₦airaland Forum

Relax, Obama will pay! E-mail
Written by Mike Ebonugwo
Friday, 23 January 2009
A MILD drama occurred during a news-stand gathering of the ubiquitous free readers at the Mile Two Bus-stop on Tuesday. A member of the gathering, Cninedu Asogwa, had picked up one of the newspapers on display and began to read with rapt attention and concentration.

After waiting for some minutes for him to “shake body”, the newspaper vendor had tentatively asked him thus: “Come, are buying the paper; if not, you better put it down.” But Chinedu had promptly said in reply: “Ol’boy relax, Obama will pay for me.”

This response left those present, including the vendor, momentarily speechless in astonishment. A fellow who gave his name as Afolabi Adebanji was the first to recover and had exclaimed thus: “Obama will pay ke! How is that possible? Abi na Obama send you go buy paper?” And the vendor had quickly chipped in: “Abeg, make una help me ask o.”

Responding, Chinedu had explained that since the day was the historic inauguration day of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States of America, all items of merchandise, including newspapers, should be given out free to all prospective buyers as a way of honouring this great son of Africa.

“Look, are you people forgetting that it’s today that they are swearing in Obama as the first Black President of America. You think it’s an easy thing? Or do you think it’s everyday that they swear in a Black person as the President of America?

That is why we should honour him today by giving out everything they are selling in the market and everywhere free of charge to people. It is also the best way to demonstrate to God that we appreciate this great honour that He has done to us as Africans,” he stated in a voice devoid of humour.

The vendor, however, was not impressed as he retorted thus: “Enh-eh, so I should dash the papers I used my money to buy to people for free because Obama has been sworn in as the President of America.

If you want that one to happen, why didn’t you start the campaign with newspaper houses so that they will give us, the vendors, the papers free to share to people. Instead of you to say you don’t have money to buy paper you, are hiding under Obama to collect my paper for FOC”.

Although some members of the gathering tittered at this reply, a fellow, by name Brown Ejoor, thought that Chinedu’s idea had some merit. “But look o, it’s not a bad idea if our government should declare today a day of free bonanza for everything that somebody wants to buy.

Yes now, it’s not a bad idea at all if President Yar’Adua should declare that today fuel should be free at all the filling stations, food items like rice and beans and all essential commodities that people need, to be free, while all state governors in the country should make transportation, whether by road or air, to be free today. Imagine what will happen if we use that to celebrate Obama. Even Kenya, his father homeland will be envious of us,” he submitted with feeling.

Another fellow, Ferdinand Okorie, enthusiastically bought into the idea, adding: “Yes o, but, more importantly, they should allow us free access to all the big hotels and eateries like Sheraton, Eko Meridian, Mr Bigg’s, Tantalizers, Sweet Sensation, Chicken Republic, etc.

In fact, it will be a great celebration in this country and Obama himself will congratulate us when he hears about it. He will know that apart from America and Kenya, Nigeria is another country he can call his own.”

In the midst of the ensuing laughter, the vendor had declared in a humourously reprimanding tone: “Na thief dey worry all of una. In fact, wetin dey hungry una no dey for market. Una for kuku say make Yar’Adua make everything in this country to be free from now just because Obama is now the President of America”. http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/26988/118/

President Mills, Parliament: Please Remove this Yoke

The Cat is out of the bag! The CAPRICIOUS EX GRATIA YOKE stuck on the backs of poor Ghanaians, courtesy of the Chinery Hesse Committee, the Kufour Cabinet and some questionable Parliamentarians has been exposed! Thanks to the Ghanaian Chronicle, the World is now acutely aware of the infamous Presidential Retirement Package, dubbed the “obscene bill of privileges,” supposedly approved by “4th Parliament of the 4th Republic” on January 6 2009, and the contents therein,

“TWO HOUSES (1 in Accra), SIX CARS (fueled and chauffeur driven, to be replaced every 4 years), SIXTY DAYS OF PAID OVERSEAS TRAVEL (per year), ONE MILLION DOLLARS (seed money) for John Agyekum Kufour Foundation, ETC. ETC. ALL TAX FREE.”

THIS STINKS!! This stinks to High Heaven!!! The Stench is so awfully powerful that even those noses blocked by years of DENYING THE EXISTENCE OF CORRUPTION IN GHANA, can smell it without SNIFFING. The waves of the Stench are so strong that neither the vast Atlantic Ocean or the powerful Gulf Currents could prevent it from reaching worldwide shores. The BBC has already covered the story.

