₦airaland Forum

I would advice all NLers in Aba to vacate the place the army is not trained to investigate criminal matters. The soldiers will shoot anybody that gives the wrong outward sign, even if that person is a saint dropped from Heaven. They are trained killers, whose primary job it is to defend the country against aggression from external armies.

One thing I am very happy about, is that one of the contributors to this topic is a US soldier (bidemi12). His inputs display the stark differences between Nigeria and more developed countries where there is law, order and procedure. You do not see the army on the streets in countries like the UK or the US, because the police can handle all situations. US and UK aside, I have never heard of the army being sent in to sort out kidnappers in even the poorest countries, but then Nigeria is on the list of failed states, so we take totally strange actions; and that is to be expected since the right tool for the job has become a failed tool.

It is my wish that the army is just there to man road blocks and back up the actions of the police, because if they are meant to resolve the problem of kidnapping, they will at most, only secure a temporary victory that will eventually taste bitter in the mouth. We need to learn to do things properly, be organised and follow procedure in this country.

The situation in Aba is the culmination of years of approaching governance stup!dly. The police were deliberately criminalised by the IBB regime who for the first time, withheld police monies and salaries, leaving them to fend for themselves. Mopol units that were previously incorruptible, highly efficient, dedicated and only ever seen in broad daylight when there were near war situations began to mount road blocks and look dirty like the rest of the force; you cannot compare the look of the original mopol with the current fckers running around asking for "roger." These days you can spot mopols everywhere, even at beer palours.

I pity Nigeria. The current police force needs to be completely demobilised if they cannot resolve cases of kidnapping by civilians and totally rebuilt from the ground up. We must send a crop of graduates to foreign countries for training and have them return to set up a proper police service.

[size=14pt]Obasanjo blames nation’s woes on regional politics [/size]
By Ayo Okulaja
September 30, 2010 05:17AM

As Nigeria celebrates its 50th independence anniversary tomorrow, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed the nation’s underdevelopment on the regional politics played by such leaders of the first republic as Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello. He said if they had made proper efforts at nation building, the country would not have been where it is today.

Mr Obasanjo who was the guest lecturer at the second convocation lecture of the Redeemer’s University, titled, “Nigeria@50 What celebrations?”, blamed the three key leaders of the nation’s regions in the first republic for our inability to get it right so far. “For a newly independent country, our weak political fabric, diverse and highly differentiated socio-cultural milieu, required a leadership with effective national mobilising capacity, ability to weave together the different ethnic groups, inspire them and provide a broad-minded leadership.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria did not enjoy such leadership at independence and that leadership deficit and weakness of structure militated against Nigeria on independence.”

He painted the picture of how a more nationalistic group would have improved the nation’s fortunes as he compared Nigeria with nations such as South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia which all had their independence at about the same time with Nigeria but have so far done quite well in comparison.

Mr Obasanjo did not leave out the military in his retrospective, stating that the “most retrogressive era for Nigeria was from 1983 to 1999” when different military leaders steered the nation’s ship recklessly. He alleged that the military leaders did not, during this period, invest a penny in the critical power sector.

He however said that the nation, with all its woes, has every reason to celebrate and he does not share in the rampant pessimism, “The nation has survived a number of challenges and can only move ahead for the better” he said. He also noted that what we are celebrating now is the 50th independence anniversary of the nation and not its existence. The former president traced the origin of the country to 1914 when the name Nigeria was coined during the amalgamation of the North and South protectorate.

Zoning vs federal character

Reacting to a question from a member of the audience who asked whether regional politics has not caused today’s clamour for zoning, the former president said, “zoning is unconstitutional, it is not part of our constitution. What is in the constitution is the federal character which preaches that if there are 30 spaces in an office 10 must go to Yoruba, 10 must go to the Hausa, 10 to the Igbo’s and so on. This is what all the political parties must have in their constitution as well.”

He adds that zoning will compromise competence and merit which are crucial in evaluating the right people for political office. Further ridiculing the zoning concept, the former president said that, “if I as a Yoruba man, died during my tenure, will they have said the next president must be from the Southwest or Ogun state” he asked? “In the heart of hearts of those who are talking about zoning, I know they don’t mean it because they know it is not in the interest of our country” Mr Obasanjo said.

