₦airaland Forum

After several negative scares and a near invincible general outlook concerning Ebola which has become a regional threat to West Africa, it seems Ghana just may have recorded her first case of Ebola!

It is reported that on Friday afternoon, a Burkinabe man, who had general symptoms of Ebola including fever, nose and ear bleeding, was taken to the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital dead on arrival. The man was brought through the border from Burkina to Ghana by his relatives who wanted proper medical care for him but he died on the way. My question? Why wasn’t he screened at the border? Is Ghana this careless?

Dr Joseph Yaw Manu, confirmed to StarrFMonline.com that the man had died at the time he was brought in, saying: “…What scared me most as a Medical Doctor is that he was bleeding from his ears and nose–symptoms of Ebola.”

Do you know what I am thinking? If it is indeed Ebola, there will be a few more cases reported in the vicinity soon because several others were exposed without protective clothing to the body of the man. Especially since it wasn’t expected. The medical personnel and the people who carried him to the hospital and anyone else who touched him or came in contact with his body somehow.

Very disturbing news for a country whose health minister instead of preparing for the health threat was saying on Friday that Ghana will never see Ebola but only hear of it in other countries.

What measures do we have in place Dr. Kwaku Agyemang (Minister of Health)? You need to school us more on what your outfit is doing to protect Ghanaians! Because I haven’t seen a single move.

Dr. Manu of the Bawku Presby hospital has since sent blood samples of the deceased for testing at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) at the University of Ghana. If Ebola has killed at least 961 people in the West African sub-region out of 1,779 total cases. Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are among the hardest hit countries.

Although many suspected cases have been reported in Ghana, most were reported negative upon testing. And there are many rumours of the disease along coastal towns in Ghana where fishermen cross between countries without customs checks and screening.

Read more: http://newsrescue.com/ghana-records-first-case-ebola-burkinabe-man-dead-arrival/#ixzz3A4FuoJJY

Mr. Fashola stated this on Thursday at the convocation programme of the university.

The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has directed that the controversial fee hike at the Lagos State University, LASU, be reversed.

Mr. Fashola stated this on Thursday at the convocation programme of the university.

He said the fees would now be returned to the old charges.

The reversal comes after months of protests by students and lecturers of the university.

The Lagos State Government had, earlier in 2011, increased the fees from N25, 000 to N198, 000 for humanities and education, while medical students were to pay N350, 000.

After the protests, the state government approved a reduction by 34 to 60 per cent. That reduction would have seen students pay between N76, 750 and N158, 250 depending on the faculty and year of study.

That reduction was still opposed by the students and the lecturers.

Thursday’s announcement by the governor could, however, lead to a reversal to the 2011 charges.
Details later…

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/?p=166199?p=166199#sthash.S5VhYsPz.dpbs

9jacrip: 0803 714 0519
He deals only in engine and tranny.
I bought engine and tranny from him, a year apart, he recommended a mechanic who came to my location (Mowe/Ibafo).

I have just called the guy and he said the v6 engine is 170k for grade one. Isn't that too high?

9jacrip: White smoke means engine is gone.
Please purchase another engine, you should get it from 100k
Make sure the person who sells the engine to you recommends/hands you a Mechanic to fix it, for guarantee, cash-security and rest of mind.

Thanks bro. Could you recommend anyone?

adanny01: First things first, at purchase, did the car have check engine light lit?
Secondly, do you have the cel lit right now? If yes, at what point in its history that the light came on?
Thirdly, have you scanned the car? Get a scan and come here with the codes.
Lastly, you descrption is not detailed. If the car smokes, what colour is the smoke? Black, Blue or white? Do you have engine oil shortage? You have to listen and describe where you think the sound is coming from? Other observations are will be helpful.

Thanks bro, the check engine light was never on before except the car was due for service and when the service is done, it will go off. But now the light is on permanently, also the TCS light is on. As regards the smoke, it is white smoke. The mechanic told me he has scanned it but he did not give me the codes, may be I will have to get it from him if he truly scanned the car

[b]Hello everyone, I have a honda accord 2003 v6. The car started acting up a month ago. I was driving to somewhere when it started jerking, after several jerks, the car stopped completely and it would not start again. I was told it was kick starter and the fuel pump, I got the two replaced and the car started but smoked heavily, the smoke smell fuel. The following day, it started jerking again and went off. I called the mechanic who said it was the nussle (I dont know if i spelt it correctly), after he did his work, the car was fine. Two days later, I began to hear a clicking sound when I accelerate, I called the guy again and he said it might be the brain box. I parked the car in the office and I called another mechanic to come and check it, he decided to take the car to the workshop. After we started the car, soon it would go off on its own. We managed to take it to his workshop and I left. The following day when I checked, I would say the guy has damaged the car the more. You could obviously hear the engine running now with heavy noise and smoke. The guy is now saying I may need to buy a new engine, I have used the car for just six months!

PLEASE I NEED HELP, WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH THE CAR?[/b]

Beey: No.13 Eeeeh? On behalf of my nation of Kenya,I send that evil prophecy back to sender in Jesus Name.Haba! Prophet or no prophet, some people seem to be deriving fun from our calamities. SHINDWE!!! Incase he's not aware,God now resides in Kenya.Yes,that's right.Because we Kenyans "abide under the shadow of the Almighty,no evil shall come near our dwelling."These prophets will not prophesy any good thing for once?It's always bad news.Kenya is the apple of God's eye.His watch over us is endless.We silence the voice of the enemy and declare that Jesus is Lord over Kenya & concerning our land,Jehovah alone has the final say , not man!!!

It is obvious you are not a Kenyan, you don't sound like one. Except that you are a Kenyan who has stayed outside Kenya all his life

fanex: This is an SLR McLean you idiots. one of the most exclusive and fastest automobile in the world.It's certainly not for the masses. You all run along and buy ur Honda. Illiterate clowns

You are just making noise, you don't even get the name right. It is SLR McLaren and not McLean as you wrote above. People are simply saying such car is not for ordinary Nigerians and you are calling people illiterates. Learn how to address the real issue and stop forming fake big boy.

