Blog

Oh, that is the lady behind it. Me of course, Nwanyioma.

I’m Deborah Aribo, a graduate of Economics at Bowen University. A lover of painting, good music and food. My superpower is writing and culinary art.

My Latest Posts

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  • How it feels like to serve in Èkó
    I completed my one-year mandatory service to my country! From the orientation camp to my place of primary assignment, my NYSC PPA experience was filled with a mix of emotions; excitement, curiosity, and distaste to name a few. The easiest way to get a good PPA is through a request letter. It is simple. If you like a firm, you can apply to work for them for some time. If they like you, they may give you a request letter. MY PPA EXPERIENCE IN LAGOS STATE. Another phase of my NYSC life started immediately. I arrived at my PPA… Read more: How it feels like to serve in Èkó
  • Nysc experience
    I received my posting letter and was firstly disappointed because I got Ondo state thinking it was Lagos. I was confused first, seeing Ikare-Akoko, NYSC orientation camp but was deployed to Lagos-My expectation was Iyana-Ipaja but I was disappointed. Well, I had been preparing for it, got everything i had to take along to the camp. Ondo is a 7-hour drive from Lagos. I like to be comfortable when travelling, boarded a Camry car to Akure park. I embarked on another 2-hour drive in a rickety bus within the state. Approximately that is sum up of 9 hours, was… Read more: Nysc experience
  • Places to visit in Ondo state
    If you are looking for a tourist destination visit Ondo, you have come to the right place! There are so many cool places to visit here in Ondo state, and you might even be amazed by what wonder your eye gaze on.Ondo’s state is enriched with plentiful inherent resources in agriculture and forestry. The State is the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria. Other farm-fresh produce available in commercial quantity throughout the state is Maize, Yam, Plantain, Kola nut, Coffee, Coconut, Vegetables, Timber, Banana, Rice, Cotton, Piggery, Cassava, Fish, Palm oil and Rubber.Nevertheless, the city not bereft of tourist… Read more: Places to visit in Ondo state
  • Why you shouldn’t enter Danfo Buses
    If you live in Lagos, I’m certain that you are familiar with the yellow buses, people call “Danfo” and the annoying experience wey person dey face inside this yeye danfo. If the driver doesn’t cause trouble, the conductor will. Hmm, this life nothing wey person no go see for this Lagos sha!  It’s the cheapest and most common means of transportation in Eko (Lagos). Unlike Okada, Maruwa, Taxi and BRT, are not available in some locations in Lasgidi. If you want safe mental health in this city; just use BRT Aunty, Uncle, Brother, Sister, Daddy wa, Mummy wa. Abi… Read more: Why you shouldn’t enter Danfo Buses
  • LIFESTYLE IN MUSHIN
    MUSHIN Olosha, Babalola, and Pako- Eleja; are some major bus-stop in Mushin. You might wonder why Mushin suddenly? I grew up in Palm-avenue, Mushin, a suburb of Lagos. I don’t like to mention to humanity where I live, plus it’s known for its notoriety, and I’m sure you have heard terrible stories about this place. But not to worry, I’m about to make this story juicy. Growing up in Mushin myself, I know the neighbourhood is often associated with violence and poverty, so when I tell guys I am from Mushin they expect violent behaviour from me but, I’m… Read more: LIFESTYLE IN MUSHIN

If you live in Lagos, I’m certain that you are familiar with the yellow buses, people call “Danfo” and the annoying experience wey we dey face inside this yeye danfo. If the driver doesn’t cause trouble, the conductor will. Hmm, this life nothing wey person no go see for this Lagos sha! 

It’s the cheapest and most common means of transportation in Eko (Lagos). Unlike Okada, Maruwa, Taxi and BRT, are not available in some locations in Lasgidi. If you want safe mental health in this city; just use BRT Aunty, Uncle, Brother, Sister, Daddy wa, Mummy wa. Abi you go for Uber or Bolt if you get moni! 

For us, trusting God for a car, we don’t have a choice to make usage of public transportation to move to where we are heading. 

I had a nasty encounter with both this danfo driver and conductor in Obalende bus park. My destination was to Jibowu, Yaba that night.  The yellow Volkswagen vehicle broke down on the third mainland bridge. The useless driver knew all along the fuel tank was damaged but still tried to manage the rubbish bus, and they collected money from the passengers- Igba ogorun naira(two hundred naira). Aye le o ibosi o! (Life is hard o!).

