I don't understand the delay by the governors to pull coppers out of these crises zones. If its their own children, they would have done so.

Also why are the coppers going to these zones for posting. I know people will say they have no choice. They can go to court to get an injunction to stop them from being sent to areas known by the whole would as crises-ridden. I am not a lawyer and I am not sure if they will win, but they can cause problem for the service and delay their deployment as the crises unravels.

I am beginning to think there is a conspiracy to break up Nigeria. And its not only Boko Haram that's involved in this plan. They are just being used by some leaders from both north and south. Call me crazy, but how do you explain this inaction by govt.

It is possible that the beating led to the problem. The organ might have been affected due to the beating, Maybe she only succumbed now. But we won't know until there is an autopsy.

So please don't rule out murder by the barbarian king of this innocent woman.

@nsiadi

Some points you've made there:[b][b][b] When OBJ called a pastor in Jos how did we react?
By the time he stormed Odi ppl were shouting unprintables
Now some ppl are pressurizing GEJ to use the drones
It seems some of us dont understand the system of governing

Just v few ppl may be behind these bombings
Since they are faceless its not easy to deal with the situation
Action, I am sure is being taken
We are not seeing the results but I am sure our security is working seriously to solve the problem[/b][/b][/b]

I want to believe you really.

Not true!

This is really getting out of hand o! What are the leaders of this country doing to solve this problem. I know its not easy to fight a faceless enemy but there has to be something we can do. I feel sorry for my innocent northern brothers who suffering right now. Nigerians of all stripes should stand with them.

As I said before, it looks like our leaders are secretly wishing for this BOKO HARAM people to succeed so that the country can be broken up. They may all pretend that they want one Nigeria, but I am beginning to suspect that everybody is just folding their hands and waiting for that ONE moment.

You maybe surprised as we are here screaming Jonathan, all the various leaders are with their sectional groups planning on what to do. Scary, right?

Just saying,

Sanusi maybe right, though. I don't think the courts have the power to reverse this policy so long as it is not causing undue hardship. I also don't think is bad idea. I just think the amount maybe too small for many businesses and the time frame maybe too short. As some said, we need education of the people on this issue.

Is this the beginning of the end of Nigeria?

You know, maybe these leaders (both from the north and south) secretly want this country to break up and they are happy the way things are going. Otherwise, I see no explanation for their inaction. Maybe they want this country broken up for their greed but no ones wants to be the first to say it. Everyone wants to appear patriotic and. And now they might just allow Boko Haram to do it for them. Just a thought.

I magine what will happen if GEJ (or any important southern politician) is assasinated by Boko HARAM! God help us!

islamic bank will work in nigeria. period.

In this overly sexualized world all men are tempted but few survive the temptation. Not all men are cheaters, but majority have given it a thought.

I believe there are men who are also pushed to cheat by their wives for one reason or the other.

Although i do not support flooging. but i thonk the law should be modified. No Parents should be allowed to beat a child to the point of leaving physical marks on their body. I have seen too many children who have endured permaent scars from beating.

Note that many of the scars and injuries as result from beating may not be intentional by the parents, but it occurs any way, and the child carries that burden for the rest of their lives.

For those complaning of immorality in the west because of lack of flogging, why are we all running to the so-called immoral west if we are so good at home?

Is Nigeria becoming another Somalia? Where is our Government? God help us!

@ow11,
i get my news from variety of available sources. I dn't have access to BOKO HARAM spokes persons. That is why i take wjat i get from news sources avaialbe.

But I can see the point in some of the things you are saying. I like especially this part of your comment: , but in reality they want what we also want. Food, shelter, security, freedom of religion and  a sense of belonging. Give these to them and bring the culprits (Police men and Politicians to book ) and you would have the relative peace Ghana, Qatar, Tanzania, Mali enjoy.

However, I also think it is the responsibility of BOKO HARAM to tell the masses they claim to be fighting for what they really want. Believe me if what you have expressed here is their official demand, many of us wil agree with them (even though like MEND we may reject their methods).

comment by ow11: Boko Haram are fighting the thieving political elite in their own domain and were a few minutes from killing the IG. I say no amount of bombs by the Nigerian Army will solve this problem until the FG realises that stealing public funds has to end! Everything that has a beginnning must have an end!

Really. Is this all they say they want (i thought they want want sharia, and want the prohibition of western education)? if so, godspeed.    

@RUSSELINO,

I couldn't agree more with you this. It is what the dafty lot headed by Malam Rhino.5dm MUGU lack the intellectual capacity to comprehend.


