By Reuben Abati

WHATEVER may be the challenges and contradictions in the Nigerian society, one basic redeeming factor remains the capacity of the Nigerian to laugh at himself, to draw a comedy from the most unlikely situations and to push up lessons in the process, even if these may be lessons he or she does not intend to take seriously. But the good thing about comedy is that it makes us think. The burlesque, the farcical, the incongruous of daily living ultimately challenge the intellectual aspects of our being. And so it has been with the recent introduction of safety helmets as a compulsory tool for riders of commercial motorcycles and their passengers on Nigerian roads.

The Federal Road Safety Commission's (FRSC) regulation on safety helmets is in direct response to a tragic situation, namely the terrible accidents that have resulted from commercial motorcycling in Nigeria. Last year, the FRSC reported a radical surge in the number of road accidents, a significant percentage of which was traced to commercial motorcycles or what is known in Lagos as Okada, and in other parts of Nigeria as Going, Along, or Akauke. At the Orthopaedic Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, and other hospitals across Nigeria, there is what is called the Okada ward, a ward for patients with broken limbs and skulls, all resulting from a sudden tumbling down from the back of the okada. The mortuary is similarly filled with okada corpses. The real tragedy is that the majority of Nigerians find themselves helplessly forced to ride commercial motorcycles.

This is not England or Washington DC, where there is an efficient public transportation system. This is not a country where the cities and communities are well planned and every part is easily accessible. The Okada phenomenon, and what I have described before now as An Okada Economy, are both products of the failure of leadership in Nigeria, the failure of urban planning, the anti-intellectual nature of the governance process and the widespread corruption in the land. Because urban planning officials grant approvals for building constructions without visiting the sites, new neighbourhoods and communities spring up in Nigeria every day, every year, without access roads, without potable water and without electric poles. Vehicles cannot access such locations, so the people have to depend on motorcycles, which have earned a great reputation for their capacity to navigate through bushes and potholes.

Because nobody, over the years, has paid enough attention to population explosion and the standards of existing infrastructure, even in cities and towns that are accessible, the roads are congested. Easy movement is impossible. And so, Nigerians have come to depend on the commercial motorcycle as an escape mechanism to meet an urgent appointment, to catch a flight or to simply escape the stress of a traffic hold up.

In Lagos, ordinarily, a traffic hold up can last for a minimum of one hour. Because there is no efficient public transportation system and network, no metro system, no subway, no public bus system, no alternative means of urban transportation other than the road, and not enough taxis, or buses, Nigerians are compelled to hop on to the back of the okada to be able to get by. For these reasons, the commercial motorcycle has become a necessity for most Nigerians: it has helped so many to realise their Constitutional right to the freedom of movement! Without the okada, many Nigerians would be constructively and literally rendered immobile.

The FRSC regulation on the safety helmets is at best an attempt to rescue an already embarrassing situation: to save a few more limbs and to signpost the importance of safety for both passengers and riders of commercial motorcycles. The safety helmet rule is therefore in the public interest. But Nigerians, two weeks later, see it as a joke. The natural cynicism of the average Nigerian is on full display. The ThisDay newspaper has already published on its front page a celebrated photograph showing an okada rider wearing a paint bucket as a helmet. It invites instant laughter, except that when you look at the same photograph closely, it will be seen that the motorcyclist actually has a real helmet he has chosen not to use. What point is being made? That point is much clearer on the streets of Nigeria. There have been reports of persons who wear painted calabash helmets. It looks like a helmet alright, but it cannot provide any security in the event of an accident.

Every day, you would also notice that most of the helmets being used are factory helmets or jockey caps. But the ludicrous is in the attitude of both okada riders and passengers towards the helmet. Even when the helmet is available, there is really no attempt to use it as prescribed. Most okada riders and passengers wear the helmet on top of a cap, headgear or a turban. The people benefiting most from the okada helmet rule are the sellers of handkerchiefs, toilet rolls, baseball caps and polythene bags, which people first use to cover their heads before putting on the helmet when they decide to use it. The excuse is that it is risky to allow a helmet that has touched another man's head to touch yours. In our cultures, there is a superstitious belief that the head must be protected, because it is the home among Yorubas of ori or ayanmo and among Igbos of one's chi.

The meaning of these anthropological concepts is more spiritual than physical. Many Nigerians insist that sharing the same helmet with another person could result in the transfer of bad luck. I have seen ladies who hold the helmet above their heads without allowing it to touch even a strand of hair. When they see policemen or FRSC officials in the distance, they bring the helmet closer to their heads, but keep it apart by using their palm to prevent any contact. Other ladies rely on the protective shield of toilet rolls, handkerchiefs and polythene bags.

Okada passengers also complain about kidnappers on the prowl for whom the helmet could become a ready weapon. I have been told that there is a band of kidnappers called alajaale, who use human body parts for ritual purposes. They were reportedly exposed in a television programme, Nkan Mbe, once anchored by Kola Olawuyi. People are afraid that the members of this secret, underground cult can use the helmet to kidnap innocent people. Nobody has been able to unmask this criminal, occultic syndicate. Kidnapping is a major social phenomenon in Nigeria and the perpetrators are hardly ever found. In the meantime, okada passengers do not want to take any risk. When you come upon these spectacles daily, you can't but laugh. Even the policemen and FRSC officials who are supposed to enforce the regulation can't help laughing.

But the humour is of the dark, macabre variety. The introduction of the safety helmets may be endangering more lives than hitherto was the case. With one hand holding the helmet and another supporting the toilet roll, or poly bag shield, most okada passengers no longer hold on to the machine in any way. The roads that these motorcycles ply are pothole-ridden. One wrong manoeuvre and the machine, the rider and the passenger would find themselves in one huge heap on the ground.

The true test of law lies in its implementation and acceptance. The helmet regulation was also introduced in 1984, but after this kind of initial cynical response, Nigerians soon went back to their old ways. The agencies and regulatory authorities, should not just be interested in enforcing penalties for non-compliance, public enlightenment will be necessary, as was the case when the compulsory use of seat belts was introduced. People have to be reminded that it is in their best interest to use the safety helmet. Standards must also be prescribed. How to use the helmet must also be properly stated. It won't be right to assume that the motorcyclists and okada passengers are incorrigible and that the only way forward is to impose penalties. Many okada riders are college graduates, and the owners of those motorcycles belong to some of the most important classes in society.

All motorcyclists should be registered and given uniforms and numbers for easy identification. What can be done about the threat of kidnappers? This is so metaphysical and confusing. But Nigerians are addressing this by buying their own safety helmets. So many people now go out these days, carrying their own helmets. Due to the sudden surge in demand, the price of helmets has risen from N750 in December to as high as N6,000 in the second week of January. The cheapest for now is the factory helmet at N2,000 per unit. Every helmet, except the locally improvised caricatures, is imported. Things are so bad in Nigeria, we can't even manufacture crash helmets! The helmet-use directive is only one part of the bargain though. The FRSC and the municipal authorities must also insist on safe riding, and wage war against drunk driving and the use of sub-standard motorcycles.

I get the impression that commercial motorcyclists are having fun. They are beginning to obey the new regulation. Politicians are now buying motorcycles and safety helmets for okada riders. Companies are also now cashing in on the helmet-rule for advertisement purposes. Already, the company that produces Indomie noodles has turned many okada riders into mobile billboards. Commerce, humour and opportunism predominate. The problem is with the superstitious passengers. The onus is on government to create an efficient public transportation system that will rescue Nigerians from the terror of commercial motorcyclists. Our leaders may not know how serious the problem is. Afterall, their wives and children do not use the okada.

Robot  # 1 | 16.01.2009 04:27

Okada helmets and road safety By Reuben Abati WHATEVER may be the challenges and contradictions in the Nigerian society, one basic redeeming factor remains the capacity of the Nigerian to laugh at himself, to draw a comedy from the most unlikely situations and to push up lessons in the process, even if these may be lessons he or she does not intend to take seriously. But the good thing about comedy is that it makes us think. The burlesque, the farcical, the incongruous of daily living ultimately challenge the intellectual aspects of our being. And so it has been with the recent introduction of safety helmets as a compulsory tool for riders of commercial motorcycles and their passengers on Nigerian roads. The Federal Road Safety Commission's (FRSC) regulation on safety helmets is in direct response to a tragic situation, namely the terrible accidents that have resulted from commercial motorcycling in Nigeria. La...Read the full article.

akuluouno  # 2 | 16.01.2009 05:09

It is indeed an apt and sad metaphor of the challenges facing Nigeria to become a member of the 21st century global community.:rant: Standard helmets must be worn in a proper manner to avoid death during accidents simple and short. Any attempt to bring in Nigerian culture or Nigerian factor to proper health and safety issue will meet with death in Jesus Name, religion or no religion.:clap:

Olu Affairs  # 3 | 16.01.2009 06:04

D Doc, as you rightly pointed out, the issue should be regularising this line of trade rather than enforcing rules that are wont to fail.

Ispy  # 4 | 16.01.2009 06:41

I guess it is rather unfortunate that we do not have leaders who plan or prepare for the future. However having said that, i guess its always better late than never. The current Lagos state Governor for instance at least shows some promise. Personally my own fear is that from history, the danger is that enforcement of this new regulation would only be eagerly pursued for a brief period and then its back to business as usual. If the enforcement of the use of helmets is consistent, and the public realise its to be an ungoing process, Nigerian businessmen who have always shown they are willing and able to take up a challenge once there is money to be made, will definetely shortly fill the market with helmets,thereby forcing down the price to an extent.The standards organisation of Nigeria should by now be putting measures in place to guard against sub standard helmets of course. The peculiar prejudices of the Nigerian public certainly must also be taken into consideration ie fear of wearing helmets for various reasons. I believe this can only be tackled through education and once again consistent enforcement of the law regarding wearing of these helmets. The bottom line however remains the governments proper handling of the situation as Okadas are here to stay and the cost of not wearing these helmets far outweighs the cost of putting them on.

