SM4CC SERIES: ON MAKOKO COMMUNITY

With a population estimated at around seventy to eighty five thousand (70,000 – 85,000) people by various sources, the makoko commune has “being” in existence for over sixty years. I put being in quotations because, depending on what happens, being can become been! Relegated to the past and nonexistent is what would become of this Lagos community – parts of it, parts outside the boundary that is home to at least thirty thousand (30,000) people who have now been displaced.

I cannot claim to be an expert on the issue but, I have being watching (through the internet) events unfold, add that to the fact that I reside close to this community and share rides in buses everyday with members of this commune – schoolchildren clutching notebooks and pencils, women with baskets of fish; smoked, dry and fresh, on their way to the market…I have and would express my right to comment, in so many words.

Makoko is majorly a fishing village, most of it buildings resting on stilts above the Lagos lagoon. The micro economy has survived mostly on fishing and the trade of basic staples, self governing without much interference from government. That is until sometime in 2005, when an evacuation of sorts took place leading to three thousand (3,000) homeless, and again, this moment. The demolition started on the 16th of July, 2012, after giving the settlers a seventy two (72) hour eviction notice.

The government of Lagos claims the ongoing evacuation is done out of the need to protect the people of the community and the state, saying it has become necessary to halt the continuous expansion of the community into the Lagos lagoon with its negative impact on the environment - piling saw dust on the lagoon, discharging wastes in it have caused the lagoon to shrink and also blocked the discharge points for storm water, thereby contributing to the flooding in places like Bariga, Shomolu, Ebute-Metta, Ajegunle and Ikorodu etc. areas of Lagos state.

Following several meetings with leaders of the community and an agreed boundary set, the state government has been working to find solutions to the difficulties the indigenous residents encounter by way of providing basic infrastructure and amenities. But, rather than maintain the established boundary, what has happened over the years is a growth of illegal shanties which have expanded towards the Third Mainland Bridge and underneath the high tension electricity cables across the area.

Claims abound from certain circles that the government is just on a quest to continue the development and beautification of the state, making it appealing for Nigerian businesspeople, tourists and foreign investors. These claims are quite justifiable as a look at government policy and around the state would show, how true they are is what the issue is. Chances are, it is just the work of certain people, like the government alleges, who are taking grants from concerned agencies with false claims of helping the people and community.

So, while the government is in the process of being sued by Felix Morka, the Executive Director of the Social and Economic Rights Centre (SERAC), who doubles as the community's counsel, I sincerely hope it is keeping true to its word by providing the community needed amenities like it has promised. Because, truly, something needed to be done about the community, its condition and inhabitants. It is an “environmental nuisance”, to use the words as contained in the written eviction notice.

The government can also go a step further by providing accommodation for its citizens; these displaced individuals, as soon as possible, temporary if need be till they find their footing. While it is hard to start over, I believe they have what it takes to stand on their own again. Didn’t they build the Makoko community by their selves? All they need is a little support from their government. Better still, like it’s doing with the Eko Atlantic, the government can be innovative and copy the Dutch models for sustainable and eco-friendly water accommodations.

Also, while the government is on its environmental march, I’ll humbly recommend they pass through Lekki, Victoria Island, Ajah, Ibeju etc. as these island areas certainly face more and certain danger from flooding. Shanties also exist in these areas, as environmental nuisances. Now, while they may not be a major cause of floods, they definitely play a role. Appropriate action should be taken lest it be said the government picks on the poor and is a friend to the rich. The secret to these things is to be impartial and diplomatic, a win win situation for everyone, finding that thin line called balance and walking it.

Sources
www.makokoaslum.blogspot.com
www.ibtimes.com
www.dailytimesng.com
Business Day Nigeria

Marry you - Glee.

In secondary school, my mama told us “when the boys say hello, you say hi and you walk away!”. While at the university, she told us “the guys will come and when they do, you choose wisely and focus on your studies”. After my bachelor's it became “YOU HAVE TO GO OUT MORE!!!...May the Lord bless you with a perfect spouse, Amen!”.

I love my mama but she is funny! Not the clown kinda funny, but funny. She is the woman who tries to be funkier by the year but her rules and laws often leave me confused. She isn’t rushing me into marriage; it’s more like she is trying to stamp the idea into my head. I think she is probably scared that the entire world and my father are making me too much of independent woman.

I am not against her rules neither do I think I am too good for marriage. It’s just that the world (more like Africa, especially Nigeria) is finally accepting feminism so it’s still strange to me why some are so anxious to join the wedding trends. There were those times after my undergraduate studies when I heard some were married or getting married and I pondered why - I didn’t and still don’t understand the quest to be married.

I love the idea of being in love but that doesn’t come quite often for me, the truth is it hardly does. The last time I think I was in love (more like a crush) was in secondary school....long story, but some days I think I am still in love with him - I am probably just comfortable using him as my hypothetical lover.

