COMING HOME FROM NIGERIA

COMING HOME FROM NIGERIA
(Excerpts from my Nigerian Diary)

27 February 1979: This is now the 15th day since I filled my application for Emergency Home Call.

Yesterday my file was misplaced and it took almost the whole office hours for the clerk to find it. Then the two sentence letter by the Executive Officer, Mrs. Balogmi, took the typist about an hour to type.

So it was already closing time when I had the chance to bring my paper to the Ministry of Establishment. I was told to come back at 1:00 p.m. today and I hope that God will make it easy for me this time.

I have nothing to do this morning because all the other things I need to do have to depend on the outcome of my application.

I am no longer on the duty rooster of the hospital, one consolation at the moment but my air-con is again out of order.

28 February 1979:
6:30 a.m. – Ash Wednesday: Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
2:20 a.m. - Breakfast at JA’ International Hotel.
7:45 a.m. – To Ministry of Finance to see Mr. Adesina at room 28.
8:00 a.m. – Room 5 for Air Warrant.
8:15 a.m. – Back to LSHM for Xerox copy of the letter from the Ministry of Establishment. Bidemi helped me again.
8:50 a.m. – Warrant signed at last.
9:00 a.m. – To Tapawa Balewa – Nigerian Airways. Told to go back to the Ministry of Finance for the original specimen signature.
10:30 a.m. – Back to Tapawa Balewa – Nigerian Airways. Was told to come back next day but I pleaded and I waited.
2:30 p.m. - Lunch at Tapawa Balewa with Fatayih.
3:00 p.m. – Got the ticket .
3:15 p.m. – At Philippine Embassy for Balikbayan Stamp.
5:oo p.m. – Alitalia Office to exchange ticket. Ok but office closed to CBT.

2-March, 1979: I just realized how things are so uncertain in this world. I experienced everything lately when I started applying for Special Leave following my receipt of a telegram from my wife saying that my father was ‘very sick’.
That was last Feb. 12th, 1979. The following day I quickly made inquiries to Mrs. Ayelera of the Health Management Board, she being the project officer of Massey Street Children’s. She advised me to write an application for Special Leave to the Board Secretary thru the Chief Consultant, which I did immediately.

I was given endorsement but the Secretary was then busy attending meetings. My application was not given any action for several days. I was still relaxed because I really wanted to delay my leave so I could receive first my salary for the month of February. (Note: Very much earlier I had an agreement with my wife that she would send me a telegram saying that my Father is sick so I can file a Special Leave. So when I received the telegram I even answered her back complaining why she telegram me so early when I am still waiting for my February salary). If possible I also wanted to bring home my HB (Hanap-Buhay ) from Skyline Hotel.

On February 19th, 1979 I received a second telegram which was as urgent as the first. I called up my cousin Gelis, who confirmed that my father indeed was very sick and is confined at the hospital

At the Health Management Board I met a certain Bidemi Tijarni who tried his best to help but he got so excited to the point of irritating the Executive Officer, Mrs. Bologan who endorsed my application to the Ministry of the Establishment. I was told that that I was not eligible for the Special Leave because in as far as the Nigerian Government was concerned my father was not my relative.

At any rate I was successful in convincing the Administrator, Miss Young, who taught me what to do. So I submitted a second application, now for free passage which I should have included in my first had someone advised me what was right to do.

It was again frozen at the Secretary’s office for a few days and this time I was getting really impatient. I already wanted to take Mr. Owolabi’s offer to pay for my ticket. At about this time I was also trying to convince Mr. Odunsi, the Manager of the Skyline Hotel to lend me money so I could go. After several days he gave me but only 200 Naira.

On February 23 I was able to sweet talk the Secretary who listened to my problem. He endorsed my second application to Mrs. Bologan who was still annoyed so I was told to come back Monday, February 26th.

That Monday I was full of hope but my file was misplaced and it took Mr. Lawal more than three hours to locate it. When finally Mrs. Bologan made the endorsement to the Ministry of the Establishment it was already 3:15 p.m., closing time. I was told to come the next day.

