In front of Ikeja Police Headquarters today, my car swerved out of the road, and out of my control.
The Thursday morning drive through the Ibadan-Lagos expressway was without any hitch even with my decent 120km/hr. smooth run. I would feel an unusual vibration from the front wheel on the driver’s side. The wheel would shake the car vigorously, then stop; and repeat again. The shake-up I ascribed to the rough and uneven road.
I increased my speed.
A few minutes later, I exited the expressway towards Bola Ahmed Tinubu Housing Complex in Alausa, drove through the Lagos State Government secretariat buildings, went deeper into Obafemi Awolowo way, turned left at the roundabout under the Awolowo Bridge, and passed by the ever-busy Computer Village into the Ikeja General Hospital area.
My destination was Ikeja GRA.
Again, the vibration came back strongly, and I was wondering what the hell was happening. Then directly in front of the NPF Headquarters, the car served out of the road and I lost control; I stepped sharply on the break then came a disturbingly loud screech that attracted everyone within the 50 meters perimeter. Then the car stopped, decently parking itself out of the road. [I said the car because I’d lost control as the tires were not responding to the steering wheel control from me].
I came down to check. The rod that connected the steering wheel with the tires was let loose, hanging in the middle of nowhere like a hopeless dick – because the nut on the rod that connected the steering wheel to the tires had loosened off.
Sigh.
This fucking Thursday morning.
I cursed under my breath.
Briefly, I reflected on the occurrence and saw how I was helped by God.
First, if this had happened on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway [while I was doing 120km/h], the car would have somersaulted, and, who knows the end game?
Second, it happened in front of Police Headquarters and I was secured from hoodlums taking advantage of me.
Then, the car packed itself away from the main road and caused no obstruction. No single traffic hindrance.
Unbelievably, immediately the screech was heard, a police officer [Idris Mohammed, a Northerner] came around and stood by me all through. He said he didn’t want anyone [LASTMA, Area boys, FRSC] to come and harass me or make any attempt to tow the car away. He even moved around to search for a mechanic and fought his fellow policeman for attempting to harass me. I tried to ‘sort’ him afterward but he refused vehemently. He affirmed he was doing his duty.
Respect sir!
And finally, the car was fixed miraculously.
A guy was driving by and saw me in distress. From his car, he knew the problem. He packed a few meters ahead of me, came out of his car with his work tools and ‘a nut’. He slid under the car and in 15 minutes, he was done. He came out and started moving towards his car. I ran after him to pay but he refused to be paid.
And that was the 5th miracle of the morning.
Thursday,
20th May 2021,
7.30am.
I saw miracles happen.
And my eyes had seen His glory.
#EKO.
