A nursing mother, Omolara Adeniran, whose photo went viral on the Internet, tells GBENGA ADENIJI why she carried a placard on Lagos streets to solicit a profitable job for her husband.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a mother of a seven-month-old baby and a housewife. I am hoping to start a business once I have money to do so.
There is a photograph of you
all over the Internet holding a placard and soliciting a job for your
husband. What made you do that
all over the Internet holding a placard and soliciting a job for your
husband. What made you do that
I was led to do it and I followed the
spirit of God. Left to me as a person, I wouldn’t have done that. But I
was spiritually intoxicated and that gave me the boldness to do it. God
said that was the only way we would come out of the hardship we are
facing and the slavery work my husband is doing. The word I got was,
“There is always a sacrifice for every promotion.’’ I was asked to make
the sacrifice so my husband could be promoted and elevated.
spirit of God. Left to me as a person, I wouldn’t have done that. But I
was spiritually intoxicated and that gave me the boldness to do it. God
said that was the only way we would come out of the hardship we are
facing and the slavery work my husband is doing. The word I got was,
“There is always a sacrifice for every promotion.’’ I was asked to make
the sacrifice so my husband could be promoted and elevated.
Why do you want a new job for him?
For about 12 years, my husband has been
working in one of the popular commercial banks in the country as an
information technology engineer. They keep promising to promote him
without any hope of doing that. He has also been receiving the same
salary of N70, 000 since he joined the bank till now without a review.
He was single when he joined the company but he is now married and his
responsibilities have increased. I am really troubled, especially
knowing the kind of man he is and the kind of job he does. I had to take
the case to God in prayer. Before I went to the streets to carry a
placard to solicit a job for him, I received a message from God that I
should advertise him for our situation to change. I was confused the
first time I heard the message. But after calming down, I heard God’s
voice clearly that it was what I had to do.
working in one of the popular commercial banks in the country as an
information technology engineer. They keep promising to promote him
without any hope of doing that. He has also been receiving the same
salary of N70, 000 since he joined the bank till now without a review.
He was single when he joined the company but he is now married and his
responsibilities have increased. I am really troubled, especially
knowing the kind of man he is and the kind of job he does. I had to take
the case to God in prayer. Before I went to the streets to carry a
placard to solicit a job for him, I received a message from God that I
should advertise him for our situation to change. I was confused the
first time I heard the message. But after calming down, I heard God’s
voice clearly that it was what I had to do.
I didn’t do it of my own volition. It
was not easy for me to do it. I had to ask God for boldness. I asked Him
to give me David’s boldness to be able to do it. He stood by me and I
was not shy. I felt delighted that I could do that and sacrificed for my
husband. That was the reason why I went public to ask for a better job
for my husband. I fully realised when God spoke to me that there is a
better job out there for my husband, for his destiny to change.
was not easy for me to do it. I had to ask God for boldness. I asked Him
to give me David’s boldness to be able to do it. He stood by me and I
was not shy. I felt delighted that I could do that and sacrificed for my
husband. That was the reason why I went public to ask for a better job
for my husband. I fully realised when God spoke to me that there is a
better job out there for my husband, for his destiny to change.
How did you feel the day you carried the placard?
I felt good and awesome because it was
not my initiative. I felt good being an instruction that was divinely
ordained and which I had to make for my husband and my family. It was
not as if I did it for my husband only, I also did it for myself. We
became one the moment we took the marital vow together.
not my initiative. I felt good being an instruction that was divinely
ordained and which I had to make for my husband and my family. It was
not as if I did it for my husband only, I also did it for myself. We
became one the moment we took the marital vow together.
Many people wrongly abused me on the
Internet that I didn’t get a job for myself but wanted to get one for my
husband. My husband is the head of the family. The kind of person my
husband is, even if he gets a well-paid job, the money is for us. I know
the kind of man he is. People gave me attention that day and also
appreciated me.
Internet that I didn’t get a job for myself but wanted to get one for my
husband. My husband is the head of the family. The kind of person my
husband is, even if he gets a well-paid job, the money is for us. I know
the kind of man he is. People gave me attention that day and also
appreciated me.
Have there been positive responses?
Yes, people called the number I wrote on
the placard to either identify with my case or ask what the situation
was and how they could help. Fraudsters also called that I should pay
some money to get a good job for my husband. But I told the last of them
that called me that such amounted to offering bribes and God wouldn’t
want that. Some even erroneously called too to ask if I was searching
for a husband. Many even wrongly believed a Facebook post by someone who
claimed that he offered my husband a higher salary and I rejected,
insisting on a salary in six figure range.
the placard to either identify with my case or ask what the situation
was and how they could help. Fraudsters also called that I should pay
some money to get a good job for my husband. But I told the last of them
that called me that such amounted to offering bribes and God wouldn’t
want that. Some even erroneously called too to ask if I was searching
for a husband. Many even wrongly believed a Facebook post by someone who
claimed that he offered my husband a higher salary and I rejected,
insisting on a salary in six figure range.
