₦airaland Forum

tkb417:
u need a corper for that if ure gonna pay less than 50k

what qualified accountant would earn less than 50k a month?

go to nysc camp to get your man

I didn't say pay is below 50k. I said if your present pay is less than 50K apply. meaning that 50k is bench mark. pay can't go below it and secondly, it is negotiable.

A Company is Trans Amadi Port Harcourt is in need of a qualified accountant who is proficient in Peachtree Premium Accounting 2009.

If you are interested and your pay is below 50k after tax deductions, kindly send your cv to sales@advancedgasesng.com

Duties include:# compile and analyze financial information to prepare financial statements including monthly and annual accounts. ensure all financial reporting deadlines are met. resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities. ensure accurate and appropriate recording and analysis of revenues and expenses. ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and year end close etc.

A company in Trans Amadi PH is in urgent need of a qualified and experienced accountant that is conversant with Peachtree accounting premium 2009.

If you are interested, kindly forward your cv to sales@advancedgasesng.com

@labiyemmy:
^^^^^

Good for you - stay out of a business that doesnt concern you- what i write or do is none of your busniess, MF

I dont know you, you dont know me, I careless who you are or what you think about me. Period. Now go wipe your butt hole with sandpaper.

Am sorry to say this but truly speaking, if this is the level of your reasoning, you are really dumb. What has my buying one single shoe or shirt got to do with govt importation of foreign waste bins?
To me, the issue is not even the amount involved even though it is outrageous but why importation when they are asking us to patronize made in Nigeria goods? This is not automobile for God's sake neither is it a technology we do not have. How can a right thinking human approve such purchase in the 1st instance, are u trying to say that the most important thing in Nigeria now (Abuja is waste Bins) Assu is going on strike 1st October, Workers are embarking on strike soon cos of minimum wage, Boko Haram harrassing pple everywhere with such killings as we see in Aba and other states. Do you know how many graduates 1B will change their lives for ever here in Nigeria? In fact, I do not want to continue because reading your post is very annoying.

Haha! petty trading for $300,000 abi $30,000? What sort of petty trading is to be registered with more than 45Million Naira?

Boy! Any one that has that kind of Money should come to Niger for biz. There are plenty opportunities here.

Yeah! Me thinks he deserves a second tenure after which he should move on to Aso rock. Those are the kind of leaders we need in Nigeria.

@ Mrpresident and mamagee.

Many thanks. You guys are great but the message tells me I can't modify because it is locked.

Seun, kindly remove my # pls.

kindly attend to the above request as soon as possible.

thanks.

wales:
The former president, however, charged the participants at the event to all go back to their individual countries and let us “put our house in order. If we put our house in order, the world will respect us. What the world understands is success. Where you succeed, you will be acclaimed; and where you fail, you will be ignored. We must not accept where we are now. We must not use other people’s standard to condemn ourselves.”

Hum! so Obj knows what it means to put a house in order? Did he say "our house" I guess he was putting our house in order through his aborted 3rd term bid in which he shared 50m each to the national assembly members just to achieve. this to be is another meaning of "putting our house in order"

Enigma:
@confetti

When you copy an article from somewhere else (somebody else's work) you should give them acknowledgment by at the least giving the link to the article or better still naming the author and placing the article text in the quote block.


http://www.thebiblepage.org/biblesays/tithing.shtml

The above is the link for the article that you posted on page 3 of this thread.

Obviously Enigma, U didn't read well, I did post the link after the article. please check.

jovi:
Confetti, That was so insightful, I have also often felt the same way, the times i have in fact given tithe, i have always prayed, something like this"God I bring this in thanksgiving for all your blessings may it be for my good and good of all your church"
I am catholic and even though it does not matter much as we are all Christians and so God's heirs, i think Christians get it wrong when they have the mentality of "I tithe to get more blessings" or so that the floodgates may be opened, That was an excellent write-up, im thinking of saving it!!
What is your e-mail so i can ask more questions?

