THINGS WE SEE IN LAGOS (4)
Hey Beautiful People!
It's a few more days before we wrap up the month of March. You remember in our last post I was checking up on you just to know what you have been up to. I hope March was a remarkable month for y'all.
Like I promised, we continue our #thingsweseeinlagos series you can read up if you missed any of the previous episodes.
So today's post is an encouragement for someone. Let me first apologize if I gave you the impression that nothing good can come out of Lagos, please forgive me in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Not wanting to spill the beans, do enjoy this episode.
My Lagos Experience
Lagos! The land of crazy experiences and even wilder people! Lagos, the
fast-paced land of smart people! Lagos, the land of opportunities. Lagos, the
land where you could lose those opportunities in the heavy traffic and then
find others; Lagos, the land that belongs to everyone and no one.
When many people talk about their Lagos experiences, they usually describe
how someone tried to scam them, how they got down with the crazy conductor, got
stuck in traffic for seven hours, or something of that sort. All you need is to
strike up a conversation with the Lagos breeds, and they would spill countless
stories of gore and gall, joy and glee! But mine is quite the contrary. Lagos
has been kind and gentle to me and I hope that it stays that way. Can somebody
shout amen?!
My opinion of Lagos has been one of aversion. I always thought that
Lagos was a place where you had to clutch your bag more firmly, shine your eyes
wider and sharpen your tongue to give fire for fire. It was the last place I
ever wanted to work or live as I also felt Lagos was a place that decreased the
life expectancy of its inhabitants. So, I even strongly advised my friends who
were thinking of relocating to Lagos against it. Perhaps, that is why Lagos has
been kind to me.
So, as God would have it, after NYSC, I couldn’t get a reasonable job
anywhere else. Then I had no choice but to start applying to companies in
Lagos. I was amazed when my very first attempt was a walkover. Immediately I
applied, I got called for an interview and voila, I had a fairly reasonable job.
Lagos is not as bad as they always say, I thought to myself. I only had to get
somewhere to stay because as close as they say Ota is to Lagos, to commute to
and from there daily na still die. So, I called my cousin who lived near
my new office to inform her that I would be staying with her for some time.
She declined!
What?! I wasn’t even calling for permission. I had my bags packed
already!
She explained that there were some problems with her apartment and so she could not help my situation. I felt my dreams fading away. I started calling every Tom, Dick and Harry I knew in Lagos to help me all to no avail. Well, na to unpack that bag and return to my “kindly find attached and best regards” na him remain o! My friend advised me to call the company and tell them about my plight before giving up. I was skeptical at first. Who does that? Reluctantly, I sent a mail about the issue at hand and surprisingly, they responded that they were going to get back to me. Wow!
Shortly after, they called me and informed me that one of the staff had
offered to put me up with her for free while I sorted my
accommodation issues out. I was flabbergasted. In this Lagos? I neverexperredit!
That was how I came to Lagos o… On the goodwill of a stranger! She put me up, sometimes fed me, shared her bed and her room until I was able to find my feet.
She radically changed my opinion of Lagos and Lagosians. Even though
Lagos could be crazy, unsafe and filled with danger, it still has many outstanding
people and terrific experiences.
*omo get inside- a sheltered child
*na still die- would be deathly difficult
* na him remain- was all that was left
* I never experredit- I didn’t expect it.
#staysafe
#stayhealthy
#staypositive
#spreadlove
© Onyinye Udeh
© Onyinye Udeh
*singing* "them go talk say money no dey Lagos..." Biko the song just entered my head ni oπππ
ReplyDeleteYes, as rugged as Lagos might seem, I've had my most valuable connection in this city plus an here I for see my husband oπππ
Who wants to read the full gistπ
My dear, I follow you sing o.
ReplyDeleteTruly, something good can come out of Lagos.
Thank God you're testifying now that Papa Matana is one of your Lagos blessings. Please we need full details of the gist.
Wild... Lagos is as I imagined and more. Just as cut throat and still surprisingly kind. I still have no love for the city... More like a mutual respect.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, looks like our wonderful Eko has dealt unfairly with you.
DeletePlease forgive us we promise to be kinder to you.
But then, that's Lagos for you.
Thanks for stopping by dear Nomad.
Rich experience, Kemi.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Lagos favoured you.
Lagos is home for me.
Born, bread, buttered, and sandwiched here.
Hahaha!
DeleteI can totally relate ooo
Irrespective of the good, bad and ugly in it, Lagos remains home for me!