Hi people, how’s the week going? As for the final entry game, from the way things were going at first, Fire and Brimstone Preacher took the lead. Then all of a sudden, Memoirs of a Lagos Bus Beggar came forth, like an underdog. This shows that anything can happen in this world and that we should never say never, until we get to the finish point. The score at the end was 8 – 7, apparently in favour of t Memoirs of a Lagos Bus Beggar. Enjoy
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snr atilola,this d first of ur blogs i'v gotten to read.i smile at such creative rendering of life that is of an entrepreneurial beggar.write on.
ReplyDeleteLol @ snr Atilola, I only of one 'junior' that refers to himself as regal. Thanks for the compliment and thanks for dropping by.
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ReplyDeleteLOL...but he has to keep changing routes like he said or some regulars will note him. Nice one Lola...
ReplyDeleteOn a critical note, I don't know much about the character and that kept me at a distance of really engaging.
Yes o. But some people still notice them.
DeleteNot talking too much about the character was intentional. It is supposed to be one of his memoirs. Or do you want to go and arrest him? Lol
Hahahaha, I couldn't stop laughing, it has a really nice humour to it.
ReplyDeleteNice write up as usual!
Abi. Thanks o
DeleteHahaha, nice one. He had better hope he doesnt bump into pple like me though, Lagos has made me rather distrusful of the likes of him :).
ReplyDeleteLol, if he bumps into you, what will you do? Shout on him to stop deceiving people? The fellow passengers will tell you to shut up and mind your business. I have seen it happen before.
DeleteSmh for Mr. Beggar. You know, sometimes i wonder...what if he is caught in this lie? What then?
ReplyDeletebelieve me, they get caught all the time and nothing happens to them
Deletewell its people like this that make me take my help or aid to those who REALLY needs it..they don`t care if you meet them twice or thrice...story is still the same..
ReplyDeleteyes o, they are not creative enough to keep changing their story. lying constantly is not an easy feat
Deletehmmmnn, i've met a lot of people like this.
ReplyDeletenice read
havent we all? Thanks
Deleteenjoyed it. everyday for the thief one day for the owner, he's gonna get busted soon. keep the creative writings up my dear Atilola...... best wishes!
ReplyDeleteawww thanks. I will try o
DeleteInteresting, this is such a common scenario in Lagos, i wonder how many of them are 'professional' beggars
ReplyDeleteyes, very common. most of them are shady
DeleteLWKMD! Atilola, no doubt you be really 'omo eko' and you know what's up! I've seen this scenario times without number especially when I have to travel outside Lekki environs and I have to take commercial buses. In fact, there was a particular one I noticed on two separate occasions in a bus to Oshodi and later on that day on my way back from Mile 2. He had the same stupid story and people were paying this guy like mad! I almost confronted the guy out of anger. Here I was hustling to make money and this fool was here ripping people off right before me and playing on their sentimentality.
ReplyDeleteMy take on beggars is: the only way you're getting a dime from me is if you are physically blind. As long as you can see with your eyes you can do something productive so get off your lazy behind and go and work. I have even seen a blind cobbler before so what excuse do these beggars have? Even people on crutches and wheelchairs make a honest living. Only losers beg!
That said, mehn these beggars make a lot of money o! Some are millionaires sef! It is a lucrative business too o! I feel tempted sometimes sef. lol
I no be omo eko oo. You sure have had your own experiences.
DeleteWow, blind cobbler? That is a great talent o
'Only losers beg!' Inspiring statement.
So you wanna join the lucrative begging business? Lol
lolzzzzz..
ReplyDeleteThis is the reason I don't even listen to them or look at them when they approach me.
me too
Deletelol...interesting.
ReplyDeleteNow this is the reason some people don't give. Cos people like this make it difficult to recognise those who are truly in need.
you are very right. thanks for dropping by
DeleteOh my! kai! i don fall mugu several times for such 'act'! Lagos! #laughing#
ReplyDeletejokes apart...women are into it big time! Pregnant with babies on their backs!
They should not make the mistake of meeting my salesman, though, even if blood
comot for their eyes, he won't give! He gets angry with me anytime i do give.. a
ahahahhahahaa.....hey! LASGIDI! .....what about the so-called people that
knock on doors and say they are from orphanages? Learnt, it was a business
contract from a lawyer who was asked to draw out a contract plan for them but
he refused.....GOD would punish them for taking HIS name in vain....i am
learning to have a strong heart towards 'beggars' and this makes it difficult
to know the genuine ones #sighs#....Lord have mercy.
