What They Don't Tell You About Lagos
This is the part of Lagos they don't tell you about in the stories they tell of their stay there.
They come back from their vacation in Lagos, they tell you about the big roads, the exquisite buildings, the innovations and the sophistication.
They don't tell you about the bad roads, the dilapidated houses, the beggars who live under the bridges and the poor men whose houses the flood has washed away.
They don't tell you about the bad roads that surround places like Ikorodu, Mushin, etc. They don't tell you that to live in Lagos required hustle and this hustle is a lot of wahala.
They don't tell you that the fast sophisticated cars have drivers that are mad. Oh, yes. Everybody is mad in Lagos. But they don't tell you that.
They won't tell you that there is an overpopulation problem. This overpopulation, being the significant reason for the heavy traffic on Lagos roads.
They will rather say it is the opportunities in Lagos that has brought many people there.
They will not tell you about the taxes. Yes. Taxes. That it is the taxes paid by the people of Lagos that has created these developments. That every Lagosian is a taxpayer however he tries to avoid taxes.
They won't tell you about the toll fees and its high rate. But they will probably tell you about the beautiful toll gates on the Island.
They may tell you about the beach, its beautiful sight. Lagos has many of them. They may compare these beaches to your local streams and rivers. They may tell you how the beaches are a wonder in comparison.
They will not tell you that these beaches have carried people, deprived many families of their relatives. But you might have heard of this one way or the other.
You might compare it to the rivers around and his the spirits of the river when angered carries people too.
You will sit and admire the beautiful Lagos before even visiting. You will tell your friends the story told you by your privileged cousins; stories that will count as privileged information.
You will tell it like you were there yourself and the gasps of admiration you will provoke from your listeners with be satisfactory.
You will tell them the story but tainted with exaggerations here and there.
But whatever stories you will tell about our dear Lagos will be incomplete without you visiting for yourself.
And when you visit, do not only focus on the beautiful edifices and other attractions, focus also on the ugliness of Lagos.
Look down on Lagos, and you will be telling a complete story.
- Chizaram Opara
