Happiest Nation on Earth
Written by Michael Obiomah
In times past, we have heard Nigeria being referred to as "the Happiest Nation on Earth". I don't know how (and where) these contests are organised, or how the organisers decide the winner but I would quote some famous figures in our history in an attempt to shed more light. "Nigerians are suffering and smiling"- Fela Anikulapo-Kuti ...."if Nigerians can buy a bottle of beer for N200,I don't see why they can't buy a litre of petrol for N65"- President Olusegun Obasanjo.
These statements remarkably go some way to show that the average Nigerian finds a way to entertain themselves, even in the middle of the hardest times. In every corner, you'd find some "Mama" selling cheap beer and affordable meat or pepper soup (luckily,I got one right beside my house) and unfailingly when the clock strikes 4pm,she starts to arrange her seats.
The first instinct of the working man as he leaves the office, is to hit the beer parlour for a couple hours of relaxation before he gets home. It's ironic that we argue about other bills,why is NEPA bill so high? They just increased the price of tomatoes? Must they add to our children's school fees every year?.....but we don't even notice the steady increments in drink prices. Since it brings us such comfort,why argue? I had a talk with a friend one time,where he vehemently argues that "we are not average. Not even middle class. We are low-class citizens". He even had some valid points, but I quickly pointed out to him that he spends an average of 800 naira at the beer parlour DAILY. I don't need to be a mathematician to know that ain't average Nigerian.
People lose their parents at 90, and go out to borrow money to have a lavish burial ceremony. You'd grudgingly sign a check of N50,000 for your child to attend the best daycare centre in town (asking your wife, this child is not too small to be commanding such fees?),and yet be seen buying Moët at the club one weekend for N50,000. I know someone who paid about half a million to be a member of Benin Club, but he's not there for connections. Just some cheap beer and hot pepper soup....LOL. And you'd say Nigerian people aren't the happiest people on Earth? We don't even need to win anything to celebrate. France won the World Cup and their nation is proud, Nigerians are celebrating the finest jersey at the World Cup. I've got a cold...drink gin. How about some flu shots? Young boy makes a million, does he seek business ideas? Nope. He's reserving a table at his favourite club. We are always celebrating.
It's a gift. In the middle of untold hardship, we have always found a way to smile. Maybe that's why we are the "Happiest Nation on Earth".
Anyway,what's up with the rains? Are they ever gonna let up? I'm writing from under my duvet this morning,cause I'm down with a cold (naturally I drank gin,and took NO medicine). I thought this was summer, and we were supposed to be dancing in the sun. Well I'm optimistic our luck is about to change...& it better,cause we are about to cause a storm. Let me introduce you to the summer event of the year #SEPP2, it's an exclusive event though so you'd better start hustling your tickets now ,cos' trust me....you won't want to be told about how it went down.
Finally, I have a question. Have you taken a look at the Billboard Top 10 songs recently? Drake is on SEVEN slots? How's that even possible? It must be God's plan. The morale of the story? Givers never lack...do something meaningful for your community (family,friends or strangers) and watch the universe turn in your favour. Typically,I'm gonna ignore the genius of the music and focus on the spiritual angle like a true Nigerian (who prays to pass an exam he didn't study for).
Hello Wednesday.....our #WCW goes to all the women making real money (not the ones on InstaMessage). Have a wonderful day,and I'd see y'all tomorrow.
Cheers
In times past, we have heard Nigeria being referred to as "the Happiest Nation on Earth". I don't know how (and where) these contests are organised, or how the organisers decide the winner but I would quote some famous figures in our history in an attempt to shed more light. "Nigerians are suffering and smiling"- Fela Anikulapo-Kuti ...."if Nigerians can buy a bottle of beer for N200,I don't see why they can't buy a litre of petrol for N65"- President Olusegun Obasanjo.
These statements remarkably go some way to show that the average Nigerian finds a way to entertain themselves, even in the middle of the hardest times. In every corner, you'd find some "Mama" selling cheap beer and affordable meat or pepper soup (luckily,I got one right beside my house) and unfailingly when the clock strikes 4pm,she starts to arrange her seats.
The first instinct of the working man as he leaves the office, is to hit the beer parlour for a couple hours of relaxation before he gets home. It's ironic that we argue about other bills,why is NEPA bill so high? They just increased the price of tomatoes? Must they add to our children's school fees every year?.....but we don't even notice the steady increments in drink prices. Since it brings us such comfort,why argue? I had a talk with a friend one time,where he vehemently argues that "we are not average. Not even middle class. We are low-class citizens". He even had some valid points, but I quickly pointed out to him that he spends an average of 800 naira at the beer parlour DAILY. I don't need to be a mathematician to know that ain't average Nigerian.
People lose their parents at 90, and go out to borrow money to have a lavish burial ceremony. You'd grudgingly sign a check of N50,000 for your child to attend the best daycare centre in town (asking your wife, this child is not too small to be commanding such fees?),and yet be seen buying Moët at the club one weekend for N50,000. I know someone who paid about half a million to be a member of Benin Club, but he's not there for connections. Just some cheap beer and hot pepper soup....LOL. And you'd say Nigerian people aren't the happiest people on Earth? We don't even need to win anything to celebrate. France won the World Cup and their nation is proud, Nigerians are celebrating the finest jersey at the World Cup. I've got a cold...drink gin. How about some flu shots? Young boy makes a million, does he seek business ideas? Nope. He's reserving a table at his favourite club. We are always celebrating.
It's a gift. In the middle of untold hardship, we have always found a way to smile. Maybe that's why we are the "Happiest Nation on Earth".
Anyway,what's up with the rains? Are they ever gonna let up? I'm writing from under my duvet this morning,cause I'm down with a cold (naturally I drank gin,and took NO medicine). I thought this was summer, and we were supposed to be dancing in the sun. Well I'm optimistic our luck is about to change...& it better,cause we are about to cause a storm. Let me introduce you to the summer event of the year #SEPP2, it's an exclusive event though so you'd better start hustling your tickets now ,cos' trust me....you won't want to be told about how it went down.
Finally, I have a question. Have you taken a look at the Billboard Top 10 songs recently? Drake is on SEVEN slots? How's that even possible? It must be God's plan. The morale of the story? Givers never lack...do something meaningful for your community (family,friends or strangers) and watch the universe turn in your favour. Typically,I'm gonna ignore the genius of the music and focus on the spiritual angle like a true Nigerian (who prays to pass an exam he didn't study for).
Hello Wednesday.....our #WCW goes to all the women making real money (not the ones on InstaMessage). Have a wonderful day,and I'd see y'all tomorrow.
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| Kylie Jenner |
Cheers
Great write up my friend... Mickey Kposh!
ReplyDeleteMen
ReplyDeleteMen
ReplyDeletenice one micky doo..Del Piero
ReplyDeleteI see you bro....good to know you're following up. 💯
DeleteLike the part about ignoring the geniousnin the music..and the pepper soup pic of course!
ReplyDeleteYeah bro,you know how these things play out. Like when we don't train properly,& we still pray to defeat the opposition. ...& you know how we all feel about peppersoup,right. 😉
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