₦airaland Forum

Relax101:
It is same for every other Governor. There are praise singers in every state, so Adams cant be left out.
The only kangaroo for now is Theodore Orji of Abia state.

http://www.osundefender.org/?p=20196
In line with his campaign promises to ensure the people of Ede North State Constituency of Osun State enjoy the dividends of democracy, the lawmaker representing constituency at the State House of Assembly, Honourable Debo Akanbi, popularly called Osunagbeni has given out a soft loan of N1.5 million to market women in the area.

Giving out the loan in Ede last Friday, the lawmaker disclosed that over 400 market women were the beneficiaries of the programme, which was initiated by him under the Debo Akanbi Economic Empowerment Programme.

According to him, after the distribution of the loan, which he described asthe first phase, more people would still benefit in the second and third phases, which he noted would be initiated before the end of the year.

He further disclosed that he has begun the construction of a company in Ede town that would ensure the creation of jobs for the people, especially the youths in the constituency.

The lawmaker stated that the beneficiaries would not pay any interest on the loan given to them, as he had agreed with the bank that packaged the programmeto be deducting the interest on the loan from his salaries every month.

Akanbi noted that the programme was initiated by him to appease the people of the constituency for standing by him in the face of intimidation, especially since 2007, when the mandate given to him was stolen, saying that the programme was just a tip of the iceberg of what he has in the offing for the people of the area.

Presenting the loan for the beneficiaries, on behalf of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Industry and Empowerment, Mr. Ismail Alagbada, appealed to the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously, with a view to giving others opportunities to benefit from a similar programme.

He lauded the lawmaker for his initiative in assisting the administration of Aregbesola in the area of empowerment of the people of the state, saying that the administration was determined to empower the people, either through loans or creation of jobs, which he noted, had begun with the creation of jobs under Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme, OYES.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs.MofolakeAdegboyega, also advised the beneficiaries to make use of the loan with intention to make profit and repay the loans for others to benefit.

She further called on the people of the state, to continue praying for the administration of Aregbesola, for it to achieve its desired goals for the development of the state and its people.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/politics/22077-edo-voters-sing-new-song-ahead-2012.html

By Eubaldus Enahoro 07/10/2011 00:05:00

EDO State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has received commendations from a cross section of editors from both the print and broadcast media across the country for having the will power to open up the rural communities with the construction of several networks of roads barely two years and ten months in office.

“What we saw is a different Edo State all together. The governor has succeeded in distributing roads to the rural communities,” the editors who were in Benin City for the 7th All Nigeria Editors Conference disclosed after a tour of road projects embarked upon by the state government.

There is no doubt that the people living in the rural communities in Edo State now have a different story to tell. In the past, it was a story of despair and disappointment, due to decades of criminal neglect, marginalisation and deceit by previous administrations.

As at this moment, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Oshiomhole is putting smiles on the faces of the people, particularly the rural folks who have not been taken into consideration in the developmental plans of previous administrations.

The office of the governor, according to Comrade Oshiomhole, must be used to touch and change the lives of the people and he believes that when the various communities are linked with motorable roads, their economy is integrated into the national and state economies.

In all sectors of the economy, education, tourism, health, water, electricity and the civil service, the Oshiomhole-led administration has succeeded in making a positive statement. Take Benin City, for instance, the capital of the state has been transformed into a modern city from its unenviable status as a neglected ancient city.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) who was in Benin City for the 7th All Nigeria Editors Conference, on arrival, said he saw from the air before landing at the Benin Airport that there were remarkable changes in the landscape.

“From what I have seen so far, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done well. The essence of democracy is for people to benefit from the dividends, which the governor is providing for the people in the state,” the NBA president disclosed when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House.

During his first year in office, the governor had concentrated development projects in Benin City, the state capital, with a promise that after the first year, focus will be shifted to the entire state, which will be transformed, into a construction site. And, true to his promise, no area of the state has been neglected, especially in the construction of roads and provision of those basic amenities, such as schools and water.