Urging the students to ignore the old style of politics, he said that “Zoning is a vestige of the past and it will still go away, you young generations must do away with the vestiges of your fathers and grandfathers that have done Nigeria no good.” He also called on the young ones to speak out against bad governance as it is the only way to fight the menace. On the issue of high cost of governance in the country, Mr Obasanjo said that “the cost of government is high because those that are in government are incompetent,” blaming the people rather than the system.

He said the late former head of state, Muritala Muhammed was killed because he refused to stay in Dodan barracks because “the house was over-furnished.” Speaking on the excessive salaries paid to members of the National Assembly, the former president alleged that “the cost of maintaining the national assembly has increased more than 10 times today from what it was in 2000” whilst “nothing has changed” he noted.

“It is just the greed, corruption and insensitivity of these people who call themselves legislators.”

Vociferous Obasanjo

He called for vociferous protest against such expenditure saying that it the only way we (Nigerians) can fight it as “we can’t do away with them. They amend the constitution and will not do away with themselves. That is why I am raising my voice and your generation must take it up” he told the students. Painting himself as some sort of radical, Mr Obasnajo urged the audience to recall “when the late President (Umaru Yar’Adua) travelled out of the country and leaving the nation to drift astray, I spoke out when the entire nation kept quiet.” Mr Obasanjo challenged the students not to blame his generation anymore as “my generation has fought for the stability of this country and the entrenchment of democracy. You have to raise your voice now. If you are not prepared to be a patriot in your teens and 20’s, then you will be a disappointment to this country in your 40’s” he concluded to rousing ovation from the youthful audience.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5624764-146/obasanjo_blames_nations_woes_on_regional.csp

Deputy gov = kidnapper and
Gov = ritualist

What hope for Abia?

mens dept:
Thanks but no thanks. Poll ke?

So, whats wrong with having a poll?
. . .Anyways, dis na di pollsters, in case yawa wan gas!

[img]http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg&STREAMOID=iXH8GAOYqbU8RsKLSQfdzy6SYeqqxXXqBcOgKOfTXxTBxz3DF6ftWImZ6FoKNZzFnW_PgxgftuECOcfJwS6Jtlp$r8Fy$6AAZ9zyPuHJ25T7a9GKDSxsGxtpmxP0VAUyHL6IDcZHtmM2t7xO$FHdJG95dFi6y2Uma3vSsvPpVyo-[/img]

MaziUche0:
I do not speak for anyone, but myself. I am not in the business of speaking for others.

You be a fool, if you think that the "Niger Delta" (excluding the Igbo areas) does not need the Igbo. We already seen how long Adaka Boro's short lived Niger Delta Republic lasted.

You can fear nobody, but that doesn't mean you will win. If the Igbos could not win a war against NIgeria, then you all cannot.

We live in very different times from Boro and this isn't 1966 either. Sit aside and watch, you will come to appreciate the saying; "he who pays the piper dictates the tune."

The poll also shows a slight popularity advantage for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), going into the next elections, while Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) had marginal drops in the number of respondents planning to vote for them.

Interesting.

[size=14pt]81% of Nigerians will vote next year [/size]
By Gbenro Adeoye
September 30, 2010 02:55AM

Eighty-one percent of eligible Nigerians are willing to vote in forthcoming elections, according to a poll released yesterday.

The poll, ‘Current Pulse of Nation’s Survey’, carried out on topical national issues, sampled 5000 respondents, aged 18 years and above, from across the country.

‘Current Pulse of Nation’s Survey’ is conducted by Research and Marketing Services (RMS), an affiliate of TNS Global, a market research company and Gallup International’s representative in the country.

Adeola Tejumola, the CEO of the company, during a press briefing to announce the statistics, said the polls was centred on the forthcoming general elections because it is the most topical issue as the country celebrates its 50th Independence Day Anniversary.

‘More Nigerians will vote next year’

Mr. Tejumola said the reason for the high figure could probably be attributed to the “one man, one vote campaign”, or INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) administration suddenly improved, or just a reflection of the governance of the day.” “The challenges people raise concern for the most were the epileptic power supply, the increasing crime rate, coupled with the regular kidnapping going on, and corruption continues to rank high on the list,” he said. “For me, the fact that people are beginning to be aware that corruption is an issue, that they acknowledge that it does exist and the need to eradicate corruption in itself, is welcoming news.”

Another problem identified as major by the respondents, were low education quality and poor state of basic facilities.

Only 35 percent of the respondents were, however, confident that the forth coming elections will be free and fair, with half of the respondents expressing concerns about the success of the elections, in spite of the 81 percent willing to vote.

