Well before I go deep into the topic, I will like to give my direct answer first based on the prompt first question....right now? The answer is no.
At the moment, I can't even think of going on a solo travel, the one that's not solo sef, it's God's protection, not to talk of a solo travel to different places and touring the various cities and towns. Even though it sounds sweet and I'm sure it will be fun, but then looking at our present reality in my country (Nigeria), it's not advisable.
Each and every time I open on my phone, it's always one bad news or the other, and if it's not bombing then it will definitely be kidnapping, armed robbery or some bandits attack. To travel on Nigeria roads now, you need to be very very vigilant. It's not even about traveling at night anymore now, a lot of this things happens in broad daylight. Just yesterday a friend was telling me to make sure I call her every thirty minutes just to check in on her and know where she's at. That's our reality at the moment.
Even if you want to enjoy your journey or travel before, you won't enjoy it at the end of the day, because your mind mill be so fixed at "God, let me arrive safely." The security issues we are facing at the moment are the greatest and biggest challenge at the moment. This week's Monday, I had the opportunity of going together with my LGI and CLO in the company of few excos to visit various security agencies because where we are at at the moment is not safe as well. We had to go have some discussions with them and all. And I'm glad it went well and they promised to give their best, even still we were still warned and told to pass the message across the the hundreds of corp members that are in the town about certain things like traveling, going out alone, and a whole lot that I won't want to divulge here.
Now, let's talk about the price of fuel too, anyone considering solo travel at a time like this must definitely be the son or daughter of Otedola, to be honest with you. Fuel price is not something just anyone can afford to go on a solo travel to have fun. Calculate the fuel you will use from Abuja to Sokoto, to Lagos, to Kano, to Niger, to Abia and all the states in Nigeria. I'm sure you know that's not a small amount that just anyone's wallet will cover for. So, by the time all those calculations are done, including food, miscellaneous and the likes you will think twice if you're really going to have fun or not or if you won't return from the so-called fun to regretting that you embarked on it.
Also, we can't but mention the roads. We actually have some very good roads, but there are a lot that are bad. Some potholes that can swallow a whole car and the likes. So, the damage that will do to a car and the money to fix it is another thing to consider.
As a Nigerian, this things are what we see and know. I can say they are lived realities, so before anyone should even think on embarking on such he or she will think well. Some of us wouldn't even think about it, somebody like me will just wave it off and not even give it a second thought.
Assuming things are better in the country and prices of things is not on the high side and there's no issue of insecurity too, it will definitely be worth it. But with this present situation, I can't. It would have been so lovely to visit all those places I've only seen on TV and the Internet. But at the moment, I need to be safe, that way I will be able to see and do all of that when things get better. Right now, traveling feels more like a risk.
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Images are mine.
Thanks for taking your time to read through.