₦airaland Forum

Poor electricity constitutes 70% of operators' challenges, says ATCON
Author of this article:  By Adeyemi Adepetun and Bankole Orimisan


THE Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria has attributed 70 per cent of the challenges facing operators in the country’s telecommunications sector to unreliable public electricity.

Delivering a keynote address at the association’s broadband investment summit in Lagos yesterday, the President of ATCON, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, said power problem has been responsible for high cost of running businesses, which, according to him, has kicked some operators in the sector out of businesses and with little only big operators being able to survive the tides.

The investment forum was the major outing of the implementation of ATCON’s roadmap to sustaining the gains of the last decade and preparing for the next during which the industry is expected to provide access to large population using broadband as toll.

Omo-Ettu, who stated that, getting the current government policies targeted at boosting power generation is critical to the attainment of ubiquitous broadband deployment to galvanise the nation’s economic development, maintained that, although operators face other challenges such as technical issues, poor access to financing, among others, power presents the greatest challenge to the broadband growth.

Industry experts have said that out of over 40 million Nigerians already connected to the Internet; only about 12 million representing around 3 per cent are connected to broadband internet access.

According to Omo-Ettu, “When we weighed the problems which confront our industry as a component of the Nigerian economy, all the issues of low technical skills, poor access to financing, barrier to investment, and all of that, all constitute 30 per cent. It is in finding solution to this 30 per cent that we are gathered to brainstorm and cart a path.

“The over 70 per cent, which is constituted by a poor access to reliable public electricity that refuses to go away can only be left for government to work at sorting out.”

Speaking on the theme of the two-day investment summit: “Broadband as enabler to connecting the next 50 million Telecom users in Nigeria”, Omo-Ettu stated that, having achieved tremendous growth in subscriber base in the last 10 years, broadband should be used to connect the next 50 million subscribers in the next 10 years.

“We have already said we are now done with number of connected lines as index of our industry development. We want to shift emphasis to using number of our citizens who have access to telecommunications index of planning and developing our market.

In the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer of Main One cable Company, Ms. Funke Opeke, who also recognised power problem as one of the greatest challenges to broadband penetration, however, noted that, cost of broadband has dropped by up to 75 per cent in the last one years of international submarine cables landing a year ago.

She added that, “By granting the right of ways to telecom investors at reduced cost, operators would be able to deploy more broadband at reduced cost to Nigerian both at wholesale and at retail levels.”

coogar:
all these things can only work in theory. . . . .you cannot practise it in nigeria.
it's not only feasible, the people on ground there would frustrate it from happening.
a large percentage of nigerians make money with the epileptic state of nigeria. . . . . .attempting to heal nigeria will get a lot of them out of their jobs, and will make them poor.

pleep: Expats who have no intention of going back home to help should be ashamed of themselves. 
Look how Asian expats use western education to better their countries while Nigerians just complain. .
How's a country going to deveelop when it's best Most promising ppl (figurativly) abandon it?

Stop looking for excuses and look for oppurtunities.

The statement in bold sums this whole thread up.  Nigerians are Nigeria's biggest problem, not government, not the Indians, Lebanese or Chinese who are making money in Nigeria.

We forget that even in Nigeria there is an educated Middle class. We should not be depending on expat Nigerians to do for us what we have repeatedly failed to do ourselves.  Let's keep blaming government, or foreigners, or our history for what is happening today. Let's stop whining and wringing our hands and say "nice theory but it can't change in reality".  If a people want change it can happen, the problem is that most people are selfish and self-serving, not looking to the greater good of the country but "me and mine".

People may not like what Kobojunkie said, but it remains true - whether we like it or not, we[i] ALL[/i] have a CHOICE, from the street trader to the politico.  We get the country we deserve by expecting others to be the change that we are too weak-willed to be ourselves.

I will not hold my breath waiting for expat Nigerians to be the changemakers; it is too big a burden of responsibility for them alone to shoulder.

@ OP, it depends on what you want to know. What would you like to know about blogging?

Sadly people, this is how Airtel is.  Their mobile internet only seems to work best in the early hours of the morning when most people are asleep!  During peak times, especially in the evening, if you get a good consistent connection be thankful because it's rare.

For anyone who has a Twitter account, they're there as Airtel NG.  Maybe you should go there, let them know your problem and see what happens.

This makes no sense - it's "straining at gnats and swallowing camels". Friendship is a type of relationship.

If someone is your friend, that is a relationship.  If there's a romantic interest and you're seeing someone, that's another type of relationship.

Definition of relationship
Definition of friendship

Additional tips:

Tell  your spouse what is happening. If someone is pursuing you, you've told them you are married and not interested and they continue, let your spouse know.

If the person manages to get hold of your number and calls or texts you, don't answer it or reply.  If you are with your spouse when they call, get your spouse to answer your phone every time.

It depends on where you're coming from:

In Islam it is a contract.

In Christianity it is perceived as a covenant.

Traditional marriages are more or less contractual

You can have a contract from a "Christian" perspective - that would be called a pre-nup.

Gunji:
please can you give me the link 2 Affordables' web-page?

Google is your friend.  If you have the time to come here and post you could use that same time to find Affordables on the 'net. It's not that hard is it?

But because I'm a nice person, here's the link to their website.

ifecx4real:
how would u sale a fairly used for 10k wen a nu one is 7500

I was wondering the same thing. Notice he's now selling the iPhone separately elsewhere.

Personally, if I want water I will take it from home rather than buy pure water - it is the most disgusting thing I have ever had the misfortune of ingesting. I felt like I was drinking the chemicals used to produce the bag!

I don't understand why it is so difficult to make biodegradable bags, I can only assume it's about profit and not the environment. I remember watching on LTV some time ago someone said that some Chinese entrenpreneurs come to Lagos and collect and recycle those pure water bags (and other bits of plastic) that get thrown away and collected.

This is sad, to think that someone isn't seeing their parents because of money.  Are his parents so self-absorbed and interested in his money that he has to behave like this, or is this just how he thinks?  Is that what relationships and family have come to in Nigeria?

Well I with them good luck but the fall out won't be nice. Me, money or no money I have to see my parents - to do otherwise is simply selfish.

Looks like the company is being sold to new owners:

Multilinks halted in Nigeria

Helio Towers Nigeria buys Multilinks

It could simply be that Multi-Links is going through transition problems (if the sale has gone through).  Unfortunately they don't feel any obligation to let the customer know what's happening with the service.

What's the big deal about being referred to as "their mum".  Where is the offence in that?

Is it by force that your in-laws MUST befriend you on FB? I suggest you don't make a big deal out of something that isn't significant.  You need to work on that distrustful nature of yours, otherwise you will easily destroy your relationships.

Abali1:
@Bashy, I understand what you re trying to say. But the truth of this matter is that not ALL men will cheat on their spouse. MAJORITY, I will say is the number( rich or poor; ugly or handsome; short or tall). BOT NOT ALL.

I'm one of those who b.liv in one man, one woman thing. I stayed FAITHFUL in my first ever relationship, for FOUR YEARS. Not that I wasnt tempted to cheat, Not that i am morally upright. BUT I DID NOT CHEAT.

I tried it in my second r.ship, until the feeling of insecurity sets in (like Sleek said). I loved the babe so much, but I also have it at the back of my mind that if she disappoints me; then i wiil turn to emotional wreck. So I started cheating, but she neva caught me. GUESS WHAT? She ended up disappointing me.

Am not yet married(though am comfortable financially), I do not know if I will meet someone, like my first who will win my TRUST and make me not to cheat or I will meet someone who will be just for procreation.

IF I HAD MARRIED MY FIRST, I WOULD NEVER HAVE CHEATED ON HER.

You've highlighted something very interesting - insecurity led to cheating.  The thing is, by saying you yourself "if this babe cheats on me I'm going to be an emotional wreck" and then cheating on her, you in effect have set yourself up for that.

Thing is, you have to shine your eyes when getting into ANY relationship.  Look beyond the physical to qualities that will last.  And don't throw yourself into it emotionally if you even think  you will be disappointed - you will only continue the cycle of cheating again.  The choice is yours. 


[quote author=bashy_demy link=topic=710353.msg8735378#msg8735378 date=1310930214]@slymm you sound so hard about this and in every of my comments i always give you some point and reasons why men will cheat and like i said every men will cheat i still repeat and stand on my point every rich men will cheat try to make some research about this,  we are all thieves its the ones that got caught that are armed robber,  if you are married and trust your hubby so much that he will never cheat on you i pray you dint collapse the day you will see him mounting on your closest friend and i hope you will come here to tell us about the stories[/quote]You really need to stop making cheap points at the expense of others.  Whatever slymm's relationship with her husband/boyfriend is and what they choose to do, it is not for you to speculate about their relationship in order to justify your claim about all men cheating.  You may stand by what you've said by all means, but there's no need to deride someone else's relationship because of your own lifestyle choice.

