Opinion
By Val Obienyem
AS I departed from a place in Iponri, Lagos, just below the bridge where LASTMA officials are stationed, a neatly dressed young man confronted me. My initial reaction, as he requested a brief audience, was that he sought money for transportation or food.
The young man calmly expressed his need, disarming my assumptions by specifying it wasn’t money he sought. Curious, I inquired further, and he uttered emotionally, “Please, I am hungry. Do not give me money, but rather buy food for me.”
Food and shelter take precedence in the hierarchy of human desires. It’s only when these basic needs are met that one can spare time and resources for sex. Even philosophers often advise: “Primus edere, deinde philosophari” (“Eat first, then philosophize”). Devout individuals understand that hunger can distract from prayer.
So, what did I do? I escorted the young man to the nearest “Mama Put.” For clarity, Val prefers certified “Mama Put” over exotic eateries.
I allowed the young man to choose his meal. Timidly, he requested N300 worth of rice, N200 worth of beans, and one “pomo.” Silently, I asked the vendor to double his order, adding spaghetti, plantain, and three extra pieces of “pomo.” Before departing, I handed him a token of N5000. While the young man was elated, I couldn’t share his joy.
How could I be content when I am plagued by worries about where the next meal will come from? Truly, we are facing dire challenges in this country.
16th February, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: LASTMA Val Obienyem
