If the wife is a high income earner , say a medical doctor or Investment banker. The husbands career path was never going to bring in that much money.

Should a man stay at home and look after the kids, if the wife's income is significantly higher and it makes sense for one parent to nurture the children.

Would you as the husband insist on your wife giving up her career, and staying at home, while you go out and win the bread?

Nigeria supplies electricity to its neighbouring countries, which the river Niger passes through.

This is because if these countries construct their own Dams, we would not have enough water pressure for our Niger Dam to function.

Similarly, Ghana's Volta River Authority (VRA), which produces nearly all of Ghana's electric power also supplies electricity to a number of neighbouring West African countries.

So dont be dismayed that we supply these nations.

We ought to ask ourselves a few questions before forming our opinion.

In Nigeria today, All the major sectors; Oil and Gas, Banking, and telecoms are owned and controlled by the same set of people. No more than 20 members of this North and South cabal. so while it looks as if we are progressing, the real prosperity is enjoyed by a few families.

If Y'aradua were to get in in May 2007, would it be an extension of the reign of this cabal?

If Buhari were to make it in May 2007, with his dictatorial no-nonsense style, is it likely that he will run the corrupt elite out of town. Or will he succumb?

I believe that a country like Nigeria, with our vast natural resources, is really plagued by corruption. This corruption has become so endemic, that even a primary school child cannot really tell if his Senator father is corrupt, when he regularly brings home sacks of Ghana must Go bags.

Buhari showed an impressive attitude towards corruption. He appeared heavy handed, but personnaly, I noticed the changes in everyone, rich or poor. (Remember WAI: War Against Indiscipline).

If Buhari can return this level of accountability and discipline amongst the polity (both rich and Poor), Then I believe that would be a good starting point. If we used Ghana as a model, it would be said that Ghana's national reform can be traced to Rawling's initial stance against corruption. Then, and only then, followed by real economic reforms.

OBJ's economic reforms have really only benefitted the rich and politically connected. In Ghana, a politician cannot display wealth whilst serving in Govt. Perhaps after their tenure , he may use his influence gained to acquire contracts. Is this the case in Today's Nigeria.

We must start with a real war against corruption. After this, we can talk about leadership and other reforms.

If Y'aradua will probe all before him, including OBJ, Atiku, IBB, Anenih, Adedibu, Danjuma, then I'm all for Him.

I have a place in Lagos. Its empty for most of the year, but yet I am made to pay N15,000 per month for electricity.

Is this normal for VGC? There's is no meter on the road, and it appears that they are stalling because the meter installation would greatly reduce my bill.

Marriage is a commitment between a man and a woman.

However, you should consider the reasons why your parents are against your choice. You would need to be mature about the situation.
Perhaps your parents can see traits, which you are too deep in love to identify.
More often than not, parents object because of issues like tribe, and like you mentioned an out of wedlock child.

Depending on your outlook in life, you should decide (not your parents) whether you can accommodate cultural differences, and also this other child.

At the end of the day, it is you, and not your parents that would live with the man and his other child.

Does the scripture "God is fair and just", suggest that people who were not convinced by the message (perhaps because the pastor or alfa they saw was a bit dull, or even crooked) will still get to heaven?

Seun:

Here's the good news: the religions are all wrong, so there is no God, and there is no hell. No cause for alarm.

But seun, there is ample evidence that suggests that there is a God. A creator, A designer. A source from whom all things must have started.

The thread aims to identify what allowance the various religions have made for those people, who, for some reason or the other, decided not to become their follower.

There are 6 billion people on earth and counting. Each of the major religions has at least 1 billion followers.

Does it mean that if there is truly one true way to Heaven, then 4 billion people or more are guaranteed a place in hell?

To the learned Christians, pls tell me;
What happens to someone born in Iraq or Saudi, where the commonly acceptable religion is Islam. A preacher may have spoken to the person, but the preacher wasnt effective. Would this unbeliever be doomed to hell?

And To the diligent Muslim, I ask you; What happens to the Christian who has actually listened to your views and wasnt convinced, because there seemed to be some unnanswered questions. Would he end up in Hell?

Present day Nigeria is governed by a set of God-fathers. These men hold the fort for OBJ in the various geo-politcal zones.
The likes of Anenih, Chris Uba, Adedibu, mantu etc are untouchables, as long as they deliver for PDP and OBJ's interests, then its not likely anything will happen to them during this dispensation.

I often wonder why people pray before take off and Landing.

Why dont you pray at the start of the year for all the flights you may take during the course of this year?
That way you'll not need to panic before or after take off.

English1,
Following from your argument that God made eve, because Adam could not cope.

