₦airaland Forum

Dear drbigdaddyg,

Greetings in the name of Nairaland.

If you don't mind, will you kindly answer this question?

In what issue or edition of Forbes magazine was an article on Orji Kalu written?

I look forward to your response. Thanks.

Hi Wendydoks,

Yep, in my humble opinion Murtala Muhammed was the best leader we ever had! What a shame he only lasted 6 months. But that is part of the problem we have in Nigeria. It seems as if Nigerians prefer a leader who is corrupt, a leader who will loot the treasury and give a few crumbs to his cronies.

The worst leader? I'd say Abacha, IBB, Shagari and Gowon in that order.

Mckren, Vizion and Jaybaba,

I throway salute. You guys are a living testament to the greatness of this our Nairaland website. In my version, I said that Atiku wanted to report the suitcase issue to the authorities. This is the version of events I read at the time, not until now, was I aware of a totally opposite report. That is why Nairaland is the greatest. If I was aware of two versions; I would definitely have mentioned both in my write-up.

Thank you guys, for provoking more thought about this. Of course, there can only be one truth, Atiku was either in on the deal or against it. In a nutshell, I accept that my version may be totally wrong, or totally accurate. I am as eager as everybody else to find out the truth of what happened on that fateful day. I'll do more research and post any info as soon as I get it.

Long live Nairalanders!!!!!!!!

Hi,

I'll try my best.

It was way back in the day. Buhari was the Head of State, his sidekick was the military hardliner Tunde Idiagabon. The govt decided to change the currency, I can't really remember the reason why, maybe to revamp the economy. Ialso think they wanted to force the politicains they had deposed to come back with their stolen loot (I may be wrong about this, all of this happened circa 1984). Anyways, I definitely know that the Naira was trading at N1.50 to the £1, and 85cents to the dollar. (Yes, this was the exchge rate in those days!!!! If you can lay your hands on a copy of Punch, Daily Times or Punch newspapers from 1985, you can check these factsout for yourself).

As part of the currency conversion excercise nobody was allowed to take any money outside Nigeria's borders. Lo and behold it was reported that the Emir of Gwandu successfully smuggled out 53 suitcases of naira notes, presumably to change into foreign currency abroad before it becomes worthless.

The press and social critics raised a lot of dust about this, but nothing concrete was done about it. Nevetheless, the credibility of the Buhari regime suffered terribly as a result of this.

I think he took the suiotcases to the airport, but the customs officer on duty, a certain Alhaji Abubakar Atiku wanted it confiscated and reported to the military govt. However, the Emir came to the airport with some army officers, I think two Colonels who insisted that the Emir must fly out with his Naira laden luggage. In case you were wondering, yes, the customs boss in question is no other than Alhaji Atiku, the current VP.

Hi Wendyoks, you nailed it in one hit!!!!!!!!

GYG aka Jack was the lackey boy of the old British colonial imperialists. They loved their Sandhurst trained flunkey.

When he was in power, he failed to solve the problem of port congestion, he was insenstive to the demand for a new capital (due to the congestion of Lagos which he failed to address) and turned a deaf ear to anti-corruption crusaders such as Aper Aku and Godwin Daboh.

Allegations of coruption against JD Gomwalk -Governor of Benue Plateu state were simply ignored. In his time there were 12 governors and people were clamouring for a change due to the corruption of the governors.

Gowon promised to reassign the governors but did nothing, he promised to return the country to civil rule in 1976, but in 1974 he announced to the nation that the return to civil rule in 1976 was unrealistic. Of course, he failed to give another date for the return to democracy. Journalists and social critics that made any rumblings aginst his govt were picked up to help the police in their investigations at the dreaded Alagbon Close. Many spent weeks and even months incommunicado, Sunday Adewusi saw to that. Gowon promised to create new states but did nothing.

His cousin JS Tarka the Federal Commissiner for Communcations was accused of corrupt enrichment by Godwin Daboh; in response JS Tarka promised a chain of reactions if he was allowed to go down. He later resigned due to the heat of the Nigerian press and academicians. What did Gowon do?, nothing. No probe, no investigation, nada. But then, JS Tarka was his cousin. It was during his reign we saw the emergence of the 10 per centers. Every contract was inflated by 10% and the difference split under the table.

Mozambiqu, Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia were all under harsh colonial rule and Gowon did nothing. Yet here he was boasting that Nigeria is the giant of Africa. Yes, he won the civil war and promised that he would implement 'Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Redemption in the spirit of 'no victor, no vanquished'. However, in real terms, he did little to reabsorb the Ibo nation into the mainstream of Nigerian affairs.

Then one day, on the 9th anniversary of Gowon's ascension to power, Col Joe Garba announces to the nation that Jack has been toppled from the top of the hill.

Murtala Muhammed becomes the new head of state and within 6 months creates new states, appoints a constitution drafting committee in preparation for the return to civcle, gives a solid timetable for the return to civil rule in 1979, appoints a commitee which chooses Abuja as the new capital, nationalises BP and Barclays bank which in turn, sends shock signals to Britain and other Europeoan countries supporting evil, minority regimes in Southern Africa. Nigeria now has a proactive foreign policy and the whole world sits up and somewhat nervously takes notice. The Giant has woken from its slumber!!!!! Murtala takes the struggle for self determination to the UN and supports the liberation movements politically, financially and in kind. Nigeria becomes a welcome haven for freedom fighters from all the countries in Southern Africa.


He probes the 12 governors, finds all but 10 corrupt and seizes their ill gotten wealth, decongests the troublesome ports, purges the civil service of 'dead woods', begins reorientation and demobillisation of the bloated armed forces etc.


