₦airaland Forum

Starting from the first comment on this thread, one would notice that the longer it goes, the more sensible its becoming.
Redman44, fheehmmmy, stagger, are.t.c are making my day.
Cyclone, dont mind the "tribal stunt", they just want to force your hand.

Now, the question that should always come first when we are "jaw-ing" a social problem of this sort is:
HOW DID THE PROBLEM COME TO BE? CAUSATIVE EFFECT?? if we remove the "cause", we remove the "curse"
POVERTY! POVERTY!! POVERTY!!!

Back up to 1983, l doubt if there was "commercial cycling" in Lagos? Certainly not in the 70's!
So, how did we "progress" from being car riders to Okada-riders, and then to "Keke-Maruuwa"?

Development, right?
Having said that, l noticed that a few people made comparisons with Canada and some advanced countries!?
For those, l am sure you all knew what you went through to get your "Provisional license" (even if you want to drive a MOPED), ordinary Provisional o!
Not to mention your "Full License

So, Education and Regulation are the major factors.

Now, to the issue of alternatives: As long as there is the NEED for OKADA, a hundred laws will only last a hundred hours and its bye-bye, Okad will always reign

I am an advocate of tackling the "cause" rather than treating the "symptom"

Long and short of my story is that, if l were the Guv'nors advisers, l will as "Broos" tolet us hasten effort on building a "light-Rail" system (hop-on, hop-off like the one Jakande abandoned at Yaba Terminus) that meanders through the city.

Why would l risk my life on OKADA when the Light -Rail is more confy, faster, cheaper, safer and wont get me wet on a rainy day?
Okada business would simply become extinct,
, and the "Thieves" that use them to rob will simply stand-out like a sore thumb (shoot them!).

Life is easy. Living is even easier!
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@obcmag

Every day for the landlord one day for the helpless tenant.

Who wants to be a "helpless Tenant"? Raise of ur hands

Since "everyday" is more like it, l want to be a LANDLORD-U Ooooooooooo!

Lastpage.

Larez,
hope u doing good?
just looking out after u

@debosky

I hope the security agencies are acting on the information, that is what you can really hope for in this instance. Stick to your reliable rice agents if you can and resist patronising every rice joint around the corner.

De-bos-ky!, U too like "EVIDENCE" , abi u be "HOoohh-Ceeee"?, wetin u carry sef?

If l should ask, do you want me to go and buy one "Muudu" of rice at that "shine-shine" electronics Plaza in Lekki?

The only reliable "Rice Agent" around "my corner" (for the last ten years!) is Nnemeka (we call him "Nne-wonder"  ),
and he is as reliable as 6am-11pm, as long as you "show him the money" 
Not even Poison Rice would make me change patronage, but l an sure 'Nne-wonder' can not do me waayo!,

Eehwooh! , except someone shows him "the money", a very tempting size! 

My Igbo people are so industrious, 98% of the "around the corner" in my neck of woods are Iyke, Chukwu, Osondu, Igwe, e.t.c

Father, lead them not into temptation and deliver 'all of us' from Evil!

Chineeke-leeh!, walaahi, l dey crase no be small, abeg dont mind me jare. (just messing)

Lastpage.

BTW: Bruvda 'Had-one', accept my sympathies (with evidence, ala debosky!).
Can l suggest you take Madam for a medical check-up, as per your "hand-work" in "customizing her" from a sleek BMW, into a "Hummer off-road, 4X4"  , what "men" can do sha?!
Just to be on the safe-side.
Cheers

@nethacker,

Gtbank Token was heavily subsidised(to a mere 2,500) to ensure it's affordability.Believe me, the cost incurred in ensuring a 3rd party transfer security device that guanrantees fast,highly secure and convenient way for transfers via the internet banking platform is way higher than the 2,500 price tag on it.

I suspected from day-one, that you're an I.T geek in GTB!.
Been one myself for close to 10yrs in the I.T./Systems group but resigned almost five years ago, to take on other challenges.
Banking is good, especially for an I.T "professional" (l was sent on training to I.B.M in S/Africa, U.K and later U.S during the rush for change of banking software in the 2000-2001 period when we had to change to Phoenix banking software (some chose flexcube and First Bank remained on BankMaster, back then) and upgrade our Servers to the IBM RS 9000 series!, the pay is also good but the stress (when Server or Network decides to act-up), na die    

You know what, are you sure about the 2500 price-tag on the Hardware token?
One of mine still got debited #3000 for it today-today, at your branch, at Alagomeji-Yaba.

And as I.T folks, we both know what's in a 'Token', no better than a serialized, synchronized (to account number) random number generator storage   , does that warrant #3000? (20% 0f some peoples monthly salary))

Ask your friends who are abroad, if the bank, at its own behest introduces such device, they simply post it to your address without charging you a dime! But GTB is forcing it on us and making us pay for it (who even negotiated that amount on our (customer) behalf,, YOU? 

All the above notwithstanding, l am and will remain a loyal customer of GTB, been with them since 2001.
I should mention a few "nice and customer friendly staff" l have come into contact with (to encourage them to be more customer friendly and to let them know that we the customers, appreciate "their efforts", even when they still get paid for doing their job! )
Omolara Kehinde, Roseline Nwanmoh, Ife (Alagomeji branch), Bukola Oduwole, Obiagelli Etteh, Lamide (Plaza till 2007/, Victor (Internet-banking), Lemboye (complaints desk)  Tell dem we dey "hail" for inside Nairaland O!

This guys have made my day at one time or the other (appreciate), though they might not see this and if they do, they wont ever know my identity  but am sure, someone else would have noticed them too.

Emmmm,,  "nethacker" since thats just your internet handle, l would have recommended you for the Corporate Group (image makers, since thats what you've been doing over here! ) but no one knows your real name except IFE (is he the IFE @alagomeji branch?)
Tell your folks in the office that their is a big reward, aside the pay, in doing their work diligently, and with a smile, even a "plastic smile"!

