Transition From Boole Kaja To Molue And Socio- Cultural Transformation.

Reminiscening The Transition of the Kings of Road, Boole kaja and Molue Buses.

Boole Kaja or Mammy Wagon and Molue were the major public transports accustomed with the people of Western region in the 60s through 90s.The two public transports were very symbolic and created different mental pictures or images and they played significant roles in social interactions.The two were accustomed with the masses and they have their areas of operation.They were made in Nigeria. View of people about these commercial bus differ.To some it is bizarre, unfriendly and to some it is an avenue to catch fun, exchange ideas,share experiences,tell tales that stimulate laughter.

Boole Kaja or Mammy Wagon was the first kind of school bus that African Church Grammar School Abeokuta used in the 60s/70s to convey students to and fro the state and outside the state. It was a form of home- made bus commonly in use in Nigeria and Ghana.It was often characterized with fun and comical gestures as travelers chant jokes, tell stories and share experiences about love, marriage, war, prominent warlords,politicians and economy.

History has it that the legendary driver of African Church Grammar School, Mr Benjamen Ayinla Oduntan aka “Baba Bose” drove the bus up to Benin Republic for 35 years without recording any accident.
Afronews also gathered that Macjob, Onikolobo Abeokuta, Premier Grammar School,Lafenwa, Lisabi Grammar School,Idi – Aba among others used the Boole Kaja van.

After Boole Kaja Van another controversial bus that appear indomitable especially in the city of Lagos was the ‘Molue’.The advancement and appearance of the giant bus created a sense of humour and fear to passers- by, passengers and other motorist on the road. It was the Fashola/ Ambode’ administration that abrogated the operation of the indomitable ‘Molue’ and that ushered in the EKO/BRT bus.

One noticeable socio- cultural transformation between the era of Booleka to the era of Eko/BRT bus is that people’s attitudes begin to change for better. When you take good observation of the relationship that exist between the driver and the conductor, passengers and conductors, driver and passengers,passengers and passengers, it was characterized with fury,intimidation, distrust,discord,manipulation,fear,indecent exchange of words or mannerisms coupled with the need to be extra- careful and conscious of the person next to you.Even when your neighbor seems to be showing some caring attitudes or gestures,you are always careful or suspicious of dubious or fraudulent manipulation or bewitchment and theft.

When going out to an important function and you intend to go out with a beautifully gorgeous cloth, especially Satin, Jacquard or Silk fabric in a ‘Molue’, it is very certain that if you are not careful,you will return home with torn cloth.
When you go out in a Molue bus,you wear the face of hostility, brutality and you keep that gentility and modesty mannerisms or what is often referred to as ‘Omoluabi’ characters because it was an haven of rascality,hostile alertness, discomfort.You need no one to tell you this because the wild look of the driver and conductor(s) provides you with enough information.A typical Lagosian in those days knows that as soon as he/ she boarded the Molue,there is the urgent need to suspend all sense of civility and gentility and embrace hostile and wild look which are perfect rule of the journey. You gain entrance into Molue with haste and discomfort and you have to repeat the same gesture when alighting.It is either you are lifted in to the bus when you meet the conductor in an ‘Omoluabi’ mood during the rainy hour but during the rush hour, it is Push – me – I – another or you jump in or down depending on the prevailing circumstances as at the time. For you to catch up with Molue,you must be a good runner because the driver will never stop at the point where passengers were to pick them up,he will allow them to do a bit of running.This sometimes appear tiring, frustrating and full of fun.

The experience or the game of push -me- I -push- you or push – me – I push- another mechanism is another bitter but funny experiences but these have been redesigned and modified with the face- out of Molue from the city of Lagos and the introduction of Eko/BRT buses.

The relationship between driver,conductor and passengers has been cordial and mutual since the introduction of these commercial buses.Drivers and conductors are now in modest, attractive and appreaciable look and appearance and this has greatly improved driver- conductor and passenger relationship.The relationship is now serenely sane and safe.No more destructive or endangered rush and push.There is orderliness and procedural execution plans,mode of operation, movement,carriage and discharge or unboardiment of passengers characterized with communal tranquility,mutual social engagement, interactions, exchange of socio- cultural affinity and difference for an improved peaceful co-exitence.

COMMENTS

Yes o we have the same bus like this at LAFROGRAMS ,Ifako Agege those days 1971/73 for going for school debate inter-house sports, that’s remind of Mr Olorunisola, and our principal Mr Majekodunmi.- T K Oluwa

Government Secondary School, Ilorin. Kwara State also had her own share of the same type of vehicle; Bolekaja in the olden days. We met it in 1972. Thanks very much. – Mumini Onagun

Boole kaja eru. means.. come down, to offload goods-Hassan Ghani Kehinde

Ibadan Boys’ High School also had it’s first Bolekaja bus in 1973, and I was one of the first students that travelled out of Nigeria to Benin Republic and Togo with our French Mistress Mrs Oyebanji of blessed memory alongside other students like Ayodele Ogunlela,Senukon Harrison,Segun Adekunle etc- Deji Abdul Ayodeji

The vehicle was used mostly by western region then, but can travel to any pat of the country- Gabriel Ali

Yes. My father drove the school bus, known as boole- kaje then. Thank God. Baba Bose is healthy till today.
91yr old baba never forget, he’s still telling us the past principals he worked with, being alive or dead.
K’Olorun Lora emi baba fun wa.
Thank you Mr. Adigun, kudos to Afro grams students. Mrs. Akhalumhe.’Bunmi nee Oduntan

Awesome . I met it then in school . Confirm story.

E jeki a kan Sara fun ise to farabale se ,ti ko si ni abawon.
Baba Bose, awon Omo yii a gba ere re O.

Lisabi grammar school also used the agbarigo- Yusuf Adegboyega