Sounds to me like you're with a smart woman. She's also pre-warning you for the time when you may end up meeting them - at least you should know who you are dealing with.

I have to say I agree with Ujujoan. Do you really love her? What have you seen in her that makes you think her dysfunctional background will affect your future home?

How much money do you have to dash for the "Freedom of Information" access.  Someone who's supposed to sign a paper won't do it for someone who isn't their paymaster. 

I can see how frustrating this process is going to be, not to mention the selective omissions of information.

Witty07:
Please why is it that in recent times, wifes or ladies tend to always lean towards unhealthy argumentwith theri spouse all because they dont want to feel sidelined.

Not wanting to repeat Outstrip, re-read what you've just said. The fact that she feels sidelined is the cause of arguments. Someone is not managing their home nor communicating well with their wife.

blank:
This is the same wife that has Hepatitis B and u have been married to for 20 yrs, sorry its 18 yrs, no i meant 5 yrs. Liar Liar Pants on fire. U don't even have $500 not to mention $5000. U tink say all of us na mumu. I don tire 4 your kain person.

Guys just check out his former posts.

With all these his stories, add to that his username.  It speaks volumes 

@ poster, it is not unusual to stay away from your siblings and have little contact.  I'm sure you love each other but getting away from a family situation like yours allows you the opportunity to build your own character and personality, which you cannot do under your parents roof.

I would suggest if a job opportunity presents itself to you, take advantage of it (so long as it is not 419 or yahoo yahoo  ).  Jobs are scare and there are many graduates who would love to be in your position.  You can always take up your masters  once you've established yourself in your occupation.

Most importantly it is a means of being financially independent.  Your mother tries to control you because she cannot control her own life - or even her husband.  Let them label you a rebel for having your own life, let them have 7 days dry fast for you if you leave home.  Most parents would be grateful for their children showing some initiative and not solely depending on them.

As for the lady you have taken a liking to, I would suggest you tread carefully.  No woman wants a weak man or a man who is controlled by his parents.  I have seen this for myself ruin many good relationships all because the man wouldn't be a man but continues to be a mummy's boy or controlled by his family.  By all means try to establish a closer relationship with her, but show that you are serious by having your own life.  And get to know yourself and be comfortable in your own skin before allowing someone else into your life.

By ignoring your father's infidelity it has only made the situation harder for the entire family.  Marriage and family is not about deceit, but you are all deceiving yourselves.  Have any of you his children tried to establish if this rumour of another family is true or not?  That's the first thing you need to do before you even consider having a meeting of any kind.

Your parents marriage is not a reflection on your own.  Just shine your eyes in your relationship, pray for guidance and it will be well.

sayso:
@Roland17,hope you are not 17?it's happening in the states ok,but in naija,the trend is coming fast.
There is a competition out there,"who is better than mine"among mothers,so the wearing of
* Tighter  pants
* Exposed tops
* Exposed legs
* Who has the confidence to wear cloths without pants & Bra
* Who speaks more phonetics by waving the left hand in the air
* Who shows Mama,I can get you whatever Dad could not
and so on.

NB
I lost my maid to this antics because I could not allow her to wear boxers without pants in my house.Could you believe that!!!!!!.

Good thing you had the presence of mind to discipline your maid, some people would have taken advantage of the situation and not looked back.  I know of men who have chased these girls from their gate because of the way they dress or some of the comments they made to them.

Have you not seen those small girls who go hawking on the streets who get propositioned by old men?
Have you not seen those small girls who sell stuff going into people's houses where there is no madam or madam is away?
Haven't you notice the young girls (barely in their teens) with belle?

This is not some new trend introduced outside into Nigeria.  As long as people are willing to put their girl children to selling on the streets, some of these girls will not see their own value beyond the kobo they make, whatever way they can make it.  Some children are too money-hungry and will willingly sleep with even their parent's friends for what they can give them, without their parents suspecting a thing.

The value system in some places is totally shot.

