Nigerians, a happy people?

It is said that Nigerians are top on the list of the world's happiest people . Perhaps so. Indeed it is probably so, but most likely because our population is made up of multitudes of insane people. And this is so clear on the roads, where in our daily rage we shoot ourselves and others in the feet, doing those things that will clearly not serve our interests if our desire were the pursuit of true happiness.

Let me take you through some roads in Abuja and Lagos so you can see for yourself what insanity rules our land.




This is the right side of the fly-over bridge at the Lugbe Interchange on Umaru Yar'Adua Expressway (Abuja Airport Road). This side of the road is for out-bound vehicles from Lugbe, not in-bound. But many motorists coming into Lugbe FHA Estate from an estate on the other side of the airport road, or from the direction of the Abuja airport ignore the risk of taking this route rather than u-turn at the foot of the interchange to take the correct route, an action that will add not more than one minute to the trip. Men of the FRSC (Federal Road Safety Corps) know this, but they come to enforce the road safety laws only at predictable times--in the early morning, and late afternoon. In between, the lawless have a field day.

Another motorist, apparently in a hurry.

And another one.

City Gate on the same Umaru Yar'Adua Expressway: You can learn to drive while carrying outsize cargo, and the traffic wardens at the City Gate Roundabout will just wave you on.

Still on the same expressway, you can chat, read SMS and make calls while driving