In 2003, as a young Transport & Logistics Supervisor, I was attached to WAPCO Cement (now Lafarge) Ewekoro Plant.
The Operations Manager of Nomor Transport, Mr. Armond Shriki hosted myself and my fiancé to dinner at the Portland Cement Ewekoro Managers’ quarters. His wife (Mrs Shriki) was around so he wanted me to meet her.
In the middle of our dinner and during our chat, Mr. Armond as I fondly called him was constantly on the phone with his kids who were in Israel as he was elated that he had his wife around him in Nigeria for the first time.
After he observed my amusement at his constant telephone calls and banter with his children on the phone, Mr. Armond tried to explain his feelings to me.
He said “Ayo, (prefix of my first name Ayobami, that I answered in school but not often at home, thanks to Mama Wole who arranged it like that), I would have loved to explain to you the bond or love between a parent and the children but it could only be experienced”. I remember he used the word “Chimea” (Chemistry) to illustrate that feeling of love, bond and affection that a parent feels towards their children to me and my fiancé.
When I got married a few years after and God blessed me with my own bundles of joy, I realized that it’s a truly wonderful feeling and I can boldly tell Mr Armond now that I understand the “chemistry”⚗️🧪 he laboured to illustrate that evening.
I wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day and hope we all find a genuine reason to love and also experience love💕.
Above all, let’s continue to radiate love wherever we are as there can’t be too much of love in this world!
Happy Valentine’s Day 💌
Akogun Wole (Ayobami) Akinleye
PDP Chairmanship Candidate AKINYELE LG.