₦airaland Forum

Kobojunkie:
The man has said nothing new. 10 years ago, this was true of Nigeria. 20 years ago, the same was said of Nigeria. Even up until the day of Yar adua's death, this same held true. What I find fascinating is how we come in here every other month to celebrate this same truth as if it were just announced for the first time to us.

While I agree with you that the underlying idea in the analysis may not be new, they are being (re)presented in line with modern realities. In order words, what Sachs is saying ( as is clear from the title of his article) is that the "Opportunity" is still available and we can make "History"  by maximising it this time especially in the light of global happenings.  Furthermore, the fact that the same was said 10 or 20 years ago does not in anyway diminish the substance of his arguments. This is because as you may be aware, economic analysis depends on "all things being equal". Thus what Sachs has done is to situate the analysis in the light of modern realities while highlighting the "things that need to be equal" for Nigeria to get there.

justwise:
This is getting serious, what  u said was mentioned in the Summary of the new student policy but they failed to mention it in the Tier 4 policy guidance. Thanks for pointing that out.

Read the policy guidance on Can students bring their partners and/or children with them?
267

They don't even bother to update it.

You are right about the fact that they have not updated the policy guidance. I think they update the policy guidance according to when each change comes into force as the changes are phased. The restrictions on undergraduates bringing dependants would be implemented from July 2011 and would affect everyone who is applying to commence studies in September.  

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/news/sop4.pdf

[quote author=ola_pluto link=topic=678558.msg8427819#msg8427819 date=1306856710]Like someone already said, no matter how hard it is, those who will make it here will make it big. I am another hustling student here in UK. It is hard, but I believe if you're on the right course and you keep your heads down, you will succeed here and break through to the top. UK is not like Yankee or any other place. Here, they pride hard work. In UK, you hardly hit it big instantly. You have to start from the begining. The UK awards excellence, and you can quote me on this anywhere. What happens to many Nigerians is that we lose our steam on getting here and we blow average. The crux of the matter is that you have to be extra-ordinary to break into the proper UK job market. I will like to know how many people here on NL got 1st class in a proper course and didnt get an offer on graduation. I'm just curious. 4 of my friends got job offers from big construstion firms on the day they came to sign off from the uni. I think being in a top uni also helps. If you do not get a job, at least you're likely to get a research offer especially those in science and engineering. The prospects are big if you're on the right course, in the right place, with the right atitude and self discipline. For two years in a row, I can say 80% of Nigerians who finished from my uni are doing great. A good proportion are on paid PHD, while a few have been 'snapped' up by top UK companies. Perhaps we need to stop going to the South Banks and the UELs and actually work harder to get into the LSEs and Imperials if Ox-Bridge wont take us.[/quote]Thanks for such informed comment. The problem with most Nigerians who complain about how the UK has bad prospects for students is that they are below average and deliberately so. To make it in the UK, you have to work hard, real hard and hardwork is not something you find in the dictionaries of most Nigerian students. My advice is: if you are just looking at studying in the UK simply as a way of escaping Nigeria, then you better think twice. However, if you want to study because you have a clear idea of where the studies would take you to and you are ready to work hard at getting there, then a UK education can give you the edge.

mailty:
Hiya,
@justwise i am planning to go to the uk for studies in september for umdergraduate studies.
My question is , will i be able to take my children with me or the new rule will affect us?

justwise:
Sure u can. . take your time and go through this link starting from 40: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/Tier4migrantguidance1.pdf

@Justwise: the poster is going for UNDEGRADUATE studies. By the new rule, s/he CANNOT sponsor dependants and therefore cannot take his/her children to the UK except the student is Government Sponsored.

otokx:
Another white backside licker, they want to ensure that we keep borrowing money from them that we will still and lodge in their banks then they will seize it and use it for themselves while we pay back - one day is one day.

If you don't know who Jeffrey Sachs is, the least you could have done was to google his name on the internet to learn who he is before exposing you intellectual emptiness here!

