Many Nigerians have exhibited preference for the vehicle number plates of some states, even while they are residing elsewhere.Rotimi Ige, in separate interviews with some vehicle owners, reports on the reasons behind this preference.As Daniel Fadairo, an insurance broker, approached a police checkpoint on his way back to his hotel room from a conference in Kano State, his heart skipped a beat. His car was a good one, no doubt, a Mercedes C-class convertible and his papers were up-to-date. Mr Fadairos concern is one that has become a source of worry to many Nigerians; the home state on their vehicle number plates. According to him, he had been told by many that ones number plate determined, to a large extent, the response of individuals and especially security outfits across the country.In 1992, the Federal Goverment of Nigeria authorised the issuance of new number plates which bore the names of the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The idea was welcomed by the entire populace and the states. The number plates carried the themes of the state to promote and publicise their cultural heritage. States like Oyo bore the motto Pacesetter State, Lagos; Centre of Excellence, Niger; Power State, OsunState of the living spring among others.However, as time passed, it was observed that preference for some particular number plates became the order of the day with more Nigerians showing particular interests for number plates of states like Lagos, Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Delta, to mention a few.According to the motor licencing agents nationwide, the demand for Lagos and Abuja number plates has been ever increasing despite the fact that most of the requests do not come from individuals who live in the said states. They claim that these cities are perceived to be rich cities where the affluent reside and because of this, the public have agood opinion of any car that is seen bearing any of these states number plates and because of these, security agents, especially the police, do not harass them. But how true is this beliefIt has also been alleged that Nigerians go as far as choosing the type of cars that would bear the preferred number plates, such that only their best cars would bear them.But then, the question on the lips of other Nigerians, who do not share the ideology behind this preference is, What is in a number plateMrs Tola Agbede, an educationist, said that the preference for a particular states number plate could be attributed to inferiority complex. She acknowledged that the plates were meant for mere identification purposes only and nothing more. She stressed that choosing a particular states number plate over another amounted to vanity and nothing else.Said she, Why should any right thinking person prefer one states number plate over the other. What is so special about it Our people just like to indulge in vain things. Is it because they feel that smaller or less populated states are not easily recognised Maybe they feel that if they are seen in posh cars with Lagos number plates for instance, an onlooker would be impressed. They are so wrong. It is the car that is important jo, she argued.According to some critics, the states number plate on any particular vehicle could make or mar you. This is because, for instance, Lagos and Abuja, being the former and present capitals of the nation, make them residential abodes for wealthy industrialists and government officials and because of this, cars with plates bearing these states are often considered to belong to big men who should not be disturbed. For this reason, at police checkpoints for instance, the plates are specially considered and are allowed easy passage.Mr Tope Akinolas testimony corroborates this claim. In a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, the medical doctor narrated his story. I was going back home one day from work, when I was flagged down at one of the numerous checkpoints along Iwo road where I resides. The car in my rear was a Toyota Camry with Abuja number plates. Immediately the policemen sighted the car, they started hailing the occupant saying Oga, bless us abeg, boys de hungry. Give us Abuja mint.Luckily for them, they were rewarded with N100. As I approached them with my Kwara number plate, I noticed that one of the policemen, upon sighting my plates, ordered me to park. After checking my papers and finding them in order, he asked me to bless them. When I told him I had no change, he changed his tone. He started interogating me, asking what a Kwara State registered car was doing in Ibadan, Oyo State, saying that it was odd. That question took me by suprise, Akinola said.Miss Temitayo Olayinka, a fashion consultant, said that the myth behind number plates was part of the Nigerian mentality of wrong perceptions. Said she, How can anyone think that one number plate is superior to another It is common knowledge that people see cars bearing the popular plates as vehicles of the elite. But the question is, Is it really true If true, then robbers would only choose to steal such cars because it would ease their movements, since the special number plates are given special attention. I think that a majority of Nigerians need to be re-orientated purposely on vehicle registration. It is only a procedure, simple.However, Busola Adekoya, a business woman, thinks differently. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, she said that the branding of some particular plates as specialwas not exaggerated. She emphasised that Nigerians liked to feel good about everything about them and as these states were exceptional states, in terms of economic and social statuses, a lot of individuals wanted to be associated with them.She cited an example that despite the high population and expensive lifestyle of Lagos and Abuja, a lot of people still beseige these cities in search of greener pastures and urged people not to read any deep meaning to it.A policeman, who preferred anonymity, debunked the claim that they gave special treatment to some particular states number plates. Though, he accepted that Lagos, Abuja, Delta and Kano plate numbers were somewhat more acceptable to Nigerians but stressed that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had no reason whatsoever to give such plates preference. He warned road users not to expect any special treatment else they would be disappointed.
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