₦airaland Forum

Fulanimafia please let the sleeping dogs lie. Let's promote unity and shun tribal bigotry. Don't engage in e-fight with people that act like kids, be different from them

While the debate on devaluation has been
ongoing in Nigeria, and some writers like to
cite The Economist of London to justify their
arguments about the efficacy of devaluation,
they need to cast their net wide when reading
about this subject matter in The Economist.
We do not want to add too much of our own
prose to the empirical and analytical evidence
on devaluations which the authoritative
Economist has provided in spite of its writing
on Nigeria.
On January 9th 2016, the Economist published
an article on "After the dips: Big Currency
Depreciation is not boosting exports as
much as they used to.”
According to the Economist, “Large currency
depreciations can hurt, by raising the price of
imports and spurring inflation. Pricier imports
should encourage consumers to switch towards
domestic products and stimulate local
production. A cheaper currency should also
boost growth by spurring exports… Between
1980 and 2014, according to an analysis of 60
economies by the IMF, a 10% depreciation
relative to the currencies of trading partners
boosted net exports by 1.5% of GDP over the
long term, on average…“
The Economist continues “But devaluations
do not seem to have provided quite the
same boost recently….Russia is a good
example...the Russian rouble is one of the
cheapest currencies around, 69% undervalued
against the dollar…”Yet,” non-energy exporters
appear to be struggling despite the ruble’s
plunge. Over the 1st half of 2015, as the
volume of energy exports surged, non-energy
exports fell, according to Brigit Hansl of the
World Bank. She points out that it is not enough
to have a price change: First, you have to
produce something that someone wants to
buy.” The rouble’s weakness is an opportunity
for industries that already exports such as
chemicals and fertilizers. But boosting other
exports requires investment in new
production, which takes time…. Devaluations in
other countries including South Africa and
Turkey, have also disappointed”
On Feb 22nd 2016, The Economist, ina recent
article,Don’t Cheer devaluation, writes as
follows: “Devaluation is a cut in a nation’s
standard of living. It costs more to buy other
people’s goods. And there may be no gain to
exporters as we recently reported recent
devaluers have seen little benefit.”
The Economist further notes that “The IMF and
the World Bank have highlighted another
possible explanation for the weak performance
of exports in countries with falling currencies:
the prevalence of global supply chains.
Globalization has turned lots of countries into
way-stations in the manufacturing of individual
products. Components are imported,
augmented, and re-exported. This means much
of what a country gains through devaluation in
terms of competitiveness of its exports it loses
through pricier imports. …The World Bank
argues that it explains about 40% of the
diminished impact of devaluations globally…”
On September 30, 2015, The Economist in
“Devaluations didn’t work”writes that
Stephen King, the senior economic adviser at
HSBC, notes that currently “attempts by
individual central banks to boost growth and
inflation via currency depreciation have been
collectively self-defeating…Rather than pursue
devaluation, Mr. King argues that countries
should try to improve their productivity
records, which have been poor. But that
implies pushing through the kind of economic
reforms that special interests (and many
voters) dislike. Devaluation is the more
tempting, and easier, option.”
We hope this message is not lost in the
devaluation debate in Nigeria, whichfor the
most part appears to be long on polemics and
rhetoric, but short on logic and empirical and
analytical evidence.
**Dr. TemitopeOshikoya, an economist and a
chartered banker, is CEO of Nextnomics
Advisory
https://www.proshareng.com/news/Nigeria-Economy/The-Economist-s-evidence-on-devaluations/30168

What I'm viewing here is quite disgusting and shows that we still have a long way to go in forging a long lasting relationship. As a human am ashamed of you folks that participated in this sham. What do you guys gain in hurling abusive words towards each other? I sorry for Africans

AFTER defeating Zuhak, an evil king with
serpents sprouting from his shoulders, the
Kurds celebrated by lighting the hillsides with
fire. The fable is remembered each Nowruz, a
holiday marking the start of spring and the new
year in late March. The Kurds still celebrate by
lighting fires—and, in the case of Kurdish
soldiers near Mosul, sending flaming tyres
down the hillside toward the trenches of
Islamic State (IS).
The Kurdish forces in Iraq (where they are
known as peshmerga) and Syria are the West’s
most reliable allies in the fight against IS. They
have won important victories in the towns of
Kobane, on the Syrian border with Turkey, and
Sinjar in northern Iraq. In the process, they
have increased and consolidated the territory
under their control. Thanks to the chaos
created by IS, the Kurds in each country are
closer than ever to achieving self-
determination.
Advertisement
Yet a unified Kurdistan spanning the region’s
borders is not in the offing. Last month Masoud
Barzani, the president of Iraq’s autonomous
Kurdistan region, called for a non-binding
referendum on independence by the end of
the year. Statehood could eventually follow.
But in Syria the Kurds’ declaration of a federal
region, called Rojava, on March 17th, was
framed as a way of holding the country
together, not splitting it. Though left out of
peace talks, Kurdish leaders say Rojava could
act as a model for a decentralised Syria.
Syria’s Kurds may of course merely be a step
behind their Iraqi counterparts on the way to
independence. But that would belie the rivalry
between the dominant Kurdish parties in each
country. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP),
led by Mr Barzani, accuses the Democratic
Union Party (PYD) in Syria of lacking
commitment to Kurdish nationalism. The PYD
has close ties to the Turkey-based Kurdistan
Workers’ Party (PKK) of Abdullah Ocalan, who
believes in a confederation of Kurds, not full
independence, within current borders. The PYD
and the PKK shun capitalism, while the KDP
embraces it, in theory at least.
The tension is exacerbated by the KDP’s co-
operation with Turkey, home to a large and
restive Kurdish population. Turkish leaders see
the KDP as a palatable alternative to the PKK,
which they blame for recent attacks inside
Turkey. Mr Ocalan sits in prison, but fighting
between the government and Kurds in south-
eastern Turkey has reached a bloody peak. By
extension, the government takes a dim view of
the PYD, which it has prevented from forming a
contiguous entity along the border in Syria by
bombing Kurdish fighters—and by tacitly
helping IS, claims the PYD.
The PYD portrays Rojava as a democratic and
pluralistic place, but the party is accused of
monopolising power and, in some towns, of
kicking out Arabs. Other Kurdish groups, such
as the local affiliate of the KDP, have been
sidelined and critics repressed. While
maintaining an uneasy truce with the regime of
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s embattled president,
the PYD’s soldiers have attacked other rebels,
including other Kurds. “For the PYD, everyone
is the enemy,” says Sultan Jalaby, a Kurdish
journalist who fled Syria for Turkey.
The KDP has done its share to alienate the PYD,
including digging trenches on the Iraqi side of
the border with Rojava. Mr Barzani also has
critics at home. Over the objections of political
rivals, the president’s term in office has been
extended indefinitely due to the fight against
IS. Many believe his call for a referendum was
timed to distract from more pressing
problems. The region has been cut off by
Baghdad for failing to send oil revenue to the
central coffers. Low oil prices, a bloated budget
and the influx of nearly 2m refugees and
displaced persons have it drowning in debt.
The Kurds in Iraq and Syria are tightening their
grip on disputed territories, such as oil-rich
Kirkuk in Iraq. But there is little appetite
abroad for the break-up of Iraq and Syria. The
declaration of a federal Rojava was rejected by
America. The Kurds may be winning ground;
but peace among them may prove to be more
elusive.
www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21695540-kurds-have-taken-advantage-chaos-region-remain

