It was a typical busy day at the Mile 12 Market in Lagos. Traders were shouting to attract customers, buyers were haggling over prices, and the air was filled with the smell of fresh produce and spices. In the midst of all the chaos, something unusual caught everyone's attention – a madman, known as Baba Ijebu, calmly sitting in the middle of the market, reading a newspaper.
Baba Ijebu was a familiar figure in the market. He was known for his eccentric behavior, but today, he seemed particularly focused. As he flipped through the pages of the newspaper, the traders and shoppers couldn't help but gather around, curious to see what he was up to."Mama Tobi, you don see this kain thing before?" asked Alhaji Musa, the yam seller.
"Ah, Alhaji, this one na new level o! Wetin Baba Ijebu dey read for newspaper?" Mama Tobi replied, shaking her head in disbelief.
As the crowd grew, Baba Ijebu looked up and noticed the audience he had attracted. With a dramatic flair, he cleared his throat and began to read aloud.
"Breaking news! Dem talk say for inside government, dem dey chop money like say tomorrow no dey!" Baba Ijebu announced, waving the newspaper for emphasis.
The market erupted in laughter. "Baba Ijebu, you don turn journalist today o!" someone shouted from the crowd.
"Ah, Baba Ijebu, wetin be the latest tori for sports?" another trader, Chike, called out, joining in the fun.
Baba Ijebu, not missing a beat, turned to the sports section. "Dem talk say Super Eagles go win World Cup next year. Make una prepare to celebrate!" he proclaimed with a grin.
The crowd roared with laughter again. "Baba Ijebu, na wa for you o! You fit talk anytin!" Mama Nkechi said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.
Just then, a young boy, Kola, approached Baba Ijebu with a curious look. "Baba Ijebu, abeg read the horoscope for me. I wan know my future."
Baba Ijebu scanned the paper, pretending to look for the horoscope section. "Kola, dem talk say you go become big man, but you go need read your book well well. No dey play too much!" he advised, looking serious.
Kola nodded earnestly, taking the advice to heart, while the adults around chuckled at the scene.
As the impromptu reading session continued, a trader named Sade decided to have some fun. "Baba Ijebu, abeg check the newspaper, dem talk anything about my business?"
Baba Ijebu flipped through the pages dramatically before pausing and squinting at an imaginary article. "Sade, dem talk say your market go sell well this month. But make you no forget to dash Baba Ijebu small something," he said with a mischievous smile.
Sade laughed and handed Baba Ijebu a bunch of bananas. "No wahala, Baba Ijebu. This one na for your good work!"
As the crowd continued to enjoy the spectacle, an elderly man named Chief Obafemi, known for his stern demeanor, approached. "Wetin dey happen here? Why everybody dey gather like this?"
"Baba Ijebu dey read newspaper for us, Chief! You fit believe am?" Alhaji Musa explained, still chuckling.
Chief Obafemi looked skeptical but decided to listen in. Baba Ijebu, noticing the Chief, straightened up and addressed him. "Chief, dem get special message for you inside this newspaper."
"Oh really? Wetin dem talk?" Chief Obafemi asked, raising an eyebrow.
Baba Ijebu held up the paper and announced, "Dem talk say make Chief Obafemi smile more, e go reduce stress and make am live longer!"
The crowd burst into laughter, and even Chief Obafemi couldn't help but chuckle. "Baba Ijebu, you don win today. You dey make everybody for this market happy."