Yes Beaf I understand the Green benefits of bio-fuel as well as the potential economic advantages, however what I don't understand is why an oil and gas rich nation like nigeria is looking to bio-fuel to meet its immediate energy demands. If we want to cut down on imported refined products then just build refineries in the country. Surely its that simple. Any other scheme would be convoluted. Bearing in mind that we are the ONLY opec member without large refining capacity. Furthermore, if you want to provide jobs for rural farmers then provide small loans to help them produce food crops for actual bodily consumption - I think you'll find we import a large proportion of our food requirements as well!

Outside of Brazil, all other nation's bio-fuel projects are HEAVILY subsidised and have a negative impact on the environment (do you know how much land is needed to produce a enough cassava to power a ethanol plant) and the economy (large government grants that in nigeria's case could really be better spent elsewhere). In fact, the majority of bio-fuel initiatives are in the developed world are really only interested in paying lip service to the 21st century "green movement" brigade.

Let us sort out our power supply issues, our unemployment concerns and our infrastructure and social welfare problems before we start fannying around with vanity projects.

Or better yet, why don't we just build oil refineries in the country? Or am I missing something here,

Mai Suya:

Did you read the article at all?

It would be pretty bizarre for someone of Blair's experience to make these statements if an endorsement GEJ's bid was not implied.

ok. i've already said this once on this thread but i'm going to say it AGAIN for you idiots at the back of the class. you can only judge a man by what he actually says and not what some brain dead, semi-illiterate bush journalist has come up with. so, for the second time, and without further ago, HERE is what Mr Blair actually said:

"Everyone including the international community are expressing great deal of interest, great deal of excitement for the elections and everyone is anxious for the elections to be conducted in the best possible way."

“I think all the preparations are there and there is a lot of expectations and home around Nigeria which is a great thing. Back in the west things are pretty difficult politically, difficult economically, there is a hugely enhanced interest in Africa and in Nigeria so everyone is kind of working and rating. There is a lot of hope and excitement."

That's it. Nothing more. Now tell me, where is the endorsement? he was simply talking about how the international community it hoping that GEJ can conduct free and fair elections. But yet you guys like to build clouds in the sky and then argue about it.

Seriously, no wonder this country has been raped and pillaged for the past 100 years. Its because the population is too dumb believing everything that is written and said.

Yam heads. And this is the second time I will say this!

what on earth are you illiterates bickering about at NO POINT has Tony Blair endorsed GEJ.

and yet you fools go back and forth arguing about something that never happened. no wonder this country is retarded.

Beaf:

I don't recall, but the article is just about spot on.

you sir, are a crude liar

in fact forget it. i have them.

"everyone including the international community are expressing great deal of interest, great deal of excitement for the elections and everyone is anxious for the elections to be conducted in the best possible way expects."

“I think all the preparations are there and there is a lot of expectations and home around Nigeria which is a great thing. Back in the west things are pretty difficult politically, difficult economically, there is a hugely enhanced interest in Africa and in Nigeria so everyone is kind of working and rating. There is a lot of hope and excitement."

or maybe NTA had a different version of events. could you even hear blair? or did they just give you a studio voice over with footage of him shaking hands with that dude in the cowboy hat?

Beaf:

You no get TV? This thing was on NTA for everyone to see na.

then what were his exact words? i don't want any nigerian journalist's interpretation.

Boboribo:

Are you the only one in Nigeria who does not know that GEJ is a "candidate"? Which other candidate do you expect him to mention?

sorry, you must have misunderstood me; i was talking about the lack of quotes in the article. if you wouldn't mind could you please go through said article and find me the quote where blair declares his - as well as the international community's - support for GEJ. in case you don't know those are the words with "" around them.

where exactly did he say this? oh, in a "private" audience with the candidate in question. hmmmmm, no quotes, no mention of any of the candidates, no nada.

there is absolutely nothing to see here people. move along now.

Beaf:

There ia a reason I reinforced the article with the photo of its author, one glaring fact is that he is an oyibo man. The strength of the Nigerian economy can be measured without Nigerian govt input, the article has also provided knowledgeable figures from both sides of the fence and none is arguing about the statistics.

