₦airaland Forum

Kilode?!

I spend most of my NL time in this section also. The jokes section if funny if you like that. I think the Romance section is funnier though
But for me, it's Politics/Foreign Affairs/Culture/Sports on NL

@Kilode?!

Oh thanks Bro I'll definitely go to the Romance section, I could do with some rib cracking laughs and Culture too.

ekt bear

It costs more to transport a container from Lagos to Abuja than from China to Lagos. If that doesn't reflect on how poor the transportation system in this country is, I dunno what does. As I've said earlier. . . in a certain sense, this means that Lagos is closer to China (and the rest of the world) than it is to Abuja.

Transportation in this country might be good by African standards, but that isn't good enough.

Regarding your latter point. . . Africa (and the rest of the developing world) as a whole is urbanizing. Urbanization is not a bad thing. And it doesn't make much sense to fight it.

@ekt bear

I acknowledge that our transportation system is not perfect let alone good but it does not mean that the costs have to be outlandish. The high costs of transporting a container from Lagos to Abuja is because of the inherent 'Naija' Egunje factor not 'normal' costs. Nigeria economic scene is 'abnormal' and does not usually follow the usual 'economic' norms and laws. You'll be surprised to know as I was informed by a good friend(Oyinbo) that somethings are cheaper in Onitsha and Nnewi than Lagos and Port Harcourt yet the later places are sea ports of entry. How do you explain that? I have also met some business men from Kinshasa(DRC) who regularly do business from those places and I begin to wonder what is wrong with the 'normal' laws of economics in the rest of the world. Nigeria is indeed a funny place to do business Only true 'economic cowboys' do business and survive it the Naija way. You have to learn a whole new 'economics' lessons besides certain fundamentals that are universal. That' s what makes Nigeria unique and very profitable for entrepreneurial renegades
Urbanisation may be increasing all around the world but is it really desirable and ok? Is it not as a result of bad planning, skewed economic development(Nigeria/colonial)?etc, I think we can do better with active future oriented planning/projections. Presently, we are not doing that like other places in the world e.g. Curitiba(Brazil), most Australian cities, Casablanca(Morocco) etc,  When I say de-centralise, I am actually envisaging a scenario where the large parastatals like NPA can be broken up between Lagos, Warri, Sapele, Calabar and some inland ports like Lokoja and Makurdi. Immigration and Customs & Excise can be broken up into small units and away from Abuja and Lagos to perhaps Ondo and Taraba states etc. It relieves unnecessary pressure on already congested colonially inspired cities. Our banks will have to think creatively and proactively too. Presently, they are lazy and engaging in mimicry and nothing inspiring or original for a developing environment like Nigeria. There are loads of reasons I am not pro heartless and soulless urbanisation. I know that the developing world has been caught in "urbanisation" drive, but we can do something before it actually descends like Sao Paolo(Brazil),Manila(Philipines) and Cairo(Egypt), Kingston(Jamaica). Believe me it's terrible for the majority of the inhabitants of such cities.

Kilode?!

^^ I've been around bro. Just on other threads. It's not easy to keep preaching those broad fundamental messages. But we have to keep at it for the sake of out people.
well done.

@Kilode?!

Thank you Bro Well, what else can we do? It's pretty difficult and interesting. Our forebears have done their bit.

Which other interesting treads are out there? I am not too good at exploring/navigating Nairaland etc. Perhaps I am stuck at the Politics/Economics  and Foreign Affairs sections. I enjoy reading some interesting opinions at times outlandish and funny too. Nigeria is Great indeed. . Sense of humour is very important hence I enjoy reading some funny comments. Do you have any sections/treads to recommend to me?

Jenifa

what i'm hoping for is for the president to build a good transportation system through all three regions in order to facilitate communication and exchange of goods and ideas. I think this is the key to integrating+uniting the three regions of the country. over time our differences will become more and more blurred.

