Ojo, Nigeria

It is commonly said that “there is no place like home” but such saying is not much felt until you have left home. Be it for a lifetime you can never forget how it feels to be there no matter the scenarios.
Take for instance a place where people want to be, a place for hustling since only the fit survive, a place for business and most of all a fun loving place, that is Lagos. It used to be the capital of my country Nigeria before it was changed to Abuja. Maybe it is because Abuja is located at the heart of the map so it felt nice placing the capital in the center.

As the world is going mordernised that is the same way Lagos follows, I guess it was first modernised before most parts of Nigeria. There is a rapid change in structures, high rise buildings being found almost everywhere and also leading to a great loss of rural structures. Yes there is a struggle in the retaining of cultural practices like the festivals and customs. Festivals like the "Eyo Festival" and others are highly looked forward to by the Indigenes of the state. Also to assure that all is not lost in the cultural aspect there is a king or "Oba" as the Yorubas call him.

Although not rich in tourism but with the happenings in here many are attracted, thereby leading to a highly populated region. This increase leads to an increase in crime rate since every man wants to survive. I call it a confluence or conference center because so many tribes, religion and colours come together for a common goal which is to survive.

They either come for business and leave or they just end up settling here. This is because Lagos is accommodating in various ways. In comparison to other states it turns out the best in the aspect of affordability. Goods are often bought from here and taken to other cities for the purpose of making higher gains. Having many large markets with various names that people often say things like "I will take you to the market and you will not find your way out" but as for me I have never been lost in such a place or anywherelse that I did not find my way back. So to anyone coming to Lagos for the first time he or she should have two things; the guts to ask questions and enough money not for an hotel at night but for safe and convenient transportation to your destination. Especially at night when the road is over crowded by humans leaving one to wonder where all are coming from.

With all these and lots more Lagos can hardly be a boring place. Being a fun loving person I like to think of it as place where I will grow old and it did not take me the whole two decades I have spent here or even on earth to decide. And because of the nature of Lagos it is the one place with different references. Some call it "A happening place "(ie a place where a lot happens), nationally accepted as "The center of excellence" and best of all "a no man's land" but I like to call it "home sweet home" because I believe that my lineage and roots has revealed Lagos as the place I belong.

Ereyomi H

Submitted: Friday 18th June 2004, 2:06 PM

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