₦airaland Forum

Poverty worse in the South than North –Balarabe Musa

Question: In what ways do you think poverty can be tackled in this part of the country?


Answer: I don’t think we should be talking about the North, but the whole Nigeria, because poverty is everywhere in Nigeria. In fact, the North is even better off than the South when we talk about poverty because if you lose any opportunity of earning salary income, in the North here you have opportunity to go the farm. In the South, it is not so easy because you may not have the land. You can see that the effect of poverty in the North is at the lower level than the South, because in the South, if you can’t get salaried employment and you have no capital to go into business, it becomes a problem. Therefore, when we are talking about poverty, really, we should be talking about Nigeria. The level of poverty in Nigeria is very high. In fact, it is intolerable; it is even a shame that we have a government, yet we reach this level of poverty. The level of poverty in Nigeria has reached a stage that every Nigerian with very few exception, is forced to live on an earned income, that is something he has not worked for. This is even if he is employed by the government or in the private sector, the remuneration is not enough to sustain him. And there is hyper-inflation which is not controlled that is making things worse. If you can’t get paid employment and goes into business, which should have helped, but if you want to go into business and you want to take loan to do that, the bank interest rate is prohibitive. For instance, I borrowed a lot of money this year to farm. I was under the impression that interest rate for agric is 13 per cent. Which in any economy is still too high. But after the loan was secured, I found out that I would be paying a minimum of 25 per cent interest. We are now talking about the opportunity for ordinary Nigerian. He can’t be a farmer because he has no capital, or in some places he has no land. Or if he has capital and land, the problem of unstable prices is a problem. Generally, you can’t survive on agriculture, you cannot survive on salaried employment, and virtually the small businessmen can’t survive. In fact, virtually all businessmen, I mean you can see the number of industrial institutions in Nigeria that have closed down because there is no business, let us take the worst case. The textile industries, that we used to have up to 100 plus, but I doubt if we have now more than five functioning textiles industries throughout the country. This really tells about the level of poverty in this country. What do you think is the solution to this problem? The most important thing is to change the socio-economic system that controls development in the country, which is based on self-interest as opposed to public interest. It is this socio-economic system that is based on self-interest that has brought about this level of corruption, stealing and waste of public resources. It is this system that has brought about the survival of the fittest syndrome. It is this system that has brought about armed robbery. It is this system that has made every state of the nation negative, because the system is based on self-interest. If we want to change, we must change to public interest. We must understand that public interest is primary, self-interest is secondary. There is no way we can stabilise and progress in any society, if the environment is not based on public interest. It is public interest that even enables legitimate self-interest. That is why we socialists in Nigeria are committed to socialist reconstruction of the country starting with the leading role of the state in the economy to ensure peace, stability, social justice and progressive development throughout the country. We believe that is the only option. This system of the survival of the fittest, which has produced leaders who are thieves, cannot lead us anywhere.

http://odili.net/news/source/2007/oct/16/700.html

I urge you to study the statistics very well, so you know why you are coming from

In spite of a section of the country (mis)ruling all THESE YEARS
In spite of oil coming MOSTLY from a certain section
See how your state is impoverished.

almondjoy:
Another Yoruba vs Igbo thread?


Gosh!

Are you trying to equate Awolowo with Yoruba? By this I mean is Awo=Yoruba?

poverty

Food production

Expenditure on food (calorie)

Thanks, McKren for contrasting between ''my father and I'', using Ribadu and Aondoakaa as case study. I have a reason for posting this stuff up here. I am fully aware that there exists similar mediocre and undeserving so-called silver spoons in all nooks and cranny of the south. I take up these things one at a time.

Soon you will dismute to evergie. 

Are you already sweating under the collar?  . Why don't you answer the question about your perpetual moronic disposition and stop bush-beating? I guess its too difficult. Afterall, the truth is bitter, as the saying goes.

This slowpoke (Ogalanya) again?

Do you really have any view? Your views are in the most part moronic, so I can't be caught pants down in your view. Ok

Now tell me, slowly but truthfully, aren't you a loafer?

