₦airaland Forum

I have just read, with some amusement, the position of the Federal Government regarding the cash totaling $9.3million that was seized by the South African authorities as an attempt was made to smuggle it into that country. From my little understanding, the Federal Government’s position can be summarised as follows:

1.  That it is aware of the movement of such large sum of money by cash out of the country.
2.  That the cash is meant for the purchase of arms to fight insurgency.
3.  That the transaction was done by cash to ensure the speed of the transaction.
4.  That it resorted to buy from South Africa because of procedural bottlenecks in the purchase of such items from western countries.

The above position of the Federal Government is not only ludicrous, it is laughable, untenable and a story only fit to be told to the marines. The following rhetoric posers are germane to
this issue:
1.        Is it really faster and safer to do an international transaction of such magnitude by ferrying cash across the continent or by a simple wire transfer that can go through in a matter of few minutes or few hours?

2.        If, indeed, the matter involves security issues like the purchase of arms by a foreign government like Nigeria, why was the South African Government not brought into the picture beforehand? How could the South African Government be sure that the arms were purchased legitimately by the Nigerian government and not by insurgents if they were not officially informed beforehand?

3.        If indeed the manufacturer(s) of such equipment was/were expecting such large amount by cash, why did they not make adequate arrangements with the authorities in South Africa to declare and clear the cash on arrival?

4.        Why was money belonging to the Federal Government and meant for purchase of equipment for the Federal Government moved by a private jet and by private individuals and why were they not accompanied by the officials of the Department of State Services or the office of the National Security Adviser in official capacities?

5.        Why would a government that is at the peak of promoting the cashless policy in our economy be the chief breaker of that policy by moving such a large amount by cash?

6.        If, indeed, it was a legitimate transaction of the Federal Government, why were the officials of our embassy in South Africa not on hand to make the entry easier and smoother?

7.        Since the South African Government has said the amount is above the limit of cash allowed into that country, why would a whole government like Nigeria not know the simple immigration laws of a sister and friendly country before allowing that type of amount of cash to be taken to that country?

8.        Why would the Nigerian government seek to smuggle cash into a country without disclosure if it was, indeed, for a legitimate transaction?

9.        From where did the Federal Government source that amount in Nigeria? Was it from the Central Bank of Nigeria or from the black market? Nigerians demand answers to this with proof.

10.    Is it just a wicked coincidence that it is the aircraft belonging to a personal friend and unapologetic ally of the President in the person of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (my big brother in Warri), that was used to smuggle the cash?

11.    If, contrary to the above posers, the transaction was contracted out to a private company in Nigeria, does it not amount to the offence of Money Laundering under our laws for the Federal
Government to have allowed that company to attempt to pay for the equipment by cash to the tune of that amount without passing through a financial institution?

The truth is, any transaction the world over that is done by cash, in a huge volume like this and
in this manner can only point to one thing: It is an illegal transaction or a transaction for an illegal purpose that is meant to be untraceable. This was a covert, illegal operation that went horribly wrong. The position of the Federal Government is a cock-and-bull story meant to be shoved down the throat of Nigerians, but some of us are not fools.

The hard fact we must all accept now is that billions of our hard-earned monies are being smuggled out of the country on a regular basis under the guise of security matters and with the
active connivance of security agencies. Little wonder, then, that the insurgency, rather than waning, is gathering momentum because certain persons, somewhere, are feeding fat on the situation whilst innocent lives and limbs are being wasted.

May God help us all.

Thank you.

FESTUS
KEYAMO, ESQ.

Long distance relationship could be unavoidable in some instances and calling regularly as highlighted by the OP may go a long way to assist the parties involved. I'm married with kids and my family and I stay far apart from each other where the only consolation solution is calling via cug line from Glo. The lines goes for I think 3000 for the 2 lines. And a monthly subscription of 600 per line. You 2 can call each other for as long as u want within the subscribed month. Enjoy.

