One Who Sits Put would Not Know The Town
Fa’izah Muhammad Sajoh
Travelling is key to education. How apt is this saying! This was vividly demonstrated one Saturday, when I came to strongly agree with this wise saying. On that day, at exactly 6:40 pm, I received a mail in my Gmail account, informing me about an award ceremony to be hosted by the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL). One of the recipients of the award is my mentor, a supporter of literature, a folklorist as well as a renowned writer, Dr. Bukar Usman, OON.
After opening and reading the email, I found out that the event will take place in Lagos on August 18, 2024. I didn’t hesitate in sending back a message, expressing my desire to attend if given the opportunity. Although I’ve never been to Lagos and don’t have any relatives or acquaintances there, I still decided to take a chance and responded that I’ll attend the occasion.
The wise saying – travelling is key to knowledge came to my mind. And the adventure is a risk worth enough to be taken. However, I can’t afford the transport fare from Kaduna to Lagos. But I was determined to undertake the journey for the memorable occasion. After replying the message of Dr. Usman, I received a response from him expressing delight at my decision to attend the occasion.
One Friday, I was working outside and returned to my room to pick up something when I saw a missed call from Dr. Usman. I immediately returned his call, and he answered promptly without hesitation. After exchanging greetings, he asked if I had ever been to Lagos. I replied, “No.” He further asked if I had any relatives there. Again, I said, “No.” He then asked, “You said you’d go to Lagos; aren’t you scared?” I responded that I’m not scared to travel to Lagos. He said, “That’s good!”
After a week of our conversation, he sent to me the address of a hotel accommodation to lodge. Just as things were going smoothly, nationwide protests against bad governance in Nigeria (#EndBadgovernanceInNigeria) began, and a 24-hour curfew was imposed in many States, including my own, Kaduna.
Despite the curfew, I didn’t feel discouraged about the trip or have second thoughts. Instead, I prepared everything and waited for the day of my trip to come. On Tuesday, early in the morning, I set out to book my ticket at Mando motor park. Along the way, I encountered soldiers who were about to turn me back, but I showed them my ID card, and they allowed me to pass.
I heard some youths inquiring which Lagos-bound vehicle was available. That gave me the courage to ask them where to board the Lagos vehicle. One of them even guided me to the bus station. After I was told the fare, I used POS to pay. Despite the high cost, I was determined to travel, and the fare was worth it and justified.
As there were no available luxurious vehicles at the station, I booked a seat in a Hummer bus. I was given a receipt of payment as one of the passengers of a vehicle heading to Lagos. They told me that we would depart by 4 pm. On my way back home, I stopped at a pharmacy to buy salt and sugar, as I had been experiencing feverishness for some days.
When I returned home, I boiled water, and prepared my traveling bag with some few essentials. Time flies, and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye to my parents and relatives. They prayed for my safe return, considering the curfew in place.
At the bus station, a soldier stopped our vehicle, and after checking, he allowed us to proceed. We departed Mando motor park at 9 pm after a five-hour wait. We drove through the night, stopping briefly at Abuja to refuel and refresh.
We continued our journey, passing through towns and villages while some passengers slept. Before dawn, we dropped off a passenger in Ekiti and continued on our way. As the sun rose, we stopped in Akure, Ondo State, to rest and stretch. During this stop over, I experienced another bout of feverishness. We arrived in Ibadan at noon.
As more passengers alighted, our vehicle became less crowded. Today, we would enter Lagos, and the following day would be the day of the event that brought me joy. At 3pm, our vehicle finally stopped at Berger. I struggled to get down due to stiffness in my legs, so I removed my shoes and got down carefully.
I asked for directions, as I had the address of my hotel accommodation. I carried many things on my mind as I was told that Lagos harbours brigands. I tread with caution because it was easy for people to know that I was a stranger in the city even by my attire (Northern Nigerian costume). However, I met some kind-hearted people who assisted me in locating my accommodation at King Celia Hotel by 4pm.
At the reception, I was warmly received, and after introducing myself, they gave me a form to fill with my name and other details. They then handed me the key to my room. As I entered the room. the cold emitting from the air conditioner aggravated my ailment to the extent my body shivered. I mustered courage and ordered for food but I couldn’t eat. I just took my medicine and slept. After I woke up, I felt relieved and refreshed.
The next day, after morning prayers, we took our breakfast. We were then conveyed to the University of Lagos, where Dr. Usman was to be honored. At the venue, I met other fellow travelers, including Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi, Hassan Kangiwa, Bala Mohammed, Aunty Madina, and others. We took photos with many dignitaries, well-wishers and with the celebrant, Dr. Bukar Usman and his family. I felt delighted to have attended the event.After returning to our hotel, we gathered for lunch and continued our conversations. Since everyone would return to their respective States the following day, we exchanged phone numbers. The next day being Friday, everyone left the hotel around noon. At 4 pm, our vehicle departed Lagos for Kaduna, and we didn’t arrive Kaduna until Saturday by 2 pm.
Indeed, I can’t but totally agree that travelling is key to knowledge. I enjoyed my time in Lagos, despite not exploring the city as envisaged. I didn’t visit tourist attractions, as the trip lasted for just two days. I had wanted to see the Bar Beach and the ocean, which the renowned Hausa singer Alhaji Dr. Mamman Shata sang about. However, I feel in my heart that I will visit Lagos again soon, God willing.
I appreciate the hospitality shown to me and my fellow travelers by Dr. Bukar Usman, OON. May God elevate him. Amin.
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Fa’izah Muhammad Sajoh
Kaduna, Nigeria.
December 21, 2024
