₦airaland Forum

MamaFryo:
I have been meticulously following this issues long before Tinubu got into Aso Rock.

I know that the Obidients would see this from another perspective. But whichever angle that they choose to see it, nobody should diminish the significance of paying pensioners what they are legally owed. If truly, the Federal Government has settled N39.63 billion in outstanding pension liabilities, that is a welcome development. Pensioners should never have had to wait this long.

But Nigerians should also reject the attempt to rewrite history for political convenience.

The collapse of NITEL was not the handiwork of one man. It was a cocktail of years of bad governance (some of which the APC government played a role), political interference, failed reforms, weak management, corruption and multiple unsuccessful privatisation efforts across different administrations. Again, reducing that complex history to “Atiku sold NITEL, Tinubu paid the bill” is political propaganda, not serious historical analysis at all. Don’t do this!

More importantly, please and please, these pensions are not acts of charity by any President. They are LEGAL obligations owed by the Nigerian state to workers who earned them decades ago. Governments are continuous. When today’s government pays yesterday’s debts, it is fulfilling a constitutional responsibility. It not doing pensioners any personal favour.

Does this current administration deserves credit for finally paying these arrears. Big YES. But it does not need to manufacture a political villain to justify doing what every responsible government ought to have done years ago. We need to move away from this Akara and Kuli Kuli type politics.

Public communication should inform citizens, not use pensioners’ hardship as campaign material. I tell you this for a fact, Nigerians deserve facts, context and accountability, not trying to give us all this selective history packaged as political triumph.


Wetin I even know sef? I am just an ordinary Nigerian Policewoman.

You have the time to respond.

For someone “who has been following this issue,” not to know the issue, it says a lot about the person.

The NITEL saga spanned 14 years, six failed attempts, at least ₦100 billion in direct losses from Pentascope alone, a $1.317 billion phantom bid from IIL, misuse of NITEL pension funds in 2005, a $500m 2006 deal that ended in staff going unpaid for a year, and a final sale at $252m for assets widely believed to be worth over $1 billion.

The entire saga played out under the NCP architecture that Atiku chaired and it stands as perhaps the single most damning indictment of the Obasanjo-era privatisation programme.

For the likes of @MamaFryo, here is the timeline of NITEL’s sordid privatisation saga and abuse of pension funds…

1985 — NITEL formed from the merger of P&T’s telecoms division and Nigerian External Telecommunications (NET). Inherited mostly analogue infrastructure, chronic inefficiency, and call completion rates below 50%.

1999 — Obasanjo takes office; Atiku Abubakar becomes VP and Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP). Nasir el-Rufai heads the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) as implementing arm.

Nov 2001 — Investors International Ltd (IIL) wins a 51% stake with a US$1.317bn bid. IIL turns out to be a hastily assembled shell with no real funds. sources money locally from First Bank, raises only 10%, and the deal collapses, bringing down First Bank’s management.

Jan 2002 — Pentascope International registered in the Netherlands on New Year’s Day with 8 staff including a janitor. Not registered in Nigeria to do business.

Feb 2003 — Atiku approves in writing the management contract with Pentascope. NITEL’s own board chairman writes a report warning BPE that Pentascope has neither the technical nor financial capacity; el-Rufai overrides him.

Apr 2003 — Pentascope takes over NITEL management. Its claimed relationship with Dutch telecoms giant KPN, which won it the bid, is later proved a forgery.

Mar 2004 — After one year under Pentascope, NITEL’s ₦15bn profit has become a ₦19.15bn loss, turnover drops from ₦53bn to ₦41bn, and working lines collapse from 553,471 to 291,000. Nigeria loses over ₦100bn.

Feb 2005 — Pentascope contract terminated. BPE takes over direct management of NITEL, but mismanagement continues. staff pension funds are raided and union protesters are detained.

Dec 2005 — Orascom Telecom of Egypt bids US$256.5 million for a 51% stake. The bid falls below the undisclosed reserve price and is cancelled in January 2006.

Jul 2006 — Transcorp wins a 75% stake for US$750m on the fourth privatisation attempt, ultimately taking 51% for US$500m.

Nov 2006 — Two BT executives appointed as CEOs of NITEL and MTel. Six months later BT withdraws entirely from the management venture.

2007 — Internal disagreements split Transcorp’s founders. Staff salaries go unpaid for over twelve months.

Feb 2008 — Government announces it is reversing the privatisation, citing Transcorp’s failure to meet performance objectives. A December 2007 rescue plan between government and Transcorp to bring in a new core investor is overtaken by events.