@ Jovi, thanks for the compliment. My email is niger4christ@yahoo.com
For the arguments here, I do not think the poster was actually looking for issues. He raised a question as he found it in the bible and truly I have never seen that in the bible so I went searching. As educated pple I was thinking we should be able to analyze issues based on facts and figures available to us and not to use sentiment even if we ourselves are pastors. That is the hallmark of education. By biblical standard, Tithe is not mandatory thus not a condition for God's blessings. Pls note that tithe started before the law and thus is not a law thing as we are no longer under it and if we trace it back to Abraham and Jacob, they paid and promised as a result of God's blessing not in seeking it.

What the Bible Says About Tithing

Tithing is an interesting subject, and often one of controversy. While tithing is certainly a biblical concept, some churches teach that it is commanded of Christians, and some teach that it isn't. What does the Bible teach regarding tithing under the New Covenant?

In order to understand how tithing fits (or doesn't fit) into the life of a Christian, we must first examine tithing as it was originally commanded, it's purposes, and it's meaning. For this we go to the Old Testament.

The word "tithe" simply means "tenth," and as it is used in the Bible, it refers to giving a "tenth" to God. "A tenth of what?," you might ask. This will be discovered as Scriptures regarding the tithe are studied.


Abraham and Jacob Tithe Before the Law

The first time a tithe is referred to in Scripture is in Genesis 14:18-20, where we read:

   And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Abram had just returned from defeating several kings to rescue his nephew Lot who had been taken captive, as well as goods that were taken. When Melchizidek blessed Abram, Abram gave Melchizidek a tenth "of all." This "tithe" is not limited to income, but clearly includes a tenth of all of Abram's possessions. A similar tithe is seen with Jacob, in Genesis 28:10-22, where Jacob pledges that if God blesses him, he would give a tenth back to God. In both of these instances, the tithe is made before the law to tithe is given, but this offering is made in response to blessing, out of thanksgiving.


Institution of the Tithe Under the Law

The tithe is first given as law in Leviticus 27:30-33. This consisted of "all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree" (vs.30); specifically, it consisted of livestock, grain, fruit, and the like. If desired, a man could "redeem" part or all of his tithe with money, but if he did so, he was required to add 20 percent ("a fifth" - vs. 31) of the value to it (in other words, a man wishing to "redeem" his tithe [keep it for himself] was required to pay 120 percent of the value of the tithe). This apparently only applied to the tithe from the land. It seems that animals could not be redeemed. Animals were to be chosen by counting every tenth, and not deciding between "good" or "bad" animals - almost a random picking based on the animals passing before the shepherd and choosing every tenth animal. If a man wanted to substitute an animal for one of the animals to be set aside for the Lord, both animals were then considered holy, and neither could be redeemed. (The entire 27th chapter of Leviticus focuses on dedicating things to the Lord, and concludes with the tithe).


Purpose of the Tithe, and the Second Tithe

In Numbers 18:20-32, God gives the reason for the tithe seen in Leviticus 27 - to support the Levitical priesthood (cf. Nehemiah 10:37-39). Since the Lord specified that the Levites would "have no inheritance" among the Israelites, the tithe was given to them "for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." (Num. 18:21,31). Aaron himself was told that he would have no inheritance among the Israelites as well, but that God was his share and inheritance (Num. 18:20). God then specifies that the Levites were to give a tenth (tithe) of all the tithes they received to Aaron (Num. 18:25-29) - this was "the Lord's portion".

Deuteronomy 12:5-6,11 tells us that the tithe was to be brought to "the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put His Name their for His dwelling" (Deut. 12:5). Deuteronomy 12:17-28 continues along this line of thought, then speaking of the tithe being eaten. Specifically, verses 17 and 18 say:

   "Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto."

Seeing as this is addressing the entire nation of Israel (vs. 12 makes that clear - note that the list includes the Levites, hence it is not directed toward the Levites alone), it is apparently a second tithe, since the first tithe was to be given entirely to the Levites. Deuteronomy 14:22-27 expands upon this concept by commanding the people to "eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks" (Deut. 14:23). The purpose of doing this? ", that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always" (Deut. 14:23)

Continuing in this context, if the person could not get to the place "which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there" (Deut. 14:24), then the person was to convert the tithe to money and take the money "unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose" (Deut. 14:25). Once there, the person is commanded to buy "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth" (Deut. 14:26), and again, to eat it there before the Lord. This again is evidence against this being the first tithe, as it is not given explicitly and completely to the Levites.