February 27th was fruitful because Miss Young quickly endorsed my application back to the Health Management Board. The Secretary’s receptionist whom I earlier fascinated with my origami art, helped me and in the absence of the Secretary it was endorsed for processing by the
Assistant Secretary.

This time the Executive Officer was calm and helpful because earlier in the morning I placed some origami art on her table. Letters to the following were finished this day.
1. To the accountant General for Air Warrant.
2. To the Immigration Office for re-entry permit.
3. To the Central Bank for foreign exchange.

The things that followed were tiresome (see February 28 Diary).

On March 1st, while Noriel was booking my flight I did the following :
1. Immigration Office
a. Met Olu Owosiyan who brought me to
b. Joel Allebo – who took my file then to
c. Mr. Mohamed Bello who stamped the re-entry permit.
2. Nursing School to endorse my Salary to my bank but I was a day too late. It was endorsed yesterday for the month of March.
3. To Standard Bank of Nigeria to buy Traveler’s check just to be told that I was not eligible because I was not a Nigerian resident.
4. Back to the Immigration for confirmation but Mr. Bello said GO means Government Official and the lady in the bank should know this. It was already closing time when she finally made it just after I presented her several origami pieces.

March 2, 1919: Today that I am writing this I am scheduled to leave thru Alitalia at 11:30 p.m. but look at what happened.

1. Morning I went to Standard Bank of Nigeria. I got the traveler’s check at 9:00 a.m.
2. Went to Alitalia for confirmation, just to be told that Italy was on strike and ”the flight tonight is cancelled”.
3. Went to Vic who accompanied me to Tapawa Bolewa.
4. Met Engr.Villaneva who helped me book my ticket to Nigerian Air ways scheduled to fly on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
5.
March 3, 1979: Fred Flores broke to me the sad news that my father died already last February 21st and was buried last February 25th.

I pray to God for his soul and also that I be allowed to go home smoothly as scheduled, tomorrow.

Another interesting thing happened last night. While I was packing my things I accidentally broke the arm of my eye-glasses. I recalled that I brought with me one extra pair of eye-glasses but it went with the air cargo I sent yesterday so I had to go and look for a new frame. The cheapest costs me 40 Naira, which is exactly the amount left in my wallet because I was told I should have from 40 to 50 Naira in my pocket before I go for airport expenses. So I paid for the new frame the last Naira I have and resort ed in borrowing 50 Naira from Dra. Gillego.

I just hope that these uncertainties will all end up tonight as I am writing this so that tomorrow when I wake up I will be feeling good until I arrive home.

Mach 4, 1979: Today, I am scheduled to fly to Rome at 12:30 p.m. I almost didn’t sleep last night, apprehensive about my trip. The thought of seeing Rome and then going home to my love ones makes me restless.

Last night, Dr. and Mrs. Tunggol (Joey and Dinah) visited me. They requested that should I chance to meet any of their relatives “Please don’t tell the truth about life in Lagos because they will surely worry”. The couple is also planning a way by which they can leave the country.

My going home, according to Dra. Dionisio is very demoralizing, because she knows that I am not coming back. She also wants to leave Lagos but as of now cannot yet find a way out. Everybody wants a way out but no one is really telling the truth to their relatives just the way I also didn’t tell the truth in my letters. I just wrote the good news.

I attended the Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral at 6:30 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. when I arrived at JA’ International Hotel, Engr. Villanueva, Dra. Nazaretbh and Vic Matunding were there already because they thought I was leaving at 10:30 a.m.

After breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Engr. Villanueva, Dra. Nazareth and I went directly to the airport. Vic couldn’t join because of a very important appointment.

When we arrived at the airport, Dr. Nestor Reyes was there as well as Dra. Gallego and her brother Tikboy’s family. Then came also Dr. and Mrs. Tunggol.

