Until a bank crashes and all those who have deposits lose your money (like I did in the 90's when Pinnacle Bank and Crystal bank crashed)before we will realize that bankers jobs are not a God given right. If not for Sanusi, after Francis Atuche, et al had finished dealing with Bank PHB, the bank would have gone bankrupt and depositors would have lost all their savings. We would have been queuing up outside the bank struggling to get our money.

When CBN changed Bank PHB to Mainstreet Bank nobody rushed to remove their money, there was 'no run on the banks' compare that to the bank crash in Nigeria in the 90's or even the Northern Rock collapse in UK as recent as 2008. Despite all the insults we throw at Sanusi the nation still has confidence in the banks, because of his policies.

Mainstreet Bank cannot afford to have the same number of employees sitting around not adding to the net worth of the bank, better to lose 800 employees than for the whole bank to collapse.

People should wake up from their dream world and bigoted, myopic, uneducated opinions and face the truth. Sanusi has sanitized banking for the better.

I want to buy 2011 Land Crusier , I don't mind tokunbo, even Dubai but it should not cost more than N1million. Don't disturb me with silly offers or pay before collection, not more than one million oh!!!

I would appoint Buhari and El-Rufai to head the task force of eradication of Boko Haram

Insurance premiums are too low in Nigeria, a flat rate of 5% does not justify the real cost of risk. in other countries premiums are calculated depending on your driving experience, your age, gender, where you live and other factors. In Nigeria everybody is expected to pay 5% flat rate regardless if you are the worse driver in the world, third party, fire and theft is even just a fixed fee regardless of even the car!!!

how do you expect insurance companies to pay up N17 million for a truck, when the premium they collected was N800k

VolvoS60:


Faithin9ja,

Sir, we are warming up . I will address the points you raised one by one:

It is true that in Nigeria, government (at all levels), through its ministries and departments has performed very poorly in delivering on its end of the social contract. In your previous post you asked why I or anyone else for that matter, would want the government to run anything at all, given its poor track record. Sir, I must tell you that your viewpoint is a dangerous path to tread. There will always be a need for government. (I’m sure you know what market failure means). Some goods will always be public goods. In your view sir, the solution to the failure of our public sector is a significant reduction in the size or scale of government. In other words, less government. I DISAGREE SIR. Less government is only a partial solution, and a debatable one at that . The solution is BETTER government. All too often, ‘free marketers’ have framed the question as one of Big Government versus Small Government, an argument that is ultimately useless if the question of the quality of government is not treated with the same importance. Reducing the size and scale of government (through privatization of state owned enterprises, cutbacks in social spending etc) without tackling the core issues – issues such as ethics, building strong institutions, enthroning system-wide checks and balances etc will simply lead to crony capitalism. Remember the privatization of PEs/SOEs during the IBB & OBJ eras? Remember the oligarchs in the old USSR after Gorbachev?

You made some good points, particularly about the need for public sector workers to be weaned off the sense of entitlement they have. But there ARE millions of Nigerians who have never worked for the government and do not intend to do so. The informal sector and the formal sector in Nigeria, - which is larger? The subsistence farmer in your village, the mechanic down the corner – what do they rely on government for? They do their jobs without any sense of entitlement. It isn’t their fault that low quality governments have, for several decades, condemned them to work on the margins in the informal sector, with few rights and even fewer obligations. Better Government sir, Better Government!!!! Not necessarily less!!!

Sir, you also claim that Nigerians have a sense of entitlement when it comes to petrol. You ask why we feel we have a right to ‘cheap’ petrol?! Sir, this topic has been debated extensively on these boards. I’m sure you are aware of the foolish position we are in, where Nigeria exports crude petroleum and imports finished petroleum products, simply because our governments/bureaucrats/technocrats destroyed their country’s refineries. What does it cost to produce and refine a litre of PMS, AGO and DKK (kero?) in Nigeria? And what is the landing cost of a litre of each of each of these items if imported? We want the truth. You also claim that the NNPC has distorted the kerosene market by selling ‘subsidized’ kerosene (the same product on which you claim the ‘subsidy’ was lifted 9 years ago!). So, is there a subsidy (on kero) or not? You also mentioned that the NNPC’s distortion of the market through its sale of ‘subsidized kero’ stops anyone from importing profitably. Sir, please ask yourself an honest question: should Nigeria be importing even ONE litre of finished petroleum products? Should she? This is the question Nigerians are asking. People destroyed Nigeria’s refining capacity and created a fraudulent import scheme through a house of lies and tricks. Rather than take these people on, Nigerian governments have chosen the path of least resistance – the removal of the so-called subsidy. All right, remove the damn subsidy if you will. But only on the condition that those who sabotaged the refineries be tied to oil drums and shot in the chest. Anything else is nonsense.