THE CONCENSUS OF THE SALAF FROM AMONG THE COMPANIONS OF ALLAAH’S MESSENGER (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) ON THE PROHIBITION OF REVILING THE RULERS BE THEY RIGHTEOUS OR SINFUL - A REFUTATION OF THE KHAWAARIJ 1) Attacking the honour of the Rulers (Umaraa) and occupying oneself with reviling them and mentioning their shortcomings is a very big mistake and a repugnant Sin: The purified revelation has forbidden it and has censured the one who does so. It is (also) the starting point of rebellion (i.e., by which such rebellion is initiated and developed) and taking arms against the rulers and this rebellion, is the basis of the corruption of both the religion and the world. 2) It is also known that the ways and means (wasaa’il) have the same rulings as the ends to which they lead (maqaasid). Therefore, every text regarding the prohibition of rebellion (against the rulers) and the censuring of those who do so is an evidence for the prohibition of reviling and abusing the rulers and also (an evidence) for the reprimand of the one who does so. 3)Ibn al-Qayyim (r) said, “This is a great topic, containing much benefit and due to ignorance of this topic a great mistake has fallen upon the Sharee’ah...” up until he said, after mentioning that the basis of the Sharee’ah is built upon the welfare and benefits of the servants, “... The Prophet (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) legislated for his ummah, the obligation of rejecting the evil so that by its rejection, the goodness that Allaah and His Messenger love is obtained. And when rejecting the evil leads to what is more evil and more hated by Allah and His Messenger then it is not allowed to reject it— even if Allaah hates it and detests those who perform it (the evil). And this is like rejection (inkaar) against the kings, and the ones in authority by coming out against them (with arms etc., to fight them), for verily, that is the basis and foundation of every evil and every tribulation till the end of time. And the Companions asked permission from the Messenger of Allaah (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) for killing the leaders (Umaraa’) who delay the prayer from its proper time, saying, ‘Shall we not kill them.’ So he said, “No, so long as they establish the prayer,” and he also said, “Whoever sees something from his leader (ameer) something that he dislikes then let him be patient and let him not raise his hand (away) from the leader’s obedience.” And whoever reflects upon the greatest and smallest trials that have befallen Islaam, then he will see that they are due to the negligence and wastage of this principle and the lack of patience upon (witnessing) evil. So he seeks to bring about its end and as a result of this, a greater evil is brought about. And the Messenger (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) saw the greatest of evils in Makkah and he was not able to change them. In fact even when Allaah opened up Makkah for the Muslims (i.e., gave the Muslims victory over it) and when it became Daarul-Islaam he was resolved to changing the Ka’bah and returning it to the foundations that ibraaheem (alaihi as-alaam) had built it upon, but even though he had the capacity to do that, he was prevented from it by the fear that something greater would occur due to the lack of tolerance of the Quraish, since they were new to Islaam and had recently left disbelief —and for this reason he did not grant permission for rebelling against the leaders (Umaraa’) with the use of one’s hand (i.e., with force) due to the greatness of what results afterwards on account of it ...“ Ibn al-Qayyim in ‘I’laamul-Muwaqqi‘een ‘an Rabbil-’Aabaineen. The Shaikh and Imaam, ‘Abdul-Lateef ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Hasan Aal Shaikh said, in powerful words that uncover the confusing doubts in this topic and that refute the one who spreads them from amongst the ignoramuses, “... And those people, those who are under trial, do not know that with the exception of ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-Azeez and whoever Allah willed from among the Banee ‘Umayyah, great mishaps, insolence, taking up arms (against the people) and corruption occurred from most of those in charge (wullaat) of the people of Islaarn from the time of Yazeed ibn Mu’aawiyah (till the present). But along with that, the manner and behaviour of the notable scholars and mighty leaders with the rulers is well- known and renowned — they do not raise a hand against giving obedience in that which Allaah and His Messenger have commanded from among the legislated actions and obligatory duties of Islaam. And I will give you an example, that of al-Hajjaaj ibn Yoosuf ath- Thaqafee, and his affair is well known in the ummah, that of oppression repression, excessiveness in spilling the blood (of the Muslims),desecration of the Sanctities of Allaah, the killing of whomever he killed amongst the notables of the umrnah such as Sa’eed ibn Jubair, the besieging of Ibn az- Zubair even though he had sought refuge in the Haram, and making lawful the sacred and sanctified, the killing of Ibn az-Zubair, even though Ibn az-Zubair had given obedience to him and the people of Makkah, Medinah, Yemen, and most of ‘lraaq had given the pledge of allegiance to him (Ibn az-Zubair) and al-Hajjaaj was only a deputy of Marwaan, and then of his son ‘Abdul- Malik and none of the khulafaa’ (successors) had given Marwaan a pledge and none of the influential people, those with power had given the pledge of allegiance to him. And along with all of this none of the People of Knowledge hesitated in obeying him and complying with him in that in which obedience is permissible from amongst the pillars of Islaam and its obligations. 