Nigeria's Historic Opportunity

By JEFFREY D. SACHS
Published: May 30, 2011
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Visiting Nigeria the week of President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration is a special privilege. This country of nearly 160 million people, about one in five of sub-Saharan Africa, is on to something historic. The people feel it. After a sometimes agonizing half-century since independence, Nigeria is on the verge of a takeoff.

In my conversations with President Jonathan — who took the oath of office on Sunday — and with government ministers, leading businesspeople and representatives of civil society groups, I felt a firm determination to ensure that this time, in this decade, Nigeria fulfills its potential to become an African economic powerhouse and a member of the world’s leading emerging economies.

In practical terms, Nigeria would like to make the BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — the BRINCS by the end of the decade. To those who only know Nigeria as a country that squanders its oil wealth, this ambition might seem outlandish. But for those of us who have had the chance to work with its leadership, this goal seems fully with reach.

There are five solid reasons for optimism. The first is the reform that Nigeria has been undertaking over the past dozen years. The country has changed since June 8, 1998, when the brutal dictator Sani Abacha died, opening the way for a restoration of civilian rule and the strengthening of critical institutions, including the National Assembly and state and district governments.

The second is the advent of democratic elections. President Jonathan came to power last year when his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, died in office. This April he won a resounding mandate of his own in elections that were praised by observers as by far the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. The president’s democratic mandate is not in doubt, even if tensions linger in Nigeria’s traditional north-south ethnic divide.

The third is the global wind in Nigeria’s sails. The rise of China and India is reshaping the world economy, and providing solid support for Nigeria’s growth. Commodity prices are high, as the Asian giants tap global markets. Nigeria can expect to sell not only its vast hydrocarbon deposits at good prices, but also a wide range of agricultural products and manufactured goods. The links with Asia won’t be only through exports. China is determined to be a major partner, financing core infrastructure — highways, rail and power grids — and developing major industrial capacity.

The fourth is the “age of convergence,” the tendency of developing countries like Nigeria to make unprecedented economic advances through the deployment of best practices and advanced technologies. China, of course, has been doubling its G.D.P. every seven years with blistering economic growth rates of 10 percent per year. Nigeria is enjoying robust annual growth of around 7 percent, and could catch up to China’s rate if policies are well designed and implemented. Information technologies are rapidly spreading, from the heart of sprawling Lagos to the most remote villages. For the first time, Nigeria will have a network of up-to-date information, providing a platform for sharply higher productivity and economic specialization.

The fifth is Nigeria’s commitment to tackling extreme poverty and disease throughout the nation. The president’s senior adviser on the Millennium Development Goals, working with the National Assembly, has been leading a bold mechanism to transfer federal funds to state and local governments in a robust and accountable manner. All over the country, schools, clinics and water points are being built. It’s a great honor for us at the Earth Institute to be working with the government on this initiative.

Nigeria’s international partners can also take a bow. Back in 2005, they entrusted Nigeria with partial debt relief, and the country is turning money that otherwise would have gone toward debt payments into local investments in health, education and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, a series of finance ministers has been working to end Nigeria’s image as a place of financial scams and official corruption. Prosecutors have warned international oil companies to clean up their act — even indicting Halliburton for corruption and obtaining a settlement from the company.

Of course, Nigeria still faces very real risks. The country’s population is enormously diverse, with sharp regional and religious divisions. Violence continues to flare. Global climate change poses risks to health, agricultural development and water supplies. A recent U.N. report notes that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population could exceed 700 million by the end of this century, unless family planning services are put in place. The public wants these services; the government’s challenge is to respond effectively.

I’ve watched nations on the eve of economic takeoff, in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. Optimism is in the air in Abuja, and for good reason.

