A Random 1st October Thought.

Over the last 3 years, I have noticed a trend in Nigeria on the 1^st of October. This trend is that quite a number of people have their Mothers celebrating birthdays on October 1^st. I can remember counting more than 7 people on different social media platforms celebrating their mothers on the first day of October.

Something comes to mind at this trend, was it that in some supernatural way something happened that led to a lot of women being born on this day between the years 1960 – 1970, or it’s just a weird coincidence (by the way I do not believe in coincidences, I believe everything is divinely ordered)?

I think it’s none of the above but rather as a result of Nigeria’s independence. Here’s what I mean. In those days not a lot of people were literate and few had access to calendars or even knew how to record dates, so when a child was born, events (like Christmas, Easter, Wars, New Governments etc.) were used to mark their birthdays.

While this may sound true, the next question that comes to mind is; so why are they all females? Maybe you have an answer for us, please let us know.
We end by wishing everyone a Happy New Month and Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating today.

NO RECEPTION

It is interesting how things change with time! Things that were strange or popularly not the general way of doing things in a few years later become the norm.

Just over a year ago, the first (to the best of our knowledge) publicly announced Nigerian wedding without a reception received a lot of attention especially on social media. Whether it was because that meant no free food or for other reasons best known to the attendees, we really cannot say. It was however evident that the bold words ‘NO RECEPTION’ written on the invitation card was not a good sight for many.

Fast forward to today, the new normal for Nigerian weddings is not to have a reception largely due to the pandemic. You’ll probably not know the cost of hosting a wedding reception until it’s time for yours or you’re actively involved in planning one.  

To start with is the cost of renting a hall/event space at a location not far from the church, easy to locate and large enough with parking space for your guests, paying for decoration, cost of feeding an unknown number of persons, music cost – either getting a DJ or a live band and then getting a funny and not so expensive MC.

Other non-financial cost include deciding who will be the chairman/chair-lady of the organization, who’s to seat on the high table, who’s to anchor the cutting of your cake etc. Thanks to Coro, no more headaches making all these decisions.

While this may be a blessing in disguise to couples as they get to save a whole of money, it’s however a loss of income for others. One important thing to learn here is this, nothing man-made lasts forever. Every norm today can be totally despised, rejected and unsafe tomorrow. Don’t hurt yourself in a bid to fulfill ‘today’s normal’.

So in all of these we ask, who is most hit by this new norm?
Caterers?
DJs/Live Band?
Event Centres?
MCs?

Big, Tight and Fair

“Womb wellness oil, penis enlargement cream, skin whitening solution, spot removal oil etc.” these and many more are now becoming common products advertised on the statutes of WhatsApp vendors. If you have contacts on your phone who always have waist-bead like statutes every 24 hours, you would probably have come across one of these products.

My concern is that these are medicinal products and they should not be freely sold. More so, in the event there is an injury as a result of using these products, it will be difficult to seek for damages as they most likely conjured by a quack who cannot be easily traced.

Another concern is if these products actually work. All vendors will say they work but we hardly read customer reviews for such products largely because of these two reasons.

1. People who were disappointed after using this product often cannot call out vendors because buying it means something is not as ‘big, tight or white’ as they want it to be of which no one wants to publicly admit.
2. For people who used these products and it worked for them, they next question they have to answer is ‘what are you using it for?’

Our weird disposition towards sexual related issues in this part of the world is another reason. We are ‘okay’ with sellers of these substances but raise a brow at ‘users’.

If you are a Vendor, please ensure you sell products that are marked as safe for use by regulatory agencies. If you are a user, be really careful with these substances you use.  If you are an observer, drop your sentiments. Whether big, tight, fair or not, we will all see God.  

Electricity Tariff Hike. What’s the way out?

You must have heard about the increase in Electricity tariff in Nigeria. Reports says N2, 000 worth of units that used to 79 units is now 37 units.  This leads us to ask the question, what is the way out? The average Nigerian is faced with at least 3 choices;

1. Buy it like that and grumble.
2. Bypass the metre (which is illegal).
3. Find an alternative solution.

Let’s talk about option 2.

After the introduction of the prepaid metres in Nigeria, as expected people started looking for ways to cheat the system and you can bet that a way out was discovered. The ‘Michael Scofields’ of this country have been able to work magic on the prepaid metres to reduce how the units are spent. A quick example; Mama Adebayo buys N2, 000 worth of unit which is about 79 units and should last for 4 weeks, but because a magician has touched the metre, the 70 units bought in January is yet to be exhausted even after Easter in April. See magic!

Amebo talk has is that NEPA/PHCN/‘whatever new name they are called’ staff are part of the magicians helping to tamper with the metres. As a way to curb this, electricity distribution companies have fixed a fine of at least N50,000 for any defaulter caught but despite this fine, this practice is still ongoing.

It is not uncommon to see staff of electricity distribution companies roam neighborhoods to apprehend defaulters but, ‘na house wey no get gate person no dey knock before him enter.’ There are also reports of a way to switch from the regular metre billing to the tampered metre billing using something like a changeover switch whenever these officials come around.

The choice as to what option to choose is yours, but we advise you to choose the option that comes with peace of mind.

Follow us on Twitter @korrecttalk to get talking with us!

Headlines in Summary

1. Nigeria Partners with Britain on Job Creation
Devious Headline!

Min of State for Labour, Mr Keyamo made this remark. He said, we are ready to collaborate with our partners all over the world to open up avenues for job creation. We are open to all kinds of suggestions and levels of co-operation,”

No concrete plans with UK yet!

2. Plateau Government Promotes 9,000 Teachers

Korrect Headline!

Chairman of SUBEB Plateau State said promotion of over 9,000 teachers were approved as a mark of honor to them in the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day. It’s also part of the board’s motivation strategy to ensure good performance and commitment to duty.

3. Kidnappers, Boko Haram now working together, says El-Rufai
Headline Korrect!

Intelligence report shows that kidnappers are collaborating with some Boko Haram members to kidnap for ransom. The Kidnappers of 6 school children have made demands for ransom.

The government has made adequate arrangements to beef up security in state schools.

4. CBN Grants Banks’ Approval to Debit Loan Defaulters
Korrect Headline!

CBN gave approval to banks to debit any defaulting debtor across all the banks where the debtor has funds. To encourage lending, the CBN has agreed that there will be a clause that an obligor will sign that will enable the bank net off against any amount they have in other banks.

5. Buhari To Nigerians In South Africa: Don’t Forget Your Country
Korrect Headline! Buhari said;

1. You are our Ambassadors & the face of our country to the world wherever you are. 2. Whatever legitimate engagement you find yourself, you must strive to excel & be the best.

3. Don’t forget home. 4. Use your resources, skills and talents to help the development of NG.

6. Court Denies Journalist Agba Jalingo Bail
Accurate Headline!

Journalist Agba Jalingo was denied bail. The Judge said there was no substantial evidence to prove that his health was failing which is one of the grounds for the bail application. The Journalist published a report of alleged diversion of N500m by Gov Ayade.

7. Court Grants Sowore N100 Million Bail
Headline Korrect!

Court granted bail to Sowore to the tune of N100 million and 2 sureties in like sum. Bail conditions include; not partaking in any rally and remaining in the FCT. Second defendant – Mr Olawalae granted bail with a N50 million bond.

8. Computer Firm, HP Plans to Cut up to 9,000 Jobs
InKorrect Headline!

This is a global downsizing & not Nigeria alone.

HP plans to cut between 7000 to 9000 jobs as part of a restructuring initiative. This will reduce workforce by 16% and lead to $1 billion in savings.

The company announced a downsizing of about 4,500 – 5,000 positions in 2018.