@Jenifa
There are fairly good transportation system existing in Nigeria relative to other African countries. It's not perfect by no stretch of the imagination. The exchange of goods and services already exist without the government. Businesses already are venturing out. I'll wish for the government to decentralise by transferring some large government departments out of Abuja to different parts of the country. That action in itself will force Nigerians from different parts of the country to move about and partake of other cultures and perhaps help expand the economy beyond the city centres and what we have now.

odumchi

first and foremost I am am Igbo before a Nigerian.Since Igbos have not led the Republic of Nigeria since Azikiwe, we must lead in our own nation.
But as I have said, Nigeria must be led by an Igbo man in 2015 or else

@odumchi
How many ethnic nationalities exist in Nigeria? I believe there are over 250 ethnic nationalities and languages. If as you admit that an Igbo(Azikiwe) was once a president etc , Why then are you so hung-up about Igbo this Igbo that for president? What happens to the rest remaining ethnic nationalities who have never come close to the corridors of power? Are they not entitled or fit to become President or rule? I'll strongly suggest that you travel a little around Nigeria and perhaps you'll learn a thing or two about the country. You'll definitely benefit from a few interaction with your fellow countrymen and women. I am amazed that you'll wish for a bad or worse leader so long he or she is an Igbo. Your standards are very low indeed . No wonder the South East states like most other states in Nigeria, are not performing, if most political supporters base their choice solely on "tribe" . I wish you luck in your parochialism.

Kilode?!
Another brilliant post by my bro! You make it easier so some of us don't have to keep repeating ourselves. Well said!

@Kilode?!

Thanks my bro You flatter me and make me believe the hype How do you do? Long time I've not come across you here? What's up?

odumchi

Are you saying that there has not been an Igbo man fit to be president after 50 years? Every major ethnicity has produced a president but due to democracy, Igbo shall not lead?
Quo

@odumchi

How many democratically elected [/b]presidents have Nigeria produced in 50 years? I have not said that the Igbo shall not lead. Did I?

Why do you focus on just 'Igbo' and not [b]Good Quality and democratically[/b]elected president or leader?. Do you not believe in [b]quality [/b]instead of [b]ethnicity? Which do you prefer? Mediocrity or Achiever/Doer ? Those attributes are not 'ethnic', 'tribe' or 'religion' defined or inspired. Bad leadership is as bad for your health and national psyche as bad medication.

Kobojunkie

I do have to ask then why we should be against zoning at the Party national levels when it seems it is enforced at the state levels. If the majority of those produced at state levels turn out to be products of zoning, how then do we expect to find only the best at the national levels?

@Kobojunkie

I don't think anybody should be overly worried about Zoning at the Party national level because it's an intra- party arrangement and not Nigeria national policy.

I am against zoning because it is a recipe for[b] mediocrity[/b]. On the state levels, I can understand the 'special' peculiarity of some states 'Nigeria in miniature'- actual ethnic, religious and language diversity such as ' some northern states'- Kaduna , Bornu, Gongola, Plateau, Delta, Rivers, Cross-river states. Those states obviously want to be inclusive but political parties should not promote nor organise primarily with zoning as a guarantee for inadequate, ill equipped party members. If Nigeria was a developed place, where information, knowledge and education are taken for granted, zoning on state levels will be unnecessary. Unfortunately it isn't. Presently, sentiments and not reason is the norm in Nigeria politics because ignorance and poverty are strange bedfellows and pervasive. The professional politicians are very much aware of this fact especially on the local and state levels .

niyimat

Five years later,some people from another area came and met your place still disorganized but you already had your answer the 'robbers'. Thirty years after some small small children came and you still repeated the same ugly scenario. Forty years later, a boy that was born 2 years ago came and asked 'uncle why is your apartment so disorganized?,and you said 'oh it was forty years ago some robbers came and burgled my home'. Now tell me who is to blame for this disorganized state after 50yrs?.