2makesense:
THANKS U ALL FOR THE COMMENTS,

its might be difficult to refuse to give him money especially if he is aware that i have, anyway i will try & pray to God for a change.

Must he know how much money you have?  You need to take avantage of the weather and short-change him.  By continuing to give him money, he will continue to cheat and disrespect you.  If that's what you want, I would suggest not coming here and wringing your hands - continue doing what you are doing and he will continue to make you miserable.

Don't forget you have children watching both of you.  Although you may choose to have selective memory about his behaviour, children don't forget these things even if they can't put it into words at the moment.

Pray for your situation by all means, but your priority is your children.  Next time he asks for money, it's been spent on the children or paying some thing or trade didn't go well that day.  I'm not saying lie, but that your husband needs to know that the Bank of 2makesense is closed!

^^ Doesn't it have to do with the area you're in?

We were only getting GPRS and EDGE in our area. Then we got a text that there's been a network upgrade, it was only then we could finally get 3G. We didn't request a thing.

Maybe the poster needs to find out if 3G is available in his area. Even then I wouldn't believe them if they told me cos they seem to say what people want to hear.

Ijogz K:
No 1 even commented,  Nonsense for all of you that read and close you are all sick 

I think we are all amazed that someone over the age of 8 years old can behave like a child in a sweet store over a BlackBerry.  To the point where you have yourself in hospital over it?? 

Inasamuch as I like technology and love phones, I would not give myself high blood pressure for the newest and latest.  If I don't have the money, what I have will have to do until I can afford it.

You need to chillax.  Just stick with a phone - any phone.  Does the BlackBerry you have do what it's supposed to do? Then stick with it.  It's not life.

Very new.  There's already a thread for pin-swapping:

Drop Your Blackberry Pin: Let's Chat

tivta: Besides women are not know for hanging out at hotels ALONE to drink. If they wish to drink they most often than not hang out with female friends at least. Even rich women dont hangout at hotels, they prefer resturants so as to eat and chill. This is common with girls around the world(Fact) if girls really want to 'chill' they hangout at clubs and not hotels. I believe you dont support this cause its the only way you meet women. Why not try church, eatery or even if you want shorttime the best place is the club and not hotel. Nuff said.

@ bold, I can only presume you haven't been around much.  Unlike in Nigeria, it is not unusual in some countries for a woman to go to a bar on her own and buy her own drinks. 

And just because two women on NL would not go to a hotel bar on their own does not make it true for all women in Nigeria.  Some may choose to go to a hotel because they like the ambience and feel safe from the "predators" they may meet elsewhere - but I'm sure you would never thought of it like that.

Pro01 makes a very valid point - if a woman is going to patronise a hotel bar she should be expected, like every other patron, to buy something rather than wait for someone to pay for her drink.  THAT is what makes her suspicious and more likely to be a LovePeddler. 

In hotel bars I've ever visited you can't use the bar unless you're a paying guest, escorted by a guest or meeting someone there.  Even if you are waiting for or meeting someone, you have to buy something to stay there. Simple.  And you can't hang around with an empty glass.  No one wants to be in a hotel bar bothered by LovePeddlers touting for business like it's a bus park.

debosky:
As others have mentioned, great men like David and Solomon cheated, yet no one would say they were not 'real men'. Heck even Abraham cheated if that's what we're talking about.

I always wonder if people who cite David, Solomon and Abraham paid any attention to the full story (bearing in mind those who said these were "men of God" and "men after God's own heart were other men )

If these characters teach us anything at all, is that[b] there are repercussions for infidelity[/b], let's not cut these short and ignore the important points:

[list]
[li]God gave Abraham a prophecy about his children - well it bore true. In fact, he didn't actually "cheat", he took another wife trying to force God's hand, and then kept going.  The end result is visible in today's Middle East.[/li]

[li]David not only cheated on his wives with another man's wife, he arranged for the man to be killed so he could make her his wife.  What happened then?  And with all his children from different mothers, was there not a lot of in-fighting which led to the eventual division and fall of the original Kingdom of Israel?[/li]

[li]Solomon had many wives and concubines, despite all his supposed wisdom he was not wise enough to realise they would be his downfall.  What happened to him?  He neglected the God of his forefathers to worship false gods.  And his family was even more divided than  his father's.[/li]

[/list]

If we are remotely observant, it is very clear that infidelity comes at a price, whether in our lifetime or our children's.  Anyone who thinks otherwise is deceiving themselves.  Even if these stories 0f David, Solomon and Abraham are made up, there are very real examples in some of our own families.  We ignore them at our peril.

