Rekana Sharon Ojong: Lagos, my new Calabar (30 Days of Lagos)

by Rekana Sharon Ojong

lagos

When I first moved to Lagos, I was lost and didn’t know how I was going to survive. I couldn’t run or hide from this type of hustle and bustle as it was strange and uncomfortable, coming from a place well known to be the most peaceful and friendly city in Nigeria (Calabar of course!)

Calabar is home for me. And will always be home until a bride price has been paid and I’m sold to another land(well, isn’t that the real meaning of bride price? what are they paying for if not purchasing you…)

But Lagos is now my home. How strange yet fulfilling it sounds even to me.

When I first moved to Lagos, I was lost and didn’t know how I was going to survive. I couldn’t run or hide from this type of hustle and bustle as it was strange and uncomfortable, coming from a place well known to be the most peaceful and friendly city in Nigeria (Calabar of course!). We were done with school. Celebrated final exams and even did send-off parties. Most of my university best friends were moving to Abuja(well paid jobs and somehow alike Calabar) and some to other places. Am I stupid? Who do I know in Lagos? Where am I going to start from? I need lots of money if I am going to stay back. Must it be Lagos? These were my thoughts after I came to participate in the reality show – Kokomansion located here in Lagos…  Lagos isn’t all that. Why the noise and hype? After all, I can’t ask my dad for money now when for all my dad cares is education first. “You are done with your first degree, why wait? Go for a second degree”. I want a second and even a third degree. But not yet as my passion for fashion and a little spotlight were yearning for notice.

After months of striving that went on to years, I AM NOT DEAD. Instead, Lagos has made me really strong. Having attended, experienced, participated, gotten involved, worked with various brands – personal and corporate, I have come to my conclusion which a lot of folks will agree – IF YOU CAN LIVE IN LAGOS, YOU CAN SURVIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND FACE ANYTHING THAT COMES YOUR WAY. The hardworking, purpose and passion driven youth and their creativity pushes you to not only live and survive another day but to be and make the best of what you have and who you are.

I have seen the streets go from filthy and crowded to clear, spick-and-span. I have watched the fashion and entertainment industry skyline change with new found appreciation for locally made fabrics, prints and designs. Along with the entertainment industry getting international recognition with Lagos as the headquarters and I AM PART OF THIS GROWTH. Slow but surely, dreams of many have been accomplished in Lagos and my own dreams are turning to reality in this LAGOS. I don’t want to live anywhere else (except Calabar). I feel at home… Lagos imbibes a focused energy that I don’t want to be set free from…

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

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