Comments for WillConnors.com http://www.willconnors.com Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:41:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on A Night out in Nollywood by Stella http://www.willconnors.com/?p=15&cpage=1#comment-679 Stella Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:41:06 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=15#comment-679 Thoroughly enjoyed these articles (all five of them). They were really insightful, funny and honest; no camouflages, no pretences, just real. It's how I think stories that make up Nollywood movies should be told. Thank you. Thoroughly enjoyed these articles (all five of them). They were really insightful, funny and honest; no camouflages, no pretences, just real. It’s how I think stories that make up Nollywood movies should be told. Thank you.

]]> Comment on Businessman Dangote Criticizes Central Bank’s Debtor List by Sunday http://www.willconnors.com/?p=192&cpage=1#comment-375 Sunday Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:15:13 +0000 http://www.willconnors.com/?p=192#comment-375 Sanusi just being overzeleous, considering the fact that he just got his job. I do not subscribe to the accusation that some of these debts are non performing debts. But it's good Dangote has settle his debt. Sanusi just being overzeleous, considering the fact that he just got his job. I do not subscribe to the accusation that some of these debts are non performing debts. But it’s good Dangote has settle his debt.

]]> Comment on Lagos, Africa’s Mega-City - Part I by Jr. http://www.willconnors.com/?p=100&cpage=1#comment-78 Jr. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:28:01 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=100#comment-78 Will Conors remarks and impressions on Lagos and Nigerians, I must say are almost spot-on, especially for a non-native. I agree with Kabir that the current Lagos Governor, Fashola’s few but significant works has infused Lagosians with some sense of hope that things can actually go from bad to well…not so bad. Especially when most might say, prior to Fahsola’s governance the city just got worse for every new governor who took the seat. Keeping in mind that the opinions are still very subjective considering the blatant socio-economic divide that is very apparent in Lagos city (i.e. even a snap shot of “eko-Lagos City” in a hot afternoon rush hour can depict this) So therefore, even if things may have “gotten better” for some less fortuned, it is almost negligent for the wealthy whose main focus and sources of income overlooks and extends beyond the scope of the city’s immediate needs and interests. In other words, it seems like the rich only care to get richer, even in a dying economy and at the cost of a neighbor’s daily bread,” survival of the fittest”? Not really, more like, I need more to stay alive - remain a person of high status so I can keep getting more and more and be well recognized even though I don’t know what the hell I’m doing or talking about or even how to do the Job I’m supposedly skilled at and getting paid for not bitter, just saying. A cut throat mentality that has been long cultivated from childhood, especially if you grew up in Nigeria; an accepted way and almost the only way a Nigerian-Lagosian should think - ruthless greed for wealth at any cost. A few years back such greed translated to the killings of innocent men, women and children… something I’d like to call the “Otokoto” boom! not sure where the name came from. It was a phenomenon that involved the use of human body parts to some how generate financial revenue and I hate to make it sound like a very formal business transaction but it really seemed that way in that such a practice could engender raw hard cash. Well I guess I should mention it incorporated some type of supernatural/metaphysical/native doctor/baba lawo/ voodoo type of acts. This financial scheme was also depicted in several Nigerian movies during this time, I believe early to late 90’s. I’d like to go on about the short comings of this nation as it honestly but non-sadistically, intrigues me. Looking beyond the imperfections of this nation, my country, although American born, Nigerians, especially Lagosians seem to have an unbelievable ability to retort from the greed and corruption of the 90’s, at least so says their mindset. And just speaking on behalf of my generation; i.e. people like Fashola, the younger generation, who witnessed the corruption at its finest hours, whether in ones adolescence or early adulthood, we all saw the unbalanced rewards of services given to the most lazy ( meaning well connected-requiring minimal to zero efforts in making a living) and the hard working (skilled and well qualified worksmen and women of various trades with the appropriate qualifications and/or higher level education to validate their merits) yes, and even one can define this mindset as socialism, but the difference is that Nigerians, take it to a whole new level, redefining the term in it self and almost dissociating it from its much more “subdued” origin, relatively speaking, and not condoning socialism. Like I said, the new generation even in the midst of all the allure and glamour that can be gotten from quick disingenuous wealth schemes seem to still have a fraction of a conscience, keeping in mind that most Nigerian ‘boys’ and ‘gals’ desperately want the big bucks, oh yes you do… and still have the blood of their predecessors running in their veins , but I believe that there is that part of the upcoming leadership