I like driving, in fact, I love driving! Let me put this in context – I remember years back when I learnt to drive, my parents quickly found preventing me from driving as an effective way to punish me and I would literally please them to avoid that punishment at all costs. Classic African parents and their ways, I still got punished occasionally.
Seeing the theme for HH People this month is Tourism made me think about my travel adventures and which one I should write about. Interestingly, as much as I love to drive, I don’t think I have really explored very long distances. However, I remember, vividly, the first time I drove to Abuja late last year, I have since driven to Lagos and back to Abuja, twice!
My love for the road has followed me to other countries, but for now, let’s explore my experiences on my Abuja/Lagos trips. For a start, I must warn you that awareness of the security situation on your chosen route is of utmost importance, given the recent security issues in our country. If you’re like me who likes to unleash your inner explorer on the Nigerian roads, you must be sure whether the journey you wish to embark on is worth it and safe enough.
Anyway, on this Abuja to Lagos trip, I was quite uncomfortable for security reasons although the Kuje prison break hadn’t occurred so, our roads were relatively safer. My dilemma, however, was the itch to experience the villages and the cities on my route- imagine this juxtaposition with the reality check of security!
I woke up at 4 AM and got ready, checked google maps, and unlike cab drivers, if you are not conversant with the roads, you would need the map or risk multiplying your travel time (which interestingly, Google Maps can still cause). Given that I had made this trip twice, I could easily find my way from Abuja to Omuo-Ekiti, the border town which welcomes you to the South-Western part of Nigeria. However, Omuo-Ekiti to Igbara-Oke is unfamiliar to me, so I knew Google Maps would be my best friend during that leg of the trip.
I left my abode in Gwarimpa (Abuja) at about 4:45 AM on that Sunday morning, roads were empty, and Murtala Muhammed Highway was free for any beggar who wished to ride horses. I wasn’t driving fast, just a 100 KM/Hr. I hit the Abuja-Lokoja highway before 5 AM, a smooth ride I must say with no potholes in sight and darkness still looming – BLISS!
The smooth journey ended when I got to Lokoja, the potholes decorated the roads, however, I followed closely behind a swift driver who seemed to have memorised the positions of the holes like a nursery rhyme. From Lokoja, I headed towards Kabba and I passed by a small town called Oke-Ibukun, not too far off from Obajana where the Dangote Factory stands tall. I must mention that the Lokoja-Kabba route is a smooth one with concrete roads that lasted about 45 minutes with minimal traffic here and there.
On this journey from Kabba, riddled with bad roads and windows of hope, I had reached the point where Google Maps became my friend as I drove through the peaceful town of Omuo-Ekiti, I saw a lot, but I had to move in a hurry and could barely take note. The journey to Ado-Ekiti afforded me the luxury of seeing other smaller “prefix- Ekiti” towns just 5 minutes away from each other. ‘Beautiful’ is how I describe the sight.
By the time I got to Ado-Ekiti, it was time for church, the people had come out, and so did the vehicles, and traffic loomed. I drove still and when I got to Igbara-Odo, I saw the Oba’s Palace and I went on to Igbara-Oke until I got to Ife-Akure expressway, again- a very sweet road.
The time I had lost braving through the villages, I gained it on the road between Akure and Ife. Akure to Ife, Ife to Ilesha, Ilesha to Ibadan (my home- nostalgia!), my location tag changed more times than I had remembered.
It took a record-breaking 45 minutes to get to Lagos from Ibadan, as there was no traffic, and I could express my need for speed. I did try to see if I could make the trip on a full tank, but I had to stop to refuel my car.
On my journey, I got to experience different places and faces from the driver’s seat, looking through my window. In safer climes, I’d love to drive to Maiduguri, or Yola, I want to see how the culture up north differs from mine, their food, their monuments, I’d like to meet my brother who lives on the other end of the high way…to explore the wealth and beauty of the nation! In safer climes that I remain hopeful for.
Quick Fun Facts About My Road Trips:
- I avoid making stops, not even for bathroom breaks except if it is necessary or I need to top up my fuel.
- I do not like driving at night, however, when the rain pours, I get a confidence boost behind the wheel.
- I love to stay adequately prepared and informed on my routes when embarking on a long road trip.
