The impossibility of telling Igbos to leave Lagos, by Tunde Olaoye

Anybody saying all Igbos should leave Lagos is unrealistic, it is absolutely impossible. How can we say Jude Chukwuka that is one of the hottest MCs at Yorùbá heritage festivals leave? It is any Igbo, Yorùbá, Ijaw, Hausa, Edo etc that is always complaining, hating and denigrating Lagos that should be advised to leave. If the place doesn’t pay anyone, instead of the constant hate and bitterness, it is not out of place to tell such persons to go away with their unhinged rantings and bitterness from a city that thrives on joy, optimism, bliss and camaraderie. Regardless of ethnic group, those whose criticism of the city is destructive can be advised to leave and not pollute the city with their cantankerous and miserable mentality.

The city will also be wary of an international influencer who asked his followers to burn down Lagos in his radio broadcast and they carried it out, anyone who loves Lagos and wants its development will condemn the influencer and his followers in all ramifications. But we still have a lot of people saying “What did he do wrong”. Lagos can’t afford to tolerate those who are desperately looking forward to its downfall even if it is an aboriginal Lagosian.

Those who are quick to mock the flood of the coastal city by posting and saying “Look at their Lagos”, “Don’t invest in Lagos” and others without constructive criticism are clearly not Lagosians. Any Nigerian can stay anywhere in Nigeria, therefore any Nigerian or non-Nigerian who is bitter about Lagos can actually go elsewhere where they will rant less and have a better life, this is actually a decision that a few people have made and they claim paid off.

Lagos used to be a state with commissioners and senior government positions from many other states, we should trace back how the conservatism and protectionism started. Did Lagos just wake up mad one day? Did changing the clothes of Lagos Governor’s official portrait suddenly change from suit to traditional wear a coincidence? How did all the territory markings start in a state that doesn’t send all these before? How did Lagos suddenly start behaving like other Nigerian states?

For every action, there is a reaction. Lagos is not mad, Lagos is reacting to madness. Lagos will welcome every Nigerian that genuinely loves it, Lagos will be wary of those who show attitude of jealousy, bitterness, conspiracy and destruction.

— Olaoye is a filmmaker based in Lagos