Chop Money

KWENU! Our culture, our future

Chop Money

TOKUNBO AJEWOLE

toks_ajewole@yahoo.com

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Nigeria, Chop-Money, too much of Chop-Money

We are so rich, yet so poor

because everybody wants to Chop-Money

anyway, anyhow, no one really cares.

See the Politician, Chop-Money,

kills the innocent for his sacrifice

according to babalawo's counsel,

campaigning, proclaiming love for country

Na lie, he is after the national reserves.

Policeman, Chop-Money,

always on duty, only at night,

trotting a rifle and his torchlight,

pay 20 naira - no either-or,

if you don't want to find his trouble.

Federal Ministry of...., also Chop-Money

years upon years, their retirees are on 'pension-processing'

Query upon query, no progressing,

but 'see the secretary' and see a miracle happen

give what they want and get what you want.

Bank attendant also Chop-Money:

'sorry, you can't withdraw this week,
our computer is out of order'

before leaving the bank, count your cash three times,

one-sided currencies, flowing like rain.

Bus driver and conductor, professional Chop-Money,

beware, you might be short-changed.

Worse is they say you never paid,

'see me see trouble, early in the morning'

before you sort it out, you're late for work.

Salesman, Chop-Money,

ask the price and he'll assess you from head to toe,

the real price: divide what he says by three

see his mouth like fifty-naira,

looking to make 200 percent profit,

and he just calls it business.

Association here and there, Chop-Money,

they are just after your membership fee,

then they'll give you seminars about the past,

welfare group here or there, all Chop-Money

forget it, they don't care about you.

Wherever you go, it's all Chop-Money,

for some, it's written on their faces,

and others are betrayed by their talk,

some others still cover with various motives.

Where can I find a Nigerian, not Chop-Money

seeking a simple lifestyle with things just enough,

seeking knowledge, beholding a future bright,

someone who would want to make a difference,

to leave clear footprints for others to put their feet,

where is he, where is she, honest and true.

If you think you are one, then you are my friend