My name is Andrew. I live in Ojuelegba Surulere, Lagos state. It's been 5 years since I lost my parents. Pickpocketing became the part I choose just to survive. I could have chosen to be an errand boy for the big boys and help them sell drugs but I knew it was more risky. Hence, I chose to pickpocket. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to pickpocket huge sums of money while sometimes, I do not get lucky. I did not choose this part because it’s the best but I have no choice. The country is really hard and I still need to survive. I could not finish school because of my parent's death and no office is ready to employ an undergraduate with no certificate. I have realized that my country is for the rich and well-connected ones. I am not rich nor do I have connections, I’m just a poor boy that lives in Ojuelegba, Surulere fighting for his survival every day. Of cause, I have to survive cause I have bills to pay and I have two younger siblings to cater for. I wake up every morning, jumping buses just to survive. I did not imagine this life for me. I was studying mechanical engineering in school but after my parents’ death, life showed me another side of it that I never dreamt of having. Before they died, they advised me to ensure that no matter what happens, I should ensure I finished school. But who will pay my bills and also take care of my two younger siblings?
My dad’s younger brother has never asked about us after my parents’ death. I’m not surprised, that man has never been good. He is just a selfish fellow that goes around looking for whom to control.
I wish I can make the dreams of my parents come to fulfillment but my current situation has made it impossible. I could remember I applied for one scholarship I knew I was eligible for but when the winner of the scholarship was announced, I was disappointed it was not me. I felt angry and sad but I guess I was not eligible enough for the scholarship. Just when I was still contemplating why I did not emerge the winner, a hand tapped my shoulder, I looked back and it was my friend Samuel. Samuel informed me that I won the scholarship but they cheated and gave it to Adekunle.
I’m not surprised, Adekunle's father is well-connected. He was once the school's senior lecturer before he retired. I just could not hold back my tears. All I kept saying was, you see in this country (Nigeria) be well-connected to avoid being trampled upon. For Christ's sake! I knew I was among the brightest students in class. How come the least in the class got the scholarship? Anyway, it’s fine, when one door closes, another opens.
The session exhausted and we all went on holiday. I had hoped to work hard during the holiday to make up the money to pay my school fees for the next section. But it’s so disheartening that when you are planning for something, another thing comes up and disrupts your plan. My younger brother fell sick, and I used all the money I had saved up to make sure he got treatment. He got better but all my life savings were gone. After he recovered, life became tougher. We could barely eat three square meals a day. I took up menial jobs just for me and my siblings to survive. But it seemed these jobs I got were not just enough and they were not paying well either. I decided to make a decision I never imagined I will make and that was “pickpocketing”. When I started it, I was caught so many times but it takes constant effort to perfect a thing. I continued escaping whenever I got caught until I perfected my pickpocketing skills. Yes, I call it a skill because it’s not easy taking someone’s belonging without them being aware. I’m not proud of this path I chose but life happened.
My targets were always those that came to the city newly. I always identified the new ones in the city. These types of people are so easy to pickpocket because they do not know their left from their right. I continued doing this till my bucket got filled up. A saying goes this way “Every day is for the thief and one day is for the owner”
My younger sister woke up one night and told me that she dreamt of me being caught by some group of people. I was helpless in that dream and then she woke up. I told her not to worry and that I will be fine. She prayed for me and went back to bed. I knew I will be caught one day but I did not know how and when that will happen.
On Tuesday evening, I saw a red car drive into the area. A young man came out of the car. I noticed his body movements and I instantly knew he was new to the environment. I saw this as a big opportunity. I had to make the first move before another person will notice him because I knew I was not the only one in this hustle. I pretended and walked up to the guy, I asked him who he was looking for and he answered he was looking for an old-time friend. I asked him the name of the friend and he told me. But I let him know that the person he was looking for had left the area few months ago. Ojuelegba is a ghetto and we all know ourselves.
While I was questioning him, I was also pickpocketing him. I succeeded in taking his wallet. I was about to leave but he called me back and offered me a ride. At first, I refused because he might find out I took his wallet but he insisted. I finally accepted because I needed the lift, and it's been a long day for me coupled with the fact that I have not had anything to eat all day. We drove off. While we were talking in the car, he let me know that he knew I took his wallet. I was really surprised. He further explained to me that he did not want to create a scene which was why he did not cause an uproar out there. He told me a little bit about himself and I noticed he shared the same story similar to my current situation. He let me know that he was worse than me but what made us different was that he choose to become a better person despite all he went through. He requested I tell him what led me to this lifestyle. This was the juncture I told him the story of my life. After we finished talking, he dropped me off and promised to come see me and my siblings the next day. He came and saw me and my siblings and promised to help us in the best way he could. He sent me back to school to finish up while he took care of my siblings. I finished school and he offered me a job at the company he worked in. I just could not thank him enough. Just when I had given up on life, God was still beginning to write my story.
Today, I run a charity organization where I help youths (especially men) acquire tech skills since the World is becoming technologically advanced. I know I might not change the world but my little act of humanity will save a whole lot of young ones out there. Charity they say begins at home. Ojuelegba Surulere was the first place I focused on giving hope to many that had lost their hopes. It’s been two years since I established my organization, and I am happy to say that the journey has not been easy but it’s worth it. I also realized that many people took certain decisions not because they desired to but because situations made them take those decisions.
In Ojuelegba Surulere, Lagos State, many youths are still fighting for their survival. I’m just fortunate to be among the few that luck shined upon me.
I am happy I found a way to reach out to my people and let them know they can still turn their dreams into reality. I might not reach out to everyone but I will ensure I do my best. Yes, life offered me thorns but I made roses out of it.