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On April 15th, 2010 The BBC aired the six part documentary entitled “Welcome To Lagos”, a look at the second most populous city in Africa outside of Cairo, located in the West African nation of Nigeria. Nigeria boasts both extreme wealth & poverty.  This documentary focuses strictly on those who represent the systemic poverty of Lagos. Nigeria boasts the most billionaires in Africa & in many other parts of the world, while it was recorded last year to have a 76% poverty rate.

Nigeria is considered the center of Africa & is the most populous nation in Africa & the 8th most populous in the world. It has been said that 1 out of 4 Africans is Nigerian; however  with power in numbers, like many African nations, oil rich Nigeria is plagued with systemic corruption along with tribal & religious infighting that keeps it from living up to its title as Africa’s super eagle powerhouse in its ability to soar to great heights with the type of power  that can move all of Africa forward in a new continently strong global economy. Many have said that if Nigeria can be fixed & rid of its ills & hardships then all of Africa can be led to its glory.

On October 1, 2010 Nigeria will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule. With recent religious turmoil, change in government with a new leader ironically named Goodluck Jonathan to tackle the massive problems of Nigeria  & hungry entrepreneurs looking to get a piece of their Nigerian fufu, the nation is at a fragile brink of change where it can soar with the might of an eagle or become combustible if the oil rich nation is lit by the wrong flame causing it to implode within itself. All eyes are on Nigeria as its president, Umaru Yar’Adua, is officially declared dead & the acting president officially gets sworn in as the new president,while the world waits to see what Change in Nigeria will look like.

“Welcome to Lagos”  has been seen as controversial by many who either are not ready to face the truths of their nation or feel it just looks at the nation in a one dimensional manner while overlooking its greatness & achievements.

“Controversial because it’s been derided by some Nigerians – notably Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, who called it “condescending” and “colonialist,” and that it’s a “tendentious and lopsided programme.”There are those who lament the documentary’s focus on the city’s poverty and degradation, while ignoring the more affluent, educated, although much smaller third, conjuring up author Chimamanda Adichie’s “danger of a single story” concern..other Nigerians disagree, saying that the documentary represents the reality for the majority of the city’s populace, and see value in the discomfort it inspires in some” SOURCE

Say what you want about Africa/Africans, but you can never say we are not a resourceful people who understand & embody the idea of SURVIVAL. The so called “green movement” & being/living/eating “organic” has never been a trend, but rather an innate part of everyday African culture! In viewing “Welcome to Lagos”, while most may see garbage & dirt, I see a beautiful love story between a man & woman who love one another & their family. I see a powerful, strong yet humble man who through his own childhood neglect & suffering understands & accepts his role as a man & provider for his family by any means necessary. I see the respect of Africans as they greet one another with a good morning/afternoon/evening/ or a simple hello, salute or head nod simply to let their fellow man/woman/child know that they acknowledge their existence/presence. I see a group of people who some may view as third world savages, possessing the type of respect & honor for their fellow man/woman/child that builds the type of civility, organized community & good governance that seems to elude “so called” civilized people & super powers in “so called” first world nations. I see people who are not afraid of hard work to attain their dreams and most of all I see beautiful African faces who always find a reason to smile & to be hopeful even in the worst of conditions & suffering. This is Africa, my Africa, where we can always find a way to make due as we aspire for the best, for even through garbage & dirt- creativity & innovation lives!

Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as president