₦airaland Forum

Orikinla:
[size=18pt]This is the pathetic case of majority of Nigerians and the ruling class exploits their ignorance and intellectual illiteracy.
The shameless journalists queue for brown envelopes and sniffing at madam's bottom power for handouts[/size].

by HE Abdourhman Ataher Al-Ahirish, Libya's Vice Prime Minister for Corporations and [size=28pt]President of the OPEC Conference[/size]

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Vienna for the 166th Meeting of the OPEC Conference.

I would like to extend a special welcome to His Excellency Adil Abd Al-Mahdi, the new Minister of Oil of Iraq, who is attending a Meeting of the Conference for the first time as Head of his Country’s Delegation.

On behalf of all the Heads of Delegation, I would also like to thank his predecessor in office, His Excellency Abdul-Kareem Luaibi Bahedh, for his service to his country and for his valuable contributions to the work of the Organization. We wish him further success in the future.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It has now been a little more than five months since the Conference last convened here in Vienna to discuss the oil market situation. At that time, we spoke of improving stability in the oil market resulting from the ongoing recovery of the world economy.

Since then, the global economic recovery has continued, although at lower levels, while the global oil market has seen ample supplies.

Given this backdrop – and even though some uncertainties remain – global economic growth in 2015 is expected to grow to 3.6 per cent from 3.2 per cent in the current year.

In line with this economic outlook, world oil demand in 2015 is forecast to grow by around 1.1 million barrels per day, with total world consumption at around 92.3 million barrels per day.

The bulk of this net oil demand growth will continue to come from non-OECD countries.

Non-OPEC oil supply is also anticipated to rise next year by 1. 4 million barrels per day to average 57.3 million barrels per day. The region of ‘OECD Americas’ is expected to be the main non-OPEC contributor to this supply growth – supported by some increases in Brazil.

In terms of prices, the situation has changed in recent months. Although the OPEC Reference Basket had been fairly stable during the last three and a half years, with the annual average ranging between roughly $105 and $110 per barrel since mid-June, the Basket has lost nearly 30% of its value – or more than $30 per barrel.

A careful look at the current situation suggests the recent fall in prices may not be exclusively attributed to oil market fundamentals.

Ample supply, moderate demand, a stronger US dollar and uncertainties about global economic growth have been key factors in this recent price trend. In addition, as OPEC has noted in the past, the impact of speculative activity in the oil market has also been an important factor.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that if the recent price trend continues, the long-term sustainability of capacity expansion plans and investment projects may be put at risk.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

The recent price developments are a sign that the oil market is currently searching for stability and balance. At today’s meeting, OPEC will consider these issues – and discuss the market outlook for 2015.

As always, our deliberations will be focused on contributing towards stability in the market. This is what most benefits global economic growth – and it is what matters most to all stakeholders, producers and consumers alike.

We also recognize that dialogue has always been instrumental for the achievement of such goals.

That is why OPEC is committed to engaging further in international dialogue and cooperation efforts – through participation in meetings, symposia and workshops. These include dialogue with the G20, the EU and Russia, as well as working programmes with the International Energy Forum, the International Energy Agency and other international institutions.

In conclusion, I should like to reiterate that such opportunities for dialogue and collaboration – with oil companies, non-OPEC producers, investors and consumers – make important contribution to our common endeavour of attaining stability in the oil market.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for your attention

No matter the level of rascality of a Nigerian politician,
he would still revere royalty and accept his traditional
ruler, not only as the custodian of his own culture and
norms, but also as an epitome of morality, wisdom and
sound judgment. That is why most Nigerian politicians
always try to cultivate and solicit the support of royal
fathers. Normally, if, as a politician, you receive the
endorsement of your traditional ruler, then, by im­
plication, the people are with you such that you have
little or no battle to fight. In certain situations, this
may not be exactly the case, as some of the nation’s
traditional rulers have been politically corrupted.
However, one domain in which the king’s integrity re­
mains intact and where his word is taken as sacred, if
not divine, is the kingdom of Benin. Modern-day Benin
Kingdom, for those who may not know, evolved from
the old Benin Empire which, up till the 19th century,
was a major pre-colonial state in Africa, specifically in
the South-Western part of Nigeria, spreading to the
Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana. It was a well
organised state with stable economic, social and
political institutions as well as trained and disciplined
army. Benin Kingdom had and still has influence
beyond what is geo-politically designated today as Edo
State. It is that history that accounts for the tre­
mendous influence of all past Benin Kings and the
current Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo
Erediauwa, who is the 38th Oba of Benin.
I dare say that the Oba of Benin is among the few tra­
ditional rulers that are highly respected in Nigeria, not
only by his peers but also by ordinary Nigerian folks,
including academics, professionals, businessmen and
politicians, within and outside his domain. When the
Oba makes a pronouncement on an issue, it is generally
believed that that issue has been resolved. So, when,
in April 2012, the Benin Monarch prayed for and
endorsed Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s bid for re-
election, the message for the entire domain was clear.
And, the Oba’s word came to pass, when the
governorship election was held on July 14.
On Friday, 25th April, 2014, the highly respected Oba,
who is constrained by age, sent a message of goodwill
to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, through his
Crown Prince, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, in
which he commended the President, prayed for him
and invoked the ancestral spirits of the kingdom to give
him the strength to continue with his good work, in
spite of daunting security challenges. The Monarch
then urged the President to seek a second term to
complete his work of transforming the nation. Like the
Oba’s support for Governor Oshiomole, the Monarch’s
endorsement of President Jonathan was total and
unequivocal.
In traditional African culture, it is believed that
traditional rulers are next to the gods and that they
possess the special gift of clairvoyance and the capacity
to foretell the future or see ahead what the rest of us
cannot see. In many ways, the Benin Monarch has, in
the past, demonstrated this ability. His open
endorsement of Jonathan means that he has seen more
than we, ordinary Nigerians, are able to see. And, as it
happened for Oshiomhole in 2012, there is no reason to
suggest otherwise in the case of Jonathan.
But the Oba’s goodwill message wasn’t just an exercise
in precognition or prophecy. It was mainly a
commendation of Jonathan’s administration for its
achievements as well as genuine commitment to move
our nation forward. The Benin Monarch must have
had in mind achievements in such areas as the
economy, agriculture, infrastructure development,
power, roads, transportation, etc; he must have
recognised developments in the education sector, up-
lift of Nigerian women, job creation, and efforts at
tackling the security challenges in all parts of the
country, especially the North East.
While hesitating to bring in the element of luck here,
one is tempted to say that President Jonathan is,
indeed, a lucky man. In addition to those areas in
which he has, on his own efforts, made tangible
achievements, many other good things just appear to
throw themselves at him. How, for instance, is one to
explain the emergence of Nigeria – during the Jonathan
era – as Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of $510 or
consider the massive inflow of foreign investments in a
country facing severe security challenges?
We all know that Oba Erediauwa is not a frivolous
king, nor does he have any partisan leaning. Besides,
he hardly interferes in political matters. His open
endorsement should, therefore, be seen as the col­
lective voice of the people, not only of Edo State but
also of all Nigerians who respect the sanctity of the
ancient kingdom. The Oba’s endorsement should serve
as a catalyst for President Jonathan and his officials to
continue their hard work.Our Oba has spoken!
Congratulations, Lucky Jonathan!