that in spite of hype of the “get rich or dye trying” saga kudos to ‘Fitty’, there’s a genuine desire for a new change, not just any change but one that’s for the betterment of the whole nation, where everyone, rich or poor, connected or not can bask in the fruits of their labor- a forward mind set I’d like to think. So instead of just feeding the rich and depriving or ignoring the poor why not flat out feed everyone and lets break bread together?...there’s more than enough to go around. A quote by John Nash, Princeton University and from the movie - A Beautiful Mind “The best result doesn’t come when you do just what’s good for a single person…the best result comes from doing what’s good, for the group, in whole”…something like that. DISCLAIMER: I’m not a writer – far from it so critics breath easy and excuse the typooos . This was FREESTYLE; and in appreciation of Will Conor’s immaculate interpretation of Lagosians, keeping in mind that he is neither a Nigerian native nor was he raised in Lagos. Will Conors remarks and impressions on Lagos and Nigerians, I must say are almost spot-on, especially for a non-native. I agree with Kabir that the current Lagos Governor, Fashola’s few but significant works has infused Lagosians with some sense of hope that things can actually go from bad to well…not so bad. Especially when most might say, prior to Fahsola’s governance the city just got worse for every new governor who took the seat. Keeping in mind that the opinions are still very subjective considering the blatant socio-economic divide that is very apparent in Lagos city (i.e. even a snap shot of “eko-Lagos City” in a hot afternoon rush hour can depict this) So therefore, even if things may have “gotten better” for some less fortuned, it is almost negligent for the wealthy whose main focus and sources of income overlooks and extends beyond the scope of the city’s immediate needs and interests. In other words, it seems like the rich only care to get richer, even in a dying economy and at the cost of a neighbor’s daily bread,” survival of the fittest”? Not really, more like, I need more to stay alive - remain a person of high status so I can keep getting more and more and be well recognized even though I don’t know what the hell I’m doing or talking about or even how to do the Job I’m supposedly skilled at and getting paid for not bitter, just saying. A cut throat mentality that has been long cultivated from childhood, especially if you grew up in Nigeria; an accepted way and almost the only way a Nigerian-Lagosian should think - ruthless greed for wealth at any cost. A few years back such greed translated to the killings of innocent men, women and children… something I’d like to call the “Otokoto” boom! not sure where the name came from. It was a phenomenon that involved the use of human body parts to some how generate financial revenue and I hate to make it sound like a very formal business transaction but it really seemed that way in that such a practice could engender raw hard cash. Well I guess I should mention it incorporated some type of supernatural/metaphysical/native doctor/baba lawo/ voodoo type of acts. This financial scheme was also depicted in several Nigerian movies during this time, I believe early to late 90’s. I’d like to go on about the short comings of this nation as it honestly but non-sadistically, intrigues me. Looking beyond the imperfections of this nation, my country, although American born, Nigerians, especially Lagosians seem to have an unbelievable ability to retort from the greed and corruption of the 90’s, at least so says their mindset. And just speaking on behalf of my generation; i.e. people like Fashola, the younger generation, who witnessed the corruption at its finest hours, whether in ones adolescence or early adulthood, we all saw the unbalanced rewards of services given to the most lazy ( meaning well connected-requiring minimal to zero efforts in making a living) and the hard working (skilled and well qualified worksmen and women of various trades with the appropriate qualifications and/or higher level education to validate their merits) yes, and even one can define this mindset as socialism, but the difference is that Nigerians, take it to a whole new level, redefining the term in it self and almost dissociating it from its much more “subdued” origin, relatively speaking, and not condoning socialism. Like I said, the new generation even in the midst of all the allure and glamour that can be gotten from quick disingenuous wealth schemes seem to still have a fraction of a conscience, keeping in mind that most Nigerian ‘boys’ and ‘gals’ desperately want the big bucks, oh yes you do… and still have the blood of their predecessors running in their veins , but I believe that there is that part of the upcoming leadership that in spite of hype of the “get rich or dye trying” saga kudos to ‘Fitty’, there’s a genuine desire for a new change, not just any change but one that’s for the betterment of the whole nation, where everyone, rich or poor, connected or not can bask in the fruits of their labor- a forward mind set I’d like to think. So instead of just feeding the rich and depriving or ignoring the poor why not flat out feed everyone and lets break bread together?…there’s more than enough to go around.
A quote by John Nash, Princeton University and from the movie - A Beautiful Mind “The best result doesn’t come when you do just what’s good for a single person…the best result comes from doing what’s good, for the group, in whole”…something like that.