At least you have seen the poll over here, even if 'your likes' have introduced "error" into it

Cheers,
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@Omar22

Having a distinction in English Language doesn’t mean you are more equipped to be a speaker in the house of parliament, and then you mentioned pronunciation; well know so practically you’re saying that an Indian with an Indian accent would be at disadvantage because he/she couldn’t pronounce a word with the queens accent. This is another draw back on the Nigerian economy and an increase of unemployment. Tell me which role does English language play when securing an engineering position, or an analyst or an accountant?

You have a way with "comparing Oranges with Apples" sha!
We are talking about "doing well, whatever is worth doing at all"!
This is not about the comatose, Nigerian 'political abracadabra'!! Its only in a depraved environment like ours, that you hear people "chorusing" 'Grammar no be money"!, Wetin be money?, Looting and Yahoozee??

This is about speaking/writing "good and correct English" 

I would suggest you write your C.V in Yoruba or Hausa, and take that your Engineering Analysis or Chartered Accounting Exam in Igbo language and lets see "how far you'd go"!  
A C.V is your first contact with a potential employer, for those versed in human capital recruitment, they can easily identify a sloppy, shady or completely run-of-the-mill candidate form your C.V. presentation, why else do we even make a C.V in the first place?
Your National Language is your National language, you're free to change it to PIDGIN if you want, but whatever it is, you must be "excellent" in it. No story.
A Chinese or Indian might speak and write poor English but test him on his "National Language" (Chinese or Indian Language) and you will get my drift.

I live in England, the best person gets the Job and not the person who could waffle his way through a job interview,

Again, another "Orange and Apple comparison"!
Am sure you're aware that too many people on this site also live in England so, its not an issue
Do they "waffle through" an interview in England? Not to my knowledge!

If a Polish man applies for a Plumbing job in England and he has the skills and the certification, he will get the job over a well-spoken Nigerian or even Briton (who does not posses the skill and Cert) but he got it because he met the "requirements" ----- its called COMPETENCY.

As a first language, as an "official language", Nigerians, (especially in Nigeria) are also expected to have COMPETENCY in ENGLISH.
That's one of the reasons people are asked to pass "TOEFL exams" before being given certain privileges in England, and such requirement is "waived" for some other nationals whose "first and official language" is not English.
Maybe you would suggest to British authorities that "Grammar no be money, please waive the damn requirement jooo" 

Ma bruvda, l agree that we have neglected the other important aspect of education which is "core technical skill" in our chosen vocations BUT it should not be at the expense of "quality, spoken and written English", both must go together for a complete education

Thank you and hope you're prepared for tomorrows temperature @31 degrees centigrade?
Cheers,
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BTW: @Ajanlekoko

I can't believe people are actually debating this! Shocked Shocked

Nigeria's official language of instruction is English. We didn't study in Yoruba or Hausa.

IMHO if anyone can't properly write a CV or cover letter in English, then they don't deserve a job.

Ma Bruvda, abeg TOLD them o! 

@nethacker

please who specifically in ilupeju branch?reach me on  val2rhyme[b]@yahoo.com[/b] , pleaseeeee

I have taken up this issue with Mr. Lemboye (CSU, H/office), officially using the GTBank official web address and l would leave it at that for now.

By the way, l was expecting you would use your "xyz.abc[b]@gtbank.com[/b]" e-mail for such official matters, wetin be this "yahoo-yahoo" thingy?
Hmmmmm, Me no trust "yahoozee" that much o!

Just joking, No disrespects and thanks for the offer.

While doing my NYSC, my landlady (she has three mature, fine gaals ) is always locking the gate as early as 9pm and usually locks me out!

Now, isn't that WICKEDNESS?

I finally confronted her one Saturday morning after being locked out (and l was not owing rents!).
She proceeded to lecture me about "staying out late" and that what l am LOOKING FOR OUTSIDE IS RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE IN THE COMPOUND!
Hmmm, aaahh, now l see

Now, isn't she SOOO NICE?, , l could call her an ANGEL

By the way, we became friends thereafter!

Seriously, pray NEVER-EVER to meet one of dem "witch-landlady", l bet you would tell a different story!

@Poster, l can feel you, l know what you going through. Pray you would find an alternative soonest.

LAstpage

This thread has lost its meaning!
Its been hijacked by "self-interest" of some banks-staff, with their dubious hiding behind computer screen to praise their bank to high heavens!

The thread was meant only for "customers" to evaluate and give their opinions, not some job-seeking Youth-Corper or some staff like "nethacker" to come and clandestinely infiltrate opinions in the favor of their employer!

Having said that, as a customer with accounts in GTB, ZENITH, UBA and FIRST BANK, out of these four, UBA is the worst, in terms of rip-off charges and customer service.
There was this day l was at the Obalende immigration office for my Passport renewal and had some "waiting-time" on my hands. I decided to use the opportunity to withdraw money from UBA branch at the Passport office, at Obalende. They told me they only accept cash and fair enough, l proceeded to the one at the Obalende B/stop (My account is domiciled in V/I).

Now, l was told that they would charge me some hefty percentage (and it was a huge amount l was withdrawing) for UP-COUNTRY withdrawal!
Now, in-case you've not noticed, the "Up-country" is between Victoria Island branch and Obalende branch (less than 10km away)!!
To cut a long and annoying story short, l thanked them for their "services", took my time and came back the next day.
I CLEANED MY ACCOUNT and left some #30,000 naira emergency fund for them to play with. It's been almost a year now and l dont even bother to check the account anymore.

I should also mention that l find it funny that Nigerian banks, including GTB are charging us horrendously for acquisition of "Their TOKEN"?
Why must we be charged for every technology-implementation that the bank does?
These things are done to secure transactions and make their job easier, and for these we already pay "bank charges" and they also use our money to "create wealth" for themselves through "loans and financing", WHY CHARGE US AGAIN FOR SOMETHING AS BASIC AS TOKEN?

I would still rate GTBank customer service highest and let no man deceive himself, a lot of staff at the "back office" also deserve credit since if not for their efficiency, that "Customer Service" can easily become "Customer horror"!

Finally, please let those GTB staff lurking around here tell their Managers to instruct their Ilupeju branch to stop harassing customers over use of Mobile phone in the banking hall, its an OUTDATED DIRECTIVE.

