On March 6, Ghana celebrated her 61st year of independence and Nigerians put their jollof-related differences aside to wish their Ghanaian brothers and sisters a happy independence day celebration.
https://twitter.com/DMV_Drummerboyy/status/971013534220943360
We are Africans.
We are a continent.
We are one.
Happy Independence Day Ghana! 🇬🇭Love from Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/3GLU7PhuFn
— Nwamaka Onyekachi (@Amakamedia) March 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/newscantell/status/971079557678854144
Happy 61st Independence day Ghana!
From your neighbor, Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/nr7kyaGKH0
— Ayo of Ibadan (@theayoadams) March 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/charlesawesum/status/971057494767304704
President Muhammadu Buhari was a guest of honour at the Independence day ceremony and during his speech, he reportedly said: "I look forward to any form of collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana in tackling the menace of endemic corruption".
However, this (misleading) television version/caption of his statement quickly went viral on social media.
https://twitter.com/henryo147/status/971280348117073920
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You can already imagine how Ghanaians reacted. If you can't, check this:
"@Austynzogs: Ghanaians ‘mock’ Buhari’s offer to help Ghana fight corruption.
Ghana’s social media space has reacted to the speech by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari that he will help Ghana in its fight against corruption. https://t.co/VHF9nibl9F pic.twitter.com/4SbKk0WcjM— GIDI (@Gidi_Traffic) March 7, 2018
Now, here's how Nigerians reacted.
Wait, what?
Buhari pledges to help Akufo-Addo fight corruption.
Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Nigeria 148th out of 180 while Ghana is ranked 81st.
This is like an F9 parallel student helping a C6 student pass exams.
🇬🇭 v 🇳🇬
— Solakuti.com (@Solakutidotcom) March 6, 2018
"Nigeria will help Ghana fight corruption" President Muhammadu Buhari! What figure of speech is this?
— Zeihy (@zeihy_original) March 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/rogue__kvng/status/971294852636913664
https://twitter.com/ManLikeDriz/status/971524088236781568
The President of Nigeria, ranked 148/180 on the corruption perception index, is offering go help Ghana fight corruption. Ghana is ranked 81/180 on the same index.
An overrated sense of self importance is a horrible thing
— 20.10.2020 (@I_Am_Ilemona) March 7, 2018
So President Buhari went to Ghana to say he will help them fight corruption? Such level of delusion!
Is it with 🐒
🐍 or 🐠?A friend of mine who was at the event and who’s the Youth Leader of the ruling party in 🇬🇭 said they were all laughing at him when he said it.
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) March 7, 2018
Buhari said Nigeria will collaborate with Ghana to “fight the menace of corruption” 😂😂😂😂😂
— ً ً (@kukuboat) March 6, 2018
Nigeria will help Ghana fight corruption - Buhari.. https://t.co/hjuh92ytfk
I can't even laugh in English. Sorry my Ghanaian people, this one pass me!#GhanaIndependence#GhanaAt61 pic.twitter.com/YOFZs9KznM
— Adeola Fayehun (@AdeolaFayehun) March 6, 2018
Nigeria's President @MBuhari was special guest at Ghana's Independence Day celebrations today.
Here's what he said. Spot the irony. pic.twitter.com/7jWzWTsUfx
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) March 6, 2018
More reactions with memes
https://twitter.com/henryo147/status/971571428104523777
"NiGeRiA iS gOiNg tO heLp GhAnA fIgHT KwArUpTiOn" pic.twitter.com/2va8JvizQ1
— Four-eyed Edo Boy™ (@Alex_Houseof308) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/jaja_xcv/status/971306631014297602
https://twitter.com/RovielOfficial/status/971142171356262400
Buhari : “Nigeria 🇳🇬 will help Ghana 🇬🇭 Fight Corruption “
Nigerian Snakes 🐍 : pic.twitter.com/cZJ5Bn7wzk
— Boris! (@BWolfeofficial) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/kwame_dagger/status/971649879217983488
In case you missed it, read President Buhari's full speech here. Read on for other trending topics on social media this week.
International day of the woman
Yesterday, March 8, the day set aside as the International Women's Day, the whole world gathered to celebrate women making great strides and to discuss how the world can become more gender inclusive. Using the hashtags #IWD2018 and #InternationalWomensDay, many individuals and brands took to social media to celebrate women around the world.
Happy International Women's Day! We're celebrating the women who have changed the world.