[b]Mend is comprised of area boys, ex armed robbers and oil bunkerers and employed criminal activity such as kidnapping, sabotage of pipelines and even murder etc but everyone acknowledged they had a cause to fight for. Mend focusses on kidnapping oil workers and releasing them after obtaining loads of cash, i can count the number of times they intentionally killed people to achieve their purpose, except security forces who tried to get in their way. When they have placed bombs they ALWAYS sent out warnings beforehand

Boko haram not only place bombs in places designed to inflict maximum casualties to civilians and ordinary people. they go to beer parlours and open fire on packed crowds, give 10 year old kids bombs to carry, place bombs in churches on sunday mornings etc. They have no set aims or objectives except the idiotic ''western education is evil'' mantra while they use the internet and other ''evil'' western things.

Both groups are criminal if you get down to brass tacks but if asked to choose to live in either PH or Borno I'd be more comfortable in PH. At least the bombs are targetted at the pipelines, not innocent guys like me trying to have a drink on a friday night[/b]

@dayo kano
^^ Really you have said anything.

Show me freedom fighters who kidnap for ransom, Whose leaders are nothing but common criminals who now have a fleet of exotic cars from Lawlessness yet get amnesty, salary and scholarship

I think is you that understood nothing from my comment. read again!

show me one successful freedom fighting organization that have not used nefarious means to achieve their aim, and I will show many freedom fighters that have used kidnapping for ransome as weapon. Do a little research before you make claims.

I never said MEND was perfect. They have claim that can be related to by people who are not biased as the guiding principle. educate me of an equal claim by boko haram that make them similar to MEND.

@Rhino.5dm
made my opinion known without insulting you but yet you reposnded by calling your grand father ignorant. Well Ican see how you fail to see the nuances in my comment. You will always be blind to opinions that are different from yours.

Whether you chose to ignore history out of sheer stupidity or ignorance, I will like remind you a gain that that MEND came along because the federal government and in conjunction with the oil comppnies destroyed the livelihood of many communities in niger delta. Irrespective of the tactic used by MEND (many of which I noted as bad), but they have a justifiable starting point. Tell me where BOKO HARAM claim is justified? You are the one that needs a bit of schooloing before you start screaming senselessness on the internet. i.diot!

You want to school Nairalanders? I thought your BOKO HARAM folks says western education is bad? Oh, you are talking of almajiri school. That's why you hate google, too. i get it. Any ways, I think its your turn to wear the suicde vest along with your brothers from Niger and chad. Free us of your lunancy!

I feel ashamed and sad for people to see people claim that MEND and BK are the same. How do you compare a man that is fighting keep his land from getting destroyed without proper compensation to a man who want to kill you because you love wetsren education? Show me one organization that has won freedom in history that dint use some form of violence. Don't get me wrong, I hate violence just like you but tghere are times when it is justifiable. even the law recgnises that. What Boko HARAM is doing is to kill Nigerians (christians, muslims, and others) even when they have not been provoked. How does that make sense?

@Bluetooth, Rhino.5dm and otherss, I know you want to be politically correct by saying MEND and BK are the same, but sometimes its ok to tell the truth. Doing otherwise have a far bigger ramification for us all. Look I hate MEND for turning NIGER DELTA into dens of kidnappers and then run to abuja to get amnesty. They institutionalised kidnapping in Nigeria. I hate the Nigerian Government even more for not listening to Saro Wiwa and others before it got to this stage. But MEND violence ( I am not talking about other arm robbers and kidnappers using the name of MEND) is still not the same as someone wanting to kill you for as flimsy excuse as you obtaining wesern education. thats madness! As someone has rightly said here, you cannot reason with someone who wants nothing. I beileve that BK doesn't really want anything. Thier aim is to destabilize Nigeria. It problably started by some religiously-overzealous youths who were just bored and jobless. My fear is that if good reason is not needed to start violence, then we must wait for more groups to start springing up all accross the country demanding one thing or the other whether it make sense or not.

For @Bluetooth, Rhino.5dm and the others, if someone comes to your house and exploit your resources, take your property and kill your family members just becuase you ask them to stop or pay you what you are due, what would you do? I knwo what I would do. I will defend my land and family with all my strenght even if it means dying for the cause. But I wont sell-out like MEND.

@Abuna,
I agree with you that there is serious breakdown of morality among the black community not only in the UK but in most parts of the western world. Come to think of even in Nigeria students are only afraid of their teachers until a certain age. Once they are old enough they start fighting the teacher. So all the beating in the world will not stop a stubborn child. But maybe compassion and and understanding of the child'd problem will help the teacher deal with the students better.

