Random Musings on Obalende

" Obalende never lost its swag"

                                            Obalende Lagos,

Ezinwanne Ejimofor writes on the popular Obalende neighbourhood in Lagos, from its past to the present

A first time visitor to Obalende will be greeted by the cacophony of noise emanating from different directions, especially from traders and transporters, all drawing the attention of passers-by to patronise their goods and services.

All these happen on some of the streets in Obalende to be précised. Yes, Hawley, Okesuna, Foresythe Streets have become a place with human activities in its boisterous form. On these streets, everyone is busy, running up and down, moving from one shop to another, in search of a particular product. The middlemen have suddenly turned Hawley, Okesuna and Foresythe Streets into a haven where they seek their own pay from those not too familiar with trading activities on the streets. So the middlemen are service providers. The streets are almost turning into a mini-market where all kinds of vehicle spare parts are being sold.  Hence, these streets are daily filled with people with interest in trading activities around vehicle spare parts.

Indeed, due to the kind of transactions that goes on there daily, you would think that the area is a market square, if you are a first-time visitor to the area. But Hawley, Okesuna and Foresythe Streets are not. They are residential areas. However, the resident of the area have come to live with the situation they found themselves. Afterwards, most residents have also become parts of the merchants since it is convenient for them to get whatever they want at their doorsteps. For some, it takes just a mere peep out of the window and the message is delivered with a deal sealed.

Obalende had the distinction of being the seat of Government until 1991, when the capital was moved to Abuja. It’s also the heart of the Lagos Island city centre. Obalende which literarily means ‘the King has requested that I should stay here,’could be said to be the birth place of Nigeria police, just as it was a veritable platform for which the present Nigeria Army had its roots. When the French were relentless in their expansionist quest for some of the territories in possession of the British, Lord Lugard, who was then an agent of the Royal Nigeria Company, proposed and indeed formed the West Africa Frontier Force, with Obalende serving as a base.  Not only that. Obalende was hotbed of political activities during the First Republic where politicians met and connected as they canvassed for votes.

Now, all that has changed. A resident who has lived in Obalende for many years, Mrs. Ogechi Uzor said: “it is no longer a new thing to us, because we have accustomed our lives to the changing environment. The noise is deafening, but it doesn’t hurt. From morning till night we sleep and wake up with noise coming from different directions. That is what Obalende has become and everyone knows it.”

Miss chizoba Akpan, who moved into the neighbourhood a few months ago said Obalende has all the attraction being in the centre. “It is a place that you can turn around and find whatever you need. So I am not bothered about the noise. It’s normal for a community such as Obalende.”

So majority of the people are now aware that vehicle spare parts are sold within Obalende neigbourhood and they throng the place regularly. The vehicle spare parts merchants of Obalende deal in all kinds of spare parts, so it is easier for them to attract a large patronage. In their fortunes, the food vendors and other petty traders also share, with brisk business going on there every moment.

These vehicle spare parts merchants surely know how to access their customers and they do it with the ability of a sprinter. They often run as if something is pursuing them. To be sure, someone who is prone to fear may  find himself joining in the race to nowhere, especially if the person is a first-time visitor not knowing the merchants’ eyes are set on a moving car whose owner will soon patronise them. True, Obalende vehicle spare parts merchants will drag their customers as if they are dragging a bag of money in an atmosphere that is often polluted by fumes from the cars on the streets.

The used vehicle spare parts in Obalende are from China, Japan and Germany. But a merchant, Godwin Udoh said: “Where you get your goods depends largely on the choice of your country and in particular your relationship with someone there who can help you with importation handling.”

Obed Kingsley, an undergraduate who is providing support to his brother’s business in one of the shops told THISDAY that dealing in vehicle spare parts is one of the profitable businesses around.
He said: “My brother has been dealing in vehicle spare parts business for many years now and it has given him money to take care of his family and other dependents.”
Sources told THISDAY that the vehicle spare parts merchants prefer Hawley, Okesuna and Foresythe Streets as trading points because of accessibility and affordability of the shops in the neighbourhood.

“Why we are trading on these streets is because the streets are not in a hiding place. They are in a good sight and also close to the market, where people can easily see us. Buying a shop in the market is more expensive. The price of a shop here cannot be compared to the shop in the market,” the source said.

Before now, Obalende was one of the attractions in Lagos. It was popular for its ‘suya’ such that the name (Obalende Suya) was found in places like London and a part of United States.
In the past, sanitary condition of Obalende was good because the military ensured that people fumigated their compounds to prevent diseases.

In a way, all seem to have faded away with the exit of the seat of Government to Abuja. Perhaps where residents feel the impact most over the years has been in the area of security. But Lagos State government seems to be playing its part in restoration efforts for Obalende to remain.

- ThisDay