Jeffrey D. Sachs is director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/opinion/31iht-edsachs31.html?_r=1

[quote author=Omo_Tier1 link=topic=678053.msg8414777#msg8414777 date=1306678651]kai, see low IQ![/quote]See as somebody just expose him abject mumuness. Pot calling kettle black!

wesley80:
He's got $1b dollars but still takes a personal loan of N10b using the House as collateral? You would think by now people would be smart enough to know WHAT TO QUOTE FROM SR. I've never seen people take so much pride in lame sensationalism. Rubbish

[quote author=Kilode?! link=topic=677683.msg8410738#msg8410738 date=1306602146]Maybe they mean't I billion Naira not Dollars.

Anyway, If this is true ( I still think they meant Naira, not dollars)

PapaBrowne:
It is impossible!! I hate the way figures are being peddled in Nigeria. Whoever released these figures is actually trying to capitalise on the inability of most Nigerians to reason beyond sensationalism! There is way Bankole can have 1 Billion dollars in his account except he has a very, very massive oil well!!

[/quote]When I saw the above comments, I heaved a sigh of relief knowing that there are still people in Nigeria who have brains to reason!

Sagamite:
Oh, lawd!  

So you are on scholarship but yet can afford to donate money? You want us to believe you?

The kind of things cretins will claim on the internet is amazing.  

I am not surprised at your comments but just to educate you, being on scholarships does not mean you are poor. Scholarships are given to people based on ACADEMIC MERIT not based on FINANCIAL STATUS. Poor people are given GRANTS or BURSARIES to support thier studies. As you no no book make I teach you!

Secondly, what do I stand to gain by claiming on the internet to somebody who I dont know and who does not know me and from whom I am not seeking any favours from?

[quote author=Rhino.5dm link=topic=675443.msg8402241#msg8402241 date=1306486496]Sir, can you tell us the name and type of the scholarship you onto? Honestly, that amount make can someone drop his career job. . .[/quote]The scholarship is a studentship from the University. Quite a number of UK institutions offer such scholarships(or even better) for research students. I know cos I actually got 3 from 3 different universities before I selected one.

Sagamite:
You are talking about my "analysis and understanding"?

Y[b]ou are not a quarter as smart as I am when I am sleeping and my brain is recharging[/b]. I will flog your dumb arse in a debate whilst sleeping.

I think you need to get a new charger for your brain to make it reason better. As per flogging people in debates while sleeping, its surprising that despite all the floggings you have done, all you get is £400 every 4 months which is about the same amount I gave in donations to Oxfam, Amnesty International and Cancer Research during the last 4 months!

[quote author=Rhino.5dm link=topic=675443.msg8402067#msg8402067 date=1306484343]If you are a PTDF scholar that amount is PER MONTH! Not per WEEK!

p.s PTDF scholarship has shifted from merit to who you know. I know plenty guys that didn't even sat for the exams and they are awarded the scholarship[/quote]Just for the record, I am not a PTDF scholar. Secondly, I entirely agree with you that PTDF ( and indeed most other Nigeria scholarships) are NOT based on merit.

Sagamite:
Every tom, kunle and harry can all claim what they like on cyberspace.

, Which is why I suspect that even the £400 per 4 months claim you made is exaggerated. By the level of your analysis and understanding, you deserve far less!

BTW, I noticed that you have just edited your post to increase your salary from £400 every 4 months to £600 every 4 months. Lol

Yar Adua spent N820 million naira for inauguration.
Jacob zuma of South Africa spent N1.6 billion for his.
President Obama of the USA spent a whopping N22.5 billion naira for his inauguration
Jonathan would spend between N850 million and N1billion are people are shoutiing from thier roof tops. Is it that they are just ignorant or mere illiterates who do not read and cannot understand that events of such magnitude costs money especially in terms of security?

BTW, I recieve around that amount (£400) PER WEEK as scholarship to cover my living costs!

Sagamite:
Most Nigerian youths will have to have close to 6-8 years experience to earn N150K per month, so that is significant money. If anybody gives me £400 as bribe in London, I no go think twice as that is like four months pay. 

