Me and the World: Sequel To: in Search of Greener Pastures

By C.J Louis

Lucas Johnson was lured to Russia for the hopes of a better life, by a communitys acclaimed philanthropist who later revealed himself as a drug lord. Lucas had a dream to get a good education and to live large when he returns home. Eventually, stranded in foreign country, he was led into the illicit drug trade. His street name BUDDY and that of his gang members HEADACHE and others were hardly related or identified by the authorities in order to close down on them. He was caught with his friend Zulu and jailed for six years, unknown to the authority that they were the most wanted BUDDY and HEADACHE on the drug list.
Lucas Johnson! His phony identity and his gangs styles exposed. Though he repented after his jail term and got home to run a school of public image and youth development, an institution which has contributed positively in the lives of his society youths. But Zulu his friend lost his life in South Africa in the drug course.
Mario a friend to Inga, Lucas daughter, was among those initiated into drug usage and got addicted. Mario lost his life in the course of drug usage and Inga lived with it. She got married to another man Emry.

Me And The World is a thrilling story of peoples life styles, that reveals the operational norms and languages of illicit drug trade and the aftermath of it in human life.
Zulu, honestly we were bad, and we need Gods forgiveness. Listen, we still need to be very smart in all our directions, because the maggots we met then may still come for us at any place or time. You should not be carried away by luxurious events now, because drug terrors and revenges do not get deleted as long as the mafias live.
It also details more on the ill effect of human trafficking and the illusive search for greener pastures.
It aims to educate the public, especially the youth on the negative consequences of illicit drug trade, and can serve as a tool for anti-drug trafficking and anti-human trafficking campaigns across the globe.

**************

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: May 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491890714

C.J Louis

C.J. LOUIS is the author of “IN SEARCH OF GREENER PASTURES” an international research expert on illicit drugs and human trafficking. He is a prolific writer.

Book preview

Me And

The World

Sequel to:

In Search Of Greener Pastures

C.J Louis

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AuthorHouse™ UK Ltd.

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Bloomington, IN 47403 USA

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© 2014 C.J Louis. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/13/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9070-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9071-4 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

CHRISTMAS TALE

INTRODUCING…

SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My immeasurable appreciation goes to Azafi Omoluabi—Ogosi who helped this work be a reality.

Azafi Omoluabi-Ogosi

Managing Editor

Parresia Publisher Ltd

[phone].

Christmas Tale

The dark sky was suddenly filled with the heavy and noisy thrust of a Rolls-Royce built engine. I could feel the air bus floating as it moved in the air. Once in a while, I could feel it move erratically as it was controlled not by the skilful manoeuvrings of the Pilot but by forces of nature beyond its control. Such dips and movements greatly frightened me, sending chills down my spine—fingers of fright clawing into my system and reaching into sensitive areas where urine and something else could take hold of me.

I became tense when the speakers crackled, I knew the pilot was about to make an announcement I detested based on what I had felt. All passengers should please sit back and fasten their seat belts, we will be experiencing some turbulence.

Before the speakers went dead, I became withdrawn and silently engaged in unprepared and unfocused prayer. I soon noticed that as unprepared as I was to pray, I had this niggling feeling of uneasiness, and my attention was divided. I finally opened my eyes and noticed I was better off than most of the passengers in the uncomfortable, irritating, oozing lavatories economy class cabin we shared.

I tried taking a moment out of the worrying information, and engaged my thought in comparing the First class, Business class and Economy class cabins and the life they wear. I ended up renaming our Economy class to Poor class, no matter the name given to it, to appreciate us. Though I assured myself, to still take other lower or lowest class that will be made available; only if the airline management will learn from Nigeria transporters, what is called "Attachment—in local dialect, Obere Oche! Because I’m not one of those Nigerian politicians who has excess to enjoy.

As our airbus was nearly swallowed by the horror of the whipping turbulence, I heard many voices humming and some speaking in tongues, or maybe in languages I do not have knowledge of, while some were calling the name—Jesus. I only heard these voices, I did not see them, because voice although invisible, is audible. I assumed some peed in their panties. I was humoured, having reflected on the attitudes of some the passengers; how energetically and pompously we muscled into the airbus, through the boarding tube at Muritala Mohamed Airport, with stern faces as if our fathers owned and controlled death. Trust Nigerians in forming!

This moment scared my imagination, and the joy of the luminous unknown city sighted far below—under the belly of the airbus, suddenly became a contemplating subject. Would there be people to give us a helping hand when we make an emergency landing?

On second thought, I crossed my heart and said, forbid it Lord that it is South-Sudan, Syria, or any of these warring zones, then we will be used for Christmas barbecue.

Suddenly, my lost and wandering mind was overpowered by the power of unseen sleep, as if God knew the state of my blood pressure and called for calm.

The next recalled moment, was the moment of happiness, when the system crackled out the news that we were descending into the CDG airport in a few minutes. I bravely woke up, and sat with a cup of cappuccino coffee handed over to me by a pretty and spotless Air-Hostess.