The car is damn expensive. The price in the market is around $495,000. That is around 84,000,000NGN. How many Nigerian have that to spend on a car? Except politicians and government contractors

ojimbo: Are they jumping from pdp to apc just for the sake of nigeria or selfish interest? See how nigeria corruption have been exposed, God bless you mr president, may you live long life and prosperity. We nigerians are behind you, help us by sacking every corrupt one around you, nigerian leadership must be free from corruption, hit me like if you love nigeria as a country and the latest exposing development we are seeing

Which exposing development? Who has he exposed so far? See this dullard

rodeo0070: Why do you people talk like this? What about people who lacks such external support?

Bro, read and understand! I am not disputing him, I only said he shouldn't conclude she leaves entirely on that money.

henrimoto: you must be one of the riches uncles then! as rich as you are, will you allow any of you close relative to work in such an organisation ? let's show concern here.

You ain't making sense!

pappilo: $100 for 24 days work! And some people will come on nairaland and tell us no one in Nigeria lives on $1 a day. That its all western propaganda. If you subtract the lady's monthly transport fare, She's living on barely $2 a day... It is so unfortunate.

Don't make such conclusion bro, that is what she earns and not what she leaves on. She has a husband, rich uncles and siblings who probably support her.

Back to topic, the woman needs to use everything she has to get justice.

mankand: And Obasanjo's name is not here?

What about Tinubu? Jonathan?

The list is not credible enough

May be they have not been discovered yet

The World Bank has released list of Nigerian looters, Below is how it was stated on news2onlinenigeria:
Fellow Nigerians, Find bellow the reasons why Nigeria is in the situation it is in, Lacks all infrastructures. Pass this on to the people you know. This need not be let to rest. These men are selfish and for all I care they were trusted by all Nigerians to lead us rather they robbed us blind.
See Nigeria o o o.

LOOTED MONEY DISCOVERED IN FOREIGN BANKS

NAMES OF DEPOSITORS LONDON
SWISS($)
USA ($). GERMANY (D)

GEN IBRAHIM BABANGIDA 6.25bn
7.41bn
2.00bn 9.00bn

GEN ABUBAKAR 1.31bn
2.33bn
800M

REAR ADMIRAL MIKE AKHIGBE 1.24bn
2.42bn
671M 1bn

GEN JERRY USENI 3.04bn
2.01bn
1.01bn 900M

ALH ISMAILA GWARZO 1.03bn
2.00bn
1.3bn 700M

ALH UMARU DIKKO 4.5bn
1.4bn
700M 345M

PAUL OGWUMA 300M
1.42bn
200M 500M
GEN SANI ABACHA 9.01bn
4.09bn
800M 3.01M

MOHAMMED ABACHA 300M
1.2bn
150M 535M

ABDULKADIR ABACHA 700M
1.21bn
900M 471M

ALHAJI WADA NAS 600M
1.32bn
300M

TOM IKIMI 400M
1.39bn 152M 371M

DAN ETETE 1.12bn
1.03bn
400M 1.72bn

DON ETIBET 2.5bn
1.06bn
700M 361M

MAJ AL MUSTAPHA 600M
1.001bn
210M

ANTHONY ANI 2.9bn
1.09bn
360M 1.66bn

BASHIR DALHATU 2.3bn
1.001bn
161M 1.43bn

GEN WUSHISHI 700M
1.301bn
ALH HASSAN ADAMU 300M
200M
700M

T Y DANJUMA
300M
200M
700M

GEN ISHAYA BAMAYI 120M
800M

http://www.primevibes.net/2013/12/21/gist-world-bank-releases-list-of-nigerian-looters-with-billions-in-foreign-banks-see-full-list/

An eye witness account - obviously they never came to rob the banks, if not, they would not have come that late; around 6pm. They went into the police station at owode and rescued someone. I was told that police shot one of them while trying to escape with the rescued fellow and this made the robbers to shoot people recklessly even the road users in their cars. So many people were killed in the process

fijiano202: Firstly OP am really sorry for my insultive words,May God forgive us all,Secondly @jenmaucy am not trying to oppose ur belief but Mary was only refered to as Blessed during the pregnancy of Christ,immediately after Christ Birth she was called blessed Mary again,after Jesus birth mary was less significant in the bible,the main reason she was refer to as blessed was because she was chosen to carry Jesus outta million Lady,check ur bible to confirm that.Thirdly why do catholic refer to marry as mother of God when we clearly know Jesus is not God,even Jesus recognize God in heaven as his father ,check john 3:16 and the lords prayer.Fourthly do you know calling Mary as mother of God is blasphemy? am awaiting ur response

...the word was made flesh and dwell among us...God is the word....God(the word) came to the world through Mary...Mary is the mother of God...All generations shall call her blessed(may be you are not part of the generations)...We honour marry and worship God the father, the son and the holy spirit. Case closed

DICKtator: good

what of an I.T. Auditor?

CISA,CEH,CCNP,CCNA qualified?

CISA,CEH are security certifications while CCNA, CCNP(same but different levels) are networking certifications

taharqa: NO, @otokx: am not insulting you, guy; am just calling it as it is. You are reali an OLODO and an IGNORAMUS. For instance, Nigeria's NonOil Exports wud actuali be bw $8-$10billion this year (compared to about $3billion for the last 2years and about $1billion or less just some few years ago). As a mata of fact, d data suggests that Nigeria is clearly on a path of finally Diversifying its Economy. In same vein, Inflation RATE has actuali decreased significantly from more than 12% yr-on-yr sometime last year to Single digit 7.8 in October this year (in fact, d Inflation Rate has basically been in d Single digit this year- a rare and a very very significant development). On Exchange Rate, yes d Naira has declined by about 2% so far this year against d Dollar, but still it is still one of d 'better' performing in d world, esp amongst d large Developing Economies (like Russia, India, Brazil, etc) where uncertainties in d global Economy particularly d temporary flight of international capital due to d expected quantitative easing earlier planned by d US Treasury. The CBN has been trying to keep d Exchange Rates relatively stable within its budgeted targeted range of #155(+/- #3); and they are largely succeeding in doing just that.... Your Assumptions, that formed d basis of yr Rants, are therefore wrong (or largely so except d dip in Oil sales). In other words, yr 'facts' are Wrong. So you see @otokx, when I call you an IGNORAMUS, am not actually insulting you; I just am saying it as it is...

