innate qualities. And nobody else benefited from these qualities than Toritseju, Matron Chichi's roommate, who was a student of a major catering institute in Yaba.
Toritseju had had a string of boyfriends who never took her seriously, until she came to the hostel and joined Matron Chichi in her room. After a couple of close observations, Matron Chichi realised the cause of Toritseju's problem and pointed it out before providing her advice, which worked effectively. Since then, Matron Chichi became Toritsejus unofficial counsellor. Now, Toritseju had a stable relationship, but that did not make her gain the total respect of other boarders who still considered her naturally immature, her being twenty-six, like Matron Chichi, not withstanding.
Every boarder knew Emem, Matron Chichi's boyfriend, a young man who she had dated since his HND days at the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Yaba, where he studied computer engineering. After his NYSC year, Emem worked with a small construction company for about a year and lived with his elder brother in Ebute Metta until he secured a better job with a major oil-marketing firm, where his status changed and he eventually moved to his own apartment in highbrow Lekki.
Matron Chichi spent most weekends with him and every of her co-boarder looked forward to her joining him later in the year, at the end of her three-year OND programme in community health, and also expected their wedding in no distant future. Emem, a very gentle and nice guy who all the boarders loved, often came to pick up Matron Chichi in his black Mercedes Benz G-Class jeep most Friday evenings. They would make a good couple, they all agreed.
Then something happened. About a year after moving to his own, Emem stopped visiting and Matron Chichi started spending every weekend in the hostel. When her mates asked of Emem from her, she often said he was fine and that his job often took him out of Lagos lately.
Suddenly, Matron Chichi began to lose weight and kept to herself most times.
One night, Toritseju was surprised to hear her sobbing softly. Toritseju was instantly awake and out of her bed to switch on the light. And she was at Matron Chichi's bedside.
'What's the matter, Matron Chichi?' Toritseju asked with anxiety.
'Nothing. Nothing. I'm fine,' Matron Chichi said and wiped her tears.
'You are fine? Then why are you crying?'
'I said I'm fine.' She tried in vain to control herself but the tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
'Ho, you're not being fair to me, Matron Chichi.'
Toritseju was almost to tears. 'What's the problem? You're making me sad.'
'I said I'm fine,' Matron Chichi insisted boldly.
'So, why are you crying?' Toritseju asked as a thought flashed through her mind. 'Or is it Emem?'
No response. But even as Matron Chichi said nothing, more tears streamed down her cheeks and she broke into more sobs.
Then Toritseju instantly understood. 'Did he dump you?' she asked.
Matron Chichi could not respond instantly, but after a brief silence that seemed to last for ever, she nodded her head slowly.
'Why? Why? Why should he do that?' Toritseju lamented.
From the sadness in her voice, Matron Chichi knew how genuinely touched Toritseju was.
Gently, Toritseju was able to get the details from Matron Chichi. Emem no longer wanted her because he wanted a woman with a more reputable profession, perhaps a banker, a medical doctor, even a fellow engineer, but not a nurse.
To Toritseju, Matron Chichi was a superhuman, with her intelligence. And Matron Chichi's natural domination of her fellow human had made Toritseju assumed she was above such emotions. She could not also believe Matron Chichi could not handle any man, let alone she not being able to convince Emem on the irresponsibility of claiming he was dumping her on such a lame excuse. To think the almighty Matron Chichi would cry over losing a man. Matron Chichi that had solution to every problem. It was unbelievable!
Toritseju did not know how to go about it and suggested she enlist the assistance of others in the morning. Matron Chichi was initially against the idea until Toritseju talked her into accepting, as this was their own form of showing how grateful they were for her matronly role.
Early the next morning, a Friday, Toritseju quickly called a brief meeting in the sitting room and gave highlights of what had happened to Matron Chichi. Because it was a working day, they all resolved to have a meeting later in the evening.
In the evening, with Matron Chichi present this time, they held a meeting of those who did not travel for the weekend. It certainly was rare for a general meeting of that kind to be held in the hostel. It simply was because there was never a resident like Matron Chichi in the history of the hostel: a fellow boarder who everybody went for counselling. Now, she was in a similar situation and needed help.
What none of the resident would admit to, was that they never thought a day would come when Matron Chichi would not know how to handle her own affairs, especially a love affair, and would turn to them for help. They all had thought she was a superwoman on love relationship: the Matron of the Game!
In her own words, Matron Chichi gave account of how she and Emem had broken up. Distraught but trying to put up a brave front, she expectedly looked at their eyes for solution.
The first speaker was Mrs. Eniola Aselebe, a full-time post-graduate degree student of education at the University of Lagos (Unilag), Akoka, a district of Yaba. A mother of two, she had her family in Badagry, on the outskirts of Lagos, and was supposed to visit her family that weekend, but like a few of the other boarders, she had decided to postpone her visit for the meeting because Matron Chichi had been of great help to her a number of times.
'Emem could have other reasons for breaking up the relationship,' suggested Mrs. Aseleba. 'What is not special about a nurse?
'Matron Chichi could find out more about his reasons before we decide on the best line of action.'
Matron Chichi explained in a sad voice: 'He is no longer talking to me.'
'Perhaps I could call him and invite him over for a meeting between the two you,' suggested Mrs. Aseleba.
'He has changed his phone number.' The tears were returning to Matron Chichi's eyes as she spoke.
'Then I can go and see him at home,' Mrs. Aseleba added. 'Where is his address?'
'He won't see you,' Matron Chichi intoned.
'Just let me try. Or does anyone else has a better option?' Mrs. Aselebe asked the others.
They all agreed that Mrs. Aselebe, a woman in her late 30s, should go and see Emem at home the next day, and Matron Chichi gave her his home address.
