VBCampaign:
How A Nigerian Saved Me From Cold And Hunger In Berlin By Deji Yesufu

Coronavirus, Cancelled Flights and the Appearing of an Angel

I was billed to leave Germany on Saturday morning. Our flight with Turkish Airlines was to leave Germany at 6:55am. By 6:30am there was nobody in sight at the Turkish Airlines boarding corner of the Airport.

“What’s happening”, was the expression written on everyone’s face.

A few minutes later, the people to check us in announced: Turkey has barred all foreigners from coming into their country and this would include those of us transiting through the country.

“What happened?” We asked.

Coronavirus.

This announcement was also coinciding with Donald Trump’s speech that had barred most Europeans from entering the USA.

We were told that their plane could only carry their own nationals. The rest of us were on our own.

Ha!

A lady beside me was already in tears. Me? Confused. How do I continue in this horrendous cold of Germany? What do I eat; where will one sleep; and most importantly, how does one return to Nigeria? Those were the questions on my mind when I approached one of the guys by the ticket counter and asked… He referred me to Turkish Airlines enquires desk.

By the time I got there, the place was filled with people. Everyone was asking the same question: how do we leave Germany?

At first we were told we would be refunded our monies. But, thankfully, there was another policy somersault: we would all be placed in different airlines back to our destinations – I got Airfrance. That’s the good news, which should always come first. The bad news: the earliest flight I could get was Sunday, 6am. I must wait out another 24 hours in Berlin!

My colleague was already feeling unwell. We would discover later that the cold had gotten into his chest and another two hours outside would have been sure pneumonia.

My head started to work. I remembered that I had put out a post on Facebook talking about my visit to Berlin. One person, only one o, got in touch with me privately, saying that he lives in Berlin and it would be a pleasure to meet me. That my writing inspires him. His name: Taiwo Arowoyele. I sent him a PM saying in short: “Help!”

He sent us an address not too from the airport, and in a few minutes we where in this God-sent man’s living room, sipping hot tea. My colleague drank four cups before he could recover himself.

Taiwo Arowoyele is a Nigerian living in Berlin and having trained as a Social Worker in Lithuania, he returned to Berlin to work. He also does some business by the side. Taiwo is not wealthy but he has heart large enough to share.

Taiwo settles us into a room and gave us out first and only taste of rice in Berlin. He served it with tough chicken and some good “shaki”. We just kept saying thank you.

Later in the day, Taiwo took us out to see downtown Berlin. We took the subway, branched at an eatery to munch on chips and chicken, and then we went around the city center taking pictures. It was fun. And the disappointment of the cancelled flight soon faded away. In fact I was thankful for missing that flight. For then I might not have met this angel.

Early Sunday morning, Taiwo called a taxi for us and we got to the airport early enough to meet our flight.

Taiwo had begun to follow my writing on Facebook after watching my video on tithing (it appears to me that a lot more Nigerians abroad saw that video). It is the same time Taiwo that God sent as help to us. Those of you who vilify Facebook – see how it has helped me �. As I type this, I am in Paris awaiting my transit flight to Lagos.

This is what Coronavirus has done to us o… but with this disappointment came a blessing. I return to Nigeria by the grace of God to a sure two weeks quarantine.

Shallom.

@ Deji Yesufu

Source: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2709076759168517&id=1505609702848568

(Taiwo Arowoyele is in the middle in the attached picture)

Mizwisdom:



Not true, there's a reason why begging is still lucrative in Nigeria, people are kind but we do have wicked and lazy folks trying to take advantage of good people, but some Nigerians are good.

Jaspernubi:


You always know them by their begging, The Tax collectors, they turn every story to personal begging
Women from every race are like this, Alatenuje

AreaFada2:

This your method nor be here o.
Honestly, 9ja in Germany beat those in most other countries when it comes to friendliness and hospitality to random strangers. Or it used to be at least.

Probably less these days, but in the past you could stop any black person on the street and they'd wait to help with direction or give other tips.

mytime24:
coronavirus don cus bad market for our girls in italy

rita25:
GUY I NEED THAT PERFUME FOR THIS HEAT OH............ABI YOU SEF WAN BUY ME PERFUME

gypsey:
well... you may say that, but i ve never come across a good Nigerian,I am afraid. They all wanted to reap me off. i can understand that life may not or is not easy in Nigeria but hard times are no excuse.

seunlayi:
We Nigerians are naturally good people. Are you one of us?

Just that condition is bending people anyhow these days

wink2015:


ARE THEY IN WINTER IN GERMANY !

See how they cover up with thick clothing !

philip0906:
Great!

For those of you who are questioning the response of the Nigerian government and african government at large, below is a tweet that shows how to a large extent, we have been able to put coronavirus at bay.

seanwilliam:
Men, some nairalanders don old oo.. God bless us

webizone:

So Una local ones dey rejoice?

Oloki:
thank God for you people o.... all I know is good people still exist... a lot of Arowolos outside there.... God should position us close to our helpers destination..

WildChild00:


Osaloboal lahor wowooo

Mizwisdom:



Honestly, I don't think you live in Nigeria. Nigerians can be stupidly good at the risk of their own lives. Had to use a public vehicle yesterday cause of traffic, a young man, frail looking was begging while at the Bus stop. Inside the vehicle a man asked him to join us (he offered to pay his TF) as we journeyed the frail guy announced that he had TB (a format) but he looked frail so I was wary. Note, this disease is treated for free here so why was he begging? ( format) . Nobody told him to get down as he was putting us all at risk (he was even coughing) but instead he raised more than N3000 on that short ride plus free transport. We have good and bad people everywhere and sometimes people take this kindness thing too far.

InfoSources:
Believe it or not.. Most Nigerians are kind hearted people. Its just that the president is HIGHLY TRIBALISTIC AND NEPOTIC.

Finally, FACEBOOK is not that bad.. Just see how it saved him

ameh99:
[s]Nigeria is still the best place to live in the world ....if you know you know[/s]