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Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read - Career (4) - Nairaland

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Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by uzoexcel(m): 11:55am On Jul 21, 2014
smh undecided undecided undecided undecided and its the in-thing to show ignorance i guess?
try and do more reading and stop with the kardashian reality show u throw urself into!!!!
jericco1: Well as I got to about half of the write-up, my pupils began to dilate, someone should please summarize the other half! Urgh!!!
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by dania30(f): 11:58am On Jul 21, 2014
Really nice...thumbs up wink
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by janejive(f): 12:02pm On Jul 21, 2014
I loved it
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by fijiano202(m): 12:04pm On Jul 21, 2014
The idea of what we want to be is what drives us on...God bless our hustle #TeamHappyEnding
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by sweetgala(m): 12:08pm On Jul 21, 2014
Your breakthrough is around the corner brother , keep the faith
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by trendiitee(f): 12:20pm On Jul 21, 2014
Ohh My Gawd!!! Dis is just so lovely..kip it up bro..God bless ur hustle
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by SlamDunk(m): 12:23pm On Jul 21, 2014
LEXYCOM: And u xpect me to read dis long poem.......
so I thought too, then I scrolled down and saw the comments and knew it was something worth reading... He try no be small. Kudos.
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Limibanti(m): 12:25pm On Jul 21, 2014
This is an amazing write up, you actually had my attention throughout with the write up...Bravo brother, keep it up!!! The sky is not even the limit
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by peren: 12:25pm On Jul 21, 2014
i enjoyed the read, i could actually read through it till the end, all those shouting long story, long story, need to check them selfs. N ur dream will come alive.
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Infoay: 12:33pm On Jul 21, 2014
Dreams are real my brother. May God bless your hustle!
The Top's Sure because Oluwa is involve!
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by MrRhymes101(m): 12:33pm On Jul 21, 2014
That y its a dream, everything is possible lol
Princecalm: Nice write-up,but the man try o!He signed a check for you when he does not even know your house.
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Ochek: 12:34pm On Jul 21, 2014
I had fought myself to open the thread as I thought it won't be worth it. Boy! Thank God I did open it. It was worth my every second spent reading it. As a matter of fact, I am following the OP on NL right away.
Thanks OP for pulling my lips side ways.
Kudos!!
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by meelorlah(f): 12:37pm On Jul 21, 2014
Waowww,I almost fell for it.....Nice job OP.
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 12:40pm On Jul 21, 2014
Royaldee: Try and read this to the end and am sure you won't regret it. i laughed my ribs out. Beautiful piece.

No, I’m not a plantain boy. But I admire Timaya’s music. And I most definitely love plantain – bole’d, dodo’ed, porridge’d, or chipped.
I came into Lagos 4 years ago, with nothing but a polythene bag, an Engineering degree, and a dream. Ok, it wasn’t a polythene bag, but, you’ll agree it sounds more dramatic.
Anyways, the point is, 4 years ago, when those 3 wise men at Berger welcomed me to Eko, I had nothing. No concrete plan, no white, blue, or red collar job waiting for me. It was just my dream, my certificate, and I. The dream: Run this town in 5 years.
How? Nna, why are you asking a question I can’t answer?
When I disembarked from the Ekene-Dili-Chukwu bus at Oshodi, two men lunged at me and grabbed my bag.
“Na me get am!” the first one squeaked.
“Na me go carry am!” the other one growled in a guttural voice.
It happened so fast, I was stunned for a few seconds. When I came round, I lunged at both of them, eyes closed. Pushing, kicking, punching, screaming, “Gimme my bag!!!”
After a few moments, I realized my bag was in my hand and I was kicking at dry air. I slowly opened my eyes and saw the two men, looking at me in awe. A small crowd had gathered too, stunned…until someone burst into laughter. Everyone joined except the two men, who turned out to be Taxi drivers who only wanted to give me a ride.
“Oga na wa o, e be like you be JJC…” guttural voice growled as he went to look for more reasonable passengers. Squeaky voice just shook his head, looked at his shirt, discovered two missing buttons he must have lost during our skirmish, eyed me again, hissed and walked away.
It was over almost as soon as it started. Even the crowd had dispersed. I whipped out my Motorola Razor and called Femi, my secondary school mate, who I was going to be squatting with until I ‘hammered’. He came and took me to his one room self-contained apartment.
One room…
I actually thought Femi lived in a flat. He said he worked in a bank, and generally gave the impression he was well off. Well, (as I found out after a few days) by Lagos standards, he was comfortable. His house was self-contained, meaning he didn’t have to share a toilet, bathroom and kitchen with anybody. His office was also just a N30 bus distance from his house; so, long hours in traffic was almost never a problem. Yes, he was comfortable.
Jobs are scarce. Very scarce. I realized this after carrying my CV in a brown envelope, round Lagos. I am not exaggerating when I say I went round Lagos. I did. Ask my ash colored leather shoe (it was black when I bought it). It was the same story everywhere I went: “There’s no vacancy”; or “we need someone with at least 3 years experience”. As in, I needed experience to get a job and I needed a job to get experience.
These Employers aint loyal.
Due to my joblessness-induced frustration, I started spending plenty more time on the internet: Facebook, Twitter, Nairaland etc. Naturally blessed with wittiness, creative thinking and an incredible imagination, it wasn’t hard to get some admirable following; and I kept my audience hooked. I also took writing more seriously: Fiction, humorous articles, socio-political commentaries, etc.
That was how it happened.
One night, 4 months after NYSC, some guy with 146 followers asked me for a follow-back on Twitter. On the average I get like 20 ‘kindly follow back’ requests every day, requests I generally ignore. But on that fateful day, I don’t know how it happened, I just followed him back.
I followed greatness without realizing it. That was the follow-back that changed my life. The greatest follow-back of all time.
See, some of you with plenty followers that keep ignoring follow-back requests, pray to God you don’t ignore the link to your future ‘breakthrough’ o. Ehen.
After I followed, the man sent me a direct message saying he liked my tweets and my blog articles. I thanked him and went to bed. Next morning I woke up and saw another DM. He wanted to discuss something and needed my phone number. I gave it to him. I mean, what could happen?
What could happen? A lot my people. A whole lot.
He called that morning and introduced himself – Anthony Okpa. The name didn’t ring a bell. He said he worked with a bank and he could use my writing skills for a project he was working on. He asked if I could meet him for lunch; he’d send someone to come pick me.
Free lunch. Free ride. Possible job. Nna, who was I to say no?
I still didn’t know if it was some scam so I didn’t give him my address. I just told him I’d wait at Oshodi busstop. He told me his assistant would be there by 12noon. I quickly brought out the suit I’d not worn in months, selected my best shirt, borrowed charcoal iron from a neighbor, pressed them all, polished my shoe, went for a shave and haircut, and was ready by 11am.
When I arrived the Bank’s headquarters at Lagos Island, his assistant took me straight up to Anthony’s office which was at the top of the high-rise building. My eye almost popped out of my head when I saw the inscription on his office door.
‘Anthony Okpa – Deputy Managing Director.’
Of a bank.
Not a branch, but the bank. The whole bank.
Bruh, I can’t forget how my legs almost buckled as I entered his office. He stood up, came round the table and shook my shivering hands. He noticed how nervous I was and asked me to sit and relax.
I sat. I relaxed. I shivered harder.
