Akerele Odunayo Samuel

I know how much I’ve invested in you. Is it the all night wake or the time spent moving around just to get your food; is this how you bid me bye? I had spent a whole lot on you; time, money and energy just to make sure you are fine. And indeed I can say you were doing just fine until recently. Your death brings back to memory how important you are to me and to all humanity. You are just too unique; I remember how you turned a life that had been considered a waste into important and valuable products. How can I just forget how you turned a neglected land to fertile and productive land? You did not stop there; a land that’s scary to people you turned to a tourism that many now visit at will. How can I forget your role in bringing back that dying soul to life? My thought is that you’d stay with me forever. Is this really good bye for real? I’d been scolded, mocked on different occasions because of you. The world even painted me as an unserious dude because I take you serious.

I remember when I started teaching as a side hustle. I didn't really take it serious. The first student I encountered,  just walk up to me for asistance, and I taught him at no cost. The last time I met him, he is already a graduate. After I graduated from the university I taught in one, two, three or four places. But those seeds I sowed then jokingly have become trees, I mean  big trees. Just last month I met two of my students in one of the reputable university in Nigeria; one is studying Chemical engineer and the other Computer science. Those were the one I taught between 2017 and 2018. Some of the students I taught between 2015 and 2016 had graduated from universities while some are in their final year. Some of my students are still in secondary schools and they are doing fine. I have students that are not in school but follow their passion either as singers, comedian, etc. and they are as well doing fine. Why am I telling you this? Is it for show, or perhaps to

We lived in our own land Travelled near for fertile ground We struggled and hustled day and night Just to ensure things get right Our hard work met with success And the people we perceived to be brother Suddenly turn hater, And put our lives under duress In our home we are xenophiles Embracing foreigners like our own But here our own brother turn xenophobes Treating us like xeno bones Our years of investment they scattered Our bones turn to urban litter Is this hatred, jealousy or what? Are these people really of this planet? We've always thought city in the south  to be a safe haven Little did we know he was under colour As though he was one We are accused of drugs, prostitutions and the likes We ain't claiming saint here But all this we met here Yes, it's been here long before we came If there's anything wrong Call us to talk like brothers To settle all our differences Rather than treating us like foreigners Our years of in