Sep 2008 — NCP announces BNP Paribas with Eleda Capital Partners as consultants for a fresh privatisation attempt. It later emerges that BNP’s key personnel are former BPE staff involved in the original Pentascope deal. Goes nowhere.

1 Jun 2009 — NCP, now chaired by VP Goodluck Jonathan, formally cancels the Transcorp sale, citing serious breach of terms and alleging ₦15bn in embezzlement and operational neglect.

Feb 2010 — New Generation Telecommunications submits the highest bid of US$2.5bn for a 75% stake, more than 2.5 times the reserved bid. The process is mired in controversy over undisclosed consortium partners and collapses.

2014 — NITEL and MTel assets sold to Tunde Ayeni’s NATCOM for US$252m, a fraction of the true value. Landed assets in Lagos, Abj & PH were valued at over $1bn. We know how that ended.

oz4real83:
in my years of existence, I have never seen an employment or political position where junior waec was listed as the minimum qualification😏. Very useless certificate indeed😏.

How old are you? How can the exam be used for employment or political position? Would you encourage your child to get employed at that age or contest for a political position at that age or with such qualification?

Oga, relax and let's address the issue properly. The so-called Junior WAEC examinations are Nigerian national exams by NECO, NOT actually West African regional exams, as we do refer it to be. Meanwhile, it's now called BECE, Basic Examination Certificate Examinations. The Nigerian education reform was done by the then Minister of Education Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesile under President OBJ. The school systems changed from Pry to Basic, & the peak of it is Basic 9, that's called JSS 3. That's what informed the idea of NECO Senior Sec School Exam alongside WASSCE in 2000.

On its usefulness, the BECE (Junior exam) is a requirement for Technical & Vocational Colleges. Hence, its certificate is valid & useful.

Secondly, it's the preparatory exam & awareness to students of how an external exam is conducted & approached for students.

Lastly, it is the qualification into the Senior Secondary, SSS classes.

My Oga, I hope I've been able to enlighten you on this & correct your misrepresentation of fact. 👌

Wawelexy:
You know I might agree with you to some extent, but there's no way to it, it's bad, because you are not meant to self service by nature, that's not how it being designed...


Just imagine, that very feeling you will get, after you caught your wife self servicing, be honest with yourself, what would run through your mind?..... I'm not expecting your next quote if you grab...

If you think it is not how nature is designed, don't you know what is called improvisation? There are plenty things that became normal today because some people thought there could be an alternative to what many had considered as normal. Let me ask you some serious questions. Is nature designed for you to use condom or any form of contraceptives? Have you at any point in your life used it? Do you consider using it a sin or evil?

I encourage my partner to masturbate whenever I am not with her and she feels a strong urge to have sex and we don't see anything bad in it. In fact, when we got married newly, there were times I would tell her to use a Love Machine on herself before we do the do because it practically turns me on. She was a bit resistant to it at first because of what the society has said about it but later she got used to it and we both enjoy the experience.

If you think it is not how nature is designed, don't you know what is called improvisation? There are plenty things that became normal today because some people thought there could be an alternative to what many had considered as normal. Let me ask you some serious questions. Is nature designed for you to use condom or any form of contraceptives? Have you at any point in your life used it? Do you consider using it a sin or evil?

I encourage my partner to masturbate whenever I am not with her and she feels a strong urge to have sex and we don't see anything bad in it. In fact, when we got married newly, there were times I would tell her to use a Love Machine on herself before we do the do because it practically turns me on. She was a bit resistant to it at first because of what the society has said about it but later she got used to it and we both enjoy the experience.

Olofofo247ng:
The good old days of little beginning...

Zechariah 4:10

“For who hath despised the day of small things?”

KJV

Most modern translations say:
“Do not despise these small beginnings”

NIV, ESV, NLT


This expression was used in the bible when Zechariah was encouraging Zerubbabel and the Israelites as they rebuilt the temple after exile. The work looked small and unimpressive compared to Solomon’s temple, but God was saying not to look down on humble beginnings.

Are you a young couple still struggling with your partner to make something meaningful out of life? Don't be worried, there is light after the tunnel. In time, God will make everything beautiful for you. Hang on! Don't lose hope. God is involved!

💪 🙏 💯.

Preach it Pastor! Fire 🔥 on! God will make everything beautiful for me and my family. I receive it!

If only he was allowed to rule Lagos state...

He was a gentle man (Omoluabi) to the core. Intelligent and innovative. When I heard about his assassination, I was still an undergraduate in the University of Lagos. The whole Unilag community was in disarray...I wept because I knew we may not get to see his kind around in our political sphere anytime soon.

