Lagos is unarguably richer than many African countries. In 2014, Statistically Lagos was the 7th largest growing Economy in Africa. In 2016, Lagos generated a total of 302 billions (IGR) which was more than the revenue of 30 states combined.
This is to say that even the oil rich states, toll before Lagos in wealth. But it is inexplicable how and why indigenous Lagosians are so poor and live so poorly.
Lagos behaviorally is divided into two: the Rich region and the Poor base. No one is restricted to live anywhere, but we know where we belong.
The exotic cars, luxurious buildings and lives in Lagos are not for the INDIGENES. They belong to Lagos comers.
Now, let’s start from Etiosa. It is the most developed local government in Nigeria. Arguably the richest too. But do you think the luxuries in Etiosa are for the Poor?
No they are not for the indigenes! They are for people who can afford it from anywhere.
Etiosa is divided into three places, for the very Rich, the middle class and Poor.
The very rich region is for all Nigerians who can afford it. Such places include: Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki.
The middle class are for people who can afford estates as residence.
The third category belongs to the indigenes. The indigenous areas are characterized by ancient butterfly buildings without toilets, cramped life style and uncompleted buildings as residence, wooden houses and all other ghetto features. It is only the indigenes that live there.
Why?
Etiosa has list of the most expensive private schools in Lagos that deliver world class practical education.
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The schools are well populated, but how many indigenes do you see there ? They are in the free education sector or the ” pako ” private schools, because they can’t afford it.
When you go to the malls to shop, you will see hundreds of cars parked. They are for people who came to Lagos. The indigenes are on their way trekking.
During this lockdown, the indigenes have seen alot. “Hunger one finish us”.
Thanks to our non indigenous friends in estates who came to our rescue.
Asking us to queue, not more than 20 at a time, with social distancing to take cassava flour (garri) and rice. We have no choice. We must obey to avoid starvation.
Some boys who can’t bear it have resorted to stealing in some other local governments.
Lagos is rich. But how can the indigenes benefit from it and stop living in penury? In my opinion, Indigenes of Lagos State deserve monthly stipends from state government.
Another evidence of the Lagos poor indigenes, is seen in the indigenous local governments, acronymed as IBILE . That is, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe.
Apart from Ikeja and Lagos mainland, the other three constitute the most underdeveloped local governments in Lagos.
Every indices of modernization are far from this regions. Poverty has stolen the prides of these areas. Epe still has mud houses.
People still go to the bush to fetch firewood for cooking, because they can’t even afford kerosene stove nor Gas cooker. The roads before Gov. Ambode was a single one.
Ikorodu had to cut down land prices for as low as N150,000 to estate firms to attract buyers. They still go to fetch water from the stream, in this 21 century because getting hygiene water is a luxury.
Badagry has already swallowed its own woes. No roads, no hospitals no schools. Seme is the only hope because of the boarder.
Should it continue this way?