Sir, I notice that you entered the realm of ‘possibilities’ when you mentioned the issue of tackling official corruption in your piece. You had brilliant, elegant, theoretical arguments to support laissez faire economics, but all of a sudden, you became a pragmatist when the issue of corruption came up. As I said earlier, this is the reason why so many academics/technocrats lose all credibility after public service in Nigeria. To reduce the issue of corruption to a footnote is the height of self-deception. We have to decide whether we are serious about solving our problems or not.

I mentioned at least 4 oil producing countries, some of which ‘subsidize’ the price at which the product is sold locally. I noticed you didn’t say anything about 3 of them, and curiously, you singled out the Venezuelans for criticism. What of the Saudis? And the Brazilians? (And also note the strides that Brazil has made in alternative energy, and the incentives to encourage its use. What has the Nigerian government done?). To prove that Nigeria is not alone in her folly, You also mentioned the Iranians having to deal with crippling fuel shortages resulting from inadequate local refining capacity. Perhaps, just perhaps, sanctions by the EU and the US over Iran’s nuclear programme (preventing the importation of spare parts for Iran's refineries)may have something to do with this, sir?

Sir, I said absolutely nothing about Buhari. Please go back and re-read my post. In it I also asked why we have had shortages in diesel and kerosene in the 9 years since the subsidy on these items was removed. You still have not really answered this question. You constantly refer to the availability of diesel at the moment. Are you telling me that in the 9 years since the subsidy on diesel was removed we have not had any shortage of diesel? Is that what you are saying? And I also note that you have admitted the ‘inevitability’ of corruption (although ‘minor’??!!) even after the market has been ‘freed’, (to use your own words). Sir, this admission by you simply reinforces what I have said all along. Official graft is the enemy. Not the so-called ‘subsidy’. Nigerians have to force their governments to be accountable. Markets, in of and by themselves, are imperfect. They will never be able to do what people have to do.

In the interest of time I won't go point for point with you but address a few key points;

1. As mentioned, we must remove the potential areas for fraud and corruption. If somebody steals from your house, you learn to lock your house whilst pursuing the thief. Remove the potential for theft, you can always lock up the thieves after you have locked up your belongings. Also as I mentioned those involved in this particular fraud are not just 5 or 10 people but a whole industry, when you arrest half of NNPC, the customs, the NAVY, oil marketeers, even the bankers who gave out dubious loans. You must follow rule of law, arrest, prosecute before you start to'shoot' them.

2. every aspect of Nigeria there is corruption. Have never given a policeman money? even if oyu want to import diesel today in Nigeria won't you have to give your bank manager something for him to approve the loan? will NNPC just give you licence like that? have you - ever imported anything into Nigeria? will customs alllow you to bring anything in without a little 'kola' for them. How did you want stop all this in one stroke?

3. Brazil does not produce oil in commercial quantities for export, hence former governments of Brazil encouraged alternatives to petrol. Saudi Arabia is no way comparable to Nigeria, they produce 10 times Nigeria oil and for a population of 27 million, with their Royal family of over 10,000 members. They don't even have income tax. the country to compare ourselves is Iran. Iran produces 5 times Nigeria crude and they still have fuel shortages, (see my last post)

4. the number of diesel shortages in the past 9 years does not compare with the petrol. Yet kero because of the distorted market, NNPC mega stations supplying at allegedly a lower price (see my post) Importers do not import a lot of Kero. There will be some shortages because suppliers cannot always meet demand for a variety of reasons but every trader will endeavor to supply otherwise he will not eat

namfav: ebele is nowin brazil, if america were burning will obama leave a day after?
why was gej in a hurry? don't tell me gej is not part of the problem because you will be lying through your teeth

so juvenile, so he is Brazil because he doesn't want people to know he is behind the bombings? please read other mature posts and speak like an adult, if you are old enough to go online, you are old enough to give intelligent posts

Actually earlier in the year some Muslims in Kano did surround some churches to protect them, but actually the Christians first surrounded mosques to protect mosques in Kano!!!

But the point is the bombing have gotten worse so our Muslims brothers need to do more.

if masses in the North rise up they will crush these terrorists, don't these terrorist go to market, don't they come out? don't they have families? don't we know them.

At the height of kidnapping in the East, it was when the local population starting attacking the so-called big boys and their sponsors that the security forces were able to put down the rampant kidnapping.

Boko Haram are now doing sunday-sunday bombing and we can't find them?