Every third year, this tithe (the second tithe) was to be kept in the local towns (wherever the person tithing lived) for "the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates" (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). This is restated in Deuteronomy 26:12-13. Again, this can be assumed to be the second tithe first from the context, and secondly because it is not set aside solely for the Levites.


Other Old Testament Tithing

In 1 Samuel 8, when the Israelites desired a king, the Lord told Samuel to tell the Israelites that when a king was set in place over them, this king would take a tenth of their grain, their vintage, and their flocks among other things (1 nbsp;Samuel 8:10-18). This is not specifically called a tithe, however, since Israel was a theocracy, this shows a sort of 10 percent taxation that would be set in place to support the theocracy, and can probably be considered a tithe (which would make this a third tithe).

2 Chronicles&nbsp31:4-6,12 illustrates the Israelites tithing to the Levites. In this instance, there was so much to the tithe that it took four months to assemble. However, this was not a new tithe, but the first tithe, since it was given specifically to and for the Levites. This time, we find that the purpose was "that they [the Levites] might be encouraged in the law of the LORD" (2 Chron;31:5).

Finally we come to Malachi 3:8-10, a seemingly favorite camping ground for those who wish to impose the tithe on Christians. This seems to refer to the first tithe, since it says "that there may be meat in mine house" (Mal. 3:10, emphasis mine), and also since it says "you are robbing Me [God]" in verse 9. So again, this is a tithe specifically commanded for the Jews in order to support the Levites.


The Tithe in the New Testament

It is interesting to note that the "tithe" is mentioned very few times in the New Testament, and of the times it is mentioned, none is in the context of a command.

Jesus scolds the "scribes and Pharisees" in Matthew 23:23-24 as having tithed but having "omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith" (verse 23; cf. Luke 11:42), thus showing that there were other parts of the law considered "more important" than the tithe. He then continues, stating that "these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Notice however, that when Christ says this, "ought ye to have" is past tense. This is what they should have done. Also note that Jesus is speaking to Jewish Pharisees and scribes, not Christians, so this cannot be used to support the idea that Christians should tithe.

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector who go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee boasts of his tithing, among other things, and the tax collector simply asks for mercy (nothing is mentioned of tithing in the case of the tax collector). Yet in this parable, the tax collector, not the Pharisee, goes away justified (of course, the primary focus of this parable, as stated in verse 14, is a lesson in humility - nonetheless, the principle of being justified without tithing, or not being justified despite tithing, is still present).

Hebrews 7:1-10 gives a picture of tithing through the story of Abraham and Melchizidek as seen in Genesis 14. Though it is described here, allusion is made to the first tithe (to the Levites), but it is not commanded of Christians, nor does the writer seem to imply that this is an example to follow. This passage is simply a picture, using Melchizidek, to show what kind of high priest we have in Jesus, as opposed to the Levitical priesthood which has been done away with (this can be seen by reading the rest of Hebrews chapter 7).


The Analysis

We've seen that the first tithe was instituted to support the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18, 2 Chronicles 31:4-6,12). However, there is another aspect to the first tithe as well: thanksgiving.

You'll note that Abram gave a tithe to Melchizidek because Melchizidek (and God had) blessed Abram (Genesis 14). This could easily take us off course into the realm of give-to-get theology, however, it should be readily apparent that this giving was done as a matter of thanks in response to blessing already received, not in order to receive blessing. Jacob also said he would give a tithe to the Lord in response to what the Lord had done (would do) for him (Genesis 28).

Next we see that God says we tithe (this was in relation to the second tithe - this also referred to eating it where He chose for "to place His name there" "that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always" (Deuteronomy 14:23). So the tithe was a matter of helping the Israelites to learn reverence for the Lord.

Again, the third year tithe (the second tithe collected every third year as described in Deuteronomy 14:28-29) was in order to feed the Levites, strangers, fatherless, and widows among the Israelites.

Three important facts to glean from these verses is that 1) Abram and Jacob gave out of thanks for blessings received, 2) the tithe supported the priesthood, and 3) it was done so that the Israelites could learn reverence for the Lord.

From these passages, it should be noted that if a Christian wishes to "tithe" according to the Bible, they should be tithing of all they have, giving two tithes, and making sure that every third year, the second tithe goes to support the strangers, fatherless, and widows in their town, as well as their pastor and ministers. However, tithing is not commanded for Christians in any passage of the Bible.


