delete

Is Yar Adua not doing the same thing that The premier of the north was doing at that time. Yar adua is not different from the premier of the north from his action and altitude.

You see character is a true tell of a man heart. Look at the 2009 budget . This budget tell you that Yar adua is a tribalist.   If you look and calculate the 2009 budget Yar Adua allocated 70% of the money to the north.  Do you see any thing in it that talks about any single project in Yorubaland.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jvmwd5ZRRM


Full text of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s Budget address to the National Assembly
12.03.2008


PROTOCOL  


It is a pleasure and an honour for me to present the 2009 Budget to the National Assembly today, as we move to reposition our economy to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that we are faced with at home and internationally.

The changing international oil market poses grave concerns for our fiscal outlook. The global financial crisis has led to slowing growth across the world’s economies, resulting in a lower demand for commodities, especially oil. While speculative investment activities had helped to buoy oil prices in recent months, the reality of the global recession is beginning to be fully appreciated across the globe, and more poignantly in Nigeria by its adverse impact on the international price of oil.

The recent volatility of the oil price is apparent in the unprecedented decline of prices from record highs of about US$147/barrel in July this year to current prices of about US$50/barrel, and there is no guarantee that prices will not further decline despite OPEC’s recent mitigating efforts.  We therefore must adopt a prudent outlook that does not invest misplaced confidence in the expectation of unrealistically high prices.

Notwithstanding the global downturn, Nigeria ’s economic growth remains on track, buoyed by the strong performance of the non-oil sector.  Growth in the non-oil sector, particularly in agriculture, remains robust, at an estimated 9%.  However, the oil sector’s GDP contracted in 2008 by about 2.5% due to reduced production levels precipitated by the ongoing situation in the Niger Delta.  Overall, real GDP growth for 2009 is estimated to be about 7.5% which compares favourably with the 6.6% recorded so far in 2008.

This outturn lays the foundation for sustainable double-digit growth over the medium-term horizon, as we increase investments in critical infrastructure, implement sectoral reforms, maintain macroeconomic stability and ensure lasting peace, security and development, not only in the Niger Delta, but across the nation, as a whole.

Year-on-year headline inflation has exceeded our single-digit projections and remains high at 14.7% in October 2008.  This outcome is symptomatic of the rising global costs of food and energy which affect all economies world-wide.  By October, food inflation had increased to 19.2%.  However, core inflation for all items other than farm produce and energy commodities, remained in a single-digit at 7.9%. Our efforts to manage inflation will continue to build on the increasing coordination between monetary and fiscal policy, and our emphasis on fiscal discipline and prudence in macroeconomic management.

Our economy, as with open economies across the world, is not immune to the challenges in the global financial markets arising from the acute contraction of credit and liquidity in the international financial markets.

However, we have moved to protect the integrity of our nation’s financial markets and system by introducing several measures to strengthen our financial sector and restore investor confidence.

Overall, our economic fundamentals are fairly strong, buttressed by the growth of the non-oil sector in the face of these challenges. This confidence has been duly reflected in our Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) which were upgraded by international rating agencies from BB- to BB in May this year. Our long-term foreign and local currency IDRs remain stable, endorsing our macroeconomic stability and strong external reserves position. Indeed, in November this year, an international investment bank, Merrill Lynch, rated Nigeria among the least vulnerable economies in the world based on a number of economic indicators. Our ranking, ahead of all other leading developed and emerging economies across the globe, is indicative of the stability and safety that our ongoing economic reforms have guaranteed.

It is against this cautiously optimistic economic backdrop that the 2009 Budget Proposal, which I hereby present, was prepared.

The 2009-2011 Medium-Term Sector Strategies and the 2009 Budget

The 2009 Budget preparation has been based on the outcomes of the 2009-2011 Medium-Term Sector Strategies which held in July 2008 with the active involvement of the Organised Private Sector and Civil Society, and in consultation with the relevant Committees of the National Assembly. Consultation with the National Assembly was continued in a series of interactive meetings between the Presidential Committee on the Budget and many of the Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The commitment and input of the Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National Assembly in this work is deeply appreciated and underscores the spirit of cooperation and consultation with which the Budget has been prepared.

The 2009 Budget preparation also drew upon the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework which was conveyed to the National Assembly in October. However, this framework has since been reviewed in light of recent economic developments.  We have sought to be more efficient in the use of public resources by eliminating or rationalising areas of waste and focusing on the critical sectors that would propel the growth of our economy and help us realise the objectives of the Seven-Point Agenda.  We are moving from a system where we spread our limited resources thinly across many projects that take several years to complete, to one where we concentrate and focus on fewer, highly prioritised projects, which we can bring to quick completion.
Review of the 2008 Budget

The 2008 Budget was based on projected oil production of 2.45million barrels per day, a benchmark oil price of US$59.00/barrel and an exchange rate of NGN117/US$.  Based on these assumptions, I signed into law last April an Appropriation Bill of N2.748trillion, representing a 32% increase in Federal spending over the 2007 fiscal year.

