UNLEASH THE INNER MAN

As usual, any feat I attain or that comes as a realization in my life (thoughts, experiences, and works) I regard as of utmost importance. Being an imaginary writer I pen them down and this is not an exemption, so welcome to my closure. 

Before I started the journey (alone), it took me about two days contemplating whether or not, despite the little odds that were behind the journey, but anyways, that was the outstanding priority. On this particular day, I clearly realized even though I had known, that if you want to do something in life, whatever it may be, the “Beginning” is always the hardest. This particular experience or any of my previous write-up is a typical example of what I am insinuating. It took me some hours to know how I was going to start writing this, and it all boils down to choosing the first word, first sentence or paragraph and after that, the flow takes care of itself because you will always know what is next. My fellow writers, poets, songwriters and co. can attest to the fact.

Backdate to the 17th of April, 2021, fast and furious/GTA got activated. I had no choice because initially a driver was supposed to drive me but none was available, so the ball was in my court to take it all out. I was quite skeptical about it before I headed for the highway, having a shaky mindset but I rebuked it immediately. I backed it up with some scriptures “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and “the violent taketh it by force”, followed suit with a short prayer. 

The trip was from Abuja to Jos, Plateau state with an approximate 4hours duration or less, driving through neighborhood states such as Nassarawa and Kaduna states. I set out very early in the morning to avoid unnecessary “Motorists"  and “Trailers” on the highway that make some of us unconsciously sound abusive or for their inappropriate driving. Though I still met few of the latter which caused us to do some overtaking as the chance permits. The ability to get there on time was another consideration, being that I was not too familiar with the routes and guess what, my Google Navigation Map saved the day, even when I thought it was going to get me lost. The moment I started and I got to Keffi, for those who are familiar with the environs of Nassarawa state, I forgot all my worries and started enjoying the trip. It’s your mindset If you choose not to get carried away with the negatives surrounding that situation and accept the possibility of things turning to your favor. In that light we give God the glory and We Move. 

There were some surrounding factors, some of which I regard as my downtimes being part of my experience.

The Road – The road to Jos is quite bad with so many potholes, sudden bends and few narrow paths but at the end of it all we still overcame what we saw as obstacles. If you ever embark on a journey, make sure your vehicle is absolutely in good condition and fit enough to be on the road because some of these vehicles get sick when they are in motion and someone will start looking for how to revive them on a lonely road. They will disappoint you especially when your tyres are not strong enough to handle the bad roads to begin with, so your tyres should be original, if possible ‘follow come’ and have a spare tyre most importantly. This will enable you crossover potholes or bumpers. However, I was not caught up with any of these because anything that wants to give me stress, I take care of it first before it tries to wear me out but the car was in a very good condition even before “The Drive”.

I don't want to even talk about the horns of Trailers/Oil Tankers – This was one of my fears before I started the journey but like I said earlier taking away the negativity and being optimistic is one of the signs of confidence and said to myself “Nothing dey happen” (in 2Baba’s voice). To be very honest, these guys can make your heart raise at some point while on the steering and to make it worse, the motorists behind you will start raising the volume of their horns for either telling you to overtake these trailers or give way for them, so you can continue doing your “slow mo” behind them. You never can tell, especially in those sudden bends, when vehicles are approaching from the other lane. You have to put on the whole armor of calculative measures to engage but with a very fast move, so you don’t have an “Encounter”, you know what I mean. As a matter of fact, I took a major risk of overtaking two trailers at the same time when the other lane was clear. In the process of doing that, I was caught by surprise, I don’t know if the trailer from the other lane was approaching with a speed or it was the devil’s handwork, I was like in the middle of nowhere but immediately, pressing hard on the turtle, in the highest speed I could go, I slightly disengaged the approaching trailer from the other lane (head to head), diverting to my supposed lane. Some "fast and furious stunt" right? Well, thankfully, the two trailers I overtook were driving slowly so it gave me the chance to fall back to my lane just right in front of them. First off, when you see yourself in such situation, cut out the spirit of fear/panic and make sure your passenger does the same as well, that is if you have anyone with you. It might result to the unquestionable but instead opt in for all possible ways out because God is that driver, the ONE in control. Most importantly, be very careful when you try to attempt such risk-taking acts, listen to your instincts very closely.