If Northern Nigerian Muslims do not support Boko Haram (in fact many of those killed are indeed northern Nigerian Muslims), then the local population should flush out these boko terrorists.

We were ready to occupy streets for petrol, to attack government, for our belle, but will we occupy streets for our lives? I thought northerners were not cowards and are fearless warriors. Then were are the demonstrations against these terrorists who live in our midst.

They should flush them out of their hiding holes, those Chadians, Nigeriens, who are becoming suicide bombers should be rounded up.

Or is that the Northern Nigerian Muslim secretly believes in their cause and actually supports Boko Haram?

Spirit of Okija: U.S will never cease to surprise me..

In Nigeria, when you say Boko Haram , the names that come to mind include;

1. Mohammed Yusuf (Dead leader)

2. Abu Qaqa (Spokesman)

3. Rtd Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Financier, Grand Patron and Sponsor)

3. Senator Ali Ndume (Government Rep)

4. Alhaji Nasir El-Rufai (Financier)

5. Abubakar Shekau (Former II i.c now Leader)

and a few others; But who come be these two again na?!

Abubakar Adam Kambar, aged roughly 35; and Khalid al Barnawi, - I never heard of them before now o!!

What do you know? because of what you read on the internet or hear in 'beer parlour'. You want America or even our JTF to base their actions on prejudice?

The US using their intelligence can find out easily who is sponsoring Boko Haram, where they get their weapons, where they get their training, even how they get money transferred to them. These are people who used to shoot people from back of Okada are now planting massive bombs? they used to shoot and run away , now they have 'suicide bombers' do you think anyone will kill themselves because of CPC or PDP, is it because of naira they can't spend when they are dead? Their sponsors are definitely coming from other terrorist infested countries, from people who have no value of life. Even our corrupt politicians and their thugs value their life. all the NURTW and MEND, OPC and any other group used by politicians of all parties, CPC, PDP, ACN engage in these acts of political violence to gain the fruits of power while they are alive. No suicide bomber is interested in government contract.

so it's not about political power but pure Islamic fundamentalism - which I believe most Muslims in Nigeria do not support, but must now show that they do not support this type of Islam

VolvoS60:


Faithin9ja,

Sir, you claim that I want to use old methods to cure old problems. No sir!! You say this because I have chosen to ask the simplest question of all: Why have those who ran NNPC and other public utilities into the ground (through sheer criminality) not been punished? Laws were broken. Where are the consequences sir, for these people and their actions?

That sir, is the 160 million naira question.

It is becoming harder sir, to promote the idea of market forces while ignoring the complements which make these same forces work in other countries. A Harvard economics doctorate will not guarantee a free pass anymore - I am filled with a certain amount of satisfaction that the demystification of Nigeria's "Chicago boys" (& girls) is almost complete. (I refer here to the likes of the Minister of Finance who vigorously campaign for the removal of 'subsidies' but remain silent about shocking graft and larceny by public sector officials and their private sector collaborators. Apparently, in the technocrat's handbook, morality, ethics & law are irrelevant footnotes best handled by sociologists and other pretenders). NOI and co. will have us believe that 'subsidies' lead to macro-economic distortions and resource misallocation. What about corruption? What does that do to the economy? What do you 'free marketers' have to say about that?

Nigerians are a bit wiser now. They are beginning to ask a few questions. They may not know the intricacies of laissez faire economics but they do know when a public official has clearly abused his position and broken the law.


Sir, I noticed that you cleverly sidestepped my points about successful state-owned utilities in several other countries with your command that I "stop comparing us to other countries". Indeed, sir. I would have complied but facts are stubborn things. They will not go away even if we wish them to. Several oil producing countries with far, far higher standards of living than Nigeria DO 'subsidize' the prices of petroleum products. How do they do it?

I also noticed that you were silent about kerosene supply shortage in Nigeria, although you made a canny reference to diesel being widely available. Let me refresh your memory sir. In the last 3 years, there have been no less than 2 cases of severe nationwide shortage in the supply of kerosene.

Explain that if you can.

P.S. And what do you mean sir, that "I have to change my mindset that anything controlled by govt especially in Nigeria, does not work"?. Please explain.

firstly, in Nigeria anything controlled by government has systematically gotten worse over the 50 or so years of our independence. From education to health, anywhere you see government, whether local government, state government or federal government, the majority of the ministries and departments function badly.

Unfortunately the average Nigerian believes the government owes them a job, In the 1970's when we had 6 universities, graduates upon completed their education is was standard for the graduate to get a level 8 job, these jobs were really glorified 'welfare benefits'. Very little was done to promote production or stimulate the wider economy. Nigerians became used to going to an office, pushing papers around and then getting paid at the end of the month. We took this lackadaisical nature to work even in government owned businesses, Nigeria Airways, NPA, Federal Palace hotels, daily times, too many to name both at Federal level and State level. Instead of these businesses making a profit and gving money to the government they became a drain and conduit for employing 'your brothers and people from your area'.

