I Miss Lagos

This post is dedicated to the most intriguing people on earth: the residents of Lagos, Nigeria and the surrounding communities. Lagos is better known as Lasgidi or Eko. The residents of Lagos are proud to call themselves Awa ti Eko! We are happy, proud and 10 million people strong! That’s more than the population of some countries. Lagos is the smallest state in the country in terms of landmass but is a force to be reckoned with in the country. It is the favourite haunt of foreigners who come to Nigeria.

I was born in Lagos and I'm a proud Lagosian. I haiI from Epe Local Government. I'm a Lasgidi babe at heart and even though I no longer live in Lagos, I miss Lagos die! Here are some of the things I miss about Lagos.

Lagosians are generally honest, at least while on the bus.
In Lagos, I have experienced just how honest we can be. I often marvel at how buses without conductors still manage to operate. As in how? It’s really simple. Each person brings forward his own transport fare and pays it without a fuss. It’s a real paradox, when you consider the rate of 419 (advanced fee fraud) that goes on in Lagos.

Lagosians drive like maniacs!
If you can drive in Lagos, you can drive in any other part of the country and the world. Why do I say this? Your reflexes will be so sharp that you will be able to look after yourself on the road. Lagosians drive like maniacs! From the danfo (Toyota 911 buses) drivers to the Lebanese you see on the roads around Lagos, everyone drives like the devil himself were chasing them. I’m laughing to myself as I visualize the madness on the streets of Lagos from my verandah. If you’ve ever been on a danfo, the agberos (street urchins) banging the danfo can give you quite a shock! It’s scary and hilarious at the same time. I drive like a maniac too! Some of my friends say they are sure I’ve driven Fayawo. Even my husband can attest to this. Lol.

Roadside food.
If you’ve ever been to Eko, you will see the numerous food sellers on the streets. From roast corn to soft drinks to cooked food… whatever you wish to eat can be readily bought on the streets. I miss suya (Hausa beef kebabs) like mad! Even though it gives me typhoid fever and running stomach, I still cannot resist it whenever I see it at night. Greedy me! It’s only India that surpasses us in variety of roadside food, so I’ve heard.

The fast-paced and hectic life in Lagos.
Lagos is so hectic and fast paced! If you live in Iju and have to work on the Island, you will definitely be able to relate to what I’m talking about. You have to wake up by 4 a.m and leave your house by 5 a.m to commute to the Island so that you can be there before 8 o’clock! In other climes, the distance you traverse is not more than 30 minutes! Also the Ajah traffic to my estate of life can be maddening! The only city that surpasses us in terms of being fast paced is New York, in my opinion. That’s one thing I don’t miss about Lagos, anyway.

My favourite haunts.
I miss Cold Stone ice cream and the nice red velvet cake I buy from Cakes and Cream and eat with my friends. I have not eaten a nice red velvet cake since I left Lagos. I also miss Jevinks Isi Ewu (goat head) like crazy! Lagos is full of nice haunts.

Danceathon!
Lagosians love parties! On weekends, you can see women adorned in their iro and buba, complete with their gele hurrying to the next party venue. I miss all that.
Lagos is fun and I wish I could teleport to Lagos right now as I reminisce about it.
Eko oni baje o!

Thanks for reading,
xoxo, Lush