₦airaland Forum

Yeah, I feel you.
That's coming soon-
Up next: The Economy, You and Me.

The problem with national economics is that no nation is an island.
So to explain any one thing will involve multiple players all heading in different directions at the same time.
But the gist is:
Generally, the world economy is slowing down.
This leads to investors being cautious in where they spend their money.
If your economy can't GUARANTEE good profits, they turn away.
You need a clear economic direction for these investors to know where your focus will be; this helps them decide what 'ministry' they'll invest in, for example- if government says it's going to meet UN recommendations on the education budget (which is 26% of the national budget), then investors begin to look into making CAPITAL/ real EDUCATION sector investments- labs, ict, construction, grants/scholarships, research, etc.

But the CBN rules make it hard for STRAIGHT-FORWARD investments; you have to jump through hoops to get your dollars to work for you. Plus, banks are holding on to hard currency that NO ONE seems able to use for anything- kind of like locking up your food and starving, because you don't want to feed your visitors.
And all of this is happening with very low oil prices. So who's going to invest in the economy?

So how do you reduce a high demand for dollars?
A possible solution is for the government to follow the advice of Dr. Henry Boyo who's been advocating dollar certificates.
Another part may involve bi-lateral agreements that involve using crude to make real sector purchases- for expertise, machinery for heavy industry, construction, etc- like I heard IBB did with Julius Berger.

There's no short-term fix.
The long-term solution is to begin exporting finished products. That's why Japan and China like to weaken their currency against the dollar- because they're MAJOR exporters and weaker currencies will earn more when dollars are converted to local money. Even exporting tinned foods (being 'finished products') will boost the economy; or converting all our animal skin to belts, shoes and bags for export=huge forex earnings!

That's some of the gist.

APOLOGIES!

The thread has been modified and re-posted (version 1.1!).
Transfer all comments to the new thread.

Please, pardon the inconvenience.

Hi guys.
You're perhaps the most vociferous supporters of the two main parties.
I'd like to ask a few questions which- I'm sure- most of us on nl need answers to.
This is meant to be a clean, adult, INTELLIGENT discourse; if you feel the need to throw barbs and/or insults- don't.
I'll start with the following premise:

1. The buck (meaning the consequences of ALL DECISION-MAKING) stops at the president's desk.
2. However the Commander-In-Chief chooses to proceed with his government, he really can't give 'excuses'.
3. The PDP is corrupt.
4. Though Jonathan worked, his government was also quite corrupt.
5. His conceding to Buhari was both unprecedented and fortunate for us all.
6. The economic slide began in his tenure.
7. Since May 29 2015, we've had a new government.
8. The government made promises, or at the very least, had a manifesto.

Now, whatever the reasons behind the above, I'm sure we can agree (maybe only grudgingly) that they are 'barebone' facts.

Now, my questions:
1. What were GMB's main campaign issues?
2. What were the economic policies he planned to pursue?
3. Based on 1 and 2, what steps has he taken to meet EACH of the items you list?
4. What (documentary) evidence can be used to support 3?
5. What direction can you [b]show [/b]the nation is headed regarding the following:
- Security
- Micro and macro economy
- Education
- Healthcare

You're to present all answers and rebuttals with EVIDENCE; if you can't back your claim, refrain from conjecture or any form of a 'blame game'- concede and move on to the next issue.

Someone said the warning came in January.
Another compared the NSE with the NASDAQ.
Someone else said, 'We should be like the Chinese'.
There are also those who just want things explained in plain english!
I'll try.

The warning came in January with THE SAME CBN GOVERNOR; that should tell you something about the man.
Did Emefiele present the warning to GMB?
If not he committed a 'sackable' offence. But I stand to be corrected.

The NASDAQ lost 'blah, blah' percentage, means what exactly?
Well, the real reason is China, because the US economy actually enjoyed a boost when interest rates were raised.
But when China sneezes, the world catches a cold.
Meanwhile, NASDAQ is not your mate o! The US financial power was built over 200 years; you want to compare our economy with that kind of might? Meanwhile, unlike them, we're too small to snob such big players; where JPM goes, many, MANY investors- not speculators, mind you- will follow. If your government bonds are rubbished, your economy suffers because your banks can't get foreign partners and real sector investors will shy away. Most of us don't even know that QUITE A LOT of our business institutions import, produce and do business with foreign loans or partners!
And JPM heard our banks crying that they have $5billion sitting in their vaults, with no way to use the money because of CBN restrictions- who no go vex with dat kyn gist?!? Yet the CBN wants everyone to believe that it's meeting the rules of the bond agreement. Very funny.

