MY JAPA- STORY EPISODE 2

Ahmed and Awa dared to dream beyond their familiar streets, in the heart of Kano, wedged between the bustling Bompai Road and vibrant Kofar Mata Street. These whispers of opportunities from foreign lands called them to action and convinced them about other pastures. They sought after a better life in Dubai, with its shiny city.

Leaving their cherished home at the intersection of Lamido Crescent and Sabon Gari Street was not easy. Memories were still fresh all over, family warmth echoed within the walls being left behind. As they got on board to fly away, a mixture of excitement for the next phase of life and a lingering nostalgia for what they had left enveloped their hearts.

 

Dubai greeted them with its towering skyscrapers and modernity which were a far cry from those sights that are so familiar in Kano. Ahmed’s skill as an artisan saw him predict a future living amidst flourishing construction projects with promises of prosperity. Nevertheless, these dreams turned sour when he found himself on sites along Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Street working long hours under dehumanizing conditions for meagre pay. The once-promised gates to better lives became sources of physical suffering as well as emotional pain.

Unexpected challenges also faced Awa's dreams 

of trading gold. She ended up as a hotel attendant at the buzzing Jumeirah Beach Road rather than trading gold in the glamorous world of gold markets. Her daily duties made her glorious dream of wealth dim. The pain that comes with expectations not being met was real, and they saw their goals as far away from the tough reality they were in.

Their once glamorous life in Kano had become a distant memory as days went by. The city of dreams turned out to be a testing ground for them instead of Dubai. These struggles weren’t just financial; they affected them emotionally. They missed home, longed for familiar faces and yearned for the comfort they had been used to.

However, the determination was still there for Ahmed and Awa. This pain was transformed into their strength. They had no rest but worked hard and saved each penny they earned which gradually became the wealth that would take them from their Dubai nightmare.

Good fortune at last smiled on them. After three years of constant struggle, they collected enough money to go back home in Kano state. The lessons obtained in Dubai formed a new beginning for their lives. Ahmed established a small-scale construction business along the busy Zoo Road using his architectural knowledge. Awa withstood all odds and opened a gold jewellery store online when she had nothing to put forth her resilience.

 

A story of resilience and transformation was created through their journey full of leaving home, facing the harsh realities of Dubai, and victories after returning. From the vibrant streets of Kano to the imposing skyline of Dubai and back again, it is evident that Ahmed and Awa’s tale epitomizes an invincible spirit that can turn dreams into a reality better than anyone could have conceived possible.

Nevertheless, Ahmed and Awa’s determination never wavered. The suffering they went through acted as a motivation for their strength. As a result, they worked hard to save every cent that they had with the aim of accumulating the necessary resources that would eventually enable them to flee from Dubai and re-establish in Kano again.

 The challenges faced in Dubai were not blocks but stepping stones, which shaped their character and strength. The struggles were not roundabouts but important chapters in their story of success. Their resilience was not just about surviving; it was about growing.

 

Ahmed’s construction firm grew on Zoo Road after being built with sweat and labor from Dubai’s construction sites. Earlier, his talent had been limited to the towering buildings in Dubai but now it was used to develop his own city. These are the skills that were exploited by others abroad but constituted themselves into a legacy.

From the ruins of shattered dreams emerged Awa’s online gold jewellery outlet, which became symbolic of determination against all odds. What she could never find in Dubai – shining golden color – is now found on her virtual shelves laden with merchandise. Every piece spoke of resilience; showing how one can be made stronger by what he or she has gone through.

However, when they returned to Kano, it was more than just a physical journey; it was the homecoming of a lifetime. The familiar streets of Zoo Road embraced them with the warmth they had yearned for in the foreign land. The faces that were once distant memories along Lamido Crescent and Sabon Gari Street became tangible realities once more.

As news of their success spread, Ahmed and Awa became beacons of inspiration in Kano. Their story echoed through the narrow alleys and expansive markets of Bompai Road, resonating with dreamers who dared to venture beyond the known. The couple began mentoring others on Kofar Mata Street, sharing not just the triumphs but the tribulations that had shaped them.

 

In the heart of Kano, where dreams were once born on the corners of Lamido Crescent and Sabon Gari Street, Ahmed and Awa became architects of hope. Their journey, etched with the ink of resilience, inspired a generation to believe that dreams, no matter how distant, hopes can be woven into the fabric of reality. The couple's story wasn't just theirs; it became a collective narrative of triumph over adversity.

