by Kareem Opeyemi.
Lagos is Nigeria’s melting pot. Undoubtedly, Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria. The city, inhabiting about 15 million people is made up of different tribes all sharing the same resources and infrastructure. Some people say being a Lagosian means you are a descendant of the original inhabitants of the city, that is, the Awori people of the Yoruba clan. However, being a true Lagosian is not a matter of ethnic group or tribe but rather the lifestyle you are exposed to.
Here are the views of a number of residents on what it means to be a true Lagosian:
“Being a Lagosian means leaving my home by 4.30am and coming back 10pm everyday.”
“It means I must tie my purse to my neck when I’m in the market.”
“As a true Lagosian, I have to be sharp. Always! So that I wouldn’tbe duped.”
“A true Lagosian must have Saturday package. Chores and laundry in the morning, akara and pap as breakfast and then top it off with OWAMBE!!”
“If you haven’t slept and woken up in traffic, you never dey Lagos o.”
“A true Lagosian will never use their phone in traffic while sitting by the window. I’m talking from experience.”
One major thing that stands you out as a true Lagosian is your ability to withstand traffic jams. Lagos is a very busy and congested city. Traffic jams are the order of each day in Lagos. Some days a better than others but a true Lagosian always includes traffic in his schedule. He must wake up by 5am if he wants to get to work on time and must equally leave his workplace on time, to get back home before it is late. As a Lagosian, you cannot tell me that you have never thrown an insult at other drivers in traffic. Traffic jams are so frustrating and the only way a true Lagosian can deal with that anger is to transfer it to drivers who are too slow or reckless.
Are you a Lagosian if you have never attended owambe? I doubt it! In Lagos, Saturdays are for owambe. After a week of workimg and surviving the traffic, Saturdays are for enjoyment in every Lagosian’s calendar. Owambe is a social function, usually weddings, birthdays held during the weekend. It is a party where friends and family can show off their fashion style, cars or children who just achieved something. So, if you want to earn the title of being a true Lagosian, live the life of one and attend owambe!
Being a Lagosian means staying woke! A common saying among street boys is “la oju e” which means “shine your eye”. A Lagosian is smart and always on guard when he is outside because Lagos is not for the weak. If you are not smart, they will “run you street” as people say. Be it at the workplace, in the market, in public transportation, you have to shine your eyes. A Lagosian is always vigilant and agile. He trusts no one but himself.
Every true Lagosian has had a clash with bus conductors because of change. Some conductors intentionally hold your change, hoping you will forget it but a Lagosian never forgets. He keeps shouting “conductor my change o” which eventually upsets the conductor and results in argument. This is a normal scenario in Lagos and very entertaining for other passengers because everybody is angry in Lagos so what harm could a little entertainment do? So, if you’re hoping for a little Lagos drama, you’ve got one in every danfo bus.
A true Lagosian appreciates the value of second hand materials, akube or okirika as it is commonly called. Be it clothes, shoes, bags, cars among others, a Lagosian will never miss an opportunity to purchase these items. They always come cheap. A real Lagosian also knows how to rock these okirika clothes without anyone realising that it is second hand. The forming in Lagos is real and every Lagosian does it.
Lagos is the most exclusive city to live in Nigeria. I personally like to refer to Lagos as the New York City of Nigeria. The streets are always alive. The hustling and bustling never stops, it never settles. Although I cannot agree less that the amount of stress an individual goes through in Lagos is traumatic, it is what makes us “omo ile eko,” that is, a true Lagosian.
Eko ni le. Omo eko ni mi