For those who think we can simply abandon our economic and financial obligations and turn to China:
First of all: You president has snubbed them since his inauguration. His VERY FIRST STATE VISIT should've been to see the Chinese Premier to wangle a crude purchase agreement from him; or better still, a crude swap- because we all know how the Chinese deal with corruption. Heh. Even if they refused to buy our crude, they're likely going to be our largest bi-lateral trade partner in the near future so it makes simple sense to go visit them. Especially now that it's clear that even where BH are concerned, we're not getting any weapons from the West.
Instead, he went to the very people he'd insulted when he was a dictator. These guys- the NSA, CIA, MI6, Mossad- have very, VERY long memories. This is simply payback; and I fear it's just the beginning...
Secondly: Many of our agreements are VERY long-term, 5, 10, 20 year contracts that we can't simply ignore or get out of. Plus, when you go to country A, sign papers but want to sign different papers with country B, they'll tell you, 'Actually sir, your agreement with A prevents such and such from occurring between us because we have such and such agreement with country C, who are country A's partners.'
See how complex things can get?

The reality is this:
-Emefiele is being bombarded from several directions by quite formidable (actually, by gargantuan) forces. But he's made it really hard to pity him; when you use emergency measures like currency restrictions and your economy takes the hit that MAN has been- and now the LCCI are- desperately screaming about, outside onlookers know that you can't make them any money. It's that simple. Had he advised GMB to take pro-active steps to assist those- especially manufacturers- who lost out in the forex restrictions, guys like JP Morgan would have a less 'self-righteous' stance, even if they still went ahead to do what they planned to.
Besides, they claim that if they let us flout the rules, it unravels the system. The CBN gave a rejoinder
-Crude price is in the gutter and our currency is tanked. So when you lose out from stable agreements like bond purchases, you have very little hope of attracting investors to your real sector- industry/manufacturing, construction, etc. This is because they ask, 'How can this government guarantee anything?' Even if our economy was diversified before now, the issue is that the world economy has slowed down, so no one will wait for even an export-based economy to get it's act together when the captain of the sinking ship seems to be lost in... whatever it is he does with his time.
-There's STILL no economic team so there's ABSOLUTELY NO ONE to advise the president on what these all mean and what the best ways are to tackle the problem. Mind you, even with a crack team there's usually A LOT of contradictory and conflicting views on how to solve the problem.
-You cannot 'be like China'. China is the world's (first) second largest economy- because US dey do wayo. Whatever, China is more heavily invested in the US economy than US in the Chinese economy. Plus, Europe goes where the US tells them, so China has to 'maintain', at least for now. And we all seem to forget that China became number 2 by inviting EVERYBODY to come and invest in factories for every single item in the world.
Therefore, simple lesson:
Without investors, your economy will perish.

As usual, Criticism, Suggestions, Insights all welcome.

God bless us all.

There is very little time left.
Anyone who has the government's ear (APC) should begin to nag those in power.
Civic society groups are supposed to have been up in arms for the past month. Or are they yet to realise the imminent calamity we're about to face?

All the nation needs, all the economy needs is a single policy statement from GMB.
Those who want a diversified economy will have to wait a while longer- up to 2 years after we get an economic blueprint.
---------------
*Modified:

When Obasanjo and Olu Falae engaged in a presidential election debate, Falae outlined plans for a trans-continental crude pipeline to supply countries from Cameroun to Angola.
He was laughed at and lost the election at that podium.
Meanwhile-
"25 Feb 2015 ...Canadaalready sends 550,000 barrels of oil per day to theUSvia the existing KeystonePipeline."
-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30103078
Imagine: we would have eliminated all the scams, minimised bunkering, reduced transfer losses, etc, etc.
Anyway. Moving on.

