₦airaland Forum

ekt_bear: Let us consider the quote:


If the bolded sentence is true, then doesn't their complaint/unhappiness become legitimate?

In other words, the oil is being produced in Ibaji (in Kogi), but being refined elsewhere (in Anambra).

let us even agree that that is the case,why the clamour from kogi state that a substantial amount of people that are going to work in the downstream sector of the orient must be from kogi?

PROUD-IGBO:
Here's the link. Don't know if it's part of the larger scheme that Asha80 was refering to:

http://www.imostateblog.com/2012/06/23/over-700-unemployed-fresh-engineers-in-imo-state-engaged-by-gov-okorocha/

it is related or tied up to icaps but not exactly the same thing.it seems like a one off tied to icaps but icaps itself is continous.

PROUD-IGBO:
^^^Yeah, but are they world-class? I think it's more a case of quantity over quality, and these are normally ventures owned and run by the typical one-man show we normally find in the South East....hardly do you see public quoted companies running these businesses.

I want to see Hotel behemoths (the likes of The Hilton, Le Meridien, Sheraton, etc) opening in major cities in the SE like Owerri, Enugu and Onitsha, and other locations like Oguta Lake holiday resort. Maybe it's this type of large scale operation that Okorocha has in mind, and he has my full support, provided it's in partneship with the private sector though.

do you mean this

http://www.icapsonline.net/

Paul John: @post.
Rochas should get used to human. It's not only Imolites but human specie generally, you can't satisfy everyone. Just make sure you're doing your best with honest mind.

it is true but to top it up i think(as someone from the state) it is because people especially civil servants and so called godfathers have become so used to chop chop syndrome that they are raising hell now they do not see anything to chop especially the politicians.

PROUD-IGBO:
^^^Yeah, but are they world-class? I think it's more a case of quantity over quality, and these are normally ventures owned and run by the typical one-man show we normally find in the South East....hardly do you see public quoted companies running these businesses.

I want to see Hotel behemoths (the likes of The Hilton, Le Meridien, Sheraton, etc) opening in major cities in the SE like Owerri, Enugu and Onitsha, and other locations like Oguta Lake holiday resort. Maybe it's this type of large scale operation that Okorocha has in mind, and he has my full support, provided it's in partneship with the private sector though.

to be honest i do not think owerri needs that.yes they might not be your le meridan types but a lot are quite good(maybe highest 3 star by nigerian standards).owerri is already saturated with such.it is better it was moved to oguta.

Acidosis: I'm sorry, I can't help..

no problem

Islamists claim bombing of telecom masts, threaten media
On September 6, 2012 · In News
9:20 pm
0

KANO (AFP) – Nigeria’s Islamist group Boko Haram on Wednesday claimed a set of fires at telecom masts across the north, while threatening the staff of the Voice of America (VoA) radio network.

Roughly two dozen blazes were set at mobile phone towers in cities across the restive region Tuesday and Wednesday, marking a new type of attack from a group that has become notorious for deadly gun and bomb assaults.

“We decided to launch attacks on masts of mobile telecom operators as a result of the assistance they offer security agents,” said an email from the group’s spokesman, Abul Qaqa.

This information helps Nigerian security forces “in arresting our brethren,” the statement added.

The Islamist group — blamed for more than 1,400 deaths in northern and central Nigeria since 2010 — also issued a warning to the staff of US government-funded broadcaster Voice of America.

Last month, the network quoted a supposed Boko Haram source claiming the group had entered negotiations with the government.

“As a result of the harm we understand Voice of America is inflicting on Islam, we hereby inform all reporters and staff of this radio station that whoever wants to live in peace among them should quit working with this media organisation,” the statement said.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/islamists-claim-bombing-of-telecom-masts-threaten-media/

Johnchike: I support Governor Peter Obi 100percent. Kidnapping destroys the economy of a state as investors can no longer invest, even the indigenes can't return to their states. If rich men build houses in Anambra, a lot of people would be employed in construction but kidnapping makes this impossible. If rich men return back, traders and marketers would gain huge profits but kidnapping makes this impossible. Anambra state is now an oil producing state thus attracting international investors. Kidnapping would scare everyone away. Governor Peter Obi, thanks for fighting kidnapping. This should serve as a warning to all neighbours in a compound that refuse to report terrorism and kidnapping to the police. One day, your whole compound would be demolished and the land forfeited forever.

