Actress Nancy Isime goes down memory lane, shares the story of how Yemi Alade accommodated her in her struggling days and treated her with kindness.
She said:
“As a lot of you might already know, I started working at 17 and as an usher/model whose parents lived all the way in Ikorodu while most of her jobs were in town. It was difficult to go home most days when we were closed too late for me to find a bus or bike to take me home. I’d have to ask any of my co-workers then if it was okay to crash at theirs till morning and when there’s enough people staying back with me at the venue, I’d sleep on chairs joined together or the ground/rugged area till it was bright enough to get a bus home.
The ages 17-19 was basically me struggling for a place to sleep when I work too late to go home. Sometimes I’d brave it back home to Ikorodu at 2/3am in the morning, trekking with my koin koin shoe with my dad worried calling me every 3 minutes and my brothers in the streets trying to meet up with me. Let’s just say I’m destined to live long.
Yes, my family were worried, especially my dad but I am a dangerous gyal and it's best to let me figure out my life my way..else! The rebellion is quite rebellious I must confess. I’m a full-blooded Esan woman. Our stubbornness is from above.
Now comes Yemi who I had met through a mutual friend and had become an acquaintance. I asked her over the phone one day if it was okay to stay at her off campus accommodation a bit and she immediately said yes!
Fam, I stayed for weeks and this woman NEVER EVER complained! In fact, the peace was too much, I had to leave when I wasn’t ready to.
Shortly after, I could afford my own space in her building as I gained uni admission and the friendship and kindness continued…. Yemi becoming my kind neighbor.
Many years later, I still have the softest spot for Yemi and will eternally be grateful to her for being one of the bookmarks of kindness and generosity in my life.
Allowing me to squat with her wasn’t what stood out, I squatted with other people too, it was the attitude, consideration and the peace. My padi yemialade, I dey for you for life!!!
She said:
“As a lot of you might already know, I started working at 17 and as an usher/model whose parents lived all the way in Ikorodu while most of her jobs were in town. It was difficult to go home most days when we were closed too late for me to find a bus or bike to take me home. I’d have to ask any of my co-workers then if it was okay to crash at theirs till morning and when there’s enough people staying back with me at the venue, I’d sleep on chairs joined together or the ground/rugged area till it was bright enough to get a bus home.
The ages 17-19 was basically me struggling for a place to sleep when I work too late to go home. Sometimes I’d brave it back home to Ikorodu at 2/3am in the morning, trekking with my koin koin shoe with my dad worried calling me every 3 minutes and my brothers in the streets trying to meet up with me. Let’s just say I’m destined to live long.
Yes, my family were worried, especially my dad but I am a dangerous gyal and it's best to let me figure out my life my way..else! The rebellion is quite rebellious I must confess. I’m a full-blooded Esan woman. Our stubbornness is from above.
Now comes Yemi who I had met through a mutual friend and had become an acquaintance. I asked her over the phone one day if it was okay to stay at her off campus accommodation a bit and she immediately said yes!
Fam, I stayed for weeks and this woman NEVER EVER complained! In fact, the peace was too much, I had to leave when I wasn’t ready to.
Shortly after, I could afford my own space in her building as I gained uni admission and the friendship and kindness continued…. Yemi becoming my kind neighbor.
Many years later, I still have the softest spot for Yemi and will eternally be grateful to her for being one of the bookmarks of kindness and generosity in my life.
Allowing me to squat with her wasn’t what stood out, I squatted with other people too, it was the attitude, consideration and the peace. My padi yemialade, I dey for you for life!!!
So nice. I wish I had friends like Yemi but those I considered friends were laughing at me and mocking me back then while spreading lies about me. Now by the grace of God I can stand on my own two feet. I went back to school. Got my degree in nursing and I now earn 2500 euros a month. I'm now married to a loving man who was there for me when no one was. Not even my own family. He did so much for me and never stressed me for intimacy until I felt ready to give him my virginity. He makes me feel loved, safe, protected, at peace and appreciated. He too has a very good job. I'm 39 now. Pregnant with twins. Those who looked down on me and mocked me for my singleness and humble beginnings are either still sleeping around to maintain their lifestyle, depending on their parents or randy husbands, single mothers, suffering and smiling in their marriage or with rebellious kids. Some are dead, some have incurable diseases and some have the audacity to come to me requesting for money. I tell them I have but I will rather burn it into ashes than give to you. This is not unforgiveness but wisdom. I won't let a snake bite me twice or think it can fool me again. Now I have a new set of friends and circle and we are always there for each other. If as a friend you can't show human kindness to me at my lowest you don't deserve to be close to me when I upgrade. Nancy you are blessed and Yemi, God will reward you for your kind actions and heart.
