#OnTheScene: That one thing Copa Lagos got right that D’banj’s Koko Concert didn’t

by Ada Igboanugo

Many would remember that dreaded day. The very thought of it brings shivers to the skin and a tingling sensation on the leg. The Trek, it was deadly- gladly no one died, or did someone faint? Can’t recollect. The mere thought of the trek surpasses every other memory. And all for what? Loyalty? We could have turned back, the many of us that made it to the finish line and into the main bowl for the concert. We could have spared ourselves the stress, a lot of people did.

But we moved on, not for anything but loyalty- and maybe to see Big Sean and the other promised artistes perform. So really why did we forge ahead? To point fingers and criticize later if it didn’t turn out as planned? We would never know. One thing was for sure, regardless of why we were at D’banj’s Koko concert, it didn’t prepare us for what was about to happen the moment we got our tags at the gate and made way to the main bowl and which is why the memory of it all will forever be etched into the ‘sands’ of time and in our minds for a long time to come.

In fact, the location of the venue is another thought that sends shivers down the spine. The venue is now synonymous with the events that happened at the Koko concert. Which is why when Copa Lagos blared its horn for its third edition taking place at the same venue, I cringed.

I do not know why I decided to go. Whether out of obligation or interest, I would not know. But when I arrived at the venue and I was asked to park close to the gate, I got worried again. Am I going to make the long trek again? I saw people walking down and I didn’t know what to think. I wasn’t ready, I had just slippers on. At least I should have thought of packing up my running shoes like this lady beside my car had on.

I was directed to a parking spot. After I parked, I alighted from the vehicle and made way to the direction people were taking. What will be, will be right? The guard who had parked me asked if I was here for the event, I fell short of being sarcastic and answered, ‘Yes’.

He then said I should stand at a corner, I would join the shuttle transporting people to the main bowl. I didn’t think I heard him well and so I asked for what he had said, apologetically. He repeated the exact same thing and I couldn’t believe my ears. I didn’t have to walk all the way? Way to go for organization.

The shuttle did indeed arrive, it was the 2012 Toyota Hiace buses, and they had Air Conditioner too. I boarded the first one to arrive and it took me close enough to where I could just stroll down to where it was happening.

A lot of thoughts ran through my head- whoever came up with the idea should be awarded but isn’t that sad? We hail what should be done in the first place simply for the lack of it and the fact that we had so gotten used to it. Regardless, the thought to do so counted and it would have been nice if the organizers of Koko concert had done the same.

 

 

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail