Chelsea Lagos Dry Chill……..

 

The Drink of Chelsea Fans

At the end of the battle of the Premiership clubs in the Champions League game yesterday between Liverpool football club and London’s Chelsea watched by millions all over the world including the additional millions of devoted Nigerian football fans, somewhere in the suburbs of Lagos, Mafoluku in Oshodi, the excited Chelsea fans who witnessed their team defeat Liverpool 3-1 were all drenched in a special brew of gin.

Introduced to Nigerians in 1987 by the Nigerian manufacturers, Intercontinental Distillers Limited, it is said to be a very popular drink used in celebrating victories.

I must confess, I had never heard of Chelsea London Dry Gin before now. I had heard of Schnapps and ‘Ogogoro’ a rather strong un-distilled Nigerian dry gin that has a reputation to set alight anything flammable. I doubt if I would ever be able to tell you what it tastes like, because, firstly, I am not a Chelsea supporter and secondly, in Nigeria, the fan base of Chelsea football club comprise mainly ‘area boys’ – touts, thanks to the manufacturers of Chelsea London Dry Gin. I am definitely not an area boy.

So Chelsea fans in Nigeria, as you could imagine, every weekend, douse in dry gin, come victory or defeat.

 

Illegal China Town…

Still on area boys…I was told the story of our Chinese friends resident in Nigeria who sought help from some Chelsea fans (sorry guys) , by now you know who I meant, some area boys of course.

Why?

The part of Lagos where they had converged and turned into an illegal China town selling all sorts had come to the attention of Lagos State Governor Fashola, and it was decided the place had to be demolished.

What did the Chinese do in defence?

They chose to employ ‘area boys’ that would defend them in this conflict with the government. So picture this, the axe wielding Nigerian touts ‘anointed’ in Chelsea London dry gin with Bruce lee look alike Chinese in the background all dressed up in Kong fu outfits brandishing chop sticks in a riot with the Police force.

Nollywood? It will not be farfetched. This is Nigeria, where even the Chinese knew that nothing is impossible. I don’t know how it ended, but I know that Governor Fashola gets what he wants. Could anyone ever imagine Oshodi bus stop traders would ever be cleared off the railway tracks? Considering this location had embedded its culture and reputation of a dingy area in the subconscious of all Lagosians. Oshodi was cleared and suddenly became a new area overnight. This action Governor in replying to visiting market traders who threatened not to vote for him come 2011, told them that “a good student does not repeat class and that it would be them, the voters, who would come looking for him to contest come 2011”. Wise words from a wise and courageous leader.

 

Now that says a lot about the man who coined the phrase “Eko o ni baje o” – meaning “Lagos will not be destroyed”

 

“Comportments ?”

“Comportments ?” I asked him again for clarification. It was until he said “roughness too much”, was how I was able to figure out what he meant.

He meant to say it was not comfortable. In his words “comfortess” which sounded like “comportment” to me.

The ‘okada’ rider in describing the hazards that go side by side with his profession when I asked him if he enjoyed doing what he was engaged in came out with the word “comfortness”.

He meant there was no comfort in the ‘Okada’ vocation; however he had no choice as there was no other source of livelihood. My short ‘okada’ ride, to the end of the road, which would have cost me 30 minutes of my time cost my pocket N50. I gave him N100, an extra N50 for the few words he shared with me, educating me a bit on the lifestyle of an ‘okada’ rider and for the safe ride.

Oh, before I forgot, it was my fifth ride and I always forewarn the ‘Okada’ rider on each occasion that it was my first ride and he ought to be very careful.

On the fifth ride this morning, the motorcyclist was taken aback.

“First time?” screamed the motorcyclist early this morning! “u mean say u never ride machine b4?” he asked, to which I replied, certainly ” i never ride this machine b4″.

Now I know the mentality!

If these uncharacteristic professionals see their tool of vocation as a machine, it explains the aura of invisibility they protrude to the world.

I now see! Hmmmnnnn

 

having fun

 

 

Yesterday I promised to share with you my evening stroll to my local beach. Well, all I wanted to say or write is that I went with the boys (Prof. and Gov.) last Sunday and it struck me once again how blessed this nation truly is.

An unadulterated gift from God Almighty. A place the western world would kill for. Even Dubai with all its beauty had to make do with an artificial one.

There we were a 10 minute walk to the beach surrounded not by one single 5 star hotel. I really do not know how Florida or the Brazilian beaches differ from Alpha Beach!

You all know that what you do not have to sweat for, most times, you take it for granted. I think that is the case of Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. So that’s it really. It was a good evening. A very good evening indeed. I appreciated once again the God I serve for creating me a Nigerian.

 

Re, yesterday’s entry. I got back very good comments. I always appreciate all your comments really. I make an effort to reply, and it is just not a general reply. It is always a personal reply if you had noticed.

“You see, I am talking to you right now” as I tap away on the keyboard. You are reading this word this second, and the sound behind the voice is not yours, is it?

No, it is not!

It’s mine.

So when you take your time to write me a word or two of what you really think about what I have just said to you, then you will be talking back to me.

Your comments talk back to me.

Whilst I know some of you, like Bayo Dossy, Kola, KTttt, Snatch, Mayowa, Iyowu, Bobby, Ola, Toyin, Kanmi, etc

Bumight, Afrobabe, Gerard, NaijaDude, Doja, LG, Temite, Rita, Nimmo, Blogoratti, Writefreak, Buttercup, LuciousRon, Fantasy Queen, O’dee, JustDB, Lolia, Secret Diary,Jaycee, Solomosydelle, qmoney, Peter, and I can go on and on and on, I do not know.

The point I am trying to make is this. Talent, is normally, not recognised and appreciated by the people you know.

I listed 10 people I know that have read and left comments as compared with 20 people I have never met in my life.

When complete strangers, in this case, now ‘cyber friends’, take their precious time to drop a line or two, what more can I say and do, but to appreciate.

I appreciate you all.

Could I encourage you to also tick the box  Notify me of follow-up comments via email.
This will notify you immediately upon my reply to your comment.

 

HAPPY EASTER

 

 

In the spirit of Easter, I wish you a Happy Easter.

Wifey’s mum celebrated her 75^th a couple of weeks ago. My mum will be celebrating her 70^th tomorrow.

Mum, I love you and Happy Birthday.

 

God Bless you for reading

God Bless Africa

God Bless Nigeria

 

 

Tomorrow is Friday and is ‘On a lighter note’. Part 2 of Kola’s ‘frapas’ is on. You can’t afford to miss it. Yes, I know I promised Toyin’s conclusion. Sorry, that will now be on Monday…..

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