I had just concluded my primary education and was only 11 years old.   Uncle Sylva, my father’s elder brother had visited.  During the course of discussion with my father, uncle Sylva mentioned that his house help had just quit her job.  He asked my parents if I, Cynthia could live with them to assist his other kids in some minor house chores to allow them time to get a new house help.

I was initially not happy about this, though my poor parents had seen it as a good offer from my Uncle; a very wealthy and nice man. He further pronounced that he would enroll me in the same school with his kids for my secondary education and would also ensure I attend a good university…I was excited at this amazing proposal as I was not sure my poor parents could afford my university education.

It was all beautiful as my uncle had promised until my father’s youngest brother; Uncle Raymond, about 35 years’ old who had just returned from Ghana to resettle here in Nigeria started living with us.

After a few weeks, Uncle Raymond started by telling me how I have grown into a beautiful young lady and will soon be married out to be a full woman. I was only 14 at this time and so didn’t pay attention to his “compliments” as he tagged it.

On this fateful Saturday morning, Aunty Ruth; Uncle Sylva’s wife had gone to the hospital with her only daughter Sandra for a medical check- up and I was alone in the house with Uncle Raymond. He whispered into my ears that I should allow him play with me like a man and woman does because I will soon gain admission into the university and my male student would force me to do that with them which will be -very painful and a bad experience for me too.  He further said it is usually better to allow a family member like him do it first and that is the way it is done. He tried to brainwash me with all sorts of idea and at this time, I quickly made attempt to run away from his sight when he grabbed me and threatened to kill me if I told anyone. I could not struggle with him even though I tired… he finally raped me.

I cried whenever I was left in his care but no one understood my plight. He reminded me I would die if I should mention this to anyone, he raped me whenever he wished for about 1 year until I took ill.

Series of investigations were carried out in the hospital to no avail and finally the doctor suggested a pregnancy test which was a big NO for Aunty Ruth, in her voice “ Doctor, why pregnancy test?” because I cannot definitely be pregnant…  she later agreed to this and behold the result was Positive. I was 2 months pregnant.

Her mouth from the scream remained opened for a while and she asked…Juju can this be true, my eyes and head were also in the negative, and she affirmed of course you cannot be pregnant…She asked again and I dropped on the floor and screamed Uncle Raymond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At this time my top was already socked with tears and I was totally broken!

Aunty Ruth screamed after me…Raymond??? We immediately left the Doctor’s sight without further word and she drove as fast as her strength could carry her to the house while she asked me to narrate my story with Uncle Raymond. Surprisingly, nothing belonging to Uncle Raymond was left in the house at the time we got home…she broke down with tears and screamed louder…Cynthia Why, why why didn’t you tell me all this time…Now you are pregnant and going to be a teenage mother, what do I tell your parents…at the mention of this we both cried so hard as she hugged me so tight and cried with my face buried in her shoulder.

Uncle Sylva was away on an official trip; the unfortunate news was broken to him on his return 2 days after…he had invited my parents to the house for a dinner to celebrate the new yam festival. However,the invitation was rather to break the unfortunate news of my pregnancy to them. It was a heart breaking news for my parents. Aunty Ruth pleaded that my parent still allow me in her care to have my baby and would continue my education later but this was a big NO from my parents.

I finally had my baby at age 15 in my parents’ house and assisting my mum in her petty business to take care of myself and baby. I wish I had told Aunty Ruth my story when it first started, I wish I had told my mother or any other person…It is all in the past now and Uncle Raymond had not returned home for 6 years now after the ugly incident.

To every Parents and Caregivers, please talk to your kids and people under your care about sexual abuse, both male and female child… girls are raped from the day they came to this world…start with the language they would understand at their age, teach them to tell someone whenever anyone touches their private parts, (Vagina/Penis) teach them to shout, teach them the scream, teach them to Speak Out. start as early as possible (2-year-old), It is not too early to start, please start NOW, save the girl child!!!

We all have a part to play…Say NO to Sexual Abuse, Say NO to RAPE!!!