₦airaland Forum

Mekyno: bt his too dark, dnt u tink so?
Jst go wait 4 him in airport or presdential villa...write u profile/contact in a sheet n stylishly it ova to him...#smiles#

No such thing as 'too dark'.

Silly girl.

switdil: All I know is
No "MOTHER" will ever abuse or use their children as domestic slaves

If that is the case then we have a paucity of "mothers" in Nigeria.

One of the most disheartening things about Nigeria is the meanness of the women towards children (or subordinates in general).

Not just house boys/girls but their own children.

It seems as if many of them feel it is their right to unsettle, belittle, demean and abuse anyone unfortunate enough to be under their control.

I witnessed a particularly saddening episode in a church courtyard where a small child (maybe 7 years-old) was handing her mother a handbag (who was a big woman, built like an NFL linebacker with breasts) clearly cowering in fear of being beaten. Most likely for something incredibly petty. Of course everyone else went on about their business as if nothing wrong was happening. There was no crime to speak of, no injustice of note.

Unfortunately for us all the burden of initial instructor of children falls on women, in the form of mothers and later teachers. With Nigeria the way that it is what does that tell us about the nature of the women...

It's happened to me on a number of occasions.

I know of a few couples where the lady is religious and the man is, at best, agnostic. I remember when I was a child overhearing one of my mother's friends sobbing about her husband refusing to attend church. This was several years after marrying a man who she knew to be without any religious conviction.

I've always been curious as to why a lady would pursue (often heavily) a man who does not hold dear what she claims to be most important to her?

In spite of the silly addendums from the Xtians it's nice to see Nigerians with their eyes open.

I too have heard some very stupid things about mythical beings etc whilst in Nigeria as per mazaje's comment. I had a particularly disheartening conversation with an elderly Cambridge graduate about witches. But I've also spoken to younger people who are wide awake and quick to call out the bullshit.

If those in charge of churches etc set a good example of sorts, taught modesty, prudence and community, believer or not, I would commend them. Sadly they set the worst example. They refuse to follow in the foot steps of their fairy tale hero and instead chase material goods and preach about the chase for material things.

The sooner we do away with all of these churches (of which there are far too many in Nigeria) the sooner that people will begin to focus on long term, tangible benefits.

The new born baby who has not 'accepted Christ' is condemned to the fires of Hades according to Xtian doctrine.

Meanwhile, the former army general turn politician who abused his office to acquire personal wealth at the expense of all others.

Who had his foes murdered because they dared challenge his authority or sought to hold him to account...

Who entertained girlfriends and the wives of others whilst married...

That man will go to 'Heaven' because he 'believed' in the Xtian message.

Waspy: How else do we show our neighbours and others how much we have embezzled and stolen.
it is part of the crowd mentality, the rat race in Nigeria. "I beta pass my neighbour" "My money and ur money nor be mate". I think a black man's brain is designed to value trivial and petty things.

Are you 'black man'?

Is that how you think?

Because I know many a 'black man' who do not operate that way.

Your frustration is understandable but your self-hatred is cowardly.

People have already pointed out that muslims do no conduct themselves in such a many. Funerals as organised by our muslim brothers are usually quiet, respectful and brief.

I only wish that those who are not muslims would also learn about the value of modesty.

If no one knows how much you have then it makes you less of a target.

I saw a lady squat and pee into a storm drain once - might be the most disgusting thing that I've seen (in Nigeria). And in Calabar of all places.

The Nigerian habit of people openly peeing against walls or into bushes is also pretty disturbing/disgusting for someone not raised in Nigeria.

Just curious to know if anyone here will be attending or is interested in attending some of the screenings in Calabar from Sunday?