During IBB's time, the world economy changed and many countries like Nigeria were forced to face reality and become real producers. The so-called 'middle class' suffered. People had to start fending for themselves. hence the growth of the private sector. But in our 'mindset'the damage had been done. People still feel that government owes them a 'job'. Nigerians still want to work in big companies, earn big money but never question 'what they do for those companies'. We are all upset when bankers lose their jobs and blame SLS, but have we considered that since SLS no depositor has lost a single kobo from a failed bank, unlike during Abacha, the bank chiefs have run off with the money and we still expect to be paying bank staff big salaries, diesel allowance, holiday allowance, etc. What have these bankers actually brought to their banks (and don't tell me about using fine girls to find deposits)

We as a nation have the same mindset when it comes to petrol. Why do we feel we have a right to cheap petrol?

Kerosene
Much tainted house of reps. report and we all know that NNPC have distorted the kerosene market. by NNPC allegedly selling 'subsidized kerosene' at their so-called 'mega fuel' stations. This stops anyone from importing kerosene on the international market, you wouldn't be able to sell the kerosene when you land your product. No bank will fund you for such a venture.


Corruption

Corruption is endemic in Nigeria. We all quote 'where man work e dey chop'. So if it is possible to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the subsidy scandal; the so-called marketeers and importers, the NNPC and all her subsidiaries, DPRC,etc, Customs, NPA officials, Navy, the bankers who provide the loans & FX, Ministry of Petroleum, then what happens? we replace these people with who? those thousands of trained, qualified, honest Nigerians who will immediately take up these positions and never falsify one single record, abi? does that answer your 160 million naira question?

Other countries

Many other countries have had similar issues with attempting to subsidize markets; even the EU had scandals running into 100's of millions with agriculture subsidies, Iran has had huge petrol shortages just like Nigeria despite being one of the largest producers of crude oil, they too cannot refine enough product for local consumption, Venezuela has adopted the socialist concept, which Russia, China and even Cuba have abandoned or are abandoning. we shall see how that works for the local supply of cheap petrol.

Buhari
you quote Buhari's trade by barter of the 1980's. how successful was this? this was an attempt to save FX (which later found it's way into the black market. On paper it sounds feasible; so we supply a refinery say in Spain with crude oil and they supply us PMS, ok but who distributes the PMS when it gets to Nigeria? If I have 2 petrol stations in Calabar, and I need allocation of the cheap petrol, who do I meet? I will praying I have a friend or brother in the relevant department to facilitate the allocation.

Diesel

You don't have to beg anyone to supply you diesel. Go Ibafon with your tanker, you find people begging you to buy. That's the power of the market, you don't have to speak Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo or even Tiv or Obubra, just hold your money and you will buy.

Petrol

We have no 'right' to cheap petrol afterall we don't buy subsided vehicles. Free the market and it will wipe out corruption at a stroke, there will still be some minor corruption, bankers will also collect something before they give you the loan to import, but the kickback won't be as high as it is now because the returns are less, customs and NNPC will always collect something for the relevant licences, but once again it won't be as high. (it will become a fixed fee just like clearing a car at Tin Can).

anyway that's enough social commentary for one day

Endomondo - great 'app' for exercise and jogging
Telmap Navigator - great app for driving directions ( haven't used it Nigeria though)
Contacts Cleaner - clears your duplicate contact entries
Shazam - music recognition app
one touch flashlight - great for switching on the 'gen' when they seize light
SIP4 mobiles - for making free or very cheap international calls
Evernote
DropBox

thegoodjoehunt:


First of all the story of the Chunk of the money going into the hands of corrupt individual is bogus. If someone imports Products worth N100 and the government pays for N60 and the masses pays for N40. Where is there money to be looted. How come if the masses pay N100 for that same product, there will be no looting.

Finally the case in question is the government giving companies money to import Petrol and they don't do it. How will the masses paying for everything stop the looting because the government will still need companies to import these fuel. The only way is for the companies to use their own money to bring in the fuel. The subsidy can still stand for this to be done.

I really don't understand your post. Government should not give anybody money to import anything!!! Right now if you have money you can import diesel, you use your own money and sell at your own price. shikena!!! that is what is also going to happen with petrol. Government will not be giving anybody N40 as in your example, we all will pay the N100 period. There is nothing we import right now that the government subsidies, we all pay the market rate. We should pay the market rate for petrol, after all even the cars we buy, we pay market rate, we should we have cheaper petrol?

shymmex:

GEJ should provide the answer to that - since all the tools needed are under him.. He has the SSS, Armed Forces, Police, Customs and all the money needed to defeat them..

