THE LAGOS MARKET
Aren’t
those two words synonymous to an extent? Would you say I just used a
tautological phrase as my title? I would agree seeing as the first two words
that come to mind when we hear or see both the word Market and Lagos is “busy”
and “noisy”.
Firstly,
if you are a Lagosian or you’ve lived in Lagos for a long time, you’ve probably
had to host a party be it a naming ceremony, a birthday or even an “I am
popular” party. When it’s shopping time, the best option you have is the
popular “Mile-12” market. Most especially, if you are a trader of foodstuffs or
you have a family of dozens, then you should agree with me that Mile-12 is the
best option for large scale food shopping. I’m talking about peppers, Tomatoes,
onions, rice, beans, and vegetables, just name it. Locating the Market isn’t at
all difficult once you are at Ketu to Ikorodu area as the stench of Tomatoes
blended into that of mud is quite overwhelming. The noise, you’d get used to,
as I said, you are in Lagos.
Now,
you are in the Market, you have to be conscious of how and where you step as a
wrong step just might land you in trouble. I mean, serious trouble what with
wares everywhere you turn, some on stands and most on the path right where
you’ve chosen. Mind you, apologies are not well received and courtesy simply
does not exist in that world. You will be pushed, stepped on, splashed with
mud, shouted at, insulted, and assaulted. Don’t dwell on it, you are in the
Market. The Market allows for the display of various crops brought from
different parts of the country. There are different sections for the various
types of foodstuffs you want ranging from Staple foods to cooking ingredients. There’s
an Onion section where the major sales of Onions reside. There, you’d get the
full bag of Onion, half a bag and the various quantities your heart so desires.
To the pepper section of the Market, you are faced with wide selections of
pepper. There, you have the Bawa, the Tatashe, the ground pepper and Tomatoes.
The Grain section displays food items such as Rice, Beans, Garri in various
brands. Opposite the Market is the frozen-food and Kerosene section. There you
can get your gallons or bottles of Kerosene and kilos or cartons of frozen
Chicken, Fish or Turkey. The Beef section is a big room with stalls for
different parts of the Cow or goat. The vegetable section is just an open space
where the different kinds of fruits and vegetables are sold. They have limes,
different edible leaves, okro, and spices to add flavour to your cooking.
When
you are done and have all you need from the Market, there are people of both
sexes willing to help convey your shopping from one place to another for a
small token. They will carry your shopping
and any other thing you may require them to and assist in loading it into your
car or a bus as the case may be. Mind you, you have to stay wary of the thugs
popularly known as “area-boys” who roam the streets of Lagos extorting wealth
from buses, parked cars, market women and sometimes, passers-by. These thugs
are known to be very violent and refusal to give them what they demand, might
lead to damages; damages to properties, to life or damages to the mental
well-being. Best to avoid heated arguments with them and try as much as
possible to make them see reason.
The
Market though a busy place, can be quite fun for the open-minded. A chat with
the local women always imparts you with a little knowledge and being on their
good side is far more profitable than being on their other side. Shake off your
Inhibitions, take a trip to the market and enjoy the best of the rough sides of
life.
