₦airaland Forum

netpro:
Gbajabiamila has done the best consultation outreach that has been missing in our political sphere for a while.

"Consultation outreach" for mere speaker of the house position (who is supposed to be merely the "first among EQUALS" )? How many times did you ever see Nancy Pelosi (or Paul Ryan, before her) gallivanting up and down the US campaigning for the position of House Speaker? Do you think that after Mr. Gbajabiamila and his benefactors spend all of these huge sums of money campaigning for the position, they will not seek to extract a "return" on their monetary investment? SMDH
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ppogba:
If you follow the case very well, you should know that if the Hausa man had not fought dirty, the cowboys wanted to push him out. In fact, he was already out. Recall, the suspension of Oando shares by SEC and the intervention by SLS.

Mangal persisted because he's an even bigger "cowboy" than these guys, having gotten rich off oil wells reportedly given to him by Abacha...

Hotfreezers:
Investing in Nigeria's stock market is like giving a thief your money and hoping he doesn't steal it.

The system worked and that's a GOOD thing...
There's fraud in every capital market (Enron, etc.), investor confidence however depends on TRUST that the system will sort it out.
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Tpharell:
Court orders reinstatement of Gwarzo and within days SEC concludes investigation on Oando all in the same week.

Gwarzo is a big thief who paid himself a N104m "severance" package for a position that he remain in. Frankly, it epitomizes how truly-warped Nigeria is that some people would associate Mr. Gwarzo with integrity. Stealing "less" does not a saint make.

ebby9z:
In case you aren't aware, the CEO is Wale Tinubu and now he will be reported to Tunde Fowler's FIRS. Fowler bring one of Tinubu's stooges.

That's only any tax infractions...
If there are financial crimes (eg, fraud) involved, it goes to the EFCC.

Is there ever any Nigerian boy-girl dispute story without an obtuse reference to how much the boy supposedly spent on the girl?
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Conceptually, an interesting idea...
But turned out underwhelming on several levels.

First, the output was just amateurish (but perhaps understandably). Substantively, while I get the play on words with “balls” (football and all that), the metaphoric association of “balls” (the testicular variety) with courage and daring is ironically sexist in itself. Furthermore, after all the noise about “all-female cast and crew” they apparently thought it necessary to CROWN it all with a dude.

Anyway, the important thing is that we are finally investing in and drumming up deserved visibility and publicity for the Super Falcons (11-times African champions). Let’s all join hands to wish the Falcons BEST OF LUCK AT THE WWC 2019!

PS: The pics are great btw.

Achieved WITHOUT Nigeria...
While other African leaders were trying to advance economic interests and development, Buhari is in Saudi Arabia yet again! SMH
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olowo1995:
Was that how he started, that was when he was forcefully elected out of office.

Never too late to do the right thing...

Nonetheless, when Ambode started, one of his early actions was to increase the death benefit of security personnel serving in Lagos (including rank and file officers of the federal government's Nigeria Police Force) from N1 million to N10 million.
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hisexcellency34:
These are things Ambode will never do

NOT TRUE!

I recall Ambode paying a similar condolence visit this past December in the case of the LATSMA official who was reportedly shot dead by a SARS officer at Iyana-Ipaja, and announcing a N10 million donation to the family during the visit.
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GOOD one, much respect Gov...

Those saying it's only for the cameras, even mere symbolism is important. While some others chose their first actions to include partying with Nollywood "celebs" or jetting off to Saudi Arabia, BOS elected to visit an ordinary Lagosian's family in the ghetto. Hopefully, the government will proceed to do more tangible things to assist the family. May her soul RIP. Eko Oni Baje!
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ivandragon:
ok. we are making head way.

as a president, there are certain benefits attached to that office which the president may out of his own volition, reject or accept & using an official car of his choice is certainly one of them.

I may concede on the price itself being too high regardless of the personality of the president, though I have my reservations about the price quoted... but your position is logical.

on the budget for some tertiary institutions, you must understand that every sector has its own budget no matter how frivolous it may seem & just the montly salaries of some tertiary institutions is over N280m, so get your facts right on that.

I am more concerned about a leader who doesn't stand by the principles he espouses...

Yes, we are indeed making progress...
This is how dialogue occurs (rather than folks just yelling at each other ).

The PRICE was my SOLE objection/issue...
I have nothing against the concept of an official car.

PS: Btw, I tend to be very circumspect...
And thus reasonably sure that NONE of the institutions I selected has a wage bill of N280m (that's why I left out universities).
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Daviddson:
Moral decadence.

Nigeria's major problem is the lack of implementation of law. Since they signed the anti same sex law, how many people have been arrested by the police for promoting same-sex wickedness? Is cross-dressing not the older brother of homosexuality? Why are bobrisky and this guy still walking free?

