“RUN, RUN, RUN!” (NONFICTION)

Many years ago, I had a friend and neighbour, Gloria, who was brutally frank. Once, she threatened to cut up a dress I had worn too much. But this story isn’t about my relationship with her ’cause I wasn’t the only one she confronted with her well-intentioned meddlesomeness. Seemed that every teenager in the neighborhood was afraid of her and for a rather hilarious reason. Hilarious to other people, though, not to the teenagers at the time.

You see, Gloria was a mother. She pushed her kids to do well and she did the same to every young person she knew believing, perhaps as Africans do, that bringing up a child is not the responsibility of the parents alone but of the whole community. Another way of putting it is the African proverb: It takes a village to raise a child.

You cannot help to train someone you know nothing about. So Gloria took a keen interest in the progress of the youths around. But she wasn’t the most tactful person, if you know what I mean. If she met a young person on the way, she would not just respond to their greeting and keep moving. She would stop and start questioning them like this:

“Remind me again, whose child are you?”

“Ok. You were born at the same time as So-and-So, were you not?”

“That means you’re 17 or 18. So what are you doing now?”

You’ve taken WAEC,* that’s good. How many credits did you get?”

“Three credits. That’s too poor. You need at least five credits to get into the university. What about NECO?”*

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On and on she would go, asking about JAMB, what you intend to study, whether you are attending extra lessons to improve your grades and so on. And she would insist on getting clear answers to her inquiries. She would top off the conversation with some words of commendation, rebuke, encouragement, a quick prayer, or blessing as the occasion demanded.

A lovely and caring soul my friend Gloria was, but many of the youths hated that sort of thing: putting them on the spot – scrutinizing their affairs and taking them to task over their mistakes and inadequacies. So if they spotted Gloria from a distance, they quickly made a detour or hid somewhere to escape her interrogation. The unspoken code was, “Mummy Gloria is coming. Run, run, run!”

But Gloria’s approach, heavy-handed though it seemed to them, helped to keep a lot of young people in the neighbourhood focussed and diligent so that in the event they had to face her, they would have the right responses to her questions, the responses that would make her praise, rather than berate them.

-The end-
Ⓒ Edith Ugochi Ohaja 2016

Perhaps you had a Mummy Gloria in your extended family or neighbourhood while growing up, kindly share how your encounters with him or her affected you. Or maybe you have been a Mummy Gloria yourself. How have young people and others responded to your “well-intentioned meddlesomeness”?

*WAEC in this context refers to O’level exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council.
*NECO in this context refers to O’level exams conducted by the National Examinations Council in Nigeria.
*JAMB here refers to the university admission exams conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Nigeria.
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182 comments

  • It was such an attitude by a teacher who happened to live near us back then in my late primary school education that finally made.me to start reading! Mama Chisom obviously beat me.more than my parents(combined) did! Painful but I’m now grateful to her.

  • Pretty intersting. Ma. Your blog has helped influence lives positively including mine.
    See you upon resumption.

  • Amadi victoria

    This gave me a striking remembrance of my pry 6 teacher Mrs Gift. We her students tagged her “the troublesome fellow” but the reality is that it helped us improve in our studies. Thank you ma for this wonderful piece.

  • Ugwu, Chinagorom Joseph

    This is Wonderful piece, Ma. Let me acknowledge that we still have numerous Glorias around, and although they help in bringing out the best in children and youths, oppositions from parents who perceive them as enemies and haters of their children make their number to dwindle. Some parents who pamper their kids attack those Glorias in our society. God himself, in Hebrew 12 vs 5b – 6, warns us against scorning correction and resenting training, and tells us that He (like Gloria(s)) trains those He loves, and chastises every son He accepts. Specifically, in verse 11 of the chapter, he says, “of course, any discipline is at the time a matter for grief, not joy; BUT LATER, in those who have undergone it(the trainings and corrections), it bears fruit in peace and uprightness”.

    • Edith Ohaja

      You’re quite right. We Africans are losing the communal lifestyle to modernity, so some parents don’t take kindly to others correcting their children. And like the scriptures you quoted pointed out, the children corrected are usually thankful to the Mummy Gloria in their life when they grow up.

  • Miracle Amaka Nwokedi

    Mmmh…I am feeling nostalgic already. I had an ‘Aunty Gloria’ in my church as a teenager. I always ran, especially when I know I had some explanations to make for one or two things that transpired somewhere, somehow. But, now…I relish those beautiful moments. They helped to mould me. Thank you Ma for the wonderful piece.

  • Uzor, Oge Juliet

    Welldone ma. I see people like Mummy Gloria as community builders. They are there in the neighbourhood, at work place, school and church apparently prying. All they really want is to see that people do the right thing. And my take home is one must not be a mummy to be a mummy Gloria.

    • Edith Ohaja

      Awwww, that is so lovely, Juliet! You are a willing instrument and God will bless many through you in Jesus’ name.

  • kelechi Chukwuma

    Wow..it’s a relief to knw I wasn’t the only teen that face”Anuty Gloria”. For me she was an Elder in church who was on my neck to ensure I was a godly child seeing that I am an Elder’s child. I’ll say she helped me to be up and doing spiritually

  • flawlex ifeanyi

    Lol,this is hilarious, I had someone like her when I was a teenager, her name is aunty Agatha, I hated her for that but am beginning to appreciate her for that because she made me to be strong and hardworking back in the days. And I can say that today I celebrate her. I like this write up

  • Ekechukwu Nkechi

    AHH! This story is so cool, it reminds me of old time. something similar happened to me, only it wasn’t mummy gloria, but mummy ugo. lol.

    • Edith Ohaja

      You must be thankful for this Mummy Ugo now, but I can imagine that her ateentions were annoynig and tiresome then. Bless you!

