I just certainly need to go out a little more, especially now that I am back in Lagos. I found a self-service machine that prints debit cards, and I was unbelievably shocked by it—and embarrassed that I was, too. Did you know there's such a machine?
I have barely used ATMs for anything in the past two years. I just got used to visiting POS vendors instead since cash was scarce here at the time. And there was no bank where I served during my national service year.
I needed to make a withdrawal at the university my brother attends when I went to visit him and asked for POS vendors nearby. He suggested their ATMs at the banks instead, but I told him that my card had expired already. Then he told me that I could just make another one instantly at the ATM gallery.
There indeed was a self-service card printing machine at the ATM gallery in Guarantee Trust Bank, and I was surprised.
I was actually surprised. I was surprised that such a machine existed. I knew it was definitely possible and should already exist, but I guess I was mainly surprised that I had no idea that people were already using it all this time.
I felt like a senior citizen who was just discovering technology.
I used the machine, and then my card was "spat out" to me in a few seconds. The idea that it was even quicker was also surprising, because I previously had to wait so long at banks to have my debit cards printed.
I thought of the university I graduated from and reminisced about the times this machine could have made things much easier, and I hoped the banks there now have such a machine. No one needs to not have access to or find life easier.
But by the way, these banks offer free WiFi services. They have been doing so for years, but it still baffles me that there is even such a thing as free WiFi that actually works. I'd always visit such places regularly, and that's the same idea people generally have.
I found people sitting and using free WiFi services. The area wasn't clustered by people, which told me that it's pretty much a regular thing, and many other banks offer the same thing. And there I was, questioning my choice of university from years ago. I never had such an experience.
And the views around such places were so nice. I have been to so many states in Nigeria in the last year, and only a few times have I enjoyed pretty sights in those places for reasons I can't fathom yet.
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I mean, these ones in UNILAG aren't the best in the world or anything close, but they were just pleasant to look at and be around.
I'll be honest and say that being in a university again was a bit nostalgic. It felt really nice to see students walk to different places for lectures, to eatt, to hang out, and all, but it was even nicer to not need to read books like I used to.
Anyway, perhaps I'll explore more the next time, but I realise now that I should be going out a little more these days.