Nigerians/Africans never miss the opportunity to chase shadows in derogation of substance...
Bros, it is NOT so-called "same sex wickedness" that has made us the Extreme Poverty Capital of the World!

Meanwhile, these same soapbox 'moralists' will seek Prayer Warriors to help get to countries where this "same sex wickedness" is legal, open, and even celebrated - with a whole WEEK (Gay Pride Week) each year devoted to it, with parade and all.
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I am a self-professed Buhari skeptic...
But folks have to differentiate between fiscal health and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

This Forbes article focuses almost entirely on issues of fiscal health and the sorts of issues that primarily concern bond holders and foreign portfolio investors, among others. The flip side was that when oil prices were booming and Nigeria was amassing huge foreign currency reserves and supposedly “growing” at 6-7% per annum that most Nigerians lacked basic healthcare, educational opportunities and access to clean portable water but yet Nigeria was celebrated and lauded by foreign portfolio investors as a strong emerging/frontier market.

Though related (in fact, many would posit, strongly related), the reality is that fiscal health is not necessarily synonymous with economic development and vice versa. Nonetheless, on the real indices of economic development and health that should primarily concern Nigerians, such as agricultural development and investment along the entire value, development and deployment of technology and technologically-based solutions, investment in physical and social infrastructure, the expansion of economic opportunities, etc., sadly the verdict is blurry.

Nigeria has a mountain to climb (and the more we delay, the steeper the climb will be), but the overall picture is definitely NOT as bleak as this article based primarily on fiscal indices and the concerns of “hot money” paints it. Rather, it’s been a mixed bag (some major setbacks intermingled with some significant progress), but overall it’s fair to concede that we are lagging fairly behind where we ideally should be.
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What will he be teaching? Iberiberism?!

Folks were busy fighting Okorocha’s anointing of his son-in-law, while this dude was doing the same on the down low....
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LogoExclusive:
This for me is what Power is all about and nothing more.

Power is about hanging out with your family “and nothing more”?!

Don’t get me wrong, family is about the most important thing in life....
But that’s not what power is about. On the contrary, it is about ensuring the best for EVERYONE else!
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VillagePipu:
If I have to break down the usefulness and importance of on-the-spot inspection to you, it still wouldn't clear your cynicism.

So, I'll allow you continue your thing.

Nigerians/Africans and their infantile love for showmanship over substance...SMH

Is BOS the first Governor or government official to do "on-the-spot inspection"? FYI, Fashola, Ambode and even VP Osinbajo all did similar "on-the-spot" inspection. A million "on-the-spot" inspections and selfies will not redress a problem that is systemic in nature. The gridlock and street parking are merely SYMPTOMS of underlying systemic and institutional shortcomings! Until you address the UNDERLYING disease (including without limitation, adequate truck parks, a functional technology-driven call-up system, shippers' storage of containers, good roads, etc.), folks like you will continue to be bedazzled by BOS (and others) chasing shadows in derogation of substance. Little wonder some of our African ancestors were sold into slavery for mere trinkets. Anyway, carry on. Perhaps you can score a selfie with BOS yourself! LMAO!!
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VillagePipu:
[s][/s]

Even though my previous comment was facetious...
Can you tell us how BOS’ taking selfies in the middle of the road resolves this quagmire?

Meanwhile, a week ago...
https://thenationonlineng.net/presidency-gives-2-weeks-ultimatum-for-apapa-gridlock-clearance/

President gives 2 weeks ultimatum for Apapa gridlock clearance
by Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja May 22, 2019

The Presidency on Wednesday issued a directive for the immediate clearing up of the Apapa gridlock and the restoration of law and order to Apapa and its environs within 2 weeks.

The directive, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, mandates the immediate removal of all trucks from the bridges and roads within Apapa and all adjoining streets leading into the Apapa axis.

To facilitate this important assignment, he said that operators of trucks and tankers have also been directed to vacate the Port Access Roads within the next 72 hours.

He said that the directive followed an emergency meeting convened by President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on the 25th of April, 2019.

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shogsman:
One might think someone that appears to be well versed like yourself will understand the importance of security in a country like this,especially when the person in question is the most important person in the country.

While others would think that perhaps someone who appears to be well versed like yourself would grasp that the most important people in any country are ordinary CITIZENS and that government (including Mr. Buhari’s office) exists solely for the benefit of the citizens, not vice versa.

The Nigerian president is neither a monarch nor a sovereign onto himself. He’s a PUBLIC SERVANT ‘employed’ by the citizenry to serve them. N280m would pay the new minimum wage of over 9,300 civil servants and the old wage of over 15,500 c/servants, and that’s better usage.
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One day in office and he is already causing unnecessary gridlock...

