Tobi Ijalana
The essence of the Third Mainland Bridge is bound to become more real from July 24 when the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, will partially close it for repairs.
The state government is providing alternative routes but fears of further intra-city disruptions loom in the minds of many Lagosinas who cannot imagine a Lagos without the Third Mainland Bridge.
The situation brings back to memory a poetic tribute to the bridge, by ace performance poet, Akeem Lasisi.
Simply titled ‘Third Mainland Bridge’, it was first published in Phenomenal Lagos: 50 Monuments in the Centre of Excellence, which Lasisi co-authored with Kabir Garba.
THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE
But for unbridled adventure,
And the ingenuity of the human brain
Whoever can walk on a roaring sea
Carrying on his head
A thousand tons of iron ore?
Third Mainland Bridge,
Your place is sure in our hall of fame:
On a dreadfully silent hydrosphere,
You stand like a soldier on concrete feet
A resilient umbilical cord, you connect the mainland and island with ease
One enigmatic soul,
Bridging the uneven economics of the city folk
Ka-na-ko:
Memory of a legendary charm,
You shorten the journey to the Lagos dream.
