Life always have a way of surprising us, whether it’s in a positive or negative way, one thing is sure when life hits us, we can’t help but to wonder at it. The year 2020 and the entire world won’t forget how the Covid-19 pandemic caused a techtonic shift in our life’s and the way we live it.
Looking at Lagos State, a state that’s widely known as the hub of entertainment in Nigeria and arguably in Africa, one doesn’t need to be told that Covid-19 Lockdown as affected the “Jaiye Jaiye” lifestyles of lagosians. In Lagos, it’s work hard and party harder.
Lagos has wide varieties of how to catch fun, from parties, Owambe(s), Hotels & clubs, Shopping malls, Cinemas, Beach chillings and so on. But all this as now been put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the enforcement of it’s Safety first precautions.
To be honest, this is a night mare to lagosians. Their escape from reality and stress as now been cut off. The “I cannot come and kee myself” lifestyle as now been paused. And the only option left is now to “chill with FAMILY and FEW FRIENDS”
Now, some of this venues like Hotels and clubs still operate illegally, but the experience is no longer the same. The music is turned off and there’s no DJ/Artistes or hypeman to entertain. The gate is shut at intervals so as to not attract the authorities and the time limit (curfew) makes it all comes fastly to an end.
Actually it’s nothing but a dull scenery of sit down, take your drink with your friends and leave before the curfew. The rest of lagosians who can’t afford to even “stroll” out if they wish to have resulted to just staying indoors, playing games like Scrabble, Ludo or table tennis with their neighbors. The teenagers are super glued to their phones and social media.
Lagos State as now confirmed over 8,000 cases of the Covid 19, and considering the fact that the scores keeps growing astronomically, it’s safe to say that lagosians and their “Jaiye Jaiye” lifestyle are not reuniting anytime soon.
“I miss parties, I can’t wait for all this to be over” “I don’t believe in Covid 19” “forget it, it’s a virus for the Rich ones”… These comments and complains fills the media everyday but one thing is sure.
The effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the world can’t be ignored. And as a case study, the effects of Covid-19 on Lagos and it’s party lifestyle is harsh and mean to the fun loving lagosians.
No one planned for this but I’m sure that we will adapt to it. This is the new normal, lagosians will have to adjust and find other ways to continue their Jaiye Jaiye lifestyles.
Thank you.
Writer: Daniel Scott Eleh (@_daneillscott)
