In recent weeks all this talk of large Peugeots, tinted windows, Volkswagens and special licence plates remind me of my days as an Expat in Nigeria.

When I first went out to Lagos I found that the company was expected to supply cars to its senior staff as part of their "dash''. Of course, the cars had to be Peugeots, mostly white with tinted windows; I was expected to be similarly equipped.

My choice was a Peugeot 404, but being a Bermudian I added a twist to the windows, which were of course heavily tinted and in my case bullet resistant.

Needless to say the others followed suit.

My next step was to armour the doors, sand bags back and front and employ a professional driver. Alouisis was an ex major in the Biafran Army, who spoke several dialects, including excellent English. Needles to say, they all followed suit.

One drawback with Alouisis, being from the East, he insisted that I sit in the back, like a proper "Colonial''. This seemed unnecessary, as the windows were so dark no one could see us; I did as I was told.

Later I purchased a 25 year old Volkswagen Beatle for my wife, which had no driver, no tinting, no armour, no sandbags, but did have its original Lagos licence plate LAA30.

One day Alouisis had to borrow the Beatle, as our Peugeot was in the shop.

Much to our surprise and amusement, when we drove past the Dodan barracks, they called out the guard and gave us a very smart "present arms''. The car and the licence plate must have belonged to someone really important, because I can assure you the "scorpions'' an elite army brigade, do not salute anyone, even their own officers.

When we eventually got to the office and I was out of sight, Alouisis just had to tell the others. Needless to say they all took turns to drive my wife's Beatle past Dodan barracks, to receive their own "present arms''.

When I heard about it and it was hard to miss, I took the keys from Alouisis and drove myself, insisting that he sit in the back, like a proper "Colonial''.

The ways of Africa are many, varied and mysterious. I love and respect my Africa, its people, traditions and customs. I also love and respect my Bermuda, its people, traditions and customs; keep the faith.

DOUGLAS C. ROBERTS Sandys Parish Close nightclubs down July 10, 2000 Dear Sir, Out of all the businesses that make up Bermuda's economy, night clubs are the business that contribute no worth or value. What real purpose do night clubs serve? What good does it have on people? There have been numerous fights, murders, and stabbings that have taken place at these types of establishments.

The only effects that they have are those of unclean and impure influences on people. Look at alcohol and cigarettes which is one of the most common and popular products night clubs sell to their customers.

Alcohol causes brain cells to be killed and cigarettes over a period can cause lung cancer and other diseases. The moment someone steps into a night club what type of language does he hear? Only constant profanity and a lot of prating.

Truly Bermuda's economy is diminished by these types of businesses and can do without them. Yes, Bermuda will lose a lot of money if night clubs are closed but it will be upholding a standard that other countries won't be able to compare to. PLP, if you want to make a great change to the Island's culture I strongly urge you to consider this issue. KENNETH MINORS Paget The danger on our roads July 10, 2000 Dear Sir, Is dangerous driving becoming an epidemic? Almost every day I see motorists running red lights and stop signs, passing in the face of oncoming traffic, double parking to chat etc.

Last Thursday, the sixth of July, I was proceeding behind another motorcyclist late in the afternoon, when a Hyundai, license number 19358, passed us in the face of oncoming traffic at a speed I estimate of at least 70 kph. If the oncoming vehicle had not braked there would have been a head-on collision.

I caught up to the Hyundai held up in traffic at Tee Street. The driver, a woman with two passengers, had a cell phone glued to her ear. What is the point of driving like this. This type of driver should be off the road. If a motorist drove end to end in Bermuda, exceeding the limit by 20 kph, without traffic hold ups, the time saved would probably be less then ten minutes. On the short trips most people make is a two minute saving worth it? It is very easy in Bermuda to inadvertently exceed the speed limit especially on a clear stretch of road and the Police know this and target these motorists. But what can be done about the truly dangerous drivers? In most countries, running a red light or stop sign is one of the most serious offences you can commit.

To the woman driver of the Hyundai: If you have a death wish please do not take someone else with you.

RUSSELL EDDY City of Hamilton Not a good example July 08, 2000 Dear Sir, In light of the revelation of the extraordinary number of education officials who have their children in private education, I wonder, whatever happened to the adage "leading by example'' Is it any wonder that government and private sector families became frustrated and followed that example.

BARRETT DILL Devonshire Prevention is the key July 11, 2000 Dear Sir, Living in Africa for many years, this news interests me.

They are having a big conference in Durban on HIV centered on drugs, why not on prevention? I was there a few years ago. I spoke to many African women. They all said there is no way an African man would use a condom. (They're free.) Basically tribal, it would effectively stop having children. Unthinkable. Children are wealth, they sell their daughters and their sons go out to work.

I also spoke to a group of well dressed, well spoken executive-type African men. I asked `would you use a condom?' The answer was -- `would you eat a sweet with the wrapper on?' No answer to that except he had three wives and 15 children.

NORMA POOLEY Pembroke