HOW LAGOS? – THE CHAT WITH A BRICKLAYER.

Every week, Lagosmag seeks to understand how people survive their way of living in Lagos, Nigeria. Some stories will be struggle-ish, others will be bougie. All the time, it’ll be revealing.

So, how has Lagos been to you all these years as a bricklayer?

Ah, Lagos na hot place, my guy! But e also be place of opportunities. Na here I take build my first house, find my wife, and even start my bricklaying company.

Great to hear that Lagos has been good to you. What’s your favorite thing about the city?

My favorite thing about Lagos na the hustle and bustle of the people. Everybody dey try dey make ends meet and I like to see that spirit of never give up. Even for traffic, Lagosians sabi how to turn am to party.

Haha, true talk! What’s the most challenging thing about being a bricklayer in Lagos?

E fit be say for rainy season, the work go hard small. Plus, some people no dey appreciate the work wey we dey do well-well. Dem go dey look down on us like say we no get sense. But me, I no send them. As long as I dey do my work well, I know say God go bless me.

Amen to that! So, what advice would you give to someone who wants to become a bricklayer in Lagos?

E get as e be o! Bricklaying no be joke work. You must get strong back and be ready to use your head well-well. But if you sabi your work and you dey work hard, e go pay you well well for Lagos. Make you no dull.

That’s sound advice. How do you stay motivated and inspired in your work?

Ah, my oga, motivation na something wey dey come from inside. For me, I dey always think about how I go fit improve and do better work. Plus, I dey listen to some good music or dey make joke with my workers. No be by force to be serious every time.

Haha, I love that! Now, how has technology affected the bricklaying industry in Lagos?

Technology e don dey help us small-small for Lagos. Things like machines and new tools don dey make our work easier and faster. But e no go ever replace the human hand wey dey give work beautiful finish.

True talk! What do you think can be done to improve the construction industry in Lagos?

Infrastructure! Lagos needs better roads, better transportation, and better planning. If government fit provide those things, e go make work easy and everybody go benefit.

It’s definitely a tough time. What’s one lesson you’ve learned from your years of experience as a bricklayer in Lagos?

One lesson wey I don learn be say determination and hard work go always pay off. If you dey work hard and you no give up, you go surely achieve something for Lagos.

Truly inspiring. What motivates you to wake up every day and keep doing what you do?

My family! I dey do this work to take care of my wife and children. Them be the reason why I dey wake up early and dey work hard.

That’s beautiful. Okay, last question. What message would you like to share with the people of Lagos?

My message to the people of Lagos na make una no give up. No matter how tough the situation be, make una continue to dey push forward. E fit no be easy, but together we fit achieve anything for this city wey we love. Lagos for show!

If you’re interested in talking about your “How Lagos?” story, this is a good place to start.

CHAT WITH TIFE.