₦airaland Forum

kel4soft: Whose fault? Anyway apart from Warri/Sapele road. Which other major road do you have in Warri? Anyway that's not the point. Do you know with low entourage traffic jam can be minimal in PH visit. After I didn't see soldiers blocking a full section of road for President wife's visit like we witness in PH. If you driver from east-west road (section completed anyway) to Warri. Going to Pastor Ayo's church at GRA. Can you give me another route you can take if not that same Warri/Sapele road. My point is that is not about the network is the modesty he came that impresses me. By the way, when the President wife came to D/Line in PH. Rumuola, Artilery and major roads including Ikwerre were block.

If all you know is Warri/Sapele road, then you don't know Warri.

abu12: Where is she working? Following the threat from governor rabiu musa kwankwoso that, she should allow all airline that want to land in kano instead of enugu to land in kano if she want to sleep well which has made her to approved Emirate, Ethiopia and turkish airline with immediate alacrity withing three week. What is she waiting for before now?

Turkish and Emirate were granted permits since march, why are they not flying to kano?? But again, you people are too silly to figure out the truth before you make noise.

Wsdm: It is no longer a rocket science for everyone to know that Ameachi is very much intelligent than Jonathan.

Coming from a Buhari lover

kel4soft: Why he didn't honour Amaechi's invitation is mind blowing. Port Harcourt Centenary celebration where he grew up and was made. He rejected the invitation because of political difference. I don't know what the reaction would have been if Amaechi has boycotted the burial ceremony at Okrika.

I was at Warri when he came. It was kind of modest visit. I hope his wife will learn one or two things from him. No traffic jam at all.

No traffic jam, has more to do with roads being available for redirection of traffic. Something Portharcourt does not have.

Waiting for Buhari, Tinubu, Liar mohammed to blame the Nigerian army for sending this mass murderer to his eternally dirty nap

Fake news from the usual soruce

Spambot just unban me. God my eaglets

CyberG: I hope Jonathan can go and campaign in BH enclaves in Borno and NE, not hiding away in Abuja or the West??

Promise, you will be a suicide bomber, when the campaign train gets to Borno. DSS will take care of you.

Once denied and despised by society, sewage and waste water evacuators now live their lives to the fullest, Jayne Augoye writes

THIRTY-TWO years ago, when Gilbert Quansah had just ventured into sewage and waste waters disposal business, he was very shrewd in the way he managed information about the ‘profession.’ He was conscious of the fact that it was generally despised in the society, to the extent that the practitioners were popularly called ‘agbepo’ or shit bowl carrier.

One of the things he did was to keep the move secret from his family and in-laws in his home country, Ghana. It was when things began to look up for him and he had something to show for the dirt he carried that he showed his true colour at home.

He recalls, “I was too scared to tell my wife. Even when some members of my family discovered, they were mad at me. But when my wife came to join me in Nigeria and saw that I was living fine, she immediately embraced my job. Today, my in-laws are very proud of me.”

He adds that in Ghana, the business is more lucrative because it is still considered to be a dirty one and that way, the operators charge more. But here in Nigeria, because there are more trucks and more operators, competition is stiffer.

Yet, Quansah says he rakes in more money than he ever dreamt of, evacuating human waste and sewage from toilets and septic tanks. So engrossed has he become in the job that he does not find it difficult to evacuate sewage with his bare hands.

Today, Quansah is fulfilled. He is the chairman, National Union of Sewage and Waste Waters Disposal Association, Ojota - New-Garage, Odo Iya Alaro discharging unit in Lagos. He is a proud owner of three sewage evacuation trucks in Nigeria and Ghana. He has also built a home in Ghana and in a Lagos surburb. In addition, all his children are graduates from Ghanaian universities.

The 63-year-old, who only recently acquired a tipper truck, confidently brought out his business card and gave to our correspondent during their first meeting, while leaning slightly on his Mitsubishi Montero Sport SUV.

Boldly inscribed on the rather colourful and well printed card is the inscription, ‘Your Mess is our Job’.

