Hi guys,
I had a lovely day on Friday the 21st. I was especially excited about seeing the weekend begin and at about 5:20 or so, I left work and headed towards Ajose Adeogun. As I turned into Mobil from Ozumba, an Okada came from NOWHERE and hit me hard! My number 1 thought was ‘Jesus, I’m not going to add manslaughter to the list of my sins’.
Scared, shaken, angry, I parked in the middle of the road got down to assess the damage done, not even to the car but to the bike man in particular. I was scared that this man had killed himself. As soon as I saw that he was alive, breathing and actually fixing his bike, I screamed at him in a way that shocked even I. It was as though someone came out of me to vex and I was calmly observing the goings on. I was livid.
‘How dare you ride your bike like that?!’ ‘What if you had killed yourself? You didn’t even check the road. You’re lucky nothing happened to you!’
Our typical pocknosey Nigerians had gathered- most people were on Team Temi and they were asking me to calm down and take it easy. I decided to heed their advice and gently started walking towards the car. Just as I turned, the only member of Team Okadaman, one white man, said ‘Calm down, you are a lady. And it was your fault, you were overspeeding’ I saw RED! Let’s just say he received the remaining part of the venom I was trying to swallow. I was outraged.
What does ladylikeness have to do with this? If he had killed himself and I was bundled to Alagbon police station to write a statement and be detained, would they have treated me like a lady?
A few minutes after, I felt bad that I wasn’t calmer and that I didn’t exhibit the fruit of the Spirit sha. But okada men make it hard to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, really. They do not obey traffic laws, they don’t obey traffic lights, they are just totally impossible!
Dear Lord, please this is to remind you of my earlier request for okadas to be banned in Lagos and for them to be provided with even better and less endangering jobs. Thank You Lord.
Drive safely guys. I pray none of us will harm or be harmed as we go about our daily activities in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Temiville.xoxo
Musings of a Caramel Latte Addict 
Oct 27, 2011 @ 22:27:50
Read this on my phone and just had to turn on my laptop and reply…
My dear sister, it is only God that can save us from these okada guys. There was a time for like 2 weeks, I was sure someone sent them to me. Most of the scratches on my car are from okadas. Seriously, they make u want to say things God wouldn’t be proud of…. By God’s grace, have been trying to calm down and not say anyfin or just rant and rant in my car (away from the scene; I move immediately so I don’t say what I shouldn’t say out especially in VI where someone I know could be passing. Lol). I have had cause to scream @ one tho and the guy started abusing me. I was so livid. You almost killed yourself (cause no bi me go kill you) and you are still talking. Twice, I had come close to losing my cool on that Ajose Road; One Friday too after work; in fact I left work a little early cuz I had this nagging headache and all I wanted to do was get home and tune off. At the junction into Muri Okunola, this okada moves and so I move after him and he suddenly stops… I was mad.. Was almost going to get down (which I latter did) and scream but I think the shock made me pause small. By the time I got down, I just ensured he was ok, no scratches on my car and took off. I got home and was shaking so badly. Another time on Akin Adesola @ d Sanusi end; the LASTMA guy passes us (going towards Falomo). God knows where this okada guy came from. Next we saw (the guy on d other lane and myself) was this guy isn’t just on our lane facing us but was also trying to maneuver his okada in between 2 cars and he had someone behind (to think we were in traffic o). He did end up drawing a line on my car that brake oil couldn’t fix and kept telling me sorry.
I wonder tho esp when they have people behind them if those ones don’t love their lives as obviously the bike guys don’t love theirs. 2 accidents I witnessed; one inside Lekki, it is raining heavily and you decide to drive ur bike like d ground was ok… Next we saw, he was up in d air and into water. They brought out his body later in d day. Another @ Civic Centre, about 6.30 on a Monday morning, this bike guy is coming with so much speed from Law School and for those of us turning into Adetokunbo we could obviously see that that light was gonna be red before he got there so d cars from his side slowed down. The guy didn’t. By the time he did, it was too late; he crashed into the car in front and his passenger is up in the air, I couldn’t wait to see the outcome.
Whew, my reply is already longer than the post. I joining you in the prayer. They need to be off the road asap.
Oct 27, 2011 @ 22:37:20
Ahahaha @ “okada men make it hard to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, really.” Thank God you were safe dear.
Oct 27, 2011 @ 22:39:12
Nawa oh at your story and Deronk. To think I like taking okada when I visit Naija..Naija and the driving even with traffic light..Ha lets not forget to pray b4 stepping out in the morning oh..you just dont know what will happen..
I know ey, some okada people I think God use them to humble people cos the type of things you want to say ey, you just have to hol up and say what will Jesus do..
Oct 27, 2011 @ 22:45:53
Temi, you no be good pesin o! Ban okada for lagos??? Abeg, no pray that kain prayer o! My reason is simply this, there’s only one mode of transportation in lagos. In a city of eons of millions of people, traffic is GANGSTER! One needs alternative forms of transport to be honest. I own my own biz, so meetings are a must. I could have 5 a day in completely different locations. Okadas have been me saving grace to be honest! Once I see traffic like this, na to park my car for Biggs or major landmark, settle security and jump on okada o! I know they be nutters those men and I’ve def had my fair share of run ins wif them but all in all, they’ve been good to me.
Oct 28, 2011 @ 07:56:32
Sorry Temi. I probably would have reacted the same way if I was in Nigeria. God help us all.
