These two videos about Lagos-the largest city in Africa behind Cairo-tell two very different stories. They are both completely true and paint Nigeria as having polar opposites. One night at a restaurant in Lagos I sat down and introduced myself to a table of three white women. I was so curious to see who they were and what their business was in the mega city. We were on Victoria Island at the time. When I mentioned how I had gone to visit a friend in Yaba the other day and was staying in Surulere, the women couldn’t believe it. “We aren’t allowed to leave the island,” one of them said, adding how her driver said the mainland was unsafe. If I can ride an okada in Ojota, I’m pretty sure this woman’s driver can take her across the Third Mainland Bridge.
These videos show two distinct yet inseparable ways of life in Lagos. It’s hard to see such extreme poverty next to lavishness. As Lagos keeps growing by the millions, where will people go? I think the city of Lagos itself needs its own “population commission” to answer these questions and plan sustainable solutions. I hope to be part of the planning to see Lagos grow in a smart way.
Dear Chief,
With all due respect, I’d lie to disagree with you on why we seem to be playing catch up. Yes we were set back by the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but the core cause of our problems today has more to do with our selfish and clueless leaders, and the condoning attitude of the average Nigerian, who don’t seen to understand or are willing to fight for their rights.
Kudos to Titi for all her work.
Cara, where can I find the video of the impressive part of Lagos? It won’t show when I click on it. It says it has been blocked by iroko or something.
wow.. nice take.. another video of lagos http://africamars.com/watch/111
Cara, the diference is clear. You have the opportunity to be all you can be in this country. You CHOOSE to pack your bag and head for down to the Yoruba Kingdom. Such things are not possible for the avg African.
If you care to dig further, you will find the root cause goes back 400 years of set back caused by the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. But I don’t want to say that is the sole cause – but a major factor. We are playing catchup in all fronts.
The story of Black Africa reminds me of the American Revolution. The forefathers of this country came here because they got tired of being subjects of a bloody kingdom called Great Britain. They got it mostly right, obviously! Along the way came the Boston Tea Party, the Wild Wild West, the civil war of 1861 (which we now know was not all about abolition of slave trade), and the World Wars. Even your city (Chicago), in the mid 20th century, used to be ruled by a gentleman called Al Capone!
It is not yet time for Africa. That time will come. And you may have to apply for your visa five years ahead:)
On a personal note, I am teaching my 5 year old son Yoruba her in America – tough sledding – but he is getting it
Great post Titi. First of all, I admire you for refusing to be a stereotypical ignorant American that the world believes is all that exists in America. I am sure you have also found that the fear mongering perpetuated by the Fox news crowd about how Americans are hated all over the world (apparently because everyone is jealous of Americans). I am sure you have found that it is ignorance that is laced with a generous dose of arrogance that the world hates.
Thanks for this post. I grew up in Lagos and I visit from New York as much as I can because my parents still live there and it is forever home for me. I have never been to Ajegunle in my entire life and I am not the only upper middle class Lagos person that has never been to those parts of town.
Yes, I agree with MrVictory+ that economic dichotomy is a global phenomenon but in Lagos, it is pronounced. There is the top 5% who are rich, the next 5% who are surviving and everyone else (This is based on a hunch rather than empirical analyses of course). Why do we as Nigerians get offended when these realities are pointed out? Why do we get defensive? Why are we not trying to figure out how to resolve these issues?
Thanks again Cara. I am a fan.
Ten years ago while visiting the States, I traveled from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Minneapolis, Minnesota by Greyhound bus.
An astounding adventure of four days (round trip) that saw me traverse such significant locales as Nashville, Paducah (Kentucky), Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, Madison and Lacrosse (both Wisconsin) and meet a spectrum of individuals.
There are two Americas too. Duality abounds globally.
About me: born and raised in Kaduna, Nigeria. Of Ghanaian, Igbira, and Ibibio heritage. I can speak Hausa (but can’t write/read it – Titilayo you’ve inspired me to become literate in that sense. Thanks).
And Omo-Titi, if you wan, I fit dey buga broken anytime wen man-pikin bin drop line. Dat way, you fit dey sabe pidgin small-small. Toh Titilayo, make you dey maintain, dey obtain, dey endeavor: jeh-jeh.
I could barely watch the first video…seeing pictures of African poverty is too common for my liking.
Sanu Mr Victory, Hausa is easy to read and write once you can speak it. Ka zo ka duba blog dinna a hausanigerian.blogspot.com, I can help you practice.
Sai anjima
i had a feeling…the first video would be british and the second video would be nigerian made. sure enough. i wasn’t surprised to find i was right.
Dear Amoke,
What has the producers of each video got to do with the issues raised? Regardless of your apparent misgivings about the motives of the ‘British’ producers, the fact is clear, failure of governance and lack of visionary leadership has brought not just Lagos, but the entire catastrophe called Nigeria to where it is today, so leave the ‘British’ producer out of the matter and talk to the Nigerian politicians… Shikena
Akpoti!!!!!
hymmmnn if nothing is done to curb population explosion, upgrade of infrastructure, employment and a decent life…crime rate will multiply and people will wake up mopre early to get to work like say 3am cos of terrible traffic…more automobile and yet no road expansion or new construction like over head bridgex etc
This all boiul down to great corruption in the high places by government officials
Very candid yet insightful post as usual Cara!
You summed it up perfectly with this line..
“It’s hard to see such extreme poverty next to lavishness. As Lagos keeps growing by the millions, where will people go?”
Cara…that is nuts! Whoa! Had no idea! And 15 million people…
Great post! Hugs, Michele