MOKALIK

Mokalik Na Correct Film Abeg

Since I watched ‘The Wedding Party’ on Netflix with some of my oyibo friends here in Cardiff last year (2018), I have seen other Nigerian movies pop up on my homepage. Mokalik was added quite recently. Immediately I watched the short Netflix-styled trailer of Mokalik, I decided I would find time to watch it. I was enchanted by the boy featured in the movie and what his story might be.

Also, I saw Simi (a gifted and now famous music artist) and I wondered what the story of the character she played, would be.

I eventually watched Mokalik and it stirred many reflections in my mind, so much that it moved me to write. Pull a chair and let me gist you about this movie *SPOILER ALERT*!!

How It Begins

The opening scene is one which many Nigerians will immediately recognise – early morning with the sun rising and a drive through the city to start the day while listening to your favourite radio station.

A particular song is played all through the opening scene. It is sung in Yoruba but has subtitles in English, which was very helpful. I can’t speak or read the wonderful Yoruba language (one of my regrets considering I lived in Ibadan for almost 2 years and schooled in Ogun State for 4 years). I know right? shame on me.

The song in the opening scene speaks of working hard and striving. Seeking to be diligent and not waiting around for an inheritance or handouts. It serenades the dignity of labour and the rewards of

earnest work.

Although it never quite occurred to me, one of the places where this can be seen in Nigeria is the mechanic workshop. In the second scene, the movie takes us right there.

Mechanics Fit Scatter Tings Sha…

I know many people (including myself) who have had some unfortunate experiences with mechanics in Naija. The typical situation is where you take your car to them and two weeks later discover an entirely unrelated problem. I can go on and on about the many things that could go wrong.

We all know that most Nigerian mechanics never get western education or corporate-styled training, and talk less of certified training. However, some of them eventually demonstrate skills and problem-solving techniques forged through hard-earned years of trial and error, enabling them to gain impressive experience in the vocation of fixing cars.

So, despite the many mechanic-related upsets and experiences you may have had, there are very good mechanics in Nigeria – believe it or not. Ask anybody who has found one. When you find a great mechanic, it is a match made in heaven, just behind things like finding salvation or finding a wonderful wife or husband. Such rare mechanics are usually situated within an ecosystem with other mechanics specialising in various aspects of the craft. They are the pride of the workshop, respected by the others and loved because they bring in lots of customers.

Another thing you would usually notice about such mechanics is they always have apprentices who learn from them and aspire to do the magic they do, one day. What a great place to tell great stories and impress memorable lessons about work!

A Rare Visit To The Mechanic Workshop

The second scene shows us a man in a nice car driving to a mechanic’s workshop. He steps out and is corporately dressed such that you would immediately assume that he’s there to service the car or leave it for repairs. However, he’s a middle-class comfortable Nigerian man about to do a very rare thing – leave his Ajebo kid at the mechanic workshop to undergo a day of apprenticeship! Ah!

Mokalik Na Correct Film Abeg

Understandably, the kid (Ponmile by name) was upset and reluctant, bordering on rude. Before his Father even left the workshop, he was reprimanded and reminded of a crucial pillar of Yoruba culture – respect for Elders. He is urged to dobale (lie down to greet) and does so immediately.

The Rest of the Movie

The rest of the movie is a very interesting tale of how that day of apprenticeship probably turns out to be the most eventful and incredible day of Ponmile’s entire life. Go and watch it to see what happens! Let me tell you what my big take-home impressions were.

Very relatable and engaging Reality…

There were many super real things in the movie, including the tone and manner of speech of its characters, how animated and expressive Nigerian people can be, how the most simple yet heated arguments occur over delicious dishes in street canteens and how ‘seniors’ get offended and insecure when their reasoning, knowledge or methods are questioned. You will find lots more! I was laughing my head off while nodding in thoughtful agreement during some scenes. I found it very

relatable and deeply engaging. I felt like I was a mechanic there with them sef.

Important Conversations

This movie brought up a very important conversation which Nigerian Parents in our generation need to have urgently and be guided accordingly. Is School for everybody? My Dad will say yes. Absolutely. I remember growing up, he said whether you want to be a footballer, going to school will make you a better one who is well-rounded mentally and able to deal with life on and off the pitch. I agree with this, it’s all fine and good, however, is getting a University degree and white collar job for everybody?

No. At least, I don’t think so. We are all unique and have diverse inclinations and talents.

Unfortunately, everyone is put into one single size only to painfully realize later that it does not fit all. We have many graduates today who would have been much further than they currently are if they had undertaken vocational training instead of academic learning, which they were never suited for.

Also, the signs can be picked up early, but many parents are often in denial and would persuade their children to be who they will always struggle to be. Sadly we look down on vocational jobs, and this is not only reflected in the reluctance of parents to guide their children that way but also in how cheaply we pay mechanics, painters etc for their hours of work and skills. Come and ask how much painters charge in the UK. When I relocated last year and heard the astounding rates, me and my fiancée jejely painted our soon-to-be marital home ourselves. Painter no be labourer here o. Painter na professional.

Could it be that your child is the vocational type? Let them stay in school but please seek ways to develop vocations where passions exist.

Belonging and Community in the Unlikeliest Places

When you stop to consider the daily lives of low-income vocational men like Bus Drivers, Mechanics, Street Chefs etc. you find that amidst the daily grind of the hustle and the sometimes hostile and abusive exchanges which may occur, there is a strange sense of belonging and community. Also, they constantly aspire for so much more, yet are quite content with the little things; teasing and laughing at each other, sharing stories about their lives and interests, having a good laugh, eating the same meal every day and even mundane things like keeping track of airlines flying across the sky. Mokalik expresses the resilient nature of Nigerians and our ability to create social safety nets which keep us from going insane in a country with many frustrating and difficult challenges.

BSc Mechanical Engineering *coughs*

One of the scenes in the movie features a conversation between the Ajebo Ponmile and Taofeek who is a 5-year apprentice. T insists that he has so much experience only to be asked why it has taken him 6 years to learn the craft when people study it in university for just 4 years. T points out that the average mechanical engineering student does not know how to fix a car… I don’t know what the state of mech eng is in Naija or what the curriculum is like. But this exchange in the movie also brought up another important conversation. I learnt the hard way that my university degree and master’s degree good as they are, will always be second place to what I can actually do. I think people are beginning to learn that skills are gold today. Don’t dull yourself oh. If you are in

University right now, and you come home to flex during your holidays, receive future positioning sense and seek volunteering opportunities at reputable establishments. Do not graduate with a one-page CV oh! Go and get some experience and skills, please!!

Wehdone!

A big well done to the Director, Kunle Afolayan and his entire team that produced this engaging movie. You guys are a great example of what people with resources and skills who also have the privilege of exerting influence should use those things to do. You have greatly depicted reality, engaged my heart and mind and engraved memorable lessons in my consciousness, motivating me to rethink my values, approach to work, and commitments and priorities. I hope many people who watch this movie will appreciate it as I do.