The lessons from Dubai weren't forgotten; they were etched into the couple's consciousness as Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Street was not just shining streets but also streets of horror. The challenges, though painful, were transformative. The yearning for a better life had led them to foreign shores, but it was the resilience forged in the crucible of difficulties that paved the way for their success.

As Ahmed and Awa looked back on their journey, the glimmering skyline of Dubai along Sheikh Zayed Road seemed distant yet significant. It was a reminder of the hurdles they had conquered, the dreams they had dared to chase, and the resilience that had turned those dreams into a tangible, triumphant reality.

Once again they boarded the Emirates airline .... this time not for greener pastures but for the arid vacations. Not all that glitters is gold they say, but from every drop of lemon, make lemonade 

MY-JAPA-STORY EPISODE 1

  

Japa, a term synonymous with the pursuit of opportunities abroad, has become more than a mere slogan; it has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, significantly impacting the workforce of the Nigerian space. Beyond a trending narrative, Japa captures the complex interplay of factors that prompt individuals to seek new horizons. As population studies reveal, migration is often fueled by either a compelling pull factor or a forceful push factor, each influencing the decision to relocate.

In Nigeria's context, Japa is shaped by a complex landscape where both push and pull elements come into play. Economic difficulties, political instability, insecurity, and limited job prospects create strong push factors that urge many Nigerians to explore opportunities outside their homeland. Simultaneously, attractive living standards improvements, educational possibilities, and promising futures act as powerful pull forces enticing individuals to venture beyond borders in pursuit of their dreams.

 

Over the next ten episodes, we will embark on an exploration of diverse strategies employed by people navigating through the Japa phenomenon. Through personal stories and analysis of wider societal trends surrounding this issue, we aim to shed light on motivations behind these journeys while uncovering challenges faced along with eventual triumphs and pains experienced by those compelled towards forging new paths beyond familiar Nigerian boundaries. The journey associated with Japa extends far beyond migration itself; rather it represents a captivating narrative unfolding against the backdrop of aspirations, dreams, and relentless pursuit of an improved quality of life…. But is the story always how it seems? Let’s ride along

                                                             Episode 1

It's fourteen months since we got married and as a new bride still enjoying my honeymoon, I couldn’t wait for my husband to get home. I had an appointment with the doctor earlier in the day and the result came out positive. I was waiting to share the good news with him. Kaduna wasn’t that far and that was going to be the third time this month that job was taking him on this daily road trip. As much as I wasn’t comfortable with it, it provided livelihood. The doctor was careful not to laugh before telling me congratulations madam…. You are pregnant. Segun will be very happy and what better an anniversary gift than the revelation that he was going to be a father? It was 7 pm and his number wasn’t still going through. I started to think something could be wrong, but I chose to stay positive. I checked my phone every thirty seconds to see if he had called and I wasn’t aware. I also checked at intervals to see if my message had been delivered on WhatsApp. By 8 pm I was very bothered and a bit of me was angry. How can you keep your phone off for over four hours I thought, I knew he had a power bank and car charger; thus, it was impossible for the phone to be off.

Finally, at 9.10 pm, relief and concern clashed as Segun's name flashed on my screen. My anger was evident as I answered, but my relief was short-lived as a stranger's voice pierced through the line.

 

Speaker: "Hello, is that Mrs. Adeboya?"

Ejiro: "Yes, this is Mrs. Adeboya. Please, where is my husband?"

The voice interrupted me abruptly.

Speaker: "Your husband has been kidnapped. Get us 70 million naira, or we will kill him. You have three days."

 

The line went dead, leaving me paralyzed with shock and fear, grappling with the harsh reality that our world had just shifted into a nightmare. The joy of impending parenthood evaporated, replaced by the desperate need to save the life of the man I loved. The clock was ticking, and the weight of the ransom demand pressed heavily on my shoulders. I picked up my phone and called Jude immediately.

 

Thirty minutes later I had a group of sympathizers in my house. With unending questions and plans to rescue him. His numbers were switched off immediately after the call. I calmly sat on the floor of the living room asking God multiple questions as prayers reigned supreme in my mind. Mr. Paul, our neighbor who works with DSS, contacted the divisional police station and demanded they come to the house. The DSS was informed also. The police asked all the questions in the world pertaining to who I was suspecting could have done this. Did he just receive a huge amount of money? Is he in a fight with anyone? Has anyone threatened him lately? Do I think he is having an extramarital affair? All these questions were confusing as all the answers seemed to not help. Officer John was very patient with me as he said, madam, we are trying to eliminate possible suspects. That’s the essence of all these questions.