4) So along with all of that the conduct of the leading scholars, such as al-Awzaa’ee, Maalik, al- Layth ibn Sa’d and ‘Ataa ibn Abee Rabaah with those kings is not hidden from the one who has a share in knowledge and realization. And then the next generation of the People of Knowledge such as Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Muhammad ibn Ismaa‘eel (al-Bukhaaree), Muhammad ibn Idrees (ash-Shaafi’ee), Ahmad ibn Nooh,Ishaaq ibn Raahawaih and their brothers…their occurred in their time what occurred from the kings of the great innovations and the denial of the Sifaat and they were called to (affirm) these things and were put to trial by them and whoever was killed, was killed, such as Ahmad ibn Nasr. But along with all of this it is not known that a single one of them raised his hand against obedience (to those kings) and that he saw fit to attack them...” Ad-Durar as-Sunniyyah fii Ajwibatun-Najdiyyah, Ziyaad ibn Kusaib al-Adawiyy said, “I was with Aboo Bakrah beneath the minbar (pulpit) of Ibn Aamir. He was giving a speech and was wearing a fine garment. So Aboo Bilaal said, ‘Look at our ameer wearing the garment of the disobedient.’ Then Aboo Bakrah said, “Be silent. I heard the Messenger of Allaah (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) say, ‘Whoever demeans the sultaan (ruler) of Allaah upon the earth Allaah will humiliate him.” Anas ibn Maalik said, “The senior amongst the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger(swall allahu alaihi wasallam) forbade us (saying), ‘Do not revile your Rulers (Umaraa), not act dishonestly with them, nor hate them and have taqwaa of Allaah and be patient — for verily the matter is close (at hand).” Its chain of narration is jayyid (good) and all of its narrators are thqaat (precise, reliable and trustworthy). Yahyaa ibn Yamaan said, “Sufyaan (ath-Thawree) narrated to us from Qais ibn Wahb from Anas ibn Maalik (radhiyallahu anhu) that he said, “The most senior of the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to forbid us from abusing and reviling the Rulers (Umaraa) And likewise al-Bayhaqee has also mentioned this narration with the wording, “The most senior amongst us from among the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) commanded us not to revile our Rulers...” and its chain of narration is jayyid (good).Therefore, in this narration is the unanimous agreement of the most senior of the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger(swallallahu alaihi wasallam) upon the prohibition of attacking the honour of the Rulers by reviling and abusing them. 5)Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr reported with his isnaad from Aboo Dardaa (radhiyallahu anhu) that he said, “Verily, the first (appearance) is the hypocrisy of a man is his censure and rebuke of his Ruler (Imaam).” Ibn Abee ‘Aasim reported from Ahul- Yamaan al-Hawzaniyy from Abud-Dardaa that he said, “Beware of cursing the Rulers (Wullaat), for verily, cursing them is clipping (i.e., of the religion) and hating them is barrenness.” It was said, ‘0 Aboo Dardaa, then how should we behave when we see in them that which we do not like?’ He said, “Have patience, for verily, when Allaah sees that from you He will take them away from you with death.” All of its narrators are thiqaat (precise, reliable and trustworthy) save Abul-Yamaan al-Hawzaniyy whose name is ‘Aamir ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Luhayy, al- Hawzaniyy, al-Himsiyy. Ibn Hibbaan included him in his Ath-Thiqaat and Haafidh Ibn al- Hajar said about him, ‘Maqbool’ (i.e., his reports are acceptable). Ibn Zanjooyah has also reported this narration in Kitaabul-Amwaal with the same chain of narration. Aboo Nu’aym reports as does Ibn Abid-Dunyaa from Zaa’idah ibn Qudaamah who said, “I said to Mansoor ibn ah-Mu’tamir, When I am fasting can I revile the Ruler (Sultaan)?’ He said,‘No.’ I then said, ‘Then can I revile the People of Desires (i.e.,Innovators)?’ He said, ‘Yes.” Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr reports from Aboo Ishaaq as-Sahai’iyy that he said, “Never do a people revile their Ruler (Ameer) except that they are prevented from his goodness.” Hannaad reported, “‘Abdah narrated to us from az- Zabriqaan who said, ‘I was with Aboo Waa’il, Shaqeeq ibn Salamah, and I began to revile al- Hajjaaj and mention his faults and bad deeds. He (Aboo Waa’il) said, ‘Do not revile him. And what will inform you that perhaps he says, ‘0 Allaah forgive me,’ so He forgives him?” 6) “Beware of censuring and rebuking the Rulers (A’immah). For verily, rebuking them is clipping. (That is) the clipping of the Deen not the clipping of the hair. Verily the Ta’aaneen (those who rebuke and revile) — they are the losers and they are the most evil of the evil ones.” Ibn al- Jawzee reports that when Khaalid ibn ‘Abdullaah at-Tustaree addressed the people on the day he was appointed the governor of Makkah he said, “By Allaah, no one is brought to me who curses his ruler (Imaam) except that I till beat him in the Haram.” And in At- Taareekh Al-Kabeer of Imaam al-Bukhaaree who reports from Aboo Jamrah ad-Duba’iyy who said, “When news of the burning of the House reached me, I left for Makkah and visited Ibn ‘Abbaas (there) frequently until he recognised me and was amicable to me. Then I reviled al-Hajjaaj in the presence of Ibn ‘Abbaas and he said, ‘Do not be a helper to Shaytaan.” Therefore, let the Muslim stop where the people (i.e., the Companions) stopped, since they are the best of people to the testimony of the Chief of all of Humanity (radhiyallahu anhu). They stopped where they stopped out of knowledge, and with penetrative insight did they hold back and restrain themselves. Whoever is below that, then he is negligent and Whoever is above them, then he is one Who causes grief. And whoever opposes this Salafe manhaj, and follows his desires then there is no doubt that his heart is filled with rancour and hatred. Since, revilement and vilification negates giving advice to the Rulers. It has been established from the Prophet (swallallahu alaihi wasallam) that he said, “There are three things towards which the heart of a Muslim never shows hatred or rancour: making ones action sincerely for the sake of Allah, giving obedience to the rulers (wulaatul-amr) and sticking to the group (jamaa‘ah) - for verily, their supplication encompasses those who are behind them (i.e., those whom they rule over).” Taken from: Imaam Ahmad's (rahimahullah) book - Usool Us Sunnah Chapter 5 and translated by - Abu Iyyad (hafidhahullah)