His first truck

Quansah started out accompanying sewage trucks owned by a popular business merchant in Oshodi at the time. He gave the man’s name simply as Dosummu.

He recalls his journey with a feeling of nostalgia, “After learning on the job for six months, I was able to buy my own truck for N900, 000 after winning N500,000 in the National Lottery in 1980. That was the same year I moved to Nigeria. I added the little savings I had made to the money.”

Quansah says that because of his nationality, he was not allowed to drive the truck then. He would sit in the vehicle with the driver most of the time. As a ‘first timer’ in Lagos, he was afraid the driver could run away with the truck. Three decades after, the truck still stands and it is a constant reminder of how far he has come in the business. He attributes this to proper maintenance and love for a job that has accorded him the good things of life.

But Quansah’s story is just one of out of many others told by hard working men who evacuate sewage from countless households and offices around the country. Although they have chosen to dabble into a business that many consider only fit for the never-do-well in the society, they continue to make cool cash.

A necessary evil

Long before the pit latrine gave way to flush toilets, otherwise called ‘water system,’ and its accessory the septic tank – in 1986, the night-soil man or agbepo held sway.

He might not have any other thing, he flaunted confidence and arrogance. Often clad in black trousers, tucked in rain boots and handkerchiefs tied around his mouth, he moved from house to house evacuating human waste. He enjoyed much freedom because his identity was largely unknown.

The agbepo was, however, often mocked by children who enjoyed singing behind him. Well, the kids paid dearly for their actions at times. The night-soil man would either pour the content of his bucket on them or drop his bucket full of excreta in front of their residence.

The story of the transformation of the sewage business will, however, be incomplete without acknowledging the contribution of the late founder of DMT Toilet, Otunba Isaac Durojaye. The man popularly called Otunba Gadafi, so much pursued the business with pride that he came up with the slogan, “Shit business is serious business.”

But the President of the National Union of Sewage and Waste Waters Disposal Association, Lawrence Adebajo, says that was a long time ago. Today, theirs is no longer a profession to be ashamed off. It is now dignified.

He says, “We have risen beyond the stigma that was once attached to the profession. I must say this business can be very lucrative, depending on your skill and the condition of your evacuation truck. Moreover, the government now regulates the business.

“Before now, some operators carried the shit on their head and with their bare hands. But the Wastewater Management Office was created and it has succeeded in changing the face of the business as all sewage trucks have records and are inspected on a daily basis. Our union holds regular summits where scholars and other experts are invited to give talks.”

He notes that the association boasts nearly 700 members, nationwide. The body was established in 2009.

Adebajo, who also owns a thriving transport business, adds that he was able to send his children overseas for higher education from the proceeds of his ‘shit business’.

Unfriendly clients

If you still doubt Adebajo’s claims, you may then have to consider how much it takes to embark on the business as well as the returns. According to him, a fairly used five-ton German evacuation truck is the most recommended and it costs between N5m and N6m.

The brand new ones go for as much as N13m or N15m. Most of the trucks are imported from Germany, India and Brazil. Also, on the average, the operators usually charge between N15, 000 and N18,000, or more, to evacuate the sewage. But these fees are relative and largely determined by distance.

According to some operators, the business enjoys more patronage in water-logged areas. They add that patronage peaks during the rainy season with a truck making as much as eight or more trips in a day. During the dry season some trucks can make up to five trips.

Adebajo says that despite the potential promised by these figures, he is sometimes saddened by the attitude of some members of the public and adds that he is not folding his arms either.

“When some people want to pay us, they drop the money on the ground and then ask us to pick it because they don’t want their hands to touch our own. They need to remember that we all can’t be lawyers, doctors or engineers and without our services, the society will be unbearable for us all to live in.

“This is about to be a thing of the past because change we will soon be introduced. We will soon launch a new uniform, boots, vests and hand gloves for our members. The supervisory ministry has also given us chemicals to help kill stench during evacuation,” he reveals.

Our story has changed

When our correspondent arrived at the Mile 2 garage and headquarters of the Sewage and Waste Waters Disposal Association where she had a chat with Adebajo, she was taken aback at the relative affluence that some of the operators presented.