Since the Presidential Retirement Package, the CAPRICIOUS EX-GRACIA YOKE or “obscene bill of privileges” story broke, Ghanaians have been treated to some interesting, intriguing and in some cases, some dumb explanation or excuses by folks supposed to be knowledgeable in the country.


Deputy Majority Leader of the current Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Mr. Austin Gameh a consultant for the Chinery Hesse Committee, are both quoted as saying that the six Vehicles provision in the Ex-Gratia package is not extravagant. They are right. The idea is not extravagant, IT IS WHIMSICAL, IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE, IT IS OUTRAGEOUS, IT UNCONSCIONABLE, IT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE! How do these men reason? Where do they come from - MARS, JUPITER or PLUTO?

Mr. Austin Gameh reportedly stated that everything recommended by the Emolument Committee is granted by Article 68 of the 1992 Constitution. That is a bold face lie. The constitution only stipulates that whatever Ex-Gratia Parliament grants, should be TAX FREE. Please refer to the provisions of Article 68 below:

(2) The President shall not, on leaving office as President, hold any office of profit or emolument, except with the permission of Parliament, in any establishment, either directly or indirectly, other than that of the State.

(3) The President shall receive such salary, allowances and facilities as may be prescribed by Parliament on the recommendations of the committee referred to in article 71 of this Constitution.

(4) On leaving office, the President shall receive a gratuity in addition to pension, equivalent to his salary and other allowances and facilities prescribed by Parliament in accordance with clause (3) of this article.

(5) The salary, allowances, facilities, pensions and gratuity referred to in clauses (3) and (4) shall be exempt from tax.

Hon A. S. K. Bagbin the majority leader is reportedly fuming that he was not around when Parliament discussed the Emolument Bill and it took ten (10) days for him to get a copy of a bill passed by Parliament from the Hansard. 10 WHOLE DAYS FOR A MAJORITY LEADER TO RECEIVE A COPY OF A BILL? If this is true then either Hon Bagbin is INCOMPETENT or Ghana's Parliament is A JOKE. At any rate, what was done or not done is of no import at this juncture. If the Bill has been signed or ever gets signed into Law, Hon Bagbin must re-introduce it to Parliament for a repeal. That is his duty!!

Hon John Tia, the former Minority Chief Whip, is quoted to have said: “You can't come and be President and leave office poor, that is why some of the Heads of State do not want to leave power.” That is the dumbest statement ever uttered by an MP on policy. No wonder Dr. Tony Aidoo, his fellow NDC party comrade has called it for what it really is, “SHEER NONSENSE”

Hon. Appiah Ofori Member of Parliament for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, is quoted as describing Parliament's passage of the much publicized CAPRICIOUS EX-GRATIA YOKE or “obscene bill of privileges” as fraudulent. He is threatening Court Action. It will be interesting to see his Law Suite go through the Courts. A Precedence like that is surely guaranteed to go down in the Annals of History.

The most disturbing pronouncement surrounding the CAPRICIOUS EX-GRACIA YOKE being imposed upon poor Ghanaians are attributable to Ms Hanna Tetteh, spokesperson of President Mills' transitional team. She reportedly said initially “Parliament has passed it, we can`t do anything about it,” then came back with “the government transitional team together with parliament will sit again to discuss the issue .”

For a Presidential spokesperson, Ms Tetteh seem to be displaying an absolute ignorance of the 1992 Constitution. BILLS IN GHANA DON'T BECOME LAW UNTIL THE PRESIDENT SIGNS THEM. Has either President Kufour or President Mills signed this Bill into Law? If signed then Ms. Hanna Tetteh should be telling Ghanaians when and who signed the Bill.

If President Kufour did not sign the Bill, President Mills can send it back to Parliament for a re-consideration with his recommendations. Parliament will need a two-third majority to override a Presidential objection and force the President to sign the Bill into Law. No where in the Constitution is the President required to sit down with Parliament and discuss a BAD BILL.

Another available remedy if the Bill has been signed by a president, is for any member of parliament to re-introduce it in the House for Amendment. The Member will have to explain what is wrong with the Bill and provide an improved version of it for consideration.