EBK2: @Mmsen
I said I am not going to dwell on propping up Britain because that is not what this debate is about but let me address specifically the points you raised in your remark/
No doubt, UK has got its social problems (but they are not institutionalised like you have them in Nigeria) and there are thing Nigeria is better at compared to the UK (not a lot though but that is a matter for another day) but to any rational mind looking at things objectively, given the problems in Britain and Nigeria, where will you rather be? Do you know that 90% of all non US billionaires have a property in London and three houses in wide UK as a whole; Do you know that on average every Nigerian billionaire has a house in Mayfair despite the social ill of UK. Lets not start with reasons why wealthy Nigerians will rather keep their kids in the UK despite the social ills. Reason: rational wealth is always in search of a secure jurisdiction . 86% of Mayfair homes (not Lagos or Abuja) are owned by foreigners. My point is this: given the social ill of Britain and Nigeria rational people know where they will rather be. The greatest measure of this rationality is where global capital is seeking a place of refuge. There are more financial transactions taking place in London than NY, and all of Europe put together. There are more US banks in London than you have in NY. Every major international bank on the globe has a presence in London than any city on the world. Movement of wealth is the greatest measure of most things. Money goes to where it is respected and stays where it is well traded and secure. If things get too bad on this country, there will be massive reversal of these things, but there is the political will to make sure that will never happen. The greatest tragedy of any debate is the ignorance and myopia is debaters and that is the story of NL. So much ignorance and parochial thinking.
Secondly, on US and British influence, 19th was a century for Britain, 20th for America, 21st will be for China if and only if they embrace democratic free capital market, embrace Christianity and free their people. Coming back to influence, relative to their population, wealth and military, is still more influential than not just the UK but also all the G7 countries because of 1. Britain engaged the world with different model than US. 2. British empire expanded when much of the world was uncivilised unlike US that came into the party when the most countries began to know the tricks of the West. 3. Finally Britain got deeply involved in the affairs of the countries they occupied by setting up colonial governments unlike America that uses Embassy model. There are other reasons, so go do your research and find out for yourself!!
On media, Britain has the most aggressive and invasive media culture. US media except Cnn is the most inward looking in the G7 countries. BBC is a government establishment unlike any other in the world. There are other things I can say on this point but they won't make sense to you!!!
Finally, on language, the so called American English is still an English language. Was given to US by England, but that doesn't stop US from being a greater power than UK.

I can't let you make comments like "They won't make sense to you" with regards to the BBC because I have a greater understanding than you (unless you have worked for them in some capacity in which case our understanding is equal).

You're not talking to someone who has ever lived in Nigeria.

I was born in northern Europe, spent my formative years in northern Europe. I know all about the BBC, sadly. I know that her words are used to shape the minds of those gullible enough to believe them. The BBC has an agenda like any other organisation. Sadly theirs is not a noble goal. I learnt as a child to be very cautious as to the 'news'.

Also, Mayfair is a tiny area of London, not at all reflective of the UK as a whole. People in the UK will tell how they do not like London because it is overrun with foreigners. Many of whom have run from elsewhere with money looted from the public purses or gained by unscrupulous business practices. Interestingly the UK has anti-laundering legislation that is never used against those they can quite comfortably prove have misappropriated money from elsewhere, this happens whilst preaching to the world (often via the BBC) about good governance and anti-corruption. The truth is, if UK banks could only deal with those who have made their money honestly and with a sense of moral decorum they would promptly go out of business, taking the UK economy down with it.

If you've ever been to Russia you will know that whilst they have some wealthy people they also have a lot of poverty much like India, China has the same issue, Saudi Arabia likewise, Nigeria is the same and yet there are plenty of such people in London (Mayfair, Lancaster Gate and Bayswater especially) living the good life. The UK knows that these characters will spend lavishly at the expense of those in their own countries. They are given favorable tax rates so as to entice them to spend more on retail or better still on bank services. Banking is one of a few viable areas of growth in the UK, the other being tourism and retail. The three are all heavily interrelated.

As I've previously mentioned policy in the UK is directed towards those who control the economy at the expense of all. London is one of the saddest examples of this. Former council houses/flats in Chelsea and Westminster have been sold off to private investors for millions of pounds, this has pushed those who need housing near places where there is employment out into areas where there is little in the way of economic activity.

