Nikilia, there is nothing bad to it that I support my beloved country; NIGERIA! What happens in Ivory Coast is of no particular interest to us, I think. They speak French and we speak English, we cannot even understand each other. We are worlds apart,

PEACE

AS THIS IS A NIGERIAN FORUM WE SHOULD DEBATE NIGERIAN TOPICS

NIGERIA IS MY COUNTRY AND I LOVE IT AND I AM PROUD OF IT

NIGERIA IS THE HEARTBEAT OF AFRICA , What happens in South africa can be interesting to read but of no interest to NIGERIA Johannesburg-London is the same distance as Lagos-London

Nkilia, you do not seem to love our country, some Ivoirian guy comes along and puts dirt on Nigeria and all you can say is "shame on me"? I am a Nigerian and I love my country and I AM PROUD OF IT! I don´t want other people to talk badly of it while presenting themselves in a shiny way! That ´s all

Obasanjo has done so many positive things for our beloved countries, what has IBB done or abacha, he just picked up the phone in order to transfer billions of nair on his Swiss bank account and built 20km of tarred road, Is that what we really want?? Is that democracy

Ghanaians always say YOU CANNOT EAT DEMOCRACY!!! OBASANJO NEEDS ANOTHER TERM,

Well, this act in the early 80´s was perverse but is was a single act .(the same happens in South Africa, more than half a million people had to leave the country although they had legal papers but western media only show us the tanned fair-haired surfer boys and snazzy side walk cafés of Cape Town) , expulsions , in Ivory Coast are things that happen on a daily basis: people are dreadfully mistreated and whipped in open daylight when they are foreigners,


What has got the BBC World article to do when the Ivorian unrest?

I AM A PROUD NIGERIAN AND I LOVE MY COUNTRY

Moreover, Wade never said that! Not Wade, NEVER!

peace

I don´t know what you are talking about so stop talking this crab, ooo! Nigerians are ten times friendlier and more open-hearted than the majority of the arrogant Ivoirians. They are only looking for people to blame for their country´s downfall. Nigeria and Ivory Coast have always been competing on economic terms with each other in the past.

In Nigeria foreigners are welcome and treated well which is not and has never been the case in Ivory Coast. I know that country as I went there in the past.

panafrican, sorry I can´t believe you. Mr Wade of Senegal is a well-respected person and Senegal is showing great strength of improvement. He is really hard-working and loves his country very dearly. I know some Senegalese whom I like very much, (they are clever and nice and honest people). They have told me a lot about Francophone africa (especially Ivory Coast and Senegal). Moreover, I also went to some Ivoirian forums and saw how disgustingly you treat your own brothers and sisiters who have worked for your country´s well-being. YOU TALK VERY VERY BADLY AND MISTREAT THEM GRAVELY: Futhermore, there was a great Nigerian community in Abidjan and they really felt discriminated against in your country , and now you want to GO TO a NIGERIAN forum by tainting images of well-respected presidents like that of Wade in Senegal who is a one of the few panafricanist and one of the creators of NEPAD together with Thabo Mbéki BY SPREADING LIES ! ?

PLESE DON´T TAKE IT AMISS but the problems of your country have built up already in the 90´s and reached its logic climax n 2002. Most of the following presidents gave a toss for their people as opposed to the first benevelont autocrat named Houphouet-Boigny.

OK. let´s skip it here as this is Nigerian forum and we want to talk about things affecting our beloved country

West Africa´s most beautiful country in the 80´s (although I´ m a Nigerian I have to admit it!!) has had a very nasty downfall in the course of the years. everybody who went to Abidjan ten or fiteen years back was overwhelmed by the city´s beauty and modernity. Now everything has lost shine and the country is in tatters. Nobody wants to go there anymore.

This is beyond any doubt Abuja:new, snazzy and sparkling capital and a place for the NEW AND MODERN NIGERIA

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU): Return on investment in Nigeria is highest in the world
May 10th, 2006

International investors that pacticipated in the recently concluded second economist conferences roundtable in Abuja organised by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), have identified Nigeria's 35 percent return on investment as the highest in the world.

Accordingly, these participants have called on the Federal Government to pursue an aggressive positive image campaign across the globe in its efforts to attract foreign direct Investment into the country. Also, to ensure that the economic reform was not reversed after 2007, the government has been urged to fast-track the passage of the fiscal responsibility bill, the procurement bill and several other bills on tax reform.