Admiring the great splendour of luminous Paris—the city of Romance, from above, took those perturbed moments away.

Finally on arrival, I made a brief prayer, thanking God as usual and asked His safety on the other Passengers still on an onward voyage.

My family was happy at my arrival and a bottle of Crystal Champagne was pumped for the joy of togetherness during the Christmas celebration . . . . ‘Hurray . . . .’!

jchimez 02.30am/25-12-2013

Dedicated to; Nkiru, Chizirim and Gudochi.

INTRODUCING . . .

ME AND THE WORLD:

A SEQUEL TO IN SEARCH OF GREENER PASTURES

Brief On In Search Of Greener Pastures

In Search of Greener Pastures is an exhilarating tale that reveals the unfortunate realities of our time. It unmasks both the deadly activities of illicit drug peddlers in Russia and the general attitude of Russians towards immigrants. This is a well-told story that can serve as a tool for anti-drug and anti-human trafficking, which aim to educate the youth in Africa, especially those of school age. It is a story of greed, adventure, retribution, mystery, destiny, and regrets. This work is a tool for campaigns against drug trafficking, where millions of people find death and destruction.

SYNOPSIS

Lucas Johnson was lured to Russia for the hopes of a better life, by a community’s acclaimed philanthropist who later revealed himself as a drug lord. Lucas had a dream to get a good education and to live large when he returns home. Eventually, stranded in foreign country, he was led into the illicit drug trade. His street name BUDDY and that of his gang members HEADACHE and others were hardly related or identified by the authorities in order to close down on them. He was caught with his friend Zulu and jailed for six years, unknown to the authority that they were the most wanted BUDDY and HEADACHE on the drug list.

Lucas Johnson! His phony identity and his gangs’ styles exposed. Though he repented after his jail term and got home to run a school of public image and youth development, an institution which has contributed positively in the lives of his society youths. But Zulu his friend lost his life in South Africa in the drug course.

Mario a friend to Inga, Lucas’ daughter, was among those initiated into drug usage and got addicted. Mario lost his life in the course of drug usage and Inga lived with it. She got married to another man-Emry.

Me And The World is a thrilling story of people’s life styles, that reveals the operational norms and languages of illicit drug trade and the aftermath of it in human life.

Zulu, honestly we were bad, and we need God’s forgiveness. Listen, we still need to be very smart in all our directions, because the maggots we met then may still come for us at any place or time. You should not be carried away by luxurious events now, because drug terrors and revenges do not get deleted as long as the mafias live.

It also details more on the ill effect of human trafficking and the illusive search for greener pastures.

It aims to educate the public, especially the youth on the negative consequences of illicit drug trade, and can serve as a tool for anti-drug trafficking and anti-human trafficking campaigns across the globe.

* * *

C.J. LOUIS is the author of IN SEARCH OF GREENER PASTURES an international research expert on illicit drugs and human trafficking. He is an expert on public image presentation and youth follow-up. He is a prolific writer who has spent years on campaigns against illicit drug trade and human trafficking in the World.

CHAPTER ONE

The Pilot’s announcement that the aircraft was approaching the runway of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport had just been made, he peeped out the window, looking down at the blend of urban and almost rural landscape that speckled the area. Not much had changed in this area, rusty roofs and the definite bad roads with no drainage, he was sure, would still be found if he ventured there; no doubt.

As his eyes feasted on the scenery below, his thoughts were drawn to the 2012 Dana Air accident which had partly damaged the Agege area where it crash landed and had left no survivors. He shuddered and crossed himself but the aircraft landed and taxied without any drama to the applause of its passengers who must have been just as tense.

His old friend, who he had spoken to before he boarded, would be waiting at the arrival lounge, he wasn’t sure if he would still recognize him after so many years. The Lagos heat could already be felt in the cabin, it had somehow overpowered the air conditioning while the passengers still hoped for a safe landing. When the cabin doors were opened, passengers felt the full force of its sweltering might. Passengers quickly alighted and docked into the air bus, a general conversation soon ensued as to how the sun burned harsher in Lagos than in Johannesburg.

The arrival hall crackled with the airport public address system. This is arrival announcement of South African Airline, flight 543 from Johannesburg.