Strange as this may sound to Ghanaian ears, Kwadwo Mpiani, the Machiavellian Presenter of the CAPRICIOUS EX-GRATIA YOKE in Parliament is the only person so far that seem to know what he is talking about Constitutionally. He is correct when he states that, “Parliament has the right to make laws, amend them, or take away laws from its books” so:

President John Atta Mills should please stop playing mute. The nation needs to know if himself or his predecessor accented to the bill, and or what he intends to do if it has or ever comes to his desk:

The Presidential spokesperson Ms. Tetteh should take some time off and read the Constitution before her next pronouncement(s) on similar issues

http://www.modernghana.com/newsp/199598/1/pageNum1/president-mills-parliament-please-remove-this-yoke.html#continue

Dede1:
@poster

Being a virgin is definitely not a value I would appreciate from a woman. In fact, it will push a woman down the rung of my considerations

you dont deserve one so dont worry

**osisi:
Well my biggest challenge was leaving my fiance for another man 
That man is now my husband and I couldn't be happier.
I lost many friends temporarily in the process.
I have no regrets whatsoever.
Before saying "I do" the individuals have a right to say "I don't", anytime.

said it twice and so glad i did. marrying the wrong person is a jail sentence in my book

nigerians are mostly God users

this is getting ridiculous. what is wrong in a woman slimming down after pregnancy?  do fat women get some special benefits we dont know about? common sense please.

insight04:
My ex-Jamaican girlfriend used to tell me that "all the good guys are either married, in prison or gay". I wonder where all the good girls in London are ?

dalston, east street, peckham and brixtion markets. avoid places of worship.

i strongly support are married. i strongly disagree with the other 2 options

there must be some but definately not in most naija background churches/ mosilasis. you are more likely to succeed in dalston, brixton or peckham or just good old tesco or asda shopping.

wonders of being young, mis guided and naive. life is so easy if you learn to relax and not war against yourself, i am sure nigerian men disprecting women made some become lesbians would be the next news on NL

DaPhoenix:
First off, I'll like to thank you all for your views. It's nice to see how opinionated Nairaland can be lol. I think I agree most with the reciprocation idea. You cannot or let me say, should not make your wife or girlfriend a slave all in the name of respect. If you love her right, she'll respect in ways you never imagined.

Also, I do not know where people are getting this notion that house chores are a woman's work. She has a job too, you know? She is contributing to the family financial well-being like a partner is supposed to. She can't do some of the house work before she goes to work then come back from work and do the rest . . . afterall, she isn't living in the house alone. If she is at work or she is shopping for the family and you are home and hungry, it's best you don't feel disrespected, get off the couch, go into the fridge and make yourself something to eat. If you can't cook, ask her for cooking lessons. That will be a way to make her feel special and at the same time bond with her.

i am beginning to think majority of the younger men are safer marrying outside africa.

jamace:
Calm down brother. It happened to me. I t is natural. Just go ahead and marry but make sure you do your[b] due dilligence on your madam to be.[/b] Don't rush into marriage. Let it be your decision to marrry. I wish you the best of luck!

chei due dilligence on madam

everyone even at the alter

life is very simple dont complicate it for yourself

open season

trouble

wbb

wbb

wbb

Ikomi:
Watch ur mouth. Am coming to a conclusion that ur really naive. Shaking ur butt and mouth round nairaland.

At least I love watching ur butt.

When Luciano was asked wats the difference between the govt. and the mafia.

He said "one has got the license to rob the people and the other doesn't"

If governance is fair why do billions dont have and just a few thousands have too much. And its the same everywhere in the world.

Osisi watch ur mouth.

Look Osisi in my youth service days I went to the village to see how people really live, as I have never spent time there before.

One day I met this guy called John, I took interest in John as he was chasing a rat, I asked John why, he said thats his meal for the day, I went "look u cant be serious u got garri in the house and if u havent I could buy u some from the village market", he went "but u need meat sometimes". "Truly" I said "meat is expensive". I said "are u sure if u catch this rat ur gonna eat it". He said "u watch". Ofcourse John caught the rat, took it home, roasted it and well the rest is history.

So imagine a guy like John by luck or accident makes it to the city, his got no education no skill, not even a honest person watching his back to tell him wats right and wrong.

He falls into wrong hands, they tell him how to make quick money n stop eating rats, unfortunately John cant even read the law to know the implication. He is as much history as the rat he roasted.

