Richard Roee

My aunt had five children, and each child had a different father. It was something people in our community never allowed her to forget. Her siblings, including my uncle, constantly mocked her and the children. Whenever there was an argument, someone would remind the children that they had different fathers. Sometimes, they would chase them away, telling them to go and look for their fathers. The most talked-about child was the one whose father was an immigration officer. The man had been posted to our community and stayed for barely two weeks. Shortly after he left, my aunt announced that she was pregnant for him. People couldn't believe it. Some laughed, others insulted her, and the children became even bigger targets of ridicule. Sadly, none of the five fathers ever came forward to take responsibility for their children. The cruelty in that household was so much that when one of the boys got into trouble with the police, my uncle actually suggested that the police should kill him. Imagine hearing such words from someone who was supposed to be family. Years passed, and the children grew up carrying the weight of everything they had endured. Then something unexpected happened. One of the daughters travelled to Lagos with a friend. During that visit, she met a very influential politician who was impressed by her and eventually helped her secure a position in the federal civil service. The entire family was shocked. But that was only the beginning.