₦airaland Forum

Odinma. K'anyi n'agakwa n'ubi ka ji n'aka.
Chukwu gozie Naijiria na ndi ya.

Maybe those who want us to believe that this govt is not working are merely being embarassed and ashamed by the streaks this govt makes. I think these information are not corruptible and are very verifiable.
God bless Nigeria and Nigeria.

Now, this is what you call investigative journalism.
@OP, did you notice why Nigeria is backward--quota system, or Fed Character, as they call it. If I know as a candidate that with quota sympathy I'd be granted admission whatever my score, even if it's naught, why would I study hard? We tie our tail onto a tree and we're hopping up hoping to move forward.
Let every child slog it out with their fellows and let merit, and only merit prevail. Am not sure this is one of those things we copy from US and UK.
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians

I like to see and to buy the Made in Nigeria goods. As for quality, if see what young craftmen are doing with their dexterous fingers in Aba, it's breathtaking (though that place also doubles as the home of substandard products). But painfully the cun for their high standard goods is that when they produce high quality products they export it to Cameroun and Cotonou and others, and later they're re-imported into Nigeria as Italian this, Italian that (especially shoes and clothes, and other leather products).
As for pricing, it's mostly cos of high cost of production in the form of electricity, multiple taxation( Fed, state, LGA, area boys, matching ground, omonile, etc). Another is lack of competition. In no distant time, if we unite in purpose and will, we can produce high quality and cheap Made in Nigeria goods (and services).
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians

@OP, My belief might sound very incredulous but let me say it all the same. If we have very perfect statistics it might appear that Nigeria has created more jobs than this. But we have a very shameful census and statistics.
Again, the US population is almost 2times higher that Nigeria's so our numbers may not truly tally.
I know that until you personally get a job what I say now sounds like gibberish to you. But Nigerian unemployment level has been so embarassing so much so that even if you create 3M jobs it'll still be like pouring a truck load of salt into an ocean. Though big, but impart will still be infinitesimal.
Govts dont create jobs by directly employing people. Just make small economic policy adjustments to favour investments and people will create jobs. Nigeria has greater capacity to create more jobs cos it still has huge infrastructure deficit so as it tries to fill that gap it'll mean jobs for the people.
Let me cease this space to urge my beloved Nigerian youths, never complain about job scarcity, and never wait on govt for job. Tell yourself that nobody owes you any help--not even your parents. So fight the battle. I know it's damn frustrating here!
But for heaven's sake, so many of us are honestly VERY un-employable even after higher education.
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians.

I doubt if any other govt in Nigeria can ever allow or tolerate the kind of press freedom and sagacity (which have also at sometimes been misused or abused) that we've witnessed with this present administration.
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians

News is not like OLX--where everything sells. The most unfortunate thing about good news is that only bad news sells.

After reading that 'controversial' book, There Was A Country, when I listen to what some highly placed Nigerians say about it I just simply wonder if they've ever had the time to carefully read the book. Or they simply rely on what their ever-busy Press Secretaries summarize to them about the book.
Is it about telling the truth (nomatter how unpopular it may sound) and betttring our society or is it about commerce? That's just the problem with our society. Our so-called leaders commercialize even their deepest shames to us.
If Achebe was moneymonger he'd not reject a one million dollar offer from the musician Curtis (50cent) just to title his movie Things Fall Apart.
By the way, that Gowon saw the book hawked on the streets means that the demand for the book by most Nigerians , north, south, east and west alike, far outpace the demand for him as a human person.
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians.

This is a giant streak and I like it. But however, there are a few things I wish to point out:
1. It doesnt make economic sense for a govt to build or run a venture like a car plant. Govt is a bad businessman everywhere in the world and an auto-factory is not an investment to play polictics with. Unless he wants to build and then sale off.
2. It's true that the Nigerian economic climate isnt perfect now but it's also true that auto-manufacturing is still trying it's best to survive. We havent got enough investment in that area though but Innoson isnt doing badly, you know.
3. Fed govt cannot ban car importation cos our local production is nothing to meet up with demand. The impact of the ban will be a million times worse than fuel subsidy removal.
4. I think he was wrong when he said that patronage of locally-made autos is poor. Am forced to believe from what I see that Innoson is unable to meet his locale demands now! Almost all buses (coaster and minibus) that I see in the whole of SE and SS are IVM. Dont mind my exagggeration, not all, but it's presence is just so much here, especially govt owned buses and even company and private and organisations. There is therefore a market for local manufacturers.
God Bless Nigeria and Nigerians.

I'll tell him, 'Oga, abeg anytime you finish to rule this very convoluted and complicated Nigeria make you no forget to dash me your heart cos na the kind thing wey person go need to use run thru this cresty terrain called Nigeria'.
Then if time still dey i go ask am, 'bros abeg you get any plans to divide this country anytime soon, maybe 2015 or 2019, cos e be like say the centre no want gree hold again oo?

God bless Nigeria and Nigerians

In my wild thoughts, it does appear that the north is embarassingly lacking very strong and credible and saleable candidates. If Tambuwal is selected for presidency against GEJ then forget it. It'll be a smooth cruise for GEJ.
Have they forgotten that under Tambuwal the House of Reps has been wading in and out of controversies of colossal magnitude? The Arunma Otteh saga, the Farouk Lawan disgrace, their refusal to swear in the guy from Anambra state, etc.
By the time electioneering begins in essence you'd understand the true interpretations of these and many more.
But then, what is this northern obsession for power? They have been there for over 38years and yet they are maniac about it.
I think David Mark would be a stronger force against GEJ than Tambuwal, but can core north muslim allow a (middle belt) north central christian, even when they have immorally encumbered them into their number just for the sake of the numbers? Am not also seeing Mark, a more level-headed courageous, intelligent gentleman running against his (family) friend GEJ. And that's why nobody will make the attempt of inviting him.
Finally, is it true that the APC is shopping for a helmsman from the 'corrupt' PDP? What new then will that bring if not new jobbers and new godfathers? And, what waters will they use to cleanse him of the crimson corruption he must carry from the PDP they have demonized? If APC fields any candidate from their recycle bin or from the party in power which they have corrosively criticized then Nigerians should damn them and their rebuilding Nig campaign.
God Bless Nigeria and Nigerians

I am an unapologetic Igbo but with an accodating mind for all tribes and religions--insofar as people dont bring pains to their fellows in the pursuit of their own ends, then I dont care so much about where they come from or who they call their own God.
Our history as a nation is replete with awful and recurrent annals of Igbo pains in this marriage called Nigeria. Out of this pain they've once sued for seccession using the strongest of means, war. Some other tribes dismissed this with the stereotype of over-zealous ambition and greed. Am not a very strong voice for Igbo seccession (though if that be the honest solution then so be it). I think that before seccession is procurred we must first sit down and analyze and agree on the terms of our co-habitation even as children of the same lineage. The most fundamental problem with Nig is that of lack of Social Contract between its constituents. ONLY seccession wouldnt solve all our problems.
The geographical print we see to make up Biafra contains a lot of small but very important voices. And I tell you these voices arent sure for one bit of their fate in a marriage gone into with Ndigbo and that's why they're yet to lend their support, and that's what has stalled the agitation.
What will be the fate of a man from Ikwerre, Agbor, Asaba, Etche, Elele, Opobo, Oyigbo (Asa), etc. These ones are even the Igbo speaking SS. Then what about non-Igbo speaking Ijaw, Okrika, Igala, Ika, Ibibio, Efik, Anang, Kalabari, etc. We must ask and answer these questions.
If you'd agree with me then you'd realize that this too isnt far from the case with Nig as a whole. We all that make up the constituent must reach a social pact that is just, fair, progressive, modern, and durable.
God Bless Nigeria and Nigerians.

I dont have the full copy of all that this issue has so far documented since it started in 2005 but am compelled to stop and think a second time with what this opposition party member has got to say even contrary to the popular stance of his party.
I think we should never say a criminal should go free only cos his fellows stole and were left to go. Then our society would become one in which our collective struggle would be to steal since popularity has replaced morality.
But then why did OBJ play all the dirty politics he did in those days with Alams just cos of his garulious interest in the N/D oil? As a Rivers resident, we always heard him coming to RS then to commision street pipe borne water or gas turbine (that never generated 0.01watt of power) only for him to go in and consolidate his oil deals with his crony, the then gov Peter Odili. What has happened to Odili even when Sanusi of CBN has publicly in PH accused him of stealing over 3tr Naira? Would we call this selective justice, or rather, selective injustice?
Alams stood in the way of OBJ to immorally exploit the people, and he went in for it cos he hadnt a godfather. When the problem almost spiralled out of control he 'wisely' selected his then (loyal) Deputy to run for Vice presidency with little or no knowledge that he was setting the people back to recieving what he had taken from them.
If Alams was that bad as he (OBJ) wanted to make us believe why is this 'bad and corrupt' ex-gov still been revered by his people? Why has little or nothing much has been heard of the British govt about this smoldering pardon? Myabe cos UK, thru Shell, is one of the hardest struck by Alams hardstance on oil benefits to the owners of the resource.
Maybe also those big oil thieves in Nig are afraid of this pardon that will bring back their big headache to mainstream!
Whatever the whole truth, I admire the silence and strength of heart of GEJ. He takes the action, you do the talking and street protests, and he clicks on NEXT. Am not one of those who call him weak. Maybe our people are used to strength expressed in too much talking and street protests.
GEJ, AZU-ANU-UKA.
God bless Nigeraia and Nigerians.

But, truth be told, Sahara Reporters are bringing themselves into too much disrepute with their kind of teenage reportage. How on earth now can we clearly point from this repot that GEJ was involved in any delays Amaechi and his jet might have faced in that airport? If it even happened in Abuja we'd have had a space for possible reservations in our minds. Or is Amaechi supposed to just be allowed to fly like birds in the skies without complying with aviation safety rules and standards just cos he's a gov? If they do so now and what happened to the Taraba man Dambaba Suntai happens to him or he dies like Patrick of Kaduna Nigerians will shout that Aso rock has done it.
Arise, O compatriots!
God bless Nigeria and Nigerians

I dont know the party in govt in Kwara state but if it's the PDP then I'd say they never defected. They just wanted more butter on their bread that's going dry and crisp. They must be fighting to get more owo, in the language of my yoruba brothers. True defection is based on ideaoolgy and not 'owo-ology'.

@OP, the reason I think is cos some political jobbers know it's more politically proffitable to chide him for any other man's errors.
But then again, there's a veilled anger in the hearts of most acidicly ethnic sensitive fellows as they say the team does not look like the Nat'l Assembly where there must be member Representing 'my' constituency. They allege that's it's an Igbo team. Fed Character replaced merit all this while in our football and we cry foul.
If you ask me what the President did that made us win I'd say he removed mediocrity and interferrence and demanded absolute merit.
Am not the govt spokesman but I think the pressure the govt put on the crew worked. When GEJ threatened to disban NFA they knew he wanted results and nothing less. They sat up. That paid off. Also, he fully paid the Boys' cash and made them promises. They saw the sincerity.
I wonder if Nigerians (or rather Nairalanders) wanted him to enlist into the team and play before they'd believe he stroked the string for the resonance we've all cherished.
God Bless Nigeria

These sound very appealing and alluring. But I feel the fear that it's like what Igbos call nkwa ekwere nwanyi n'elu akwandina (a promise made to a woman on the sex bed). I just hope this is not it, or anything like it. God Bless Nigeria.

I'd rather honestly advice the gentleman General not to contest in the next elections mainly cos I think his credibilty has greatly dropped since the past two years following his blood threats, his last election lost and the escalation of terrorism and his obvious lack of show of concern has been factorized by many Nigerians as sponsorship, connivance or other complexities.
His threat of baboon and blood again if he fails to loose in 2015 elections have been variedly interpreted by people. If he calculates his victory from the votes he got last time, I think he might be making mistakes cos even the northern christians are badly agrieved by this insecurity and unending threat to live which they believe is linkable to the muslim politicians in the north, like him.
Am not sure the pogrom the Igbo in the north have faced lately would win him a vote in the east, and even if he wins in all the other 31 states except the east he'll not be returned president-elect according to law. Also, he should bear in mind that there is a growing sweeping political one-mindedness and agreement now between the SE and SS especially for presidency.
His age is a major disadvantage for him. The world seem to be going youthly now. People might see him as them-them (using our local parlance).
If he's truly interested in the welfare of Nigeria and Nigerians, maybe he should bend down low in his party to ensure that the most saleable, young candidate emergies and thereafter put up a vibrant and far-reaching electioneering for him. Then he can control things from a distance. Save if what gives him sleep nights is the title His Excellency GCFR.
But perhaps he just says this to hear what people would say. Or this is just a smoke screen to keep people from their real plans and make people chase after shadow.
God Bless Nigeria.