Our character is not revealed just by our actions, but by our reactions. Actions can be planned, but reactions are spontaneous. They give us a glimpse of what’s really in our heart.
When the Psalmist prayed, ‘Try me, and know my thoughts’, he was inviting God to create the circumstances that would bring to the surface in him all the ‘junk’ at the bottom of the lake of his subconscious, hidden from view – not only from the eyes of other people but also from his own eyes.
Paul writes to the believers in Galatia and says, ‘My dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labour pains for you… and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives’ (Galatians 4:19 NLT).
We just need to be filled by the Holy Spirit at all times and think of what Jesus will do because Christ has not fully developed in our lives.
Oct 28, 2011 @ 08:43:17
this is serious. sorry Temi.
the okada banning may not be too good sha cos those bikes have saved lives in countless occassions. lets just pray they drive carefully.
and that man that said its ur fault enn, i o get word for am
Oct 28, 2011 @ 09:01:03
…Eish, and some Ghanaians want it legitimised in Ghana..mainly bcos of traffic which is building up badly in Accra these days and also as a source of employment for some unemployed people…
Im am fervently praying this does not materialise, no matter how ‘Gangster’ the traffic situation is..(lol at Sameera)
I really do not think its the best means of transportation, no matter how convenient they may be.. our governments shd really start lookin at underground transport alternatives as a means of reducing traffic on our roads (even if it will take 20yrs to be constructed)
Oct 29, 2011 @ 20:34:36
Exactly, alternative means of transport that would get you anywhere. I get that they can be convenient, can get into the korokoro of Lagos in record time but still I think their disadvantages outweighs their advantages.
To think they were banned from major roads a while back and suddenly they came back in full force
Oct 28, 2011 @ 09:33:33
Read these first on your tweet and we (my friends & i) discussed/argued at length on the menace of Okada in lagos….at the end, we concluded their use far outweighs the negatives nd banning them would be tantamount to throwing the baby away with the bath water…we can only keep praying and clamouring for a better orientation of the riders.
Oct 28, 2011 @ 15:55:13
“A few minutes after, I felt bad that I wasn’t calmer and that I didn’t exhibit the fruit of the Spirit sha. But okada men make it hard to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, really.” Lol that had me in stitches!
Thank God you’re okay! But on a more serious note, being a christian and dealing with challenges like this makes one stronger. The more we realize that we are lacking, the more we need that “spirit” to fill us to the brim…and running over. I agree with you on banning okadas and this has nothing to do with their lawlessness. Its risky. Period. Even in the western world motorbike accidents have little survival chances.
Oct 28, 2011 @ 17:22:17
Yesterday, i was late for a meeting at my partner’s office but resisted the urge to drive fast…I arrived 30 mins late at Admiralty way indicating with my traffigator that i was parking by the left looked thru my side mirror. it was clear, was about to turn when my spirit prompted me to look again. Behold an Okadaman was speeding ahead trying to force himsef between my car and the pavement. I remained static, dude smashed thru, scratched my left fender and pulled my front bumper in its entirety. He fly off his bike and like a scene from that “Final Destination” movie, flew from his bike and knocked his head on the pavement block.
Oh My Goodness, I ve killed someone!!! A small crowd have gathered already most of them Okadamen, Dude was jerking on the floor, a big sore on his head, blood gushing out profusely someone even said he saw his brain. I jumped out of the car and started screaming for help to take him to a hospital everybody was just staring at me like a madman some of them exclaiming that the man was about to die but nobody offered to help. I screamed for about 5mins, still no help, (Even from his fellow hausa brothers) instead I heard whispers from fellow okadamen planning to set my car ablaze. I picked up the heavy okadaman myself , put him in d car and dashed to a nearby hospital. At First glance, Doctor said if we cant do it we wud refer him to a specialist hospital, my heart skipped, I prayed under my breadth.
Who is gonna pay??? the doctor yelled? I screamed pls attend to him i ll pay everytin. After Examination, The doctor said his skull wasnt cracked , they stopped the bleeding, gave him anesthetics and started stitching. Dude didnt even loose consciousness, he brought out his fone so we can call his family, we got thru to his brother who picked up his bike and met us at the hospital. he has bin discharged this morning and even spoke to me this morning on the fone.
What a scare??? I can only praise the name of the LORD.
Person for don die for my neck, I reject it!!!
Oct 29, 2011 @ 14:51:47
@Gbemi..thank God for everything…
But it was not ur fault that the dude was driving recklessly, besides you helping was out of a good heart..
I think there should be law on these okadas…
Thank God again…
Oct 29, 2011 @ 20:37:30
It is amazing the way one of them does wrong and the others come around ready to fight… I always wonder what they think. Thank God e no die…
Nov 02, 2011 @ 18:57:56
I use okada’s everyday to and from work and they can be useful. I also know that they can be very reckless. I wouldn’t want them to be banned, but like a lot of people have said, the okada men should be given a re-orientation of sorts. Thank God the bike man wasn’t hurt.
naijabankgirl.blogspot.com
Nov 04, 2011 @ 16:49:47
Can you imagine the nonsene about you being a lady. I will vex too. ahn ahn what if something worse happened hisss. We thank God for favors like this.
Nov 15, 2011 @ 16:48:58
So sorry babes… na God do am for you.
Its going to be hard to ban okadas completely from lagos sha ooo, cos of the population