Open Letter To Gov. Ambode – On The Ban of Hawkers

Hawking in traffic

Dear Governor Ambode,

My name is Chidi Okereke.

It appears I am writing you this letter, knowing fully well that there’s only a very slim chance it will get to you. But I will write anyway, because, even though I campaigned vigorously for Jimi Agbaje in the 2015 elections, you won me over when you got to work changing the face of Lagos. Even though I said I wasn’t going to join the wagon of those praising you, I couldn’t help it when I saw the work done at Okota/Ago Palace way. When I lived there in 2014, it was hell, but I visited and the roads were smooth. Also, the day I passed Iyana-Oworo at rush hour without experiencing any single traffic, I knew you were the man.

Eh sir, I have observe that you don’t want to be the man again. And I will tell you why. But first, let me tell you a story about my life.

When I was about 13, things were extremely rough for my family. Mom was retired, and dad wasn’t doing much. Even though I usually spent the week in my aunt’s house (which was close to my school), and go home on the occasional weekends, I knew it was very messed up. I still looked forward to going home though. My aunt’s house may have been big and the 3-square meal fantastic, but, your house is still your house.

So one fateful Friday, my big head and I were super-hyped to be going home. I couldn’t wait to tell my folks how my JSS 3 Social Studies teacher singled me out in a class of over 200 students to say I was the brightest kid she’d ever taught. I couldn’t wait. I semi-jogged into the compound, only retarded by the slightly heavy weekend bag I was carrying. As soon as I entered I knew something was wrong. I saw our properties, bags, everything, outside. My mom’s younger sister seemed shocked when she saw me. They’d totally forgotten it was Friday. I asked her what was happening? What kind of sanitation and clean-up they were doing on Friday, when the next day was Saturday. My mom who was behind the shelf that had been in our sitting-room since I was born heard my voice and showed her face. She was shocked to see me as well and couldn’t say anything when I asked her what was happening. My aunt took my bag and semi-dragged me to one corner. She told me we had been thrown out of the house for defaulting on rent. The landlord (considerate man I must confess) had sent 3 Quit-Notices, but we hadn’t responded to them, so the Police had come and finally ejected us. My aunt asked me to go to my mom’s shop and stay while they figured out what they would do. Instead I went to the backyard and, I have never cried so hard in my life.

Eh sir, sorry I am telling you stories that touch. I am getting somewhere, please stay with me.

Junior WAEC was due, and there were fees to be paid. I had since returned to my aunt’s house, while my folks were living with different people – our pastor, family friend (in Alaba) and an uncle. I couldn’t bring it upon myself to ask my dad and mom for money. How could I? All their efforts were geared at raising money so we could have a house again. And I had never asked my aunt for money. She would have given me (without hesitating) but she was already housing and feeding me. Why should I ask her for money again? I decided to make a bit of money on my own, so that weekend I went to Alaba, where some of my siblings were staying.

A bag of pure water was N40 then and Ice-block was N20. That N20 ice-block could cool two bags of pure-water. So for every N100 I spent, I could make N200 if I sold each sachet for N5. Good business. I collected a bowl from the house, bought two bags of pure water, with ice block, and hawked it. It was either I didn’t know all the right places to go to, or I wasn’t singing the ‘Buy Pure Water’ well enough, but I spent more than 3 hours trying to sell the 2 bags. By that time, the ice had melted and the water wasn’t cold anymore. One man almost slapped me when I pled with him to manage it like that. I had to take 8 warm sachets back to the shop where I bought it, and the seller guessing it was my first time gave me advise on where to go to next time. I was exhausted, but after resting for 30 minutes, I went back. This time, it wasn’t too hard. It was almost midday and the sun was very high, so people were thirsty. In about an hour, I was done. I went to the house, ate lunch, rested a bit, then went back to the road. That day, I made N400 in profit. The fees I had to pay was N1650.

Sunday was slower; after church I succeeded in going two rounds. Total N600 in my savings. I didn’t go to school on Monday and Tuesday. There was money to be made, and I did make it. N600 on both days and I had N1800. More than enough to pay the fees that would enable me write Junior Waec.

I wrote it eventually, and passed with flying colors; 2nd best in the whole school. So, while there have been other obstacles along the way, I look back at how hawking pure water helped me get to where I am today, with pride.

Eh sir, what am I saying?