DISCLAIMER: I’m not a writer – far from it so critics breath easy and excuse the typooos . This was FREESTYLE; and in appreciation of Will Conor’s immaculate interpretation of Lagosians, keeping in mind that he is neither a Nigerian native nor was he raised in Lagos.

]]> Comment on Lagos, Africa’s Mega-City - Part I by Junior http://www.willconnors.com/?p=100&cpage=1#comment-79 Junior Fri, 03 Apr 2009 04:02:44 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=100#comment-79 Will conors Remarks and impression I must say are almost spot-on, especially for a non-native. I agree with Kabir that the current Lagos Governor, Fashola's few but significant works has infused Lagosians with some sense of hope that things can actually go from bad to better. Especially when most might say, prior to Fahsola's governance the city just got worse for every new governor who took the seat. Keeping in mind that the opinions are still very subjective considering the blatant socio-economic divide that is very apparent in Lagos city (i.e. even a snap shot of "eko" in a rusher hr hot afternoon can depict this) So therefore, things may have gotten better for the poor but almost negligent for the wealthy whose main source of income overlooks and extends beyond the scope of the city and its immediate needs in goods and services. In other words the Rich only care to get richer, even in a dying economy and at the cost of a neighbor's daily bread,” survival of the fittest"? Not really, more like, I need more to stay alive - remain a person of status so I can keep getting more and more, a cut throat mentality that has been long cultivated from childhood, especially if you grew up in Nigeria. an accepted way and almost the only way a man should think - ruthless greed for wealth at any cost. A few years back such greed translated to the killings of innocent men, women and children... something I'd like to call the "Otokoto" boom! Not sure where the name came from, It was a phenomena that involved the use of human body parts to some how generate financial revenue and I hate to make it sound like a very fromal business transaction but it really seemed that way that such a practice could engender raw, hard cash. Well I guess I should mention it incorporated some type of supernatural/metaphysical/native doctor/baba lawo/ voodoo type of acts. This financial scheme was also depicted in several Nigerian movies during this time, I believe early to late 90's. I'd like to go on about the short comings of this nation as it really non-sadistically, intrigues me. Looking beyond the imperfections of this nation, my country, in spite of being American born, Nigerians, especially Lagosians have an unbelievable ability to retort, Sepaking on behalf of my generation; i.e. people like Fashola, the younger generation, who witnessed the corruption at its finest hrs, in the nineties, whether in adolescence or early adulthood saw the unequal reward of services given to the most lazy ( meaning well connected-requiring minimal to zero efforts in making a living) and the hard working (skilled and well qualified worksmen and women of various trades with the appropriate qualifications and/or higher level degrees to legitimate their merits) yes, I guess this can also be defined as socialism, but the difference is that Nigerians, take it to a whole new level, redefining the term and almost dissociating it from its much more subdued origin, relatively speaking. Like I said, the new generation even in the midst of all the allure and glamour that can be gotten from quick disingenuous wealth seem to still have a fraction of a conscience, keeping in mind that most Nigerian boys and gals still want the big bucks and still have the blood of their predecessors running in their veins , but I believe that there is that part of the upcoming leadership that in spite of hype of the get rich or dye trying saga believes a change towards the betterment of the whole country, where everyone, connections or not can bask in the fruits of their labor forward mind set I’d like to call it, not feeding the rich and depriving the poor but flat out feeding everyone. Let us all break bread together. A quote by John Nash, Princeton University the movie "A Beautiful Mind" The best result doesn't come when you do what's good for one person...the best results come when you do what’s good