TIGblogs TIG | TIGblogs GROUP TIGBLOGS LOGIN SIGNUP
Biodun Uthman - My Blog
Biodun Uthman - My Blog


The Lagos Metamorphosis
Related to country: Nigeria

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

For the first time in over a year, I left Ife for Lagos – a distance of about 200km. I have read a lot about the transformation of the State by the new Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola but never have I witnessed the transformation. The much talked-about clearance of the notorious Oshodi filth, the beautification of the sideways of major expressways, the luxurious overhead pedestrian bridges, the BRT and of course the chasing away of street urchins popularly known as area boys who extort money from innocent motorists and commercial bike operators.
As I turtled towards the ‘centre of excellence’, many things raced through my mind about the smallest but the most populous, most congested state in the world’s most populous black nation. It was as if I have been out the state for more than a decade. I have lived in the state for twenty-five years but nothing had changed in terms of lawlessness, environmental degradation, filthiness and the perennial traffic jam. Reading in the papers that in less than two years of my absence from the state things have taken a new turn excites me and I was eager to witness it all. I particularly did not have any assignment in Lagos except taking time off to visit some friends and acquaintances.
I got to Julius Berger, the border town between Lagos and Ogun state after close to two hours of measured driving. From there I began to feel the Fashola touch. For the first time in a civilian administration, I saw motorists respect traffic rules. I saw Bus conductors take a seat among the passengers rather than their traditional hanging. I saw people queue to board commercial buses. I saw law enforcement agents perform their duty with all seriousness. I saw well landscaped green and luxuriant grasses where traditionally, were toilets and homes to miscreants.
Then I asked myself, is this the same Lagos I lived for twenty-five years? Is this the same Lagos where I nearly lost my windscreen to social miscreants a few years back? Is this the same Lagos where I normally spent hours getting home from office? If this is that same Lagos, then there are leaders in this country who can correct so many wrongs about Nigeria.
Biodun Uthman.

April 2, 2009 | 10:10 AM Comments  0 comments

Tags:


Citizen Valentina Emeruwa
Related to country: Nigeria

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Right from her secondary school days, i knew she will definitely become what she is today - an inspiration to many a youth. Her views on this forum have lifted souls. As her coordinating teacher, I saw the traits in her contributions as a member of Press Club during her High School days.

That she is a distinguished Medical Doctor today is not and shouldn't have been a surprise to those of us under whom Val trained. Her emergence as one of the best three students in the WAEC Exams and her eventual admission into the Medical College did not come to us as a surprise. How I wish today's youth, particularly the girl-child could learn from the soul-inspiring, spirit-lifting contributions of citizen Valentina Emeruwa on TIGblog!

Biodun Uthman

March 30, 2009 | 11:55 AM Comments  0 comments

Tags:




Biodun Uthman's Profile

Biodun Uthman's Friends


Latest Posts
The Lagos Metamorphosis
Citizen Valentina Emeruwa

Monthly Archive
March 2009
April 2009

Change Language


Tags Archive
goodpeople governance

Filter By Type
Travel
Topics

Friends
Kemi Bello


1855 views
Important Disclaimer