  • Ifechukwude Egbune

    wow i think my father is like that, infact till date none of my friends visit our house except my father is not home because if you can’t express yourself in correct grammar bearing in mind all the sentence structure or if you are not yet in a university, then stay off. lol

  • Florence onyekaozuru

    Lol, this mummy Gloria reminds me of an aunt who we termed nosy because just like mummy Gloria she would want to know everything…. I love women like that because they just act as a reminder that u owe a lot of people and that u have to accomplish that God given goal for ur life…. Mummy Gloria ride on…….

  • Chika Udemba

    Lol.. most of my aunties were like mummy Gloria but then I sat down one day and said to myself without all these pressures I would have missed the track… I want to use this platform and say thank you to them all and also to you Aunty…

  • A nice work ma. If we could have many ‘mummy Glorias’ in our society, the world will be a better one. But the problem is that in this contemporary world, people including parents will always expect and tell you to mind your business and stop putting nose in other’s matters. May God help us.

  • Nnamani Adanna Mary

    Every community needs a mummy Gloria. They keep u on ur toes.#

  • Nneka Orjiude

    Lol…Mummy Gloria is funny, putting young people on the spot like that. Well i have an aunt who believes its her duty to correct any young person because of her Christian faith, mostly on dressing not usually on everything about a person. moreover she talks to any young person not necessarily someone she knows. Its good but could be quite embarrasing. Nice article, well written Ma.

  • ugwu chika

    mama Gloria is nice woman with passionate love for kids even though she may seem rude, but that is just to help the kids to study and be focused, that reminds me when I was a kid, I had an uncle who acted so rude whenever he is around I and other kids play good guys but whenever he is not around we play roughly I never understood the impact his rudeness had on me until this day, thanks to mama Gloria once again let people like her never cease in our society.

  • Enwerem Chiamaka

    Everyone at all points in our lives need a mummy Gloria. Motivating

  • okoro nneoma anna

    this is so funny. if there was an Aunt Gloria in each community, youngsters would be much more focused on their academics. well done, ma!

  • kalu Divine Ogechi

    We teenagers do not like grown-ups admonishing us on how to live our lives, because we feel we have known it all but in the real sense is for our own good because the bible said train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

  • Ezeh Onyekachukwu c

    We should know that bringing up or training a child is not only the work of the parents but also the entire society.

  • Otti Uzoma Augusta

    Trust me I know what it feels like to have someone like Aunty Gloria. Burdensome and tiresome as it was, it still made one work harder and behave properly. I knew we all needed some space from her unending queries but any time she was not around, we knew something was missing. Lol!

  • Emmanuel Ujevwe

    Gloria’s ways are right because she tries her possible best to train everyone as she could. Although she poke noses, she does it with a good heart.

  • AKOGWU ANN CHIDIMMA

    Teenagers and the pranks they play, always grabbing the unfruitful aspect of whatever situation they come across. It’s normal shaa! but children of nowadays really need to upgrade, that is, instead of run, run and run, they should endeavor to do that which madam Gloria emphasizes on for their own good.

  • Gloria has a lifestyle that should be appreciated in the society. i too came across such a person. mine was my choir mistress sha. she always wanted her choristers to be bright and God-fearing..

  • Awesome! Gloria is a woman with a difference, so other christian mothers should learn from her.

  • Obasi Kosiso

    Lol! Hilarious indeed.
    Well, this story casts my memory back to the experience I once had with one Bro. Onyeka, a neighbour in my residential apartment, when I was 5 years. I was an academic dullard to the extent that I can’t spell my names appropriately. At the end of each term, I always came last in position. Bro. Onyeka was irked by my academic performance. He always spanked me whenever he saw me playing with my siblings or playmates.
    When I was in primary three, I got tired of his spanks and mockeries. I started working extremely hard and prayed fervently in order to make my academic ends meet. Through God’s intervention, I was disentangled from the shackles of poor academic performance. I never remained the same again.
    The responsibility of training a child is indeed a two-centered responsibility; it is the responsibility of parents and the community as well.

  • Chioma Ezeudu

    I think we need to move back to those times where the responsibility of training a child belonged to not just the child’s parents but the community as a whole. this is because the society was better off, unlike today where no one cares, and the only ones that care have been confronted with the “mind your business” phrase. I love Gloria’s reasons for bombarding people with questions, especially the way she wanted to see everyone succeed and not to make sure her kids were better off than the rest of the people in the community.

  • Nwanne Judith

    Run, run ,run focuses on Mother Gloria who played the role of policeman of their community having at the back of her mind the Africa philosophy that the responsibility for rising a child is not exclusive to parent but a collective duty of the village.

  • Jeremiah Chioma Juilet

    LOL…”Mama Gloria is coming” reminds me a lot of my childhood.

  • osuagwuchiamaka

    i once had a ‘mummy Gloria’ in my neighborhood, but hers was not a positive one. she would always want to find out about what is going on, with the sole aim of making it her gossip topic. indeed, it is true that it takes a collective effort to train a child.

  • Truly, a child doesn’t belong to his immediate family alone but to the whole community. Therefore, everyone in the society contributes to his upbringing. It is not unusual for a “Mummy Gloria” to be present in an African society and trust me, the “Mummy Glorias” may be perceived as being nosy but they do a lot in grooming young ones.

  • Victoria Nonike

    My aunt will even go as far as relationships and the friends you keep. i used to hate it then, but I understand now that she only wants the best for me. nice write up ma.

  • Anyadubalu Oluchi Maryrose

    Apart from the family, society is another form of socialization,it breeds the children which turns out for the good of the whole community at large.

