₦airaland Forum

Mustay

_{How do you know they pay VAt duties?} 

100% of all the items sold at Computer Village are imported and as such some duties have been assessed on them. Lagos gets a share on VAT from FG.

_{The trash they throw away, who disposes them off?}

It looks like you live in a Fantasy land,  govt revenue dept always comes with tax collectors who harrass people to pay many fees. If you have owned any business  at all in Naija, you know that folks pay some levies , fees, and taxes only that there is no  proper accounting system from govt. Business premises fees, CAC fees, trash collection fees, trash bin fees, billboard/signpost fees, import license fees etc

_{Pay your tax. services shall be provided.}

You still dont get it,dont you understand that the money your Lagos state govt collects from FG  is your money as well, so you should demand accountability from your govt, but I know that you are too weak to demand that from your govt, but quick to jump on the bandwagon to call for shutting down of computer village.  What has LSG done with over N 50 billion it generates monthly?  Why are traders held to a higher standard than LSG? It works this way , govt MUST  provide basic services, citizens  pay taxes

Taxes are  very important in participatory democracies, where its taxation by representation, but not in our case. Folks in Saudis and UAE dont pay so much taxes but have  better life than Nigerians. So non-provision of basic amenities of life cannot be attributed to non paying of taxes by Nigerian traders.

true test of a Nigerian woman- show her money or willingness to accede to all her monetary needs. tell naija woman you love her, she will ask you if she will only eat love.

Adexy001

You dont understand what taxation means. If after paying taxes, you still have to take care of the amenities that govt is supposed to provide for , then folks should not be taxed. Govt is a social contract and the political class is reneging on that contract and you are asking the other party (weakest bargainer) to fulfill its obligation?. There is no govt in the lives of these traders. They built their shops, pay rents, paid custom and vat duties, provided security, provided electricity, paid for clean and trash pick up etc and the govt is asking for taxes. FOR WHAT services? Would Fashola go against Dangote or Shell if they owe Lagos govt?

why are naija women always looking for a protruding back or wallet? Why is everything with Naija women boils down to how much cash you can throw on them?

Deepzone

<sup>I can't believe that Nigerians living abroad are praying for the downfall of their nation.

@Seun: we should ban unpatriotic Nigerians here. Osis, Karmamod and Grafikdon surprise me.</sup>

Why do you always think that those who criticize Nigeria or hold contrary views are unpatriotic? Who made you  an arbiter of people's patriotism? Who are you to question people's patriotism. This Mascho McCarthism running in your vein has got to stop. It portrays an inner thought of yours that is filled extermination of opposing views. Your utra-nationalist ideas seem to remind me of the Russians and Turks. When next you think of banning opposing views, think of these milestones, electricity was invented as an opposition to darkness, democracy an opposition to autocracy etc


^{Not at all. Didn't you notice that the Nigerian economy improved immensely since the oil prices went high?. No matter how you steal the money, it will still trickle down to the common man. That is what John McCain was preaching to Americans but the Obama socialists will not listen. The high gas prices in America punished my pocket but whenever I remember that it's a sacrifice for my brothers and sisters in Nigeria, I take heart.}

Another warped and whacked idea coming from your myopic and superficial views of the economy.  From your post, its suffice to say that you dont know how socialism works and as such would need to be taught by Fidel Castro and his cohorts. I bet Obama does  not meet that threshold. No campaign after elections, you can candidate lost, deal with it cos elections have consequences.

Why does Fashola have to start his idiotic tax policies with computer village? simple answer weakest in the political chain and most likely to cave in on any shake down. As for folks saying pay up your taxes and hold the government accountable to every dime - it sounds like an American rhetoric- How could this work in Lagos? If you cannot hold the govt account on about $500 million it generates monthly from FG and local revenues how can you hold the govt accountable on 10k it collects from these traders?

Are the problems we have Nigeria as result of citizens not paying their taxes or the govt mismanaging the wealth? In Nigeria, we have folks who paid for elections and got selected asking people to pay taxes without giving an accurate account how they have spent all the money they have got in the last oil boom.

Taxation offers you a chance to sit at the table, this leads to a political representation in democratic countries. Taxation by political representation is what we should striving for not taxation by a political hegemony that has no regard for welfare of the people because in the first place masses did not have a say in the way they emerged as selected political jobbers. There can never be taxation without equal political representation.

