Chapter Forty-One

The next day, in the cool evening, dressed casually yet looking dashing, Peter and Richie took a ride through the city to monitor how well the autonomous cars and drones were performing. These vehicles had been on the roads for some time, but today, they wanted to see how much progress had been made.

Sitting comfortably in one of the self-driving cars, Peter observed as it smoothly navigated the bustling streets. The car adjusted effortlessly to the flow of traffic, stopping precisely for pedestrians and merging seamlessly with other vehicles.

Above them, drones flew steadily, delivering packages with easy. One drone descended near a building, placed a package neatly at the entrance, then took off again effortlessly. People on the sidewalks watched with a mix of wonder and familiarity. They had grown used to seeing the drones, but the technology still fascinated them.

Peter leaned forward, his eyes following the drone. 'It's running smoother than before. The updates we made are working.'

Richie nodded, his gaze fixed on a line of autonomous cars moving in perfect harmony. 'We've ironed out most of the glitches. The system is learning every day, becoming more efficient.'

As they continued their ride, they noticed fewer traffic jams and smoother delivery services. The city seemed to flow better, thanks to the coordinated effort between the cars and drones.

When the car reached a quiet park, they stepped out to take a closer look. A nearby screen installed in the park displayed real-time data on the system's performance, including traffic flow, delivery times, and user feedback—all showing positive results.

Peter folded his arms, a thoughtful expression on his face. 'We've come a long way, Richie. But there's still room for improvement.'

Richie smiled, the confident grin he was known for. 'True. But look around, people trust the system now. It's making life easier, safer. That's a win.'

Peter nodded in agreement. 'Let's keep monitoring. If we can perfect it here in Abuja, we can expand it to other cities.'

Richie's eyes lit up with determination. 'And once we do, we'll redefine transportation across Nigeria.'

As they stood there, watching the autonomous cars glide by and drones zip through the sky, they felt a deep sense of accomplishment. It was a glimpse of the future they had worked so hard to build, with even more promising developments on the horizon.

Deciding to take a stroll, they left their car at the park. The lively streets around them bustled with activity. Hawkers called out their wares: 'Buy your pure water! Ice-cold pure water!' 'Bitter kola!' Kola nut! Recharge cards here!'

There were about five vendors grilling skewers of snail kebabs over a smoky flame, with customers stopping to buy and enjoying the delicious kebabs as they walked. Some decided to wrap theirs up and take them to a more convenient spot. A young boy pushed a wheelbarrow laden with oranges, expertly navigating the crowd. Nearby, a man deftly peeled sugarcane while chatting with a customer.

The air was rich with the aroma of grilled suya, snail kebabs, spiced plantains, roasted yam, roasted corn, and fresh bread. Drawn by the tantalising scent, Peter and Richie arrived at a barbecue stand glowing under the warm light of a hanging bulb. During their early days, they had cherished strolls like this. Even now, despite their wealth, they still relished these simple moments and the bustling energy of the lively streets.

The suya seller, a burly man with a cheery face and sweat glistening on his forehead, stood behind a metal grill loaded with sizzling skewers of beef, goat meat, and kidney. A small radio beside him blared a popular Afrobeats song by BahBah Richie, mixing with the laughter and chatter of people waiting in line. The smoky aroma, rich with spices, filled the air, making the stand a magnetic spot for hungry passersby.

'Ah, oga, welcome!' the seller greeted, expertly flipping a skewer while wiping his hands on a slightly charred towel draped over his shoulder. 'This one go sweet your belle, I promise!'

Richie grinned and stepped closer. 'I've been thinking of doing something remarkable on the 31st of December,' he said to Peter.

Peter glanced at him curiously, plucking a piece of suya from a skewer the seller had handed him for tasting. 'Like what?'

The seller raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. 'Remarkable? Tell me, oga. Abi na free suya for everybody?' His statement drew laughter from a small group of people standing nearby.

Richie waited until the seller handed over the neatly wrapped suya before replying with dramatic flair, 'Organising the first-ever football match between humans and robots.'

The seller froze mid-motion, his hand hovering over the skewers. 'Oga, you dey serious?' he asked, his tone a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

Richie's grin widened. 'Everything is possible if we believe,' he declared with a mock-serious tone, placing his hand on his chest for emphasis.

The seller let out a deep, hearty laugh, his large belly shaking with amusement. 'Ah, oga, we no dey church o! Believe, ke? For this one, you go need carry those robots go meet pastor. Make him pray well, well, anoint dem with olive oil. Maybe then, dem go score goal!'