This, however, was based on a prior understanding with the National Assembly that the level and composition of projected expenditure under the 2008 Budget would be subsequently reviewed.  Consequently, I submitted a proposal for a Budget Amendment to the National Assembly in July, which, I am pleased to say, has now been passed by the National Assembly.   I congratulate the Leadership, and the Distinguished and Honourable Members for this gesture, which exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between both arms of government in the service of our people.  Some of the efficiency savings from this reduced appropriation are being applied to finance the 2008 Supplementary Budget, which is designed to provide for items such as critical expenditure in the power sector.  Again, I am delighted to observe the speedy approval of the 2008 Supplementary Budget by the National Assembly.

The performance of the 2008 Budget has been mixed and indeed far from satisfactory. While releases of budgetary allocations to the MDAs have been on course, with 100% of the capital vote released by the middle of November, actual utilisation has not kept pace with the releases due to a number of factors which we are closely looking into.

On the revenue side, although international oil prices reached record high levels in the first half of 2008, overall revenue performance has been below expectation, due to domestic oil production disruptions and declining international energy prices, as the global economy responds to the transnational financial crisis.


The aggregate projection for Federation Account receipts in 2008 was N4.529trillion. Oil-related revenue was expected to amount to N3.606trillion or 80% of this sum while non-oil sources of revenue were to account for the balance of N923billion or 20%.  In addition to volatility in international oil prices, actual crude oil production has been lower than projected, averaging just over 2million barrels/day, due to the situation in the Niger Delta.  As a result, overall revenue receipts have been well below expectation.

On a positive note, non-oil revenues have performed better than anticipated, due largely to increased efficiency of collection of the various taxes.  Indeed, the current oil price situation underscores the overdependence of the Federal Budget on oil related receipts.

Consequently, this Administration will continue to lay emphasis on diversifying our sources of revenue from oil to non-oil sources.  In the 2009 fiscal year, more emphasis will be placed on increasing remittances from public corporations, parastatals and agencies.  In this regard, we anticipate greater Independent Revenue of about N306billion from various sources.  The Federal Inland Revenue and Nigerian Customs Services will be further empowered to meet their mandates and shall be expected to increase their efficiency in collection.  Trade related revenues will increase, as the 48-hour cargo clearance reforms transform the efficiency of our ports.

While the tariff bands under the new 2008-2012 Nigeria Customs and Tariff Book are lower than what previously obtained, the fifth band of 35% continues to afford modest protection for some of our key local industries.  The new tariffs are also consistent with our commitment to expanding trade across the ECOWAS region and creating new export opportunities for our domestic industries.  As compliance improves and the incidence of smuggling reduces, we expect that non-oil, trade-related revenue will increase.

Finally, as we increase spending on our transportation and power infrastructure, we will ensure a better investment environment for our industries, entrepreneurs and investors through substantial reduction in the cost of doing business.  

Philosophy and Thrust of the 2009 Budget

The 2009 Federal Budget is focused on delivering on the promises of this Administration’s Seven-Point Agenda by enhancing investment in critical physical infrastructure and human capital development, implementing socio-economic reforms and consolidating democracy.

Many of the 2009 Budget interventions adopt a multi-dimensional approach in addressing key challenges to our development as a nation.  As our Public-Private Partnership policy is fully implemented, private initiatives are expected to complement the Government’s interventions in key areas of our economy with the overarching objective of making a positive, tangible and enduring difference to the life of the ordinary Nigerian.

The  2009 Budget is to give priority to the completion of ongoing projects, which will quickly deliver tangible results in service delivery. Accordingly, rather than  embarking on new projects, this Administration has opted to devote more resources to completing existing projects and discharging outstanding obligations from the 2007 and 2008 fiscal years.  We will continue to ensure that all new projects are well articulated, properly costed, and sensibly prioritised, taking into account available resources and the implementation capacity of the MDAs.

The 2009 Federal Budget is to deliver on our promises to reduce poverty and attain our Millennium Development Goals.  Our guiding vision is as encapsulated in the Seven-Point Agenda.  By enhancing physical infrastructure through improving the power and road transportation sectors, we can improve the capacity of our non-oil sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing, to contribute to more sustainable and enduring economic growth and development.  

By investing in human capital development through education and healthcare delivery, we can create a better future for the next generation.

