On Saturday, I got into this keke on my way out. The driver was the typical Lagos driver - reckless and eager to get customers at all cost.

5 mi into the trip, his phone rings bt he ignores. It rang again- this time he had to pick up. He asked for a second and halted the keke.

Something was wrong; the tone of his voice suggested that he was talking to someone he cared about and then I heard him say "Maami" and other things in Yoruba.

I couldnt tell what he spoke about but it was brief and emotionally packed.

In that moment something happened! I didnt see the typical Lagos driver anymore - I saw a young man doing what he could to provide for his family.
I recognized his humanity!

The scars at the back of his head carried a different meaning - what happend! Was it an accident? Is it some cult initiation? I was eager to connect with this human being on a different level..
When he hailed for customers; I didnt mind the sharp tone in his voice anymore ..

When the local tax collectors (agberos) came for their money; I watched their interactions.. They were friends..
I couldn't help but wonder if he was friendly because he knew how aggressive they got or if they were really friends.

All it took was one call! Just one thing that allowed me see that he was more than the keke driver..He was someone's son! He had family who cared about him and vice versa.

This happens a lot! In the midst of my own problems and life issues, I forget to see others and their full human spectrum - To recognise that theres more to one that meets the eyes.

This was a reminder to look beyond myself.
I dont know who that man is or his story!

The truth is he is the typical Lagos driver but that's not ALL HE HIS.

We are more than one thing and it is possible for us to connect, to find common ground no matter how different we think we are! We are connected by our humanity!

#LoloCynthia