So I went to the bank the other day and I parked at an empty
spot, there were so many free spots that day; it was a weekend heyyyy! I guess
that’s why I was confused when someone parked right behind me and blocked me
from leaving, I don’t understand. Why me? The person doesn’t know what I’ve
gone through in this life. Why?
Anyways, while I was waiting for the person to come and
comot their moto a man walked to me, nah its not what you think! LOL Not
another toaster, as I’m sure some of you are already rolling your eyes. This man
was an older man, his moromoro was well oiled and shinning under the glistening
sun,.He was also a bit bent, and wearing carton coloured shirt and pants, now
that I think about it, he looked like a driver. Well, what did he want from me?
He asked for money.
I’m used to those Fulani abi Niger people (aunty your fresh
body, fine aunty gimme money, while gesticulating that they need food to eat)
and the regular beggars we come across daily, I was a bit thrown aback and he
explained that his atm card was having problems and he had just 60 naira on
him, and his tank was empty, so he needed me to give him money to put some fuel
in his car.
Odd.
I felt sorry for him and was about to release some money
when my friend stopped me.
“Don’t give him”
I turned to her, “Uhn? Why shouldn’t I give him, he’s stranded!”
I was really feeling sorry. Ahn ahn, look at the baba na.
“How do you know?” She probed.
“How do I know? Didn’t you hear his explanation?” I queried,
abi ibere wo le leyi?
“Abeggy, that is how they do, they go from atm to atm
begging money. Cram his face well, I’m sure you will catch him again somewhere
with this same story” she hissed and started fiddling with the radio.
Uhn!
I was totally confused. Why would a grown greying man waste
his time, lying to me just for change? Why would anyone want to do that?
“Don’t trust people, she pressed on. This is lagos, what if
he wants to use it for ritual…”
Ori iya mi oh! Now my mind flashed back to those Yoruba
movies I have been watching. What if really a babalawo sent him to beg for
money and that the amount he gets is the amount of money the juju would give
him. OMG!
Anyways, I prayed on my money before I gave him cos the
whole time I was arguing he was just standing there, staring. I was torn between
being kind, and being either taken for a fool or used for diabolical things. I plead the blood! Immediately I gave him the money I felt my body parts to
make sure anything never miss. Breast, check. Bum, check…. Yup. Nothing don miss
for my body.
So many bad eggs in the society have spoilt the good ones
that being kind these days could possibly cause you trouble. Who knows, he
might have really needed the cash for fuel…but if he was lying, I go still
catch am for front very soon. Na me and am dey this Lagos.
Hmmm, that would not be impossible in Lagos o. Cos I've met a sorry-looking man infront of LASUTH while in traffic and he told me his wife was in d hosp and all d needed was 600 naira to pay for her drugs. He showed me prescriptions and I gave him 1000k. Fast forward 2 weeks later, same man, new cloths same location and he said it was his daughter this time; I just screaamed 'you again?!!' And the speed with which he disappeared, my brain still hasn't been able to comprehend!
ReplyDeleteLmao..na wa oh. What won't we see in Lagos.
DeleteIt was a scenario like this my friend described....imagine!
DeleteToo many beggers in Lagos, that you don't even know who is telling the truth of lying.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners
www.afrigenic.blogspot.com
Lagos is filled with all sorts!
DeleteThat's how Sisi Yemmie lied to me that day! (˘̯˘ ) anywaiz about this begging matter,had a rather funny but scary experience today! One lady came to preach inside car for us and after said 'dip your hand into your pocket and give me money', that one didn't even pain me, one lady at the back then gave her 20naira but she rejected it that twas too small,she now still abused us ontop and was raking that she came to preach and we couldn't give her money blah blah! I was just like O_O!till we got to our destination fear was catcching me small small Nothing my beautiful eyes won't see!
ReplyDeleteLOL...what did I like about ehn? Wait! una no give am offering? LOL.
DeleteI hear that's the thing now in Nigeria, at least Lagos. It's too bad the bad egg has really ruined the entire "farm", if i must say. we are afraid to give to the true needy because we fear what they might do with the money afterwards. But we should be grateful that we are in the position to give, regardless of what the person or charity organization do with the money afterwards. I will rather give to a lying beggar than to be mugged or pickpocket. So I commend you for giving, despite being told not to by your friend. give yourself a pat on the back :)
ReplyDeletethemanecaptain.blogspot.ca
I hear that's the thing now in Nigeria, at least Lagos. It's too bad the bad egg has really ruined the entire "farm", if i must say. we are afraid to give to the true needy because we fear what they might do with the money afterwards. But we should be grateful that we are in the position to give, regardless of what the person or charity organization do with the money afterwards. I will rather give to a lying beggar than to be mugged or pickpocket. So I commend you for giving, despite being told not to by your friend. give yourself a pat on the back :)
ReplyDeleteAde
themanecaptain.blogspot.ca
Thank you so much for reading and for your comments!
