The Nigeria my grandparents probably lived in is the Nigeria they know

5 Comments
Buildings such as these I first saw in local films. I remember asking someone once and he said such buildings no longer exists and the few ones in the local films are located in some film village in Ikorodu.

I saw these buildings for the first time in March along the Ogbomoso-Oyo road on my way to Ilorin for my sisters wedding. Alas there are many of them in Kwara State.



There are countless children in Nigeria who still go to school without shoes just like President Jonathan of Nigeria. The stories our parents told of how they would walk for miles to get to school is still true for people of these communities. 


May of us in the South West might not be able to relate to this life but this is the reality of some people. Visiting big cities such as Ilorin is a really big deal for them. The expression you will have on your face when you visit countries like the USA or the UK is what people in these communities will have when they visit Ilorin, in Lagos or Abuja they would feel out of this world. For some, they might never get to step into the closest developed city, all they know is life in the village or neighboring bigger villages. 

While those of us in the bigger cities cry for better infrastructure, these people are begging for basic infrastructures. They are grateful when the government finally remembers them and give to them borehole water. They are grateful to never share the river with cows anymore. From these same streams they drink, in it they bathe and watch their clothes.
Some do not even know what electricity is, yet those of us in cities shout up NEPA when we finally get to see light from PHCN after so many day.

You probably know their story if you served in any of such villages, if not well this is their reality.







♥ Lara from Ilorin

Molara Brown

5 comments:

  1. Clenia Gigi17 November 2013 at 10:32

    A very sad reality...REALITY indeed!
    My heart aches every single time.
    Clenia Gigi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tomi O18 November 2013 at 08:18

    Sigh.
    I saw alot during my service year in the north, Its really so sad.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Abiola18 November 2013 at 12:50

    Hmmm...what I experienced / saw in Adamawa years back doesn't even come close to what I saw here.

    We should really be thankful for what we have and try to give back, no matter how little whenever we come across others not so privileged.

    Thanks for sharing, Lara.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown18 November 2013 at 19:38

    i can't believe someone told you those places dont exist. I feel for those kids carrying firewood on their head!
    btw, is it compulsory for women to cover their hair in those villages?
    themanecaptain.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  5. Molara Brown21 November 2013 at 16:46

    Nupes or Tapas like we usually call them down south are largely muslims...so it is more of a religious obligation to them and not necessarily compulsory.

    ReplyDelete

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