‘And whilst the city beats us with all this frustration it also luls us enough into believing we’ll be the person who’ll finally change it for the better.’
Our voice of the city this week is Mojisola Adegbile, a molecular biologist, who loves to bake and listen to house music but not necessarily at the same time.
Voices of the City is a weekly feature that spotlights the everyday lives of our citizens, living and working in the city. By asking the same five questions to all our interviewees, we discover not only how our experiences of the city differ, but also what we share. It is a daunting task to try and capture the diverse experiences of our city’s inhabitants, but we feel that it is a worthy, and necessary, endeavour, in order to better understand the present and future of our city.
This week we meet Mojisola Adegbile, a molecular biologist living in Lagos. She is also a wannabe DJ and an avid photographer who owns a pink bicycle, has a passion for baking cakes and loves house music.
Question: What about Lagos inspires you the most?
The hustle. Everyone has their own little side business going on. And even if you don’t currently, you will eventually.
Q: Do you have a secret space or place that you enjoy in the city?
I have one of each as a matter of fact. Foreshore Harbours in Ikoyi has been my secret space for a few months now. When I need to clear my head, unwind or I just want to witness a beautiful sunset it’s my go-to spot.
On the other side of “the Island” is a place called Lekki Conservation Centre. It’s tucked away but is the closest I’ve come to experiencing paradise in Lagos. There are few feelings greater than those of freedom and peace. Lekki Conservation grants them both, with the bonus of life-sized Ludo and space to play with my Frisbee.
Q: What was the last exciting event you attended in the city?
Neorama in July 2015. It reinforced my belief that if you look hard enough you can find amazing house music DJs in this city. That night probably featured the strongest house music set I have ever witnessed since moving to Nigeria a year ago by DJs Maestro and BHVR.
Q: What frustrates you about the city?
Its snake-like charm. You move here, live here, work here knowing that so much of what we are surrounded by is wrong. The state of government, infrastructure, healthcare, education, archaic beliefs, etc… And whilst the city beats us with all this frustration it also luls us enough into believing we’ll be the person who’ll finally change it for the better.
You find yourself trapped in the life-long love-hate relationship with this town called Lagos.
I also lament about the lack of McDonalds chicken nuggets.
Q: You can have dinner with one person living or dead. Who is it and why?
Michael Palin, best known as being 1/6th of Monty Python. Comedian, travel writer, world’s nicest man. Dinner with him would not only be guaranteed to be a hilarious experience, it would also be insightful and inspiring.
This interview was done by Nothing to do in Lagos and Future Lagos
For more Lagos voices: Lola Adefope, Papa Omotayo, Oyindamola Fakeye, Medina Dugger, Dolapo Adejuyigbe