Anita Ogona
The story, shared by a Facebook user named Cornelius Ellah, describes how he initially thought the babyโs mother had left the child with the mechanic to run some errands and would return shortly. However, upon asking, he discovered the truth was quite different.
The mechanic explained that the babyโs mother had abandoned them, leaving him as the sole caregiver for their child.
He wrote: โI took my car for servicing and saw what I consider as worthy of more urgent attention than my car.
When I got to the mechanicโs workshop located at Etta Agbor layout in Calabar, I noticed that one of the mechanics cuddled a very tender baby on his way to the workshop.
As soon as I saw that unusual sight, I felt that the babyโs mom or someone else would join him to either take the baby back home or nurse her while he attends to work.
But that wasnโt the case.
I noticed that the baby was still at the workshop when I went back there to pick my car, after several hours. She looked frail and uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, her Dad was eating groundnut and chatting loudly with other mechanics at the workshop. I felt empathy for the baby and told her that she would be a great child.
My statement was a prayer.
Her Dad and other mechanics heard me and answered โamenโ on her behalf.
When I asked the mechanic about the whereabouts of his wife, he said โshe don run go Akwa Ibomโ.
He further told me that the babyโs name is Blessing and she is 7 months old.
According to him, Blessingโs mom left him 5 months ago and he has been her sole caretaker since then.
He said โna me alone deโ, when I asked him about his relatives and relatives of his โwifeโ.
Very odd.
As we all know, a mechanicโs workshop isnโt a child-friendly place.
It isnโt a creche.
This means that Blessing is deprived of a friendly environment, motherly love, family care and neighborliness.
I told her Dad that this shouldnโt continue. I also got his permission to take a picture of him and Blessing.
See them.โ
