Chop Money Poem by Ayotokunbo Ajewole

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.


author: Tokunbo Ajewole, March 04,2003