We must continue to improve national security and enhance the ability of the law-enforcement agencies to discharge their functions.  As a responsible and people-centred Government, we must continue to abide by the rule of law, promote transparency and accountability in governance, and relentlessly pursue our efforts to combat corruption.  By remaining true to our vision, we will create a more prosperous and secure future for all the citizens of this nation.

In line with the above philosophy, the 2009 Budget provides 91% of the capital vote to five key priority sectors, namely:

• N361.2billion for Critical Infrastructure, including capital allocations of N88.5billion for Power, N15.4billlion for Aviation, N26.5billion for Petroleum Resources, N129.3 billion for Works, N35.2billion for Transport and N48.7billion (out of a capital vote of N64.45billion) for critical infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory;
• N131.9billion for Human Capital Development including N39.6billion for Health, N33.6billion for Education, N32.6billion for MDGs Conditional Grants, N19.7billion for MDGs Quick Wins Projects and N6.3billion for MDGs Capacity Building;
• N91.8billion for Land Reform and Food Security focusing on Agriculture and Water Resources;
• N67billion for Security; and
• N77.12billion on the Niger Delta, comprising N27.12billion for the NDDC and N50billion on the newly created Ministry of the Niger Delta including provisions for enhancing critical infrastructure, environmental protection, youth development and grass-root empowerment.

Assumptions underlying the 2009 Budget

The 2009 Budget is predicated on certain key assumptions that take a realistic fiscal outlook for 2009. These include:

• Oil production of 2.292mbpd
• Benchmark oil price of US$45/barrel
• Joint Venture cash calls of US$5billion
• GDP growth rate of 8.9%
• Inflation rate of 8.2%

On the basis of these assumptions, taking into account the revenue sharing formula, the total federally collected revenue is projected at N5.131trillion, which includes oil revenues of N2.9405trillion and non-oil revenues of N1.973trillion (as well as other non-Federation Account items such as grants and special levies amounting to N217.5billion). The total Revenue for the Federal Government Budget is forecast at N1.778trillion including Independent Revenue of N306billion.

2009 Budget Expenditure

The aggregate expenditure for 2009 is N2.87trillion, comprising N140.7billion for Statutory Transfers, N283.6billion for Debt Service, N1.649trillion for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure and N796.7 billion for Capital Expenditure.

This aggregate expenditure represents a 4.45% increase over the N2.748trillion initially appropriated in 2008 and an 8.42% increase over the 2008 Amended Budget’s level of expenditure of N2.647trillion.  More crucially, the capital vote of N796.7 billion is significantly higher than the actual capital expenditure of N491billion in 2007.
Key projects that will be funded by the 2009 Budget include:

POWER: N3.5billion for the Mambilla Hydro-electric power generation project, N21.5billion for other Generation projects (including N6.5billion for the completion of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company’s NIPP projects), N32billion for Transmission projects, and N19.25billion for Distribution projects;

PETROLEUM RESOURCES: N903.9million for the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline, N6.7billion for the Calabar-Umuahia-Ajaokuta Gas Pipeline, N10.3billion for the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kano pipeline and N1.1billion for the Gas Supply Pipeline to PHCN Delta IV;

WORKS: N10.7billion for Access Roads to 6 NNPC refineries and ports, N56.86billion for highways construction and rehabilitation, N4.3billion for the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge at Onitsha and N3.6billion for the Guto/Bagana Bridge across the River Benue (both bridges are being constructed through PPP arrangements) and provisions for several other Presidential Initiative and Priority road projects;

TRANSPORT: N12.4billion for the completion of the Ajaokuta-Warri line to the Delta Steel Jetty; N8.3billion for the modernisation of locomotives, coaches and wagons, rehabilitation works and procurement of railway equipment, and N8.4billion for the dredging of the Lower River Niger ;

HEALTH: Healthcare projects including N6.5billion on the sector’s response to HIV/AIDS, N3billion on Midwifery Services Scheme, N7.7billion on maternal and children’s health, and N6billion on polio eradication;

AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES: N4.6billion on the development of livestock production infrastructure, N15billion on the supply of fertiliser, N6.5billion on tractor service PPP schemes, N9.2billion on the construction and rehabilitation of dams, and N11.6billion on water supply and sanitation;

DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA: the new Ministry will invest N28.4billion on the East-West Road to improve accessibility to the region, N92.8million on projects to improve and restore the environment and N18.6billion on other projects, particularly  the establishment of two sophisticated skills acquisition centres to help the youths from the region acquire practical skills relevant to the energy and petrochemicals industry.

Budget Implementation and Monitoring Of Deliverables

In line with this Administration’s emphasis on ensuring service delivery and insisting on the rule of law, transparency and accountability, the MDAs will be expected to implement their projects and programmes with the deepest sense of responsibility and with emphasis on due process in the implementation of this Budget.  Emphasis would be on increasing value for money, setting the highest standards of accountability and probity in the discharge of public service, and expecting these standards to be respected by all.

