Okada Ban Lagos is Walking

It seems the ban on okada in Lagos has come to stay. I am still trying to figure out whether it is a total ban, or a partial ban that covers some bridges and highways in the state, as I see stern looking policemen in anti-riot gear positioned in places I considered outskirts of town.I was driving along Akin Adesola Street in Victoria Island some days ago, and was busy admiring people walking along the side walks, thinking they choose to walk to their destinations to keep fit. 

The roads were very free, and it took a while to realize they were commuters trekking. All over Lagos, commuters are trekking. The okada ban is a very hot topic, and people have strong views, for and against. I tend to look at it from the positive side. Former okada operators will be forced to upgrade to keke, get a better job or start another business. This is about the fact that Lagos is walking (or trekking). By the way, what is the difference between trekking and walking? Trekking sounds like work while walking sounds like fun.Back in the village, the village stream is kiliometers from home. You have to walk (or trek) to and from to get water. It was excellent excercise. It was very had to find very fat men or women back then. Everyone was moving, either walking or cycling. We dont walk nowadays. We want the car to take us exactly where we are going. The driver has to drop the oga by the door mouth, if possible drive him into the lift. Big men do no take staircases. We do everything in our power to avoid exercise. A distance of 100 meters, we look for Okada. When we get there, we ask the okada man to drop us right where we are going. We dont believe in dropping a bus stop before where we are going and walking the rest of the way, or parking far away and walking down. We must park 2 meters away from where we are going, even if it means incoveniencing other users by double parking. Some car owners now shop from their cars. The stop right in front of the store or kiosk and transact their business without coming down from the car. The result is that we have grown overweight (spell fat) and unhealthy and susceptible to heart disease, allergies etc. Anytime we feel pain, rather than trace the source of the problem, we shut down the symptoms with panadol, pain killers, anti biotics, sleeping tablets, mood drugs etc.With the ban on okada, Lagos is walking. People are exercising. People are moving their bodies and sweating out toxins. The biggest losers will be doctors and pharmacies. As people exercise more, they get healthier and visit the hospitals less. This is not to say the ban on okada is good or bad. Whatever transportation system that we end up with, lets keep walking. Incorporate walking into your work day. Park far away and walk down. Come down one bus stop before your destination and walk down. Take the staircase rather than the lift. Keep walking. We were not designed to sit still