— Welcome Back to Nigeria
Chapter ten Little Beginnings – Temidun, who arrived late at Murtala International Airport, was glad to be back, even though the color of her skin did not change as Iya Ibeji had anticipated.
The joy people have in welcoming their loved ones back home is the same joy present in Iya Ibeji. It is likened to someone who has traveled to another planet only to return to Nigeria.
The memory of the little girl at their compound in Okesuna came flashing back. There was this little girl who usually skipped her meals whenever a letter came from her uncle overseas. If the letter arrived in the morning, breakfast would be automatically cancelled, and if it arrived in the afternoon, lunch would also be cancelled.
Not to mention later in the day. The joy people express from receiving anything abroad is without equal.
The little girl amazed a lot of people with her act, which was tagged as childishness. Though she had no father, her mother was the only support she had, as was her uncle, who stood as a father for her and her siblings. The joy of that little girl was at work when Iya Ibeji sighted her sister. The driver had taken her down to the airport to welcome her back to Nigeria.
The journey back to Ikoyi was smooth, as most people were already asleep, and the ambience was really cool for anyone to have a warm reflection. Ikoyi is usually a quiet and peaceful place filled with houses owned by elites and other people belonging to a higher class.
The only place they saw a lot of people was in Obalende, where they stopped to get the popular suya. Obalende Suya Junction is one of the most popular and visited places on Lagos Island where spicy meats on skewers are sold. The place is also known for its population and late-night sales.
Unable to keep quiet, Iya Ibeji had asked why there were so many people at the airport. She had always assumed that Lagos Island markets were the only place to find a lot of crowds. In markets where someone would step on you without looking back to apologize, you would also be thankful that your shoes weren’t ruined. At some point, one would wonder where the crowd came from—if they were actually humans or something else.
Iya Ibeji wanted to know why there were so many people at the airport, so she asked Temidun, who was already exhausted.
”Why were there so many people at the airport, Aunty Mi?” she wondered. ”Those you saw at the airport were those departing and arriving.” Moreover, she added, ‘’the number of people migrating out of Nigeria is rapidly increasing. People no longer see Nigeria as home.’’ ‘We know ourselves, don’t we?’’ Temidun asked.
‘’We Nigerians believe that home is anyplace we find acceptance. Luckily for us, we have been accepted by most people from different parts of the world.’’ She continued, ‘’ In as much as we continue to find home in any place, we must never take the home for granted and acceptance given to us.’’ Temidun concluded.
They finally arrived in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, where security hurriedly opened the gate.
Also Read CHAPTER NINE Little Beginnings
Temidun was surprised to see the security excited at her arrival. First, it was her sister who appeared to be happier than her on her safe arrival. Now it was the security with all smiles and happiness. The reason could not be farfetched; the month was coming to an end, and he was expressing his joy at her return.
The next morning turned out to be a cool one for everyone, especially because it was a Saturday and no one had to rush out of the house. Curiouser than she had ever been, she asked Temidun about Temitope. The twins had also come over from the school hostel, which was located in Yaba. Gaining admission to the prestigious University of Lagos made it easier to be close to their parents.
The twins sat close to their mother to hear what their aunt had to say about their only sister. While Temidun was recounting the hospitality she received from Kehinde and her family, Iya Ibeji interrupted her. ‘’We’ll talk about that later. Please tell me about my daughter first.’’ She said.
‘’How is Temitope doing? When will she be through with her studies?’’ Iya Ibeji asked.
Temidun, with a warm smile, responded calmly, ‘’Temitope is very fine.’’ ‘Just like our fathers would say, ‘oruko omo ni ro omo.’
‘’This is why we must name our children properly. I am glad we gave her the opportunity to study in America.’’ Temidun said.
Without hearing more, Iya Ibeji rendered Temitope’s oriki (praise). Filled with inspiration from the praise rendered by the oriki, Temidun said to her sister calmly, ‘’Aunty mi, you left everyone in the village because of the love you had for Baba Ibeji. Love found you a home here in Lagos, and a beautiful family came out of you.”’ Love has found your daughter in New York, and she might end up making a home for herself there with the young doctor.
Iya Ibeji could not contain the joy flowing inside of her. She burst into a song of praise, dancing all around the room to the amazement of Temidun’s children. At that moment, she wished her husband was close to her to celebrate his daughter’s success.
Almost immediately, she began crying, wishing the father of her children was present. Thankfully for her, the twins were there to console her. They also joined her in shedding tears, knowing that would quickly wipe away her tears.
Upon seeing this, she stopped her tears and diverted her attention to console her children in return. The strategy had worked. The atmosphere was back to being calm when Temidun suggested they all visit a family friend on the mainland so as to drop the twins off at Akoka, Yaba.
