Jew, Asé, Justin, Mugu, or most prominently Johny Just Come-JJC is used to describe a person who shows the slightest hint of “greenness” in Nigeria, especially when you have just become a victim of some form of exploitation. We live in the jungle; you kill or you get killed. Somehow, you are expected to have the OT -be the exploiter or get exploited. See ehn, if you wan survive for this Naija, you suppose shine your eye and do the one wey concern you. No let anybody use you see front. In other words, HAVE TRUST ISSUES AND MIND YOUR BUSINESS.
No, you are misunderstanding me. This is just how it works. We are not bad people I promise you. Man just gats survive, you know as e dey be na. Abi?
Sade just finished her secondary school education and is really excited that she will get into the university of her dreams to study Law. Unfortunately, University of First Choice has increased its cut off mark. Sade’s mother who is equally invested in seeing her baby girl study the course of her dreams is set to make it happen “no matter what it costs”. A flicker of hope seems to spark when a relative introduces them to this lecturer who is supposedly connected enough to get Sade to study Law. A meeting is set. Mr. Moruf looks the part. Sade my daughter, you did very well o. I mean you are just a few points away, it’s nothing we can’t fix. Mummy just give us 600 thousand naira and it is sorted. Mummy is hopeful. But sir are you saying that if I give you 600k my daughter’s admission is sorted? Mr. Moruf may have been flabberwhelmed at this question, he puts a step forward to gain composure and clears his throat before he speaks hoping not to give away his sham. er madam, are you not a Christain? go and fast and pray. Believe and it will work.
Ahn ahn uncle, this is not how to do the business nauu, even if you are terrible at lying shey e ni conscience? You don’t have conscience sir?
Tony on the other hand gained admission but unfortunately could not get a bedspace in school. Luckily he bumps into one of his seniors from secondary school who has got a space in the hostel. He is willing to have Tony as a squatter. Tony you see, this is a very dangerous thing to do but I just really want to help you since we go way back. just bring 250k let me arrange everything that you will need. Tony is relieved but little does he know that his senior pays only 25,000 naira as a bonafide occupant of the hostel.
Oga okada abeg na this address I dey go. I no sabi the place na interview I dey go for. You fit tell me when we reach there? Abeg fast o, I don dey late. Bike rider: no problem, your money na 500, abeg bring the money out now make you no go waste my time there. He gives him the money. Oya enter sharp sharp. Fun fact: the standard fare for this distance is 200 naira.
Ah Anthony I don tell you before. You dey waste your time for this place. This your work you sabi am well well. just give me 700 thousand make I connect you for that man wey I dey tell you of wey dey for township. See ehn, the man sabi work o. Him come dey deal with international contractors on top. I dey tell you, if you work with am, na two years go remain make you become big man. Anthony is convinced. He sells off his welding equipments, retrieves his savings and his family contributes in hopes of being alleviated from poverty. It’s been two years since Anthony gave this guy his 700k and he is yet to hear from him. Now he goes about doing menial jobs; someone who was a successful and fine welder.
Ogechi na wa o. So you mean say after you give this bobo five years of your life, come support am with your papa money to travel abroad, na oyinbo woman him don go marry, come still get two children on top?? Ah, men are scum! People wicked o. God forbid!
Hi, yes, your CV was received. A fine one I must admit. You see, after serious sessions of consideration, we decided that you will be given the job. Your job description includes attending personally to the needs of the manager, social media management and marketing, running errands for members of senior staff, filling in for the janitor whenever he is absent, and covering up for any role lacking as time goes on. Shocked. Excuse me sir? the notice says “role of secretary”. Ehen nau, yes, we are saying the same thing. I’m just spelling out what it entails. Look, let me tell you now o. So many people applied for this job so you better get started. We are even paying a generous sum of 50,000 naira. Erm, only that you will be on trial for 6 months in which you’ll be paid 30,000 naira, then if we like your service, you will become a full staff.
You will find that in Nigeria, there is a constant war to play on your intelligence. Interestingly, in all of the countless scenarios of people trying to exploit themselves, the victim is always at fault. Ha, na wa o. You no smart, you just let them play you like that. Guy you no try. Somehow you are blamed for not being suspicious by nature; it keeps you from being played. It’s your fault for being sympathetic and helping out that young man who “just lost his wallet and is stranded”, or that “old man who “just needs money to feed his family” or is it that young boy who “is being maltreated at home and needs you to buy what he has on his tray or he will not eat tonight”. Even you will feel hurt when you see them spending your money flamboyantly. Oh, and you are at fault for being robbed when you stopped your car and tried to help that woman in labour as you were driving by. Oboy you no wise o. how you no go know say na armed robbers new style be that?
I just have a few questions before I leave though; when we are done grooming monsters, who will inhabit the “better Nigeria” we are clamouring for? When we get so busy pointing out the flaws of the government and system so much that we forget that we are the system, who will point us back to correction? After we have successfully victimized and vilified the goodhearted individuals to be like the spoilt lot, who will come to his neighbour’s help when he is in genuine need? and finally, after we milk dry the ideas and stifle the dreams of the youth, who will lead us tomorrow?
I would love for this post to be really engaged, do you mind sharing your experience of exploitation? or let me know which scenario was more relatable for you? Leave a comment, thank you.
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