In summary:
Long term safety of funds: First Bank
Efficiency                          : GTB/ZENITH
Customer Service             : GTB
Obnoxious charges and bad manners: UBA

I dont want to go into "staff appearance" since this is closely tied to how much the bank pays its staff but First bank staff should either wear well-made Suits or wear" Buba and Shokoto", in the alternative!
Looking like a scare-crow just for the sake of wearing a Suit is a dis-service to Corporate dressing!
Pay your staff some sizable dressing allowance, abeg, First Bank,

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@Omar22

NO NO NO

Its an ability, far from a Skill


An ability to speak it fluently
An ability to read it,


So if English Language is a skill, then Hausa language is also a skill.

Omar22,
Without going into too much details;
English language has more than one part, fluent speech is just one!

Grammatical correctness is another. Tenses, Nuances, Pronunciation, e.t.c. are just some other parts!

The "ability" to master the various parts, is what constitutes "A SKILL".

You can be fluent (like most of those "Aje-butter", many of them actually fail use of English at WAEC level, so you see? ) and still be woeful when it comes to English language skills.

My humble contribution.
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@Micheal jackson

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways, yeah
(Change)
No message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
'Cause when you close your heart
(You can't close your, your mind)
Then you close your mind

Question is: Did he look at himself in the Mirror?
Did he make the change while he still had the Time?

The rest as they say, is now HISTORY!

A lesson for all of us.
MAKE that Change, while you still have the Time

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@MUZBO

@chuckvyl, I disagree that our local languages be used to teach science. How would you for example describe acceleration due to gravity in Yoruba or in your language. The English, Greeks and all discovered these things and did extensive work on them so it is easier learning it in that original language. If we discovered it ourselves then your suggestion will work well. Anyway, if it will make you feel better, we can use Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa to teach yahoozee. We didn't even discover it but we've done extensive work on it. MAGA don enter Nigerian diction, very soon hin fit enter English dictionary.

Indulge me a bit, the "highlighted parts" refers.

I am Yoruba, so l will use Yoruba as an example: (dont expect a word-4-word conversion, it does not work that way, the crux of any translation is to convey the "same and exact" meaning of what is being translated)

Acceleration due to gravity equals 10m/s.   (in Yoruba)  =}  ἳpèlé i'sáré okùn-fà wáálè, jéé Ộgbờn'ἲgứnpá níí ìséjú 'akán


Explanation:          Word                                   meaning                
                             ἳpèlé                                   increase
                             i'sáré                                  Speed/motion
                             okùn-fà’wáálè                    downward pull
                             jéé                                      equals
                            Ộgbờn ἲgứnpá                     30 feet (10m = 30feet)
                            níí ìséjú 'akán                      per one second (the blink of an eye of a crab, go measure it!  )

Read as "the increase in speed (acceleration) caused by the downward pull (gravity) is 30ft/second (or 10m/s)"
                             
Think about it, If there is a Yoruba Bible, Igbo Bible, e.t.c, originally in English, The "Samuel Ajayi Crowthers of this world are still capable of repeating the feat, we only need to do EXTENSIVE WORK ON IT!

Lets put "our Money where our Mouth is".
"Impossible" is only found in the bosom of the weaklings".
We're a gifted people, where there is a will, there is a way.
I say YES WE CAN.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As per poor nuances and "grammatical bombs" among our graduates,
it's a reflection of the gradual rot in our educational system, which in turn, is a small part (microcosm) of our larger society.
Like a fish, if the head is rotten, what do you expect of the other parts?

Not that the Americans and Europeans are way better, as a matter of fact, they use to wonder when they hear a Nigerian speak flawless English, far better than the sloppy ones they speak since 'we learn it' while 'they grew-up' with it!

My Parents could write and speak impeccable English and from "yaaro", we've all been taught the importance of good diction (I remember when l was in "form 2" of secondary school and some "seniors" would bully me, taking advantage of my diminutive appearance and l would go to lay a complaint in the staff room. Even when l am in the wrong (it is forbidden for "juniors" to walk across a "senior class" in the good old days ), l usually sway the teachers to my side and get the seniors punished because my spoken English was just too much for the lousy seniors to match and l usually exaggerate and do a few fabrications which are only possible if you have a good command of the language! It usually leave the seniors stumping mad!! ). I still have my "Best Student in English" Prize-Cert, for my WAEC exams

In summary, good command of the language is definitely a plus and could just separate the "men from the boys", when the chips are down.

Best way to improve your command of the language:
*Read voraciously (l do read any kind of paper wrappings, even popcorn and groundnut paper wrappings) like you're on a mission. Novels, comic books, Newspapers, e.t.c
*If you meet new words, use your dictionary and learn the different parts of speech of that word and their usage
*make it a pastime to identify and correct the error in the 'tenses' of others (not to their face o!)
*Cultivate good pronunciation, like some "Aje-butter", even if you are a "ghetto product" like me
* Be wary of adopting the "spellings of Phone text" in daily communications, it will bastardize your overall English! ( i knw tex dey cos moni wel wel! )
*Finally, pick up your pen and write letters (love letters inclusive) to everyone you care about (now you know why my posts are usually very lengthy, right? its an addiction)

Hmmm, l don nearly turn 2lecturer!

Chamotex, that your video is a killer!
U wan kill parson with lafter?
Now, l know that "Nigeria's Got Talent!"

Back to the issue of the day, my Niaja bruvdas, this thread asked for us to "Name our Favorite/best M.J song"

I know there is "Good, Better and Best", like we're taught in primary school!

How come some people, listed two, three or seven songs as their "BEST SONG"! IMPOSSICANT!!

Na wa o! some people go fail WAEC o, even seven times!
l dey tok my own jeje now o,

For me, its "they dont really care about us".

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Okokomeji and BigBro:

I know u guys are angry with each other (and l can understand that) but your anger is not directed where it matters most.
I will suggest both of you "dignify each other with silence", if you can not forgive each other, for now.

Public forum like this deserves some measure of decorum but like l said, we all get angry, once in a while and say bad things in the heat of the moment.

Sheath your swords and lets move on.

