From Osun to Anambra:A journey to COPDEM media training

By Olaniran Babatunde

As I packed my luggage ,I boarded a transport management system (TMS) bus from Osogbo to Onitsha in Anambra State along with my luggage bag.I love traveling so I have many memorable experiences. But I think, my journey to the Anambra State is the best so far in my life.
The way of life of the people, the rivers and seas you find everywhere, the water-logging experienced the people, their language, everything was completely different from what I was used to. And how can I forget the food especially roasted plantain with fish and local sauce that I ate at ore in Ondo State which they call bolee. I totally a new step that came with mixed feelings. I did not feel so good because I would miss the life I was used to but was also glad that I was changing my environment, was going to be meeting new people, learning new things, gaining new experiences and at most growing and gradually moving towards being an independent person through media training and capacity building workshop organised by coalition for the protection of democracy (COPDEM )at Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) villa in Anambra state.
Transportation has always been an integral aspect of a society and has been a new experience entirely that have been trying to adapt to. The transportation system in Anambra state is nothing compared to that of osun state because when I arrived at Onitsha the bus that take me from Onitsha to Akwa roundabout is #1500. Most roads are made of two lanes with a single carriage way in which all major roads are tarred. The roads are filled with various vehicles ranging from private cars, to taxis which are available to major places, to mini buses also known as “keke panel” which is the most popular public transport medium in the State, to motorcycles known as shuttle bus form the most used medium of movement in the state.
Compared to Osun traffic in Anambra State is minimal. Although, due to the fact that there are some narrow major roads that Keke panel take me to when it takes me from Akwa roundabout to the DDM villa in Mgbakwu, Anambra State, traffic becomes an occurrence that is on a steady. The narrow nature of such roads have been tagged the cause of some accidents that have occurred. Also, not all roads have traffic lights and where there are, they are of little or no use.

Moreover, some roads have potholes which makes movement on such roads difficult and puts the commuters of the road at risk. Some roads also lack road signs to inform motorists of the road conditions which aids the smooth movement of motorists and disallows congestion and accidents. Street lights are also not present on all roads in the state and where present, are not utilized. Some of these roads also lack good drainage system which allows pollution of such areas.
Also, the transport fare is relatively affordable. Infact, distances that cost about one hundred and fifty naira in osun state, costs about five hundred naira in Anambra State. Although, the transport fare is subjected to haggling between a passenger and the driver thereby allowing both parties come to an agreement on the price to be paid and received. That is the how I journey from osun reached Anambra State.

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