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malaika (f)
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This is a long story and I wish I could summarise it better but here goes. I would like to get your views/opinions on this matter.
A Nigerian couple, the man (I'll call him Mr O) says he's a Marine Engineer in Lagos and the woman (Mrs O) is a businesswoman but also works for the UN - in London. Mr O got 3 months' leave from work, and instructed his wife to come down to Nigeria so could go to Australia for a church conference. Now this is where it gets kinda strange. Instead of flying to Oz they decided to slowly make their way down South. They started in Cameroon, then the DRC where they spent weeks, then Zambia - where they stayed for about 2 months! Then on to Zimbabwe and eventually South Africa. When they got to Musina, the northern-most town in SA, they were robbed in their hotel and their passports were also stolen. OK admittedly we have a crime problem here in SA, everybody knows that, but my first thought upon hearing this was that robbers (especially small-town ones) don't normally take people's passports, ID documents or any of that, they take money, jewelery etc. Still, bad things happen and one has to give people the benefit of the doubt. Eventually they made their way down to the capital city where by sheer luck my brother found them in a sorry state of affairs. Somewhere along the way Mrs O had also fallen pregnant and they had a newborn baby girl. My brother and my mother (who was recently widowed) decided that my mom would to take them in, especially as it was clear the baby was starving - not getting enough bosom milk, always hungry, crying and very small. My mom started buying clothes, baby formula and opened her house to the family with an open heart. My family is a Christian family, we accept everybody and although SAns are well known for xenophobia this is not an issue in my family. The baby is now the baby of the family, we all love and pamper her. I gave many of my clothes to Mrs O and my husband did the same for Mr O.
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malaika (f)
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continued,
My problem is that there are too many conflicting stories with this couple and whenever I try to probe further they just shut down. First is the obvious, why would professional people spend months on the road when they only have 3 months' leave and are also supposed to be going to Australia? This question never gets answered. Also, whenever someone has something good, then they have it better in Nigeria. For example, my mom decided to buy herself a Toyota sedan, it's reliable especially for an older woman. The first thing Mrs O said was 'Oh I also drive one back home'. Not impossible, but then Mr O later told me she also has a Jeep. Then another time he told me his wife can't drive. Oh well, I guess she has a driver for all those cars. Where does working for the UN in London fit in when she's also a businesswoman in Lagos? I probably sound very ignorant, since I don't know Nigerian lifestyle, that's why I'd like you guys to assure me that all this sounds very normal and my mom is not living with con artists. At first I had a healthy curiousity about their life in Nigeria. I asked Mrs O to teach me some Yoruba. She told me she can't speak Yoruba and neither does her husband, although they are both Yoruba. She said in Lagos if you speak a local tongue then you are seen as uneducated. If you approach someone for directions and you speak vernacular then you won't get help. She says said they only speak English. Is this normal? I asked Mr O where in Lagos they lived and he told me in a mansion in Surulele. One day I went to visit my mother and found a third person, Mrs O's brother! He had just arrived from Nigeria. He was supposed to bring money for them but claims that the money ($5000) was confiscated by police at Jo'burg International Airport. To me this sounded like yet another blatant lie, why would police confiscate the money and let him go - if there was something wrong? Anyway he is also here now. A few weeks ago Mrs O requested for a lift into town. She was dressed up very nicely. I was also curious about who exactly she knows because she was directing me to a block of flats in a notorious part of town, when I asked who she was going to visit she wouldn't answer me, in fact she was getting impatient with me. We got to the flat and she went up to the door, buzzed the flat number on the intercom and within seconds the door automatically opened and she went inside. I'm still dying to know who she now knows in that part of town.
There are other issues that don't sit well with me but this is just a basic overview, do these people sound real? What could be their true intention? My mother is a very strong independent and fearless woman but is she being taken for a major ride? I once asked her if she was sure these people were being honest and she said well if they are lying then it will be on their own conscience but she doesn't want the baby to suffer. Recently she has been getting attitude from Mrs O and generally feels crowded in her own house - plus there's the glaring fact that she's harbouring illegal immigrants in her house, they claim to have reported their plight to the Nigerian Embassy and are in the process of getting their papers fixed - well the baby is now walking and talking, I wonder how long it should take. I don't want my imagination to run away with me but I can't help feeling uneasy about them.