You mean you earn £400 as pay for 4 months? in London? Actually I'm not surprised cos here in the UK, things are done on merit and therefore you get paid for what you are worth!

webprince:
Do not generalize the bolded.
A personal bank statement depicts the applicant's "personal" economic and financial circumstances/status which will go a long way to convince the ECO (with substantial evidence of investments or social attachment to the country) that the applicant will/might return back to his country after his trip. in other words, a personal bank statement is needed for "most" of visa categories IMO.

Of course to every rule, there is an exception but the fact remains that a personal bank statement is NOT a mandatory document for a business visitor. While I also concede that in certain cases. e.g where the applicant's company is a largely unknown company, it is better to add other documents to show the applicant's personal economic and financial circumstances, this can still be done WITHOUT a personal bank statement IF the company is paying for the trip. You can show personal financial and economic circumstances with covering letter from company, pay slips, tax clearance, share certificates, land title documents etc.

[quote author=inspired_m link=topic=663526.msg8395147#msg8395147 date=1306394018]Even If the Company you work For is Barrack Obama Incorporated, You need your Personal bank Statement Along with your Visa Application.

Your Personal Bank statement reflects your financial and economic Status in your Home Country. if you are a Low Income earner though it reduces your Chance on balance of probabilities, it may not really Matter as long as the Company sponsoring You Has the Financial Forthwith to Back It up.

The Guys at the Embassy Understands the Nigerian Concept, If the Company Doesn't have the financial powe reflected on their Bank Statement, Forget it.

They Know a Company willing to Fully Sponsor an Employee to the UK for Business Negotiations In the Nigeria of Today cannot be a Run off the Mill Organization[/quote]I think we need to clarify the issue here. The determining factor is the category of visa you are applying for. The fact is If you are applying for a BUSINESS VISITOR Visa, YOU DO NOT need your personal bank statements. All that you require would come from your company. However, if you are applying for ANY OTHER Visa, YOU DO NEED your personal bank statements EVEN IF your company is sponsoring your trip.

A couple from south east London have admitted running a factory that made fake passports and identity documents.

Abiola Olatunji-Orelope, 34, was arrested along with his wife Folashade, 28, after their home in Claxton Path, Lewisham, was raided by the UK Border Agency on 9 September 2010.

Officers uncovered 50 counterfeit passports in various stages of construction purporting to be Ghanaian, Nigerian, Irish, Czech and even British issue.

They also seized 20 counterfeit German, Dutch and French Identity cards, around 40 fake Home Office and other National Government rubber visa stamps and ink pads, cutting boards, razor blades, paint thinners, glue, laminates, forged visas and around 30 blank birth and marriage certificates.

Officers even found a book containing a list of orders from clients and passport sized photos ready to be used in the forgeries.

Abiola Olatunji-Orelope pleaded guilty to fraud, deception and possessing false identity documents.

On Monday 23 May at Croydon Crown Court he was sentenced to three years in prison. His wife admitted possessing false identity documents and was given a one year suspended sentence plus 140 hours community service.

Alex Ttaris, from the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team, said:
'This was a sophisticated criminal operation, and I have no doubt that these fake documents would have been used to flout immigration rules, gain employment, open bank accounts and obtain other goods and services by deception.'

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/may/34Fake-ID-Factory-Lewisham

nuclearboy:
I saw your "questions"and found no sense in answering them. I wonder how a lunch is supposed to be part of federal business.

I just realised I was wasting my time responding to someone who knows next to nothing about the business of governance. My apologies! Byeeeeee

nuclearboy:
No individual has right to spend such monies irresponsibly -  whether you were his campaign manager or if he is related to you in anyway.

Thus, I'd expect that you, of all, should require a man you voted for, show himself responsible in the disbursement of national funds. Your diction is that of the educated but your love for the man obviously overshadows your scholarship.

