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Dear Lagosians, - Travel (3) - Nairaland

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Dear lagosians, how do I get from festac to ago palace way and cost of transport / Lagosians Turn 'Spidermen' To Pass Flooded Road (Photo) / See How Lagosians Sleep In Buses On Their Way To Work In The Morning (PHOTOS) (2) (3) (4)

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Re: Dear Lagosians, by letitrainnow(m): 2:42pm On Jan 24, 2021
sonofjos:



Wow! If only the government would provide better traffic experience, I believe it would better peoples behaviour.
I noticed the many uniforms too. I believe that foreigner who came to Nigeria and called it a uniform country, visited Lagos.
The many uniforms are indeed something to behold. With so many law enforcement agents, Lagosians should be the most behaved people in Nigeria.
But it is not.
Re: Dear Lagosians, by TrueChristians: 2:44pm On Jan 24, 2021
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dear Lagosians, by SeriouslySense(m): 2:44pm On Jan 24, 2021
Everyday i go out in port Harcourt, there is always someone fighting on the street or new story cheesy cheesy cheesy, Also Kidnapping is almost weekly self

prekumohtim:


PH is almost the same. The only good thing is that no matter how they shout from morning till night, it doesn't result to fight. Everyone is always in hurry as though there's a building burning somewhere that desire their attention. When I first visited PH, I mistakenly hit someone as I was walking on the road , so I told the person sorry, his reply was , "Sorry for yourself". Some hardly reply , no matter how hot it is, they will just keep on going their direction as if nothing happened
Re: Dear Lagosians, by JooEeL(m): 2:45pm On Jan 24, 2021
Ishilove:

Hello sonofjos, thank you for sharing.

People like us who were born and raised here notice a marked difference in the tempo of activities in other areas of the country. I was in Ondo for a year and I almost ran mad there because life in that state is so... sleepy. Everyone was just moving like geriatric patients, unlike Lagos here where if you are too slow, you will be shoved aside. Last last when it was time to leave, I packed my travelling bags and two mighty Ghana-must-go bags and fled the place by 6am.

Lagos is a melting pot of different ethnic groups with different characters, both saintly and shady, so overtime it developed a character unique to it. We talk angrily a lot of the times because there is someone somewhere always trying to provoke you, cheat you, or steal from you so we are always on guard and on the defensive. Someone tried to pick my bag last year but the kind of eye I gave him must have turned his ancestors in their graves.

Add the congested roads and the traffic and you cannot be calm even if you try to. You will be angry for no reason. Yoruba people call it 'kan ra'. Pepper body. That is why danfo drivers behave like animals because one cannot sit inside hold up day in day out, inhaling noxious exhaust fumes, avoiding police, LASTMA, NURTW agbero, taskforce, police, VIO, those new ones wearing green uniform (I don't know these ones. There are so many uniforms in Lagos) and still be completely sane.

Conductors and passengers fighting is a normal thing. One day I was returning from work and saw two fighting in the middle of the road, and what amazed me was they were sparring like professional boxers, complete with the boxer's stance and leg work. iKid you not. Conductor and passenger. It was the agberos, funny enough, who came to chase them from the road because they were constituting nuisance to other road users. The kid you described did not have any super powers. He was just acting like the typical Lagosian who has been conditioned to act out in the face of provocation. Eat or be eaten. Some of these conductors are very rude and nasty (I suspect it is their own defence mechanism) while some passengers on the other hand are idiots.

The trader in Computer Village was not 'threatening' you. They are simply aggressive marketers. If you don't aggressively market your products you won't make any sales because there a 1001 traders selling the same thing as you. The secret to walking successfully through the Village is rearranging your face to look like granite, avoiding eye contact with anyone and stubbornly ignoring 'threatening'' calls. They cannot hijack you from the road into their shop, abi? Develop military mind! cheesy

The same military mind my friend Sanchez01 took to Enugu when he went on a visit. He wanted to board a bus and used ishon (muscle) to run pell mell to where the bus was parked waiting for him. When he jumped in with the skill of a James Bond stuntsman, he met the driver and passengers staring at him strangely.

The driver asked him: "Oga, are you from Lagos?", to which he replied in the affirmative. The driver then remarked "No wonder. It is only Lagos people that behave like they are fighting with everyone."

My belle o

6 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Nobody: 2:50pm On Jan 24, 2021
sonofjos:
Dear lagosians,

Please pardon the grammatic errors.

Being born and bred in the north, I am conditioned to a certain societal behaviour that the first time I went to Lagos, interacting and seeing the people was a bit of a cultural shock to me. I've travelled to many states in the North and few in the south and almost all seemed just about the same as home.

But the first time I visited Lagos a few years ago I had many experiences that made it seem as if was in another country entirely. I'll share a few notable ones.

Please note that I'm not looking for trouble, I'm just giving a honest opinion

It was as if everyone seemd to converse harshly over very simple transactions. One would think they know each other from somewhere.
Many people in the public seemed angry as a default mode. I wondered why.

I boarded a bus to computer village and a primary school kid later joined and was later exchanging very hot words with the conductor who was a very muscular guy over some trivial amount. I watched with interest and it got to a point where I feared for the little guy because If that conductor decided to as much as slap the small boy, there won't be much left. But somehow the conductor calmed down as if he had met a worthy opponent. That boy seemed to me as if he had super powers.

I joined another bus and a fight broke out between the conductor and a passenger. Both of whom were muscular. None would hear sorry. The fight got so bad that the both ended with broken faces and the passenger got a rock and shattered off both side mirrors of the bus. Since I intended to join night bus home, I kukuma dropped and joined okada (it was legal then) which was much more expensive but worth it. I don't know how they ended.

I noticed many young people are muscular body builders. I wonder why.

I was walking on a street at computer village and a guy started threatening and commanding me to come over. At first, I thought he was speaking to someone else when I realised there was no one around me, and he made it clear he was referring to me. Till today, I don't know what confidence made me to keep walking. That was how I escaped O.

Everyone seems to be in hell of a rush.
I even said that if rapture takes place, Lagos would not know anything had happened for two weeks.

But Behind all these seemingly negative atmosphere, I discovered that lagosians are very kind people. Always willing to help.
As a stranger, I found it difficult to find places and routes. But almost anyone you ask is very willing to show you directions. I've had instances where people left their comfort to walk me to places where they gave me directions. Very welcoming set of people to strangers I tell you.

All these mixed experiences made me say that Lagosians are Indeed a very strange people.

Many other things I've experienced at Lagos over my other subsequent visits, but Lagos has remained strange to me.

I mean no disrespect to anyone, I'm just a fellow countryman who wants to better know my country.

My question to you guys is, why is Lagos the way it is?

Is there anything I missed or misunderstood about Lagos?

Thanks

Lagos is the earthly paradise of Chancers

That is why Tinubu and his head-slaves have been able to lock down the state's treasury for their own private use for the past 22 years

4 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by BIGNAME2020: 2:50pm On Jan 24, 2021
Ishilove:

Hello sonofjos, thank you for sharing.

People like us who were born and raised here notice a marked difference in the tempo of activities in other areas of the country. I was in Ondo for a year and I almost ran mad there because life in that state is so... sleepy. Everyone was just moving like geriatric patients, unlike Lagos here where if you are too slow, you will be shoved aside. Last last when it was time to leave, I packed my travelling bags and two mighty Ghana-must-go bags and fled the place by 6am.

Lagos is a melting pot of different ethnic groups with different characters, both saintly and shady, so overtime it developed a character unique to it. We talk angrily a lot of the times because there is someone somewhere always trying to provoke you, cheat you, or steal from you so we are always on guard and on the defensive. Someone tried to pick my bag last year but the kind of eye I gave him must have turned his ancestors in their graves.

Add the congested roads and the traffic and you cannot be calm even if you try to. You will be angry for no reason. Yoruba people call it 'kan ra'. Pepper body. That is why danfo drivers behave like animals because one cannot sit inside hold up day in day out, inhaling noxious exhaust fumes, avoiding police, LASTMA, NURTW agbero, taskforce, police, VIO, those new ones wearing green uniform (I don't know these ones. There are so many uniforms in Lagos) and still be completely sane.

Conductors and passengers fighting is a normal thing. One day I was returning from work and saw two fighting in the middle of the road, and what amazed me was they were sparring like professional boxers, complete with the boxer's stance and leg work. iKid you not. Conductor and passenger. It was the agberos, funny enough, who came to chase them from the road because they were constituting nuisance to other road users. The kid you described did not have any super powers. He was just acting like the typical Lagosian who has been conditioned to act out in the face of provocation. Eat or be eaten. Some of these conductors are very rude and nasty (I suspect it is their own defence mechanism) while some passengers on the other hand are idiots.