In the evening of the next day, they had another meeting where Mrs. Aselebe reported to them the outcome of her visit. It turned out that Emem had strongly resolved not to change his decision on Matron Chichi, not only because he did not like her profession, but mainly because he considered her too possessive and domineering for his life partner.
'Too brilliant, perhaps', one of the boarders added.
'Or too brilliant for him,' another tried to put it correctly.
Mrs. Aselebe continued: 'I tried to reason with him but it appears he has totally made up his mind.'
Matron Chichi sighed heavily and everybody could feel her frustration.
'I think I've a better idea.' It was Toritseju, Matron Chichi's roommate.
'What is it, Toritseju?' one of the others asked, followed by muffled sneers in the air.
'We should all go to see him in his office and force him to talk to us all in the presence of his colleagues on why he's dumping a woman he's supposed to marry.'
'Hmmm, Toritseju', somebody laughed. The sneers were loud now.
'No, no, no. Let's confront him, to really open up. He's only human. If we all go to his office, he would be intimidated and tell us everything. Then we would put up our defense of Matron Chichi to counter him.'
The sneers were about to begin again when Matron Chichi stopped them. 'No, Toritseju has a point. Let us see how that one works out first. There's no harm in trying.'
And everybody paused and paid attention as Toritseju continued: 'We should set a day during the week and all go and see him, except Matron Chichi.' Toritseju's confidence was growing now. 'It's a sacrifice we would have to make for Matron Chichi. We would need to hire a bus and go to his office in Victoria Island. Then he would know that Matron Chichi has friends.'
Eventually, Thursday was chosen. And on the morning of that day, a Toyota Coaster bus, filled with thirty-four women, showed up at the gates of Emem's company. Every boarder was dressed in his professional clothing, but the ones that really stood out were the other four nursing students with their complete uniforms, and the three catering students, including Toritseju, with their chefs jackets and hat on.
The security men asked them who they wanted to visit and purpose of visit. Their reply was that they wanted to see Engr. Emem Eduok and their mission was official. They were asked whose name to be given to Emem. It was Toritseju that spoke: 'Please kindly inform him that we are residents of Alhaja Simbiat Daudu Female Hostel, Yaba.'
A call was made to Emem who, obviously thinking there was only one or two women in to see him over Matron Chichi, asked that they be allowed in. And the gates were opened for them and a direction to the car park given to their driver. Then thirty-four women alighted, with the nurses and caterers very outstanding in their complete apparels. And they were all led by a security man to Emem's office.
It was a sight to behold as they walked to the entrance of the reception hall. At the reception hall, they were all asked to wait and they all remained standing as there were not enough seats and they almost filled up the whole hall. They were asked to remain in the hall, as Emem's office would certainly not take them all.
When Emem came down to the reception hall, he could hardly believe his eyes. 'Wha-Wha-What's the matter?' he stammered.
Toritseju was at the front and she spoke very formally: 'Dear Engineer Emem Eduok, we, the residents of Alhaja Simbiat Daudu Female Hostel, Yaba, Lagos State, are here to kindly request that you come to our hostel today at 7p.m. to unbreak the heart of our Matron, Miss Chidinma Njoku, whose heart you have broken.'
The two female receptionists, other visitors and some staff members who had come down to the reception were all watching the drama. All their eyes then turned and were riveted on Emem.
Then Emem surprisingly responded: 'I, Engineer Emem Eduok, do hereby promised to come to Alhaja Simbiat Daudu Female Hostel this evening to carry out your request to the best of my ability. Thank you.'
'You are welcome. We look forward to your co-operation', said Toritseju.
And the women filed out of the reception hall, down the concrete grounds to the car park to their bus and were then driven away.
When they got to their hostel, they could see the restrained excitement on Matron Chichi's face as she sat alone waiting for them in the sitting room.
'He called!' she screamed, but slowly stood up in her controlled excitement.
'Ho! He was scared to his pants! Ho, it worked! He called me! He said he would come here directly after the close of work!'
And they all waited till a few minutes after 7p.m. when they heard the sound of Emem's car driving in.
They remained waiting in the sitting room, not knowing how he would react.
'Good evening, all', he greeted, pausing at the door of the sitting room.
'Good evening, Emem', they all responded in chorus.
'Hmmm.' He was short of words and his expression was that of indecision.
'Chichi, may I see you in your room a moment?'
And Matron Chichi gently stood up and followed him as he briskly walked ahead to her room. The other residents exchanged glances and waited.
It took about thirty minutes before Emem and Matron Chichi came to the entrance of the sitting room, holding hands. The sitting room was heavy with silence as the others looked at them apprehensively.
Then Matron Chichi smiled at them and said slowly: 'Ladies in the house, I'm happy to inform you that Emem has just proposed to marry me and I've accepted.'
It was Toritseju that first reacted, suddenly springing up. 'Praise the Lord!' she screamed with her voice full of happiness and ecstasy.
'Hallelujah!' was the loud chorus she got in response from her fellow boarders.
'Praise Master Jesus!'
'Hallelujah!'
Instantly, Toritseju broke into a popular chorus:
Winner ho ho ho!
Winner!
Winner ho ho ho!
Winner!
Matron Chichi, you don win ho!
Winner!
Kpata kpata you go win for ever!
Winner!
And the others stood up and joined the chorus and followed the lead of Toritseju, who had broken into a dance.
And they sang and danced round the sitting room with some shaking Emem's hands and congratulating Matron Chichi.
As more choruses were raised and new dance steps taken, Matron Chichi put her right hand across Emem's waist and rested her head on his left shoulder, smiling, while Emem put his left hand across her left shoulder in a warm embrace.
And the singing and dancing continued!
