Imagine the silent ovation that normally greets you when you are in the midst of others in most southern states in Nigeria, and mention that you reside or live in Abuja. Just consider the looks on that faces of a throng where you mention that you just arrived from Abuja and you are returning to your Abuja residence in few days time. All eyes will be envious as if you just arrived from a earthly paradise, and you are returning to the same paradise in the appellation as Abuja.
The insinuation of many Nigerians especially those in the remote regions of the southern parts and even the farther north, is the belief that Abuja as the capital city of Nigeria is a haven where everything is moving fine. Imagine you telling someone not living Abuja that you don't have electricity. You will encounter puzzles of questioning because of wrong insinuations that Abuja is deemed to have all for the good and comfort of those living in the city. They never believe that Abuja is like any other city in Nigeria because it
is the Seat of Power that harbours the President, Federal Legislators and Federal Ministers. What baffles one the most is the aligning belief of the people and residents of Lagos city; who find it hard to believe that someone in Abuja that is deemed to be soaked in utmost enjoyment and comfort still complains about money or social and basic welfare. Lagosians who had not been to Abuja yet, believe the words from gossips that Abuja is a place that one can financially make it and easy without much ado or stress. They believe that money flows in all nooks and crannies of the city since all the decision about issues and dispensing currency into the economy is taken in Abuja.
is the Seat of Power that harbours the President, Federal Legislators and Federal Ministers. What baffles one the most is the aligning belief of the people and residents of Lagos city; who find it hard to believe that someone in Abuja that is deemed to be soaked in utmost enjoyment and comfort still complains about money or social and basic welfare. Lagosians who had not been to Abuja yet, believe the words from gossips that Abuja is a place that one can financially make it and easy without much ado or stress. They believe that money flows in all nooks and crannies of the city since all the decision about issues and dispensing currency into the economy is taken in Abuja.
In April 2010, I was opportune to be a guest at the famous MTN's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire programme. This is a TV programme that is well known to all households in Nigeria which does not require any explanation as to what the programme is all about. Even when I told some friends that I was invited to appear as a guest/contender for the TV show, it was like a mirage to them because many people never believed the programme was real as portrayed by the organisers. Some people believed it was an arranged programme to be in favour of some well connected people to appear on the TV in the homes of Nigerians. So, my being to the TV show had actually illuminated the negative beliefs of some people who eventually saw me on TV and had met me in person afterwards.
Inside the WWTBAM hall at the Isheri-Ogba area of Ikeja, a famous comedian was hired to entertain all the contesters before the commencement of the real event. Prior to that comedy entertainment, we were nurtured through a compatible rehearsal to adhere to the ethics and rules of the game. As the comedian started his fun and hilarious gist, everyone was attached to him in amusement and laughter. He started by making joke out of every contender after asking each about the location where they come. To me, that was the first time of meeting with the comedian who introduced himself as Elenu. He made fun of ridicule of all the contesters that came from places like Warri, Oshogbo, Oshodi, Owerri, Kaduna, Onitsha, Enugu etc, except me who was the only Abuja representative during that session of show which happened to be first show of that day. When it was my turn to be teased according to my location, the comedian looked at me with a deranged mood and said: "Oga you no suppose to come here na...people in Abuja are big boys, even if you win the grand prize of ten million naira, that na chicken change for people like you from Abuja. Why you come dey drag this little change with the poor people bros?..."
Federal Secretariat and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
That was a phenomenal credence in ignorance. In fact, I was perplexed that for a comedian to have had such credence, then the generality of the people are in akin with such murky notion simply because they have not been to Abuja. To them, Abuja is a place of the big guys and gals who are in haven of comfort and easy money making society.
Contrary to this belief, Abuja is just a name for those who believe in the jocundity of being an utopia because of the caliber of people dwelling in its vicinity like the President and Ministers. The city is just like any other city in Nigeria aside the fact that the low income earners do not reside in the main city but the suburb or satellite towns. The low income earners come from the suburbs to work in the main city on daily routine and return home in the evening. Unlike other cities like Lagos, Enugu, Benin City, Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Minna, Yola, Sokoto, Uyo, Onitsha, Port Harcourt etc, where the main city is not separated from the suburb, hence both the poor and the rich stay in same location demarcated by districts boundaries, Abuja City is quite distinguished or demarcated away from its suburbs and satellite towns. It takes some long minutes to drive from the city centre to many of the suburbs depending the town distance. For instance, it takes about 20 minutes to get to the City centre from Kubwa (the biggest Abuja satellite town).
Primitive social things that happen in other cities in Nigeria also happen in Abuja. Mama Put, roasted yams corners, roadside kiosks, mobile phone recharge cards vendors, Mai Shai, Suya spots...all of these and other normal Nigerian lifestyle, all happen in the city of Abuja especially in areas like Wuse 2, Utako, Jabi, Wuye, Garki 2, Garki, Wuse and Asokoro. These primitive trade are engaged by the poor masses who travel from their suburbs residence to the city centre everyday to ply their trade as means of survival. Electricity also goes off and on at intervals just as other cities in Nigeria. Sometimes, water supply may not run in pipes of some areas for days or weeks. In fact, residents of the biggest estate in West Africa, Gwarinpa, do not have adequate water supply; hence they provide water for themselves through boreholes.
Now that you have read this piece, I guess even without visiting Abuja, there is no way you will still acclaim that Abuja is a haven for enjoyment and utmost comfort for its residence and visitors.
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