The small crowd burst into laughter, a young man chiming in, 'Pastor fit even join the match sef, referee style!'

Peter chuckled, enjoying the lively joke as he handed the seller some cash. 'Well, Richie, if you pull it off, this will definitely make history.'

The seller leaned closer, his eyes twinkling. 'But oga, just remember, when dem robots score, make dem no come dey celebrate like say dem get belle,' he said, imitating a robot's stiff movements as he mock-danced. The crowd roared with laughter, and even Richie shook his head, unable to suppress his grin.

As Peter and Richie turned to leave, the noise of the bustling street wrapped around them like a warm embrace. They were about to head back towards their car when the suya seller's face lit up with recognition.

'Omo! Na you?!' he exclaimed, pointing at Richie, his voice rising with excitement. 'Wait, no be BahBah Richie, the superstar from Akwa Ibom State?'

The crowd around them paused, staring in surprise. Richie turned, smiled, and gave a small wave, but before he could say anything, the seller shouted louder, 'Na you be the one! Omo, na you I dey see for TV and magazines! Na you wey I dey play your song, Kapital No. I fit sing all your songs back to back.' The seller pointed at a billboard featuring Richie, looking sharp in a tailored Dolce & Gabbana suit. The billboard showcased him holding a sleek, leather Dolce & Gabbana bag, paired with polished shoes, his expression exuding confidence and elegance. 'No be you be this? Na you, joor,' he laughed.

Richie didn't know what to say, as the radio was playing his song, and the people around were enjoying it. On the billboard was actually him. They had hoped to buy the suya and leave in peace, without being recognised, but it seemed that was not meant to be.

The air shifted as whispers spread through the crowd. Phones were whipped out, and people began approaching Richie for autographs and photos.

Peter stepped back, smiling as Richie happily signed autographs and posed for pictures. But just then, a new voice interrupted the scene. 'Wait, no be Peter Mark the CEO of Mars Corporation?' someone called out.

Heads turned, and the crowd grew even more excited. Peter's name had appeared in several newspapers and magazines in the past, and his face was now instantly recognisable.

Richie laughed, giving Peter a teasing look. 'Looks like we've both got the fame now,' he said, enjoying the sudden attention.

Peter simply shook his head, amused. 'Just another day in the life of a CEO, I suppose.'

Pulling out his phone, the suya seller recorded the scene as he spoke. 'Oga Richie wan make 31st December special. He wan organise a football match between robots and humans,' he announced loudly to everyone. 'Oya, if you no get television, go buy one quick before the price go high. You sabi how our country dey shift price. Or you fit go stadium go watch am live. As for me, I go watch am live. I no wan watch am for television; dem fit photoshop am,' he said, laughing. 'My name na Ibrahim Musa, please follow me on TikTok,' he added.

'Smart people take good use of opportunity,' a young man eating snail kebab muttered as he walked by with his friend, noticing how the suya seller was creating content with Richie and Peter's appearance.

'This is what we call working smart. Believe you me, he will have followers and become a celebrity overnight. Sometimes, hard work doesn't pay, but rather, working smart,' his friend added.

The bustling street around them felt alive with even more energy, as fans and passersby took turns meeting Richie and Peter. The suya seller's stand had turned into an impromptu meet-and-greet spot, with everyone wanting a moment with the famous duo, and the seller sold out his entire stock.

The following morning, the city's newspapers splashed Peter and Richie's faces across the front pages. Punch, Vanguard, The Sun, and other leading national newspapers carried headlines like 'Richie's Big Idea: Football's Future with Robots and Humans,' accompanied by photos from the bustling street scene. On social media, the news spread faster than wildfire—tweets, Instagram posts, TikTok videos, and YouTube clips flooded timelines. WhatsApp channels, where thousands followed the latest trends, buzzed with messages, photos, and voice notes about the event. Facebook users shared the story in groups, while bloggers picked up the story, with detailed posts and behind-the-scenes shots from the suya stand.

International outlets soon followed suit. BBC, Al Jazeera, and CNN ran special segments covering Richie's bold idea, while news agencies worldwide were quick to highlight the unexpected street encounter. A magazine even ran a full feature on the duo, complete with snapshots from the suya stand. But amid all the attention, it was Ibrahim Musa, the suya seller, who became the unexpected star of the show. His TikTok and other social media platforms exploded overnight, with millions of new followers flocking to see his impromptu content. What started as a chance encounter had turned Ibrahim into an internet sensation. In just a day, he went from being a local suya seller to a viral celebrity, with sponsorship deals and media interviews flooding in from all directions.