The Cost of Our Lives: Pandemic Edition

By Ariyike Akinbobola

The ongoing global pandemic led to an unusual sprout in the rate of cyberbullying and Gender-based violence. To help curb this and raise more awareness, the Nigerian Author, Ariyike Akinbobola has decided to relaunch her book "The Cost of our Lives" - The Pandemic edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ariyike Akinbobola
• Release date: Aug 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9782583294137

Book preview

Praise for the Cost of Our Lives

A touching story of survival against all odds. Society, the environment, or people can't stop your dreams. Only you can. Another inspiring story from Ariyike.

Yinka Obebe - TV Director/Creative Entrepreneur

A great, inspiring story I must say. A lot of people go through cyber bullying and end up committing suicide. It is so good to stand up to challenges that arise in a person's life. Children should also be educated properly about sexual abuse.

Funke Akindele - Filmmaker/ Actress and Rotary Polio Eradication Ambassador.

With her blog reading, cyberbully bashing, Primani wearing the protagonist, Akinbobola has created a heroine for our times.

Chibundu Onuzo - Writer, Author of The Spider King’s Daughter

Ariyike tells a story that should be boldly told in every African home. Child sexual abuse in the homes is rampant in the African home and the stories are rarely told due to victimization and stigmatization. As an African parent with two young ones, I encourage every parent, guardian and even children to read this book. It could be happening to someone in your home, please help put an end to this vile act.

Pauline Long - TV host, The Pauline Long show, Philanthropist, Public speaker, Universal Peace Federation Ambassador and Serial Entrepreneur

‘The Cost of Our Lives’ is the story of an under-privileged Nigerian girl who rose from grass to grace as a celebrity stylist. The well-written inspirational book touches on subjects of sexual abuse, child trafficking, cyber-bullying, friendship, hardwork and enterprise. It x-rays the societal and cultural challenges of the African girl child. I recommend it for everyone desirous of true change.

Ogunyemi Bukola (zebbook) - Social Media Manager, Chocolate City Group

This book opens with a bang, tantalized into such delicious intrigue and ended at a gripping climax.

VJ Adams / King of talk - TV Personality

For many years, the stigma of rape has made so many women (young and old) spend a great deal of their lives rebuilding their self-esteem. It is great to see support from other women to make this journey shorter. Well done Ariyike for not only encouraging and educating victims but also informing the society authoritatively that 'Abuse is not power'

Sharon Ojong - TV Producer / Entrepreneur

Ariyike explicitly delved into highlighting the key challenges sojourners face abroad and gives hope for a better tomorrow. ‘The Cost of Our Lives’ reveals a new perspective on how people deal differently with issues they are plagued with. A great book, I must say.

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi - Founder, Stand to End Rape Foundation

‘The Cost of Our Lives’ is a modern day story curated from the very essence that rules our world today. Ibidun's journey to happiness and self discovery from a background peppered with serial sexual abuse, depression and cyber bullying forces one to ask questions and dig deep, within, for answers. Ariyike has cleverly captured a snapshot filled with emotion and woven a story that is hard to put down till the very last page.

Latasha Ngwube - Contributing Editor, Vanguard Allure Magazine and Editor, Pride Magazine.

This book is an eye-opener on what can go wrong in any child's life irrespective of age, class or status in the society.

Bimbo Olasope - On Air Personality, City F.M 105.1, Host of The City Kids Show, Editor, Blogger, and Publicist

The story line is good and courageous. Young people reading will benefit greatly as they learn to stand for their rights. Older people will also learn from the tragic end of uncle Femi.

Alayeluwa Oba Kole Ojutalayo, the Laroka of Wanikin – Ife

Copyright © 2020 by Ariyike Akinbobola

The right of Ariyike Akinbobola to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the copyright laws.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the publishers.

Second Edition

Designed by Iwejuo Stanley

Layout & Printed by Print Doctor Africa (www.printdoctorafrica.com)

Author’s Picture by Tees Photograhy

The first version of The Cost of our Lives was published in Nigeria by:

Bookvine (Vine Media Services)

All incidents, people and places in this book are fictional.

Any resemblance to any persons, situations or places is simply coincidental.

WWW.ARIYIKE.COM

Table of Contents

Praise for the Cost of Our Lives

Dedication

1. LONDON PAROLE

2. 'I JUST MOVED BACK'

3. TROUBLE IN PARADISE

4. MY MAN

5. CHILDHOOD

6. UNCLE FEMI

7. TWO LOSSES

8. OPEN DOOR

9. WELCOME TO LONDON

10. NEMESIS

11. FROM SOCIAL MEDIA LOVE TO REAL LOVE

Poem

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Acknowledgements

Dedication

In loving memory of my first love, my father, Mr. Adewale Lawal, the man who taught me that hard work, dedication, love, humour, happiness, honesty and loyalty are essential to living a successful life.

To my Mother, Chief (Mrs) Ladun Lawal (nee Ojutalayo), you are and will always be the Queen of my heart.

To my husband, Siji and our Sons – Mofe, Moyo and Mayowa, you all are my world.

To two Nigerian Actors making us Proud globally - John Boyega and David Oyelowo, I made sure I met you on separate occasions when you visited Nigeria and I handed my book in person to you two. I hope once you read this book, you will feel connected to the story because of the message in it and of course, the fusion of London and Lagos. I hope you get to read it and I pray one day, we turn this novella into a movie.

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CHAPTER

1

LONDON PAROLE

I lived in London for nine solid years. I was one of those who relied on popular blogs to know all about happenings back home. I would spend