I'm neither a pro-JEG nor an anti-Ameachi, APC or G-7! But something is obviously missing from the skull of our bone heads called politicians. Cos how come with the technological advancement being enjoyed in the world over, they can not able to reason that it's not a must for them to leave the confinement of their offices before issues are addressed or what's the essence of video conferencing and all other sort of communicating gadgets that characterises modern world as global village! Must they show off always? Or they just take delight in heating up d polity @ all time?

Wow! This is 'devilishly delicious'!

And these are the moments that always make me aglue to my nairaland! U guys surely will not rip off my eyes of laughter. @ sebon, u're d bomb mahn. Just keep it coming and up.

Bright2: Go to the market ,buy plantain that is conjoin though the price is different from others,eat it as it does thesame thing too.

Hmmmmm? Realy? I pray and hope the country is not littered with enough conjoin twins! Leave all these things to the law of natural abracadabra!

The more I try to restrain myself from making any contribution on this topic in order not 2 be seen as ignorantly judging others, the more I get compelled to lay bear my own angle on the issue. These men of God are mere mortals like us whose actions or sayings at times could be somehow not in tune with the present situation or reality as the case may be and therefore subjected to being called to order at some point or another. Yeah Daddy G.O is very knowledgable, highly spiritual and all that but he's bound to be vulnerable errors too just like us. And we should then not allow our unalloyed love for him to becloud our judgemental reasoning. Agreed, the place is getting smaller for the congregation as it seemed but what gives the impression that the proposed expanded version will not get to the same unaccomodating level someday as a result of upsurge? And on the part that has to do with financing the project in which some proposed donors' categories are to see Papa's personal secretary, I will rather prefer an account is opened to this effect where all and sundry willing to make their donations be rightly referred to in order not to create impression that some people are really more important than others in the sight of God. More importantly, the school of thought that suggest that such donations should be demanded more for economic upliftings of the less-privileged viz-a-viz creation of Industry/company where some jobless youths are gainfully employed will always get my nod! By and large, I will implore the generality of this intellectual house not to resort to calling one another various names in order to make a point. We will always see issues differently no matter how ridiculous it may look or sound. In fact, a cacophony of alarm should be sounded at blaring level the moment issues are seen as same by all of us. I rise!!!

3ace: If I'm correct, we have more of Christian converts than Muslim. So why does it make news whenever there's a Muslim convert? Abi una think say e go dey pain us for bodi? Wetin concern me, na her life na?

Seriously that's your thought? Then you'd better google out on the fastest growing religion in the world to have a clear picture of what's happening out there!

May the Almighty Allah increase you in knowledge and make you a tool of change to Islam and humanity! Jazakum llahu khairan.

[quote author=ksam]O God,,,,is Aids and cancer not enough Why give us Islam[Silence, I learnt is the most appropriate answer to a fool but some level of foolishness requires others to lend them some level of direction. Try and sleep over your assertions and wake up to glance through it again and you will discover exactly how you sounded: 'BRAINSICK']

[quote author=Akiika]Seriously!!! he did it because he was a muslim? now look around you and reflect on how many muslims you've met and interacted with, how come you haven't been beheaded? You guys should think outside what the media feed you with, look beyond your bigotry and reason rationally. The gifts of open mindedness, knowledge, understanding and wisdom have been substituted for narrowness, presumptiveness, bigotry and brashness. Too much hatred has been brewed from the dissemination, both accidental and intentional, of misinformation. I am a muslim that reads the quran everyday, it didn't tell me to go on a killing rampage or attempt to force others to practise my religion, it infact says there is no compulsion in religion. It also tells me that suicide is a capital sin, therefore condemning suicide bombing. It tells me that if you kill a single soul, it is equivalent to killing the whole of mankind and you'll be punished as such. Islam teaches me to be fair and just, to be kind to children, women and the weak, to be honest and faithful. You may go on to quote some quranic verses out of context but if you read the preceding verses, you'll understand the context in which it was revealed. The holy prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was infact persecuted by the non-muslims, he actually left his hometown Mecca to forestall peace, he was attacked by the Meccan several times despite several peace treaties that the Meccan violated, they were more than 10 times more than the muslims. All the war he fought were in self defense, it is at this point that it was revealed that muslims should stand up and fight, slay them where they slay you....BUT DO NOT ATTACK THEM FIRST, the non-muslims were the aggressors. I challenge you to pick up a quran and read it with open mindedness, there are also free books online about the life of the prophet muhammed, you'll get to understand how perfect Allah made this man. Islam forbids violence, the british guy and other terrorists that claim they are fighting for islam are sick criminals and they should be referred to as such.[BOKO HARAM vs ISLAM!

