Nigerian author Olaitan showcases the rough and tumble of life in Lagos. She brings alive the persona of the city in this beautiful word sketch, exclusively for Different Truths.

After the partially peaceful Sunday nights, we wake up to another busy day, Monday. A lot of us wake up before the cocks crow at five o’clock in the morning; one wonders if we sleep at all in Lagos. Early Monday mornings seem like late Friday nights; the streets are often alive with the help of the lights from our cars on the ever-busy roads of Lagos. Sometimes, I check my wristwatch to be sure if it is morning or night. Though that is a joke, you might need to do so if it is your first time in any of the cities in Lagos, Nigeria.

From the tragedies that are often caused by unclear clouds, which often make one seek the spiritual opening of one’s eyes to see the roads, to the restless bus drivers and impatient elites behind the wheels of their air-conditioned cars, to the annoying tick-tock of the clock, to the ‘enemies of progress’ that cause accidents or hold-ups, to some of the traffic wardens that try to magnify themselves, thus wrongly executing their duties. Maybe after all these, one might need to welcome the arrival of the ‘comforters’ or saviours— ‘the saviours’; the street hawkers, those who bring life to our throats and stomachs. If I may ask, what is life on the busy roads of Lagos without ‘pure water’, table water, and gala?

 At about seven o’clock in the morning, some Lagosians are either at work or on their way to their various places of work.

Another set of experiences take over the streets at seven o’clock; the roads cry like babies in the jungle—tougher and louder than the normal ways babies cry. The roads cry for the world to come to an end, so they can experience the tip of the iceberg of peace.

The thing about Lagos is its wide range of challenges and choices. If you want to be rich, you need to put first things first: set your mind to work, be industrious, and be ready to compete.  Lagos is a ‘race’; be ready for challenges. Lagos can table a thousand and one jobs; you need to choose which one fits your skills. Also, have it at the back of your mind that ‘multi-talent’ is one of the major features of Lagos; it is possible to find one person who is into music, fashion, event management, website development, etc.

Lagos is a home away from home for explorers and visitors. It welcomes everyone from the wide wings of the human race. The next time you want to go on an adventure, do not forget Lagos, Nigeria!

Picture design, Anumita Roy

Olaitan Maryam Mojisola

Olaitan Maryam Mojisola is a Nigerian. She is also a Student, Blogger, Sales Representative, Poet, Writer and an Essayist. Some of her poems have been published in anthologies, on webzines and blogs.