Hembelembeh, Olohlololoh

Every morning I greet my driver with a "Hembelembeh" and he replies with an "Olohlololoh" and with that, we know we're in for a great day.  Words on a page don't quite do the phrase justice... it needs the pizazz of a rhythmical singing tone!  It's a tradition that spawned from our listening to the Brekete reality radio show each morning.  Brekete went to air in January 2010 and describes itself as "a voice to the voiceless, a leg to the legless, a hand to the handless and an advocate of the underprivileged."  "Hembelembeh, Olohlololoh" is their slogan which stands for happiness.  They believe happiness comes from social equity, from equal opportunity, from fairness, from hard work, patriotism and from faith in God.  Who can argue with that?  Hembelembeh!

The first catch cry that got my attention in Nigeria was "you're welcome."  It seemed the perfect greeting as I made my way through the airport terminal and all the airline staff presented me with a huge Nigerian grin and "you're welcome."  "Thank you" I'd reply with similar enthusiasm as I delighted in the passion of the people in my new home country.  The joy of my existence continued as my collection of "you're welcomes" amassed over coming days on arrival at the hotel, the office, the local market, shopping center, food vendors and even from people who simply seemed privileged that I'd entered their space on the pavement... "you're welcome."  Until it finally struck me that it's the Nigerian way of saying hello!  Whether you're actually welcome or not is an entirely different question.

This was perhaps a most important lesson in not taking meanings at face value and just in time for my next encounter of unique Nigerian terminology.  At the end of a meeting I was presented with a business card and the words "flash me."  Imagine the surprise of my colleague had I suddenly given them "Naked in Nigeria" for real?  As it turns out, "flash me" is a request to call someone and hang up so that you're number appears on their mobile and they can add you to their contacts.  Whether that leads to the more x-rated version of flashing we know in Australia is entirely up to you!

This week however I remain bewildered over another new term that presented itself in a media interview about the governments commitment to fairness and transparency in politics.  They adamantly claimed they would remove all shady characters and stamp out "the jinx of the proverbial banana peel."  I can only assume it alludes to those with slippery fingers and a penchant for corruption.  Stamp them out indeed!