Imagine! Loafers celebrating mediocrity? Awo was a narrow-minded Yoruba demi-god, and a mediocre one at that. He it was who institutionalised tribalism in Nigeria. Those who are being tribalistic today follow his step, but in many cases in a modernised kind of way. At best Awo is similar to Ojukwu, who see things only from the point of view of ''my people''. Thus, Awo can never be seen as a national hero in the mould of ZIK, the ultimate Nigerian nationalist. Even, Obasanjo is far more a national hero than Awolowo.

bouzymill:
(The) Thhe cheapest private universityin Nigeria is Al-Hikmah University, Adeta Road, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State. It's ( It is jointly-owned by) owned by joint organization Raim Oladimeji and World Assemby of Muslim Youth, based in Saudi Arabia. They admit both Christians and Muslims and you have(a) the right to your religion. The real (fee) amount is 250 for other courses but you'll get a hundred thousand scholarship from the (proprietors) propeitors, so you have to pay 150 thousand naira per session. (Their) There first set (first set of students are)is now in 300 level with diff departments: English language, History and Intl. relations, Economics, accounting, Computer Science etc. You can holla at me if you want to know more about the school

Of course I'm a student studying English language. Holla

You mean an English Language undergrad wrote this up there? Do you follow  the English course in Arabic?

Evergie= Ogalanya=Igbo efulefu (nwa mmefu). I pity the parents who bore you.

nwando:
all these RATS opening their mouths would be digging the dustbin struggling to win.
don't mind all these their e- gra gra.
It all ends here o

Hahaha. E-gra gra. I like that. Its all e-bluffing. No substance.

What a born loser, this knavy slut Almond kini prancing about cyberspace. Pity.

Uche2nna,

Why waste time with that slut (she once confirmed it), Almondjoy(sorry sorrow)? She is a lost cause. Badly irredemable good. It is her like who hide drugs in their ''TOTO'' and get caught at MMA

Look some jobless KNAVES feeding fat on idleness. I got state-of-the-art meets to take care of than prattle with the likes of Almondsorrow and evergie AKA ogalanya whose lives are already ebbing out.

vigasimple:
I know that FSU is a patriotic Igbo man or Woman for that matter, and he is also a basher of other tribes.

What thing wrote that?

Dora lost to Al Gore, former deputy of Bill Clinton. Al Gore is the nobel peace price recipient of the year. Congrats Al Gore. Dora, try again next year. Your sun will surely shine.

Ever heard of part one and part two ?

The coming part two is for spoilt southerners like Almondjoy

Almodjoy, you will eventually roast in your idiocy.

@Uche2nna

My apologies. I only got pissed that people will not read before they jump up to accuse.

Al Gore, Akunyili In Race For Nobel Peace Prize
By Chinedu Offor Correspondent, Washington DC

Former American Vice President, Al Gore, is the front runner for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to be announced today in a crowded field that includes National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director General, Dora Akunyili.

Akunyili was nominated for her work in fighting the scourge of fake drugs on the African continent, according to sources from the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

http://www.independentngonline.com/?c=117&a=3370

Aba-made is Igbo-made. I am proud of that.

For all you brain-lazy folks who do not know of other meanings of lol and yet will not learn, take a look at:

http://www.cryer.co.uk/glossary/l/index.htm

lol=lots of love (which I have for Igbo-made goods).

How can I derogate Igbo (my own) products and yet argue for them so trenchantly, as can be attested to in the foregoing?

Uche2nna,

Are you to define for me the way I used lol? Are you that fixated on the only definition of lol you know?

Are you my fellow Igbos afraid of being labelled tribalists in a country such as Nigeria where dog-eat-dog reign supreme? What a shame.

Uche2nna,

Did you follow my arguments all this while? If so, how come you did not read my explanation of ''lol'' as used by me? I am as Igbo as Ojukwu. That much I have made clear here. Please read with understanding.

I-man:
@Nwando
But don't you think tribalism dey too much for Igbos of young generation? ;DWhich one be Igbo jeep,Igbo fan,Igbo Zinox PC?

You've got no choice man. That's the game that other Nigerians know how to play very well. We can only learn to play with them and get to the big league as fast as we can. For me, I am a realist and not an idealist.