Aggrey Maposa, the company’s chief operating officer (COO), said the difference shows that people think the election process has improved, “though not yet perfect.” “Compared with the previous challenges that INEC used to have, people have seen improvements in the process of the elections. Even though, they understand that the process is not yet perfect, they are willing to vote and express their opinion,” he said.

‘Poor power is killing businesses’

[b]Mr. Tejumola also said 81 percent of Nigeria’s eligible voters support President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidature in the race, noting that the polls was conducted before the presidential aspirants announced to run for office. “But it’s not just one-sided; if 81 percent are saying that President Jonathan should run, in the same report, 54 percent are saying they are not happy with the crime rate, 24 percent are saying that corruption is killing them, and 67 percent are saying that the epileptic power supply is killing their business,” he added.

The report also states that 63 percent of Nigerians will consider character in voting for a presidential candidate, while 33 percent would consider political affiliation. Thirty-one percent will consider political ideology and 27 percent will put the content of the manifesto ahead of other things. The poll also shows a slight popularity advantage for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), going into the next elections, while Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) had marginal drops in the number of respondents planning to vote for them.[/b]

Mr. Tejumola, however, advised presidential aspirants to consider Nigerians’ expectations going into the next elections. “Expectations of Nigerians include generation of employment opportunities, dependable electricity to drive national development, poverty eradication and free qualitative education, amongst others; a serious government would want to concentrate on doing these things for the people,” he said.

Mr. Tejumola also said the research was carried out by the company as “its Corporate Social Responsibility”, and promised that the company will continue to sample public opinion on “topical issues affecting the nation.”

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5624745-147/81_of_nigerians_will_vote_next.csp

MaziUche0:
You had me supporting your statement until you added that bit. The Niger Delta could not survive a full blown war. It would end in a week. The "Niger Delta" needs the Igbo. Without the Igbo, no war would be worth fighting.

Thank God, you cannot speak for your village, talkless of all Igbo's.

Nobody needs anybody. You'd better understand that.
Ethnic groups need allies, not insecure people of other ethnicities who think only in terms of dominating others.

Smaller populations have defeated much larger armies (and will continue to do so) because they are organised. Go ask the Arabs about the 1967 war. We fear nobody and need nobody, except as allies.

This topic is indeed a good one to talk about intra-ethnic relations, because the OP captures the sheer foolishness and shallowness of tribalism in a multi-ethnic setting.

Ibime:
These people are serious o. Jonathan should watch for the assassins bullet.

It would seem that they already had such plans;

8. Unfortunately, the administration has extended this climate of high handedness to the armed forces. History shows that unnecessary politicization of the armed forces is a recipe for disaster.

Thats quite an ominous statement.

The sad part of unguarded statement by these "leaders," is that once again, there is heavy arming in the ND, because they feel oppressed by the tribalistic seige; only this time the past looks like childsplay.

@DatNiggaAk
Dude, this is the second time I'll be telling you to keep away from this tribalistic nonsense.
What we have in Aba today, is a social tragedy. The rest of Nigeria is not far behind.

slap1:
People are not craving for violence, they crave for peace. Amnesty calmed down the situation in Niger Delta then, why not apply same to Abia? And talking of violence, I believe some situations calls for it. Leading a nation is different from being in charge of a nursery school.

How can people who kidnap innocent kids be given amnesty? This matter will only end with the death or capture of the gang leaders, no two ways. I 100% believe that is the breif the security agencies have been given.

I say Nigerians are comforted by the display or application violence, because we regularly calls for presicely that whenever there is a crisis. We have had people calling for a state of emergency in Abia, because their presence would somehow console the people. But all the army will do is hang around and mount road blocks. A close example of that is the presence of JTF in Delta state; despite their presence, armed robberies are still carried out. Why? Cos the army men are not trained to solve crimes or in any sort of policing. Tanks don't solve crimes.

The answer is crack policing. Lets see what the anti-terrorist squad can accomplish, it isn't a military problem. The kidnappers are mere gangsters, not troops that undermine Nigeria's security in a way that requires miltary confrontation.

Having said all of the above, I hope you are coping well and wish you all safety.

“There are some people in Nigeria who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of speaking for the whole country as one. A delegation of these people (made up of Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Imoudu) toured parts of the Northern provinces. We did not then understand the real intention of that tour, and we naturally mistook it for one of friendship.

