Hope and Pain: The Delicate Balance of Expectation
By: N wogu Chinemerem Sixteen years ago, I was thrilled when I received an invitation to take a written test for a reporter position at a prominent national newspaper. At the time, I was working for another national daily but had long hoped to transition to this new publication. The attraction wasn’t just about the pay, but also the professional visibility it promised. The test itself was straightforward—an essay on the legality and morality of security agencies enforcing decent dressing. This was sparked by the controversy surrounding a widely reported incident in which police officers allegedly harassed women for their attire in Aba. I put my best effort into the essay and, as always, I felt confident in my ability to excel. My hopes were high; after all, I had never failed in any essay test, whether academic or professional. But within my hope, there was also pain. The waiting game began. As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, the anticipation became mor...