three nights ago, i was in Mr Biggs (a popular Nigerian fast food joint like McDonalds) in Ogbomoso for a small meeting (I have found convenience in having meetings in Mr. Biggs, for a bottle of drinks 60 bucks, i can meet with a group of 5 for 45 minutes, enjoying the air condition, soft music), when scribbled on the table was a mobile phone number and a note saying "Looking for a girlfriend, please call Tracy".

I was amused at first, all of us at the table laughed (Ibraheem, Tayo and Desola?? we were meeting to brainstorm on a leadership manual we are developing), we tried to call the number and at least chat with Tracy to find out first hand what has led her to such desperation, the number was unavailable.

The next day, while discussing with a staff of the eatery, i was told that someone has actually called and met with Tracy, not real name. She claims that she is a student, lives with her sister, and because of her poverty conditions, she has decided to try her luck on the tables of a fast food joint, maybe one of the regular patrons can throw some money her way in exchange for companionship.

I shudder at the thoughts, and i ask myself, should poverty take people this far?

I have not yet found answers to this question, please help me out!