May Your Soul Rest In Peace Engr. Oluwafunso Williams. May those who were involved in your sudden death never die again. In serious pain and agony, may they beg to see death but never come close to it. So shall it be!

Am I buying the property with the dog too? Interesting

It's good for 65 Million in that area. Fair deal if you go a bit lower.

Many landlords need to learn from this case in this era of solar panel installation in almost every home in Nigeria. If you are a landlord and you don't want solar panel on your roof, it is better for you to include it in your agreement with your tenant before he/she moves in.

BATified2023:
it's obvious u don't know anything about politics, seyi tinubu can b everything but not governor of Lagos state even when tinubu is no longer d president.

There are many things involved which u don't know, ordinary apc issue that they had in Lagos in d last election made tinubu lose Lagos let alone when his son is planning to become governor so u don't know it will lead to many problem?

It is part of the plan to make you think you know what you know now. Wait for the right time till you get to know what I truly know.

Didijiji:
All these mumu hyping yet he ends up as Nigeria’s worst president

Economy 0
Security 0
Power supply 0

Tuehhhh

Nigeria's Worst president? Rated by who? I guess only you...SMH

How do you still survive in a nation with 0 Economy, 0 Security and 0 Power Supply? Please, explain to me. Are people still living in such a country? I am sure it only exits in your imagination.

They also don't know that he doesn't just jump at any available opportunities around him like many other politicians, he takes time to plan before he executes. He could have made his son the governor of Lagos from way back, he had to relax and plan the step strategically. Now, he is pushing the boy to your face, everywhere you go and filling him in strategic positions until the right time to declare him as Lagos state governor and probably the president of the country when it is the right time. He is a man of rooted political ideology that you can hardly outsmart.

7 Reasons Why You Need A Specialized Fumigation Service Before Moving To Your New Home/Apartment/Office

Building a new home, apartment, or office in Nigeria is a major milestone. Years of savings, planning and construction finally pay off. But amid the excitement of handing over keys, many overlook a vital step which is post-construction fumigation. If you live in Nigeria, I know that you will agree with me that most construction sites are breeding grounds for pests like termites, rodents, cockroaches and mosquitoes, which thrive on wood dust, food scraps, and stagnant water. Skipping this service invites health risks, property damage, and endless headaches—especially in bustling Lagos where high-rises in Lekki and estates in Ikeja face constant pest pressures. Here are seven compelling reasons to prioritize it:

1. You Need To Eliminate Hidden Pests from Construction Debris
Nigerian construction often leaves behind sawdust, wood shavings, and rubble—perfect nests for termites and ants. In Lagos' humid Surulere neighborhoods, these invaders weaken fresh structures before you unpack. Professional fumigation uses targeted chemicals to wipe them out, ensuring your investment stays solid.

2. You Need To Prevent Costly Structural Damage
Termites alone cause billions in damages yearly across Nigeria. They chew through beams and walls undetected during the build, as seen in recent Ikeja apartment collapses linked to infestations. A post-construction fumigate seals cracks and voids, stopping issues that could cost millions to repair.

3. You Need To Safeguard Your Family's Health
Rats, snakes, mosquitoes, wall-gekos and cockroaches carry diseases like Lassa fever, typhoid and asthma triggers—rampant in our tropical climate. New builds in Lagos trap their eggs in hidden spots, fueling outbreaks in densely packed areas like Yaba. Fumigation removes these threats, creating a safe space for kids, the elderly, and anyone with allergies.

4. You Need To Block Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes
With malaria killing over 100 Nigerians daily, stagnant water in construction pits breeds Aedes mosquitoes. In flood-prone Lekki Phase 1, Lagos Island, Epe, Badagry and Ijede part of Ikorodu, this sparks surges during rains. Post-fumigation targets larvae and adults, slashing your risk before you move in.

5. You Need To Avoid Long-Term Infestation Cycles
Pests and bugs multiply fast in Nigeria's heat. Without fumigation, a few survivors become hundreds, forcing reactive treatments that disrupt your life—as common in Lagos' busy markets and estates.

6. You Need To Comply with Health and Building Standards
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) recommends post-construction pest control for occupancy certificates. Skipping it risks fines or delays in areas like Victoria Island.

7. You Need To Boost Your Property Value and Give Yourself Peace of Mind
A pest-free space impresses buyers or tenants, raising resale value in competitive Lagos markets. More importantly, it lets you enjoy your new home without midnight rodent symphonies or endless sprays. Start fresh, stress-free.