Bros, You are the real Olodo! You claim that our non-oil exports is 3 times bigger, yet the Dollar is getting stronger against Naira by the day. All those things you talked about are in the paper, manipulated to deceive people! We don't need anybody to tell us when the economy improves, the result will be seen in the faces of Nigerians. Keep you lies to yourself!

299: .....bla bla bla. Exactly what i've come to expect from a rabid dogg like you. We are looking for ANY solution to your psychologycal impairement and mental retardation cos you're gradually turning to the most gracious idiott on nairaland.

You are no better bro! Show us that you are a man and more matured by ignoring her

Sunny_bobo: And you had to wait till you are 70?

Typical of his people though.

At least, he said it! We still have many around who were part of the shoddy deal but never said anything about it.

Twenty-seven years after the brutal murder by a parcel bomb of the journalist Dele Giwa, the fog surrounding those behind his death has been substantially cleared by 70-year-old Major Debo Basorun (retd.), former Chief Press Secretary to ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida. In an interview published this morning in National Mirror, Basorun was asked: “Are you saying categorically that it was Babangida who ordered the killing of Dele Giwa?” His answer: “Yes, yes and yes.”
The septuagenarian had yesterday broken down in tears as he recalled Giwa’s dastardly murder during the launch in Lagos of his book, ‘Honour for Sale: An Inside Account of the Murder of Dele Giwa’.
In the explosive interview, Basorun also accused his erstwhile boss of bringing corruption to the highest level in the country and of committing a lot of atrocities. Please read on:
Question: What informed your decision to write a book about some salient events in the nation’s history?

Immediately I left this country for exile in United States of America in 1989, I gathered all the materials for the book. I started making jottings on long hand. By 1994 the book was ready and the transcript was given to Prof. Wole Soyinka during the NADECO struggles. But for one reason or the other, I could not put it through

Why did you go on exile?

I had to run when my life was in danger. I was then the Chief Press Secretary to General Ibrahim Babangida, the former Head of State. Since I know some facts surrounding the death of Dele Giwa, the government was uncomfortable with me, therefore they were looking for how to eliminate me.
Babangida’s government was involved in the planning and assassination of Dele Giwa. And because I was privy to that information, the government was unhappy, unsettled; it was jittery and wanted to get rid of me. It suspected that I could say the truth. When I saw the handwriting on the wall and between life and death, I ran for my life. I had to escape from the country after I took them to court. I was the only principal officer serving that will take the government to court.
Despite several injunctions, at the Lagos High Court, the military government then just refused to come to the court to present their side of the story. The court said they should leave me alone, but they were hunting for me everywhere and since my life was no longer safe, I had to leave.

What are the salient facts that you have in your custody that made you think the government was looking for you?

These facts are hidden in the book and if you get a copy, you will see the intrigue that was woven round the killing of Dele Giwa. You will see the role certain characters played in the murder. I was even induced with money, but I refused, that was the time I had to run away. Now I believe it is better to state the fact the way it was no matter whose ox is gored. It is better to run away than to collect money from the devil.

Are you saying categorically that it was Babangida who ordered the killing of Dele Giwa?

Yes, yes and yes.

What about the involvement of Cols. Haliru Akilu and A. K. Togun?

Yes, these guys were in the military intelligence. They were all involved. If there is any dirty job to be done, the military intelligence would do it. I am a dramatic personae in that unit, therefore there is nothing they are doing that I would not know. The bitter truth is that Dele Giwa was killed by the Babangida regime. The whole thing was surrounded by mystery of our government. It is unfortunate that nobody has been brought to book.

Are you not afraid of your life now that all those you implicated in your book are still alive?

Dele Giwa and the letter bomb
Dele Giwa and the letter bomb

That was then that I used to fear, I am old enough to die now. That is the reason why I wrote this book, ‘Honour for Sale’. If eventually it leads to my death, I have no regrets. Why did they tag you a rebel while in the army, especially on the issue of a strong memo you wrote to your superior officer. What happened then?
That was when I was in the army. The issue that forced me out into exile was that Babangida was the President. There were two different scenarios here. One of the things that endeared Babangida to so many troops was his sense of fairness and sense of accommodating, no matter where you come from. After I became his spokesperson in the army, I realised that most of our gadgets in the army had inscriptions written on them in Arabic.
Despite the fact that I was a Muslim, I found it offensive that English was our lingua franca and that those things ought to have been written in English. I raised a memo and sent to him. He did not want to act on it, when Akilu, who was the Director of Military Intelligence got wind of it, he was bitter with me. He called me all sorts of names and came to accuse me for initiating such a memo.
Was there any sinister move from Akilu over what you did?

He was just harassing me, but Babangida shielded me, and told me that I should lie low. There was a time he told me that I should not mind him. I was doing a good job and the image of the army, which had been battered, was being restored gradually.

Don’t you think that the society will blame you for concealing such information you are divulging now for many years?

No; they will not, against the backdrop of what went wrong then. I knew why I went to court and refused to be posted to where they can kill me. There was a precedent, they have killed people in that unit before and nothing happened, therefore I didn’t want to be killed. If I did not have my facts, I will not go to court. That was why they muzzled everybody including the court. They were very powerful and there was nothing they could not do.

Was that the reason why all the cases of glaring assassinations the country have been witnessing after the killing of Dele Giwa cannot be traced?

It is only now that the police investigate cases of assassination and other organised crimes. Those days, the police cannot investigate anything. In fact, during the time of Babangida, the police was just a toothless bull dog. They were just there at the beck and call of the powers that be, then and there was nothing the rank and file could do.

Is it true that the IBB you know can do anything to bribe his way out of any situation?

I can tell you authoritatively that Babangida was a corrupt man. He was very corrupt. Several times, I had collected bribe for him. I am not claiming to be a saint, because I was a part of that government.
It is ‘obey the last order’ in the military. I know bribery is not good, but it was a military assignment that you must carry out; it is a duty that you must do. If the society wants to blame me for that, I will take up the blame. IBB introduced a new dimension to corruption in Nigeria on a large scale.

Recently the same IBB came out to condemn corruption in the country, how do you react to that?