Here's all of the amazing women who have received the #NobelPrize and their remarkable achievements at the time of the award. #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/isKJHSGjsj
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) March 8, 2018
Happy #InternationalWomensDay Who run the world #myQueens
— Devonta Freeman (@devontafreeman) March 9, 2018
Happy International #WomensDay! #TimeIsNow to support each other, believe in each other & encourage each other to speak up for rights & gender equality! https://t.co/Non0GlY9S5 #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/kJJ0zBF1Oy
— UN Women (@UN_Women) March 8, 2018
We owe our history to generations of fearless women, unafraid to challenge the status quo and demand better from their country. #IWD2018
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) March 9, 2018
"Throw her to the wolves and she'll return leading the pack" 👊🏻#IWD2018
— Najwa Zebian (@najwazebian) March 9, 2018
Back in Nigeria
Happy #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/3oshj7rGKL
— Teach A Girl Nigeria (@TeachAGirlNG) March 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/DMM_Nigeria/status/971818243404025857
To the women in #Nigeria’s northeast, who defy Boko Haram abductions, and insist their children must go to school, Happy International Women's Day #IWD2018. You are the true Heroines! pic.twitter.com/7YxK24aEkD
— The Mayowa Tijani (@OluwamayowaTJ) March 8, 2018
Our women have contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria since Independence and therefore deserve to be given every support to achieve more. #IWD2018 #WomensDay #InternationalWomensDay
— Dakuku Peterside (@PetersideDakuku) March 8, 2018
Nigeria has Africa's lowest representation of women in Parliament (5.6%).
How can there be equal representation when half our society is underrepresented?
This has to be reversed. #WomensDay#IWD2018 #PressforProgress— ANRP (@AbundantNigeria) March 8, 2018
"Women are the real architects of society" -- Cher
Happy International Women's Day to all the women working to make the world a better place. You rock!! #IWD2018 #InternationalWomansDay pic.twitter.com/0UW1xKJXoa
— Techpoint Africa (@TechpointAfrica) March 8, 2018
Celebrating our women! Meet some of the Ladies on our team. #IWD2018 #PressforProgress #HumansofBudgIT pic.twitter.com/SHBeDugByg
— BudgIT Nigeria (@BudgITng) March 8, 2018
To commemorate the day of the woman, I wrote a story about why there is a low participation of women in tech and how we can fix it. Read it here.
The JAMB snake has a name
Last month, we heard of the snake that swallowed ₦36 million in the Markurdi office of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as told by Philomina Chieshe. This week, following interrogations by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Philomina revealed the identity of the snake, the coordinator of the JAMB Makurdi office, Samuel Umoru.
Here are a few reactions on social media
So the JAMB N36m was collected by her superior and wasn’t swallowed by a snake. Or rather, the name of the snake that swallowed the money is Mr Umoru, her Oga. https://t.co/vP0nL63dyy
— Dr Joe Abah, OON (@DrJoeAbah) March 7, 2018
FLASH: Philomina Chieshe, the JAMB official who claimed that the board’s N36 million was swallowed by a snake, has made a U-turn .... she confessed that the money was collected by one Samuel Umoru, her superior that he used for himself
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) March 7, 2018
“Philomina Chieshe, the official of the Joint Admission & Matriculation Board(JAMB),who claimed that the board’s N36 million was swallowed by a snake, has made a U-turn...when she appeared before EFCC she confessed that the money was collected by one Samuel Umoru, her superior.” https://t.co/Pu77TAaji4
— Tolu Ogunlesi, MON (@toluogunlesi) March 6, 2018
That's the snake nau...snake is the general name but Samuel umoru is the botanical name
— kellz Onye mpiawa azu 🤺🤺 (@kelplus) March 7, 2018
Maybe Mr Umoru turned to a snake
— ALAO of Lagos (@aladazious) March 6, 2018
Samuel Umoru is the snake eating money at JAMB.
A deadly money swallowing snake.#Nigeria
— AAS (@adequnle) March 7, 2018
The snake that swallowed #36million is Samuel Umoru.
Diaris God o— Jacob Promise MD (@Pmj4all) March 6, 2018
Samuel "the snake" Umoru.
— Bode Badiru (@bodebadru) March 6, 2018
According to reports, Samuel Umoru did not deny the allegations and has been released on administrative bail.
Lagos state's controversial land use law
This week, the Lagos state government signed the new Land Use Charge law earlier passed by the House of Assembly. The law, which is a repeal of the 2001 Land Use Charge law, reviews the charges on commercial properties in the state and grants exemptions to senior citizens/ pensioners, owner occupiers, NGOs, churches and Mosques. For a better understanding, read this.
Lagosians reacted on social media.
Lagos state just raised Land Use Charge by 500%, I hear. Kuku kill us, because it’s a crime to live in Lagos.
— Editi Effiòng (@EditiEffiong) February 28, 2018
Who 'll rescue us from the hands of this wicked Lagos state govt?
The LASG is targeting a N750 billion revenue in 2018,therefore one of the ways is to increase the land use charge by over 300%!
How can Land use charge jump from over 50k to 400k?
Jesu! Ambode kuku kill us
— Miz Cazorla (@MizCazorla1) March 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Seuntemitayo4/status/971706969206722560
What to expect
https://twitter.com/markessien/status/968574122656780288
Ambode is creating alot of new problems in Lagos.
Watch landlords increase rent in Lagos just because of this his 400% increase on Land Use Charge.
