source bellanaija.com
Lagos is
Nigeria’s melting pot. It’s the dream destination for most people who
reside in nearby cities and rural communities. Everyone believes Lagos
is a city where dreams come true, regardless of your means of
livelihood. That’s why you find almost everyone in this great
cosmopolitan city that is home to over 20 million people, according to
recent statistics. In fact, it was estimated that Lagos might become
over-populated because of the high influx of migrants from other states,
and/or neighbouring countries. This may be the reason why some Nigerians refer to it as a no-man’s land, because it has become a convergence point for all and sundry.
The journey to becoming a confirmed (true)
Lagosian is filled with many road bumps. Once you’re strong-willed
enough to cross, you will earn yourself the title of a true Lagosian - a
title so lofty in glory. Some of these road bumps might include your
ability to survive the hustle, the street food, the street life as well
as having an up-to-date understanding of the contemporary slangs.
These
slangs are essential because it is the way most people communicate in
the city, and being able to decode and dialogue in these slangs will
make anyone a confirmed Lagosian. So, whether you live on the Island or
mainland, you should be conversant with these slangs. Jumia Travel,
Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal shares five (5) of these
contemporary slangs that might earn you the confirmed Lagosian title:
Owambe
Owambe
simply means social events held on weekends, such as weddings.
Lagosians love to attend ‘owambes’ because it provides a unique
opportunity to mingle especially if you’re single; you get to show off
your colourful Aso Ebi, and spend quality time with friends and family.
Interestingly, Owambe has outgrown its original Yoruba connotation to
become a cliche for describing weekend social events among Lagosians.
source: owambe.com
Okrika
Okrika
is an Igbo phrase which is widely used to describe cheap second-hand
items sold at open spaces. Okrika may include clothes, shoes, bags,
electronic devices and phones. A good number of Lagosians patronise
these items because they are mostly affordable.
source: ksuamebo.com
Shine your eyes
Because
of the high number of residents, minus frequent commuters who come into
the city for business functions, it is not surprising to find the good,
the bad, and the ugly cohabitating. Hence, you have to constantly be on
the alert if you don’t want to experience the sneaky hands of the
bad eggs, because these hands strike faster than lightning and thunder.
So shine your eyes while driving, standing at the bus stop, or when engaging in any transactions.
source: thelowdownblog.com
Johnny Just Come (JJC)
Who
is Johnny? Of course, Johnny is somebody’s name. But it means something
completely different if you are addressed by that in Lagos. JJC is
someone that arrived recently in Lagos and perhaps cannot navigate the
city without a guide. If your demeanour gives evidence of a JJC, bus
conductors are usually excited about the prospect of taking advantage of
you by hiking the transport fare, or perhaps you may be driven beyond
your bus stop. There are some people who can still be tagged Johnny even
though they’ve lived for years in the city. In any case, do not act
like a JJC if you want to be a confirmed Lagosian.
source: uncova.com
Agbero
Agbero is
a Yoruba word for bus conductors who hail passengers. However, the name
has abandoned its original meaning and has submitted itself to being
used to describe thugs who collect money from
commercial motorists for picking passengers at the bus stops, and may
resort to assault if the money is being withheld by the drivers. Refusal
to pay this levy may lead to heated argument, harassment or unnecessary
delays. In fact, passengers always encourage drivers to settle these
Agberos to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
source:africanexaminer.com
Welcome to Lagos!
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