In this economy where everyone is striving just to eat, I find it hard to set the fire.
There was a time I ended up cooking stones 🪨🪨. It wasn’t because I wanted to—it was because I wanted my children to fast, since firewood is easier to get. However, towards the evening or afternoon, I would put the little food I had on fire.
Painful! Really painful 😖!
I am a father of four, without a wife. It's sad to say that this tough economy is changing my perspective on life.
I am not the most hardworking man, but to go to work, come back home, and still do all the cooking chores—it's not easy.
Last two weeks were different though. I was really sick. One day, I was cooking rice and waterleaf soup. Suddenly, the gas finished.
As usual, I went to check if I could get gas on credit, but it seemed all the gas stations now knew me.
They were not ready to give me gas because I hadn’t refunded the previously borrowed funds.
I wasn’t happy at all—but what can a poor man do?
I made firewood and lit what we call an Abacha stove. This stove was made from sawdust. Yes, sawdust and a little amount of wood.
Money was not easy to make. Online, offline—everything felt terrible. Only the smartest can change the world.
Every single day, I would tell myself that I can cope. But I know it’s not easy to cope without enough money.
So, I started farming. And all my children were involved—we did a lot of farming activities.
Sometimes last week, I was called by the community leader.
He said, "It’s child labour to involve your children at this early stage."
I told him, “Sir, where were you when our people were suffering? Where were you when my family was hungry?
My wife and I were the best together—but since she left, I can’t do much at my job.
Before, I did three jobs per day—but now, I’m only involved in one.”
He said, “Mr. Ayo, don’t get me wrong. Child labour is bad. People will not perceive it as you do. Please, think it through.”
It only infuriated me more.
Child labour? In a country where the government can’t even provide basic amenities like electricity?
I became aggressive. He calmed me down.
I asked him, “Baba, what do you want to do to help my situation? Baba! Eh! This was not so!”
He went silent for a while. Then he said, “Let your children come to me. I will take care of them till you come back in the evening.”
My wife had said she would do the same. We discussed it yesterday. I was really happy.
I said, “Really?”
He said, “Yes. You can hire someone to work on the farm, and I’ll support you here.”
I was happy! Really happy!
Baba’s wife is a petty trader, and I know they are kind people.
I told my kids to go there after school. The eldest teaches the younger ones while I’m away.
“Do not get bored, okay!” I told my kids.
They took care of my children really well.
Everything became better over time, and I became an employer of many.
Now, I am able to feed my family—all because of Baba’s intervention.
I married a lady, and we lived happily ever after.
Hurray!