I would answer you post by reposting the earlier questions I posed ( which obviously you did not see). I urge you to answer those questions and whilst justifying your claims that the monies are being spent "irresponsibly". If you can, then I would join you to condemn GEJ

1. What is the definition of a bribe?
2. Is it right or wrong for a government to give transport reinbursement to youths in a country where majority of these youths are unemployed?
3. How much is a return ticket from eg Port Harcourt to Lagos ( including airport taxies) and one night accomodation?
4. Based on the answer to question 3 above, is N150K an unreasonable (or "irresponsible" amount to give to someone for that purpose?
5. Can a money given to someone to cover his legitimate expenses be termed a "bribe"?
6. What is the purpose of the so called "bribe"? is it to make GEJ win an already won elections?, and FINALLY
7.  Are the previous comments to the post a reflection of poverty mentality or half baked education? Otherwise, what else can make someone endorse a useless report about bribes when it is clear from the report that the basic elements of a bribe are completely lacking.

nuclearboy:
Whether Northern or not is not the issue - where does the 50,000 - 150,000 for each participant come from? Is it a private pocket or out of tax-payers funds?

Some questions or you
1.  Is the president supposed to spend money from his "private pocket" in running the business of governance?
2.  do you think attributing the funds being spent to "tax-payers" as they would in western nations would add strenght to your arguments?
3.  Is the phrase "tax - payers funds" relevant to a country that gets over 90% of its revenue from crude oil?
3.  If the answer to question 3 is clearly NO, does it not say something about your entire comment? i.e that it does not reflect reality?

samla:
An event conceived as part of Jonathan's inauguration week has become a controversial bribe fest in Lagos, with about 400 participants receiving between N50, 000 and N150,000 each.

At the end of yesterday's event, which started at 12:30 and ended at 3pm, an announcement was made that participants would get reimbursement of their transport fare.  That it turned to be a bribe fest as participants from Lagos were offered N50, 000 each while those from out of Lagos state were given N150, 000.

1. What is the definition of a bribe?
2. Is it right or wrong for a government to give transport reinbursement to youths in a country where majority of these youths are unemployed?
3. How much is a return ticket from eg Port Harcourt to Lagos ( including airport taxies) and one night accomodation?
4. Based on the answer to question 3 above, is N150K an unreasonable amount to give to someone for that purpose?
5. Can a money given to someone to cover his legitimate expenses be termed a "bribe"?
6. What is the purpose of the so called "bribe"? is it to make GEJ win an already won elections?, and FINALLY
7.  Are the previous comments to the post a reflection of poverty mentality or half baked education? Otherwise, what else can make someone endorse a useless report about bribes when it is clear from the report that the basic elements of a bribe are completely lacking.

86. If a student is already in the UK and his/her existing permission to stay runs out more than one month before the start-date of his/her proposed next course of study, he/she will be expected to return overseas and apply from outside the UK. If the applicant applies from inside the UK, his/her application will be refused. A month will be considered a calendar month (for example, if an applicant’s leave expires on 14 January his/her new course must start no later than 13 February).
Source: Tier 4 Policy Guidance

BTW, how come the 28th day of your funds already in the bank would be 29th June 2011 when today's date is 22th May 2011?

Scotland colleagues Kim Little and Julie Fleeting scored to win Arsenal the FA Women's Cup for the 11th time.

Twelve months after losing for the first time in a final, the Gunners proved too strong for a Bristol team making their debut final appearance.

The Gunners scored the opener when Little finished off a fine solo run and Fleeting's header doubled the lead.

Arsenal comfortably saw out the match at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, although Academy's Helen Bleazard hit the bar.

For long spells Arsenal held the upper hand despite Academy, three times semi-final losers to Arsenal, starting the game well.

Having held their opponents to a 2-2 Super League draw last week, the West Country side went into the game with justifiable confidence.

And after just two minutes central defender Jemma Rose headed narrowly wide from a corner by captain Corrinne Yorston, who was in Arsenal's defeated side last year.

But following the early exchanges the Gunners took control and went ahead when midfielder Little jinked her way past two defenders to shoot home in the 19th minute.

The advantage was doubled 13 minutes later, a frantic series of incidents in the Academy penalty area leading to the goal.

After a Fleeting shot hit the bar left winger Rachel Yankey crossed for striker Ellen White to send in a header that was well saved by goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain.

