Woes of the Lagos - Traffic lights ??

I swear , I am about the most obedient road user and other cars will get annoyed with my overdo attitude but sometime on June 2017, I changed my mind about being a good boy on the road.

Even in recent times , I found out that the likely hood of getting bashed is low when you are quick that when you are patient for some reason. I said "quick" not "crazy o"

I ran a red light or supposedly they said I did and as usual, your official Lagos road cadets friends jumped in and dragged me to the side, insisting that I ran the red light.

Of course, "Mumu me" thought that I could reason and speak some Queen's English.

The official jumps in and pulls me to the side of the road " bro I am taking you to our office" you know what to do?

Sir, I don't understand as I looked at the young man who was younger than me because the conservation had changed and it meant I was going to part away with a lot of money.

Do you have a driver's license, I said yes and he says "show me" - my number one mistake. He quickly snatches it and steps out, looks over to his partner in crime, and says follow us to our station or watch us deflate your tires.

Still speaking English " I said I didn't do anything ". You go bring money abi you no go bring shouted the official as we drove to their office.

When all efforts became futile and approaching their office seemed logical, I succumbed to giving him some money, after which he let me go with a smile. I hated it and more so hated that I lost a battle where I could have shown my agbero side but it is not every time you should be sparking like a plug.

As I drove back, I waved them bye and swore never to pass a red line in my life. ??

It made me realize how deeply rooted a system can poison its citizen, so I always laugh when people say they are not infected by Lagos or they can be good girls. My dear the only thing that will help his the holy spirit.

Just like Lagos, Gotham is a one mad city where almost everyone seems to be on the edge. Yes, there is a lesson to be learned here.

Even the so-called good guys too become angry after spending a few periods in the mad city and if you are lucky you get back to being sane if you move from outside Lagos.

But my guess is that you guys thrive on violence and chaos as seen in the Gotham series;

We see specifically some types of people whom you may be familiar with like;

The Falcone family: The Falcone family is a quiet stronghold in Gotham, they own charities, built schools, have successful children, and even run with Gotham's elite. So you mean a criminal wine and dines with the elite "yes boss, they do".

They are feared by criminals, citizens, politicians, and lawyers, and no one dears to mention their names in the publications or call them crime lords, they have also been known to allegedly assassinate competition, do hostile take owners, and own the best districts in town.

It sounds like some people you know here in Lagos, well your guess is as good as mine.

The main family character Sofia even kills her father for the Mob throne. "sick"

Then there is the GCPD's [Gotham City Police Dept] Gordon: The goody-two-shoes cop, who is a little over his head on what Justice means. His relationships both romantic and business have suffered blows because he is not ready to bend to the rules.

Gordon is the kind of person who would never pay official's money if he was in my shoes with the cadets at the traffic light. He would rather they took is car.

However, In season 4, he was made captain by his friend [Sofia Falcone] who claimed he owned him one and that she would come collecting but he would not budge.

Think deeply, does this guy not sound like one of your advocates today; dragging each other on Twitter Nigeria.

Now there's the Mayor: An office held with high esteem to govern the citizens of Gotham but he's only a shadow and of somebodies boy. He is seen to have sided with some of the biggest criminals in the city.

Further, into the series, he also loses re-election to a criminal known as Penguin. But when forced with two criminals, you usually choose the lesser level. He holds no power as the real powers that be run the city with my mayor as their pet.

When you examine more and more of these characters you began to see that our society is encapsulated by people who use their power and influence to rig the system and only but chess pieces in some ones game.

In Lagos if you want to get by anything like being accustomed by our fellow road cadets, you have to know people, which is why networking no matter how you see it is an intricated part of your growth.

Barbara, Selina and other minor characters have always survived because they had one move on the chess board. I suspect they knew that there is no honor among thieves and playing your trump card should be your last route.

Today I urge you as you move about in 2023, make more friends, network more. Always keep your trump card in Lagos.

Na who sabi who dey survive for here!