Lagos State, in the southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria with the epithet: Centre of Excellence, can be in the news for good or bad things.
Like any megacity in the country, Lagos can be known for eccentricities that will keep many tongues wagging.
On Friday morning, Lagos State government confirmed recording the first case of coronavirus in an Italian businessman who flew into the country on February 25.
In the morning, some people, taxi drivers and security guards at events centres started wearing face masks and airport and hoteliers rolled out hand washers.
Friday night, rain fell and rendered most erosion-prone areas including Victoria Island impassable.
At some roundabouts in the city, some physically challenged have turned to traffic wardens to ward off gridlock.
Along Ajosi Adeogun Road, Victoria Island, a physically challenged was seen sitting in the middle of the road, controlling traffic at 5.40 p.m. while another hung on the sideline to ensure full compliance by defiant drivers.
Straightnews publisher who was on a ride saw another one at Sanusi Fafunwa Road controlling traffic while another was throttling on the main road to any ‘troublesome’ portion to ease logjam.
By this time, the official traffic wardens had closed and the physically challenged volunteered to ‘tame’ the busy but traffic-congested roads.
Williams Oladunjoye, Bolt driver confided in the publisher that “it was the usual practice, saying that they have been controlling traffic for more than one year now.
“They took over the traffic control along major road junctions in the city from 4 p.m. more than one year ago. When the traffic wardens retire from duty, they usually take over. Without them, it would be difficult to ply some roads particularly when many people are returning home from their offices and work.”
Asked if they are paid, he said “some generous road users and drivers usually give them alms. What they are doing is voluntary, not officially directed by the government. They have helped a lot.”
Babatunde Kuboye of First Select Security Company, Lagos, initially feigned knowledge about it, but his colleague confirmed that it was true that the challenged usually control traffic in the evening.
Kuboye said it was a good development because such a move will help to reduce traffic jams in the city, calling on the state government to pay stipends for their upkeep.
