27/03/2026
The Lagos beggar that crossed my path today at Ikorodu Garage will think twice before approaching someone like me again in his life… that is if he didn’t go and repent after what I did to him.
I was just on my own, heading to Oshodi. When I got to the BRT terminal, I saw a long queue. I quietly joined the standing line to secure my spot.
After about 15 minutes, a bus finally showed up. I stepped out to go and load my card, only to realize I didn’t carry my pouch where I usually keep my Cowry card. I didn’t want to waste money buying another one cause I already have like three at home. So I left the queue and decided to take those mini buses going to Oshodi instead, because those red buses would just waste my time.
As I was leaving the terminal, those Okada riders heading to Agric almost tore my clothes. At that point, frustration had already built up in my body.
Then this beggar started following me up and down, as if my village people sent him. Meanwhile, I see him there almost every time around the Okada riders, begging.
That was when I made up my mind: this one will carry all my frustration today. And somehow, it felt like God said, “Yes, go ahead, my son.”
So I gave him audience, and he entered my trap.
I asked him what happened. He said he was stranded and needed money to get to work at Oshodi, that his transport fare wasn’t complete.
I asked, “How much do you still need?”
He started stammering.
I already knew the werey just wan lie collect money.
I said, “No problem. Since you’re going to Oshodi, enter bus.”
He said, “Ah, this small bus is expensive o. I prefer the red bus.”
I told him, “Don’t worry, I’ll pay.”
The guy quickly realized that my level of madness was higher than his and immediately entered the bus without argument.
I sat in the front seat, and he sat behind me.
Before the journey started, he leaned forward and said, “Egbon, you don’t need to spend this much on me. I can still go and take standing in the red bus.”
I replied calmly, “Don’t worry, God will handle it.”
In my mind, I knew God would handle the money, but I would handle him personally.
We started the journey.
Anytime I turned to look at him, he was frowning, probably thinking about how I had ruined his business for the day.
Then we got to Ketu and this guy wanted to get down.
I almost changed it for him, but I stayed calm.
After I had paid ₦1500 for his transport to Oshodi, he now wanted to stop halfway? Impossible.
When I saw him trying to alight, I said, “We haven’t reached Oshodi yet,” pretending like maybe he was confused.
He replied, “Mo fẹ ra nkan ni ibi ni” (I want to buy something here).
I said, “You have money to buy something in Ketu, but you don’t have money for transport to Oshodi?”
I asked him what exactly he wanted to buy.
Instead of answering properly, he just said, “Don’t worry, brother, I’ll get it in Oshodi.”
At that point, I looked at him and said, “Whether you’ll get it in Oshodi or not, enter this bus now before I remove your teeth.”
He quietly adjusted himself and sat down quietly with no arguments.
We continued the journey.
When we finally got to Oshodi, he was even reluctant to say thank you because, clearly, I didn’t help him; I stressed him.
But that one no concern me.
I helped him get to Oshodi like he claimed. From there, he can trek back to Ikorodu and continue his begging business.
If he ever sees me again in Ikorodu, he will either run… or pretend he has never begged in his life.
Yushab Abolore Ayomide
