₦airaland Forum

asha 80:
have you lived in nigeria or amongst hoards of nigerians before?

Rhodesia:
Learn English, savage.

Corrupt Nigerian leaders have found a safe haven in Dubai, one of the seven emirates in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE), for stashing away their loot.
The spendthrifts among them have also devised ways to satisfy their celebratory appetite at the drop of a hat. Sunday Sun investigation during a recent visit revealed that with tightening of the noose on slush funds in the Western world, some smart Nigerian leaders turned their focus to the delectable tourism city and business hub.
It was gathered that a former military administrator, who became an ambassador, owns a 35-storey tower named after him in the city. The structure is worth several millions of dollars.
A former Nigerian vice president also has a state-of-the-art building in the upscale Jumeirah district, close to the Atlantis Hotel, which is one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in the world.
Among others said to own exotic structures in the Arab city are a former Lagos State governor, who is gradually emerging as a political Sheikh in Nigeria as well as a former radical Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister from the North. Both property are in the Deira axis of the emirate. Harried former Delta State governor, James Ibori - currently facing corrupt enrichment charges before a Crown Court in London - was equally said to have eye-popping investments there.
Our source revealed that during the late President Umaru Yar’Adua ill-health saga, the cabal, made up of his loyalists and some northern governors, usually congregated at Ibori’s home to plot their strategy before going to Saudi Arabia, where the late Nigerian leader was hospitalised.
“When Yar’Adua was in hospital in Saudi Arabia, most of those loyal to him used to meet with Ibori here. They call him (Ibori) chairman and he usually hosted them in one of his houses. It is from here they left for Saudi Arabia,” the source disclosed, adding that, “there is hardly a governor in Nigeria that does not own property in Dubai, especially the northern states governors.

“Nigerians are well respected here and they have the highest number of visa applications on a daily basis. The Dubai authorities grant not less than 95 per cent of these applications.”

Worried by the dwindling revenue from oil, Dubai relaxed its economic and trade policies to woo investors. Today, the largest chunk of the emirate’s income is earned from hotel and tourism, real estate and financial services, similar to that of Western countries. All this is buoyed by the tight security in place and almost non-existent violent crime. There is hardly any fear about moving around at any time of the day. A young Nigerian, Chimaroke Nwaozuzu, who is a legal resident, told Sunday Sun that Nigerians prefer to invest and do business in Dubai because of the beauty of the city and the adequate security in place.
“Besides, it is safe for the corrupt leaders to hide their stolen wealth because they would not be exposed unlike in America or Europe. Here, Nigerian leaders buy estates and pay cash even though most of the property consultants and firms operate flexible payment terms. The firms agree to spread the payment period over five to eight years. But these leaders prefer to develop the Dubai economy and, unfortunately, it is with the money they have stolen,” he lamented.
Other features however make the emirate attractive, such as its loosely regulated free trade zones, thriving ports, freewheeling property sector and permissive business environment. These combine to make Dubai very attractive for money launderers.
According to an international crime threat assessment prepared for the United States government by the Federation of American Scientists in 2002, “money-laundering activity in the UAE total $1 billion annually” after Dubai’s property sector was opened up to foreign buyers. But the authorities do not agree as they play down the extent of money laundering, saying there were laws to fight it.
Profligacy at Burj Al Arab Hotel
Sunday Sun further learnt of governors that do not own property in Dubai but live large and revel in the splendour of the Burj Al Arab Hotel.
Described as ‘seven-star’, it is the most luxurious hotel in the world where the rate of a suite ranges between $1,000 (N160,000) and $28,000 (N4.5 million) per night. The iconic 60-floor structure, designed like the sail of a boat (actually built to resemble the sail of a Dhow, a type of Arabian vessel), stands 321 metres (1,053 feet) on an artificial island about 280 metres (919 feet) from the Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge.
It was the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel until it was toppled by another in the city, Rose Rayhaan, in December 2009. At every time of the day, tourists from all over the world mill around to catch a glimpse and take photographs from the point allowed by the hotel security. “Whenever they (governors) visit, they always go for the best, including the most expensive suites at the hotel. You can imagine how they spend our money,” the source further disclosed. Sunday Sun’s observation inside the hotel was that its interior is a statement in creativity. Decked all over with gold and other Oriental ornaments, guests are given a royal treat typical of the Arab Sheikhs.
Helicopter cruise
The latest fad for some of the leaders is to celebrate the wedding and birthday of their children in Dubai. Guests are flown from Nigeria. According to our source, the celebrants and guests go on helicopter cruise instead of the usual boat cruise, after which a lavish reception is held at the Amani Club atop the Burj Khalifa. “The Burj Khalifa is a 150-storey tower and it is the tallest building in the world. Entry fee into the Amani Club is $1,500 (N240,000) per person,” the source added.
There are different types of helicopter tour services around Dubai offered by travel and tour firms. For instance, there is the Bell Helicopter 206 Series and the 212 Series offered by the Travel & Culture Services. The 206 Series carries four – five persons while the 212 Series carries six – eight persons.
The fascination for those who embrace this service is that it offers an opportunity to watch the picturesque Dubai skyline from the air in your ‘own helicopter’, according to the tour firm.
Sunday Sun could not however get the exact fee per tour but it was gathered that it does not come cheap and not every Emirati can afford it. Besides, the fee is determined by the routes and number of minutes the helicopter is airborne, which is between 15 and 60 minutes,