We had never dreamed that it could ever possibly happen that these people could have thought of becoming our mouthpiece. We should like the world to know that in the North we have got our own leaders, whom we have chosen ourselves, to be our rulers and our voice. We do not want our Southern neighbours to interfere in our development. We have never associated ourselves with the activities of these people. We do not know them, we do not recognise them, and we share no responsibility in their actions.

“We shall demand our rights when the time is ripe. If the British quitted Nigeria now at this stage, the Northern people would continue their uninterrupted conquest to the sea”.

I can only denounce the man as a fool after reading the above. Nigeria has produced leaders who are fit only for the trash can. What a tribalistic bastar'd!

Thank god Akingbola ran away and got enough time to organise a defense. He is telling an incredibly damning story.

There are so many vultures on this thread, preying on slap1's current state of insecurity.
The way most are going, you would think the problem of kidnapping suddenly arose during GEJ's leadership. You would think Imo has a wretched governor because of GEJ.
You wouldn't imagine that the problem has developed from years of rule by the critics preferred type of ruler.

The chief security officer of the state, is the governor. He has done little to sort the problem.
Security chiefs (not your usual area commanders) have been briefed and sent out by GEJ, both military and police units have been mobilised; for the first time in our history, an anti-terrorist unit has been let loose. What more do critics want, that GEJ should pick up an AK and head for Aba?
Even at the peak of Anini's extended reign of terror in 80's Benin, IBB never declared a state of emergency. So why is Jonathan expected to do that?

Looking at more difficult situations abroad, such as the September 11 attacks in the US; no state of emergency was declared even though the country had to live through an extended period of uncertainty. One has to ask why Nigerians are comforted by the display or application violence. Is is due to the trauma of long years of military rule? Why can other countries contain much worse security situations without breaking a sweat? My take on that is that we need councelling, exposure and reassurance.

critical thinking really needs to be taught in schools.

Maximip:
Jonathan is too sluggish for a country like Nigeria

"Country like Nigeria." What exactly does that mean? Is the country full of chimps?
I hate hearing such sweeping statements.

There is always a time for the lawless to learn lawfulness and you can't learn to be lawful with a lawless leader. Things need to be done properly in Aba, we can't afford the same cut and nail, jackboot approach that we've had over the years. Where has it got us? Are we developed? Are we an African jewel?

Things need to be done properly from now, not with the usual "rush into molue" style.

[size=14pt]Nigeria @ 50: We’ve to change our way – Jonathan[/size]
Headlines Sep 29, 2010

https://www.vanguardepaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/jonathan221.jpg
President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice Admiral O.S. Ibrahim(right) CNS, prince Adetokunbo Kayode, Minister of Defence and Alhaji Murtala Shehu Yar'Adua, Minister of State, Defence at the Nigerian Nevy Presidential Fleet Review 2010 as part of activities lined up to celebrate Nigeria at 50 held at NNS BEECROFT, Naval base, Apapa, Lagos. . Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

By Emma Amaize
* “We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Nigerians are capable people”, he says

WARRI- AHEAD the nation’s 50th independence anniversary on Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan says Nigerians have to change the way they have been doing things for the nation to progress.

Ruminating on the anniversary on his Facebook page, the lyrics of the song of fallen music maestro and anti-apartheid crooner, late Evangelist Sonny Okosun came to him mind as he urged Nigerians to come together and disregard religious, tribal and regional politics in their choice of leaders.

His words, “As we progress towards our 50th anniversary as an independent nation and a transition in 2011, one thing we as Nigerians have to note is that if we must have better results in the next 50 years, we need to change the way we have always done things”.

“For instance, we can no longer rely on individuals to drive peace and progress in Nigeria. We need to over the next 50 years concentrate on building strong institutions and systems that will drive our transformation to a greater and better nation. This is because individuals come and go, but institutions and systems remain behind.

“Also, whereas individuals do change depending on their moods, whims and caprices, an institution is stable especially if it is built and operated on the rule of law that is anchored on fairness and justice”, he added.

President Jonathan posited, “So whether it is the Executive arm of government or the Legislature or Judiciary, we really have to start building institutions and systems rather than personality cults. Our law enforcement bodies, the office of the Attorney General, The Accountant General and the Auditor General of the Federation all must be developed with the aim of making the institution and the statute creating them as well as the Constitution stronger than the individuals who occupy these strategic offices”.