for the group whole. A phrase in my native tongue "O ga di ma", translation in broken English- E go better!, transaltion in proper english - It will be well. DISCALIMER: I’m not a writer – far from it, just a native who was inspired by a foreigner’s ability to tell a Lagosian’s story as it is. Excuse any typos, this was free style Will conors Remarks and impression I must say are almost spot-on, especially for a non-native. I agree with Kabir that the current Lagos Governor, Fashola’s few but significant works has infused Lagosians with some sense of hope that things can actually go from bad to better. Especially when most might say, prior to Fahsola’s governance the city just got worse for every new governor who took the seat. Keeping in mind that the opinions are still very subjective considering the blatant socio-economic divide that is very apparent in Lagos city (i.e. even a snap shot of “eko” in a rusher hr hot afternoon can depict this) So therefore, things may have gotten better for the poor but almost negligent for the wealthy whose main source of income overlooks and extends beyond the scope of the city and its immediate needs in goods and services. In other words the Rich only care to get richer, even in a dying economy and at the cost of a neighbor’s daily bread,” survival of the fittest”? Not really, more like, I need more to stay alive - remain a person of status so I can keep getting more and more, a cut throat mentality that has been long cultivated from childhood, especially if you grew up in Nigeria. an accepted way and almost the only way a man should think - ruthless greed for wealth at any cost. A few years back such greed translated to the killings of innocent men, women and children… something I’d like to call the “Otokoto” boom! Not sure where the name came from, It was a phenomena that involved the use of human body parts to some how generate financial revenue and I hate to make it sound like a very fromal business transaction but it really seemed that way that such a practice could engender raw, hard cash. Well I guess I should mention it incorporated some type of supernatural/metaphysical/native doctor/baba lawo/ voodoo type of acts. This financial scheme was also depicted in several Nigerian movies during this time, I believe early to late 90’s. I’d like to go on about the short comings of this nation as it really non-sadistically, intrigues me. Looking beyond the imperfections of this nation, my country, in spite of being American born, Nigerians, especially Lagosians have an unbelievable ability to retort, Sepaking on behalf of my generation; i.e. people like Fashola, the younger generation, who witnessed the corruption at its finest hrs, in the nineties, whether in adolescence or early adulthood saw the unequal reward of services given to the most lazy ( meaning well connected-requiring minimal to zero efforts in making a living) and the hard working (skilled and well qualified worksmen and women of various trades with the appropriate qualifications and/or higher level degrees to legitimate their merits) yes, I guess this can also be defined as socialism, but the difference is that Nigerians, take it to a whole new level, redefining the term and almost dissociating it from its much more subdued origin, relatively speaking. Like I said, the new generation even in the midst of all the allure and glamour that can be gotten from quick disingenuous wealth seem to still have a fraction of a conscience, keeping in mind that most Nigerian boys and gals still want the big bucks and still have the blood of their predecessors running in their veins , but I believe that there is that part of the upcoming leadership that in spite of hype of the get rich or dye trying saga believes a change towards the betterment of the whole country, where everyone, connections or not can bask in the fruits of their labor forward mind set I’d like to call it, not feeding the rich and depriving the poor but flat out feeding everyone. Let us all break bread together.
A quote by John Nash, Princeton University the movie “A Beautiful Mind” The best result doesn’t come when you do what’s good for one person…the best results come when you do what’s good for the group whole.
A phrase in my native tongue “O ga di ma”, translation in broken English- E go better!, transaltion in proper english - It will be well.