Kobojunkie:
Good to see that someone actually understood the intent . . , ROFL

Nwaka77:
You have said it all. Nothing more to add and nothing more to subtract. Lots of Nigerians/Africans do not understand what goes on behind the scene in world politics. They don't understand that power lies in the hands of a few very powerful elite white men who belong to a cult and who control the media, dictate the world economy, control the entertainment industry and what have you. They will all one day be exposed is what I believe. Everyday is for the theif but one day is certainly for the owner they say. Africa is where it is today because these white men dictate what they want our leaders to do and not to do and if they divert from the instructions given, the western world pulls a fast one on you like they did Gadaffi. They will secretly sponsor internal fighting and strife to destabilize the country and then go in there with the pretense that they are helping the citizens but the truth is that there are in there for themselves and their devlish interests.

As for the pink, I mean white heffers and that demonic hate spirit that posesses most, I have given up on them a long time ago. I watch my back around them always. I can't get myself to trust them and deep down in my spirit, there is something about them that leaves me quite unsettled lately. I have an ill feeling that something ugly is brewing that in the not-so-distant future will make predominately white western societies death traps for blacks. What is happening in the UK is happening all over the western world. Even here in the States, its the same problem. I know alot of Nigerians who left already or are seriously looking to leave within the next few years. In another few years, I intend going back to Africa myself. It does not necessarily have to be Nigeria, it can be anywhere in Africa. I am aware that disccrimination is everywhere in this world but the types, variations and levels of discrimination varies immensely from one nation to the next. I don't want my kids growing up in a place where they are made to believe that there is something terribly wrong in the way God created them. I don't want kids that will grow up with psycological scars and innate feelings of low self esteem and inferiority. I suffered those as a teenager in my late teens and as a young adult living in Europe after leaving Nigeria. It is by the grace of God that I did not end up psycologically messed up for life. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to live abroad because I now more than ever appreciate the times I spent growing up in Nigeria. I will not trade that experience for anything. Thank you for your insightful contributions to this thread Cap28.

otokx:
Church resource is a potent foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.

jason123:
We have the population advantage over the other countries which equates to cheap labour (more employed youths). Our economy will be more stable unlike the volatility cause by Oil and OPEC.

jason123:
Since we know that and we are humans, why don't we move away from Oil? I hate natural resources. There is nothing better than peace.

jason123:
Also, notice that an economy based on natural resources instead of agriculture or a 50% mixture of both, is usually ran down because of GREED!

jason123:
[b]Cassava
[/b]The second quote was for the people that thinking Nigeria is fully dependent on Oil.

jason123:
Thanks for that, brother! But, what has been the contribution of Gold or Diamond to Nigeria's GDP? I know of Limestone, that is why Africa's richest man (Dangote) is investing in Ogun state. Others like quartz et.al have contributed NOTHING to Nigeria's GDP.