“The goal”, he continued, “must be that whether at the Federal or State level, our institutions must be so developed to the extent that it will not matter who emerges as President or Governor because he or she will have to operate within the laid down rules governing the institutions attached to his office so that Nigerians and the International Community can predict that things will move in the desired direction.

Once we have this stability, investments, development, and prosperity will follow leading to genuine and lasting peace and progress”.

“Also in the next 50 years we must bury tribal, regional and religious politics. What has tribe; region or religion got to do with ability to govern? This is a very important question we need to ask ourselves.

“For example, we participated in the just concluded World Cup in South Africa and Nigeria like other nations sent her best players there because we wanted to win. If we send our best players to win in football, why should we not use the same principle in politics which is even more important than football? If we want to make progress as a nation, we need to look beyond primordial interest and into the character and ability of a person.

“We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Nigerians are capable people. Our ethnic identities, the region we come from or the faith we practice must not be allowed to hold us down. Ultimately we are all from one womb. We are all Nigerians. We are brothers and sisters!

“Dear friends and fellow Nigerians, as we progress to our 50th anniversary, let us take the weeks ahead of us before October 1st, 2010 to engage in some sober reflection and ask ourselves this very important question-How can we make national progress if we keep doing the same old thing? He asserted.

He added, “As our late musical icon Sonny Okosun once sang in his song “togetherness”;

Nigerians unite

No matter the place you may live

No matter the language you speak
No matter the tribe you may be

No matter your height and position

Unite so we can quench the fire in the country
Remember we are one in the Lord

Remember we are one in the blood

Remember we are brothers in the world

Together we will solve our problems

Together we will serve our country

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/09/nigeria-50-we%e2%80%99ve-to-change-our-way-jonathan/

What a pathetic complaint! What a shocking level of dross from people who want to lead the country!
I guess they simply have no answer to Jonathans statement on zoning, so all they can do is cry like spoilt little girls. Nigeria deserves better than such a bunch of weaklings. Bloody snivelling cry babies who can't play fair.

Intimidation my foot! But I guess they are right in one sense, Jonathan is intimidating them intellectually.

fisuyi:
I guess "Maj-Gen J.T.U Aguiyi-Ironsi (Abia) Generals Yakubu Gowon (Plateau),Olusegun Obasanjo (Ogun) Abdulsalami Abubakar (Niger)" are not coup plotters or beneficiaries. Hypocrite

[s]Abeg, leave me and my artistic impression jare! [/s]
Abeg, leave me and my artistic lisence jare!

Good for the bloody coup plotters.

[size=14pt]Nig@50 awards: Jonathan excludes Murtala, Buhari, IBB, Abacha – Daily Trust[/size]
September 29, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi

Former heads of state Muhammadu Buhari, Ibahim Babangida and Sani Abacha have been excluded from the special Golden Jubilee independence anniversary awards on 50 distinguished Nigerians by President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan also excluded the late Head of State Murtala Ramat Muhammad in the independence anniversary awards on Nigerians and friends of the country.

A statement yesterday by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, said the 50 personalities would be honoured for their contributions to the development of the country.

Those to be awarded are: Herbert Macaulay (Lagos), Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe (Anambra), Alhaji Ahmadu Bello (Sokoto), Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Ogun) , Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Bauchi), Chief Samuel Akintola (Oyo), Mallam Aminu Kano and Chief Anthony Enahoro (Edo).

Ernest Okoli (Bayelsa), Jaja Wachukwu (Abia), Dennis Osadebay (Delta), Maj-Gen J.T.U Aguiyi-Ironsi (Abia) Generals Yakubu Gowon (Plateau),Olusegun Obasanjo (Ogun) Abdulsalami Abubakar (Niger) and Prof. Kenneth Dike (Anambra).

Profs. Jacob Ade Ajayi (Ekiti), Ishaya Audu (Kaduna), Iya Abubakar (Adamawa), Chief Emeka Anyaoku (Anambra), Alhaji Shehu Shagari (Sokoto), Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule (Kano), Joseph Tarka (Benue), Shettima Ali Monguno (Borno) and Cardinal Francis Arinze (Anambra), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq 111, Sultan of Sokoto (Sokoto) and Oba Adesoji Aderemi (Osun).