It is very unfortunate that he, who took corruption to the highest level, could do so. Every Head of State in this country, apart from Muritala Mohammed and Muhammadu Buhari, were all corrupt.
The idea behind the book is just to call on Nigerians that they should not allow impunity to continue, enough is enough. After Dele Giwa, a lot of people, including journalists have been killed by the powers that be, yet nobody has unravelled the killings. What that is telling us is that the media is not doing enough to come out with such investigative stories, one day nobody knows who could come next as their target.
That is the challenge I pose to them now; let them come and kill me. I no longer fear for my life. I am old enough to die now if that is the sacrifice to pay for telling the truth and exposing all the hidden facts in our past brutal political history. I don’t want to go to my grave with this heavy load on my chest, today I have children and grandchildren, so if death comes now, I have left a legacy for the next generation to ponder on. They offered me money to keep quiet, but I refused, knowing full well that a day like this will come.
In 2010, Babangida wanted to use the Chief of Army Staff as they came up with spurious charge that cannot withstand the test of time against me that I stole money in the army. I took them to court, but they could not defend it.
After that all other Chiefs of Army Staff who had sat on that chair realised that the issue was a political one and decided not to dabble into it. They did not want to dabble into it for the fear that a day like this may come where all the hidden facts will be in the open. They did all that could be done to rubbish my image and harass me publicly but it all failed.
Was there any specific attempt on your life in the course of this crisis?
When I was in exile, Babangida wanted to eliminate me, but all his attempts failed. He used the Nigerian Embassy in America to prosecute all these atrocities, he even got in touch with some corrupt US agencies to do the shady deal for him, but all failed. I was forced to go to court there before I was vindicated. Babangida was afraid of this day, when all his misdeeds of the past would be laid bare in the open to the public through my book.

As an insider, do you believe that there were few cabals that were controlling the destiny of this country?

Yes, Babangida is one of them. Let me tell you the bitter truth: all those who have been controlling the political power of this country are few cliques who are re-cycling themselves, either military or civilian. Most of them are in government by proxy; all their agents are in government.
Let me give you an example, there are some people, who were with me in Dodan Barracks and who are still in the present government. For us to move forward, let all the old brigade hands off, including myself. Let the young people take over the reins of power and run it. With all these dead woods around, former this and former that, we are not going to get anywhere.

Would you say we need revolution to make things right?

Revolution is the last resort. Yes things are not going as it ought to go, but Nigerians can endure a lot, however there is limit to human endurance. When Nigerians are pressed to the wall, revolution will come naturally. The handwriting is clearly on the wall.

http://mojidanisa2.com/2013/11/26/truth-truth-at-last-yes-babangida-killed-dele-giwa-major-debo-basorun-rtd-ibbs-former-cps-breaks-silence/

Honeywell wheat meal na correct wakis

payless: Ogun is the next big thing in Nigeria. South-west is on the up side.

Only if crooks did not return to power

This morning more than 30 trucks filled with 5-cent coins arrived at Apple’s headquarters in California. Initially, the security company that protects the facility said the trucks were in the wrong place, but minutes later, Tim Cook (Apple CEO) received a call from Samsung CEO explaining that they will pay $1 billion dollars for the fine recently ruled against the South Korean company in this way.

The funny part is that the signed document does not specify a single payment method, so Samsung is entitled to send the creators of the iPhone their billion dollars in the way they deem best.
This dirty but genius geek troll play is a new headache to Apple executives as they will need to put in long hours counting all that money, to check if it is all there and to try to deposit it crossing fingers to hope a bank will accept all the coins.
Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, told the media that his company is not going to be intimidated by a group of “geeks with style” and that if they want to play dirty, they also know how to do it.


Read more: http://news-hound.net/samsung-pays-apple-1-billion-sending-30-trucks-full-of-5-cent-coins/#ixzz2lAgPyqfF

Why this time? At a time when all leagues are on international break

Psalmuelh2o: What is nice abt this? Fashola is just doing rubbish,he banned okadas without making provision for them,these things ar having negative effect on the masses,8hrs for what? #rubbish concept #stupid idea.leave dem alone if dey can work 4 24hrs its none of his biz,let dem b registered #dats all.which danfo go con dey carry us go house? #oshi goverment #cant wait to cast my vote for any other party come 2015,we've had enuf of AD/AC/ACN/APC in lagos state, we nid a change.

You may have your ponit, but your vote won't change nothing Mr. PDP E-dog

Afam4eva: 'Like' this post if you think Shalke will kill Chelsea who were bloodied by Newcastle.

Where were you when Chelsea trashed them on their own soil in the first leg?

In February of 1967, a 1953 Triumph Tiger 100 motorcycle was stolen from a man’s backyard in Omaha, Nebraska. More than 45 years later, that same bike was found by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at a Los Angeles port.

The bike had been on its way to Yokohama, Japan when authorities from Customs decided to take a closer look, the Orange County Register reported. Upon seeing that bike’s vehicle identification number (VIN) matched a bike that was reported stolen way back when, agents seized the bike.

The bike, estimated to be worth around $9,000, was then sent to California Highway Patrol who tracked down the owner, now 72 and still living in Nebraska.

http://blog./bizarre-motorcycle-stolen-in-1967-is-found-in-2013/

Fola Ojo, presently living in Milwaukee, United States of America tells his experience when came to Nigeria in February, 2012 and flew the ill-fated Associated Airlines plane from Ibadan to Abuja.

Read his narration below:

It was in February, 2012. A Revival in Port-Harcourt and a quick visit to two friends of mine in Abuja surged me to journey home. In twenty-four years I had not seen Tony Akhiotu, now Managing Director, DAAR Communication. Nothing of course would be wrong to say hello to him as he was expecting me. The Adebayos too, (Wole & Anita) extended to me a warm invite to visit their place. The choice was no longer mine; I had to see my friends in the capital of Nigeria, that’s what friends are for. A table had been prepared before me in the presence of my friends.

Each time I travel to Nigeria, I just have to stay at least two nights in my place of birth. It’s a covenant of sort with Ibadan that I will not break. Everything seemed set in place for this, and I was looking forward to a refreshing time in Abuja. flying out of Ibadan was a deserving beat of the crazy Lagos traffic I would have run into if I were to fly out of MMA2, and driving down the treacherous death-trap called Ibadan-Lagos express way to catch a flight in Lagos was not what I looked forward to.

Cordelia Ekwueme, a minister in my church in Milwaukee who had just relocated to Nigeria was just beginning to revamp and run the run-down Associated Airline as the new Managing Director. A handful of Airlines fly out of Ibadan to Abuja, Cordelia told me, and one of them was Associated Airline that she had just begun to manage. I didn’t have to pray to jump on the offer to fly Associated as a VIP. It was a sweet offer.

