Local2Global with Ada Africa - My Naira Crunch Story: For the 1st Time I Cursed Nigeria

With the death of my dad in Jan. 2023, I stayed in the village and got so engrossed with renovation work and other burial preparation that I forgot my trip to the US. Two days to my flight to the US, I rushed back to the city and bundled everything inside my bag and headed to Lagos.

I arrived in Lagos on Sunday and at night, I unbundled my bag and I discovered I forgot a few vital items but the most essential one was my two USD debit cards. I called my sister to check them so it could be sent with the first bus from Asaba on Monday. She searched and couldn’t find them.

I settled my mind to go to the bank the following morning and get a new dollar card. I can’t embark on the trip without a card or cash as I would be stranded right from the airport on arrival.

The first bank I went to did not open for business. I enquired from the security and he directed me to another nearby branch. I trekked to the branch, same story. I picked a Bolt (hailing taxi like Uber) to the third branch, I was told there was no network.

I got confused and started making calls to know why the banks in Lagos do not open for business. I was told it was due to the attack on some banks in the past weeks because of the naira crunch so fear caught most banks to open. The relation I called after explaining to him my ordeal directed me to go to Island, that corporate banks will be able to deal with such dollar issues fast.

The entire cash I have as a human being was N600 only so I resorted to using Bold so they can deduct money from my card. All the rides I ordered to take me to the Island asked me to cancel the ride. I was cancelling quickly and ordering a new ride. I was shocked after the 4th ride was cancelled. I was barred from ordering a ride. REASON: because I have cancelled numerous times.

I was walking on Lagos Street confused, thinking of what to do next. Yeah! N600 can take me to the Island. Let me get there first, and worry less of how I would come back. I boarded the public transport and spent N500 to land at the bank’s headquarters.

The security informed me that the headquarters was recently moved to another location. They gave me a description of how to get there and the cost. Involuntarily, tears rolled down as I had only N100 with me and I couldn't book a ride. I asked if I could trek it, NO was the answer.

I walked away and started entering any branch of the bank I sighted. The first one refused to grant me access to enter. Many customers were waiting too. I explained to the security guard my ordeal. He went inside and came back with the feedback that the debit card was unavailable.

I continued with my ‘hiking’, it was the same story for the next two branches I got to. I was exhausted, it was past 2pm and I haven’t had breakfast. My priority was to get the card before any other activity for the day. The next branch I saw, I explained to the security officer my ordeal, he said he didn't understand what I was saying, and rather I should go in and explain myself to the Manager. He directed me where I will meet the manager.

As I strolled inside the bank, the Manager, a fair young lady first sighted me and started commenting on my fashion attire and the one I have on my head and next, tears rolled down from my eyes. She was shocked and ran to get a seat for me. She took her time to calm me down, gave me a napkin/serviette to dry my tears and beckoned me to talk to her.

After she listened to me, she assured me I will get a new card in less than 40mins and it happened. I thought I had conquered and done for the day. Didn’t know another hassle was awaiting.

I went to the bank ATM to confirm the card was working, all the ATMs were not working. I went to two other banks, none were working. I started slogging again looking for banks where the ATM works. The sun was too much for me to bear but because I do not want to get stranded on landing in New York, I struggled to continue the search. Finally, I found an ATM that worked and confirmed the card work.

Time to go back to the mainland, how do I go back? I have only N100 left with me. I checked the Bold app, I was still barred from booking a ride. I asked for directions to the mainland, I was shown and so Ada Africa started trekking from Island to mainland under the scorching sun.

I was completely exhausted and worn out. Buses to Yaba kept passing by but I couldn't board, no shishi with me. I picked courage to board one knowing I don’t have the N300 bus fare. Time to pay, I asked the conductor if he could collect transfer. The conductor looked at me and started raining curses on me. I didn’t say a word, rather collected all the insults with prayers.

We got to the final bus stop, I pleaded with the conductor to take the N100 I had. He collected it without a word. I was happy and said a word of prayer for him. To get to my hotel, I had to trek from Yaba to NRC headquarters and the sunshine was horrible. It was on it I discovered one market where ndị mmụọ sell and package Igbo foodstuffs for travelers. (I will tell the story in another write-up). I was staggering on the road, not even a dime to buy water to drink. I was no longer myself.

Meanwhile I was on the phone with a relation I called earlier in the morning to get me food, water etc to the hotel. I staggered and arrived at the hotel and went straight to soak myself in the bathroom. Out from the bathroom, I delved into the food and drink. It was night already, no strength to pack my bag for the trip the next day. I went to sleep.

The next morning, due to the prolonged trekking I did, my legs were aching. The relation gave me little cash, so I bought other things I forgot and dashed to the airport. I boarded and sat on my seat inside the aircraft and with the body pains, for the first time in my life, I cursed and cursed the country called Nigeria. And right there made plans not to come back to Nigeria but the Africa in me won’t let me do that.

Every week while in the US, I will call Nigeria to know whether the naira crunch is still on. I vowed never to return until it is over. It was a nightmare experience.

What is your naira crunch story?

Ada Africa

local2global4@gmail.com

L2G with Ada Africa: GETTING VISAS WITHOUT USING PAID AGENTS

In all the 24 countries I have been to, none did I use an agent. I have less idea how the use of agents works. Using agents is good and helpful but know this…

I am not a travel agent or run a travel tour outfit like I see many today run online just because they have travelled once or twice, then set one up and bill desperate japa applicants.

Sam (not real name) has been my mentee and also volunteers supporting the work we do at WHAIafrica. People like him, I go all the way to offer them many opportunities for free. But Sam made a caricature of our project discussion via one of his careless jokes. When I made him understand what he did, he insulted me on top join, so I smiled and left him.