--------------------

We need to engage ALL our neighbours with refining capacity in crude swap deals that benefit THEM. This will reduce subsidy to the bare minimum.
We need to put an end to subsidies IMMEDIATELY in order to remove that burden from government and have money for capital projects- unless we want to borrow with a weak Naira?
SELL OUR REFINERIES!! Instead of giving out licenses, we MUST split up each refinery and sell small stakes in what we ALREADY have so they begin to show immediate effects. To calm nerves, we can maintain a majority/controlling stake in the shares. This Public Private Partnership will ensure expertise is utilised maximally- and they'll chase up the effectiveness of these refineries in order to make their profits.

As usual, shoot holes via constructive criticism.
Questions, Insights and Suggestions, all welcome.

------------------------

*Modified-
Up next: The Economy, You and Me.

Still available.

After all the rants, insults and quotes, maybe it's time to educate ourselves.
1. The original statement, 'Stealing is not the same as corruption', came from a member of the Nigerian Judicial Council, NJC.
2. He was commenting on how our CONSTITUTION makes the distinction between stealing and corruption, and how this has always hampered the judiciary.
3. GEJ both paraphrased the legal luminary AND expatiated on the differences- that's all.
4. The vitriol that's been spewed on him over this phrase is obviously misplaced- either by those who only heard it, saw the article but didn't read it through; or merely out of mischief and cheap politics.
5. The real question is- why didn't our natural, INTELLIGENT curiosity spur us to investigate this apparently audacious statement?! Were we too busy getting angry, capitalising on the obvious political (gaffe?) gift, or simply too lazy to 'do the needful', as we say?
6. The moral of the story- However sincere you may be, avoid giving your enemies the rope they'll use to hang you.
THAT was actually quite 'bad form' on his part.
...sigh

TheCNN

1. How do you identify a BH member? Do they have tattoos or secret handshakes?
2. How does the inability to read disqualify an individual or group from their professed faith?
3. I thought there was mention of 'kingpins and foot soldiers of suppliers'? What 'kingpin' goes about with a few drums and cigarettes- when same can be found in any town in Nigeria?
4. In a country where petrol is sold on roadsides in jerrycans- that sitting governors pass everyday; in a country where indian hemp is smoked in every motor park; in a country where pharmaceutical drugs are unregulated- you display a few items in a story where you use the word 'kingpin' and your colleagues don't laugh you out of your job for being a Pinnochio?
5. I hope these aren't supplies being siphoned from IDP camps?!
6. In vast stretches of land how do you travel without carrying your own fuel- or supply fuel to your customers without drums, just like the diesel tankers in Lagos? Then some gun-toting 'solja' will call you a terrorist because you're carrying petrol and diesel?!
Haba!
7. Remember- The US has maintained that our soldiers commit criminal acts. Therefore, they should keep in mind that ALL citizens of Nigeria are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
It might be unpalatable, but we really don't have a choice- Lest we forget, many people have relations who carry out cross-border trade as their only means of livelihood. Jungle justice is still a crime; besides, those calling for summary execution have clearly forgotten (or don't know) the origins of BH...

God bless us all.
TheCNN

I'm sure most of us on this forum are now aware of the state of our economy.
I would've expected all our focus to have shifted from by-gone politics to the abyss we're about to fall into.
We know people in government read these threads so when do all you PDP/APC sychophants plan to start giving constructive advice/criticism to this government on economic issues?
We're in a sinking ship and still playing the blame game instead of desperately searching for ways to save OURSELVES from drowning!
Isn't that the epitome of foolishness?!?

Please, copy and paste in other threads. Enough with the childish wranglings.

Na wa o.
We all come here to give 'advice' on one side of a (likely fictitious) story.
Abi una no get work?!
Is the OP an orphan? No parents, siblings, relations, friends, colleagues, even his IN-LAWS to talk to, na nairaland him wan use solve him marital problems?
Is it idiocy, or simply a lack of imagination?
Who knows how you sweet-talked her into marriage? Or how much you earn, what promises you made, what her and her family's financial background are?
Did you meet her at a bar or church, propose and get married in a week?
Of all her friends, family members, work colleagues, maybe even neighbours, you no see anybody tell dis matter, na for public forum you come dey spread your dirty linen?
Abi pastor miss from una wedding?
Even whirlwind romance dey get many witnesses, na hia u cari ur mata com, a hole hed of famili?
And you dey wonda y she dey nag u?!
You must be a womanwraparous niny.
no let me use vex scata dicshunari for hia o!
beta go and beg God for forgiveness, for dis nonsense topic wey u cari com hia. abi na u fest mari?
Shuo.
gerarahia.
bunkum.