At the airport I checked in my lone bag, passed through security check and headed straight for the gate, and I saw the plane. It looked like an abandoned piece of scrap metals fit for the junk yard. It was a kind of flying chariot of iron ready to take Elijah to heaven. But I am not Elijah, and not ready to go! If your nostrils are so designed, you could smell death. My heart started beating, but I am a man of God.

Crowning the aircraft were some rickety, rusty propellers swinging like a 1959 ceiling fan we had in our parlor in Ibadan growing up. I hated that fan, and I hated these propellers too. They looked like they had teeth that were set to bite life out of anything that had life. I hesitated on boarding, but one of the luggage boys who noticed the behaviour smiled and said to me; “it’s a good plane sir”. I was not actually looking for a good plane; I just wanted a safe one. This plane did not look safe.

We were ushered in and I took my seat on seat 1, I don’t remember if it was 1A or B, but it was to the left of the aircraft and almost directly behind the pilot who definitely was a Nigerian. All the seats were just a little big bigger than my sons’ car-seats when they were babies. I relaxed, because I had to. It was too late to change my mind. I knew I would land somewhere, either in Abuja or in Abraham’s bosom. I was not prepared for the latter.

Then the noise! It was both deafening and disruptive. It seemed as if the propellers and the aircraft engine were in a competition to determine which was loudest- a combination of rattling, cranking, and booming noise. I thought about my children, my wife, my church, and the Pounded Yam with Efo Riro waiting for me on Anita Adebayo’s table in Abuja. The hunger and the salivation quickly disappeared.

Then the plane attempted taking off, just like a reluctant child who doesn’t want to go to school when you wake him up early in the morning. That was the mechanical attitude of this plane. The baby didn’t want to go to school, but the Daddy (pilot) forced him to. In seconds, however, with the accompanying noise, the baby lifted up.

I tried looking around and all the passengers had closed their eyes. Why? I didn’t have anyone to ask, I just closed mine too. The noise, and the tilting, and the swerving of the plane mid-air made me sleepless. People might have closed their eyes, I am sure they were not asleep. Nobody could sleep with that kind of noise, not with that kind of “break-dancing” in the air. I grabbed a newspaper and pretended to be reading. The contents on the pages of the newspaper, in my mind, switched between looking blank and looking like they were written in Chinese, as I watched the time slowly ticking by. Then the pilot announced we would be landing in Abuja shortly. I muttered to myself; “I would never come to Nigeria again”. Far-fetched? Yes, but that was how I felt. Then we landed, and it was smooth. I applauded the pilot.

After my experience, I reported to my sister Cordelia who wanted to know how the flight was. I didn’t hold back. I heard that the she had ordered the plane grounded until the problems were addressed. But problems are not addressed in Nigeria; they are dressed up as angels of light. And my sister, just coming from America after over 30 years sojourn, didn’t know that. She was learning how to live in Nigeria. What doesn’t work in Nigeria is never grounded, it is exalted. The working stuff, working idea, working technocrats, working policies, working people, working teams are grounded. My Friends, that was the same plane that crashed in Lagos on Thursday!

*omg!….this airplane was just waiting to crash!
http://www.ynaija.com/associatedairlinescrash-my-experience-with-the-crashed-associated-airlines-plane-fola-ojo/

¶2. (C) Summary Cont’d: Although an undiluted success in terms of wealth accumulation,
Dangote personifies the duality in Nigeria’s economy. This duality
presents a dilemma for US economic policy. On one hand, Dangote imports
significant amounts of US produce and equipment for his manufacturing
ventures. On the other, he has had success blocking trade and investment
that might compete with his enterprises. Weighing everything in
the balance, we believe the Dangote model is harmful to Nigerian and
American interests in the long run. Unfortunately, the Dangote model
will likely be the one most emulated until its beggar-thy-countrymen
contradictions become more apparent. End summary.
Nigeria, Where Crime Is Revered: Jonathan Gave GCON To Nigeria’s Top Cabal Crook

To add insult to the injury Nigerian’s bear from this dangerous grand crook, on 14th November, 2011, president Goodluck Jonathan awarded his sponsor and puppet master, Dangote the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), the nation’s second highest award, previously the exclusive preserve of Vice Presidents, Senate Presidents and Chief Justices of Nigeria.
GCON: Nigeria where crime is rewarded

GCON: Nigeria where crime is rewarded

The more Nigerians boycott Dangote goods, the better their hope of forcing changes for their survival. Ultimately only a revolution or a decent government he is not in bed with can bring him to book. Right now, he owns and controls president Jonathan like his puppy.

Read: Dr. Damages interviews Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke: He is a very dangerous man…they allowed Dangote Cement, an unquoted company, to merge with Benue Cement Company. Something that is unheard of. And with that merger, that man now has 51% of Nigeria’s total market capitalization. No serious government anywhere in the world will leave its economy in the hands of one man. It is very dangerous. …the Federal government lost N25 billion in the Dangote Cement merger with Benue Cement. Dangote pocketed N20 billion…

A reader’s comment of note:

Kudos to newsrescue for being brave and honest enough to expose this. Other newspapers are afraid of this thief or seeking his favor. why should i pay DOUBLE to build my house because a greedy man like this who government has criminally disproportionately advantaged, wants todeclare DOUBLE profit for his fellow cabal and foreign investors!!! God bless

Deadly Boko Haram, which Dangote has said is not Nigeria’s major problem (he proposes infrastructure building which he owns as the major issue), and tribalism keep Nigerians distracted, not noticing their country is being transferred to this Cabal.

