₦airaland Forum

A human rights group, under the aegis of the Egalitarian Mission Africa, Tuesday, decried the hesitance on the part of some governors to implement the approved N18, 000 minimum wage in their respective states.
It stressed that any governor who refused to pay the said amount to workers should resign or be impeached for violating an extant law in the country.

The group, in a statement maintained that the review and amendment of the National Wage Act, Cap. N61 Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, by the two chambers of the legislature and its congenial signing into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 23 made the payment of the recommended minimum wage for workers in Nigeria non-negotiable.

According to the statement, which was signed by the Executive Director of the group Mr Kayode Ajulo, "with the long expected review and/or amendment of the National Wage Act, Cap. N61 Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, by both Houses of National Assembly and the congenial signing into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on 23rd day of March, 2011, it has unambiguously come into effect that Section 1 of the Act is amended in subsection (1) by substituting for the existing subsection (1) a new subsection "(1)", which provides that: 'From the commencement of this Act, it shall be the duty of every employer (except as provided for under the principal Act as amended) to pay a wage not less than the national minimum wage of N18, 000.00 per month to every worker under his establishment'.

"By the above provision which took effect from 23rd March, 2011, the day it was signed into law by the President, the payment of the new minimum wage becomes accruable and is not subject to further negotiation, compromise or wishful thinking of several employers of labour in Nigeria, particularly state governors, with the exception of the few that gave indication to pay accordingly."
"More worrisome at this precarious period in our national life is the utterances of some State Governors by giving an irritant condition that the minimum wage will only be paid upon a review of revenue allocation formula.

"The question in need of an answer is, where were the Nigerian Governors Forum when the discussion and debates for the minimum wage bill was ongoing and eventually signed into law.

"The new legal minimum wage of N18, 000 is completely based upon proper consideration of the current revenue allocation formula, the capacity of the economy, the ability of both the private and public employers to pay, as well as modest living conditions of a minimum wage earner.

The new wage which is in the exclusive legislative list, was given wide ranging consideration and subjected to debates without shutting out anybody, it is also a product of painstaking two-year negotiation by State Governments, FCT administration, organised private sector, small and medium enterprises, as well as respected views drawn from financial and economic institutions and professional bodies

"The extant N18, 000.00, a fraction above $100 US Dollars is the greatest disservice to the Nigerian workers, the goose that lays the golden egg, when one considered that as far back as in the 80â-'s workers earned more than $200 per month.
"Although, the N18, 000. 00 is a least lawfully allowable height of wage payable to any workers in Nigeria; our executive should feel ashamed to raise their voice against the payment of N18, 000. 00 which cannot purchase a bottle of lowest ranges of Moet & Chandon (Imperial) at their Abuja hotel suites.

"Truth be told, every state in the Federation can afford to pay the minimum wage, considering that these Governors incur huge expenditure in the payment of salaries and allowances of their staff and numerous attendees such as Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants etc who receive over N200, 000 per month for doing absolutely nothing and this amount clearly overshadowed the wages to the poor civil servants who toil day and night to serve Nigeria.


"Furthermore, the debates on the feasibility of payment or otherwise of the National Minimum wage should ceased forthwith since the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2011 has made it mandatory for every employers including the State Governors to commence payment from 23rd March 2011.

The road projects included the rehabilitation/asphalt overlay of Ilesha Expressway junction – Oyemekun/Adesida – Fiwasaye junction and the dualisation of Mobil Junction – Oba Ile – Airport Junction in Akure.
Others are the dualisation of Itanla junction –Ademulegun Roundabout – Surulere – Yaba – Akure Garage within the Ondo township.
Mimiko on the occasion presented a 30 per cent mobilisation fee of N2.3bn to the contractors that would handle the road projects.

.
Governor Mimiko's Ondo state goverment is splashing the cash – to use that popular football phrase, already.