As we move towards a more dynamic, results-oriented and performance-based budgeting process, the MDAs will be held to their commitments to delivering measurable targets and outputs.

Specific areas of note include:

SECURITY: the Police are investing N5.738billion in a new initiative in enhancing security and community policing in 7 cities across the Nation, namely Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri and Onitsha. The Nigerian Police Force is committed to reducing crime by 40% in these 7 cities over the next year. The Interior Ministry is investing N1.8billion in prison infrastructure rehabilitation to improve the security of the prisons and provide better facilities for reorienting convicted felons for rehabilitation into society.

WORKS & HOUSING: the Ministry proposes in 2009 to complete the construction and rehabilitation of 3,293km length of roads. Under the FERMA programme, 10,676km of Federal roads will be kept in motorable condition under the Retainership Programme, and 20,000km of roads will undergo emergency repair work. The Zonal Intervention Roads project will cover a total of about 2,400kms of roads. This Administration is also committed to accelerating the enhancement of road works by maintaining 10,000km of roads every year for the next three years.

POWER GENERATION: We are increasing investment in power generation by enhancing NNPC’s ability to provide 1.2billion SCF of gas to the domestic market, so as to ensure that this Administration can deliver 6000 MW of power by the end of 2009.

FOOD SECURITY: in 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources will increase land under cultivation by 5%, by optimising 220,000hectares of irrigated land and irrigating 12,000hectares of arable land. This will result in an increased yield of between 50-250% depending on the type of crop. The Ministry also intends to increase fish production from 650,000metric tonnes to 1.5million metric tonnes.  The ultimate objective is an overall increase of 8% in agriculture’s contribution to GDP.

HEALTH: The Ministry of Health is completing the modernisation of the Teaching Hospitals in Calabar, Awka and Ife ; completing the modernisation of 7 Specialist Hospitals in Kaduna , Lagos , Kano , Calabar, Enugu , Maiduguri and Abeokuta ; and scaling up investment in its polio eradication programme.

FCT: the Government is investing over N11.3billion to accelerate the completion and furnishing of the Foreign Affairs Headquarters to enable the Ministry relocate to its new premises by 2009, freeing up their existing accommodation for use by other MDAs in need of office accommodation.  This is in addition to the Shehu Shagari Complex and the Federal Ministry Building Phase II (Bullet House) which will all be completed, furnished, ready for occupation in the 2009 fiscal year. The FCT will also invest N5.1billion in the construction of water treatment plants, N10.8billion on completing various road projects, N3.5billion for Abuja Technology Village, and N11billion for the Abuja Metro rail project.
Fiscal Balance

The fiscal balance in the proposed 2009 Budget is a deficit of N1.09trillion or 3.95% of GDP, based on our assumed benchmark oil price of US$45/barrel and forecast production of 2.292mbpd. The deficit is to be financed by outstanding signature bonuses, proceeds of ongoing privatisation, the recall of US$200million from the Nigerian Trust Fund of the African Development Bank, any unspent balances from the 2008 Budget, domestic borrowing and a Naira-denominated international bond issue of US$500million.  The latter bond issue is primarily for the development of a benchmark for the pricing of local and foreign currency denominated sovereign debt instruments.

The decline in international oil prices has compelled Government to make some exceptional adjustments in our spending plans and priorities.  In this regard, this Administration is introducing certain policies to curb inefficient spending in MDAs.

Given the need to address the serious infrastructure gap and make key investments in priority sectors, aggregate spending remains relatively large compared to revenue. In this regard, the Government considers it expedient to seek the consent of the National Assembly to take the extraordinary step of exceeding, in the short term, the deficit target we set for ourselves under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. However, we remain committed to reverting to a more conservative and sustainable fiscal deficit of 3%, or lower, in the medium term, consistent with international best practice.

Monetary policy in the medium term will be focused on continuing efforts at managing inflation within a single-digit and keeping interest rates at appropriate levels using the present market-determined monetary management system.  We are committed to maintaining an appropriate exchange rate, and taking necessary steps to manage the volume of money supply through the Central Bank’s open market operations.

New Public Spending Efficiency Policy Measures

In view of the challenging international and local environment, our Administration has adopted certain policy measures to ensure that the 2009 Budget reflects these new realities. To maintain accelerated capital investment in key priority areas, and to strengthen and increase efficiency in public expenditure management, certain steps have had to be taken in the overall national interest.  Accordingly, under the 2009 Budget Proposal, recurrent expenditure by way of overheads is being frozen, in the main, at the 2008 level or substantially cut, in a number of cases.

