LAGOS! A PLACE OF RESTLESSNESS

LAGOS is unarguably the commercial nerve center of Nigeria. The only city in the country with a native name (Eko) and yet an English name (Lagos). Although, there are some arguments as to the accuracy of her population figure; while the Federal Government (National Populations Commission) seem to have her figures, the State Government has hers, while the teaming populace also has a vague idea of what the accurate figure is. However, they all seem to agree it's nothing less than 15million. So for the purpose of this article, we will be using the populace’s figure. With that great number of people living in the city, everything, almost including the oxygen we breathe is scarce and must be “struggled” for.


This article is channelled towards the enlightenment of those who seek to know more about “LAGOS” as a city and as regards Her lifestyle. When visiting the city for the first time, the surrounding events around you will confirm to you within an hour that you’re in the centre of Excellence.Although people from Abuja, Port-Harcourt, and even our neighbouring cities and towns like Ibadan, Abeokuta and Osogbo can’t seem to understand how the system runs and how a human being can survive living with such ideology like ours. But I can promise you that you will need to live with us for about 2 to 3 months to behave and look like us (choices are inevitable in this regards).


Let me give you a little introduction about the city. First, you must understand that living in this city mean you must loose your respect for steadiness and orderliness. This is because we do everything “in a hurry”. We put it this way; “let me quickly eat”, “let me quickly take my bathe”, “let me quickly sleep” and even pray, “We quickly do” that too. I know you’ve probably heard about how we rush for taxies and buses but you might not be aware we also rush to alight off those buses at our stops; even when nobody is chasing us.


On driving, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been driving in your sane city or town before coming into our city because now that you’re here, you must learn our own style of driving. You need to know how never to allow another car join your lane when in traffic; because an average Lagosian is not sure if the road will still remain there after granting you passage. Even when only one car is allowed on either side of the road for contingency reasons, your driving isn’t great if you can't make the lane 2 or 3now that you’re in Lagos,. After all, you’re rushing. And when at a cross-road, we never loose the eagerness to go first; even when that slows down the traffic, we still won’t. Remember I told you, we’re not sure if the road will still be there... everything is scarce here.


Also, when at a bus stop, in an organisation or anywhere and you see other people trying to get or do same things as yourself; please be prepared to push or be pushed. Our women, young or old are not to be underrated in the struggle to get a place and please don’t be deceived by their gorgeous dresses. They are prepared to rush and push because we don’t see any reason for queuing in this city. It doesn’t matter if “first come is first served”, who gets there first matters; who can struggle most is the norm. Please don’t think we are godless or don’t love the Lord because we can not stay in any place of worship like people in other cities and towns. The challenge is that we can’t stay in a place that long. We have places we must “rush to” and staying at the worship centres for hours will be waste of a very scarce time.


Many still wonder why even with all these “smartness” a good number of people in this city still live in poverty and the seemingly rich ones, with time, pay with their valuables like health, families, Jobs and even their accrued wealth. They lack the ability to plan and take control of their lives since they are lost in the process of struggling to make more at the expense of these valuables. They wonder for us how long we would be able maintain this life style since they know we’re now one of the most unhealthy cities in the world and how our life expectancy rate is reducing by the day. Well, we really don’t care; I told you we rush everything here, maybe our life-span inclusive.