A few days ago I told my followers on twitter that I will be attending a business investment forum that included six Nigerian governors. These governors were from Benue, Imo, Ogun, Cross Rivers, Rivers, and Katsina. The forum had several pros and cons, but overall I enjoyed the information that was given. I believe the forum was really the first of its kind in the United States, and it shows that some Nigerian governors are ready to work. I personally learned a lot of valuable information, about the different states and the resources that each state naturally has. One thing that stood out to me during this whole event was that each governor stressed the importance of agriculture, and that oil has blinded us from seeing the benefits of farmers. What is ironic about this statement is that the federal government seems to be doing everything to be against agriculture, as we do not have friendly policies and the banks refuse to give out loans to farmers. While the forum offered good information, I will say that I do not see any really business deals coming out of it. There were no small meetings arranged to meet with the governors one on one , and of course the business as usual politics were played on who can speak with the governors. Nonetheless below I posted some interesting facts I learned. Enjoy !!!

Rivers state is creating farming settlements where families can live there and sell their goods

Gold has been discovered in 10 LGAs in Katsina state
There are large quantities of diamond deposits in Katsina state
In the last 4 years every child has been able to get a free education in Katsina state

Cross Rivers has been named the cleanest and greenest state

1% of Cross rivers state budget is allocated to SMEs

10 ICT centers have been built in Cross rivers with plans to build an entrepreneurial center

Cross Rivers is the only state with 3 climate belts producing a wide range of agriculture products

Cross Rivers is host to Obudu Mountain Race the largest fee paying road race in the world

Benue is the largest producers of oranges and mangos in Nigeria

In the next 3 years Ogun State  wants to have at least 500 companies invested in their state

Benue has the Makurdi zoological garden in which the governor would like partners to invest in

Ogun has a large deposit of quartz, limestone, glass, and clay
About 40% of people who work in Lagos live in Ogun state

Imo state is the braintrust of Nigeria

Imo state currently has in construction low cost housing for those from the diapsora that need a place to stay

Imo state has spent 1 Billion naira on education since April of 2011

The heads of Nigeria and France met in Paris to discuss deepening economic and military ties, leading to effusive praise of President Nicolas Sarkozy from President Goodluck Jonathan.


But many don't view spearheading regime change and flooding Africa with unsecured weapons as steps forward. And Nigerian corruption is endemic, so has France been positive for Africa?

More armed French advisors could be headed to Africa as France said they will assist Nigeria in their fight against the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Boko Haram. But for many the issue takes a backseat to Nigeria's status as the continent's largest oil producer.

Contrasts abound in Nigeria: Christian and Muslim, the oil-rich south and the poor north, economic growth but still needing France's just-announced loan to upgrade the bus system in Lagos.

France is considering a unilateral embargo on Iranian oil, which would only increase their dependence on Nigeria.

jason123:
Alhaji, I just found out that the Innoson guy imports the parts and assembles them in Nigeria. This is an avenue for the foreign company to evade tax (or pay lower tax) while having the market of over 150 million to sell to. I think its not fair. To be honest, I'll appreciate if we can actually produce and assemble. This current method, to me, is a rip off!

austin2002:
Well who to blame.You guys embrace them and treat them like God whenever they come to Africa.You guys have low self esteem as such they take Africa for a ride.If you stop worshipping them when they come to Africa and treat them like pigs they are,you won't see such behaviour from such fed-up trash.Britain is standing today because of wealth from Africa but unfortunately our so call Muslims ( the devils advocates) parasites,cockroaches will never allow educated Africans to see the day light and the British are taking advantage of that.They do not want united Africa because once we speak in unison,Europe will be begging for food in Africa.Look at all these European countries and tell me what type of mineral resources they have. The Europeans are like leeches sucking Africa and our dumb asses don't even reflect. They brought religion to Africa just to destroy us and take our lively-hood.

cap28:
do you think europeans have always been united? are you aware that they fought two terrible world wars and killed millions of their own people before they were able to unite under the umbrella of white supremacy which has enabled them to conquer the world.