@niyimat

The "uncle" is behaving like a typical "tenant or Nigerian, perhaps he lacks any sense of belonging or ownership of the said property/land. Is it any different from how a lot of so called 'Nigerians' behave? Do they have any genuine affinity and love towards their environment, neighbours, and street, let alone country? Some internet Nigerians may claim to be more 'enlightened' but those who actually exercise power behave exactly like disinterested [/b]and [b]disloyal 'tenant' or 'uncle' hence they loot and export their loot offshore not even to their villages except for the odd house or two . The land use Act or law of Nigeria does not engender ownership or sense of belonging with the attendant 'foreignness' of most so called Nigerians outside of their immediate ethnic domain . Development does not happen in an atmosphere of 'innate' sense of insecurity. The 'Uncle' may be right in his 'hopelessness' or worse, so does not have the compelling need to reorganise or 'improve' one's situation or environment. Is it any wonder 'slums' happen? It's not just material 'poverty' but 'psychic' dislocation happening to the 'victim'. It's deeper than what meets the 'eye' of the observer. The Nigerian perceived 'nationalism' begin and end on the 'football' pitch when they are winning or there are some booty/loot to share amongst the ruling elite. Even a case of 'poor pass becomes acceptable for ambassadorial position. In short a person or society without high expectation for self, where mediocrity is entrenched and acceptable, that household or society will be doomed hence after fifty years we are having this kind of conversation. It's as if we are in a 'marriage of convenience' full of all manner of subterfuge and disloyalty to self and 'society' or 'country'.In an environment such as ours, it's a miracle that we are still a 'country' because we have never really had any serious national conversation about our assumed 'union', 'unity', 'nation' and 'citizenship' Interestingly, majority of our so called ruling elite do not have faith in the 'country' hence they take pride in owning a 'foreign' passport and visa. You put your money where you have faith in .

cap28

they seem to make up for their poor fighting skills by lynching black africans though:

@cap28

They'll lynch black Africans because the initial propaganda was "sub-saharan mercenaries" to assuage their inherent historical prejudices and inadequacies despite the fact that over forty percent of the population of Libya is pure African or 'black'. Quadaffi's son even acknowledged that fact, when he was interviewed by the media. Somehow, the 'mercenary' propaganda is no longer viable and is fallen off the media headlines hence the acknowledgement that the national army is well trained, equipped and disciplined enough to sustain a counter offensive against the rag tag rebel forces. Every serious military/war scholar will acknowledge that - stragglers, 'defectors' or 'traitors' and indisciplined armed young men do not make good war fighting soldiers let alone 'revolution' which is a huge leap in the desert wilderness. Hollow headed enthusiasm does not make a revolution .

Kobojunkie

Zoning is not going away . . . If anything, it seems to be coming back - - - - even the Ibos who formally said NO, are now saying they want Zoning so they can get a chance at AsoRock should Jonathan not get a second term.

@Kobojunkie

They obviously have good reasons for 'Zoning' but for the Country/Nation it's a recipe for mediocrity. The Igbo are confused and will go for any expedient decision and never the [b]long [/b]view, hence there is not an identifiable serious Igbo politician in the mould of Fashola or Shekarau . The Igbo probably need Zoning than other groups in Nigeria because of their perceived 'historical' handicap. I may be wrong . They, like other Nigerians have not learnt how to play 'National' politics as to cut across 'boundaries'. I believe Fashola and perhaps Shekarau, have the desirable political traits real or imagined for the future.

odumchi

If there is a northerner in 2015 rather than an Igbo, There will be a revolution. We will break free or die trying. Igbo 2015, no questions asked or else, Nigeria will be the next Libya.

Whos with me?

@odumchi
It's democracy not zoning or quota system let alone 'selection'. You or your candidate have to be credible and viable for the electorate to vote for you or your preferred candidate. It's not about Igbo this or that or northerner. That's the beauty of 'democracy'

Kobojunkie

Nowhere in the above has anyone so far suggested that this is National Politics --- the discussion is still on PDP Politics, which, as you may know, has prevailed for the past 12 years.

Within the PDP, the Zoning agreement still exists so, come 2015, it is possible that support will be denied based on that to Jonathan, if he should win this time around and then try for a second term.