The trader in Computer Village was not 'threatening' you. They are simply aggressive marketers. If you don't aggressively market your products you won't make any sales because there a 1001 traders selling the same thing as you. The secret to walking successfully through the Village is rearranging your face to look like granite, avoiding eye contact with anyone and stubbornly ignoring 'threatening'' calls. They cannot hijack you from the road into their shop, abi? Develop military mind! cheesy

The same military mind my friend Sanchez01 took to Enugu when he went on a visit. He wanted to board a bus and used ishon (muscle) to run pell mell to where the bus was parked waiting for him. When he jumped in with the skill of a James Bond stuntsman, he met the driver and passengers staring at him strangely.

The driver asked him: "Oga, are you from Lagos?", to which he replied in the affirmative. The driver then remarked "No wonder. It is only Lagos people that behave like they are fighting with everyone."


A very sweet writer you are. I envy your skills. cool

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dear Lagosians, by hakeem4(m): 2:51pm On Jan 24, 2021
Actually living in Lagos is fun. You get to see all type of characters.

You just have to be smart in Lagos if not you would be cheated

5 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by harmony75: 2:53pm On Jan 24, 2021
Pele o sorry o a friend toovhad just come back from Ghana after some years, he said when he came back to Lagos it just seems everyone was mad ��� the conductor at the bustop shouting, everyone in a haste ��� na so we see am for Lagos center of excellence ���

6 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Nightalan: 2:54pm On Jan 24, 2021
The kind of experiences and teaching moments you have in Lagos can never be gotten from anywhere else. A typical born and bred Lagosian will be difficult to be intimidated when they travel to other parts of the country, they will always have that rim and wit that gives them an edge.

17 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Itusmama: 2:55pm On Jan 24, 2021
sonofjos:
Dear lagosians,

Please pardon the grammatic errors.

Being born and bred in the north, I am conditioned to a certain societal behaviour that the first time I went to Lagos, interacting and seeing the people was a bit of a cultural shock to me. I've travelled to many states in the North and few in the south and almost all seemed just about the same as home.

But the first time I visited Lagos a few years ago I had many experiences that made it seem as if was in another country entirely. I'll share a few notable ones.

Please note that I'm not looking for trouble, I'm just giving a honest opinion

It was as if everyone seemd to converse harshly over very simple transactions. One would think they know each other from somewhere.
Many people in the public seemed angry as a default mode. I wondered why.

I boarded a bus to computer village and a primary school kid later joined and was later exchanging very hot words with the conductor who was a very muscular guy over some trivial amount. I watched with interest and it got to a point where I feared for the little guy because If that conductor decided to as much as slap the small boy, there won't be much left. But somehow the conductor calmed down as if he had met a worthy opponent. That boy seemed to me as if he had super powers.

I joined another bus and a fight broke out between the conductor and a passenger. Both of whom were muscular. None would hear sorry. The fight got so bad that the both ended with broken faces and the passenger got a rock and shattered off both side mirrors of the bus. Since I intended to join night bus home, I kukuma dropped and joined okada (it was legal then) which was much more expensive but worth it. I don't know how they ended.

I noticed many young people are muscular body builders. I wonder why.

I was walking on a street at computer village and a guy started threatening and commanding me to come over. At first, I thought he was speaking to someone else when I realised there was no one around me, and he made it clear he was referring to me. Till today, I don't know what confidence made me to keep walking. That was how I escaped O.

Everyone seems to be in hell of a rush.
I even said that if rapture takes place, Lagos would not know anything had happened for two weeks.

But Behind all these seemingly negative atmosphere, I discovered that lagosians are very kind people. Always willing to help.
As a stranger, I found it difficult to find places and routes. But almost anyone you ask is very willing to show you directions. I've had instances where people left their comfort to walk me to places where they gave me directions. Very welcoming set of people to strangers I tell you.

All these mixed experiences made me say that Lagosians are Indeed a very strange people.

Many other things I've experienced at Lagos over my other subsequent visits, but Lagos has remained strange to me.

