Thread by @araisokun

The nearest I'd got into entering a train in 🇳🇬 was in the 1970s whenever my now late uncle, T. S. Obe, then Principal of @Official_NRC Training Sch visited Ibadan. I remember fondly walking down the tunnel at the Dugbe station to get to the trains. #Thread
Pic: Voice of Nigeria

2. Later in life, I often told all who cared to listen that if there was an efficient train service, I'd live in Ibadan (my fave city) and work in Lagos. Now, I long to live in Ìgbàrà-Òkè, Ondo State. Anyhow, I took my first ride in 🇳🇬 yesterday (16/4) from #LOS2IBD. Let's go.

3. I had gone to the NRC Ebute Meta Office on Thursday (15/4) for a recce: generally, find out what time to be at the station, prices and all that. I took these pix.

4. I got to the station around 2pm. 7/8 intending passengers were seated on the metal chairs opposite the ticket booths. I placed my luggage in front of an empty chair and went in search of a bite. When I returned, more people had arrived and given plastic chairs to sit.

5. Circa 2:10pm, a guy who appeared to have bleached his face came to share tags, relying on the people's honesty to say who came before whom. I got Tag 014. But when tickets' sale started I was the first on the Business Class line.

6. Ticket obtained, I rolled out my wheeled box and laptop bag and a staff asked if I needed help with moving them. Even before I could answer, a lady called Folashade was by my side. It was a +/-200m walk to the train. The assistance was indeed necessary.

7. When full operations start, that would no longer be necessary. You'd simply walk from the station which is still being worked upon as shown the other day on the TL of @ChibuikeAmaechi or take an elevator.

8. The first time I stepped onto a London street in 1986, I felt like someone was walking behind me with an air-conditioner in full blast. Entering my coach yesterday, it was like I was welcomed with an air-conditioner in full blast. Ah.

9. This lad sat diagonally from me. While I was still moaning about the chiller I was in, he had settled down to his laptop. He and his mum were regulars on the train. They even had their preferred seats (6 & 8), it appeared.

10. This is my corner. Shall we call it TO's Corner? Remember I was the first to buy my ticket. That's why I got Seat 1.

11. At 4 O'clock on the nose, the train crawled out of the station. My neighbour across the aisle who turned out to be my namesake (Taiwo) - he lent & later gave me his phone cable - said I won't know when the time passed. It was his third train ride. We move. I buttoned up.

12. True, when we got to Papalanto Station where the train stopped for a 2-min crew change, it was like "now-now." But, we had actually moved for over an hour. I wondered when this station would be completed.

13. This is a line-up of the coaches on the other other track to be deployed when full operations begin.

14. Our next stop announcement came on at 17:23: "Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station, Abeokuta." A guy took the chance to have a quick cigarette. Another wanted a snack/drink but no vendor nearby. If he went to where one was, he would be left behind: it's only a 5-min break.

15. So, if you are going to take the train, either eat belleful before you board or come with your food/drink. For now, the bar is not in use. But, there is a water dispenser and disposable cups (which ran out at some point to the chagrin the NRC exec who was on the ride).

16. I walked round and I can report that the coaches were relatively full. The first class appeared filled to capacity.
This is the Standard Class. By the way, soon after we left Ibadan, ticket checkers came to do their work. So, don't lose yours when you get to make a trip.

17. Meet my younger sister, yes, because her name is Idowu. The emergency nurse on duty. She told me she had handled "many cases" since start of temporary operations. Motion sickness. She mentioned a boy who was an asthmatic case. Etc.

18. 6:27pm: Announcement of our arrival at Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, Ibadan.
6:30pm: we are in the city where my umbilical cord was buried. In less than three minutes, the train was on its way back to Lagos. To return to Ibadan this morn. I shall do this again well-kitted.

We certainly need to do better with our town planning. Ugly views where there is no vegetation. Shio.