A big question for all these pay all taxes advocates, why dont you ask the government to put basic amenities and ask for Lagosians to pay for taxes later. Its like your Landlord asking you to pay rent on a house that is not yet built or your mechanic charging for a repair that is not yet done. Its like buying a huge stake in a company where you don’t have any voting or controlling right.

Taxation does not come in anticipation of delivery of services, but rather comes as a price for providing good services.

Remember he still has got more years to in office so lets not over praise this man. Imagine praising him for fixing pot holes on Abeokuta express. The point is that  he's got more roads to build. I mean from thick jungle to a well  tarred express  way, not resurfacing an existing road which is less expensive and easily provides a photo up for political stunts.
Kobo you are right on the spot, but someone who's never had a  sense of what real good government is will never understand your views. No politician has really established a clear bechmark  for good governance, so every little photo up commands a lot of praises. I remembered OBJ going to commission an unfinished road  project for some governors.
I would want us  to see it this way ; if your dad constantly provides for  your family would you be overly surprised that he is carrying out his fatherly duties ? Even from biblical perspective, a Messiah is the one who would come and release people from bondage, I wonder if Fashola can fit in this mode. Lets watch out word.

folks who have never had a barber or moi moi shop are praising that idiotic decision from a power hungry governor. How about pressing charges against those who evade taxes instead of closing an entire market? In developed countries they charge you for tax evasion. What happens to innocent until proven guilty. Its easier to run our hands and mouths on this forum than running a Keke Napep . Take a reality pill folks.

down sides of this so called report. Nigeria never benefited from the economy boom of the last  15 years before the crisis and may not likely benefit when the economy recovers. This is not a cheering news because our economy is isolated  and decoupled from the rest of big economies. Credit is  a great tool for economic acceleration if done  without   "irrational exubrance "
I think this piece talks about Nigeria's potential as a safe place that might not likely be affected by the economic crisis,but still does not address  key indicators of real economic growth. like power generation, SMEs, jobs, FDI.

According to these narcistic fanatics, its OK and saintly to sexually molest a kid and its sinful to elect a president who supports abortion. The difference here is that Catholic priests care for the unborn and sodomise kids who are living while Obama cares for kids who are living. If I were to choose, I would choose Obama instead of these attention seeking zealots masquerading as priests.

It’s funny for some folks to argue that sexual behavior is not a voluntary action. Sexual behavior is a non reflex action, so as such should not be equated with BEING black. It’s still a CHOICE to have sex or not. Equality of marriage should apply to all types of marriage. I wonder if this issue could have received a different reaction if it were Hispanics fighting for comprehensive immigration policy

If polygamists cannot claim that marriage is a civil right, then gay activist cannot claim to be fighting civil rights. I was listening to some folks who were of the opinion that blacks and hispanics cames out in droves to vote for Obama and voted NO for proposition 8 and wondered why minorities did not see gay issues as their own. My question is how many gay activists were in immigration rallies organised by Hispanics in the last few years? How many gay activists would lend their support for better funding of inner schools in California? Folks voted on issues.

Wasnt Teddy Haggard one of them? I thought he understood the bible better than Obama and yet was a hypocrite. Sleeping with a fellow man while openly against gays.
Maybe Bob Jones who founded a "Christian" university- Bob Jones University- that did not allow for inter racial dating would interpret the bible better than Obama.

Bring back real coverstaion on Nairaland.

A typical American who ignorantly glorifies that the she doesnt need to know about the world becuase she can she Russian from her back yard. She went on spending spree cos she never thought that she would become a VP nominee.
Let all her supporters on this forum line up. I thought everyone who asked genuine questions was called an Obamaa personality follower or sexist. Now they are letting cat out of the bags. I'm happy that Americans chose brains over boobs, sexy legs and lipstick.

