Let me live!

I use a Nokia E series phone. The E71 in particular, and it’s fast becoming pure water phone in Nigeria. Everywhere I turn, someone is sporting one. But I’m not surprised why. I’ve had mine for about a year now and even though I managed to keep it from falling during the first 6 months (you know, the honeymoon period when you cradle your high-end phone like it’s a child), lately I’ve noticed that the phone has been falling to the ground much more! But amazingly, it doesn’t scatter—just sort of bounces around.

My E71 reminds me of a good partner. Dependable, versatile and…stylish.

But you see, now there are all sorts of commercials luring me into buying a Bold. Javelin. Storm or some other funkily-named Blackberry. For sure, the Blackberry is for the fast-tracked, talented, young, techie, financially buoyant (as the Nigerian journalist would say) urban professional!

So I must also own a Blackberry right? After all, I shouldn’t I fit in with my fellow Blackberry-toting yuppies?

The rate at which we Nigerians follow after new phones is amazing. It’s funny, one telecoms provider recently began advertising its latest offering, the Blackberry Javelin and people who already own the Storm (which hit the market just 7 months ago) are already demanding for it, even though the Javelin does not have all the features that Blackberry Storm has!

Even I am beginning to wonder if I’m missing out on something? I love my E71 but now I’ve got my eye on the Blackberry. Am I missing out by not owning a Blackberry? I can get one for 110,000 naira. Chunk change isn’t it? Yeah right.

Isn’t this what we often do in life? We’ve got something good but then because everyone else is treading a certain path, we begin to second guess ourselves and wonder if we shouldn’t follow suit.

Even the more permanent elements of life are not immune from this scrutiny: jobs, cars, partners. All face the uncertainty of being swapped for the seeming upgrade!

My Nokia E71 is one of the best phones I’ve ever used! I use it to get on facebook, gmail, take pictures, write shopping list, save my monthly budgets. Name it, it’s done. It has a GPS and Nokia recently started advertising on Lagos billboards that maps are available at http://www.maps.nokia.com/. What else could a girl want?

Truth is, I might still get a Storm (or more accurately inherit one) if it gives me faster access to the Internet because these days I’m more of a mobile internet user (YES we have internet on our phones in Nigeria! My sister in the States was surprised to learn my phone is my main portal for checking email)

I want a simple life. A life of contentment, not of comparison. I don't want to wake up one day and realize that despite my best intentions, I’ve grown a tail and it’s caught in a high-speed rat race!

Comments

  1. Finally you have updated!!! I sent you an e-mail ages ago ....

    I have the E71 and I agree about it bouncing back!!

    The phone has so many good things on it for example the dictionary ..and it even reads the words out for you for pronounciation purposes!! Yes not to forget the GPS ...so are you telling me when I come to Naija I can use it ??? I'll be amazed

    but madam £448 for a phone????? babe you got money ohhhh ... I mean here in london phones are normally gotten on contract ..no one ever buys them money up front ..Nigerians they amaze me. In a land where poverty is high it still beats me how they are always sporting they newest phones ..they even pass those here in London ...

    anyways I think it makes them feel better ...

    I've spoken too much.

    Hope you well and update much more!

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  2. you are so right the E71 is now PURE WATER...it is practically everywhere....

    The blackbeery too is becoming the new "ish". at least one out ofthree peple at my office is sporting it

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  3. i know Nigerian, they can be faster than the fonr trend sef.

    in yankee, i dare not use my fone to check my mail before at&t finish me with bill.

    see how naija has developed chai!

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  4. You're such a good writer..I honestly enjoy reading ur blog ;)
    Do you ever regret moving back??? I myself am considering moving back..nothin is holding me back here but the problem is, i can't seem to find a job (in the public health field) in naija so that's quite frustrating...do you have any advice for ppl in the healthcare field that are interested in moving back home????

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  5. misplaced priorities....
    &
    life.
    &
    country.

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  6. i fear naija folks o!lol

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  7. it is oju kokoro thats worrying u. lol. besides d E71 looks like a blackberry. purchasing the storm or javelin wont be a bad idea but trust me in 6months, there will be a better phone. so will u drop this one and jump on the next train? its up 2 u 2 decide...

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  8. I love your blog!

    I personally will stay with what you have, but I live in the US and cannot fathom buying a phone for $1,000! I don't mean to offend you at all, but I do think Nigerians have misplaced priorities like someone else mentioned. It's good to enjoy life and all, but 110,000 Naira for a phone?

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  10. dependable, versaile and stylish..eh? like a good partner...eh? hmmmnn SOMEBODY GOT BITTEN REAL BADDDDDD.... ha ha hi hi he he lol!

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  11. dependable, versaile and stylish..eh? like a good partner...eh? hmmmnn SOMEBODY GOT BITTEN REAL BADDDDDD.... ha ha hi hi he he lol!

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  12. Word to the wise girl,... word to the wise.

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  13. -Miss fly high, what was the email about? Send it again! I know what you mean! In the States I only bought a new phone when I got a new contract. I wouldn’t even spend $100 on a phone. Meanwhile here there’s no such luck. But I no fit spend that kind money, haba, I was throwing jabs at my people. Maybe if I were making 2million naira month, I’d consider 100k chicken change. But for now, Ima stick to my nokia!

    -Doll, trust your people now.

    -Naijashawty, true I was amazed at how much technology has developed but mobile phones are the new PCs for us over here so more and more people are connecting via mobile.

    -Tee- Blahnic, thank you, I really appreciate the feedback. I don’t regret moving back at all. Sometimes I feel like I need a break and recently felt a bit discouraged when I went for a quick vacation and returned, but it has passed now. As for jobs in the public health field, they are out there! The Nigerian government and foreign aid invests a lot in HIV/AIDS programs and other health programs for OVCs and youths. I usually see jobs in the paper for positions in Society for Family Health and Family Health International. Google these two organizations and see what you can find. Most of the NGOs are based out of Abuja with offices spread out of the country so you most jobs are scattered around the country. Send me an email and I’ll share more info.

    -Dapxin, I hear you

    -Pink satin, so do I oh!

    -Dotman, I like my 71 and I’m keeping it. Like u said, there will also be bigger, badder, better model out there.

    -Folu, thanks ;) Yes, Nigerians tend to be very materialistic but consumerism is just as prevalent in the west. It’s just that they have the money or should I say the credit that can afford it.

    -omonaikee, na you know. you’re overdue to update oh!

    -desert eagle,amen!

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  14. Tee blahnic - there are quite a lot of PH jobs in Nigeria. I am a physician with an mph and last job I did was with DFID - not even ph but international development/poverty reduction. It was great, good pay, great hours, loads of freedom. I loved it. DFID has other PH programmes scattered all over Nigeria. UNICEF, CRS (they pay quite well), Pathfinder, UNIFEM, FORD foundation, World Bank, UNDP.....and there are many more. Of course as mentioned, many operate out of Abuja, but just do some research, send in applications - You'd be pleasantly surprised. Don't be discouraged at all. I'm not in Nigeria right now, been out for 4 years but hope to back home in a year or too and can't wait!!!

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