Hi guys, it is the weekend, and I can comfortably say Nigerians have seen shege for the last week.
From the fuel scarcity to the hustle for new naira notes, especially as the new deadline is fast approaching, it feels like the toughest time has hit Nigeria. These issues have led to many conversations in the social space.
As usual, we have curated some top events that got people talking, posting, and tweeting during the week.
Keep reading.
Linda Ikeji, the latest movie producer in town
Who remembers the tragic incident that happened in the Aluu community, Rivers State, where four male students of the University of Port Harcourt were lynched after they were falsely accused of theft in October 2012?
Well, Linda Ikeji has released a movie about it titled “Dark October” on Netflix. The movie is currently among the top 10. Just as emotional as the real-life event was, many Nigerians have taken to the social space to express their sadness and anger, reliving the wave of emotion they felt after the incident 11 years ago.
However, it appears that the plans for the film’s release were not well thought through because fans have questioned Linda Ikeji’s decision to release the movie without the consent and approval of the boys’ families. According to multiple sources, the families have previously warned the blogger against releasing the movie and are now looking to sue her for going against their wishes.
While some “experts” in the industry have defended the media personality, claiming that there is no need for consent approvals for such a movie. Others wished it had been more of a documentary than a movie. Those opposed to the movie believe Linda is profiting from the families’ trauma, especially since there is no consent, and have decided to boycott the movie.
But what do you guys think? Have you watched the movie yet?
New Naira note wahala continues
Swapping old notes to new Naira notes, or even withdrawing any cash, has been the biggest challenge for Nigerians over the past week. With only a few days to the deadline, Nigerians have struggled to obtain the new naira note; at this point, some people are content with receiving the old note, which surprisingly is also becoming scarce.
The past week saw lots of drama, with people shedding tears or stripping naked inside banking halls and fighting in ATM centres. Others have resorted to sleeping in front of ATMs. In some cities, the citizens have chosen violence as another approach to tackling this issue. For others, a peaceful protest is their best option.
Many Nigerians have taken to social space to vent their anger on this issue, especially since some people have the “effrontery” to spray the new note at a party despite the shortage in money circulation. I’m talking bundles of new naira notes. How is this new policy reducing corruption if the elites have access to the new naira notes?
For POS agents, it is a business opportunity to cash out with their new 20% interest rate. For other small business owners, opting for cashless transactions is the way forward. But is it, though? Especially as electronic transaction methods have suffered due to the inefficiencies of network service. Well, let’s see how well that can work in Nigeria.
Read Also: CBN extends old Naira notes use till February 10
Fuel scarcity persists in Nigeria, an oil-producing country
The reality of many Nigerians in the past week is to move from one queue to another. After queuing for new naira notes, you will continue to another queue to buy fuel. The fuel shortage has been ongoing for a while, but this last week was particularly alarming.
1 litre of fuel, which used to cost over ₦185, now sells for almost twice the price, and most people don’t care anymore as they need the premium spirit to power their vehicles and generators.
In Ibadan, there was a protest due to the scarcity of cash & fuel, and reports suggest similar protests may happen in other cities sooner rather than later.
Some filling stations refuse to sell petrol to people with gallons who don’t have a car because they believe these individuals plan to resell to desperate buyers at a more expensive price. Also, transportation fares have skyrocketed thanks to the scarcity
Many Nigerians have taken to the social space to dissect the current situation in the country. Nigeria is an oil-producing country moving from fuel scarcity to a higher level of fuel scarcity every time. It is just a few weeks to the 2023 presidential election, and things seem to be falling apart.
Read Also: How tech integration is alleviating the travails of fuel scarcity
Unlimited data access in Nigeria with Starlink
At least, in all the tribulations we face as Nigerians, Elon Musk has provided us with Starlink, a satellite internet device that offers the best internet coverage we have ever had in our 62 years as a country. This is the first time many device users have browsed the internet with a speed higher than 9mb/per second.
Since its launch in Nigeria, many people have begun ordering the device, but I am not going to lie; the price is something that not every Nigerian can afford. Its complete package is $600, with a monthly subscription fee of $41 for unlimited data access.
But come to think of it, maybe it is worth saving up money for. Many Nigerians spend above ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 per month for unstable data subscriptions. And for most people, it still is not enough.
Starlink might just be out here to cripple the income of MTN, GLO, 9MOBILE, AIRTEL & other Internet service providers. Just think about it. Why get unstable internet coverage when you can get stable and unlimited internet coverage with 50-200mbps?
Many Nigerians seem to be already getting the gist. Some have even taken to the social space to appeal to house owners and landlords to include it in their apartments and the monthly fee to the service charges.
Read also: How to get Elon Musk’s Starlink internet from Nigeria in 2023
While the last week leaves much to be desired, we hope that the 65th Annual Grammy Awards may put smiles on the faces of many Nigerians with Tems and Burna Boy up for awards.
That’s all for now.
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