I wrote this article like 7 years ago – enjoy! The popular Apongbon Bridge in Lagos that links the Island to the Mainland is usually dilapidated despite constant repairs by the government. The bridge is also crammed with beggars and hawkers scrounging car owners for money or exchange of goods for money as the traffic becomes very intense leading to discomfort, burn-out and theft. Taking a peek into the world of these destitute, one would have a different perspective opposite to the pity party this scene can conjure in the hearts of average Lagosians. I was privy to a sight that shook me from my hair to my toe nail while driving across the bridge late one night, I saw some men destroying the road with a huge mallet.
There is definitely no difference between an ambitious young executive in a T.M.Lewin Suit and the beggar in ragged attire begging for alms. There is a common thread of characteristic that runs through them; to get to their perceived top at the detriment of others. The beggar has no feeling for the next man because his/her only interest is to survive at any cost. The ability to usurp someones happiness for another’s happiness makes one a begging beggar.
I witnessed two phenomenal scenes that made me come to this conclusion;
the first scene I have witnessed couple of times with various beggars but the one that comes readily to mind was some years ago after a church service. I entered the popular Lagos bus called Danfo and there was a man, not well dressed, preaching and begging for alms at the same time. People were passing across their cringed notes to him as he continued inciting their souls with pity. How can one be a messenger of good news and be depriving others of their money. This did not make sense so I went to meet him and brought out a hundred Naira which caught his full attention. I told him to stop begging and take this money to buy pure water and sell instead of begging as the bible he was holding prescribed giving more than receiving. He immediately walked away from me, gave me a look that says I was spoiling his business and continued his art of begging.
The second scene took place last Friday while treating my wife and her younger sister to a meal at Munchies. A well dressed lady greeted me by nodding and handed me a bunch of papers. I was quite reluctant to read it, as I was enjoying the moment, but on a close examination, I discovered I was holding a business plan. It was a well detailed plan of acquiring and maintaining a catering business. I immediately read it and I was quite surprised at the business aptitude inherent in the material. I discovered she was deaf and dumb though this aforementioned fact was not written on the paper. I handed her some amount of money and wished her the best with all my heart.
These two scenes described two opposite views of humans in the same condition. One decided to use what he/she has to get what he/she wanted legally while the other decided to reap people off their hard earned money without any form of growth…
