Few days ago, I was walking down to the pharmaceutical store with a friend and we saw two young boys chanting one of Chris Brown's popular song 'New flame' they couldn't be more than 10 years old. And I was stunned at their eloquence as they proudly churned out the lyrics while they walked away, now very arrogantly as they had noticed the obvious attention they were receiving.
Shortly after, 5 minutes was quite a time, when this young boy walked pass Into the store and like the famous 'Naija sings' competition or 'Nigeria's got talent' he sang the popular John Legend's 'All of me'...
Now, I love that song and every word in it plus the young boy had this very smooth melodious young voice which couldn't go Unnoticed. So, I stopped him on his way out as he held on to the chilled bottle of water in his hands.
Now, I love that song and every word in it plus the young boy had this very smooth melodious young voice which couldn't go Unnoticed. So, I stopped him on his way out as he held on to the chilled bottle of water in his hands.
"Hello!" I said as I took a closer look at the young boy in front of me who on the other hand was confident as he said a quick and sharp "hi" like he meant to say 'do I know you?' He couldn't be more than 3'4ft tall with a dull looking brown complexion and his hair cut very low that I could see the dandruff in his scalp; flat and wide nostrils with a thin face and body that the t-shirt he had on the pair of long blue denim seem dashed by a big and fleshy brother!
"I love that song!" I quickly said so I don't look like a stupid staring adult in the presence of a ten year old boy (I guessed). "So what's your name and how old are you?" I added since all he did was to give a proud smile back at the first statement like he wrote and sang the song!
"TJ" He said. While I looked on wondering what the acronym meant. "Tejiri and I am 10 years old" he added with a 'really?' look face on his.
Ok! I was right about his age.
"Could you sing that song to me? I want to learn the lyrics" I had asked him. And like a young 'Legend' he started the song, demonstrating as lines appeared and disappeared constantly on his forehead. Then he got to the part I wanted to hear '...You're my downfall, you're muse, my worst distraction, my rhythm and blues...'
"Do you know you what the song means?" "No! I just love how it sounds in my ears and I love the beat too." He said.
Then I sighed at how this little boy and many others sing along or chant lyrics of songs they don't even understand and most of which is not usually age appropriate as some are actually words that are capable of arousing the sensual organs.
"TJ" He said. While I looked on wondering what the acronym meant. "Tejiri and I am 10 years old" he added with a 'really?' look face on his.
Ok! I was right about his age.
"Could you sing that song to me? I want to learn the lyrics" I had asked him. And like a young 'Legend' he started the song, demonstrating as lines appeared and disappeared constantly on his forehead. Then he got to the part I wanted to hear '...You're my downfall, you're muse, my worst distraction, my rhythm and blues...'
"Do you know you what the song means?" "No! I just love how it sounds in my ears and I love the beat too." He said.
Then I sighed at how this little boy and many others sing along or chant lyrics of songs they don't even understand and most of which is not usually age appropriate as some are actually words that are capable of arousing the sensual organs.
Now don't run away because this is just getting interesting...
Like that wasn't enough for a week, I was on my way out when my attention was drawn to yet another set of boys who at the time i got to scene were crying profusely and begging not to be reported. I was curious to know what the boys did as i turned to my friend who actually caught and got them punished.
"Please sir, we will never do it again...please we promise sir! Ha! Oh my God...today is a bad day for me. I wish it never happened, ha God! Please sir..." One of the boys kept saying to avoid the leak of what he did which he probably now thought shameful as he rolled, sat and hit the floor severally, biting his lips, swearing, sweating and crying.
The boy's expressions were quite dramatic and got myself and one other lady whom i had met with the boys while i got to the scene laugh especially at the boy who kept avoiding my stare while the other boys looked on, crying silently; like they were waiting and hoping the dramatic boy's words and act would bail them out.
"Keep quite joor! Now you are crying but you know how to say rubbish abi? Especially you" the lady said pointing at the "drama boy".
Now, some of you might not be shocked at my reveal of what the boys did and quite a number would be, as I was!
"Titi hmmn, there's problem oo, big one sef. Can you imagine what these boys did?" My friend started, clapped his hands and then folded them beneath his breast as i stole a glance at the shinning silver Rolex watch which sat on his wrist smartly.
"Do you know these boys were discussing on the vagina of a girl and how to go in as a boy. In fact they talked about erections and how to enjoy sex by touching and fondling with the breast of the girl and a whole lot of things before i quietly got to their spot and dragged them here!" Pointing at the floor of the ICT room which happened to be his office and where the students (as we were in the learning environment) came to for classes or private educational browsing sessions.
I looked at the boys in shock who by discretion couldn't be more than 10 or 11 years old. "How old are you?" I asked. "10 years old" about 4 of the 6 boys murmured including the 'drama boy' who supposedly started the conversation and took the lead in the whole thing.
I looked at the boys in shock who by discretion couldn't be more than 10 or 11 years old. "How old are you?" I asked. "10 years old" about 4 of the 6 boys murmured including the 'drama boy' who supposedly started the conversation and took the lead in the whole thing.
The room became silent as they dropped their heads down in shame crying and then one of the previously quiet boys, the smallest in size of them all said admist tears " Aunty please, I did not say anything it was Tobi that was showing us how our penis would be big and strong when a girl kiss us" pointing at the 'drama boy' and making his right hand into a tight fist, using the the left hand to support upward and downward movement of the right forearm. Like the forearm was a hammer's tail and the tight fist the hammer's head ready to strike a nail perhaps into something.
"Tobi, who told you all these?" I asked him with deep concern reflecting even through the shake of my voice.
"Aunty, it's not me...It's all the big big people... I hear them say it everyday...ha God!" He said and sobbed.
Now, who do we blame?
How do we manage and control overly exposure of our kids and young ones to things and the world around including the music, books and movies they see like my 10 year old Tejiri friend.
Do we also conclude that what these kids did were outrightly wrong? Of course, not entirely because it is very important that we teach sex education in our schools and homes so they have the right information and not think or say what they hear, see or think is right.
Or do we blame the irresponsible adults around these kids which include you and I?
The word irresponsible simply means lacking a sense of responsibility; being incapable of or not chargeable or unable to respond to obligation. With these definition in mind, can we say truly that we are indeed responsible adults?
This is not a push blame party game but really what do you think?
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