
My plane touched down at Murtala Mohammed Airport in the early hours of Friday morning. It was my first day back in Nigeria, and even though I was tired after the long flight, I was thrilled because I was back in Lagos after nearly 2 decades - Damn, has it been that long? Anyway, I was back home. Back where it all began. Man, I was excited, really excited.
It's been an exhausting day, but Lagos is so...exhilarating - despite the incessant power failure, the crazy traffic and the roads. Initially I'd had a real culture shock, but the people are so welcoming and friendly, the food is great, and there seems to be so much to do at any given time. There is an everyday hustle and bustle evident in the people that shows the drive and determination of Lagosians to get paid regardless of their situation. It dawns on me that a lot of folks back in England with their endless complaining can learn a lot about resilience and the bulldog spirit from these guys.
That’s right, 5am. It’s early, really early, but I’m determined to make the most of my holiday, and I just couldn't sleep anyway. I'd had another great night last night - didn't get to bed till pretty late. It all began when Ayo Shodipe of Audiomila Productions took me to Yellow Chilli where I had some of the best tasting suya I'd had in a long time. The way they roast the suya is over blazing hot coals. It’s way better than you can imagine. Later on we hit Lekki beach. Yes, on a Monday. We chilled out by the beach, I had a spliff and we downed a few beers and reminenced about the good old days. It was a great, sunny day. Later on we swam, played squash and shot some pool at the Ikoyi Club, which brought back memories for me. We rounded off the evening at the Soul Lounge, which had a cool crowd particularly for a Monday. Man, Lagos is so much fun.
My first Sunday in Lagos. I had had a really awesome, late night, and I’m feeling it this morning. I had planned to go to church with my mom, but I just couldn't get out of bed for the life of me. Mom, like most Lagosians, is a practicing christian and I had promised I would get up in time to go with her. Man, all I can say is, I tried, but I just couldn't drag myself out of bed. Mom popped into my room and told me not to worry. She knew I'd only come in at 5.30 in the morning. She told me she'd left some breakfast for me in the oven.
I was still in bed when mom returned almost 4 hours later. I hadn't eaten breakfast yet. It’s amazing how much time can change things. After I finally got up, I decided I was going to spend the day at Lekki Beach. I called up Femi Johnson, an old friend from back in the day, and right there and then he said he felt like throwing a beach bash that afternoon - just like that. I was like, "Yeah, right. There isn't enough time to plan for a party, dude." Femi just laughed. I was pretty sceptical at this point.
I hit Lekki beach at 6 pm with a friend I met the night before at Saipan bar. Man, this party was pumping. There was music, fine women, odeku, suya, everything. Everybody was getting down and having fun. No funny punks hanging on the side doing the running man. I asked Femi how he'd organized everything in so little time. He was surprised I was so surprised. 'Omo, this na Lagos. All it took were a few phone calls', he said. Man, Lagos life is simply unbeatable…