FERT

Humans of Lagos "In my days of innocence, I did my work to make ends meet. I was a teacher at a private primary school. I tutored all sort of characters; the intelligent ones, the playful ones and the bullies among them. However, Kanu is my favorite student. Kanu physical growth was hampered. He is challenged, so as a result, he was ostracized at the school. The school proprietor wouldn't want Kanu to associate with other students, he's never happy seeing Kanu smile. Kanu's parents didn't help his situation, they only sent him to school to be ridded of him. Nobody seem to love Kanu, but he smile at everybody at all times. I love Kanu, but the entire teaching staff hated me for loving a 'disabled' child. There was a time when his parents refused to pay his school fees, then I instructed the school accountant to deduct his fees from my salary. I paid his school fees for four terms, I clothed and fed him during this period. I was happy doing this, but...

28years ago, a young hardworking father was angry, very angry at his beautiful wife, the mother of his 3 months old child. This woman will not take care of her baby, she was not a good nursing mother. The man reported his wife's action to her family. Her father scolded her for being a callous mother, Àṣàkẹ́ her mother begged her to change her ways. However, Àdùnní did not change her ways. One day, she left her home, abandoned her baby and husband. She lost her mind. What a pathetic situation. The Clergyman man pronounced her a Witch being punished by the God. Àdùnní Adé roamed the street in her ragged cloth like a stray dog that couldn't hear the whistle of its owner. She was out of her mind! No one showed pity to the woman that a supposed mouth piece of God had declared a Witch. In this town, it's a cultural belief that women who run mad are witches that got struck by the judgement of God. Àdùnní met with the wrath of the mob few months into her madness. She gra...

My name is Akinade Akinrogun. My ancestors were warriors in their days. I'm proud of my family. People believe that my lineage is under a curse, the curse of not living long. As warriors in battles, surely, my ancestors had so many bloodshed. My great grandfather died on top of one of his wives during a sex romp. Rumor had it that the wife was a spirit from the sea that manifested as human on a mission to kill my great grandfather. My grandfather, slumped and died one afternoon in his farm. His death was a big blow to the entire village. "How could a whole Balógun die like a chicken." The king of our village wondered. My grandfather was buried outskirts of the village for his death was of shame. Today, it's exactly 4 years, 6 months and 22 days that my father left the world. Professor Akinwunmi Akinrogun collapsed and died at his birthday celebration. He was 50 years old. Our religious leader told us that the sin of his fathers was visited upon him. Perhap...

Humans of Lagos "In my ghetto, a poor 17 years old girl got impregnated. This girl's parents struggle to provide the basic needs of their household. The guy that impregnated her refused to accept responsibility, thus the girl was left all alone to suffer the consequence of the intercourse. I counseled that she aborted the foetus; because she's not emotionally, mentally, and financially ready to be a mother. Alas, I was called a murderer. Her father even talked about a church prophesy warning her against abortion. Her coming child would be a savior for them he ranted. This lady couldn't registered for a proper antenatal care, she starved while pregnant. And on the day of delivery, she had little power to push her baby out, the baby suffered exhaustion and died at birth. She had gone to a cheap maternity Centre with no modern day medical infrastructures. This girl is now devastated as a result of her traumatic childbirth experience. Her parents are just as ...

So this useless coworker, entered the office this afternoon. He brought with him chocolates plenty enough to go round everybody, but he, instead shared it only among the ladies in the office. My mouth watered in vanity for the chocolate I saw with my eyes, smelled with my big flat nose. My salivary gland secreted more saliva in anticipation to devour the food, My enzymes rose to action to help digest the chocolate, alas, he dashed my hope. I so much hate him right now, he cannot but die someday. A disgrace to the men folk. ©FERT, 2017

Humans of Lagos "I assume a lot, and most times I'm always wrong with my assumptions. You shouldn't have met me here for an interview, I am here because I lost my job. And the world is crashing down on me. I initially assumed that you were sent from my former work place to give me the news of my reinstatement. How wrong I was! I believed in patching things up, and I willingly accepted blames even for things I did not do in my former place of work. However, the management of the company fired me. I got sacked because I am found at the scene of blameable situations. The new guy that took over my job made them realized that I was innocent but it's like it no longer matter. I lost out. Assumption is a killer." © FERT, 2017

Humans of Lagos "You are a male, above the age of 35, not married, not financially stable. You know there's a big problem, a very big one when you made love to a girl and you are scared that she _might_ be pregnant. You are scared of the responsibilities this may birth, and it dawns on you that you are incapable of meeting this responsibility should it arise. This is my neurotic apprehension." © FERT, 2017