  • Amarachi Deborah Ugwu

    Eeehhhn yes Mrs Gloria is trying hard to show concern and shape the life of every youth, but as for me i would also not like her because she is asking too much, my name and my age is not enough for you to consel me? Hiaaa! I shaa dont blame the youths that hated her, though she is carrying out her motherly duty in her own way shaa

  • Joseph Edidiong

    LOL.. This brought memories. My pastor’s wife can be like mummy Gloria and I used to see those attitudes of hers as not “minding your business, but in the long run, they actually helped to shape me because I had to do some things with the mind of “what would she say”

  • nwafor chukwudalu franklin

    Mrs Gloria is a caring person but people misunderstands her because they believe that there is nothing that she is going to do with the information that she is requesting. Mrs Gloria on her part should reduce the number of questions she is asking them, she should make it seem like she is concerned rather than making them feel like they are answering waec questions.

  • Udeh favour makuachukwu

    I have definitely met so many Mrs Gloria in my life and it wasn’t funny at all. For me it’s just snooping and gossip because you can’t tell me that after squeezing out all the information from you, she can’t just keep it to herself.smh.

  • ibemma Ginikachukwu

    No doubt Mummy Gloria is troublesome but with the way things are going in the society I think we should have more of her if that will help curtail the ills in the society.

  • osuegbu prisca

    Mummy Gloria was actually doing the right thing, but many people will see it as “busy body”. I have an aunt who always advices me, her advice could last for hours, i always get bored and tired of her that i started avoiding her but right now i can still remember some things she told me and it has been a guide to me in the university. I have learnt to always give a listening ear to people because no knowledge is a waste.

  • Afiadigwe Nnedinso Rita

    Interesting ma. Mrs Gloria is a good example of African women who do not only discipline or want the best for their children but also the same thing for other children, because they believe that it not only the work of parents but a collective responsibility. God bless you, ma.

  • Nnamani Oluoma Esther

    I had a Mummy Gloria in my teens. She was actually my first aunt. It felt like she monitored every end of the school term to come visiting. After greeting everyone at home, the next thing she’d ask for was our results – mine and my siblings. After which she condemmed us if there was so much as a number written with a red pen in our result sheets. It was annoying but it helped build me up and I ended up winning awards while graduating from high school. When you get rebuked or scolded, you get more inspiration to work harder. There is an anger that comes over one after being rebuked. This anger drives the person to prove the person who rebuked him or her wrong. This is where hardwork comes. We should all take every comments both negative and positive in good stride and work towards achieving goals.

  • Agwu Tochukwu Frank

    This reminds me a neighbour, who always cares for me, even in this higher institution. I call her “mama”. This caring woman always buy me some foodstuffs including some cash whenever I want to come back to school. She doesn’t do it to only me, she does it to other three undergraduates I can testify of.
    Mama can be compared to Mrs Gloria.
    I appreciate ma.

  • Orji blessing chidubem

    I actually have a mummy Gloria in my life.
    At an earlier stage in life,I didn’t take many things too seriously but she helped me change all that and put me on a right path and I thank God for her in my life.

  • Akuma Victor

    This scenario is something that is not common with our Western brothers. in some situations it is very tough for parents to scold their wards or even guide them on the right part to go, let alone a nearby acquaintance or neighbour, But down here in Africa the reverse is the case. African Philosophers call it the ‘WE SYSTEM’ and it’s really helping out to inculcate proper norms and values to those who do not consider it embarrassing. Nicely articulated Aunty

  • Henry

    Boss lady, we should call her. In every household and neighborhood, there is a Mama Gloria. They would always want to offer advice when you least want them, just to make you better, but we never wanted. I dodge conversations with people like her then because i felt it was nosey, however, with time i appreciated the concern.

  • ologhofor sampson

    Bless you ma. Its common to youths, they dont really like their elders to question their act or criticise their actions which in future later lead them astray but i believe its not talking of their wrongs always but also correcting them sometimes in a soft tone which they can understand.

  • Ogbu Nkiruka Gloria

    I once had a mummy Gloria at the early stage of my life and he really helped me and am always grateful to God for him.

  • Lynda chisom

    Quite funny but interesting.people like aunty gloria should be appreciated,she is selfless not minding the fact that they re not her children, she tells them the truth rather than comforting them with lies and this encourages them to work harder to achieve something positive.

  • Lolz.. Yes, I have one Mrs Pat, my Jss1 teacher but we named her “Atakatagbuo” . We saw her as a burden to us not knowing that she was helping us actually. Thank you very much ma for putting a smile on my face with this piece.

  • Aleke Juliet

    I commend aunty Gloria for her good attitude. If only a handful of mothers are like aunty Gloria, I bet you most of our youths will definitely strive towards their best, which will yield a better lifestyle plus a better society

  • I actually had one Mrs. Patricia who acted like aunty Gloria. I disliked her then. at a time in my primary four, I thought that she is wicked and also a burden to my social life. she monitored me, slapped me severally and even reported to my parents when I fail to take corrections. as a child I wanted her to mind her business but now am grateful and she is presently one of my role models

  • Generally, the youths cherish being praised rather than being rebuked. Gloria is a type of person who wants everything to be done in a right way and going contrary irritates her, thereby attracting her attention to the person in question. She is also a caring mother who wouldn’t want other people’s children to go astray.

  • Nnaukwu Emeka John

    The youths in our society need “Gloria” especially, in this digital age where youths or children are distracted. I as an adult need Gloria as well who will be asking me about my studies, some one who will be criticizing me if I do not do well as expected in my academic.

  • Paschal Odigonma Victoria

    I would like to say that every society needs a Mummy Gloria. Some times teenagers pay more attention to rebuke from an outsider than a family member, because that would tell to a great extent where your actions have gotten you to. I’m sure she made great impact in the teenagers of that community. May God bless every “Mummy Gloria” that has so much concern for the people around her.

  • Abaraonye Chidinma B

    The problem with today’s youth is that they don’t like people monitoring them. They like freedom to do anything they want.
    We should also try to correct others whom we see doing wrong. They might not necessarily be our siblings. Thank you ma’am for this.