Edo State governor had consistently reiterated that his administration is people- oriented and there is no doubt that the rural folk is overwhelmed with the rapid road transformation that has taken place in their communities.

They could not conceal their joy seeing bulldozers, tippers and heavy-duty earth moving equipment in their communities for the construction of their roads that were hitherto abandoned. You could see the excitement in their faces, apparently because when these roads are commissioned, they will link and integrate the remote communities with the city centres and thereby facilitate trade and development.

The people have seen, for the first time, reputable contractors like Skaaf Construction Company, RCC, Hartland Construction, Borini Prono and Company Nigeria Limited, and a host of others working day and night to complete their assignments for which they have already been paid.

The comrade governor who led the editors on a tour of some of the road construction sites in the state took a long walk down the dualised Auchi Polytechnic Road in Etsako West and they saw the excitement of the people who showered encomiums on the government for transforming the town into a mega city.

They also visited the Usogun Primary School in Auchi, which was reconstructed, by the state government, the Jattu-Auchi road, Jattu-South Ibie road, Jattu-Afowa-Iyora-Apana road, the Iyamho-Iyora road and the Jattu Ayua roads, as well as the Iyamho Primary School.

The construction of the Iyamho and Iyora roads was the best thing that had happened to both communities because with the construction of the roads the movement of goods will become easier, the relationship between them will be strengthened.

In the words of Comrade Oshiomhole, the reason the village people are poor is because they are not integrated with the cities and they also lack educational institutions.

He has therefore ensured that modern secondary and primary schools are built across the state, because, according to him, “any government that cannot provide education for the young ones is doomed.”

The people in the rural communities have expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for opening up their villages with the construction of several networks of roads, which were hitherto abandoned by past administrations.

At the Afowa- Iyora- road in Etsako West, a trader, Madam Florence Agono said the road will enhance commercial activity, which was lacking in the past and she prayed for the governor for long life for remembering them.

In the words of Alhaji Sule Braimah, from Jattu - Ayua, “we have never seen this kind of government presence and we can now take our farm produce to the markets with ease, because the road was terribly bad in the past.”

The state governor who told the Editors that government is determined to link the rural communities with the urban towns through the construction of network of roads said the people were informed in the past that due to the difficult terrain nothing could be done on some of the roads.

The governor noted that he is satisfied with the extent of work done on all the roads going on in the three senatorial districts of the state, especially those that are newly constructed, to provide access to the rural communities.

Comrade Oshiomhole who expressed total commitment to the development of all parts of the state said the joy in the faces of members of the communities where the projects are sited shows that they appreciate what God is using him to do.

According to Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Managing Director of National Mirror Newspapers, while expressing his satisfaction with the efforts of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the transformation going on in the State, the developmental strides achieved by the governor are impressive.

”We have visited the rural communities in Edo State and we are happy with the way the governor is opening up the communities. It is apparent that if there have been other leaders like Oshiomhole, Nigeria would have been a better place,” he noted.

According to him, if the governor does not go for a higher office, then his second tenure will witness tremendous transformation.

In the words of Mr Femi Adesina, Deputy Managing Director of the Sun Newspapers, the roads are of high quality, noting that what they had seen was a true reflection of the dividends of democracy in Edo State.

The governor was commended by a cross section of the Editors including the Editor of Sunday Sun, Funke Egbemode, for having the will power to open up the rural communities.

”What we saw is a different Edo State all together. The Governor has succeeded in distributing roads to the rural communities,” they added.

coolkaboom:
No point being overly emotional abt this debate. Emphasis should b on aggressiv vigilance on d funds realised from subsidy removal. If properly used to address our very severe infrastructur shortfall, then d common man wil thrive and prosper, even if fuel price is N200 a litr. Last I checked, d poor man doesn't drive a fleet of fuel guzzlin suvs and if powr is fixed, bye to generators. At least, let's considr it. We hav absolutely no control ovr d few dubious racketeers that pocket this subsidy anyway.