Also, Profs Wole Soyinka (Ogun), Chinua Achebe (Anambra), Alhaji Abubakar Imam (Kaduna), Alhaji Babatunde Jose (Lagos), Justices Adetokunbo Ademola (Ogun), Egbert Udo Udoma (Akwa-Ibom) Prof. Teslim Elias (Lagos), Chief Rotimi Alade Williams (Lagos), Justice Mamman Nasir (Kastina), Alhaji Alhassan Dantata (Kano), Alhaji Aliko Dangote (Kano), Chief Mike Adenuga (Ogun), Richard Ihetu aka Dick Tiger (Abia), Kanu Nwankwo (Abia) and Chioma Ajunwa (Imo).

Daniel Igali (Bayelsa), Michael Akinwunmi (Ogun), Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (Ogun), Mrs Margaret Ekpo (Cross River), Hajia Gambo Sawaba (Kaduna), Hajiya Ladi Kwali (Abuja), Princess Alexandra (Britain) and Lillian Joel Williams (Britain).

http://nigerianbulletin.com/2010/09/29/nig50-awards-jonathan-excludes-murtala-buhari-ibb-abacha-daily-trust/

Check if you are using namespaces in some of the files in app_code, while others ain't. That sort of mixup can cause the problem you have.
Note that classes in app_code do not need to be in namespaces, its entirly at your discretion. But if you have used namespaces, you must remember to qualify your class instance properly or include the namespace. e.g;

Imports Some_namespace_or_the_other

As a last resort, right click the file in Visual Studio's Solution Explorer, click properties. Check that the build mode for the file is set to, "Compile."

[size=14pt]Fuel barons: Oligarchs’ party may be over[/size]
By Parselelo Kantai

Published: September 29 2010 15:43 | Last updated: September 29 2010 15:43

One of the most publicised dramas in Nigeria at the end of the oil bubble was the bitter falling out of the country’s two richest men, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, 53, and Mr Femi Otedola, 48. The feud began in late 2008, soon after Chevron Oil and Gas Holdings announced its intention to divest Texaco Nigeria, its marketing arm in which it held a 60 per cent stake.

According to associates of both men, Mr Otedola, whose flagship company, Zenon Petroleum, had been buying up Chevron shares in anticipation of the divestment, had confided his plans to his erstwhile friend, Mr Dangote. His $200m bid was, however, outdone by a $1bn pitch made by Corlay Global, a Panamanian company owned by an African consortium, comprising MRS Holdings and Petroci Holdings.

It turned out that MRS Holdings was run by Sayyu Dantata, a cousin to Mr Dangote and a company in which the latter allegedly held an interest.

And so the feud. Mr Otedola, aggrieved that Mr Dangote had broken a gentleman’s agreement not to interfere in each other’s interests – Mr Dangote’s being in trading and manufacturing, Mr Otedola’s in oil and shipping – declared war on his friend. He announced that he was investing $2bn in sugar and cement production, both of which were Dangote territory.

He then took Chevron to court to prevent the sale. Further still, he publicly accused Mr Dangote and his associates of manipulating the share price of African Petroleum, a company in which he held significant shareholdings.

By the time the two were reconciled late last year, oil prices had tumbled, leaving oil marketers in Nigeria in a shambles, and exposing many of Nigeria’s biggest banks to the huge debts taken by oil traders during the bubble years.

Easily one of the biggest casualties was Mr Otedola. The son of a former Lagos governor, Sir Michael Otedola, his mercurial rise as an oil and shipping magnate, with a fortune made largely from diesel imports, had been the subject of much comment. His close links with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as well as the perception that he was, through his diesel business, a big beneficiary of Nigeria’s perennial power crisis, had lent him a certain public notoriety.

The crash in global oil prices and Nigeria’s subsequent banking crisis cost him hundreds of millions of dollars, pushing him off Forbes’ billionaire list. Like many oil marketers, the oil bubble had provoked an expansionist mood. Many had benefited from the privatisation policies of the late 1990s and early 2000s, buying huge stakes in formerly government-controlled oil marketing companies. As oil prices rose to their dizzying mid-2008 heights, several took out loans to expand capacity. The majority of them disappeared under the rubble of falling prices.

Tales of survival have been dominated by earlier diversification strategies. Oando, formerly the government-owned Unipetrol, survived the downturn almost unscathed. Attributing it to “strategic investments across the energy chain”, Wale Tinubu, the company’s chief executive, says the crash differentiated solid businesses from the fly-by-nights, Oando being firmly placed in the former category.

The company’s rights issue in January was oversubscribed by 28 per cent; as most oil marketers declared losses, Oando was paying dividends to its shareholders. So was Capital Oil, a relatively new company that owns the biggest private jetty and depot facilities in the country.