According to senior economist of the economist intelligence unit, David Cowan, "potential rewards for investors do remain high, but the government needs to pick up the pace to ensure that the course for reform becomes irreversible.

"One year on from economist conferences' first business roundtable, held in January last year, major progress has been made in bank restructuring and with the debt write-off buy back. Also, Nigeria is continually being identified by business leaders as a future hub for West Africa, he said.

However, the senior economist mentioned that there was need to increase the pace of tax reforms, the restructuring of the energy sector, especially, the electricity sector's privatisation which he identified as key to a vibrant economy and private sector operations.

source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/?c=54&a=6373

Daily Champion (Lagos)

May 11, 2006
Posted to the web May 11, 2006

Lagos

FEDERAL Government yesterday set in motion plans to launch the first made-in-Nigeria satellite by 2018. Ahead of this plan, the country also expects to produce its first astronauts nine years from now.

The development was one of the decisions taken at the Weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Olusegun Obasanjo/with Vice President, Atiku Abubaker in Attendance.

Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, briefed newsmen after the FEC meeting.

The minister disclosed that the Federal Government has also approved about N1.83 billion for the supply of communications and military equipment to the 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

Speaking on the contracts awarded for the Nigerian Army, the minister, stated that "there was also memo for the procurement of radio equipment for the Nigerian Army awarded at a cost of N623.6 million.

According to the Minister, "The other contract also is for the procurement of logistics items for 103 battalion of the Nigerian Army inducted for the United Nations (UN) Mission in Sudan. All of you know the role that Nigeria is playing as far as peace-keeping mission is concerned in the African continent, particularly now in the Sudan where the contribution of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army is applauded and appreciated by everybody.

"So when we sent our army to this kind of thing, it is our responsibility and duty to make sure that they have all the equipment that they require to make us proud. The cost of this contract is for the supply of ammunition (N778 million), communication equipment (N174.9 million ), 10 4 by 4 jeeps (N70.6 million), 4 truck tankers (N50 million) and 2 bulldozers (N130 million)", he added

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Turner Isoun on his part, noted that "the 25-year plan has the objective that we should be able to produce a Nigerian astronaut by 2015. We should be able to launch a satellite manufactured in Nigeria by 2018, and we should be able to launch a satellite manufactured and made in Nigeria and launched within the territory of Nigeria. Please note that no country has been able to do these things automatically".


He added that "it is expected that in 25 years, Nigeria would have developed the capacity to manufacture, launch a satellite, develop communication software and sell band waves".

Another major highlight of the weekly Federal Executive Council is the directive given by the President that the Petroleum Development Tax Fund (PDTF) provides fund worth N2.50 billion for the supply of science and technological training, learning equipment and laboratory equipment to 102 unity federal schools and 6 federal polytechnics, one each from the six geo-political zones of the country.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mukhtar Shagari who coordinated the weekly FEC briefing alongside the Ministers of Scince and Technology, Turner Isoun; Education, Chinwe Nora Obaji and Minister of State for Health, Halima Tayo Alao, also stated that approval has been given for the establishment of units and desks in all tiers of Government towards ensuring that the National Policy on Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response in Nigeria becomes a reality.

Nwoke, no problem . I got it from Thisday which is one of the few serious newspapers in Nigeria.

Here we go: http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=47034

By Crusoe Osagie, 05.02.2006
Economy

Nigeria's economic profile among the world's emerging markets has recorded phenomenal growth in the past seven years, according to statistics released by the Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Mr Ayo Teriba.

Speaking at the post-Annual General Meeting business luncheon of the Franco-Nigeria Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Teriba said the figures showed remarkable increases in Nigeria's economic prospects with respect to economic growth indices such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), foreign reserve as well as commodity, crude oil and non-oil export growth indices.

Teriba, who spoke at the FNCCI luncheon in Lagos on the topic, "Nigeria Economic Outlook 2006: Roles of Cycles and Policies", stated that in terms of foreign reserves, Nigeria ranked after its debt payment 15th among the world's emerging markets with about $36 billion, ahead of countries like Israel, which has $27.9 billion, South Africa $18.6 billion, Egypt $20.9 billion and Philippines $15.8 billion, among others.

Nigeria was also ranked number nine by the Economic Associates statistics with a GDP growth rate of 6 percent, towering over strong developing economies like Brazil, which occupied the 26th position with GDP growth rate of one percent, Mexico occupying the 25th position with 3.3 percent growth rate and South Africa, which took the 19th position with a 4.9 percent growth rate.

Nigeria however trailed behind most of these countries when other economic growth indices were considered. For example, it has the highest interest rate regime among all these countries with an average interest rate of about 19.1 percent against an interest rate of 1.65 percent in Taiwan, 1.92 percent in Czech Republic, 2.25 percent in China, Malaysia 3.28 percent and Singapore 3.38 percent.

South Africa had its average interest rate standing at about 7.2 percent, Israel 5.22 percent, India 6.67 percent and Brazil 17.29 percent, among others.

In a another development, the new president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Bashir Borodo, has pledged the support of the association to the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, stating that its economic reforms have yielded tangible results evident in the rising foreign reserve.

The new MAN president who was elected last week after the association's Extra Ordinary General Meeting (EGM), which took place in their Lagos office, said that the association is in full support of the reforms of the present administration, which have yielded positive results.

"I wish to emphasise that the new leadership will remain partners with government at all levels," he said. "In this regard, the new leadership will continue to cooperate with the present administration under the leadership of president Olusegun Obasanjo and the economic team to ensure that the vision and mission of a better Nigeria project is realised, " he said.

my2cent, you coined the words marvelously, nothing more to add

Because I love my country and I will defend it if you want to defend these people just go on. I´ll stick to my country Nigeria! A plAce I love, Westerners always hipe countries, support dictorships and once they are over with them they just dump them

TAKE GHANA A COUNTRY THAT IS TAKING GREAT STRIDES in IMPROVING. Kufuor went so many times to G8 summits and so on and begged for investments in his country soooo many times but western investors still shy away when they hear the name Ghana while Asian investors come to the country. Why are they not supporting democracies and once Kufuor´S legislation is over they go around writing articles that Africans are incapable and that Ghana remains stagnant while South Corea took off, they showered South Corea with a lot of investment and money while Ghana is left out, They like to see our countries suffer because this is what they are accustomed, too. It is really sad

NEVERTHELESS I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I AM A PROUD TO BE A NIGERIAN

PS: Where did I say that Obasanjo was a saint

Whiteroses, how can I be jealous of South africa when I am a Nigerian! ??!! I do not belong to any impoverished small desert or bush African republic but to great and mighty N-I-G-E-R-I-A AND i AM VERY PROUD OF IT.

THE MAIN REASON FOR HIS NOT BEING INVITED IS THAT HE WELCOMES ASIAN INVESTORS AND OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE TO THIS THIS BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT OUR MARKET WAS "RESERVED" FOR THEM.

But reflecting on it a second time, who really cares G8 is an old fashioned club of some wine-drinking and sandwich-eating rascists. The next generation countries like China India Brazil Mexico and Nigeria will move on without them anyway

I am soooo fed up with an elite club saying what our countries should and should not do!!!!

Whiteroses, how can I be jealous of South africa when I am a Nigerian! ??!! I do not belong to any impoverished small desert or bush African republic but to great and mighty N-I-G-E-R-I-A AND i AM VERY PROUD OF IT.

THE MAIN REASON FOR HIS NOT BEING INVITED IS THAT HE WELCOMES ASIAN INVESTORS AND OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE TO THIS THIS BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT OUR MARKET WAS "RESERVED" FOR THEM.

But who refelcting on it a second time who really cares G8 is an old fashioned club of some wine-drinking and sandwich-eating rascists. The next generation countries like China India Brazil Mexico and Nigeria will move on without them anyway

I have been asking myself this question. , but let´s be honest Nigeria is the most important country in Africa. China is continously eyeing Nigeria as a huge market so in some years time Nigeria will be leaps and heads ahead of South Africa. Chinse investors and president as most other Asian investors come to us instead of visiting South Afica. White people don´t like to see that a black nation succeeds.Moreover, they always thought that they have got the monopoly on making business with us, suddenly they see that there is competition and they begin to corner Nigeria again (Nigeria third term is a "welcome" invitation for them) How can the president of a comparatively "non-important" country such as Congo-Brazzaville (which is even more non-democratic than our country!!!!) be invited while Oba. receives no invitation,eehh Something is not right in here

I have read this morning in the papers that Obasanjo is not invited to the forthcoming G8 summit in Russia while South Africa´s president is invited. Obasanjo has always been invited to the G8 summits and suddenly the inviation has been turned down. Is it because of Chinese interest in Nigeria ? What is behind this? It is really a bit strange. How can South Africa be more important than Nigeria? No Chinese president ever visited South africa, is obo´s non-invitation a sign that Nigeria becomes a "no-go area" for the so-called rich nations? Please help me understand it, Thanks

I do prefer KFC, STarbucks and Seattle´s BESt over the slimy MC Do´s burgers!