It was impossible not to observe the level of affluence and influence some of them wielded, judging from their outward appearances. For one, choice SUV vehicles belonging to some of them were neatly parked within the premises.

Some could also be seen relaxing in small groups and seated on several benches counting the returns for the day. Others simply chatted away or listened to music playing from a portable radio.

Adebajo says, “Many years some of us covered our faces, because we were ashamed of what we were doing. Today, our story has changed. With just one or two jobs in a week we are okay. Other times, we are unable to handle requests. I always advise green horns to learn on the job. If they don’t acquire certain skills, the tank may burst when they drive it because of the pressure and heat inherent inside it.”

I can get any woman I want

Josiah Dosa, who left the Nigeria Police Force as a corporal 22 years ago to join the sewage evacuation business, is enjoying every bit of the job. After all, it accords him a very important privilege.

“People working in the Central Bank and oil companies cannot match me in terms of the kind of girlfriends I roll with. I can have any woman I want because anyone I approach accepts my offer immediately, so much that I now have to caution myself. I have so many babes – not ‘Tokumbo’, but young girls and whenever they request for money, I double the amount they ask for,” he boasts.

Dosa is really having fun as he adds, “When I tell you that this job is sweet, you have to believe me and, mind you, people’s mess is my wealth. Before now, they called us akogbe – shit carriers. But we are no longer akogbes. We are now millionaires. Many people now resign from their ‘office’ jobs to join us because they have realised that there is much money to make from this our business.”

He adds that they have well-educated operators among them and his children are all university graduates.

“I have built a house in my village while many friends who enjoyed mocking me in the past have joined the business. Nobody knew me when I was in the village, but today, the kabiyesi (king) sends for me. I have my jeep and chieftaincy title to show for my years of packing people’s shit,” he says.

Even graduates too…

Salihu Abdulahi is a Linguistic graduate of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State and a member of the association. During our correspondent’s first encounter with him, she could not but marvel at his eloquence. It was, however, difficult to situate him in the shit business. But he is quick to correct this impression and her opinion of him as a misconception.

He also considers himself better off than he would ever have been if he had taken up a teaching career.

“I saw myself through the university with proceeds from his sewage evacuation business. My friends never knew the kind of job I was doing back in the university and this was simply because I felt it was better off being kept as a secret. I evacuated sewage for over 10 years before I went back to school. I have no regrets and I love the job because it is not stressful. You can make cool cash with hard work. More so, the job affords one enough time to relax,” says Abdulahi, who bought his first truck last year.

Between Victoria Island faeces and Bariga shit

Although this might sound like an Alibaba or Basket Mouth joke, in reality, it is not. Owing to the years of experience on the job, some operators now claim to possess the wit to distinguish between human waste from a high brow area and the one from a slum. According to Quansah, this can only be achieved by simply putting their sense of smell and sight to the test.

He lectures the journalist, “Bariga, Mushin and Ajegunle shit is similar because many residents eat the same types of food. Theirs is black or brown and very smelly.

“Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi and VGC shit, on the other hand, is usually watery and light with a tolerable odour.

“I think the latter smells that way because most homes in these areas pour chemicals and disinfectant into their toilet system before, during and after use. We always pray to get more business from such areas because they pay more and don’t stress us much.”

Demeaning image

While the operators admit to becoming rich on the job, they say they still feel embarrassed over certain events.

Although Dosa says he experiences an embarrassing moment almost every day on the job, one remains fresh in his mind.

He says, “There was a day I went to work in Abule-Ado, and the occupants of the house locked all their doors and began scampering. I had to ask myself if I was the person responsible for their smelly soak-away.

“Suddenly, out of nowhere, one man who rushed out to pack his clothes felt I had touched them with my bare hands and so began challenging me. I got so annoyed that I packed the excreta with my bare hands and poured it on him. I am sure that God decided to bless me because of events such like this.”

Quansah notes that humility is an important virtue in his profession. In fact, he says, it is the reason behind the money he has acquired through the years.

