Dangoteās businesses arenāt in Lagos for security reasons; they are there because Lagos is the nationās true commercial centre, home to the corporate headquarters of all major businesses in Nigeria. This status is due to the cityās historical interactions with the world, geographical advantage as a coastal city, and infrastructure, dating back to the arrival of Portuguese explorer Rui de Sequeira in the 15th century and continuing through its role as Nigeriaās first post-independence capital.
Reno Omokri's reasoning here is flawed because, ironically, Kano is one of the safest places to live and do business in Nigeria. It has long been a commercial hub for the nation and is home to a diverse demographic. Many foreign-owned businesses in Nigeria, particularly those owned by the Lebanese and Turks, operate from Kano. Unlike other parts of the North-West, Kano State is not overrun by bandits, nor is it experiencing the same wave of kidnappings.
Kano is no more prone to violence than Lagos. During the
#EndSARS protests, which were hijacked by hoodlums, the resulting devastation was severe. But it wasnāt Kano hoodlums who set ablaze BRT buses, police stations, Nigeriaās oldest court, the Lagos governorās family house, a local government secretariat, the Obaās palace, or who looted shops and malls, including the head office of your organisation, TVC, and The Nation. Itās Lagos residents.
Hoodlums exist everywhere, sir, and will exploit any legitimate grievance or breakdown in law to wreak havoc, and so we need to learn to draw this lineāthat these hoodlums who hijacked protests, which are guaranteed by law, are not the ultimate reflection of their communities, state, religion, or ethnic group.
RENO OMOKRI WROTE
āAs a resident of Kano, the next time you complain about Dangote building his businesses in Lagos rather than Kano, think about your behaviour last week. If Dangote's $19.5 billion refinery had been in Kano, what do you think would have happened to