The Americans aren't as smart as hollywood have made us to believe. The end is near for the Yanks

lomprico:
But he said BH has been defeated na? Which support is he looking for again?

"Technically Defeated" he said, in conventional and non-conventional wars there's no absolute victory in a short-term most often than not. So he's right

OP send your questions to Ahmad Salkida at @ContactSalkida on twitter

Fulaman198, Fulanimafia

Protest is not from the manhaj of Islam. All these MSSN, TMC, MSO are nothing but political groups causing problems up and down.

Edward Onoja Displays Rare Brilliancy At
The Kogi Election Petitions Tribunal

As a boxer, I dared being boxed into a
corner by any powerful and more
experienced opponent, for the obvious
reason, it would be the end of the bout,
because somebody would get knocked
down! Simply put, escaping from a ring
corner, in front of an experienced opponent
takes a boxer, intelligence and common
sense.
“For all men being equal before God does not
mean all men have common sense to prevail in
tight corners. Common sense in an uncommon
degree, it is what the world calls wisdom and
not common afteral.
It was a brilliant display of intelligence and
most especially, common sense today at the
Kogi state election petition tribunal sitting at
the Jabi High Court Abuja, when , Hon. Edward
Onoja, Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor,
stood as star witness in the Faleke petition. The
young advocate of change withstood close to an
hour of gruesome, torturous and deliberate
amour-propre attitude of insolence and
superciliousness from the revered counsel of
James Faleke in person of Chief Wale
Olanipekun (Ofr, SAN). Indeed, a parent
wouldn’t have been more proud today of their
son for a superlative presentation. He was
calm, cool and calculated with penance, he took
it all to the admiration of the Faleke’s counsel.
Case adjourned to the 6th of April 2016, let’s
keep our fingers crossed .
www.ereporternews.com/index.php/20-uncategorised/news/395-edward-onoja-displays-rare-brilliancy-at-the-kogi-election-petitions-tribunal

Our attention has been brought to the purported propaganda going around as regards today's hearing at the tribunal where the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor stood on witness box as a witness to the first respondent.

The petitioner's (Faleke) lawyer had asked the CoS on the scores of his principal in Dec.5th suplimentary to which he replied
"Party names and logo is what we have on the ballot"

People who do not understand the logic behind his intelligent response said he failed to answer correctly.

The stand of GYB is that, both Late Audu vote and the suplimentary election result belong to party and it is the choice of the party to determined who replace late Audu.

If only he answered as expected by the petitioner's lawyers, it means his principal cant win with his scores in supplementary election alone.

So his response mean his principal represent APC and both the main and supplimentary election result belongs to the party.

In a nutshell, Faleke's case was dead on arrival.

Anyway lest I forget, the people's Governor just arrived the country from Equatorial Guinea with President Buhari. AYB ti tek ova

Believe GlobalResearch at your own peril.

maxtamazin:
Seriously, Are you daft? With all the problems going on in this country, do we need another waste of money? Why do we need to spend another billion of dollars for oil exploitation while the one we have are not sold.

I thought Nigeria was broke.....why not use the money for meaniful projects like educating the illiterates in the North, maybe we will have peace in Nigeria.

Why is the highly educated Southerners are having criminals and crime rate is soaring if illiteracy is the cause of the problem of the North? The problems we Nigerians are facing is well known to us and we should stop this North vs South brouhaha, it is sickening and retrogressive

Putinbots won't cease to amaze me- at first it was about defeating ISIS and not propping up Assad, but when that narrative was heavily debunked and refuted by sound minds and Putin couldn't manage the war effectively he ran away like a coward that he is (Erdogan is saying hi to Putin). And now Putinbots are saying he pulled out after he's done restoring Assad's position. Putin can only deceive gullible Russians and Westerners alike but not sane and progressives with deep insight of things and great foresight.

