PARTY ON FIRE

by ODEMI OMABUWA
(ABUJA, NIGERIA)

I was a final year law student at the Delta State University, Nigeria when my whole life turned around.

It was October 7th 2001 and 2 weeks to my final exams. It was also my birthday. I had planned to have a bonfire party in school and have fun with my school mates for just 2 hours before going to read.


Since I was having a party people were not used to, I took permission from the Chief Security officer that I was having a bonfire party, no alcohol was to be served and no drugs whatsoever. He permitted it and I went ahead with planning.

About 6 o'clock that evening the fire was lit and my friends had started coming and the party had started.

About 7pm the cops came with full venom and arrested some of my guests and locked them up at the station. On getting to the police station I was told that they got information that a cult initiation was taking place in the guise of a birthday party. That was so absurd because I have never heard of a cult initiation at 6pm in the School compound close to the Staff quaters.


All those issues were raised but unfortunately they did not hold water. After the release of my friends the School authority took over and after facing the panel the decision was to rusticate me from school for 2 years.


At that point it seemed like the end of the world for me. It seemed like the end of my career. I felt so bad an innocent party turned into something else.


I left School. The Chief Security Officer denied knowledge of the party,friends abandoned me to my fate, very few friends remained.I am grateful to God that My parents and family were so supportive.


I had the next attitude and moved on with my life. In 2 years I had published 4 editions of a magazine, "Friends Magazine", authored a book titled " Plan B, the other Plan", done a computer programme. By the time I was called back to School, I had upgraded myself and had a new out look on life.


I finished my degree programme and moved on to Lawchool. I was eventually called to the Nigerian Bar. Today, I am a qualified Lawyer, author of 2 books and I work in an NGO, "Whatz up? Foundation" where I empower young people to be all they can be.


I moved on successfully inspite of my challenges because I said yes to God and Yes to life.