₦airaland Forum

As for the sanction, if Nigeria could make a strong political statement as regards its fight against corrupton, its economic reforms, diversification of the economy and her increasing foreign reserve, it might get the International Community to stand on its side and plead on her behalf--against any sanction.

A strong press is also important here. I wonder why the Foreign Press talks about Nigeria being at risk and not about her creditors being at risk of loosing their money. This is the power of the press and a lot of people would have misunderstood this to mean 'another setback' to the country--instead of a setback to her creditors.

I feel the Nigerian Press and their affiliates in the International community should stand up to correct false impressions the international press creates. I feel they are not being fair enough. As much as Nigeria stands the risk of being sanctioned, the creditors stand the risk of loosing their money for good! which they didn't mention.

Our press should stop accepting International media reports if they are wrong. The Economists and the Time magazines of this world should be challenged if they are wrong. Our press can only keep mute when they know they are not knowledgeable enough to stand an intellectual tussle. Our press should start believing in themselves and affirming what they know is right, not only to local audience but to the world at large...Thats when we are using Information as a tool for development.

Just read in the papers about Nigeria's Readiness for a showdown, should her foreign creditors fail to consider the "'30 cents for each dollar owed" option.

Under this option, Nigeria will pay 30 cents of every one dollar that was owed. Punch newspapers reported that the Pounds fell slightly against the dollar at the announcement that Nigeria could take the repudiation option. The UK market is afraid Nigeria could say "e don do, we no dey pay again, abi na by force!"

According to Alhaji Farouk Lawan, House of Representatives’ Finance Committee chairman “It is unconscionable that Nigeria has paid £3.5billion in debt service over the past two years, but our debt burden has risen by £3.9billion – without any new borrowing. We cannot continue"

Presently we have a foreign reserve of $17 billion plus, and we could as well pay off the debt if given concession , otherwise, I think its a convenient point to say enough is enough!

IN THE NAME OF PASSION: IT Youth Ambassador Trades PC for Internet Access

In a world where information and knowledge drive the economy, where the relevance of countries — and its peoples — is measured, not by how much concrete wealth they have, but by how much relevant information they could use to aid development. One cannot rule out the importance of the Internet as a medium for Information creation and dissemination. The Internet has come a long way and people the world over are today leveraging on its power to connect with other people that have access to it — for the purpose of knowledge sharing. The importance of the Internet cannot be overemphasized in our contemporary world.

The Internet is however expensive, especially in a developing nation like Nigeria. Access of an average of $1 per hour is relatively expensive taking into consideration the “per capita” income of the country. The cost implication is more pronounced when you have to constantly keep in touch through emails, when you hold online meetings as a subtitute to physical meetings, and when you have online content to manage and keep up to date. Summing all that up could cost up to an average of $10 per week!

Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. As much as accessing the Internet is taking a good chunk of my finances and the effect telling on my expenses, I find it hard to seperate myself from this newly found love. Its a place where my career intersects with my service to the young people of my country as Nigeria’s Information Technology Youth Ambassador. I find it difficult to convince my parents on why I spend so much of their hard earned money on the Internet and not on food or clothes. As a matter of fact, an explanation will do more harm then good — especially having understood that they attended school when the “black and white” television was the most popular representation of telecommunications....

To read more on how I exchanged my PC for access go to www.edwardpopoola.com/blog/?p=9