@Kobojunkie
PDP have prevailed for 12 years, they have the Zoning agreement within their Party and Jonathan may not be able to go for a second term if he wins based on that agreement. Well, I am not too concerned about that per se. His decision most probably will be predicated on his perceived "good performance" by the electorate next time if he "Performs" perceptibly well after his first term if he wins. I hope not . I don't think he's ambitious enough to break ranks with his PDP cohorts next time. He's done so already and that's enough for him and for the Zoning
Party.

Kobojunkie

But I don't think that makes the Northern block go away if a second term is attempted.

@Kobojunkie

They don't have to go away but plan a better political strategy to wrest power based on simple [b]democratic [/b]principles after all we have three Northerners as presidential candidates for different parties. PDP party politics should not define our national politics if other political parties were organised and serious.

Lucky Joe may or may not stand for a second term if he 'wins' . That's PDP internal politics. I sincerely don't care about their intra-PDP agreements/zoning etc. It's 'democracy'. Nobody can stop anybody from running for office if it's [b]within the Law [/b]of the land hence the other Northern candidates are running too. Zoning is not part of our national constitution. The Nigerian media and other parties made too much brouhaha of 'Zoning' because of laziness instead of concentrating on their own strengths and highlighting the weaknesses of the others to the voters.

@na2day!

Indiscipline and lack of organisation is their major problem not weapons. If organised properly and focused they can actually do damage. The talk of 'lack of weapons' is 'code' and an open invitation for other outside intervention and arms deals but the Americans are not too sure because of their past direct experience with Al Quaeda via Pakistan during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. They cannot rely on seeming enthusiasm or appearances alone. Arabs are very 'volatile' and 'unreliable' customers if history is our guide .

@op
War has never been a 'hollywood' movie won by air strikes alone despite some British special forces on the ground. The Libyan rebels are not just civilians but are also made up of some defecting Libyan soldiers who are not exactly motivated enough. Propaganda and foreign air cover alone cannot win any meaningful war campaign no matter how "justified" the rebel cause may be. The so called rebels cannot use their war planes either because of the "no fly' rule over Libyan territory . Is it not ironical that 'foreigners', 'liberators' or 'mercenaries' have the freedom of the airspace but the 'secessionists' or 'rebels' cannot fly?

@Op
PDP is not Nigeria nor Nigeria PDP whatever OBJ thinks or not. Intra-PDP politics should not be given undue precedence over national issues such as Jos etc. It's PDP decision and choice. I am more concerned about the organisational and 'selling' strengths of other competing political parties to counterbalance the perceived overarching power of the PDP. It is 'democracy' after all.

Dede1

The basic duty of a diplomat does not revolve around the ability to recite national anthem of a home or foreign country as it would be for medical, engineering or legal profession where the basics centered on basic health science, arithmetic or constitutional assessment respectively.

I had argued against the ambassadorial nominee if she had failed to give adequate responses to questions bordering on bilateral treaties, UN resolutions and conventions or international trade agreements. I still state unequivocally that there is nothing mediocre when one fails to recite the national anthem.

@Dede1

You may spin it anyhow you like, Mediocrity like the Truth is Constant, Unforgiving and will always bounce back to haunt you .

morpheus24

My concern has always been to[b] present information in its broadest of contexts [/b]so that you are truly informaing people and truly challenging them to think deeply and critically about any subject matter.

Telling people "one sided" so called facts is in my humble opinion not the way you make someone self aware of their surroundings or themselves. its self limiting

@morpheus24

You are very correct ^^ with the bolded above and you and I know that the internet is not exactly the appropriate platform,  especially for our part of the world where information has always been one dimensional; our people have always been passive consumers of all manner of pseudo-knowledge, education or information. I'll like to believe that anyone with half a brain,  resourcefulness and access to the net in our kind of environment should be discerning enough to think critically without guidance I hope. On the other hand, your apprehension is understandable and very much in order considering the state of our formal education in Nigeria. I am also worried too
My concern is beyond Libya

Sagamite

Abi o!

It is shocking that the mentality of my people is so low that shallow things play more importance than substance.


The person that speaks the more fone is the most intelligent.

The person that make has the most money is the most intelligent.