I mean no disrespect to anyone, I'm just a fellow countryman who wants to better know my country.

My question to you guys is, why is Lagos the way it is?

Is there anything I missed or misunderstood about Lagos?

Thanks

I also had same struggle when I got to Lagos ...conductors use to make fun of me when I board danfo...but now no more such ooo, my energy is now fully lagosian can't even remember the northern part of me

7 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by subcbouy: 2:56pm On Jan 24, 2021
sonofjos:




You tasted the "normal" and yet ran away from it. That's why I say you guys are not of this world. Lol

Very beautiful and articulate response. Thanks. I must commend that u are very funny too. I was tempted to look u up and was not surprised to discover you are a writer and a very good one at that.
haha ishilove is an old layer for Nairaland.

6 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by DonId(m): 3:01pm On Jan 24, 2021
I spent a great part of my early life in Lagos and got used to the hustle and bustle of life in Lagos. Fast forward to 1998 and I had to go to school in Jos. First few months and I was always angry at the slow pace of life especially with their transporters who would always stop once a passenger says Akwei. I left Jos after university a reformed man and have refused to go back to Lagos (even when work opportunities have presented openings for movement).

Lagos is a “mad” place and shortens peoples life’s (but they don’t know it). Life is not meant to rushing from one place to another every time. I live in a city where I close from work and can be home in 10 minutes without traffic and cannot imagine trading it for 10 minutes inside traffic everyday. Lagosians are wonderful people but life is saner in some other climes. So for those that cannot leave Lagos, I wish you stay out of Lagos for like 2 years and then you will realize that life is meant to lived in peace and not in traffic.

46 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Kriss216: 3:03pm On Jan 24, 2021
femi4:
Some years back, I was in Abuja for documentation with other trainees from other states in the visitors room

Immediately the dir of admin asked us to be on a queue, somehow the first five people on the queue happened to be from Lagos. Yours truly was no3

The director was like " See them, hurry hurry people....you must be from Lagos

Years back in Aba, I jumped down from a moving vehicle because of small traffic and the conductor was like "No carry Lagos spirit enter here o"
Lol

I didn’t know when I shout “O wà” for a bus driver in Owerri.

21 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by PrincessJr(f): 3:07pm On Jan 24, 2021
KingKingKing:
I remember my first time in the North Kebbi to be precise... 9am shops still never open, how drivers would drive "slowly" .. All these made me mad a few months like I always wondered y everything wasnt done in haste like I would experience in Lagos.. Well 6 months. Later I began to adapt...

I still love Lagos life... No matter how dangerous an agbero looks he is always willing to help a stranger...
You got this right

15 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dear Lagosians, by LordofNaija: 3:07pm On Jan 24, 2021
Ishilove:

Hello sonofjos, thank you for sharing.

People like us who were born and raised here notice a marked difference in the tempo of activities in other areas of the country. I was in Ondo for a year and I almost ran mad there because life in that state is so... sleepy. Everyone was just moving like geriatric patients, unlike Lagos here where if you are too slow, you will be shoved aside. Last last when it was time to leave, I packed my travelling bags and two mighty Ghana-must-go bags and fled the place by 6am.

Lagos is a melting pot of different ethnic groups with different characters, both saintly and shady, so overtime it developed a character unique to it. We talk angrily a lot of the times because there is someone somewhere always trying to provoke you, cheat you, or steal from you so we are always on guard and on the defensive. Someone tried to pick my bag last year but the kind of eye I gave him must have turned his ancestors in their graves.

Add the congested roads and the traffic and you cannot be calm even if you try to. You will be angry for no reason. Yoruba people call it 'kan ra'. Pepper body. That is why danfo drivers behave like animals because one cannot sit inside hold up day in day out, inhaling noxious exhaust fumes, avoiding police, LASTMA, NURTW agbero, taskforce, police, VIO, those new ones wearing green uniform (I don't know these ones. There are so many uniforms in Lagos) and still be completely sane.

Conductors and passengers fighting is a normal thing. One day I was returning from work and saw two fighting in the middle of the road, and what amazed me was they were sparring like professional boxers, complete with the boxer's stance and leg work. iKid you not. Conductor and passenger. It was the agberos, funny enough, who came to chase them from the road because they were constituting nuisance to other road users. The kid you described did not have any super powers. He was just acting like the typical Lagosian who has been conditioned to act out in the face of provocation. Eat or be eaten. Some of these conductors are very rude and nasty (I suspect it is their own defence mechanism) while some passengers on the other hand are idiots.

