31/08/2025
In almost all poor families, there are two people. First is the Striver who is striving hard to swim out of the wicked and unforgiving ocean of poverty. Let's call them Person S. Then, there's often another, the Nemesis, who, knowingly or not, keeps pulling them back. Let's call them person N. Person N messes up the Striver's plans, making it tough for them to get ahead.
I knew a young woman who quit secondary school to learn hairdressing. She got good, landed a job with a monthly salary, and started saving to open her own salon and buy equipment. Since she couldn't afford to live alone, she stayed with her parents. Her dad was her Person N. He'd "borrow" her money and never pay it back, spending it on ògógóró instead. Every month, he'd pressure her until she gave in, handing over money that she would never see again. Sometimes, he'd thretaten to beat her if she didn't budge. She never got the chance to save and get her own shop till she got pregnant for a guy in the area. The dream died!
Another young lady, who inspired this post, works at a fuel station. Her older brother is her Person N. She had saved over ₦300,000 in her aged mom's account to avoid spending it herself. Somehow, her brother got hold of the account details, moved the money to his own account, and gambled it all away on sports betting. She cried bitterly while lamenting at the top of her voice this morning.
Like I've said before, for someone in a poor family trying to rise, family bonds can sometimes be the chains holding them down. The point is, poverty isn't just about money. It's about the struggle within the family. The Striver's hard work can get undone by those closest to them, making the climb out of poverty even harder. Breaking free often means dealing with tough choices about the people you love.
