Away from Ronaldo's return to Man U that has left the internet astir, I feel the urge to share this:

Three days aback, I received a strange call from an elderly Man who had just copied my number on Punch Newspaper. He is Alhaji and a rich man who works as a top manager in an airline company. He said he just read my article on FG's romance with terrorists, "Repentant Terrorists Deserve Iron Hand, Not Consanguineal Fist." He confessed to loving my unbiased stance and patriotism, and most especially, my writing prowess. We had a chat that lasted for over 3 minutes, after which I sought his permission to have his digit saved; which he consented to. A perfect chance to cement a connection with him, right? But something went sour between us immediately. What?

Two minutes after he had hung on the call, I received a message from him, which reads: "RECOMMEND THREE RELIABLE GRADUATES THAT CAN WORK IN AN AIRLINE IN ENUGU/LAGOS/ABUJAAND PORT-HARCOURT." I was firstly startled upon reading the message, but curtly subdued when I rearranged my thought that he could be a scammer, who might have just played another game through which scammers do their devilish work?

I was betwixt happiness and confusion; "If this is real and I recommend people for him, it will without doubt be a life changing opportunity for them, considering the unemployment rate out there. And if it turns out the other way that he's a scammer or kidnapper, I would have taken a big risk by recommending people for someone who could use their information for illicit stuffs or even get them killed or kidnapped - while I sit my ass in jail for being a careless recommender" were the thoughts that knocked my mind.

Of a sudden, I had a lightbulb moment, and I placed a call at Alhaja to have her informed of the development. Unfortunately, her both lines weren't going through - hence a call I placed at a Lawyer for legal counsel. And I was advised to tell the man to send full information of his company that "internet search" could give clarity to.

I heed his advice and called the man to ask for detailed information of the company. This time, he replied in a way that broke me a little; he said the message I earlier received wasn't for me. He had intended to send it someone else. But then, with what he had read on Punch and with the manner at which I've spoken with him, he has a certain degree of belief I would recommend better Graduates. I thanked him and he gave information about the company. I searched it on Wikipedia, and "ngcheck" where one can get detailed information of top companies in Nigeria. Upon my search, I found certain things to be true and other information seem unclear, especially his name.

In a saner situation, I should have just sent him the details of the 5 Graduates he requested, but then I was trying to play my cards rightly: I loathe to get myself into problem with anyone, hardly do I engage people or mess around with anyone - I don't joke with my peace of mind. I sent him a message again that I found certain information uncleared in what he had earlier told me - and trust me, surprisingly, he flared up in anger with fact that I had searched his personal names too, which I only did to confirm that I'm not engaging a scammer who had only given me information about a real company, but who, himself, is not real. At his end, he's afraid too, security wise. He's afraid of a stranger that could get him into problem or divulge his personal information to killers or kidnappers. This is what Nigeria has turn into for everyone - a miasma of fear from Bandits, Kidnappers and Scammers.

I pleaded with him in a remorseful voice, telling him I was only trying to be security conscious. After long minutes of call, he told me to send just three names by 2:30pm on that same day, I was able to send just two names of two guys I have deal with on personal terms and can vouch for their honesty and hardwork. Unfortunately, the man's feedback came negatively. He told me they have excess men at work already, and they are only in need of female air hostess as it stands. I guessed that must have been for the security game I played at him, which did not sit well with him in the long run. I called the Lawyer and told him of the development, whose advice to me was not to feel seethed, as I have done what is right of me.

I won't lie, I am sobbered the opportunity slipped, not because of me, as I've never been a seeker of white jobs - but these two honest guys whose lives I want to touch, positively. This is what Scammers and Kidnappers have turned Nigeria into. Even when REAL OPPORTUNITIES knock from strangers, you still have to doubt it so you won't be engaging someone who's trying to defraud you or get you kidnapped. It's quite unfortunate - really.

Hashim Yussuf LegalBard