When a Politician's Actions Mirror a Beggar's Sign

Written by Alexander Ogunmola and Young Eta

It was yet another sweltering day in our beloved nation, the hustle and bustle finds their way into the atmospheric conditions just to keep the totality of the population in check, the faster you learn to regulate your temperature the better. (Disclaimer: This intro is not about climate change)

Mr. Political Contractor was headed to another meeting yet another possibility for a divine purpose and as he walked along the street, he noticed a fellow compatriot with a tatter for clothing sitting aback on the sidewalk with a wooden sign indicating his brand which read “Help Abeg”, in hope for any spare change from passerby. Mr political contractor felt nothing but disdain and disgust towards the beggar. "Look at this good-for-nothing," he thought to himself. "He should remain there, make him no go hustle"

Walking into the predestined location, he had to rearrange his thoughts for the assignment at hand. The plan was simple yet effective. Ask for foreign investment from Chinese investors, promise to fund a new state project that wouldn't see the light of day, then pocket the remaining 100 percent for belly infrastructure.

But as he walked into the meeting with them, he began to do the same thing as the street beggar he had just mentally scorned on the walkway the only difference was instead of a wooden sign Mr political contractor preferred to use PowerPoint slides.

"You see, my dear investors," he said, "this project is going to change the face of our state. It's going to be a game-changer. But we need your help. We need your money. Please, give us what we need to make this project a reality."
The Chinese investors looked at each other skeptically. They could see right through the poorly prepared slides on the screen and knew that he was only looking out for himself. But the politician continued his charade, unaware of how ridiculous he looked. "Trust me," he said confidently. "You won't regret it." But as the meeting drew to a close, the Chinese investors shook their heads and politely declined.

Mr political contractor was left empty-handed and humiliated.
As he walked back out onto the street, he saw the street beggar still sitting there. This time, however, the politician felt a newfound respect for the beggars' hustle. He realized that they were one and the same, but at least the street beggar had the decency to be direct about it.