“Children of a lesser God” is a metaphor used to describe marginalized or misunderstood people—like the deaf protagonist in Mark Medoff’s 1979 play and 1986 film.
The phrase originally comes from Alfred Tennyson’s 1859 poem Idylls of the King, where it describes a world degraded by war. It implies that if a supreme, perfect God created the privileged and the able-bodied, then those who suffer, are marginalized, or have disabilities were seemingly created by a “lesser” god.
The line in Idylls of the King, reads thus:
“For why is all around us here
As if some lesser god had made the world”.
I have come to the belief that the Okada operators of Calabar, are not wrongly targeted, neither are they criminalized by the Cross River State Government, for daring to eke out a living using their motorcycles. During their organised protest of Tuesday, July 5, 2026 and their consequential clash against the State Security Outfit, “Operation Okwok”, they dared to use unsavory words on the person of Governor Bassey Edet Otu. And the insults were rendered in one of the non-indigenous languages in my state, for the umpteenth time-to my chagrin.
Watching this debacle and the desperate attempts by some Government Officials to placate some of these subversive renegades, worsened my Calabar rains/flood-induced melancholy. I am therefore, inclined and obliged to shed more light on the ban of commercial motorcyclists (Okada) in Calabar (Calabar South and Calabar Municipality), so that we could be properly informed. It is for the greater good of our people. And they should stop playing the victim, because the law of the land does not select or distribute, but is applied equally across the gamut of our society.
Between Governors Donald Duke (1999-2007), Liyel Imoke (2007-2015), Ben Ayade (2015-2023) and Bassey Otu (2023-2031), the ban of Okada had been introduced, implemented and sustained for the following reasons:
Counter-Terrorism, Reduction of Night Crimes, Improved Traffic Security, Preventing Incessant Road Accidents, Prevention of Robbery Incidents, Environmental Pollution and Social Dislocation of People.
Since it was difficult to regulate commercial motorcycle (Okada) operators in Calabar, the State Government insisted on a mode of transportation that meets international best practices. This action was meant to enhance Calabar (Cross River State at large) as a Tourist Destination in Nigeria. So the Okada was banned.
Banning Okada in Calabar, was only implemented after exhaustive consultations with the operators, the various transport unions and stakeholders. But they (operators) later rioted and disrupted socio-economic activities in Calabar. Reason prevailed when the government stood firm and ordered the enforcement of the directive.
However, when Governor Imoke sought to consolidate the Okada ban directive in 2007, the same operators rioted again. They disrupted the socio-economic life in Calabar for three days (and even attacked a Police station). Governor Imoke, while insisting on a total ban of Okada in Calabar, compassionately, provided an alternative solution. The government provided the necessary backing for them to be able to acquire new forms of transportation – taxis and buses – and established a Cooperative structure. Since the operators’ major concern was “loss of income”, two transport companies were procured for the laudable task (one of them was Pronto Taxi company) and the process was supervised by Mr Dodeye Arikpo and Mr Gabe Okulaja. A total sum of 1.3 billion naira, was expended to realize this.
Though this innovation had initial hiccups, it was successful.
The lesson here is that, as long as a government directive or initiative is to prevent the wanton loss of lives and properties, people would eventually accept it without much resistance. Therefore, playing the victim and consistently laying blame on the Cross River state Government over the ban of Okada is malicious, unfair and unreasonable. They are, obviously, not the “Children of a lesser god”.
Albeit, between 2015-2023, due to the cavalier nature and manner of handling and managing state issues, affairs and policies, the Okada ban initiative was negated and neglected. Crime went to an all time high in not only Calabar, but the whole of Cross River State. The Okada literally ran amok and had a field day in disrupting people’s lives. Our predicament was further exacerbated due to subsequent ban of Okada in far and neighboring states (especially Akwa Ibom state), as they sought refuge in Calabar (Cross River State). Our Tourism potentials dwindled and the previous gains deteriorated and were almost reversed.
We know that one of the cardinal duties of the Government as enshrined in the Nigeria Constitution 1999(as amended), is the protection of lives and property. So, when Governor Bassey Otu (2023-2031), assumed duties, he promptly banned Okada in Calabar, “after due consultation with security chiefs to ensure the state is safe and secured. The governor directed that anyone found going against the order would have his motorcycle impounded.”
However, the Governor’s directive came with a human face, he increased the Okadas areas of concessional operation to cover some borderline communities within the City (inside the Calabar urban area); 8 miles, Ekorinim, Egerton, Satellite town, Edim-Otop, Ayanganse, amongst others. But the Governor’s benevolent actions are met with a group of migrant and refugee Okadas who have proclivity for mischief, malice and pure evil. This attitude cannot be allowed to fester, at least in the interest and safety of our people.
The bizarre attitude of some of the commuters, ignorantly supporting these recalcitrant operators is worrisome. When one considers the number of our citizens who are sent daily to government and native orthopedic hospitals, due to the reckless attitude of some of the operators, you would understand the psychological concept called the “Stockholm Syndrome.” This is described as, “Falling in love with your traducer—is a complex psychological phenomenon driven by trauma bonding, intermittent reinforcement, and the brain’s confused response to high stress survival dynamics.”
Therefore, expressing empathy for deviant behaviour and blaming the Government, is misplaced, ab initio. In the context of the positive gains from ban of Okada in Calabar, for the general good of our citizens, Governor Bassey Otu is right and for those whining and ranting, their narration is untrue, they are really “No Children of a lesser God”.
Rt. Hon.(Chief) Orok Otu Duke Ph.D
Duke Town�
