Nigeria and Netherlands.
Now I get to see what the difference between a developing and a developed nation. They are like the Word and Opposite I got to know about in Primary school.
It's been a little over two weeks here in the Netherlands and I can see so many differences. We got here on the 29th of May, 2024 via the Schipol Airport.
To my main discuss. When the developed countries speak of the developing countries, they make it sound like the developing countries are unserious. Now I inderstand better. There are certain things that work or are made to work that the developing countries still struggle with. No doubt we have formed our own model of these things but compared to the ones set in place in the developed countries, they fall short.
Would speak to six areas in a bit, comparing Netherlands to Nigeria.
1. Time and value
The value for time is shown in the little details. You get a taste of it when you experience the bus or transportation system. Even without a car, you are able to predict your movement to an extent. Coming from the Danfo of Lagos to using this...hmmm. maybe I am taking it too far. I was privileged to drive a car in Lagos and this still works....The dutch people have been able to put a good transportation system in place....with some other amenities..such as ability to charge your phone while in transit (you bring your USB cord) and access to free internet on the bus...even on other modes of Transport..Tram and Train..
Value for time also goes into schedules or appointments they make for people beit in business or personal. I havent tasted the bit of personal but I hear that the Dutch give you a time when you want to visit. I would break this rule for any Naija person sha. In business, I have seen it for appointments that have been made for me..I opened a bank account with an appointment...I dont need that in Lagos. Even doing my govt residence permit registration wa socia appointment and I hear even going to see the doc works with an appointment...maybe this one is a down side but let's see how it goes.
2. Productivity
I have stayed in Aalsmeer, the flower village so far and the level of productivity I have seen is awesome. From the industries, logistics Van's, supermarkets and other businesses, I should say that they are productive. Comparing to Naija..we are productive as well and probably even more. But like we say, enabling policies makes the business terrain grow better. I would need to do more research on the productivity part especially on the policies and advantages available to the dutch people. Someone told me recently that the tax on IT equipment bought in some companies are returned at the end of the year...
3. Weather
This one is so apparent. As a Lagos boy, I am used to the heat from the sun and making use of Air conditioners. However, the reverse is the case here as I am now looking for the heat. I am told we came at a good time as we get to see the sun through the month. Even shutting the windows in the house is not enough, it's still cold. Now I get to see temperatures of about 15°, sometimes 20° and people say this is good. Now I am looking forward to the colder time. During a discussion with someone back in Nigeria, he had mentioned someone who had spent a number of years in the Netherlands, woke up one day and asked himself what he was doing in this cold place. After thinking about it for a while, he decided to go back to Nigeria and continue life.
I guess I cam include this here too. The idea of 10pm being so bright at this time of the year is another. This is an idea of longer days and shorter nights. I heard this a lot in Nigeria but it didnt really make sense as the calculations were always about 30mins to 1 hour difference. But in the Netherlands, it's so apparent. At this time of the year (June 2024), it starts getting dark by 10.30pm and by 4.30am, its already bright again.
4. Cost of Housing
This is a big shift. I had heard from Grandma (we call Mrs X Grandma) that what her kids pay per month as students is in the range of 650 dollars for a room rent. Now this has become more obvious as an apartment for two is in the range of 1600 euro and above. At the current exchange rate (June 2024), I will pay for a full year rent in Nigeria in Lekki. Never mind about the cost of a house at this time...anyways I see between 250,000 Euro to 750,000 euro depending on the location of the house.
5. Cultures..over 60 different countries
Netherlands has come to attract a diverse set of people with their cultures and traditions from the Surinamese, Chinese, Indians, Americans, Vietnamese, South Africans, Ghanians, Nigerians and so many more. In the company I work with, I have spoken to people from over 30 countries and I hear we have over 60 different nationalities. Now you can see that there would be a lot of differences in our thinking, behaviours and even worship. But this diversified have to conform to the law on ground anyway. For instance, I just had my first experience living close to someone who is a Buddhist - whew! The number of sculptures or pictures I see are amazing. Me wet no even dey hold cross. Na virtual Bible i come dey use. I should also say that there are certain cities or towns where there are more dutch people - the country side. I hear you find more of the locals there and this might not be the best for Internationals.
In respect to Nigeria, we have a similar set of distribution in certain locations in Nigeria but overall, I guess I am used to seeing lots of Nigerians. When you go to places like Victoria Island, ikoyi and the environment, you get to see diverse cultures...just anyways I think it's more here in the Netherlands.
6. Data gathering
Not sure what I really wanted to say on data gathering anymore as I started penning this in May 2024 and only getting back to this now. However, i see that a system has been out in place to capture people and put them in the database. What the Americans or the Canadians call the Social security number is what we call the BurgerServiceNummer (BSN).. it's a dutch word for Citizen Service number. We have the NIN and the BVN in Nigeria but it's getting complicated with how things are going in my view. But I know we have a system in place.
One thing that stands the BSN out is how you get to use it in many ways. But that's a story for another day.
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