Beaf:
It will take too many years to train new customs officers if the FG is looking at January. This is basically about kicking the last set of leaches into into the tall grass. Most poor people only buy kerosene for everyday use, kerosene is not subsidised, so govt only has to cover transportation costs in a reasonable way.

Beaf:
It is quite clear that the headline is in the usual tabloid style of the Nigerian press. Any clever person can read between the lines and see that David Mark was advising the power and steel committee in the strongest of words to sit up and make 2020 a reality, to which end he would love not to hear about generating 3000MW, but rather see it. The news is told quite differently in other more responsible news papers and on other news websites.

Beaf:
I was really against the removal of the fuel subsidy when the governors demanded it. However, with the announcement of a package to cushion the poor against any effects, I'm tending toward the idea. What we should do now is engage the govt in dialogue and ensure that there are no gaps and loopholes in the welfare package for the poor. Nigeria just MUST develop and we cannot keep pandering to the whims of the few corrupt pockets the subsidy goes into.

Again, this is how the fuel subsidy works:

1. Marketer imports fuel at market price
2. FG pays importer total costs
3. Marketer smuggles the fuel into neighbouring countries for sale at market price of close to
4. FG imports more fuel to fill the shortfall
5. The process repeats

The above is a losing game that we can never win. The most effective solution would be to cut out the subsidy totally. If that is done, the ball is in our courts to ensure that the savings are used judiciously. I am sure we will all dearly wish to see the words of Allison Maduake I posted earlier come to fruition, because they will represent a mega leap up the ladder for Nigerian society (I would love to see free education included, tho ):

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2011100711155892
By Olalekan Adetayo   
Friday, 7 Oct 2011   
  President Goodluck Jonathan 

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday denied claims that his administration marked the nation’s 51st independence anniversary inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted the president as making the clarification in Kigali, Rwanda, during a joint press conference with his Rwandan host, President Paul Kagame. Jonathan had travelled to Kigali on a two-day official visit.

The anniversary had been trailed by claims that government marked the nation’s birthday at the Presidential Villa out of the fear that the violent Islamic group, Boko Haram, might bomb the usual venue, the Eagle Square.

But the President said the event held in the Villa was not an anniversary event. The statement quoted Jonathan as saying that what took place on Saturday was the “ceremonial weekly change of guards at the Presidential Villa.”

However, media reports of all that transpired on that day at the Villa showed that the events that held had all the trappings of a low-key independence anniversary ceremony. According to reports, they included a commemorative presidential change of guards, the signing of the independence anniversary register by the President and the release of pigeons that signified peace. The President, the reports also said, later led dignitaries to cut the anniversary cake in the Villa.

But the President, in the statement, insisted that the events were not meant to mark the independence anniversary.

He said, “The decision to observe a low-key anniversary was not necessarily to conserve funds but because we cannot celebrate every year.

“It is a wrong notion that we celebrated in the State House. We had a low-key anniversary. No country celebrates National Day every year and invites foreign leaders.

“Last year we celebrated 50th independence anniversary on October 1 and my inauguration as President took place on May 29 this year and for both events, we invited world and African leaders. And October this year you want to invite them again?

“Even next year 2012 and 2013 will be low-key but we will celebrate in 2014 to commemorate 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation as one country in 1914. So, there will be centenary celebrations.”

Jonathan said that the issue of independence anniversary was not only “misunderstood” but was also politicised and manipulated by “vested political interests”.

He also dismissed the suggestion that the threat by Boko Haram informed the cancellation of the independence anniversary’s military parade at the Eagle Square, Abuja and shift of venue.

Asked if Nigeria was safe for foreign investors, Jonathan replied in the affirmative, referring to the recent visit to the country by Bill Gates, one of the richest persons in the world.

On lessons Nigeria can learn from the genocide in Rwanda, Jonathan, who had visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre where he laid a wreath in memory of the 250,000 victims interred in mass graves, said that Africans should learn to resolve problems and conflicts before they degenerate.

