₦airaland Forum

otokx:
Mallam Nasir El Rufai,
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
Prof. Charles Soludo
Mr. Donald Duke

3 of the people on that list are technocrats, i doubt if they will want to dabble into the murky waters of Nigerian politics

this is one of naijarita's fake news stories right ?

pendelite:
Do you think it was the CIA that made it difficult for me to read the Common Dreams pages

a good anti spyware should do the trick 

pendelite:
I could not read about the organization and their objectives. If you are subscriber please tell me a little more  Opinions are not always the truth, they are merely a point of view. The folks at Common Dreams call themselves the A non-profit news service providing breaking news & views for the progressive community. Which progressive community?

Common Dreams About us...
It's been said that dreams are our roadmaps to the future. If so, where are we headed? Common Dreams is a national non-profit citizens' organization working to bring progressive Americans together to promote progressive visions for America's future. Founded in 1997, we are committed to being on the cutting-edge of using the internet as a political organizing tool - and creating new models for internet activism.

We are funded exclusively by our members and supporters - no corporate money, no advertising, no hidden agendas. With a small staff and a network of volunteers, we are proud of what we've accomplished on a shoestring budget. But we can't keep moving forward without your help.

Or you think they have an agenda in Nigeria, they are not a christain evangelical group  . there are other sources of information about the growing relationship between the US and the Nigerian military, a search in google will provide you with more links. Its in the public domain so its not exactly a secret.

pendelite:
There will always be different points of view on every matter, if the Americans are selling us arms and helping train our soldier’s how can that be a bad thing?

yeah sure it can't be a bad thing...
I'm sure the people of the Niger delta will disagree.
and when the Nigerian Army decides to carry out a coup using their new weapons i'm sure most Nigerians will disagree as well

pendelite:
We like the rest of the world need a strong well trained army to protect us and our regional interests. We like the rest of world must combat terrorism of every sort and provide support in areas of conflict while ensuring our territorial integrity.

Nigerian army protect us? you must be having a laugh, all they ever do is oppress the citizens they were meant to protect. Does rampaging through the streets of Lagos and burning down police stations count as protecting us from terrorism?

pendelite:
Do you believe everything you read? How will the USAA provide a list for Nigeria and then do what, appoint them. Let’s not get carried away by rumor mongers and trouble makers. Nigerians need to talk about who will succeed OBJ and then work towards achieving that.

Nigeria is now of strategic importance to the US, if they did produce a list do you think they will admit it publicly. If the US had no interest in Nigeria why are they training our military and providing them with weapons.

The American military presence in oil-producing areas of Africa, though less conspicuous, is growing rapidly. The Department of Defense has stepped up its arms deliveries to military forces in Angola and Nigeria, and is helping to train their officers and enlisted personnel;
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1008-23.htm

Akolawole:
Now to United States,What right have them to shortlist for Nigeria?
There is plenty of Nigeria that can do the job, we will choose for ourself.

better be careful there could be CIA operatives around

Seun:
There was a report that the US has presented a list of five Nigerians who are caable of leading this country:

1) A former world bank official (obviously my pick, Ngozi Okonjo-Iyeala)
2) A South East governor who has had running battles with Obasanjo (Orji Uzor Kalu?)
3) A retired military officer from the Middle Belt (Marwa, the recent EFCC Guest??)
4) An outspoken former speaker of the House of Representatives (??)
5) A serving minister who recently accused Senators of corruption (??)

Source:
http://www.independentng.com/news/nnjan040601.htm
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2006/jan/05/national%20-5-01-2006-002.htm

The Daily Trust reports that the US has denied the list:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200601050594.html

If the report is true, then Nigerians should be extremely concerned, this sudden interest by the US in our affairs is not because of our oil is it? 

Is Nigeria The Next Persian Gulf?
America now sees Nigeria and the other countries in the Gulf of Guinea as the "Next Gulf" -- a counterweight to the Middle East. Increasingly Nigeria will play a strategic role in America's energy needs, whether the communities of the Delta want it or not.
There have been repeated calls from a variety of influential right-wing and neo-conservative think-tanks in Washington to declare the Gulf of Guinea an area of "vital interest" to the U.S., which needs to be protected by American military might.
<snip>
America is also quietly increasing its military presence in Nigeria -- indeed one of the people killed in the recent plane crash near Lagos was a U.S. Army officer assigned to EUCOM and stationed in Nigeria to provide security assistance between the U.S. and Nigerian military. One manifestation of this cooperation is the emergence of American weapons in the Delta. "There is clearly an increase in U.S. weapons in the hands of the Nigerian army and navy," argues Patrick Naagbanton, Director of the Niger Delta Project for Environment, Human Rights and Development.