The trader in Computer Village was not 'threatening' you. They are simply aggressive marketers. If you don't aggressively market your products you won't make any sales because there a 1001 traders selling the same thing as you. The secret to walking successfully through the Village is rearranging your face to look like granite, avoiding eye contact with anyone and stubbornly ignoring 'threatening'' calls. They cannot hijack you from the road into their shop, abi? Develop military mind! cheesy

The same military mind my friend Sanchez01 took to Enugu when he went on a visit. He wanted to board a bus and used ishon (muscle) to run pell mell to where the bus was parked waiting for him. When he jumped in with the skill of a James Bond stuntsman, he met the driver and passengers staring at him strangely.

The driver asked him: "Oga, are you from Lagos?", to which he replied in the affirmative. The driver then remarked "No wonder. It is only Lagos people that behave like they are fighting with everyone."
I like your writing style

5 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by perdollar(m): 3:10pm On Jan 24, 2021
Aboki da ga chikin gari Jos! This is Lagos! Shine ur eyes.

2 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Foolishbuhari: 3:12pm On Jan 24, 2021
Sonofjos, I understand you perfectly. The rush... Like everyone is so busy trying to catch up to something... Like robots.!

My first time in Lagos, I was already brewing for a fight with one Okada man at balogun under bridge side within 30 minutes of being in the city.
Funny I'm from warri and we no dey like hear when person Wan shine eye for us or oppress us but I guess that madness is inbuilt. Or maybe I should be in Lagos? *Thoughtful face* lipsrsealed

Anyways I sha learned Lagosians are not normal people

CC: ishilove

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Remix10(m): 3:12pm On Jan 24, 2021
IMASTEX:
To me Lagos is a perfect place only for commerce and not a dwelling place. The general rush & stress level is extremely high. I once told a guy who was so obsessed with Lagos life, that Lagos would make one age faster because everything is always on the fast lane. I believe most persons who live in would have preferred living in neighbouring states if there were ease in transportation to & fro especially train system, so they can only work in Lagos and return to their state of residence daily. I prefer my southern states!


We like out Lagos like that grin

2 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by PrincessJr(f): 3:13pm On Jan 24, 2021
I just cannot stand the traffic that comes with heat, noise, hunger, body pain, sweats, body/mouth odors from all corners especially evenings when people are closing for the day...

6 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by nnamdiosu(m): 3:14pm On Jan 24, 2021
Ishilove:

Hello sonofjos, thank you for sharing.

People like us who were born and raised here notice a marked difference in the tempo of activities in other areas of the country. I was in Ondo for a year and I almost ran mad there because life in that state is so... sleepy. Everyone was just moving like geriatric patients, unlike Lagos here where if you are too slow, you will be shoved aside. Last last when it was time to leave, I packed my travelling bags and two mighty Ghana-must-go bags and fled the place by 6am.

Lagos is a melting pot of different ethnic groups with different characters, both saintly and shady, so overtime it developed a character unique to it. We talk angrily a lot of the times because there is someone somewhere always trying to provoke you, cheat you, or steal from you so we are always on guard and on the defensive. Someone tried to pick my bag last year but the kind of eye I gave him must have turned his ancestors in their graves.

Add the congested roads and the traffic and you cannot be calm even if you try to. You will be angry for no reason. Yoruba people call it 'kan ra'. Pepper body. That is why danfo drivers behave like animals because one cannot sit inside hold up day in day out, inhaling noxious exhaust fumes, avoiding police, LASTMA, NURTW agbero, taskforce, police, VIO, those new ones wearing green uniform (I don't know these ones. There are so many uniforms in Lagos) and still be completely sane.

Conductors and passengers fighting is a normal thing. One day I was returning from work and saw two fighting in the middle of the road, and what amazed me was they were sparring like professional boxers, complete with the boxer's stance and leg work. iKid you not. Conductor and passenger. It was the agberos, funny enough, who came to chase them from the road because they were constituting nuisance to other road users. The kid you described did not have any super powers. He was just acting like the typical Lagosian who has been conditioned to act out in the face of provocation. Eat or be eaten. Some of these conductors are very rude and nasty (I suspect it is their own defence mechanism) while some passengers on the other hand are idiots.