I'd rather honestly advice the gentleman General not to contest in the next elections mainly cos I think his credibilty has greatly dropped since the past two years following his blood threats, his last election lost and the escalation of terrorism and his obvious lack of show of concern has been factorized by many Nigerians as sponsorship, connivance or other complexities.
His threat of baboon and blood again if he fails to loose in 2015 elections have been variedly interpreted by people. If he calculates his victory from the votes he got last time, I think he might be making mistakes cos even the northern christians are badly agrieved by this insecurity and unending threat to live which they believe is linkable to the muslim politicians in the north, like him.
Am not sure the pogrom the Igbo in the north have faced lately would win him a vote in the east, and even if he wins in all the other 31 states except the east he'll not be returned president-elect according to law. Also, he should bear in mind that there is a growing sweeping political one-mindedness and agreement now between the SE and SS especially for presidency.
His age is a major disadvantage for him. The world seem to be going youthly now. People might see him as them-them (using our local parlance).
If he's truly interested in the welfare of Nigeria and Nigerians, maybe he should bend down low in his party to ensure that the most saleable, young candidate emergies and thereafter put up a vibrant and far-reaching electioneering for him. Then he can control things from a distance. Save if what gives him sleep nights is the title His Excellency GCFR.
But perhaps he just says this to hear what people would say. Or this is just a smoke screen to keep people from their real plans and make people chase after shadow.
God Bless Nigeria.

I think Jonathan is working. Maybe Nigerians should just stop all the hullabalou and tribalization and give him and his accolytes a chance and some good support.

I also want to point out that it appears that when the 2015 electioneering would be due in maybe late 2014 he'd have so much to show for his already spent time in office that most people calling for his head now will turn around and call for the heads of their deceivers now who are busy making noise while he's calmly plotting the developmental graphs for Nigeria.

God Bless Nigeria.

It was a very funfull day on Easter Monday April 1 this year as I and my friends paid a visit at the office of a lecturer of History in Imo State University Owerri Rev. Fr (Dr) P.C Njoku. He is the chaplain of the Catholic chaplaincy on that campus. It was in his office in that famed and glorious worship centre we met and ate and chat. From issues about life, career, marriage, relationships, politics, economy, literature, etc. It was eclectic and porsche time.

And then a friend pointed at a piece poem hung on the wall in that densely book-ish office. So our discussions turned a literary feast. Fr Anthony then told a story of how he had visited Prof Chinua Achebe in his Nsukka office in the year 1990. He said, 'It was a shocking stockpile of books'. He said that there were books there in thousands of number but what amazed him most was that ALL these were complimentary copies of books written for or about Chinua Achebe sent from around the world!

Then he said to himself that this man can never die again. Even he looses his breath he'll live. Then he wrote this poem entitled DEATH HAS FLED published by the journal Okike (founded by Achebe himself in which he served as editor for many years). The Poem.

DEATH HAS FLED
Courage!
Death,
has fled your neigbourhood,
never to return.

Were an academic epidemic
to descend on this dungeon,
it's mortal lashes,
will fear,
the hot vengeance,
of the Careful Midwife,
that delivered such plump babies
who bear your name.
Look,
See,
the new shine,
by every homestead...
dazzling in the sunshine,
fluttering with fresh feathers
of generous sacrifice,
frothing with new wine
poured in thankful libation
gorgeously smeared with red blood
of willing lambs.
Behold a new shine
a great ancestor is born!

Chinua,
Death has fled your neighbourhood
never to return.

#Poem adapted with writer's consent# God bless those who came before us, bless us, and bless those coming after us.

In my little understanding I think that this present govt is really trying to deliver on its promises to citizens but sometimes I get some very disparaging stories and comments here on NL that it's very confusing to make a clear judgement. But however, I am beginning to believe that those select few who feel that the govt house shud be their exclusive patrimony are just plucking every string to pull the "illegal" occupants down.
God bless Nig

But why are people saying he has resigned without any authoritative evidence to support their claims. Or are people paid just to bring another man down?

Maybe am making a free contribution on this NL (and even pay on every single click i make) while others are paid to come here everyday.

[quote author=From_Guiriga]As a representative, how come he did not heal the child, like Jesus said that those could do if they believe? He did say they would do greater works...[/quote]It's so sad that this generation look for signs and wonders alone and this singular disposition and ideology has derailed more christians than scandals and blasphemy and heresy all put together, and the only sign they'd see is that of Jonah says Christ.
How come we only believe it's only when we touch a sick and they are healed then we can say even greater things than Christ have they done. Christianity is a rich stew of talents and gifts and apostolate. We heal by songs, show of charity, exhortation, teaching, exorcism, etc.
Even Paul admitted that he was not called to baptize. I wonder how that sounds to you.

