Otobroto:

See, lets get something right here. Ribadu might not be as bad as Mustapha, but there is a thin line separating both.

I have to disagree with you. There is a mile-wide thick line separating someone who bended a couple of rules to rein in common thieves that were sitting at the pinnacle of rulership, and someone with a dead conscience was employed to engage in murder and assassinations!

In as much as the punishment that will meted out to Mustapha might even be death by hanging, Ribadu does not deserve all the praises.

His praise comes from not being perfect at what he did, but in achieving as much as he did. those frauds could not believe what hit them. Like play like play the IG of police went to prison - who could have imagined it!

Until you admit that, Ribadu was a product of a government machinery to intimidate opposition, and scare away potential political contenders, then you will not be a fair judge. Can you tell us all that happened a couple of weeks before PDP primaries that gave birth to Yar'Adua? Please state it in toto, all that happened and Ribadu's role that brought about Yar'Adua?.

I will concur with you here that Ribadu was used to displace a number of potential contenders, but remember that even at that his reports eventually made it to the National Assembly. Yar'adua was imposed, yes, but even at the start you and me agreed that he was one of the "least" corrupt among the governors.

What you and others fail to know here is that, Nigeria and Nigerians of today, are no longer fools.

Eventually you will realize that no matter how flawed the first open challenge to corruption within our politics started with Ribadu. He raised our conciousness to the possibility. It depends on us now to perfect it even further.

Our-turn:

Did I just hear you say, all that were raised here were hearsay?
That he kept $15million for a period of 7 months hearsay?
That Ribadu cruises round town in a bullet proof jeep, hearsay?
Whaoh!

I can't explain his bullet proof jeep - one thing I know is he needed it! The only thing we know for sure is that he kept the money at the CBN because the governor confirmed it - but nobody has come out officially to talk about why it took 7 months or whatever number of months, and that is why your explanation is hearsay. Your explanation of how he obtained the jeep is also hearsay, since you really don't have the evidence - if you have it please share. I have always said that if Ribadu has a case to answer he should, but don't put him in the same category as Mustapha.

On the other hand, Ibori's troubles in the UK and Nigeria are actual cases, so was Tafa Balogun, so was the former Balyesa gov. case, and so on.

Yeah no contest - OBJ is the best President ever! The problem is we are talking about between dumb and dumber.

He has had 2 chances - both times he had some good policies and did some very good things.

However, both times he allowed his own ego to destroy the potential to see the work he started come to full maturity. The election of 1979 was probably won by Shagari, but OBJ was essentially a member of Shagari's party . In 2003, the so-called constitutional conference in pursuance of the 3rd term agenda, the OBJ/Atiku fights and the emergence of Yar'adua, almost all of his own doing, destroyed his legacy for good. Now he is scrambling to gather the crumbs of his last regime together, but what he really needs to do is retire from active politics, while using his experience to help the fittest of the younger generation man the ship of state.

Remember that it was during his first regime that Fela's mother was murdered and the killers of his Attorney-General in his second run, Bola Ige, are yet to be found till tomorrow.

So, it is a zero sum game when we talk about Nigeria's leaders. We really need to be asking which is the worst, not which is the best because so far they have been mostly bad -starting with how they got there (it is either militarily or arranged/rigged elections).

Was Abacha worse than IBB? Was IBB worse than OBJ? Was Yara'dua worse than them all? How about Shagari? There is really no clear winner in the worst of the worst contest.

Give the trophy of the best to OBJ if you want, but he himself probably knows that he doesn't deserve it.

edoyad:

No contest, absolutely no contest in terms of our best president ever. Infact if we seperate OBJ's military term as ruler from the democratic OBj and he'd be 1 and 2. Just look at the calibre of his financial people, these people gave Nigeria back a middle class in a country that was formerly constituted of the rich rulers and their families and friends, against the poor hungry workers and unemployed.
OBj you're a bad man but still the best we ever had.

Our-turn:

As far I am concern, nothing is worse than selective justice. It is a very terrible thing.I pray some Ribadu worshippers fall into same some day. I am not saying whoever committed a crime should not be brought to book, but hiding behind the scene to steal and pervert justice is bad, while making the world believe you performed wonderfully well. If punishment must be meted out, we must first judge oursleves, before judging others (and the principle of equality must be applied).

Otobroto, have raised some issues here, which are no longer news, except for the fact that, Jonathan wants to honour a former thief and partial judge with his former post, even though he is still full of arrogance, and unapologetic traits.

Really? Nothing is worse than selective justice - even if it is justice deserved? Not even indiscriminate murder by Abacha's goons? You can raise all the issue you want - anybody can- but you have to provide the evidence. I have said it that no one is completely clean in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. When evidence surfaces everyone should answer for their errors. Until then Ribadu remains a major break from the past that was left for us by IBB and Abacha. When Ribadu was scaring the thieves in their boots IBB knew it was getting too close for comfort - so he accused Ribadu of benefiting from underserved rapid promotion much like you guys are doing now.

