Perspective: My Beans Journey

By Abdulsamad Okesanjo

To begin with, beans is bae. Even though we've refused to agree that it is carbohydrates. Growing up we were told it was protein, and there were several myths attached to it that it makes one grow tall.(still believe it). It deserves every eulogy it's getting from people representing the beans Republic, especially me, the spokesperson. 

I find it very funny and sometimes sad when people around me feel I overhype beans. That food y'all call overhyped is something I'll cherish till death. As a matter of fact, beans and bread will be the primary food to be served when I'm to get married. Even at my child's naming ceremony. Because it's the best edible to ever come into existence. It's a revelation from God to the farmers appnd of course to me the biggest fan of beans.

Growing up in a family of 5, my parents, myself, and my two siblings. We regard beans as one food that deserves so much respect. Every one of us loved it. To some families, it's sometimes the last option on their food timetable. During my mom's pregnancy, If I can recall, she ate so many beans while she was carrying me in her belly. I was always munching on the beans she swallowed. Then when I came into this life, I realised my love for beans is hereditary. Beans should be mandatory in every household in Nigeria. Not because I want it, but because I want everyone to taste the sensation in beans. 

We have varieties of beans in Nigeria. "Oloyin, drum, Ewa ibeji, Ewa funfun". Then we have the "ewa agoyin" from the egun tribe, whom we learnpt emancipated from Togo. "Ewa Agoyin" is the best-prepared bean, arguably. From the softness of the beans to the stew, name it all. It has all the qualities you'll ever dream of. Beans can be prepared in any way that pleases us. Either with vegetable oil, palm oil and anything you can think of.

The very first unforgettable experience I had with beans was in primary school. My then-seatmate, Abdul Ganiy, brought beans to school as his lunch. I think I had yam and stew in my flask, which I wasn't comfortable with at that time just because I saw him having beans in his flask. I had no choice but to beg him to exchange his food with me. He gave in after several pleads. "I love you, bro". 

Another one was when I went to spend the holiday at my cousin's place. On getting there, I realised their love for beans was also out of this world. We practically cook beans every two days. I couldn't contain my joy. We either have it with bread or plantain or garri as the case may be. It was then I concluded within myself that the whole family belonged to the beans Republic. 

I got admission into Olabisi Onabanjo university in 2015. I was super excited that at least I'm finally leaving the house to enjoy the freedom I'd always craved for. I got an apartment somewhere around "Igan Road " Limelight Hotel, junction to be precise. We were 6 in my hostel and I happened to be the youngest and most stubborn among us. I woke up one morning and I started perceiving the aroma of beans next to my window. I got out to trace where the smell could be coming from, on getting out to do that, I figured out that my neighbour in the next compound was the culprit who was trying to break my fast. I looked up and smiled. I said to myself "why am I this lucky "? It means I needed not to go far before getting to buy beans. 

Meanwhile, in my hostel, we cook beans in the middle of the night when nepa restores the light, using the general hot plate. That alone was a blessing I couldn't get enough of. Once I return from classes, I cross to my beans vendor turned neighbour to buy beans, without removing my clothes. Most times I either stare with garri or drink garri alongside it. It was at that period I realise that drinking garri with beans is also a sleeping pill for someone who struggles to sleep. It would relax your nerves by causing what we call "Irewesi" in Yoruba. You won't learn this in class. The doctor won't tell you this. I continued with that beans routine till it became my ritual that everyone around me knew about. 

During my NYSC days, I had a friend from my school that works at the Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA). I crossed part with him while I was at Ikeja city mall. We decided to have lunch together just to get along and chat about how life is treating everyone one of us. He ordered fried rice and chicken, I ordered the same. However, a spirit in me kept telling me to add beans to it, and I had no choice but to oblige it. "Loro kan," I ask the attendant to add some portion to my already served fried rice. She paused for a minute and asked me to repeat what I just said. I told her in Yoruba "e ba mi ta Ewa yen si egbe rice mi" I asked her again in Yoruba "sebi the t'eni ni ewa yi" she couldn't hold the laughter 😂. She kept on looking at my plate till we finished our meal and left the restaurant. 

In my adult life now, I can say it confidently that there's virtually nothing you can tell me about beans that I haven't tried. I can't buy food from vendors that do not sell beans. I'm not a fan of salad, beans is my salad. It goes with all kinds of food; beans and yam, beans and porridge, beans and rice, beans and snail, beans and plantain, beans and garri, beans and smoked snake (yummy), fried rice and beans, name it. 

In conclusion, I've made it a promise to myself,  my friends and my family that whenever I decide to get married, beans and bread will be the primary food to be dished to my guests and well-wishers. I know it won't be easy but I'm very much faithful that I would make it a reality.  Best believe. 

Shout out to all the beans lovers worldwide. Don't worry, we'll have our country soon. Independence awaits us. Beans to the world !!!