The Facebook user, one
kdkonline, claimed that he offered to give your husband a job but you
insisted on a salary of N200,000 monthly. Is this true?
kdkonline, claimed that he offered to give your husband a job but you
insisted on a salary of N200,000 monthly. Is this true?
I think the man only wanted to gain
cheap popularity out of my plight. I have never met him before. I guess
he got my number through my photo which went viral on the Internet. He
called me and introduced himself as Oluwaseun. He told me that he has a
foundation and I said, “Okay sir. Thank you for calling.” He asked me
where my husband was currently working and I told him. He said, “Wow, he
has such experience and has not been converted.’’
cheap popularity out of my plight. I have never met him before. I guess
he got my number through my photo which went viral on the Internet. He
called me and introduced himself as Oluwaseun. He told me that he has a
foundation and I said, “Okay sir. Thank you for calling.” He asked me
where my husband was currently working and I told him. He said, “Wow, he
has such experience and has not been converted.’’
He again asked me the salary my husband
was hoping to earn if he got a new job. I told him the amount he is
currently earning monthly and added that a six-digit as salary would
really be of help to us at this time. That was all I said. I was
surprised when my attention was drawn to a post from the same man that I
insisted on N200, 000 monthly. Honestly, if I have requested such an
amount, my husband merits it because of his experience and competence.
But I didn’t say so even though I can confidently say that as an IT
engineer with over 11 years experience, my husband is worth more than a
salary of N200,000 monthly.
was hoping to earn if he got a new job. I told him the amount he is
currently earning monthly and added that a six-digit as salary would
really be of help to us at this time. That was all I said. I was
surprised when my attention was drawn to a post from the same man that I
insisted on N200, 000 monthly. Honestly, if I have requested such an
amount, my husband merits it because of his experience and competence.
But I didn’t say so even though I can confidently say that as an IT
engineer with over 11 years experience, my husband is worth more than a
salary of N200,000 monthly.
I later learnt that is the pastime of
the man on the Internet. That he goes online to demean people and
criticise them to draw traffic to his blog for personal gains. I was
sincere by saying six-digit salary was going to help my husband
appreciate his labour to some extent and the man twisted everything on
social media in an attempt to make us look bad and possibly make it
difficult for genuine helpers to give my husband a deserving job.
the man on the Internet. That he goes online to demean people and
criticise them to draw traffic to his blog for personal gains. I was
sincere by saying six-digit salary was going to help my husband
appreciate his labour to some extent and the man twisted everything on
social media in an attempt to make us look bad and possibly make it
difficult for genuine helpers to give my husband a deserving job.
I leave him to God who led me to do what
I did. He probably didn’t know that I never of my own volition went to
advertise my husband. It was a divine command. God, who asked me to do
what I did, will not allow us to be ridiculed by him. I know that our
divine helpers are thirsty to help us. The voice that parted the red sea
and brought water out of the rock will open doors of unimaginable
blessings for us. He surely will be alive to celebrate with us.
I did. He probably didn’t know that I never of my own volition went to
advertise my husband. It was a divine command. God, who asked me to do
what I did, will not allow us to be ridiculed by him. I know that our
divine helpers are thirsty to help us. The voice that parted the red sea
and brought water out of the rock will open doors of unimaginable
blessings for us. He surely will be alive to celebrate with us.
Is your husband aware of what you did on his behalf?
Initially, when I got the message, I was
confused about how to advertise my husband. I asked God to speak to me
the way I would understand. When I got the message clearly, I told my
husband and he was shocked. He asked me why would I do such a thing when
I was not drunk. He explained to me that having just put to bed and my
body was just taking shape, l shouldn’t face the sun in my state and
also that people would interpret my action wrongly.
confused about how to advertise my husband. I asked God to speak to me
the way I would understand. When I got the message clearly, I told my
husband and he was shocked. He asked me why would I do such a thing when
I was not drunk. He explained to me that having just put to bed and my
body was just taking shape, l shouldn’t face the sun in my state and
also that people would interpret my action wrongly.
I told him that it was God that told me
to do it. He became calm instantly and we ended the discussion that day.
But he didn’t give me the go-ahead. I returned to God and told Him to
speak to my husband if he wanted me to do what He commanded. Few days
later, he was at work and he called me. He said since it was God who
asked me to do it, it cannot be a bad thing and that who was he to
oppose it? He told me to go ahead and that cleared the way for me.
to do it. He became calm instantly and we ended the discussion that day.
But he didn’t give me the go-ahead. I returned to God and told Him to
speak to my husband if he wanted me to do what He commanded. Few days
later, he was at work and he called me. He said since it was God who
asked me to do it, it cannot be a bad thing and that who was he to
oppose it? He told me to go ahead and that cleared the way for me.
Did you envisage the publicity that would follow your action?
First, it was not something I would have
loved to do like I said earlier. But since it was God’s will, I could
not oppose it. I am happy after doing it because God is involved. I can
see that He alone knows the reason why He wanted me to do it. Many
people said I made a huge sacrifice and some also described me as a
strong woman. I didn’t see all these coming. For years I didn’t do this.
