₦airaland Forum

@tpia1 -Iran got into the conversation/discussion because the Nigerians were making reference to Iran/ wishing that their own government will respond/Act like the Iranians -in similar incident pertaining to the eventual return of looted Persian/Iranian Artefacts by the British/museum.

I wonder why some 'Nigerians' seem to be agitated about the future auction of a Bini 'Art' perhaps to the highest bidder. Expecting the 'Nigerian' government to react/Act purposefully like the Iranian people/government is a little too high minded.  Well, sorry folks, your government cannot and perhaps will never be comparable to Iran, let alone be seen as serious by purposeful nations/people especially the British on whose watch most of the so-called 'loot' are under guard. Nigerian administrators are perhaps the most unpatriotic/ unaware 'leaders' in the world. Amongst their topmost desires besides sending their family(children) abroad, dying abroad, owning properties abroad, very frequent meaningless foreign travels in search of 'investors' like OBJ, much of their personal assets are in 'Enemy' territory. Nigerian leaders do not have any sense of 'Responsibility' whatsoever to the nation/people but to 'Self.' Certainly, Nigerian "leaders", do not have any knowledge/ Sense of 'history' nor as an important adjunct to national development or 'war of liberation' It's a bit rich for most people to expect much from a people/government not accountable to anybody, to worry about some 'Art' from Bini Kingdom. The government/people do not see the 'big picture' beyond their very narrow definition of what's 'important' to their selfish whims.  Historical 'artefacts' do not feature in the realm of importance to small minds and unserious people. Whatever internet Nigerians may think, especially those of them residing abroad, perhaps, will agree that the government/people of Iran understand the purpose of Nation building/Nationalism and the special place 'everything' including 'Artefacts' play in moulding a positive national psyche. Can 'Nigerians' be said to be proud of their so called nation/leadership wholeheartedly? Everything is for sale in Nigeria & by the Nigerians, so nobody is sure anymore if it is actually a 'loot' or war booty

@TerraCotta &DayoKanu - You have given a very plausible explanation that prior to foreign incursion/invasion most African societies were like early European city states-"independent" self sustaining, self defined 'nations'. The definition of a whole group of people who have a shared linguistic affinity with each other as 'Yoruba' became convenient/necessary just like the word 'Nigeria' has become the convenient definition and expression for the "geo-political space most people now call/accept as Nigeria despite the fact that it was name/defined by a foreigner. In some perverse way the generic word 'Yoruba' has taken a life of its own as well by 'forcing' a people who never quite saw themselves as one big supra-national group, that other non 'Yoruba' in the Nigeria geo-political arena see them as. In a way it all began in a small way perhaps pejoratively by 'others' or 'foreigners', nevertheless, it has become a rallying word/name for positive self affirmation in the larger Nigeria geo-political sphere. The history/origin of the word 'Yoruba' may never be definitive enough for 'purists'. however it has served a positive purpose in unifying a disparate group of 'nations' /'states' into perhaps a supra-national state in the making.