The motorist just parked there; it was already getting dark. A fleet of cars was just passing through and no stoppage. Most of the people on the bus were females and with the way, things are turning out to be especially for girls-it’s difficult o! 

Most of us came out of the bus, just to look for alternative means. 

The third mainland bridge was shaken and felt like Godzilla was coming to bite my head off, Lol. But it wasn’t funny. The tension between the ladies, conductor and driver raised. At that moment, I just have to pray that God should make a vehicle to stop for us. 

Well, to cut the story brief, I got home safe.

Most times I don’t enjoy the ride; from the

NURTW drivers (The National Union of Road Transport Workers). I’m not done speaking my truth, and I want you to know all about it people. So drink cold water and relax! 

*Hate it when the conductor doesn’t have change and joins me with another commuter I do not recognise.

*Hate when they call your bus station before you land there, but when you reach the area still far from your bus depot they just say gbogbo ero e  sokale (all passengers must go down). 

* “wole pelu changi e, eleyi o ni changi o,o se jade nio.”( Enter with your change, oga if u no get change, come down) -oh my God! How do I dislike that statement?

* Hate Danfo bus drivers they always run as if they want to Go & Die. We know them to be notorious for their reckless driving manners- most times they are drunk and high on weed. 

* Hate it when the conductor says they don’t have your balance, but they do, all they wish for you to forget it- e no fit work alaye. But they cannot give one free ride if I hear.

*This is common with people who sit at my back, and they end up poking me from behind with their knees. I prefer to remain in the front seat beside the driver, and it is indeed safer in case of an emergency. 

*Hate it when the conductor talks about how big the boobs are and the back asset of a lady or even when tries to talk to me. 

*Danfo has too many bus stops, they can pick up many individuals and drop just a few people within a short distance of three kilometres. Which is time-consuming?

* Hate it when the conductor increases the bus fare, just for one reason- traffic. Some guys will enter even if he doubles the price, especially when you are just coming back from work. 

* Hate boarding the bus, it is so tight and some agbero conductors like overloading. Na wa o! 

* Hate using the Lagos yellow bus when it’s raining, you can feel the drop-down of the rain in this bus. Also, sitting beside a mother with four children. she will sha beg you to carry one of them. Some lousy ones will just push one kid to your front. Some passengers will even implore you to pay their bus fare. 

*In one bus stop, random people will chant at the top of their voices.

CMS-CMS, Mile 2-Mile 2, Orile-Orile, Gate-Isolo,Yaba-Yaba, Ojulegba-Mushin Olosha, Ketu-Ojota, Berger-Mowe Ibanfo, Costain-CMS, Cele-Mile2, Oshodi-Oke, and many others. 

* There is always a tire on the floor of the bus which will make the passengers complain until they arrive at their destination. 

*Ask the conductor how much the trip is before you board the bus. If you are ajebota you’ll pay anything they say, though. Be wise. This is Lagos! 

*Do not fight or insult the conductor. Why would you even if you are ajebo or ajepako, and they like to disgrace their family? It’s pointless! 

*A danfo bus never stops for the riders to peacefully enter, especially when there are many passengers. 

* Most danfo buses don’t have a seat belt but because they don’t want to be arrested by LASTMA officers, they will substitute the original seat belt for wire, rope. 

You know one strange thing, Danfo Buses are not ordinary but extraordinary in a funny way. In a danfo bus, out of all parts of the bus, only a few are in good shape.

To a danfo driver, every other part of the bus is not essential as long as it doesn’t stop the bus from moving. For so many years they have been the major means of transportation for Lagos people and most fellow finds it fun when the conductors and agbero are cursing themselves, hailing each other, “Double Twale (praising a person to collect something),owo meji fun eyan kan( My two hands are up for you),omo Iya mi( The child of my mother. It is used to hail one another on the streets), olenu paaaa(You get mouth die)”.

If you vibe to Fuji, it’s their song o. You will enjoy the music till when you arrive at your destination. 

 The Governor of Lagos is trying in the transportation sector, improving the BRT buses to make them more comfortable for the good people of Lagos. 

This is all I have for you. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog to keep you updated.

I would love to hear your side of the story of your danfo experience, can’t wait.

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