a picture showing moyo okediji poised for the camera

Homesick.

I will close my eyes and transport myself back home, among my friends, drinking palm wine laced with stout, or whatever. Khaki. Or whatsoever friends gift our ancestors.

Àjò ò dùn bí ilé.

It is Thanksgiving week in the United States when people are giving thanks to their ancestors.

HOMESICK

HOMESICK

In 2001, homesick, I returned to Nigeria after staying away for nine years in the US.

My destination was Ife, and I lodged in a hotel in Lagos for the first week. I used the hotel rental car, with a hired driver, to run errands. One day, the rental car driver who drove me around Lagos, said “Prof, why not just buy a car instead of spending all your money on car hires? Don’t you plan to stay in Nigeria for a couple of months? It’s best for you to get a fairly used car.”