The person that has the highest exam (e.g. SAT) scores is the most intelligent.

The utter failure of our education system.

@Sagamite ^^
You are definitely not a Nigerian
You are too impatient and certainly not a 'Nigerian' politician
In Nigerian Politics Money matters; Numbers and perhaps ethnicity(tribe) takes precedence over quality. In any case politics is a game of numbers in every society.
You are a little too impatient and uncharitable towards our people for our "ignorance" or "uninformed" tendencies/behaviour . What else do you expect from the Nigeria socio-economic environment? You are certainly a smart person, so I expect a little compassion and understanding from you. Your exasperation is understandable and in order too

Gbawe

Buhari , for all inherent limitations, is the best chance of defeating the PDP. If we juxtapose that consideration with the notion that he will definately fight corruption and is highly likely to employ the most meritocratically deserving and most upright Nigerians [/b]to very important office then we can conclude that , without doubt , Buhari is a better bet than Ribadu.

@Gbawe    ^^
Gbam!! I hope.

[b]Katsumoto

While Buhari is able to tackle corruption, it doesn't appear that he may be able to offer more. Ribadu on the otherhand, might be restricted in his ability to tackle corruption but will likely be surrounded by smart people who will take Nigeria foreword.
Both are good candidates.

@Katsumoto  ^^
That's exactly what i'am thinking  indeed. I hope with Bakare as his VP, he'll be able to transcend that perceived handicap and offer more than just anti-corruption fight but dynamic, purposeful/creative government fit for the times.

cap28

At first i thought this was chinweizu engaging in scare mongering but when i read a document known as NSSM 200 - which recommends the implementation of depopulation measures in third world countries with high populations i realised that there is a lot of truth to Chinweizu's prophesy.  If you read this document you will find that one of the recommendations suggested is to reduce the population of various listed countries (nigeria is one of them)  using various methods ranging from war, famine and control over food supply , when i checked to see who actually controls the worldwide production and supply of food i discovered that they are all american owned multinationals.

@Cap28
There are loads of things happening around us that we are unaware of. The African population control programme has been in existence for as long as I can remember. The aspect of it that I worry about is the language and vocabulary that the whole programme is couched in. Africans have adopted or rather have been convinced [/b]that we are over populated hence our myriad of never ending socio-economic problems etc. The best population control or contraception is [b]Education and socio-economic empowerment. Sincerely, it's cheaper than so called "AID" by do gooders. We can achieve any socio-economic goals we set our collective mind on if we are really a serious 'nation' or people. I believe war, famine and control of food supply as you pointed out^^above is a waste of resources but then if one looks at it from a different perspective, it's not too far fetched for the military industrial complex. Wars and famine are extremely profitable for companies engaged in the supply chain sadly.

Whatever anyone may think of Chinweizu and his ideas, we cannot discard or fault him, because some of us may find them 'outlandish' or too 'far out' etc because of our own limitations intellectually.After all, so called Christian Pastors or in Nigerian parlance 'Man of God'/ prophets are everywhere telling gullible people all manner of tall stories or visions etc that never happen yet they are seen as credible respectable members of society, yet our own well informed intellectuals are taken for granted/overlooked. It's the value system that's questionable. Perhaps we value things we can 'touch' and 'see' than so called 'Ideas'. We are yet to realise that we are actually at 'WAR" as a people hence our lackadaisical and unserious behaviour as a people- government and citizens in Africa. Sincerely, it's beyond so called 'democracy' issues as most people think sadly.

morpheus24

Whoah!. Did you come up with that all by yourself. Remarkable!