  • Anekwe Paschaline

    Sometimes why things go wrong in a way that cannot be remedied is because people tend to turn blind eyes to things that ate going wrong around them. We should always endeavor to correct others who we see treading the wrong part

  • theophilus anthony blessing

    I think I also need a well-intentioned meddlesome person in my life.more or less a Mentor.

  • Nnachetam Favour Chinecherem

    I had an annoying ‘Mummy Gloria” In church. She focused more on the lipstick and the head tie you wore to church.

  • Willie Albert Zikiye

    Truly, In Africa, a child is trained by the whole community. It is not only the family that trains a child. The family is very important because socialization is embedded in it. Such individuals like mummy Gloria is always in the community. I must be honest, children doesn’t like anybody that exhibits such attributes of mummy Gloria. My childhood period in the community; I had the same experience, there was a nice woman in the community, she taught primary school and she has similar qualities with Gloria, that make us to always hide away from her. Despite the run, she played vital role in our lives, most of us became serious with our studies and look at where I’m today.

  • Okoilu olawole ebenezer

    Lol: “Or maybe you have been a Mummy Gloria yourself”. This is hilarious. I know of one person whom some people tend to refer to as ” mummy Gloria”. But she’s far more wonderful than I imagined. #Ms.EdithOhaja

    • Edith Ohaja

      Okay, you caught me. Lols! I hope I don’t overdo it like Steve Sony advised. Have a pleasant night.

  • Emmanuel Steve Sunny

    That’s just the African way. Surely Aunty Gloria has good intentions but it should be controlled lest it be perceived as meddlesomeness. If I lived in such neighbourhood I would also run!!

  • Mbam Patrick chinonyelum.

    In African settings, the likes of Mummy Gloria are not usually loved by youths and little kids at large. They feel they are supposed to be minding their business, little do they know they are really moulding them into sensible beings.

  • Chukwuma Emenike Wilfred

    The responsibility of taking care of a child or children in the society is for the community,that is why in Igbo society it is said “nwa bu nwa oha”,this means,a child is for all. Interestingly, when I was younger, Mama Nnukwu (although late now) used to caution and sometimes flogged us for correction,which makes me believe that she had similar attribute with Mummy Gloria in story. Correction and a better us is all they seek.

  • In Africa, it is not only the parents that train kids but the whole community.
    I think Gloria is doing her work as a member of the community.

  • Henry onyeka

    Actually for me I cannot tolerate someone questioning me about my life and it’s progress. The acts of Mummy Gloria is a good one because it helps in the bringing up of youth in our society to a brighter future.

  • defavourbrown

    Sometimes I find myself doing what mummy Gloria did, such as playing with my neighbouring children and out of that I will start enquiring from them about their age, class and subsequently their last term result, and their response is always different based on their performance, and at end many of them will feel eager to impress me by improving their grade.

  • Chidebe uchechukwu cyprain

    Actually as a young growing child, we don’t really know the impact of these type of persons in our life, until we grow up to realize the role they played and its effects.

    • Abah okpe Gabriel

      There is always this type of mummy Gloria or aunty Gloria or uncle Gloria in every family where his presence spell “doom” for the young ones, you must behave yourself, be clean always, you and your book until he leaves, but when we think of it this person is there to check mate us, either we like it or not they have helped us in one way or the other, the fear of his or her presence alone will make you be a responsible child for at least few days of his or her stay

  • Venessa Stephen

    Most youth detest people that scold or correct them often. I have an aunty like her, whenever she comes, I run and hide under my bed but later I realized that whoever that loves you the most will always chastise you whenever you eer.

  • Oh yes!! I still have a woman like mummy Gloria in my life. Her name is Mummy Okochua. She is a wonderful woman and has this gift of interrogating young people. Back then, I would secretly wish never to encounter her in the church but it was always impossible and whenever I saw her, my heart would begin to beat very fast because I knew she would certainly have reasons to rebuke me. Many a time, I lie just to be free from her but now, I eagerly want to meet her and personally tell her of all my experiences as a youth.

  • Emeka joy

    I need a woman like Mummmy Gloria in my community, I really like the fact that she believes in training not only her child but other children in the community

  • Joan chikadibia Eze

    My mummy actually is my mummy Gloria. She disciplines a lot of children and inculcates good morals in them. Well, naturally, these people are not scarce in Nigeria. They end up eliminating some social vices from the upcoming ones that is against the society.

  • Jibulu Ngozi

    A lovely piece like the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” Gloria took up the responsibilities of everyone’s children upon herself and ensured that every child gets good training though some kids thought it would only kill them

  • Obi Chukwunonso

    Smile, My mummy Gloria for me would be my aunty Uju. Who stayed with us then, she would always make us do strenuous activities, Then i would complain but now i enjoy the rewards of the great seed she was sowing in our lifes.

  • AKUPUE Vincent

    I will call mummy Gloria a “blacksmith”. Before a gold reach to the point of glittering, it must pass through a harsh process which is “fire”. Mummy Gloria is like a blacksmith (teacher) that nullifies gold (the youths) in order to be glittering (successful). She is a good teacher that equips the youths for their tomorrow. Those who hates critics will always be swimming in the pools of failure because they lacked unexamined life.

  • Ukaga Arthur Jachimike

    This is actually funny, though it has some sense of truth in it. Personally, I believe that I would have avoided “Mummy Gloria” if I was in the same shoes as the teenagers. In the bigger picture, “Mummy Gloria” was actually trying to help the teenagers develop Sharper mindsets. Well done.

  • Oba Cindy Biobele

    Very interesting. If I were in their shoes I would really run because a youth like me wouldn’t fancy interrogation like that. Although I’ve never had a Gloria in my life, it would’ve been beneficial to have one.

  • Eze Chioma

    Although most people may see this attitude as sticking one’s nose in someone else’s business, she obviously means well. Her inquisitiveness although scary is laced with good intentions. The youths become more serious and focused in their studies so as not to be embarrassed during her question and answer sessions. The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” is then proved correct.

