FERT

Humans of Lagos "I lost it, and I lost the reason to live. Suicidal thoughts filled my heart like an inflated ballon. I cut myself away from everyone. And in my loneliness, depression became my strongest companion. So on a particular day, I dropped my suicide note on the table in my room. And then climbed up to one of the skyscrapers in my area on a mission to end it all. My heart pumped like the eruption of a molten magma, however, my mind was as strong as the igneous rock; no going back. From above, I looked below. I saw moving vehicles and people going about with their activities. I closed my eyes, then join the air like the saints obeying the end time rapture. Only that in this my own case, I was descending to be no more. Almost immediately after stepping off the height, regrets filled my soul. Why did I have to do this. What shame have I bring upon myself by doing this. What will become of my family. How will they cope with the everlasting shame, I've put them int...

Humans of Lagos "I don't think that we can ever stop being religious in this city. When you're almost late for work, and you hurriedly hopped into a commercial bus. After settling down on your seat, you start perceiving the smell of petrol. You look back, and there's the plastic keg filled with petrol that sits comfortably on the bus engine. You tell your co-passengers about the danger in the bus, buy they say; "God will not allow it to explode." You lodge complain to the bus conductor, but he gives story of endless fuel scarcity that motorists are facing. You shout at the driver not to risk passengers lives, but he asks you to alight from his vehicle if you're not ready to enjoy the ride like that. You check your time, you're almost late for work. You check your pocket, you don't have any money to risk entering another bus. Now, your fellow passengers see you as a troublesome being. All you can do now is to risk your life in the death trappe...

Humans of Lagos "I learnt one of the important lessons to living just last week. I met with this young and respectful guy on a queue at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) centre. We chatted briefly as the rain couldn't allow us move out of the shelter around the ATM centre. When the rain subsided, we moved out together since our journey was on the same course. And then we encountered a mild flood on our way which we had to cross. I rolled up my trouser, put my shoes in my hands; then entered the flood with the hope that I will be fine.  However, this new friend of mine begged a motorist to help him cross the flood in his vehicle. And the man did. When we reunited, my friend told me that I must learn to ask for help. It then occurred to me that I got stained from the flood water. In all my years of living on Earth, I struggle on my own. Perhaps that's why life appears to be hard on me. Asking for help is not a shame." © FERT, 2016

Humans of Lagos "At the last Lagos marathon race, I passed out. I was at the hospital for three days. I am lucky to be alive. Prior to the race, everything in me convinced me that I could do it. I was more enticed by the money. I believed in myself, but that wasn't enough. I was able to speak with the eventual winner, he told me about his dedication towards the race. He explained to me about the endurance training he undergoes constantly to be fit to run the race. Then I knew that I didn't even worth stepping out to dare the race. Yes, the winner is human like me. He believed in himself, but to his belief he added work. I had the believe but didn't build myself to be fit for the race. I know my failure now, I'll be back." © FERT, 2016

"My name is Innocent. I'm an Electricity generator repairer. Last year, my business collapsed. People mocked me, and I almost became a beggar. They said 'President's Body Language' was responsible for my woes. I was advised to return to my village, as I'll be forever useless with my profession. So; I went on my kneels as if to fellate, Spread my hands into the air like a damsel whose breasts are being fondled by a drug baron, Then screamed like a virgin who is unfortunate to meet a pornstar, And then spoke in tongues like a climaxed babe. I reminded God about his words: 'whatever I lay my hands upon must prosper.' Today, I'm a happy man. The Lord blessed me again. I now travel around the country repairing electricity generators. Even now that there's petrol scarcity, people with diesel powered electricity generator will not let me rest. Those who mocked me are now worshipping me. I disappoint customers with pride these days, ...