Kanto:
Igbo products will be called Igbo made, because Igbos are not Nigerians. With or without Nigeria the Igbo can sell their goods within their 40 million population and beyond Nigeria in other African countries the same way Igbo movies now sell more in other African nations than in Nigeria .

BIAFRA LIVES

The bolded portion of the above in quote is informative. Thanks nwanna, Kanto

lol; as in, laugh out loud (as against lots of love)

Indeed. I wanted to say that after the main post.

Behold Nigeria’s silver spoons in the North! (Part 1)

Tunde Mark


Tunde Mark is the first son of Senate President, David Mark. He was named after his father’s long-standing friend, Senator Tunde Ogbeha. He is in his 30s. Tee Mark, as he is fondly called, currently oversees his father’s business interests. Though very much on the reserved side, he is one of the most talked about silver spoon kids in Abuja.



These are two of the eldest sons of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris. Abubakar, who is the older of the two, is based in Lokoja, the state capital. He is also into the same field of business his father was known for before he became governor, which is mining. Muhammad, on his part, is the managing director of Ibro Hotel, Abuja, one of his dad’s well-known investments. Under Muhammad, Ibro Hotel has become one of the places guests are sure of comfort and safety. Both brothers, however, share one thing in common – they are split images of their father.


Aminu Atiku Abubakar


When Aminu Atiku Abubakar, son of the immediate past Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, wedded Rakeeya in Yola and Abuja recently, it was a carnival-like event. Aminu is the younger version of his father, walks and talks like him. But time will tell if his pretty wife would have juniors, that is, children that would have striking resemblance of their dad. Always in the background, this doesn’t diminish his influence among his peers. Amniu is mostly based in the Federal Capital Territory, where he does his business and administers some of his dad’s companies. He is said to have passion for automobiles.


Musa Mantu


The ladies can’t get enough of him. The handsome son of Senator Ibrahim Mantu is undoubtedly the most well-known of the former number two man in the Senate. Musa is often mistaken for a Nollywood actor, courtesy of his dressing and carriage. He is hardly seen in northern attires, instead he prefers urbane outlook.


Gagarin Madaki


He is the only son of the late Col. Yohanna Madaki (rtd). Despite being born with the proverbial silver spoon, Gagarin has carved a niche for himself as a top businessman. He and his highly revered father had a close bond before his demise. The younger Madaki shuttles between Kaduna and Abuja, quietly going about his business. He is a guy with exquisite taste, though.


Laolu Saraki


He is the younger of the Saraki sons. Though still not officially into politics, Laolu, according to insiders, was part of the team that toured the country with President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. This might have led to talks, though largely unconfirmed, that Laolu maybe taking a plunge into politics like his elder siblings, Senator Gbemi Saraki and Dr. Bukola Saraki, governor of Kwara State. Still single, his choice of a life partner has been that of endless speculation. However, whoever he picks as wife will surely be the envy of many women, as he is known for pampering his women.


Sherrif Shagaya


Sherrif Shagaya is the son of Hajia Bola Shagaya, believed to be one of the richest businesswomen in Nigeria. With investment in real estate, banking and photography, not a few observers expressed surprise when Sherrif alongside Aminu Babangida set up a petroleum marketing company. One of Shagaya’s sons (not Sherrif) was once said to have told a friend that to see a true five star hotel one would have to travel out of the country. This, in a nutshell, shows the level of sophistication of the Shagayas. They certainly are no local champions.


Adegbe Ogbe


This guy, who co-owns communications outfit, One Number, has been described as the most stylish in the capital city. A lawyer by training, his choice of suits fit his macho frame.


The Madaki Alis


Chief Garba Madaki-Ali, former minister of Works and Housing under the Obasanjo administration, has the following kids, namely: Sese, Lilly and Junior, who are a rallying point among northern silver spoon kids. Though from Kaduna State, they have an urbane outlook, having schooled in Ivy League, American universities. Lilly got wedded in a classy ceremony to another silver spoon like herself, Major Abayomi, whose dad owns GODAB, one of the leading construction firms in Abuja. The Madaki-Ali girls are trendy, well-spoken, and also known to be down-to-earth.


