In 1980 or 1981, I learnt a very important lesson that shaped my life. My father had given me “pocket money” and money for provisions for the new term. My brother, Ufuoma, escorted me to Igbudu Market, Warri, Delta State, to buy provisions. When we got to the market, we saw women doing “try your luck” (amateur gambling). Then greed got the better of me. I thought that I could double my provision money and buy more provisions. I decided to stake N1, then N2… (N1 could buy you five tins of sardine at 20k each then). Then Ufuoma noticed that the women were manipulating the table to ensure that I lost each round. He became insistent that we should leave. I would plead with him to allow me one more time. We were conversing in Urhobo and the women understood. They would manipulate the table to ensure I won the next time. I would tell Ufuoma to allow me continue because I was winning. I wanted to win back the money I lost. Then I would go on a losing streak, then win intermittently. It continued until I had N2 left. We left and walked home. I almost died of hunger that term.