New Testament Giving

In the New Testament, for Christians, giving took on much the same purpose as the tithe for the Israelites; however, it was not according to any laws. An Old Testament passage gives excellent insight into Christian giving. Deuteronomy 8:10-20 is about giving thanks to God for what He has blessed us with, and making sure we do not become proud, but humbly recognizing that all that we have is by God's hand and not our own. We must also realize that what He gives us is not because of our righteousness or faithfulness (Deuteronomy 9:6 and surrounding context).

Paul writes some instruction regarding Christian giving in 1 Corinthians 9:14, where he states that, ", the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." In other words, preachers should be paid to preach. Where does this money come from? In Galatians Paul tells us, "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things" (Galatians 6:6 - this can be better understood from another translation: "And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches" (NASB). We see this same concept again in 1 Timothy 5:17-18 where Paul writes, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." Therefore, we should be giving to support those who teach us faithfully.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Paul tells the Corinthians that each man should set aside a sum of money on the first day of every week, "as God hath prospered him", for a collection to be taken to help the saints in Jerusalem. He follows up on this subject in 2 Corinthians 8, where he explains how the Macedonians gave overwhelmingly, even though they were impoverished; and the Macedonians' giving was marked by their joy, and the feeling that it was a privilege to be able to give. Thus, he encouraged the Corinthians to make good on their promise to give. So we see, this giving was due to a promise made of their own volition, not a legalistic method of tithing. This point is again reinforced by Paul's statement in verse 8 that "I speak not by commandment, " Notice in verse 12 that "if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." Implicit in this verse is that the gift is not acceptable if the willingness is not there. Paul further explains that this giving is so that there might be equality among the saints (apparently, many among the saints in Jerusalem were impoverished).

Moving on to chapter 9 (which is a continuation of chapter , Paul states that his reason for writing about this is so that they will be ready when the time comes to collect the money to take to Jerusalem (verse 3). He continues by stating that he wants it ready so it will be "that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness" (verse 5 - that it is given willfully, not grudgingly). This again enforces the idea that giving should be done willingly. Paul continues to reinforce this thought in verse 7 when he states, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Paul also states that God gives us what we need to be able to give (verse 10), so we can continue to give generously. He again gives reason for the giving in verses 12-15. Therefore, we should give to help the saints who are in need.

Still we have not seen any instance in the New Testament where people were urged or commanded to tithe. You would think that if a command to tithe would be given, it would be given to those who were new to the faith, especially Gentiles, who would not necessarily be aware of the Jewish laws and customs. However, when a question arises how to deal with Gentiles who were being added to the church, the apostles and elders met together, and led by the Holy Spirit, decided on some requirements for the Gentiles. Their requirements were four-fold: ", abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood" (Acts 15:20). They then wrote a letter "unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia" (verse 23), stating that these requirements came from the Holy Spirit (verse 28), and restating "that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication" (verse 29). Surely this would have been a most appropriate time to institute a tithe among the churches, yet the Holy Spirit, the elders, and the apostles did not.


Conclusion

In light of all of the evidence presented, tithing is not a principle which Christians are subject to, but was part of the Mosaic law. Rather, Christians should give out of the willingness of their heart, and thanksgiving to and reverence for God, both for who He is and for the blessings He has bestowed upon them. Giving is done in response to the good teachings which Christians receive, to support those who teach, and to support saints in need. By following these teachings, and the examples set by New Testament Christians, we may always give willingly and joyfully, and please God with what we have and bring to offer.

http://www.thebiblepage.org/biblesays/tithing.shtml

As for me, I pay tithe even though I do not consider it mandatory. its obvious that Christ oked it in the new testament when he told the jews that they shouldn't have ignored other weightier things while paying tithe. Nevertheless, It shouldn't be forced on pple and thats is why I don't like the idea of documenting one's tithe in church. Let God do the documentation himself not man.

bawomolo:
this happens when parties are built on personal sentiments and not ideological lines.

could you ever imagine senator ted kennedy as a republican?
opposition parties in nigeria should actually develop an ideology rather than adding big words to their names.