  • Onwuamaeze Ikechukwu John

    It’s inevitable not to find someone like mummy Gloria in every society. Noteworthy, is the fact that this persons are always mentioned in the success stories of many youths. Thus, they help contribute to the development of the society by inculcating priceless values in youths.

  • Epuechi Chinwendu Almira

    If every child has a mummy Gloria in their life, the world will be a better place. Nowadays a little advice and children feel like you’re burdening them with things that don’t matter but at a later stage they will grow to appreciate and need more of those advice.

  • Eze Blessing Sopuruchukwu

    I had someone like Anty Gloria. My uncle was my Anty Gloria. Back then he always asked us what we were been taught in school everyday. Am really greatful for the impact he made in my life

  • Udosen Agnes

    Lol. We had Mrs Gloria in our community who all her children had gone and completed schooling so she took it upon her to question every student even on the road! So we run when we see her. Yes she really fuelled my passion of leaving that area. I hated those meddlesome with passion so i studied harder

  • Nwosu Victoria Onyinye

    I had lots of Mummy Glorias around me while I was growing up. probably because I was extremely stubborn. However, I believe that when it’s time for a turnaround, it comes naturally though the Mummy Glorias helped a lot, especially when I had to quit doing some cunning things because I was afraid they’d catch me. So, having people like Mummy Gloria around one will contibute immensely to the upbringing process.

  • Nwatu Chetachukwu Francisca

    Wow. Very funny and interesting.
    Many Anuty Gloria is needed in our society really it will go alot to help .Because nowadays some parents don’t even ask their children how far about school and this making them not be serious.

  • OTINGA RUTH IFUNANYA

    very amusing! Back then I got furious over people like Gloria. I felt they push so much than they should know. Little did we know that it was for our good.

  • Nnamani Sylvia onyedikachi

    Wow.! I had come across women like her when I visited the Village in 2012 the old women can can interrogate they ask questions like this #KE AFA GU? O CHINELO NWA AGBOR BU ONYE MURU GI? KE MAKA NDI KANO?# and so on then I didn’t understand Igbo so in order not to get caught up in a dialogue with these women I run and hide. Mummy Gloria was misunderstood she meant no harm it was her kind of person and I won’t see anthing wrong with her.

  • Abugu faith Chinecherem

    One of my neighbours behaves exactly like mummy Gloria and he gives gifts to children that perform well academically.

  • CHINAWAEZE OLISAEMEKA

    Mumy Gloria doesn’t mean bad for teenagers, for the fact she treats her own kids that way, she loves success,she is the kind of elders we need in our society today.

    • Abonyi chisom E

      We need people like mummy gloria in our communities because i believe that some parents do not have time for their children, mummy gloria is a nice woman who has good intentions towards everybody and wants every child around her to be successful.

  • Ms. Gloria gives me a vivid mental picture of my pastors wife, unlike Ms. Gloria she doesn’t pry into personal stuff, she corrects lovingly. She really helped me improve in my studies. God bless you ma’am for this piece.

  • Lols, this reminds me of my teacher back then in school , he would interrogate years you ehh, until you be like walking out on him, but his interrogations really helped me

  • Eze martins Tochukwu

    Mummy Gloria is wonderful woman. My mother is like her, always making sure that you do everything that necessary and I did not like it then but now l will everlasting thank her for such attitude toward us. Always interesting and enlightening stories ma.

  • Abasiofon Nkem

    Madam Gloria is a rear kind,she wants to see other people’s children doing well too.we need such disciplined people in every environment today. The funny thing is that i had a mummy Gloria in my neighbourhood while growing up. by then i used to think she was wicked but now i know her intentions where very good and has helped me go a long way. youths should listen to such people because you might not know what she is doing but you will get to know soon that it is for your own future.

  • Nnodim Queeneth

    Exactly, I have a neighbour named Aunt Julie. This attitude of mummy Gloria relates to that of aunt Julie 95%. Her’s was kind of annoying too to the teenagers in my neighbourhood because she condemned almost all our actions as teenagers. Most youths hated her a lot because she always said the truth the way it is.
    My opinion of her was a very sincere woman and loving one. She takes care of little children around. Each time, she buys sweets and biscuits for them to eat.
    The African saying that “it takes a village to raise a child” is true. When a youth is going a wrong way, it is not only the duties of the parents to caution the child, adults around can also help to caution that child.

  • Ebere

    That is very good of Gloria,,She doesn’t just want to see the success of her children alone but the success of all the youths.

  • ezeh chimezie

    OH YEAH…I HAD AN AUNT GLORIA WHILE GROWING. AND TO AVOID HER QUESTIONS I RUN FROM HER. IT WAS LATER THAT I REALIZED THAT “IT IS HE WHO CARES ASKS” ALSO THAT MY REASON FOR RUNNING FROM HER WAS JUST BECAUSE I HAD NO POSITIVE ANSWERS TO HER QUESTIONS. THIS MOTIVATED ME TO PUT MORE EFFORTS IN MY STUDIES SO I WONT HAVE TO HIDE WHEN EVER I SEE HER COMING. NOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED AND WE ARE FRIENDS.

  • Nkwocha chibueze innocent

    We always find this kind of people at the village but the good thing is that it has helped shaped some people’s life but in the other way the question is do they really care or are they pretending to care

  • Wow very funny. I also have a Mummy Gloria in my neighborhood and she happens to be my church member too. She takes note of almost every thing that concerns teenagers and youths around her. I can still remember the day she made me wipe off my lipstick because she felt it was too “shouty” and countless occasions when she had to stop me on the road and remark on my dressing. But I must say she has a large heart. I still miss her cookies sha lol.

