by Chinedu Okoro

Lagos, you are still our pride, courted by others like a bride, you are most munificent, your jagged scenery never recedes to us who behold,they are never evanescent.

Lagos,
They call you Eko
but I know you as Lagos
I also know you as Lasgidi
habitation to many Alàgidi
Nigeria’s nerve centre
home to our National Theatre.

Lagos,
There is only one Lagos
with streets kinked like oesophagus
yet,many surge towards you
you hold every tribe like glue
you are well known like flu.

Lagos,
how I love your restlessness
you don’t tolerate clumsiness
in you we are on guard.
From the bustling Obalende
to the reserved Mende.

Lagos,
you are still our pride
courted by others like a bride
you are most munificent
your jagged scenery never recedes
to us who behold,they are never evanescent.

Lagos,
your children are literates
from Igbobi to Methodist College
winning thee enviable laureates
from honourable KC to adorable QC
other colleges bid unbroken pledges.

Lagos,
through you left our fore fathers
whose absence made us like chicks without feathers
oh! that revered land Badagry,
a land of chains and pains
few miles from where the Atlantic lain.

Lagos,
Island of land and bridges
from Eko to Carter bridge
and the longest,the third mainland
connecting the Island and the mainland
how blessed are thy inhabitants.

Lagos,
Home of splendour and hospitality
in you are Eko and Tamarin
need I forget Oceanview and Sheraton?
In Oyingbo is the Mainland
at the Coliseum is an endless Shift
oh!how accommodating is your Broad Street.

Lagos,
Incomparable are your views
from Banana to Parkview
is it VGC or AJ City?
from unkempt Maròkò to Okokomaiko
oh!your unsung child Ajangbadi.

Lagos,
How colourful are thee
thy colourful dottings with BRT
your Thisday and Eyo Festivals
they are still the best of all
home to Atlantic Hall.

Lagos,
Mother of tragedies
confluence of vices
victim of collapsed edifices
starved of your due
victim of blasts in Ojo and Onipanu.

Lagos,
Yet, you still stand
I found out that it is your destiny
that Eko baje ti!

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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.