Acidosis: ..like buying a car for a teenager.

some leaders/governors want to make their state look like China (infrastructure), but.. not ready to train them like the industruos Chinese.

not sure how rochas fits into this to be hohest.

Tpc: Now Staff are beating stranded passengers and police arresting them.
Were is AIT? Were is Channels? Were is Silverbird? Were is NTA?
Where is the relovution to save our soul from theives? Is this what Jonathan promised us?
What happened to ''NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE''

is this happening live?

Remii: there should be no controversy, DPR regulates all these and they have all records. they actually approve all wells prior to drilling and other activities, it should be simple to know the right owner.

ok

it just seems from what i saw on nta that the kogi guys are spoiled for trouble if decision does not go their way.

achi4u: That from Awka to Adazi-enu where I went to,alot of police patrol team were seen in all the major road and the local vigilante group were also armed to the teeth.

My brother fear catch me o!

maybe it is needed because these kidnappers are getting stupid.

Mandelaguy: This guy was known in Umuahia as Akotto. You will never suspect how vicious he is,but I knew there was something sinister about him, someone who cannot meet your eye balls,almost whispers and acts secretive. You need to see what happened today at my estate,we thought it was second world war approaching,when military and police stormed with him already arrested and they cut off his ears and made him chew it. Kai! Take no body for granted o. This na guy wey I fit slap,trample sef....before now, I for don hear am.

i guess they came to close down the so called hotel he has in umuahia?

that was harsh by the security guys but then these kidnappers are vicious.

these guys are f%$#!ktards.do they know they are putting the final death nail on their economy?

achi4u: I was in Anambra today and the security was somthing else.

explain?

i am watching nta news now.they showed a number of people claiming to be from kogi state.among urging the fg to declare the kogi an oil producing state they are also demanding that a substancial amount of people that are to work in the downstream of orient petroleum should be from kogi .

i have been quiet about this but from this fresh agitation i think orient should simply abandon any oil well proved to be located in kogi and focus on the ones located in anambra to avoid unnecessary crises.

Concerns as fraudsters move into bureau de change business
September 6, 2012 by Simon Utebor 37 Comments
Two bureau de change scouts at Airport Hotel, Lagos...on Wednesday.

For those who have their dollars or other foreign currencies to convert to the Nigerian currency, being duped is now a major concern in Lagos as touts parading themselves as bureau de change operators are on the prowl.

PUNCH Metro investigation showed that the fraudulent operators could be found in many bureau de change offices in the metropolis.

The touts operate near bureau de change offices on the Island, Muritala Muhammed Airport, Alade Market, Ikorodu, Agege, Sabo, Yaba, Awolowo Road among others to solicit for customers

Our findings reveal that they use many strategies to fleece people of their hard currencies.

The most vulnerable set of people being short-changed are those who change their currencies while remaining in their vehicles.

A man, who fell victim recently, told PUNCH Metro that he was fleeced of N7,000.

Ogunde said as soon as he struck a deal with the currency trader, his cohorts rallied round him and created a chaotic atmosphere

He said, “I left home last Sunday in high spirits to convert his $100 given to me by an American friend. But I was duped at Alade Market.

“When I got there, one of them asked me, ‘how much do you want to change?’ I told him $100and he said I would get N16,000. I told him I would only accept N16,500? He reluctantly agreed.

“The tout gave me some money and I parted with the dollar. When I counted the money he gave me, it was N1,000 less. So, I told him the money was incomplete. He said I should bring it for him to confirm. Then I gave it to him.

“When he counted the money, he admitted that it was N1,000 less. He brought the addition from his pocket and added it to the N15,500.

“He gave the money back to me and as was counting to confirm if it was correct, he and his colleagues started shouting police! police!

“Before I knew what was happening, the whole place became rowdy and some of them started telling me to leave so that policemen would not apprehend them. I did not understand it was their antics to fleece me. I drove off. When I got to a nearby place, I stopped to count the money they gave me and I discovered that N7,000 had been removed.”

He said by the time he got back to inform them that they had defrauded him, he did not meet any one of them.

He called on the relevant authorities to rid the state of the activities of the touts to protect unsuspecting members of the public.

Another victim, who identified himself simply as Goke, said he was fleeced of N5,500 at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

He said, “I went to change $100. By the time I settled down to count the money again, I noticed the money was folded in such a way that N1,000 would look like N2,000.

“That was how I was duped. I have gone there many times but did not see the man who duped me. It baffled me that these touts are having a field day with Lagosians without being apprehended.”

Another victim, Ejime Odahieku, said his elder brother sent him $500 from the US to pay his tuition but unfortunately he lost it at Oke-Okoto, Agege.

Odahieku said, “On that day, I went to Oke-Okoto to change $500 my brother gave to me for my tuition. When I reached there, they offered me N168 per dollar. I was so excited.

“When they gave me the equivalent of the dollars, one of them said he would only pay N155 per dollar. I became furious and asked them to give me my dollars back. They gave me $500 back but to my greatest surprise, when I took the currency to another place, they told me the currency was fake.

“The Agege currency traders had given me fake dollars in the place of my genuine ones. When I went back to tell them, I was beaten thoroughly. They even threatened to call police to arrest me.”

Another victim, who identified himself as Adewale Olaleye, was lucky as he understood their antics quickly and called for police assistance.

Adewale said, “They did the same thing to me at Ikeja. When I discovered that I had been fleeced of about N9,000, I quickly called the police

“Then I went back and pretended that I wanted to change other dollars. I sought to see the man who bought the first one from me. As soon as I saw him, I held him and later arrested him with the help of a policeman.”

However, an operator, who identified himself simply as Danladi, urged Nigerians to always ignore touts and roadside operators.

“If you want to change your currency, go do the offices direct. Do not patronise roadside operators. Most of them are touts.

“We have been complaining about their activities. We hope the government will intervene and rid the bureau de change business of touts.”

http://www.punchng.com/metro/concerns-as-fraudsters-move-into-bureau-de-change-business/

Acidosis: Thats what we get when leaders are only interested in building massive and gigantic skyscrappers for 70% dum.b skulls & 25% resourceful.persons.. NO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.

what do you mean by this?

FSU: I agree with you. Parental and peer influence is not helping matters too. Some of our parents (not all) have become so obsessed with material things that they persuade their kids to go out there and make money like the son of Mazi Obi. They fail or deliberately refuse to note that Mazi Obi's son might have done illegal stuff to make his money. So some, not ALL, youths are faced with peer and parental pressure to make it or die trying.

yea you are quite right.

He recalled what his administration passed through in the hands of Owerri people when he wanted to build a hospitality industry in thedisputed Area K, World Bank Housing Estate, Owerri, stressing that the project has now been transferred to Oguta.

however i think owerri is saturated with "hospitality industries'.

the reason is that over the years the people(especially civil servants and politicians) have become so accustomed with lackadaisical attitude to policies and development and also 'eating' from government that anything that changes the statues quo is met with vehement opposition.however this really does not affect people not attached or 'eating' from governmnet.