He announced that Nigeria and Rwanda were working on sharing experiences in public health, space technology and entering into a Bilateral Air Services Agreement to ease procurement of visas by potential investors.
He also promised that Nigeria would in the near future reciprocate by opening a diplomatic mission in Kigali as Rwanda did recently in Abuja.

President Kagame had thanked Nigeria for its long-standing support, especially through the country’s Technical Aid Corps programme, while a joint communiqué issued at the end of the visit committed both countries to ensuring the socio-economic transformation of their peoples in the area of infrastructure, energy, Information Communications Technology, education and health.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/29261-infrastructural-development-adenuga-donates-n150m-to-unn

Thursday, 06 October 2011


THE chairman of the Mike Adenuga Group, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, has presen-ted a cheque of N150 million to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for the infrastructural develop-ment of the institution.

At a special ceremony held in Nsukka, on Tues-day, Dr Adenuga said the donation was a gesture of goodwill to the citadel of learning.

Dr Adenuga said the group made the donation, in order to boost the capacity of the university to develop graduates that could compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.

Mr Felix Akintola, who led the delegation that presented the cheque to the university authorities, informed the vice chance-llor of the institution about the completion of Globa-com’s model outlet, the Gloworld, the Conoil mega petrol station and the Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB) branch in the university community for prompt telecommunica-tions, banking and trans-portation solutions, ease of transactions and improved quality of life.

In his response, the vice chancellor, Professor Bartho N. Okolo, said the entire university community “is excited and grateful to Globacom for this incredible gift.”

Onlytruth:
Considering what is going on in Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Rivers, Cross river and even Ebonyi, there is no doubt that Eastern Nigeria, when compared with other 60s regions is solidly ahead in all development indices: infrastructure, education, economic empowerment, good leadership, and lower poverty statistics, there is no doubt that Eastern Nigeria will set the pace for others to follow in the next few years.
With the new deep sea port at Ibaka (Akwa Ibom) and the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (the most searched for airport in Google ), and of course the Onitsha river port, the economy of Nigeria will certainly move East.


I will post pictures later to support my hypothesis.

Beaf:
The correction above applies best to NL in a way that you both will understand at quite a profound level.
Even better. . .
Somebody inform Eko Ile and Gbawe that are turning the place into a dump.

ekt_bear:
There is a certain depth to the quote that takes a bit of time to understand the first time you hear it. This is another thing I like about it.

You can tell if someone understands it properly by how they explain it.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/oct/05/national-05-10-2011-001.html
•To freeze overheads
•To focus on power, agriculture, education, others
From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja
Wednesday, October 05, 2011


L-R: Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman, Forte Oil, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Managing Director, Access Bank and former Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, during a meeting of the Presidential Economic Team, in Abuja, yesterday.
Photo: Sun News Publishing 
More Stories on This Section

The Presidency has indicated plans to remove the controversial fuel subsidy as from 2012 fiscal year. The Federal Government claimed it was subsidising petroleum products by over N600 billion yearly.

If removed, critics of the fuel subsidy removal argued that the pump price of fuel may rise from its current N65 to between N120 and N150 per litre.
The removal may likely feature in the N4.8 trillion budget estimate President Goodluck Jonathan may present to a joint sitting of the National Assembly in November.
Although no date has yet been set for the budget presentation, the Federal Government is planning a freeze on allocations/overheads as from 2015.

Government is projecting total savings of N1.2 trillion, part of which would be deployed to providing “safety nets for the poor” in the society as well as provision of infrastructure through the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) .
These proposals are contained in the 2012-2015 Medium Term Fiscal Framework (Medium-term revenue framework and medium-term expenditure framework) and Fiscal Strategy paper submitted by the President to the National Assembly, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Sun on Tuesday.

The MTEF was prepared by the Budget Office in the Federal Ministry of Finance.
In a September 22 covering letter to Senate President David Mark, President Jonathan noted that the submission of the 2012-2015 medium-term fiscal framework and 2012 fiscal strategy paper are “statutory requirements for submission to the National Assembly under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.”