How do you develop ideologies when parties are formed and joined for personal interests? with the sort of allowances they allocate themselves, no ideology will ever work as they are there for their own personal benefit. If only Governmental offices can be made less attractive, those who really know they want to serve will form and join parties based on cutout ideologies and will face it when elected.

Double N:
Please O!Tell us. What is a Nigeria?? .

Imao! Double N abeg no kill me with laughter o!

In Abuja last week with unbelievable and provocative fanfare the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Government and the Bank of Industry publicised what will go down in the annals of this country as one of the most barefaced organised crime against the poor masses of Nigeria, namely the award, essentially gratis, of the sum of 500 billion allegedly to manufacturers and the power sector.

The CBN announced that the largesse being doled out to the so-called industrialists would attract interest at about 7% when other hapless Nigerians cannot access any loan and when they do they are charged at cut-throat rates of between 17-26%.

If the N500 Billion largesse is not robbery then there is nothing like robbery. That the money in question belongs to all Nigerians, but mostly to the workers, is not in dispute. Rather than use the money to fix the decadent infrastructure, fight corruption and create direct jobs through the various Ministries of work across the country, what the CBN and the Federal Government have done is to share our collective wealth among their cronies. Very soon we shall see more private jets and flashy cars in the country since our ruling elite have demonstrated beyond any doubt that they are ‘akotileta’ (prodigal). The fact that this latest stealing has not provoked national uproar is unsettling. If we continue to fold our hands the people who control the resources of this country will certainly run it aground and that very soon, it appears.

There are people who would argue that the sum in question is not a lot of money. (Well that is how our so-called leaders and their mouthpieces talk these days, billions of Naira is no longer big money). If that is so, it follows that the intervention would be insignificant to fix the rot in the economy. So what is the point in the first place? But the crucial point really is that these are the same people who are fishing for all sorts of ridiculous excuses not to pay the minimum wage of N17000 to the workers who made the N500 billion available in the first place. Would it not be better if the N500 Billion is shared to all Nigerian workers? After all, the money belongs to the workers as they worked it into existence. At the end of the day these so called industrialists who have no factories will not return the fake loan and some funny analysts will preach to us that we should not criminalise loan transactions as if these were not fraudulent and criminal transactions ab initio.

Many sane people will never understand how our economy functions. Its managers parrot the mantra of Public Private Participation, but what they do is to hand over public money to connected individuals for private enjoyment. Is that what capitalism is all about? If anyone wants to go into the power sector, the law allows that without any hindrance. The question is why must he or she or it, as the case may be, look to government for criminal handouts? Cannot these people do business without government largesse? Yet the press, and this has to be said most stridently, is culpable in advertising these people as industrialists and as billionaires. I mean who cannot be a billionaire if she has friends in government who grant her waivers of all sorts and to the bargain give her free money?

http://www.saharareporters.com/article/500-billion-naira-cbn-largesse-crime-against-masses

Nlanders! Where the heck is Jonathan taking us to? Isn't this too much just for him to win election? am confused and dumbfounded.

Acidosis:
The thief cometh not but to kill, to steal and to destroy, but GEJ has come to give us life, hope, quality education, power, good roads, etc.
I'm not giving a false or biased speculations but am placing this fact based on what we are experiencing. . .

What have we as Nigeria experienced since your brother Jonathan took office? What is the state of the scandal in House of Reps with Bankole in focus?, Imagine Jonathan's honoraries? the likes of Dikko, the certificate forger and patricia ette? Guy please spare me this Jonathan bullshit. I used to have high hopes when Umar died, I was thinking we were gona make a head way in this country but it seems now that Umar is better that GEJ.

I am no advocate for Ibb and I don't like him one bit but honestly speaking, If I were to choose between Ibb and Jonathan over who has the balls to set Nigeria straight, I did go for Ibb.

hugooh42:
It's not only drug trafficking that carries death sentence in China,but corruption when the money involved is quite substantial.They have the highest number of execution in the world.And that is why their country is peaceful and the people obey the law.The Rule of law is strictly applied in China.Thats why the EFCC woman has been advocating we use chinese method"execution" to fight corruption in Nigeria,but no one seem to be listening to her.

As if her own head won't roast if this law is to be implemented in Nigeria.