He also recalls a particular incident saying, “In 2001, I went to evacuate sewage somewhere at the Mafoluku, Osodi area of Lagos and my client said he would not pay me unless I cleared the excreta in his toilet bowl, which was filled to the brim.

“No doubt, it was a tough call, but I swallowed the humble pie, cleaned it, using my bare hands and packer to scoop it. Afterwards the man paid me N2000. It was big money then. There was nothing to protect my hands but after I finished I used Izal to wash them. I did it because I needed the money.

“Sometimes the excreta can pour on my body. It usually happens when the septic tank is filled to the brim or when items such as condoms or sanitary pads block our evacuation pump.”

If anything, Quansah is of the opinion that ‘Owo igbe kii run’ meaning, money made from baring faeces does not smell.

On the flip side, some operators have decried extortion and intimidation of its members by people they call area boys (urchins) in the state. According to them, despite the clampdown on the urchins, their activities persist in areas like Lagos Island, Badia, Amukoko, Orile Iganmu and Ajegunle.

So, he wants to serve a party call PDP or nPDP. PDP will keep you in court till next century

[quote author=emmy-richie]Factors includes;

* Low affordable tuition fees.

* Moderate academic standards.

* Quest to travel abroad.

* Adventure.

* Not being able to meet the Nigerian rigorous phases of entrance examinations.[/quote]You are kidding

Finally, Urhobo Wadoo

The Senate in Abuja on Wednesday administered oath of office on Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, the new senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District.
Aguariavwodo, elected on the platform of the PDP, replaced late Sen. Pius Ewherido of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), who died on June 30, 2013.
The new senator, who briefed newsmen after the plenary, said he was grateful for the support the Senate gave the people of Delta when Ewherido died.
According to NAN report, the new Senator promised to continue the projects started by the deceased senator, adding that they were all working to improve the living conditions of the people of Delta.
“We believe in continuity, government is a continuum so whatever project that my predecessor started we will continue to support them with the best of our ability.
“We believe that most of the projects he started were to the benefit of our people, so, we will continue to make sure that those projects are brought to fruition,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Wednesday deferred consideration on the National Health Bill to another legislative day.
One of the amendments affected, included that a health care officer should not refuse anyone on emergency treatment for any reason whatsoever.
It would be recalled that health practitioners refuse treatment to patients with gunshot wounds unless such a patient had a police report.

http://thenationonlineng.net/

CyberG: It seems PDP is deeply pained by Amaechi's independence and assertion of his fundamental rights of freedom of association! LMAO

Pained NO rather pathetic. There is a reason nothing seems to work in this country. If you don't like the party why not leave. Why make a fool of yourself, the usual Nigerian style.

blacksta: Are they Mad


Citizens of Nigeria

Spend a week at the airport, you will be surprised, with the influx of foreigners into this country.

taharqa: @demdem, my guy, wheneva I think of d word HATRED, I usuali think of yr NL's moniker...Pun intended

Why are you wasting your time with this crowd. The east west road will be ready next year, no amount of nairaland nonsense will change that fact. You have to understand, some people hate good news in other parts of Nigeria. They will do all things possible to keep things the same. You know the truth, most people in the southsouth know the truth, allow them with their uncountable monikers knock themselves out.

How this man pay for 9 house helpers, only in this country can criminals like this be some people's messiah.

The Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye, may have sacked all his nine domestic staff which include drivers, cleaners and stewards.

Although, details of the sweeping sacking, which took place on Tuesday, were still sketchy as of the time, it was learnt that the action also affected his cook, some relatives, house girl and gardener.

Sources said the decision was taken to forestall the likelihood of government agents using the domestic staff “planting any incriminating material” in the house.

A source, close to him, told our correspondent on Wednesday that those who were affected were mostly staff “who could easily be compromised with money and other mouth-watering incentives.”

Speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday, Melaye confirmed the sacking of his domestic staff, saying there was nothing wrong in it.

He said, “I decided to sack all my nine domestic staff because the level of trust has declined. Any of them could be used, some of them could be compromised. But I have decided not to sack my dogs because they are very loyal to me. This government is so desperate to get back at me and from the recent incident in which security agencies ransacked my house, it has reached a situation where government could use any means to hit back at me because if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back.”

