Must Read: Sunrise in Makoko (A Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 7

6 years ago

Must Read: Sunrise in Makoko (A Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 7

We are from Fiddle Newspaper. You guys will spare us some minutes of interaction with you."

"I'm all ears," Layode replied the journalist.

"Government of the day sees Makoko slum as a dismal advertisement. How will you convince the government to shelf its demolition plans?"

"Makoko is a real community built by the families that live here. It is valuable to us and to the city as a whole. You see the smokehouses and circuits of importing that bring fish here to be smoked. So it would seem sensible, before brandishing the rhetoric and plans about redevelopment, to try to understand Makoko factor."

A group of children streamed past and called out "yevo".

What do those children mean by "yevo"? the journalist asked.

"In their mind, the long-lens camera has come to symbolize white privilege."

"People in the public health sector view this place, owning to the grey-black sludge that passes for lagoon water, a hub of disease. How do residents get clean water for domestic uses?"

"Criss-crossing the lagoon bed are pipes, paid for and la!d by enterprising residents to bring in clean water from boreholes in neighbouring Sogunro."

"What is the spirit like here? Are residents happy for living in this environment?"

There are the bustle and hustle of human activity. You see half-naked children rowing their own boats or playing on the verandas of the wooden shacks. You wouldn't need to ask me this question if you have come at a time congregants in white garments gather together singing and dancing in impromptu churches on boats. You see women smoking fish or peddling food and bric-a-brac."

"You speak honed English. Did you grow up here?"

I and other three friends of mine found ourselves here and can't remember our past. We can't go back home. In fact, we don't know where home is."

"That's weird. So what is your plan for the future in this situation?"

"I'm a good artist. I have drawn on paper the face of only person I could remember from the past."

Layode brought out a fold of paper wrapped with polythene material.

"This may turn out to be a clue to your past. We will publicize it and see how it goes. Thank you for your time."