By Mariam Motunrayo Williams-Johnson
The word Vampire first appeared in 1700’s, but the folklore surrounding undead creatures that feed off on human blood has been since the earliest times. I am using the word “vampire” for the first time in my write ups though I know it’s not a positive word.
Vampire has been defined to mean a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of persons.
According to Merriam Webster and Collins Dictionary, vampire means the reanimated body of a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of persons.
From my perspective, a vampire is someone who heartlessly preys on others (blackmailer); anyone else who just sucks the life out of you.
A person may become a vampire in a variety of ways. There are vampires in almost all the spheres that we are:
some people are married and born to a vampire. While some meet their vampires in their cycle of friends, in the office and among family members. There are vampires in the musical, religion, political industry even in the civil service, in your community just think of where there are human beings with set of objectives to be carried out and achieved. Vampires are always present to suck you.
Surprisingly, you can be the vampire sucking yourself through negative acts. So, the greatest vampire is “SELF”. Shockingly, if you are not able to overcome the self vampire, other external vampires will devour you.
There are vampires everywhere regardless of the group, tribe, class, space etc. that you belong and it can only take the Grace of God and how far the grace can lead you to being smart according to Muhbad who said in one of his interviews when asked what was your mistake and lesson from your past experience; he said “I wasn’t smart” and he also said “I will advise upcoming artists not to rush in order not to go the wrong way”. Muhbad knew he was not smart and he went the wrong way.
You need to be smart under the Grace of God because God will not do what He expects you to do and you don’t rush to attain greatness otherwise greatness would come from the wrong root.
I am not writing to blame anybody because I also have my rough background that I am still struggling to overcome.
There is nobody with glory that would not be confronted by vampires. People’s glory attracts jealousy and blackmailing for no reason other than the fear of you taking over the territory you are not aware exists. Many talk about group; I hate group; I don’t belong to any group but I am a follower of those who truly serve humanity, peace makers, not vampires that are out to destroy and kill people’s glory, just like what happened to Mohbad.
Vampires will die one day, their era will end, no doubt about it.
My parents had their issues, Mohbad’s parents had and will still have if care is not taken because the matter will expose their strengths and weaknesses. No woman desires to leave her children. Majority of us are in our marriages for the sake of our children and no any other reason. But if living together would lead to our death, then why is separation not the best? We can go our different ways and still enjoy peace, but superiority, envyness and fear of tomorrow brings out the attributes of a vampire which causes the end of an era.
Parental care, responsibility, attention, love which is beyond physical representation and bonding are all needed with the fear of God. It’s a known fact that Mohbad loved his creator, he rejected some vibes, embraced new life but peer pressure, environmental influence, pain, lack, delay, threat, disappointment, side attraction, the unseen spiritual world’s tension contributed to the reality of the moment.
The supreme price has been paid once again by Mohbad, which would deliver many souls from the hands of vampires.
Don’t be too quick to forget the lessons as parents. Even though the Government and the society have failed us, let us try not to fail our children, while at the same time children should make effort not to fail themselves. Perseverance, patience, love, peace, determination, focus, hardwork, striving to be great and patriotism are needed to stand out in the midst of difficulties.
Iyabo Ojo in one of her interviews shared her experience as a single mum. She said “I hide my pain from my children and I lie to them that their father was a traveler” just to cover-up for the father figure. She also made a vital point that “even though you are from a rich home, you must train yourself”.
The circumstances that surrounded my growing made me to learn from different angles of life especially growing in a face-me-I-slap-you apartment, but I was determined to be different which is also part of the story that led to the establishment of Kami Ewmpowerment Foundation with eleven years of serving humanity.
It’s rather unfortunate that people listen to what we do, read our write-ups, comment on our wisdom nuggets on different handles, listen to music and enjoy interview, but ignore our secret cry embedded in the messages of our lyrics. Even when you let the world know your pain and they are aware that you are depressed, they tend not to show empathy. Mohbad is not the only one. Many around you are depressed.
Poverty is another issue that makes some children and women to be vulnerable; vampires use that as a weapon to attract or even justify their support as a bait to attract them. It’s easier said than done, may you not be poor. The fear of “what my children will eat” has killed many vulnerable mothers. To this end, I will like to appreciate parents who are striving to ensure their ward becomes great, even amidst challenges; God bless them!
It’s very easy to castigate people or join people in the protest of justice for Mohbad; are you not a Vampire in that your little space? If you destroy people today, take it as a loan, there is always a payback time.
It’s so painful when you have decided to move on, even in your pain, people condemn you without having an idea of what you are going through. Stop contributing to people’s depression. If you cannot help, don’t hurt.
May the soul of Ilerioluwa Aloba a.k.a Mohbad continue to rest in peace.
For more information about domestic issues, contact Kami Empowerment Foundation on 08170752386
