Photo Exhibition: Give Us This day, Our Daily Bread

Oghenefego Ofili

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Photo Exhibition: Give Us This day, Our Daily Bread

Give us this day our daily bread is a phrase from the popular ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Although this phrase seems to connote a source of supply without effort from the receiver, I believe it entails the active participation of the one who needs the bread. This portfolio shares the everyday hustle on the street as people look for different ways to put food on their table. From the trader on the street corner to the man who does not have a permanent place of business, these images show the daily struggle of many Nigerians. These people are not waiting for manna to fall from the sky; they are rolling up their sleeves, getting their hands dirty in the pursuit for daily bread.

With the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused a city like Lagos to be locked down, the source of income of these citizens has been compromised. Is the social palliative promised by the government reaching the people who really need it?

This wrist watch seller hawks his wares from place to place. Coincidentally the mobile phone network that prides itself as being everywhere is not here.

At bus parks there is usually a queue to ensure every driver has the opportunity to carry passengers. This driver is waiting for his turn to ‘load’.

A bread seller who is on his way to his place of business. His strategy does not entail hawking on the street.

One of the busiest streets in Lagos, Nigeria

While he provides security service for this compound, he has the liberty to make extra income by turning his room window to a mini shop

I could not help but notice the girl sitting on the pile of wood. I bet she has made a commitment to be rich when she grows up. To be able to take care of her mother who is currently going through so much stress to make ends meet.

Young men from the northern part of Nigeria who are based in Lagos and earn their living by helping move goods from one point to another.

This woman was on her way from the farm when I created this image. She has cassava sticks for planting in the next farming season.

This ‘maruwa’ seems to be in deep thoughts as he goes about his business. He is actually wearing a school uniform, but instead of being in school at this time of the day, he has to sell water to meet his basic needs.

These young men but in concerted effort to move their local ‘wheelbarrow’ across the road. Doing it together eases the burden.

The tomatoes look very fresh and attractive.

A woman carefully preparing her goods for sale.

Young men sit on a truck carrying sand. There is not enough space for them in front, so they have to make do of the truck’s boot.

A bread seller takes a few minutes to ensure her baby is comfortable on her back.

This woman is already checking her baskets for any catch as early as 7am. Whatever she gets today will be offered for sale in the seas food market.

A fisherman setting his traps/nets in the water to enable him catch some fishes

Sitting on a waste collection truck, this is probably the only opportunity has got to eat. He does not seem to mind the stench from the truck, food always bring satisfaction

On Eko Bridge, a trader walks towards the island

This bread seller hawks his products on the street. He seems ready for the day going by the loaves of bread he is carrying

Just beside the shoemaker’s shop I noticed this young man repairing someone’s shoe. He might not have a big space; he has his mobile kit ready to serve.

When I asked this shoemaker if he repaired shoes, he responded in the negative. He made it clear that he only made shoes. So every shoe hanging here was made by him and his apprentices.

A young man who sells fairly used electronic appliances. He makes sure he fixes any faults before they are displayed for sale

COVID-19, COVID19, Lagos, Lockdown, lockdownextension, Nigeria, Oghenefego Ofili, Photo exhibition, street photography, Urban poor

Oghenefego Ofili

4 Responses

Lanre Ogunnimo says:

April 14, 2020 at 12:33 pm

This profound and a wonderful write up. I love the pictures. You have done we’ll.

Reply
1. Oghenefego Ofili says:
  
  April 14, 2020 at 1:22 pm
  
  Thank you for your kind comment and feedback.
  
  Reply
Clifford says:

April 14, 2020 at 1:26 pm

Awesome Photography!
“…thank you for leading us not into temptation and delivering us from this evil”
paraphrased.

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Clifford Okwesi says:

April 14, 2020 at 1:49 pm

Awesome!
Great job.
Candid shots. A creative and timely collection, aptly titled.

Well done!

Reply