Foreigners are very excited about the reform packages Nigeria is embarking on and see us as the next growth engine; methinks it is high time Nigerians took a closer look at the stuff being laid out in govt policies. Nigeria is really about to roll big time!!!

the article states that nigeria's GDP stands at $353.2b which is the purchasing power parity figure almost never used by economists. the ACTUAL nominal figure is $207b.

just goes to show what your wonderful 'oyibo' journalists are capable of. i take it you've never heard of The Sun or the National Enquirer?

ROSSIKE:

bawss 1 said:

This is why we say some of you people need to spend more time studying Nigeria either at school or on the web, rather than sitting in your bedroom making all sorts of inaccurate assumptions about the country. For your information over 85% of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product is derived from NON-OIL RELATED PURSUITS.

You will probably be SHOCKED if you were to visit ALL the factories in Nigeria. You wil find there is actually a LOT of production going on, from paint to ceramics, from chemicals to spare parts, cement, and tires, etc etc, despite all the negativity you're used to hearing and reading. I'm yet to mention the service sector, from insurance to banks, fast-food outlets, markets etc etc.

You are simply fooling yourself if you're sitting around thinking that ''all we produce is oil''. Oil accounts for 80% of foreign earnings, but we generate far more income INTERNALLY, than we do from the export of OIL.

This is why we have an annual GDP of around $400 billion, even though we make only about $45 billion a year from oil exports.

Nigeria's GDP is nowhere near 400$b. try 207$b.

texazzpete:

Yes, because votes weren't counted in Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states where the people's will voted out the incumbent PDP.
if you don't wanna vote, then be quiet. Lots of us will vote in 2011 and stay back to ensure our votes are counted. RSVP!

i think you miss my point. or maybe i didn't make myself clear enough for you so please indulge me to S.P.E.L.L it out for you. VOTES ARE NOT COUNTED IN THIS COUNTRY. i mean, do you really believe that the elections in edo, ondo and ekiti where free and fair? wow but anyway, go and vote for this bush man they call goodluck, vote for him in your thousands, millions even, and see how far that gets you. this election will be decided by a discussion that's going to take place involving a few men sitting on a mat under a tree somewhere.

this means absolutely nothing. anyone who thinks that votes are actually going to be counted is as mad as a hatter.

i was at this lecture yesterday, and this headline it just sensationalism by the tinubu rag. the general was referring to a question regarding corruption and how best to prevent it. it was in this context that the ribadu comment was made.

Beaf:

Aljazeera was also very "useful" during the Yar Adua saga, even the reknowned BBC was "useful" in speaking to Yar Adua on the phone.
To your unblinkered mind, would anyone call someone who is under Interpol, SA police, Scotland Yard and CIA watch to build a fasle story? Would you call someone who a combined team of SA police and Interpol had just raided and searched for hours, to fix a story?
Certain things are as obvious as daylight.

This is beside the point. It is the job of news agencies to report news. The example you cited was newsworthy for two reasons: 1) either it was the ONLY interview with an AWOL president in over two months or 2) the Office of the President was involved in highly illegal maneuvers including the impersonation of a bed ridden head of state. But I digress, While I understand that it sees extremely unlikely that GEJ would personally call the man (barring in mind that the allegation implicates persons from WITHIN the Presidents Office and not Mr P himself) I would suggest that you would not foolishly dismiss these allegations for two reasons: 1) people would treat you with more respect on this forum and 2) your precious GEJ is FAR FROM CLEAN and there is more going on here than you know

just my advice. take it or leave it.

Beaf:

Interpol raided Okahs house before Independence day and the blasts. So some fools now want us to believe a far out yarn that Jonathan called him even after Interpol had raided him and Nigeria had threatened to break relations with SA for releasing him?
I really doubt the mental capacity of the OP.

I hope SSS is keeping track of the ridiculous attempts to start rumours on NL is willing to trace their source to the roots.

I'm confused. The OP original statement referred to an interview aired on an international news channel. How is this rumor mongering? This is clearly news and warrants our attention. ANY sound minded Nigerian would want these allegations to be investigated by the security services. I don't understand your blind conviction/unconditional love to the president. Are you related?

Yes, I know it's a long read but this really is an important topic in the development in this country. Please take your time to read both as there are some good ideas here. Also interesting to note the the FG is looking to block many of the major proposals made in the Uwais report.