Ore Ogunbiyi, a correspondent from Lagos, shares insights on Nigeria's economic challenges following President Bola Tinubu's controversial fuel subsidy cuts. He discusses the rising inflation and its toll on ordinary citizens while contrasting this with cautious optimism from investors. Leo Marani, reporting from Mumbai, highlights how India's cities could thrive with more autonomous governance, using Bhubaneshwar as a shining example of urban innovation. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of video games, shifting towards kinder themes to cater to a diverse audience.
Nigeria's President Tinubu's promised reforms lack concrete plans, causing concerns over rising inflation and removal of fuel subsidies.
Bhubaneswar's success highlights the need for more local government autonomy in Indian cities to address pollution, congestion, housing, sanitation, and education challenges, like those faced by most urban centers.
Deep dives
Mixed reviews for President Tanubu's first hundred days in office in Nigeria
After a disputed election, President Tanubu faced legal challenges that were recently dismissed by the Nigerian judiciary. While investors seem satisfied with his market-friendly reforms, the average Nigerian is concerned about rising inflation and the removal of the fuel subsidy, leading to higher prices for essentials like rice and transport fares. The government's attempt to provide monthly cash transfers to the poorest citizens has been marred by political squabbles, and the distribution of basic food items has done little to alleviate the situation.
Bhubaneswar and the state of Indian cities
Bhubaneswar stands out as a well-run, clean, and pleasant city in India, highlighting the more significant problem faced by most Indian cities. The majority of Indian urban centers suffer from pollution, traffic congestion, lack of affordable housing, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to public education and healthcare. The absence of an effective local government and limited autonomy for cities hinder their ability to address these challenges effectively. The success of Bhubaneswar demonstrates the need for a new tier of government that allows cities to have more control over their development.
The rise of non-violent video games
There is a growing trend in the gaming industry towards non-violent video games. Games like 'Denver' and the 'Animal Crossing' series offer experiences centered around peaceful activities like cooking, gardening, and building, providing an alternative to the traditional violence-oriented games. This trend is driven by a combination of developer preferences and diversity among players, as more people of different backgrounds, including women and older individuals, engage in gaming. While violence is still prevalent in many popular games, the demand for non-violent alternatives is becoming increasingly prominent.
Axing generous fuel subsidies was just one necessary reform promised by Bola Tinubu. A hundred days into the president’s term, we examine his ideas for change—finding they do not seem to be backed by real plans. Our correspondent says India’s decrepit cities would fare better if permitted to govern themselves more (09:58). And the kinder, gentler trend in video games (17:13)
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