And for the rest of you on Nairaland, especially the mods-
Nigeria is sinking like a lead pipe, but this is what you bring to front page, instead of threads than can help us think of ways to solving the calamity that's about to befall us?!
Oh, judgement.
Oh, the humanity.
SMH...

I'm sure most of us on this forum are now aware of the state of our economy.
I would've expected all our focus to have shifted from by-gone politics to the abyss we're about to fall into.
We know people in government read these threads so when do all you PDP/APC sycophants plan to start giving constructive advice/criticism to this government on economic issues?
Because the economy is the only thing that matters right now!
We're in a sinking ship and still playing the blame game instead of desperately searching for ways to save OURSELVES from drowning!
Isn't that the epitome of foolishness?!?

Please, copy and paste in other threads. Enough with the childish wranglings.

jumper524:
he blames buhari of loopsided appointment bt he never blamed himself of appointing only touts into his cabinet. I guess theres somthimg wrong with his asset thats why he never attacked buhari on his declaration of asset...

Why would you use a blanket statement like that?
The 72 year old carpenter is probably a grandfather. If he was stealing government money, he wouldn't be a 72 year old carpenter. Yet you just labelled him a tout?!
It's in your interest to apologise to him, 'cos he's very likely performing his duties diligently- just like GMB, whom I'm sure Fayose was trying to make a point of with the appointment.

Meanwhile,
I'm sure most of us on this forum are now aware of the state of our economy.
I would've expected all our focus to have shifted from by-gone politics to the abyss we're about to fall into.
We know people in government read these threads so when do all you PDP/APC sychophants plan to start giving constructive advice/criticism to this government on economic issues?
We're in a sinking ship and still playing the blame game instead of desperately searching for ways to save OURSELVES from drowning!
Isn't that the epitome of foolishness?!?

Please, copy and paste in other threads. Enough with the childish wranglings.

I'm sure most of us on this forum are now aware of the state of our economy.
I would've expected all our focus to have shifted from by-gone politics to the abyss we're about to fall into.
We know people in government read these threads so when do all you PDP/APC sychophants plan to start giving constructive advice/criticism to this government on economic issues?
We're in a sinking ship and still playing the blame game instead of desperately searching for ways to save OURSELVES from drowning!
Isn't that the epitome of foolishness?!?

Please, copy and paste in other threads. Enough with the childish wranglings.

Someone wants to know how politics affects economics.
The short answer:
The president decides what economic plans the country will make and follow. Even withoit ministers, a president who says, "We're going to start school meals in november" will immediately galvanize the agric sector. And all cottage industries- making plates, cups, cooking utensils; mechanics, large stove builders, pure water producers, even sewage vehicles- they all begin a nationwide gearing towards the start date.
The result is a massive investment in agriculture and investors will now know how to invest in the plan.

This is a simplistic example of how political leadership can translate into economic growth- whether you declare assets/tackle corruption, or not.
The long version can wait till later.
Heh
TheCNN

The lack of an economic team to guide CBN actions means Emefiele is operating with tunnel vision- not his fault, but the above in the write-up are the effects. And he's planning to add to the list of items banned from accessing forex!!
The president should have asked the governors what they did with all the HUGE RESOURCES they had before now; but we all know the money was spent on electioneering.

How is it that we seem to have forgotten? Buhari made it clear that it's the RECOVERED $150BILLION he'll use in funding his campaign promises (or more to the point, his party's manifesto- since the APC has denied said promises). And even if he had all the money RIGHT NOW, there's no one to advise him on how to spend it- no economic policies.
Besides, how long will it take the new economic team to draw up an economic blueprint?
Therefore until the monies are recovered, we'll keep marking time.
And let's not forget that we're still looking for customers for our crude.

This means the following-
Jobs are drying up.
More people are being retrenched this year.
More investors will flee even AFTER he announces his cabinet.
Many more will likely lose their jobs next year.
Money for capital projects is drying up.
States will continue to await monthly handouts in order to pay salaries, rather than focus on IGR.
By next year, most states currently owing workers will carry over the debts.
The influx of back-wages will cause inflation, leading to a more devalued naira.
Meanwhile, once Iran enters the oil market, the current oil prices will crash further! Meaning less money for the budget.