In a nutshell, Murtala was able to achieve in 6 months what Gowon couldn't do in 9 years!!!!!!!!!!

Despite his ineptitude, Gowon's govt was not the worst (in my opinion) (Don't you want to weep for Nigeria?) but he laid the foundation for the rot in which we find ourselves today!!!!!!!!

Gem 87, you have one great asset on your side, youth! You are only 19, right? Listen, you still have your whole future in front of you, so wise up to my little piece below:

Even people who have been happily married since Sunny Ade waxed his first album did not drop from heaven. It all started with the first glance and conversation; be it electronic, face-to-face or otherwise!

There is no crime in loving someone, just be careful and more importantly be prayerful. No matter what, God knows the beginning from the end. At your age, if you pray about this sincerely for 4 years, you will still be 23 which is a great age to get married or start afresh. Meanwhile, you guys have to be together, either in Nigeria, U.K or Burkina Faso. The location doesn't really matter, but you have to see and be with each other in a real life scenario.

Do things together, experience life together and keep an open mind. Make sure that responsible friends and older relatives are aware of the relationship. A few questions to ponder over, does this guy care about your future, dreams and aspirations? Is he willing to share his last kuli-kuli with you? Does he respect you? Vice Versa to you.

To be honest love is quite simple when it is all romantic and slightly detached from reality. You will only know if it can work when you've been through a few rough times together, this could include financial problems, social pressures due to work/study commitments, differences of opinion and even negativity from loved ones.

I wish you all the the very best and nothing but joy and happiness.

I'm from Oshun State, the governor is Oyinlola. Well, what can I say?

I spent a month in Oshogbo, the state capital last year. Water is rationed in the state capital, a few hours on a particular day in the week. My area was supposed to get water on Tuesdays. The first two weeks were fine, as water was supplied on the allotted Tuesday.

So on Tuesday, we would fill every last container with water. We also had a well at the backyard, so we could just about make it to the following Tuesday. However, on week 3 and 4 no water! To make matters worse, the wells had dried up, as everyone in the building had to rely on the wells and it was the dry season. After a while, you could only get muddy water from the wells. Beleive you me, it was not funny!

During this same period, a muslim uncle recounted his experience when he attempted to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Apparently, people from Oshun state were asked to report to some camp before boarding their flights. Everyone had a number, but when it came to his number, in Nyjer style they disrupted the whole thing. He spent days in the camp and was virtually on the same spot/seat as any attempt to leave could make him effectively lose his turn. To cut a long story short, the place was a dump, no toilets etc. After a few days, the governor Oyinlola turned up. Some people including some piligrims who had been going thru the same plight as my uncle, started hailing the governor. Oyin ni o, which is the governors campaign chant. (roughly meaning 'It is honey' It is honey', the governors surname roughly translates to 'honey is wealth'). Anyways, the Gov acknowledged the cheers and within minutes had disappeared with his entourage. I can't really remember if he left to catch his flight to Mecca. After spending days in the camp and stinking the place out like a skunk, my uncle couldn't stand it any longer so he left. He forfeited any right to compensation as they were told blatantly that 'if you leave you will not get any refund or compensation'.

Imagine my surprise when a few weeks ago, I was watching BEN TV and the selfsame Gov Oyinlola won an award as being one of the best governors in Nigeria. This same governor that was invoved in the VI or was it Ikoyi propery sale that OBJ cancelled last year. In his defence, Oyinlola stated he got the money to buy the property from a bank loan. For crying out loud, he is a retired army Colonel! Some of my school mates are Colonels in the army and I know how much they earn. He was once Military governor of Lagos state so that might explain his source of wealth.

Now, if you can't provide tap water in the state capital, I really wonder. Reminds me of Orji Kalu; he wants to be president, yet Aba his state capital is the dirtiest city in Nigeria as voted by NAIRALAND members! May God help Nigeria!!

Fellow Nairalanders, I throway salute! Ever since I was knee high to a teddy bear, I've been hearing all sorts about the Kwara Strongman and so called kingmaker, Chief Olusola Abubakar Saraki. I'd forgotten all about him over the past years, but his name cropped up again (in the mix) with respect to Societe General Bank and Jay Jay Okocha's million pound investment. Does anyone know the real deal about Olusola Saraki ?. I mean, what does he really do for a living? Why is he so influential in Kwara politices? What is his biography etc.

Hi Nairalanders, I'll be going to the homeland later this year and hope to get a whole new wardrobe of hot traditional wears. Does anyone know where I can get some unique male traditional wears in Nigeria?

IBO PROVERB-He who the Gods want to destroy, they first make mad.

YORUBA PROVERB-'Eni to ba ya igbe sile kin ranti, eni to ma ko lo man ranti'- He who shits on the ground never remembers, but the person who cleans up the mess never forgets

PIDGIN ENGLISH PROVERB-'Who no know go know'-Anyone who is not aware of what's going on will eventually find out.

YORUBA PROVERB-'To ba tori isu je epo, wa tori epo je isu'-If you don't eat yam for the sake of palm oil, you'll eat palm oil for the sake of yam.

I throway salute to all of una (Greetings to ya'll). Your recipes have got me all salivating.

I hope you guys don't mind me asking this question, but where is the best pepper soup joint that you know of in Nigeria?

Hi Everyone, let's face it, although we all know that the low riders are thrashy, slutty and sometimes blatantly kinky, a lot of guys enjoy the 'free cinema'.
If you are really offended you are free to stick your face in a broadsheet, preferably the Financial Times. As for me? Here comes summer, shake that thang girls, oops, I meant show that thong!!!