He called several times to inquire about the US visa that he got an institute inviting him for a program in the US. I felt it was the right time to penalize him for his careless joke, so I ghosted his calls and intentionally referred him to travel agents. Weeks after, he was still calling me. One day, I reluctantly picked his call. He narrated the ordeal and outrageous amount the agents charged him.

I smiled and asked him to pay the 400k with assurance that even if he got the interview date brought forward, he won’t get the visa. Well, at last I decided to help him even though I’ve not forgiven him.

· I edited his invitation letter, put in missing vital parts and with the right terminologies

· Asked his sponsors to reprint it using the letter headed paper

· The available interview date was 2024 while the scheduled US program is April 2023, he was crying and didn’t book the date.

· I ordered him to book that 2024 available date and he did

· Then request for emergency visa and uploaded the authenticated vital docs

· In less than 24hours he was scheduled for visa interview to take place in 48hours at Abuja

· I got him prepared for the interview

I forgot to call Sam before the interview but by past 10am when I knew his interview would have been over, I sent him a text that read, ‘CONGRATULATIONS’. He bursted into laughter and asked, “How did you know?” He narrated how everyone before him was denied a visa.

“I had no doubt that you not getting the visa. I know what the Americans want and those were the contents in your documents and most importantly, they were all genuine”, I told him. So, next month, Sam will be joining me here in the US.

What about you, are you coming? Lol. Unfortunately, I can’t do this for everyone.

Stick to this page as I write other experiences concerning getting visas or visa denials from first world countries.

You will learn, avoid the necessary and prepare ahead.

Tag and share with others who might need this knowledge.

Recognize what God has called you to be, accept the gifts He has given you and start building on them!

Ada Africa Udegboka

+2348033842029

empower@whisperinghopeafrica.com

WHY AND HOW I KILLED MY DAD: CONCLUDING PART

On arrival at his Onitsha residence, I was greeted with neighbors who came to grieve with my family. One of them asked me, “Is it because of the birthday celebration?” I answered, YES, I killed him with the birthday event. He shuts his mouth.

The next day, more sympathizers were trooping in and discussion ensued. That was when I learnt there was a time when it was rumored that celebrating birthdays for the elderly send them to the grave. One said it was the birthday preparation that caused accidents that affected two of my family members. Chai!

And these are staunch Christians whom I was surprised believed such trash. I listed names of Octogenarian Nigerians whose birthdays were celebrated and didn’t die afterwards.

I barely attend funerals, but the following week I spent three days at a burial of a distant relative in the village to observe how burials are done.

While there, people were condoling with me on the death of Udesco, my dad. One young educated woman screamed at me, “Why the birthday?” Stating that immediately she saw that on social media, she knew the man would die. I listed those Octogenarian names and asked her, “Why are they still living after the family celebrated their 80th birthday?” She was silent.

I feel sorry how people have been brainwashed to believe such a scrap.None of these people were close to my dad to feel his health status but are all out shouting ‘birthday killed him’ from afar.

He could have died in 2022 if not the fast actions taken and God also delayed him to witness his wishes in life. Read part 1 and 2 to understand better.

Some others came to condole with me and after the normal greetings asked what am I preparing for them on that day? I told them I have done everything I could while he was alive, I will bury him decently, no flamboyant spending.

“Ah!, you mean you will not keep hot drinks for us”? They abused me that I shouldn’t try such.

“Don’t you know you should have been saving money for years knowing that you will be the one to bury your dad?”

“Thank your God, your father built a house before he died, if not, you and your siblings will build a house before the funeral”

“Don’t ever say you will not do burial carnival for him, I spent N32million to bury my own mother”

“If you don’t have the money, sell one of your cars and use the money to bury your father”

“I don’t drink Hero or Star, make sure that Heineken is available that day”

“O ga-ato be gi? Others have been doing it, so it will not be different when it gets to your turn. Please do not disgrace us”.

“It is not good to just bury him like that ka ndi hausa, without ceremony. Make a big noise, kill at least 15 cows, break records and if you don’t have the money, borrow. You will be surprised you will make a lot of money after the burial”.

I confided in one that I have a medical challenge I need to focus on for now. He said, “Your father’s burial should be your priority for now. After the burial, you can then take care of yourself.

”I heard more that I could not put up here but in each of their utterances, I gave them the reason why I shouldn’t fall for their belief or burial lifestyle.

All that they said might be good but they should not impose them on me as if they are traditions and must be done.

Listening to my brother listing what and what to spend money on, I developed a headache. I asked, “Are all these compulsory?” He said, is it because I don’t go to functions and see what people do. I hands off.

I heard about, ‘Akwa ogo” for the first time, that if we don’t do ‘entertainment’ to inform them that our father is late, they won’t come for the burial.

Some have asked, “Won’t you print and send invitation cards to your friends for the funeral?” Must one wait for a special invitation to attend a funeral?

We have drifted so much away from the true meaning of burying the dead. Because a family has so much wealth to squander on funerals like Obi Cubana and friends did, you now made it a tradition that everyone should do the same or something similar.

I know of a man not well taken care of while he was sick. When he died, the family said their papa must ride in a Jeep, so they borrowed money to contract Apams to do the usual funfair they do with a casket.

I rather use the money for the burial carnival or funfair to offset hospital bills of a discharged patient at the government hospital or support a startup whose enterprise is solving a problem in the society.

Ada Africa invests in the living not on the dead. I haven’t said you should do like me and don’t impose your own style on me either.

Let me conclude with this quote, “Let’s learn how to take care of our loved ones when they are alive and not waste money when they are dead.” - Anambra State Burial Law. The law that is only existing on paper.

Let Peace Reign!

©Udegboka, Nkechi Tessie (Ada Africa)

+2348033842029

local2global4@gmail.com