₦airaland Forum

"I started drawing and painting since I was a child. My father was an artist so each day after school I will go and sit beside him and try to copy what he was doing. I was very little then and with time I started getting better. My father was a very talented artist but he didn't get the exposure he deserved and we struggled to make ends meet. I just finished school and opened my own shop, I want to do better than he did, I want to hold exhibitions, I want to be able to earn a living doing what I love. I don't know if it's luck or connection but there are some people I'm better than but they are more recognised. I just finished this portrait of Banky With and Wole Soyinka I don't know how to get it to them I just want them to have it.

"I just decided to bring Sparrow out today, he has been in chains for weeks. There was a day I forgot to chain him and entered inside the house, before I knew what was going on he attacked and injured our Landlord's son. They man nearly gave us quit notice." www.thehumansoflagos.com

Aspireahead

Send me an email let me send you the steps.

Aspireahead:
please, how much did the blog cost u?...i mean setup and everything...wanted to start one on a different niche and being a student i have been afraid of what it might cost....great works though....i love your work...u made me believe in Nigeria

It cost nothing. It's hosted on blogger(Google). I assume you've registered your domain name already.

hayor2014:
What's the update on the assistance for the fish seller woman,I would love to contribute to her progress.....thanks and God bless you for the good works

Someone promised to take care of it still waiting. Will give you feedback soon.

Someone joined me on yesterday's shoot. We were on the CMS bridge taking landscape shots when 3 agberos approached us and asked we settle them before we take shots, we begin beg na meanwhile, they were just playfully touching Mena saying they'd have arrested us if they wanted. After a few minutes they left and we too decided to call it a day but on walking a few metres, Mena discovered his phone was missing from his front pocket, apparently, the boys were pick pocketing us in the process.
To cut this short, we did small gra gra and finally had to pay the agbero elders who interceded on our behalf and got the thieves to return the iPhone.
The whole thing still they do me like film trick lol boys are not smiling inu Isale Eko.

Hey guys, we just created a blog to host all the stories so check it out www.thehumansoflagos.com

"I don't have a nickname yet but I might consider professor of rats. I started doing this business 4 years ago when I finished school. Then I started by buying the rat poisons in the market and reselling but people complained that it wasn't effective so after some time, I went to research and I setup my own lab and I produce mine now and it's 100% effective and I get food feedback just ask around. About my style of dress, I just decided to stand out and add a little comedy and fun when I'm out there and it makes people notice my market. Some people notice my dressing first and when they come close they see I'm selling rat poison and most do buy so I'll say the marketing strategy is successful." www.thehumansoflagos.com

Something to inspire us this Monday morning. The humans of Lagos is a street photography project capturing the hearts and soul of Lagos. www.thehumansoflagos.com and follow us on social media
https://www.facebook.com/humansoflagosng
http://instagram.com/thehumansoflagos/
https://www.nairaland.com/2087155/humans-lagos-street-photography-project

"I'm from Adamawa, Boko haram attacked our town and I was lucky to escape. I came to Lagos with only my mosquito net and no money. One day I was walking round Ajah market and saw one of my friends that we grew up in Mubi, he was selling mosquito net he was happy to see me and took me to his house and the following day he gave me his market and I sold everything and I realized the business was good so he taught me everything about the business. I raised my capital by cutting the mosquito net I came with and sold it, mosquito net is foreign and better than the local net we buy here. That's how I started my sponge business and I've done it for 4 months now and I'm doing well."#HumansOfLagos www.thehumansoflagos.com

Want to inspire us this morning with this 2 posts.

"I started with selling handkerchiefs, then one woman gave me this chair and I took it to the welder and fixed a tyre and and a carrier for my goods and expanded my market. I've had Polio since I was a child but I didn't let that stop me or turn me to a beggar. Thanks to this business I'm married with 2 kids and this business takes care of my family" #HumansOfLagos www.thehumansoflagos.com

Don't let anything stop you from reaching for greater heights, you don't have an excuse.