You speak like someone who has recently taken up a job with a bank and as such believe that money is some form of sanctuary. Money is never 'safe' in a bank or investments, see Northern Rock. And even less so in 'investments' see every stock market crash since the Tulip crisis in the Netherlands. Nor is money a reflection of success or an indication of an aherence to justice, due diligence or 'hard work'. Even more so, a dramatic concentration of wealth as is the case with London and the UK is not the sign of a healthy national economy.

In all I'm not saying that the UK is a terrible place nor that Nigeria is overall better (it comes down to personal choice, much like your religious decision) but there are several places that I would prefer to live in and I would never hand over 3000 of anything to visit the UK - be it pounds, dollars or even kobo.

Sadly this is one of the things that I find most unpleasant about (southern) Nigeria - the constant attention seeking, lack of modesty or decorum. Everything must be outlandish, brash and classless.

Church services must be disturbingly loud. The neighbors must know about all your programs (and by 'neighbors' I mean those within a 1km radius)

Weddings must drag on for hours with all kinds of unnecessary additions so as to bore guests to death. Why anyone needs more than one minister to handle such services is beyond me.

Even the opening of a borehole has to be opened with a ridiculous amount of fanfare.

In a country where there is so little regard for the welfare and development of children it amazes me how often I see parents/adults behaving like babies.

Bill Maher once referred to the Bible as 'The Book of Jewish Fairy Tales'.

These are questions for any of you professing a religious faith.

Has the state of the economic state of the country and some of the cultural habits that seem endemic within Nigeria led you to question your religion?

Do you ever wonder why it is that a country with so many religious followers fares so poorly on the international Human Development Index?

Do you wonder why it is that so much time is spent pleading with gods for material wealth, even for those who already have plenty?

Do you ever wonder why it is that it is those countries that have such a large religious following are also the same nations prone to fall into periods of anarchy, chaos and self-destruction?

Have you ever wondered why in a nation with so much religion there is so little compassion, particularly for children? A country where some children are used as house-slaves (a house 'help' is an indentured servant, at best). Or worse, thrown out on the street as 'witches'. Are you not ashamed of your collective ignorance?

Do you wonder why your religious leaders do not follow the example set in the books that you cling so dearly to? The Pope of Rome lives in opulence; the Bible states that Jesus lived a simple life. Mohammed reportedly loved his wife and daughters dearly - he ensured that his daughters were educated. Some 'Muslim' fathers forbid their daughters attend school in Nigeria. Who benefits from such a decision?

EBK2: Most Nigerians that come to the UK come here to contribute to the UK econony either by working or spending cash made in Nigeria

True.

EBK2: The less Nigerians that go verseas and spend their money, the better.

And true.

But the reason why so many people are eager to flock to the UK (of all places) is because of a naive image of the UK. People are quick to point out Nigerian dysfunction whilst ignoring Britain's societal problems, something that I have noticed amongst Nigerians in the UK - they don't want to acknowledge that they may have made a mistake in moving to northern Europe.

Also, English is a global language because of the American influence, much more so than because of anything Britain has done. American media is far more influential than anything that Britain creates. Most foreigners that I know who learn English as a second language have learnt the American manner of spelling and pronunciation - often because they hope to move to the world's largest economy (and not the world's seventh largest economy).

[quote author=sweet_gala]I am personally not advocating laundering of government funds, but what is the moral or judicial deterent in the nigerian society. It simply does not exist.

In Nigeria you either dance to the tune or die, it is not a land of or for the honest.[/quote]The Nigerian people should act as a deterrent. In the same way that they will gladly attack those who will not submit to a religious authority, their fervor should be greater towards those who steal from the public purse. There have been cases of people burnt to death by those who steal from markets or from homes but yet those who misappropriate billions of dollars face no reprimand, such people are not even ostracized in Nigeria.