I hawked that pure water because at that time, that was my only hope. I was 13 then, but I knew this. I also know how difficult it was having that weight on my head, screaming my lungs out and running after a customer in traffic. I knew how tough it was looking at those seemingly privileged kids in fine cars with envy and trying to hide when I saw someone I knew. I assure you sir, nobody enjoys hawking. Everyone who does it, does it because, that is probably their only option.

Eh sir, I understand that your mission is a Lagos that is safe, clean and orderly enough to be called a global city. That is great, and ordinarily, banning people from hawking would help sanitize the environment. But there are a few things I need you to understand.

  1. There are hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of unemployed people in Lagos. And that I believe is why you created the LSETF. But the fund is only N6.25 billion every year. Can N6.25 billion ensure every unemployed in Lagos becomes employed? I do not think so. So while you are doing an awesome job addressing the unemployment issue, you must realize that you cannot do it all. This leads to my question: These hawkers you have banned, what are your plans for them? How would they survive? How will they pay rent, eat, take care of their families? I once saw a woman hawking La-Casera with a baby that is not more than 2 months old. I was furious and I ranted about it, but then I gave it more thought and realized she was probably doing it to feed that baby. Let’s say the baby’s name is Rasheeda. How will Iya Rasheeda have fed her baby if she couldn’t hawk? Beg? Please. Oh yes, it is unsafe to hawk in traffic, but is it safer to starve or watch your child starve to death? So, if you have not set up an alternative that would see the hawkers make as much money as they used to make while doing their legit business, dear sir, please cancel the ban.
  2. Like I said earlier, you are doing a remarkable job towards reducing traffic jams. But, we still spend hours on the road, navigating short distances. Sometimes, we get hungry, sometimes we get thirsty, sometimes, we’re neither, but just because we are frustrated by so many things, and do not want to cry or contemplate suicide, we eat something to distract ourselves. At those times, we bless the heavens for the cashew-nut sellers, the plantain chips hawkers, the gala merchants and the traffic barmen for their existence. When it becomes very hot, we thank our stars for the handkerchief sellers. And so on. Sir you would not understand this. You are never stuck in traffic, your escorts make sure of that. Even if by some chance you’re in traffic, I don’t think the sun can penetrate the tinted windows of your bullet-proof SUV enough to make you break a sweat in that ice-cold car. I’m also sure if you’re thirsty, there’s a mini-fridge in that space between the front seats with your favorite drinks. If you think I’m exaggerating, disguise yourself and enter a bus from Eko Hotel to Palmgrove on a Friday evening.
  3. This might not be a popular opinion, but you might as well regulate these guys. How about a body that registers all hawkers FOR FREE and gives them ID cards/permits and a vest that they’re to wear at all times? They can pay a very very small fee periodically, a fee that is just enough to run the regulatory body so the government doesn’t have to spend its own money regulating them.
  4. If you go ahead with banning these hawkers outrightly, and they resort to crime solely to make ends meet, who would suffer? Me and my fellow brethren who do not have a bevy of security men following us everywhere of course. Have you seen a Gala seller chase a speeding vehicle? Those guys can compete with Usain Bolt. Now, imagine that guy can no longer sell Gala and decides to snatch my precious phone. How can I catch him?

Eh sir, I have said quite a lot. And honestly, I am tired of writing. I just hope you will reconsider your position on these guys who just want to survive. If you must do this, make it a gradual process. There’s a reason why mothers take time to wean their babies off breast milk. They don’t wake up one day and start giving them eba. It is a process. From breast to SMA Gold to mashed rice before they start swallowing them balls. Be gentle on the people you took an oath to lead.

Eh sir, it appears my battery is low and my generator is misbehaving. Have a grea

Comments

109 responses to “Open Letter To Gov. Ambode – On The Ban of Hawkers”

  1. Ogey Avatar
    Ogey

    I think Lagos has gotten to the level where if you don’t have anything substantial doing, you go elsewhere. My mom encountered daylight robbery recently by one of these hawkers. Everybody can’t stay in Lagos. If you can’t take the heat in the kitchen…

    Dear Ambo, ban hawkers! Ban Okadas on the high way as well!

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Wow. Okay 🙂

    2. Uyai Avatar
      Uyai

      This is probably the most selfish statement I have seen all my life. Everybody can’t stay in Lagos? Really??? Just wow.
      My husband has been robbed twice in traffic but it hasn’t robbed him of his sense of humanity. You don’t burn down your house because armed robbers visited it. I pray you never sleep hungry.

