In urgent need of a 2bedroom flat in Agric bus stop area of Ikorodu in Lagos.

Apartment should have no outstanding nepa debts, water, parking space and well tiled rooms.

Please get in touch asap, thanks.

@Yezzir:

Hey there,

Most important thing is identifying the problem and now that you admit that there's something wrong somewhere, then you can as well admit that the problem is half solved.

Now how about give the house. Little "fill-in" of what's wrong? Is it family troubles, academics, finances, unemployment, relationship or marriage?

I think we'll have a better understanding of how to go about tackling your issues if we know where and what exactly is wrong.

You know the funny part?.... The solution might be just as simple as anything, bro. Cheers.

@ Abuklaw:

Thank you for the well wishes, bro but honestly, it's a road I wouldn't wish the worst of my enemies ply.

@ athenavenus:

What I'll advise is find someone wise/patient as a confidant to talk in order to lessen the depression, GET AND STAY BUSY, stand your ground and never ever lose your cool at any given time.

I admit to still thinking about the past a couple of times, that's why not staying idle is key; I jog for 30 minutes every morning, say my prayers, get out of the house (major reason I don't feel bad on the job is that I ALWAYS LOOK & SMELL GOOD - never take your appearance for granted, stay courteous and humble with a smile always - I mean, to hell with my previous status, this is real life bro, so pull up your pants and roll your sleeves, too!!!) and I don't come across as the average cabman. When I'm home, I read a lot, do PS3 and recently got a sporty bicycle to ride out every evening just for the fun of it; I realized that one can still enjoy and live life even when one's not at his/her very best. I hang out with friends again and guess what recently, one asked if I've secured a job, lol.

Getting over your present situation starts within you and yourself only; channel your thoughts to the positive side of things and have a healthy mindset, feed and nourish your focus, stay determined, exercise, distant yourself from unnecessary pressure and never force things to go your way, starve plenty of your distractions and get closer to whatever you believe in (God/Allah).

Please, try to find someone your brother might listen to, plead for some more time in the duration of months (that would help you relax, think and see things clearer and from a less stressed point of view), find anything menial (I would have done too except that I have a petite physique and don't have much muscular strength) doing that would at least put food on your table and if you can, SAVE LIKE NO TOMORROW in order to refund your brother in bits either every forthnighly or monthly (always refund something no matter how small). You needn't tell me how downcast you are (trust me, I feel your pain, bro) but if I can still be here today, I strongly believe you can and will beat your predicaments too in the nearest future.

You will smile at the end, bro.

@ athenavenus

I had to create a new moniker to be able to share my true story, not to gain pity but give hope to whoever in need that might stumble across it.

- Very smart people make stupid decision/mistakes too.

I'm a Gregorian, studied economics at Uniabuja, contacted a family/childhood friend and got into the UK afterwards. Believe me, most Nigerians do menial jobs over there and since I wouldn't get involved in anything illegitimate, I did my time until I stumbled upon a priceless information... Exportation of tyres!! I did four shippings and I made 60-75% profit each time so I returned home. Business went fine and a lot happened within three years - I had raised my capital base to N2m got my first car (a 2004 audi A4), got a very comfortable apartment and still had a savings of N500k for upkeep; life was really good at age 24 years. Two years later, I bought two plots of land, gave my mom the audi and bought a 2006 RR Vogue.
The just concluded elections were approaching and a lot of uncertainties were surrounding Customs' activities, so around October last year I decided to throw in a big risk - I thought it'd be a nice idea to sell the car and put as much into the business since we're in for a long time off - this, would eventually change my entire life. The Vogue fetched me N3m plus another combined N1m from two retailers at Oyingbo (both of whom I supplied goods).

Delivery kept dragging for over four months. Ladies & gentlemen, to cut the story short, I got to know I had been duped - Facebook and Instagram accounts deactivated, phone lines not going through, N4m down the drain with no tyres to show for it; from what I found out, my supposed "friend" was no longer in the UK!!

My mom got sick and her health gulped over N1.2m, the pressure from the Ladipo guys were so much that I had to sell one of the two plots of land to clear the debt. I couldn't afford my rent so I resorted to squatting with a friend and sold the Audi to purchase a used 2004 Accord in order to be able to maintain it.

Life has been more than extremely hard the past 5 months; I had to start selling priced personal possessions from wrist watches, shoes, clothings - anything sellable. Nothing was working out and after job hunting to no avail, depression, excessive drinking and smoking came in, I was starting to talk while walking on roads and became an exact opposite of whom I was.
Time flew, a lot happened and guess what I do to survive at the moment? I wake up very early in the morning, make it to the airport and use the Accord for a taxi (two runs fetches N4,000 the least) then I return to my friend's place like nothing happened. He's employed with a monthly pay of N65,000 (bear in mind that I "hustle" everyday excluding Thursdays and Sundays, never exceed two trips and always return home before noon. 80% of the times, I make over N4,000 so that puts me at nothing less than N80,000 monthly). My friend is still having a hard time wondering how I manage... but honestly, somethings are best kept as secrets.

I won't say I'm back to normal but, now I can afford three meals a day, manage to look good and also saving to get a self-contained apartment in order to start all over again.

Please note, whatever messy situation you may find yourself - be it academics, finance, marriage, family or what have you - there is always and always a way out and it is never far fetched (rather, always within) but only if you would fight giving up, think and open your eyes.

God bless us all. :-)