Mr Basil was completely exhausted last night. Much of his sleepless nights, he believes, have been caused by the naira’s plummeting purchasing power. Ordinarily, the naira journey should not have given him sleepless nights, but he is a Mr (breadwinner) to Mrs and six children. Anyone who lives in Nigeria will agree with me that feeding several mouths is not an easy task.
Mr. Basil previously worked in the aviation industry. Even if his take home couldn’t transport him home, it could at least provide a lift. He was able to devise a way to provide for his family. Someday, perhaps, the heavens will open and, he too, will own properties in desirable locations, as he has often imagined. However, Covid-19 occurred, and…
Mr. Basil’s life became more complicated at this point as he was laid off. He was left with no choice but to scour the city for something to do, but all efforts were futile.
While still fighting the impending poverty, he received another message from his hometown in faraway Yelwa, a village behind Jos University. Unknown gunmen have once again registered a well-known trade mark. This time, thirty or so people had died, including two of his immediate younger brothers.
“Oga, buy this one”, said a young boy of about eleven years old, holding a newspaper. The front page featured a large heading that read, ” Presidential journey to the emirate.” Pictures of mass burials in faraway Kaduna state can be found on the bottom page.
Mr. Basil isn’t the only character in the story. It is much bigger than one man. What has befallen our country has continued to sap the joy of everyone, especially those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. I have never seen Nigerians become so polarized as they are now in my twenty-odd years of living. To what end will the leaders continue to deny obvious truths?
This flood of insecurities, ethnocentrism, and irresponsible governance is slowly infiltrating every home. If we throw caution to the wind, we may find ourselves with nowhere to go. Mr. Basil, by the way, no longer has a home town. Perhaps the current government will issue the standard “We are establishing an internally displaced camp” statement. A never-ending cycle of nothingness.
– Olayinka Kayode Kingsley
olayinkakayodekingsley@gmail.com