@ZIM DRILL-  The Nigerian geographic terrain is most favourable to steady sustainable population growth relative to other African countries. Nigeria had the good fortune of not being totally 'lost' under the shackles of colonialism which only lasted approximately about 100 years. The territory called Nigeria can be described as economically stable and self reliant in food until not too long ago. Nigeria was never attractive enough for the British invaders to indulge their messianic zeals/ mischief, as they did in many places like Southern Africa and East Africa. Nigerian(s) were left virtually to their own idiosyncracies and devices as they were Pre-colonial and during British incursion. Most of the ethnic nationalities were well structured, organised/ self sustaining societies, that the small band of invaders did not find the need to uproot and destroy them as they did in other places they invaded. Besides, the weather and vegetation was not to the liking of the invaders(Mosquitoes) either, so Nigeria had a lot in her favour. There was no grand mineral discovery like in other places as to elicit nefarious greed/ encourage the invaders to stay and engage the locals in unnecessary encounters/battles like Land expropriation for minings, huge plantations and other economic activities attractive only to the invaders like huge game reserves some as large as most European countries. Certainly Nigeria never suffered such rabid land grabbing indignities let alone mass dislocation of communities from sustaining  ancestral lands to inhospitable/barren lands and later cities like Joburg etc. Nigeria geographically is blessed with some of the most fertile lands for food production conducive for population growth. Is it any wonder that Zimbabwean settlers(whites) find Nigeria very attractive indeed. Nigerians like most Africans 'semi illiterates' of course, don't practice safe sex/ contraception-I guess. I think some of the geographical,social/economic/political & historical dynamics conspired favourably for population growth in Nigeria unlike other places. You don't procreate where you don't have enough food/ arable lands. Never mind the propaganda of so-called 'white owned' farms being productive etc in Zimbabwe- they were growing tobacco, mange-tu and other non food crops for export. Zimbabwe was a classic case of war of disinformation waged against an economically inept administration. The war of liberation was about LAND and nothing less after long period of displacement and dislocation from arable lands to barren inhospitable lands or homelands/ home steads or so-called 'protected' villages during the war. Your knowledge of history/geography should be able to furnish you with some insight about population growth or otherwise in Africa. I am happy that Zimbabweans fought for their freedom and won. Despite the vagaries of life in Zim, there's a whole lot of potential and confidence amongst the people than amongst the SA who are yet to have a fight for their Land. In Nigeria, natural disasters such as drought, locusts invasion of farmlands and floods etc are almost non-existent/rare occurrence relative to the rest of Africa.

@jpPhilips- sincerely, I'm not one to protect our so-called manufacturers despite the exceptional condition of the Nigerian economy. Our so called business people have not demonstrated that they understand fully well what is expected of them. There has been numerous protectionist policies by previous administrations, notwithstanding policy inconsistencies. Nigeria is so 'peculiar', 'free' or 'open' economy is truly attractive and a welcome option- most especially as only a few people monopolise the huge Nigerian market - food, vehicles, building materials e.g. cement & etc - local producers are almost non-existent. Perhaps 'open sesame' should do the trick, thereby saving the ever docile and gullible Nigerian consumer from extortionate prices. Everything is predicated/ dependent on ENERGY which is one of the numerous reasons for lack of productivity/true competitive edge by creative local producers. Nevertheless I concur with your opinion. Thanks

@ Zim Drill-The population of Nigeria if taken/accepted as -150million, isn't earth shaking or large. Besides, there is no conclusive/definitive population figure for Nigeria. Every Nigeria population figure is usually qualified and varied -from 88.45mln, 120mln, 150mln, 160mln and even 180mln - take your pick Which figure do you believe/accept? Everything about Nigeria is 'Political' Your land/population analysis is off point nevertheless. Nigeria is about the 13th largest country in Africa territorially and 1st/largest in population/Africa. I hope you'll not project your prejudice on Nigeria(s).

@jpPhilips- I appreciate your response/insight. Believe me our so called leaders/ administrators and some of our business men/women are amongst the most unpatriotic human beings. Some of their decisions rarely are made based on 'national' interest but purely on short-term personal gain couched in pseudo-economic terms. Remember the banning and un-banning of Rice, cement and Lace materials during the military and during the democratic OBJ era? By the time the decision to lift the ban on Rice importation was taken some insiders notably had their fleet of rice imports already anchored off our shores in order to maximise profit etc. I actually overheard such conversation by our highly placed so called custodians of our 'national' interest.

