When that man danced and warned people about how fake expressions like “You’re my honey… you’re my sugar… you’re my life…” are, he probably should have added, “privatisation will save the sector…Lori Iro”.
Lori Iro is a Yoruba term which literally translates to mean “on top lie”. It goes to explain just how far people are willing to tell you things, even though they know these things are not particularly true. In other cases, they do not even have the slightest plan to work towards their promises. So in essence, the term is used to describe failed promises. And it was recently made popular by a video of an old man warning against fake love, just before the Valentine’s Day Celebration.
As a matter of fact, we should all be warned against fake love everyday, because look at the power sector for example. Even before privatisation, it had been nothing to write home about. With the government making promise after promise to Nigerians, that they would soon enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
With privatisation, it was thought that the era of suffering and darkness in the Nigerian power sector would end. Instead, it has all seemed to get worse as new problems such as inadequate transmission infrastructure, amongst others, have become the order. To many, if not all, “privatisation will save the sector…Lori Iro” is just as valid as an “I love you” from a liar.