MOBKILISHI HOLIDAY JAM
An account of a day fueled by movement, community, and shared energy
As the holiday season began to set in, people across the city prepared to create moments worth remembering. The MOBKILISHI gang was no exception. On December 20th, 2025, a community-driven BMX gathering brought together members of the Lagos BMX Crew and riders from across the wider BMX ecosystem in Nigeria for what became the MOBKILISHI HOLIDAY JAM—a relaxed yet deeply meaningful session at the Lagos Encourage Park.
The event unfolded less like a conventional program and more like what it truly was: a communal convergence rooted in shared culture, movement, and presence. It wasn’t structured by rigid timelines or formalities, but by energy, connection, and a mutual love for the sport.
Through sustained rallying and goodwill, MOBKILISHI provided essential support that helped cater to the riders, ensuring food and basic needs were met throughout the session. Additional support came from individuals such as Temitope Matthew, popularly known as StarboyBMX, with coordination efforts handled collaboratively. I played a role in directing and organising certain aspects of the gathering, helping things flow smoothly where structure was needed while still preserving the organic nature of the jam.
As with any authentic community experience, the day was not without its imperfections. There were moments of friction and visible gaps in coordination—from the challenge of properly aligning the group, to recurring funny behavioral patterns that continue to surface, to lapses in time management and accountability. These were not flaws that overshadowed the experience, but reminders of the work still needed in building a more disciplined, self-aware, society and environmentally responsible community. Despite these shortcomings, none were significant enough to diminish the overall value of what was created. The collective effort resulted in something genuinely memorable. Some riders received hand-me-downs as informal Christmas gifts, everyone enjoyed shared meals and many spent the night at the park, myself included—transforming it from a facility into what one would call a lived-in cultural space.
The night also included content creation for StarboyBMX, capturing drift footage intended for his showcase ahead of the AUTOFEST event scheduled for the following day at the Marina Car Park, adjacent the UBA Bank and Marina Market.
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Beyond the riding and camaraderie, the event once again highlighted important conversations around space management and sustainability. As part of my coordinating role, I consistently encouraged environmental responsibility—ensuring waste was properly disposed off and the park remained clean throughout and after the event. These efforts align with broader developmental conversations I continue to advocate for, particularly around infrastructure planning and long-term usability.
One recurring concern observed was the design of the waste bins within the park. The current bins are not perforated, causing them to retain rainwater during the wet season, which leads to waterlogged waste and unsanitary conditions. These issues have been raised but are yet to reach the appropriate LASPARK channels. They point to a broader pattern: decisions made without sufficient consultation with active users of the space, and a tendency to prioritise assumptions over lived experience. This gap highlights a larger challenge—the undervaluing of practical, user insight in the management of public recreational infrastructure.
By the following morning, just past 8:12 a.m., riders were already back on their bikes, making use of the park once again. I personally did not ride much, as my BMX requires some readjustment. Given my approach to both sport and work, I prioritise ensuring my equipment is properly set up before pushing physical limits, reducing the risk of preventable injury.
Overall, the MOBKILISHI HOLIDAY JAM was a meaningful community moment: imperfect, alive, collaborative, and sincere. It reflects both the resilience of the BMX community and the ongoing need for better-informed systems to support and sustain spaces like this in the long term.
You should come witness one of these jams, someday.
