Journalist Henry Akubuiro’s intriguing view of the seedy side of Lagos

The melting pot status of Lagos came alive last week at a reading held in honour of writer and journalist, Mr. Henry Akubuiro, at the University of Lagos’ Department of English, with its regular book reading event. Akubuiro’s Prodigals in Paradise, which dwells on the grim, downtroden side of the city, known for its extravagance and uninhibited opulence, was the book in focus.
 
Prodigals in Paradise tells the story of a fresh university graduate, Nicodemus, a first-time visitor to Lagos, who finds, to his dismay, that life is not a bed of roses. His uncle, Job, whom he is putting up with in the city, is, against all expectations, living in a slum teeming with all manners of dubious characters. Job himself ekes a living as an okada rider, having tried all kinds of menial jobs in Lagos without luck. Disillusionment stares Nicodemus in the face as he comes to terms with the fact that white collar jobs aren’t there for the taking, even with his impressive result. When he eventually gets a job, it is to serve as a bus conductor, which ends unceremoniously due to his inability to compromise himself.
 
At the reading session, Akubuiro said he is appalled by the social contradictions in society, where the haves get richer and the chances of survival get dimmer for the have-nots.