Do you know that many research has shown that children who experience violence ( beating, and other forms of abuse inclusive) tend to be violent and abusive? Black parents are known to beat their children in the western world as it is in Africa, maybe that that is why many black children grow up to embrace violence. Just a postulation.

Maybe we should ask ourselves where all these violence that is happening in nigeria today are coming from? All the beating we receive as children has not really helped us. Now compare that to the western world where children are respected and taught through humane ways how to live life. You be the judge of that.

My point is that. It is only a lazy teacher and foolish parent that think if you beat your child they will grow up better. Trust me they can only fear you until they can fight back, and after that the stubborn once will start kicking the @#$$% out of you. Maybe teachers, as well as parents need to learn how to deal with children without resorting to violence. Beating the child is only a short term solution. In the long run it makes the child worse. It psychologically traumatic to beat children. period.

@ MAD MAX, I totally agree with you.

[b]Any study linking youth pregnancy and crime to a dearth of flogging? There are different kinds of people with different temperaments and outlooks so we all have different upbringings.There is no 'we' that have a culture of 'strict' upbringing, and family values have nothing to do with flogging. A child is smaller than you and more vulnerable and will act like a child. It doesn't fall within the purview of a teacher to 'discipline' a child. His only job is to teach, nothing more. Any kind of disciplinary measure is the responsibility of the parents.The child will pass through the school in a while, but will remain the child of his parents for life.

Many of these teachers are sadists. A little power makes people a little mad and we always abuse it. It's not their job to 'discipline' a child, whatever that means. If the child is unruly the parents are told to see to it. Persistent bad behavior and the school will advise the parents to withdraw that child. By the time three or more schools have expelled that kid no one will tell hisparents to take him in hand, no one will tell him to behave himself.

Ghana has done this experiment successfully for decades, and that success is there for the world to see. No beating kids like animals and their educational system is far better than ours with all our flogging, and their society is far better and less corrupt than ours. You see figures showing the evil effects of the practice on kids and people are still yelling for it like it's crack. No wonder we don't progress as a country. It's a fantastic thing Fashola has done, and one hopes other governors will emulate the move. [/b]

@Abuna and camaldina,
What are you guys talking about? Do you know how many studenst get frustrated out of school by their teachers? So you think the only way to correct a child is to spank them.

Let me give my experience: When I was living with my uncle as child, I was late to school because as usual his wife wanted me to do so mcuh work ( cooking, sweeping the compound, and ensuring the my uncles children are taken to school etc) in the morning before going to school (as was always the case). On this fateful day, I met this teacher whom we all know smokes indian hemp before coming to school- he was dreaded even by other teachers. The teacher flogged me so hard on my back that my white uniform was all stained with blood. After that he asked me and the others to kneel on a concrete floor under the hot sun. When I got home even my uncle's wife that never normally cared cringed when she saw the marks on my back. Ofcourse she blamed me for going to school late.

Ofcourse, I was late on so many other occasions because of the chores I have to do as a child before going to school daily and got beaten many more times. This example is extreme I know, but there are many people who will tell you different beating episodes they suffered in the hands of teachers. My girl friend had to move to another school because of a school teacher. Not everyone has that luxery.

I can understand what you mean by the low moral standards in the western world, but at the end they are still better, overall, than us. Many white people I know respect others. but they also know how to fight for their right. It is wrong for teachers to be beating children for whatever reason. Its child abuse.

@poster
Nothing wrong in collecting the money. I would have preferred you didn't, though. All these people talking about not mixing business with pleasure have no idea what they are talking about. If you cannot show appreciation for someone you care about for with a service you can provide, then I don't know what else to say.

Now that you have collected the money, whenever you have the opportunity, you can use it to buy her a gift and tell her that it was to make up for taking her money for the service. Tell her you always wanted to do it for free, but wasn't sure if she would accept.

Love affair is not about winning or losing. How do you know you won't gain more than that from her in the future. One good turn deserves another. But again if you really needed that money, I can understand why you couldn't leave it for her. My point is that it should not be about playing games - don't be afraid of doing something for someone you like. Even if you don't end up dating her, you might have just bought a good friendship.

Sanusi has thrown down the gauntlet- go to court if you think Islamic banking is illegal. That is what aggrieved groups should be doing instead beating a dead wood.