We did some small talk, got to know ourselves better, then went straight to business. He wanted to run for Governor of his state and was currently recruiting young people into his campaign team. He wanted me to be his campaign social media/strategy manager. The election was in two years and he wanted to establish a strong social media presence ASAP. I’d create engaging content for and manage all his online accounts, and so on and so forth.
I didn’t know when a tear dropped from my left eye. Till today, I still don’t know if he’d noticed it. He didn’t stop talking as I quickly wiped it off. He asked if I was interested. I nodded vigorously; afraid I’d squeak and burst into tears if I tried speaking. He was visibly delighted. He added that when the campaign team was complete we’d all meet, get to know each other, brainstorm, and map out strategies; but meanwhile I could start working. I’d get a laptop, a smartphone, a modem, and other equipment I’d need to commence the job.
He brought out his cheque book, scribbled something, asked my official name, scribbled some more, tore out the leaf and gave it to me. I couldn’t hold back the tears when I saw the figure on it. This time he noticed and offered his handkerchief. I dried the tears and apologized for being such a sisi. He waved it off and asked if the money could cover the next 3 months, salary and all. I nodded till my head almost fell off my neck. The money was more than enough. After buying all the equipments I needed, I was still going to be a millionaire.
Yes. Millionaire.
I’d slept on the floor the previous night because Femi’s girlfriend had slept over. I’d woken up broke that morning, hoping the good Lord would provide for me the same way he provided for the sparrow.
Few hours later I was a millionaire.
And I had a job. One I’d enjoy doing. One that would make me more millions.
After we had lunch at an exclusive restaurant in Victoria Island, his driver dropped me off at home. First thing I did was get on my knees and pray. I called my folks and told them I’d finally gotten a good job. I’m sure their celebratory shouts reverberated through the whole neighborhood. Then I called Femi. My guy didn’t know when he squealed for joy. He closed earlier than usual, came home with plenty suya and wine and we celebrated.
After buying all the necessaries, I offered Femi a quarter of the balance – which was more than his salary for 3 months. He refused to collect it at first but I insisted. He had sheltered and fed me for 4 months without complaints so he had to enjoy my breakthrough with me. It was only right.
The social media strategizing began. I did plenty research on branding – majoring on politics, took a few courses, created content and publishing pattern for all his social accounts, and generally put him in the internet limelight.
The campaign office was opened for business a few months after we met and the team started work. My workaholic nature saw me doing more than the social media strategist job I was hired for. I joined the bigger media team, generated ideas and created so much content, the overall campaign manager who was also the media team lead handed the unit over to me and focused more on grassroots mobilization.
The elections finally arrived. The primaries was a hard fought battle but we clinched the ticket. And when Election Day finally came, we won. Resoundingly!!
Governor Anthony Okpa made me his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy immediately after he was sworn in. It was the first time a non-indigene would hold a political position in that state.
Bruh, I was balling.
It was at one of the state’s social events that I met Eva Alordiah. I’d listened to her songs and I had this slight crush on her. But seeing her perform in person was different. I knew I wanted her immediately. She was ravishingly beautiful. And she could rap.
Holy Lord.
After her performance I asked that she take a picture with Gov Anthony and I. Then I practically begged her to have dinner with me sometime. She agreed, and, a few weeks and many conversations later, we did.
We connected, we bonded on a covalent level. I don’t know if she felt it too, but I was already in love with her. It was a beautiful evening and we agreed to do it again.
On the drive back home, we sat in the back. She said she was cold so I put my arm around her and drew her closer. She put her head on my shoulder and I stroked her hair. After a while she looked up, into my eyes. I could see the desire in her eyes as light from oncoming traffic illuminated them. I leaned in and kis….
“Oga we don reach…” he said.
How dare my driver interrupt me now of all times? How dare he?
“Oga you no wan come down again?” he said again, tapping me. I opened my eyes, furious.
“What is wro…” I was growling, when I noticed my environs. I wasn’t in the Porsche Cayenne. I was in a bus. Eva wasn’t there; in her place was the bus driver. The disorientation was total. Then I came round. I looked at the driver again. “Where are we?” I asked
“Maza Maza,” he replied. “Which kain sleep you dey sleep sef? Tse-tse fly bite you? Everybody don go down, na only you dey motor….”
I remembered the last time I was awake… we had just entered the Benin – Ore road.
It was all a dream. And I had passed my busstop.
I wanted to cry. But instead, I carried my ‘polythene bag’, came down and started looking for a bus that would take me back to Oshodi.
It was all a dream. I still had my ‘polythene bag’, but this time I also had a laptop, an internet connection, and a big, beautiful dream:
“I will run this town in 5 years, so help me God!”
— @Chydee