Ndipe, You cannot have an honest discussion until you start seeing black Americans as individuals. Did you ever think that you would be as successful as you are if your  Parents were Born in Katagori LG in Sokoto? Or did you think that Bill Gates would been successful if he were born in Darfur? Some Nigerians always think that racism was long time ago in America without thinking that Nigeria had  voting rights  before  all African Americans. Have you ever considered unevenness of opportunities? A kid schooled on the South west side of Chicago cannot educationally compete with a kid schooled in New Haven Conn. Here is the difference but not an excuse for some slackers.  If  unevenness of opportunity benefited or disadvantaged some folks, then some folks were direct and indirect  beneficiaries . I believe Bill Cosby's  school of thought on  black issues in America. "If sentencing guidelines on crack cocaine Vs powder cocaine disproportionately target black folks, then you should not do drugs"

recovering alcoholic on TV only in America

with my broke ass self I cant even go out with that type of mama with half a football team of kids. Look at her strech mark ridden belly. It looks like Ajegunle gully erosion site. Thanks to Usher  for letting us know that  folks like us still have a  shot at hot chics. I had thought that all high rollers would get away with all the beautiful women, but Usher spared that opportunity.

Parents, especially single moms be careful the way you over pamper your kids. I think the reason Usher likes older women is that her mum always over pampered him and as a result he always looked for older women who would over pamper him like his mum. Tameka Foster has got that.

Did you see the decency in Obama's crowd when he mentioned John McCain? While he was booed when mentioned by John McCain.
America is the beacon of hope for hopeless. America is the best guarantor and enabler of hope and aspirations in the world. Without a place like America, the world could be in limbo. Let the light shine.

i laugh.

Sarah Palin could have dragged US backward  by 25yrs if she had won. She was a disgrace to Senator Clinton and feminist movement.

so happy that Obama won. Not that happy that McCain lost woefully,but happier that Sarah Palin  dit not make it to the White House. Good to see that brains have triumphed over boobs and lipstick

Tayo.
You are more than delusional to think that Acorn caused sub-prime crisis. Always shifting responsibilities to less privileged folks. Instead of you to take time to rebut all my arguments you chose to select Acorn. The different between my line of argument and your argue is that conditions you would want to apply to Obama are not what to applied to McCain.
The difference also is that you get your stories from talking points while I get my facts by cross checking all the issues from factcheck. I will be scared to believe Keith Olberman because of what he says, but you are glad to brandish your source of info as Rush,O'Reilly and Co.

Meanwhile always avoiding my questions on ties to Saudi family,Sessionist group, generation of sub-prime mortgages. Keep dwelling on ties, third part associations, helping aunty and all that. Your debate is never been about issues but of triviality.
your thinking should be " I wish Obama were this really bad"

For goodnes sake, there are close people that I know here in the US whose stay is illegal. That does not keep me from helping them to live well. They are not on welfare and so constitute no burden on the tax payer in that sense. This is the least that Obama can do without brealing the law while being "his brother's keeper."

In America welfare serves both red and blue states. I think you are using your African extended family system to judge him. You don’t know what sort of connection he has with his aunt. You are dead wrong to think that he should take care all of the folks who might be related to him. How about his other family members in Indonesia. Find out how poorly they are living


I may be worng but did John McCain and Sarah Palin launch their political careers from the home of a convicted terrorsit? Did any convicted terrorist raise money for them? Please educate me I beg. I mentioned earlier that I ma no fan of McCain either and never supported his intial border plans. But again, you miss the point that I made. Why did Obama proclaim that the approriape laws should be enforced against his aunty while not saying same for the other million illegals in the country? That is the question you need to answer. Is it hypocrisy or political posturing?  Your guess is as good as mine.

Another reason why views are skewed and whacked. Bill Ayers was never convicted and how is Bush’s relationship with Saudi family different if we are looking  at  “associations” with dangerous folks?
How about Sarah Palin’s association with a secessionist group? How about McCain’s association with Burmese government or Iran Contra? The reason why appropriate laws should be applied is because this woman has a deportation order from govt and  illegal immigrants who have no such orders are not in the same situation as Obama’s relative.


First, no half brother or brother of mine is living on less than $1 a day in Naiaja. I will correct that if it is the case. Second, I am not the one faulting my country for not being their brother's keeper. It is Obama who does that and yet does not live up to the ideals. It is all political posturing. As for McCain, he adopted a black child years ago and had taken care of her up to this point. He's shown what it is to be a brother's keeper in deed and not in words. As for Obama, I can't say the same.


