Friday 20 November 2015

See Me Back in Lagos Traffic

At the earlier stage of this blog, I used to lament a lot about Lagos traffic. I did most of my blogging then on Lagos traffic, usually in a BRT bus and sometimes in danfo. That period was not beans easy o, I dreaded morning and evening just because of traffic. If only I could just say some incantations and disappear to appear at work in the morning and vice versa ine evening, I would think to myself… na wa ooo. Thene I had this employment (a Federal Government Graduate Internship Scheme initiative) at Lekki, a work that brought a lot out of me, including so much inspiration that has kept me in blogsvile till this day.


God hears prayers, shea you know? He heard my lamentations and answered. I got an alternative job which was not too far from my hood. My work was just 50 naira away from home. I could trek if I wanted and I did when I felt like. The most beautiful part of it was that I could wake up just before 7:00AM and still get to work before or by 7:30AM. My colleagues were envious of me, I could guess but I cared less; it was my luck. 
But like they say “Nothing really last forever… enjoy the moment while it lasts”, I was enjoying the pleasure of living not too far from work and not facing the real Lagos traffic, until I was requested to change my job function, as such changing location from which I operate to render the required services.
The long and short of all this my story is that I now have to go to the Island nearly every day of the week including alternate Saturdays. Now I face this traffic I have always dreaded morning and night, and it is not easy. I don’t know if the traffic situation keeps getting worse or what. Ikeja to Lagos Island phew… lemme say the truth seeef; the journey is actually from Ikeja to Ajah. Omo, that place is far die. The situation is bad such that those going to South Africa from Muritala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja would have arrived their destination even before you will go from this same Ikeja to Ajah via road. It gets that bad most times. 
I don’t want to disturb myself trying to suggest solutions to this Lagos traffic menace that happens nearly everywhere in the state. I am only lamenting so that you will know and not accuse me of being a foolish spender when I purchase a chopper that would be taking me around and around when I so wish…lol. Na Joke ooo!
I saw this news on BBC yesterday that there was a serious traffic that had lasted for more that 48hours already, from Mombasa to Nairobi. I was like, ooooboooy! After I confirmed the news, I resolved that I will stop lamenting over Lagos traffic jam, at least small. Hehehe… But people are trying o. No wonder the life expectancy of an African on the average is about 55 years; stress left and right.
O God, help Africa… O God, help Nigeria… O God I am kneeling, mbok intervene on this Lagos traffic issue. (Say amen naaa)
It is 5:00AM ; Off I go to join the traffic again… see ya’ll.

Cheers!

34 comments:

  1. Lol. sorry, Ugo. A traffic-inspired post. Hehehehe. . . .nice tho

    Some people say that Lagos needs underground roads, a developed subway and railway system, with some prompting to restore the waterway transport – all of this at a reasonable cost to stimulate residents and guests to use these alternative means of transportation and increase the service life of the roads.

    Water transport might just be an alternative. See ya!

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    1. So many things inspires so many things o, you can't imagine...lol

      Nwamaka, if an underground road is built in Lagos, will you go drive through? I will likely not o. We have not mastered the on the ground networks, is it the underground we want to manage. The alternative means of transportation should be improved, especially our rail system to decongest the roads.

      Water transport is fantastic too for those that have business around water.
      Thanks for stopping by as always.

      Delete
  2. My brother, God helps those who help themselves. There isn't a man made problem which lacks a solution.

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    1. Abi? I guess what we need is a strong will to implement the solutions.

      Thanks for your opinion sir.

      Delete
  3. Na traffic spoil lagos. I love to go out early and come back early just to avoid the traffic. Its crazy menh. We are used to it as lagosians.but will it ever stop? And me never carry my own car enter road oooo.


    Chincobee.blogspot.com

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    1. Saying I am used to it (Lagos traffic) sounds like I have completely given up on the system, but I haven't. In not too distant past, the traffic, even though it was still there was not as bad as it is getting now. I believe it can be improved o so that Bee, when you buy your own car you won't suffer this much what people are suffering now. *SmileS*

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  4. Awwww....sorry Ugo! Well...the Lagos traffic didn't use to be this bad ooo...I remember when I started work, I used to leave at seven am but now, I nor fit try am.
    I guess the best option is for you to get a temp accommodation close to your work place because, the stress aint worth it. In Lagos, it's almost like you have no life. You leave as early as 5-6 and return as late as 10-11 every working day and sometimes you are expected to show up at work on weekends.
    Phew! I think I'll just relocate from this Lagos sef!

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    1. Ada, getting a temp accommodation close to work is a good way out to this traffic wahala o, but you know that getting accommodation in Lagos is another wahala on its own entirely.
      We should just join the team relocate away from Lagos and avoid all these Lagos wahala totally seef...lol

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  5. Ada, I suggest Calabar. I'm still seriously thinking of relocating to dat hood. Mehn, the peace ova dere is something else.
    Anyways, Ugo, if u r familiar with the Ikorodu or iyanaipaja route, u will know wat I'm talking about. I don tire jare. I've given up on d traffic.

