Must Read: Sunrise in Makoko (A Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 5

6 years ago

Must Read: Sunrise in Makoko (A Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 5

Tade, Bolu, Diran, and Layode woke up in Makoko shantytown, Lagos, at sunrise. A group of persons mobbed the boys.

A man named Jombo came forward, and said, "Some strange persons dropped you guys off here yesterday night. Where are you from? How did you guys end up in the hands of evil doers? Or are you spies?"

"We are not spies. We are from Isope. It's obvious that we are lost," Tade said.

"Isope is an extinct town in Osun State. It's one of the seven Origbo communities. Can you remember the names of the other six sister towns to the extinct Isope?" Jombo asked.

Puzzled Diran said, "I have no idea of what you are talking about. It seems I can't vividly remember the past."

"I can get makeshift structures where you can stay for you," Jombo said as he paved the way for the kids to leave the scene.

Densely compacted layers of trash and filth are seen on the sidewalks. They moved past the chaotic maze of wooden houses built on stilts before they later boarded a canoe and Jombo started rowing. They reached Jombo's apartment some minutes later. The apartment was made of wooden cabin erected on stilts.

"This is where I rest my head at night. There is no toilets. You defecate right into the water. Feel at home."

As soon as Jombo exited the apartment, Tade glanced at the surrounding to ensure that Jombo was out of sight and said, "This place is incredibly smelly."

"I tell you, it's a shantytown atop an open sewer," Diran added.

Days later, Jombo found what to do to earn the living for the boys. Bolu worked with sand dredgers off the coast of Makoko; Diran worked in a canoe building factory; Tade worked as an assistant in a floating school built with planks resting on plastic barrels; and Layode hawked rat poison.

At Lagos State governor's office, Governor Shodehinde sat on his exotic office chair as his Commissioner for environment entered the place.

"Makoko-Iwaya waterfront has become an embarrassing eyesore to our mega city plan," the commissioner began.

"I tell you, it's a nightmare of the past and present administrations. That shantytown is spread out in full view beneath the Third Mainland Bridge. Everyone who flies to Lagos to do business on the Island is likely to find themselves passing over this most travelled bridge in Lagos. We should relocate those people," the Governor said.

"I think the slum should be levelled. It should go the way of Badia East that was razed for high rises. Developers now tout that place the Manhattan of West Africa."

"If I'm to approve that option, we must approach it stealthily. You know eyebrows were raised when the last administration deported some destitute persons to the East. Prepare necessary documents. Issue 72 hours ultimatum for the shanty dwellers to vacate that place."

"Noted, sir," said the commissioner as he exited the office.

At Makoko hinterland, Mean-looking, hefty men including Bolu were seen brandishing planks, and chanting war songs.

"Seventy-two hours ultimatum issued by the Lagos State government expires today. If any demolition official comes here, he will have himself to blame. Why can't this government allow Makoko to develop at its own pace like the Brazil's favelas and Istanbul's gecekondu communities? These places are inspirational because they were developed by the shanty dwellers who were gradually knitting themselves over time into the fabric of their cities. This is the true marvel of global urbanism," Jimoh Oshodi began. "They want to take away our livelihood and render us homeless."

All of a sudden, while Jimoh Oshodi was still speaking, riot policemen and demolition officers appeared, and fights ensued. Within minutes, Bolu knocked out a policeman, and the first gunshot was heard. Shot Bolu fell flat on the ground.

"You shouldn't have fired that shot. That guy is dead," a police inspector said amidst building animosity.

"But he already overpowered a colleague," reprimanded officer said.