The former House of Reps member has been arrested twice in two weeks over his role in a protest against the controversial N255m bullet-proof car scandal bought by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority allegedly on the instruction of the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah.

He was released from his second arrest on Tuesday.

www.punchng.com

Nairaland is not a social service only, someone puts time and money to get this place working. Stop complaining about ads on the frontpage. I hope Seun does more of this. The man has payroll to meet monthly.

These are the kind of issues, why we need a national conference. Why is the federal govt worrying about a bridge built by Lagos state in their own state waters, if not for the stu pid decrees we call constitution in this country.

jerseyboy: Oshi Omo Ole

You mean the Omo Kaduna gov

I would like to thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of our evolving Federation, His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GRFR, for giving me the opportunity to serve my mother land as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue.
When Mr. President, just like Nehru of India changed his mind about the desirability of a National Conference and announced on Independence Day that there will be a National Dialogue, I knew that a new dawn is around the corner.
Some of us have all our lives been fighting for the oppressed people of our mother land, and to be given an opportunity to use dialogue to resolve our myriads of problems was too good a moment to be ignored. I took up the appointment with great enthusiasm and dedication, working as hard as my colleagues, to give our very best to our country.
After several meetings and wide consultations with the progressives, self-determination and civil society movements and in order not to cast as a distraction or be used as an excuse to destabilize the noble cause the President has put before us, I Col. Tony Nyiam rtd has decided to withdraw from the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue. I will from now on, work with colleagues from outside, using all peaceful and democratic means to bring our many decades of aspirations to fruition.
Mr. President, I will like to put the Benin event in its proper perspective so that evil propagandists bent on derailing the dialogue train will not continue to fabricate falsehood to confound Nigerians so as to achieve their devilish intentions.
It all started in the Benin consultations with us being made to be twice late for important appointments. First, we were made to be over an hour late to the 12-noon appointment we had the privilege of getting at short notice, from the palace of one of Africa’s most reputable monarchs, the revered Oba of Benin.
Secondly, we were made to keep critical South- South stakeholders, and other people’s representatives, waiting for over three hours. The two occasions of lateness to important appointments which are against the ethos of our duty, were caused by the twice, and sudden, shifting of the time we had earlier agreed to pay courtesy call to the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Comrade Adams Oshiomohle.
Firstly, a few minutes to our 10 am meeting with His Excellency, Governor Oshiomohle moved the appointment to 11:00 am. Secondly, another few minutes to the newly agreed time of 11 am, the Comrade Governor shifted the appointment to coincide with the 12 noon appointment we already have with the one and only, Oba of the historical Benin Kingdom. The two unilaterally changes of appointment times by the Governor, left us wondering what His Excellency was up to.
When eventually granted audience, the Comrade Governor proceeded to give us a background on why he is vehemently opposed to the initiative of any leader daring to convene a National Conference. The background story was essentially a lecture on how the Governor of Edo State was, ironically, more a Kaduna- made man than an Edo indigene.
This was followed by a tutorial on how we were deluded to see anything of significance in the opportunity Nigerians are being given to dialogue amongst themselves. One instance of the Governor only knows, is his self opinionated, and sarcastic question: who initiates a process towards a meeting without a pre-conceived agenda?
To all his great oratory we (all members of the Committee) listened to quietly. As it is the democratic right of Governor Oshiomohle to speak to us. Like the late dictator, Mamman Gaddafi use to tutor for hours, his cowed Libyan subjects we respectfully listened to him. After over forty minutes of the
Comrade Governors’ exercise of his human right we left the Governor’s office.
We paid homage to the Oba of Benin who with grace and above all love received us after the Committee’s chairman apologized for our coming over an hour from what was earlier agreed. We left the Great Edo Palace with the Oba’s commendation and prayers for the initiator of a pre-national conference committee, such as ours.
We got to the venue of consultations with the people to find over a thousand people eagerly waiting. We then began taking submissions. Most of the submissions, contrary to Governor Oshiomohle’s opinion came from ethnic nationalities. Later on, the Governor walked in and ran up dramatically to take his seat at the high table.
After listening to statesmen and eminent leaders of the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, Benin and Anioma nations making their enlightening presentations, the Governor indicated his interest to comment before departing. Rather than a few minutes’ remarks, the Governor went on, and on, repeating the lecture we had previously listened to, for about an hour in his office.
What became troubling was the Governor’s talking down on the people gathered; amongst who were former governors, senators, retired armed forces generals and judges. What was equally disturbing was the Governor’s insensitiveness to the ethno-nationalities yearning for self-determination. This they expressed by their beginning to openly boo-ing the Governor.
Noticing the increasing protests against the Governor, I stood up and walked to the chairman, to remind him of the need to moderate, to remind the Governor that he has gone well over the time allowed for a speaker. I went back to my seat, which was on the other, far side of where the Chief Executive of Edo State was speaking from.
The provocation from Governor Oshiomohle’s derogatory insinuations, and the casting of aspersions on eminent personalities such as were gathered before him, was just too much. Lest we forget, the Comrade Governor openly declared that he was not speaking as a Governor or on behalf of the Edo people. Thus he needed to be reminded that he cannot, in his personal capacity, usurp the people’s opportunity to express their feelings by themselves.
Some of our leaders need to know that they cannot continue to use the garb to obfuscate and confuse citizens and presenting as patriotism their personal agenda.
An auspicious time will come, when the obfuscation will unravel and Nigerians will come to know the true character of some of these leaders.
However, my sincere apologies to whoever may have been disappointed by my over reaction to the provocation.
I will be leaving the Committee believing that equity fairness and justice will continue to be guiding principles of its deliberations.
Like all Nigerians, I look forward to the report and will continue to believe that a better and greater Nigeria is possible.
May God bless our evolving Nigeria and its great people.
With highest regards,
Col. Tony Nyiam