BEST WISHES to BOS, but since Buhari has already ordered his voters to leave the Apapa roads in 2 weeks, isn’t this grandstanding?
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SillyeRabbit:
Watch some people with frustrated life and no good paying job say he did it for visa.

Of course not, he married her for “love”...

ivandragon:
yes ooo.
at least it diffused your misdirected aggression...
so what is/was your point?
if you feel the purchase was reasonable, fine.
if you feel it was unnecessary, fine...
are you ok now?

A spirited discussion is not personal aggression...

Nonetheless, while you apparently think (in your own words) that “it is not out of place for the [Nigerian] president to use a vehicle worth N280m or higher” and that the only issue is that Mr. Buhari portrays himself as a humble person, MY POINT is that it is entirely out of place! In the Extreme Poverty Capital of the World, it is not just fiscally and morally out of place but downright VULGAR and UNCONSCIONABLE for the president (or any public officer or political officeholder) to indulge in such unnecessary and ostentatious luxuries, regardless of the person occupying the office and how he public portrays himself and/or his values.

For perspective, N280 million will pay the NEW minimum wage for over 9,300 civil servants that the government is struggling to pay (and the OLD minimum wage of over 15,500 civil servants)! Meanwhile, reasonably certain that not one federal government college or polytechnic or college of education (where we train teachers who train our kids) , each populated with HUNDREDS of students, received up to N280 million for its annual budget. Would anyone seriously suggest that, if only this was not Mr. Buhari, it is not out of place to spend more on a vehicle for one public SERVANT than on the future of hundreds of Nigerian kids?
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ivandragon:
surely you are confusing my comments with someone else's...

I suggest you calm down & do a self check before you wreck yourself...

From leadership by (mis)example to discussion by rap?
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ivandragon:
ever heard of leadership by example?

Ever heard of rulership by exploitation?

What exactly is the “example” here? That if ordinary citizens (the so-called “masses”) want the benefit of world-class facilities they should either cheat, steal or even kill their way to power as the ruling elite does? That if they want basic security and attendant peace of mind accorded to the ruling class, or even the exorbitant wages of our legislators, they should engage in same chicanery? Taking the commonwealth of the citizenry to insulate yourself from them or to otherwise lord over them is NOT leadership by example. Appropriating taxpayers’ funds to provide luxuries for yourself and your family when those resources could be invested in health, education, public transportation, public security, and all other basics that would make the lives of the people you are purportedly elected to SERVE is not leadership by example.

Always been befuddled at the absurdity of Nigerian national legislators reportedly enjoying the world’s HIGHEST wages for legislators, in a country that is presently (even as we are having this discussion) struggling to pay a minimum wage that is even LESS than a living wage to its civil servants - and then when one comes across this sort of subservient “leadership by example” justification for elite exploitation. SMH
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shogsman:
For someone who says he’s a realist you seem to know little to nothing about reality.

What exactly is the divorce from reality? That Nigeria is not the Extreme Poverty Capital of the World?
Anyway, there’s a saying that no-one can ride on your back unless you are bent over, and REALITY is some of you are grabbing their ankles.
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lilwetdick:
to me it is not an achievement

i am tired of this the first black, the second black to graduate and all these nonsense

the only achievement that is important is what contribution did you make to human civilisation, what problem did you solve, that is what matters

It only matters because for far too long just being black denied you the very opportunity itself...
Meanwhile, I think that being a positive role model (while adding to the body of knowledge) “contributes” to human civilization.
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jaxxy:
It’s a nice car and a befitting one for the president no doubt be it Buhari or atiku.

U can’t even get a regular s560 for 61m talkless of a bulletproof. He also got a 7series so What happens to the old s550 he had?

The insiders keep it for themselves....
In practice, it is “sold” to them at a minimal “used car” price, which is deducted in small installments from their wages.

It is a SCAM, and everyone knows it...
If there were serious, they would sell it off to the highest bidder at a PUBLICLY-advertised PUBLICLY-held auction.
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ivandragon:
a leader is often judged on his ability to walk his talk...

it is not out of place for the president to use a vehicle worth N280m or higher... he is the president & fact remains that Nigeria is quite unsafe...

however, when the leader keeps shouting on how prudent he is, how simple he is, how others are wasteful because they want good things & other issues that give the impression that he is a humble man, then such expenses can be called into question because it is at variance with the man's self stated ideals...

a bullet proof Peugeot or Innoson vehicle would have been a better choice for a man who continually preaches simplicity & using home grown/made resources...

Why would it be only in the corridors of power that First-World and world-class standards are applied, but not everywhere else?
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That N280 million could’ve been better disbursed as N1K each to 280,000 “Sai Baba” Almajiri
When you are president of the Extreme Poverty Capital of the World, a N280m luxury car is UNCONSCIONABLE!
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