Read full article: http://www.alternet.org/story/27997/

I think part of the answer can be found in this thread  
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-4586.0.html

drbigdaddyg:
Well, I have been keeping my hands crossed but let me say this: I am still surprised people are against the rotational strategy, their reasons being for want of a capable man rather  than issuing out presidency to every geopolitical zone. I will ask this question: Since all our election of  our "capable men", what has been the positive achievements of this country?
At this juncture, let us stopping using "search of worthy men believed to only be found in North and West, as a platform for kindling our selfish desire to maintain our seat in Aso Rock. If we think south east and south south are not worthy to smell the Aso seat, I will let us know that these mentioned areas have been marginalised enough, any further attempt will bring serious ruin to this great and respected nation. Nobody is a slave in his house; everybody has equal right in his country.

I don't think anyone is saying only the north and west have capable candidates. If you support the whole rotational/zoning strategy then please list the advantages apart from the tired excuse that other parts of the country 'have been marginalised'.
All ordinary Nigerians have been marginalised and are suffering. The north may have ruled the country for a longer time, but what have they got to show for it. Most of the beggars in Nigeria are from the north.
OBJ has been in power for almost 8 years yet Lagos is in a complete mess, most of the federal roads are not maintained, infact the Lagos - Abeokuta expressway, which is the major road to his otta farm is in the worst possible state you can imagine.

Let me outline the implications of Zoning and Rotational Presidency
Say we divide Nigeria into the following zones:
South south
South east
central/middle belt
North east
North west
Far North
South west

Considering each zone will want to have 2 terms of 4 years, south south has it for 8 years, then south east 8 years, then middle belt 8 years, thats 24 years before it gets to the North and possibly another 24 before it returns to the south again. Do the math. What that means is that for certain generations of Nigerians, its unlikely they will ever have a shot at becoming the president. How fair is that? Is this the sort of system we want to saddle future generations of Nigerians with.

You can imagine the scenario, Say I'm lucky enough to be in the zone to produce the next president, all i need to do is win the support of my ethnic compatriots and get them to 'nominate' me as their 'chosen' candidate. I don't need to appeal to other Nigerians, my qualifications are irrelevant since i'm the chosen one from my zone. Is that the sort of president we want for Nigeria?

Zoning and rotation does not address the main issue which will continue to cause problems in Nigeria regardless of where the president comes from.
I will support any presidential aspirant from any part of the country that supports equitable sharing of our resources. Let each state keep a large amount of their resources for their own development. For example the states of the Niger delta should keep a larger share of the oil revenue, Lagos should keep a large share of its tax/vat revenue. This approach will encourage other states to look for innovative ways of generating internal revenue rather than relying on the federal government.

[quote author=Ojukwu_rsg link=topic=4094.msg155161#msg155161 date=1136455373]Hi all,

I suppose some of us do not understand the necessity of rotational presidency or zoning. I'll make an effort to clarify.

Without Zoniing and rotational presidency it will very difficult for some zones (or states) to every produce a president in a thousand year. The current ethnic and tribal affliation make voting a number game. According to data avaliable from last population census. the North has more population than the south. Election is Nigeria is a census of eligible voters in a geographical location. The location with the highest number therefore win.

Until Nigeria is mature enough to base election on credibility, and vision of aspirants, the position being canvassed by the South Leader remains the best alternative for peace in Nigeria.[/quote]We don't need zoning or rotational presidency, what we need is proper institutions to uphold the rule of law. The annulled june 12 election is an example of what can happen in Nigeria. Abiola won in a lot of northern states despite the fact he was a southerner. He had invested in these states so people knew who he was.

Most of our politicians are lazy and are not prepared to do the groundwork that will make them appeal to other Nigerians outside their own ethnic group.
A potential presidential aspirant from any part of the country should be able to at least speak the 3 major languages and understand the customs; the Yorubas for example are always impressed if a non Yoruba understands their language and customs and I am sure it’s the same for other ethnic groups. George Bush won most of the Hispanic vote in the US because he could speak Spanish. African Americans love Bill Clinton because he could connect with them at a certain level.

The whole rotational thing is just an excuse for political opportunists to use the platform of their ethnic group for their own personal agenda. If we had a true federal system where the states had more control over their own resources no one will be interested in the presidency.