What to do RIGHT NOW
If you have a way of opening a paypal account, better hurry.
Whatever your job, better make sure you have the job contract to hand. Read the small print and ensure your employer is doing the 'needful'.
If you've been job-hunting prior to 2015, be aware- your skill sets need upgrading.
Your take home pay is going to be worth much less due to devaluation, increased taxes (VAT, etc) and the very real likelihood that fuel subsidies will end next year. So-
If you don't have one, start a business RIGHT NOW- whether you have a job or not!
God bless us all.

TheCNN

still available
Happy new week!
Cheers!

still available
price negotiable!!!

Still available.
Free delivery- ikoy, vi, ajah

Still available.

Oyinbo say, 'let sleeping dogs lie'.
Over 3 months after his handover, gej is still hot and trending.
Meanwhile, the new guys seem to be all body language.

But what really concerns me- and what I foolishly thought ALL Nigerians would be hell-bent on, and up on arms at finding out- is:
What on earth happened to all the states' huge monies?!
With high oil prices came large monthly allocations;
- plus excess crude account sharing;
- plus whatever igr they raised;
- and we now know that they share VAT as well!

So, where did all these sums go?!?

Ok, PDP is corrupt. Fine. So their state govs looted their treasuries. Good to know. But-
APC nko?
Or have all their states become shining examples of prudent spending? Maybe they've exhausted it all on capital projects and cottage industrialsation?
Remember, we were told that Osun state IS (not was) the template to be used by the party in general.
Unless mouth don 'change'...?

What infrastructure did Fashola put in place to justify leaving 10 TIMES the debt he met in Lagos?!? Despite the HUUUUUGE igr generated under him! Plus we know that a large percentage of social/welfare infrastructure was a direct result of the corporate social responsibility projects by commercial institutions.
So what on earth did he spend all those TRILLIONS on?!
How Eko neva 'baje'!
How come APC youths haven't dragged him to party hq to explain what he used their inheritance for?
More to the point, the APC has jeered at jona for not probing obj's government- and they're right.
So when are we going to hear of APC successor governors like Ambode announcing the probing of their predecessors, like Fashola?

Una tanx in advance for future clarification.
Am gr8ful

SOLUTION:
Fence them out.
The onus is on farmers to demarcate and protect their property (crops and land).
For example- If you leave an expensive bag or watch on the road in front of your house, then- 'finders, keepers'.

Those cowboys we know from western movies were a problem to land owners too.
The answer must be a community effort. Demand funding from the local government

PREVENTION-
Use wooden posts with crossbars to prevent access to cattle- they can't jump fences.
Place 'Private property, do not tresspass' signs at intervals along the fence.
Then employ 2-man patrols to cover 3/4 farm holdings and alert (by phone) when they site any tresspassers.

THE LAW:
It's your duty to give all potential criminals fair warning; it's also your right to defend your life and property.
You can then have ANY tresspasser arrested, or their property (cattle) confiscated.
But in all things, you MUST act as a community- strength in numbers.

Thereafter- No more whining.

1.4 Ghz cpu, 1gb ram, new battery with receipt, cdwriter dvdrom combo, 40gb hard disk, 14 inch screen, windows 7, open office, other apps loaded, 30 movies.
location- lekki
Call or text- 08166252749.

https://www.nairaland.com/1313672/apc-leaders-angry-buhari-over

We all had details on his mindset way back when; why all the hoolabaloo?
And why do people keep saying 'but gej', 'but pdp'? I thought change meant out with the old ways, in with the new? Does it make sense to repeat the mistakes of the past governments you promised to do better than?

Meanwhile what deadline did he give himself to 'bring back our girls', when he was campaigning?
I'm just asking because the goal posts are now shifting (a la boko haram).

(... Who heard Adesina say about the economy- 'wait till September for ministers to be announced; and remember it has 30 days'?)

Hi all.
I hopee this is the right thread for this post, but in any case I think it'll get the best views here.