The Oba of Benin, the Edo State capital, Oba Erediauwa, has
urged President Goodluck Jonathan to shun all distractions and
remain focused with his transformation agenda, endorsing him
for a second term.
The Oba spoke on Friday through his special envoy and the
crown prince, Ambassador Eheneden Erediuwa, at a closed door
meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in the Presidential
Villa.

Jimmyo3:
I see the CIA prophesy coming to pass in 2015,imagine if they successfully impeach Jonathan and u think the Southerners will fold their arms and watch...there will be a civil war and probably my united Nigeria will break apart.

Bekwarra:
Don't mind them. Awon oloriburuku omo Igbo jatijati olori pelebe. They are always fixated on other people's things. It's either they famz Lagos or ND. Small thing they will say they are buying over Lagos when they are occupying Lagos slums in their thousands.

F117AA:
May God punish you mad cunt.
May your fear of igbos chase you to your death.

F117AA:
You are a complete idiott.
What has asari relocation to benin republic got to do with his niger-delta hood?
Is half of your the SW population not economic refugees in the UK?
You are a slowpoke.
And what are you trying to prove with your nembe and ogbakiri nonsense?
That you are familiar with the niger-delta?
You are a joker.
Only an utter slowpoke will compare river or bayelsa states to those backwater SW states like osun ekiti oyo and co.

fx45:
U seem to be of the impression that everybody lives in Lagos (the heart of darkness). That place is unliveable and in case U don't know, there are actually people that cant stand a minute of that smelly hell-hole

sexywifey:
So, in your mind, Naija never sink? Dude, wake up already, Nigeria is a failed state and GEJ buried Naija with his clueless, clumsy and corrupt fingers

M4gunners:
I pity you then.If as of your age you don't know is ND that is feeding all nigeria.

cyriltochi:
All i av 2 say is dont pray 4 war.... i look at ur comments i shake my head n i smile..
plz how does jona's impeachment relates 2 d igbo's?..
una neva pass 10 years?..

fx45:
Nigga I'm stating the obvious... Where does blue murder come in? FYI, I'm home!

F117AA:
What do you know about bayelsa and rivers ,you crazed oduduwan?
You think the SS is your friend?
Don't worry, asari dokubo will carry out his threats very soon.

F117AA:
Igbo?
Are you hallucinating again?
you think i am one of those yoruba cowards that change their identity like the wind?
May God punish you.
Coward.

M4gunners:
Let me hear word jor.Impeache him let see.If they try it,hungry will finish nigeria, because nigger delta will will be for us only.

fx45:
On the contrary, I think its now evident that it is the Born To Rule army in collaboration with the scum of the earth from the Southwest who have sworn to destroy and divide Nigeria. Anyways Nigeria has never really existed. What we've witnessed since 1960 is an emergency contraption programmed by default to fail. Its just a question of time

F117AA:
WTF is lagos?
keep your slum to yourselves.
Lagos was built with niger-delta money anyway, but we don't need it.
We will build 21st century cities in the ND.
And yes, you are just like the north.
The only difference is that the north has a valid excuse for its own backwardness.

F117AA:
You must have been fed goat food in your infancy.
That is the only excuse for your inbred buffoonery.
How dare you compare rivers and bayelsa states to those brown-roof striken, poverty-clad states in the sw?
May ogun have your tongue, you blasphemous nincompoop.

1stola:
What a morôn!
You're the richest. bla bla bla yet you can't survive with Lagos.
We SW are not not the Northerners you can tell your bullshîts to. we are very much rich, hardworking and comfortable.

F117AA:
You are an illiterate.
We are the richest region in the country.
We have enough wealth to send the entire SW to the stone age.
Starvation?
lol.
Unlike the SW, we have more than one access to the atlantic.
Don't think your 1967 coward tactics will work on the ND.
Anyway, very soon we will control our resources and build our region.
All your yoruba immigrants in the ND will experience fashola styled deportation policy in action.

F117AA:
Your people in the SW will be the ones perishing.
Bloody brood of cowards and parasites.
Traiterous vultures.

F117AA:
I am from the niger-delta, you mad yoruba coward.
Try any nonsense, and watch your people hopelessly decimated.
This is not 1967.