Investments in non-priority capital outlays such as the acquisition of new vehicles, and the construction and furnishing of new headquarters for MDAs, have been suspended. Excessive expenditure on international travels and training has been curbed by 50% with expenditure on local travels slashed by 25%.  Recurrent expenditure on personnel costs will also be controlled with the full deployment of IT, by way of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), to all MDAs.  Payments for goods and services will be discharged through the e-payment system to increase efficiency and reduce avenues for corruption.

These new policy measures apply across all MDAs, and will also be fully applicable to all parastatals and agencies that are not funded by the Treasury.  While these policy measures will require significant adjustment across the public sector, they allow greater emphasis to be given to enhancing capital expenditure on on-going projects in key priority areas, despite the reduced resources available to the Government in the 2009 fiscal year.

Conclusion: Delivering Development under the Seven-Point Agenda

Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, our strong economic condition today has been won through our commitment to preserving macroeconomic stability and maintaining prudent public expenditure management. Although the challenges ahead of us as a nation are formidable, our commitment to translating the gains of our macroeconomic reforms into tangible, positive and enduring change for all Nigerians, remains firm.

We remain steadfastly focused on our vision for Nigeria , as encapsulated in the Seven-Point Agenda and the Vision 20-2020.  By being faithful to our guiding principles of value for money, service delivery, accountability and the rule of law, we can face the challenges thrown up by the uncertainty and turbulence currently confronting the global economy with a well-founded confidence in the prudence of our policies and our unwavering resolve to see them through.  We will actively engage with the Legislature with a view to ensuring that not only will the 2009 Budget be faithfully implemented but also that our success in this undertaking will lay a firm foundation for future budget cycles.

Respected Members of the National Assembly, I once again wish to thank you for your patriotism, cooperative spirit, and steady support over the course of the annual budget cycle.  I must place on record the consummate and thorough manner in which the National Assembly has engaged with the Executive in our budget preparation, monitoring and implementation work.

As I lay before you the 2009 Budget Proposal of the Federal Government of Nigeria for your consideration, I look forward to an expeditious passage, and even greater collaborative efforts in our joint effort to move our great nation forward into a more promising future.
I thank you most sincerely for your attention.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sorry but who ever drew that map doesn't know a single thing about Biafra. 1st of all you forgot that Igbos stretch all the way from Asaba Delta to Igbanke in Edo state, 2nd Igbo land stretches all the way to Rivers state down to IgweOcha and to the ocean. Igbo land stretches all the way from Cross Rivers and Akwaibom (I am Aro so I think I know a thing or two about that Arochukwu kingdom) and also Benue (Northern Wawa Igbos)  so biko go and redraw the map like the way its supposed to be. LOL @ FOOLS who think that Igbo land is land locked or surrounded by its enemies. lol sorry ur hateful wishes can never happen. Igbo land is rich in resources . Human and natural. We have River Niger and when you go down to mba mmiri side we have access to the ocean. River Niger flows all the way into the ocean.

As for Ijaw Nigerdelta. Let it be known that the average Efik/Ibibio/Oron/Annang/Ekoi and Aro people will not want to be part of any Ijaw dominated republic so before we start assuming what we don't know lets do our research 1st.

I can tell you that I'm sure that most Efiks, Ibibios, Annangs, and the related groups will prefer to either be on their own or be part of Biafra. Compared to other ethnic groups in Biafra Efik/Ibibios were the most involved in the fight and survival of Biafra. We have intermarried with many of em. Arochukwu town is the most important link btwn Ibibio groups and Igbos. There are other places like Ohafia, Abiriba but Arochukwu stands out. Any time I meet an Efik man and tell him that I am Aro descent he always reminds me of the importance of the town btwn his people and Igbo people. My mom's people are a mix of both groups. Even their last names be Ibibio na only their Igbo 1st names go tell u say de be Igbo people. So abeg my people no dey join NigerDelta. In my own opinion among the minorities, they the most politically mature in that region Biafra was never an Igbo project. Philip Effiong, Akpan, Bassey  and many Efiks wouldn't have sacrificed their lives if that was the case.  The Ijaws who thought it was can comot for road and continue their quest for Nigerdelta. Who sai? Your wahala too much abeg.

Igbos of Delta, Edo, CrossRivers, Akwaibom, Benue and Rivers are bonafide Biafrans.

Udeze, no let delta people hear you, say you call them biafra. Them go kill you,  So Uhrobo man be biafra,   you biafra na your 5 state,   

first time you are right, Efiks, Ibibios, Annangs would not want to be part of Ijaw niger delta republic but don't forget they do not want to be in your own biafra. MEND dey dream, Ijaw people who never get their own country. The can either join the Igbos or join the Yoruba if Nigeria break up. But that Niger delta forget it.

