Don't get carried away with Angola's story. The gap between poor and rich is the biggest in the world and I read a story in the Economist only this morning where they described a part of thesame Luanda that only just got drinkable water.

The elite live in walled communities in the luxurious buildings you describe while the majority of the people live in abject poverty supported by international aid.

To compound the misery of the poor, Luanda is one of the three most expensive cities in the world. How about that for a success story.

@A40

Lebron and the Coach. They played good defense under Mike Brown too.

Beaf:

Who cares if Buhari is married to a Buddhist, native doctor or Muslim? Nobody gives a damn, Osama Bin Ladens son is one hell of a fashionable, non-Muslim dude; his niece poses semi-unclothed all over the place and his family are big business people into the high life. Has any of that stopped Osama from being the devils darling?

Una no get sense, next thing we will start hearing he is about to marry a cow, therefore he doesn't eat meat. Daft.

But can Osama himself ever marry a Christian?

Alxmyr:

You wrote out of ignorance.

enlighten me. . .

I don't know why Nigerians choose to settle on semantics when serious issues are being discussed.

Barring the rarest of circumstances, a President can pretty much get a bill through the House of
Assembly if he wants to. Especially with the rapacious lot of legislators we have who are
open to any kind of inducement.

So all this talk of sign or pass are really besides the point.

Aaron Rodgers is a stud. . .period.

ddc machine:

Dn't 4get that our past leaders are the cause of our problem, buhari being part of

You do have a point. Part of the old order and all that he is.

And I would really like to hear more about his opinion on the other matters of state.

But wetin man go do. . . .We do need someone a bit more forthright though. Someone who has gone against
the grain.

Ribadu perhaps. . . .

lol. . . I guess he never put almajiris in classrooms or created a direct route from the US to Nigeria.

I guess we should define it by what wasn't there at the time. The killings up North, the injudicious spending or the generally pervasive sense of insecurity. But most tellingly, there was no sense of aimlessness. You could actually tell someone was in charge.

Right now. . . .that would do me good. Some direction, some sense of security so that if I take my money or life to Naija, I will have a good chance of getting back in one piece and if a contract is broken, there is a system that might help me recover my hard earned wealth.

That would do for a start.

ddc machine:

@ stromae, yes the PIB has been awaited for long but multinationals like Shell, Mpnu etc were criticizing it so the NASS had to do a worldwide findings on how other oil producing countries' pib is i.e for the bill to work in conformity and now the finding is complete but b4 May it will be assented to. Actually this year's allocation to education is 3times higher than that of last year. I'll find time to post the figures of each ministry

I admire your resolve to support GEJ. But the signs are not just any good.

In an era where everyone recognises the FG has many fingers in too many pies to deleterious effect, they had no business creating more universities. We can't simply continue to case harm to ourselves for the sake of zoning or tribal sentiments. The Niger Deltans and they alone have a case for demanding everything goes to their region. But all other regions simply have no case. Basing our decisions on the six regions or thirty six states is national suicide. The creation of six universities pretty much made up my mind about Jonathan. It wasn't something he had to do. So you can't put the defence of ''he has only had a year''. It is demoralising to think of how many civil servants it must have taken to come to this decision expecially when they are serious issues in our educational system that needs addressing.

Your man has simply spent to much time appeasing many corrupt characters in the interest of staying in power, dined with too many devils. He might have principles but he has made too many compromises for them to matter. Having Aandoakaa in your campaign team is testament to this. In any sane country this man should be the nation's social pariah or leper. The bloody untouchables because you might catch something if you associate with him. But no, your man chooses him for a prominent role in his campaign.

We have seen what he has to offer. . . and it is obvious your man no be good market.

Sky Blue:

My question does remain though. So do you think any of the candidates running can bring about this "fundamental change" you want?

One can't say for certain what the candidate you vouch for will do once in Office. Case in point Obama.

If I were to take my chances, I would put my bet on Buhari.

Sky Blue:

Just out of curiousity, what are the fundamental changes to you? Because when I think fundamental change I think a more federal structure with states paying taxes to the federal government and having more control of their resources as opposed to the federal government maintaining defunct state structures. I think decentralisation of power from Abuja and greater autonomy of regions. I think of state controlled police and enabling environment for private sector to thrive in a regulated environment. I think an effective and uncompromising law enforcement and judiciary with checks and balances. That is what I think. So please, what is your idea of this "fundamental change" and perhaps more importantly do you believe any of the major candidates contesting can deliver on your idea of fundamental change?

You have pretty much said it all. . . .that is the kind of fundamental change we are looking for.

But in addition to ceding powers, it should come with greater anti corruption agencies so the states/regions do not become fiefdoms to themselves. It should not be in doubt the FG still is superior.

