₦airaland Forum

Firstly let me start by saying that my most preferred candidate for the presidential election is RIBADU. I have my reasons. However, from a neutral point of view it is very clear that GEJ has better chances of winning this election than BB and Ribadu combined! Why is this?

1. PDP has the existing structures needed to mobilize voters in every state of the federation. No other party does!
2. PDP is currently the most inclusive party in Nigeria today. The others are either too extreme, regionalized or tribalized.
3. PDP is more than just Goodluck Jonathan. The interests are much bigger than the man. Especially in the north where people think PDP will have a hard time. Don't forget that PDP remains BY FAR the strongest party in the north. Remember that the members of PDP in the north who have something to gain by being in government will not abandon their source of livelyhood for the so called "Northern Agenda".
4. GEJ has executed the most effective campaign throughout the country. He is the best known candidate. Many people have never heard of CPC.

It is important we are aware of these realities so that we are not surprised if PDP eventually gets a landslide victory in a free and fair election. PDP may even win some new states currently controlled by other parties.

My role is to do my part on the election day to support a free and fair process and hopefully, we can get a better election than June 12.

I think he only needs to be more careful with his words. The tongue can start a "fire" one cannot control. GEJ also made some mistakes when he started (like passing hasty comments about the bomb blast). Men like OBJ always have a way with words. A great leader knows the power of words. Your words can liberate you and can imprison you as well. Watch Obama the way he uses his words.


Try this link to the source:

http:// biz hallmark.com/index.php/commentary/5138.html

*Copy & paste then delete the spaces around " biz hallmark" *

Very soon people will blame US for the earthquake and Tsunami in Japan!

Good idea. Jega can bring out the best of the election staff by doing this and more.

For example, there can be a predefined performance award to be given to INEC staff who record no irregularities at their centres during the election. Also, very severe punishments should be predefined for those who are found to have engaged in malpractice. This may give them something to look forward to as well as something to be afraid of.

Will we get there?

Will this patient be discharged before the elections?

Food for thought:

Smart footballers know this: Be careful how you kick the ball to your goal keeper, you may just be scoring an own goal.

I think the message is very clear. The question is WHAT NEXT?

I personally appreciate Prof’s point of view. I got some really brilliant developmental ideas from him. However, we do not need any university lectures right now we need concrete action points. At the end of the speech what action points are we taking away? The what, when, who and where questions have not been answered.

A quick advice to the opposition parties: One of the best ways to lose an election even before it starts is to work towards a run-off.

The disaster reminds us to really think through our decisions and avoid short - sightedness. The effect of the occurence far outweighs any benefits that may have accrued from siting the plant in that location in the first place. Even if no further physical disaster occurs, the country (and the world at large) will incur many long terms losses as a result.

QUESTION? If they saw this day coming would they have taken the same decision?

Questions like this sometimes help in improving on our decisions.
Many times decision makers go for the more convenient option and underestimate the long term / one-off risks. I followed the Macondo blow out in the gulf of Mexico and learnt a lot from it. I see very many similarities with this case in terms of decision making and compromise.

Going forward, just like in the aerospace industry, man will become wiser from this experience and nuclear technology will definitely be improved. However, it will be a long time before it regains its popularity again.

Here is a parable: If the referee of the match decides to play ball with the footballers, who will blow the whistle?

Just to add, the USA also has some nuclear power plants in earthquake prone zones. Notably in California where nuclear power today generates about 15 percent of the state's electricity.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/15/us-nuclear-usa-california-idUSTRE72E8NS20110315

There is no doubt the Japanese are far more developed than us, however, I think the poster is trying to make a point we could look at more critically. This is a global issue and forward thinking countries are actually re-thinking their decisons on constructing and operating nuclear plants. It is an avenue for us to learn, share ideas and be better informed.

My thoughts on the issues are:

1. The best of man's technology is still highly flawed and is no match for nature
2. Decisions like citing a nuclear plant in an earthquake prone zone are frankly SHORT SIGHTED and SELFISH decisions!
3. Engineers need to do a lot more thinking about designing for catastrophic failure (We tend to think things won't go too wrong just as in the case of Macondo).
4. The occurence will further promote the drive for renewables and in the short term, utilization of Gas fired power plants as against nuclear.
5. Nuclear power generation has just suffered a HUGE setback and Nigeria may have to forget about it for a long time amidst many calls for us to go Nuclear.

I hope we can get more constructive and informative contributions like those of texazzpete.

The reasons I think the power problem is an easy one to solve:

1. It is mostly an engineering problem that has a proven engineering solution.
2. We have more than enough gas reserves to meet our power needs. We have the 8th largest gas reserves on earth (Just after UAE) 
3. We have ALL the expertise on ground to plan, build and run power plants.
4. We have local and international investors ready to spend money in the power sector.
5. We have a very large and willing market.

The power problem is as easy to solve as the telecom problem. Did you ever think that in few years, Nigerians could boast of owning mobile phones? Before MTN and GLO, it felt impossible. It only seems tough because we have not been able to solve it over the years. Put the right people there and see how easy it is. How difficult is it to wire a house, buy a generator and run it? I dare say that a man like Fashola has proven that if he is made president, he can tackle the problem in a few years. When the right people are in place, they make certain things look like "BEANS".

olas2u:
Mikano generators, lordmart generators, Zenon etc

I don't think these companies you listed can be blamed for holding the country back. They can't even stand against the giant gas trubine manufacturers like Solar, GE and the rest.

So the question remains who exactly are these people? (Human beings!).

Or as blacksta suggested, is it only an excuse for successive failed government in Nigeria to jump on the band wagon of anti reformists?