FSU: Not true. They are former regular people who have just acquired new skills and trust an Igbo man to take things, good and bad, to the next level. I propose that they are shot without trial. The thing has become unacceptable.

i have always had this belief that our people are the type of human beings that have to be 'guided'.with this 'guidance' they can be unstoppable in any positive path they follow but if left to their foibles can be quite dangerous.

frank4ryl: Today the GREEDY IBOS knows that there are Igalas among them. What have they done to improve the living standard of my tribe living with for years. I want to state categorically that many would not understand that all around Omaballa right from Nsugbe, Nkpor, and host of others down to Omor still preserve the Igalaness in them. And non of these GREEDY IDIOTS cared to add Igala language in their "SUAKWA IGBO" jingles.
I want to tell you that your boasting would only end in your room. You may have another stockpiles of arm in the likes Ofe Akwu of Ekwusigo LGA but we the GREAT IGALAS wait for the D-DAY. Keep on preparing umuleri,agulueri or anam to fight their Fathers and see what would happen. The Igalas in Anambra have never felt sense of belongness and you are clamouring for their oil today. God will punish you for talking of doom Kogi. mumu ten kobo like you.

also i guess peter obi was greedy too for doing roads and bridges to link places like nzam?

me thinks most of these kidnappers were former political thugs abandoned by politicians and having guns with them decided to enter this nonsense.

re@lchange:
they are slowly committing mass suicide

i do not think they have any iota of idea of the bigger implications of what they are doing.these guys are daft!the remaining few biz men still ekeing a living around those areas would have no other choice but to leave there.

do these guys really know what the hell they are doing to their economy?

they are not insane.they have good reasons to believe so.

lastpage: I am not advocating regional autonomy in my post. I was "reacting" to those who say that once the Igbo leave Lagos, it is doomed.
having said that, l think in order of priority, the Yorubas:


1.) Yorubas will prefer "Confederacy" where each region is semi-autonomous in terms of "development, income and expenditure) ....and we contribute "a percentage" to the central government. We actually prefer this the most as we get the benefit of a big country (big market, big population, e.t.c) while maintaining our "ability and flexibility" to develop at our own pace and challenge ourselves. Best of both worlds!
It might even sound arrogant but l think the Yorubas "think" they are "a cut above the rest", within the Nigerian setting. The "Old Western region" was an example of what we think we can do, if Confederacy is selected.

2.) If the above is difficult to achieve (as we stand now), they Yorubas will advocate a "fair share" of what is on the table...which can be seen for our agitation for "Presidency Role", ....and l guess 2-terms on the go, is a starting point. Any objective observer will agree that Yorubas have a way of getting what they want without "warring" or "prostituting their rights".


3.) As a last resort, Yorubas will prefer "complete regional autonomy" but would not go to war to drive it home (under certain conditions). I have said it before that it is very difficult, if not completely impossible for "one major tribe" to decide to break-away, without the support of another major tribe.
And Yorubas are not suicidal by nature.

That is why l wonder when my Igbo brothers chant "Biafra" and yet "openly declare so much hatred for their Yoruba folks".....who seem their only possible ticket for self determination! Or do you think 'the North' would allow them now, when they did not allow them in 1967? Even, current events point otherwise.

Only a "simultaneous break-away" of TWO MAJOR TRIBES can succeed....since the third tribe cannot fight two wars on two front, moreover, access to "open sea" is a major advantage in war time as modern warfare is "Air and Sea", with the "Air-power" depending so much on a "Sea Platform". (that is one problem the Free Syrian Army has now, for getting weapons from outsiders; they are land-locked! )

i doubt that the candidate for (no 2) that would win on any eventuality is the type of yoruba candidate that yorubas would like to vote for.history is there for all to see.

as for (no 1) forget it as the chance of each region getting that was lost sometime ago.

as for (no 3) the yorubas can only get that if only other southern groups especially south south agree to it which seems likely.yorubas cannot go it alone.

lastpage: Actually, having read a few responses here, l was like "Why are these guys so full of anger against the Yoruba race"? Are they still smarting from the "civil war", two generations after?
But then, its not just the Yoruba race, they have the same attitude towards the Northerners....and that brings us to the Question:

Who do the Igbos like, in this Nigeria? Just themselves only?
Well, they may be cozy-ing to the ND today (we still remember what they tried doing to them during their "attempted forced annexation" of the Mid-West and South-South, during the Biafran war.