But there should be a greater drive to cut down the cost of government especially at the centre. Paying people to do nothing or paying them to do so little as they currently do just should not wash. We pay people to do absolutely nothing. I am sure in private hands, what the FG has done in the past 12 years would have been done for a tenth of the cost if at that.

I can't say I blame public servants for asking for higher salaries, but the pittance they get at moment can't compensate for the hardships they go through everyday. What is a two thousand naira increase in monthly salary going to do to you in the current dispensation. I am sure the Labour unions are up for convincing if they see thesame belt tightening across the whole Federal Government. But when you have bribes and cars etc. being given to this or that person, why would they not clamour for their own share albeit misguided. Perhaps that is why I am instinctively attracted to the Buhari ticket because of his reputation for frugality.

But not frugality for frugality's sake. Cutting down jobs in the public sector should not mean a loss of jobs overall ( that would be SAP). But money saved to spend on things that actually improve lives. Building things that will create jobs in the private sector.


I could go on and on but you pretty much hit the nail on the head in your post. Not some waffling about four thousand megawatts, sending almajiris to class or such piffle.

ddc machine:

Gej achievements : *price stability/availability of petroleum, *resucitation of the collapse textile industry in kano which is now functioning, *the evacuation of almajiris from the streets to classrooms in the north which they didn't venture, *power megawat increament from 3622mw to 4000mw, *the straight flight to the US, *gej is very democratic. On the crises in jos and borno, the citizens shld live up to been security contious. Dn't tell me the problems there is/are imported. What happen in the n.d and Aba? There were tip-offs by the inhabitants of the area to the security agents then it was calm.

this is definitely the first I am hearing of resuscitation of the textile industry and the evacuation of almajiris from streets to the classroom.

Anyway. . .I don't think you chappies will ever get the point. Or perhaps you do and just really don't care for some reason or another.

If this is fundamental change. . .God, then we need a super miracle to get the country right.

Beaf:

^
What exactly is your argument? You sound confused, are you talking about IBB, Obj, Abacha or Jonathan?
Are you saying that the power situation has not improved because people still sleep in darkness? I don't get your argument or its rational.

I am talking about all . Jonathan is no different from all of them. Thesame way of doing business and thesame way of touting little successes while explaining away their many failures with ridiculous excuses.

And I think many would agree with me we should only start talking about success in the power sector when even a  sizeable minority of Nigerians can point to constant availability of power. We are not talking majority here. Just a sizeable minority. We have all heard it before. Six thousand megawatts by december, ten thousand megawatts by 2012. E don do. Just shut up and gimme the chance to wake up and flick the light switch with confidence in the morning. Till then, don't beat your chest about it Mr President and Information Minister.

Beaf:

The man is an id!ot who is only looking to distract attention from his failing govt by pointing at Muslims. In time, he will be turning on foreigners too.
He is a miserable failure, what have Muslims done to attract the negative attentions of a PM whose countries economy is shrinking?
Frosbel, you guys best vote in labour next time, cos tories are only out to sell everything to themselves (including manhole covers).

I think this is a bit unfair. I am very wary of his economic policies which seem informed by premeditated ideology, but this isn't the first time he has made comments on the failings of multiculturalism.

And frankly I agree with him. It has its dangers of course and might prove a worthy cover for outright racists, but I can't say I disagree with the idea government money should not go to organisations who promote something that is anathema to the British way of life. If your organisation actively advocates a legal system that challenges the constitution then its a bit of a piss take to get funding from constitutionally established authorities.

Quite analogous to the situation in Nigeria really where the Sharia states are pretty much having their cake and eating it.

vescucci:

Go and watch Biutiful

Prescient Vessucci. . . .Booked for the cinema to watch it tomao.   

Beaf:

Condemning the long suffering average Nigerian as clueless, just because they overwhelmingly support GEJ is sour grapes, very poor sportsmanship and in very poor taste.

GEJ is immensely popular among Nigerians, because he has touched lives in fundamental ways. People like yourself will continue asking for 3 good reasons while the people are FEELING and EXPERIENCING miriad good reasons. On these very NL pages, your likes continue to scorn the end of fuel scarcity and the easily measurable steps forward in power generation; scoff all you like, but iya Sikira, Binta and mallam Shehu see these things as a godsend after so many decades of travelling backwards.

Nigerians will continue to support what is good for them, and not what some random fellow wishes to foist on them.

Na wa. . .

Power generation measured in megawatts jotted down on some technocrat's notebook. I mean come on. People still live in absolute darkness.

Fuel scarcity though is a plus. It is good to not hear of endless queues waiting for fuel from a major oil producing country.