You have made a very strong point however, I will prefer to say that Power is the most pressing short term problem we have. It is also a very simple one to solve. It is one thing that can score any president cheap points. Any president that can solve the power problem will have his name written in the record books of Nigerians for ever.

Corruption on the other hand is a HUMAN problem. From USA to Somalia, corruption is everywhere. It is a long term problem that cannot be solved by one government in a few years. It is something we have to keep working at. Any serious minded government in today's Nigeria should not have fighting corruption as its number one priority. To start with, what will be the standards? It should be tackled as a background problem that needs a strategic and gradual solution.

Who are these "anti-reform elements"? I would like to know who exactly is making the money from these diesel an generator imports. Are these people so strong that they can keep the whole nation from moving forward. Anyone that knows who they are should plese tell us.

Good idea but for the next generation

Nigeria does not need to go nuclear at all. We have more than enough gas to meet our power generation needs. The risk is too high and we cannot manage a nuclear catastrophe in Nigeria. Even Japan (one of the most developed countries in the world) is having serious problems with their nuclear facility right now. We are talking about nuclear and busy flaring gas everywhere.

Do you know there are places in Nigeria where we have close to 100% power availability? They are the small areas around gas plants and large oil terminals. Places like Forcados, Escravos, Ajaokuta (Fed by the gas plant) etc. With these projects we have proven that we can have all the power we need. We have experience with gas plants, we have the expertise. Saudi Arabia uses its gas to support its domestic needs.

We rely heavily on oil in everything. We can drastically reduce products import by switching to gas (which doesnt need refining). If we can generate our power from gas, we will stop wasting billions on gasoline and diesel for generators. That will mean less subsidy. We can then maximize local refining to meet the transport sector needs.

But wait a minute, we know these things already!!! These and more is what the gas master plan is all about. So who will execute it

Once again, this is the hard truth. The only chance against PDP is the CPC/ ACN alliance. Any other thing is simply self deception.

Blazay:
See the people that claim to have the oil?
Nothing to show for it.

You are right, Some of the worst places in Nigeria are the places with oil. I don't know if oil is the problem or the people !!!

Blazay:
This must be al hareemu?

Mu he he he he

No way.

If you boycott the election, you have simply given the ruling party a very easy sail. On that day, they will simply cast their votes (no rigging) while eating chicken and drinking beer. When you go to court, they will win because nobody will recognise the boycott.

Blazay why na! You don't want to stay near the oil or are you from the north?

I think it is good. That should make it even more interesting.

Just like Ribadu and many other Nigerians, Prof. Pat Utomi has once again demonstrated that we have very many good ideas on what to do. We never run out of ideas that can work. We know exatly what to do to fix Nigeria BUT nobody seems to have the resolve to execute these fabulous plans. Nobody seems to have the balls of steel we so desperately need. Those that may have it cannot get to the vantage point from where they can act. We need just one man in the right place to set things in motion. We have been fortunate to have one or two of such people in their own little way but never in places where they can really do much. We have had Sanusi in CBN, Akunyili in NAFDAC, etc. We need just one 'die hard' fellow in Aso Rock. When will that happen?

@ macjive01, you don suffer for this thread no be small.

^^^^ Please leave me alone and face the topic. I don't know what your motive is and I am not interested. For your information, I am male, I am married and I am not interested in making new enemies. Stop derailing this thread.

Note: I WILL SIMPLY IGNORE YOU FROM NOW ON!!!

obowunmi:
^^^^ because you don't have a mind of your own.

@ obowunmi, Think about your statement for five minutes and ask yourself if it makes any sense
There is nothing wrong in appreciating the opinions of others and acknowledging that you agree with them. IMHO, Chaircover (for example) has made some of the most mature and objective contributions on family section. If I had agreed with your opinion, you probably would not have said the same thing. Make an effort to be objective next time.

BACK TO THE TOPIC!

The couple can agree not to have children. If the need arises to have one sometime later in life, they can always have one. However, they should plan ahead and decide what they would do if they cant have any at the time when they are ready. They could adopt a child or something. It all boils down to agreement and planning.

Chaircover & Ifyalways,

I tend to agree with you on many of your responses on this section of the forum. You have said exactly what I had in mind with different choice of words. I thought no one was ever going to agree that it's OK under certain conditions. Nice.

This propaganda is the major reason why the US and the rest of the international community are dragging their feet in terms of interventions. A problem that clearly started within the Arab world and is being fuelled from within is now being blamed on US - NATO!

The Libyans are busy begging the world to come to their aid and even before the world makes a move, these folks have started creating conspiracy theories. Anything the US does or does not do they get bad-mouthed for it. When they try to help, they are accused of having a hidden agenda. When they allow the people solve their own problems, they get accused of supporting dictators!!!

All I can say is people will never be satisfied with the US and other members of the OECD irrespective of how honest or dishonest their actions are.

@ Becomrichn, I value your unique ideas however, the reasons I do not think we can have just 2 parts are:

1. The Ibos will not want to go with the Yorubas! It will be an opportunity for them to finally have their own president. Something they have been clamouring for. Besides, they have their own oil!

2. Does this ring a bell: "Niger Delta no dey carry last!" I don't think they want anybody else to lead them or share their oil!

3. The West is OK on their own. They can survive anyhow. They probably may try to woo the Niger Delta to their side (So will the east).

The middle belt is much more complex. There is where the problem will be. The christians there will not want to be a minority struggling for survival in a predominantly muslim region. But then where will the lines be drawn? The muslims are there above and below the River Niger which would have been a convenient option. If anything, it's not going to be that easy.

Benji, you are right. We have people who can invest in the power sector like Dangote and Adenuga. We have the natural resources, the capital, the brains and we already have many master plans! We have ALL we need. We can achieve power availability in a short time if we are serious.