  • Young onyinyechi

    Just like when i was preparing for jamb, i resented staying close to my mom because she was always pushing me to read, in my thought she was very annoying but literally, she was doing me a favour which i appreciate nw

  • CHINELOBI TREASURE OLUCHI

    we should strive and work very hard to show ourselves approved

  • UMAR GIDEON GONI

    The elderly ones should emulate her ways.it is true that youth are something else in this our time.but nevertheless,our elders should be more resilient in helping this young generation because we are the leaders of tomorrow.

  • Eze Chioma Uzoamaka

    Although most people may see this attitude as sticking one’s nose in someone else’s business, she obviously means well. Her inquisitiveness although scary is laced with good intentions. The youths become more serious and focused in their studies so as not to be embarrassed during her question and answer sessions. The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” is then proved correct.

  • Chibuzor Marvelous

    The success of an individual is the success of the family he is she is from and so is the community. our elders should emulate ways to help this generation.our elders should be more resilient and determine to make something good from everybody with because we are the leaders of tomorrow and the future lies in our hands.

  • Onyia Ujunwa Sandra

    Very funny. Mummy Gloria is a very nice woman,she only has good intentions towards the youths in that neighborhood.She is a good woman because she advices youths on what to do.

  • Ogbozor chiamaka Zillah

    Though Gloria is optimistic, she is also a disciplinarian through her mouth and her approach and reactions towards youths.

  • Ogbonna Precious Onyinyechi

    I had more of Mummy Gloria while, I was growing up as it was said, it takes a village to raise a child. I agree that she was meddlesome but she was trying to encourage us to do better, work hard and make excellent results and it is also said that if someone loves you they discipline you, so Gloria loves her neighbourhood so she tried to encourage them.

  • Ogbonna Precious Onyinyechi

    I had more of mummy Gloria while, I was growing up and it is said that it takes a village to raise a child. I agree that Mummy Gloria was meddlesome but she was just trying to encourage us to put more efforts and work hard so we can get excellent results. There is an adage that says if someone loves u he or she disciplines u, so mummy Gloria loved her neighborhood that was why she disciplined them.

  • ifunaya chukwuemeka

    I had plenty Aunt Gloria both ”good” and the ones i term ”bad” ones maybe cause i did not understand it back then. they are part of the reason i turned out OK. It’s true that in Africa, Nigeria that it takes a village to train up a child as if that soul grows up and constitutes a nuisance to all ,the child will be everyone’s headache.

  • Ugama Gloria Nkechinyere

    Wow mummy Gloria is a good character in this story. My name sake!

  • Kat

    This story reminds me of women who live near my house in Lagos. That’s to tell you we have many ‘mummy Glorias’ where I stay. The only difference is that where this mummy Gloria means well, those ones just want to know every single thing happening in your life to gossip with their friends later. Those ones can be so so irritating. Sometimes I don’t even give them the opportunity to interrogate me. I greet them as quickly as I can and continue on my way without so much as a sideways glance. My best friend is particularly adept at ignoring those kinds of ‘amebo’ women. But not in a disrespectful manner. Her tactics is to come up with one excuse or the other so that they don’t keep her standing there. Works so well every time . lol. Anyway, it’s a lovely story aunty

  • Onyeka Stanley

    I remember those days when I sneaked past these kind of women before they know what is happening. They mean well but sometimes they’re misunderstood and misconstrued.

  • I had one Mummy Gloria oh, that always called us together almost everyday to ask us what we learnt in school. Our system then was as soon as you return from school you disappear; either indoors or outdoor??
    Never knew what she was doing then, but I know well now she planned good for us.

  • Andeshi Moniica

    i actually never had any Aunty Gloria in my life, but i guess they don’t hurt, they only mean good, funny how it takes a lot of time for one to realize that.

  • Mummy Gloria, more like Mummy Osi
    This woman would literally ask every kid in the estate to come out with their report cards and arrange us based on our grades, those with bad grades would sing for the smart ones and watch them receive gifts ??.. It made everyone read hard cause the humiliation is just too much

  • Adeke Chukwuka

    If we had/have more ‘Aunty Gloria’ in the world today, i think the world would have been a better place by now.

  • Agugbua chisom

    I had someone like that in my junior secondary school. Her name was aunty Nneoma. I hated what she always did then. At that time we always called her amebo (gossip) because she always wanted to know about things in our lives like our results. She lived at the back of our house and everytime school ended, she would wait at the gate to question us and check our results after that she would talk to our parent. I really hated her then so much but now when I think of it I just laugh. I appreciate what she did actuall because then, I didn’t know, but I was always focused and trying to do better so aunty Nneoma won’t rebuke me.

  • Egenti Jennifer

    This reminds me of miss Margaret who we referred to as aunty Maggi..she was a pokenoser. Always trying to know everything About my results and who I was friends with…it was really annoying at that time because it was bad enough to actually have a strict mother but having an amebo Aunty was too much to bear..so I and my friends will always Dodge her but typing this is actually bringing back happy memories because I knew I never wanted to be her scape goat

  • Ajibe Chinonye

    Reading this,reminds me of my former music director,Master Chika,he was so inquisitive.He wants to everything about you,where you went to,where you are coming from,what you are doing almost everything.It can funny sometimes but annoying but it was a good sign of concern towards us.

  • Arthur Ukaga

    Gloria seems like a very funny character to me. She reminds me of one of my former teachers. I used to think she was annoying but she actually did steer me in the right path. Instead of criticizing the various Gloria’s we have out there, we should appreciate them for their caring nature. True friends always care about you and that’s how I see Gloria. Her judgment may seem annoying, at times harsh, but it is all intended to bring out the better version of you.

  • This act of Gloria can be very frustrating, someone like me would have insulted her countless times because of the unceasing disturbances but if we check the outcome we will see that this goes a long way in helping in building our lives. The acts of Mrs Gloria was good although there are some people who will overdo their own and someone like me will not even tolerate at all.

