By Francis Ewherido
I have been watching reality TV skits/short reality stories recently. The guys by the official titles of Officiallionway, Prince Stanley SoftJ Frank and a couple of others dress like “madmen” and go to poor and low-income neighbourhoods where people who pass the test can earn between 100,000 to maybe N500,000, or more. The money is usually a lot of money for those who pass the test. They carry nylon bags where they keep the money and hit the streets begging for food or money, pretending to be hungry. Let me relate some of the terrible reactions from the ones I watched: One woman who was selling garri poured the garri on one of them when she got tired of his persistence. Another one did worse. He poured more garri on him and hit him with the basin. They usually persist to make it real because most real beggars do, hoping the person they are begging from will have a change of mind.
Another woman poured dirty water on one of them as she chased him away. Quite a few used either footwears or other objects to chase them away. One man used a shovel to hit one of them even as he fell. The heart-wrenching ones were those selling food or provisions. Just N100 worth of kindness could have made them richer by at least a N100,000, but their wickedness, meanness and selfishness made them to chase their destiny helpers, disguised as madmen, away. Some of them did not have up to the worth of the money they stood to benefit.
In another instance, SoftJ Frank met a driver and the young man (they are called helpers) delivering pure water. The driver he met first dismissed him with a wave of hand. Then he went to the helper discharging the water. He was like “you want ordinary sachet water?” He gave him one sachet and a little money to buy food. That simple gesture changed his fortune. When SoftJ Frank handed him the bundle, he was in ecstasy. The driver who rebuffed the “madman” earlier was now celebrating with him and wanted to “belong” as if the money belonged to both of them. The helper rebuffed the driver. I liked that. He had the opportunity first and threw it away.
Similarly, welders were spraying the metals they had welded. The “madman” approached the first two guys, but they both dismissed him. The guy handling the spraying machine called him back as he was leaving and gave him money to eat as if “it’s no big deal.” The other two looked on with disdain. But when he came back and rewarded the guy who gave him money, the first guy was dragging the money with him as if the money belonged to all of them. He pushed him away. The first guy put his hands in his head in anguish; he had thrown away a life-changing opportunity. His action reminded me of the portion of the bible talking about weeping and gnashing of teeth on the last day.
There are two episodes that really made me happy. The “madman” approached an army checkpoint. He gestured to the first soldier that he was hungry and wanted food. The soldier without a second thought went into his tent and brought food and water for him to eat. As he was kneeling down to thank him, he gestured that he shouldn’t kneel down to thank him. The second was a beautiful lady with an apparently beautiful heart in a shop. When she approached her, of course, she had to be careful of a “madman.” He made him to sit down and served him rice, stew and sachet water. In both cases they passed the tests in flying colours and were adequately rewarded.
Before I move on, what are the lessons to be learnt? Some “ordinary” Nigerians are very mean. They are worse than the “big” men and women people criticise. If they find themselves in privileged positions, they will be worse than the people they are criticising. A non-violent, hungry “madman” approaches you to beg for money or food. It’s fine if you refuse. Why react violently? And you have the temerity to complain that the “rich” and “privileged” are oppressing the poor and under privileged? He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Two, some Nigerians have a heart of gold. They gave out of the little they had. It melted my heart. It re-emphasised the fact that generosity is a way of life, not the product of your financial worth. Three, stop judging people by their looks or the vehicles they drive. I saw women who were initially apprehensive or looking at them with pity hugging a “madman” when they got the bundle of naira. Some even gave them full body hug (breast and all, you know, nah). The saying that “money make iron float,” na true. Bottomline, be nice to people and stop being judgemental based on looks.
The second person I want to feature today is a youtuber, MRBIKE GLOBAL. He drives around looking for financially lowly people who seem to have given up on life. They are mostly hawkers. He buys all their wares, gives them to people around and pays for the items. Then he gives them additional money that can transform their lives if well managed. He doesn’t stop there. He provides transportation so that the hawkers can leave the vicinity safely with the money. Sometimes, he provides security for the hawker to his/her abode.
The kind of joy MRMIKEGLOBAL spreads is unbelievable and can cause a heart attack. He met an old man with a faulty motorcycle (okada) and got him a new one. Then he took the old motorcycle and gave it to a carpenter and N150,000 to enable him fix the motrorcycle and still have some reasonable cash. See old men rolling on the ground with joy! He followed the first okadaman to the market where his wife sells wares. He gave her money to beef up her capital and also gave the daughter money. Come on! He sees school children without footwears, bags or uniforms and provides for them in addition to cash gifts. My man, take your flowers.
As a Nigerian patriot, these guys and their likes carrying out similar gestures are heroes. Ethnic bigots, shame on you. They are uplifting people across board. They don’t ask about their ethnicity or even if they are Nigerians. As long as they are in need, they show love. God is Love. Simple. Three, what are you doing in your small corner? How are you spreading joy and love? You think it is only about the size of your pocket? Only God can single-handedly transform Nigeria. No single person has that capacity, but each of us can put in our bit. Keep your corner clean? Heal the world in your little way.
MRMIKEGLOBAL complained that some fraudsters have opened accounts in his name. He said he does not go about soliciting for money, so the public should be aware. I join him in urging fraudsters to refrain from their evil acts or God will visit His wrath on them.
SEN EDE DAFINONE
Ewu Kingdom, Sen. Dafinone is not waiting until 2026 as he promised before taking action. He has started off with the renovation of a block of classrooms and the provision of desks and tables in Ewu Grammar School. Ewu people expect more from our senator in 2026. Kudos in the meantime, Senator Dafinone.