The President equally noted that the MTEF was prepared against the backdrop of global economic uncertainties. 
Details contained in the MTEF show that a baseline benchmark oil price of $75 would be used for the 2012-2015 budgets with average exchange rate pegged at N153 to a dollar.

Exchange rate for the 2011 budget was N150. 
This would be the benchmark that would be used for annual budgets up till 2015 fiscal year while oil production of 2.480 million bpd, 2.500mbpd, 2.575mbpd and 2.600mbpd will be adopted for the 2012-2015 fiscal years.
The MTEF reads further: “Government will continue its strategy of fiscal consolidation by which expenditure, particularly on recurrent spending will be reined in and directed to its most productive and growth-enhancing use while efforts will be intensified to increase revenue.

“Although aggregate expenditure is expected to increase from N4.8 trillion in 2012 to N5.18 trillion in 2015, concerted efforts are being made to make savings from overheads as allocations will be frozen in 2015.
“Capital spending will increase marginally from N1.3 trillion in 2012 to N1.6 trillion in 2015 as government intends to leverage on PPP-type arrangements to supplement capital allocations from the budget.

“A major component of the policy of fiscal consolidation is government’s intent to phase out the fuel subsidy beginning from the 2012 fiscal year. This will free up about N1.2 trillion in savings, part of which can be deployed into providing safety nets for poor segments of the society to ameliorate the effects of the subsidy removal.
“The accrual to the SWF as a result of the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy will also augment funds for critical infrastructure through the infrastructure window of the SWF.”

In an overview of the performance of the 2011 budget, the MTEF noted that “NASS passed a budget of N4.972 trillion in March 2011, which was deemed too large and the resultant deficit of 4.23 percent of GDP…” 
Also, the report noted that although implementation of the 2011 budget is still on-going, “reports from the OAGF indicate that the FGN revenue fell below target by N231 billion as of August 2011, mainly due to shortfalls in non-oil revenue as oil revenue receipts were on target.”

Over the 2012-2015 period, government will focus a large portion of its spending on key sectors which include security, infrastructure (including power), agriculture, manufacturing, housing and construction, entertainment, education, health and ICT.
The MTEF and FSP are statutory documents which articulate government’s revenue and spending plan as well as its fiscal policy objectives over the period.

The MTEF and FSP is comprised of the macroeconomic framework which gives an analysis of key macroeconomic trends of recent years and provides insight on future policy direction.
The FSP outlines fiscal strategy, analyses expenditure and revenue figures for the years under review, details the assumptions underlying these projections, reviews the previous budget and gives an overview of consolidated debt and possible fiscal risks.

Beaf:
Love your country always and never agree to be second best, its an important maxim for self-belief, heightened esteem and success.
Phuck SA, bruv and bigup 9ja!

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/21905-acf-plans-conference-on-boko-haram.html
By Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja 1 hour ago
Font size:

THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said yesterday the Boko Haram insurgency is detrimental to the development of North.

The Northern socio-cultural group plans a conference on peace and unity to address the menace and proffer the way forward for the North.

The Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation committee for the conference, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, spoke in Abuja yesterday when he met House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal. He also spoke on ACF plans for 2015.

Describing Boko Haram’s activities as unacceptable, Gusau said the all-inclusive conference on peace and unity will take care of all aspects of security and the attendant socio economic factors.

He, however, refused to disclose details of the discussion he had with Tambuwal on 2015.

“In view of the insecurity in the North and other parts of the country, the ACF is left with no option than to put its house in order. We cannot afford to be left behind in the scheme of things.

“We realised that under our revered leader, the late Sardauna, nobody dare say I’m a Muslim or a Christian; everybody lived together in peace and the nation was moving forward, but things have changed to the level that we are now at each other’s neck.

“The situation is unacceptable and ACF has decided to organise a conference to address all these problems and proffer solutions,” he said.