I was almost apprehended by the police when we had picture taken because I didn’t know that it was prohibited to take pictures.

At 11:00 a.m. I was completely checked-in. Thanks to Engr. Villanueva’s help.

I felt somewhat lonely traveling alone and thinking of my father’s death but just the thought of home gives me strength and hope.

The plane was delayed. Take-off at 1:14 p.m. It was a lonely flight. Most of the passengers were Nigerians and very unruly. I wasn’t feeling so good either with diarrhea, headache due to so many sleepless nights plus the efforts I exerted in following my papers.

Break was served at 1:30 p.m., 2:25 p.m. – touch down at Kano Airport, 3:07 p.m. left Kano Air port. Thanks God I saw a Filipino. He is Dr. Ison from Baudin State, also going home to the Philippines. 7:20 p.m. arrived at Rome Air port. It is good that Dr. Ison was with me because without him things would have been so hard for me.

I recalled that portion of the song I Believe which says: “I believe for anyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way”. That “someone” came to me in the persons of Engr.Villaneva and Dr. Ison.

We were accommodated at Satelite Hotel in Rome. Me, at room 303 and Dr. Ison at room 304. The Hotel is ok. 4 Stars by Philippine standard except that my room was not furnished with television set…

Tomorrow I am going to the air port to confirm my connecting flight to Manila then I am planning to join a guided tour in the afternoon so that on Tuesday I could go around to buy souvenirs and other “pasalubongs”.

I was told that it is not safe to roam around this city at night so I just stayed here in the hotel.

March 5, 1979: This morning I went to the Airport and confirmed my flight tomorrow. It is also good that I inquired about my baggage because all the time it was checked in Lagos direct to Manila but I saw the tag in my ticket is only up to Rome. I was able t o get my luggage.

This afternoon I toured the Vatican City in a Limousine car. I have pictures taken at St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, The Church of St. Paul, the ruins of the Coliseum and the famous “3 coins fountain”

I bought some souvenir items and chocolate for the children

People here are very pleasant to look-at. They are like living mannequins and walking dolls. But the new City of Rome outside the Vatican is not as clean as Paris. I am thankful I have this chance to see Rome.

March 6, 1979:

Wake up early because I am scheduled to fly at 7:50 p.m. I am so eager to be back home. The winter cold that I am experiencing at the moments reminds me of Tagaytay.

I’ve got to check-out before 12:00 noon or I’ll be charge $33.00 more. As of now I am already paying extra $33.00 because the 24 hour free hotel accommodation c/o Nigerian Air ways is al ready consumed.

Life her is very expensive but it is worth experiencing and worth remembering for a life time. Back home I don’t know yet what I will do but I am not planning to return to Nigeria for the following reasons:
1. The income and the inconveniences are not worth leaving the family behind.
2. The attitude of the Nigerian Doctors towards the Expatriate medical officers is not very encouraging.
3. The possibility of being afflicted by the Nigerian (African diseases) is not very remote.
4. The possible side-effects of the return to the Civilian Rule is not a joke. It is very real.
5. What happened in Iran may also happen in Nigeria.

I wonder why so many delays have to happen during my trip home. I was at t he airport at 2:00 p.m., checked in at 5:00 p.m. just to be told that PAL will be delayed until 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

Dr. Ison was able to fly by Singapore Airline. At the Airport I met Josie Borbon, wife of an Italian who is coming home to visit her family; two Baby Sitters from Barcelona and a Seaman from Yugoslav, Ferdie. We became instant “barkada” when stranded.

I paid another $75:00 for extra baggage. Now we are accommodated at Midas Hotel c/o PAL. This Hotel is much better than Satelite Hotel and I was surprised to find so many Filipinos.

The room is bigger and fully carpeted but also not provided with T .V. set. We were served Hamburger, mashed potato plus fruits: bananas, apples, pears and oranges,

I pray to God that tomorrow things will go on smoothly. I did not do an overseas call because I know my wife would inquire from PAL and she would be told of the delay.