For those blaming GEJ, what do you want him to do? It is not GEJ job to stop it so long as it is not causing any problem for the country. It is a legal matter. Go to court for interpretation of the legality of the bank if you are not sure.

I agree with those saying OBJ would have been more aggressive in his actions against BOKO HARAM. There are times when such approaches are required. But I don't think the solution to deal with this kind of threat requires that kind of approach. Do we even know who these people are? As has been said here, it requires a careful approach of tact and intelligence gathering. what do you want GEJ to do, go kill innocent civilians in Borno state while the real perpetrators of the crime are still not known.

Having said that, GEJ must look for away to quickly show he can be trusted with Nigerian security or else, we are in deep deep trouble in this country. So far, he appears weak in his utterances and approach. I hope he is working on something real fast. What will happen if groups from every part of the country start coming with one flimsy excuse of the other to bomb government institution. MASSOB, OPC, etc are watching. We should be worried.

I don't see anything wrong with calling it Islamic Banking. However, I would have preferred the naming of any such institution to be devoid of reference to any particular religion. Be that as it may, Muslims have the right to their own kind of banking whether we as Christians like it or not.

Now that we have started on this road, I will suggest that, instead of complaining, other religious groups - Christians and Pagans included, should also apply for banking licenses and lets see how Sanusi will handle it. Is that simple. How does OGUN OBATALA COMMERCIAL AND MORTGAGE BANK PLC sound?

Long over due. Anyway, if anyone flogs my child, I will sue the hell of out of the school. I am sure there are existing laws against such practices. They are just never pursued.

@sonyvaio
You ask very important questions. The answer to your questions of the inability of Nigerians to organize is that we are very good at complaining, but we are bad at mustering effective solutions. Just look at NL, this is supposed to be platform for more or less educated youths, but what do you get from most of us when issues are raised for discussion- insults, display of tribal sentiments and blind religiosity.

I will suggest that affected NYSC members to go to court and try their luck. I am sure there will prominent lawyers who would want to take their case up. Everyone know they are more likely to be killed as corp members in Borno state. I hope they fight this injustice.

post by Nagoma
I have noticed that anyone who queries your motives and methods is immediately blackmailed by alleging tha he supports violence.

I never mean to say you support violence (i apologize if my comment comes out as such). Having said that, I don't think it fair to compare MEDN agitations to that of Boko Haram. Even if MEND was later hijacked, I dont think its fair to compare the history of both group lest we be doing a great injustice to Saro Wiwa and others who died for the course doing a peaceful protest.

You don't honestly think the professor knows that it is imposible for Boko Hara to get tehir own country? I think he was being sarcastic, though. Ofcourse a secular Nigeria will never accept the inclinations of the sect. I also think the man was trying to tell Boko Haram and their supporters to see the folly of their agitations. I think everyone including the professor knows that the sect is amorphous, hence he is suggesting for them to come out and pursue ttheir demand in a legitimate way.

Hey Guys, Please lets not make too much of this banking issue. It is the least of our problem in Nigeria. I agree with some sentiments being displayed by the pro Islamic banks, but I also get the concern of the people against it. I think the problem is lack of education about what the bank is really about, and also the implementation is happening, perhaps, at wrong time. With the issue of Boko Haram threat, it is understandable if people who dont understand the islamic banking cocept to be concerned.

@poster, instead of lumping all southerners into one big basket of Islam-hating hostiles, it is your reponsibility as an educated Muslim (if you are) to educate people on the issue.

Instead of complaining let's have a christaian bank as well, if there is anything like that. Even if Nigeria is a secular state there are core beliefs of people that should be tolerated to an allowable extent by others. For example, in Canada an RCMP police officer is suppose to wear a helmet by law, but the people of the Silkh religion are exempted because they wear turban. Let's be a little bit accomondating to others - that is what secularity truly means.

@Nagoma and others, I don't understand your stand on this issue. Are you saying because Muslims also die in the south therefore the killing by Boko Haram is justified. Are you defending Boko Haram? Do you know what a referendum means? Do you know how many Niger Deltans were killed when they asked peacefully for a fair allocation from the resources generated on their land?. Not that I support violence in any way, but lets be fair in our assessment of issues. We are the elite. We have a role to play. People are reading what we write here. The professor only asked that since Boko Haram is asking for things that cannot be accommodated by most southerners, we should consider a referendum giving all northerners the chance to say whether they really want to be part of Nigeria, and you are here castigating the professor.