To protect the image he gets in the press, you will see his sponsored ads on almost all Nigerian newspapers and popular blogs. Look out for the emblem that lets you know Aliko beggar-thy-countrymen Dangote runs what you read:

Immunity from criticism of the press bought by paid sponsored adsdangote cement

CREDITS: Article by Mustapha Johnson, Hamza Suleiman and Newsrescue Staff

Back-off Cement or face the Consequences, Dangote tells Yar’Adua

A fresh offensive to bring down the price of cement has already hit a snag as the powerful cement cartel led by billionaire business magnate, Alhaji Aliko Dangote are digging trenches ahead of what promises to be an imminent showdown with President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua over a planned move to grant more cement import licenses to importers outside the main industry cartel.
Late Yar’Adua

Late Yar’Adua Tried

Sources at the Presidency told Huhuonline.com that whereas President Yar’adua wants to force down the price of cement to at least N1000 per bag, Dangote remains hell-bent on keeping the price at its current average level of N2000 per bag, in order to continue reaping the astronomical profits he has been earning because of his oligopolistic status within the sector.
“If the government grants licenses to people to import cement, we’ll close down our factories and lay-off workers; and when that happens, the domestic production capacity will reduce drastically; supply will still not match demand and the prices will even sky-rocket further. My advice is that the president should back-off the cement industry or face the consequences”, Dangote was quoted as warning Yar’adua by an industry source who elected anonymity…..

“It is amazing how a shriveled conscience like Dangote can be allowed to inflict so much pain on other Nigerians,” the source told Huhuonline.com, adding: “President Yar’Adua is greatly concerned that the cement cartel is frustrating his efforts to enable more Nigerians own houses by keeping the price of cement above the reach of many citizens. He has therefore begun a process of dismantling the cartel as he did in the downstream sector of the oil industry to curb the excesses of fuel marketers and nothing; not even Dangote will stop the President.”Hulu; 7 July 2009

beggar-thy-countrymen-dangoteUnfortunately death stopped Yar’Adua. Hopefully he wasn’t poisoned.

One must commend the Jonathan administration for being able to force a tiny reduction in sale price on assumption of power in respect to this ungratefulness and criminal exploitation and profiteering on the backs of the Nigerian masses. Jonathan forced the cement manufacturers to reduce the cost. Cement now sells in Nigeria for N1650-1800/bag. That is about $10-11/bag. Our article, Paying Double The World Price: Dangote Cements Nigerians In Poverty details how this is still twice the global average for the same size product. A writer online reacted to this, proposing that the fact that the Dangote company declares “outrageous” profits indicated the exorbitant sale price of his cement was not related to the cost of production, which includes electricity generation, but set out of sheer wickedness and greed.

Ibeto Cement confirms that cement should sell for N800 a bag at the most with all production costs and government advantages given to Dangote considered.

AllAfrica: Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) are to reap a double for the year ended December 31, 2011, as the company has recommended the payment of cash dividend and bonus issue. [Selling at double reaps double. His exploitative rate is not due to the cost of power generation, etc.]

The Jonathan administration continues the Dangote favoritism, continuing to destroy all other cement competitors, to ensure Dangote maintains his exploitative monopoly. According to the Punch,

Cement price still defies laws of demand and supply: March 21, 2013 by Samuel Awoyinfa, Nigerian Punch

“Sometime in June, 2012, Ibeto Cement had to seek a legal option to retain its import license when the FG tried to stop it.The latter’s action was said to be based on advice allegedly offered by local manufacturers (Guess who?). Reacting to this trend, the chairman of New Entrants into Cement Production, Mr. David Iweta, says there is a need for the local manufacturers to review their prices downwards, since there are many variables that work in their favour, which the importers of the commodity do not enjoy….”

Iweta sees no reason why a bag of 50kg bag of cement should be sold above N800, since local manufacturers are using lime stones, which are sourced locally, as raw materials. Besides, he notes that labour is available and cheap. He says, “I believe it is exploitation for Nigerians to pay above N800 for a 50kg bag of cement as retail price. Let them reduce it to N700 and see how the commodity will disappear from the market.”

Also, Iweta does not see wisdom in selling imported and locally produced cement at the same price. According to him, an importer pays $100 on cost and freight per metric tonne of cement. He says the locally produced cement should be cheaper than the imported variety because the latter attracts duty and 35 per cent levy, which is another $35 per tonne.

“The local manufacturers do not pay these levies. So, their prices should be cheaper. Imported cement sells within the same price range as the locally-produced ones. This should not be,” Iweta stresses. Read full on Punch

The Same Plan Again With Tokunbo Cars

FIGHT-THE-CABALNigeria’s government again decided to punish the masses by creating similar advantages and frustrations for its people while favoring the cabal. The plan to ban the importation of Tokunbo cars was eagerly announced after the Minister of Industry who is eager to stamp his name on the sands of time; after many meetings with the cabal and car manufacturers, planned to once again frustrate all car dealers, a 320,000 Nigerians employing industry, out of business, in favor of the hand full of cabal who intend to usurp this industry and extort the masses.

It is a trade-off, manufacturing for exploitation and enslavement of the masses to the cabal, who will sell worse or same products at the highest prices worldwide.

NewsRescue sources have described unbelievable lobbying that has been going on in Nigeria ahead of this announcement of a proposed ban. The plan that has been on the table with dealers like Coscharis Group Motors, Elizade motors and others who have been lobbying strongly, is for them to work with foreign car companies and bring them to assemble and manufacture in Nigeria. However as is with the Nigerian system as exemplified by the Dangote cement model, these cabal will manufacture and sell these cars of select choices and forced on Nigerians for whatever price they wish. And the people will first be punished to support the cabal company stock and assure them of government favor, before any cars are even produced.
Dangote Is The Cabal Archetype Behind Nigeria’s Suffering, Bad Government, Corruption and Poverty

nigeria-to-cabalThis man, who has risen to global wealth status epitomizes Nigeria’s biggest problems. He is the head of the cabal behind Nigeria’s biggest political party, the PDP. He chooses and sponsors the presidential candidates who can help him totally exploit the nation. As the cable report stated, his aim is to take over control of all Nigeria’s oil, gas and other resources.

With his government favoritism, he collapses all competition and small businesses in Nigeria and establishes himself as the sole importer or manufacturer.

One wonders if when Nigeria begins its touted exportation, Dangote will sell his $hit abroad for $13.00, that’s the $11 he sells it to Nigerians plus export costs. He’ll probably export it for $2/bag!