"I was at home watching the Barcelona 1992 Paralympics then I saw this black man, he was cycling past all the white men and he eventually won the race. He was Nigerian the (Late Ajibola Adeoye) At that moment I wanted to be like him. I set out to find out more about the sports and where to find them. 2 years later in 1994 I rolled my wheelchair into the track of the main bowl of National stadium Surulere and met the coach Black Moses That's how I started my journey. They put me to the weight lifting section cos they said I was strong and I did that for 7 years but at a point I knew I had to go to cycling cause that's what love. I had to start from scratch and didn't go to any competition outside because the other cyclist were all ahead of me. I suffered,I didn't have any money, my family taunted me and called me lazy and said I don't want to be useful I had no other option but to leave home. I slept in the stadium for 5 straight years in the morning I will go to the tap, bath and roll to the gate and people would think I came from home. I finally went for my first competition outside the country in 2011 during the all Africa games tho as a coach and my team won medals. I train the champions of Africa men and women. My parents are proud of me now, my father hugged me the day they mentioned his name on TV because of me. All my years of hard work are finally paying off. #HumansOfLagos

"I just finished training now (wheelchair cycling) I joined the team last year. The coach saw me one day and told me I could become great if I'm willing to work hard. He told me about all the athletes that he has trained and how they've gone to represent Nigeria in different paralympic competitions. The first day I joined the team, they welcomed me like family, I felt at home. The men and women African champions are part of my team, I train with them everyday, they treat me like an equal and they encourage me and push me to work harder. Each morning after training, I always wish I can fast forward the time to morning again so I can go back to training. It is the best part of my day and that's what I look forward to doing everyday. I haven't gone for any competition yet cos I'm still training but I know I will one day and I will win medals like my teammates. I just want to be a champion." #HumansOfLagos

"They called me around 4am that my shop was on fire, I immediately woke up my husband and we ran to the shop that early but before we could get there, everything has been consumed, I didn't save a single pin. By now my shop would have been busy with customers but look, it's empty. #HumansOfLagos

"I've been crying for the past few days, I try to be strong but the tears won't stop. They told her to always follow me around in case I try to harm myself. I still can't believe this is how my year started, I still can't believe I lost everything to the fire" #HumansOfLagos

"The highest amount won in my shop is N240,000 that was last December. Between me and you, I won't advice anyone to play this game. It's addictive and it has caused a lot of problem for some people. Some even use the last money on them to play this game but you know I can't turned them back, it's my business and I have to eat" #HumansOfLagos

"I started with selling handkerchiefs, then one woman gave me this chair and I took it to the welder and fixed a tyre and and a carrier for my goods and expanded my market. I've had Polio since I was a child but I didn't let that stop me or turn me to a beggar. Thanks to this business I'm married with 2 kids and this business takes care of my family" #HumansOfLagos

hayor2014:
i feel you should get the phone numbers of these people,a few people might wanna help,so that anyone who is interested can buzz u,get their number or contact details from you and reach these people.....nothing is too small

I do that when necessary. For the mama, we're currently working out something for her and I hope it ends well.

"I'm from Cameroon, they call me African man. I've been doing reggae for 15 years. My music is not online and I don't want to take it to that level yet, I need 15 more years before I will be ready for that. I currently enjoy the hustle life and going to nearby countries. I've been in Lagos for 6 months and I've been performing in street jams, bars etc." #HumansOfLagos

honeric01:
Pls can you get access to her again?

Yea... meanwhile, a couple of people on Instagram said they'd like to contribute and help her start her fish business again, nothing concrete yet aside their comment but I hope it works out.

"I used to sell dried fish but last year on 23rd November I was robbed on my way to buy my market in Ibadan and I didn't have any other money to continue my fish business so I started carrying load(alabaru) for people in Idumota, it's hard work and my body pains me but I take pain medicine everyday. Today is Sunday and there is no market so I sleep here and rest all day and continue work on Monday when market starts. My son is not happy I'm doing this but he just entered polytechnic and can't do anything to help." #HumansOfLagos

"I don't understand English that much, I've just been in Lagos for 2 years, I'm from Sokoto. My oga just opened my own for me, I used to sale with him. I'm just coming out now, customers will start coming in the evening. My hair is curly but I don't use anything on it, that's how it is from birth." #HumansOfLagos