      1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
        Chidi Okereke

        LOL Uyai. I had no words when I read her comment. None.

    3. Osagie Avatar
      Osagie

      Everybody can’t stay in Lagos? Was it a typo or you meant it. It sounds like saying when my village in Edo state becomes a mega city, me and my grand pa should get out to some other state because one of us attacked you and your mom. Please, thoughts before words.

      1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
        Chidi Okereke

        LOL. I am mortified.

    4. wasiu Avatar
      wasiu

      Mr chidi, wise words. Please lets mk it viral. becos these days its stupid tins dat don’t mk impact or help people go viral. please let us all share the letter till it reaches the right authority. Jail is nt made for trader.

    5. Enigma Avatar
      Enigma

      It’s inhumane 2 think like this..

  2. iyanu Avatar
    iyanu

    nice one bro chydee

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thanks Iyanu 🙂

  3. Ololade Avatar

    This is an emotional and spectacular piece. Great stuff! Well done.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thanks Lolo 🙂

  4. Ameera Avatar
    Ameera

    I love you for this?

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Haha Ameera, you’ve always loved me.

  5. Sandra.g.e.e Avatar

    I’m extremely excited to have stumbled on this piece. You actually hit the points straight on. I wonder, with this ban, are there plans set aside for them ? I don’t know, free shops ? Can they hawk else where. Truth is, no one likes/want to hawk. I mean , everyone is aware of the danger it poses to health. But they actually have to survive. While we are opportuned to have everything on a platter of gold, these people aren’t.

    Its funny how people keep saying your opinion is clouded by sentiment. Its not. I just hope the governor considers this ban and lifts it, because if not, Lagos should get ready as criminal activities will sky rocket.

    http://www.reviewnaija.com

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you. There are ways to go about sanitizing the streets. Outrightly banning people from earning a living is not what a people-oriented government would do.

  6. Maryam Avatar
    Maryam

    Honestly ?? my exact thoughts couldn’t have been put better in words. God bless you and i hope this gets to Mr Governor

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      God bless you too 🙂

  7. Kachi Avatar
    Kachi

    Wow chydee, nice letter there. Keep up the good work brother!

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thanks Kachi

  8. Humantouch Avatar
    Humantouch

    I really hope d governor gets to see this, dis is a penned down real life situation. Nice piece chydee

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you 🙂

  9. kemi Avatar
    kemi

    Like 2009-2010 there was an influx of Romanians to London, soo around hangerlane gyratory mothers n kids hung around selling trinkets nd flowers nd fathers tried to wash ur windshield if u were caught up in d lights……. they were there for months….all of a sudden they disappeared. I was too curious nd I later found out they had been housed and all d other normal things…..but we don’t have that in Nigeria… we don’t have any format of social disability or anything… my friend has been robbed in traffic and it wasn’t by hawkers…its mostly by opportunistic robbers, they see traffic occurs at a particular place all the time they take advantage…. rather than banning hawkers outright…. make a department that oversees public selling/hawking…register them…give age limit…..kids that should be in school, should be in school…pay for their education….adults that want to hawk to provide for their kids…. well give them limitations…there would be places they aren’t allowed to be……limit them to geological areas etc. Because it’s not like they have readily available jobs waiting. But the govt won’t listen, they will do wat they want nd it’s the mere mortals that will usually suffer.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you so much for this Kemi. Thank you

  10. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    You made valid points but you didn’t take time out to talk about the state properties that were vandalized which was the reason for the ban. No sane Lagosian will embark on such. They bit more than they could chew. They displayed the character of uncivilized beings, and so the government is retaliating. That’s just it. In the end, they will be the biggest losers if they resort to crime. You get caught, you’re going to jail.

    My own anger is that, they’ve given the government another avenue to steal. Ambode has said that it’ll cost the government N139m to get the buses back on the road again.

    The hawkers brought this upon themselves. They could have protested the death of their colleague without violence.

    Thank you

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Hello Emma,

      I didn’t mention the vandalized buses because I believe it is a ridiculous reason for the ban. First, is it every hawker in Lagos that joined in destroying the buses?