This article was prompted by news that Oil Swap deals were scrapped due to corruption.
I think that was a very wrong move.
Please, bear with me.
As at August, the following recent events have happened:
- China's stock slump;
- Leading to world stock slide;
- Leading to oil hitting $40/barrel or less this week (our budget is based on oil prices of aboiut $52/barrel).
Meaning that we've been running Nigeria on a deficit!

Add the following:
- Iran sanctions lifted
(Leading to their 2.8 million barrel/day stockpile- since 2011- ready for a saturated oil market)
- Saudi selling at a discount;
- US, China and India (our biggest customers) going elsewhere to buy;
- Western nations giving security alerts to their citizens about Nigeria;
- Our Naira STILL falling in value against other currencies (forget the CBN's battle with the dollar and check the prices of the Pound or Euro);

And to top it all up we're now terminating contracts with the FEW customers who actually WANT to buy our light crude?!
Isn't that cutting off your nose to spite your face?
How about simply checking shipping records with Lloyds of London to know who actually delivered the crude they collected and who lifted refined products- as well as dates, cargo load, travel durations, etc?
That way you can keep your genuine clients instead of tempting them to look elsewhere!
Or is the new round of tendering free for old customers..?

To be continued.
Next- Oil Partnerships (a la Olu Falae!).

As usual, feel free to criticize, shoot holes in my analysis, ask questions or make suggestions.
Tnx

Can anyone confirm if this memo got to nnpc staff in the north?
Or if it cuts across ALL departments and levels?
I suspect (expect) it didn't. But I stand to be corrected.
Many more changes in our (your) perception to come.
Think Nigerians, Think.

... A 'TNT' production

THIS PILOT IS THE FIRST PART OF A LARGE-SCALE, NATIONWIDE PROJECT

"The CNN" is my initiative for us all to bypass partisan politics, our prejudices and personal ambitions- and channel our collective energies towards practical, 'grassroots" solutions (yes, I used the term) to our myriad problems; by each one of us COMMITTING our time and energy to the changes we want to see- but with a twist:
We will each be contributing answers to problems in our IMMEDIATE community: the very place we can have the greatest impact on, rather than shouting into the wind at Abuja. This is a direct challenge to all Nairalanders to 'put your money where your mouth is'. Or to put it bluntly in this case, put up your hand (to be counted), or shut up your mouth!

Our focus will be on the LGA council, vis-a-vis power, street lighting, roads, security, providing amenities, drainage, dispute resolution, refuse/sewage disposal, education and community-based social welfare programmes. After all, if you don't hold those you voted for to account, who will do it for you?

Once the groups begin to take shape we'll see how to take small community projects to successful completion and how to REALLY empower those in need.

So here's how it goes:
(Please Note- this pilot is for Lagos only)
1. In your profile: Name your Local Government Area of residence.
2. Create a thread for your LGA, as follows-
'LGA-Ikeja'.
- The first person to do the first two above for his/her LGA gets N200 recharge card from me, so kindly send me a pm. But there's a caveat!
You must commit to becoming the de facto 'mod' of the thread.
3. Each new LGA group member- starting with the mod- should provide the following: Initials, Phone number, Town of residence (in the LGA), a Minimum Time Commitment (from 7 hours/week); as follows-
Jb, 08012345678, TOR- Alausa, MTC- 10hrs/wk.
4. Invite your neighbours to join you in discussing and solving your community's problems.
5. Take your discussions global via social media (whatsapp, facebook, twitter, bbm, instagram, google+)- to benefit/involve your neighbours who travelled 'in the abroad'!
The only question is-
Do YOU commit to this programme?

THIS PILOT IS THE FIRST PART OF A LARGE-SCALE, NATIONWIDE PROJECT

"The CNN" is my initiative for us all to bypass partisan politics, our prejudices and personal ambitions- and channel our collective energies towards practical, 'grassroots" solutions (yes, I used the term) to our myriad problems; by each one of us COMMITTING our time and energy to the changes we want to see- but with a twist:
We will each be contributing answers to problems in our IMMEDIATE community: the very place we can have the greatest impact on, rather than shouting into the wind at Abuja. This is a direct challenge to all Nairalanders to 'put your money where your mouth is'. Or to put it bluntly in this case, put up your hand (to be counted), or shut up your mouth!