All Hail CAP28, the Messiah of the illterate people of Africa!, the King of FACTS and true PAN Africanism, All Hail the liberator of the Dark Continent from the ignorance the IMPERIAL ARMY has cunningly propagated on civilizations of developing nations.
We grovle at your magnificence

@morpheus24
Pls, my bros, you are a very smart guy and you know very well that the so called 'information' or 'facts' are out there for everyone who cares to know; but of what use is information if not organised and disseminated within a 'context' by your own kind as to make it 'viable' or understandable? You may be right to call it 'propaganda' but is propaganda in itself especially of the 'variant'/type in this forum which you disagree with wholly bad? How many of us(Nigerians) really have access or know about the things you perhaps think are 'easy' accessible common knowledge?. I do understand you I hope , appreciate your concern and exasperation about 'tired' conspiracy theories. I think you're about solutions and not 'sermons' but I guess it's because you are already well informed and perhaps a little impatient with what you consider common knowledge etc. It's already stated that the reason and purpose is 'educational'. What exactly do you find offensive or insulting to your sensibilities? I believe you are very smart and can easily afford to overlook 'information' you find not too useful to you. There's no need to engage in petty sarcasm and insults. Be the bigger person and let it pass over you . It's unnecessary.

cap28

Have you read anything by the nigerian academic Chinweizu Ibekwe - if yes what do you think of him?

I have read most of his works including his work on the power of women .  I also liked his work on de-colonising the African mind and literature;'The West and the rest of us' etc.
Sincerely, we don't have many 'thinkers' or 'intellectuals' like him around within the African sphere nor in the black world. We do not appreciate people like him or such pursuits in our midst. We are truly a conquered/defeated people. Intellectual rigour let alone creativity is not exactly acceptable. Mediocrity is normal and 'natural'. It's a shame.
Have you seen the debate/discussion  on the ' confirmation of the Nigerian diplomat' by the Senate and some NLders justifying mediocrity.?

cap28

The articles that i have referred to on this thread are written by some of the most knowledgeable, erudite minds in the world - are you familiar with the works of Michael Parenti, Webster Tarpley, Noam Chomsky, Tariq Ali, Michael Engdahl or Michael Hudson?

@cap28
I admire your reading list and I'll like to recommend the work of the late Palestinian Scholar- Edward Said( culture and Imperialism). He's an interesting and compelling Scholar. I'll rather him amongst intellectuals like Noam Chomsky et all, than Tariq Ali. That's not taking anything away from your drift
You may be right that in contemporary Nigeria, we do not read enough and that's because our people have ascribed the usual 'Nigerian' "utilitarian" 'value' to everything including 'intellectual' pursuits like reading. It's no wonder we are 'poor' and vacuous.

BetaThings[b]

Then what is he doing on facebook? Does facebook convince?

He's a [b]politician and wants to be seen as 'hip' and 'modern'. Besides, the so called Nigerian youths on Facebook, believe in their own self importance and perhaps not exactly 'aware' and discerning politically. 'Good' politicians ingratiate their public.

Dede1

I watched Carl Lewis destroy USA national anthem on the television. He failed to recite anthem despite hours of rehearsal. If we had to follow the lame argument put forward by disingenuous Nigerians on the issue, Carl Lewis should not have represented USA in Olympics talk less of winning gold medals in both 100M and 4X100M races.
Again, ability to recite national anthem or lack thereof does not have any bearing on the ability of individual to perform a certain job for a country.

@Dede1

Pls, the topic is about so called career diplomat/ambassador not an ordinary sports person .
You may be correct about the ability to recite the national anthem or lack thereof not having any bearing on performance of certain jobs. I think, the job of a national ambassador/career diplomat is too serious and sensitive than perhaps a sports person whatever their exalted achievements may be. An ambassador is not just a job but the public face and representation of a nation 24/7. Perhaps you are adopting the usual or typical lazy Nigerian attitude to national "duty" hence the Excuses for sloppy behaviour/character, laziness, mediocrity, tribe, religion, male, female, minority or majority, Quota system, election rigging, poor workmanship, corruption etc. Nothing shocks me any more as to the length some of us will go to spin and justify backwardness or mediocrity.

@OP
Diplomats are representative and true reflection of a nation good or bad. Nigeria is perceived worldwide for indiscipline, corruption and mediocrity so what is new?

It's sad that those representing us in the house of reps/senate justify mediocrity and ignorance with spurious excuses as usual. That's what we do best We are seriously in danger as a people if we continue to elevate and entrench indiscipline and mediocrity as a national culture .