Today, I relearned what I've always known but maybe escaped my mind due to the level of hate we consume in Nigeria daily.
We are forced to swallow violence and hostility so often that acts of kindness, simple acts of kindness seem extraordinary to us!
Anger and bitterness has now grown and taken root inside us due to the corruption and poverty Nigeria is synonymous for.
Today, a man stopped at the bus stop and picked a friend, then he opened the back door and called the bus stop I was heading to, and it was where majority of the crowd at the bus stop were headed too.
Imagine the drama that happened in that split second...
We jumped in fast and furious style.
Survival of the fittest
He carried four
I thanked God I made it!!!
It was a small vehicle, with the looks of a commercial feel.
He also didn't look like an office person, he had a simple shirt, I couldn't get a glimpse of his pants.
I assumed it was the regular clothes Lagos drivers are known for
He wore an Afro
Combed but dusty
He was your regular Lagos taxi driver, judging from his appearance.
It was an interesting ride.
They all talked about the Lagos government, federal government, lastma and Nigeria.
The usual hocus pocus you hear everyday in a commercial vehicle or bus.
I kept mute as usual.
Then the first guy alighted, and in a shocking move, he just closed the door and walked away.
All the time in the ride, I had my earpiece on and was holding my cash waiting for him to ask for payment so I can pay up.
Then this uncle just alighted and walked away as if he was friends with the driver.
I was almost believing my assumption that probably they knew themselves, when I noticed the shocking look on the driver's face, or disgusting look.
Maybe the passenger felt it or his humanity switch was turned on.
He quickly turned back and ran to the car shouting wait o, sorry your money, your money, take your money.
Then the driver turned and said, I just want your thank you.
"I just want your thank you"
This was his price for the ride he gave us.
I was beyond impressed
Even before I alighted I paid him in full.
Now I was interested in him, so I listened and paid attention.
Looks can really be deceptive
He had the looks of a man whom life had beaten hard, yet was soft spoken.
But he was more human than most people in fancy and classy cars.
He saw a window to show kindness and love, not an opportunity to cash in like most people do.
He saw people needing help to get to their destination, not opportunity to get money for fuel.
When I alighted, I still paid him in full with gratitude.
He could have driven off with his friend in front, or charged us all and made #600 just like that because now they charge #150 for a #100 trip.
But he just asked for thank you!
This shabbily dressed, rough looking man demonstrating such pure act of kindness
I kept thinking about the empty cars on the road with only the driver.
Several cars able to offer help or show acts of kindness to one or two persons but can't or won't.
Due to fear!
Dear or indifference
Fear of impeding danger
Fear of getting robbed
Fear of getting killed or even kidnapped.
Fear has made kindness a scarce commodity, only the brave and the few and afford it.
In a society where it is so easy to hate and resort to violence, acts of kindness no matter how small, is big and larger than life.
This is who we are
This is how we should be
Who turned off our humanity switch
Please take control of your kindness
Turn it back on and do the humane thing
This is the gospel you need to express
Don't just preach kindness
Be it
Remember my book Water and Fire is still on sale, get your copy now.
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Kingdavid Chinaeke Ofunne
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