Don't let pests steal your dream space. Here are some tested and trusted companies in Lagos, Nigeria that specialize fully in fumigation and pest control services:

Afterlife Cleaning Services
08180458852(Strictly WhatsApp)
090788339933 (Phone call or SMS)

Splendid Fumigation Professionals
08034791190 (Phone call or Whatsapp)

DeeDee Fumigators
07080175472 (Phone call or Whatsapp)


These companies above specialize in expert post-construction fumigation using safe, approved methods tailored for Nigerian homes and offices.

Your new beginning deserves protection—act now!

OverCalculating:
Moderators of the Health and Career section are not fully active. There are some important threads that they fail to move to front page even after calling their attention to it. Also, monetization of front page contents for the posters is not a bad idea because some people put extra efforts to prepare the contents that they post on each section. I think I have an idea to make the monetization process easier; let the criteria for being a moderator be based on the number of front page worthy post a poster has made. For example, you may say, if you have up to 20 posts that have made front page within a particular period, you would be automatically eligible to become a moderator. Then your moderators could go through some training to know more about the work culture and ethics of the forum. After that, you can put them on weekly or monthly payment with a target of post to make on a daily or periodic basis. This will make posting of contents look more original, professional, competitive and entertaining with different styles and enthusiasm because of the money involved.

Then as for the advertisement which is the soul of the forum. I suggest that there should be some sponsored adverts in form of thread and not just the usual advert banners on top of the thread section. When visiting each page, many people like me just focus on the thread section and read through the lines of each thread without looking up for advert. To be sincere with you, I cant remember the last time I have seen or glanced at any advert here on Nairaland but I am active on the pages everyday. Let the attention of advert be diverted to sponsored posts. The advertiser con choose to write the content and use some images (graphics) as illustration. Advertisers can also consult the moderators for creation of contents of sponsored post. This is another way for moderators to earn money. Let me stop here for now and allow other users to make suggestions. I hope these help.

I have been an active member since 2013...This is good👍. Let the likes push the thread to front page and not just human efforts. Moderators decision to select front page posts may be biased. However, the moderators can only regulate the contents that are being pushed to ensure that they are not offensive or against the business ethics of Niraland but they shouldn't decide which post should be on the front page. This system is democratic. People's reaction and engagement should be the basis and not just a personal decision. Sponsored posts are fine as long as they are regulated. I see Niraland making a lot of money from this, especially during this political campaign period.

Thank you for this. I really need it.

Great development. This will save a lot of tenants from some unnecessary embarrassment from the house owners. Eko o ni baje o.

Powerful Woman!
Na Man you be!

It won't be a bad idea if she could be the first female IG of the NPF.

God bless Nigeria.

How could you have force your party chairman to resign because he criticized your policy?

Interesting. This is good thinking. Thanks for sharing.

Nobody cares to know the number 2 or even 3. All attention is usually on the number 1. If you are not there, you are not there. Forget that you are almost there. You will explain tire. Why can't she be the number 1?

RealityKings1:
The article didn't mention anything about what causes the couples constant fights. Most often than not, it's infidelity. If someone is unfaithful or deliberately being difficult, you can always leave them.
Life is Good.

Several things can cause issues between married couples...it could be anything apart from infidelity. The truth is that you were not born or raised by the same parent and you didn't come from the same background. What matters is how you manage the differences and how you can tolerate each other.

OverCalculating:
Hmmm...it is a small world. I also agree that it wasn't a case of rape because it was a popular stigmatization for any promising or successful black person among the Whites in those days.

You shall know the truth and it shall set you free.

Ola9ja23:
I can see many people calling the OP RONU just bcs she asked for relocation 😜😂


From all indications, igbos don't want to relocate yet they make noise that others don't want them to have their Biafra

How can you have any support from outsiders when you igbos are not serious about your agitation.



In every elections, you vote for Senate and honorables to represent you in Nigeria yet you are agitating that you want your own Biafra.


Does that mean, until Yorubas and Hausas start fighting igbos to relocate before you igbos achieve your aim.

What supports do you need from other regions in order for you to achieve your Biafra when you have senators and honorables that never raise any motion about Biafra republic?


Please stop telling us that we don't want you to go when you yourselves are not ready to go home.

You are right my brother. They know the truth, they are just trying to avoid it. They come with any form of attack when they know you are saying the truth. See as they are tagging the OP with different names when it is obvious that she is saying the truth. This is one of the reasons why they won't be united. They love to listen to those who would lie to them to achieve selfish purpose.

We all knew how General Babangida was a very wise man ruling this nation but we never knew much about his wife, apart from the fact that the uncommon love he had for his wife.

Till now, I keep wondering how the love a man has for his wife could make him make his wife's tailor a wealthy woman.