Nigeria's woes are not caused by "The Nationalities", they are caused by individuals, from all the nationalities (Igbo,Yoruba, Hausa, e.t.c)

Thanks to the 2'aya

@Papaejima

THANKS @microgiant and @lastpage.am an igbo man,

You welcome ma bruvda, but henceforth, though l am Yoruba by Parentage, WE ARE NIGERIANS!
No more Yoruba or Igbo or Hausa or any of the smaller nationalities,
As long as you're Nigerian, YOU ARE NIGERIAN.

@TheSeeker

What you can't see doesn't kill you.

like "stray bullet", right? or "Swine Flu", abi? 

Am sure you said the above, metaphorically?

But you would agree that some pips might take it as gospel truth.
Bottom line, its FALSE & MISLEADING.

Now, according to NAFDAC official,

A National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) official, who also craved anonymity, said that a certain rice from Asia with label number LL62 should be avoided by the public, stressing that NAFDAC would soon come out officially to enlighten Nigerians on the matter.

This is another "Nigerian joke", right? 
Anyone that has ever gone to Kano, Onithsa, Oshodi, Ibadan or any of the local markets scattered all over the country knows that they sell in Tomato-tins and small milk-tin containers. Has anyone ever seen one of those "containers" containing the "LABEL or NAME" of the bag of rice, from which the ones sold in retail, are derived from? 

Maybe these incompetent officials, who dont know their left from their right, want 3million people to die first (since the rice is already being consumed by citizens, from the reports we are getting), before they will come out with their belated advisory!
This is what we mean, when we quarrel with "blind people" trying to lead "sighted people".
Poor folks on Niaraland like us, even know better!

Just confiscate the rice, anywhere you can find it (in doing so, try get information about "where and from whom" they bought it,  under the promise of compensation ) and burn it. End of story.

Nigeria, we hail thee!
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@bestvera

na wa oooooooo, igbo people, d china product never do, now na food.

I am not of Igbo extraction but the last time l checked, the bulletin did not mention the tribe of the bad businessmen so, why assume they are "Igbo people"?

Moreover, each tribe has its own "small percentage" of black sheep, like those bad children that bring insult and disrepute to their fathers name!

It is widely accepted that only "Ignoramus" use a "wide brush" to paint a whole nationality, based on the observed bad behavior of a few of them.
PLS LAY-OFF.

@theblessed

If he hasn't got any thing to do, why don't he join the ARMY and serve his country as his father did though,

Aaaah! that is even worse, he will certainly plan a subversive coup!
Like father,, Like son, or no be so dem tok am?

Meanwhile, lets fashi de chap for now. Like Israel spending 40yrs in da wilderness, all is written so that the scripture could be fulfilled.
Maybe Nigeria is in its own 100yrs of wilderness!

I am about to say "you people are unpatriotic", talking about our country like this!
You know, l have this carry-over from another thread that dealt with how "Emirates Airline" issued one damaging Travel alert about Nigeria.
this is the link:  https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-281973.0.html

Now, do me a favor by comparing what people said about our country, why others criticize such pronouncements and the "reality on ground" as reflected in this thread about Muhammed Abacha. The verdict is the peoples.

1. Who is Mohammed Abacha? Apart from the fact that his Papa was the twin brother of the gap-toothed, evil genius and Abacha himself is called the "goggled one"   ,
what has Mohammed "achieved" in his life time to warrant being celebrated as a Governor-in-waiting?

2. From feelers in the story, you can bet "he has already won", this is the Nigeria we are supposed to be blindly defending!

3. Where-else can he realize his ambition as "Public leader"  if not in Nigeria, and if not in PDP, and if not under Yar'Ardua? Mind you, l have no personal grudge with him or his ambition, my grudge is with the "Nigerian system" that "celebrates mediocrity" and "glorify corruption". I even wish him to become the President sef  

4. What has Mohammed Abacha got to offer? Remove the "inherited loot" from our national treasury, strip him of that stolen money and tell me what is left of the man? Nothing, apart from his language!
So, its all about the MONEY!  

Now that the "family of thieves" in PDP are going to roll out the Red-Carpet for him, tell me how a young man in his formative years, watching the unfolding scenario, would not think the best route to success and becoming a national celebrity in Nigeria, is through STEALING AND TREASURY LOOTING?

There lies our problem as a nation.   MY PEOPLE!!!!!! MY PEOPLE!!!!!!! Hmmmmm, l hail o.
And mind you, its the same "suffering Nigerians" that would dance and roll-over themselves, even kill themselves to "select, rig or elect" this man into public office  


I just hope Emirates does not add this one and the "6000 Tonnes of poison Rice" to their "Travel alert".

BTW: Can we confer a national title on this aspiring young man?
Emmm, Muhammed Abacha ( Phd., GCON, MPSS, bla-bla-bla) is more like it. ,

@Ndipe
I am so very proud of you that I want to reach through my screen and hug you.

        , in that order! (lol)
Appreciate & thanks for the vote of confidence.

lastpage
BTW: Do you use a "touch-screen"? If 'yes' please go ahead and touch me
I'll feel you over here!

Greeting Rossike,
Indulge me to respond to your post, especially the part below.

And I thank my Liberian friend for showing me the truth, ie, a that a man who rubbishes his country before foreigners, or otherwise accepts such rubbishing of his home nation by foreign nationals, is ignorant, stupid, and thoughtless.

I want to highlight that
1. Truth is Truth, , like FACTS, they can not be wished away, even with the best P.R machine in the world.
2. Former Prez Obasanjo spent a huge sum of money, using an "Oyinbo P.R company", to launder Nigeria's image and yet the image refused to IMPROVE! A good product as they say, needs no HARD SELL
3. There is a saying that "if and when the Britons complain about Britain, it is not in the place of foreigners (sic) to join in!
4. To solve a problem, a real one, as opposed to an image(inary) one, one must first identify and "acknowledge" the existence of such problem, Problem identified is problem half-solved.
5. Discussing between ourselves, as we do on our "homepage here" is different with discussing with a foreigner or 3rd party.
We can afford to call a spade, a spade, to ourselves.
With a foreigner, we may get defensive like your Liberian friend, though you would agree with me that his "spirited defense" did not change the "facts on ground" in Liberia; we saw it on TV, in Films, in documentaries and they are documented for life.