Bear in mind Lagos hasn't ensured landlords charge only one year rent as the law specifies.
— Princewill (@ThePakuma) March 8, 2018
Land use charge goes up means rent will go up
Pls why are we docile in lagos? Even if we are Pro APC here lets call out what is wrong
— Osi (@Osi_Suave) March 1, 2018
The Land Use Charge is for Landlords, but we know that it is the tenants that pay it either directly or indirectly through rent increases. When the Lagos State Govt decided to increase that charge, surely it must know that the tenants will bare the cost in increased rents. No?
— Yinka Chukwuemeka Ogunnubi (@yinkanubi) March 1, 2018
Tenants in Lagos, how’s the increase in Land Use charge coming along ?
Landlady just gave me notice of tenancy termination ( resubscription refusal ) talmbout she wants to renovate.
— Odogwu Machalla (@unicodeveloper) March 2, 2018
Governor Ambode the villain
https://twitter.com/MrNosegbe/status/969244969994211328
Your MCM got the State Legislature to pass Land Use Charge Law which raises the charge arbitrarily & appoints a private company owned by your other MCM as collection agent.
Your MCM now says he is ready to dialogue on the law. Your MCM is Ambode and he needs to go in 2019.
— Tosin (@Tosinfat) March 7, 2018
With this new Lagos Land Use Charge (LUC), definitely Mr Ambode will surely NOT have my vote in 2019
It seems Lagos State APC is already killing her citizens with stupid and I repeat stupid different taxes.
I'm on the road,
I'm paying road taxes and yet the roads are bad— Nzekwe Gerald Uchenna (@NzekweGerald) March 6, 2018
Ambo ooooo they sang in 2015
Then when Ambo De Lagos,
He increased Lekki toll
Now I hear he has increased Land use charge by 500%.We already pay estate levy..development levy etc etc
Kuku kill us naaa
— Solakuti.com (@Solakutidotcom) March 2, 2018
They came for Maroko, undisturbed.
For Otodo Gbame, wetin concern me.They've come for all of us...
Land Use Charge, vehicle registration, toll fees, countless taxes etc.
— Changing Faces (@nornnie) March 8, 2018
All these Land Use Charge, Toll increase and VAIDS are means to generate enough for the 2019 elections.
Ambode has a target of N50bn at least.
— Daddy Lu. The Unstoppable 💪💪 (@Laemzy) March 1, 2018
Lagos residents are not serious. Let them pay the land use charge joor. We need money to remove Oyegun as the APC chairman. Who will fund it.
This was the case Jimi Agbaje made. Elect another person so somebody else can go through the finance of the state. They refused.— Ile Ife (@ileiife) March 7, 2018
Check these
Funniest thing is that the people being paid to tweet in support of the Land Use Charge don’t own property, but see the energy they’re using to argue with property owners who actually have seen their new bills.
— Editi Effiòng (@EditiEffiong) March 7, 2018
Non Lagosians are complaining about land use charge...
You all should go back to your state and attack your incompetent governors.
Your governors don’t even stay in their states, They rule from ABUJA..— Asiwaju (@Asiwaju_limited) March 8, 2018
Apparently, Alpha Beta, a private company reportedly owned by Bola Tinubu was specifically mentioned as a possible consultant to be engaged in the verification of land use payments to the Lagos state government. This even raised more suspicions.
They increased land use charge to add some private company into law that will be collecting the money. LOL. Lagos. State. https://t.co/ILxbvI4J5f
— The (@DamiElebe) March 7, 2018
2) abolished. Tinubu’s company (Alpha Beta) was inserted in the fraudulent “Land Use Charge Act” of Lagos State. By paying “land use charge,” you will be allowing Bola Tinubu and his company (Alpha Beta) and his collaborators to own you and steal your money. pic.twitter.com/mWbL4xCRRf
— ≋🔝≋ (@AgorasBlog) March 7, 2018
The main reason for the New and Improved Lagos Land use charge...Alpha Beta is there in new land use act. These guys have audacity sha ooo... I don’t blame them...Shebi you people don’t listen ni....you will learn by force. Amboooo
— Solakuti.com (@Solakutidotcom) March 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/datGuyKOFO/status/971293952111448066
The Lagos state House of Assembly later released a statement claiming that the insertion of Alpha Beta as a consultant in the land use law was a mistake.
Don't get it twisted
LASG has clarified the figures circulating in the media on the rate for the newly reviewed Land Use Charge Law of 2018, saying many of the numbers were based on several years of arrears on the levy not paid by affected property owners.
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) March 7, 2018
My take on Land Use Charge - https://t.co/HnKo4Obzmu
— Akinwunmi Ambode (@AkinwunmiAmbode) March 6, 2018
Don't be misinformed about the Land Use Charge, get your facts right https://t.co/8JoypAHUxL
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) March 7, 2018
Stakeholders are currently demanding for a reversal of the new law.