Jude’s wife offered to sleep at our place as I was scared beyond reason. I couldn't call his parents that night as it was late, but I called mine.

The next morning the whole family was gathered in answers to these questions and by 2 pm the phone rang again with his number. Two DSS officers and Officer John were in the house. They told me to put the phone on speaker immediately after I picked it up.

Me: "Good afternoon, oga."

Speaker: "Where is our money, or do you want your husband to die?"

Me: I pleaded with them to reduce the amount, explaining the impossibility of raising such funds.

Speaker: "How much do you have?"

The DSS advised me to state five million naira.

Me: "I have five million naira."

Speaker: "E be like say you dey play. Find fifty million; we go leave am."

Segun: "Babe, please tell Jude to help me raise the money. I'll pay everybody back."

 

A harsh slap followed Segun's plea, and the phone abruptly went silent. At that moment, the gravity of the situation hit me like a tidal wave. Segun was in real danger, and I, too, was thrust into a perilous mess. The tears flowed freely as I questioned God, grappling with the why of our sudden descent into this nightmare, all while bearing the weight of our unborn child's uncertain future.

On the fourth day, the weight of despair bore heavily on both our families as they took turns wailing, a haunting chorus of grief. My body became a mere shadow of its former self, mirroring the toll this ordeal had taken. The ransom had been reduced to twenty-five million. All I had was three million, Segun had over 6 million in his account, but I had no access to it. His parents brought five million. My parents brought four million. His dad put his car up for sale as I was looking for a buyer for my car also. At the end of day 4 we were able to raise 16.5 million naira. We waited for their call, but it didn’t come. And without a word from them, the day went by. Nobody slept in the house. It was a crusade of prayers and tears. The only son of the Adeboyas in the hands of kidnappers. Day 5 was a Sunday and our pastor had stopped by to sympathize also. He was around when the call came in and Mr. Paul chose to talk as Segun’s friend. He concluded the negotiation with them, and they said we should make it 18 million. The church paid the balance for us and on the sixth day, Segun was released, battered and broken, left on the Kubwa expressway for us to retrieve. Two broken fingers, a cut on his skull, and the brutal imprints of his harrowing ordeal cut across his body told a story of unspeakable suffering. Days turned into nights at Kleina Hospital as he mended physically, but the scars on our hearts would take much longer to heal.

 

Three days after his hospital discharge, we embarked on a journey far from the haunting echoes of that traumatic episode. A resolute decision was made – never to live in Nigeria again. As we boarded the plane to the UK, the scars of our collective nightmare accompanied us, a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the unyielding strength of love that had pulled us from the brink of despair.  

MY-JAPA-STORY

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

 

In the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria, Henry and Jessica found themselves entangled in an unexpected web of professional companionship. Both interns at Wolfax Nig Ltd, a leading IT firm, their desks were adjacent, and their projects often intertwined, leading them to collaborate daily. The best data analysis company in town was a place everyone wanted to learn from, thus having them around like other interns before them was a routine the company was used to. However, it wasn't just their work that kept them together and made them that close; it was also the fact that Henry lived just a stone's throw away from Jessica. Victoria Island to Ajah might seem like a stone throw, but the distance and stress weren’t that easy. 

Every morning, they found themselves sharing a ride to the office, navigating the chaotic Lagos traffic together. Jessica was used to the bustle in Lagos as she grew up there, unlike Henry that youth service brought to Lagos from Port Harcourt. The routine began innocently enough, with casual conversations about work and the city. However, as the days passed, their connection deepened, and a genuine friendship developed. The traffic kept them longer on Victoria Island, waiting till late hours to get back home. They shared drinks together, and slowly they got fond of themselves.

 

Both Henry and Jessica were in committed relationships; thus, their partners started suspecting that there might be more to the connection than just professional collaboration. No gist ends without them mentioning the other person’s name. Henry’s girlfriend, who lives in Port Harcourt, started feeling distant from her boyfriend. Most calls have Jessica beside him. Working hours extended till 9 pm, and she wasn’t getting comfortable with that. As for Jessica, her boyfriend was busier than her. This gave her space to fraternize more with Henry. Weekend time-outs started, and they had plans for every free time they could share until Dafe knew the name Henry was a constant recurrence. The whispers and raised eyebrows became unavoidable, and soon enough, they were confronted by their partners about the nature of their relationship.