Even though McCain adopted a daughter from Bangladesh, she is willed less of all his biological kids in their will. She will inherit less of   their estate. Does this make McCain a bad person? No  and I cannot make my decision on this, but you seem to tie Obama to every  trivial bad thing.  We would not know  if any of your relative’s is living in squalid condition in Naija unless you are under the microscope. Easier said than done

Keep deflecting the issue. If Bin Laden hosts your "meet the candidate" meeting in his house in 20 years time, do you think I will ahve any reason to be wary of your sense of judgment, even though Bin Laden may have ceased being active in terrosrism by then?

You can always go to factcheck. Its non partisan; to check some of your innuendos. See your comparison of bringing Bin Landen into the picture and you will say “ I did not call Obama evil” but this could mean that he could be introduced by Bill Ayers a clone for Bin Laden. Bill Ayers means Bin Laden an Obama ally ( summary of your statement) Colin Powell has blunted this statement folks like you still like to dwell in ignorance.


Just stop putting words in my word and address the things I say. Don't misrepresent me here

Just answered your question by drawing analogy between Bin Laden and Bill Ayers.

If Bin Laden hosts your "meet the candidate" meeting in his house in 20 years time, do you think I will ahve any reason to be wary of your sense of judgment, even though Bin Laden may have ceased being active in terrosrism by then?

Obviously you don't know ACORN's history and their link to the mortgage mess. You are obviously unaware of their law suits against banks to issue sub-prime mortgages. Go find out about that and come back and discuss the issue with me.

Another whacked reasoning. So you think that ACORN can go to Harvard and ask them to issue sub-prime law degree to undeserving student? Or that Acorn can sue Allstate Insurance to extend sub-prime insurance coverage to ineligible customers?  If Acorn went to court, did a judge grant their plea? Did Acorn come up with ways to generate sub-prime mortgages?  The term “sub-prime”is analogous to economy than voter registration, so it came from Wall Street not Main Street. This is a clear demonstration of your uninformed views on what caused the real estate melt down.

How can't he help his aunty? isn't this the same guy who is trying to court latino vote through open borders? No one is asking him to illegally regularise his aunt's stay in the US. All we ask is that he be "his brother's keeper" as he has enjoined the rest of us to do.

This is why your views are skewed. How can he do this without breaking the law? If folks like you keep talking about his associations while the same time ignoring John McCain’s or Sarah Palin’s associations. You are dead wrong to think that Obama will throw the border open for everyone to come. John McCain had a similar proposal until radicals in his party hijacked his campaign. This is why you cannot have a “fair” debate without saying some heinous things about Obama. Can you tell me where Obama says that he will let everyone who is illegal in the country stay without recourse to the law? Does  being your brother’s keeper mean breaking the law or stopping govt agencies from carrying out their legally statued functions?

To now think that he has thrown the poor woman under the bus is just hilarious. He has now stated that the appropriate laws should be followed in dealing with his aunt. Why didn't he say the same with all the illegal immigrants in the country? The answer is very simple - political expediency. He says whatever need sot be said to achieve his goal, even if he has to not be his brother's keeper.


Another whacked reasoning cos, Obama did not invite this woman to the US. So, why make him responsible for her ordeal? I repeat Obama and McCain had similar postures on immigration .Go and do your research. Obama has not said that illegal immigrants who are awaiting deportation order from govt should be let to stay in the country.


I don't blame the aunt one bit. At least in the US, she can get free housing and food. She'd rather stay here than take the chance of going back to Kenya. If Obama cannot even take care of his half-brother there, how much more, or should I say less his aunt.


Another skewed reasoning! You sound as if your grand parents were related to Christopher Columbus or descendants of native Americans. That Obama should take care of his brother as if to say that  you take care of your all relatives in Nigeria. The point is that Obama takes of his family in the US. Its like holding John McCain responsible for the welfare of his black relatives in Missippi who are descendants of slaves that were held by John McCain grand parents.


Are you smoking some cheap weeds or something. Where did I ever call Obam or implied that he is a terrorists. You are obviously thinking aloud and saying what is on your mind. but please don't attribute it to me.


I wonder what you have intended to achieve by insisting on his relationship with Bill Ayers and Co might be risky. Isnt Bill Ayers called a terrorist? And Obama’s relationship with him will implicitly mean that he-Obama is a terrorist like Ayers . Even though, they were on a  republican  constituted board with other republicans.  Do you also know about Bush’s relationship with a Saudi family that has some issues  to look at ?

