Feature Stories

#MondayMotivation: Meet Lagos Grandma Bus Conductor [PHOTO] 

I was in a bit of a rush on Saturday morning after the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. I needed to get to the office so fast that I wished I own a car.

On getting to the bus stop, there was no bus going to Oshodi. I was becoming impatient and irritated. Luckily, a bus parked right in front of me and I saw an old woman calling passengers into the bus, shouting at the top of her voice, "#150 Oshodi, wo le pelu change e o."

I was taken aback at first. I had to blink my eyes severally in quick seconds just to be sure I'm seeing the right thing. A grandma conductor! Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined it.

Then I was double-minded about boarding the bus. While one part of me kept reminding me that I was late, the other part flashed it across my mind that I could be in for ONE CHANCE.

Well, I boarded the bus -rather out of no choice 'cos I was running late - and I experienced one of the sweetest rides ever along that route.

First, there was no traffic. Second, this grandma treated every passenger with utmost respect irrespective of their ages. She discharged her duties with absolute poise - something you find lacking in regular Lagos conductors. She didn't shout at passengers, curse fellow road users nor engage 'agberos' in tongue-fight (maybe because of her age sha). She made me wish every conductor could be like that.

I don't know whatever might have push this woman - who is supposed to be reaping the fruits of her labour like every Nigerian woman of her age deserves - to the streets to hustle this way. Whatever it is, I'm sure it was something huge.

 I managed to take some shots of her and prayed for her silently.

If you come across this woman, kindly pray for her, treat her nicely and reward her (if blessed).

I salute her for not going the less dignifying way of stealing or illegally making money to fend for herself and family like some desperate people do today.

Most Nigerians today are too impatient to work their way to success. At times, all you needs is to take a step down which will propel you five steps up.

She's the true definition of NAWTI - Natural African Woman Totally Inspiring.