DeleteWelcome to Lagos really. Your friend was right! It takes a lot not to want to be kind and give but the honest truth is that this begging thing has become a profession for some able-bodied men and women who can do better.
ReplyDeleteMy dear...begging seems to be a lucrative business here
DeleteHahahahhahha. This rice and beans life ehn! I tire for this beggar tories o.....cos nollywood sef no deg help matter. I usually dont give beggars money until my spirit leads me to do so.......if you like, cry fire and brimstone.....i no send you, cos one cant act like one is oblivious of the evils in this world. On the other hand, there are people withgenuine needs. Na make person dey pray and give with clean mind remain...cos otherwise.......anythong is possible
ReplyDeletelol...i easily pity people.
DeleteHmmm..on beggar matter, I think beggars in Ibadan parks scare me most.the begging situation in nigeria is terrifying.I can remember one time I was reading Encarta,and in a phrase it described Nigeria as a country where begging is an occupation.(I dnt knw if it has bn updated now). Hmmm..May God not put us in a begging situation.Amen @sisiyemmie; u are my blogmodel, just started blogging anyway.
ReplyDeleteAwwww....I'll definitely check out your blog!
DeleteIf you're under the protection of the most high God, thou shall fear no evil.
ReplyDeleteShare your fashion and style tips here www.raqueldaily.blogspot.com
Amen!!!!!!!!
Deletelol na wa oh
ReplyDeletereal wah!
DeleteThat's Naija for you.Sometimes,we want to help people but all the bad stories just make us paranoid.
ReplyDeleteMy dear... you understand it all
DeleteIts a 95% chance you've been scammed dear girl.
ReplyDeleteMy prayer when i am moved to give despite my head warning me is 'Lord, whatever has made a sane man you created choose this irresponsible and humiliating way to earn his daily bread, pls release him, Amen'
I should adopt that prayer now.
DeleteAwww thanks for stopping by Sisi. Glad to be back too :-).
ReplyDeleteOh and about beggars, if you see the kind of rap one did in like 30secs I could not believe but it's really hard to know which is which. My friend too told me not to give anything. It seems so heartless just to leave them standing there but God knows all o.
You are really really enjoying yourself in Lagos - please continue it is allowed and learn the roads and everything well so I can contact if I need any tips on Lagos life if possible :)
Missy Tee
Ha ha ha... I'm becoming a full blown Lagos girl oh. Good to have you back
DeleteYeh! So this thing is actually for real? I hear they call it 'cooperate begging'. I saw an Yvonne Okoro and Majid Michel movie where they were doing it, I thought it was so genius. I did not know the whole of Lagos was already on it.
ReplyDeleteImagine my shock when I watched 'maami' and voila funke akindele's character too is doing cooperate begging. Chei call my people anything but never say they are not innovative
Yes, I heard the term too, corporate begging... I need to watch Maami
DeleteI was thinking this EXACT SAME THING SHA!!!!! I lave in NYC and the likelihood of some beggar being into juju is highly unlikely, but I plan on coming home soon and I was thinking this same thing. I know when I go home I'll stick out like a sore thumb especially in Lagos! When I open my mouth to speak, they go hear Yankee talk! Then people will beg me money. Only God go save us! He says we should give, I will listen, I also go pray that His blood go cover my and my family and whatever evil people do in response to my kindness will go back to sender 10 times over in Jesu's name!
ReplyDeleteOnly God can help us, this corporate begging thing is everywhere
DeleteLike my cousin advised, listen to your heart before you offer help to anyone. Most especially, lock your doors and always have your windows up driving on the streets of Lagos with your handbag well out of sight.
ReplyDeleteThis advise is spot on!
DeleteLmao @ "I felt my body parts to make sure anything never miss". Lagos na wa...
ReplyDeleteYou have to make sure nothing is missing oh...lol
DeleteChai....God help us in that country....love ur blog abeg check mine out oo na me again ladybaker19 i just dey leave comment for una shaaa
ReplyDeletehttp://ladybaker19.blogspot.ie/2013/06/facial-products.html
Amen... I'll check you out. lol
DeleteWelcome to Lagos. It's so true... the ones at Ikeja would tell you how they missed their way and their purse disappeared or no!!! Those ones that beg with their twins *weeps* now they're so many it gets me wondering if they have an association. Lol
ReplyDeletewww.mystylefilofax.com