I only did what God led me to do and I am excited that He is backing me
up.
loved to do like I said earlier. But since it was God’s will, I could
not oppose it. I am happy after doing it because God is involved. I can
see that He alone knows the reason why He wanted me to do it. Many
people said I made a huge sacrifice and some also described me as a
strong woman. I didn’t see all these coming. For years I didn’t do this.
I only did what God led me to do and I am excited that He is backing me
up.
If I was told I would do this some years
back, I would have said it cannot be possible. Even if I saw any person
doing such, I would have thought the person was probably intoxicated. I
was only praying that morning as I stepped out of the house. At a
point, I prayed that I should not meet any of my family members on the
way so they wouldn’t think I was mad. My sister works on the Island and I
feared that she could see me. I knew that if she did, she could drag me
into her vehicle and drive me away. I didn’t just go anywhere. I went
exactly where God led me to on the Island.
back, I would have said it cannot be possible. Even if I saw any person
doing such, I would have thought the person was probably intoxicated. I
was only praying that morning as I stepped out of the house. At a
point, I prayed that I should not meet any of my family members on the
way so they wouldn’t think I was mad. My sister works on the Island and I
feared that she could see me. I knew that if she did, she could drag me
into her vehicle and drive me away. I didn’t just go anywhere. I went
exactly where God led me to on the Island.
Where precisely did you go to on the Island?
I spent about three hours in the area. I
started from Idejo Bus Stop on Adeola Odeku Street. I spent 20 minutes
at every junction to show passers-by and motorists the placard and
distribute my husband’s curriculum vitae. As I moved, people stopped,
dropped their complimentary cards and prayed for me. My picture that
went viral on the Internet was taken by one of the motorists when I
stood in front of Coscharis Motors on Adeola Odeku. I don’t even know
who took the picture. I later moved through Ajose Adeogun Street, made a
turning and came out through Adetokunbo Ademola Street, stayed for
sometime before I boarded a bus and returned home.
started from Idejo Bus Stop on Adeola Odeku Street. I spent 20 minutes
at every junction to show passers-by and motorists the placard and
distribute my husband’s curriculum vitae. As I moved, people stopped,
dropped their complimentary cards and prayed for me. My picture that
went viral on the Internet was taken by one of the motorists when I
stood in front of Coscharis Motors on Adeola Odeku. I don’t even know
who took the picture. I later moved through Ajose Adeogun Street, made a
turning and came out through Adetokunbo Ademola Street, stayed for
sometime before I boarded a bus and returned home.
Did you disguise from known faces?
I didn’t do that. I wear glasses but
didn’t go out with it that day. Where I was working before I got
married, computers affected my eyes so I am always on glasses. I don’t
really go out often but that day, as I beheld the sun carrying the
placard, the sun seeped into my eyes and they became watery. I bought
the sunglasses that day from a seller at Victoria Island because I
didn’t want people to think that I was crying.
didn’t go out with it that day. Where I was working before I got
married, computers affected my eyes so I am always on glasses. I don’t
really go out often but that day, as I beheld the sun carrying the
placard, the sun seeped into my eyes and they became watery. I bought
the sunglasses that day from a seller at Victoria Island because I
didn’t want people to think that I was crying.
What do you have to say to Nigerians who may have misinterpreted your action?
I want to urge them to always hear
others out and not quickly react to things that they hear or see. If you
see someone talking or doing certain things, take time out to know why
the person is talking the way he or she is doing or behaving a certain
way. There are some people that you cannot rubbish because if you do so,
their God will fight for them.
others out and not quickly react to things that they hear or see. If you
see someone talking or doing certain things, take time out to know why
the person is talking the way he or she is doing or behaving a certain
way. There are some people that you cannot rubbish because if you do so,
their God will fight for them.
What kind of person is your husband?
He is a highly spiritual man and
down-to-earth. He is a very calm person and like a dove. He is too
caring and can sacrifice anything for his family including others.
down-to-earth. He is a very calm person and like a dove. He is too
caring and can sacrifice anything for his family including others.
How did your family react to your action?
My siblings initially didn’t know that I
was the one in the picture that went viral. I was the one that called
all of them and told them what I did. I put the phone on speaker for the
only one who was not around to hear what I was telling the rest.
Immediately I told them, they started weeping. I explained to them that
God asked me to do it. They later praised me for taking a bold step to
do what God asked me to do.
was the one in the picture that went viral. I was the one that called
all of them and told them what I did. I put the phone on speaker for the
only one who was not around to hear what I was telling the rest.
Immediately I told them, they started weeping. I explained to them that
God asked me to do it. They later praised me for taking a bold step to
do what God asked me to do.
What do you have to say to Nigerians who may want to identify with you for doing what you termed God’s instruction?
I will just say that anybody who hears
our cry and help us is sowing into the covenant of God. I am sure that
they will reap bountifully because it is God’s order and not mine. It
will be well with their homes, their strength will be renewed and joy
everlasting shall be their portion.
our cry and help us is sowing into the covenant of God. I am sure that
they will reap bountifully because it is God’s order and not mine. It
will be well with their homes, their strength will be renewed and joy
everlasting shall be their portion.