premiumtimesng.com/

CyberG: And an undecided vote would vote for a GEJ in 2015 when his life has not changed one bit in the PAST 6 years?? Look, there is nothing wrong in making a bad decision, recognize it was a bad decision and deal with it by making a better one! Nigerians made a bad decision in 2011 and should correct it by choosing differently in 2015. What has the average Ibo gained from a GEJ president, not what a Ihejirika, Oduah, Iweala and co. have gained! Where is the Niger bridge (he wants to build it by concession, and if that ever happens it means people will be paying tolls to use it), how about the dry port in Onitsha, is it now working and ferrying millions of tons in cargo? Are all the federal roads tarred? Look, there is no point to deceive yourself, leadership, real leaders do not need a religion to be the best they can possibly be but shady politicians and people always pander to narrow interests like religion, tribalism and demonization of the opponent - that is what you are doing here!

If your life has not changed since 2007, place that blame at your own doorsteps. No government should be held liable for your inability to make progress in the last 6 years. The Niger bridge is currently under construction . Why did it take Nigeria till 2013 to start building that bridge Please tell us why the federal government refused for almost 30 yrs to invest in the east You complain about Onitsha port, as you well know the port is in the process of being concessioned. The roads in the east and across the country are better today, than they were in 2007. You sound confused and bitter, I don't know why. I have not stopped you from voting for anybody. I am only stating the needful. Besides Boko haram, show me one thing in Nigeria, that is worst than 2010, when Jonah came to power. Again I am only stating the needful.

eye4eye: Are you?

No I'm not

eye4eye: I don't know how to educate a militant on oil overdose. Doing so will be action in vain.

When, you have nothing to say as usual, you result to insult. It will not give you one vote come 2015.

CyberG: I am a Christian and I DO NOT CARE ABOUT MOSLEM-MOSLEM ticket! There are countries that are ALMOST 100% MOSLEMS and they are FAR BETTER than ALL CHRISTIAN or the current dullard christian-moslem ticket you are selling GEJ and Sambo!

You are not an undecided voter

Obiagelli: funding wasn't there as such hence his campaign was limited to a few states

As you like it