So today was environmental sanitation day. In the two years since I have lived here, I have never once gone outside my house to clean the surroundings and haven't seen anyone else do so. The entire neighbourhood treats it like just another holiday with everyone acting too big to come out and sweep the environment. When I was younger, it was an amazing time. It was a time that the entire neighbourhood used to look forward to, a time when the fat and thin fathers would come out to supervise the kids and wards as they swept, packed the rubbish, set fire to something (waste or not), and then pretend to be busy until the parents left. As soon as the compound was cleaned for another month, the parents would head inside to have the tenants association meeting where they will argue and fight all morning over some dues or some remnants of dues or some use of the past dues...it always has to do with dues. Money does that to grown people.
So anyways, as soon as they left, the kids will then start everything from planning the next mischief to the house maids settling old quarrels to the senior kids talking big just to make the smaller ones envious. It was quite a communion and at the end, all grouses would be buried, all laughter would have returned and all waste would have been disposed of...for another month. It kept everyone in everyone else's business.
So it was quite the shocker when I grew up and moved into my own house...and realised that the camaraderie I witnessed growing up was not automatic. I suddenly realized that it was a conscientious effort on the part of our parents to create an environment of togetherness and that if left alone, human beings would rather be alone. Not for nothing than just the attitude of "if it's doesn't block my doorway and it doesn't harm my kids, its someone else's problem". And that's how we have dealt with everything in my compound. The dustbin is at the front of the house so no one cares to ensure it is emptied, the soak away is underground so no one cares to know if it's time to evacuate it, the security post is in disrepair but who's problem is that? We only say hello and hi when we stumble on each other at the end of a day after work or on our way out to some event for which we must be exquisitely dressed.
And so today, for the first time ever, in the pouring rain, all five long-term neighbours (yes, I'm now classified long term too), came out to weed the grass, pack the rubbish and then naturally stand around and discuss outstanding issues in the compound. It brought back memories of my childhood in a very good way. We have resolved the dustbin, we have addressed grievances and we have discussed politics, all in one short morning. We have renewed friendships and can live together peacefully for another month. There is indeed good to be found in this forced sanitation days...especially in the un-informed analysis of political goings-on in the country.
It leaves me speechless when I hear the deep seated perceptions of normal Nigerians based on absolutely no facts. Did you know for instance, that the reason why otedola is exposing Farouk lawan dates back all the way to the fact that Farouk lawan removed the former house of representatives leader, Patricia eteh? I mean? And she in turn was made leader of the house of representatives because her god-father happens to be the former president, obasanjo?! Blimey! All of these things I had NO idea but now I'm wiser thanks to my very knowledgable neighbours who also heard these "facts" from another gossip session at some undisclosed location by some undisclosed individuals. And now you all know too. Thank me later.
So anyways, I hope you all had a great time this morning. And do enjoy your week. Hopefully, nothing will explode and kill more Christians tomorrow and all will be well with the world. Nuff said.
See y'all around peeps!
So anyways, as soon as they left, the kids will then start everything from planning the next mischief to the house maids settling old quarrels to the senior kids talking big just to make the smaller ones envious. It was quite a communion and at the end, all grouses would be buried, all laughter would have returned and all waste would have been disposed of...for another month. It kept everyone in everyone else's business.
So it was quite the shocker when I grew up and moved into my own house...and realised that the camaraderie I witnessed growing up was not automatic. I suddenly realized that it was a conscientious effort on the part of our parents to create an environment of togetherness and that if left alone, human beings would rather be alone. Not for nothing than just the attitude of "if it's doesn't block my doorway and it doesn't harm my kids, its someone else's problem". And that's how we have dealt with everything in my compound. The dustbin is at the front of the house so no one cares to ensure it is emptied, the soak away is underground so no one cares to know if it's time to evacuate it, the security post is in disrepair but who's problem is that? We only say hello and hi when we stumble on each other at the end of a day after work or on our way out to some event for which we must be exquisitely dressed.
And so today, for the first time ever, in the pouring rain, all five long-term neighbours (yes, I'm now classified long term too), came out to weed the grass, pack the rubbish and then naturally stand around and discuss outstanding issues in the compound. It brought back memories of my childhood in a very good way. We have resolved the dustbin, we have addressed grievances and we have discussed politics, all in one short morning. We have renewed friendships and can live together peacefully for another month. There is indeed good to be found in this forced sanitation days...especially in the un-informed analysis of political goings-on in the country.
It leaves me speechless when I hear the deep seated perceptions of normal Nigerians based on absolutely no facts. Did you know for instance, that the reason why otedola is exposing Farouk lawan dates back all the way to the fact that Farouk lawan removed the former house of representatives leader, Patricia eteh? I mean? And she in turn was made leader of the house of representatives because her god-father happens to be the former president, obasanjo?! Blimey! All of these things I had NO idea but now I'm wiser thanks to my very knowledgable neighbours who also heard these "facts" from another gossip session at some undisclosed location by some undisclosed individuals. And now you all know too. Thank me later.
So anyways, I hope you all had a great time this morning. And do enjoy your week. Hopefully, nothing will explode and kill more Christians tomorrow and all will be well with the world. Nuff said.
See y'all around peeps!
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