ReplyDeleteYou are no better than your ex friends if you think ALL those who were supposedly mean to you back then are suffering the bad things you listed above. There are others who are doing well but your bitterness will not allow you to mention them.
DeleteMeanwhile, the ones truly going through the above ish were destined to be like that, such is life , we win some, we lose some. It's just a coincidence of they were supposedly mean to you.
Stop mocking people who are down because even you too do not know what tomorrow holds for you.
Congratulations ma🎉🎉
DeleteI'm encouraged the more with this☝️.
Interesting how you are the only one with the “success” story amongst your former friends.
DeleteIn any case, if you are indeed fulfilled in your new found success, lifting those who kicked you while you were down won’t be a big deal. You don’t need to have them in your life but it is wisdom to do them good.
What you call wisdom is unforgiveness and vengefulness.
Anon 13:33 and 14:29 your utterances show how senseless you are so I won't bother replying you. Those who will understand and be inspired by what I wrote will understand.
DeleteSorry for what you went through..but your bitterness is worth studying....as vile as your ex friends...Pele dear
DeleteAwwwww... Sweet friendship tale. I love it❤️❤️.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture. I love their attire
It takes nothing to be kind!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, Yemi my babe 👍🏻
ReplyDeleteAllah, that stubbornness from Esan people na follow come. In-built. The only difference with mine is I am stubborn while being quiet. I no get power for noise but I will just be looking at you bark and my silence will be annoying you on top. Lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you Yemi Alade for taking good care of our sister. Obulu.
Sisters for life 💕
ReplyDeleteA friend in need is a friend indeed.
Sister For Life
ReplyDeleteThis Is So Sweet
Gid Bless Her Kind Heart
Hello iya Boys
Friends for life
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Yemi, your type is rare
Very beautiful piece to read.😍
ReplyDeleteso beautiful .
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to thank Yemi Alade but let also acknowledge that you were a good and well-mannered guest. Look at you saying you left even before you had to because her kindness was too much. Some people would have taken advantage, be one a nuisance and a parasite that Yemi would have no choice but to write a chronicle to Stella or run leave house for them for her peace of mind. In the end, both the host and the guest must be on their best behavior, show kindness, consideration, empathy and understanding to each other.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both.
Correct!
Delete👍
I love this comment so much. Hosting is not always easy. It helps when you have a kind and thoughtful guest and when you get along with each other. An ideal guest cleans up after themselves, replenish stock/provision once in a while as a gesture and really just follows the vibes/rules of the house. I tried hosting someone in my room while in Uni and she would stack plate and pots up in the room and get to it at her leisure. I would come back to my room with friends /guest and would have to start cleaning up before they can sit down. When asked to clean up after herself, she got an attiude and I became her enemy. Thank you lucky stars if your guest is Nancy-level considerate.
Delete100% true.
DeleteSome guests make hosting them hell
Anon 14:10 good angle too. But the Koko is that the hostess is a very kind person. No matter how well mannered someone can be some host will take advantage of you and frustrate you. Remember when you are at the receiving end you have no choice.
DeleteNancy Isime, it's lovely that you never forgot Yemi Alade's kindness and loudly blow her trumpet and both of you have made it to the top of your careers.
ReplyDeleteLet's call it your resilience. Most Nigerians also have it.
Stubborness is not from above.
Stubborness is likened to witchcraft by the holy bible.
And that's my favourite Nigerian female musician
ReplyDeleteHer song KISSING hear am for my hand that year
I'm sure you were also a good person to her to be able to accommodate you. Some visitors or guests can be very annoying
ReplyDelete