That is not to say that there is no hope for Nigeria. It has not always been this way. If people would pledge their allegiance to improving their father land instead of promising to do their all on the behest of an abstract idea (such as God/Allah) then Nigeria would readily improve. Nigerians must learn to love Nigeria which means learning to care for and respect the land and the sons and daughters of that land.

[quote author=sweet_gala]But why should anyone not loot when their time comes, it's not like the ones gone before them would get punished. Why should i get oppressed by thieves and accept it as normal.[/quote]If you become a public servant then your job should be as servant to the majority - to do what is the best for your environment. Not to take the money intended for one purpose and waste it on luxuries as has been the Nigerian way.

What use is purchasing a Maclaren vehicle when the roads are not well maintained? Or even purchasing multiple televisions or laptops when electricity is not reliable? Or purchasing a private jet when the air traffic control unit is inadequate? Or attempting to establish a business because potential employees will be semi-literate owing to the dreadfully underfunded educational system.

Nigeria is really in need of some kind of revolution as per the French or Russian example whereby those who had abused power were killed, thus evoking fear in anyone silly enough to aspire to hording material wealth that could be used for the benefit of all.

I really do wonder what they teach all you people inside those mosques and churches that seem to be everywhere in Nigeria.

Konmight: There is a lot of money to loot in this country...Nigeria is reaaly a rich country. I'm patiently waiting for my time to come when I shall partake in the national cake. This One Nigeria really favours the corrupt elite. God Bless Nigeria until it disintegrate sha.

This mentality of 'I will loot when my time comes' is unfortunate. It's amazing that in a country where so many people flock to religious ceremonies and waste money (personal and state finances) on 'pilgrimages' that there is so little morality.

A young man who has sex with young women is not 'news'. Nor is it 'shameful'.

Ijebulogic: I saw a whole convoy of ambulances about two hours ago on Muri Okunola and was wondering what happened, so was hoping to get the full story on this thread, only to see some children arguing about Yoruba, ibo and Hausa. I mean...seriously?

Nairaland CEO (and moderators) - Kudos for taking Nairaland so far BUT it is really time for you to put a stop to the uncontrollable tribal rage that floods almost every thread nowadays.

Trust me, you can not build a long term sustainable social media business model by relying on traffic generated from hatred and tribal bias. Such minorities will generate good traffic in the short term but contribute very little to Nairaland in the long run.

Fear and hatred are great motivators/captivators, sadly.

Every major news agency has been built on peddling fear, scandal and malice.

You're dealing with human beings not logical automatons.

EBK2: 1. Am not sure what you are on about here but sentiment apart, English is a global language and being the main language in Nigeria has helped Nigerian and Nigerians in relating and connecting to the world.
2. The Gospel is real. No need to prove reality
3. People were faming but history has it that colonialism brought about mechanised faming whereby Nigeria was able to export Agricultural products.
4. You have a flawed view of democracy perhaps because you have never lived in a country where it is practiced. Saying that democracy favours the few shows you have a parochial view of it perhaps due to deprivation and ignorance. There is a linear relationship between democracy, democratic free capital market and national development. Global capital follows democracy.
5. Why are we not continuing to use railway to carry our goods to the port today. You are on the wrong side of the argument because it doesn't matter what the railway was used for during colonial era, the fact is that it served the purpose well but we didn't improve on it and mismanaged it. If we are still left with rail network that carries cargo to the port, it would have been better than nothing.
6. Britain, a country of 60mil with the oldest democracy, was once in control of much of the known world, had been at the forefront of all major scientific invention during the 19th, 20th and 21st century. From transport to banking, internet and medicine and military, energy and education. That you don't like them, are mad and jealous of this doesn't remove this fact. Some of these were left by them as colonial legacy but we lost them. I am not saying this to make Britain look good but just stating the facts. And tho debate is not about Britain and their establishment. So let's not digress and derail.

1. You do not understand the notion of a medium if you keep banging on about English being somehow unique. More people speak Mandarin. An ever growing number are learning Mandarin what with the rise of China and the ever growing irrelevance of the Anglo speaking nations.