Let me say b4 u find an escape route, its even worse when u educate a mind and u don't put it to use u've just created a monster.

That is why the likes of Mandela are honored, not because he spent 27 years in jail, av seen criminals who spent 54 years in jail, but to keep that mind in check and control under oppression all by urself, there are very few who can. Those are the truly blessed. Definitely not every one is to that extent.

U've talked about early marriage in the north. All someone could do is make a law banning early marriage. Nonsense.

Make all the law u can, if u dont educate that person to tell right from wrong ur only wasting time.

Even in that America u live in that is starting to cloud ur judgment (Now am attacking u as my dear ).

Bill Cosby said on meet the press 5 days ago, it costs the American govt. $8000 to educate a person, and $41000 to keep him in prison, which is more economical.

Osisi abeg let me hear. So when are u coming?

negro college says the mind is a terrible thing to waste. nobody need to steal. the bobo eating his rabbits in the village should never have any reason leaving for townships if our visionless leaders planned. that is not excuse for anyone to rob or carry drugs to other nations.

Funmy_J:
Candidate should possess the following qualities:

• Very literate – minimum of OND
• Displays some level of accounting skill
• Can demonstrate understanding of commercial laundry operations and skill
• Ability to originate deal
• Ability to network, manage relationships and interact with people at all levels
• Strong negotiation skills
• Supervisory skill
• Ability to work with little supervision
• Trainable and ability to train others

Interested candidate should forward his/her cv to adedbl@gmail.com

why is this? Very literate – minimum of OND?

davidylan:
allow them to continue weeping for the children of Gaza like the hypocrites they are. I said it earlier, should the jewish nation fall we'll be next.

i wont be surprised sharia loving yaradua is a hamas secret member too.

RichyBlacK:
Who is/are the "we" in your statement?
Nigeria?
America?
Blacks?
Africans?

what is the matter bros. why do you hate the jews so much?

HeatFusion:
No matter which  way you wish to see it, there still needs to be independence and submission in a relationship.
Teams play together, true. So at times, one needs to submit to the other's choice.
Lol, hate to admit this, but in a team, there's always a leader. And men ( ) will continue to be the captain in the relationship.
So they do need to learn to submit to their wife's choice/interest at times and vice versa.

Now, when it comes to independence, that's crucial.
One cannot always rely on his/her spouse to get something done.
It becomes quite annoying and irritating.
A man that can't cook for himself while his wife is out, is quite a sad case -

there is more to life than food. love in a healthy relationship doesn't seek after its own. Love is being kind to one another as the bible says
relationships are meant to bring out the best of us not the worse. the world is not all black and white. there is a colour called grey.  

i personally believe the best money you spend is on relationship counselling.  i am not talking about that uncle or church counselling but independent counselling.  most of us carry an unhealthy gabage we need to drop before it sinks us.

bluespice:
thank you!
a relationship isn't about exerting authority or flexing the controlling muscles,
its about enjoying the other's company
how then can u enjoy ur partner's company when all the time ur thinking "who's in control now?"i want to talk on the highlighted bit.
if u have ever been in a team where all the members are in perfect sync both with eachother and with the objectives of the team,
ull realise that the position of team leader is merely ceremonial
a team leader despite being the leader cannot boss the other members around the most u can do is provide suggestions since being the team leader does not necessarily mean u are the best there is at all tasks.

thanks and God bless you.    i gladly recommend Gary smallwys  making love last forever  & Gordon and Gail MacDonald  till the heart be touched as a books that will help any one build healthier relationships.  it is better to enjoy our relationships than endure it. we spend more energy quarelling and arguing than creating happiness

HeatFusion:
LOLOL, when I said a team leader, I don't mean one who bosses the other around. That's childish.
As ceremonial as the position of the leader is, you have to realize that once things get out of control, a leader sees to it that everything goes back in accordance.
Take marriage for an example: a husband or a wife (depends on which one is the leader in that area) will make sure that the family atleast have a family meeting to talk things through. What is needed in the house, what problem surrounds each person and how they can all work it out. The captain makes sure the family prays together. A family that prays together stays together AND fights together.