I will like you to explain to me what Boko Haram wants, and how you think that is comparable to what MEND was agitating for. I dont think the killing in the south has ever been ignored. I don't regularly reside in Nigeria but I read all about the medical student's killing and other such horrible acts in the papers. In fact I have more problem with people like you than I have with the Boko Haram (if you are not one) themselves. Majority of Muslims are very good people, but I don't understand the passivity in condeming violence when its just starting. I have to admit that in the case of Nigeria. prominent muslims have come out to condemn the senseless violence. We should all join them. That is how Al qaeda started. This Boko Haram is going to destroy the North (if it doesn't destroy the whole of Nigeria), go mark my words. You should be worried.

The thing that i like about this topic is the emotion it stirs in almost all of us. I am sure its because the majority of us whether from rich or poor background have stories to tell about how we struggled to get to where we are now. Thats a good thing. Only very few Nigerians didnt have to work hard one way or the other to get to successful life. Because of that some have vowed to give their children everything so that they don't have to go through what they went through. While other have decided that what they went through is part of what make their personality and success, therefore their children will need to get the chance to work as well irresepective of their current financial status. I cannot fault any of these philosophy because children are not robots, they are human beings, and they respond to different things in their environment. Some children are pampered and they become wayward, while others are pampered and they become greatful.

There is no single rule to raise children it has to be on case by case basis. MY PONIT IS that while moderation in everything you do is the key, you also have to remember the approach you used in raising Mikel Obi might not work with Osaze Odemwiingie-lol. Parent have to understand the needs of their children. It is good to draw from your experience as a parent but you have to understand that  this is the child's life and things are different from your days. Do what is the best for the child and not for you!

I agree that #800,000 Nusery school in nigeria maybe on the verge of waste (i may be wrong because i am not sure of all the component of services provided for the fee - i doubt is for teaching ABC-LOL). However, I can spend any amount of money for my children for secondary and tertiary institution because that is where they can get the important network that will help them in life. Its not about what you know, it also about who you know.


As an aside, Even in the rural areas of western world, children help their parents in farms or stuff like that. its only in the city you hear all this talk about child abuse.

@milehigh06
did you read really read my comment or you are just looking for a way to tell us your life history. Here is what i said:

Infact many people will argue that it is sometimes the children of the poor that usually sit and wait for manners to fall from heaven. Many are waiting for that one big break through without thinking of the little things they can do to help themselves. And when they do get big breaks they cannot handle it because they are not ready.

Having said that there are millions and millions of nigerians youths both from rich and poor background that have worked really hard to succeed in life irrespective of their parent status.

How does this statement mead children of the poor are loafer? Lord have mercy!

I was only trying to provide counter to the suggestion that all rich parent pamper their children by noting what others are also saying about some children from poor background. Maybe I was not clear (apologize): I was just trying to counter overgeneralize that all rich people pamper their children.

@prof

Osaze has apologized? Where? In the press?

I am not sure if this is a rhetorical question or  you really want an aswer. If you do the link is below.

So you dont think that public apology through the press is good enough(http://www.africansoccerunion.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122250:twitter-rant-osaze-apologise-to-siasia&catid=136:nigeria-soccer&Itemid=200264).  
If you dont think press apology is not good enough, how did siasia communicate osaze's ban to him? is it not through the press? they obviosly have't communicated since the incident acoording to siasia. If someone apologizes publicly, a coach that is not looking for an axe to grind will let the matter die. he would invite OsAZE AND THEn MAKE HIM APOLOGIZE TO HIS TEAM MATE, and not going to the media to complain. Two wrongs does not make a right.

The reason for the break is not cos of irresponsibility on part of said boss; its a player deciding to exercise his free will to walk in spite of coaches decision (by the way, let me remind you, he was NOT injured; he destroyed Liverpool a few days later)

How do you know this? where you there? Osaze has said he took permission. I ask you again how do you believe siasia and not believe osaze, has he lied to you before?

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH SPEAKING OUT FOR THE TEAM'S INTEREST AS YOU INSINUATE

Its relevant because the only reason everyone calling for his head is because they said he has complained about other coaches before. Maybe you should read the comment of others.

Lookk I am not questioning whether siasia is the boss or not, all I am saying is that even for someone with power, the less you demonstrate it the better. there is a diff btw excercising authority and exercising leadership. Siasia has failed in the latter on this case. Its like everything in nigeria, everyone with some authjority wants to be worshipped: the teacher want the students to worhip them, the boss want their surbordinate to worship them, parents want their children to worship them. There are some people who are not used to that knid of way of life.