2. You do need to prove 'reality' that is how it becomes real. Simply saying that something is based on fact does not make it so. That is the mentality of a child. Or a slave. Which one are you? There is no supporting evidence for the Bible, especially as regards the man referred to as Jesus Christ. There is however a prior baseless story about Mithras that sounds awfully similar.

3. Mechanized farming could have been introduced by any of the Nigerian people's trade partners - be it the Portuguese, the Dutch or whoever else the British stopped from trading so as to get 'preferential' trade rights at the expense of the Nigerian peoples.

4. I have never lived in Nigeria. So your claim that my notion of democracy is flawed may be right. I have however lived in the 'mother of democracy' as the Brits arrogantly refer to themselves. A brief look at the local papers show how much of a sham it is. Large business dictates policies. Politicians are happy to acquiesce because they are concerned with their own welfare and long term prospects. They have even been shown to dip their hand into the public purse, en masse, for their own benefit - please look up the expenses scandal. It has been exposed in the UK and the US how ex-politicians, once leaving government, take up very comfortable 'consultancy' roles with large banks and other businesses that direct policy as a return for favours done while in positions of government. Tony Blair is a wonderful example of such practices. This is the worst kind of corruption.

5. The railway system built has never been fit for purpose as regards to the Nigerian peoples. So my point stands. You claim that there was a system 'given' to us. They did not give - whatever the Anglos invested in Nigeria they took out (at least) ten times as much, the railway simply made it easier for them.

6. Britain came to be in control of much of the known world by use of the gun. Today they do not have a manufacturing base, nor are they in possession of any minerals of value. They once manufactured goods that were not needed outside of their island which is how they came to impose themselves on places with natural resources - the Chinese refused to purchase their 'goods' much the same as those in the Sub-Continent and need I remind you of Jajah of Opobo, the Oba of Benin or the leaders of the Aro Confederacy. Whenever somebody told the Brits 'no' that is when they came with their guns. Sadly the Americans seem to be following in their image.

A nation has to resort to the gun when diplomatic efforts and the goods being manufactured are not to the liking of those elsewhere. Is it any shock that the British economy has largely tanked since the end of the colonial era? Does this not show you what their economy was founded on?

The one good example which I think Nigeria should follow is the Anglo-Saxon willingness to appropriate what is not natively theirs and claim it as their own. I am not talking of land here, I'm talking of (beneficial) ideas. A lot of good ideas have wrongly been credited as being British in origin because they made such a fuss about their eventual discovery.

Also, if you're so desperate for a European nation to worship then Germany would be a far better example. They have a wonderful manufacturing sector; a superior educational system; superior transport network; the cost of living is not as exorbitant (as it is in the south of England, which is the only area in the UK with economic activity worth talking about); a culture that respects the institution of family (and the importance of men within the family) and does not have a huge divorce rate as per the UK (40-45%); does not persist with the strange culture of monarchy whilst claiming to be a democracy/meritocracy. They have admirable cultural traits and far fewer social ills than the UK, a nation which tops the European leagues for some the worst vices and issues - Fattest women in Europe; Highest teen pregnancy rate in western Europe'; Highest divorce rate; Greatest percentage of illicit drug users in EU; largest number of Islamic fundamentalists (but oddly not the largest number of muslims in Europe). The UK has a lot of problems not noticed by those who have never lived there but stick around long enough and you will see the dysfunction.

EBK2: @CAP28 can you highlight the benefits that the british brought to nigeria? A global language that gives you edge amongst your peers - English Language, Christianity, Agriculture, Introduced you to a concept called Democracy, Railway system, All scientific inventions etc (if you mismanage all these things what they left behind behind, dont blame them and we have mismanaged them

1) Language is a medium and any language spoken by a majority would do - it could be Yoruba, Mandarin or Spanish. The reason English spread is because of the ravenous and destructive nature of the Anglo-Saxon.

