Culture Shock

LAWRENCE ONUKWUBA

So myself and wifey bumped into one of our oyibo neighbors in the elevator after few months of no physical contact, owing to the pandemic lockdown. The first thing we noticed was that the lady had a baby bump, a visible sign of early pregnancy. My wife teased her “Wow congratulations, hope baby is doing great”. 

The lady, very excited with her first pregnancy, then decided to give us the history of the pregnancy. “Oh my God, am so excited, it’s a baby boy and it’s my first pregnancy. He was conceived on the so so and so date, doctor said that the expected date of delivery is on so so date. Oh my God, I can feel the baby is already kicking”. She then invited my wife to feel her stomach and feel the baby’s movement. Needless to say that wifey and I were in awe. It was a big culture shock for us, that was obviously something we were not used to back home.

Your neighbor in Naija will tell you the exact date she is expecting to deliver her baby? How? So you will turn to witches and wizard and wait for her on the day of delivery? Hehehehehehe. Your neighbor will let you feel her stomach? So that you will use your supernatural powers to abort her baby? Will she even agree that she is pregnant? She will tell you that she over drank water. Hehehehehe Honestly these oyibo people can be too free sometimes. I think I will recommend some Patience Ozokwor Nollywood movies for them, so that their eyes can open small. Hehehehehe.

But you see, I admire the way oyibos live their lives, they relate with you on a genuine level, very free and without suspicion. Back home, everyone is suspecting everyone. The mindset is always that your neighbors or even your family members are the witches waiting to devour you. So every atom of blessing or success in your life has to be hidden from everyone, else your Glory would be stolen. I honestly can relate with peoples’ fears sometimes, because unless you truly want to be in denial, there are evil people who might not be happy for your progress.

The only advice I may give however is that you should always hold fast to God and believe that your protection comes from Him. But that does not mean you are at liberty to be too loud with your blessings ooo. Moderation is always the key. The truth is that not all your friends, neighbors or family members are happy things are going well with you. So my dear, don’t be too quick to always grab that microphone in church every week, to testify to the goodness of God in your life. Ehm ehm ehm, try to tone it down small inugo? Some people eye dey red ooo. They will just hate you and carry your matter on their head for nothing.

Ehm ehm, a word they say is enough for the wise ooo. Una good morning my people. Wishing us a year filled with blessings. It shall always be well with us.