Nairalanders,

Am just seeking for information on doing my MBA abroad. I want to know which schools abroad offer MBA. what their pay structure is like and if I will have the opportunity of working while going to school.

Anybody with useful info should kindly help me.

Thanks.

This is old news. Abi na today we dey hear things like this?

Who is talking about the one going on behind my office in PH. Everyday Police patrol my office street without doing anything about it. Most times on my way to work, I watch the police stop the drivers and just a call from God knows who they are left off the hook there and then. makes me sick.

I don't support evil but then, its the trend our leaders have left and it only takes determination on the part of a person who sees all these, has all the resources to get his/her share of the national cake not to get involved in things like this. Not all hearts are mindful of integrity and Honesty especially in a hunger stricken country like nigeria.

gamesb:
great house (nairalanders) y abusing mr okonkwo & his allies ? what is those illegal miners in the north doing is that one  their right, abi? , like zamfara state (lead), kaduna  (gold)  JOS (tin) etc, have they been penalized? . every body in nigeria is shouting oil oil oil without looking at other sector to sustain the economy , govt. & the masses should look at the soild mineral sub sector too because oil may finish one day & its that time they will start to run around.
MIND U i do not support crime neither im from ibo , im an original niger deltan  . so i know what im saying since our property is now national asset what of those mineral resources in other geo- political zones what are they?
pls my good pple of nairaland answer & also tell the government.

They are waiting for your oil to finish so they can divide the country and then live in their country with their resources while you are at a dead end in your area.

As an active anti-corruption crusader, Saharareporters is pleased to see Mr. Balarabe Musa on this year’s National Honors List. He is a man of principle who deserves to be decorated and celebrated. But the list also contains a bewildering army of incompetent, corrupt, greedy and discredited Nigerians, and it is a shame to tell the world they number among our best.

Okhai Mike Akhigbe, to whom Goodluck Jonathan is giving one of the nation’s highest honors, the GCON, has no honor. He was Number Two to General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who has been cited in several corruption scandals. Their government bought and sold Nigeria for self-enrichment, and it is known that in the last weeks of their administration, they were registering companies to which they funneled lavish contracts and funds. Even before all that, Akhigbe had enriched himself lavishly in the Babangida government.

Justice Katsina-Alu, whom he is also awarding the GCON, lacks integrity. His role in some of the political scandals that have beset Nigeria in the past couple of years is well known. He may be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, but he lacks legal and popular respect.

Justice Niki Tobi was a judge of the Supreme Court who did not see anything wrong with unserialized ballot papers while delivering his infamous tie-breaker ruling regarding the bastardized 2007 presidential election. On top of that, Tobi got his son appointed to the Court of Appeal for his role in validating that despicable election.

Justice Dahiru Musdapher was another member of the Supreme Court panel on the presidential election petition in 2008, and knowing that the judiciary needed to maintain a professional distance, accepted appointment by President Yar’Adua as a member of Federal Government delegation to the Hajj. Predictably, he went on to support the judgment that kept a sickly Umaru Yar’Adua in power until he died last May. He is not a man of honor.

Joseph Wayas, the former President of the Senate in the Second Republic, is also to be awarded the GCON. Grand Commander? This is a man who, in addition to having been in the middle of the mess that was the National Party of Nigeria, has become such a nuisance that, only last year, Arik Airlines banned him from flying with them. Reason: he got on board a flight and insisted on sitting in Business Class, although he had an Economy Class ticket!

And then, Jonathan’s list gets unbelievably abominable.
He gives to Patricia Etteh, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, TWO awards. At Number 5 on the official list, he decorates her with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR); and then at Number 25, she also gets the Commander of the Niger (CON). Etteh is the same woman who was forced to resign as Speaker of the House of Representatives two and a half years ago for spectacular fraud involving N628 million. In which case all we can say is that she must be a really, really special woman.

We could go on all day: Halilu Akilu has not discharged the burden of being involved in one of the most dastardly chapters of the Babangida administration: the bombing death of Dele Giwa. So why does Mr. Jonathan see fit to decorate him with an award that should be preserved for the nation’s best, in character and quality of service?

