It was a sunny and busy day in Lagos. With over 30 other ambitious graduates, I waited at the reception in turn, to be called upon as the next applicant –
“could I be the next man?” My panting heart queried and skipped. I adjusted my collar as a speedy jittery ran through my vein. There, I sat on a leather chair imagining what getting this job means to me. It’s 5 months since I left the university, yet I never applied for a job for once. Apparently all I had was a document carrying this title; TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. However I feared that they may turn it down because its unequal to my result. But thats all the university gave me after a 5 year programme turned 7 years with srike and cultism.

“Next Applicant!’ a baritone voice broke out of an office adjacent the reception. A tall and skinny lady stepped out and called, ” Owoyemi…”
I already knew it was me so I stood up and matched in briskly. I tendered my document on demand and in less than 5 minutes I was through with the interview. In short, I got the job using the TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN document.

Then I began to wonder what TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN really means. I later found out that, it means this document is tenable to anybody , either employer, corporate organisations, government, individuals – even parents, guardians or sponsors and it should be acknowledged.

I found out that LOVE should be treated likewise. God commands that we love – TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Whatever the colour, race, age, beliefs, social status. There shouldn’t be a man you can not love.

I read the story of Marget Thatcha, former British Prime Minister. She visited a widow who lost her husband and she was comforted. But was asked what Margeret Thatcha told her. She said she can’t remember what she said but only knows she makes her feel good. That was a testimony of love to whom it may concern – whether widow or highbrow.

Love should be given not only to people around us or within our family circle or to people we expect favour or approval from. Love should go to whom it may concern – not to whom you are related to. Love is not a feeling. Love is beyond family ties.

The Holy Bible in 1 John 3:11 says “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” 1 John 3:16 says “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” I laughed when some baby believers say Jesus died for only christians. Jesus loved and died for the whole world – Jesus loved and died for – TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

If Love however is to be given to whom it may concern then courtesy demands that we find those it affects their welfare and happiness the most. Example of these people are displaced children and orphans.

For how long shall we continue to witness scenes of poverty; for how long will the sights of the children begging echoes in our ears. These children living in underserved communities desperately need better and more clothing, food, healthcare, education and shelter. Join hands with Dependent Children Foundation ( www.dcc-foundation.org ) and together we can demonstrate love to children.