But we are still measuring success in fits and starts, nitpicking rather than talking of a transformation which the country needs. As is the tradition, the leaders point to minor battles, nay minor skirmishes where they came out tops, while the larger battle was a total failure. Obj will point to debt reduction, Babangida will point to Third Mainland and Abuja and even Abacha will point to the creation of Bayelsa state and such nonsense, while the country as an entity continued to fail and lie paralysed.

Now there is nothing wrong with highlighting your successes. But it becomes insulting to do so when your failures register more in the lives of the people. And don't gimme crap that transformation comes with time. Then he shouldn't be claiming successes in such a short period of time either. If you are prepared to declare victory in certain sectors, then you should be prepared to accept blame for the failures too.

Sceptics like me see too much of the old in this Jonathan administration. There is simply nothing to suggest that a new direction will come. The same old vultures chewing on the carcasses of the people.

Is there anywhere on this site one can simply bottle down to discuss issues rather than personalities.

I for one am not convinced there is much scope for conflict between the two because of their religions. And so long as both put the welfare of the people first, then any disagreements could be easily resolved.

I still would like to hear their opinion on other matters. The size of the federal state, freedom of information etc.

I have come with my wahala again oo. . . .


[size=16pt]WATCH SAMSON AND DELILAH EVERYBODY[/size]

Justcash:


What else do you want him to do? He has sent JTF .i.e. Policemen and soldiers into Plateau state. It is left for the them to do their job. Is there no governor in Plateau state? The governor should collaborate with the JTF to fish out the murderers as was the case in Abia state. GEJ cannot just act like a despot or Dictator. He got the National assembly and Judiciary to counter his actions. Ironically, If he acts brutally, it is people like you that will be the first to call him a clueless leader. Did y'all not call him an animal  for using force against the Niger-delta militants? What was the reaction like when a whole village was razed by JTF in Niger-delta? They said soldiers were collaborating with Fulani herdsmen, he quickly ensured that a new set of soldiers were brought into the state. I am sure if you were in the same position as him, you'll actually not know what to do.

This quote shocks me. . . .but it also sheds light on much of Nigerian mentality. Our penchant for making excuses for FAILURE.

But more than the fact they have failed, its the passive attitude. The pats on the back for irrelevant achievements when children's heads are being hacked open and some people walk out of their houses with the thoughts in the back of their mind they might not make it back.

To be fair to Jonathan, this way of doing business precedes him. Obj was playing statesman while vast swathes of the Niger Delta were under siege. And Yaradua hardly made mention when Soldiers enacted revenge on innocent villagers destroying lives in the process. And then as there was terrible leadership, we also had the terrible citizenship. People in Lagos who celebrated a spurious banking revolution not minding the many failures of the government, showering praises for FAILURE.

Our job as citizens is not hand out praises or even give solutions as some people will ask for. We are not the ones who put up our hands to be elected. Our job as citizens to borrow from Achebe's Anthills is to give headaches.

To keep questioning and asking for more, grudgingly admitting the successes but emphasising the failures to avoid lethargy. People in government do not need defenders. For the facts yes, but definitely not against people who demand results. And that is what many citizens are demanding. Results. Making sure we don't wake up in the mornings to the same gruesome news of assassinations, horrific pictures and official inertia.

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK.

Honestly if anyone mentions anything about degree again. . . I will shut the whole bloody website down. haba.

Whether they studied at Princeton or Ado Ekiti, the fact is the President has appointed them anyway so their qualifications
do not enter anymore.

WETIN CONSIGN ILLITERATE WITH DEGREE.

the most sinister aspect of this episode was the quickness of the Governor,
a relative of the victim to absolve this group of any involvement in the killings.

Why did he even bother replying . . . .He has informally endorsed this whole zoning rubbish answering their nonsense.

Who cares if the two of them hail from zangon kataf in the deepest North or both are Eckankar adherents.

Buncha Nonsense.

DisGuy said it all. . . . You really didn't have to do anything to attract money during the boom.
Every thirdworld stockmarket was growing at the rate of knots. and the world was flush with so
much cash, there were looking for places to put it.

I have no qualms with anyone saying the current lot are making a fine mess of the situation too either.
But that is not to acknowledge they are right when they say Soludo did not do right by us when
it came to the banks. Why they should choose to publicly air it is another matter .

Lolo 1 of wazobia.

There seems to be a great deal of revisionism going on concerning Soludo's tenure.

I just want anyone to clarify a few things: Was Soludo not responsible for oversight of the banks?

and secondly, were the banks not exposed as being fundamentally unsound?



I think Aganga is a bit of a blabbermouth myself, and I find his readiness to defend every ridiculous government position offputting. But it is quite disingenuous to start comparing records of both men when their remits are quite different.