Our focus will be on the LGA council, vis-a-vis power, street lighting, roads, security, providing amenities, drainage, dispute resolution, refuse/sewage disposal, education and community-based social welfare programmes. After all, if you don't hold those you voted for to account, who will do it for you?

Once the groups begin to take shape we'll see how to take small community projects to successful completion and how to REALLY empower those in need.

So here's how it goes:
(Please Note- this pilot is for Lagos only)
1. In your profile: Name your Local Government Area of residence.
2. Create a thread for your LGA, as follows-
'LGA-Ikeja'.
- The first person to do the first two above for his/her LGA gets N200 recharge card from me, so kindly send me a pm. But there's a caveat!
You must commit to becoming the de facto 'mod' of the thread.
3. Each new LGA group member- starting with the mod- should provide the following: Initials, Phone number, Town of residence (in the LGA), a Minimum Time Commitment (from 7 hours/week); as follows-
Jb, 08012345678, TOR- Alausa, MTC- 10hrs/wk.
4. Invite your neighbours to join you in discussing and solving your community's problems.
5. Take your discussions global via social media (whatsapp, facebook, twitter, bbm, instagram, google+)- to benefit/involve your neighbours who travelled 'in the abroad'!
The only question is-
Do YOU commit to this programme?

I just read 'rule 2'.
As in eh?
Who on earth is doing the monitoring here?!?
... "Ahem".
Now that I've got that off my chest:

Mods- please find a better way to sniff out the HUGE number of insults in the politics threads.

TANoids- admit that gej flopped on many serious issues, despite all the good, hard work he did.

Dullards- admit that it was foolish of buhari (who should know better) to make all those outlandish promises.

If all else fails, you two groups can both bash this post. No skin off my nose. But I'd rather you guys found that common ground and stopped acting like recalcitrant children- with abysmally bad grammar, at that! Maybe, just maybe the resulting fun and games will lead us to re-direct our (limited) resources on Nairaland to making constructive suggestions for the good of the nation.
Eh?
And THEN the mods can ban me.

Any takers?

This is meant as a short article about possible alternatives to the DPR's modus. Pls bear in mind, this is all a layman's view.

Many of us have heard of the ban on Nigerian food exports to Europe. It doesn't take an expert to draw up possible effects on every layer of our economy- from exporters and shippers to farmers, traders and heavy goods transporters.

We're also witnesses to the effects of the CBN's dollar policies- but especially important are the ripple effects which we won't feel in our homes and pockets until late August/ early September...

Now the same type of (almost identical) government action is being taken against fuel depots.

I want expert opinion where possible about the effects of placing heavy fines on the depot owners (especially for fixed-price products) including a public apology to Nigerians in several media outlets (again, costing them a second 'fine'); compared to a ban/closure that has the potential to cause scarcity- and its own ripple effects.
In the same way thatthe CBN could have allowed those 41 items dollar access, but with heavy taxes imposed on them, to be paid to the CBN in dollars...?

Also, a parting shot:
Whose job is it to arrest the criminals selling petrol (as well as dollars) on the streets? Unless these acts are no longer crimes?

Thanks.

This seems like a clear case where we Nigerians are indicted for laziness and being beggarly.
So let me ask a few questions first.
Please note: Since I don't have the full picture, I'm seeking answers rather than making reactionary statements.

The article said they were suspended 'without pay'.
How is that different from being sacked?
What legal/union/customary forms of redress have they pursued since 2011? After all I expect they feel they were unjustly treated and can both make and win a case if they seek redress.

Is it true that they're ONLY NOW THINKING of going on protest marches- since 2011?!?

If you're suspended without pay why would you still expect your (effectively 'former') employer to come to your aid? Unless they're claiming back pay that they're owed by the state (which doesn't seem to be the case)?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Kogi was part of the food basket of Nigeria? How do people die of hunger when surrounded by farmers, or are they all that heartless and stingy?
Even if the farmers are stingy, why didn't these suspended workers get into farming themselves all these years, along with their children?
Meanwhile I expect those children are post-primary school students (because primary education is free and they therefore can't be chucked from school)- so what have secondary students been doing all these years, for their parents to die of hunger?

Or were the deaths due mainly to health reasons rather than hunger- even though health was only mentioned as a secondary issue?