We can go through this journey without talking about our Uniform Men and Checkpoints – Oh YES! I drove through several checkpoints but I was never stopped to check papers or whatsoever till I got to Jos, though I had everything intact with up-to-date papers. I drove past the Soldiers, Policemen and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) men and I was pleased with the fact that the Soldiers were respectful in their duties and didn’t really waste time on motorists. The most important thing is, when you get to their waiting point, you stop, it will only take 2-3 seconds for them to let you continue your drive if they don’t suspect anything which is usually part of their reasons of Manning specific areas and make sure everyone is safe. Also, we all know when you are with them or even approaching the checkpoint, you don’t make use of your phone or throw something outside your window. Avoid anything that will lead to some “Frog-Jump'' exercise as punishment. You can easily relate back in school, when you are late for those of us who went to a public secondary school, and there goes your punishment. 

Myself and the Forests – Have you been so frightened being in the middle of nowhere?!, well it wasn't my case though especially when you are familiar with road, but then with no buildings or people in sight is one of the scariest things ever. OYO is your case!! Movies, especially Horror or Adventure movies, depict that a lot and you can easily tell of the thoughts that will start navigating through your mind while staying positive and with so much faith, with a little jara of confidence. Of course, it’s daytime and there are other people who ply that same route heading your direction or somewhere else. By the way, the very tall trees, and forests sight give a form of beauty to the tiled road. At some point I thought they would be my guiding light till I arrive my destination but before I could erase that thought, I started seeing villages with small huts and bungalows around, very disappointing. The serenity is fulfilling because you can easily perceive nature in its actual form.

Street Hawkers, na them disturb me pass – I will refer to them as “Noisemakers” on major roads, I wish I knew them by name and scold them accordingly. Shey if I want to buy something, I will slow down or better still park the car and call you calmly to buy whatever it is you are selling but no, "you want to put that corn or groundnut in my mouth and feed me by force with that your dirty hand"

Hawker: Banana 700, Pear 600, groundnut 50/100 (right in my face)

Me: (Looks at him with one eye)

Hawker: (Reverses back with silence)

Hawker: (Another one), buy your Fearless drink, Coke, Fanta, uncle which one you want? (In pidgin language)

Me: (Gets angry and wind up the glasses of my windows, then pray for the road to clear so I can zoom off)

Whichever way you want to look at it, you cannot avoid them no matter where you go, so long as it’s a road journey and besides one has to buy something even though it’s N50. I rarely buy roadside foods or foods sold in the middle of the road but sometimes if I happen to buy eventually after overthinking, then it’s not because I’m hungry but I want to help him/her sell his market. If you look at it very closely, that may be their only means of survival and of course feed their family as well, so that’s my only way of making their day.

Scaling through the odds and the interesting journey, I finally entered Plateau state but it was still a journey because I was heading for J-town itself (Jos). I still had about 44km distance, driving through few communities and LGAs in Plateau state and I wasn’t tired, I did not feel the journey at that moment though. Despite being told to take my time on the road by few individuals which requires that I will end up spending about 6hours and maybe a little bit more above the actual time (3hours 45minutes) duration from Abuja to Jos, I spent 4hours and few minutes getting to my actual location in the city, I was fast right?! 

My steady speed limit was 90km and for a few times I was on 110km, then back to my pace again.

Nevertheless, the excitement when you do something for the first time and you did it perfectly well without any hiccups is interesting. When I was 24km away, I got embraced with so much confidence and relaxation, and grateful because God Did!

PS: I started driving in October, 2020 but perfectly well from January after a short break from the road. It matters on the availability of a car around me though, which means it took me about three months before I embarked on this particular journey and I’m going to be doing that more often and even a farther distance. 

There are no limitations of what you can do best, instead it builds up your confidence in achieving some things with just one step and a positive mind. Unleash him!!!

“Everything I was afraid of, already happened to me”.