THE Ibom Air fiasco, involving an unruly but now remorseful passenger and a rancorous air hostess on board a Lagos-bound aeroplane, which erupted last Sunday, was yet to completely vaporise from the scorching media landscape when its dramatis personae swelled by one character; Ovie Success Ossai.
Towards the end of this blockbuster movie, attention shifted from actors like the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA); Fuji maestro, KWAM1; the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), and Miss Comfort Emmanson, who accidentally flew from Uyo straight to Kirikiri Prison.
The media personality seemed to have stirred the hornets’ nest when he offered Comfort Emmanson a complimentary trip to Delta State, a job with a mouth-watering N500,000 monthly salary, free accommodation in a five-star hotel and an all-expense paid tour. He also promised Miss Emmanson a ticket to attend the Delta State Social Media Summit coming up in two weeks.
I listened as one lady fumed inside the keke that I joined en route to my office. Usually, such early morning voyages, which thankfully do not include an air hostess having to ask us to turn our mobile phones off, lacked the social flair, especially as both passengers and drivers engage in internal monologues, and look forward to the promising prospects of a new day.
But that day was particularly different. This lady barked, cursed and hissed like a hooded cobra forking its tongue. Her tantrums ignited a flurry of reactions that endured until my road ticket expired. Other passengers were rudely roused from their thoughts, with some offering their occasional nods and sighs.
I remained aloof throughout the trip, not because I was oblivious of the whole Ibom Air saga or that I didn’t hold my opinion. I refused to utter a word, maintaining a stoic posture, but soaked up their conversation like a sponge. They didn’t know that I knew Ossai personally, and as you would guess, I was going to tell him all that they said, even though he should have known already.
Inside that now-enlivened keke, the lady questioned the emerging culture of gratifying nuisance in society. She recalled the case of Nmesoma, who altered her JAMB scores and suddenly became a celebrity, commanding endorsements and scholarship offers from individuals and corporate bodies. Our mystery lady wondered what kind of job Ossai was offering Miss Emmanson to warrant N500k every month, and how he intended to sustain the offer.
But she didn’t stop there. She railed, wild in her assumptions and unbridled in imagination. The emerging pictures of Miss Emmanson before her sour ordeal suggested many things to many people. ‘’Abi, he wants to have a taste of those melons,’’ she quipped.
At this point, a smile escaped from the corners of my lips; not because her diatribe amused the small, itinerant community, but because I knew Ossai, and I was going to tell him this, too, regardless of how he took it. You see, I would not sit and listen to these aspersions, hurled at my dear friend and not do the least I can; tell him.
What infuriated me the most was when an older male passenger, as told by his greyed beard, audaciously accused Ossai of denigrating the reputation of the state government with such irrational social media posts. I knew immediately that this must be a patriotic Deltan, who must have been drained by the deluge of similar sentiments, particularly on social media.
You see, Ossai’s magnanimity to Miss Emmanson, though not ill-intentione, was interpreted in so many ways, with many exploring the opportunity to exercise their mischief in a directionless attack that, unfortunately, was aimed at our dear governor. It was all over the media, ‘’Oborevwori’s Media Aide blah blah blah…’’
As I sat there, motionless, except for the restless pupils of an albino floating from left to right, I was almost dragged into this cesspool. But no, I must form an informed opinion so that I can properly enlighten those who care on the true position of things, especially since it is my duty as a journalist.
Again, I smiled, knowing that Ossai had no reason to droll after Miss Emmanson. He is a responsible young man who would not trade his family for a slice of melon. Undoubtedly, the young lady must have suffered severe trauma from her encounter, and there is no better place to heal than the ‘’Big Heart’’, where she would savour hospitality at its best and make new friends and possibly a new life. Who knows?
As I earlier said, I will tell Ossai everything they said about him, and I cannot wait to relieve them of my small breasts. It is his fight after all, not mine. On second thought, what kind of job is my friend offering for such a whopping salary? I need to know so that I can inform my unemployed brothers, too. In the meantime, see you at the third edition of the Delta Social Media Summit on August 28 where I hope to meet Ossai and tell him everything.