If he's clueless, he should ask the Algerian President how he was able to contain the terrorist group in Algeria..

He already said he knows who the masterminds of BH are - why can't he take a decisive action, and cut off the head of the snake? If he can be brave to do that, the remnant of BH won't be brave enough to attack.

Actually in the 1990's the Algerian terrorist problem was solved when the terrorists turned on each other, each group felt the other group was not radical enough. if you have the time and bandwidth watch this documentary The Power of Nightmares
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiK2Hozba8E

thegoodjoehunt:

I get your point but the burden will be too heavy. The burden for this recent increase is still eaten us and the money is long gone. If we take more burden, the rest will be swallowed. What we need now is to find out how money leaves the System and demand accountability. You can see how privatization lead to wastage of public property. Them selling it to themselves for little or nothing while the masses went through hell. What we need is a more transparent system put in place for running public offices to prevent things from being swept under the carpet and a lot of laws that protect corruption removed. Instead of making things worse.

Other incentives should be made to make marketers want to keep products in Nigeria and these incentives should take more money off the hands of the Government.

I really don't want to go into a full bloan macro economics lecture, but suffice the era of subsidised petrol seriously damages the wider economy of the country, for the past 3 years we have been able to maintain our foreign reserves and simply put the dollar to naira has been more or less stable.

if the nation continues to subsidize petrol, with a large proportion of this money entering pockets of customs men, bankers, NNPC staff, Navy boys, bankers and then petrol marketeers and politicians our balance of payments will go south, there will be a massive devaluation of the naira and just like the mid 80's in IBB's time the so-called middle class (those who protested with their tokunbo cars) will be hardest hit.

Take away the subsidy there will be less room fraud, water will find it's level. Those who need petrol will still buy.

Abagworo:

It is a fallacy to mention D'banj alongside Fela or Sunny Ade. I'll bet in your world Sean Paul is more successful than Bob Marley.

Below is the link to top 100 most played song in the world and you got 2 Nigerian based acts in there. With productions coming from Don Jazzy and J. Martins at Nos 45 and 73 respectively.

http://top40-charts.com/chart.php?cid=36

You are obviously not reading my posts, I it made very clear, that D'banj may not win critical acclaim (I trust you know what that means) but in terms of sales and worldwide mainstream appreciation, if he continues he will definitely surpass FELA and Sunny Ade. This does not mean D'banj music is better than FELA or Sunny Ade - it's just means more people know his music.

the FELA's and Sunny Ade's of this world never made it on mainstream radio stations around the world.

and no you can never compare Bob Marley to Sean Paul - either in music quality, critical acclaim or even record sales and global recognition, there's no contest. (Bob Marley's music was often in TOP 10 charts around the world, unlike FELA)

VolvoS60:

Sir,

You give the impression that the removal of the so-called 'subsidy' on PMS will lead us to paradise, so to speak. But the question I have asked repeatedly on these boards (and never gotten an answer to) is this: Why have we had nearly annual shortages (some of them crippling) in AGO and DKK? (kero) supply in the 9 years since the market for these two fuels was 'deregulated' as you claim? Can you guarantee sir, that after the removal of the 'subsidy' of PMS, there will be absolutely no supply shortage? Can you?

We all know the real reason why Nigeria's oil and gas sector is in the state it is in. Instead of Nigerians to demand answers from their governments on why not a single state-owned utility can be properly and transparently run by Nigerian bureaucrats, they allow themselves to be led by the nose and taken for a ride, all the time. If Brazilians, Bolivians, Saudis, Venezuelans, etc. can operate state-owned utilities, some of which subsidize petroleum products, actually operate refineries AND TURN A PROFIT, then what excuse does Nigeria have?

The NNPC did not have audited accounts for almost a decade. Nigerians should have insisted that someone be shot for that crime. Did they?

Nigerians have not suffered enough yet. I repeat, they have not suffered enough yet. When we are well and truly fed up, we will know what to do. As someone said on another thread, when the choice before Nigerians is "which of our children shall we eat today?" then perhaps we will drag ourselves away from our most beloved opiates (La Liga/English premiership football & big brother africa) and force the change that is needed.

This is the problem, you still want to use old methods to cure old problems, NNPC is bad, yet you still want government, NNPC or any other government agency to run or control anything? You have to change your mindset that anything controoled by government especially in Nigeria DOES NOT work.