Mike Oghiadomhe, the Chief of Staff to Jonathan, is the former Deputy Governor of Edo State who, along with Lucky Igbinedion, ran the state into disgrace and dishonor, and presided over its unprecedented looting. The last we heard of him in his home state, he was seizing for himself, land belonging to the Azukhala Ekpen Community in Etsako Central Local Government. In the name of Nigeria, Jonathan is rewarding him with a CFR dipped in human excrement.

On the list: Ogbonnaya Onovo, the “Ribadu-never-visited-Nigeria” Inspector-General of Police. Nigeria is overrun by kidnapping, unsolved murder and electoral malfeasance. Reporters Sans Frontières this year conferred on Onovo the award of “Predator of Press Freedom”. So why is Jonathan in a haste to honor a man in whose watch this mess happens? What does Jonathan know that we miss?

Governor Bukola Saraki is known to be a money-launderer. We do not need the United States or the United Kingdom to arrest him in Dubai to know this. He is also a thief and a forger: on December 7, 1990, the police filed charges against him and his sister, Senator Gbemisola Saraki. By virtue of that case, it has been established that both of them must have lied in their electoral nomination forms in 2003 and 2007 because, on the basis of their criminal history, there is no way they qualified to run for political office.

“Billionaire” Femi Otedola, who owes loads of cash to several banks but is reported to be bankrolling Jonathan’s 2007 presidential bid, shows up on the list. The former governor of Ebonyi, Sam Egwu, is on the list. Enough said.

But not enough about Farida Waziri, who appears…drum roll, please… at Number 84. The allegations against Mrs. Waziri, many of which have been made and substantiated on this website, would disqualify her from a seat next to any self-respecting drunk in any beer joint. Apparently, not Jonathan. Her “Honor” confirms the contradiction in Jonathan’s claims about his preparedness to fight corruption. Remember he looked into Barack Obama’s eyes in the White House and made that promise. He went to the Council of Foreign Relations in Washington and repeated that promise. He has made that promise (wink-wink, Nigeria) in several public addresses in Nigeria. Perhaps Waziri gets her gift for her Nollywood skills: skillfully keeping the EFCC charade going.

A dishonest Jonathan proudly decorates Abdullahi Dikko Inde, the certificate-forging Customs boss who cannot explain how he obtained any of his academic certificates, from high school up to the university. In Ghana, Mr. Dikko would have been fired from his job, and prosecuted. But this is Jonathan’s Nigeria where “honor” is reserved for the worst among us.

There are other names on the list we would have loved to highlight, but we will leave that to the Nigerians on the street, to an awake and patriotic civil society, and to the mainstream media.

We write this comment today, rather than a new story exposing corruption, because the so-called 2010 National Honors List is an embarrassment. It is an insult to every hard-working and patiently hopeful Nigerian everywhere. It is an assault on decency. It is an admission that nothing is changing. It is confirmation to the international community that they may be wasting their time trying to help us. Perhaps Aesop, the ancient Greek, was speaking about Nigeria long ago: “We hang the petty thieves,” he said, “and appoint the great ones to public office.”

Jonathan, it seems, is interpreting him literally. In his ill-disguised desire to run as a candidate in next year’s presidential election, he seems to have decided to ride on the back of every tainted, corrupt Nigerian he can find.

Jonathan’s Nigeria continues a trend that ignores her sons and daughters who work hard, sacrifice deeply, pray earnestly and hope profoundly. Such a list would probably be very short, but it would be honest. And it would be true honor. The current list, by contrast, is a pathetic scandal. Internally, it says we are an unserious nation. Internationally, it makes us a laughing stock.

What if one or 10 or 20 of these people are handcuffed in Dubai or Singapore next week? What if they are declared persona non grata in countries that used to respect us? Are we the same people who claimed to have been embarrassed when Obama refused to come to Nigeria?

That is why SaharaReporters has only two things left to say. The first: We urge those decent Nigerians on Jonathan’s list to opt out, the way Chinua Achebe opted out of Olusegun Obasanjo’s in 2004 (and we definitely don’t mean the manner Prof. Tam David-West opted out because he was not given a bigger award). Let no self-respecting Nigerian soil his or her legacy or confer credibility on this laughable list by accepting this year’s award.