Determined to prove that their bond was purely platonic, Henry and Jessica decided to set some ground rules. They established a "No Strings Attached" pact, vowing to maintain a strictly professional relationship outside of work hours. They emphasized that their connection was rooted in mutual professional goals and the convenience of their geographical proximity.

As the weeks passed, the duo faced various challenges in sticking to their pact. The fact they had to talk about it elevated their latent feelings for themselves. The emotional support they provided each other at work naturally spilled into their personal lives. They found comfort in sharing their ambitions, fears, and dreams. However, every time the lines got dim, they reminded themselves of the importance of their mission to prove the doubters wrong.

To further dispel any doubts, Henry and Jessica made a conscious effort to involve their partners in their lives. They organized double dates, now involved Henry in some weekend outings, and had casual get-togethers when Henry’s girlfriend came to town to showcase the transparency of their relationship. As they navigated through the complexities of work and personal life, Henry and Jessica discovered the true meaning of loyalty, friendship, and commitment.

Then the farmer’s analysis job came. It was firstly a data cleaning process, but the time given by the government to deliver the job needed overtime. Their working hours have been extended, and the next three weeks are going to be more late nights and weekends. Two blocks from the office was a hotel that was offered for proximity for the job to be completed. The pressure intensified, and the boundaries started to blur. From adjacent desks at work to adjacent hotel rooms after work, the strings were getting attached, and then the evening came.

 

As they found themselves working late into the night, the atmosphere in the hotel room became charged with both professional urgency and an undeniable tension. The proximity that was once a convenience now posed a threat to the carefully maintained boundaries. Late-night discussions turned from data analysis to personal reflections, and the lines between friendship and something more became increasingly difficult to distinguish.

The unspoken tension reached its peak one evening as they found themselves engrossed in a task, surrounded by scattered papers and glowing computer screens. A moment of vulnerability led to a shared realization that the "No Strings Attached" pact might have become more of a challenge than a solution. The connection that started as professional had evolved into something deeper, and the undeniable chemistry could no longer be ignored…...

HOW TO CHEAT WITHOUT BEING CAUGHT…

 If you have opened this post, I want you to know Jesus loves you. Give your life to Christ and love your wife. 

Welcome to July. 

where it all started ...

The older one gets; the more careful one gets with what you eat, what you wear and how you keep your body. Diets and exercise has becomes a part of our lives so well that we have scheduled it to be an integral session of our day to day activities. Some skip days but for those that have all the time in the mornings……

I have started building my entirety into this weight loss drive from 106kg to 90kg. A project I assumed a little over a month ago and looking forward to an extra two months with intense activities to produce the result. Daily I visited the stadium close to me to join others in the work out sessions. From burpees, to step-runs, jumping jack and jogging. Abdominal and jumping ropes were parts of the session. In all sincerity it was a complete package. Mondays through Saturdays saw me visiting like I was getting paid.

Everyday produced a result for me and gradually my health was getting restored. A visit to the doctors showed an admiration that fascinated my soul. I promised it was going to be a lifestyle thus I kept it up.

Early mornings, were now a constant and I build a social circle within the stadium which doesn’t exceed that avenue. The environment was meant for all and everyone looks beautiful in workout clothes. Class consciousness is a difficult approach in this environment, so everyone just keeps a distance except interest is brewed. I wasn’t interested in that anyway thus I was focused on what brought me there. Body pains were a constant in the first few days but when I got acclimatized to the workouts I played with reps on the benches.

It was a sluggish morning which I struggled to wake up, I had a little bit of alcohol the previous day and my body reacted to it like a poison. I could remember few months ago. How well I could guzzle on rows of bottles of beer and just for the diets, I can’t drink two bottles successfully. I walked inside and saw a friend, one of the few that has the leverage of having my phone number and hanging out outside the environs of workout. We have not much in common but he is a comedian when it comes to social gatherings. This morning was supposed to shape my life positively but nothing made it look that way until I saw ANDREA.

