Many years ago as a bachelor in England,I intentionally made myself 'homeless' in London in order to save enough money to send to f...
Many years ago as a bachelor in England,I intentionally made myself 'homeless' in London in order to save enough money to send to financially-distressed friends and family members in Nigeria.That was my personal sacrifice.It may sounds silly to many ears.
I endured terrible cold of those years.Don't pity me for any reason!
I had some money to rent a decent room but I just stupidly refused to rent any room.I scattered my few items in many places,South,East and North London.
I had a long neck then with very slim body frame.I was working day and night like Mr Machine. Library was my second home then.
I travelled to Nigeria then and my late mother came to meet me at the Lagos airport.Mama Gani was so angry with me as I stepped out of the luggage collection area. I arrived from London with 3 heavy bags.
"Gani..Why are you so lean like this?" Mama Gani exploded to welcome me to Nigeria.
"Cool down Alhaja, I am loaded with money,correct Ori Iya Charlie.No worry."
"Loaded with money and you appeared so lean like this?Many people may not believe you're in London."
Mama Gani spoke the bitter truth to my two ears.I looked myself in the mirror,I saw my bones in conflict with my flesh. I suffered myself for others to enjoy!
"Mummy, na dem wahala if dem think say I no dey London.Please, forget dem"
"Gani..listen carefully now...You need to look after yourself.Eat good food, health is wealth. Don't over-stress yourself to satisfy anybody. Our people shall continue to demand money from you as long as you're living in Oyinbo land." My mother was boiling with anger.
Throughout my stay in Abeokuta, my mother continued to torment me.She cooked all kinds of food(with my money!) to feed me by force. She complained bitterly about my lean frame as if I just arrived from a refugee camp.I can never forget my mother's rage.
I arrived with one extra luggage with contents to be shared with family friends and neighbours.
"Many people have been travelling to Europe and America in our area but nobody shared anything with neighbours, not even money except you.God must surely reward you." She told me.
"Let me just do it for God...na dem wahala if dem no share anything." I told her.
"Do it with commonsense and always look after yourself. Nobody sponsored you to London if not through Commonwealth Organisation that God used to upgrade you."
I escaped from Abeokuta and moved to Ibadan,then Lagos then back to London.My mother still traced me to Lagos and accompanied me to the departure hall of the Lagos airport.Mama Gani acted like a comedian, as she carried my luggage on her head.I stopped her.We both laughed.
"Gani...Please eat good food in London...you sef must burger...you're too lean for God sake". I could notice tears dropping from her eyes. I also wept inside my soul.
When I returned to London,I still refused to rent a room,still saving money to help friends,former school mates and some family members.
I knew one nice Nigerian man who was a cab driver then in South London.I used to call him Brother Adeola Ilupeju(I learnt he relocated to America 8 years ago!).He grew up in Ilupeju area of Mushin Lagos according to his childhood story.
I told him of my accommodation problem and he decided to direct me to his North London flat to sleep for few days but he had a very 'terrible and unfriendly' wife. He once warned me to ignore any silly behaviour of his Igbo wife.
"Mr Lasisi,I would finish my cab business around 11.30 pm, take the last train from Elephant and Castle, then go and wait for me at High Barnet station then I would come and pick you.If you do not have phone credit,just flash me two times."
I arrived at High Barnet train station for the first time in my life, that was the last station on Northern line if you look at London Underground tube map.
Some well-known Nigerians bought expensive mansions in High Barnet area of North London according to Brother Adeola.
Brother Adeola Ilupeju was very nice to me.I can never forget his uncommon kindness.He told his two little sons to vacate their bedroom for me.I refused to sleep in their bedroom for personal reasons.
" I would love to sleep on the rug.I do not wish to disturb your sons." I protested.
"This is winter time,my living room's heater is not working properly.Sleep in my sons' bedroom and they shall all sleep in the master bedroom with me and their mother." He declared.
"Bros Adeola, my body is used to London cold weather.Let me sleep on the rug, just get me a blanket to cover myself."
"You're free to check the kitchen and eat any available food you see."
I later entered the kitchen to drink warm tea plus bread and butter.Nothing more.
I noticed from the body language of his wife that I was not welcomed in the flat. My inner mind' told me she was not a friendly lady at all.I endured two nights in High Barnet and left the place, back to East street in South London to rent a small room, £60 per week!
I did not check any notice board of corner shops before I rented my £60 per week small room(£240 per month!).
I met one former university mate in front of Peckham library on one sunny afternoon.I told her of my accommodation problem and she gave me the mobile phone number of her husband's cousin with a vacant room to rent for just one person.
I had close to £1,000 in my bank account then due to my savings.I was just eating chicken and chips,fruits and plenty water. I called the landlady and she directed me to the flat.She instantly demanded for 2 weeks rent and 2 weeks deposit.I paid her £240 cash on the first day I came to check the small room.My small room was next to landlady's room.
Before I rented this small room,I met one young Nigerian man(Yoruba Christian guy) inside Peckham library.We later bonded as brothers.He came to London to study Accountancy.He first assumed I was a Christian and started calling me as 'Pastor Dare' but I politely corrected him.
He lived alone as a bachelor and worked all night,while locking his room with nobody inside his room.This guy's room was empty all night while I was 'technically' homeless in London.
I told him if he could allow me to sleep in his room all night while at work. He refused to help me and suggested one crazy solution which I could not even tell anybody till date.
To be continued.....
P.S...To celebrate my birthday,I am giving out 5 Glo and 5 MTN vouchers, N200 each.If you're not blessed with fast fingers.I wish you best of luck.Please check my updates from 8 am Nigerian time. My loyal fan(wonderful lady!)donated the mobile phone vouchers.
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