The day government sets up a board or committee or agency to ensure cheap 'garri', that day there will be shortage of garri in the country. Stop comparing us to other countries.

when last was there diesel shortage in this country? what is the point of cheap commodities if the commodity is not available. Years ago under Buhari we had 'foreign exchange controls' which caused shortage of 'essential commodities'. In a failed effort to keep prices down, government started rationing these 'essential commodities' soap, rice, toilet roll, etc. There was widespread shortage.

Most people are too young remember that. During Abacha regime there was fuel scarcity 6 out of 12 months, we were forced to buy fuel from black market at 4 times the official price, this quite apart from the noxious fuel that Abacha cronies were importing.

Government should remove hand from petrol, the price will go up surely, only because the price is artificially low right now.

What right does any Nigerian have to cheap petrol?

3 months ago diesel was almost N168 per litre, no subsidy for diesel, now diesel is N150 per litre, no subsidy on diesel. All over Nigeria the are signs saying 'call this number for home diesel supply' . This is how a market works. When diesel and kerosine were deregulated almost 9 years ago we thought the country would die.

If there is no subsidy anyone can sell petrol at any price, we will not die. How many 'real Nigerians' benefit from petrol subsidy. Even those entering molue and luxury buses actually use diesel, small buses use petrol, so prices will go up by 20%, lorries that carry foodstuff use diesel, factories that use generators use diesel.

How many real Nigerians own cars, how many carpenters, washer men, farmers, primary school teachers, shoe makers, tailors, etc how many of these people own cars that benefit from the subsidy?

lacidi: What people have failed to understand is that the legislature has no power to order EFCC to investigate anybody. They can only 'advice'. EFCC, the police etc are all under the control of the executive. The so called report from the house can only have any coercive value if the executive afford it such value. The legislature is there only to make laws and to give advice. They cannot arrest, order the arrest or enforce the arrest of any citizen. You all remember when late Gani called their bluff and refused to appear before then when summoned. That's because they do not have such powers that they arrogated to themselves. They have decided to become both the judiciary and the executive at same time. Unfortunately, there are people who won't be cowed by their antics. Nothing and I repeat, absolutely nothing will happen to Otedola. The irony of this case is that if the report is tabled in court, it will be thrown out on the simple ground that it has been tainted by proven case of bribery and intimidation. So the report is merely an advice and not a directive, so no one should fret over it.

This is the most intelligent and factual post on this topic. Unfortunately most commenters on this thread do not understand the issues or how the law works.

idifu: d banj can neva be bigger than Fela,Femi,sunny Ade,Nneka...... most of d things u have bin reading abt dbanj on papers are hype.

We listen to his music on the radio everyday in the UK, how times did they ever pay Sunny Ade on the main radio stations in the UK even at the height of his fame?

idifu: d banj can neva be bigger than Fela,Femi,sunny Ade,Nneka...... most of d things u have bin reading abt dbanj on papers are hype.

None of the people you mentioned ever made it into in international music charts. Fela and Sunny Ade are biggest of your list but they were never mainstream musicians in the rest of the world. They were well known by a sizable minority (especially Fela) in what is known as the 'world music' scene.

Dbanj on the other hand is breaking ground with Nigerian music in clubs around the world. Previous Nigerians who did this such a Lighthouse family, Sade, Dr Alban or even Seal - biggest here being Seal and Sade never really played 'Nigerian inspired music'. I don't if D'banj will ever be as big as Seal or Sade, but he's going bigger than other Nigerian based musicians, watch this space.

pdozie: IF subsidy is removed, it will have economic impact to every Nigerian. If it is not removed, humongous theft, corruption and riddle to Nigerian entity will continue. It therefore means that Nigerians will have to sacrifice and bear the impact of the removal should they want to see this avennue of corruption removed.
Definitly GEJ does not have what it takes to confront the cabal. Should I blame him? OBJ who we know is fearless was not able to tame them. He rather tactifully concealed their actions so no one knew what was going on.
GEJ will to an extent be commended for opening up. Yes he didnt have the balls to take them on but he had a plan to ensure they dont steal again.
If you ask me - Yes lets remove the subsidy. We can always adjust.

For those calling for the military - its an option of course. I used to toy with that option but not until I read most of the history books from 1966 Nzeogwu led coup to the Reprisal coup that threw up Gowon and so on, up until the civil war. Those were dark days occasioned by mistrust and same corruption that is ravaging us now.
Yes mistrust is the key word. From the North to East to West to South there is total mistrust right from the days of Saraudana. that seed of mistrust is the basis for bad governance we have today.
So instead of military intervention, I will rather call for re-structuring of Nigeria to regional provinces and have he center weakened. This is what Nigeria needed just before the civil war started and that need is yet to disappear.