Ahn ahn, sharp woman like you. Why will you fall naa?
DeleteI have also heard of the pregnant women, but its bad to put thier young children through such troment
I guess the orphanage people are corporate beggars. We gotta be sharp in Lagos o.
choi! this is why many people don't give to beggars again. hard to tell who is genuine and who isn't. sad.
ReplyDeleteI don't even bother trying to tell. I only give cripples, once in a while
DeleteWow, I misss Naija...but lately I have met some Indians who also do this type of thing...here they miss their train and do not have any more for another train ticket.
ReplyDeleteserious?? In India?? I guess every country has its own
DeleteI've actually encountered a character like this...twice....same person. He suckered me in the first time and the next time he told me the very,same story. I had to give him a few pointers as to how to effectively go about his scamming ways. I'm nice like that. Lagos....man must sha wack.
ReplyDeleteAre you serious??? You actually told him you knew he was scamming you?? Wow, I'd have loved to be there so I could see the look on his face.
DeleteWell written oooo. You captured it so well. I meet such people in the buses all the time and I'm sometimes moved to give. But after hearing stories of how they are mostly liars, I keep my money to myself. Of cos, some may actually be real beggars, but I can't tell the difference.
ReplyDeleteReally good... you captured the thought processes of the man really well, I think.
ReplyDeleteNice!
Thanks. And thanks for dropping by
DeleteLagos Beggars. The bane of my life! I have met a few like the guy you described. And most times all I wanna shout is Shut up joo. lol.
ReplyDeleteGood one!
Lol. You for shout naa, lets see the eyes people will give you. Lol
Deleteheheheheheehe
ReplyDeletethe man is feeling sharp abi. i tot they've graduated from that one to something else especially with the subsidy issue arising. ppl are frustrated and you cant help but laugh when the passenger is fighting with the conductor for ten naira change and then the abuses start flowing. as in, all you can just do is to laugh within and shake your head that "choi!!!see what naija's subsidy has done to lagosians o and dont even try stepping on their feet or else!!!!...case close.LOL
nice story ilola!
Graduated ke? Lai lai ooo. They still do it.
DeletePeople eye dey red for this Lagos o. Nobody wan fall mugu, but dem still dey fall mugu for these beggars
I've observed this happen when I was in Nigeria and that was some years back but the fact it's still being used is probably because it still pays. Whilst I don't condone deceit in the name of begging, our society that has allowed this to thrive has a lot to answer for it.
ReplyDeleteI can't fault your writing style though, I like your use of simple plain English that enables the reader engage with ease.
Yes o. Begging is very lucrative, especially in Lagos. Thanks for the compliment
DeleteAfter one incident when "Mr Beggar" collected money from me then brought out phone, in my very before, and said "I told you these church people have money", that was the end o. One naira I do not give any beggar....
ReplyDeleteNice, humorous one. You really described it well...
Ahn ahn, the guy has liver o. He scammed you and could not be bothered to cover it. Na wa oo
Deletethis beggar is not skilled jare. Haven't you met the ones in CMS/Broad street? they have General Hospital papers and prescriptions as paraphernalia, then usually, all they want is money for drip or drugs or injection!
ReplyDeleteJust wait till 6:30pm you'll see them organizing igbo/chelsea/squadron with the dash.
As a rule I NEVER gift beggars, I'll rather pay widow's mite in church!
Yes o, that's true. They go to 'Oluwole' to forge documents.
DeleteSo that's what they use the money to do? Kai. It's free money naa, you can't blame them. After all, they did not steal it.
I hate getting near those beggars especially those that pray to scare you to give them money: they will go like, "the person you didn't tell where you are going will not know where you went, witches waiting on the road will not have the chance to drink your blood, Ogun will not mix your flesh with sand". I hate that
ReplyDeleteLoooolll. Kai. People driven by fear will fall for this o. Nigerians sha
DeleteI saw one one day with a plate of rice and bean with egg and beef beside the road. I that was still thinking of how to walk to a particular place to cut expenses, I neva even chop that morning. I was so vexed when he asked me for money! Them think say pple be fools?
ReplyDeleteSerius??? Lol. Who says begging is not lucrative? The person should think again
Delete