Nigerians are grateful that he employs them (slaves) to labor in his companies, they fail to realize that he can not employ animals or use machines to work his industries that make the product he uses in Nigerian markets to rip them off of their future. See: SaharaReporters-No To Slave Labour At Dangote’s Savannah Sugar Company

As a best analogy, Dangote is just like the European colonialist. He imposes governments, steals resource and labor, and ‘employs’ a slave labor for self enrichment in the same model they ran the sugar plantations in Africa. Thanking him for his industries and jobs is just like revering the White man for the employment of slavery. Like a parasite, he needs Nigeria, his host. He did not invest his money in Nigeria, the system Obasanjo and others run through him is a Nigeria based corporate siphon and exploitation by assuming the role of the government.
Obasanjo Even Hurriedly Auctioned Nigeria’s Refineries To Dangote: Luckily Yar’Adua Reserved It -Leadership

Before his hurried exit from the presidency following the humiliation of the aborted term elongation, former president Obasanjo auctioned Nigeria’s most prized national assets, the Warri and Kaduna refineries to Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola. It took the rare courage of late President Musa Yar’Adua to listen to the national outrage trailing the auction and reverse it. -Read more on Leadership ; President Yar’adua, Reverses The Sales Of African Petroleum In National Interest -Gamji

The lack of maintenance of Nigeria’s national assets is not unlinked to the commitment to selling them to, and replacing them by the Cabal, of which Dangote is chief front-man.

A few challenge him to make his money and take his products to compete in normal markets and countries.

We earlier wrote that it can be predicted that when Dangote’s refinery is operational, Nigerians will pay double the price for petroleum products. The removal of the government oil subsidy January 2012, is very much related to the preparation of the pathway to the Dangote refinery. This removal by Jonathan helped boost the worth of Dangote’s refinery stock and helps him get loans to invest in the project. It is the same Obasanjo method of crippling the government ability and crippling the masses to make Dangote. Related: AP Shareholders To Petition London Stock Exchange over Dangote

Nigerians are also happy with his pennies in charity which help him get tax breaks as is done by all other big companies. Nigerian breweries for instance sponsors shows all over Nigeria all year round, not because they love to party, but as donations to reduce their levied tax.

SaharaReporters: Aliko Dangote Is A Criminal

the cabal thiefWhat he passes as entrepreneurial practices are brigandage and piracy personified. A few years ago, when someone I know attempted to import corned beef into Nigeria from Botswana for distribution, he couldn’t on the grounds that it was on the prohibited list. When I nosed around, I ascertained that this same criminal, Aliko Dangote imports into Nigeria and distributes all manner of corned beef from Argentina, Brazil and Australia. His shenanigan over cement stinks to high heavens. … after I discerned that every iota of cement that comes into Nigeria was through Aliko Dangote. …that the decision made in high quarters is that every cement importation must be left in the hands of manufacturers. Who else constitutes cement manufacturers in Nigeria? Aliko Dangote, the criminal. Closer investigation that I conducted clearly revealed that this Aliko Dangote has exclusive access, use and control of the Onne wharf in Port Harcourt… that anyone, be the one from the customs, or any other state establishment that tries to venture close to that wharf will receive the lashing of his or her life from the goons that man the place for Aliko Dangote. It’s right through Onne that he imports and exports whatever he wants. Read full

The current biggest enemy and obstacle to Nigeria’s development and democracy is the cabal, and the one man at the head of this small group is Dangote who is successfully turning Nigerians into beggars, as the US regards it.

It is commonly said in Dangote’s Kano, with its 1.5 million Almajiri (beggars) that “dog is more loved in Kano than Dangote.”

dangote-cements

Summarizing, a US wikileak cable put it thus:

¶1. (C) Summary. Alhaji Aliko Dangote (Dangote) is Nigeria’s most well known
businessperson and may be its wealthiest citizen. He has taken on
the aura of an economic folk hero for some, villain for others.
To supporters, he symbolizes that Nigeria can do more than barter and
trade. It can succeed in manufacturing. To detractors, he is
a predator using connections in a corrupt political economy to tilt
the playing field in his favor and sideline potential competition.
The truth resides somewhere between these caricatures.
Dangote is counted among President Obasanjo’s inner circle of business
advisors. It is no coincidence that many products on Nigeria’s import
ban lists are items in which Dangote has major interests.

¶16. (C) Dangote’s tremendous popularity and acceptance is not likely to diminish. The average Nigerian considers him, and more importantly, his way of doing business, a model to be emulated. The fact is, however, the myriad preferences the GON has bestowed on the Dangote Group have distorted the market in ways that do more harm than good over the long haul. However, the Nigerian Government rarely takes a long-term perspective into account. The GON-Dangote relationship has been, at minimal, very chummy and mutually accommodating. Critics of this relationship would state that it smacks of insider trading.
Dangote does not epitomize the free market at work in Nigeria.What his story reveals is that he is one of the few free-wheeling actors in a relatively and artificially closed economic environment.
To Be A Dangote

The undue and corrupt mutually beneficial advantage given by all Nigeria’s administrations, both military and civilian are the “secret” to Dangote’s success. Dangote kills Nigerians with economic terrorism. Fixing Nigeria starts with holding him and those who have impoverished the nation to his and their advantage to account. Since the 70′s Dangote has enjoyed sole importation and manufacture privileges that have killed and crippled all Nigeria’s indigenous industries including farming.

A blogger in 2003 expressed on the NigeriaVillageSquare:

“Aliko Dangote, at the age of 21 in 1977 was given virtually the same privileges he’s got today by the military government of you guess who, Obasanjo. Here was a boy, who knew nothing about business and with no formal education, purportedly understudying his uncle, Sanusi Dantata, given the exclusive right to import cement into the country on behalf of a government involved in a spate of capital projects in those days, made possible by petrodollar. Now, does it need a genius to note that anyone given such a privilege would become an instant billionaire?”

