Wednesday June 05
2013
The sleep got sweeter in the wee hours of the morning.
Why does it always happen like that? It was a bit of a struggle to get up. How
I wish today was a Saturday. I woke up late, my master sleep slaved me so much.
I didn't do Open Heavens. I sent my boss a text when I got to the office that I
want to get to the school. He asked me to wait behind so I can take a package
to Ben. As soon as he arrived I took the package and set out on a journey. I
sieved through the traffic to Oniru bus stop then walked over to Mega Plaza. Today a lot is riding on me. I'm gonna be like man of steel and save the day.
I went to the Watch Doctor's shop at Mega Plaza to fix my
Kenneth Cole watch. I thought it was a battery problem which will cost me
N1000. But when it was opened, they told me something disturbingly different.
According to them, rust has affected the engine. I blame the rain for the rust.
It will now cost N8000 to fix which comes with seven month guarantee. Nope I
can’t pay that. I can get a good brand new watch for that amount. I made my way
to the next office on my list. I was a few blocks away from the post office
Victory when called. I had wanted to call him earlier. He said the package has
arrived, that makes things easy cuz I'm on my way to the post office. I got to
the post office, the package just arrived. They haven't even logged it in yet.
I grabbed the package and left. Mission accomplished one less thing to worry
about.
Next stop is Caxton-Martins office on the 9th floor of
St. Nicholas Hospital Building at Marina. I picked up a green tie and two black
stockings from one of the boutiques on my way to Caxton-Martins. Mr. Ben was in
a meeting so I dropped the package with Jumoke the receptionist for as long as
I can remember. The first day I went to Caxton-Martins some years ago, I was
singing Quando Quando Quando by Michael Bublé feat. Nelly Furtado. I love the
song. She was at reception then. She lighted up with such inexplicable
excitement. She gleefully announced to me she has been singing the same song
all day! To drive her point home conclusively, she called out a colleague on the
intercom. The young handsome man came and she asked him
Jumoke: What song have been playing and singing today
The guy: Quando quando quando
The guy blurted out the much anticipated answer. The
atmosphere was electrifying. We felt connected. Ever since then we've been
friends. I became her man of steel and she my Lois Lane. She gives me special attention whenever I come around. Sometimes I
purposely make unusual demands to see what she'll do and she never disappoints.
I wasn't so chatty today and I didn't realize it but she noticed it. She
inquired what the matter was and I answered that I'm tired and thirsty. She did
her magic and a glass of water chilled to my taste was in front of me. It was
highly refreshing, I thanked her. She's a darling. I left Caxton-Martins for
the Nigeria Police Station Alagbon Ikoyi. I had to go through Obalende.
At Obalende I saw some policemen on duty on the road. My
instinct or my spirit ministered to me to ask a particular policeman for
direction. I don't know where this Alagbon police station is. Man of steel do need help sometime especially kryptonite is involved. This is the first
time in my entire life of going to the police station on my own and the second
time I've ever been to a police station. The first time I escorted a friend to
see a high ranking officer regarding a vandalization case at his place of work.
Funny enough it’s the same Ikoyi but different police station. As God will have
it the policeman I met Inspector Nwambu Remigius happened to come from Imo,
Mbaise to be precise. I told him I wanted to do a police report. He gave me direction and also gave me a name of whom I
should meet. He warned me that other policemen will be all over me hustling to
attend to me once I get there that's why he gave the name.
Immediately I pictured touts that infest the Immigration
office, hustlers at the markets like Yaba, money changers at Eko or Federal
Palace Hotels. They all have one nasty thing in common, they hustle for
customers even to point of fight sometimes. Then I tried to picture the
policemen behaving in the same manner at the station, it was a disgrace. In my
mind I was like Inspt you are employing hyperbole right? As I was leaving he
added;
I stay here so
when you are leaving if there's anything, you can see me here.
I almost forgot you are a Nigerian policeman. Nevertheless I'm very grateful for his assistance.I got to
the Alagbon Police Station and warning played out more than I anticipated. It
was a dynamic disgrace! They rushed like I was warned. I was so ashamed of my
country's police force. There is the main Force Criminal Investigation
Department (FCID) and the annex building. The officers in these two building
from what I saw literally hustle for ''customers'' Each building had one or two
men stationed outside the entrance like a lookout. They were all calling me to
come and ''shop'' at their different ''shops'' just the way hustlers at Yaba
market does it. They almost tore my limbs apart as they dragged me. If I were an actual man of steel, I would've thought them a tiny lesson about dragging someone who don't know.
IT WAS SO SHAMEFUL! I WAS SO ASHAMED OF THE
POLICE FORCE!!!
Are they paid on commission of sales, I mean cases they
record daily? Is the bribe here that lucrative? Unfortunately I didn't get
their names. For sake of clarity let me label them Dragger Main and Dragger
Annex for the main and annex building respectively. I have a piece of reference
from Inspector Nwambu so all this gragra won't get them anything. I went to the
annex. I spoke to the man behind the counter. I've forgotten his name. His
approach appeared like a real police work. But don’t be fooled it’s all a
marketing strategy act. I handed him the note from Inspector Nwambu and you can
visibly tell he was highly disappointed. As he was coming to terms with the
loss of a potential customer, another officer clad in mufti entered, I'm
guessing his rank is above that of the man attending to me. He came in
accompanied by Dragger Main.
He came to inquire why ''customer'' i.e. me going to
their ''shop'' was cornered! Can you believe that?!! Then Dragger Main made a
remark that Dragger Annex should be warned not to behave like that again. This
shameless show of shame all played out before my eyes! It all happened too
quickly. I stood there, mind, body and soul paralyzed with disappointment. It
turned out Inspector Jeremiah's office is the main building. I was directed to
his office. I explained myself that I need a police report. He said it will cost me N10000. I knew he just
set the scene for price haggling. I asked Inspector Nwambu to give me an idea
of the fee but he declined cunningly telling me he has no idea I believe he was
lying. He may be telling the truth too.
I said I have N5000 he accepted. The way he accepted
convinced me beyond doubt that the fee has to be a lot less than N5000. Long
story short, I got the police report and left. I didn't go back to Inspector
Nwambu like the three wise men didn't go back to King Herod. The ticket I
booked for Ugo's mum had a little issue and she missed her flight. Aero
couldn't synchronize seamlessly with their numerous bank payment outlets. Ugo
sent me a text asking where I made payment. I replied with the wrong bank.
Enterprise and Keystone bank always confuse me. It was a lot easier when they
were Spring Bank and Bank PHB! He called me, yelled a bit that I should sort
the problem. He then sent me an Aero staff number. I called and sorted it out.
Victory called. I told him my progress and he was audibly
thrilled. I saved the day on that on getting the police report. He suggested I mail the police report to him immediately which makes sense. On my way
back to Lekki I checked DHL and Fedex. The charge was N11,000 and N7,680 for
DHL and Fedex respectively. Victory preferred DHL cuz it'll be faster. I sent
the package on its way to overseas. I branched at Shoprite to grab dinner. I
went home straight as the crow flies. Amara was at home chatting away with
Fifi. I greeted them. She cooked okra soup, this time around she didn't leave
any for me. That's better cuz the last time she did I only ate the meat. I
don't really her brand of okra soup. They left shortly. I ate my dinner and
went to bed.
Wednesday June 05
2013
The sleep got sweeter in the wee hours of the morning.
Why does it always happen like that? It was a bit of a struggle to get up. How
I wish today was a Saturday. I woke up late, my master sleep slaved me so much.
I didn't do Open Heavens. I sent my boss a text when I got to the office that I
want to get to the school. He asked me to wait behind so I can take a package
to Ben. As soon as he arrived I took the package and set out on a journey. I
sieved through the traffic to Oniru bus stop then walked over to Mega Plaza. Today a lot is riding on me. I'm gonna be like man of steel and save the day.
I went to the Watch Doctor's shop at Mega Plaza to fix my
Kenneth Cole watch. I thought it was a battery problem which will cost me
N1000. But when it was opened, they told me something disturbingly different.
According to them, rust has affected the engine. I blame the rain for the rust.
It will now cost N8000 to fix which comes with seven month guarantee. Nope I
can’t pay that. I can get a good brand new watch for that amount. I made my way
to the next office on my list. I was a few blocks away from the post office
Victory when called. I had wanted to call him earlier. He said the package has
arrived, that makes things easy cuz I'm on my way to the post office. I got to
the post office, the package just arrived. They haven't even logged it in yet.
I grabbed the package and left. Mission accomplished one less thing to worry
about.
Next stop is Caxton-Martins office on the 9th floor of
St. Nicholas Hospital Building at Marina. I picked up a green tie and two black
stockings from one of the boutiques on my way to Caxton-Martins. Mr. Ben was in
a meeting so I dropped the package with Jumoke the receptionist for as long as
I can remember. The first day I went to Caxton-Martins some years ago, I was
singing Quando Quando Quando by Michael Bublé feat. Nelly Furtado. I love the
song. She was at reception then. She lighted up with such inexplicable
excitement. She gleefully announced to me she has been singing the same song
all day! To drive her point home conclusively, she called out a colleague on the
intercom. The young handsome man came and she asked him
Jumoke: What song have been playing and singing today
The guy: Quando quando quando
The guy blurted out the much anticipated answer. The
atmosphere was electrifying. We felt connected. Ever since then we've been
friends. I became her man of steel and she my Lois Lane. She gives me special attention whenever I come around. Sometimes I
purposely make unusual demands to see what she'll do and she never disappoints.
I wasn't so chatty today and I didn't realize it but she noticed it. She
inquired what the matter was and I answered that I'm tired and thirsty. She did
her magic and a glass of water chilled to my taste was in front of me. It was
highly refreshing, I thanked her. She's a darling. I left Caxton-Martins for
the Nigeria Police Station Alagbon Ikoyi. I had to go through Obalende.
At Obalende I saw some policemen on duty on the road. My
instinct or my spirit ministered to me to ask a particular policeman for
direction. I don't know where this Alagbon police station is. Man of steel do need help sometime especially kryptonite is involved. This is the first
time in my entire life of going to the police station on my own and the second
time I've ever been to a police station. The first time I escorted a friend to
see a high ranking officer regarding a vandalization case at his place of work.
Funny enough it’s the same Ikoyi but different police station. As God will have
it the policeman I met Inspector Nwambu Remigius happened to come from Imo,
Mbaise to be precise. I told him I wanted to do a police report. He gave me direction and also gave me a name of whom I
should meet. He warned me that other policemen will be all over me hustling to
attend to me once I get there that's why he gave the name.
Immediately I pictured touts that infest the Immigration
office, hustlers at the markets like Yaba, money changers at Eko or Federal
Palace Hotels. They all have one nasty thing in common, they hustle for
customers even to point of fight sometimes. Then I tried to picture the
policemen behaving in the same manner at the station, it was a disgrace. In my
mind I was like Inspt you are employing hyperbole right? As I was leaving he
added;
I stay here so
when you are leaving if there's anything, you can see me here.
I almost forgot you are a Nigerian policeman. Nevertheless I'm very grateful for his assistance.I got to
the Alagbon Police Station and warning played out more than I anticipated. It
was a dynamic disgrace! They rushed like I was warned. I was so ashamed of my
country's police force. There is the main Force Criminal Investigation
Department (FCID) and the annex building. The officers in these two building
from what I saw literally hustle for ''customers'' Each building had one or two
men stationed outside the entrance like a lookout. They were all calling me to
come and ''shop'' at their different ''shops'' just the way hustlers at Yaba
market does it. They almost tore my limbs apart as they dragged me. If I were an actual man of steel, I would've thought them a tiny lesson about dragging someone who don't know.
IT WAS SO SHAMEFUL! I WAS SO ASHAMED OF THE
POLICE FORCE!!!
Are they paid on commission of sales, I mean cases they
record daily? Is the bribe here that lucrative? Unfortunately I didn't get
their names. For sake of clarity let me label them Dragger Main and Dragger
Annex for the main and annex building respectively. I have a piece of reference
from Inspector Nwambu so all this gragra won't get them anything. I went to the
annex. I spoke to the man behind the counter. I've forgotten his name. His
approach appeared like a real police work. But don’t be fooled it’s all a
marketing strategy act. I handed him the note from Inspector Nwambu and you can
visibly tell he was highly disappointed. As he was coming to terms with the
loss of a potential customer, another officer clad in mufti entered, I'm
guessing his rank is above that of the man attending to me. He came in
accompanied by Dragger Main.
He came to inquire why ''customer'' i.e. me going to
their ''shop'' was cornered! Can you believe that?!! Then Dragger Main made a
remark that Dragger Annex should be warned not to behave like that again. This
shameless show of shame all played out before my eyes! It all happened too
quickly. I stood there, mind, body and soul paralyzed with disappointment. It
turned out Inspector Jeremiah's office is the main building. I was directed to
his office. I explained myself that I need a police report. He said it will cost me N10000. I knew he just
set the scene for price haggling. I asked Inspector Nwambu to give me an idea
of the fee but he declined cunningly telling me he has no idea I believe he was
lying. He may be telling the truth too.
I said I have N5000 he accepted. The way he accepted
convinced me beyond doubt that the fee has to be a lot less than N5000. Long
story short, I got the police report and left. I didn't go back to Inspector
Nwambu like the three wise men didn't go back to King Herod. The ticket I
booked for Ugo's mum had a little issue and she missed her flight. Aero
couldn't synchronize seamlessly with their numerous bank payment outlets. Ugo
sent me a text asking where I made payment. I replied with the wrong bank.
Enterprise and Keystone bank always confuse me. It was a lot easier when they
were Spring Bank and Bank PHB! He called me, yelled a bit that I should sort
the problem. He then sent me an Aero staff number. I called and sorted it out.
Victory called. I told him my progress and he was audibly
thrilled. I saved the day on that on getting the police report. He suggested I mail the police report to him immediately which makes sense. On my way
back to Lekki I checked DHL and Fedex. The charge was N11,000 and N7,680 for
DHL and Fedex respectively. Victory preferred DHL cuz it'll be faster. I sent
the package on its way to overseas. I branched at Shoprite to grab dinner. I
went home straight as the crow flies. Amara was at home chatting away with
Fifi. I greeted them. She cooked okra soup, this time around she didn't leave
any for me. That's better cuz the last time she did I only ate the meat. I
don't really her brand of okra soup. They left shortly. I ate my dinner and
went to bed.
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