    Pamscrib.blogspot.com

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    1. Name sake, you suggest Calabar, I suggest Akwa Ibom ayaya... these places are places you can be human and still maintain your sanity (Hope Ada is taking note).

      I know that Iyana Ipaja/ Egbeda traffic. I hear of the Ikorodu route too. Lekki-Ajah is another one, not talking about the 3rd mainland bridge and other place like that where it is worst... It av tire me ooo

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  6. Pele Ugo...its all for the best. I pray God sees us through someday but have you not noticed that the traffic situation wasn't this bad during Fashola's tenure as a governor?

    What is Ambode doing sef? Everytin don jagajaga since he came into power. Olorun a da fun ooo

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    1. Someone ones told me that Fashola left office with all the good roads... I would have believed him if I wasn't as sane as I am.

      Gov. Ambode has to rise-up to the occasion o, make every no jagajago finish o...lol

      Thanks for stopping by, Jummy.

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  7. Pele Ugo,
    That's Lagos traffic for you. I hope you're good though.

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    1. Mami, I am managing o... that's the choice i have for now.

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  8. Ugo my brother, sorry ooooo. Lagos traffic is a problem that has come to live with us. Still seriously doubt if anything can be done to stop it. hnmmmm
    www.alabekee.com

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    1. Wait until I do 40 days and 40 nights fasting and praying for Lagos traffic in the wilderness, then you will know that Lagos traffic can have a solution. lol
      Hope you are good.

      Delete
  9. 48hours traffic? Tufia.

    Epiphany29.com
    Did You Know

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    1. Lol... you too can imagine.

      Epiphany, thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  10. Sorry about the traffic.. Lagos traffic seriously need an award.
    www.ckjacob.com

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    1. Hahahaaa... I love your angle to this. We really need to give Lagos traffic an award and invite the Governor to come receive it. lol.

      Nawa oooo!

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    1. Agatha, you can say that again.
      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  12. Lagos...I never live there and the four different occasions that have travelled to Lagos were the most stressful days of my life. I hope things can change soon...or brother preferably, take transfer to kaduna...honestly you will enjoy Here..

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    1. I have been to Kaduna on two occasions, the most recent was early this year... It is better than Lagos when comparing the traffic situation of the two cities.
      I guess I am still in Lagos because God is trying to teach me some lessons.

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  13. i dont envy you guys at all.funniest if you are to check the cause of the traffic,you will discover that nothing is the cause.i think the major cause of traffic in Lagos is evil spirit.to this end ,i propose a spiritual solution to this menace called lagos traffic

    havwe a wonderful week ahead

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    1. This spiritual solution sound like a good idea o. We should send a bill on this to the house of A to look into.

      Delete
  14. When I suffer Ikoyi-Lekki traffic, I do not even have the mouth to complain because brothers like you make me remain grateful for the 1 hour traffic. I tell you Ibadan to Lagos to and fro has got nothing on Ajah-Ikeja traffic from 5pm.

    My God bless our hustle. Lol.

    www.lifestreasury.com

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    1. That's the prayer, may God bless our hustle. I once lived in Ikorodu and worked in VI(sometimes Ikeja) so I know how crazy the traffic can be. Would get home close to midnight and still leave early as a young girl! Well I'm still young :-)
      I stay not so close to work but I am against traffic so getting to work takes me about 40 minutes and that's because I have to patiently suffer the buses/BRT stopping at every bus stop to pick up more passengers...

      Mainland to Ajah sha...bros you need double anointing for that one

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    2. @Uju, I add my voice in your prayers o because only God can bless.
      In Lagos, one of the biggest luck you can have is to move against the traffic. I envyenvy Onyilola who has successfully moved to that group of people... but somehow shaa you can't totally escape the damn traffic (It can be annoying).

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    3. @Oyinlola, my apologies for spelling your name poorly earlier *typo*
      I am surprised you contemplate if you are still young or not; makes me want to start feeling like an old man...lols.

      You enter BRT... hmm, is it not more comfortable there no matter how many times they stop, compared to those danfo that you squeeze yourself into like sandine. Anyway shaa, they all have their advantages and dis...

      May God continue to bless this hustle joor even as I tap my double anointing.

      Cheers!

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  15. chai i can only imagine...coupled with the fact that lagos is hot... and this holdup is usually a good avenue for robbers..and to say i will be entering this lagos soon...mstwehh..thinkn of changn my mind joo
    Glowyshoes's blog

    My Facebook

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    1. Heheheheeeee.... You are thinking of changing your mind? Lagos is still the bomb o, anyhow you want to look at it. Come with an open mind; the traffic and all that are just experiences that spice up everything for you.
      *smiles*

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  16. lol..sorry for the stress of waking up sooooo early to work and coming back soooo late from work dues to the embouiteillage (traffic jams)....i personally will pray so that u will get the powers u wished for...lol...anyways i think...more flyovers should be built, people should learn to respect the traffic lights....we should stop been in a rush....just saying ooo

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    1. Can Nigerian's (Lagosians) ever live not being in rush?
      The things you suggested are very important especially the one of people obeying traffic rules. If only...
      Thanks for stopping by and for the prayers you have promised - I so need it.
      Cheers dear!

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