The partnership between Dangote and Obasanjo is “occult.”
The Cabal: Dangote And Obasanjo

The Cabal: Dangote And Obasanjo; the two men own over half of Nigeria by their private and government corrupt collaboration

Again The Cabal, Dangote and a Nigerian we have analysed to be the chief terror mastermind, Aliyu Gusau, ensured they returned Obasanjo to power in 1999 to satisfy their personal interests. Gusau believed Obasanjo will handover the country to him at the end of his tenures, as he illustrated in his constant whining to the US diplomats, and Dangote sponsored the bid with the assurance of usurping the entire wealth of the nation. See: Nigeria’s Terror: Between Die-to-rule spymaster Gusau and Beggar-thy-countrymen Dangote

Related: NewsRescue- General Aliyu Mohammed “Die-to-rule” Gusau Exposed As Top Boko Haram Sponsor

Of installing Obasanjo and later on, the Yar’Adua administration, wikileaks reported the US as describing:
Dangote and Transcorp Buys the Presidency – Cables
Dangote and OBJ Impose A Dying Yar’Adua And Jonathan on Nigeria

Dangote and OBJ Plant Dying Yar’Adua And Jonathan on Nigeria

¶4.(S) Aliyu Mohammed, saying he was quoting Yar’Adua directly, said that Obasanjo
had “ordered” the Katsina governor to contest for the Presidency. When Yar’Adua
objected that the state of his health precluded it, Obasanjo countered that “God
will cure you,” and undertook to cover all medical expenses. When Yar’Adua said
he had no money, Obasanjo organized financial angels, all associated with Transcorp
and led by Northern millionaire Alhaji Aliko Dangote. This group is supplying the
Yar’Adua campaign with 45 jeeps (of which four are armored), a war chest of
5 billion naira, and a rented jet. (Aliyu Mohammed said that Dangote and the other
“Transcorp boys” seek a Yar’Adua presidency to facilitate their gaining control
over most of Nigeria’s oil and gas production.) Andy Uba, recently selected as
PDP gubernatorial candidate for Anambra state, has been a “special assistant” to
President Obasanjo; he has no independent power base of his own, and is
widely disliked because of his arrogance. Aliyu Mohammed went on to say that
the President had ordered the arrest of the chief of staff to Rivers State
Governor Peter Odili to warn the latter away from seeking the vice presidential
nomination himself.
7 years! The Ridiculous Cement Concessions By Obasanjo And the Resulting Exploitation of Nigerians

7 years is a Biblical term during which debts can be expunged, it is also the time limit for yet to be convicted crimes to be expunged in the US. 7 years is time enough to make or destroy a man or a nation. It is this length of time that the Obasanjo presidency gave Dangote to destroy all other cement companies in Nigeria and establish himself as Nigeria’s sole cement manufacturer.

The Guardian on 4/24/03 writes :

Dangote gets concessions for cement production

From Madu Onuorah, Abuja
THE Federal Government yesterday rolled out several incentives to an indigenous conglomerate, the Dangote Group, in its efforts to encourage Nigerians to invest locally. The business concession is to enable the company actualise an $850 million
project involving the establishment of cement production plants in three locations in Nigeria.

Minister of Transport, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, announced after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, yesterday that the incentives included the granting of pioneer status to the company in the area of cement production for seven years.

This means that within the period, no new cement plant will be established in the country. Other incentives include the granting of 2.5 per cent duty on all plants, machinery and quarry equipment, exemption from payment of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all plant, machinery and quarry equipment and the payment of only five per cent duty on construction materials not available within the country.

In its request to the council for establishment of the plants in Ogun, Kogi and Cross River states, the Dangote Group requested from the Federal Government the following investment palliatives;

pioneer status for 10 years; exemption of payment of duties on all plant, machinery and quarry equipment;

exemption of payment of VAT on all plant, machinery and quarry equipment; exemption of payment of duties on construction materials not locally available; massive road construction at sites of the plant by the Federal Government, and; permission to import five million metric tonnes of bulk cement at a maximum rate of five per cent duties.

The three plants located in Ibesha, Obagana and Odukpani, are expected to produce 4.3 million metric tonnes of cement yearly by the year 2005.

Maduekwe explained, “we are doing this to serve notice that this government is willing to support companies which are willing to vote (for the country) with their cheque books. They need to put their money in their country. This is a government that is encouraging the business class. We are ready to do it for other companies as we did to Dangote”.

The result of this undue and criminal advantage, was Dangote who had by then first bought cement companies in neighboring African countries, imported bulk cement into Nigeria with his 5% maximum duties and sold this cement at ridiculous prices to crumble and destroy all his competition. The government of Obasanjo also ensured he and he alone bought all available cement plants.

Kenn commented in 2003:

Did you know that Iyorchia Ayu lost his job as Minister of Industries for insisting that a more competent and qualified bidder takes over Benue Cement?

AllAfrica: Making the denial in an exclusive interview with THISDAY in Abuja at the weekend, Dr. Ayu said that rather, Dangote’s involvement in the purchase of BCC as core investor was political and not based on pure business interest.

I’m sure you’re aware that Dangote is the spirit behind the so-called “Corporate Nigeria” raising billions of naira for Obasanjo’s re-election. I’m sure you’re also aware that he was “the young Kano businessman” that parachuted the intimidating tonnes of Ghana-Must-Go into the PDP convention ground. He’s also rumoured to have backed all the PDP governorship aspirants in the South-West, including Bukola Saraki in Kwara. This is quite apart from the claim that he’s the linchpin of Babangida’s 2007 project – his specific brief being to create and facilitate support in the South-West for the Evil Genius. And, isn’t it conveniently coincidental that he’s getting this immediately after the Presidential elections? And, by the way, how does “permission to import five million metric tonnes of bulk cement at a maximum rate of five percent duties” (note that no one is taking minimum) help in the indigenous production of cement, even as we all know that the raw material abounds in our country?

There’s nothing wrong with national governments supporting indigenous private enterprise in order to improve competitive advantage, but check all the relevant and successful examples, from South Korea to Japan or China and one thing you see is that they’re usually directed at a group/industry; it’s never done for the benefit of a single individual. What is being done with Dangote in the name of promoting indigenous business is simply crass favouritism. To put it bluntly, he’s a front for those who’re using their political power to provide him these privileges. It is criminal, to say the least.
Dangote Repays Nigeria For Our Generosity By Then Selling Cement To Masses At Triple Global Price

The most important problem with all this is the result. If Dangote was appreciative and fearful enough of the sacrifice Nigeria, Nigerian businesses and the Nigerian government had given him, he would sell his cement, now that he has established himself as the top producer, at costs that are considerate. Not, Aliku Beggar-they-countrymen Dangote. Dangote rather ensured that he, supplying up to 90% of Nigeria’s cement, forced the price per bag up to N2900, about $17/bag. This is over three times the global average for the product.

Dying Yar’Adua tried to no avail to beg the evil Don Dangote to cut prices of cement down to N1000 per bag to allow growth. Dangote blackmailed Yar’Adua according to this report: