"When you compare Nigeria to foreign countries, don't just look at how much people earn over there. There are so many hidden costs associated with living in Europe and America than what you see on the gram.
Take countries like Canada, America and parts of the UK. Public transportation in most Canadian and American cities is not like in Nigeria. You typically have to wait at least thirty minutes for a bus. It's not like Nigeria, where buses come all the time. Vast areas of the UK are like that, though London has a spectacular, if aging, public transport network.
So, you must own a car. Which brings its own challenges. To own a car in Canada and America, you need at least $1000 a month. I am not referring to fuel costs. I am talking about insurance, parking, tolls and licenses. Bloomberg actually says it is more (see attached Bloomberg headline). But I am trying to use myself as an example.
In the UK, the costs are around £450 a month. Except you live in London, where daily congestion charges of £15 will apply. No. I am not joking. You don't pay, you go straight to His Majesty's Prison!
Then, to have access to a doctor will Then, to have access to a doctor will cost you an arm and a leg. And time. If you call today, you can get an appointment for June or July. Please note that we are in the first week of February. If it is an emergency, they will attend to you today. Yes, all those ambulances you see in movies will come. But give them three days after you recover, and they will send a bill. If you had known what the bill would be, you would have just kuku died in peace rather than die in pieces as you look for money you don't have to pay for a bill that would make Dangote wince!
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, you can see a doctor today. They will charge. Bit you can dobale, and bring your parents to negotiate a downward review of the bill. That is why Lagos is becoming the fastest-growing health tourism destination on Earth (Lagos. Not the whole of Nigeria. Please don't misquote me.)
Nigeria is not there yet. But in terms of security and ease of living, we are far better than many of the countries we want to japa to. The murder rate in South Africa is more than double the rate in Nigeria. And Chicago, New York and St Louis are world champions in murders. Please fact-check me.
Let us avoid using our keyboards to de-market Nigeria in social media in a mistaken belief that when we japa, life will be a bed of roses. No. If you don't have a business that makes you comfortable enough to travel the world like me, two things will finish you in the West. Boredom or high cost of living. Mo ti so temi!"-Reno Omokri's post on X-platform 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment