The Drop Something Narrative
I and my friend was at Yan Kura market, Kano State some days back because I wanted to purchase an item. The trip was an unscheduled one which was why I didn't leave home early enough to beat the time. I bumped into the market and thought it wise to quickly get in.
It was past six and while I approached, I noticed that one part of the gate was closed and two security men stood by the gate. By implication, it means that the closing time for the market was 6pm. I get close and try to get in but I'm stopped by the security man who tells me that the market was closed for the day. As impatient as I was, I told him that I'll be fast moreover, I just need one item. He was going to let me go in only if I give him money to buy pyor worta.
Hmmmmm. Pleading wasn't going to make him change his mind, afterall even the hawkers that went in while we talked "dropped something". I had twenty naira on me so I reluctantly give it to him. I was angry in my spirit that I was going to give him a bribe for doing his duty. And yes, my friend was as impatient as I was so he obliged that I give him the money so we could leave. I give him the money and he lets me in.
Similarly, my mum was trying to process a document at the Federal High Court Port Harcourt and she is told by the man in charge that it is going to take till February 2019 to get it. She began this process in December 2018 BTW. The man confidently tells her that she could get the document earlier than February if she "drops something".
There's this magic that comes with dropping something in my dear country Nigeria and it works like magic. You want it sharp sharp? Drop something! Are you impatient? Drop something! My mum however got the document not in February but in April because she refused to drop anything. The craziest part of the story is that this document was dated February 2019 meaning that it was ready since February but she had no access to it because... She did not drop something!
The failure to drop something has made many Nigerians lose their entitlement and this isn't fair at all. From all indications, both the receiver and giver of a bribe is wrong. The reason that man at the market gate keeps asking for pyor worta money is that people like me who are in a hurry would always suffice. If there's no giver of bribe, there'll be no reciever. I still feel guilty that I gave bribe, I should have walked out on the offer and come back some other time.
Carry out your duty diligently and don't expect something to be dropped.
Peace.
It was past six and while I approached, I noticed that one part of the gate was closed and two security men stood by the gate. By implication, it means that the closing time for the market was 6pm. I get close and try to get in but I'm stopped by the security man who tells me that the market was closed for the day. As impatient as I was, I told him that I'll be fast moreover, I just need one item. He was going to let me go in only if I give him money to buy pyor worta.
Hmmmmm. Pleading wasn't going to make him change his mind, afterall even the hawkers that went in while we talked "dropped something". I had twenty naira on me so I reluctantly give it to him. I was angry in my spirit that I was going to give him a bribe for doing his duty. And yes, my friend was as impatient as I was so he obliged that I give him the money so we could leave. I give him the money and he lets me in.
Similarly, my mum was trying to process a document at the Federal High Court Port Harcourt and she is told by the man in charge that it is going to take till February 2019 to get it. She began this process in December 2018 BTW. The man confidently tells her that she could get the document earlier than February if she "drops something".
There's this magic that comes with dropping something in my dear country Nigeria and it works like magic. You want it sharp sharp? Drop something! Are you impatient? Drop something! My mum however got the document not in February but in April because she refused to drop anything. The craziest part of the story is that this document was dated February 2019 meaning that it was ready since February but she had no access to it because... She did not drop something!
The failure to drop something has made many Nigerians lose their entitlement and this isn't fair at all. From all indications, both the receiver and giver of a bribe is wrong. The reason that man at the market gate keeps asking for pyor worta money is that people like me who are in a hurry would always suffice. If there's no giver of bribe, there'll be no reciever. I still feel guilty that I gave bribe, I should have walked out on the offer and come back some other time.
Carry out your duty diligently and don't expect something to be dropped.
Peace.
Money for pyor worth happens every now and then. High places are not without the experience either. I know of a family friend who had to "drop something" for her project supervisor in a Nigerian university. Worst part is, he never spoke but asked her it she didn't know it was her "duty" to do that. She had been wondering why she wasn't making progress before she asked him, in her frustration what she had to do!
ReplyDeleteInside life 😂 😂
ReplyDeleteTrue! If there's no giver of bribe, there will be no receiver. The act of dropping something is as a result of our inability to obey societal rules. We are always impatient with the protocols, everyone wants to be the first because opportunities
ReplyDeletein Nigeria come only once, drop something and see the processes quickened for you. We need to learn new methods!