#OKADABAN: How To Avoid Being Late To Work/Appointments.

Monday, 3rd Feb, 2020

If you reside or work in Lagos, this is the guide to surviving the recently imposed #OkadaBan you've been looking for.

 

Recently, the Lagos State government moved to restrict the operations of commercial motorbikes, famously known as Okada (and tricycles), and as many may have expected and experienced so far, mobility has been largely restricted for commuters within the state.

 

Although the fallback effects of the ban is still in its early stages, the ban is expected to go on for a while, unless the authorities decide rescind the policy soon.

 

That said, the importance of being punctual to work, meetings and appointments cannot be overstated. Being on time matters; it matters a lot.

 

There are many negatives that go along with being late for appointments or work and we’d rather help you avoid them. This is exactly why we decided to put together a survival kit of sort. We hope you find this helpful.

 

Below you’ll find 16 tips to help you survive this period.

 

1. Get prepared on time. Leave very early.

This is one of the keys to surviving this period. The night before, do the following:

• - Choose the clothes that you’re going to wear and lay them out.
  
  
• - Pack your briefcase and leave it by the door.
  
  
• - Make your breakfast — one idea is to cut up some fruits, put them in a container, and store the container in the fridge.
  
  
• - Prepare for meetings long beforehand. At least an hour before the meeting, gather all of the materials that you’ll need and place them on a corner of your desk or on a chair.
  
  
• - Always be prepared to be on time.

 

2. Give yourself a time cushion.

Estimate how long the journey will ordinarily take you and add a couple of hours to it. Give yourself some extra time in case of unexpected events. It’s a given that things are probably not going to run smoothly 100% of the time.

 

3. Be safety conscious and alert when moving around, especially in the early hours of the morning. If possible, move around in groups.

 

4. Make friends with a car-owner (colleagues or neighbours) who live close to you.

 

5. Think other alternatives: BRT, Danfo, ride-hailing platforms, O’Horse.

 

6. Consider buying a bicycle 

 

7. Be prepared to wait at the bus-stop for some time.

 

8. Always maintain a humble posture and a smiling face at the bus-stop. A free car ride is just one smile away.

 

9. Wear comfy shoes or carry an extra pair of footwear in your bag. If possible, wear casual clothes and change when you get to work.

 

10. If you would be getting to work or a meeting late, call your HR or contact person ahead.

 

11. Keep a handkerchief handy. 

 

12. Use a timer to stay conscious of time.

 

13. Move around with enough cash because of spontaneous fare hikes, so as not to be stranded.

 

14. Avoid overextending yourself by scheduling too many appointments around the same time.

 

15. Set up reminders for meetings hours ahead.

Set up a reminder for meetings and appointments an hour before you have to leave. Also, set up another reminder for fifteen minutes before you have to go. That way, you can time yourself so that you’re ready to leave on time.

 

16. Don’t keep using the ban as an excuse to always get to wait late. Work Smart. Be Proactive. 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

Everyone already knows that living in Lagos can be stressful, and surviving this period could prove to become more than a handful. Use the tips above to successfully manage your movements and ensure you stay as productive as can be at what you do despite the ban.