Ekene Aka
So, your boo, the one you dey toast with Agege bread and suya, the one wey dey pepper your life like correct Oga landlord, suddenly drops the L-bomb: “Baby, I’m japa-ing.” Not like the usual “japa” to the next street to buy suya, but the big one, the one wey go land you in Heathrow Airport with your agbada flapping in the wind.
Now, you’re left wondering if you should pack your bags and join the “Oyinbos go chop my pepper” crew or stay put and watch your love story get deported. Omo, this kind decision no be for the faint of heart, e be like choosing between eba and amala when you don’t know where the next garri dey come from.
The Japa Side:
Greener pastures: Your partner paints a picture of streets paved with dollars, where suya no dey finish and NEPA no dey vex. You imagine schools wey no dey strike, hospitals wey no dey ask for “mobilization fee,” and security wey no be like Area Boys patrolling your street. Omo, who no go want to chop life like that?
Adventure: Leaving everything behind, starting afresh in a new land, sounds like something out of a Nollywood movie. You go dey see snow for the first time, learn how to pronounce “spaghetti,” and maybe even become a billionaire inventor. The possibilities dey glitter like diamonds.
Love conquers all: You love your partner, and if following them to Mars is what it takes, then you’re ready to pack your agbada and hop on the spaceship. True love no get boundaries, na wetin dem dey preach for church, abi?
The Nah Side:
Family and friends: Leaving your people behind no be easy. You go miss your mama’s pot of stew, your siblings’ wahala, and your friends’ gbas gbos over who dey owe who money. Imagine Christmas without your extended family, e go be like pepper soup without ata rodo.
Starting from scratch: Building a life from scratch in a new country no be easy. You go face language barriers, job hunting struggles, and maybe even racism. Omo, e fit be like say you dey climb Mount Kilimanjaro with your flip-flops.
Uncertainty: What if the grass no be greener on the other side? What if your partner’s dreams turn out to be sandcastles by the Atlantic? You go be like akara wey don fall for oil, nobody go want to buy you.
The Verdict:
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this “Japa or Nah?” question. It’s a personal decision wey need deep thinking, open communication, and maybe even a trip to the babalawo for some spiritual guidance. Talk to your partner, understand their reasons, and be honest about your fears.
No matter what you choose, make sure it’s a decision you both can live with. If you decide to japa, go with your head held high, knowing you’re taking a leap of faith for love. And if you decide to stay, remember, e no be failure, e just be choosing akara over pizza. After all, e no be only abroad wey dey sweet, na wetin dey sweet for you wey matter most.
So, take your time, pray hard, and remember, whether you japa or stay, na your own story wey you dey write. Make sure it be one wey go make you smile, even when the NEPA light go off.