Gone are the days when I thought I would be married by my 25^th. I am not against marriage neither am I so pro-marriage too. The thing is, I feel like I haven’t lived yet, my definition of life isn’t about joining the sky high club or owning a collection of male boxers, no. I am not just ready at the moment. Marriage just seems like an imprisonment and divorce can never be an option.

Some days though, I envy those with companions and crave that too. But I am not going to be the spoilt, sulking wife. I want to be able to understand and be ready to fight for myself,  my husband and children!

It isn’t rocket science that when you marry an African man, especially a Nigerian, your life will never be the same. As Nigerians, once you marry your spouse, you marry his/her entire family - It’s a passage through fire, you either come out refined like steel or destroyed like paper.

Mehn! Some stories I hear of marriage make me grateful for my youth and sometimes, my lack of knowledge, which brings me back to what this is all about, why are the youths rushing into marriage?

I am not for the live-the-married-life-before-the-wedding, but halt a little and think of what you are getting into, and the person you are getting into it with. When time and parents rush you, or when people advise you to settle for less, God isn’t! “I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So, people will probably be eager to state that my ideology will definitely change in some years and IT MIGHT but here and now, I am waiting…

Hi,

Yes I know its Bruno Mars’ song, but I prefer Glee’s cover.

"Don’t let my failed marriage discourage you from marriage." - My friend’s mum.

Warmest regards,

Juanita.

SM4CC SERIES: UNOFFICIAL END RIO+ 20 – OCCUPY RIO+ 20

The last post under the series attempted to summarize what to expect, going forward after the Rio+ 20 conference. That was the official version because while, Brazil played host to various heads of state, government officials and high level representatives, who deliberated and reached various accords and resolutions towards a greener earth, some other “stakeholders” were present and had their own opinions, which had to be heard and were voiced, maybe not in the best possible of ways. They occupied!

It is no longer news that a protest of sort was staged during the Rio+ 20 conference. This protest was led and held by a coalition of NGOs, civil societies, bloggers etc. Searching the internet, I came across a document called People’s Petition, (link is below) which encapsulates some of the ideas and notions behind the protest. Also, below are various links to interesting views and reports of and about the protests.

In Nigeria, the stirrings started when it became news that the president of the nation attended the conference with a delegation of one hundred and sixteen (116) people. Now, it is uncertain if this is true or not as no verifiable source has come forward to lay claim to this fact of the President travelling with sixty three (63) officials from the Ministries of Environment, Foreign Affairs, National Planning and Petroleum Resources, amongst governors, personal aides etc.

While the strong Nigerian delegation might have being impressive, and also considering “…President Jonathan rose to the occasion and spoke passionately, first, about Nigeria’s role in confronting the massive ecological challenges posed by the shrinking of Lake Chad and secondly, about rapid desertification...”, Nigerians were not happy at all! The delegation left the country hours after violence and counter violence had reportedly resulted in over seventy four (74) dead and hundreds injured in the northern part of the country.

“…On Lake Chad, Nigeria is leading the initiative to re-channel the Ubangi River in Central Africa into the Chad Basin under the Inter-Basin Water Transfer scheme. Nigeria has already provided USD5million out of the USD6million required for the feasibility study. In the same manner, to forestall desertification, Nigeria is at the forefront of the Great Green Wall for Sahara Initiative which is an integrated approach to check desertification and depletion of natural resource in the Sahel...”

Despite these strides by Nigeria in global environmental issues, Nigeria still has a lot to deal with. The grievances of the people are many as evidenced by “…I speak for the Nigerian people. The President of Nigeria speaks for the oil companies and private interests…the Nigerian President represents the cabal. You don’t have to be in Rio to make change happen…you can start in Nigeria if you really wanted change…”

While I am quite unsure as to whom represented Nigeria amongst the protesters, what I am sure of is, they were quite a number of protesters from other countries too, who all came together and occupied. An impromptu protest took place at the official venue of the conference. There were speeches, songs and a ritual tearing of the official UN negotiating text by the protesters. The UN paper “the future we want” was rejected and labeled the “the future we bought”.

“…the Rio+20 final document was marked by general frustration, with many voices denouncing its lack of ambition, urgency, and real commitment to the environment. While leaders of nation-states paid lip service to the document, members of civil society and NGOs threatened to remove their support to the final statement...” This, led to the draft of the People’s Petition, amongst others which include a monitoring body made up of youth groups and CSOs.

The people have spoken, and have done so with a loud voice from all over the globe. It is now left to the government, multinationals and all concerned to take heed, as we jointly protect the environment, creating the future WE want and safeguarding it for generations yet unborn.

