LAUGHING OFF HARD TIMES
— 16th April 2016- How Nigerians use comedy on social media to make best of their bad situation
‘NAIJA no dey carry last! As fuel no dey and marriage must hold…See a fueless convoy.”
That was the caption of a comic image about a new Nigerian couple being conveyed to the wedding venue for the solemnization of their exchange of marital vows on two decorated horses-the groom, a palfrey brown, albeit dour-looking mule and his beautiful bride, in her immaculate wedding gown, incongruously seated on a weak steed, at the height of the nationwide petroleum scarcity. The horses were led by two casually dressed youths through a dirt road.
The photograph, posted on Facebook by veteran broadcaster, Soni Irabor, has since gone viral on other social media sites including Whatsapp, Instagram and several blogs triggering ripples of laughters, guffaws and chuckles among many internet users across the world with its witty, if not mischievous message.
Why? The humorous image and the accompanying caustic bite, are a sad commentary on the inability of the country, reputed to be the 8th world’s largest producer of crude oil, to provide sufficient supply for motor traffic on which modern transportation, and commuting by the citizenry particularly in this part of the world, depend, to the extent of reducing the joy of probably the most important day for a marrying couple: That of being seen riding in posh and festooned automobiles with glittering ribbons and the exotic inscription advertising their new status, “Just Married.”
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