Where have I said Obama was evil?

Evil could imply  risky, dangerous, radical, terrorist tendencies, communist, socialist and extremist in this context and these are all outliers.

So with Obama, all your problems are over baa? The Democrats and their allies in ACORN and co caused this mortgage mess. Is the DNC going away with the voting into office of Obama?

Now ACORN has  changed from registering voters to generating mortgages? It seems you dont know the difference Bear Stearns and ACORN?  Taking Rush Limbaugh and Billy O'Reilly's prescriptions on what caused the meltdown.  For your info. democrats only  took control of the congress in 2006 and republicans  control the executive since 2000. What was McCain doing when he addressed ACORN in 2006? If you need a lecture on mortgage mess, you can open a thread so that some folks can lecture you. The reason why I’m putting  my bet on Obama is this let’s try another way of running govt.

Tayo-D
There you go again, the reason why come here and do better is because best of Nigerians emigrate to other countries.` Its like best of Americans leaving America and settling in order countries. By the way have you asked yourself why folks in Ajegunle are not as prospered as folks who live in Lekki. It’s called unevenness of opportunity. The reason why you believe folks like Rush who have not accepted the fact that racism put some folks in disadvantage. Folks who tell me that there is equal opportunity for students who go to high schools on south west of Chicago and Beverly Hills high school.

Over all blacks in America are the most successful blacks in the whole wide world, so quit thinking about them as a group instead of individuals. Always compare them with blacks in Nigeria who never been enslaved, never felt racism etc, yet some blacks in Africa are far more successful.

It’s also useful to remind you that Rush is a drug addict and I would want you to answer this question. If it had been any of those folks mentioned in his tirade who happens to be a drug addict would you take them seriously? I rather listen to a mad person than Rush Limbaugh. It’s meant for folks who cannot form their opinion. Rush for me has a credibility problem.

this is the lowest bar for defining socialism. maybe they need to be retaught by Fidel Castro and Co on the tenets of socialism. By the way, these folks took stimulus check from government and never considered it socialism.

tayo-D ,
you ideas are always wacked and skewed. How could Obama help his aunty without folks like you calling for his head -nepotism.
I got a question for you if this guy Obama is really bad as you make us to believe what becomes of your character? If Obama fits your description of a terrorist, then you as freaking Nigerian will qualify as a devil incarnate. I think you have really set a high bar for describing folks who are evil if Obama fits in that mode.
What is your case for John McCain?Elect him as Bush and the problerms of these past 8 yrs will be carried over.

We have folks saying Bleep redistribution of wealth while the govt bailed out Wall Street. What'st the difference. Remember Sarah favoured tax hike in Alaska and took out money from oil funds and redistributed to Alaskans. Its just that Obama and his team have made it clear that he would not fight smear for smear.

You are running the largest deficit in the world and you are calling someone whose tax policies would benefit atleast 85% of the US population as a communist.

Scott Pipen, Ted Turner, Paul Allen are getting millions of dollar as farm subsidies and nobody is crying foul. US farmer are subsized to the point that they get almost 50cents for every dollar. Isnt this socialism ?

I think that Michele Obama is bringing to the table what has not been considered a mainstream fashion in Washington. I really like the way she plays with colors. She has a wonderful combination as opposed to what is considered a traditional dress mode for first ladies. Like pants and suit. I think she is also bringing her background and cultural experience into play. The reason why her way of dressing is not striking accord with some folks is that they have not seen a first lady to be of her type , so its easier to use "benchmark" established by other folks to judge her.
We don’t always have to see everything as hating on someone. Just that some American are obsessed with trivial issues and major issues are swept under the carpet some times

I think that michele Obama is bringing to the table what has not been considered a mainstream fashion in Washington. I really like the way she plays with colours. She has a wonderful combination as opposed to what is considered a traditional dress mode for first ladies.  Like pant and suit. I think she is also bringing her background and cultural exprience  into play.

Listen to this dicussion about race. These folks were very honest and forth coming.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96086423

he's got a big mouth, he called some obama supporter communists. does it tell you anything about mccains and temperament?