Eko Wenjele: My first friend in Lagos [Episode 3]

When a naive, unassuming young lady is thrust into the mad rush of Lagos and distrustful Lagosians, you can only imagine her tribulations.

Read episode one and two here

After I stayed by the side of the wide, fast moving road for some minutes, bawling my eyes out and eliciting a few curious stares from passersby, I decided to find a way to get to my destination.

I tried to ask a kind, motherly looking woman for directions, before I even got more than “Please excuse me ma” out of my mouth, she screamed at me “I don’t have any money, leave me! Awon ole, every day they will have story to tell. I don’t have money to give you”

I stood there dumbfounded while she shouted in my face and stormed off. Wow, nobody in Lahgos has any compassion, and here I was, lost and stranded in a city I’m unfamiliar with.

To make matters worse, I didn’t have any airtime at all, not even ‘flashing credit’ to call my aunt with. I silently hoped she had already started getting worried enough to call me.

I stood there, in the middle of a very busy Lagos street, scared, lost and worried and wondered about all the hurried passersby, nobody sparing a thought for the disheveled, girl looking out if place.

What happened to these people? Where was their kindness, compassion and concern for a fellow human being.

I had heard that Lagos toughens people, but I vowed to myself there and then never to let myself become that way; never to let Lagos toughen me so much that I become comfortably oblivious to a fellow human being’s distress.

I walked in the direction the bus had been moving before it stopped and the conductor all but threw me out, maybe I could walk to Isolo.

After walking for about two minutes, I saw an umbrella that advertised phone calls and recharge cards; I heaved a sigh of relief and approached the lady sitting under it.

I approached her and told how I needed to make a phone call, but I didn’t have a naira on me. I quickly explained my ordeal to her, hoping against hope that she’d be willing to help.

Surprisingly, she said, “it’s okay. I remember my first day in Lagos too, my whole bag was stolen and I couldn’t locate my relations for two days. Call your aunt, you can stay here till someone comes to get you.”

I was so grateful that I almost fell to my knees. I quickly called my aunt and explained what had happened to her. I didn’t know how to describe the place I was to her so the phone call center operator spoke to her and described the place to her.

There was nothing to do but wait till she showed up. I thanked my Good Samaritan again, telling her how grateful I was. I also asked for her number and saved it on my phone.

I hoped to at least call or text her the next day to let her know I had gotten home safe, and of course, thank her again.

Finally, I could find my way home. Just one day in Lagos and I already had enough adventures to fill a book with.