— How It All Started
Lagos, a city of many dreams, is a land filled with many opportunities as well as unmatched expectations. Like men who returned to Abusi Edumare and men who rocked Ijebu Igbo after returning from Lagos, Tunji hoped he would one day find his way to that land of many dreams.
He knew the stories of men who worked like dogs in Lagos and returned every Christmas to spend their money in their hometown. He digested stories of men who wouldn’t have made it big had they stayed back in Abusi Edumare without setting foot in Lagos. He forgot about Suraju and Bayepe, who farmed their way to the top. He dismissed the idea of being patient, like Principal Egba, who trained students from Ago Iwoye and Oru to become academic champions in Ijebu Igbo.
Little did he know that even in the land of opportunities, there is no food for a lazy man.
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“Iya Oja,” come and welcome your baba oko, Tunji’s father called to his wife.
“Baba oko mi, you are most welcome.” Tunji’s mother kneeled before her husband’s younger brother.
“I have prepared your favourite egusi soup just the way you like it. I wanted to prepare ikokore as well, but your brother insisted I reserve it for when you are leaving with Tunji. Not to worry, enjoy this egusi and hot pounded yam first.“
With a delighted heart, Baba Dalemo appreciated the woman, who was all sweaty from pounding the hot and fluffy yam for her brother-in-law.
“Thank you, Iyawo Mi. No wonder my brother has no eyes for other women. You truly know the way to a man’s heart.”
Having heard about Baba Dalemo’s arrival and his father’s plans to send him to Lagos, Tunji hurried home, leaving the sack of ponmo left unsold at the station market.
The 2000 white Peugeot 504 vehicle outside the house with mudded tyres made him beam with smiles, and he quickly ran inside the house to greet his uncle.
Baba Dalemo, who lay on the sofa with his Danshiki, jumped off the bed and grabbed his nephew.
“What is it, you, this boy?”
Alarmed at Tunji’s presence, he warned him never to behave like a lout again.
“Where are you coming from in such an uncoordinated manner?”
“I was at the station market to sell the ponmo Adisa left with me. I have been working hard these days. Did my father not tell you how I recently got the most votes for the most trusted men among our maidens? The moment everyone heard I was going to Lagos, they began to offer me jobs. People usually hesitate to call me when eating; they hide their food from me! The last time I visited Adisa, he told me he couldn’t allow someone like me to sell his ponmo. But today, he saw how promising my future was. He knew that even though I could not make it in Ijebu, I would make it in Lagos.”
“And did you bother to sell anything today?”
“I could have, if only I didn’t have to rush home. I thought those students from college would patronise me as I promised everyone a 50 percent discount, only for me to realise they thought I was selling counterfeits since Adisa would never give them that much discount.
“I have told Adisa to be more generous with his ponmo. Though I could not sell anything today, I managed to give him the advice that those who went to Oxford College from this town wouldn’t give for free.”
“No wonder; no, I understand. I wondered why Iya Oja could serve me that much, even promising extra. In the entire fifteen years I spent with your father, I never ate such a meal.”
Tunji’s father, who was now relieved at his son’s introduction, patted his brother’s shoulders.
“We have seen more; just bear with us.”
The day gradually calmed until sunset, when Iya Oja suggested they sleep early in order for Baba Dalemo to gain energy for the early morning trip.
“Baba oko mi, we may not have had the best relationship while you lived with us, but that can change with Tunji. Please, let him have a good life in Lagos. We know he is a lot to carry with you to that great place, but his father and I are convinced that even as you managed to become a successful businessman in Lagos without that much support, Tunji, with your family’s support, can do well and return to Ijebu Igbo to help others as well. We really appreciate this sacrifice you are about to make.”
Tunji was happy to journey to Lagos with his uncle and promised his parents to never return home until he became richer than Baba Oloko, the richest man in Ijebu, Igbo.
