Be Responsible, Be Accountable

Be Responsible, Be Accountable
by ‘Kunle Ojeleye

In the days I grew up, there were no telephones – no mobile phones in existence, and landlines were not accessible to us.
Those were the days when you type and cyclostyle onto one huge machine, with tubes of black jelly spread across the roller before using your hand to furiously wind the papers around.

My father would leave home for school about 7 am, and my mum would head out shortly after.
If my father had a planned trip to anywhere, not only my mother but we the children would know his intended itinerary for the day.

However, it was not unusual for something unanticipated to crop up during the school day, demanding that my Dad travel to Ibadan (as at then) or Osogbo (when Osun State was created).
But one thing you can be sure of is that in such circumstances, not only would some, if not all the teachers in his school, aware of his having to travel, the school messenger will also dutifully inform us at home at the end of the school day that Dad has travelled to so and so place, hoping to be back by so and so time.

Until I left home, I cannot recollect a time that my parents left home to go anywhere, even within the neighbourhood without the other being informed, or those at home being instructed to let the other know their whereabout.

I remember an incident in 1981 when I left OSCAS Ife and went to Lagos to see my grandma at 1004 where she was staying with my aunt following the death of my Uncle, Brother ‘Demola.
I did not inform my parents or anyone of my travel before and after.
When my parents got to know about my journey to Lagos, they were livid. I got tongue lashed on why it is important for my footsteps to be traceable even if I am up to something mischievous.
Since then, I have learnt to let people know my movement.
Even in my single days in diaspora, there was always one or two friends that my family in Nigeria could reach, who would be able to trace where I was, even if hibernating in a lady’s house.

In the age of mobile phones, if I tell you I am going to Anthony, and then decide to head for Surulere, you can be sure I will text my newest destination if I am unable to reach you by phone for any reason.

Accountability and Responsibility.
These two words fully describe a man or woman that makes their loved ones, especially their spouses, aware of their daily movement.

If you cannot be accountable and responsible to your loved ones, why should we trust you with bigger stuffs?

Facebook Post: 2023-01-19 T08:50:55