Lucasbible:
It's a bad idea that is birthed out of frustration to have "their own oil". Due to fracking and speculation surrounding frackng the price of oil has fallen to the lowest in decades. Countries are diversifying from oil to other sectors but our presidency is made up of incompetent economists. From a cattle rearing soldier to a lawyer who is best suited for hiding Tinubu's loot to incompetent CNN governor and OguN State accountant.

How can you spend billions earned from cheap oil to explore oil when Iran is coming out of sanctions and TesLA is building battery cars that can drive for kilometers without ⛽.

Well I just hope the Northerners can discover oil so this marriage with illiterates can end.

If you're as an educated "Southerner" can spew this thrash then I believe your education is nothing but mere paper qualifications. How do you diversify when there is no money to do diversification, and do you want an IMF or WB loans that'll give stringent conditions that will hurt the populace and enrich the cabals? Oil will still be an essential commodity for the next 100years and the government needs to find more reserves to replace the depleted reserves since oil is not a renewable product. South Sudan said Sudan were the cause of their problems because of oil, but we all can see that's not the case after South Sudan decided to separate and the rest is known to those who reflect

MEETING BETWEEN FRIENDS Ibn Al-Qayyim - Allah have mercy on him - said: There are two kinds of meeting between friends: The first is a meeting based on sociability and spending time, in which are more disadvantages than advantage, the least of which is corruption of the heart, and wasting time. The Second kind is a meeting for the sake of supporting one another, and recommending one another to the truth and to patience. This is the best kind, yet there are still three disadvantages therein, 1. Flattering each other. 2. Being excessively talkative. 3. That such meetings become a habit or routine and they fail to achieve their aims.

Press Release
Lokoja, March 14, 2016

Governor Yahaya Bello Appoints Board Chairmen, Others
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Bello has approved the appointment of three board chairmen. The Chairmen are Barrister (Mrs) Justina Abanida from Yagba West Local Government Area as Chairperson of the State Universal Education Board, Alhaji Oseni Yakubu from Okene Local Government Area as the Chairman of the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue, while Mr. Emmanuel Odiniya from Olamaboro Local Government Area is appointed Chairman of Bureau of Local Government Pension.
Governor Bello also appointed Arc. Robert M. Achanya as the Director General, Bureau of Public Private Partnership and Barrister Moses Okezie Okafor as Senior Special Assistant on Reseach, Development and Speech Writing.
According to the Governor, the appointments which were announced through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Ayoade Folashade, take immediate effect. He urged the appointees to always display high level responsibility and probity in line with the direction of the administration’s commitment to service delivery to the Kogi people.
Signed
Abdulmalik Abdulkarim
SA on Media and Strategy to the Governor

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is in talks with countries in the Middle East for a scheme under which they can exchange crude oil for food. India oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday that the country is in talks with the UAE and a few more countries for an oil-for-food programme. He said discussions between these countries are being held at the leadership level. India, which is the third biggest crude oil consumer in the world, imports almost 80 percent of its crude oil requirement from overseas, a majority of which is met through shipments from the Middle East nations. in.mobile.reuters.com/article/idINKCN0WD0R5?irpc=932

It is better to leave off an argument than to fight dirty in the public especially when you're dealing with that are drunk on Putin's vodka

