Nigerian parents and the 'small small' gift economy

My mother called me yesterday. Not to ask how I dey. Not to pray for me. She called to say her neighbour's daughter just bought her mother a new generator. I dey tell you, the way she said it, I knew what was coming next.

She said 'Kola, I no dey ask you for anything o. But see Mrs. Okonkwo's daughter... she bought her I pass my neighbour generator last week. Just small small gifts to show love.' Small small gifts. That woman has been collecting 'small small' from me since I started hustling. Last month it was a new freezer. Month before, I replaced her TV. The 'small small' is now a full living room set.

Nigerian parents have mastered the art of the indirect request. They will call you, mention someone else's child, sigh deeply, then wait. The silence is the actual request. If you don't respond, they hit you with 'God go bless you, my son. You know your father's blood pressure medicine finished yesterday.' God is involved but your wallet must be too. My sister just called me laughing. Mama called her too. Same story. We are both paying for the same generator from different angles. E choke.