Stealing Obtaining what belongs to Caesar

  

Image Credit: X.com

By Olufunmilola Oludare

If you look thoroughly through the Bible and Quran, you can't possibly escape the verses and chapters stating that humanity is one in all but blood. And a more philosophical look into the root of man can reveal that we all share the ancestry of Adam and Eve. In essence, we are one and whatever binds us together is a mere afterthought. Now, you'd also recall that the same scriptures tell us to give to Caesar what belongs to him. However, as messengers of love, our actions should be guided by compassion and kindness.

It's surprising, to say the least, that Caesar's expectations seem to contradict the spirit of love and generosity we're called to imitate. I mean, why should Caesar get angry when we take what belongs to him? Maybe we need to reexamine what truly belongs to Caesar, and what belongs to our shared ancestry àbí, are we not one? It is this logic of oneness and love many Queenites are yet to understand, especially freshers. I'm saying that if we are one, why can't we obtain what belongs to one another, just like we will take what belongs to Caesar?

Of these unenlightened Queenites is Animashaun, a resident of G-block who took to the Fresher's group chat to announce the loss of her favourite undies, one of which had a picture of Cinderella on it. She had threatened to bring down calamity on whoever obtained these beloved undies if they refused to return them. However, Animashaun is new to the system, after two days of threatening calamity, she resorted to placing a bounty on the obtained items, showering whoever found the undies with pleas and prayers. Beyond these actions and reactions is an erosion of our affectionate professions, our assertions that we would let love lead, our desire to follow the scriptures without compromise. Besides, Animashaun has not been true to her name, her name literally translates to “a giver”. Why has she decided to not give or at least let go and consider the obtained undies as her quota to the development of her fellow humans in the hall? We say everyday for the obtainer and one day for the owner but, if we stay religiously true to our assertions of love, the one day given to the owner would also be handed over to the obtainer.

Off this same hymnal book is Kogbagbere, a sophomore year student, familiar with the ground rules and never to be caught unguarded. Her Gucci scarf had also been obtained but she didn't flinch. She sent out a warning on the second day, peacefully appealing to whoever obtained her designer scarf. But at the end of her plea, she added an ultimatum for the obtainer to disobtain her belonging. “I implore you to return the scarf as soon as possible, you can do this quietly and within 3 days. After three days, whatever happens to you will not be quiet” She said. Three days later, Kogbagbere came back to the group chat to announce that she had been reunited with her designer scarf. Somebody say POWER!!! Now, a real one; true to her name, ko-gba-gbere meaning no nonsense. Again, somebody shout POWER!! While we respect the realness of Kogbagbere, we must endeavor not to forget the essence of our sojourn in this jungle: giving is loving and loving is sharing. Kogbagbere might have lived up to her name but she definitely didn't live up to the covenant of our shared ancestry.

In hindsight, Animashaun has discovered the very nature of the society she is currently living in. She has decided to let go of her beloved undies, after days of cussing and praying. But, of course, next time, she would not allow the obtainer the chance to have her favourite things, at least not until she gathers the momentum to move on from the obtainance. For Animashaun, if she ever lays hold on the obtainer, either of them is going down but, really, it's a question of how not if. These obtainers are rarely ever seen but, do we have to know someone before we help them out? Of Course not! So for Animashaun, she has contributed her quota to her fellow human. And for Kogbagbere, she has asserted unspoken power, for herself and the entire no nonsense clan.

In all, One for you, one for me and for everyone, to satisfy and fulfill every of our desires. It is not enough to take or obtain what belongs to Caesar, we must understand that the first experience usually comes with a lot of emotions: pain, disgust and anger. But, with time, Caesar will learn to either build walls of defense or remain in the arena where his belongings are obtained. From a different perspective, Animashaun doesn't have to remain “Caesar” when she can be an obtainer, we must all make our way in this wicked world. Yet again, this does little or no good to our confession of love but maybe to Caesar, it is a better explored option.