Okada : Extinction of The Popular Motorcycle?

Call it Okada, Keke, Bike, Motorcycle, voom-voom! (oh dear) or the obvious hiss U make when your lips are squeezed into a tight doughnut! , the gentle man on the bike without a passenger would slow down, manoeuvre, and drive right in front of you, ask where you're headed and tell you how much it costs to get you there.

Whether its in Abuja or Port-harcourt, the same obtains and it has been quite a while now the Nigerian Transportation system has come to embrace the speed, Time efficient and Traffic-resistance benefits of the 'Okada' as well as its Dangers and challenges.


For crying out loud, some of these gentle men are actually 'Gentle men on the high way' employing the quick acceleration these motorcycles posses to snatch bags or valuable from unsuspecting pedestrians or even in shops to cart away millions in a flash.. (So sad)

Well, If You reside in Lagos, You'll probably be very aware of the obvious nightmare Fashola's Led Government causes for these set, establishing Law Enforcement Agencies to compliment the already functioning ones like LASTMA and the rest.

It has not being an easy task though as one would often see these 'Men' breaking every traffic law in the book and as such led to the ban of every form of commercial motorcycle on Major roads in Lagos (including the one that leads to where I live which I thought would be quite remote to the effect of the law).

And now bikes are being impounded everywhere making it less purchased or patronised by prospective 'Okada Men' who thought it to be quite a lucrative endeavour at a time.

And now in DELTA???

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has warned Motorcycle riders in the state to abide by the laws of the land particularly on the use of safety helmet or be prepared
to face the wrath of the law.

Dr. Uduaghan who gave this warning when he monitored the fuel situation at a Mobil Filling Station by Airport Roundabout in Warri, yesterday called on Okada riders to
use the helmet for their safety.

He condemned the practice of most Okada riders who don’t use safety helmets as being lawless and warned that if they fail to comply with the laws of the country, he would be forced to ban Okada as had been done in other states.


According to him, “The fact that you are riding Okada does not mean you should be lawless (I tire o). Why have you refused to use the helmet as prescribed by the
Federal Government?"

He continues further to say "As from tomorrow (which is today), any Okada rider without safety helmet and have it but don’t use it will be dealt with.
I will personally monitor it.”

He said that he allowed the use of Okada in the state because some of the Okada riders use the proceeds to feed their families as a result of the economic
situation in the country...

So there you have it... What Do You think would happen If bikes were totally banned in your vicinity?