According to Gusau, the North is rejecting its change of fortune whereby rather than develop its human and natural resources, the North is in turmoil under the disguise of Boko Haram.

He said: “We in the North must be part of the progress and development of the country; we have fought for the unity of this country and it must be sustained. Time is now and the ACF has come up with the conference to address the problems facing the entire North.”

Tambuwal assured the ACF of the readiness of the House to co-operate with any group desirous of the peace and progress of the nation.

While he noted that the unity of the country has become imperative, Tambuwal said Nigeria was designed by God, “hence the urge to work for the progress of the country”.

Beaf:
[size=14pt]3 ex-militants perform solo flight at aviation academy in S-Africa[/size]
On October 5, 2011 · In News ,
By Kenneth Ehigiator, with agency report

Johannesburg—The Federal Government’s amnesty programme appears to be yielding the desired results as three former Niger Delta militants, undergoing aviation training in South Africa have successfully done their solo flights as part of requirement for award of private pilot licence, PPL.

It was gathered that the ceremony, which took place at Afrika Union Aviation Academy, Mafikeng, North West Johannesburg, was witnessed by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr Kingsley Kuku.

Mr. Clifford Wilson, Manny Suku and Kufre Obot, who were among the 20 former militants, including two women, admitted at the flight academy last March, who flew for three hours.

At the ceremony, Kuku expressed delight at the performance of the former militants, saying “I am happy to see my brothers doing this solo flight and landing smoothly without an instructor. It gives us a sense of hope that if every Nigerian was given an opportunity, he or she will excel.”

Kuku commended President Goodluck Jonathan for supporting the programme aimed at empowering Niger Delta youths.

The Principal of the flight academy, Mr Allan Roebuck, described the trainees as a “crop of dedicated, disciplined and well-groomed young men and women,” adding that they had made Nigeria proud.

Wilson, who spoke on behalf of the trainees, said they had received sufficient training which prepared them for the solo flight.

“I am comfortable with the level of competence at the flight academy. This is a day that I have been waiting for and I am glad I made it,” he said.

Prior to the departure of the former militants for South Africa early in the year, Kuku had reminded them that their enrolment at the aviation academy in South Africa by the Federal Government was to ensure they took over the helicopter operations of oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta in future.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/10/3-ex-militants-perform-solo-flight-at-aviation-academy-in-s-africa/

Beaf:
Koruji just called me a liar for relating this same story on another thread. I hope he can come and argue with this instead of calling names.

Beaf:
My guy, words are cheap, but facts never lie.

Beaf:
Even Usain Bolt cannot run as fast as this!
All attempts to get you to explain OYES have been artfully dodged with all sorts of accompanying insults. Na wa!
Can you please explain how OYES which is basically cutting grass and catching things needs 50billion funding? I mean, you are passionately promoting the scheme, so please convince me so it doesn't seem you are just parroting stuff like a wind-up toy. Where in the World does cutting grass require 50billion, sir?

Beaf:
Lol.
You are just desperately trying to dodge issues, but won't work. Explain how funding OYES which is about people doing menial jobs needs 50billion funding.
It surely doesn't sound right to me thats why I called it 419. Convince me that cutting grass needs 50billion. Thank you.

AjanleKoko:
Okay.
Now let me tell you how daft you are.
There is nowhere on the Internet, not even on that silly website, that even explains what the OYES program is all about. Yet you come on here posting so energetically about nothing. Can the tools running Osun not find smart people to help sell their crap for goodness sakes?

alj_harem:
Can't think of any now but as I said, it is a regional thing and is no more about imaginary boundaries ie states

That beaf I can not answer, as I said before on this forum, all this political parties are the same in my eyes. I believe he should be able to pay the workers the minimum wage.

AjanleKoko:
Hiding behind insults certainly does not make you sound smart. It only shows you up as some amateur praise-singer trying to launder rubbish.
Knock yourself out. Whatever they paid you will soon run out.

AjanleKoko:
Humour me and post one link that even remotely explains the scheme.
Else I'll just have to brand you another amateur Nairaland praise-singer. You lot must think everyone is illiterate or something.

