Dapper windscreen cleaner spotted in Abeokuta, Ogun State

This should fill me with hope, but it simply saddens me and tears at my heart. The hopelessness of a nation that makes a grown man, blackened by the sun and a hard life, have to clean windscreens in Abeokuta for a living. We have no safety net, no lifeline, no help for destitute people. Will this man ever come out of this heartbreaking situation? And if he manages it without turning to crime, what about the millions just like him?

Daniel Sync reports on what he saw in Abeokuta while working there:

I have always believed that we Nigerians are the most creative being on earth but spotting Abdulahi today in Abeokuta took my belief system to another level. You see, Abdulahi is the first suited and booted windscreen cleaner I have ever seen.

Well spoken Abdulahi Olatoyan who is in his early thirties is a University of Ilorin drop-out, who turned to the street after the death of his father to make a living and hopefully save enough money to start a business. He hopes to return to school to finish his studies one day.

Photographing and speaking with Abdulahi today inspired me and I do hope that you are inspired by his story too.

“If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Michael Jordan

Photo/ Story by Daniel Sync/ Sync MEDIA HOUSE