First Salary Palava

The first money I earned in my life as wage or salary for doing a job was 15k, this was after Secondary School. I did not hand this money over to my Parents. My Mum was extremely angry, and was almost going to curse me, save for my Dad’s intervention. I did not understand the gravity of what I had done until my Dad sat me down and explained to me the spiritual connotation of handing over one’s first fruit to either their Parents or Benefactor.

Where my Dad picked that from I don’t know. But, according to him he gave his first salary to his own Parents. My Mum said she also did same for her Parents. My older siblings all did same. Just somehow, mine was lost on me. Many years after, now I had concluded my University Education, I landed a better pay and handed everything in total to my Parents. Again, I didn’t know what I was really doing and why, until I heard my friend and brother Nelson Omenugha tell me how he handed over his first Salary and allowances as a Government Appointee to his Parents.

Immediately I heard his story, I felt the first was not enough, so I opted to hand my first salary as a Government Appointee, including my allowances to my Parents again. I was specific in telling them that this is my first as a Political Appointee. Of course prayers followed, and in ways that beats imagination, a lot has happened afterwards.

Do with this story whatever you wish. I encourage every family to have values that they must uphold. Is this very one applicable in your family?

— Mazi Ejimofor Opara, KSM