I hear Jonathan have made arrangement to change is name to Ali Jonathan Usman GoodAllah. he promises to allow them cut Ijaw land as part of the north.

Ok, let me tell all the Biafran war mongers, it is in the interest of the Northern Nigerian for Nigeria to remain one. And there is nothing all of u can do. Continue dreaming. Nigeria will remain one even if it means all Northerners will have to sacrifice their blood.

the igbos are just slave in nigeria to northerners. All they neeed to do is say yes sir. you give them anything even if an wazobia, they would steal thier brother. ''

Igboman would never be president of nigeria.
how can they be president when thier master the north would never allow them. have you seen well slave rule over master. Noway, the igbos would never rule over the north. And they know thier position in nigeria. 4th class citizen since the ijaw have taken the third class citizen from them.

We can give them the presidency to pacify them a little bit. But of course the presidency will be given to people like Vincent Ogbolafor or Andy Uba and of course we have him sorrounded by powerful Northerners in the Army and in the Senate. The House of Reps is ours, and so that wont be a problem.

it is too much a risk to do that. allow igbo man to do what,  never,  they pretend, when they get there, they would sake all those northerners and divided nigeria,  even jonathan would never be president of nigeria, they do not true him,  some believe he is involve in MEND, 


if you they dear give igbo or south south,  it is finish for the north,  they would become part of the niger republic,  no be igbo or south south people. i know. if they have to give jonathan, they have to put 12 cartoon of ogogoro by his side. so that they can have thier ways,

The reasoning of some Nigerians is mind boggling. The worst part of the tragedy is THEY ARE NOT KIDDING, coupled with the disturbing fact they are the so called "new" generation. . .

@tharma and @BecomeRich

Two of you are the reasons why Chinua Achebe  wrote about the 'igbo problem' in that his book the 'The Trouble with Nigeria'
As for you @BecomeRich you seem to be confused.You are here supporting tharma and yet you posted a thread saying Yaradull(hausa/fulani) hates yorubas.

We can give them the presidency to pacify them a little bit. But of course the presidency will be given to people like Vincent Ogbolafor or Andy Uba and of course we have him sorrounded by powerful Northerners in the Army and in the Senate. The House of Reps is ours, and so that wont be a problem

And we are hoping that nigeria will be better.

BecomeRich,

1st of all not once did I mention Urhobo, Itsekiri, Isoko, Bini, or any non Igbo Delta/Edo group as part of Biafra.

Go back and read my post again. Igbanke, and Anioma are my main concern not Urhobo or Itsekiri. If they want to join Niger or Thailand I could care less.

U are wrong about my Efik/Ibibio people. I said give em a choice they will rather work things out with Biafra than any other arrangement or simply be on their own which I clearly have no problem with. Everyone deserves a right to their own self determination and that even includes Hausa people as long as they are trampling on my own rights.

Please to hell with you or anyone who thinks we are slaves to the NORTH rubbish.If we are we will not be struggling to have Biafra. If we are we will never fight back from Kano, Kaduna, Jos, to Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Uyo, so how the heck are we the slaves when we even fare better than the average gworo eater. Their barbarism and continued setbacks is what is fueling the Biafra struggle. The Ijaw can have VP all day long and will still remain destitute and under-developed compared to the rest of us in the East who don't need the silly position. Please travel to Calabar, Uyo, Enugu, Owerri and then go to Bayelsa and you tell me what the Ijaw man is gaining out of their precious obedience towards the North. The slaves are those who chose to support the North to the detriment of their land and their people and please Igbos, Efiks, are clearly not included.

I'm glad we atleast agree that an Ibibio man wants no part of any Ijaw dominated NigerDelta. Ijaw I'm sorry to say have not proven to me that they can lead a nation or even themselves. The only reasonable leader from that area that I know of is Frank Opugo.  Efik/Ibibio have always proven to us that they are capable of leading. Eyo Ita was our former Eastern Premier. Akpan was there. Philip was the 2nd in Command of Biafra and later was the President of Biafra when Ojukwu was not around. Igbos leaders had no issue looking up to him except for Azikiwe at a point but Azikiwe himself was already shunned by Igbo Biafrans so guess what Igbos and the rest of Biafra still backed Effiong against Azikiwe.

@ Becomepoor & tharmite

i laugh at you guys, you why?, abusers like you and your people never last. slave drivers like you need to have some one to constantly put down so they can stay up. but here is bad news for you; the world has changed and slavery is obsolete technology,thats why you guys that have been draging the rest of nigeria backward is now set to sink with the remnant of your jaga jaga nigga area. your northern sultanate is about to become a desolate desert, fit only for jackals and baboons, when we finally pull out. i guess that what gives you all the nightmare that you express here in your ludicrous posts

i agree, nigeria has been a mistake from day one

we need to separate, and leave independently

all the measurs employed to unite us is not working

instead more its creating more irritation and intolerance

if this govt continues to be insensitive to this issue

there is bound to be a revolutiion, i just hope its not a

bloody one.