Finally, since we all want a good country, not just a good image for our dear country, and we all recognize that there are many areas of our national life that needs improvement (did you read the thread about the Nigerian businessmen that diverted toxic rice rejected by Sierra Leaone's Govt, to Nigeria, his country, to be fed to his people?)
the very important question is therefore HOW TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED GOODNESS/ IMAGE.

And in answering this question, the key procedure revolves around whether we should:
(a) Put the Cart before the horse (correct the image using P.R mechanisms and Propaganda , and come for the negative behavior after-wards)
(b) Put the Horse first, before the cart (correct our negative behavior first and image (is nothing:7up!) will adjust automatically thereafter.
(c) try to do both at the same time . (Cart and Horse side-by-side!  ). correct our negative behavior while at the same time, use P.R and propaganda to accelerate the perception.

option (c) would be most attractive in any normal circumstance but when it comes to "entrenched" negative tendencies as we have now, it is easier to get value-for-money by starting with our "behavior".

Example, I see Zenith Bank and a few other Nigerian Banks on CNN and other foreign media.
Assuming[b] that the banks are un-networked, un-computerized, no ATM and their staff are shabby and discourteous, do [/b]you think all the CNN of this world and all "positive self review", would make a foreigner who have experienced online- banking and ATM facilities in some other countries, open an account with them? (option a).

Nigerian banks took the route of option(b): they "improved first" and now used P.R and propaganda to "maximized" the benefits of such improvement.
Behavior does not change over night as you said, and it would not even change in the next twenty years if we dont start now and if we keep glorifying sudden wealth, corruption, especially in govt.
If it takes the "embarrassment" we get to make people sit-up and change, then so be it.
Once changed, no more embarrassment.
A failure is only a failure if and when he keeps failing. Pass once and that tag is behind you.

Just my "thoughtful view".
lastpage

@sssob: so the idiots in sierra leone are not unscrupulous abi, two theives, their own authorities are not shady too abi, why will they allow such to leave their country , why didnt they destroy it if the are not unscrupulous ,

Sssob,
Good question, wrong reason.
l think this is how it works:
U1. .N donates Rice to country A (Sierra leaone) and contract its shipping to that country to a private company.
2. Ship stays too long on the water, or gets leaky and rice gets wet, mouldy and contaminated.
Country A refuses to accept Rice , says "return it" and asked that it not be discharged at all, in their Wharf, knowing Rice have a way of growing legs, in Africa
3. Shipping company can take Rice back to U.N warehouse somewhere in Europe (who pays for that trip?)
4. U.N does not want to take "useless" Rice back for destruction, or pay for return trip of useless rice (right thing except where shipping agreement says Shipper must destroy in event of "insurable loss"
5. Shipper (not Sierra leonian) finds a way to avoid return trip and disposal cost.
6. Bad shipper meets a bad "African" (my Naija brother ) who opt to pay him a small fee to drop-off the rice on his way back! Bad shipper is surprised he can make a profit on this seeming loss!
7. Naija businessman arranges with his blokes at those rice market all over Naija (especially Lagos) and deal is struck, for half price "we would clear the whole ship" (I can see/imagine them fighting over who will buy the whole ship-load )
8. Now that those useless NSA have blown "yaawa", need to re-strategize: Lets face Cotonou and re-bag it there as "American long Grain" or "Aunty Benz"

All the S.L people did was to protect their people by rejecting the rice and ensuring that it was adequately turned away and monitored away from their shores.
Whoever then allows it to come on their shores can not shift the blame to them;
it just shows how much premium each government places on their people!.

Now, for a second, imagine that the S.L people have "announced" that Agencies should "beware" of an incoming toxic rice, and not identify, pilot and re-direct the Rice away (as we're doing), where do you think the rice would be now? S.L of course
Whichever Govt accepts and destroy the Rice (before it destroys million of lives), and jails the perpetrators, is the real hero-government. Am sure that would be Nigerian Govt

Ndipe,
I know try? How many Nigerians can speak a "foreign language" of where they served, after all these years.
All the same, you are right, l muddled it up a bit
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On the 10% commission that Agents charge and the Non-refundable "deposit" palaver, (both registered and unregistered), Govt needs to look into it properly.

Agents perform a "service" and they should be paid for it.

But a situation where unemployed, untrained, unregistered, unlicensed and people without the slightest knowledge of what "property management" entails, simply because of "easy-money", all scurry around the neighborhood looking for houses that are vacant and they then "INSTALL" themselves as "Agent" over such vacancy, and demand 10% of total amount paid, as commission, is worse than armed robbery!

Pertinent questions are:
1. Who is an Agent?
2. What qualifies anyone to call himself an Agent?
3. What and where are the regulatory framework covering Housing Agency
4. What are the laid down process for redress when disputes arise between an Agent and the contracting party?
5. How can we prevent "Mafiarism" in the Agency business

Years back, l have witnessed when an "Agent" came to my Mum's house (we had a small notice outside advertising a vacant Apartment) and "marketed" himself for my Mum to allow him bring tenants for the vacancy and he vowed he would treble what she can get for it. (thats the carrot!)
Being who she is, my Mum chased him away saying its not all about the money, (since we the children have to "approve" any new tenants she would rent to: we stood a few feet away while they negotiate and it could just be that we think you would be a trouble maker or unkempt, such crude and childish analysis, but you can bet that once we dont jell with you, the house wont be given to you ) she also wants someone that values the property and her peace of mind.

Nowadays, Landlords are very greedy and these Area-boyz touts-turned-"House-Agents" have cashed-in on their greediness.  At times you have about ten touts claiming to be Agents for a single room! You have to "Register with each one, with some amount".
Some of them dont even have access to any property but trick the desperate tenant-to-be into parting with "registration fee" and then end up taking you on some wild-goose-chase all over Lagos! Such "scammers" should end up in jail.

Now, if a Landlord so choose to have an 'Agent' market his house for him, such landlord should pay the Agent  since it is a contract between them.
But we have Agents now who insist that you pay them before they even show you  where a vacant house is (do you call that a service worth the 10%?). At the end of the day, they collect 10% from Tenant and then from Landlord.