The trader in Computer Village was not 'threatening' you. They are simply aggressive marketers. If you don't aggressively market your products you won't make any sales because there a 1001 traders selling the same thing as you. The secret to walking successfully through the Village is rearranging your face to look like granite, avoiding eye contact with anyone and stubbornly ignoring 'threatening'' calls. They cannot hijack you from the road into their shop, abi? Develop military mind! cheesy

The same military mind my friend Sanchez01 took to Enugu when he went on a visit. He wanted to board a bus and used ishon (muscle) to run pell mell to where the bus was parked waiting for him. When he jumped in with the skill of a James Bond stuntsman, he met the driver and passengers staring at him strangely.

The driver asked him: "Oga, are you from Lagos?", to which he replied in the affirmative. The driver then remarked "No wonder. It is only Lagos people that behave like they are fighting with everyone."

Ish smiley chai ...I just dey read this dey laugh smiley

What you just posted needs to be printed out, laminated and placed in a big board at the entrance of Lagos for everyone coming into Lagos to read and sign under.


It can't be better said.
You see, although I was born and bred in Lagos too, when I was transfered to asaba for some years, I now adopted their calm life style. When I got back to Lagos, my heart beat Everytime I wanted to leave the house.

It shows when crossing road. People in asaba wait till everywhere is cleared of cars, keke, lizards, birds, even ants. But in Lagos, there is a joy we experience when we cross road with car or okada or keke rushing at you. As you successfully swerve , dive, jump, curse them back, you feel like you've gotten a master's degree smiley


It shows in how early the artisans wake up to open their shops. In asaba, by 9, shops might not have opened. In Lagos (especially during school academic calendar, by 6 am, shops have opened)


It's well.
The joy of Nigeria is that we are like a country of countries. Unlike other countries where anywhere you travel, you see the same food, culture, language and behaviour, Nigeria was/is lucky to have multiple personalities smiley in various geographic locations.


Nigeria would have been the best country. If not for 'them'.

49 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Dear Lagosians, by allandutch: 3:14pm On Jan 24, 2021
Lagosians can lie too.

For me, by default, every Lagosian I meet is a liar until I can confirm that they're not.

2 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by ibinaboonline: 3:15pm On Jan 24, 2021
The best stuff I've read today. Nice one. And kudos to @Ishilove. Your comment is just as enjoyable. God bless Nairaland.

4 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dear Lagosians, by leo22(m): 3:16pm On Jan 24, 2021
grin grin
I can totally relate.

My first one year in lagos was brutal as i was forming nice guy but i was always cheated by artisans and skilled labour, even when I purchased goods and services it was the same experience. I was calm and respectful and wondered why everyone (especially on the mainland) was hostile to each other but now I know.

You need to see me now screaming at mechanics, workmen etc and this way the job gets done for less, I have thrown decorum out of the window to survive in lagos o, else I would be eaten by vultures out to prey on victims. But still Lagos is sweet.

23 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Asour: 3:16pm On Jan 24, 2021
It's summarily frustration (economic) and people generally have a low threshold for pain/perseverance.

Many are also without integrity.

I myself struggle to be above this and I know I will.

This is also one of the fallouts of excessive population growth. So economic frustration it is. All other reasons are mostly circumstancial/minor.

5 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Iceyjayz: 3:18pm On Jan 24, 2021
Ishilove:

Hello sonofjos, thank you for sharing.

People like us who were born and raised here notice a marked difference in the tempo of activities in other areas of the country. I was in Ondo for a year and I almost ran mad there because life in that state is so... sleepy. Everyone was just moving like geriatric patients, unlike Lagos here where if you are too slow, you will be shoved aside. Last last when it was time to leave, I packed my travelling bags and two mighty Ghana-must-go bags and fled the place by 6am.

Lagos is a melting pot of different ethnic groups with different characters, both saintly and shady, so overtime it developed a character unique to it. We talk angrily a lot of the times because there is someone somewhere always trying to provoke you, cheat you, or steal from you so we are always on guard and on the defensive. Someone tried to pick my bag last year but the kind of eye I gave him must have turned his ancestors in their graves.