Bukunmi 'PREACER' Adelani
Twitter: @bukunmipreacher

Two Years In Lagos - June , 2011

This is really more than a note for me because it is actually a letter to GOD. I woke very early this morning because I couldn’t sleep; My heart was so heavy and I couldn’t hold back my tears while praying; not because I was sad but because I remembered loads of Gods unmerited favour towards me. I entered into this city two years ago with practically nothing. I only had in my small red bag; two white shirts, a pair of shoe, some other very few cloths, my books and a bible. I knew I had a purpose and a message for the world but I really had no idea on how to go about it. This is actually a “testimony-time” note for me. I’m not particularly concerned about the material blessings because I’ve lost count of them a long time ago. I walked around my apartment this morning and was amazed at how much things have improved materially. My focus is on the privilege that has been given me to be part of GOD’s global agents for positive change. I have been privileged to organise and executive some community development projects in a city I entered as a ‘nobody’. The Orphanage Visit Project, House Everyone in Lagos, and the current Back To School Project are part of the numerous opportunities given me to help lives around. I really must acknowledge the fact that things only changed and keep improving after I subscribed to the principles of the GOD of the bible. I completely believed the fact that kind begets kind because God’s success nature affected my natural life and little obedience to his commandments. I looked like a genius to many around me; little did they know that my extraordinary capacities and achievements are tied to the secret that GOD’s extra joined my very ordinary. Moving from being a problem to a problem solver within a short time still astounds me. I moved from struggling for survival to helping people fulfil destiny; having a sure expected end of good success and having the opportunity to speak and share my life story and GOD’s word at churches, seminars, schools and conferences makes it more interesting. I decided to share this note to encourage someone that creating possibility out of nothing is absolutely achievable when we subscribe to GOD and live by his principle. To GOD, the ancient of days, the creator of heaven and earth, father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I say praise, glory, honour and adoration. Bukunmi ‘PREACHER’ Adelani @bukunmipreacher

The Journey - Part One

Life is a journey filled with lessons, hardships, heartaches, joys, celebrations and special moments that will ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life. The road will not always be smooth; in fact, throughout our travels, we will encounter many challenges. I had my fair share of those "challenges" When things don't seems to be adding up. I look into my past everyday not to live therein but to continually remind myself of that yesterday so I can fully appreciate the better today while I move into the glorious tomorrow.



A caring friend recently cautioned me on sharing my success story online. Her fear was influenced by the fact that we live in a cruel society where people are not happy about your success but rejoice when you fail so they're console of their own failure. However, My reason for sharing my story is not to brag or intimidate (far from it) after all, I'm still a work in progress. But I sincerely hope at least one person will see and believe that GOD is still in the business of making life better using me as case study.


I came into the city of lagos with a bag containing two shirt, a trouser, a pair of shoe, a buba and shoro(in case of parties), my credentials and a Bible (KJV). I was fully prepared to hustle like they say in lagos; to make it big before going back to Ibadan. Fortunately, I met a man of GOD (Revered Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre) who came into lagos a little richer in material possession some 17years before me but now a global phenomenon who through his teaching re-define success for me.


He (Revered Sam) explained that success is actually achieved without stress when you look out for the success of others through a series of preaching he titled "BETTER LIFE FOR EVERBODY 1-7 (please get the message and listen; it will bless you). And below are the principles I discovered from the series and yes they changed my life from Zero to Hero


Every human being is an extension of GOD; treat them like you will treat GOD


Until you can fully say you love people genuinely and unconditionally; your claim to love GOD is a lie.


Every man is created/configured for a special purpose.


Seek to make others happy, comfortable and successful because that is the easiest way to succeed and find the purpose for your life.


Don't be lazy and don't steal; its a bad strategy to success


Every good and perfect gift is comes from GOD


Success is inevitable when you allow the nature of GOD in your life.


I once tried to imagine my life without meeting GOD and knowing the aforementioned principles; its just better left in the imaginary world - Its chaotic!. These are my high points from the series and they obviously changed my life


As human beings; we are limited in our capacity to make things happen but wisdom should tell us when we get to the limit of what our human capacity can do; we need someone more powerful and more intelligent than us and that person is GOD. It is getting more difficult and darker out there in the world; I challenge you to sincerely start the process of positive change by not just surrendering your life to GOD through his son Jesus Christ but also living by his principles.


Life is not a destination but a journey - Here is my current location and my life is working just be the instrumentality of GOD's word. I am Bukunmi ‘PREACHER’ Adelani, a progressive Nigerian youth.



@bukunmipreacher Writer│Orator │ Radio & TV Personality