2) Christianity is a benefit? How? Where is your proof that any of their theology is based on facts? And once again religion follows the ability to use force to impose lopsided trade conditions (Islam is much the same)

3) Agriculture? So people were not farming prior to the British imposed themselves on us...

4) Democracy is exposed as a sham everyday. Unless you're talking about a small area with a tiny number of people democracy does not work in the interests of the majority. On a national level lobbyists and those with big business interests hold greater influence over government policy than the majority. As with the banking crisis in the UK those who hold financial sway will often use their financial clout to push policy in a direction that undermines the needs of the majority.This has been shown to be true in every major country.

5) The railway system that Nigeria has is not fit for purpose and clearly was not designed for the benefit of the people. It was designed to make it easier for the Anglo-Saxons to carry their looted cargo to the ports.

6) They are not responsible for all scientific inventions. Only someone intent on putting Britain on a pedestal would say something so silly. Also, holding a patent is not the same thing as inventing.

Do what you want with your money but don't cry poverty when rent and bills are due.

Tithing and the preeminence of churches is the worst example of the waste of resources (both time and material) endemic in Nigeria.

cap28: Comparing Nigeria to a country that built its wealth on the enslavement of Africans of and the theft of Africa's resources is like comparing a victim of armed robbery with an armed robber snd pointing out how much richer and successful the armed robber is. Reading your type of posts makes me realise how much the nigerian educational system has failed

Very true. The only addition that I would make is that it was more than theft from Africa that enriched that island. They also stole much from India (known as the jewel of the Empire) and forced the Chinese to cede territory and partake in a trade in opiates that did not benefit China. Not to speak of their land grabbing in north America and Australasia and the wealth that they took from those places for their own benefit.

She's done nothing to deserve your charity. You can't be sure what kind of person she is but I've found that people who are comfortable begging for money so soon after meeting are not to be trusted (or respected).

I wouldn't spend a penny to visit the UK. Of all the places in the world why would anyone hand over 3000 GBP to visit northern Europe?

Most weddings are a silly display of vanity (usually for the woman's benefit) and a sorry waste of resources. But to then demand that everyone fly from one country to another is ridiculous.

I personally do not understand why it is necessary for two weddings or why some people insist on flying large groups of people to another country for an event that should take a few hours.

I'm in area that is very quiet. No heavy traffic, no bars, nightclubs or any other kind of distraction - the hotels nearby are quiet, respectable places. The primary nuisance factor in this neighborhood is the church. In fact, there are two churches but the noise appears to emanate from only one (a branch of Redeemed Christian Church of God).

If one of my neighbors elected to host a party every other day I'm sure that the others neighbors would have something to say. Sadly, because the cause of the noise is a church nothing is said or done.

Why are they noisy?

Is it necessary for them to blast their audience and those who live nearby with their noise?

Are there no public nuisance laws in Nigeria? Do people not prompt the churches to be considerate of the neighbors?

What happened to 'Love thy neighbor as you love thyself'?

Attending various churches so as to hear different interpretations of the same lie is an interesting use of one's time.

Two reasons:

1) So the pastor can collect that much needed tithe money and how ever many offerings he or she decides to collect (plus 'welfare')
2) So as to disturb the peace of those unfortunate to live in the vicinity of a church.

If you took away the noise and the money and made church a service of quiet reflection and contemplation the churches in Nigeria would empty overnight.

Germany, Japan have entirely different landscapes, different peoples, different histories. As such their paths will be different. Japan and Germany have both had access to American banking credit far longer than Nigeria, as such the money was able to be used to the benefit of those societies. Nigeria was established by those wonderful European folk (the Brits) as a source of much needed materials - rubber, palm oil, manpower and other minerals. You show a complete failure to grasp the reasons for Nigeria's current issues. Your anger and frustration as displayed by your childish and abusive language is disturbing.

I suggest that you read up on the history of the country that you so despise, as well as other parts of the world sabotaged by Europeans for the benefit of Europeans.