      So, some idiot hawkers destroyed buses, and because of that, ban all hawkers, including those who were not involved. That’s like arresting every Igbo person because some Biafrans have caused mayhem. That’s like banning Fulani herdsmen because some of them have killed people. That’s like incarcerating every Niger-Deltan because of the avengers. You do not punish the majority for the crime of a few. It is wrong and totally foolish. I will support the ban when an alternative means of livelihood is provided these people. Till then, I will keep saying, it is totally wrong.

    2. Ogey Avatar

      Very apt comment. When you resort to jungle justice, be ready to face whatever results from it. I’m pretty sure Lagos state government has been looking for a way to rid the streets off hawkers. Now these disgruntled hawkers have given them a very good reason.

      1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
        Chidi Okereke

        LOL. Ogechi you keep sinking low and low. But continue 🙂

        1. Ogey Avatar

          Say what you want man. I’m done arguing. When the ban takes effect, endeavor to lead the hawkers on a protest -maybe encourage them to destroy a few more buses. Selah!

          1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
            Chidi Okereke

            LOL. Just seeing this. No one was arguing with you. Shalom.

      2. Enigma Avatar
        Enigma

        Ogey,I don’t think u can reckon with such story Chydee told. Cos if u do u would be rational in Ur judgement..Or maybe u are just being u..If u are the later..U need d good APC..Change!!!!

  11. Milky Avatar
    Milky

    The way our leaders take decisions at times can even make you think they fall from heaven and don’t know what the masses look like… And those hawkers have a better life and choose hawking and suffering of a pot of gold abi? I know very well that there are areas you don’t see hawkers in every town tho I’m not a lagosian but pH have some.. If he really don’t buy d idea of poor masses helping themselves then he should stick to those areas with no hawking and allow people to live their lives pretending all is well. I wonder what he was even thinking while giving such a conclusive order…. Ndi uchu

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Hahaa. Ndi uchu 🙂

  12. F politics Avatar
    F politics

    God bless you

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Bless you too 🙂

  13. Chinonso Avatar

    This is a very beautiful letter and I do hope it gets to the right ears. Keep up the good activism !!

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you Chinonso 🙂

  14. Joy Avatar
    Joy

    You make sense chidi buh we need to pray to God so that our leaders will have mercy on poor because everything has bend from upside it’s only God who can save us

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      We should not only pray, we should let our displeasure known via any means available to us.

  15. Wale Avatar
    Wale

    So the writer actually encourages Child labour. Blatantly putting it out there.

    How about having some peoplease go back to the farms ? That way, we solve two issues.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      I don’t know where you saw me encourage child labour oga. Do you know how much it costs to set up a farm and make it profitable? But do you know that with N1000, a Gala seller can begin business?

  16. fancida Avatar
    fancida

    Some of us can relate with this story but not all of us are bold enough to share it. For this,i say thank you Chidi. What makes a man isn’t what he has gone through but what he has been able to learn from what he has gone though. That said, i hope Gov Ambode would read this and see reasons to lift the ban of hawkers or fine-tune the recommendations in the best way possible beneficial to everyone. God bless you Chidi.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you dear 🙂

  17. HaroldWrites Avatar

    Hi Chidi. You’ve raised some fine points in this piece. I understand where you’re coming from. I had some form of experience growing up too. But I have to say, with due respect, that this letter is rather sentimental. I’ll make my points. You see, the thing is, Ambode did not unilaterally ban hawking as suggested in your letter. The Law regulating street hawking was made as far back as 2003. Ambode was not the Governor then. Just like several laws in Nigeria, they have been there, but have been in comatose until being implemented. And if a law must be “set aside” completely for whatever reason (say, the Law is harsh), the governor has no power to do so. It is the duty of the legislature to repeal the law. With regards to the instant case, our collective dissatisfaction with this law ought to be channeled to the Lagos State House of Assembly, not Governor Ambode personally. Even if the Governor agrees with the people, there is so much he can do. The power lies with the members of the HOA representing us at the HOA. This is why citizens should know and have good relationship/communication with people who represent them at the HOA. We all should ask our representatives to sponsor a motion to repeal the said law. That’s how it’s done.

