ASAKE OKIN

I opened my mouth and words didn't come out. I couldn't vent, the other passengers were already ranting. What will be the need of speaking, as whatever I say will be useless. This was the second time it was happening to me...but 6am, isn't that too early... ? Is it that we don't know the law or we just dont respect human feeling? “Asake, cut the crap! Human feelings and laws in Nigeria?”  Its not that we don't have laws, it’s just that people misuse their powers. I should have listened to the inner voice, it’s too late crying over spilled milk. The first time I experienced the butter and wine color wearing officials, they "impounded" a bus I was in. The passengers begged for minutes.At first I didn't care, couldn't be bothered, and was already looking for another bus. The driver was wrong. At that time, commercial buses were not allowed to drive on the middle lanes (or expressway as some people call it) on Ikorodu road; the service ...

As a proud owner of a luxurious Legedize Benz, I have been opportune to use most means of road transportation- Okada (Boda-Boda), Bicycle (Tuk-tuk), Tricycle (Keke Marwa or NAPEP), Danfo (Matatu), BRT and even Moluwe (although I am yet to board it alone). The only route I know the 5 th passenger is standard practice is on the Obalende- Oshodi route, using those buses bigger than Danfo; also if you are leaving Lagos -Abeokuta headed for Obalende/CMS before 5.20am, one is likely to encounter the 5 th passenger practice. However the bus fare will be 50 Naira less than if it was 4passengers per row. Apart from the standard practice, if you board a regular 4 passengers per row big bus and you happen to seat on the 2nd row; don't be surprised when the conductor is the 5th Passenger. This practice is not peculiar to Lagos, Nigeria only, this also happens in Nairobi, Kenya. I remember one afternoon, my girlfriends and I were headed to town in a Matatu, the conductor told us to s...