There goes the roads, in Akure – the state capital, and Ondo town, to be fixed with nearly 9Billion Naira as reported in full here

The governor…




… urged the contractors to ensure a timely completion of the projects which he said would be inaugurated in the next 24 months.rnor urged the contractors to ensure a timely completion of the projects which he said would be inaugurated in the next 24 months.


I am not so sure whether this is shoddy reporting, or it is a case of a governor spending some whooping =N=9 Billion without having any specific idea,
perhaps not properly communicating, exactly when the roads are finished ? Either way, worrying that, is the least you could say.

Still, that these roads are critical to the ease or otherwise of people's lives needs no stating.

What is disappointing, is the inability of the government over the last 10 years or so to evolve a deeper, well thought out, and well founded plan –
one that ensures new roads are constructed, while keeping existing ones permanently maintained.

It is the reason why the award of these multiBillion Naira contracts takes headlines in our climes. This should not be news. Ideally.

In the meantime, there is no talk of the bitumen desposits in the state anymore lately. you wonder w

What is the point of having over 20,000 troops in Southern Nigeria when the NE is burning. I don't get it.

Stalin's deportation. We must grow some balls and stop all this Ajebutter war, it is time we adopt extreme measure wherby entire troublesome population would be deported to other areas where the authorities would have a close monitor at them. Even the AMERICANS did put all Japanese Americans in CAMPS during the second world war.

Stalin's Deportation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_transfer_in_the_Soviet_Union

There 2 ways to fight insurgency if you want to fight dirty. Fight the American way in Fallujah or fight the Russian way when Joseph Stalin deported the entire population form a district in the Caucasus to Siberia. BOTH had the required effect. The insurgency died.

The Solution would be appalled all over the world today but it is effective. Can you imagine the deporting the whole population of the city of Maiduguri to the South, that was what Joseph Stalin did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv-jzCxv23Y

The City of Maiduguri needs to be drained and thoroughly searched every single house. Just like Fallujah otherwise we would never win this insurgency/

A two term 5 or 6 years is what we need in Nigeria. That 4 years is just too short for an under developed country like ours. One term does not make sense. Politics is meant to generate a lot of controversy & interest during election years we just need to grow up and learn how to play it.

One term is a no brainer.

As the daughter of the Chairman BOT PDP and an ardent PDP member, Jonathan has no choice than to look for something for her. That is what party loyalty is all about.

There is clear difference between Non Interest Banking and Islamic Banking and globa[b]lly the Islamic form of banking is called "Islamic Banking" so why should Nigerian case be different. [/b]

The conventional banking system is not christain form of banking it is a banking system that evolve over time based principally on fundamentals of economics.

[b]Probably Christians in the other nations of the world who happen to be Majority are only allowing a leeway for the ethnic minorities in those countries to have a sense of belonging. And the other Non-Western Economies where Islamic Banking is thriving are generally societies that have a Majority Muslim. Nigeria is peculiar and unique in the world as a Country,in a cross-road where both Abrahamic faiths are at per almost 50%-50%.

The thought that 75 million Nigerian Christians would turn a blind eye to these blatant encroachment by pitching preachings, teachings and the indoctrination of one Abrahamic FAITH OVER THE other by using pseudonyms such as " Islamic Banking is equal to Non Interest Banking" is a purvey of introducing 'Islamic Banking wholesomely' and covertly I must add into the Country whilst ignoring the historical penchant and antecedents for the Nigerian Christian to dig deep into her Holy Scriptures to ascertain the authenticity or if need be the similarity of issues bothering on "Non Interest" amongst both faith. The fact that the Christian Faith have been indolent in pursing purity and chastisement should not be misconstrued as a 'religious bankruptcy' on the part of Christians which as we all know is the bane of the skulduggery in many Western Societies today.