ISLAM: There is no compulsion in religion.
BOKO HARAM: Everyone must adhere to our ways else…

ISLAM: Love all and be just to all regardless of religion.
BOKO HARAM: If you are not with us you are against us.

ISLAM: Prophet Muhammad lived with peaceful Christians and jews as his neighbors
BOKO HARAM: All non-muslims must leave the north.

ISLAM: You are only permitted to protect yourselves when you are attacked first. And you should retaliate justly but if u leave everything to Allah it is better for you.
BOKO HARAM: We attack all who stand in our way

ISLAM: A muslim is one whom other muslims are safe from his tongue and hands.
BOKO HARAM: We do not care your religion. Muslim or Christian we will crush any who stands in our way.

ISLAM: Innocent Killing is a great sin. Allah has ordered us not to do it! No human being has the right to take life.
BOKO HARAM: Allah will understand. He will not punish us.

ISLAM: When there is a war, Women and children must not be touched. Talk less of when there is no war.
BOKO HARAM: We kill men, women and children.

ISLAM: When there is a war, all non-muslims that run into their places of worship or their homes will not be harm. Talk less of when there is no war.

BOKO HARAM: We bomb non-muslims in their places of worship. We also bomb muslims in their places of worship and homes if we feel they are a threat to us.

The above are just a few reasons to make our non-muslim brothers and sisters understand that BOKO HARAM is more of a political than a religious driven group. They do not represent Islam. Rather, they are acting contrary to it in most cases.

THIS IS INDEED AN EYE OPENER FOR THOSE WHOM SEEK TRUTH! WE MUST WORK TOGETHER, REGARDLESS OF TRIBE AND RELIGION IF WE WISH TO PROVIDE A BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL]

Is this a case of misplaced priorities or something? Or can somebody tell me exactly what this irrelevant number has to do with the mobilization of graduates for already defeated course called NYSC? Just as few housemates had asked, what will be the fate of those that studied abroad but must still have to pass through the compulsory exercise? What is wrong the people at the helm of affairs in this country for goodness sake

Well, I'm not a bit surprised, that's d story of my country. The most populous black nation in the world!

Pls, let's be informed of any development on these para-millitary recruitment exercise. It's highly important!

@ Aisha, thank you very much for your contribution on this hot topic. Even though it is as old as Nairaland itself, it will aways be relevant to Nigerian youths forever. Meanwhile I will be very grateful if you can get in touch with me through my e-mail addy for any NGO offer available anywhere especially Abuja. My area of interest is youth empowerment and HIV/ AIDS. My address is ibnyunus2003@yahoo.com or you can get me on 08064543524. May GOD Bless you.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha,
'KING D' hen? I am sorry for your likes who believe he could explore the incessant unemployment situation in the country to extort his fellow Nigerians in a manner that belittles our fundamental moral unit. You are so naive and unsure about your so-called extral cool opportunity offer that you fail to attach a fee to your message. Well, I will not blame you! Who to be blame knows themselves. In fact you are no where to being called a KING but a "SLAVE". Nairalanders pls beware of SLAVES with KING's EMBLEM.

NNPC Aptitude test is finally here. I received my invitation online yesterday to come to Air force base Ikeja on the 25th of October (Saturday). So Im using this medium to get the info accross and at the same time sample house's opinion on the likely test format. I wish us all the best of luck!