Please put some water in your mouth so you can spit it out
Hi, <<First Name>>,
It is just 2020 and so much has happened.
Welcome to Nigeria.
There will be problems, but there will be no solutions. Instead, we will bring forward newer problems.
This newsletter will take about 3 minutes to consume.
Okada ban & the mediocrity of the Sanwo-Olu government
If you thought the very articulate candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu would become governor of Lagos and then proceed to ghost on everybody while also bringing forward horrid policies, you were right.
State authorities cited overcrowding and safety in Nigeria as reasons for the okada ban. But, the kicker is - Lagos with its over 22 million residents does not have good enough public transportation. The state government through a terribly worded infographic stated “chaos and disorderliness” and “scary figures” of fatal accidents were their reasons for the okada ban.
Companies such as Max.ng, Oride and Gokada have been aiming to capitalize on the congested Lagos roads and the city’s teeming population to expand their operations. In the last year, the three companies together raised over $100 million in investment for operations in Lagos and Nigeria. While they can move to other markets like Ogun and Oyo state, there is the lingering distaste about investments wiped out through bad policy decisions.
As a candidate, Sanwo-Olu spoke about consolidating the work done by the mobility-tech companies in reducing the burden of traffic on the road. He also spoke about listening to the electorate. Both things, he has failed at.
But, there are several new problems. The bus network in Lagos is still faulty. The traffic problem in the city still exists - now, it will get worse, fewer bikes and kekes will mean more vehicles on the road. There is also the security implication of the ban for women who will now have to walk home late at night.
The government of Lagos definitely does not care for poor people, but by aligning itself with mediocre people perhaps not fit for the role, the government of Lagos definitely insults residents and the electorate. The now deleted tweets by the communications team of the state government betray any intelligence the government might posture to have. The lack of awareness by the government's economic team and ministry of transport and urban planning betrays any real interest in the quality of life of residents or future ability to attract investors.
It’s Monday tomorrow. Get ready because you will trek.
Coronavirus in Lagos? Not yet. Also, don’t be as scared.
Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health of Lagos State shows what happens when you put competent people in government.
The Lagos state government advised all travelers returning from China or exposed to travelers from China or countries where cases of the virus have been reported to self-quarantine on their arrival in Lagos.
The World Health Organization figures show just 2,014 patients had been struck down with the SARS-like infection by Sunday, January 26. The number rose dramatically to 7,087 by the 29th of January, with cases in the US, Australia and Canada. As well as a dramatic increase in cases of the never-before-seen virus, figures also show the number of deaths have spiralled. So far, at least 304 people in China have died from the virus, which has infected more than 14,500 worldwide - mostly in China.
According to Professor Abayomi, the government has reached an agreement with the Chinese embassy in Nigeria to quarantine all those returning to Lagos from the Asian country to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus in Lagos.
In Wuhan, the coronavirus infected are trying to spread the disease by deliberately spitting at health care workers.
Stay safe! But also remember that China and the Chinese are NOT the virus and shouldn't be discriminated against because of it. This is not an excuse to be racist. Thanks
President Trump extends travel ban to Nigeria
When it rains, it pours. Sometimes, it’s blessings. In Nigeria, it is suffering.
The Trump administration has banned immigration from Nigeria - Africa’s most populous nation, and three other countries in an expansion of its policy blocking travel from seven other nations.
The good news? You can still go to the US on the regular visitor B1/B2 visa.
The bad news? You can’t immigrate to the US. This probably also means you can’t get a job in the US. You see, the HB1 visa is a work visa, but it is also an immigrant visa. So, techies from Nigeria to the US might be unable to go.
Please put some water in your mouth so you can spit it out.
According to a twitter user with diplomatic sources, the US government had discussions with Abuja for two years over passport control, issuance and security around immigration. And six months ago, it told diplomats that Nigeria was going to be banned.
BUT WE DID NOTHING! Very nice, very active
Stuff we can’t get into but you should
IFC Delists Nigeria from Top 5 Investment Destinations in Emerging Africa - Basically, don’t bring your money to Nigeria
The land borders are still closed - Prices are up, but the government has still shut down the border.
Recommended Reads
The Cut explores why some of us can't seem to commit to a hubby. "A good sign I’m not doing especially well, anxiety-wise is when I decide, impulsively, that I am “getting really into” an activity I’ve either never done before, or never managed to stick to". Same, sis.
Want to make sense of migration? Ask the people who stayed behind. About Nigeria's illegal migration, sex-slavery and why people still choose to leave, even when they're well aware of the potential dangers (plural).
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