I was born into a home where poverty and wretchedness were pleased to dwell.
I kid you not!
I was born with no spoon; neither a wooden spoon nor a plastic spoon, not to mention “silver spoon.”
I had seven elder siblings and one younger sibling; I was the eighth child of my parents – what an awkward position.
Yikes! There were no benefits for being at such a position; it was both inconsequential and unnoticeable, and this affected my relationship with my parents, on the one hand, and my siblings, on the other hand. So when I tell you that I had a rough upbringing, please bear with me.
While growing up, we lived in one of the most insecure and inhabitable parts of Lagos – the Makoko slum.
If you haven’t heard about Makoko, picture a lagoon where small wooden houses are built on top of dark water; an environment where you swim in a bid to move around the different streets, or if you are fairly rich, you can paddle the poorly built canoes.
Image by Jordan Opel from Unsplash
Do you care to hear about the pathetic condition of our poorly built schools? I don’t think you are ready to listen to this nightmare, and its adverse effects on the pupils.
What about the poor healthcare system and unreliable security condition of the place?
Do you know that this place is considered to be the "hallowed ground" of the "Agberos" or area boys?
If you do not know who the Agberos are, they are touts who, in the most absurd way, have official powers vested on them by the "scallywags" who occupy the seat of government.
The fumes of their cigarettes always fill the skies at nights, and their rascality and promiscuity is "visible to the blind and audible to the deaf." They are also men and women of the underworld who carry out heinous activities at any time of the day; not even your underwear is safe.
So, every day, I had to struggle as an inconsequential and unnoticeable child at home to surviving in a poorly built school with poor standard of education, and growing up in the worst environment where kids follow in the same line to become nonentities and senior agberos as a vocational calling.
After I completed my high school in May 2012, I was opportune to move in with my uncle and assist him as an apprentice in his trade. My service under him was to last for 10 years, after which he would set up a prototype of the same business for me and give me little money to become independent. This is the “Igbo boy-boy scheme” which has built lots of billionaires and millionaires today.
This was a break point for me because I had to leave the harsh slum and poverty stricken Makoko and I began to enjoy the cold breeze of Victoria Island and the enjoyably "wicked" AC in my Oga’s (master) big parlor.
Well, I only felt the AC twice throughout the 3651 days I stayed in his house. The first time was when I first came to his place, and the second time was when I was humiliated and stripped off my dignity after I was wrongly accused.
Yes, I was wrongly accused and this was done in the most inhumane way.
I devoted my time, my energy and all within me to serve under my Oga because I was determined to “make it” and become a “big man” in life. I was consistent in bringing good records, making good sales and being the most trustworthy “boy boy” in the history of all the "boy boys" that my Oga had.
I thought I had it all going out well; I thought I was treading on the right path; I thought the smiles and commendation I received from my Oga and his madam (wife) were all safe; little did I know that they had the devilish of all intentions towards me.
In August 2022, 1 month before the completion of my 10 years deal, I was already in the mood of celebration in my mind and I was warming up, preparing to become independent and become my own Oga. Remember, I had to bear the slavery and servanthood of the boy boy scheme for good 10 years because I was aiming at a better future.
However, I began to feel a bit of discomfort and unrest, and the aura in the interaction between my Oga and I changed. What could that be? Why now?
I was really worried because I couldn’t fathom the cause of the negative atmosphere. However, I kept on doing what I did best and praying for September 3 when the deal will end. I was already dreaming about the kind of shop I will open and the kind of goods I will sell. Since, I already have a good experience of selling plumbing materials (like my Oga), I knew that it won’t take time for me to become great in the business.
While I was still basking in the euphoria of being independent and being my own Oga, my Oga’s vehicle came towards the shop accompanied by two police vans. The men of the Nigerian Police Force came into the shop and the next thing I remembered was that I saw myself on the floor, brutally beaten, kicked, bundled and thrown into the police van like a thief who stole the heart of the President’s side chick.
Image by Matthew Ansley from Unsplash
I was falsely accused of stealing the total sum of 30 million Naira ($46k)...
How come? When? How? How did that happen?
My Oga brought along some cooked up receipts just to pin me down. He did this so that he won’t settle me as expected, since the rule of the scheme is that if I am caught stealing or committing any atrocious act, then I will lose my payment, would be disgraced and possibly jailed.
After spending 4 ungodly days in the Police cell, he asked that I be released and after stripping me bare in the parlor, he asked that I leave his house, never to return.
I was covered in shame, and I still am today.
I don’t know what else to do, where to run.
I spent 10 years hoping that I have gotten my breakthrough in life.
But now, I am back to the beginning: Oh, I still remain the good-for-nothing child by my family.
Oh, shit… is the agbero my true calling?
No! It can't be!
My rights were trampled upon and I am in a state of hopelessness. Do I have a shot at getting justice?
This post was inspired by Hive Learner's theme on "Absence of Right" for Week 45, edition 03.
This may not be 
I may not be your favourite author, but you can journey with me to help me develop my writing skills. I am always open to criticism, correction and learning 🥰.
