Did You Miss This? Your January Recap in 5 Minutes
As the month draws to an end, we reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly
The 100 days of January 2024 are coming to a close with a surprise guest appearance from Harmattan and an encouraging performance from the Super Eagles in AFCON (for my Nigerians reading this), and I’m a bit puzzled at how this month flew by so fast yet so many things happen within the past 30 days.
As Christmas decorations fell on New Year's resolutions, so did the Naira on our dreams and plans. I write this with the most mixed feelings I have ever had for the country, but I hang on by a thread of hope, while I check flight prices 🫣🙈 .
Well before February brings the atmosphere of love and suffocates us, single folks, I want us to reminisce over some of the events that happened over the past few weeks and their possible impact.
Enjoy below 👇
Inspiring thread:
Branding and marketing expert Victor Fatanmi shared a beautiful story of his experience with a very diligent and enthusiastic salesperson at a gift shop who was so great at selling value to customers and took responsibility when things went south.
You should totally check it out here.
The Ibadan Explosion and the incompetences it unveiled
The details
Just in case you haven’t heard of the Ibadan explosion by now, or are still puzzled about the details, I’ll make this as brief as possible.
On the 16th of this month, a loud blast rocked the city of Ibadan at around 7:45 pm WAT. It took a few hours before the cause of the explosion was confirmed to be explosives stored by illegal miners in the state.
According to news sources, the blast claimed the lives of 2 people, while 77 others were injured and buildings and cars within the area of impact were destroyed.
Following the incident, Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde made a statement promising to “bring to book” those responsible for the explosion. He also added that the medical bills of all the victims will be covered by the government.
Update
Structural tests are now being carried out on 230 properties at the site of the blast by the Nigerian Society of Engineers. A recent update from Governor Makinde states that 90% of the victims of the explosion have returned home.
Lagos State bans styrofoam packaging, forcing vendors to seek alternatives quickly
The details
This month, the Lagos state government placed a Ban on the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastic in the state. This ban which took effect immediately was due to the challenge of maintaining a cleaner environment in Lagos state.
In Nigeria, particularly in coastal areas like Lagos, Styrofoam plays a significant role in clogged drains and contamination of the environment. The Styrofoam industry is booming, and its primary application is in food packaging. Styrofoam is used by customers like restaurants and small food businesses to meet the food needs of millions of people living in Lagos. most of whom would rather have meals ‘to-go’.
Caveat
Although the ban on styrofoam will have a positive long-term effect on Lagos, the abrupt nature of the ban and its implementation are bound to cause some inconvenience as restaurants and food businesses are forced to explore sustainable means of food packaging to avoid the risk of paying fines or the closure of their premises.
Popular fast food chain Chicken Republic announced last week that customers can now bring their own plates to their outlets if they want to pack the food to go.
Creative Hour — Bus Politics by Sadie Toba
In the wonderful world of Nigerian political and historical theories, fact and fiction mingle in a captivating rhythm. These fascinating tales, inaccurate as they may be, are embraced by the larger community and give them something to sink their teeth into. The author of this story calls these tales ‘Bus Politics‘ a befitting name for the amusing stories that are spread all across the country at the grassroots.
A quick excerpt from the story
“Bus Politics is interesting to observe. An onset is the news on the radio, it is better when the news is read in the native language, complete with all the theatrics of a language like Yoruba. Interjections are added, and expressions, proverbs, and idioms are used to explain the situations. I would be forced to listen, even though my mind is set on the agenda for the day. The Bus is quiet at first, everyone seems to listen, although one can never tell if everyone is actually listening, or thinking about their rent, and different problems.
The anchor, the driver may say ridiculous things with hints of truth, or start a discussion with a meaningful insight. And then it follows with the counter of an elderly man on his way to collect his pension who does not agree with him.”
Click here to read and enjoy this piece, as the writer takes us down memory lane with one of her experiences with such hilarious tales.