The second is to note that, by Jonathan’s ghastly standards, the list, as it stands, is incomplete. It is not sufficiently insulting. It is not even up to 200 people. That means there is plenty of room to pile up more despicable, contemptible names. Why not James Ibori? Turai Yar’Adua? Michael Aondoakaa? Abba Ruma? Marcel Awokulehin? Dimeji Bankole? And, oh…Patience Jonathan.

www.saharareporters.com

nlanders, Can you believe your president?

Thanks everyone for all your concerns and kind words. Am glad to know that even some guys are of help and that so many have been in this before yet they picked themselves up and continued with their lives.

Am determined to do that, I have started going out even if alone at least it keeps me from a lonely place and its consequent loneliness. As for going back to him, I don't think it possible because the way he treated me when I went to visit even though he was the one that asked me to come was to me humiliation and even after I left no explanation till now.

@ Spyker, sleeping around is not part of me so its out of the question but thanks for the advice anyway.

wow! see talent. I don laugh my ribs dey crack. nice one

To God be all the glory and may u do ur work with all diligence. Ur best days are still ahead.

Hi nladers,

Please I need advice on how to overcome the pain of heart brake. I ve bin courting a guy for years now and he just broke my heart. I wouldn't want to go into details as I don't even know his reason since I cant remember doing anything wrong in particular and we didn't quarrel. I have tried asking what the problem was but no answer and it hurts me very deep.

I keep shading tears but its not helping me, He is actually the only friend I have had for years now so at the moment I feel lost since I have nobody to talk to. All I need is advice on how to keep myself busy as I find it unbearable when am alone.

I really dont understand how someone gets elected on a particular party platform to resign from the party without resigning his position.
What sort of politics is this? Please somebody should educate me.

"Whenever the Super Eagles are playing, there are no cases of armed robbery because everybody is watching the game"

Imagine reasoning! What a dumb ass. So this is basically the reason why SE should continue playing? What happens when they are not playing?
I can't still believe a law maker said this!

Tufiakwa

The Clown:
@Beaf,

Yes bad things happened during the military rule but I tell you, to get Nigeria out of the present junk yard we've found ourselves, we need redicalism and how do you think that can come by? If we give our voices against the military just because of what we percieved to have happened before now then what we are saying is that the nonsense happening now is the only option, in other words, radical change is not an option(?)! If you condemn the military because of two people, namely Babangida and Abacha, then be well aware that they did most of the things they did because of their civilian collaborators! What we need though is not just the military but a well intentioned set of military men! Civilians can't do it alone, at no time and no where have they done it alone, name it: British Revolution, French Revolution, American Revolution, Bulgarian Revolution, Ghanian Revolution, etc. If we continue complaining, our children suffer more us! But if we act, in any simple way, be it starting a public opinion, bringing up this kind of topics when we chat with friends, educate few illiterates on matters like this, then participating in the actual gun handling and clean sweeping, there would be a chance for us to hope that chance might come 2moro. All we are doing now is just paper tigritude!

You have a point here but the military has to be incited and this is where the civilians come in. The problem with our country is massive illiteracy and hunger. Imagine the case of former Inec boss where some people were paid to support him when almost the whole world was asking for his head. What do u make of that. Massive illiteracy on the part of Nigerians is a big big impediment as we seem not to know what to do. If all Nigerian masses would come out on a massive protest like what happened in Iran, continous pressure on them would bring up change and if they refuse to, it will give the military the needed impetus to carry out a coup.
The few educated nigerians who should talk are either intimidated or their business ventures closed down.
To me, we need a combined effort - all nigerians both in diaspora and home. simple

@ Seun, If ur really a good guy, Forget about being bad because you can never be except ur not really a good guy.

I have tried it and it didn't work, I end up still being the good girl and often times pay dearly for it but what I can I do. I am me and I cant change it.

My advice is that u keep being good, if the girls don't appreciate it, at least ur conscience will and one day the good girl will come along.

REALITY101:
Pls who the fck is  Sammy Okposo? just a question

O! boy Haba, U dey naiga at all?

To Sammy and Wife,
Congrats.

sizzlers:
why cant that guy come clean and defend himself

Because he is "guilty"

@ Wilfem, Thanks for the link but I dont understand how to down there with their free and premium user stuff.

Anybody who can post link as Semid posts them should kindly help.