How many governors have done well for the their regions? how many local government chairmen have done well for their local regions? how will dividing Nigeria into stronger regions make things better?

luvinhubby: This man should go and face his cattle and let's have a new CBN governor.

Like Akingbola or Ibru

Godogwu: Whats with some people on here.....when did tribalism get this deep? I'm still in shock. It's just a man wearing his chieftancy attire, whether at the govt house or at the central bank it doesn't matter. He is most def not going to wear that everyday...and even if he does, it doesn't affect his judgement , views, suggestions or opinions. I'm Igbo and I careless about this tribalistic BS going on, all we should want is continuos growth in Nigeria regardless of who rules.

Gbam!!

dasparrow: @Post

I see where Gov. Akpabio is coming from. We Nigerians call ourselves 'giant of Africa' yet we don't have a national airline carrier of our own. The problem though is maintenance and the ever present corruption. If we can properly maintain the aircraft once we have a national carrier, then okay but if we are going to start cutting corners and giving free tickets to family members and friends, then we should just shelf the idea.

This where I pity Nigeria, young man....which major country in the world has a national airline? Country run airlines are vanity relic of the 1970's. Government regulate the industry, private sector run the airlines. British Airways, Air France, KLM, Iberia are all private companies quoted on the stock market. You as you are now you can buy shares in British Airways with as little N25,000.

In this day and age you expect government to 'own' an airline? please......I know you are smarter than that. Don't listen to these semi-illiterate politicians

~Bluetooth:


There are somalis living in US right ? All it takes is just one person to infilterate and strike.George bush would have been long dead if the shoe thrown at him by that iraqi cameraman was a live shot.

the shoe missed

Nwa_Nimo: 10 Camels? Thats not bad.

Al Shahab - Mr Obama can be located at:

The White House,
Washington,
Washington DC,
America,
USA.

Send my ten camels to Lagos port then PM me.




Thanks,

Great
you forgot to add 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, dem no go know road the satnav won't find it

Abagworo: Dr Alban is out of the question because he was never a Nigerian based artist but "Its my Life" is one of the best selling songs in human history. He is my brother anyway but I'm writing this without sentiments.

I don't know if Nneka is Nigerian based or not but if considered, then "heartbeats" has already impacted the world the way "Oliver" is impacting. Remember one half of Light House Family, Seal, Sade, Lemar, Tinie Tempah, Chiddy Bang and other Nigerian borns that have impacted the world greatly.

On genre, I think we'll all agree that "Oliver" can be considered as "Afrobeat" and it is on that ground that we acknowledge what D'banj is about to do. Take our Nigerian music in its "raw form" to the world but I also think it is a movement that is going on at different places at the same time. Just as "Oliver" is hitting the UK charts with one week in top 10, Remix of P-Squares "E No Easy" has been in the French top 5 for the past 4 weeks. I won't be surprised if focus turns briefly to African music in the next 2 years as it did to South American "reggaeton" in the mid 2000's.

the difference between these musicians and D'banj is that they were most probably not really recognised as 'Nigerian' Yes, those that know will know 'Seal' was born in Lagos or 'Sade' was born in Ibadan, but generally most people just recognised their music but not really the origin of their music.

It's not possible to hear D'Banj or P-Square and not realise that they are Nigerian and singing 'Nigerian' music. Just like like Shaba Ranks, Bob Marley are instantly recognised as Jamaican, unlike Heavy D and Grace Jones who are also Jamaican but their music is not described as Jamaican.

This is why I say D'Banj if he continues at this rate (which I believe he capable of) will bring fame to Nigeria's music even bigger than FELA.

It is indeed a possibility that Dbanj may unfortunately be the biggest Nigerian musician to hail from Nigeria at least in this current era but biggest doesn't necessarily mean better. However when Dbanj’s fame finally fades sadly he won’t be remembered in the same light as those artists of so called “world music”. Authenticity and/or originality is the difference between “legends” and mundane musicians. And that is why Dbanj can be replaced whilst someone like Fela cannot. If one wants to leave their undeniable mark (which I suppose not everyone cares to and that is completely fine) they may have to become pioneers or forge their own style instead of patterning themselves on to already existing ones.

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Your right 'biggest' doesn't mean 'better', I may have not made that distinction clear. Personally I like D'banj's music, but I wouldn't put him or many of other musicians music I listen to when jogging as amongst the 'better' musicians (FELA is very high on my list).