Oyinhoney:
YOURBA IS D EASIET!

abeg which language be YOURBA ? 

adesodgi:
its yoruba

you said Yoruba, based on what ?

Hausa is probably the easiest to learn.

[quote author=hot-angel link=topic=4651.msg154680#msg154680 date=1136414991]i told my friend i would like that to happen to me at least once. [/quote]There are places you can go if you're interested in that kind of thing

Jurassic Park, I'm a bit of a dinosaur geek

otokx:
this is a recipe for extra terrestrial visa

My bros please explain

theORAKU:
vampires exists In yoruba we refer to them as aje and oso(witches and wizards)
They feed on blood and even flesh sef.

Vampire (definition)
1. A reanimated corpse that is believed to rise from the grave at night to suck the blood of sleeping people.
2. A person, such as an extortionist, who preys upon others.
3. A vampire bat.

I don't think what you're talking about fits into any of the 3 definitions

@@IB
I didn't mean to put you on the spot 

my issue is this, who would you prefer, a good leader from any part of the country or anybody from the south south ? I'm not saying there are no good south south candidates but the issue is, they should run, not based on the fact that they are from the south south but on the basis that they are Nigerians.

You seem to assume that if the south south gets the presidency then all the issues in the Niger delta will be resolved. Well you can ask the Yorubas what they think of Obj and if he has made any difference in the south west. Do you think Obj was the best candidate from the south west ? he was a compromise candidate (the only Yoruba the 'north' trusted) There were more qualified people who will have made a big difference to the country if they were given the opportunity.

The presidency of Nigeria does not belong to any part of the country and no part of the country should dictate who the president should be. We should support the most qualified candidate whether he is from the east, west, south or north.

[quote author=I.B. link=topic=4094.msg152679#msg152679 date=1136317560]Boycotting the 2007 election is the right thing to do if there won't be any killings and violent riots. The south-south HAVE to produce the next president of Nigeria.
Again, it's just my point of view... nigeria gets her #1 revenue from the natural "oil" the south-south/delta produces each year. Just for courtesy purpose and bcuz we are one nigeria, I agreed that the next president has to come from the south-south. It is not only fair but it won't make it look at if the south-south is under oppression and power will be distributed evenly amongst the whole of nigeria

If the north doesn't want to compromise then I am all for dividing nigeria. Let the south-south controls her natural resources and rules herself.

Regards,
IB[/quote]And what happens when the oil runs out ? or do you think its an infinite resource

since you think the south south should produce the next president, please provide a list of qualified candidates and tell us what makes them qualified to be the next president.

Here we go again, this whole rotational thing is just going to saddle us with bad leaders. Thats why we ended up with Obj again, and with all the noise people are making now don't be surprised if a compromise is made between the south and the north for Obj to carry on for another term 'in the interest of peace and stability'

Let all interested Nigerians contest and let the best Nigerian candidate win.

Seun:
I know that this is the kind of idea that young Nigerians will be excited about. Easy ways to make a lot of money!

Maybe that will make them realise that there are legal ways of making money on the net apart from 419

I really hate this guy
I've been following his exploits since early september and it's truly the best 'dumbest' idea ever.

Its all about 'thinking outside the box' and kudos to this guy for making money from this idea. The idea is quirky and similar in a way, to the girl who ran up $20,000 worth of credit card debt, and then set up a Web site where people donated money to help her pay it all off. It seemed like a crazy idea but guess what, people actually donated and she eventually paid it all off and made some extra cash as well

http://www.savekaryn.com/AboutSaveKaryn.htm
check out the old original site http://www.savekaryn-originalsite.com/

@@anton

The History of the Yorubas by Samuel Johnson (don't be fooled by his name, He's yoruba  )
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/978295182X/qid=1136245702/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-5387830-0257408?n=507846&s=books&v=glance

This book provides a comprehensive account of the Yoruba people in the pre-colonial days.

books on ifa
The Sacred IFA Oracle by Afolabi A. Epega
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189015718X/qid=1136246203/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/103-5387830-0257408?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts (Paperback) by Baba Ifa Karade
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0877287899/ref=pd_sim_b_1/103-5387830-0257408?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

Here's a previous post where i made my position clear.
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-1892.32.html#msg137652

goodguy:
I said from your posts, you seem to me like you're either pretending not to believe or you just don't believe at all. Which one of my assumptions is correct?

What i don't believe in is the christain concept of God, which is the question on this thread. I believe in a higher power that has given us freewill to live our life the way we choose. I don't have to answer anything because the 'God' you're asking about here is not same one i define as a higher power.