To the disappointment of the proponents of this form of Banking in Nigeria the truth has been laid bare for all to see. One cannot take the over-sight of nations like Britain, USA or France as a Grandstanding rule that should be applicable to all. The eagled eyed Nigerian Christians are aware such fundamentalistic rhetoric but chose to be nascent not until it was unmasked by 'Sanusi', we welcome a debate but he must bear in mind that what is good for the gender must also be good for the goose. This in itself brings up issues concerning conformity, standardisation and un-wanton biasses, do we take the Islamic version, line, hook and sinker as the standard bearer whilst ignoring the Christian Holy Book WHICH is calling for the same thing or do we just discard both and go for the connotation"Non Interest Banking or 'NIB' Imprinted within the name of the Bank" without a mention of the Christian Doctrines or the Islamic ones. I think the former would cause a chasm within the polity whilst the latter would be more acceptable considering our secular stance.

[/b]

[size=32pt]B N P PARIBAS (NIB) BANK
[/size]

where NIB- stands for "Non Interest Banking" does this naming convention connotes any religion or affiliation. NO, Problem solved!!!

they may be hitting from the religious point of view

Ezekiel 18: 5-20 has me thinking that the Holy Bible sees lending money for profit as a sin

[b]The above caption simply prove both the Christian Holy Book and her Islamic Cousins share the same view, why are the accolades to this module of Banking accentuated and associated to only one school of thought. The world "Islamic" can and should without mincing word  be inter-changeable with the word "Christian" in the context of Banking when " Non Interest Banking" is the bone of contention since both Abrahamic Faiths believe and share the same doctrine.

This is where the might of secularism should come in and enforce by given a definitive format or convention for naming, whilst insisting on using and adhering emphasizing  the right nomenclature is used which is " Non Interest Banking" as a naming convention, to any English Speaker and to anyone who have a fair knowledge of Nigerian's Official Language that definition is self explanatory.

We should move away from naming the module after Islam since it has been proven even in the Christine book that Islam cannot holistically lay claim to what they have not got an inherent right off, the right to brag over this module is a right shared by both faith.[/b]

There is nothing wrong with the name “Islamic Banking”, there is however, something wrong with those against the name “Islamic Banking”. Those shouting against the system are not being honest. Most of them agreed that at least 50% of Nigerians are of “Islamic faith” and since they are not advocating for the division of this country, there was no reason to raise alarm over this issue. There is systematic anti Islam in this country to the point that it is becoming suffocating and unbearable.

Why don't the proponents of this kind of Banking System de-emphasis the historical origins of this kind of Banking Module and emphasis more on educating the masses on how a non-interest Bank can make a profit in a backwater like Nigeria, where her mortgage institutions are in the doldrums. Lets we forget the so called 'Conventional Banks' where establish my Christine nations in Nigeria and non of these institutions have the appendage " the Christine's Zenith Bank" or the "Christain Barclay's Bank"

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/090727/GAL-09Jul27-2365/media/PHO-09Jul27-171982.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/07/27/GA2009072701281.html&usg=__OkKe5yqxjUM8DbmrVwcJ1HwxaS8=&h=471&w=628&sz=181&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=vGu5rE3pVTAcHM:&tbnh=170&tbnw=227&ei=DW0ZTvvEHIKGhQeMnqXMBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3DGeneral%2BMaina%2Bin%2BMaiduguri%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1G1ASUT_ENUK440%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D667%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=204&vpy=109&dur=249&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=110&ty=75&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&biw=1366&bih=667


Genral Maina with troops in Maiduguri, non of the Soldiers with body amour although the one beside the General has a helmet but what does one make off this gentleman's protuding tummy. This Soldier does not look like a fit Soldier with all that Gut.

I don't see anything wrong with " Non Interest Banking" I think the mudslinging matches from both side of the argument stems from the wording 'Islamic' which to the non-discerning person could conjure Talibanic Messianic undertone messages introduced albeit covertly into the secularism of Nigeria. This more than any other thing is the bone of contention. We should tone down our Rhetorics and reserve them in getting the naming convention right for this Bank rather than letting out unnecessary steam.

