Posts

Is the Lagos state one-way and forfeiture law justified?

Image
  This one-way and issue of forfeiture in Lagos state is likely going to end up being a tool for oppression - Claudia. We are quick to introduce laws without weighing in on all sides of the matter first to identify loopholes and tighten all lose ends to ensure that the law can be sustained. Forfeiture for way-one way traffic offense is good only if government had first put in the work of marking routes and installing cameras. If not, how do they intend to prove these cases? Perhaps they do not intend to prove anything, they just want to seize and auction cars.  Anything to make the masses cry out! Who are the advisers of government? LASG putting people like the (existing) LASTMA and FRSC officials who would almost strangle a passenger over seatbelt offense, who would jump on moving vehicles to prove a point or beat a driver to coma just to flex power is a dangerous move. Where there are no clearly marked or labelled roads and CCTV cameras to prove the law has been broken, how ...

Online Passport Application: My NIS Experience

Image
Nigerian Passport As "Nigerians" we (naturally) shy away from using government agency portals or online platforms. Many would say that the portals do not work and they make things more difficult. Others would not even bother to try because as far as they are concerned it's all make believe. Personally, I do not subscribe to herd mentality. I keep an open-mind approach to everything. I prefer to test and see and speak from my own experience. Based on this, (also due to dwindling resources post-covid-era) I decided that this year, I will not pay any extras. I would try the portals and see how it goes. Recently, I have tried the FRSC portal for renewal of driving licence, Ikeja electric portal for KYC and prepaid meter application, NIMC for identity card enrollment and most recently, the NIS for my international (travel) passport renewal. I had asked around and was told to prepare to pay between 40k to 50k for 32page passport with 5 years validity. I'd also read about ot...

Alot has to change about the Igbo culture

Image
Everytime you see comments like... "Burn your wife's clothes" "Beat her up" "She must submit" "Man chains his wife" Yen yen yen... Check the name of the poster. 90% of the times it's an Igbo man. There's no denying the effort of the "modern day Igbo man" in the fight against these misogynistic tendencies but you see... it's quite a long journey. A handful of Igbo men enjoy being power drunk. They enjoy subjugation, anything to keep a woman defeated. It's hard to think that the most powerful women around here are Igbos yet the most oppressed. Onitsha, Aba, Tejuosho market, Computer village.....anywhere you find Igbo men in their numbers, they harass women unchallenged and foolishly 'kikiki' away about it. If it's not madness, I wonder wtf it is. Some people will say "it's not only Igbo men". Yes! There are foolish men in every tribe and culture but to a large extent, the Igbo culture encourag...

Womanity Is Deeper Than That

Image
I don't know about feminism but I believe in womanity. The soft, sweet, beautiful, gracious and charismatic nature of a woman. Our strength is in our tact, discernment and ability to hold it down / together. The woman is unbreakable! We really don't need to form cliques and men hating "covens" in order to fight the systemic subjugation that women face daily. Rather, we need to build more support systems to help emancipate our minds and empower more women to succeed. Let them know that they can rise to the occasion anytime, anywhere. We do not need women with closed minds, scared to dare. We need more women of confidence, compassion and character.  Who know their worth and will not be lower the bar. Women can shatter glass ceilings, making room for other women. Who can spot the signs of misogyny and patriarchy and quickly kill them before they grow. A woman should never be helpless. Womanity is deeper than that. When I face obstacles and challenges, I simply adjust my ...

The 3 Ps of womanity

Image
Author: Claudia Nwankwo

Why men cheat & 7 rules women can live by.

Image
A very common question among women especially those who experience heartbreak is "why?" Relationships crumble most-times as a result of cheating. Leaving the other partner wondering why, what they have done wrong or could have done better to prevent it. Hence, the question "why do men cheat?" There's yet no known reason to that. They cheat for no particular reason. Of course, a person who is tired or caught cheating in a relationship might want to cook up several silly excuses for being in the wrong but it is what it is. A silly excuse. Alot of men cheat for no reason.  They just do it and it doesn't matter how cute you look, how wealthy, supportive, good in bed, kind or how well you cook.   Give them the world, they'd still cheat. It's not about you, It's the man. A cheat is a cheat. Many men cheat because they are cheats. Simple! So, chin up Sis. Just determine what's your limit or deal breaker. Know what you can take and let him know upfro...

A review of some Nigerian loan apps

Image
Author: Claudia Nwankwo  As a young-workingclass-single parent, I am very upwardly mobile, business minded and low on cash. I am almost always in a fix when it comes to money affairs.  From one bill to another, I am oftentimes in need of money to beat one deadline or the other.  I used to run to my friends but I realized that mosttimes, they either do not have as well or take so much time to respond.  Li fe became alot easier when I discovered loan apps. Some of which are quite more reliable. So, yea! Nowdays, I simply use my phone and in less than 5 minutes, problem solved! The only thing that beats a no-interest loan is having to spend from the dividends of your investment(s) or savings (but for some, who hardly have enough to meet-up, therefore, have no dividends or savings) borrowing becomes an option. Taking a loan is not a very good idea (I must confess) especially when you have to pay way more than you borrowed but sometimes it's the only/best opti...