    Second, on the suggestion that street hawkers should register and be given vests. Really? I know this suggestion is paced with good intentions, but I’m sorry to say that it is rather sentimental and would achieve little or nothing. The essence of this law banning street hawking is not just to “make Lagos a megacity ” as being sung about. Good implementation of the Law would also ensure safety of lives and properties of everyone, including the hawkers. Recently, a hawker was unfortunately knocked down. Giving that hawker a life vest and making him register, would not have stopped him from being knocked down. Or dying. I expected more effective suggestions like the government should designate parts of the state with less vehicular activities for street hawking. Or “banning” hawking on highways or areas without functional traffic light. Hawkers should not get on the road when the light is green, but may return when it’s green. You get? Anyone caught selling on a busy road when the traffic light is green may be caught and “banned” from hawking for the rest of the day or have his goods seized. This way, we’ll ensure that people don’t get knocked down by a moving car. My only fear with this suggestion is that we have not factored the concern of motorists who are scared of being attacked by cheap robbers who disguise as legitimate hawkers when the traffic light is red. I don’t see how wearing a vest or tag will prevent a die hard robber from camouflaging as a hawker just to attack innocent motorists. I had a gun pointed at MY FACE by a supposed hawker whilst driving home around 8pm in January 2015!

    Now as per the suggestion that motorists also need hawkers cos they’ll be thirsty or hungry. Come on. I am yet to see a person die from not eating or drinking in 2 – 5 hours (which is the average time Lagosians spend in traffic). If street hawking is banned, people will leave their houses or offices prepared. If you’re that hungry, you can alight from your car/bus and patronise a near by shop.

    Now, I’ve had people bring up this debate of agberos being allowed in Lagos whilst hawkers are banned. Others condemn the ban on hawkers when Lagos still has flood in some parts of the state. Like, seriously? How does championing a cause by comparing to a totally unrelated cause, help the cause? Street touting by agberos is terrible but making a case to allow street hawking because agberos have not been flushed out, isn’t helping the case of street hawking. Two wrongs can’t make a right. As far as the 2003 law on street hawking is still subsisting, street hawking is a wrong (even if we don’t agree that it should be). But the law is what the law is. And we are a society governed by the rule of law. If we don’t like the law (which is the case here), the proper thing for us to do is to help the government by tasking our legislators to repeal the law. We can’t achieve anything by being sentimental about the whole issue and laying the blame at the feet of the Governor, who belongs to the executive arm of government. We hold the key to changing the state of things and we won’t achieve much by writing open letters to the executive governor. Thank you.

    HaroldWrites (www.haroldwrites.wordpress.com)

    1. HaroldWrites Avatar

      “Hawkers should not get on the road when the light is green, but may return when it’s RED. “

    2. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Hello Harold, really long one. But let’s see how we can respond.

      1) The law has been dormant since 2003 you say? For whatever reason though? Did previous governments find out how tough it would be to effect the law? Did they realize they had to create an alternative income source for the victims of the law and just abandoned it? With all due respect, it isn’t the HOA members that have announced the ban or issued a N90,000 fine on offenders. It is the Governor. And while I do not think he is absolutely wrong, I believe he should be fairer.

      2) My suggestion that they should be REGULATED is not limited to giving them vests. I was hoping more and better suggestions would be inspired by this one. And you have indeed come up with a couple interesting suggestions too. I do not hold all the answers. I do not have all the solutions. The governor has all the resources to know a better way forward. All I’m saying is the unemployment market is already saturated. It is unfair to add to it by outrightly banning hustlers.

      3) Accidents occur on the road everyday. Should we ban all vehicles because of that or find the root cause of the accidents? Some cabmen and buses are ‘one chance’ vehicles that kidnap, rob or even kill victims who are unfortunate enough to enter them. Have we banned all cabs and buses? Saying you want to ban hawkers because people have been robbed by a few bad ones is as good as throwing a baby away with the bathwater.

      4) I live and work in Lagos and on a daily basis, I am in traffic. All the times I have bought something, I did not plan it. You forget your handkerchief and you’re in a steaming bus, and you realize that some things cannot wait. I have been in a bus, famished because I was so caught up in work I didn’t eat all day. I thought I’d eat at home but traffic was 3 times heavier than usual and maybe I’d have passed out if I waited. So I bought gala and coke. And I survived. Relatively, I live close to work. Some people live in Ikorodu and work on the Island. They basically spend a third of their day in traffic and they maximize that time by buying what they need on the move. Because you do not have a need for the things traffic hawkers sell doesn’t mean there are people who do not.

      5) The Agbero angle is another issue all together. I didn’t want to delve into it, but since you’ve brought it up: what is the difference between Agberos and Hawkers?Agberos run after vehicles. They are aggressive. They fight all the time, in full glare of the public. They have caused several accidents, when drivers were trying to escape them. Many people have been robbed by these street urchins. They are the ultimate menace and I can bet a substantial amount of my savings that 70% of the people who vandalized those BRTs are agberos. They are a bigger problem than the hawkers, so if we really want to sanitize traffic, why not start with these ones first?

