Thank God for journey mercies back home to Ireland; I travelled out of Dublin with my son to Imo state Nigeria for his late dad's burial ceremony. It was a very sad experience because he was such a very sad young man with many unaccomplished dreams. As usual, I missed a whole lot of happenings in Dublin and the world. Like the Stella Damasus V Senator Yerima debate on Aljazeera's stream, Bianca Ojukwu v FFK and the testifier Kemi Omololu Olunloyo aka KOO, to the most interesting "9ice live in Dublin concert". I learnt there was a lot of drama; hmmmmm, allegedly, it wasn't a small marra, according to my olofofo antenna. Somebody was punched, outstanding debts of two years were not paid by the celebrity, a certain Nigerian artist came to perform without a visa, arrogance towards fans on the part of some artists and strictly no photo session with fans at the awards dinner night held for 9ice except for VIPs. The list is endless; anyways, it's a story for another day because I am still trying to gather my information *winks*( if you have any info or tips on this story, kindly inbox me @ primroseobata@gmail.com). I also heard of wives leaving their husbands, name it, even my kids had something to say, they said the sweetest, biggest thank God you are back mummy we miss you. I guess I should say hot gist is coming soon.
Anyways let me start with my journey to Nigeria; we got to Naija in the evening and were welcomed at the airport by the stench singing you are welcome to our nostrils. As we stepped outside the airport, the heat whispered into my ears, by the time I finish with you this, your yellow pawpaw skin go turn to brown ha ha ha ha ha ha we got home in one piece. If you have visited Nigeria or live in Nigeria, you will understand why I said "one piece". All through the ride home, I was chatting away with my brother obi, who came to pick us up from the airport and whom I had not seen in ages (6yrs), talking about everything from Okada riders, the Government, friends, the new Megacity, even though all I saw in Lagos was disorganisation and chaos well done, Gov. Fashola.
All through the ride home, I avoided one very important topic, the reason why we were in Nigeria, Musa's death and burial. I guess there are some issues you cannot avoid; my brother finally hit the nail on the head by asking me what next? Any plans for the burial now you are in Lagos? I looked at my son's face, and instantly I saw how deeply his father's death affected him and the fear of taking on a whole new role and responsibility as the first son; right there in front of me, my son transformed into a full-grown man. I gave him a look that said mama has got your back, no shakings. The moment we got to the Lekki area of Lagos, we rushed down to see the family for a meeting and updates; God bless them; they were so kind and welcoming; there is nothing like family, I tell you; there is this sense of security and belonging when you are in the midst of your family and loved ones. My day two was spent figuring out our journey to Mbano in Imo state; I rushed off to see my very good friend Joy Chico Ejiro on the set of her husband, movie producer Chico Ejiro's new movie. I wanted so badly to see my other friends Julius Agwu (my brother for life), Rhoda and Aramide, but I had no time. My dear friend Comedy was planning to host me at her house but had to cancel cos I couldn't make it awwwwww, Commy my love, what can I say but bless you.
On day three, our journey to Mbano began; trust me, the journey wasn't funny at all. I was hell-bent on travelling by air, but my friends and family convinced me to travel by road; huge mistake; how did I let them do this to my body and soul? All this while, I thought I had a mind of my own. Anyways the convincing started when I was in Dublin with the help of my hubby, who finally got a driver for us from Benin, who came to pick up my family and me to Imo state. He stayed with us all through the duration of our stay there (please don't ask me how much it cost but feel free to ask for his company number and address). The first shocker of the trip came when we got to Ijebu Ode, and these funny-looking men jumped out from nowhere; you can imagine my fair skin turning to red at the sight of them, only to be told they were actually a bunch of Lagos tax force men who lacked manners, insisting we produce our car Radio Licence (scratching my bald head) whatttttttt? Car Radio licences ke how, where, what connection okkkkk to cut a long story short my driver who is a typical Naija driver had no Radio licence, after all the gragra he ended up paying N21,000 for the so-called Radio licence before we were finally allowed to go and so our journey into the valley of the shadow of death called Naija road began, the roads are so terrible, did I just call them roads? My bad, they are actually death traps.
All through the journey to Mbano, I saw about 6 accidents in total, and coming back, more deaths and accidents; God almighty, I was so scared to close my eye for a second. I was freaking out big time; my BP was running high, and I was worried about myself, my son, my brother and the driver. Gosh, just writing this brings goosebumps to my body; the roads are so bad; as for the drivers, Jehovah e kwere ehe Ojo make I lef their matter before I develop convulsion, I know some people will be like why all this drama Primmy? After all, you are a typical Naija babe, yes I am; secondly, I have been out of the country for God knows how long now, and I have not visited Nigeria in like 6yrs and have not travelled out of Lagos for a long time. I hear about the roads but not the drivers, and I never knew they were that bad God help us all.
I got to the village, and after a warm/sad welcome, the wake-keeping/service of songs began. The atmosphere was so thick with sadness that you could actually cut it with a knife, went to bed at about 12:30 because we had a very hectic day ahead. I woke up early with sadness for the burial proper; I watched as the walls of bravado my son built around himself come crumbling as he received his father's corpse in tears. I instantly knew I had to put on my brave mummy face to be the pillar of support I was born to be as a woman and as a mother; God bless his soul. I know wherever his dad is, he will be so proud that his little boy did everything to make sure he performed all the rights required to give his father a befitting send-off to baba God; yeah, that is what I choose to call it a befitting burial. We came back to Lagos for the after-burial outing service at the All Souls Anglican Church Lekki Phase 1 Lagos. I want to say that Ndubuisi Musa David Nwachukwu was given a befitting burial by his kids Tevin Davina, kelechukwu and Uzoka with the help of their fabulous Uncles Paul, Ifeanyi, Obinna, and Chukuma Nwachukwu God bless you guys, OG I feel your pain the Lord is with you. Special shout out to uncle Frank and uncle Phil; we appreciate you guys; God bless you.
This is the much I can say, and I hope this answers the question everybody has been asking me "how was your trip to Nigeria and how was the burial?"
Nd Musa Nwachukwu, good night. May your soul rest in perfect peace from 1967 – 2013.
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