I bliv arguments like this help in shaping our xtian blif. Although am cath educated enough to hav a sufficient open mind and respect for other people's opinions. I hav taken my time to ensure thru research that catholicism holds and teaches the truth. History has a litany of those who hav asked critical questions abt the chr and the chr has taken time to answer bt it is obvious that the kingdom of darkness sees the cath chr as itz greatest pain and therefore uses people (even xtians and some caths) to discredit the chr. And they do this wt so much self assurance that they're fighting for God.
@Op, to make for a more reliable and credible scholarly research you must quote uncontrovertible sources for each quote you make cos am sure u realise these are very controversial assertions u've made.
I hope non-caths must learn that caths are NOT idol worshippers.
Sometimes we ask questions just to bring down the chr bt the gates of hell shall not prevail aaginst it (and indeed against xtianity) cos he'll be wt them till the end of time.
God bless his chr and his people

Although christianity is an offshoot of Judiasm, when it pulled out, it didnt go with every thing Judaism. It took several radical deviations that differentiates it from Judaism--and worshipday is one out of many.

Apostolic christains regard the Day of the Lord higher above every other day, this is evident in almost all chapters of Acts of the Apostles. Christianity was fully empowered on a Sunday after the Ascension (Penticost). On this day it took it's fullscale apostolate. They always gathered together to pray but on the Day of the Lord they never failed to meet for the breaking of the bread. This soon turned into a strong tradition which is backed up by the significance of the Ressurection and the Penticost (the two most important christain memorials).

You might want to say but this is against the divine injunction given to Jews in the old testament and I'd answer that christianity didnt feel any necessity to conform with Judiasm in all aspect and respect, otherwise what's the difference between both.
God bless his church and his people.

In my judgement, this is good step. But however every solution naturally also brings it's portion of problem(s). This one may likely bring the challenge of the highest bidder corruption, exam malpractice, increased cost of writing exams due to may choices (the many choices is not bad, so a candidate must make his/her choices considering his/her pocket), also large army of admission-ready candidates.
The govt has taken a good step must we Nigerians knowing the benefits must make it work out for us in the face of it's attendant grays.
Nigeria must need to increase the number of degree awarding institutions to absorb the plethoria of admission seekers there would be.
God bless Nigeria.

nwabobo: Why is it that whenever quota system is not used, people from one particular region seem to excel? Especially with international organisations where there is no ojoro or man know man as is commonly practised in Nigeria.

Congrats Prof. Okeke and Nwaichi.


Just my personal observation though.

Let me claim that I understood what you're insinuating.
The reason is that it's in their custom and tradition to thrive most in an environment of healthy competition and not one in which meritocracy is replaced with mediocrity. That's why they hate this our so-called quota system and I've always insisted that that policy is one of our most undoing in this country.
Am honestly not trying to tribalizing this thread but I think Nig should learn from these people this merit system and we wont be long to becomes world's greatest. Let us train our kids like that, grant school admissions like, scholarships, jobs, elections, appointments, etc.
God bless Nigeria

It is worrisome that Nigerians may only judge a free and fair election as one in which either the current president chooses not to contest in or that in which he fails if he insisted and contested (maybe cos of their past experiences). This is wrong and lame!
Painfully, this is not the singular proof of a free and fair election. It is important to kno that a president does not give a free and fair election. Whether or not he's running. Yes. It is the people that makes it real for themselves! Yes. We have to take him by his word.
We have to define the moves that guarantee F&F.E (and am not thinking that one of such is that a sitting president who may have the legitimacy of the race shoudnt run based only on parochial arguments). If we mark out F&F electns strategy then every man must pursue it's realization.
If only Nigerians could report electoral fraud or manipulations in their locality as virally as the deludged the media with the Oga at the top saga then we can stop this evil of election malpractise. Never conceal ONE cos it favours ur own particular interest. See something. Say something. Make Nigeria better. More like the way citizens followed their votes in Imo state in 1979 and 2011.
God bless Nigeria.

Nd'Igbo are the Nigerians with the highest number of intellectuals/professionals competing on the global stage (there are sure several other blacks and Nigerians but Igbo has the Lion share in numbers).
@OP, Maybe you forget to say that Nd'Igbo are the only people of black fatherland who have an Honourable Member since 2010 in the British House of Parliament (Chuka Ukanna from Anambra S/E Nigeria).
Calabar as at the period of the history stated belonged to Eastern Nig.
Chineke gozie ebe M si bia ya na ndi bi na ya.
God Bless Nigeria