So, the party years may be over for the oligarchs – at least for now. As reforms in the banking sector have forced a modicum of good behaviour, many are looking to the end of oil subsidies – estimated to cost Nigeria $4bn a year – as the next big thing. If fuel prices are deregulated as has been repeatedly recommended by policymakers, despite public opposition, marketers will expect to reap riches from higher prices.

At the same time, however, Nigeria’s oil infrastructure is aching for reform that would significantly alter the nature of the market. Only if the fuel price is deregulated, will local refineries, currently working below capacity, become commercially viable.

Although there is talk that a Goodluck Jonathan presidency may restore some of the faded lustre of the oil marketing business, this scenario, say some analysts, may deliver unexpected results.

“A whole lot of people are waiting in the wings for goodies from a Goodluck presidency. But it’s difficult to judge at the moment what it will deliver,” says oil sector analyst, Toyin Akinosho. “If he actually fixes power and deregulates downstream prices, one should expect a lot less of the policies that once favoured the oligarchs.”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/05a619de-ca97-11df-a860-00144feab49a.html

Thanks so much DeLaRue, AjanleKoko and johnie for the encouragement.
Please, don't forget to broadcast us through your facebook, myspace, twitter etc and ask your friends to do the same. We can build enriching change from the ground up for every black person.

oyb:
beaf - you are really beginning to disturb us.

you who were once saying nigeria is like nazi germany are now making excuses and citing gross miscarriages of justice and abuses of human rights in other countries as justification for holding an innocent man without trial?

you realise this could be any of [size=14pt]us[/size]?

so if tomorrow, the US govt orders police to shoot civilians, the gej administration will be justified in pulling off an odi massacre?

stop making excuses for gej's mistakes

"Us?" Don't make me laugh, there is no adult half as daft as you the World over. It is that unique "talent" that has made you misinterprete what I wrote in black and white and totally straightforward.

If you mess about with state security, you get what is coming (including 3 months or more without trial).

M16:
[size=8pt][size=8pt]PRAISE THE LORD[/size][/size]

At last Jonathan is admitting to zoning existing. thats a first step. His arguement now is whether zoning is before or after the elections.
Question is if zoning was not in place before election, will jonathan ever become vice president. why is it that the president and vice are not from the same zone.

So jonathan and his supporters should stop having selective amnesia or try to dance around the truth.

The issue of Jonathan being untainted by corruption is a fallacy. Madam Patience or is it Dame was being investigated by EFCC. Till now that case has not been closed. If jonathan becomes the president, it will be the first time a president will be elected with a case of corruption hanging around him or his family.

However sad and unfortunate the issue of zoning is, its a necessary evil Nigeria has to deal with, till we grow above tribal and ethnic sentiments. Politics is a game of numbers and some zones,tribes and regions have the numbers. This will make them always dominate the other zones,tribes or regions

PDP constitution is confusing and very unclear, but their should be honour amongst theives

How can a case that never existed still be open?
You people just thrive on rumours, beer palour stories and mama-put gossip. These words are by Ribadu himself, he took time out to condemn the liers who are out to tarnish his name and Jonathans;

[b][size=14pt]Ribadu also denied allegations that he mishandled a corruption case against Dame Patience, when her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was governor of Bayelsa State.
He said that it was propaganda to taint his image and that of Jonathan during the 2007 polls.

Ribadu explained that the EFCC never handled any case against Patience. “The case had to do with a lady and a man who lodged huge sums of money in the bank. The EFCC was alerted by the bank and an investigation was carried out,” he said.
According to him, it was found that they legitimately earned the money through contracts executed in the state. All the reports in the media were lies, he insisted.

“For instance, it was initially reported that N70 million was lodged into the bank. Later, it was reported that the money ran into millions of dollars. Such was the extent of the lies,” he said, maintaining: “We never handled a case against Patience Jonathan.”
Meanwhile, Tofa is set to declare his presidential ambition on the platform of ANPP today in Abuja.[/size][/b]

http://www.channelstv.com/global/news_details.php?nid=22684&cat=Politics
http://www.nigeriannewsservice.com/archive/lead-stories/ribadu-tofa-declare-atiku-writes-all-pdp-delegates

[size=21pt]Goodluck Nigeria! A man untainted by corruption! Fresh Air 2011![/size]