Add the congested roads and the traffic and you cannot be calm even if you try to. You will be angry for no reason. Yoruba people call it 'kan ra'. Pepper body. That is why danfo drivers behave like animals because one cannot sit inside hold up day in day out, inhaling noxious exhaust fumes, avoiding police, LASTMA, NURTW agbero, taskforce, police, VIO, those new ones wearing green uniform (I don't know these ones. There are so many uniforms in Lagos) and still be completely sane.

Conductors and passengers fighting is a normal thing. One day I was returning from work and saw two fighting in the middle of the road, and what amazed me was they were sparring like professional boxers, complete with the boxer's stance and leg work. iKid you not. Conductor and passenger. It was the agberos, funny enough, who came to chase them from the road because they were constituting nuisance to other road users. The kid you described did not have any super powers. He was just acting like the typical Lagosian who has been conditioned to act out in the face of provocation. Eat or be eaten. Some of these conductors are very rude and nasty (I suspect it is their own defence mechanism) while some passengers on the other hand are idiots.

The trader in Computer Village was not 'threatening' you. They are simply aggressive marketers. If you don't aggressively market your products you won't make any sales because there a 1001 traders selling the same thing as you. The secret to walking successfully through the Village is rearranging your face to look like granite, avoiding eye contact with anyone and stubbornly ignoring 'threatening'' calls. They cannot hijack you from the road into their shop, abi? Develop military mind! cheesy

The same military mind my friend Sanchez01 took to Enugu when he went on a visit. He wanted to board a bus and used ishon (muscle) to run pell mell to where the bus was parked waiting for him. When he jumped in with the skill of a James Bond stuntsman, he met the driver and passengers staring at him strangely.

The driver asked him: "Oga, are you from Lagos?", to which he replied in the affirmative. The driver then remarked "No wonder. It is only Lagos people that behave like they are fighting with everyone."
Aunty Ishi have really experienced alot cheesy

4 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by subcbouy: 3:19pm On Jan 24, 2021
Ottyn01:
You can't be staying in Lagos and be normal... Is impossible grin grin
My friend got a job in Lagos from PH, he only spent one month and ran back to PH. I that is Lasgidi breed laughed because many of them never run to enter the bus or wake up at 4 am, leave home at 5 am, only to enter office some minutes to 8 am every day.

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dear Lagosians, by sharpwriter(m): 3:20pm On Jan 24, 2021
LuQuLuQu:


I am a bred Lagosian. I will not and can never live elsewhere.

Elsewhere is boring AF

You'd better start getting used to cool lives, because an average sanity if not much is coming to that Lagos; because that Lagos will be in the hands of new masters. SOON, VERY SOON. Just remember this when it starts happening.

2 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Lovelyn451(f): 3:20pm On Jan 24, 2021
my first week in that state, I had a fight with two Yoruba girls, I beat shege commot for their body.. very lousy rude things, but I got myself the best friend anyone will wish for, another Yoruba girl, very nice, God fearing lady.. always willing to help me, but she grew up in Abuja, no wonder she's not like others.. I can't live in that state abeg

4 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Nobody: 3:22pm On Jan 24, 2021
illicit:
cheesy


Expensive and fast city....


When I was working at Ogba and living at Abule Egba, Half my salary goes to transport and the same bus you took for 50# in the morning could become 200 in the evening.... I kukuma resigned and went to Ondo state
welcome to ondo,u will like it here,plus you will even live long,don't go back there,life expectancy there is -45/55.

4 Likes

Re: Dear Lagosians, by Raph3177(m): 3:22pm On Jan 24, 2021
Am from Warri I have been to lagos so many times and stay there for weeks but I have honestly not noticed does things op spoke about apart from getting stuck on traffic

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Dear Lagosians, by tyup(m): 3:23pm On Jan 24, 2021
KingKingKing:
I remember my first time in the North Kebbi to be precise... 9am shops still never open, how drivers would drive "slowly" .. All these made me mad a few months like I always wondered y everything wasnt done in haste like I would experience in Lagos.. Well 6 months. Later I began to adapt...

I still love Lagos life... No matter how dangerous an agbero looks he is always willing to help a stranger...

Ion think so tho, Lagos agbero would always take advantage of the fact that ur a newbie in the state. the only southern state I can recommend their Agbero is Ibadan. an example of tough n kind agbero

2 Likes

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