      6) Without the law, there is no order. But the law is made for the people, the people are not made for the law. If the law is unfavourable, kick against it. It was once a law to make black people feel inferior. Black people did not wait for the law to change before they demanded equal rights. They fought for it first. What I want are better suggestions to MAKING SURE THE HAWKERS DO NOT STARVE. And if you think it is sentiments, pray you never get to a place where your life depends on how you get the next N500.

      Thank you.

  18. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    Well, all I can say is – thank you to that “Hawker” who saved me from being robbed in traffic…

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Well, another angle 🙂

  19. Bolaji Avatar
    Bolaji

    Hi chydee, a nice piece. I agree with Wale and Kemi and of course, considering the level of poverty, circumstances and emergency situations I share your sentiments.
    All the LASG needs is to regulate this form of self employment’s operational time, operational hours and operational age. Progressively they can be ‘ weaned’ from the happenstance job and placed on jobs of their passion. As a matter of fact, some of the hawkers had one acquired craft or another but limited by resources to purchase tools and the like. I pray the government tarries a while before enforcing an all out ban.
    Intelligent tweets too.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you Bolaji. Now that’s what I’m talking about. 🙂

  20. Johnmic Avatar
    Johnmic

    Chidi you are absolutely On point

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Salute!!

  21. Headoo Avatar
    Headoo

    Nice work bro. More power to your elbow.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you

  22. Kasiacyndie Avatar
    Kasiacyndie

    You make me proud… Always. Thank you for this, I hope it gets to the Governor. More power to your elbow Chidi?

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thanks b

  23. Segun Avatar
    Segun

    May your days be long sir. Thank you for sharing with us.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Amen, same to you 🙂

  24. Motunde Avatar
    Motunde

    @Chidi, I like ur right up and we all know how things are generally with economy. I want to ask you how you think we can stop the miscreants hiding under the pretence of hawking. I have been robbed Adeniji twice. My phone and money collected and side mirror broken. That other step can be taken to prevent them from been ban if u say Gov. Ambode decision is wrong.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Regulation would help. If you license the traffic traders, attach them to units and restrict them to certain roads, you have some control over who can hawk where. These small units will know themselves so if some charlatan tries to commit a crime, they will spot the person and raise the alarm.

      Like I said though, I am sure someone has a better way of ensuring that our roads are safe and the hawkers remain productive.

  25. Ikechi Uche-Onu Avatar
    Ikechi Uche-Onu

    Hmmn…nice piece– as always!

    Ambode really needs to read this.

    Meanwhile, please, complete the write-up, biko: Have a grea…

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      LOL. Thank y

  26. GorgeousB Avatar
    GorgeousB

    Nice piece 🙂 God bless u for speaking d mind of other ppl who dnt hv d priviledge to.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you 🙂

  27. K.C Avatar
    K.C

    Good one, brother.
    At a critical stage in the life of my family, each seven of us were either called ‘Nwa’ akara or akara boy, ‘Nwa buns, corn, groundnut and so many others. Even though my parents were civil servants, we sold all these to survive, and this shaped us and made us who we are today; industrious and all graduates doing well in our various life endeavours.
    Today, all of us can look back to those days with smiles and thank God for creating those avenues through which our family survived.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      And it is important that we never forget where we came from, and how tough it was back then. Congratulations!!!

  28. nolly Avatar
    nolly

    Chidi most times our governors forget that they were one’s in this situation before they got up to that sit that’s how fashola came and said they should ban bike riders I think you made a good point if u take my job from me without giving me another better one the bible says an idle man is a devil workshop..

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      It is well 🙂

  29. Khorlawole Avatar
    Khorlawole

    Bless you chidi, but if someone else tells u the ordeals they face in this so called traffic hawkers hand, we won’t blame governor Ambode for the law passed on this people, but may the best be done for that’s where most of them truly survive..

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      I said something about this earlier. Because people get robbed in one-chance buses, are you going to therefore ban all buses?