Fatima Hassan (nee Kingibe)


Fatima Hassan is the pretty daughter of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe. Fatima got remarried to Hon. Shehu Hassan after being a single mother for sometime. A former staff of the Bureau for Public Enterprises, Fatima has taken time to raise her family.


Murtala Yar’Adua


The scion of the Yar’Adua family, Murtala is the son of the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. A member of the board of Bank PHB, the president’s nephew has business interest in different sectors of the economy.


The Abachas


The late head of state was blessed with a large family. The Abacha children are mostly grown ups. They have impeccable taste for jewellery, cars and designer wears. The most popular of the former head of state’s children include Muhammad, Zainab, Gumsu, Rekiya, and Mahmood. Though they sometimes visit Abuja, Kano is the base of the Abachas. There, they live with their mother, Mariam.


Ahmed Maitama Sule


Ahmed Maitama Sule is the debonair son of celebrated elder statesman, Ambassador Maitama Sule. He is a chip off the old block. Though not a diplomat like his father, Ahmed is well-read and an orator like his father.


Taju Dantata


Taju Dantata runs one of the many companies in the vast Dantata dynasty. He is said to be a shrewd businessman.


Tabitha Kwajafa


Kwajafa and Nuhu, her brother, are the children of former boss of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Fulani Kwajafa. Nuhu has busied himself for over a year now with feeding the less privileged in the society. Tabitha, on her part, runs Amen 2, a stylish boutique for the wealthy. The quality of items at Amen 2 is never in doubt. No wonder the store has remained on top for many years in the capital city.


Muhammad Audu


He is the son of former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu. Muhammad is the brain behind the luxury Mediterranean Hotel in Asokoro. He was once married. Most people who do not understand Muhammad say he works with a chip on his shoulders. However, close friends are quick to point out that he is a nice guy, who likes to take his time in making friends.


Joshua Gana


The eldest son of Professor Jerry Gana, Joey, as his friends fondly call him, is a graduate of the University of Abuja and one of the prominent northern silver spoon kids. The younger Gana’s company won one of the four licences given by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for power distribution. A staunch Christian like his dad, he is humble, with a charming personality.


Anwal Tukur


The one-time member of the House of Representatives, Anwal Turkur, is the son of the chairman of African Business Roundtable. The younger Tukur, like his highly accomplished father, is a businessman. Blessed with good looks, Anwal lost out in the power play in the aviation sector, where he was appointed director general of one of the parastatals and later dropped. He is still very much into politics. Time will tell if he would again run for elective office.


George Shekarau


George is the oldest son of the late deputy governor of Kaduna State, Stephen Shekarau. He is highly rated in Kaduna, as he is one of the guys who make Kaduna tick.


The Babangidas


Probably the most well-known of the silver spoons in the country, Aisha, Muhammad, Aminu are full-fledged celebrities. Muhammad’s and Aisha’s weddings, despite taking place years back, is still the talk of the town. Muhammad is better known for his excellent polo skills, and is believed to be a +4 handicap player. For Aminu, he runs Abuja-based Phoenix Oil with Sheriff, Bola Shagaya’s son.


Mabruka Mai Deribe


She is the daughter of the stupendously rich Mai Deribe. A fashion designer for the upper class, her cute body has won her many admirers. She is still single and in a recent interview she said her ideal man must possess her late billionaire father’s qualities.


Abacha Mai Deribe


Another of the late Mai Deribe’s kids, Abacha is cerebral and has chosen to lecture at the University of Maiduguri after obtaining his PhD. His love for sharing, Daily Independent was told, lured him into the Ivory Tower.


Jubril Indimi


Jubril Indimi is the heir to his father’s fortune estimated at billions of naira. His younger sister is married to Muhammad Babangida. The Borno-born silver spoon is blessed with a handsome face many ladies would like to have for keeps.


The Abdusalami Abubakars


Though very much on the quiet side, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s children are known for their brilliant and self-effacing nature. They have few friends and are not too much into partying. This, however, doesn’t mean they are not in the league of celebrated silver spoon kids.

If you call the car Nigerian car ( BTW, Igbo is still part of Nigeria) will that make the haters buy it? Natural haters will still ask who the owners of the company are. If they see only Okoro names on the board list, will they buy the car, even if the factory is located in Zungeru?