Financial Discipline… making every Naira count. By Kemi Adeosun Discipline... it is all in the detail. Economists have long found Nigeria to be something of a conundrum. The macro picture has always appeared compelling - large population, oil reserves, mineral reserves, endless tracts of arable land, land and sea borders for regional domination. Indeed the absurdity of our underperformance is only surpassed by our ability to accurately quantify our losses and missed opportunities. In the short period that I have been privileged to serve as Minister of Finance, I have observed that even the most basic systems and controls over the management of our resources are in dire need of strengthening. While we are regaled with and shocked by details of amounts stolen, diverted or wasted, we must face the cold reality that such acts are facilitated by weaknesses in our systems. Even if we successfully prosecute and jail every looter, ghost worker and other economic saboteur, there is every risk that those caught will only be replaced by persons who are just as bad, or worse - unless we radically strengthen our systems and institutions. Our President’s brave and committed fight against corruption and waste is as much an economic crusade as it is a moral one. The objective is not just to stem the corruption and loss but to execute an economic plan to channel those monies into much needed areas that will support and reposition the economy. In short, the fight against corruption is not about “retribution” and meting out punishment, it is about releasing funds for our economy. I am humbled to be part of the ongoing work on recovery and can report that the urgency in the work, especially our interface with nations where our money has been stashed, is propelled by our need for funds to invest into our economy. Our economic plans are not about austerity and frugality; if that were the case then we would not be attempting an expansionary budget. We could have pursued fiscal consolidation and maintained 2015 budget size, and then introduced severe public spending cuts to balance the books by laying off workers and cutting projects. Had we done so, we would by now be the darling of the IMF and other multi- laterals. Conversely, we are undertaking an ambitious counter cyclical strategy to stimulate our sluggish economy and expanding government spending with a focus on infrastructure, the true catalyst for economic growth. This will have contractors returning to site and re- engaging workers, it will see new projects commencing, arrears released and economic activity reinvigorated across the nation. We plan to take advantage of low global prices for commodities and contract prices. Existing contracts are being renegotiated downwards, with significant savings recorded and new projects priced to reflect current commercial realities. Our spending stimulus is private sector driven, supported by a robust procurement system that will see permanent local capacity built in a number of sectors including oil and gas, housing construction and agriculture. However, and this is the key differentiator, we plan to spend in a disciplined manner that will extract the maximum value for every naira spent. The process of building the internal control framework to support this need for disciplined spending has begun in earnest. Our Efficiency Unit has reviewed four years of detailed expenditure data to identify trends and is already negotiating volume discounts that appropriately reflect the buying power of government. Personnel remains our largest cost. In addition to the BVN driven cleaning of our payrolls that has so far removed 23,000 fraudulent entries, we have initiated significantly stronger controls over our payroll. These efforts will exert a constant downward pressure on personnel costs until such a time as we have assurance that every payment is accurate and valid. A similar process is now commencing in Pensions. The N160 Billion spent monthly on personnel and pensions related costs demands this as an absolute minimum. The revenue focus is non oil. We are revisiting historical decisions that are no longer in the best interests of the national economy. The establishment of various Boards and Parastatals to undertake the operational and revenue generating business of government was a well- intentioned attempt to provide separation from policy makers. However, as the economy has grown, so too has the revenue earned in these agencies and their financial autonomy has grown in a manner that no longer fully serves the public interest. Port charges, maritime charges, airport landing fees, visa charges, passport charges, telecoms licence fees, among many others, must be tracked and accounted for. While the Fiscal Responsibility Act was designed to provide control, actual compliance has been poor. The result has been leakage on a staggering scale, as findings from our ongoing audits suggest. This is a serious issue. The upside is a significant revenue opportunity which the TSA implementation has given us sight of, and which we are supporting with a proactive drive for improved accountability. At the same time, our traditional revenue sources are being supported to be more effective. In Customs, we are making the necessary investments in container scanners and other equipment required to improve collection efficiency. This is combined with the results of a compensation survey which will see the introduction of performance related pay, to reduce corruption and create an alignment of interest that will enhance revenue generation. With FIRS there is a well-defined plan to enhance compliance by widening the tax net. Using data to drive tax compliance, we will ensure that the tax regime is efficiently administered and that everyone pays their fair share. There is a need for disciplined and effective system of managing our financial resources to ensure maximum value. We will no longer measure performance by the size of our budget or the amount disbursed; we must measure by the impact of that expenditure on the lives of Nigerians. To measure and manage this we have already made some key changes in the way funds are released. We have abandoned the old system of capital releases that funnelled a proportional share of available funds released to each Ministry, Department and Agency. We have a robust system in place where funds are tied to specific outcomes as documented by each agency. This is being supported by follow up reviews to ensure implementation. As Benjamin Disraeli once said, “We are not creatures of circumstance; we are creators of circumstance.” I am firmly convinced that Nigeria is on the right path. The path of discipline will confront some age old destructive habits. It will challenge some unwritten rules, and I personally will step on some highly placed toes on this journey. All this I am fully prepared for, and so I do not expect nor do I particularly want to be popular. However, I will act in the best interest of all Nigerians to ensure that we build the economy that we desire and richly deserve. This is the second of three articles by Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

SweetTee:
That was supposed to be figurative, not literal. Don't be so defensive, I was really just trying to help you out.

I prefer asking from the people living there to taking lessons from Google. My answer too was figurative. I'm not being overtly defensive