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=521985.msg6843762#msg6843762 date=1285768836]What I mean by massive fire is the ability to meet up with the category of arms used by the kidnappers and armed robbers.How do you expect a hungry and disgruntled policeman with his ak 47 to stand a kidnapper with rock launcher.It's evident that kidnapping reduced in Edo state when the military were drafted to collaborate the police until problem broke out between them.police are known to compromise operations and I'm still thinking that a state of emergency is the way out of this jargon.[/quote]Now you're talking! I believe some really deft action needs to be taken, but I'm not 100% for state of emergency, especially with all the foreign Presidents trooping in tomorrow for Independence celeberations. I don't know what the new anti-terrorist unit is capable of, but it can be taking for granted that they will be several cuts above regular korofo's and mopol's.

Don't forget, there are stories of when mopol first came out. They used to make naybody that offered egunje physically eat the money, so lets pray thats how the new unit will turn out. And for the fact that they are anti-terrorist, I assume they must be quasi-military and seriously armed. Lets wait for slap1 to give us direct info on how these guys roll; we should be able to make our minds up in a couple of days.

chyz:
Thanks for the info and link. Developments as such,that deal with the betterment of African people are at the top of my list. I have bookmarked it and will definitely spread it around.

Thanks for that. We are still generating interest, so not much is happening on the site yet.
However, in the next few weeks things should really begin kicking off.

jaephoenix:
@beaf n bluetooth,u guys lack reasonih faculty.locked up 4 3 mths,n thats okay 2 u people?By d way doesnt dis story sound crazy,dont presidents drive in convoys,wit cars n jeeps in front n back?so how did d taximan ram into d presidents car?n pls ,as someone pointed out we havent yet started kamikaze type assasinations in dis country.the guy is just a taximan fendin 4 his family

You're not serious! Many people are locked up for years in Nigera, "awaiting trial." Blame the justice system for why the guy was locked up for 3 months, but you will find that even in developed countries, people get locked up for extended periods of time without trial due to the enormity of their crimes (ever heard of Guantanamo Bay?). The dude in the story below, has been banged behind bars for 6 fcking years without trial in the UK (and still counting).

[size=14pt]Six years in jail, no charge: the war on terror's forgotten victim speaks[/size]

Babar Ahmad, 35, is the longest-serving prisoner held without charge or trial in the UK. In his first media interview since his arrest on a US extradition warrant in 2004, Mr Ahmad tells Robert Verkaik that he is the forgotten victim of the 'war on terror'. In March 2009, he was awarded £60,000 in compensation after an admission by the UK's anti-terrorist police that they subjected him to 'grave abuse, tantamount to torture' during his first arrest in December 2003. Corresponding via email from a secure isolation unit at Long Lartin prison, he calls on the Government to charge him or release him. Today, the European Court of Human Rights rules on his case

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/six-years-in-jail-no-charge-war-on-terrors-forgotten-victim-speaks-2021138.html

deboski4u:
these issue shld not be somtin to argue on, am a security person, u may agree or disagree with me but there are somtins u shld know,
1. agreed if it happens it is a security lapses;
2. the man is lucky to be alive;
3. it is not the presidential details that will deal with d man, it is the police on the road;
4. the president may at most times not know about the incidence;
5. spending 3months in jail is due to our justice system;
6. its motive at that time is irrelevant because assuming he was shot b4 reaching the president, whose fault? the cab driver.
7. human rights or not, nigerians needs iron hands;
8. any argument shld not be done with sentiment.
thanks

Thanks for that.

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=521985.msg6843431#msg6843431 date=1285765829]Are we importing police for this unit ? Cuz the Nigeria police I know cannot tackle the problem in Aba as at now.what is required is a collection of intelligence network and a massive firepower which only be delivered by the military.this police thing is a big joke which symbolized that jonathan is not ready to tackle the problem[/quote]When you say, "massive firepower," do you mean tanks and stuff like guided missiles and drones? Those kidnappers might be sponsored, but they are not an army of any sort. More than all of the above, the army is as guilty of taking bribes as the police (even the vaunted JTF); so where does that live us? Sending in the army is far from a panacea, as we witnessed repeatedly in Jos where things were much worse than Aba has ever been.

If you don't know the new police unit, the best thing to do is watch and see if they make a difference. Its always best to try new things, rather than cling to the failed methods of the past. There is no need for the army in Aba, except to act as backup to the police. We have to stop this nonesense of thinking the army is almost a devine force that can cure all ills. They can't.

Nice topic.

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