Washington Post link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/in-the-land-of-blackberry-babes-research-in-motion-hopes-to-grow-nigeria-mobile-phone-sales/2012/09/25/bae96e40-072b-11e2-9eea-333857f6a7bd_story.html
Money and Nigeria
Although the link that I posted primarily talks about how BlackBerries have become a symbol of status in Nigeria, I wanted to focus on one fact that stood out to me: “…where most earn less than $2 a day.” The equivalent to $2 dollars is 200 naira. 200 naira today in Nigeria could buy you a candy bar and nothing more.
Somehow reading the rest of the article about RIM and business did not seem half as troubling as this did.
Living in a nation that regards $7.50 an hour as minimum wage, it struck me as disheartening for the Nigerian government to use most of the money earned from business collaterol on themselves. Although my language may be frank in desribing the government, the words just seem to fit. After reading this article, I began to parouse around on the Internet concerning the well-being of Nigerians. While the nation’s gross national income is over $239.5 dollars , most people make $2 a day. Schools are being affected by this as well. Teachers in Lagos, Nigeria have recently gone on strike because of the economic conditions. Nation states are surrounded by unfinished buildings and diminishing infrastructure. Growing dismay among Nigerians is mounting.
The struggle to make ends meet is prevalant. You don’t have to speak to the people to understand their fustration. All you need to do is look around. Although I am definitly not an expert on global economics, I hear about corrupt handling of naira constantly when asking family members and friends. There are numerous advocates for change in Nigeria, one of them being the current governeor of Port Harcourt. He, along with his followers, support the development of nation states and schools. Like most issues, increased advocacy for change is necessary. Nigeria’s beggers, children, mothers, teachers, disabled, homeless,… need voices. Please be that voice.
September 28th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Thank you so much for sharing information on this issue Funmi. It is so important for us to have an awareness of these issues. I’m looking forward to exploring it further this semester – what are the things college students can do to make a difference? What could Mason do as an institution?