  30. Mills Avatar
    Mills

    Not a Lagosian but I was moved. People will see you now and feel you were born on top of a gold mine. Unique Unique

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      LOL. Me that the struggle is written all over my behavior

  31. andrew Avatar
    andrew

    God bless your brain and fingers that typed this.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Amen. Bless you too

  32. Ronke Avatar
    Ronke

    So touching. Thank you for this piece. I pray Ambode gets to see this

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you 🙂

  33. Nma Avatar
    Nma

    Chidi, Chidi, Chidi, am so happy with this letter. It is not only the hawkers that will suffer this, it will affect the already affected economy of this country. What about the distributors\whole Sellers, no business for them and even companies will suffer too. We preach that Nigerians should use made in Nigeria products to boost our economy, let me remind us that some of this guys hawk their own product, they make the belt, purse, art works, chips etc they do so because they want to raise money for shop not that they want to be on the road forever. Some have shop already but no customer and shop rent is expiring and yet they have not raised money so they hit the road. Please this will affect everybody. I think Government should find a way to do this and do it gradually.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      This angle is very interesting. Thank you Nma 🙂

  34. Intrepid Toju Avatar
    Intrepid Toju

    Privilege blinds because its the duty of Privilege to Blind! I didn’t grow up with much Privilege so I can relate to what Chidi Okereke is saying, but one person’s voice is not Everybody’s voice.
    Although I expect Eko Government to be the government of the Minority but the Quick Decision of Gov Ambode was a belittlement of my Expectations. The government should come together and Rub Minds together and make a Better Decision… Eko Oni baje !

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Oshey 🙂

  35. Charles Avatar
    Charles

    Wonderful work Chidi.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you 🙂

  36. nenye Avatar
    nenye

    So touching, just wish this governors think things true before deciding on it. Who like to suffer, they don’t know to hawk is very risky but people don’t have any choice. Abeg make Ambo have a rethink jare no condition is permanent.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thanks Nenye 🙂

  37. 'lulu Avatar
    ‘lulu

    I like the fact that someone has seen this and has decided to speak up . Lemme say a quick story. When I was in 300level, our lecturer gave us a practical CA, that we should produce bottled water and sell them, we finished selling everything in traffic under 2 hours but I finished feeling very faint. Now I had my pair of sun shades, face towel and bottles of cold water and drink. If I could feel faint with these little comforts for something I completed in less than 2 hours tell me how someone who spends the whole day hustling for who will buy his goodies will feel without anything shielding him from the sun and rain. Do you think someone will just wake up and decide to be hawking without some level of desperation? *whispers* I’d ont think so. Unless an alternative means is going to be prepared for them, the government that promised to serve them will be failing them in all ramifications. *dropsmic* I can talk sga

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thanks for sharing this Lulu 🙂

  38. Taymiia Avatar
    Taymiia

    Calling this write up beautiful is an understatement… All I know is Chidi Okereke is a comprehension of greatness.. God bless you.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you so much Temi. Many blessings

  39. Lawal Avatar
    Lawal

    Alternative is Hawkers should sell at bus stops. Shikena.

    If you know you are going to get hungry during your journey buy from the bus stop.

    Is there wild street Hawking in Dubai or New York?

    Before now, those guys used to hawk sim card. Where are they today?

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Point well taken. 🙂

  40. graham elendu Avatar
    graham elendu

    Nice one Chidi, well articulated, Bravo

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Salute bro!

  41. Godwin. Avatar
    Godwin.

    Chidi, I have been following you ever since, you’re just so talented, this piece is just so exceptional, being sentimental or not you’ve made your points clear enough to Mr Governor. Nice one Bro.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Thank you Godwin 🙂

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      Salutee!!

  42. T. Blaize Avatar
    T. Blaize

    Nice piece bro, the problem now is getting it to the Governor, i suggest you should publish it in a popular newspaper and not just here on social media. Ride on

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      LOL. Thanks. Help me send it to NewsPapers na. LOL

