Article
Nigerian officials are facing an interesting predicament. Slums are usually viewed as demolition targets to make way for useless" infrastructure projects or projects that benefit only the rich. But apparently many people think "poverty in Nigeria is good business." The article claims that this call for exploitation of the business potential of slums is not a call for "anti-modernization". At first it seems a disturbing comment on the unequal state of affairs in this world that Nigerians wish to prostitute themselves to the curiosity of "affluent tourists from the Western economies who yearn to catch a glimpse of what it is like to live in poverty." But then again, it might be pure pragmatism. I feel that I cannot comment on Nigerian behavior because my opinions are influenced by my western upbringing. Africa, or at least West Africa should rally around a set of principles, in a manner similar to the founding of the United States on our political and moral foundation. I don't know which principles they would choose, or what would be best for them, but I do know that they need some sort of ideological unity on which they can launch their fledgling democracies.
I only understand but only meagerly agree with the slum resident's ideas to "make money off their suffering". It seems that, although they need any money they can get, money that perpetuates their poor quality of life is money not well earned or spent.
ReplyDeletePerhaps that is also my "western" mind influencing my outlook on this and saying that the residents have a "poor quality of life", yet it just seems like they are not really that satisfied- if they were, would there be groups like MEND around to violently shake things up and cry for a change?