Myth Busting: Africa The Big Ol' Jungle

As a first generation American, or a Nigerian American as I prefer to call myself, I have been asked some pretty stupid questions about Africa.

Let me take a moment to remind everyone that Africa is a continent with over 50 countries. Let me also take a moment to remind some people that Zamunda isn't really a country so I couldn't possibly know anyone from there.

Yes, really.

Just read this.
Anyway, I'm here to bust some myths. You will finish reading this post and be better for it. Trust me. By the way, those fliers in the picture above is part of a politician's campaign. I told you they go hard here...

My parents and I were on our way to Lekki (here's the not helpful at all Wikipedia page) that day. To get to Lekki, people have to take the bridge that goes to Victoria Island. Unless I'm mistaken, I think that's the only way to get to Lekki.

Here's a big ol' sign.

I like to think of VI as an African Manhattan. This is where everything happens. Almost everything.

The metropolitan area is also the financial centre of Lagos. It's a far cry from the underdeveloped images that are usually associated with African countries.

Don't get me wrong, Nigeria has areas that are underdeveloped but we also have towns with everything from car dealerships to malls to movie theaters.

Let me put it like this: people do choose to live here. Not everyone is dying to leave because America is so awesome right now.

It's not all roses but it's home to millions.

Me and my mommy, my homegirl, my best friend.

Dad's idea of a good time is running errands and having us tag along. It's riveting.

Dad's getting rid of some of his land in Lekki.

Well will you look at that. They have Radissons here; real honest to goodness hotels. So don't worry, no one has to sleep in a tree on this trip ; )

That building is a church with a roof, walls and even a fancy clock.

Shocking, I know.

Gasp! Is that a piece of machinery? By golly, I think it is!

All snark aside, I encourage people to ask questions about Africa the continent. If they didn't ask, they would keep on believing me and the royal family of Kukuanaland are tight.

Politics is a Dirty Game

“Politics isn't about big money or power games; it's about the improvement of people's lives”

Paul Wellstone

How right you are, Mr. Wellstone. Politics should be about improving the lives of people but people seem to forget that part.

The picture above was taken as we made our way back to Alagbado from Ijebu. There were dozens of motorcyclists waving banners and signs with some politician's face on it.

The 2011 Presidential elections will be held on April 9.

One day, I sat down and watched AIT (Africa International Television) news with my parents. We were bombarded with campaign commercials. It felt like every commercial was a political one.

Politicians go hard when it comes to campaigning. Politics in Nigeria has this intensity that I haven’t seen in the US. It truly feels like a do or die situation.

So I asked my parents “what’s the appeal of being in public office here? I understand the perks that must come with it and the power but it doesn’t explain the desperation.”

That's when my parents told me that Nigerian politicians make a lot of money during and after their term in office. They weren't sure how much so I did some research.

So how much do senators make in Nigeria, a third world country? A post on Nairaland.com had it broken down like this:

Salary of a U.S. President: $250,000/yr.
GDP of the U.S. Economy: $13Trillion/ yr.
Allowance of a Nigerian Senator: $1,500,000/yr
GDP of the Nigerian. Economy: $45 Billion/yr.

I encourage everyone to check out these articles so they can read how the salaries of Nigerian legislators take up 25% of the overhead budget:

National Assembly Jumbo Pay - Fanning
the Embers of Revolution

Nigerian National Assembly Salary Saga

National Assembly and Jumbo Pay

The amount of money public officials make in Nigeria is disgusting. The minimum wage is less than 18,000 naira a month (that's about $113) and the people who are supposed to put the country and its people first are getting paid 2,456,647.7 ( about $15,000) a month? Not to mention the fact that they get allowances for everything from vehicles to newspapers. They even get a "hardship allowance".

This is old news here but I haven't been keeping up with Nigerian politics so I had no idea.

It has always been my belief that a career in politics is a career in public service, fit for people who have a vision for their country and wanted to dedicate their lives working towards that vision. How sad is it to think those in government are more concerned with fattening their pockets than improving the lives of the citizens?

What Are We Doing In Afghanistan?

"If Americans pulled back and started paying attention to this war, it would become even less popular." Senior adviser to McChrystal.

After reading Michael Hastings article, "The Runaway General", many people will be paying attention. After all, this is the article that cost General McChrystal his job. He's only the second general to be dismissed from the position during a time of war (the first being Gen. Douglas MacArthur) and up until Rolling Stone magazine made the article available online, many people were asking themselves "geez, what did this guy do anyway?"

After reading this article, the answer is clear. McChrystal and his team talked shit. They expressed their frustrations. They don't respect the political poster boys they are forced to work with to win the war in Afghanistan. So they bitched about it. Were they right for saying what they did? I guess not. Did McChrystal's comments warrant his dismissal? Maybe.

We know why Obama dismissed him but why should people back that dismissal? Are we supposed to be angry at the guy for his lack of professionalism in front of a journalist or for bad-mouthing the Obama administration?

Funny enough, Hastings' article focuses more on McChrystal's plans for Afghanistan and less on him and his team's gossipy ways. It's refreshingly honest. Maybe that's the problem; that kind of honesty, the kind of reporting a real journalist is supposed to do, is alarming in a world where print media is dying, media outlets deliver biased news and bloggers are held accountable for almost nothing.

America is a country where we like things blue or red. People watch news channels and read articles that echo their political views. They want to know who they're supposed to be opposing. Their "you're either with us or against us" attitude is so ingrained in their way of thinking that they get confused when lines aren't clearly drawn. People aren't used to reading about generals who support Obama as president but don't think he's handling things in Afghanistan the way he should and soldiers who want to be allowed to use their guns or want the war to end (because what the hell are they doing so far from home if they're not allowed to shoot anything).

But this article doesn't pick sides. Hastings gives readers a glimpse into the very real situation we as a country are facing; we're at war, it's going to be a long time before it's over and people are going to die. There are thousands of soldiers who have been fighting since the "war against terrorism" was in Iraq. Now the word is Al Qaeda has relocated to Pakistan. And while everyone seems to have ideas on how to "fix" Afghanistan (counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism), a victory is nowhere in sight.

No one relieved McChrystal of his duties after "Cpl. Pat Tillman, the former-NFL-star-turned-Ranger, was accidentally killed by his own troops in Afghanistan in April 2004" and McChrystal "took an active role in creating the impression that Tillman had died at the hands of Taliban fighters". The general wasn't given his walking papers for his involvement in the detainee abuse and torture at Camp Nama in Iraq. So do people really think McChrystal was fired for the disparaging comments he made? Or was he fired because the public got a whiff of those comments? Or is he just a scapegoat? After all, this article will be responsible for taking the wool off of a lot of people's eyes.

I doubt people will really remember McChrystal's inappropriate remarks in the future. Some may even respect him for his "take no shit" attitude some day if they don't already. Instead, people will read "The Runaway General" and ask "what are we doing in Afghanistan?" They'll be angry and they'll want to know who they should be angry at.

Congratulations Hastings. We're paying attention now.

Why is a Good Question.

My sister posted a fantastic article on her blog about women in Nigeria getting shit done.

I'd love for you guys to read her post and the article.

You'll be hearing a lot from Shola Ajayi in the future and I'm super proud : )

More to come...

xoxo,

Juwon

JMO: Health Care Reform Bill Passes

As I watched C-Span with my sister and roommates, I listened as representatives from both parties validated their stance on health care in the United States. I listened; I didn’t snicker, or make snide comments or boo. Granted, I did get a little heated when the representatives snickered, made snide comments and booed.

Really people, how old are you guys?

Anyway, the health care reform bill has been passed. People are happy but a lot of people are very very upset.

I realize the bill isn’t perfect yet. I understand people who have insurance don’t want to lose their doctors. I understand it’s a “democrat bill.” While I won’t pretend to be an authority on this topic, I know this much:
I am an American citizen without health care. I’m not a “lazy American who doesn’t work enough.” I have worked steadily since I was sixteen. Working my way up to better jobs and better pay, I finally worked for a company that provided insurance to their employees. Then I got laid off last February and am once again without insurance because I can’t afford it.

I am one of those people Nancy Pelosi talked about last night; I am afraid to get sick. Luckily, I haven’t been sick but I also haven’t had a regular doctor’s checkup in over a year. Before I worked for a company that provided insurance, I was uninsured for more than five years. I have cavities but I can’t afford to get them filled yet. My glasses need to be replaced with a stronger prescription but I can’t afford to change them. I’ve grown accustomed to doing without when it comes to health care but it would be nice to see a doctor when I need one.

I can’t be the only person who feels this way.

What do you think of the bill being passed?

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword... or so they say.

Welcome to the first post of my new blog! This is my second attempt at the whole blogging thing and I hope you'll stick with me through the trials and errors.

As a writer, I depend heavily on my words to get my message across. I can speak in complete sentences but not half as well as I can type! So this blog will be my way of communicating to the outside world. I'm going to be posting once a week on everything that tickles my fancy; from politics to fashion. Yes, another blog about everything.

As a vegan, I will have posts on new treats on the market as well as links to articles I write for different publications.

In addition to all that good stuff, I will start chronicling my experiences in the big city when I move there (temporarily) in May. So stay tuned... this should be fun!