Unless if you would'nt want to admit, this country is need of atleast an amicable split and to be honest .We can live seperately and still maintain some good trade relations. We are drawing ourselves back by refusing to face the truth. Check the level of illiteracy in the country. It's heartbreaking that the urban areas are degenerating and the income circulation is bleeped while the rural is no better, their future are still migrating to the cities. When some parts of the country are totally forgotten yet everyday on the TV, our hypocritical leaders show their faces acting like they are doing the right things. If the division could be actualised, it will make it possible to attribute failures in administration to those responsible for it. I can't even say more cause we all know the bitter truth that Nigeria isn't working as it is now or in the past years and this isn't just as a result of bad leadership but the inter-ethnic enimity between the different sect of tribes.

Ok I see we have some people asking for Biafra great, but the question is what happens to the properties that the new Biafrans have scattered all over Nigeria?  Oh do you think after creating Biafra Igbos will just walk right into the northern states and assume business as usual?   Alot will be at stake if Nigeria were to breakup into tiny banana republics, and believe me Igbos will be the biggest losers because majority of people who own properties all over Nigeria are Igbos.  Now what will save Igbos is if we can all speak with one voice and have one leader.  And also, it will greatly help if we start showing our Niger Deltan brothers and others some respect.   Oh by the way by others I mean the Calabars, Ibibios, even our Bendel Igbo peeps.

Udezue, here is the map showing what you call biafra is that right. Now the delta state Igbos. You have to know they can relocate them back to the south east. Those who decided they do not want to stay in delta state. it happened in Yugoslavia.

Those who did not want to remain can move to biafra. I mean those in asaba and others. There population is less than one million, litle villages. They can be relocated.

I remember they were not even counted as igbos by other igbos. Pat Utomi had the problem, when Ohaneze considered him a fake igbo. they said he was not original igbo. So na , you want those fake Igbos again.

Your new map is possible. It is more possible than the others , you see IGBOS At least it give you control of 750,000 barrel of oil per day

Why is it that when someone brings up this kind of topic or something related to it people will jump in commenting whether igbos will survive or not even when the person is not igbo /

everybody seems he or she competent to say whether igbos wilol survive or not.

The reasoning of some Nigerians is mind boggling. The worst part of the tragedy is THEY ARE NOT KIDDING, coupled with the disturbing fact they are the so called "new" generation. .

Spot on

@Becomepoor

Now it is very obvious that you have your own brain hanging out of your exhaust hole, where in this world have seen people give up their ancestral land in order to belong to a new republic when the said land is not in contention. or are you delibrately trying to disposess Ndigbo their land, your propaganda will never work. if the Delta Igbos choose belong to Nigeria or whatever Delta state becomes after the split , then they do so with their land, they will still be Ndigbo even though not Biafrans in that instance. but if they still choose to be part of Biafra then you can't disposess them of their land, QED !!!!.

Havent you seen the map of USA, is Alaska not one of their 50 states, yet it is located above Canada, what about Falkland Islands is it not part of UK, yet off the coast of far away Argentina. ewu canbeer  , i wonder what makes you think we are  stupid like you. is Nzeogwu not from Asaba, did he not die fighting for Biafra,? , did murtala not slaugther the grown up males in Asaba when invaded the town, why didnt he send them across the Niger and just take the land, mumu  , why don't you just get off this forum and go back to kindergateen

A lot of children on this site learning how to practice their tribalism on the larger scale in the near future.

so are you saying that ezeogu, was the only person. were yorubas not in the biafra army . the answer was yes, do your history.

so you are telling me. that last year pat utomi and his people were fake igbos, but now thier land is original igbo but the people on that land are fake, i do not understand that politics. or you think we are stupid. the corporate yorubaworld stood behind this but your Ohaneze said he is fake, but now the land is original but the people fake, ok i get it.