There are pockets of social vices that reside in the stadium environment. It ranges from unethical begging for money, to married women looking for guys to satisfy their urge. Young ladies also parade their potato-sized breast and all have a sight seer who might be interested. But for me and my clique of friends, we felt we were too big for that. Now back to Andrea

After the welcoming salutation I saw Bugsy with a lady behind him talking a walk. Her name is Andrea, she became a distraction that has today become my focus. She was extremely beautiful. She was a complete package for a woman I wanted to share am part of me with. I greeted her in all courtesy for her to remember me but she was just as precise as possible in her response. I tried to spurn a conversation to keep her around a little longer but she was in a hurry thus I couldn’t talk mush to her. I knew I will see her again but how I can’t tell. Immediately she left, I knew I was done working out that day. I resorted in becoming better friends with Bugsy all in a desire to approach Andrea one more time.

WEAKER VESSEL 2

In a short while the doorbell came on and I knew Genevieve was around. I tried to rearrange myself to create a great impression as a boyfriend to her cousin thus my composure was smooth. Boma opened the door for her and behold a beauty that came in under the sun. My glare was imminent as both of them knew I was astonished by the beauty I saw. They were not surprised anyway as they claimed later …… everyone is always surprised. I stood up to greet her as a welcome gesture and gave compliments on her beauty immediately. We all laughed as they left me in the living room for the bedroom and kitchen after a while. Boma did most of the cooking thus Genevieve was with me in the living room. She came in for an interrogation I guessed. From how long have you been dating my sister, to how serious are you guys, do you have any plans for the future, and what do you do, etc. The questions were basis for our conversation so the sitting together was professionally interactive. Every bit of time saw Boma coming out to get a kiss from me. I felt it was becoming a spite but she said it to her cousin’s face………. Don’t collect this one again from me. I laughed as I said baby I’m with you but within I was gone with Genevieve. 

Her phone rang which distracted our conversation a little. She was on the phone with her friend Gloria(I found out her name afterwards anyway) she told Gloria she is sitting in front of him right now and after a while she gave me her phone and said I should just say hi to her friend. I did that without a thought but the friend asked me a question “how adventurous are you”…… I said without a thought “deeper than National Geographic” we both laughed. Then explore Genevieve. And the line went off. At this point it seemed to me like it was a set up

I didn’t know what to believe any longer. I was tangled in the web of three women, two around me and a third one controlling the tempo. I thought I was a master, these are grandmasters. I walked into the kitchen to join Boma and kisses nearly got the stew burnt. She needed to fry some things thus I had to go back into the living room. I stopped talking with Genevieve as both of us kept on watching the television like the program was interesting. She kept on exposing her legs, the impeccable beauty of the slightly bowed legs with a leg chain. She will look at me sometimes and find out I was spying on her. After a short while she said let’s make a story together. I pretended I didn’t hear. Silence means consent she said, then we started talking like media personnel. Who’s writing the script? I asked. She said she is writing it. I asked if it was exterior or interior….. hmm both exterior and interior she said. Day or night? Both she said. When are we shooting I asked? Tonight she said and then the plotting began. She picked my phone and dialled her number. Told me to save with another name. Then she said I should go join her cousin in her room as she was about to shower. I did as the script explained and the next thing was a text message on my phone. The inquisitiveness of Boma made her want to read the message and it goes thus “oh boy de come house now now abeg, make yawa no gas”. That’s a guy’s conversation and she said I should call my friend to find out what was wrong. I called but Genevieve didn’t pick. In ten minutes I was on my way out of the house back to my friends place. I got home and my friends were surprised I came back. everybody needed to hear the story. I sat down to narrate my ordeal but I know I couldn’t because I wasn’t sure what was happening. Hmm I said and my phone rang. It was Genevieve calling; as I picked up the call I heard Boma’s voice …… baby are you home? I answered yes and acted surprised with whose number is this? She said it was Genevieve’s number and that even Genevieve needs to leave her tonight. I asked what happened and she said we will talk about it later.  The call ended and I sat down thinking of what I am getting myself into. The whole scenarios started playing through my head again.

A text message came through to my phone with send your address…… I did in a hurry. All these while I’ve been building a way out if this is a setup but in all sincerity I have nothing to loose.

Twelve minutes after the message was delivered I got a message again with I’m at the gate. I told my friend to go help me open the gate so I won’t face the tragedy or ……… and I discovered the small errand was becoming a rage. I stepped out to discover they both knew themselves before. I walked into the situation and my friend asked me ……… oh boy where you know this girl from and confidently I said she is my girlfriend. He said over his dead body and I angrily walked out with her to get a place to sleep that night. When we got to the hotel room she started the story of what really happened between herself, my friend and my friend’s dad. Then I knew I needed to explore deepest……….