by Lekan Aminu

On and on like that, okada has saved us from embarrasements and even death. I can’t forget how a pregnant woman whose labour room was almost on the road was carried to the hospital on okada. That was the fastest way! Or should they have waited for a bus which would first be filled up by other passengers otherwise no movement?

My legs can never forget that song…that one that made Wizkid a star. Chai! I sang that song to the point that Wizkid nearly knew me. My mouth kept singing it and my legs kept having faith that one day, it will happen. Yet despite how I sang “when you see me drive by, holla at your boy…” I’m still trekking! Every two months I buy new shoes because the road of Lasgidi is not smiling at all. If not for Danfo, correct Bajaj okada and Okada’s elder  brother Maruwa, the map of Lagos roads will have been tattooed beneath my foot.

Still, Danfo, Molue, Yellow buses, Maruwa… all of them have made me miss several interviews. “Early to bed, early to rise” I even added early to leave the house to it but still… I don’t blame them! What can they do when they come face to face with every Nigerians nightmare? The only thing that can make The Nigerian Police scream with sirens and make a vegetarian eat Gala and wash it down with Lacasera – Traffic jam a.k.a Nigerian Red Sea.

But even the Egyptians walked through the Red sea so why won’t we? The same way He blessed Moses with the rod, He blessed us with Okada in different brands… Bajaj, Suzuki, Qlink, Yamaha…e.t.c Dear Lord I thank you!

I was busy dulling myself with BRT and yellow buses but now, Yoruba’s don’t carry last anymore. The last interview I had, the Nigerian Red Sea was impossible to cross by bus but, all things are possible with Okada. I got there in time and on time with the natural air conditioner blowing my fear away. I got the job! Now, the only way I can get to work early enough is on Okada.

On and on like that, Okada has saved us from embarrassments and even death. I can’t forget how a pregnant woman who almost made the road her labour room as she was being carried to the hospital on Okada. That was the fastest way! Or should they have waited for a bus which would have to wait to get filled with passengers before making any move? Should they have joined the queue for the BRT bus? So you see, Okada will always be important especially in a city as busy as Lagos. Not to mention the fact that without them, we will be buying shoes every two months depending on how far you have to trek because commercial buses can’t take us into our bedrooms but on Okada, you can even enter your wardrobe as long as you have money.

But now, Governor Fashola has put sand in my garri! I don’t ride okada anymore on his territory. The worst part is that I thought I would one day represent Nigeria in a cycle race… all my dream dashed. The way I trek now, only cows from the north can trek like that and since I don’t have my car yet  I have no choice. So, when you see me trek by, holla at your boy too.

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