It is these Agents that "fix" the non-refundable deposit (free money) that the Landlord gets and l  believe that is WHY the Landlord-Agent "Mafiarism" still thrives.  Its nothing but PRICE-FIXING and its a criminal offense.

This is where Governor Fashola should start from.
Advance rent issue will follow when we take care of the "infrastructure" NEEDED to make it work.

My suggestions:
1. All Agents must be trained, registered, licensed (renewable every 3yrs) and have an office of operation.

2. Only the Landlord should pay the Agent, if he wants to let his house through an Agent

3. "Agency commission" should be negotiable, agreed and binding on the contracting parties

4. Government must institute an "Ombudsman" type of body comprising of Tenants, Agents, Landlords and Government Representatives, empowered by law,  to arbitrate on House-Rent issues.

5. Government should encourage the formation of non-profit Tenancy-Protection bodies that would educate and challenge abuse on behalf of Tenants and Landlords

6. Nigerians should come together and form "online buying and selling" websites that cater specifically for Rent, letting, Selling of houses/Property in general. Its should be free for public use and income should be from traffic/advert placed on the site (Like Nairaland  ) That way, most transactions that dont need Agency can take place without being forced to go through an Agent. The "real" Agents have a real business model and would not be negatively affected.

7. Finally "Price-fixing" laws should enacted and enforced. Its a very bad canker-worm in our society, it happens daily, at Bus-stops (Agberoo), commodities markets (Union price), even in neighborhoods where Pepper-Grinders fix price through unions! . Unionism is NOT about Price-fixing, get it?

I got to stop here, others can take it up from there.
Lastpage

BTW: am also a landlord and that lump-sum Deposit is easy money  , BUT what is wrong is wrong. IT IS WRONG!

I thank all folks on this thread, both "for" and "against".
We learn by doing "healthy" debates on issues.
I noticed we all condemn the use of "excessive force" on offenders.
The question, as l see it, lies in the DEFINITION and CONTEXT of that word.

I will put forward my position on these two phrases but will avoid the "big grammar" syndrome but rather use analogy to explain

1. Definition: for every offense, there are stipulated punishments/penalties. Punishments are not initiated or put in place to dehumanize or to be punitive, they are meant to CORRECT a negative behavior in a manner that the offender would "see" where he/she went wrong and adjust to desirable patterns.
compare this position with when an (your) 8yr old child offends; maybe he took money without permission (steal) and you need to spank her; some will use horse-whip, some smack and some use "verbal dress-down", some are known to cut the child's skin and put hot pepper! some will flog the child until they themselves are feeling tired!
You will agree with me that in at least one of this example, the punishment is excessive. That is how l see and define "excessive punishment" even when it is necessary.
Bottom-line is the "Punishment does not fit the crime and the offender can not learn 'the lesson' under such circumstance"

2. Context: Punishment can also be 'contextual' by looking at the circumstances surrounding the committing of the offense for which punishment is being dished-out.
Using the same example of an 8yr old child above, let us make two "assumptions" to put it into context:
(a) The child has not been fed the whole day, hungry and stole #20 to buy a plate of rice.
(b) The child was well fed and provided for but still stole the #20 and used it to buy Banga/knockout

In both cases, an offense has been committed: STEALING
There is a punishment for stealing but as a parent, (my view), the child in scenario (a) if punished, is actually facing "injustice" , and the "severity" of the punishment should be less, compared to child (b).
So, in dishing out punishment, you can "verbally tongue-lash" child (a) and let him know why stealing is wrong, bearing in mind that she was "driven to it", and thus the reduction in punishment.
Child (b) can be smacked and after-wards, sat down and calmly explained to, why she should not steal.

In both cases, the aim is NOT TO ALIENATE the child so that she can see REASON.
Punishment without making provision for the offender to see WHY she needs to be punished and why she needs to change her ways, as in this case (my hypothetical example), is called "Child -abuse".
That is why some feel most Nigerians abuse their children, not because we dont love them but because in most cases, the punishment is "excessive" and its the punishment, not the lesson that is emphasized.

This is how "Definition and Context" can be applied to those who were "disobedient of the law" at Computer village and the justification to use "HORSE-WHIP" on them. I hope l have been able to shed light on it.

By the way some punishment are deemed "primitive" and are thought to exhibit the animal instincts in humans!
Like putting Car-Tyre around the neck of a thief and roasting him alive! Aaaha, wetin?
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Quote from: lastpage on Yesterday at 12:33:21 AM
For folks who think it is okay to use horse-whip on Traders because they did not do environmental sanitation, well, ,
the only thing l can say of such people is that "you're who you say you are".
If their self-esteem and self prestige is very low, (something to do with upbringing and the environment under which they grew up), there is nothing "lastpage" can do about it.
I still feel it is wrong to use Horse-whip on humans

@Biina
Nobody has said it is right for the police to whip anybody indiscriminately, but like anywhere else in the world, if you obstruct the enforcement of law, the police have the right to use appropriate force to deal with the hindrance, be it batons, horsewhips, tazers, or hollow point bullets.

Name five developed countries where they still use HORSE-WHIP to flog protesting citizens whose means of livelihood is under threat and bear in mind that the "market" is situated in and among residential buildings (residents might protest closure of private property!)

@Biiina "As for the gutter language, you are free to express yourself in any manner you deem fit.

You're wrong, l am not free to express myself in gutter language, on a public forum.
As a matter of fact, the kind of upbringing my parents imparted in me while growing up, would not allow me do so, and l know it is wrong to do so.
Moreover, l would not "depreciate and degenerate" to that level, as a "thorough born and bred".
It is considered that only those who can not properly articulate their positions, in a discussion, result to foul language.

The importance of "maintaining decorum" in public discussions, can not be over-emphasized.
I salute you.

Why cant the govt employ people (and pay them) to sweep the place at night instead of accusing the traders of not sweeping? Are they at the Computer village to sweep  or is a cleaner not different from a Sales person or computer engineer?
@AloyEmeka
Lastpage, i don't think it's appropriate for the govt to pay for sweepers in a market where majority of the traders pay no taxes. is it appropriate to use workers taxes to pay for their services?. rather, i will suggest the govt hire cleaners and impose levies on them if they can't come together to pay for cleaning. Traders in Onitsha contribute maintenance fees that pays for night security, cleaning and all other official duties. If Fashola provides such services for them, then the banks should request for the govt to send cleaners to their banks on tax payers money.  My agro is the method they used to close the market. No human rights in Nigeria, police or army can stop you at ogba and wallop you till they get tired and you still thank them on top because they didn't shoot you. is that right?

What am saying is this:
There is division of labour. Everybody has a job, some are sweepers, some are teachers, some are mechanics, some are bankers, e.t.c
, and l am working under the assumption/impression that the guys at the Village MUST pay tax to the govt. If they are not paying now, the govt should make effort to document them for tax purposes.
Now, if l am not a cleaner, l should not clean but rather pay a cleaner for such services, same goes if l am not a mechanic.
The govt should provides cleaner/sweepers, as they do with street cleaners in other parts of Lagos mainland, (its actually the responsibility of the local councils to employ cleaners for the environment) to clean the place regularly (thereby providing employment for some) while the beneficiaries of such cleaning activity pay for it either directly or through their taxation.
Jack of all trades they say, Master of none.
Some "services" are the responsibility of govt to provide (like electricity) while it is the duty of the citizens to pay (through tax or directly through a levy) for such services. Same goes for emptying our garbage bins.

On the issue of flogging with Horse-whip and using Tasser guns,
Tassers are designed to "immobilize" someone resisting arrest. Though some over-reacting officers might abuse its usage.
Horse-whip is horse-whip. Those that gave it that name are intelligent enough, based on its intended function, not to call it "human-whip",
of-course, humans have their own whips too, its called a cane (though the act of caning an errand child is becoming obsolete , proper upbringing might make it unnecessary for anyone to inflict corporal punishment on their children, except in exceptional circumstance).
Caning is/should be "corrective" in application except for some sadist parents that derive joy in inflicting pain on little children 

On the other hand, Horse-whip is designed for inflicting pain (we shouldn't correct our children or adults, with the sole intention of inflicting pain, should we?). Used to be used to force the horse to run faster but even now, Horses are no longer "Horse-whipped" to make them   run faster. A short, light tapping accessory is used!  

For folks who think it is okay to use horse-whip on Traders because they did not do environmental sanitation, well, ,
the only thing l can say of such people is that "you're who you say you are".
If their self-esteem and self prestige is very low, (something to do with upbringing and the environment under which they grew up), there is nothing "lastpage" can do about it.
I still feel it is wrong to use Horse-whip on humans

BTW:

As for you "Biina", l will ignore the last line of your comments towards me.
That should let you know that l am a very generous person and l am not intentionally insulting.
But be careful, (l am well grounded in "gutter language" if l need to dig it out),
next time might be very nasty!

@myg3

The rice was prob sent by all the people who have been robbed by Nigerians or who are tired of getitng 10-50 scam spam emails a day from you lazy bums.

Yay for Poisoned Rice! A dead Nigerian sends no spam.

So ALL NIGERIANS are lazy bums and u want all of them dead?
So Nigerians are THE ONLY ONES that send scam E-mails?

  and who THE HELL are you?
If you're a Nigerian then you "point-out your father's house with your "LEFT HAND", we all know what that signifies,  a fucking B*st*rd. (no be me manufacture that truism!)

On the other hand, if you are not a Nigerian, What do you want on this webby?
Nosing around spreading your hate and fouling the air with ya smelly mouth?

Either way, your comment was deeply offensive, insulting and it shows you level of ignorance!

I am not going to waste my time educating you on how to contribute to a serious and civil discussion, but l would strongly suggest you get an education, a real one and stop farting through your mouth. 

Haha, where was l before the "rude interruption"?

Government can still go ahead and alert the various Port agencies in neighboring countries, to be on the look-out for such rice.
The NSA can still redeem its image by even conducting a "sting-operation" by posing as buyers and offering to re-bag and sell the commodity so that when they have enough info on the perpetrators, BUST and into the Kirikiri, they go do the next twenty Christmas 

, and l hope NSA staffers themselves now "burn/destroy" the rice afterwards before one of them develop some brain-activity about doing a second "re-bag"! 
Aah, N-a-i-j-a aaaaaaaaa , l doff my cap

The INSINCERITY and WICKEDNESS of these government and its penchant for "noise-making" is on display again!

Pardon me but it is STUPID to [b]tell [/b]a thief that the Police has laid ambush for him at the end of 3rd Mainland bridge, he will simply pass other routes like the Eko Bridge or lekki-Maroko axis!

Since they had this much information about the shipment, that means they know:
1. Country of origin
2. The shipping Port in Sierra leone
3. Based on the 1. & 2. above, they can easily get the conveying Ship's 'details' like destination Port in Nigeria, and all the shipping documents
4. Based on 3., they can get the name of the Nigerian Business men involved and their addresses
5. Based on 4., they can pick-up the agent of death, here in Nigeria or even in Sierra leone
6. Using the Nigerian Navy and International Maritime technology, the ship can be impounded once it enters Nigerian waters or boarded even in international waters AND SUNK IMMEDIATELY.

But as usual, our empty-headed and inept leaders, haven probably primed themselves for the "BRIBE" that would be paid on account of these noise making, are getting themselves a ready-made excuse - WE RAISED THE ALARM O!- when Nigerians start dieing of the poisonous rice!

The warning to the security agencies to that effect is contained in a circular from the office of the NAS, captioned, “Freetown: Plans Underway to Divert Contaminated Rice to Nigeria” with reference number NSA/C/352/S dated June 3, 2009 and signed by Akingbolasan, S.A.

Imagine, this breach of 'information security', coming from the National Security Organization? In other countries, they would be sacked or forced to resign.
Remember recently, about a month ago when the Metropolitan Police Commissioner in U.K "unknowingly exposed" a file for an operation they were supposed to carry out, by displaying the contents of a page of the file, clutched to his chest? He resigned the next day.
End of story

His "Nigerian version" would probably think he has earned enough credentials to become the next President of the country!, slowpoke!!

