It sure feels good to be alive,innit? I'm particularly more excited about what I'm sharing with you because it's the story of you and I... Yezzir! Yes,YOU and I!!!
So,I traveled to Lagos (one of the many things that's been going on)on a family visit...and Boy, Was it a heck of an experience!!!
At first when I arrived,I was so excited! It had been a while since I was last in the "City of Excellence".
The air smelt so clean and the weather was so cool as a result of the heavy rain that had just poured down not so long ago...a yawning gulf from the Federal Capital Territory whence I cometh! Arrrrghhh!!! Abuja had been so hot and stifling the last couple of days before I left for Lagos so it was a welcome change.
Lagos felt so different from what I last remembered it to be...but now that I think about it,it must have been the novelty of the change of environment I was probably feeling and trust me, that novelty faded quicker than I could mutter the sigh "Aaaah!"
Of course,PHCN did what they were created to do: HOLD POWER! And that wasn't the worst part. I believe the mosquitoes that are reared in Lagos are of a special,one of a kind breed. The kind that have been wired to pierce even through denim fabric...I can almost swear those guys gym..."The Straw Blood-Suckers", I call them. Very nasty creatures!
I didn't have one single peaceful night snooze. It got so bad that I came down with a fever almost immediately and I kept asking myself how people lived and survived in an environment such as this. For the life of me,I couldn't wrap my head around it. But no sooner had I asked my question did my answer surface.
I realized, as I drove through streets,passing every nook,cranny and "koro" of the bustling city, that it was these very factors that seemingly made life almost impossible to live (for the likes of me) that pushed them to survive...heck, thrive!
Same is as with life. The very things that are otherwise considered as problems are those things that actually launch us forward. They are like our "Momentum-builders".
There's a very famous quote that says "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger"...well,I've got a better one "Whatever doesn't kill me had better start running!"
In spite and despite of what this nation...and the Black Race in general have faced,WE NEVER BACK DOWN! It seems that every attempt to cause us to go extinct only further multiplies and strengthens us.
Nigerians are famed to be the happiest people on earth and I totally agree. I mean,I was out with my Dad to visit an Uncle I hadn't seen in a while and right there on the street, there was loud music blasting from a set of speakers piled high in front of a building and some guy who was waiting for an okada to pick him just broke into a dance...this wasn't during a holiday season or an owambe party... Just loud music blaring from the road and a regular guy azonto-ing,alanta-ing and etighi-ing in the middle of the road. It was a spectacle to behold,trust me, and I couldn't help but think that the guy most definitely has issues he'd dealing with but the most important thing is he still has his joy.
This kind of resilience found in an average Nigerian brings to mind a word I've come to know and love...IMPORTUNITY [im-pawr-too-ni-tee] which is a state or quality of being importunate or persistent in solicitation. In my research,I found another word for Importunate: PERTINACIOUS [pur-tn-ey-shus] which means:
1.Holding tenaciously to a purpose,course of action,or opinion2.Resolute3.Stubborn or obstinate4.Extremely or objectionably persistent
You can't escape a Nigerian who wants something real bad. And that's why we not only survive,we thrive...with a truck load of swag to go with!
As a friend and client would say "It's in the African Soul!"
With this in mind,I must say that I have a new found respect for my Country and with pride, I boldly declare:
I pledge to Nigeria my Country
To be Faithful,Loyal and Honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her Unity
And uphold her Honor and Glory
So help me God!
You couldn't have been more right about the city of Lagos. I almost always dread a visit to the not so excellent 'City of Excellence'.
ReplyDeleteBut as you observed, the very things that we complain about are the motors that keep Lagos running.
You could spend 5 hours getting to a 2 hour cocktail.... but it would be worth it.
The Lagosians may complain sometimes but they'll never leave for the simple reason that they can't imagine living anywhere else.
Some people say that if you can live in Lagos, you can live anywhere,.... and with a smile on your face, may I add, after all we are the happiest people on earth.
Former Las Gidian turned Bujian.
Wade, you couldn't have been more right. It can be so exhausting but heck at the same time, so motivating! being a former lagosian myself, i can attest to that...but truly, eko oni baaje...as a matter of fact, naija oni baaje! thanks for sharing.
DeleteI guess I'd have my piece of Lagos on this short train visit I'm embarking on from Tuesday to thursday... Guess what,I'll be in Ikeja...I anticipate the traffic...Oh no,I'd not get to bike and get to destinations sharply. Wade,for those Lagosian who'd not take a Nina's bold step and mine...u'r not missing much,enjoy ur Lagos. The FCT is for the STRONG,BOLD and IMPORTUNATE
ReplyDeleteRock On, Imoh! you are soooo on point! Lagos, they say, is the land of opportunities. i mean, everywhere i turned, i saw people selling something in bottles looking like green slime. i asked my mom what they were and she said it was dish washing soap. Apparently, if you don't know how to make soap, dish washing liquid, disinfectants and the likes then you aren't a true lagosian. there opportunities everywhere. but in the Federal Capital City? you can be a Masters Degree holder and be jobless...so i completely agree with Imoh that it's the Strong,Bold,Fearless and Importunate ones such as myself and her who have come even to this Fortress in pursuit of our dreams.
DeleteI'm sure to have a feel of that Fresh Air u felt Nina,after a while...visiting home for a bit again,family love and yea...The Yoruba Lagosian love. The FCT can be unfriendly and not as warm as Nigerians warmly welcome you. Thank God for The Commonwealth oOf Zion Assembly...I have the best kinda warmth I need for a life time. Really want a feel of the Lasgidee... Mmmphth breeze, where my Nuccurs n Nichurs are.lagos,the City of Excellence...Lastma,BRT,VIO,Okada, zillionaire cab guys...do they stiff have moluwe and danfo in some areas? It haff really the... Don't wana see the Bloody Hell...Lagos. Want the fresh air and 24hours light mbok. Lagos,here we go.
ReplyDeleteLagos o my Lagos!!! There's sumtin abt Lagos dt gets me refreshd,mayb its family n stuffz learnt. Currently in Lagos now n I must say Lagos is really a great city.in d midst of all d hustle,d city is gradually becomin a mega city(rail transportation, BRT buses, toll gates,etc) Wow!!! I must say Lagos is really an inspiration. Eko o ni baje oooo
ReplyDeleteBabe...Arubasa...let me tell you what's making lagos feel so refreshed and inspiring to you because you know you cannot deceive me...it is because you have gone to initiate a process and begun your journey to wedded bliss, Soon To Be Mrs. Alaran!...*wink wink
DeleteRiiiiiiiiight!!! Lasgidee... Well,the good part,I ate agege bread today and I'm having KFC chips and chicken for lunch... Yea! Big deal. I can't find any of those in Abuja. Now,these bhaaaaeenbs @ the Ikeja City Mall are seriously cracking me up... Na baffs u use come here? Today's a working day...who dresses like this to work? Nevermind,see these cuties...wait,wait,wait did this woman dish out all 8 from her womb? The traffic from Ikeja to Lekki yday,I no go try am today. I go stay for this Ikeja... To be continued
ReplyDeleteby the way, Wade, Imoh and Arubasa...why aren't you guys followers of my blog already? why am i still seeing one follower? C'mon...Get with the program already...
DeleteVery fresh, I think this is the first time I have enjoyed a Nigerian writer in years! I am in love!
ReplyDelete