Hello everyone, 

As Nigeria prepares for her election tomorrow, I am sharing the poem below on corruption and the Nigerian society. Hopefully, the election results in better leaders who are more accountable. 

I arrive the market at 12 noon and I see people running

There is pandemonium and the market women are raining curses

The able-bodied young men are picking up sticks

Others are looking for tires and petrol

I run for shelter in Mama Khadija’s stall and I ask her

Mama Khadija, ki lo ‘n’ sele?

Ole! She screams

The bastard stole one Derica of rice from Iya Risi

In her dramatic manner, she screams and curses this man

Her fellow market women join her

Not long after

The thief is caught

The young men armed with petrol, match boxes and tires are ready to deliver justice

The thief is whipped and beaten

Spurts of blood begin to appear

His frail skin begins to expose his bones

The tire is forced through his skinny head and it succumbs

He looks haggard, hungry and needy

The petrol is about to be poured but suddenly, everyone starts to run

The police are here and the man is free

He hands over the Derica of rice and the market women spit on him and rain curses as he walks away in shame

The next day I turn my T.V. on

I see another thief

But this time, the thief is receiving a king’s welcome

He is not haggard looking

He looks six months pregnant

The market women fall at his feet and the young men sing his praises

He stole millions yet he receives a hero’s welcome

I tell my friend

When you want to steal,

Steal big, steal plenty,

Steal a container of dollars and pounds sterling

Don’t steal a Derica of rice

Because my people have short memory

They celebrate their barawo kinsmen

And adore the ole who emptied our national purse

And worship teefing politicians  

I hope you enjoyed the poem! Don’t forget to comment and share!! 

Have a great weekend! 

Tobi 

• ki lo ‘n’ shele – What is happening?
• Ole- Yoruba word for thief 
• Barawo- Hausa word for thief 
• Derica- a cup unit for measurement in Nigerian markets
• Teef- Pidgin word for thief