Now that everyone is aware, the ship will berth on the high seas, the business men will bring the rice in, in trickles, using small boats and other "Nigerian business men" will buy it at #3,000/bag and sell at #10,000/bag!

All "business men" will be happy and Nigerians will die or be deformed in their millions !

Is this "how brilliant" our own FBI/CIA is? SHAME

Why are we Nigerians very EVIL BY NATURE?

if it is to arrest and torture innocent students and protesters or to burn, kill and rape in the Niger Delta, dem go sabi that one  

Now, l hope you see why the foreign Visa offices are always jam-packed?  

Eyin Oyinbo, e wa funmi ni Visa, Kin ma ku o, , e wa funmi ni Visa,            -Bembe Aladisa

Some Nigerians are so brutalized, dehumanized that it has become part and parcel of them!
It aint gonna make any difference to them if "HORSE WHIP" was meant for a horse and not a humanbeing!!

On one hand, you have an irresponsible govt that steals majority of the nations income by looting the treasury and as such, can not fulfill its social obligations (providing employment, benefits, electricity, health care, sound education, affordable housing, security of lives and property, e.t.c, things that are taken for granted in other countries) to its citizens and on the other hand, you have people who are desperate and hungry for eeking out a living.

You now use "Environmental" as an excuse to even deprive them of the "effort" they have made towards survival?
No wonder the level of violent armed robbery is always on the rise!

Why cant the govt employ people (and pay them) to sweep the place at night instead of accusing the traders of not sweeping? Are they at the Computer village to sweep or is a cleaner not different from a Sales person or computer engineer?
Some silly people are here justifying rubbish, mostly because they have never experienced "good governance" in their life time.
Cant blame them, its like "impossible" if l tell them that the Govt is supposed to be paying them for all those period they dont have a job or are job-hunting!

Before you take-away someones means of livelihood, you must be prepared to offer him AN ALTERNATIVE or continue to "assist" him with "survival payments" pending when he gets another job. Except you want to produce another "mad" armed robber.

It is this kind of "degrading mentality" that made Obasanjo to increase the price of fuel seven times in eight years, with nothing to show for it, even when crude prices were falling in the international market.:
Because some silly cow will come here and use some useless rationalization to justify all sorts of "inhuman (animal) abuse" on Nigerians.
Do some people know anything about "basic human right" at all?
Have some people learnt anything about Maslow's Pyramid of human needs before?
Have some numskull read an Economics textbook that distinguishes between human NEEDS and human WANTS, before?

Pls, if you can not contribute to civilized discussions, l would suggest you keep quiet instead of spraying offensive ideas on the internet.
it is criminal to use horse-whip on humans, whether they are offenders or not, okay, if they are Nigerians, its still acceptable, right?
Truly, "upbringing and environment" is what shapes human thinking.

If a whiteman sees you horse-whipping your citizens, what should they do to you, when you travel out?
DOUBLE THE HORSE WHIP, and even put pepper sef!

We have come to accept all sorts of animalistic tendencies from those in power and thats why thieves keep recycling themselves in government and Nigerians cant do a thing about it.

RICH COUNTRY, THIEVING RULERS, MUGUN CITIZENS = 6th WORLD COUNTRY!

@honeric01

@lastpage

Do i look like a signboard to you? or a minister of information? If you need such info, look around you, go around Nigeria and see for yourself,


Let me give you a tip,
compare 10 years ago with what we have now, maybe you might see reasons to disagree a bit with all the things you're being told about Nigeria.

Oh so its now that we ask you to put your money where your mouth is, that you're about asking "whether you look like a signboard?
Well, YOU SURE LOOK LIKE ONE!!

Definition of "signboard":
1. Can only display or relay that which was written on it.
2. Does not have the ability for independent thought!

See what YOU mean?

BTW: dont bother to reply this one, it might confirm the "signboard thingy"

@Ndipe

That's not Akwa Ibom.

Yes, its is. Means "my dear" in Ibibio.

Ma'abasi, l served my NYSC there, one whole good year so, l know what l am saying,
" Tan'kikor Ibibio, n'kopo m'akara!"
U dig that?

@Larez,
Ameey'an! ?(Greetings)
no problem with your suggestion.
if it helps a bruvda to advance his good course, the pleasure is mine then.
Cheers.

Okay, Emirates have said their own. Its the bad side that concerns them since they have to protect their clients.

Can we "NIGERIANS" begin to say the good-side of our country?
@honer10, since you are the champion of these "Nigeria better crusade", l give you the HONOR to take the first shot.
I know tons-upon-tons of good things about Nigeria but we should allow you to have the first go, for all your past "effort".

We are waiting o!

BTW: FELA is one of the best things to come out of this country! Oouch, did l just have the first go?

Roforofo, i dey come o, , second-bass jare

Thank you jare, T@MEDO,
some people want to turn ordinary conversion to "rocket science" just to skim a few bob off their brother!

I suggest the poster should wake-up and try some DIY himslef, you never learn something if you dont try it out.
Remember to set your VHS-player to NTSC (in the menu settings) so that it will play the VHS an your dubbing software to PAL, so output can be in PAL format.

If everything fails, well, go to Otigba area in Ikeja, its less than #1000 for a Tape-to-DVD conversion, under one hour. Good luck

I have used all, from Win98, ME, 2000, XP,VISTA and Win7.

If your computer is the "Tokunbo" or the 'entry level" new Laptop/Desktop, especially those ones that the RAM is maxed-out and under 2GB, sorry o, pls stay with your XP jeje!

Vista hugs resources like hell but if your machine is top of the line (Fast board, heavy graphics-accelerated adapter, 2GB and above RAM, Wifi, bla-blabla) you will not want to touch XP with a long pole except of-course, if you have 'old and outdated 16-bit applications' that are not compatible with Vista.

Just update to the newest version of those applications and run Vista and you will enjoy

By the way, Windows 7 is worth a-try. Get on the train while it is still new ,
and help Microsoft recover from these damn recession!

Expired.