Notable personalities from all walks of life have showered encomium on actress and presenter, Dorcas Shola Fapson, over her brilliant adaption of Paulette Kelly’s poem, “I Got Flowers Today” (1992).

“I Got Flowers Today” depicts the life of victims in abusive marriages and relationships.

The short film highlights how the actress endured a very abusive marriage with Mawuli Gavor who gifted her lovely flowers every time she had been bruised and battered.

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Sadly she lost her life for not leaving and speaking out.

Speaking about the short film, Shola Fapson said,

“I Got Flowers Today’… is a poem by Paulette Kelly that I read years ago…

“I decided to develop & adapt it for screen as it’s such an important msg that hits home… I know victims of abuse that choose to stay, for several reasons…

“I’m not here to judge, cause it’s hard. I know, but I need you to understand that NO reason is worth your life.

“Even if this touches just ONE person I’m happy…

‘Thank you so much to the amazing creatives who came on board without any questions!!…#EndDomesticViolence ?

The clip has since gone viral with many advocating for #EndDomesticViolence on all social media platforms.

Social media commentators and well-meaning Nigerians said the depth of Shola’s film should serve as a wake-up call to either male or female persons enduring relationships which could lead to an untimely death.

See video and comments:

Very creative stuff. Very powerful message. “I got flowers today.” Replace flowers with all the compensations they give you for stealing your joy everyday. Spirit by spirit, soul by soul, till you die while alive, then die die! Life is for living.

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 5, 2019

I was watching that “I got flowers today” stuff & was thinking, “I got flowers today, till he kills you.” Ase he was going to do just that. Gifts, flowers, I am sorrys etc will never compensate 4 putting up w/ a monster. Their ultimate mission is to kill your spirit, soul & body!

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 5, 2019

I GOT FLOWERS TODAY. ??
Millions are living in hell from one day to the next and scared of walking away. They don’t know where they’d go if they did. They feel utterly powerless because choosing him was a free will. So, locked is the door, and thrown are the keys. WALK AWAY? pic.twitter.com/hVPmJX8TZ5

— Sandrah .M (@Akanyanaa) June 5, 2019

“I got flowers today”
She said.

After every single time he hit her and beat her up like an animal.
Flowers and she stayed.
Till she died.

For many of you, it’s Pizza, iPhone, Shawarma, movie date, fancy shoes.
And a man slowly steals your life and future.

You deserve better.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

There’s NOTHING a man buys for you that should ever get you to a point where you would rather stay in a pot of boiling oil than run for your dear life when the signs are crystal clear.

The worst thing a rich controlling man steals from you is your common-sense and self-worth.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

What is the essence of taking you shopping if he’s still going to hit you in the head with the same Louboutin he bought you? What is the essence of the spa date if he’s still going to rough handle you at the slightest disagreement?

Is your peace (and your life) worth all these?

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

A man who shouts at you.
A man who slaps you.
A man who beats you.
A man who threatens you violently.
A man who roughly handles you.
A man who verbally abuses you.

Regardless of what “good” he does that your confused mind is making up as excuses, this is NOT a good man for you.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

And as for men- we have said this before and it’s good to reiterate it again-

IF you have to beat a woman to show that you are a man, then you are absolutely not a man.

You are a wild uncivilised animal and only fit to live in the jungles of the rainforest with your colleagues.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

Hitting a woman is NOT what makes you a man. Shouting at a woman is NOT what makes you a man. Threatening a woman violently is NOT what makes you a man. Hurting a woman physically and killing a woman is NOT what makes you a man.

Only men without brains debate this.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

To care for a woman you chose to be with. To listen to her. To give your best. To resolve issues maturely

And if she’s totally incorrigible, with nothing else for you to do about it all,

To count your losses and walk away with your dignity intact,

This is what makes you a man.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

At the end of the day, men and women as adult human beings have roles and responsibilities.

A decent man must never hit a woman except in rare cases of self defence.

A sensible woman must know her self worth and be able to intelligently decipher when it’s time to walk away.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

Remember, if he hits you and buys you icecream to cover up, and you say nothing; you unconsciously give the impression that behaviour is okay.

The day would eventually come when the last flowers you would get will be the one placed on your tombstone.

Again, you deserve better.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

You don’t deserve a man who buys you flowers because he slapped you. You don’t deserve a man who buys you gifts because he has physically abused you.

You deserve a man who adores you and treats you as Royalty in every way.

Know your worth.
You are a Queen. You deserve better.

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019

And for those who have not seen the video that inspired my write up. Here is a link to it.

Now watch it and hopefully that helps you understand the trigger to my article.

Thanks for watching. Thanks for reading.
Please retweet. And share your thoughts https://t.co/B26mWqZ9Rz

— OurFavOnlineDoctor ? ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) June 5, 2019