Mrs Christianah Kuforiji ‘Madam Due Process’, my unsung heroine – Kayode Ogunjobi

This piece is dedicated to Mrs Christianah Kuforiji, an administrator and former Acting Registrar of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

At last, I am able to share my thoughts about this heroine of invaluable attributes. Several times I have attempted and dropped it not for want of what to write but due to several other reasons. Most importantly, the focal point of the discussion may not really like it as her disposition over the years and for some time now in particular is tilted towards being in a world of her own, not desiring any recognition. I contemplated seeking her permission for months, but I knew the answer before asking. If I had asked, I would have had to bury and cement the idea as I was sure of an unambiguous ‘NO’ as an answer. I struggled with the thought over and over again.

I had resolved early in the year to celebrate at least one person per month among the people who one way or the other had inspired and added value to me. Do I for her lack of interest jettison the idea? Do I go ahead and get a knock for bringing her out of her cherished cocoon? I think I should sacrificially bear the knocks. My consolation is that at least someone somewhere will learn something. For more than a year, I struggled to get her pics . I will not blame some of my contacts for their reactions as I also had more terrible opinions before I repented. I am believing in God that many would join in my little project of celebrating people while they are alive rather than writing beautiful things about them when they cannot read it.

I graduated from the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta but never really had interactions with Mrs Christianah Kuforiji as a student other than when the University was carrying out verification of results. It was in the air that there was an eagle eye that could identify a misdemeanour that had not been committed. She had knack for tracking down students who were not supposed to be in the University for one reason or the other. She held firmly the virtues , values and sanctity of the University without any form of sentiment. For students who were in the University in the middle 90s to early 2000s, her image would be fresh.

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Mrs Christianah Kuforiji, no doubt, was a strong woman. It was no joke that she was named Madam Due Process by staff of the University. The phrase ‘Due Process’ was strengthened by the government at the time and if there was anyone who promoted it in letters and actions, it was Madam Due Process. Her obsession for the government directive was visible to the blind.  She married into the ‘Due Process’ mantra with all its benefits and liabilities. One of the benefits was that she was considered a fine administrator and one of the liabilities was that several staff including myself disliked her. Yes, I did.

Moving around in her flowing skirts with tucked in tops and occasionally in flowing gowns helped with belt by the waist, everyone must run for cover as it was believed that she could ask questions on what you were doing at the spot and an unsatisfactory answer could be the beginning of a problem. No one dared the woman in flowing skirt with tucked in shirt. Many who never had any interaction with her prayed never to have one but believed in what others said. The fear of Madam Due Process was the beginning of Wisdom. As a fine administrator, she knew the words to insert in every memo to achieve desired results which include making the strongest of men to become a jelly fish. If you were receiving a commendation, you would feel the heavenlies and if you were to submit a report or anything untoward, the letter conveys a feeling of Golgotta. It was therefore not difficult for the number of those who disliked her to increase daily. Many tagged her as an enemy because she was the enemy to their friends not because she had any encounter with them. We really need to avoid inheriting the enemies of other people which is the first lesson I would like that we learn from this.

I never had an encounter with this amazon until one afternoon when she was moving around as usual. She had been appointed Acting Registrar at the time. She was energetic and kinetic so that people were careful with their movements around the campus. She operated with a code of honour, bravery, fearlessness and leadership attributes. One way or the other, we were entering a building the same time. My face was straight as I was not prepared to have any word with her. That is the second lesson, never assume that a friend to your enemy is your enemy. Operate with an open mind, understand the circumstances and constraints and treat every man and every issue on its own merit.

Mrs Kuforiji spoke : ‘’Baba, mo ti ri leta yin o, ile aye o ri beyen raara’’ meaning I have seen your letter, life is not like that. I remember looking right and left thinking she was talking to someone else. First, though I was very popular within the campus, I did not know she could identify me as we never worked closely. Secondly, I could not imagine the words that I heard. Madam Due Process, the ”Assistant Devil” telling me life is not like that, I was shocked to the marrows.

Three days after this encounter with Madam Due Process, I was in her office and we spoke like mother and son.Yes, mother and son. She knew I wrote the letter with some elements of anger coated with administrative terminologies. Well, as an Acting Registrar and having worked in other higher Institutions with wealth of experience, I was not surprised. She shared her experiences with me freely. It did not take long before I realised that behind her seemingly tough nature is a motherly, kind, humane, tender and passionate spirit. That is another lesson, ask questions. Do not assume that anyone hates you, seek clarification.

From that point till she retired after a meritorious service with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, I saw her in a different perspective. I saw her as a kind, diligent, workaholic and dutiful worker whose desire to satisfy her master and uphold the principles and letters of due process pitched her against many people. I saw her as a woman who was so soaked in her work, blinded to the hard feelings and deaf to the comments. She was on a lane with little or no opportunity for reverse!

 That new perspective birthed the fulfilment of destiny of some people. The fact is that many of us have stagnated the destinies of some other people because of our hard-line postures and unnecessary increase in the number of enemies. I could have decided not to meet her after she chatted me up and that could possibly have had implications for my destiny and that of so many others that were attached to me. What is that hard-line position you have taken? Life is not like that. Some of us have lost greatly to hard-line postures and can affirm that truly life is not that difficult. Ask questions, resolve issues and move forward.

Based on that interaction with Madam Due Process, she was able to assist some people to fulfil their destinies as they got jobs that they were eminently qualified for but was difficult for them to get. Yes, it is not every qualified person that gets recruited into their desired positions in the world over. I could go to her and request for her assistance . I remember very well that even after leaving the office of Acting Registrar, I would still take admission requests to her.  Her usual words : ‘’ E fi si owo Olorun, Olorun lo le se, emi ko le se nkankan’’, Commit it to the hands of God as I cannot assure you of anything. Interestingly, many of those children are scattered all over the world and some already completing PhD.

Today, I celebrate her. I celebrate that day in 2011 that despite her highly placed position of Acting Registrar, she saw the need to beckon on me up. I challenge someone in position of authority to come down from his or her exalted seat and display kind disposition

I challenge anyone who is privileged to read this to determine in his or her heart to help at least a soul to fulfil destiny. You can do it!

Secondly, if you have her number, just drop words of prayer for her.

Finaly. Determine to serve God and humanity more than ever before.

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