Step by step, Lagos is gradually on its way to attaining better standards of living. There was so much talk about the Lagos Mega City and all of a sudden, dead quiet. I thought to myself, “here we go again for so much ado about nothing”. All the while, I was focusing on lofty grandeur style of change, especially in Lagos State. I was hoping to hear of how the menace of NEPA (Nigeria Electric Power Authority) will be tackled and when Lagosians will start to enjoy constant power supply, nothing so far.

I followed like someone possessed, all the news about Cops and Robbers and noted in great alarm that it seemed that the robbers were winning while the cops were losing. Even as I write, I cannot say for certain if the tables have turned. One day I read of the Cops overpowering the robbers, and then the next day, the robbers are the masters. This saga continues and I believe the most recent I read about was the Iyana-Ipaja saga (this is an area in Lagos). Armed robbers activities in Lagos and Nigeria in general, do send a chill down my spine and makes me afraid for anyone I know travelling to Lagos. I pray extra hard when I also have to travel.

The poverty issue and the state of the hospitals, were also matters of interest to me, for I am one who will always defend the masses. I weep when I hear of unnecessary deaths of young and old, either due to lack of proper medical care, deplorable state of Nigerian general hospitals, and the exorbitant fees charged by private hospitals which are almost always unaffordable for the ordinary Nigerian (not that I am blaming the hospitals for everything is expensive in Nigeria). I read about this, watch these in Nollywood films, and come in contact with people who have real sad tales of misery to tell, especially those who “flash” me on the phone, text or e-mail me to request financial assistance for medical care. I fear to go to my father’s hometown for the demands of the extended family members are so unreasonable. No one bothers to check if I can afford to look after myself. This living abroad is so misinterpreted by my fellow Nigerians living at home.

Another big issue for me is that of road accidents that have claimed so many lives and still claiming more. Oh yes there are Air Accidents also – I mean plane crashes, but thank God, seems Nigeria has tightened its checks on the disused and condemned Western planes, purchased at give away prices and taken to Nigeria to operate local flights. Yes thank God, plane crashes have sort of reduced and if I am to be optimistic and prayerful, eradicated, in Nigeria (please join me in saying Amen). I digress, where was I, oh, road accidents. Now this is a serious issue that Lagos and Nigeria has not found a solution for. The roads have to be seen to, dead vehicles pretending to be alive on the roads need to be buried once and for all, and then the lunatic driving – why are drivers so much in a death destiny hurry on the roads especially when travelling long distance? Dangerous driving is not given enough attention. As much as we cannot avoid all those bends and twists on the roads, we surely can avoid leaving trailers and other broken down vehicles right at this same bends overnight. You see, in Nigeria, none of the roads have street lights, and many vehicles travel with either one or their two eyes closed. So you see there is so much to do to reduce road accidents, but this is not mission impossible. Road safety marshals and recovery service are examples of the solution.

Other issues of interest are the menace of “Area Boys”, beggars, sub standard education, and that dreaded noise pollution. Oh, it is only in Lagos that I stay awake all through the night, at the same time, listening to Night Vigils from different churches e.g. Redeem, Cele, CAC, K&S, and forced to follow the Mosques calls to worship at the same time. If it was on a weekend, then the noise from different parties will have to be added to the misery of staying awake all night. “Close your windows” you say, but I can’t, for without NEPA, I need fresh air or I will suffocate. If it was the one church or mosque, then I could worthily stay awake and like distance learning join the worship. But with so many, impossible.

But I end this little moan on a positive note. There seems now to be the hope for a better, nicer future for us in Lagos. Just last week, the Commissioner for Education announced that the Lagos State government will close down all illegal schools (bad news for some), but if our children are not given a decent educational start, while the poor parents are being ripped off, then it is good news, or isn’t it? The Area Boys are being sent for vocational training and gradually given needed attention. Hopefully one day soon, there won’t be no area-boys any more. Vehicles are going to be checked and if not roadworthy, they will be denied licence. Illegal hawkers in Lagos will be arrested (in a bid to stop the menace of traffic trading). Surely all these are good news.

I don’t know what will happen to NEPA and to the hospitals in the near future. Don’t know how soon those roads will be repaired and more roads built. Don’t know if more bridges will or will not collapse, and don’t know when the cultist and occultists will be annihilated. But I do know one thing; Lagos is not paying deaf ears to all problems. So when I saw this latest news today, my spirit lifted and I was moved to write this post. Excerpt courtesy of www.nigeriaworld.com:

Lagos gets tough on social parties, noise pollution

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, on Thursday warned that socialites and religious organisations involved in noise making would now be sanctioned. Banire gave the warning at a press conference on his ministry’s programmes for 2008. He said, “The ministry has already submitted a bill to the state House of Assembly, which will prohibit partying on the city’s roads and prevent noise pollution by religious organisations and commercial motorcyclists (okada).“Both celebrant and guests will be culpable and all items found at such parties will be confisticated. “Even local government permits for such parties will be discountenanced.” Banire added that industries and companies that pollute the environment would be prosecuted through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in 2008. He warned religious bodies and dealers in musical accessories to reduce their noise levels, adding that okada riders who had installed trailer horns on their motorcycles.

My aim here is to praise little efforts, for if I am faithful in little things, I will have the opportunity to be faithful in bigger ones. Also I will like to acknowledge that “little drops of water, makes the mighty ocean”.

Good luck Lagos, Good Luck, Nigeria. Hope the sanitation issue that will make Lagos the envy of Calabar will be the next positive accomplishment.

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