Personally " Non-Interest Banking" is a wonderful and great Idea, we should adapt and adopt an agreed naming 'format' or convention which would be clear, concise and transparent to the un-initiated mind without bringing religion into the fore or having an ardent association with a particular religion. But I sense 'Sanusi' like a sadist that he is anyway,  prefers to wallow in the controversy that travails this pet project of his, knowing too well that the powers that need be has been corned, they are now harpless and confused as to what actions to take when making a decision or stance as to the merit and de-merit of " Non Interest Banking". Sanusi more than anything is re-emphsasing the Islamic origin of this Banking system which I think he should de-emphasis rather I want him to concentrate on telling us about the virtues by  harping over the gratifying respite of a " Non Interest Banking" and how good and beneficial it would be to our economy.

That more than anything else is what I am interested in, How do these institution make money then  ,  how does a business man who bought an item for $1 dollar including all cost,  sell it for $1 DOLLAR, what is the 'module operandi' of this system, I need serious tutoring as to how one can make money without charging interest bearing in mind that in the western countries where this facility has been deployed and are available are more cases than not Mortgaged-based economies, for example  if a mortgage where to be given on a " Non Interest Basis" the interest is calculated up front and added to the asking price of the property and a loan issued on that price gives the buyer the impression interest was not or never charged.

This is more like interest by default more than anything else, but come to think of it using the Nigerian 'Context' as a case study, we hardly have a funtional Mortgage enterprise as it is, although I know we have something reminscent of what one can call a Mortgage giving institution this facilty is only given to friends of the Bank Manage, cronies and Politicians who in any case can buy their houses cash down, it is more like a facility used for laudering money by our theiving elites.

I hope in the weeks and months to come Sanusi would tone down the historical significance or insignificance as to the origin of Islamic Banking and answer more salient questions on the 'Modus Operandi' which I can convincly say Mr Sanusi has no answer, making his pet project less of a tumultuous issue and more of a frivolous item  would not interest him the least either, that would mean given up his ACES which has made the President and Presidency mute, confused and running for cover, especially now the Boko Haramic forces have increased their onslaught,  if I was in Sanusi's shoes I would not give up my  ACE's without a fight, an Ace worth more than Atiku's Gra-Gra or Bhuari/Bakare Boko Haramic RIOTS.

Looks like it is a win-win for 'Sanusi' after all what 'Ciroma' and other Northern Leaders cannot achieve it would appear Sanusi has manovered a victory for the North in this game of Brinkmanship. To put credence to this hard fought victory and the icing on the cake was the endorsement of this Banking Module by HER  Majesty 'Queen Bee' Ngozi Iweala's backing for " Non- Interest Banking" ooops I mean 'Islamic Banking'. 


Some Naming Conventions that can be adopted and adapted to suit the Nigerian Terrain.



1. Al Gharib 'Non Interest Bank' and Not Al Gharib Islamic Bank

2. Sanusi 'Non Interest Banking' and Not Sanusi Islamic Bank

3. Jones  &  Jones' Non Interest Bank' and Not Jones & Jones Islamic Bank - even an Anglo-phonic Name like Jones sounds more like something from a horror movies when the appendage Islamic is added to it.

[b]Anybody can be an Ambassador for free like this Gentleman. Poor countries more often than not use people domiciled in some territories as a flag of convinienece for their country. This Job I can bet my last dollar is a non payment job or pay as you work for us on a 'case by case basis'. That is each time the intermediary or Consul (to give it the flattery title of the OP), does any transaction on behalf of Niger Republic, the 'State' of Niger would pay the individual the expenses paid during the transactional process. To prove what I am saying is no bullsh*t this Gentleman would never get a postings outside the UK that is because he is domiciled in the UK and only acting for the Niger Republic on a case by case basis which I must say may BE far between.