  43. Jide Avatar
    Jide

    Hello Chidi, I normally won’t read and respond to any article about Lagos or the south west, from someone with the name ‘Chidi’ LOL. Because by default, they will always run Lagos down even if the Lagos government turned Lagos into heaven. However, I am a humanitarian by heart and also a pragmatic person. I am not happy for anyone to lose their livelihoods. Do you know as at 2014, UNITED NATIONS reported that 70,000 people move into Lagos Per week, not Lagos or any state in Nigeria has the jobs and infrastructure to cater for such influx. Pragmatic and forward thinking leaders like Fashola and Ambode, will be forced to make unpopular decisions like this. In as much as your letter is heart felt, it also gives demagogues an opportunity to exploit. Like Fayose of Ekiti, a guy that plays the ‘common man’ card and does nothing. I just wish Ambode has gotten rid of the ọmọ onílẹ̀ and agberos first, before this harmless hawkers. Lastly, any government that wants to make positive change in Nigeria now, especially after years of neglect, will be prepared to be called names. This year, WHO list of world most polluted and dirtiest city had 4 Nigerian cities in the top 10. Aba-Onitsha-Umrhia. Guess what! Lagos the most populated state was not even amongst. 3 of the cities where from the east, I was in Onitsha weeks ago, and I was totally disgusted. It looked like a place that is not being governed at all. If the leaders there are making bold moves like the leaders in Lagos, we might not have this situation on our hands. Lets be honest, easterners are the highest migrants to Lagos.

    1. Chidi Okereke Avatar
      Chidi Okereke

      LOL. Wow. This response is unbelievable. First you start with how you have stereotyped my tribe, because by default we always want to ‘run Lagos’ down, then you end with how easterners are the highest migrants to Lagos. But I will respond anyway:

      Why is Lagos the most populated city in Nigeria? Well, while it used to be Nigeria’s capital, causing an influx of people from all tribes, majority of the biggest businesses in Nigeria still have their offices here. Its strategically located ports also ensure most of the imports that come into Nigeria come in through Lagos. Where the ports, biggest businesses and a market for goods, services and labour is, people will naturally migrate. How many ports do you have in the east sir? Igbo people have been begging for a port in Anambra state so merchants do not have to make the tedious journey from Lagos, but what has been done?

      If as a governor, you want to effect an unpopular law, won’t you as a good person try to cushion the effect? Is the government for some people and not all? Do you know a guy with one hand who hawks Handkerchiefs in Maryland traffic? Many others like him will resort to begging but he is doing something to earn a living. What do you reckon he should do now that he has been banned?

      Eastern states are not being well run yeah? There is a back story to that. And if you read your history books well, you would have an idea why. Until things get better, the common man will seek places where they can pursue happiness and get maximum opportunities. And unless Lagos becomes a country of its own, people will continue to migrate here, from all over the country.

      I must also add that your comment in the end shows you are a tribalistic person. This is 2016, do better. Shalom.

      1. Uyai Avatar
        Uyai

        Chidi, I’m beating myself up because you actually replied him/her/it. What was the point of his/hers/it’s post? I’m still looking for it.

    2. Ogey Avatar

      You just could not resist the temptation to make your point without sounding like a tribalistic bigot.

  44. Oluwasegun Avatar
    Oluwasegun

    To me, the most problem we face in Lagos are the Agberos and Omo onile, the govt should get rid of these people first…
    The hawker in the street of lagos, are looking for how to earn living for God sake, they should be left alone please…

  45. majeck Avatar
    majeck

    I appreciates everyone for the wonderful submissions, is this how we’ll achieve an egalitarian society? by Criminalizing people means of survival instead of regulating their
    activities,e.g BOOT SALES in U.k . I believe the banned was basically as a results of the LASG Properties in question.

  46. Akinkuade Avatar
    Akinkuade

    Thanks for these words. I believe those who haven’t experienced such a thing like hawking to make ends meet will outrightly support the government decision to ban street hawking or traffic hawking.
    Thanks for sharing bro.

  47. Abby Avatar
    Abby

    Oɠɛɧ. Mąყ Gơɖ קųŋıŞɧ ყơų ŧřɛmɛŋɖơųŞٳყ ʄơř ŧɧąŧ Ćơmmɛŋŧ ყơų ɖřơקקɛɖ. Amɛŋ
    TɧąŋҠŞ ცřơ Ćɧıɖı ყơų ąřɛ ą ცٳɛŞŞıŋɠ

    1. Ogey Avatar

      Dear Abby, may God bless you too ☺

  48. Valentina Avatar
    Valentina

    Those saying otherwise here were probably born in a rich hope & neva known what it means to hustle in life;Most of them when to private institutions all their life & have access to cars all d time…So they don’t even understand what u’r saying…Let them say! !! U have done well… God bless u 4ds 1daful piece

  49. pocket knife keyring Avatar

    Wow, tһis post iѕ good, my sister is analyzing
    such tһings, so I am ging to ϲonvey her.

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