By the way, has anybody noticed that cute little "bonjour" store at Total´s filling station. It is cool and I like it. The days of shabby filling stations are gone. Hurrahhh!!!

I am yearning to see more pics, please!

zebudaya, how can you say this?

it won´t be forgotten, if it will, Nigeria will remain stagnant forever, and i would prefer an autocracy over a democracy ´cos ´na democracy ´na no de bring project to end,ooo!!

well, I am sorry Nwoke. I am a very direct person and often tend to shout out loud what bothers my mind. I am sorry, ooo!!

and to round it off, here are some of the new airports which are being built OR EVEN COMPLETED.

AGAIN MORE FORMAL AND INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT FOR THE PEOPLE AND LESS POVERTY


















OLD hYDERABAD AIRPORT:




new hyderabad internationa airport





[img]http://www.nsw.no/images/62/06.gif[/img]

India is still associated in the minds of our contrymen as a place of beggars, cows;poverty and bicyles (all of which are around there, of course) but in recent years the governement with the private sector embarked on improving transportation, too. like building a METRO IN NEW DELHI, INDIA´S CAPITAL which stated in 2001 and is already partly open AGAIN MORE EMPLOYMENT MORE WORK FOR PEOPLE

WASN´T THERE A MONORAIL PROJECT IN NIGERIA, too , I have read about it in the papers!

[img]http://img61.echo.cx/img61/3079/delhimetrosmartcardfront25dec0.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img257.echo.cx/img257/1264/metropbsized0ux.jpg[/img]



[img]http://img281.echo.cx/img281/3936/delhimetro22uh.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img281.echo.cx/img281/5677/delhimetro2dt.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img281.echo.cx/img281/1517/delhimetrostation21kg.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img281.echo.cx/img281/4915/delhimetrostation63uv.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img281.echo.cx/img281/6363/delhimetrostation72is.jpg[/img]




[img]http://img281.echo.cx/img281/9282/delhimetrowork6at.jpg[/img]

Again I would like to take the example of India (in accordance) with my last thread. Because our country has some similarities with the AsiaN giant (huge population, same British colonial heritage, economically starting frOm a low basis , infrastructure problems, huge human potential, etc.). Comparing Nigeria to India is more feasible than comparing it to Malaysia, South Africa or even Singapore or Taiwan. India has captured the world´s attention for transforming itself into a back-office centre of the world in recent years but the governement is taking a great effort to improve the country´s infrastructure in order to build new ports, airports and highway construction.

As I am currently not in Nigeria , one might correct me if things back home have improved in showing to me and to the other forumers photos of infrastructure improvement. There is a new terminal in Lagos about to open but what about Abuja termainal, Port harcourt and Kano airport , what about road and highway construction in our country? Is there any (slight) improvement at least?

Road and Highway Projects realised in India in recent years/months (new inaugurations)














[img]http://www.it.iitb.ac.in/~shantanu/gallery/albums/expressway/DSC00091.jpg[/img]


[img]http://img153.echo.cx/img153/6108/156353393yhgqlhfs7ez.jpg[/img]


[img]http://img41.echo.cx/img41/6241/expressway7ov.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img274.echo.cx/img274/3443/165823753igkonsfs3ge.jpg[/img]



[img]http://img145.exs.cx/img145/3526/bangaloreroad7pd.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img192.exs.cx/img192/1615/krishnagirisand0jd.jpg[/img]


[img]http://tinypic.com/4viget[/img]













[img]http://img142.echo.cx/img142/48/f4de01b9jpgorig7ot.jpg[/img]

BUT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF DECREPIT ROADS TOO LIKE THESE

NWOKE, I have finished my studies in architecture. Am I not allowed to have dreams for the country which gave birth to me? PLEASE, I AM A NEW GENERATION NIGERIAN WHO STICKS TO PRINCIPLES OF A MARKET BASED ECONOMY IF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS STRONG WHO NEEDS THE SILLY GOVERNMENT. GOVERNEMENT´S ROLE should be restricted to building the basic physical and social inratstructure of a country and NOTHING ELSE, to my mind. Government projects are a thing of the past PRIVATE DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT WILL GUIDE US THROUGH THE FUTURE. I do hope that the Palms (which is a private driven project like the one in Cross Rivers, too) will usher in a new era, we as young Nigerians must say goodbye ONCE AND FOR ALL to those grumpy and flabby government officials.