DISCALIMER: I’m not a writer – far from it, just a native who was inspired by a foreigner’s ability to tell a Lagosian’s story as it is. Excuse any typos, this was free style

]]> Comment on Lagos, Africa’s Mega-City - Part I by Kabir http://www.willconnors.com/?p=100&cpage=1#comment-77 Kabir Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:22:24 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=100#comment-77 You will need to contextualize Fashola’s Governement and achievement to understand why Lagosians (typically critical of any form of government) have chosen to believe he is honest… Not the best ..but given the other experiences, he is not doing badly.. He might not fulfill completely all those lofty ideas… Perhaps if you had experienced the “Oshodi Life” for a lifetime like many of us did and now witness the “monumental sweeping” of the oshodi chaos… You will understand better why we appreciate him..To Simply put… The cleaning Fashola did to Oshodi…makes us believe he can go places regarding his "lofty" plans … BTW “Eko o ni baje” is a supplementary ending prayer which literally means "Lagos will not spoil/Break" and actually/popularly mean "Lagos shall not Falter...A lot of meanings in yoruba are generally figurative and cannot be drawn from the literal translation”. The Language could be quite "proverbial" at times.... There goes my prof. head :) I’m afraid the “Keep Lagos Clean” theme of the state government isnt directly related perhaps indirectly...... And Yes, sadly, its a theme which neither the state minister nor poor heed to. Let me end that "We hope/believe thing get better and God be the the good leaders.... Eko ni Baje o. Amen. You will need to contextualize Fashola’s Governement and achievement to understand why Lagosians (typically critical of any form of government) have chosen to believe he is honest… Not the best ..but given the other experiences, he is not doing badly.. He might not fulfill completely all those lofty ideas… Perhaps if you had experienced the “Oshodi Life” for a lifetime like many of us did and now witness the “monumental sweeping” of the oshodi chaos… You will understand better why we appreciate him..To Simply put… The cleaning Fashola did to Oshodi…makes us believe he can go places regarding his “lofty” plans …

BTW “Eko o ni baje” is a supplementary ending prayer which literally means “Lagos will not spoil/Break” and actually/popularly mean “Lagos shall not Falter…A lot of meanings in yoruba are generally figurative and cannot be drawn from the literal translation”. The Language could be quite “proverbial” at times…. There goes my prof. head :)
I’m afraid the “Keep Lagos Clean” theme of the state government isnt directly related perhaps indirectly…… And Yes, sadly, its a theme which neither the state minister nor poor heed to. Let me end that “We hope/believe thing get better and God be the the good leaders…. Eko ni Baje o. Amen.