"I've been working here for years and has risen to a level with a better salary and a chance at been made a foreman then I lost my wife and had to quit for sometime. There is a way the system here works for us labourers, the longer your years the higher your salary and the chance of becoming a site foreman, once you stop working here for any reason, all your years are gone and anytime you come back you start from zero level again. That's what happened to me, I had to start from zero again after I came back. This job doesn't give you time for yourself or family, the trailer bus comes around 4am to pick us up and return late at night, no rest at all. My 2 daughters had to go and stay with there grand mother since there mum died cos I was barely at home. I'm the kind of person that says things as they are, some of the things here need to be changed and when me and my fellow colleagues talk and voice our concerns I always say my mind and say how I feel and my so called colleagues will go to my back and report me to the white man. #HumansOfLagos

Originalsly:
Post his address here....your thread would do much more tban you can ever dream about. Love these posts.

At the end of Ajose Adeogun V.I, you turn left and walk down a bit, he is behind a recharge card seller, the place is like a mini market.

DeCritique:
Eeyah, I've been following this thread and liking some few photos but this particular post is the first one that has made me comment.... I love the hope this guy emanates.... I wish it were possible, I'll pack all my friends one day and come and eat there so that he will be happy at least... Thumbs up man

Tochi... Hope you left the change for him after you finished eating?

His story is so touching, a lot of people have contacted me for his address which I've provided, his jollof rice is really nice. I will visit him again in a few weeks to know how things are going.

I opened this place yesterday, I didn't see any customer, I had to throw my food away. Today no customers yet except you. I know I just Opened and business won't boom immediately but I expected to make little sales, I'm not happy but I know things will turn around, all these successful businesses didn't make it big in a day or two so I still have hope " #HumansOfLagos

"I'm from Cape Coast in Ghana, I came to Lagos 2 years ago, my father has lived here for 25 years and he said its a good place to do business. I've been working in a restaurant since then and just resigned to open this shop, you are my first customer today." #HumansOfLagos

"I wanted to go to university but there was no money so I had to get married, I have a daughter now she is 14, our goal is to make sure she goes to university" #HumansOfLagos

"Standard pool table is expensive so we build our own local table, in the evening all the boys come here to play and relax" #HumansOfLagos

"I come here to rest during my break, it's hard tho with the loud noise from cars and everything. Started this work just a few days ago, I was tired of staying at home and I want to support my husband in anyway I can" #HumansOfLagos

"We just won this cup today, he scored the goal and I won the best keeper of the tournament. We are parading our cup in the market and people are giving us money, my mum's shop is here too" #HumansOfLagos

Justiceotuya:
do you know Mr C is my mum's step brother? Seriously immediately i saw his pics i knew him. Kai this world is small oh. Please when next your path crosses extend my greetings

Wow! that nice. Will do that if I run into him again.

millstone:
I really love your work... kudos. I'm trying to organize an exhibition in my University and I blive I just found what I was looking for.... how do I get to you?

Thanks bro, my personal email address is on my profile or send an email to thehumansoflagos@gmail.com

GIYAZZ:
TochiPhotos I Love you. #NoHomo

No let the 14 years police catch you oo lool thanks bro.

LoveMEBaby:
ohh I know this man, he sells yoghurt in unilag, besides that's unilag surroundings.

Yea... that's him, he is a great guy.

vivaciousvivi:
By far one of the best threads I have opened and read in a long time and certainly the best so far this year.
Pictures do speak a thousand words and when you read the text, and reconnect it to the picture, you do realize that we are all human - with fears,dreams, aspirations, struggles, friendships, insecurities. The rawness of both the picture and the story are just amazing. Well done Tochi!

Thanks a lot.

UjSizzle:
Tochiphotos

Thanks for sharing. It's always nice to know the story behind the stories
I admire your resilience. It's not hard to imagine how many people may have turned down your offer to be a listening ear lol and this helps to buttress a point i've been trying to make forever: People want to talk. Just provide an enabling environment, a blank space of sorts and see them fill up the spaces.

You're doing something good here

That's true... thanks a lot Uj.