I am impressed by your courage to challenge your assumptions about being the so called 'strong black woman'. Pls bear in mind that kindness, intelligence, flexibility- like the beautiful bamboo, sweetness, love, understanding, integrity/dignity and laughter are also strengths not weakness. How many so called strong black women actually smile let alone engage in laughter and simple non 'heavy' conversation with their pals? The bamboo may look weak, very supple and compliant/flexible like our mothers, yet it's one of the most beautiful, strongest and certainly versatile plants in nature. Our mothers and grandmas were very strong matriachs but they did not have the need to shout about it or be haughty like our so called 'liberated career' "strong black women" of modern North America. strength and happiness comes from within. Nobody can fill the void of unhappiness or emptiness pervasive amongst so many "successful" "strong black women". The statistics on black relationships speaks volumes about our inability to adapt to changing social circumstances. It's as if black people have bought and swallowed the hype of success in the work place or career as the end in itself unlike other ethnic communities. You're first a human being or beautiful woman so your career cannot define your character nor happiness. I am happy for your courage indeed. Remain grounded and blessed

Most Nigerians are intellectually lazy and irresponsible hence imaginary(other) enemies must be blamed for every misfortune including reckless driving. Nigerians never take responsibility for their own action/inaction. Most Nigerian communities rarely acknowledge death naturally without ascribing the cause of death to some imaginary 'enemies' etc. Nigerians want immediate gratification preferably wealth, hence the rapid exponential growth in all manner of places of religious worship everywhere(christian or Islam). Nigeria is fertile ground for any imaginative religious zealot/demagogue, for Nigerians are very gullible. It's inherent and an extension of their so called African tradition/ culture which naturally predates the two major conquest religions(Christianity and Islam) pervasive in Nigeria. Christianity and in traditional African belief, 'enemies' are acknowledged to be everywhere or blamed whereas in Islam it's usually 'Allah's will' so the Nigerian have ready made excuse to be fatalistic. Did Mantu not ascribe his failure of the Hajj organisation during OBJ presidency, that it's 'Allah's Will'? Nigerians will always have real or imaginary 'enemies' because it absolves them from taking 'Responsibility'

Nigeria is an 'Ideal/Idyll' we wish & hope for because it is not yet uhuru or a full fledged nation/state but in name. Only a handful of persons exercise and control the apparatus of terror/coercion and consume the 'national' wealth. The Somalian stand a better chance of creating a viable nation/state out of the present chaos in the horn of Africa than the Nigerian. Nigeria was never a state let alone a nation so it cannot be adjudged a failed state but anyone can adjudge it so depending on your situation in the socio-political arena. It's - ' work in Progress'

You're right that the Asian vehicles are not or may not be cheaper presently in the so-called showrooms/market---but it's so because only a few sellers or so called 'Importer' have a quasi monopoly. Expanding our options and opening the market place to everyone is ok in the short term in order to break the stranglehold of very few importers and corruption at the ports. That kind of monopoly will definitely be defeated if more individual importers come into the market place ---Afterall that was some of the reason(s) Cotonou and Lome flourished and became profitable attractive option(s) for Nigerians. High prices never remain so forever especially in the used and cheaper car market. I hope that we are not presuming that our people are not adventurous enough to venture beyond Europe,  besides there aren't enough clapped out vehicles for Nigeria these days from Europe . Despite our innate prejudice, the Asian vehicles will be preferable, cheaper and ubiquitous on Nigerian roads just like the Okada. We don't have a choice. The government does not want to do the right thing in the medium-long term to encourage our so-called vehicle manufacturers. The Nigerian economic environment is not production industry friendly. It's too expensive to manufacturer anything in the Nigerian scene as it is today besides 'pure' water. Only insincere business persons or 'cowboys' and fraudsters will find the Nigerian Manufacturing sector as it is today attractive despite our 'large' market.

Nigerians should read and comprehend the posts of Ade2K8, Kobojunkie and Reference as related to the topic perhaps we may begin to understand that the Nigerian problem is not Shell but the Nigerian(s) and their inability to fight the good fight, real war of Liberation/mental emancipation. Thank you for your contributions.