@ chaircover - I'm not male in any form or fashion (just one of those rare people whose brain is male/female  ). 

We make conscious decisions to do things and it's no use pretending otherwise.  I still would like to know how a man can go to a place, get undressed/take off his pants, and Be Intimate with a woman who isn't his wife and call it "a mistake".

lonelypal:
a lil benefit of doubt wil do guys, y get paranoid over this, she has confessed , gud news for d countries' image

Now if only we could get rid of that Sunday Times video footage of him telling the "representatives" to put the money into his personal account. . .

deelobe:
The Lagos state government could also set up a panel of professional, properly trained and experienced town planners to work on doing something about the floow. It will lead to some houses being demolished but the government can compensate them. this will be for the common good

Just another talk shop and a waste of time in my opinion.  I am sceptical that government will demolish homes and properly rehouse people. 

The flooding in Ikorodu last has been happening for close to fifty years, and last year was one of the worst years.  Successive governments and governors have failed to do a thing about it.  Now that flooding has spread further it only goes to show that all the professionalism in the world won't affect it without concrete action.  Even then, that would require people not to siphon off the money for the project which is next to impossible.

So flooding will continue to happen in cycles, we will get more talk, but nothing will be done.  And next year we will probably be here talking about flooding in Lagos again.

helpdoer:
YES! for me, love means fuzzy feelings that are enduring and true and results in non-forced, natural affection, consideration, communication, togetherness, breathless anticipation, resolution-rooted disagreement, and happiness.

Oh and yes SEXY - after 17 yrs, YES - sexy. Hot, breath-taking attractive, playful, engaging, no need for words SEXY.

What's your definition?

Your comments pretty much encompasses it.  Love is just a word but what you and your spouse share goes beyond the meaning of a word.  It is emotional, physical, spiritual, and everything in between 

I remember watching a couple in their 80s talking about how they met, their relationship, their struggles and giving their advice on what it takes to sustain a marriage.  After 60+ years of marriage it was obvious this was a couple who cared deeply for each other  - some would describe it as "love".  And they were Nigerian (and very funny too)!

17 down, 43 more to go 

claremont:
No!

Your assignment:

1) Go and speak to someone who's been married for more than 20 years, ok, maybe over 10 years.  The longer the better.  Ask them what advice they can give someone regarding marriage.

2) When next you're around your family, observe the dynamics: aunt and uncle, parents, siblings and spouses even.  Even the bad relationships can teach you something.

You can learn a lot just watching people and speaking to them.  You may theorise about love, but until you find yourself in a position where you want to commit to someone, you will realise there are a number of factors at play, and one of them simply isn't "go forth and multiply" as may have been the case of our ancestors.

Whether love is a feeling or not doesn't matter at this point.  What you will notice (in a couple that are in a good relationship with each other) is an awareness that transcends sentiment.  There is commitment, there is a degree of sacrificing for the greater good, compromise, all those things come into it. 

If you don't want to use the word "love" because you don't think it's a delusion, fine.  This delusion means different things to different people, but for most people in committed relationships its meaning is all encompassing, beyond any single word.

Roland17:
Although more needs to be built, i believe Drainage systems already exist in Lagos, but they were not properly built and channeled also as a result of the bad environmental Lifestyle of many Lagosians, who continually dump refuse on the road whenever it rains or dump refuse and waste inside flowing gutters, it has become very difficult for water to flow through this drainage systems to their channeled destination.
Also understanding the topography of a particular area before constructing roads is inevitable, the effort of the government can not help this situation alone, we see our neighbours commit environmentally unsafe practices like throwing refuse in a flowing drainage yet we don't stop them, the resultant effect would affect all. we can minimize flooding in Lagos state, if we imbibe good environmental lifestyle,

I agree with you about drainage systems.  Where I live the drains are supposed to lead to a river (forgotten which one).  The reality is that drains are "stand alone" i.e. don't lead to anywhere, if they exist at all.  One drain was full of green algae water since the last rains and throughout the dry season.  And the people who live near it just walk across the bridge and totally ignore it.  All I know is once the rains start again that "drain" will overflow.

Poor drainage is a simple example of short-term thinking that seems endemic.