But when the ball ran out for a throw-in it was quickly taken for left back Niamh Fahey to float in a cross that Fleeting headed into the top corner of the net.

Little might have scored again four minutes into the second half, but her low 12-yard shot was stopped by the diving Chamberlain.

A further goal at that stage would almost certainly have finished off Bristol, but they hit back well to have their best spell of the match.

Left winger Bleazard was unfortunate not to reduce the arrears in the 68th minute, her 20-yard free-kick bouncing off the bar.

But Little was then denied again by Chamberlain, who spread herself to make a brilliant save from the midfielder's 81st minute volley.

And the Gunners comfortably played out the closing stages to claim the trophy for the fifth time in six years.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Byrne; Houghton, Grant, Flaherty, Fahey; Nobbs, Chapman; White, Little, Yankey (Carter 90); Fleeting (Beattie 70).

Substitutes not used: Tracy, Spencer, Coombs.

Bristol Academy (4-2-3-1): Chamberlain; McCatty, Rose, Yorston, Culvin (Clark 68); Hoogendijk, Daley; Dykes, Fishlock (Billson 46), Bleazard; Heatherson (Green 84).

Substitutes not used: Windell, Jones, Green.

Attendance: 13,885

agabaI23:
Who be that sef?

Odunnu:
One attention seeker from Rivers state

GBAM!. Ambrose would not even win a councillorship in his ward not to talk of presidency

Past Petitions

2003 – 560
2007 – 1,250
2011 – 400

Tribunals set up to adjudicate on disputes arising from the April 2011 general elections will have very little to do across the states, THISDAY investigations have revealed.

Statistics obtained by our correspondents at the end of the deadline for submission of petitions revealed that the volume of petitions by aggrieved politicians concerning the governorship, state and National Assembly elections dropped to 400 as against the 1,250 filed after the 2007 elections.

The number of petitions for 2011 is also much lower than the 560 petitions filed after the 2003 general elections.
Also, at the 2011 Presidential Election Tribunal, only two petitions were filed against the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan compared to the six filed after the 2007 elections against late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s election.
The petitions against Jonathan were filed by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change and Hope Democratic Party.
Analysts say the drastic fall in the number of petitions recorded after the April polls must have been influenced by the decisions of many failed candidates to accept the results following what they saw as a largely free and fair elections.

awuf2008:
This action might have an adverse consequences on Nigeria as Country soon. The same fate will befell one of our Top Govt functionary soon, and when it happens, do not cry foul oooooo. after all Nigeria threw the first punch.

We really do not care if the US decides to deny visa to any of our top government functionaries as they have been doing that since. In any event, I think the US needs us more than we need them because as they say, 'he that is down needs fear no fall'. If only Nigeria would stop underestimating the value and power in our natural resources, the US would think twice before taking any vindictive action against Nigeria and Nigerians.

@johnie:
Very incisive and deep questions which Campbell can never answer satisfactorily as his views on Nigeria reflects the low level of analysis these US diplomats do on national issues as was seen in diplomatic cables exposed by Wikileaks

blink182:
Is your country anywhere near important nations that should be arm twisting. Nigeria the dump of the world denying visa to someone who would have brought much needed foreign exchange.

Its sad to note that there are still people like you who do not understand how the power relations between nations work. Yes, the UK, US and most western nations are developed BUT that does not necessarily make them more important that developing countries like Nigeria. Unlike people like you, these western nations know how important we are to them thats why they are so concerned about what goes on in our countries. Do you think NATO and other nations would waste thier time and resources to go to a country like Libya if it is not important? Grow up man! These western nations need our resources to meet their energy needs in order to sustain thier development! Thats how IMPORTANT we are!

Very good decision! Most western countries do deny people visas if the actions of such persons are "not conducive to the public interest".Campbell definitely falls under this category with all the strenous efforts he has been making to undermine the government and people of Nigeria. If it was a Nigerian that has been acting the way he has been doing, the US would also have denied him visa and cancel any existing visa he may have. Let him stay in his country jare!