The Day I Left Lagos

My name is Abike.

I left Isale Ilogbo, Ogbomosho because of wigs. Don’t laugh, let me explain and you will understand.

My cousin Labake has been bragging to me about her life in Lagos for three years! Three years, like Lagos is the promised land. According to her, Lagos is flowing with milk, honey and opportunities and she is living the soft life. Every December she came home looking like a model, with her bone-straight wig that hung down to her waist. And her lashes? Hmm, don’t get me started on her lashes! Meanwhile, I am here in Isale Ilogbo rotating the same two good dresses, feeling like the finest girl in our village, some will call me the village champion.

After Labake’s last visit, I faced my reality, Isale Ilogbo has nothing to offer me and I am tired of Labake, coming home showing off before me, prancing around my house, preening like a peacock.

So, I packed my bags. Two dresses. One shoe. Two handbags, yes that’s all I have, I packed my small bag and told my mother, I was going to Lagos, the land of milk and honey to change my destiny. Armed with my mother’s prayers and blessings, I left for Oja-Oba motor park, to board a bus to Lagos, hmm, next time I come home, it will be in a car, not with a bus that will bring me from Lagos to this motor park. It’s not like my house is near the motor park, I still have to take an Okada to Isale Ilogbo.

Imagine, coming back home on a bike? Ha! It can’t happen; me I must get my own share of milk and honey oh. Exhilarated, I boarded the bus, slipped on my headphones, (A gift from Labake) and hummed in excitement to Davido’s With You, as the bus carried me towards my destiny. I was so excited, that I didn’t sleep, which is an achievement because once I get into a vehicle and it moves, I fall asleep immediately.

So, when the bus conductor shouted, “Ojodu Berger, Lagos! Last bus stop!”, I was ready! Stepping out of the bus, I looked up towards the bright blue sky and smiled.

My name is Abike Ojo, and I have arrived in Lagos, the land of milk and honey.