are you telling last year, you could call them osu, but thier land is not osu,

BecomeRich,

U must be out of your wits to even suggest that Anioma ppl are less than 1 million. Are u sure u are okay? What about Eganke ppl? LOL @ little vilages. Have u ever visited any part of Igboland in Delta and Edo b4? For your info no one is getting relocated anywhere so quit the pipe dream. Who the hell told you that Igbos in Delta are not native people and owners of their own land? The only time u can relocate ppl to another land is when they are settlers and you know damn well they are not so Asaba, Oshimili, Ukwuani, Agbor, etc are all Igbo land so try relocate them. What arrogant nonsense be dis? Biko if u are Urhobo, Itsekiri or whatever tiny ass ethnic group over there in Delta be contempt with whatever u got. Don't overreach ur boundaries Igbo land no be Warri so keep ur wahala in Warri. Since when did the ownership of Igboland come into question by anyone lol @ fake Igbos. lol still Igbo fake or not. eehhh my cousins are fake Igbos now wetin concern u? They are fake Igbo or whatever yet Joe Achuzia from Anioma was the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo. They are fake yet the next Ohanaeze President is zoned to Anioma-Delta state. They are fake yet we still honor Nzeowgu. Any Igbo person who calls an Igbo man from Delta or even Edo, Benue, Cross Rivers and Rivers a fake Igbo is an IDIOT and stupid juts LIKE YOU. Crying more than the bereaved. Biko move around lol

Ur map is still not correct Igbo land in Delta, Edo, Benue, and Rivers are still not included so u might as well go back to work.

are you telling last year, you could call them osu, but thier land is not osu,  and what your people do to kaduna, they killed him,

look the first map is anioma with less people than itsekiri land, even warri has more people than your people, wetin be that place them post picture of delta state. if i find it on nairaland i would post it.

look the first map is anioma with less people than itsekiri land, even warri has more people than your people,   wetin be that place them post picture of delta state. if i find it on nairaland i would post it.

more people live in itseriki land than anioma, see itsekiriland map.

Become,

Seriously me and you are not going to argue about the population of Anioma or Itsekiri. The Itsekiri ppl can be 1 billion for all I care. Have no problem with em and I can't since I have Itsekiri relatives so biko don't try to make this some kinda Ndi-Igbo vs Itsekiri ppl coz it ain't. All I'm saying is that Igbos in Eganke- Edo state and Anioma, are rightful owners of their land and need no relocation whether they choose to join Biafra or Yugoslavia. The land belongs to them. The day any group will try to uproot them from their land is the day you will know that Igbo bu Igbo.

U can tell me all u want about whatever disagreement Igbos have in Igbo land which exists in all ethnic groups. Itsekiri are literally Yoruba in their names, culture ,and language yet many do not want to identify with Yorubas but when Ijaws were killing Itsekiri ppl who came to their rescue? Yoruba- OPC. Some Kalabari/Okirika ppl will rather not be called Ijaw at all.

Continue counting the your people it doesnt matter to us. U see Darwins theory of natural selection is like survival of the fittest. Let me just tell all the Mugus in this forum, u can continue punching ur keyboard till Jesus come again, Nigeria will remain 1. U can even import more goro for us, so that our old people can have something to chew while they reminisce about  their life, while We, the younger generation, continue with the vision of our fore-fathers. Our people must eat, must drink and must survive.

lol rubbish. Visions of ur forefathers. lmao. U mean ur forefathers in Britain? Ewu nkapi

Udezue, On the issue if they own the land. there are dispute about that, Some group in Edo and delta do opposite that. But some of this people you call Igbo. In nigeria, tell you they are not igbo. I know many argbor people who do not claim they are Igbos. Even if you listen to them speak. They are mix between edo and igbos.  And some of their names too look edo.

For many years many nigerian do not know Pat Utomi is Igbo. Why  because of his name Utomi,  You see Pat Utomi would have been President If your people did not call him Osu.  I know so, he would have been back by the most powerful in yorubaland and they would have force OBJ.

Check their names,  And many may not agree with you. Even their kings look more benin than igbos. Nearly 90% of them speak more than Igbos, and some don't not know how to speak Igbo, in the first place.

And nobody is relocating anyone. Even if Nigeria break up. You do not have to leave where you are. If an Igbo leave in lagos, we would never expect you to live. You know so Igbos where born in Yorubaland, do you expect them to live, Know you don't ,   We do not expect Dangote to leave. We do not believe in the discrimination that other part of nigeria are doing. This is what we are running from , so why do you expect us to do the same thing we are running away from. Awo never believe in that. He never,   Even during the nigeria civil war many Igbos never left Yorubaland. And they are some still alive to tell you the story.  Nothing would happen to you.  We leave here, if we shout discrimination why do it to others.

They do not have to be part of your biafra, they can still be where they are and live their lifes. Nothing will ever happen to them.

We live abroad, and we live our lifes and nothing is happen to us. Apart from the north which have violent people, other nigerian do care.  Every Nigerian knows our problem is the north.  Look if I was to cut nigeria, I would just remove the far north only,  And the others remain. But we know the igbos do not want to stay,  And I do not know how open is dokubo and his MEND people to live with our southerner.

Look I have family who are igbos. And I do not believe anyone should prevent them from ruling like the way it is done in Nigeria. That why I want change.