Things people will not venture to do in their home-states/towns, etc., but they would boldly attempt (and perform) it in Lagos; maybe because of the anonymity Lagos seems to provide.
Under normal circumstances, people will not dare harvest the crops on a farmland they did not sow even if the land belongs to them; rather they will wait for the planter to harvest his crops and clear away from their property. It is not the same in Lagos as people are fond of saying that anything goes in Lagos.
People will not dare to defecate on another man's farm because of the dire consequences such irresponsible behavior will attract but it is not the same in Lagos. People see nothing wrong in defecating in public; in broad-daylight and in this modern age.
When I was on assignment in Abuja some years back, I was alarmed when I got to know that the then governor of Nassarawa State was disturbed enough to leave the opulence of his office to confirm reports and personally supervise the removal of a corpse that was found by the road side at Mararaba. My alarm stemmed from the fact that it was not a big deal to see corpses by the roadside in Lagos metropolis; however, for the last couple of years it has become like an aberration to see corpses by the roadside in Lagos. Nevertheless, the strange trend resurfaced with the sighting of several decomposing and decapitated corpses between 'the long bridge' and Ojota ends of Ikorodu Road
Is it a way of saying the people of Lagos have no regard for their neighbours?
Does it mean that with money, everything is allowed in Lagos?
Whose responsibility is it to protect the environment and the culture of the people of Lagos?
With a mentality like this, how does one begin the onerous task of educating the people with a view to make them change their perception towards one another and towards the environment? At this point, we will need to give a clear definition to the terms, 'people of Lagos' as against 'Lagosians.' We must be able to identify the people who the custodians of the welfare of Lagos and those who are committed to the growth and development of Lagos as against those who came to Lagos in search of the 'Golden Fleece.'
What punitive measures exist for cases where offenders are caught? If there are presently none, is it possible for lawmakers to consider instituting some?
GOD bless Nigeria.