Tunde meee  # 5 | 16.01.2009 06:46

In as much as I understand the essence of helmets and its direct proportional relationship to road safety, I think for Dr. Reuben Abati, it should not be the most pressing issue at hand. I am a fan of yours and I once wrote on this forum that Reuben Abati is the main reason for which I come to the village square on fridays and sundays. But the issue of land allocation raised by Sahara reporters seems to have put a dent on your image and on your fight against corruption and your advocate on good governance and accountability. I am not sure if you have an adviser as the chairman of Guardian editorial board or by any other means but I think whoever advised you to ignore the issue is doing you a great disservice and deserves no pay. You need to listen to your conscience which I am sure tells you to address it. Waiting inpatiently to read about that on Sunday

Observer  # 6 | 16.01.2009 07:02

Thank you for this article, Mr. Abati. Although I would have wanted you to add that this helmet palaver is only going to be a temporary phenomenon. By the year 2020, in 11 years time, there will be no need for helmets. By then there would be supersonic inter and intra-city trains. The integrated transportation system being planned by the Fashola administration in Lagos would have become a reality. We shall no more be importing helmets. By 2020, we will be exporting cars, buses, train wagons, ships, aircraft, and oil rigs and platforms. By 2020, I expect that every able bodied Nigerian would be fully employed and we will be inviting skilled hands from other African countries to come and fill posts that Nigerians will be rejecting. Every household will afford at least one car and all the roads will be motorable all the year round. I am very optimistic (?) because the Yar'Adua administration is laying a solid foundation for our economy!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes: Somebody say ''Amen".:D:D:D:D

Anioma777  # 7 | 16.01.2009 08:41

I saw the picture caption last week:D Don't you just love Nigeria...I cannot wait for the end of this month. These okada guys and their passengers are DUMB. Would it not be sensible to wear helmets that can POSSIBLY save their lives so they can continue their trade and the passengers can also carry on with their business. It never ceases to amaze me how DUMB the average Nigerian citizen is. I am all for okadas because it helps most idle men make a living even if most are a traffic nuisance:D

AISAGBON OMOGIADE  # 8 | 16.01.2009 10:19

=Tunde meee;313852>In as much as I understand the essence of helmets and its direct proportional relationship to road safety, I think for Dr. Reuben Abati, it should not be the most pressing issue at hand. I am a fan of yours and I once wrote on this forum that Reuben Abati is the main reason for which I come to the village square on fridays and sundays. But the issue of land allocation raised by Sahara reporters seems to have put a dent on your image and on your fight against corruption and your advocate on good governance and accountability. I am not sure if you have an adviser as the chairman of Guardian editorial board or by any other means but I think whoever advised you to ignore the issue is doing you a great disservice and deserves no pay. You need to listen to your conscience which I am sure tells you to address it. Waiting inpatiently to read about that on Sunday Abati Iam sure, bought the Emeka Ojukwu's philosophy on the issue of land allocation-" a lie is not challanged by a counter statement;it is highlighted"-Emeka Ojukwu. On the issue of crash helmet,the use was introduced in the former Midwest State in the mid 70s.A friend of mine lost his girl friend then because she said she could not put the helmet on the hair she was using a fortune to fix in a hair- saloon.Since my friend as a secondary school leaver could not afford a Volks.she suggested he should save money to buy, they parted way.The enforcement of the law lasted a few weeks and became forgotten until recently. Nigerians are like Italians from the Italian city of Naples where no laws are obeyed.Visit Naples and you will see that motocyclists do not use crash- helmets and only few drivers use the seat- belts.The current situation is an opportunity to enrich those who will enforce compliance of the law because they will take bribes and thereafter, the law will be history.

konkomitant  # 9 | 16.01.2009 12:11

The same people that ridicule the introduction of helmet will blame government if they fall from okada and break their head. Madness!

abdulmumin  # 10 | 16.01.2009 12:15

=AISAGBON OMOGIADE;313918>Abati Iam sure, bought the Emeka Ojukwu's philosophy on the issue of land allocation-" a lie is not challanged by a counter statement;it is highlighted"-Emeka Ojukwu. On the issue of crash helmet,the use was introduced in the former Midwest State in the mid 70s.A friend of mine lost his girl friend then because she said she could not put the helmet on the hair she was using a fortune to fix in a hair- saloon.Since my friend as a secondary school leaver could not afford a Volks.she suggested he should save money to buy, they parted way.The enforcement of the law lasted a few weeks and became forgotten until recently. Nigerians are like Italians from the Italian city of Naples where no laws are obeyed.Visit Naples and you will see that motocyclists do not use crash- helmets and only few drivers use the seat- belts.The current situation is an opportunity to enrich those who will enforce compliance of the law because they will take bribes and thereafter, the law will be history. Despair has taken on a national character as evidenced from the post quoted above and several others on this thread. With such an outlook about our country, our future would take on the turn of a self fulfilling prophecy, God forbid. A little belief that there is such a thing as a rennaisance and that it could happen in Nigeria would help even in the face of the apathy we face as a people. A little cheer, o!

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