Immediately he heard the announcement, Lucas strained his eyes to observe passengers coming through the arrival gate. He spotted a tall dark man with faintly familiar features approaching the exit gate of the arrival hall, he was in the middle of an aged lady and a little girl, This had to be Zulu, but he was a little confused, the brief he had receive did not include Zulu and his family. He became surer it was Zulu, the man’s gaze lingered on him too and even when he looked away, he looked his way again. But the woman and the girl with him left Lucas uncertain. He was tense, uncertain as to whether or not he should call out his friend’s name and see if he was the one. He rubbed his hands together as he thought of what to do, then the man disengaged from the woman and the girl who was maybe his granddaughter and waved to them as they walked towards a group of people. Then he turned to him and smiled. Lucas was now sure that this was Zulu and rushed to meet him. Both were happy to see each other, they laughed out loud, exchanged bear hugs while they simultaneously patted each other’s backs attracting attention with their exuberant greeting. Zulu, this is great! He screamed, I can’t believe my eyes. Oh this is great, Lucas repeated over and over again. See how small this world has become; is this how we have become globally connected? Zulu asked rhetorically. You are right Zulu, especially since the introduction of this monitoring gadget, we call the internet where everyone is monitored. See how easy it was for us to keep in touch, thank God, I’m now a preacher of truth and justice, or else the potential to manipulate the internet for evil purposes would have been my stock in trade. I hope you too have changed and found something good doing? Oh sure, Lucas; my country is doing great in making our people feel good and quit the idea of fleeing the country for some illusive search for greener pastures abroad. Life in South Africa now is becoming better than those places we run to. Our educational standard is far better than it used to be, and people are happy that the youths are attracted to school with the more fascinating system the government is adopting. That is good news and nice to hear," Lucas said before getting a second hug that lasted longer than the previous.

You are greatly welcome my friend. I thought you were just joking when you told me that you had your ticket already and even when you called that you are boarding. But you know I always stand by my word. Yes, but that was then in Moscow, when the going was tough, and all was to avoid bullets on the head, Lucas replied. They both laughed. Although we were not born with the attitude, but we were forced into it by frustration and the environment we found ourselves in, Lucas said. What do you expect, when provisions for immigrants to survive in such environments without illegal activities are scarcely available, Zulu chipped in. Oh jobs, you mean? You have to first talk about permit to work down the staircase for shopping or even to view the city through the window, before your dream of job opportunities Lucas laughing. Yes Zulu! He continued. If jobs are provided for these unfortunate visitors in the EU and other parts of the world and their inhabitation recognized, one will not ally oneself into illegal activities like drug trade and prostitution. I personally think that the confinement and isolation of these victims in the affected areas bring more harm than good to both the economy and the people of such environment".

Before they left the airport for Lucas’ hotel, Zulu’s attention was drawn to some men in long gowns praying to them for currency exchange. Oh Lucas, does your country still practice this unlawful system of Bureau De Change? Zulu felt disappointed as he asked. It is wrong and everyone knows that, but the system is biased, some people involved in the business are considered to be very powerful, otherwise government would have done something about it, Lucas responded. But this will not be doing great to the economy of your country, Zulu added. Who cares?" Lucas retorted.

Our government is known for a system of what it will do to the masses and not for what it will do for the masses, Lucas concluded. Can’t the banks handle the sale of foreign currencies here, and get it sold at the real rates? Zulu asked. For sure, but even when the banks are asked to handle the sales, our banks’ staff still make business out of it. In this country, the poor is neglected for the interest of the rich. It is a country where houses are built by the government and given to the rich at reduced rates, and the rich resell or rent to the poor at higher rates. Our government has never planned to accommodate the poor or to challenge the rising cost of living here. Do you know it is practically impossible for a working class or civil servant to maintain an apartment in our capital cities? In the EU or USA, even in your country, South Africa, a Nigerian can conveniently rent an apartment next to the MP’s or even mayor of a city. That’s awful," Zulu chipped in.

Eventually, both were thankful to the social network, Facebook—that brought them back again after nine years of being incommunicado. Zulu was first to reopen the lines of communication between them when he did a search, and found Lucas Johnson. They spent two days in Lagos before they flew on a local flight to Enugu, the closest city to Lucas’ village. While in Lagos, Lucas had the opportunity to introduce his elder brother, Nduka and his family, to Zulu.

Who you be? The local security in Nduka’s house asked Lucas and his guest as they approached the gate. Can we be allowed entry to see Mr. Nduka and the family? Lucas politely asked the security man. I say, who you be? Who you dey look for? The security man asked repeatedly in Nigerian Pidgin. He seemed drunk, Zulu noticed. The Gardener who had met Lucas several times, noticed Lucas and his friend and quickly intervened. He is Oga’s brother, please let them in. And will that make him not to introduce himself to my office?" He murmured. The gate was quickly thrown open and Lucas alongside his friend received a military salute from Musa the retired artillery and drunk. That he oozed of alcohol was unmistakable. The Gardener laughed and shook hands with Lucas and Zulu.

You are welcome sirs, the Gardener showing good manners, saluted. How are you? Both responded. Is Mr. Nduka in? Lucas asked. Yes Sir, he responded. Then Lucas went back to let the taxi go. In a minute or two, they were in Nduka’s sitting room downstairs, it was one out of the four sitting rooms in the palatial edifice. Nduka came down to receive his guests immediately the Gardener alerted him. But before his arrival, his son, Lucky, had started jumping on Lucas and Zulu. How are you Lucky? Lucas asked. Fine thank you, he responded. And where are Mummy and Daddy? Lucas continued. I don’t know," the little boy responded. They both laughed at his behaviour.

This is my nephew, Lucas introduced Lucky. Boy; how are you? Zulu asked. Fine,"