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didisky (m)
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I dont believe your story .How can u accomodate someone that long ?well good luck
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Akolawole (m)
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@Angel Malaika
Are you a Nigerian?
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nairamar (m)
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@Malaika,
It is obvious that you and your mother are kind hearted people and you are now becoming wary of your nigerian guests. It is plain and simple, they have outstayed their welcome regardless of the circumstances or story leading to their plight; wheter true or not.
You need to consider carefully whether you want them to stay and if so for how much longer, once you've decided make sure you communicate this to them directly. Advisable, get a third person someone in authority to convey your decision on your behalf in the presence of all concerned.
You have done a great deed by saving the life of the child and making sure she/he survived. Now it's time for them to move on regardless of whether papers have been fixed or not.
We Nigerians are big thinkers and also big dreamers so our stories are sometimes bigger than life itself; don't be alarmed about stories of grandeur and self importance these are just normal prose of our spoken yoruba language. I assure you no harm or hurt is intended to you or your family.
If you are in a position to help with new living arrangements please do so, as we nigerians are always thankful and never forget a good friend.
If all fails to move them, just KICK THE MUTHAF**A'S OUT TO THE BLOODY GUTTER (not the baby of course!)
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malaika (f)
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Hi guys thanks for your responses, they really help. Anyway plans are already underway to find alternative accommodation for them. We're not abandoning them but we all agree it's time my mom had some space, she's done enough. The thing that is getting to my mother the most is the lady's sudden change of attitude for the worse.  I'm not Nigerian, am South African. |
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abo
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my dear, please dont be so trusting next time and also change that mind set that they are nigerians. alot of black pple commit crimes today and put it on nigerians because of our public image. so change that. its not true in nigeria we dont consider speaking our languages as local and pls endavour to change your locks once they are gone and please u dont owe them anything . so dont try and buy a problem thats not urs,if they had passports atall, we ve a nigerian embassy over there. u and your mum are not a charity home. so please let them leave, they have overstayed thier welcome.
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kajad (m)
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@Malika
I think Nairamar said it all.
I will not add or remove from what he said.
I just think these people just want someone to leave off on.
you have already done enough!
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samm (m)
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My dear, I think your family has done enough. I strongly suggest that they are moved out as soon as possible especially with their strange dealings and unexplainable situation. I don't believe their story one bit and if they are worth helping then they should be able to fully explain their plight and convincingly beyond doubt.
Again, I appluad your good will, but don't let this turn sour because it might affect how you help people who actually need help in the future.
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lewa (m)
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Be careful,these are professional scam -artists.Drive them away asap.My aunt did work for a while at the University of Wits
and told me most naija in SA leave much to be desired.Before you drive them away check your stuff and especially your financial details-bank cards etc and change your locks.They sound DANGEROUS.
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lewa (m)
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Also make sure your mum has no further contact with them when they leave.By the way why are you looking for accomodation
for them, just kick them out period and quickly too,sinister nigerian rogues-name spoilers
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niterider (m)
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I'm afraid u guyz were punked.
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omonozozo (m)
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@ Malaika I'm not Nigerian, am South African. I thought malaika is Tanzanian. |
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malaika (f)
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yes, it's not a South African name. It means Angel.
Anyway it's over with those guys, they've moved out. Thanks for all your genuine answers & advice. Cheers
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kajad (m)
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yes, it's not a South African name. It means Angel.
Anyway it's over with those guys, they've moved out. Thanks for all your genuine answers & advice. Cheers
Now that's a happy ending to a strange story. Also make sure your mum has no further contact with them when they leave.By the way why are you looking for accomodation
for them, just kick them out period and quickly too,sinister nigerian rogues-name spoilers
do you know you're a MFA? |
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