if europeans could kill millions of their own people why does it come as a suprise to you that various nigerian tribes hate each other - do the english love the french? do the english even love their irish neighbours? do the germans love the russians - Hitler caused the death of 22 million russians during the second world war so why do you cite inter tribal strife between various nigerian ethnic groups as if its a unique situation.

t[b]he point about white racism is that it is systemic and permeates every aspect of your life[/b] - in nigeria if you are an igbo man who cant get a job in the north you simply relocate to owerri or aba where you stand a better chance of finding work , i dont see igbos feeling inferior to hausas in nigeria despite the fact that northerners have been in power in nigeria for over 41 years

here in the UK there is nowhere a black person can go to escape racism - it is ingrained in the system - from the cradle to the grave you are taught that you are inferior to the white man - i have a friend who attended a private secondary school in the english countryside where she and her sister were the only black pupils - every day on their way to school they were mocked and abused by other children on the school bus simply because they were black - this left severe mental scars - im going to put your lack of empathy down to pure ignorance - many nigerians who do not grow up in the west do not understand anything about the debilitating effect that racism has on the psyche of young black people and how it can subsequently destroy them.
to all those supposedly affluent nigerians who keep sending their children to fee paying schools here in the Uk - you need to understand that you are placing these children into potentially traumatic situations that may scar them for life.

Angola is prepared to help its former colonial power Portugal cope with its financial crisis, the oil-rich nation's President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos said.

After meeting visiting Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho, he said solutions needed to be found.

They should be "advantageous for both countries" and "in a spirit of solidarity and mutual help", he said.

Analysts say Portugal's economy is expected to contract by 2.8% next year and Angola's to grow by 12%.

'Trump cards'
The IMF has agreed to give Portugal a $107bn bailout on condition that it introduces a wide range of economic reforms - including privatisation.

Analysts say Angola could buy stakes in some of the privatised companies.

Angola's investments in Portugal have risen sharply in recent years.

The figure in 2009 stood at $156m (£99m), compared to $2.1m in 2002, according to the Portuguese Institute of International Relations and Security (IPRIS), a Lisbon-based think-tank.

Angolan companies own the equivalent of 3.8% of companies listed on Portugal's stock exchange, from banks to telecoms and energy, it says.

Continue reading the main story
Ex-colonial brothers in business

Angola:
Population: 18.9 million
Area: 1.25m sq km (481.354 sq miles)
GNI per capita: $3,490
Expected to grow by 12% in 2012
Investments in Portugal: $156m in 2009; $2m in 2002
President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos in power since 1979


Portugal:
Population: 10.7 million
Area: 92,345 sq km (35,655 sq miles)
GNI per capita: $20,940
Expected to shrink by 2.8% in 2012
Biggest trading partner outside EU: Angola
Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho in power since June 2011
Graduates flee Portugal in search of work
Angola profile
Country profile: Portugal
"We're aware of the difficulties the Portuguese people have faced recently and in such difficult times we must use our trump cards," Angola's state news agency Angop quoted Mr Dos Santos as saying.

He did not elaborate during the joint press conference with the Portuguese prime minister in the capital, Luanda, what these trump cards were.

Portuguese companies expected to be privatised include national airline TAP, utilities company Energias de Portugal and national grid operator Redes Energeticas Nacionais.

"We should take advantage of this moment of financial and economic crisis to strengthen our bilateral relations in the different sectors of our respective countries," Mr Passos Coelho is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.

Former BBC Angola correspondent Louise Redvers say Mr Passos Coelho's visit has highlighted the reversal of former colonial roles, with cash-strapped Portugal considering selling shares in state-owned companies to Angola.

The family of Mr Dos Santos - who has been in power for 32 years - controls a large chunk of Angola's economy, while most Angolans live in poverty.

Mr Dos Santos' daughter Isabel is known to have a large Portuguese portfolio, as does the state oil firm Sonangol, our former correspondent says.

It was Mr Passos Coelho's first visit to Angola since he was elected to office in June. He grew up in Angola, where his father was a doctor during the colonial era.

Angola, which is recovering from a long brutal civil war which ended in 2002, gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

BlackLibya:
If we bring food and security they will listen.