Pray tell me. If Eve is the best that God could make; "the finished product", why then did she cause the downfall of humanity?

She it was who accepted the apple from the serpent, and thus you and I are in this quagmire called life and death, suffering and smiling, success and failure, pain and tragedy etc.

Surely, your argument must even lead you to conclude that when woman takes charge of a decision, the consequences are disastrous.

Most large stockbrokers operate nationwide, since they are affiliated with their parent banks e.g. FCMB, GT Bank, IBTC.
There are other smaller firms of Brokers, typically found in Lagos Island.

Are these firms safe to use?
Is my money lodged in their account at any point in time? Or is it lodged directly with NSE?
Is my money lodged with them at all times, hence why they can trade on my behalf?
What happens if they go out of business?

Hi,

What are the risks in using small independent stockbrokers, as opposed to the IBTCs and other large firms?

My plan this year is to focus on building a sizeable portfolio of stocks.

Because I am based overseas, I need to use a stockbroker that poses minimal risk, but at the same time not charge exhorbitant fees for commission.

My question is this: What are the pros and cons of using a major stockbroker versus using a smaller (lesser known) firm?

Any views would be appreciated.

Shahan, Islampride

Whilst exchanging your views, it may interest you to know that you are ministering to some of us. So a little christ-like or mohammed-like character would help your cause.

Shahan, personally, I am quite impressed by your understanding of the word. But it seems beclouded by a certain anger towards your moslem brothers and their beliefs.

Afterall, did Jesus not say; love those that despise you?

Jesus was God before he came as flesh.
Gen 1: 1 Let US make man in our image. US; This is God the father speaking with God the son and God the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand This is the Father speaking to the Son.

John 8:58 Before Abraham was I AM This is Jesus confirming that He had always been from everlasting

Are you then the Son of God?" He (Jesus) replied, "You are right in saying I am." (Luke 22:70).

Hence the correct answer is that Jesus was the second person in the godhead, the Son of God, functioning as the word of God, before he came as a man to save the world.

lafile:

@ Grouppoint
its not the ceremony. its the public taking of vows before higher authorities (God, the courts, your parents).

If you are stating this within biblical context, then you need to show us where the bible states that Marriage must be performed before courts and Parents.

If however, you are referring to marriage in a civil society, then you have to accept that pre-marital sex, Homosexuality are not unlawful.

I believe that if two people are living together and committed, then they are joined together. If they be Christians, then they should invite God into their union. That is marriage. You don’t need Parents or Court.

All you need is God as the 3rd person in your union to be considered a wife or husband.

I am tempted to agree with Trini-girl on this matter, that pre-marital sex is not always fornication.
Searching your bible, you would find several instances of sex without marriage. Starting from Adam and Eve.

However, if sin means; the disobedience to the word of God ( I assume this topic falls within the confines of Christian religion), then all we need do is identify anywhere in the word of God that pre-marital sex is frowned upon, then we can arrive at a useful conclusion.

1 Cor 7: 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
This suggests that those who arent married are fornicating.

But, what then is a real marriage?
Is it the ceremony we practise, whereby we spend money wich we dont have, or is it the act of committing yourself to one partner for the rst of your life?

I think Trini-girl is married to one partner. It may not be the mordern method of marriage, but she may well be far more committed than many couples who have found it convenient to have a ceremony.

I cannot deny that the proliferation of the church in Nigeria is due on a large part to the get rich quick attitude of the average Nigerian. WHo does not want to take the neccessary steps to be successful, but would rather sow a seed and recieve a hundred fold overnight.
Hence, the blam has to be shared by Pastors and congregation alike.

However, I have attended some good churces. Good churches where emphasis is on teaching just as Christ taught, If you do, you will learn many of the principles I laid earlier.

There will always be churches that deal with the masses, and they tend to reason that there is no point in trying to teach 10,000 people how to be prosperous, so they resort to the miraculous, like the hand towel incidence you alluded to earlier.

Did Jesus really preach this level of hatred or ridicule of other faiths? Do not forget that his fellow kinsmen derided him and His religion.

There are lots of reasons why one should rightly decide that Christianity is plain wrong. There have been far too many injustices, false practices, persecutions, wars,  perpertuated by Christians in the name of Christ, over the last 2000 years. But, this does not mean that Christ isnt the Son of Man.

Christianity spent hundreds of years persecuting Jews, forgetting that these are the chosen people of God. Only recently has the importance of that principle been realised.

In all of these, is Christ really glorified? Let the true Christian attempt to be a little more like Christ each day.

I would have to say that the ongoing posts show and prove that people always wait for any opportunity to attack islam and muslims.

I believe in the statement; 'by their fruits you shall know them'. Therefore one cannot convert a muslim by attacking their religion or practices, but by showing them your better virtues.

