Nigerians express mixed reactions on happiness rating
Nigeria is the 6th African country and 95th country in the world where people are most happy according to the 2017 World Happiness Report published yesterday by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations. This is a slide from the 1st position Nigeria occupied on the African continent as at 2010 on the […]
Nigeria is the 6th African country and 95th country in the world where people are most happy according to the 2017 World Happiness Report published yesterday by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations. This is a slide from the 1st position Nigeria occupied on the African continent as at 2010 on the happiness index. The latest report ranked Norway as the “world’s happiest country” followed by Iceland and Switzerland. Out of the 155 countries surveyed, the Central African Republic occupied the last position, followed by Burundi at the 54th position and Tanzania at 53rd position.
March 20 of every year is celebrated globally as the International Day of Happiness. The Daily Trust collated the opinions of some Nigerians on whether or not Nigerians are happy.
Aliu Umar, ‘suya’ vendor
Yes, Nigerians are the happiest people on earth. We have security and people move about freely without fear of being attacked. You know everything comes gradually. So, the peace we now enjoy also came gradually and we are happy. You know that you cannot claim to be happy unless there is security. That is why I said Nigerians are happy people because we are secured. At the moment, I don’t plan to leave Nigeria for any country. It is only the country that you know that you can claim is safe. I don’t know about other countries but I know Nigeria is safe and that is why I will stay in Nigeria.
Mr Ifeanyi Okonkwo, a retired Civil Servant
It is clear that Nigerians are not happy. I am personally not happy judging from the recent hardship Nigerians are going through. The prices of food stuff are hiked, there are no jobs and thousands of Nigerian cannot afford three square mails per day. Unfortunately, an average Nigerian cannot fend for his family. Nigerians are going through untold hardship every day. So, Nigerians are not happy at all.
Muhammed Bello, businessman
I can say that all over the world, no particular set of people are happier than Nigerians. The reason is obvious. Several years ago, past governments enslaved and exploited us. But now, God brought to us a government of change. We are confident that this government will bring good to us and we are happy. Many years ago, we didn’t know what was happening beneath us. Some of the revelations in the media now used to be unknown to us. This government has shown us that we had many rats before. This is why I say there are no people in any part of the world who are happier than Nigerians at the moment. We have a government that loves poor people and has set the country on the path of growth.
Miss Callista Udo, a student
Nigerians are not happy considering the present economic challenges plaguing the nation. I am not happy at all with the sudden turn of events in the country. For instance, prices of food stuff continue to skyrocket in the face of the dwindling economy, there are no jobs and worse of all, most companies now embark on mass retrenchment of workers.
Mr Kingsley Onah, a trader
Its true Nigerians are happy people. One cannot deny the reality of the economic hardship in the country, but Nigeria is the safest place on earth. We have not experienced any natural disaster like earthquake and for a very long time, we have not witnessed any outbreak of war or xenophobic attack just like in South Africa. With the level of serenity and peace we are enjoying in the country, I believe Nigerians are the happiest people.
Ibrahim Lawal, hawker
Nigerians are a happy people. Honestly, in Nigeria now, we don’t have any problem, apart from scarcity of money and food. Food items are expensive. But in terms of security, Nigerians are happy. In terms of security, you can go to anywhere in Nigeria. But we have problem in food. Food is where the crisis is. We left our villages because there were no foods. We came here to Abuja and we are hawking on the streets. Government people are running after us and collecting our wares. They don’t consider that we send monies to our parents from what we make from hawking. Apart from minor problems that I have said, Nigerians are happy, especially with respect to security.
Angela Silva, Student
Personally, I am happy because I am alive. Life is the more reason I am happy. However, considering the general situation of the country, no one will claim to be happy. Presently, Nigerians are not happy. The economy is very bad. People are suffering. Crime rate is high because of lack of jobs.
Miss Angela Haruna, a trader
Honestly, times are hard. The present situation we find ourselves as a people is highly pathetic. The economic hardship continues to bite harder and more people especially the breadwinners are now jobless while thousands out there hunt for jobs that are not available. With all these challenges, Nigerians are not happy.
