THE LAGOS RENAISSANCE I recall literally running away from Lagos. Twice. The city was a graphic and living illustration of chaos and cacophony. I have been mugged before. I have been duped before. I have been... There was a time I became angry and disgusted with the city. There was a time when it was a haven for filth, and a den of robbers. There were times, Id wake up in the dead of the night, look out of the window, to check if my car has not disappeared. One day, I loaded my belongings in the ride, and zoomed away with two clueless boys, and a reluctant wife. We zoomed off to a saner life. But fate dragged me back. Do you recall how Oshodi was like? Tonight, I was in Ikoyi for a program, and afterwards, we chilled near city mall for about an hour. Left the Island at 10.38. As we drove past OBALENDE...I felt a surge of joy. I know its not all good. But, only a blind man would not perceive the palpable transformation. There was a part of Obalande that was an eye sore sometime ago, now, it has morphed into a sight for sore eyes! I am definitely going to cherish that change and those who engineered it. The same spot, where youd quickly avert your gaze, in the past -- is now a scene of beauty -- adorned with a lawn and colorful flowers. A garbage dump, is now an inviting carpet of greens and radiant flowers. We could talk about the one and a million things that are wrong, but, I think it is objective, truthful and heartwarming to also celebrate the concrete changes we see. They reflect what is possible -- they show that WE CAN -- if we truly want to. Itd be awesome, if we, as individuals can start emulating and perpetuating that spirit of possibilities, that quest for palpable change, the longing for perpetual improvement. Its great, seeing the physical transformation. Itd be awesome, when the most vital driver of growth, we, the people, embrace and start reflecting that beauty, from within, and in all we do. Lagos, is now, a metaphor and a literal manifestation of the power of vision and the resolve for transformation. We can leave the past behind. We can consciously and collectively fashion more BEAUTIFUL lives...and a city, fit for hardworking and sophisticated DREAMERS. As we know, in this corner of the globe, Lagos, is the hub of innovation, it is a pacesetter, its the land of excellence and the magnet and number one destination for all who yearn for more. Lagos for Life! Eko o nibaje o! Michael Newman
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:14:02 +0000
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