The day my money turned to dust for Cotonou, and I had to beg my own sister not to drop out

2023. Raining season. I had ₦4.2m saved. Three years of phone accessories hustle, one shop, no sleep. My guy Emeka from Onitsha told me about tokunbo Benz from Cotonou. Clean. Cheap. Profit margin wey go make me buy my own land.

I no think twice. I carry the money, cross border. The car was sweet. Engine purred like my mother's sewing machine. I paid. Drove it to Asaba. By evening, engine start to cough.

Mechanic open am. Inside the engine block? Goat intestine. Wrapped tight. Juju from Benin Republic. The original owner's protection. Chai.

I stood there. ₦4.2m. Gone. My sister Chidinma was in UNN then, second year Accounting. School fees was due in two weeks. ₦186k. I had ₦12k left.

I called her. Told her the car deal fell through. She said, 'Kola, no worry. I go manage.' Manage how? She don already sell her phone.

I borrowed from three people that week. Paid her fees. Told nobody. Till today she thinks I made profit that month.

Lesson? If price too sweet, something must dey bitter. And never put ALL your money in one engine. Even if the engine look clean.

God is involved. But God also gave us sense. Use am.