Obasanjo’s Internet – Wale Oloworekende

Did you know that there are approximately 4.66 billion active Internet users worldwide? Can you imagine all the different ways in which we all use the internet? Obasanjo’s Internet is our interview series where we speak to some of our Internet favourites on how they relate to the Internet and what it means to them and their work. This week, Wale Oloworekende, Editor At Large at The Native Networks, talks to us about how he uses Obasanjo’s Internet. 

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

I just take a little while to get my bearings and just get into the flow of the day, then I grab my phone and that sets the tone for the day. 

How do you use the internet for work or pleasure?

I use it for work and pleasure because most of the things I enjoy are done over the Internet; reading, music, and speaking with friends. Something I’m finding really exciting these days is just experiencing new places because you can read up on new places and what’s happening there. The internet is also very key to the work I do because I can find new artists, music, and culture over the internet that I probably would not be able to find if the internet did not exist. It’s a mix of both for me. 

What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet?

I’d say the END SARS period because it was interesting and mind-blowing to see something that started as a Twitter hashtag take real-life form. I mean, the sentiment had been brewing offline for a while but the movement and that moment was organised and midwifed primarily on the internet. It was mindblowing to see that a tool for social change started from the internet.

Your favourite social media platform and why? 

Instagram. I think it’s contained, in the sense that the people who are there are people I want to be there. It’s not like Twitter where your tweets can get to an audience you probably don’t intend it for. With Instagram, that is not probable. You most likely stay within your community and I think I like the people on my Instagram.

What was the last meme you saved?

I saved this in the hopes that one day, there will be a need for it.

Do you remember the first time something you posted went viral? What was it? How did it make you feel?

I think the first time something I posted went viral was work-related. I made a tweet complaining about African album notes on Apple Music. They used to be oneliners and I hated it so much. I think it even exposed me to ignorance on the internet because people were saying a lot of different things that I now know to be false. 

What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?

I don’t think I’ve gotten outrage over stuff I say because I don’t use social media as a diary for my thoughts. It’s hard to. 

What rules do you live by on the internet?

I try not to be a dickhead and I also don’t speak about my personal life. I might allude to stuff, but I don’t speak about them directly. There is enough drama on social media and I don’t want to add my own drama. I don’t want anybody to be in my business.

What is your guiltiest online pleasure?

I listen to Portable from time to time. I’m also trying to learn Indaboski’s song, the one he did with Flavour.

Would you say you have an online persona?

Nah, I’m the same in real life and online

What’s your favourite emoji and why?

The upside-down smiley. It is my favourite emoji because it can get on people’s nerves. They can’t tell what it means if I’m fucking with them or not. I don’t do it deliberately. I feel like it just reflects the fact that I can be vague and not just say stuff.

Are you particular about your feed?

Yes, I am. I always say I am mentally seceded from Nigeria so I’m also trying to make sure my feed is seceded from Nigeria. There are some very razz – the thing is I don’t mind people having those conversations because I feel like it leads us to a more equitable society but at the same time, I know where I’m at in my life and I don’t want to say some things so I try to be particular about it. I don’t block, but I mute. 

YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?

YouTube, I just never got into TikTok. I don’t have the attention span for it. I feel like YouTube is more educative. There is more content to what they say there, but I might be wrong, I don’t know. I am not the greatest with video content but if I choose to watch video content, I would like to get my time worth so I just prefer to go to YouTube.

Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?

In media, the world needs to see more of Fu’ad Lawal. The world also needs to see more of Gilmore. I think he is a very fascinating guy.

Who is the coolest person you follow and the coolest person who follows you?

I feel like I’m a hater because I don’t see people in that metric of coolness. 

What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?

Submarine and a Roach. 

Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online? Did you regret it?

Yes I have. I used to regret it, but I don’t anymore.

5 people you’d love to see answer these questions

Daniel Okechukwu, Levi Adewunmi, Lola Ige, Vincent Desmond and Osagie Alonge.