Beaf:
^
Wetin konsain dat long story wit OYES and N50billion?
How can you attempt to derail your own thread?

AjanleKoko:
^^
Where is the story to read?
Can you post any link that even describes what OYES is all about? 'Empowering Youths' is just a vague sounding phrase.

Mind you, the World Bank does not give grants. Why do people keep saying that? They only give loans. They don't give any grants to anybody. They're not a charity.

I pity my Nigerian people as I watch the "GEJ Presidency" become the "Boko Haram" presidency  

Beaf:
Aregbesola, is the most useless governor to hit the streets in 9ja!
That man can show his anus and attempt to convince the World that it is the smiling face of a luscious babe.

This is a link to the story on Oshun state govs website: http://www.osunstate.gov.ng/view-all-news/159-osun-to-benefit-n50bn-youth-empowerment-fundworld-bank-lauds-oyes-initiative-pledges-support.html

[size=14pt]If you are the investigative type[/size], you will find absolutely nothing you can hang a story unto there. Instead, you will find from other sources that Oshun invited the World Bank and the World Bank is studying their case. Where the story of the N50 billion World Bank/ Federal Government youth empowerment fund comeis in is any ones guess.

. . .419.

AjanleKoko:
Forgive me for being slow but . . . what exactly is OYES, how does it work, and how has it added N200 million into the state coffers? Why do they need N50 billion? You don't need up to 20 percent of that money to revamp the Steel Rolling Mills at Osogbo, which can of its own add a slew of jobs to the state's economy.

Forget the World Bank noise. The World Bank is not a productive institution. I'm still trying to understand why exactly it exists even.

Blackteeth:
Personally I must say that democracy is not working in Nigeria and will never work as long as the current lawlessness in the sphere of governance persists. In my opinion, I think it is easier for Nigeria to get transformed under a dictator who rules with absolute power than a democratic ruler in the kind of democracy practiced in Nigeria. The power sharing nature of democracy will never make any Nigerian president with good intentions achieve anything substantial or implement strict policies when he has to contend with a massive majority of selfish corrupt politicans who will shoot down anything that threatens their grip on the nation's resources. Though we have had dictators in the past who misruled the country, I still believe if a responsible dictator comes in and takes charge Nigeria will be better off than her lawless democracy.

So if may ask, between someone like fashola for instance as a democratic president or fashola as a dictator which one will be better off for Nigeria?

danjohn:
Park Chung Hee is an example.  He brought development to his country with military precision and he had the resolve and the determination to fight corruption.  His time in Office was not perfect that is why I have added different caveats to my argument and yes I know he is not living.  But he is an example of a dictator who moved his country in the right direction.  Most people give him credit for building the infrastructural and economic foundation of South Korea.  When he became President, South Korea's per capita GDP was less than Ghana's.  Today South Korea has the 15th largest economy in the world and a very high standard of living.

Also Deng Xiaoping as paramount leader of the People's Republic of China from 1978 to 1992 also had the courage to put in place the reforms that have set his country on the path to become the next leading super power in the world.  His was a dictatorship with mild checks and balances.

You will be surprised that Nigerians don't mind being dictated as long as the person dictating is making peoples lives better.  I remember the days of Buba Marwa in Lagos.  He made cosmetic improvements in Lagos and improved security by creating Operation Sweep and before we knew it he became very popular.  People loved him even though they hated the military.

There are examples of societies who jump started themselves with technocracies.  Nonetheless, I still believe that democracy offers the best option for the smooth transition of power.  For a democracy to work effectively, we need an informed and educated electorate.  We currently have millions of voting age citizens who cannot read and write.  In addition, we have schools that are not educating our children; and up North, we have millions of children being educated under a system that is based primarily on memorizing a religious text.  This gives us citizens who are ignorant, sentimental, and short sighted.  This is reflected in the leaders that we elect as well as the state of our country.  These things need to be corrected before our democracy can thrive.