On here, many people have told me that; I am like a walking Ambassador for my country and that if they ever decided to visit, it will be because of the enthusiasm with which I paint my country and everything about it. CONFER; Local Guides reactions to vacationing in Lagos.
How does it feel to be;
- Marginalized?
- Told you are from a crappy place?
- Informed that your city is the most dangerous in the world?
- That the poverty level is high?
- The crime rate is high?
No, I don’t seek pity or validation, just letting you know that Lagos, Nigeria is beautiful and you can very well vacation in Lagos without stress.
I mean I am from Lagos!
So, let’s check some nitty gritties;
- LANGUAGE
While our official language in Nigeria is English language, Nigerians
speak over 500 languages and have no ‘national indigenous language’ even though the officially recognized ones are; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, so, we have to devise a means to sort of communicate with the uneducated and that gave birth to Nigerian pidgin English that was developed during the time of the colonial masters in pre-independence day Nigeria. The Pidgin English is a form of creole which; even though has a central element, has its own variants.
So, pidgin is a form of creole and is an Art that has to be mastered as every tribe, region and ethnic group infuses its language and culture into this master Art. Interesting, right?
- The People
Nigerians are one of the most lovable people in the entire universe! One of the most hospitable people! Pre-colonial Nigeria was a lot peaceful before the greed of our fathers led us into slavery and we, by our own hands, brought the ills into our country which the world has come to know us and despise us for! If anyone was to visit Nigeria especially Lagos, I would ensure they see movies like October 1. Younger Nigerians; people born within the late 70s and now are angry at the level of wrath and decay, at how other countries’ Nationals look at us every time we have the chance of traveling out! How everyone says; “beware of those Nigerians”, the travel bans, the extra checks we are subjected to at International Airports, people secondguessing you and when they finally meet someone like me, they are like; “you are not like what we have heard about your country, what we read in the news, don’t talk about that place, don’t return to that place!”
Talks like these that make many Nigerians, live illegally and immigrate illegally to countries outside the shores in hope of greener pastures. Please keep in mind, that; the news, in as much as it is for information, can be distorted especially those broadcasted outside the shores! They are a ‘for profit venture’ and must broadcast only what you want to hear! The younger Nigerians are tired and are bent on correcting the ills of times past (give us a chance, please); by not just working hard but smart and projecting our nation positively to the world, while, there are still some recalcitrant ones who are hellbent on destroying our country’s image by participating in all forms of crimes. Naturally, we are the most hospitable and pleasant people in the world and are not prone to crime
- The Food
What’s life without food and the money to buy it? ?
Food and money go hand-in-hand in Lagos, Nigeria, good-a-thing, there is always something for every one and you can get something to eat for as low as $1. While we do not have a staple food in Nigeria, we are known the world over for something we call; Jollof rice; the Nigerian Jollof ? There are as much varieties of the Jollof Rice as there are people, that has even given birth to what we call the concoction rice. Nigerians are creative with food, such that; each tribe and region has a food it is known for; Banga, Starch, Oha, Tuwo Shinkafa, Amala, Gbegiri, Ewedu, Ishapa, Isi Ewu, Afang, Pounded Yam, etc. and the moment you mention these foods, everyone knows the region the food is from
- The Beauty
It’s possible there are as many beauty pageants and competitions in Nigeria as there are states. Nigerians are beautiful! We don’t even have to say too much about that
- Hair
Nigerians are very creative with hair! We do so much with our natural hair and have a lot of add-ons and fix-ons and what not that; a walk through Lagos, Nigeria to document just the hair journey can take you at least 6 months to complete if you ever decided to run a documentary
- The Passion
Lagos, Nigeria is the home of doggednesss! The laziest person in Lagos may be the hardest worker in another place! It takes a lot to survive here and that birthed the street slang; “double your hustle” and it’s not about working 3-4 jobs but working at 1 job for close to 14 hours and returning home to a ‘side hustle’ that enables you pay your bills. Nigerians are entrepreneurial in nature, we never settle, we never rest!
- The Entertainment
Lagos is not just the hub and commercial nerve centre and capital of Nigeria but is the home of entertainment! Talk about Zoos, Nature Parks, Gardens, Botanical centres, Art Galleries, Art Centres, Bars, Amusement parks, Restaurants, Clubs and Disco houses, etc. There is so much to entertain yourself with; as Nigerians are avid travelers and entrepreneurs who are determined to bring the outside world to Nigerians at home.
- Religion
Lagos is the religious Center of Nigeria! Within 10 minutes of every community, there is at least one religious centre, all with blaring speakers and whatnot, you may find this very annoying on your visit here especially if you are not the religious type. Religion has been so ingrained in our culture that it is prevalent in every aspect of our lives, even at formal gatherings, people begin with prayers? 
The Christians or those who claim to be constitute the most nuisance here! You have so much ‘preaching’ at every corner, that; your refusal to accept will almost mean for you; in their judgment, a certain doom. How about those who commercialize Religion? You give money in exchange for a ‘particular favor’. If you are visiting Nigeria, and do not have a religious affiliation already, stay away from the religious centers except you are attending a Center whose ways and practices you are familiar with from your country
- The Crime
There is nothing funny about Crime, but, it is still funny because the crimes that happen here are mainly to test ‘your street credibility’, what the street urchins call; ‘Street Smartness’. The level of crime in Lagos, Nigeria has drastically reduced. What you should be wary of are;
‘One chance’; getting into a bus filled with people you think are actual passengers but who you do not know are gangsters, you take the last seat and are robbed of everything on you!
The Pick Pockets- these are petty thieves looking for money to get by the day. Keep your pockets free and hold your bags to your chest, if you are a Local Guide, keep your eyes on your belongings always and keep your eyes 'open’ because if you snooze, you lose.
Kidnapping - this is very rare in Lagos but it happens still, barbaric people who still use Humans for rituals or who kidnap people for ransom. This is very very rare in Lagos.
Robbery/Scam/Drugs - are also perpetuated to a certain level here.
Jazz - ? no not the music, but charms where you are walking along the street and someone innocently ? walks up to you and speaks to you or taps you and immediately, you begin to do everything the person says, more like casting a spell on their victim.
Guess? In my over 30 years of staying in Lagos, I have not being a victim of any of these.
Lagos, Nigeria is a very beautiful place to visit, no matter how long you live, if you haven’t visited Lagos, you haven’t even started and I am not even kidding!
There are many more things to share about Lagos than a whole post will contain.
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