D'banj's music is more or less Nigerian based 'pop' music. It doesn't lend itself to critical acclaim or even longevity, but whilst it is regining it will surely pull in the crowds, give D'banj fame and fortune and give Nigerians something to be proud about.

As a nation we have too few names that make it in the everyday media in a positive light. Even our footballers are not household names around the world except to the footballing franternity. As popular as FELA is/was how many people around the world have heard of him compared to even Justin Bebier?

I want D'banj to be as famous as Justin Bebier or Justin Timberland; I know his current brand of music will not be Bob Marley or FELAesque in it's longevity but let's have some good news from Nigeria for a change.

Yes, Nigerian pidgin is becoming more widespread in certain locations in London, D'banj's music will further this and as such bring the Nigeria culture into more acceptance by Nigerian children in the diaspora and the world society as a whole (not unlike Shaba Ranks in the early 90's but hopefully not with the violence and slankneess of the Yardie lyrics and some behaviour of their followers)

In summary, D'Banj's music may not win critcal acclaim but worldwide acceptance on the 'pop' charts around the world will be great for this young man, and we who share his heritage.

I am old enough to remember Osibisa in the 1970's, Sunny Ade concert in London in 1980's and of course the perptual Fela. None of these musicians despite their worldwide fame never hit it big in mainstream music worldwide. They were always known as 'world music' an expression coined in the 1990's.

the only Nigerian musician that had a one hit wonder in the 1990's on mainsream music charts in many countires was the Sweden based 'Dr Alban'.

But D'banj is different, his music is making waves on the UK charts, played in clubs around Europe (not just the black or nigerian based clubs), Oliver Tiwst is getting a lot of radio play, even played in a very popular UK soap opera 'eastenders' when the show was showing young people having a party.

the track 'oliver twist' as most nairalanders know is actually sung in a mix of pidgin english and Nigerian slangs. this is bringing Nigerian pop culture to the world akin to reggae promoting jamaican patois or even American rap with hip hop of the 80's.

So is D'banj on the verge of becoming Nigeria's most famous and influencial musician?

I know many people will mention FELA, but the great Fela's music was never mainstream around the world and many newer Nigerian musicians are just FELA wannabes hence they are not really breaking new ground or getting really new auidences.

However D'banj's music brings a fresh look at contempoary music that fit's well in current popular music despite it's Nigerian roots.

A few more hits from D'banj, one or two colloborations with American musicians, a few more apprerances on US & UK TV and watch him explode.

Bear in mind popular music doesn't always have to be about' no light', no water', 'dem dey tief' - sometimes we just want to dance.

unfortunately a prophet is not without honour in his own country. just brings to mind our founding fathers efforts to run a new nation dramatically cut short by some 'young boys'

This was posted on Facebook ( no tribalist comments please, read, understand and recognise Nigeria before most of you were born)

[1] This tragedy makes me really miss this gentleman Jaja Nwachukwu, Nigeria's first ever aviation minister who was in office between 1965 and 1966
[2] Most of the aviation laws in Nigeria today still bear his signature. It was he who initiated training programmes for Nigeria's first crop of flight and ground officers and the Aviation Training Centre, Zaria was established during his tenure.
[3] Jaja's visionary and upright zeal did not go well with his party, the NCNC - a party which saw Mr Blankson, Nigerian Airways board chairman and also the party's Central Working Committee chairman, as representing its interest in the spoils system.
[4] Jaja Nwachukwu fired and removed Blankson who felt himself beyond ministerial control and the NCNC demanded his reinstatement, threatening that otherwise, it would withdraw its Ministers from the coalition government.
[5] Tafawa Balewa, who had high respect and a soft spot for Jaja pleaded with him to reinstate Blankson and accept another Ministry but Nwachukwu refused.
[6] Balewa even asked his wife Rhoda Nwachukwu to plead with him, yet Jaja refused and tendered his resignation from parliament and as an executive member of government at midday on January 14, 1966.
[7] Balewa was yet to accept Nwachukwu's resignation when the army struck by midnight barely 12 hours later.
[8] When the coupists came to Nwachukwu's official residence, at 7, Okotie-Eboh Street Ikoyi, he looked through the window and asked the soldiers: "What are you boys doing here?" One of the soldiers replied: "Good morning, sir. But haven't you heard what is happening in the country?" To which he replied: "Yes. I know you boys have taken over the government." and the soldier said: "Do not be afraid, sir. We have come to protect you for being an honest government minister."
[9] Jaja Nwachukwu was also Nigeria's first speaker of the house of representatives, our first foreign minister and our first ever permanent representative to the United Nations
[10] There is no way he would have ever tolerated airlines cutting corners. No aviation minister has ever measured up to him since.

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