Out of many places I would love to see myself, Lagos is one place I don't like going to or even spending the night there.
*My friend who has spent most of his lifetime in Oyo State and Ilorin where we schooled got an employment opportunity in Lagos and that became his first time in Lagos state. *
He called me after his whole day's activities, he lamented and ranted like what kind of life are people living here in Lagos? I was just laughing all through our conversation. When I told him about Lagos's life while we were in school he thought I was just lying and exaggerating.
If you don't go crazy in Lagos then you must act crazy! Just have that attribute in you. Once you dull yourself then you would have to learn the hard way. Lagos in the 90’s and Lagos now I still see no difference. Those calling it small London. I wonder what they see in London or Lagos.
London where you can never have peace of mind. London where you have to fake your livelihood just to survive the street, London where you have to play wise unless the fool would play worse on you. London where you have to hold yourself tight if not you might not even see yourself anymore.
I remember sometime when I went to write my Waec Examination in Lagos. I would leave home as early as possible so I can meet up with the examination time.
The first day got me like, what’s happening! People kept giving me body contact and at some point, I realize I had been the one dulling my movements and that was because I never knew where I was going.
The following day I took action. I was so fast with my movement and I learned how to dodge different body attacks. I learned some moves and went straight to where I had my exams.
If you ever had an encounter with a crazy Danfo driver before or you got yourself entangled with a crazy Danfo conductor. You will get to appreciate your hometown or your village the most. There was a time when I had to go to Lagos for something. It wasn't my first time going to Lagos by public bus. But this day was just another experience for me.
I got into the bus, you can't tell who your driver is or who the bus conductor is in the garage. Not until the vehicle is about to move on. The driver got in and I saw the conductor hop on after a few drives. Ooh. The look on him was just so crazy. He had different marks all over his body. Who knows of him being a thug in his former life, recent life, and even maybe the afterlife? 😆.
All I was thinking was how to even get my balance from him. He collected our money and after collecting he then faced me and one other guy again and said “Owo e da?” Where is my money? How? I just paid while others were paying. But he denied it. I knew I already entered a one-chance. I look calmly at him. But Mum already told me how crazy I might have to go.
I shouted at him to check his money, that I was even going to collect a balance from him. He said I am whining about him. Counted the money and realized I had paid. He smiled, held the sachet of schnaps, and gulped it down his throat. His eyes changed.
A woman from the back said. Something about his action, but he sent the woman to her great-grandparents. 😆. Crazy! An elderly woman for that matter. I asked him for my balance and he said God saved me, he thought I was a silent 419. If not he would have thrown me out of the bus. Omoh. I can’t laugh.
Another thing I dislike the most is traffic. If you ever encounter a traffic palava in Lagos you will never want to visit ever again. You can be in traffic for hours with the vehicle on standby. So crazy!