Rumor has it that the source of Alakija's wealth was as a result of the clothing designs she made for Maryam that made dignities like the Queen of England to honour her. So she had to compel her husband to do something remarkable for the tailor (daughter of Ogbara and now the richest woman in Nigeria). So Alakija's oil well today was the remarkable gift presented to her by IBB.

I know that Alakija will never forget this woman.

It is just co-incidental that the person you wrote about is my uncle. Half of what you wrote about him is not true.... For instance, Uncle Etim Esin is not living quietly in Akwa Ibom state. He now lives in Lekki (quietly in his house there). He also has houses in Surulere and other parts of lagos... While the write-up about the armed robbers' incident is just 70% correct, the incident about rape is false. You need to understand his perspective.He did not rape anyone, I spoke with him about this incident myself, and the narrative he gave is quite different - it was a case of frame up. Uncle Etim John Esin that I know in person is not regretting anything... I can tell you that for free.

I know that we have several Ex-Super Eagles players on this platform too, probably reading this post. We need to celebrate our heroes. My uncle is a Living Legend, let's celebrate him while he is still alive.

Direct your suspension issue to your ward, Ogun govt replies Daniel, says it can't endorse substandard road projects

Ogun State Government, on Monday, dismissed the allegation that it stopped the constituency projects being executed by Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly, out of spite.

It declared that Daniel's projects in some areas were stopped because they were substandard and did not meet Federal Government specifications, adding that the government has a constitutional right to ensure that projects were done appropriately and in consonance with standards.

The government, which made this declaration in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon Kayode Akinmade, said the contractors doing works that do not conform to the Federal Ministry of Works' specifications were instructed to provide approved specifications and drawings for the road projects that had been awarded to them.

This, the government said, would enable the Ogun Ministry of Works to do proper monitoring of the projects, adding: " Those contractors who complied have since been given the go-ahead to continue with the road projects.

"At the same time, a designated engineer from the Ogun State Ministry of Works is assigned to conduct routine supervision to enforce compliance with the specifications."

On Daniel's suspension, Akinmade said that it is a party affair, adding that the Dapo Abiodun-led administration could not re-admit the Ogun East senator into the Ogun APC fold when it did not suspend him in the first place.

He advised Daniel to exert his energy and media efforts on proving his innocence to the party, instead of blaming everybody but himself, Akinmade said: "It was not the Ogun State Government that suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel; it was the party, APC in his ward, and the suspension was then ratified by the State Working Committee.

"Before then, the party gave him ample opportunity to defend himself, but he shunned the summons.

"That he is launching media attacks on the State Government rather than facing the party that gave him a ticket to contest election, and against which he committed punishable acts, is illogical.

"It shows that he has no regard for the party or its leadership, and no sense of accountability or responsibility. He is just chasing shadows, blaming everyone but himself because of his huge ego."

On alleged persecution of the senator by Governor Abiodun, Akinmade said that the senator's claims are laughable.

He said that Daniel had consistently talked and acted as if he was still in charge of affairs as Governor of Ogun State, adding that the senator wanted everyone to automatically kowtow to him no matter what he did.

He said: "Daniel claims that the Government stopped his constituency project, a project meant to be executed with federal funds, simply because he was asked to follow due process. Is he the only federal lawmaker in Ogun State? Is he the only one executing constituency projects?

"Why is he the only former governor constantly at war against law and logic in Ogun State, and always staging a pity party using a pliant media whenever he is tasked with taking responsibility for his actions?

" In Ogun State today, there is peace and stability, unlike his crisis-ridden tenure when he was constantly at war with everyone in the State, including members of the state House of Assembly and the state’s representatives in the National Assembly. Daniel just can’t deal with not being in a position to manipulate things to his advantage.

"He cannot be bigger than the party that gave him a ticket for the Senate. He should sort out his issues with the party if he still has any shred of conscience or integrity."

He added that the Ogun State Government had better things to do than to be constantly responding to Daniel's tantrums.

I used to know a senior civil servant who was saving money and buying properties around my area back then in Lagos. When he was close to retirement, he was very sick. I didn't know the actual nature of his sickness because I wasn't too close to him or his family. Soon, he started selling all his properties and savings till he sold his last house where he lived with his family. He was lucky to survive the sickness because he had enough to get quality medication and medical attention but he ended up starting from zero at old age. His children weren't even helpful too. I am not even sure if he is still alive because he was just struggling to live when I left the area. This is why I always say that while you save, invest and plan for retirement, always pray for good health and try to live healthily too. Eat well, hang out with people who would make you happy and never forget to put your trust and hope in God. Forget all these financial analysts, this life is more spiritual than they seem to see it. May God let us end well.