]]> Comment on Lagos, Africa’s Mega-City - Part I by Kabir http://www.willconnors.com/?p=100&cpage=1#comment-80 Kabir Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:01:35 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=100#comment-80 You will need to contextualize Fashola's Governement and achievement to understand why Lagosiands (typically critical of any form of government) have chosen to believe he is honest... Not the best of options..but given the other experiences, he is not doing badly.. He might not fulfill completely all those lofty ideas... Perhaps if had lived the "Oshodi Life" ealier than a year... :) and now witness the "monumental sweeping" of the oshodi chaos... You will understand better why we appreciate him..To Simply put... The cleaning Fashola did to Oshodi...makes us believe he can go places regarding thsi lofty plans of his... BTW "Eko o ni baje" actually means "Lagos will not Spoil" figuratively meaning Eko will not break. I'm afraid its doesn't mean "Keep Lagos Clean" of th governemt. And Yes, sadly neither the state minister nor poor heed to You will need to contextualize Fashola’s Governement and achievement to understand why Lagosiands (typically critical of any form of government) have chosen to believe he is honest… Not the best of options..but given the other experiences, he is not doing badly.. He might not fulfill completely all those lofty ideas… Perhaps if had lived the “Oshodi Life” ealier than a year… :) and now witness the “monumental sweeping” of the oshodi chaos… You will understand better why we appreciate him..To Simply put… The cleaning Fashola did to Oshodi…makes us believe he can go places regarding thsi lofty plans of his… BTW “Eko o ni baje” actually means “Lagos will not Spoil” figuratively meaning Eko will not break. I’m afraid its doesn’t mean “Keep Lagos Clean” of th governemt. And Yes, sadly neither the state minister nor poor heed to

]]> Comment on Dapper, Dandy and Pissed Off by Kabir http://www.willconnors.com/?p=104&cpage=1#comment-82 Kabir Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:45:08 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=104#comment-82 Hi There...read your article on slate.com. Quite interesting and instructive..It would have been even more touching if the the story talked more about Aziz, the indomie cart pusher as he perhaps the majority of Lagosians....I dont think we are excessibly image-minded as you portrayed, there again, you are a journalist.. it has to be as catching as possible.... Regards and Enjoy d Sun...... Hi There…read your article on slate.com. Quite interesting and instructive..It would have been even more touching if the the story talked more about Aziz, the indomie cart pusher as he perhaps the majority of Lagosians….I dont think we are excessibly image-minded as you portrayed, there again, you are a journalist.. it has to be as catching as possible…. Regards and Enjoy d Sun……

]]> Comment on Nigeria Sets Out to Undo a Reputation for Trouble by Ayo http://www.willconnors.com/?p=99&cpage=1#comment-74 Ayo Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:44:07 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=99#comment-74 Fitting that a member of the re-branding committee was pick-pocketed :p As a Nigerian, I don't think we need 're-branding', that's just like putting a different coat of paint on a room covered with feces. First, we need to wash the room thoroughly. I think this energy (and money) would be better spent on anti-corruption and education projects. Let people know that they don't need to cheat to get ahead and show them that those who cheat will be caught and punished. Until that happens, we'll have a multitude of re-branding projects but no real change in Nigeria's international reputation. We don't need to pretend our problems don't exist, we should acknowledge them and do something to change them, and I don't think a re-branding project is the way forward here. Fitting that a member of the re-branding committee was pick-pocketed :p
As a Nigerian, I don’t think we need ‘re-branding’, that’s just like putting a different coat of paint on a room covered with feces. First, we need to wash the room thoroughly.
I think this energy (and money) would be better spent on anti-corruption and education projects. Let people know that they don’t need to cheat to get ahead and show them that those who cheat will be caught and punished. Until that happens, we’ll have a multitude of re-branding projects but no real change in Nigeria’s international reputation.
We don’t need to pretend our problems don’t exist, we should acknowledge them and do something to change them, and I don’t think a re-branding project is the way forward here.

]]> Comment on Nigeria Sets Out to Undo a Reputation for Trouble by tobenna http://www.willconnors.com/?p=99&cpage=1#comment-73 tobenna Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:29:46 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=99#comment-73 No comments No comments

]]> Comment on Wall Street Journal / Dow Jones Newswires by Jen http://www.willconnors.com/?p=94&cpage=1#comment-65 Jen Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:34:33 +0000 http://willconnors.com/?p=94#comment-65 Hey Will - The WSJournal, huh? Looks like you are doing great work! I hope all is well in Nigeria (I'm assuming you are based in Lagos?). Hey Will - The WSJournal, huh? Looks like you are doing great work! I hope all is well in Nigeria (I’m assuming you are based in Lagos?).

]]>