It is far-fetched for anyone to think that Nigeria will just wake up one day to become like Singapore, one of the world’s most successful societies since human history began or even to frog jump to the level of the United Arab Emirates, UAE, a country that has achieved mastery over natural barriers to emerge as a model of social cohesion, creative innovation and a cultural melting pot to the rest of the world. Both societies by sheer planning and commitment to process have within a generation scaled over the basic needs of human existence, such as food, shelter, healthcare, education and employment. Each of these countries functioning well under carefully foundated template. And so, the leaders now have set their eyes on the future. In contrast, Nigeria that started her journey of nationhood at about the same time with Singapore and a decade after the UAE’s union, has floundered and groped without clarity. In fact, there is no clear path to what constitutes nationhood in Nigeria when the levers upon which rests her foundations are fragmented. Successive leaderships have failed woefully to steer the people on the path of passionate, motivated engagement. Tension is tearing and tugging at the seams and hardly is there a basis of unified aggregation. The things that divide us are more attractive even to those in leadership than the humbling virtues that ought to mould the people together. Each group is beating a path away from what ought to be the common ground. If there is, then, I have not seen a Nigerian leader in my lifetime that has done well in unifying an evidently dominantly polyethnic society. Nationality, which supposed to bring citizens’ together towards developing a commonwealth with common aspirations, and strengthen a bond that will be increasingly tied to the advantages of a social policy is absent in Nigeria. Which makes many to refer to the country as a mere geographical expression that have been able to hold itself together by divine providence rather than a concerted, self- conscious effort by leaders to leave behind a legacy. Nigeria’s problems are so numerous. The same applies to other nations. But the problems that have divided Nigerians the most are grave, including marginalisation, inequalities and nepotism. All characteristics of our being that ought to lift our diversity have become a source of anguish and suffering. The three major ethnic groups, namely Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba have assimilated hundreds of other ethnic groups in the country. For example, I am from Borno state in the North East of Nigeria, yet, I am neither Kanuri nor Hausa, two dominant ethnic groups in my state and in the north respectively. Sadly, I can hardly boast of equal treatment when competing with these powerful ethnic groups in that region. So many people from the South East and South South will contest being all labelled as Igbos as people in Kano or Lagos will refer to them. The third ethnic majority group, the Yoruba, is like the others made up of numerous smaller collections of people amid those who consider themselves as bona fide Yorubas. Arising from these most of the minority voices have been eclipsed into the generalization of the ‘WaZoBia’ frame. Clearly, this hinders any advancement of any strong national identity that is based on citizens’ rights and responsibilities in Nigeria. Same thing applies when it comes to the two officially recognised religions; Christianity and Islam. Within Christianity there are those that don’t consider certain denominations or beliefs as Christian enough or Christian at all. Amongst Muslims, sectarianism is rife, where dozens of Sects do not see eye to eye. Yet, a growing population that are not Christians or Muslims feel marginalised in a so-called secular state like Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari, though may not possess the credentials to unite a highly polyethnic society, however, he still stands a chance to make history by developing three critical national agendas for Nigeria, which include: social cohesion, anti – corruption and save the ailing economy. If he can focus on these three areas, conflicts, unemployment and poverty will reduce dramatically. A quick lesson from the UAE for Nigeria is, the population of expatriates or non citizens stood at over 8 million, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the country’s total population, with over 250 nationalities and dozens of religions that are free to worship, yet the UAE has been ranked the leader in government efficiency and social cohesion, and the eighth most competitive nation in the world as adjudged by the Swiss International Institute of Management Development. How did such a diverse population succeed in achieving this feat? The answer is simple, the country has reduced disparities in wealth and opportunity. Citizens and residents like me in the UAE are given a sense of belonging that makes everyone see themselves as members of a shared community. There is nothing like a Nigerian being called a settler in his or her country when coming from another state within Nigeria or, citizens feeling unwanted or insecure if they choose to be resident out of their native states or region. Living in the UAE, as a Nigerian resident, I have seen how a mere email to the Dubai police got an instant reply, and an officer was assigned to help me deal with the complaint I initiated. Laws are respected and can catch up with even the locals if they run afoul. The UAE is also a living example of how social cohesion is a bond that holds a group together, even if individuals within that group or its seven emirates have differences and the people have diverse backgrounds and belief systems, unlike the case in Nigeria. This level of cohesion can only be managed and sustained by a firm, selfless and visionary leader who does not tilt the lever of official privilege to the advantage of one against another. A leader in Nigeria has nothing to lose if he or she imbibes such virtues as seen in other fast developing countries. Sadly, the change mantra that ushered in the current government has not enthroned the much anticipated accountability, transparency, due process and the rule of law, which are the key drivers that will make any society not only to function, but excel. We do not focus on building institutions, we are carried away by a personality cult. We hear about how well meaning the intentions of our leader are. But we nevertheless forget how vastly history’s graveyard is littered with failed leaders who had the best of intentions. We forget that the leader is not omnipresent and relies on individuals who were active bedfellows with corruption the night before. We imagine that men and women who are unable to even truthfully declare their assets are drivers of anti-corruption campaign today. These are individuals who thrive on impunity and have made a public show of it. Nigeria is really in dire need of enthroning inclusive institutions where the citizens is king and the king is accountable to the citizens. For all of our problematic foundations Nigeria’s case can only pass as an exemplary case of extractive institutions where a few number of elites control government. www.salkida.com/still-on-nigerias-political-foundations/

SweetTee:
Google is your best friend. It has everything you need to know about the islands

Google is not my best friend

I wish to know more about the Caribbean Islands from Caribbeans, both males and females are welcomed to offer their contributions.

Fertility Issues and Contraception

The Choice To Have Children

Fertility is the ability to produce children. Muslims believe fertility is a blessing from Allah. Most people in our times have the choice of having children or not. Many people nowadays wish to have a fulfilling sex-life without having children. To achieve this means that they must use some form of contraception. Contraception is a method used to prevent pregnancy taking place. This can be in form of a drug (a pill), or a barrier (such as a condom), or ‘coitus interruptus’ or ‘withdrawal’ (where the man does not allow his sperm to enter the vagina of the woman). If things go “wrong”, emergency contraception (the “morning-after pill”) is available as an option nowadays.

The question is: What is the Islamic perspective on childbirth and contraception? In Islam, children are believed to be a gift from Allah, and childbirth is encouraged. Unlike some other faiths, Islam has no problem with a married couple enjoying intimate marital relations with one another. Indeed it is one of the main reasons for marriage in Islam. However, also from the goals of marriage in Islam is to have children that can be raised as pious Muslims, who worship Allah alone and lead righteous, good lives, benefitting themselves and others. However, there are situations wherein Muslims are permitted to use contraception.

A Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We used to practice ‘withdrawal’ during the time of Allāh’s Messenger, and he heard of that but did not forbid us.” (Reported by Muslim in his Saheeh) On an occasion a man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about ‘withdrawal’ saying: “A man would have sexual relations with his wife who is breastfeeding a newborn, and he dislikes that she should get pregnant [again].” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “You do not have to stop ‘withdrawal’. Allah has not decreed a soul except that it will be created.” (Reported by Muslim). So these narrations prove that safe forms of contraception are allowed for a good reason and need. However, in Islam, contraception and birth prevention is generally discouraged. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Get married so that on the Day of Judgement I will display you outnumbering the other nations. And do not practice celibacy like the Christians.” (Al-Bayhaqee, and authenticated by Al-Albānee). Note also from this hadith we understand that if Allah wills a child, then it will occur.

The Muslim scholars have discussed the situations wherein contraception is permitted. Shaikh Al-Albānee said: “If the use of contraception is based on the advice of trustworthy doctors in order to guard the wife’s health that has been adversely affected by having too many children, then this is allowed. However, if the incentive to use contraception is fear of poverty and financial loss, then it is not permitted.” (Al-Hāwee min Fatāwa, 2/14, abridged).

Shaikh Ibn `Uthaimeen stated: “If a woman wished to organise her pregnancies to one every two years or so, then it is permissible to use contraception with the condition that her husband permits that, and that it does not cause her harm. The evidence for this is that the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed `Azl (withdrawal prior to the sperm entering the woman) during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so that their wives would not get pregnant, and they were not prohibited from that.” (Fatāwa wa Rasā’il lin-Nisā, p. 87 – abridged).