Source

http://chydee./2014/07/17/lagos-and-my-polythene-bag/

Dude, you are a BAAAAAADDD GUY!!

Nice one. Werin be your twitter handle abi una dey facebook? You too much.

But Shwoo, I for say Eva Alordiah ke. You wan run down?
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 12:40pm On Jul 21, 2014
Ochek: I had fought myself to open the thread as I thought it won't be worth it. Boy! Thank God I did open it. It was worth my every second spent reading it. As a matter of fact, I am following the OP on NL right away.
Thanks OP for pulling my lips side ways.
Kudos!!

Seconded!!

1 Like

Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by jauntty: 12:46pm On Jul 21, 2014
TheRealAdonye: Suspense of Life.. When Anthony became Governor is when I knew something was off..

Great job..
yea..same here. I was like--- Governor of which state?? APC or PDP?? Which Year Nice write up.
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by AdmiralPato(m): 12:48pm On Jul 21, 2014
Royaldee @Chydee.. I follow this handle on twitter!





Is it not that nigga who has held many leadership posts


Am I right?
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 12:56pm On Jul 21, 2014
It'll be unfair for me to read and not comment. This is what I call a Masterpiece!
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by emmansy(m): 12:59pm On Jul 21, 2014
Lovely, but nobody mess with my Eva Alordiah.. Thank God it was all a dream grin
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 1:09pm On Jul 21, 2014
[quote author=Timijo]I almost believe the story to the extend I started wishing it was me before reading it to the end. You need to see they way I laughed after reading it.
Bros, if you enjoyed all those things in your dream, you better go back to sleep and dream more since life is better in dream than in the real life.






Infact, I was already using his breakthrough as a point of contact in my life. I can't stop laughing.

1 Like

Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by naturefellow(m): 1:09pm On Jul 21, 2014
Fantastic fiction. Dreams must come true, and through hard work and persistence. Keep it up!
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 1:21pm On Jul 21, 2014
saintneo: Lagos! Lagos! Big city of dreams.......


This was how I felt when I came to Lagos the first time, all the way from Sokoto(NYSC).........


Hustle hard.......enter molue buses and pay for 'owo-standing', trek from Ikeja-along bus-stop to the middle of Allen avenue......all for the hustle.
.....that your own Small little, i trecked from yaba to Ebute Metta...from Agege to Iyana-Ipaja, from ogba to Idi-mangoro, from Anthony to Barracks, Ojuelegba. Ah! God's good. When the job came, twas only via a phone call, a day interview, and resumption the nxt day. Its nt how much you suffer, it is by God's grace. Now, job search is Over.

1 Like

Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by ewizard1: 1:24pm On Jul 21, 2014
Great PenWork KeyWork!!!
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 1:30pm On Jul 21, 2014
Woooooow...9ce1@op...I luv diz.So creative.Full of suspense...U gotta get dia,Dnt worry
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by jericco1(m): 1:30pm On Jul 21, 2014
uzoexcel: smh undecided undecided undecided undecided and its the in-thing to show ignorance i guess?
try and do more reading and stop with the kardashian reality show u throw urself into!!!!

it's been long I watched Kim's on E! I don't know why you're harsh, I read a lot, but I couldn't put up with this one that's all.
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by eighty7: 1:52pm On Jul 21, 2014
Wow! The best I've read in recent times. God bless you
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by leo1234(m): 1:56pm On Jul 21, 2014
Nice write up.
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by crowntoro(f): 1:59pm On Jul 21, 2014
Summary pls...I no fit read epistle
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 2:03pm On Jul 21, 2014
Cool
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 2:06pm On Jul 21, 2014
Could this be the only piece I glued maslf with till d last alphabet? I think so...God bless bro
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by Nobody: 2:06pm On Jul 21, 2014
This is good
Re: Lagos And My Polythene Bag. A MUST Read by vivaciousvivi(f): 2:13pm On Jul 21, 2014
Very nice write-up. I enjoyed it immensely. May all your dreams come true

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