The day’s top stories: The business killers

[View this email in your browser] How far that babe from Facebook? She dey oh. Na fine girl. We go see again soon. Na you biko. You still dey control babes for dis kain economy My brother, na God oh. Wetin you dey check for your phone? Osun dey celebrate 25 years of being a state. Daddy Bubu, Ambode, and many big people dey there Which celebration dem dey celebrate? Aregbe don pay salary finish? Hahaha! Go ask dem for Osun na. Wetin consain me? How many states dey pay salary sef? I no know why states wey no fit pay salary dey celebrate any birthday. But make I keep quiet before I hear say my mouth dey smell. Make I epp you check weda e dey smell na, oya come. Shior Lagos State destroying businesses In a state that prides itself on being the most entrepreneurial and vibrant in the country, the demolition of 4 businesses in Ikoyi this morning left many confused, then outraged. The purported excuse is that the [landlord owes the state government] money for permits, but by all accounts, those who would be most affected did not know about this. It was really heart-breaking to watch a bulldozer crush business that are creating value, and the outcry [was swift]. What country, in a recession and with high unemployment just decides to demolish businesses instead of seeking a better way? You guessed it. Recession is a word Since the release of NBS figures yesterday which confirmed the country is in a recession, government officials have been falling over themselves to sound hopeful and look for silver linings. Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun was one of those who tried to sound hopeful, but only came off as tone deaf. She got deserved clap backs from many, [including the PDP]. If you talk to the many who have lost their jobs or seen their purchasing power decline, the fact is that recession is not just a word. It is the lived reality of millions of people in Nigeria. The sooner this government improves that reality, the better. Buhari visits Osun The President went to Osun state on a one-day working visit, during which he [commissioned a school]. By itself, this is irritating, but more irritating is that Osun celebrated 25 years of being a state at an event with Buhari and a few state governors in attendance. What, precisely, does Osun – or any of the other states that have turned 25 recently – have to celebrate? Is it the non-payment of salaries for months? The looting by many of the state governors? The general backwardness? Many of these states are empty shells, and the ‘celebrations’ are the hollowest thing ever. Pay your salaries first. The Media Blog TMB [laments the exit] of Pulse Nigeria CEO, Rich Tanksley, credited with making that Pulse a part of Nigeria’s popular culture. A few things that caught our eye today The Nigerian Ports Authority now [has a dress code]. Yay. Mark Zuckerberg talked about Facebook supporting the Hausa language yesterday, and these two men decided to [make it into a topic]. Etisalat is sponsoring the Nigerian version of ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’. [It sounds like fun]. If you like this newsletter, pleaseconsider sharing. Have a good evening. [share on Twitter] Tweet this Newsletter [Follow @YNaija on Twitter] [Join our Facebook Commmunity] [Follow @YNaijaonline on Instagram] [YNaija Website] Copyright © 2016 YNaija, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or attended one of our events. Our mailing address is: YNaija 59, Ogunlana Drive Surulere 101283 Nigeria [Add us to your address book] Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences] or [unsubscribe from this list]