These scholarly rulings bring forth other important factors: 1. That the use of contraception is a decision that is decided by both the husband and wife and not only the wife, nor only the husband, after considering whether the reasons are valid. 2. Since Islam forbids sex outside marriage, contraception is only discussed in the context of marriage. 3. Contraception in the form of drugs and chemicals are not permitted if they cause harm to the body. 4. Permanent methods of contraception (such as sterilization) are forbidden in Islam, unless there is a danger for the mother’s life or great harm. This is because one of the goals of marriage is to have children, and sterilization permanently prevents conception and childbirth. 5. Withdrawal was the most commonly practiced form of contraception in early Islam, but today other safe methods are permitted.

“Contraception” in the form of the morning-after pill is forbidden in Islam, as it is considered an “early abortion”. Refer to sheet “Ethics 1.4 Abortion” which discusses the limited situations where abortion is permitted.

Fertility Problems

This refers to either the husband or wife finding it difficult to have children. Centuries ago great Muslim scholars such as Ibnul-Qayyim discussed the merits of Prophetic and natural medicine to help with fertility problems – Islam has no issue with the use of medicine to aid with fertility as long as the treatment does not involve things forbidden in Islam or harmful chemicals. Advancements in modern medicine and science has led to treatments that may help with fertility. There is no problem with this. Shaikh Ibn `Uthaimeen in his Fatawa volume 17 has stated that there is no problem with these treatments if there is a need for it. Some people wrongly believe that ‘scientists have taken over from Allah in deciding who should have children.’ Allah has stated: “And no person can ever die except by Allah’s permission and at an appointed time.” (Qur’an 3:145) Muslims believe that whatever is pre-decreed by Allah will occur, so a person merely strives to get the best out of his situation, and the rest is in the Hands of Allah. In this regard, a Muslim embraces any proven medical or scientific advancement so long as it is not forbidden (e.g. contains pork, alcohol, etc) and it is does not cause harm. Furthermore it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Strive in attaining that which will benefit you and seek Allah’s aid and do not sit back without acting.” (Sahīh Muslim)
www.abukhadeejah.com/fertility-issues-and-contraception-in-islam-the-choice-to-have-children-ethics-1-6/

danbrowndmf:
i'm from okene too. My brother from another mother.

You're welcome

scully95:
You must be joking cos you just like jumping from one topic to another.. Again sharing copy and past from the same backward media just makes me vex.. " alleviate the sufferings of the affected communities"..

1st of all Nothing has been done to the companies that spilled the Oil or Nothing has been done to the communities that were affected ?

Cos you just troll with no brain cells again.. I was talking about Companies getting ban and to behave well cos they can't install a puppet or cant just do anything and get away with it..

Now you diverted it to the masses being affected ?? has anything been done to the "Oil spill and sufferings of the affected 'region" in the U.S that killed many livestock ? but again yes the companies were sanctioned..

Are you making any sense at all ?

Again troll tactics..


Look if you continue to attack, it shows your level of weakness cos I will continue to give you facts. Well, I campared Oil spill in Nigeria to GMO ban that is even more terrible to human lives plus the issue i raised was companies fearing the goverment and cant get away with anything unlike during the days of their fav puppet regime..




You want to compare the oil spill in Nigeria to Oil Spill in Russia or even the one in U.S of recent ??

Do you want to compare Oil Spill in Nigeria to the one in any country in the world ?

ANother pt.. GMO is a threat to everyone.. Dirrectly a threat to everybody in the country..

Oil spill may be limited to a region so when you are arguing always argue and debate contructively but not jumping and attacking each point made with off topic and using empty refferece or source copied and paste.

A good example.

Oil Spill in Nigeria will dirrectly affect those in the region of delta the most. It will affect mostly livestock, seafood and even the society. Virtually those in the north will not face any life thretening situation or even South west.

Now backing my pts.. Since Nigeria does not allow GMO seeds... I did not even use GMO companies here. Cos they re not in Naija for now.


I gave you a more life threaning sample that got a Ban in Russia. To Oil Spill in Nigeria that Nigeria were still even romancing with the Companies spilling the oil.

GMO is not common in Nigeria in the first place.

Another fat lie GMO is in Nigeria according to this report www.nairaland.com/1975187/genetically-modified-crops-being-grown

scully95:
Well, the fact that they are doing busi there really does not mean they like putin to be specific.. They preffer someone they can control or install... Like the late Nemtovor even most corrupt Yelstsin..

Since Russia banned GE, it won't take much longer time to ban Monsanto and again, Russia is not like lawless country e.g Nigeria and other African countries where shell can spill oil on the whole country or even spill per head in the country and nothing happens. It's a country to be well respected.

and for your info Monsanto's GMO Corn already got a Ban in Russia...

"Russia
is not like lawless country e.g Nigeria and other
African countries where shell can spill oil on
the whole country or even spill per head in the
country and nothing happens. It's a country to
be well respected." Sometimes last year a case of oil spill was reported in Russia and nothing has been done to alleviate the sufferings of the affected communities.
america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/2/3/ngos-sound-alarm-on-heavy-oil-fuels-used-in-arctic-shipping.html
video.aljazeera.com/channels/eng/videos/russians-worry-about-effects-of-oil-spills/4437292738001;jsessionid=10512F284464A205D4D5ADC22500322C

danbrowndmf:
cc softvio. You will find people who speaks,yoruba,Hausa & igbo inside kogi. We are middle belt,i fit claim anywhere.


Thanks brother for enlightning me. Are you from kogi?

I'm from Kogi and Okene is my forte