Comments on: Worst Place to Work – CNN, BusinessWeek Off Mark on Lagos

By: Scoops

Scoops — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:16:00 +0000

Beautiful piece…very well wriiten. It is high time the West started to depict the beauties of African rather the run-down sections which we cannot deny that most nations have. Maybe I’m a wee bit ignorant but does not Nigeria not have an information ministry that can scrutinise what sort of media exposure Nigeria has in the international communities especially when their materials actually come from within the country? If they’re trying to re-brand Nigeria should the government not take more interest in these kind of things? Citizens such as the writer of this piece can do their bits by writing on internet platforms but we need the government to wield a bigger axe!

By: Pamela Stitch

Pamela Stitch — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:58:06 +0000

Paul – there are tons of challenges all over Africa even the world. We can’t say that there is a place that has no challenges. The issue is this: when outside reporters go to Nigeria to report on Nigeria, they have only one mindset of what Nigeria is all about and who Nigerians are and often they are too LAZY to check if this mindset actually fits reality.

That said: I remember going to primary school with some of these expats kids and No I did not live in Ikoyi or VI and neither was my school there and by the way neither did these kids live in those neighbourhoods.

By: paul chinda

paul chinda — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:50:05 +0000

your comment “expats rarely leave those places” says a lot. As much as I dont think its the worst let’s be honest, there are tons of challenges.

By: Omotaylor

Omotaylor — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:17:59 +0000

@Misi, Colonial mentality is still a problem and would take a long time to erase. But things are getting better for the more the people are educated about their rights the less they worship expartriates. They come, we welcome them because welcoming visitors is our tradition. They abuse our hospitality and abuse us but things will change. The reportis definitely wrong and how I wish this could be discussed on the CNN site.

By: Misi

Misi — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 05:48:18 +0000

Thank you for highlighting the blunder by CNN. It is apparent that CNN just wanted to sell a story regardless of it’s accuracy. And about CNN stories, this is not the first time CNN is tainting the truth, it happened also with their report on 419 in Houston etc. Like you’ve already said expats in Nigeria live like gods, they do anything they want. Another annoying thing is that Nigerians give them preference over us Nigerians and treat them special. They enjoy a life they can never get in their home country. Unfortunately Africans abroad don’t get near similar treatment.

By: CareTaker

CareTaker — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:59:34 +0000

Even if Lagos hasn’t undergone recent renovations, the lifestyle of the expatriates in Nigeria is one of luxury. And the write makes reference to this. Their base in Ikoyi and Victoria Island is a “paradise” in Nigeria, not to even mention that “goodies” they enjoy.

The report is a most lousy job to say the least.

By: Omotaylor

Omotaylor — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:09:04 +0000

Thanks Wole for the post. My first reaction was that CNN must have shot the film and written their reviews about 2 years ago and forgotten to showcase it until now. The pre
Raji Fashola may fit the picture but this is really changing now and Lagos is definitely living up to its Mega City Status. This will improve further improve for Governor Raji Fashola is definitely on the case. All we need to do is ask CNN to revisit and reshoot their clips and rewrite their story in two years time.

Eko o ni baje.

By: pammy

pammy — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:05:37 +0000

Fascinating….well said…wole….

CNN and Objectivity, generally do not go hand in hand….