  • Willie Albert Zikiye

    The primary agents of socialization according Sociological perspectives are The family, peer groups and the neighborhood. A child must be socialized by this three institutions. Based on Gloria’s positive contributions to the upbringing of the African children, all hands must be on deck to do the same.

  • Thomas Rebecca Ina

    I’ve had many mummy Gloria’s in my life. Male and female alike.
    I won’t forget my lecturer friend who took special interest in young people, I was among. He even took me personally on extra classes before my putme exams. Being my “best friend” he made me account for everything I did and take responsibility for it and being a true child of God and an SU brought up he admonished me always. It made me very responsible unlike the care free, any-how-any-how me. Lol

  • Onwuamaeze Ikechukwu John

    There never can be a better mummy gloria in terms of doing the needful to scorning against certain acts by children or youths, correcting them and getting to know of their well being.
    Little would one know, how impactful her kibitzing might be now, until one grows enough to realise there’s need for the society to join hands in shaping a child’s future.

  • Honestly, it will be annoying to have a person like AUNTY GLORIA, but at the end she is after everyone’s good. Her meddling in other people’s affairs is still for the best.

  • Emmanuel Steve Sunny

    Irrespective of what the teenagers viewed as a heavy handed approach, I believe Aunty Gloria was a big blessing to the youths. Her sincere concern for all youths irrespective of whether the child was her own or not shows that she was really interested in their individual development. We need more of Aunty Gloria’s in our society today.

  • Sugbaza Benjamin

    Gloria should be an example to other adult to imitate towards child development and societal growth. Parents can’t just take the sole responsibility of training their children because the child is also exposed to the external world due to this fact people in the society should see the need of watching, advising and correcting the youth in their society.

  • Okechukwu Obiora C

    Gloria really showed that it takes a village to raise a child. She isn’t a mediocre. She doesn’t settle for less. She wants everyone around her to be great. This post indeed passes an important message using the life of Gloria which is we should aim for big things in this life.

  • I had an aunty who was so meddlesome in my affairs that I feared failure. And I think it has really helped me achieve a lot. We need adults like Gloria who would look out of the youths. I believe youngsters do well when they have someone to look up to

  • Once a child is born. The training is not just meant for the biological parents. An igbo adage always says that “a child is a child of all” therefore we need adults who is like this woman mentioned in this story.

  • Ugwuja Deborah

    This is really funny to me because , I know a lady called Mummy Gloria and she does same.i know Mummy Gloria meant good and it actually helped the youths but she could have done her questioning nicely.

  • IKECHEBELU GINIKA

    This is so hilarious!
    Though having a Mummy Gloria can be so meddlesome, but in the other way round, I think it serves as a checkmate cause you will strive to be a better person to enable you stand with confidence when next your paths cross.

  • Oshana Oyaku Endurance

    I will say Aunty Gloria was indeed meddlesome but I will tag it a “good meddling”. Most young people need older ones to police them real well for them to have good focus in life. I will say aunty Gloria was a God sent to that community to help bring the young ones up well.

  • Oshana Oyaku Endurance

    It may seems like she is a “pain in the neck” to all the young ones of that community, but in the future they will be very grateful to her for her deeds.

  • Orisakwe Ezinne

    Mummy Gloria indeed! Lol
    I have had many mummy Gloria in my life. In sec school, my literature aunty took it upon her self to be my mentor.. Most times after school, she would invite me to her house because she was living close to us, she would sit me down and interrogate me. Even in school, sometimes she would call me to come meet her at my leisure time and then we would talk about life, my challenges and experiences and then she would advice me on what to do… At a point, I started avoiding her because I saw it as a disturbance and it was easier because they packed out of our street. But I came to understand now that she helped me a lot back then because it was the moral she inculcated in me that helped in taking me where I am today.

  • Aroh Cynthia Chioma

    Wow! This story reminds me of my uncle who will be questioning me each time he visits us. I use to like that because it shows that someone really cares for me and also makes me to be more serious in whatever am doing knowing fully well that I must be queried about it by my uncle.
    Nice one Ma!

  • ugwu lilian

    I have an aunt with same like character,she likes intelligent children,and you can tell from her attitude that she doesn’t even like average kids,she wants everything you do to be perfect,she would always say “you have no excuse to failure. She wasn’t the type that encourages at all.
    In my primary school anytime she visits I’d always go out because whatever comes out from her is discouraging.

  • Sophia

    I have encountered many mama gloria, I still even have them as aunties now….. Am just glad my mum isn’t, she encourages you, even when you mess up, she corrects you with love, more reason I struggle to be the best is cause of her…… Please Nigerian parents let’s stop been mama gloria. Is just the worse feeling for every child…

  • Eze vivian Nkiruka

    There is this mummy Gloria in my compound,but she was way worst than this mummy Gloria, hers was excess,and at times, it gets me irrigated by her excess love and consign,ad she puts it.it became worst when my mum told her I registered for JAMB,she never gave me any breathing space at all,she wouldn’t want to see me listening to music,seeing movies or even being idle for a second, she always wants to see me reading. My life then was stressful but it later piad off sha.thank God am now free from such mummy Gloria,and trust me,I would run run run if i come across any again.

  • Wow ,, interesting, Indeed the world needs more of Mummy Gloria. I have an aunt exactly like her, we don’t see her often because of distance but she ll always call to ask so many questions about your life, school, and even your relationship… Embarrassing questions at that.. But I love her still.. But one problem about them is that people often misunderstand them and tag them ” busybodies, puck Nosers and even people that don’t mind their business ” but all same, some of them dont mean it that way…. Bless you.

  • Chukwunwenwa Chinenye

    I think as an African, you must encounter lots of ‘Aunty Gloria’ while growing up.
    Most women in my street have this ‘Aunty Glorianess’ in them. Always trying to meddle in cases that doesn’t concern them ? They sometimes go as far as proffering advices we consider unsolicited.
    _
    There’s this Reverend Sister that always visits our family house then, whenever she comes, she goes to the kitchen to see if all plates were washed, checks our laundry basket, monitors our toilet, asks for our academic performance and all those annoying stuffs. Once she visits and you’re not doing anything just know that you’re done for.

    We all hated Sister Lucy then but now she’s my paddy for life. ??

  • Ugwuda Mathew

    The AUNTY GLORIA types are rare. Her kind of person is an answer to some of the undying questions asked by youths of today. I pray i meet my own Aunty Gloria sometime soon.

  • Ekeh Maryann C

    Gloria really meant well, but sometimes, such should be limited as it may irritate those on the receiving end just as illustrated in the text

    • Iyorakpo Dorathy

      Lol I can imagine how those kids where feeling because even I hate to be put on the spot. But now I understand people like Gloria only encourage hardwork in a rational way

  • OKORO UGOCHI ANGEL

    I see this woman as a selfless human being, who don’t derive joy in seeing others failing especially the youth.

  • Uyanna Chibuike

    To be honest I don’t like people like mummy Gloria because I had a lot of people like her in my neighborhood, I didn’t have problem with elders asking me little questions about my life . My major annoyance was that after they ask you and know everything they turn you to a topic and a subject of gossip among themselves and it was very irritating. I don’t know if maybe it’s only women in my neighborhood who do this but all I know is that since then I avoid elders who ask you things about your life.

  • Ebi osinachi mercy

    Funny enough, most young people will not understand how helpful she is to them until they grow older.

  • Patience Anthony

    Sometimes some people push us to do our best.
    Try to correct and encourage the people around you in a polite way though

  • Onyekachi Amarachi

    A lot of adults do this in our present society. They might have good intentions but this just scares away the children from them.

  • oboni veronica

    Gloria is such a wonderful person, because it not easy to be caring and to show interest about other people children welfare and that makes most of the children to be Afraid of her, but not know that she is really helping them.

  • Eze Chidiebeube Judith

    I think contrary to this tho. Even if you want to correct, reprimand, encourage or educate a child, there are better ways to do it than putting the child up at the spot. Many children hated Mrs Gloria as stated above, not that they hate her per se but they didn’t like the situation she put them in. Children learn more from bonding than confrontation. Confrontation will lead to them to lead a life of hypocrisy and pretense just to not get more confrontations. Teenagers are my major concerns as their lives tend to be rebellious at that stage.

  • Okorie Blessing Chigozirim

    I’ve encountered many of such situations before, and although they weren’t very pleasant, they did help me become better

  • Okoye-azi Chiemerie Regina

    I had someone like Mummy Gloria in my neighbourhood while growing up. Every child dreaded her because her corrections often came with insults. Other parents in the neighbourhood didn’t like her either. Thinking about it now, her nosiness didn’t help me. Instead, it made me take another route whenever I see elders just to avoid being judged and insulted.

  • Treasure Emone

    Lol…. It rarely happens to me but when I hear this kind of stories it makes me laugh

  • Nwosuocha Winnie Chidiebube

    To be honest people like mummy Gloria me I normally avoid them because I don’t like being questioned especially by elders, but I understand that some of them have good intentions towards the young people in the society

  • Jacenta ossai.

    This write up brings back fun memories from my child hood, Mummy Gloria reminds me of ” Mama jumping jumping ” of the blessed memory. She sold provisions in front of a duplex house opposite ours and every day after school she checks our socks and shoes and if it is not neat, then just know you are finished that day. I love her.

  • Wisdom Ugosinachi Miracle

    I have stories about people like her, they too nosy to know what is happening in other people’s family

    Well, I think condemning them and rebuking them after the conversation wasn’t the right thing to do

  • Innocent Esther .C.

    I agree that “it takes a village to raise a child” but that “mommy Gloria” hers was too much, abeg. I don’t blame the kids that avoided every contact with her because I would have done same if I was the one.

  • Onogwu chinenye blessing

    All my aunties are the mummy Gloria in my life but they actually mean well for me. God bless everyone trying to bring out the best in us.

  • Dan Joseph

    God my aunty, whenever she comes over to the house I will just dive because that woman is ready to ask the living hell out of me.
    Most times that’s when I will start looking for errands to go just to avoid her questions and 4 hours advice on something that was not necessary but to be honest while growing up I began to understand why she asked those questions and gave those advice because those questions and advice is what is guiding me right now.
    So now I’m no longer running rather I’m always ready for it.

  • Miracle Ogbonna

    Spots on, ohh I had experiences of that growing up, unfortunately and fortunately my class teacher lived near our house so it was inevitable that we will frequently cross parts and then sometimes she checks up on me, then it was the most agonizing moments of our life but now going back memory lane, I relish those moments, they shaped me, her incessant demands that I read, even baiting me with prizes to motivate me to clinch first position, those were our foundations of which we where we are today and still pushing forward.

  • Eleke Jane Somadina

    People like aunty Gloria help make the society better. In as much as the process isn’t always easy but the end is worth it. What makes us better are always those things that we find boring and wouldn’t want to do.

  • FAVOUR OMEJE

    People like mummy Gloria are society builders. We run away from them thinking they hate us. But their intention is to help us to aspire higher.

  • Oliseji Goodnews Adaeze

    Aunty Gloria is actually selfless but many might not think of her that way and may feel she was prying into their personal affairs.

  • Ogbu Cynthia Nneoma

    God my aunty, whenever she comes over to the house I will just dive because that woman is ready to ask the living hell out of me. Most times that’s when I will start looking for errands to go just to avoid her questions and 4 hours advice on something that was not necessary but to be honest while growing up I began to understand why she asked those questions and gave those advice because those questions and advice is what is guiding me right now. So now I’m no longer running rather I’m always ready for it.

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