Like they say, "What the Dog saw and is BARKING, is child's play compared to what the Sheep saw and is just WATCHING silently". Yorubas are generally not the "brash, mouthy types" by their inherent nature. very cool-headed race, calculating and decisive when they need to act.
Until the Igbos learn to be less aggressive and use more of "intellect" than "brawn", they will continue to play second-fiddle.

I am happy that Oil is discovered in Anambra state, l hope more is discovered in other states as well. It can only mean more jobs, less fuel scarcity and hopefully, they can leverage on the mistakes other "ohyely" tribes have made earlier

As for the "WEST" (Yoruba land), discovery of oil in various states, is no longer news, it is stale news!
Anyone that thinks the Yorubas dont have more than enough resources (human and material) to progress rapidly, must be deluding him/herself!

Like one Igboman said earlier, "all they have is management level people", in other words, "Yorubas develop the mind".......but then, "every other thing is conceptualized in the mind"! Now you see who is wise?

That Yorubas occupy the largest management positions in the land, is no news either, we are not only educated but we are "highly intelligent, beyond the "common sense level" that is not even common. This is not a boast, as some of our other tribes have said same on this and many other thread.

@Policewoman: "you said the Igbos are here to stay in Lagos"...,

l will respond by saying they are all welcome but you must not forget that "Biafra is your dream" and you cant be in two places at the same time! Are you then confused?

You can call the Yorubas all the "bad names" you want simply because you have discovered one Oil Block , it still does not change reality.

Now, my "suggestion" to our Igbo brothers:

1.) Its good to be confident but you must draw the line where "Self-Confidence metamorphoses into blind arrogance and Pride". Pride usually goes before a big fall. I pray you dont fall again.

2.) Diplomacy is the to win a war, without firing a bullet: Igbos need to really learn this from grass-root! All too often, the Igbo man is spoiling for a "fight" based on some "innate, genetic aggressiveness"! This has made the Igbo man, an unwanted enemy, wherever they locate (and they wander afar!). You cannot always be aggressive towards your host and expect to be welcomed for long. Use tact, even when you can use "muscle" after all, there are more challenges in the future.In this regard, you have tons to learn from the Yoruba culture.

3.) Charity begins at home: I often wonder why an Igbo man will boats to high heavens, that he developed and owns "LAGOS" while his homeland is a relic of Erosion Gullies and abandoned "white elephant" castles! Is this not foolhardy? Did you learn any lesson from "history", especially the aftermath of the war? The Yorubas also migrate and there are many of them as Bankers in the "East" but hardly would you see them building mansions there, not even in Abuja!
well, maybe the Yorubas are actually not on the "same level" when it comes to "foresight", with our other brothers. I pray the day would never come when what l just wrote will be used a "reference". Mind you, the Yorubas are the most welcoming of all Nigerian tribes and your "progress' in all Yoruba land attests to that.

In another post, l will like to "explore the possible outcomes of the various scenarios" that may result, in response to issues raised by our Igbo brothers, on how "Lagos" will become "empty", "poor", "failed", e.t.c, if and when, the Igbos decide to "move out" of Lagos. I hope they dont but if they do......

Lastpage!
BTW: You would have observed that l did not "pass insult" nor use foul language in my post. It's not a co-incidence. Not everyone may respond except those that can reason above gutter-level.

what you said above might be true but i do not see how the yorubas would get regional autonomy(which if you are honest to admit is what yorubas what) without some sort of battle against the feudal north as they are not going to give up on this structure easily.

it is to be expected.anybody who has been to ogoni land knows how devastated the place is.

PointB: If 'Udofia' is not Igbo enough, I wonder who is. Then too it does matter, what matter now is putting the port to use.

some people from akwa cross axis answer that name as i have come across some of them.from the first name it is obvious that he is from that axis.

onlytruth and point b what i was trying to point out is that the port was not only beneficial to the igbo person against what the popular belief is but to the generality of trade in the east.