I have spent the better part of last week viewing palatial homes in Abuja and environs and find that our incurable need to show off continues to dominate us as a people.
I have come to the unflappable conclusion that when it comes to things of the world, Nigerians have to take the cake.
So, we are the largest consumers of Champagne outside France and Champagne is really a status symbol, as is everything from car to houses. Then we go for broke carrying designer stuff and splurge on them as soon as we come into some money.
We don’t buy one or two designer bags, we buy 24 and let our naysayers and political enemies take a hike. I want them to see me, you say, eyes large like lollipop.
So at fifty we find ourselves with too much money, so we build a fantabulous duplex, a mile high with a to-die-for penthouse.
Then at seventy-five, your knees won’t let you go to the penthouse and your lift has suffered lack of maintenance.
The story of many elder statesmen.
I am saddened when I see someone whose youth was so bubbly it would seem they would never grow old sit still in one chair all day long. The penthouse is far from his thoughts and going rusty.
Add that to all three children who now live abroad and loneliness sets in.
The grandchildren are far removed and mummy is no longer with you or vice versa. But that is a story for another day.
I can see why white people retire into simple homes that are functional and spend their monies on amazing holidays seeing the world and capturing the best memories of an azure butterfly and a setting sun on a cruise.
A couple of years ago I went on a cruise from Stockholm to Finland.
It was one of my greatest travel experiences. I have been on cruises before but this was special on the Baltic Sea. It was a 12-floor ship with six live bands on different floors. The food was out of this world and the organisation of nearly 300 people clockwork efficient.
But more importantly, at least a quarter of the cruise passengers were in their 60’s and 70’s. They were dancing the cache, the tango and the fox trot.
I was totally mesmerised. Holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes. It was awe-inspiring.
The journalist in me could not resist speaking to two of these elderly couples.
One lived in the United States and another in the UK.
I asked specifically their types of homes. One lived in a simple bungalow by the sea and the other lived in a two-bed apartment on the ground floor.
Duplex? High-rise four-floor homes? They did not understand.
Most of the spaces will be wasted and unlived in, they told me. The children move on. The grandchildren stop by but we are mostly by ourselves, so we keep an apartment we can maintain, they said. There you have it.
When you suddenly come into money, don’t start rushing to build a gigantic house with six floors which you may never be able to tour in your old age.
Be kind to your body especially your knees. Keep it supple, never stressed.
I really do love that house that has orange and cream stones used to highlight the front view.
But it has six floors and a N30 million lift.
I also worry about the body. In 30 years time, will it accept to go those many floors if the lift breaks down or will I be subjected to the ground floor guestroom?
But jokes apart. and I can afford it. Lol.
As you prepare for your retirement, choose your home well.
Give yourself a break.
Be kind to yourself, you have earned it.
Go on a vacation, you deserve it.
Take yourself to lunch.
