The Nigerian Naira was a higher than the Ghana cedis but what made a lot of Nigerians abandon their country to come here disturbed me.
Nigerians pay to immigration officials monthly to be allowed to stay.
I often got people telling me to go back to my country, some as jokes while some came with hate. It's easy to know a Nigerian because the well spoken language in Ghana is Twi and it's difficult to speak by strangers.
For me it was like moving to another state in Nigeria because everything was same, the only difference about the two countries was that Ghana had steady electricity power, which we paid a lot for, there was freedom of movement and safety, with a good economy that supports little businesses.
Ndidi owned a boutique where I stayed with him, when we had low sales, he packs some goods and hawks it. The Ndidi that spends well and is known as a big boy in Nigeria, hawks in Ghana.
Nigerians are hustlers. I won't be wrong to say we are leading in all areas of business in the country, I remember the song I sang in my apprenticeship days back home:
'Business is Business, despite good or bad. If you want to make it life, then you must open your eyes'.
I made friends with few Nigerians and it was happy seeing your fellow Nigerians, not minding if they were Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo.
The leaders have succeeded in brewing hate among us, making a particular tribe the problem of their incompetency.
Seeing Nigerians going through these made me question myself as to why we are being called the 'Giant of Africa'.
I downloaded a lot of history books and the only tangible reason was that Nigeria being an oil producing country, was offered the title to keep their oil deal floating.
Nigerians are the real Giants of Africa because they've placed the country where the government wouldn't have in years.
I became friends with a young man who seemed to share same thoughts and dreams as me. James saw a bigger picture and always worked towards it, his life stories will motivate you. His contentment is top-notch, but what I loved much about him is his consistency in business. He was a role model to a lot of people. James was not living his dream life, but he was always ready to share with you, the little he got.
We talked often and there's always wisdom passed after our conversations, unlike in today's society where teens sit and talk about sex, movies, cars and argue music. James was different, he talked about books, was a good historian and encouraged me into writing essays. Not one feature makes James handsome, though his eyes come close. People often speak of the color of eyes, as if that were of importance, yet his would be beautiful in any shade. From them comes an intensity, honesty and gentleness. Perhaps this is what is meant by being a gentleman; not one of weakness or trite politeness, but one of great spirit and noble ways.
James sold phones and swapped, it's a well lucrative business in Ghana and widely occupied by Nigerians. You have to be smart in the business, the goal is not to be cheated on.
"Tobe, in this business you have to be wise like a serpent but innocent like the dove" he said to me one day while pocketing the Money he was balanced.
Ndidi left for Cote d'ivoire while I stayed behind, managing his business, at nights, I usually hung out with James for he's a jolly good fellow. It was in our hangout that he pointed at a lady who I never saw clearly, but he told me she was his crush, it was my first time having a discussion about women with him, I smiled.
He told me the girl's father was a minister and he loved her simple lifestyle, beauty and voice.
"The day I saw her, I was moved to appreciate the beauty of God. My brother, to be honest, I promised not to marry in any country but you see this girl, I swear I will do anything for her" he said.
I still looked at that direction, trying to get a clearer view of the girl James was talking about.
"But do you like this girl because her father is wealthy?" I asked.
"Tobe, if you see this girl you'll not say this thing, that's why I'm fighting to make enough money and take care of my daughters. Nowadays, girls look way older than their age cause they work a lot or depend on men which drains them. But when you have parents who take care of your needs, you'll see how beautiful and handsome they can be in their 20's", he replied picking up a broomstick and used it to clean his ear.
I agreed with him cause that's the painful truth, and I prayed to see the girl that knocked my good friend off his guard.