Sources

1. People's Petiton

2. http://occupywallst.org/article/occupiers-disrupt-closing-press-brief-rio20-earth-/

3. http://occupytheearth.net/index.php/occupy/occupy-rio20

4. azeenarh.wordpress.com

5. www.ynaija.com

Made This Way - Lady Gaga

I had some cousins over last year while they were visiting Nigeria and fortunately or unfortunately, I was decked up in my NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) khaki/ensemble/wear on my way for the weekly CD (Community Development) at the local government. My brash ten-year-old female cousin asked why I had such an ugly outfit on. So feeling like the cool older cousin, I decided to explain what NYSC was all about to the three of them. Still basking in the euphoria of coolness after explaining, I got asked how old I was!

You see, it’s a universally known fact that a lady isn’t asked her age neither does she tell. But I underestimated those little ones and spilled the age which I so guard......and they laughed! My 'akata' cousins who probably think Bruno Mars will be the next president and Nicki Minaj his vice, expressed how wrong it was that I was still living with my parents.

I am a babysitter by day, baker by order and a daughter every single second of my life. This means I get to play the role of driver, cook, cleaner, gateman, and errand ‘geh’ quite frequently. I don’t know how I do it but, I still get to be the couch potato.

My social life, as I have loudly hinted is probably suited in the Victorian era, but what can this Jesus loving child who still lives with her parents do?! It sucks living in Nigeria but I am living the Nigerian dream (take that you blood sucking FAROUKERS!).

You are probably saying “cry me a river” or “suck it up and get a life” and incase English isn’t your thing “kini gbogbo nonsense” or "yimu" but truthfully, there really isn’t a lot of sucking up to do. We have been screwed over by every undereducated politician who has ever been given an opportunity to act smart just because he gave out bags of rice, books and t-shirts with his picture on them.

So, I am proud to say I am quite the 21^st century economical Nigerian as well. I mean, why watch a movie on Thursday when you can get a wonderful ticket deal with refreshments at about 50% discount on Monday?

My name is Juanita (hwah-nee-tah) - I am a 25 years old Lagos ‘geh’ and I've never been kissed.....

My Nigerian "Dream"

                                                              

So, I’m sitting on the floor with a slight pain in my waist, typing on a television ‘cause it goes off when the stupid guy at Nepa decides to trip that switch. I’m gon pretend to be the major character from “Finding Forrester” and just write. Also because Omojuwa said to do so – of course, Lincoln and Jordan backed him up. So yeah, there’s nothing interesting for you to read here, feel free to use the close or scroll button, if you’re actually reading this. I mean, what are the chances this wins, one in “I-don’t-know-number-of-articles”. I won’t feel bad since I’m getting used to people not reading my works and black men don’t read.

 Ok, you are still reading. I wish there was a way I could find out what is still keeping you here – I wager my brain its curiosity as to where I’d go with this. Like brains are worth anything in Nigeria. So, you were warned and yet, here you are. Another warning; you are hereby not allowed any deeply, personal opinions on anything out of everything you are going to read. Of course, your thoughts are totally yours so let them stay in your head, where they belong.

The slight pain in my waist is there because I am jobless, five months and counting hence, I sleep all day. Only a doctor from Hopkins can tell me otherwise. This is a problem considering the pressure to be successful and you need a good job for that in Nigeria. Our mentality sucks. I really want to be a writer but you have to have spent time in prison or write on abuse, social unrest, war etc. to be successful. I’m therefore learning to take sad things more seriously. And yes, define success as an assignment.

In the chase of “success”, I took two final level interviews of reputable Nigerian companies last year and they didn’t even have the courtesy, no scratch that, common sense to tell me they didn’t want me. I mean, what’s a text message to a big company? Can you imagine what it feels like having to wait and guess?  International companies I applied to sent me messages, yes plural, that made me feel good about being rejected. You see why the black man would forever remain behind the white man? I know what you are thinking, it is still the black mans’ mentality! A rat just strolled into my room.

Just imagine, my parents are still responsible for my upkeep - very thing I was trying to avoid by not going for M.Sc abroad. They had their jobs in their early twenties and are still working when they ought to be retired and reaping the fruits of their labor – l being the laborer. But alas, we live in realist world.  I’m beginning to regret this but hopefully these millions would go towards their retirement. I love them pieces men. Heard they had a huge fight the other day and Barrister, for the first time lost his cool. Wow, Pastor really crossed the line. Imagine, they didn’t tell me. They say I lack emotions and can’t empathize so, no need. Only if they knew.

That I had enough emotions to land my first girlfriend in JS 2 and that was the real reason I wasn’t made head boy - you would think taking WAEC in that school was for qualification to paradise. I have since graduated to a guy involved with six ladies in different shades of relationships with plans to break up with the only steady one – a lawyer in Abuja, soon. No calls, monosyllabic responses to pings, and she’s gon call it quits herself. Girls, girls, girls - only thing they love is lies. And no, my heart was not shattered beyond repair and I’m no player. It’s the girls instead…