Lagos: Even love won't take some people to the Mainland

The perception that the Mainland is a ghetto is powerful to stop people from true love.

Classism is "prejudice or discrimination based on class" according to Merriam-Webster dictionary.

In Lagos, you can see several cases of classism.

In 2015, popular singer Adekunle Gold released a single 'Pick Up'. The hit single was inspired by classism. Adekunle Gold wanted to park his ride, a second-hand Japanese car at the venue of where he was meant to perform.

 

The bouncers rudely denied him entry and lied the car park was filled up. Minutes later a brand new luxury car was allowed to park in the same spot. This is just an example of classism in Lagos.

Another form of classism is this tweet below that did a bit of round on Twitter NG.

On Monday, October 30, 2017, a lady with the handle @Cali_DreamsXO tweeted "If marriage means moving to the mainland, I'd rather stay single thank you."

 

The tweet reflects the most popular form of classism in this city, Lagos Island vs Mainland. It's been sort of a beef between these two areas in Lagos.

 

A quick crash course on this. Lagos is divided into two- Lagos Island and the Mainland.

Lagos Island also known as Isale Eko is really just a local government area. These days Lagos Island refers to every place after the 3rd Mainland Bridge. These places are Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, Ajah, Epe, Victoria Island, Banana Island and environs.

 

The other half of Lagos is known as the Mainland. This part of Lagos is made up of Agege, Apapa, Badagry, Ebute Metta,  Festac, Gbagada, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Isolo, Ketu, Mushin, Oshodi, Surulere, Yaba and environs.

ALSO READ: The Island vs Mainland debate is senseless

The 3rd Mainland bridge separates both sides, the Mainland in the West and Island on the East. Now, it is generally believed that the rich people of Lagos stay on the Island and the average and poor folks live on the Mainland.

This perception is due to history as many of the city's wealthy stay on the Island. The dynasties and old money live in choice areas like Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The new moneybags mostly stay in Lekki and Ajah. As for the super rich, they stay in Banana Island.

 

On the flip side, those who stay on the mainland are usually middle-class families. That's why during rush hour in the morning and evening, there is traffic heading to the Island and leaving the Island respectively.

This has created a stereotype that mainlanders are paupers and people who live on the Island are billionaires.

The problem with stereotypes is that they are not absolute truths. Poor people live on the Island. You can easily see them in Lagos mainland and the different settlements in Ajah. The Island is not paved with gold. There are poor people who work for millionaires.

 

The Mainland is not one big ghetto. There are cool places there such as Ikeja G.R.A., As a matter of fact, Ikeja is the capital of Lagos. Just as there are poor people on the Island there are wealthy people who live on the Mainland.

On social media, the truth is twisted. While that young lady's tweet might be shocking it is hardly surprising. There are many Islanders who treat the Mainland as the dark lands.

Nigeria is a materialistic society. If you don't have a lot of money, chances are you will be treated like crap. This is the truth.

That tweet is just a product of classism and our warped way of thinking.

As Small Doctor sang, "if you  no get money hide your face."