What is a life without taking lessons when life itself is a lesson? I spent the last one month of my life in the United States, covering the FIFA World Cup for a third consecutive edition. This particular edition was unique in that it was the first time three nations co-hosted the tournament.
The United States is such a big country so if you’re not Gianni Infantino, there was no way you could visit the eleven US cities that hosted the competition. It is practically impossible, except you’re the FIFA President.
My coverage took me to five different states – New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida – and during my sojourn, I picked some non-footballing lessons along the way. Here are seven of them;
1. Where there is order, there is efficiency.
Whenever I travel outside Nigeria (especially outside West Africa), the first thing I look out for is order. Organisation from the very basic things such as transportation is what tells you how serious a country is.
While in Pennsylvania, I missed my train to cover Ghana vs Croatia because I arrived at the train station at 2:05pm for a train scheduled for 2:05pm. The train left of course and I had nobody to question. Buses are scheduled to leave at certain times and arrive their destinations at certain times and it happened, several times; nor be juju be dat?
Doesn’t that make planning very easy for the citizens and hence increase productivity? Well, what do I know? Even if there are some scant exceptions, the norm remains that order in organisation helps the big nations to thrive better.
2. Prayers, sometimes is a form of fear.
During my coverage, I embarked on short and long distance journeys and the ease at which passengers were struck that fine cord in me. No prayers (at least publicly), no apprehension, just sit and sleep while the drivers do their job.
I learnt that God reigns in the affairs of men and in the very little matters, why is it necessary to pray inside buses and public transport after you’ve done so before leaving your home? That is a form of exhibiting fear for any kind of danger ahead.
3. When you go to the US, do not sleep inside the flight, else!!
If you’re someone like me that does not mind eating what is served inside flights (at least it’s my money), then please do not sleep inside the flight while in the United States. Why? They will not wake you up when serving.
When traveling inside Nigeria and across African airlines, the air hostess will most likely tap you if you’re asleep when your meal is ready. However, my first shock flying Delta from New Jersey to Atlanta was opening my eyes to see people beside me eating while nothing was placed in front of me.
Returning to NJ on a United Airlines flight too, I missed the meal too, so when they were serving drinks, I stayed woke to receive it and fortunately, my neighbour was sleeping, so they bypassed her, 1-1 goalless draw.
4. You’re better off seeking help from non-blacks.
I saw a couple of friends complain of this, and from my experience too, whenever you need help as a stranger, for instance with a FIFA tag around your neck and not within the stadium’s vicinity, “blacks” are not your best option.
I don’t know if this comes out of insecurity, stereotype or complex but I found ready help in Asians and sometimes Latinos anytime such is needed.
5. Hispanics babes too fine, kai!
One of the sights that made this visit to America very rewarding was seeing beautiful ladies around you, especially on match days; Oh My Nourishment! From the days of watching telenovelas, you already knew there’s a thing about Spanish-speaking and coloured ladies.
Now beholding them in full glare with their complete physical attributes from front to back and sometimes hearing them speak that sweet-sounding Spanish made every trip worth the while. I withhold evidence for this.
6. Nigerians in diaspora dey work!
I met with a lot of friends and family in the States and one thing is constant in all fields of endeavour; Nigerians are working hard to live the good life they are living and also help family and acquaintances back home.
It makes it all great when you know that what you’re working for brings direct and deserved financial rewards (without having to beg for it) so any Nigerian would embrace it but eh, before you complain when that family abroad sends you that 50k, know that he/she really worked for it.
7. Where will Nigeria start from?
Anytime I spend time outside the country like this, the thought about the state of the country I’m returning to always cross my mind. I’ve talked about order, organisation and dignified labour, things that have made these countries solid. Where does Nigeria start its own from?
It seems so sad that the country has lost several decades doing nothing and deteriorating year after year, so you wonder where does Nigeria start from to get even the basics right? Corruption, lies, sabotage and impunity seem so hard to get rid of at all levels. Where can the deliverance of this Jerusalem start from?
After all the pre-tournament hullabaloo, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has now come and gone.
Thank you for the love and following all these years, I am truly grateful. It’s a wrap!
ALOHA
