<p style=”text-align: left;”>*I was in class that fateful Friday afternoon teaching my students when she raised her hand to ask a question.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*I permitted her and she asked a rather too simple question that I supposed she should know the answer.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*I had already covered that topic the previous week. “Will you sit down there! With your Ugly face! Olodo!” was the only answer I gave her.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*The whole class bursted into laughter and she looked embarrassed.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*I went on with my lesson but felt somewhat guilty over what I had said. I finished my class and left. On Sunday, I went to Church. The preacher was talking about the tongue and its power.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*He spoke about how you could bring others down by what you say.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*I remembered what happened on Friday and became guilty. I swore I was going to apologize to her on Monday when I got to the class.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*On Monday afternoon, I went to the class but I didn’t see her. I asked after her from her coursemates but they didn’t seem to know who I was talking about.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*I then said I was looking for the person I insulted on Friday.* *”Oh, that’s Joy Sir!* *She is not in class today”* *they answered.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Who is her friend? I asked.* *”Aisha” they chorused.* *But Aisha was not in the class either.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Suddenly, a girl with Hijab walked in.* *”That’s Aisha Sir” my students informed me.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Where is your friend? I asked her. “Which one?” She replied without looking at my face. Joy! I said.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*The reply shocked me! She is in the mortuary Sir.* *Mortuary????? Doing what there?? I asked* *”She died on Friday Sir”* *Aisha replied.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*How come?????? I later found out that after my class on Friday, Joy was hit by a fast moving vehicle.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*She was crossing the road absentmindedly probably because of what I said.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*”Her burial is on Saturday and you are invited Sir”* *Aisha continued.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*As I stood trying to overcome the shock, Aisha said within tears, “you killed my friend Sir”.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*She was right! I should be the murderer!*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Some girls in the class were already crying! I didn’t know what to say, whether to apologize to Joy’s friend or Joy’s ghost.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*I submitted my resignation letter the next day.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Dear Lecturers and Teachers, please stop insulting your student.*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*They are in school to learn from you. If they already know, they won’t be in school!*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Please mind what you say to other people. Are your words bringing life or death to the hearers?*</p>
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>*NB: THIS STORY IS A MUST READ AND DOES NOT ONLY APPLY TO LECTURERS AND TEACHERS BUT ALL OF US THAT COME INTO CONTACT WITH HUMAN BEINGS:* *CUSTOMERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, MATES, FRIENDS AND WHAT HAVE YOU?*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Let’s be very mindful of how we address one another.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Thank you.*</p>
<p style=”text-align: left;”>*Do have a great day*</p>