The woman, as a captain, makes sure that her family is fed when she's home and when she's not home. The woman, as a captain, makes sure her children are doing the right thing at home, outside the house, and in school.
The woman, as a captain, makes sure her house is well kept and clean.
And as the overhead captain of the house, the man makes sure that his wife and children are on the safe side and that everything is well to keep his family together.

Women who wants to depend on their partner financially WILL need to give him the wheels in the relationship.
If your man is responsible and you trust him, when things goes in awry, you'll need to submit to him to do the right thing.
It does not mean you, as his partner, are just going to sit there. You'll do anything you can to help, but at the same time, you gotta listen to him to get things back in the right order.

I've come to realize that submission is actually not quite as cruel as it sounds, when respect and good communication is applied.

what can i say to this. blessed are you for knowing this

i worship you
O Lord of heaven and earth

I praise your name
King of heaven and earth

God of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth


thanks for all the mercies you show continously Lord

bluespice:
i dont like the sound of submissive
it leaves a bad taste in my mouth
i like a man that understands
a man that wouldnt let me have my way everytime simply because my way isnt always the right way
and a man that would let me have my way when its the best possible option
though the sound of my again doesnt ring right
it should be an 'our way' not anybody's individual way

okay too much english
basically a nice balance between the two
tho illd rather not have submissive
it should be more of cooperative

forget the "s" word. think of the word partnership and team. teams play together for a better life. most people work against themselves in relationships over silly things mostly because they never learnt the act of enjoying living by themselves in the first place. as that song says the heart you hurt may be your own.

Busy_body:
In case it is not too late, it is natural to feel the way you do. Take the plunge and go with your heart, cos you might never find another whom you equally love the same. I have met couples who could not get together for various reason, eventually re-uniting 30/40 years later.

This happened to a friend's mum - There was this particular guy whose mum refused him to marry her, they went their seperate ways, got married and had kids for their respective partners, then got divorced. They got together again after 30 years, cos the love never died. They later got married and went on to have two more children. And these are Nigerian couples in their fifties


Whilst you are ruminating over your relationship, it would help to bear this beautiful poem in mind, to guide you and let you know that you are not alone. I wish you all the best.


The Risk of Love
There is a risk involved in everything
Every time you share a smile
Every time you shed a tear
You are opening yourself up to hurt.

Some people tread slowly through life,
Avoiding the closeness risk brings,
Sidestepping the things they can not understand
Turning away from those who care too much-
Those who care stay too long,
Those who hold too tightly.

There is never an easy way to love
You cannot approach it cautiously
It will not wait for you to arm yourself.

It does not care if you turn away
It is everywhere, it is everything.
Love is the greatest of all risks.

It is not reliable, it is not cautious,
It is not sympathetic
It is unprejudiced and unmerciful.
It strikes the strongest of mind,
And brings them to their knees in one blow.

Even in the best of times, love hurts.
It hurts to need, it hurts to belong,
It hurts to be the other part of someone else,
Without either of your consent.

But, from the moment it overtakes you,
It hurts worse to be all alone.
The risk of love never depletes;
It grows stronger and more dangerous with time.
But, it is in the total surrender of all defense,
That we, no matter weak or strong,
No matter willing or captive,
No matter what, we truly experience love.

Despite the many things love is not,
Outweighing it all are the things that love is.
Love is surrender without a loss.
It is a gift without the cost.
It consumes your every thought and desire,
Every breath you take.
It is the fire that fuels you
To do more than pass through life;
It urges you, instead, to live.

No matter the outcome, having felt love,
You will never be the same.
It may scar your heart and soul
And leave you only memories of forever.
Or, it may cause every day of your life
To feel like there is no need for tomorrow.
But, love is worth it. It is worth the risk,

For in all of life,
Love is truly the only risk worth taking.





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Kris Hydmore

i am seriously impressed by this. this is one disadvantage of being nigerian. you see people you cant even trust their good morning.

davidylan:
you people have crashed another budding romance with your negative vibes.

if you look at your first post again. imost of our people lie by even the life style they lead. telling lies and deceiving vulnerable/ gulible people is nothing new to some. i would advice the girl to open her eyes very well. with nigerians it is the more you look the less you see.

if most women know the power of a meek and quiet woman they would thank God daily for being a woman. i like a strong quiet woman. it is very beautiful.

iice:
[color=#9900ff]Abeggiiiii. . .if women too dey front, make you start dey front too! Shiorrr [/color]

no stop fronting i say