For instance Nigerians Living in far flung places in the world can equally write to the following countries below are become their ambassadors. The likelihood of you having a case involving Citizens of that Country in those remote places( mind you the word 'remote' here connotes a rarity, scarcity or better still an in-consequential relationship between the smaller country and sometimes a " Super Power" like the USA, UK or France). is nil or next to nil.
[/b]
Nigerians how about being the Ambassador of the following countries:

1. Sierra-Leone's Ambassador to Belize

2. Gambia's Ambassador to Belarus

3. Equatorial Gunines's Ambassodor to Andorra

4. Dokpesi could have being Nigerian's Ambassador to Poland because when Nigeria wanted to buy a ship in 1979 for(NNSL-Nigerian National Shipping Line) Dopkpesi a student in Polalnd at the time sat as the intermediary between the Nigerian delegation and Polish delegation. Dopkpesi sat with the Polish Delegation and was cut- in in the deal by both sides after the deal came to fruition, that is how he made his first $1 million dollars.

5. Ghana's Ambassador to Yemen

6. Cote de voire's Ambassador to Australia

7. Guinea Bissau's Ambassador to the USA

8. Mauritania's Ambassador to Kazakhstan

9. Niger's Ambassador to the UK

10. Swaziland's Ambassador to New Zewland.

In the first picture, counting from right to left “the fifth person”, I just spotted a clown, na who sew this uniform for this chap, I hope it was not ‘Patience Jonathan’ , I hear say she be sewing mistress.

Look at a soldier that wants to fight Boko Haram, dem go just use this one head do ‘isewu’

thanks, Jakumo

a .22 being a long time I read James Hardly Chase.

http://newshopper.sulekha.com/uganda-troops_photo_959364.htm


Ugandan Troops in Somalia well kitted for the Job in hand. Na wah for Naija

IN THE YEAR 2011, abi na 1970 we still dey for Naija. How can we in this day and age send men and women into arms way without adequate Body Armour for the Soldiers, the Police and Navy Personnel recently deployed. Is this not a 'death wish deployment', why would police and other security personnel not run away the moment they hear or perceive the aroma or scent of " Boko Haram" radicals 10 miles away. I studied by looking at those death photographs critically of those unforthunate Police Officers, many if not all of them would have been alive if they had 'a standard issued Body Armour or Helmet', what kind of country is ours that treats her citizen with such a disdain, on the one hand they are paying roguehish salary to our legislatures who are currently consuming a quarter of the national budget yet they cannot give a simple body armour to her security personnel.   

If I was a member of any of our forces my morale would be in the doldrums. Can Mr President sort out this mess. It is a shame. Look at this picture below, Army personnel deployed to Maiduguri with flat wide brim hats and no body armour, one would have mistaken this lot for a tourist if not for their identical camoflague uniform. 


http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/115/article_4568.asp

[size=16pt]The Professor got it wrong, never in the history of human beings, has man ever been contented, give them their own country and you think they would rest on their laurels. Fowl big time fowl, we are all witness to what is presently going on in South Sudan, insurgency within South Sudan sponsored by North Sudan, You think your enemy would be happy you have your own country and they have theirs, your enemy’s ultimate goal especially within the context of  Nigeria is to complete Othman Danfodio’s desire of spreading Islam in the space or confinement known as Nigeria from the Sahel to the Atlantic Ocean which was sadly or happily disrupted depends on how you see it by the British.

This is a no brainier, if the Taliban has been left alone in Afghanistan, they would by now have overthrown any legitimate Government in Pakistan and probably causing serious mayhem in Northern India. So all you proponents of divisive politics of independence, don’t be fooled when you are afforded ‘a phantom independence’ such independence is just a strategy for the enemy to re-stork, re-enforce and unleashed unfathomable destruction at a latter date.[/size]

If you are not living in Maidiguri nor have plans to move there in the near future, if you' ve not had to fight or take to flight as a means of survival in the face of the most gruelsome kind of death, if you've not killed a lion or know anyone who have done so, with bare hands or a knife as the case may be, just as a means of attaining man-hood, . . . . .then you lack every right to make the statements in the texts above.