Let the non-muslim show the muslim the error of their ways (if any) by exhibiting the correct ways: Kindnesss, Meekness, Love etc, rather than picking apart every sentence Mukinat made. She has attempted to answer a question by placing excerpts from a site she considers authoritative (who amongst  us hasnt obtained info from a website?) People have nowproceeded to pounce like lions, Next time, she should probably not bother.

@mazaje
I agree with your line of reasoning, except that you generalise the pastors as 'lying Pastors'.

Prosperity is not only a financial manisfestation, The soul does prosper (according to the bible 3 jn 2). Hence you may be incorrect in saying that People in Europe, and China are prospering more than the so-called believers in God.

Also the pastor should not teach that it is those who believe in God that prosper. Rather those who practice the laws of God concerning prosperity will prosper.

Hence I will tell you that if you study the practices of the nations you have described as propserous, you will see that they practice, much more than we Nigerians, the las governing financial propsperity, viz

Work hard
Plan
Save
Study
Invest
Give

These are all biblical principles (if you want scriptural refs, I am happy to provide), currently practiced more effectively by peoples of the western world than we do. These principles do not change, whether you are hindu, Christian, Pagan, atheist.

Prosperity of the soul is a different matter. If you give to the work of the kingdom, If you give and do nothing else,
then your soul and nothing else will prosper.

Seun:

I's even on my home page. Why would someone want to buy my site without bothering to check my home page?

Seun, I'm not trying to buy your site.

I read a previous post by you that you were not interested in selling.

So I suggested that if Donald Duke appointed you as a Special Assistant, or better yet, a minister, you would obviously become too busy for this Nairaland site and perhaps take your Nairaland vision to greater heights.

Well, given that scenario, How much would you consider? and don't even come back with N25bn.

So Seun,
Let us suppose that as an entrepreneur, you did have pressing business matters. e.g. Donald Duke was elected, and needed some bright young brains on board his cabinet.

How much would you sell NairaLand for and why do you feel its worth that much/little?

, And pls never say never.

Catholics beleive in being born again. Perhaps they do not profess it - Which is a requirement. They believe that by baptism, you are brought into the family of God. However, This is mostly done in infancy- which is wrong again, because one has to make the decision willingly.

Regarding the issue of whether they worship mary. The Catholic church have declared that Mary as Co- Redemtrix with Christ. When the Church invokes Mary under the title, "Coredemptrix", she means that Mary uniquely participated in the redemption of the human family by Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. , Is this worship, Adoration, Honour? Make of this what you will.

Also, when Catholics pray the rosary, 10 'hail Marys' before 1 'Our father'. Does it mean that they honour Mary 10 times more than the Father? Again, your guess is as good as mine.

If Christ specifically said 'No one can come to the Father except through me', then why are we talking about coming to Christ through His earthly mother, when the ultimate request is to the Father.

As stated in an earlier post, one needs to study Church history and then it becomes clearer (or more confusing) the reasons wh Catholics do what they do.

Crisis Rocks Transcorp, Dangote Resigns

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=65501

Things fall apart. The centre cannot hold!

Bolarge:

GOD never makes mistakes.
Even the seeming "mistakes" attributed to Him are part of a grand design;a presently inapparent agenda.
Note however that all the so-called mistakes u can ever point at always have a free moral agent (besides God) involved.
Inasmuch as God has chosen to give us beings (human and angelic) a free will,He cannot be held totally responsible for our choices n'the aftermath of the same.

So tell me the grand plan when someone loses their child or his wife gets raped by armed robbers, or someone dies of cancer,
The list is endless.
Whilst these may not be mistakes made by God, a good follower of God, who has held onto certain scriptural promises concerning healing or protection, will feel that God made a mistake in creating the armed robber, or allowing a disease such as cancer to afflict his loved one, even unto death.

Christ jesus preached prosperity and healing more than He preached on any other issue.
If these were not the real issues of the day, the messages would not have been valid.

In Europe and US, a preacher cannot expect to dwell too much on healing message when God has already provided adequate hospitals and doctors.

So it follows that If the Nigerian and American prosperity preachers do a good job, it means many people will become prosperous, and when the average Nigerian becomes well to do, the message of propsperity will become less relevant.

We may say, out of gratitude and reverence, that God does not make mistakes. However, God also wants us to study His word and reason the scriptures out.

Several scriptures in the old testament state that God repented (or regretted) making man. Which is why He destroyed the earth a few times. Can one not call this a mistake?

Kings such as Saul, God regretted giving them rule over Israel. There are several others. The point is that some could argue on the face of it, that God made a mistake in creating lucifer.