THE TYPICAL NIGERIAN HOME | Terrence Warebebe

They only make mention of how they are to reap the fruit of their labour. Which fruit? They never said. How was it planted? They sparsely gave an answer. Why should they reap?

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Derin was boiling when his mother called his name. She had told him he was to make dinner for everyone the moment he returned from his store. This prompt came despite the fact that his twin sister was laid back on her bed before his arrival. He was angry, but his anger would yield no result; Deola was rich, he wasn't.

The average Nigerian Home is like Politics; everybody wants to be the one on top. Our upbringing makes us crave that position. We see our parents enjoy comfort and immunity on certain tasks. Their excuse? We are children, so we can't eat Nkwobi. Subsequently, the urge to eat Nkwobi makes do the things we shouldn't have to consider. We become grand hustlers and oh boy! Does the hustle pay! We start earning and it becomes a problem. Remember, our parents have always been at the top. They are there because they provide all our needs and wants. However, now they are beginning to grow old and frail, so they can't pay for their Nkwobi again. In a bid to get a plate of Nkwobi, they engage in trade by barter; position for desire.

An average Nigerian family has two or three children. This hereby makes the top a political position. Everybody wants it, but not everyone can get it. The highest bidder in most cases gets the seat. This entails that the rich last child could be inferred with the rights a first born is supposed to get, and you see Nigerian Parents, they can be so cold. They would outrightly put it to you that you lost your position because of your incapability. The one who took your place? For all he cares, he won a position in government. This hence leads to bad blood between siblings, in some cases the ones who lose out move out of the house while some stay back, waiting eagerly for the day they would finally be able to raise their heads when it comes to money matters. Reoccurring cases like this have made it plain for everyone to see that this often opens the door to disrespect of the parents by the ones who lift their burden. They can't challenge their child anymore, because he now shoulders their needs and wants.

It is the child's responsibility to do so, isn't it? But you see, our parents, they never let us know why we are to do it. They only make mention of how they are to reap the fruit of their labour. Which fruit? They never said. How was it planted? They sparsely gave an answer. Why should they reap? They would tear you down like a pack of hyenas if you dared ask. All they want to do is reap from where they've sown.

Derin's home is the typical example of a Nigerian home. His sister, Deola is now the Lion of his tribe. She coughs out the funds which secure food, clothing, house maintenance and the lavish parties their mother throws every weekend. Now Deola is about to get married, and the situation of things gradually dawns on her parents. It is now they remember that they don't have savings, they never bought shares, they never planned for the future. This is a general practice that has broken many Nigerian Homes. The Nigerian Home is laden with stories that would produce Oscar winning movies. This is because the Nigerian Home is imbalanced.

If Derin's father had not followed the wrong friends, then maybe he wouldn't have spent his earnings on alcohol. His mother can't be left out too, she wanted to be like her friends so she spent all her money on Aso-ebi. Deola is learning through their faults. He is seeing the repercussions of a frivolous lifestyle and learning how to save. On the other hand, Deola has patterned her steps after her mother's. She has a friend in almost all the elite families in town, but like her mother, she rolls with them only when there is a reason to merry. The future of the next generation of Nigerians is in the hands of Derin and Deola, that's the major reason why it is shaky.

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Bio:

I am Terrence Warebebe, a graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic where I studied Science and Laboratory Technology. I am a Screenwriter who has interest in other forms of writing.

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