Those young boys and girls who have refused to be called Daddy's Boys or Girls are now lying with the fishes, no they didn't get a state memorial burial, not a chance to voice their concerns, the nation didn't mourn them, we probably are going to forget about them in a few months from now, and hear this------  the President thinks this is perfectly normal as "terrorism is and issue everywhere", even those who killed them in cold blood might get the chance to walk free, they will become friends with the president, peharps even get a few plots of land in Abuja!

These situations are the slightest irritation to you, but definitely not to a mourning father or mother, their lives will never remain the same again, they will be consistenly haunted by the pictures of burnt corpses or open skulls, an entire family is ruined, and you, my friend think this is just a slight irritation!!!!!   

As they say, a corpse is just a corpse until the corpse is your pops, i think you should stop insulting the sensibilities of concerned parents who want the best for their kids, in a country where  leaders don't give a shyt who gets killed or by who!!!!

The circumstances that led to the death of those Corpers in the elections is different from the ones deployed on a national call of duty. It is like a soldier  abondoning his command the former were unfortunate but the latter are embarking on AWOL. The Corpers who took part in the election exercise had a choice, those who did not want to take part in the elections went home, I know many Corpers serving in the North who were with their families in the South through out the month of April 2011 and those who took part in the elections were recompensed as agreed accordingly.

With over 5000 military and Para military personnel in and around Borno State, despite the uncanny spectacle of imminent and direct “ Boko Haram” attacks,  Borno state may actually be a treasure throve, where the discerning and eagled eyed Business man or woman might actually make some money and a killing for themselves.

Some of our youths screaming “blue murder” over deployment to this state may have to reconsider their stance and see it as an opportunity that should be grasped rather than behaving like Mummy and Daddy’s Boys and Girls, especially our Youth Corpers they should be thinking along the lines of empowering themselves in the midst of these crazy martydom or calamity. What have become of African Youths of today, in the good old days, 12 year old Massai boys would have to kill a lion with a spear or be killed in the process for him to attain man-hood? It would appear our society has become a si-si society where we moan over the slightest irritation.

They should be looking at what business they can dabble into that would empower them. This thought actually came to me when reading about the last bombing that took place in Maiduguri, the report revealed that the bar bombed was a bar in the Mammy Market frequented by military and security  personnel considering another 5000 personnel have just been deployed to this area, this people would have needs, desire, and want some level of normalcy in their lives who else other than a smart and discerning Business man or woman that can help in feeling this gap, I would personally see my deployment as a challenge rather running scared I would take it by the scruff of the neck. Have people wonder why some Southerners especially Igbos still stay-put in Maiduguri despite all the chaos around. I sense camaraderie or racketing where protection money is paid by wise business men and women to 'BH' despite the calamitous state of affair.

We should look at the bright side of things at times. It should not always be all doom and gloom. I am sure if people sit down quietly and think deep, beautiful unfathomed ideas would start streaming in as to the kind of things that can put in place that would benefit all including the poor” Boko Haram” youths who have become dishevelled, by societal decadence and unflinching lackadaisical attitude of the ruling class no wonder the so called ruling class feel the brunt and anger of this sect.

KnowAll- Is Afikuyomi still a commisioner in Fashola's new cabinet or not? I know he was once a senator and he was Tinubu's eye in the Lagos Cabinet, just wondering what his next step is?

That will be more like downgrading himself. You can't go from being a senator to being a commissioner

Ask people on the ‘know’, the man was the commissioner for Tourism or so during Fashola’s first term, he bought that ‘phantom boat hotel’ which is languishing in one of the creeks in Lagos. I just want to know wether the guy has gone one step downwards, “ the guy no get shame oh” as long as he is making his dough. Is he now a Local Government Chairman?  

Is Afikuyomi still a commisioner in Fashola's new cabinet or not? I know he was once a senator and he was Tinubu's eye in the Lagos Cabinet, just wondering what his next step is?