I was recently involved in a very controversial situation that would have made me famous both internationally and otherwise. My friend already contacted Sahara reporters, and they gave me a call in which I narrated my side of the story. The reporter I had spoken to said he would contact the other parties involved, get their own side of the story, and then publish it.
At first I wanted it to be so, not because I needed to be famous, but because I felt such publicity would scandalize my oppressors so much so that they would leave me alone. But then in my quiet moment, after careful consideration of the matter, I realized that I would be doing myself more harm than good towing that line.
Not only that, but it became clear to me that such action would only get me public sympathy, traffic to my Web2 handles, and maybe some funds here and there.
It took me a while to finally decide that I wouldn't want to be petty over a deadly situation like the one I found myself in, so I pulled the plugs on everything and told my friend to abort the mission. My sister was furious; she kept calling my friend to be sure that my oppressors hadn't gotten to me with threats.
It wasn't that I was scared or tended to shy away from such publicity. In fact, my sister would often accuse me of showing off and always attempting to steal the show. But for this particular experience, I wouldn't want to be famous on such accounts, as it will only make matters worse for me. Notably, it will affect my family as well, especially my mom. Such scandal blowing out will deny her the opportunity of being part of her religious fold.
The thing is I am not one of those who thinks bad publicity is equal to good publicity. I am more of a good name is better than riches and why a little publicity wouldn't be a bad idea, I wouldn't want one that will have a negative effect on me and other members of family.
I would rather be known as someone who did something remarkable than the girl who was a victim resorting to public sympathy. It is on this note that when the opportunity of fame presented itself, I took a bow and saved my head.
Just yesterday I saw a post of a lady who made a review on a tomato paste that she used. According to her the sugar content in the tomato paste is so much that it has killed a lot of people. The company representatives didn't find such review funny and as such they took legal actions against.
At the time, social media was divided. There were those who advised her to applogize and let the whole scandal blow over but she refused and was riding in the wave of her new found fame. She was soon reprimanded and charged to court. In the process of her being held in the detention by the police she had a miscarriage.
Currently, it is the lady going from Lagos to Abuja on every Court hearing to defend herself. A situation that would have been avoided if she had just apologised.