Shell or any self respecting/focused company must engage in business like war-fare, a la Sun tzu! Nigerians should be focusing their attention on their so called 'leaders and administrators' - Do they actually know what is expected of them? If indeed they do, Are they really trained and prepared properly for the tasks they are deployed to carry out? Have Nigerians not heard of heart breaking stories of encounters between Nigerians and their so-called diplomatic missions abroad? Nigerians do not understand modern 'wars' let alone being prepared/ready for full engagement in self affirmation 'Free' 'Nigeria'. Nationalism and Patriotism is more than public declaration and sing-songs or the football pitch. Nigeria is cursed with un-patriotic citizens/ administrators without exception. To understand how cheap and un-patriotic the Nigerian leadership is, look no further than the Vaswani family business involvement in Nigeria with characters like OBJ, ATIKU. IBORI, ODILI etc in the Nigerian saga. Are they accountable?

(1) Kobojunkie* for her/his lucid and dispassionate views/opinions. Never falling for the ethnocentric/tribal soft under belly of Nigerian politics and pseudo-intellectuals.

(2) Gbawe * His economic knowledge/analysis of the ECOWAS sub-region is refreshing and reassuring indeed that it reminds us that 'Leadership' and 'Conscious' or 'Aware' citizens are important as the air we breath in Nigeria. I admire his passion and I believe his optimism about Nigeria.

1-Kobojunkie
2-Gbawe
3-Sauron

I don't think that Nigerians properly resident in the UK will ever be envious let alone 'jealous' of their visiting counterparts from Nigeria knowing fully well the vagaries of life in Nigeria as most Nigerians know it today! - ;DI wonder which life in Nigeria is he being boastful of in comparison to his 'jealous' and 'poorer' friends/relatives, I dey laff,

Intellectual laziness and selfishness is so pervasive amongst some visiting Nigerians to the UK that they can't see beyond the 'shopping' let alone empathise with their invariably 'poorer', 'jealous' host - friend, relative etc. Why do you not visit Benin RP or perhaps Egypt you may learn something new or gain some insight about life without relatives or friends where your bills will remind you to be a little introspective/reflective before assuming that your relatives or friends are 'jealous' of your uncouth behaviour. Travel without 'baggage' and you'll definitely benefit immensely. Leave so-called 'jealous' friends and relatives out of your hang-ups. There are many ways of visiting/holidaying without being uncivil and socially blind which unfortunately most Nigerians like you fall into that category. No wonder Nigerians never learn/appreciate the simple but pleasant things in life we encounter during their so-called travels out of the country. Ignorance is bad but deliberate ignorance like the poster have demonstrated is sad and wicked indeed. I hope Uk residents will see the humour and vindictiveness in his view of them as 'jealous' of this 'big' man visiting from Nigeria yet squatting whenever he can snatch the opportunity.

Sonny Irabor is not from Agbor but Edo- state(Benin)

By unbanning the importation of vehicles, cassava, tooth-picks, furniture and clothing materials the Nigerian government admits/accepts the already known truism of our non-existent manufacturing industry, after all, we import tooth-picks, cassava products and furniture(wood, foam, nails, glues etc.) We want to compete or be taken seriously as a people? Every aspect/facet of industry is dependent and predicated on the availability of ENERGY and right enabling political/legal environment not whims of selfish and lazy individuals.

Why are we so inept and lacking in creativity?, How does importation of 15 yr old vehicles, cassava, tooth-picks and printed clothes/materials etc aid or help our economy in the medium-long term? Are Nigerians so beaten down so much that we rejoice that our feckless government wants us to freely import rubbish? It's disheartening indeed! It'll be cheaper to import brand new vehicles from China, India and Malaysia instead of allowing written off vehicles from Europe flooding our ports and roads by unscrupulous importers. I am ashamed and embarrassed by our so-called planners indeed.

Swaziland-Mbabane
Lesotho-Maseru
Botswana-Gaborone
Niger-Niamey
Chad-N'djamena

Rwanda-Kigali

Benin-Porto-Novo

Maryam Babangida's late father Chief Okogwu is from Asaba- Delta state and was killed by federal soldiers in the infamous massacre of civilians during the civil war. The late Hajiya king is not from Asaba but from the north and a muslim. These are the facts that should dispel any doubts about her origins.