‘Eko Oni Baje’ is a popular slang in Nigeria’s economic capital – Lagos today. It literally means ‘Lagos can not spoil’.
The slang which gained prominence in the state when the incumbent governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola was aspiring to govern the state in 2007 has come to stay. Fashola used the slang to endure himself into the hearts of Lagosians promising them that he would change the face of the city.
Four years on, it is safe to say Fashola has delivered. The amiable governor has done a lot in terms of infrastructural development, roads, education, road traffic management, waste management, internal revenue generation, tax management, boosting the ocean economy e.t.c
But are Fashola’s achievements enough? Have they made any major impact in the life of an average lagosian? Well, that is a question for another day.
One area that Lagosians have continued to struggle with is housing. The issue of housing is a major challenge in the mega city as residents who cannot afford decent homes, stay in houses that has structural defects, sewage challenges, congestion, lack of ventilation e.t.c
In Lagos Island, residents who cannot afford the expensive apartments in the upper class areas troop to the lower class areas to rent apartments which are typically in jam packed areas. The buildings are usually high-rise buildings with four of five storeyor shanties jam-packed together in a dirty environment . Ideally, people should not be living in such conditions, but here in Lagos, it doesn’t matter. It is survival of the fittest.
We bring you pictures of these buildings in Lagos. See below:
As Lagosians head to the polls on the 11th of April 2015 to elect a new governor, it is important for voters to vote wisely and ensure they cast their votes for a candidate who will address the housing challenges in the state.
What’s this reportage? Trying to campaign for some political parties in disguise?