You put Ribadu in the same category as Mustapha - that is what revealed your true intentions! You are errand boys who do not know how to deliver the message of a slave like a son.

Obviously, another Ribadu worshipper. In clear terms, what did Mustapha do, that Ribadu did not (apart from blood shed, which is still alleged, until proven by the court of law)?

I am no Ribadu worshiper, but a realist and one who knows that the fight to clean up Nigeria is not going to be achieved by angels. It is a crawling process, but even when we have achieved a certain level of sanity in the polity, corruption cannot be made to disappear.

What is the greatest crime a man can commit if not bloodshed, especially the kind that Mustapha and his goons engaged in?

Until proven by a court of law? It is the fact that the system is held hostage by those under the orders of people like Abacha & Babangida that makes people like Ribadu necessary. He was determined to succeed - in the process he probably overstepped bounds. However, the system left him no choice. Governors caught red-handed were using corrupt judges to get one injunction or the other. Governors already had houses that they did not own marked down in their asset declarations in advance of looting the treasury to purchase the same.

All those allegations you are making are hearsay. There perhaps a hundred other explanations for the delay in public knowledge of the $15 million bribe. Ribadu may have not done things perfectly, but that does not put him in the same league as Mustapha. If you have some evidence, you might be able to say that he is not completely clean, but right now you 've got hearsay. Yet, you did not just call him corrupt you compared him to a murderer!

If these looters would not submit themselves to someone who at least is willing to work within the established system of justice, with a little "tweaking", the next alternative would be a revolution that will sweep them all away in one go!

If this story was true then the girl did not die from the beating - she died because she did not have food in her stomach or may be some underlying sickness.

The Nigerian condition is really sick. She was aiming to correct for her own past mistake, but lost a child in the process.

It is a dilemma of untold proportions. May the child's soul rest in peace, but justice has to be done on the basis of thorough investigation. An autopsy would be needed in this case - I forgot, where in Nigeria would the police get the funding for such.

Pity.

You come here and tell us what Islam says. The problem is that many of you do not even understand what you read, you fail to understand the context in which whatever you are reading was written. If you wanted to convince us of something that might be difficult to digest as part of the Islamic tenet just quote the direct passages of the Quran that says it.

Besides, people flouting certain laws is not the same as saying that the law actually means the opposite of what it says.

Your convictions also need to be based on you, your God and his words - not this silly they are doing it, so what is the difference approach to faith. What if the US has single mothers, how does that define the Islamic or Christian view of this issue. It seems that what you are really interested in is the politics rather than the religion since the US is not the definition of Christianity. It is a political unit on the planet - it was non-existent when Christianity or Islam came to be.

debokaz:

Marriage in Islam is due at the attainment of puberty and not based on age.You guys am sure cannot even count the number of single mothers below 18 years in the US.You will continue to have problem understanding Islam if you remain close minded.Ask only if you need to know,

If the totality of Nigerians were made up of people like you it would be safe to say that our country is cursed forever. Thankfully, you are a minority.

We are talking about night vs. day, evil vs. good when you place Mustapha vs. Ribadu. The only job Mustapha was hired to do was to assassinate those who stand in the way of Abacha. He was the alpha and omega of who lives and who dies.

You have the temerity of putting Ribadu in the same league as Mustapha. Wonders shall never end.

Ribadu was one young man who was probably given the job of fighting corruption with skeptism, expected to achieve nothing! Yet, Ribadu knew that the single most obstacle to Nigerian development is the open and callous disregard for the life of the average Nigerian by those who are supposed to lead them. He went after the IG of police (OBJ's friend) and got him to cough up his loot, and many, many more. For the first time ever, this young man confronted these demagogues knowing fully well the potential danger to his life. Atiku is finished thanks to his tireless effort - even after Ribadu was unjustly treated Atiku stands accused, by name, in many international corruption cases. Ibori gave Ribadu $15 million to get his case dropped - that money now lives at the CBN. Yar'adua protected that same Ibori with the entire strength of his short government, while doing almost none of the things he promised. Guess where Ibori is now - running away to Dubai and facing extradition for corruption both in Nigeria and the UK.

Ribadu is no saint, nobody is, but he risked his life. All the allegations against him are falling by the wayside each day.

Search your conscience and your heart before writing this kind of crap that make you lower than people like Mustapha himself. Mustapha did "no good". No one has ever suggested he was being treated unjustly - because we know how many he and his goons killed. He will rot and die in prison for his evil acts.

Our-turn:


This question is hard some how, because both where used and dumped.
Both hard Generals with totalitarian nature as bosses.
Both acted on the instructions of their bosses, so their conscience were dead due to over-zealousness.
One has blood in his hands (though not proven yet by the court of law), while the other has full partial status in his daily job execution.
Both looted the treasury as well, just to satisfy their bosses aspirations.
Both belonged to uniform organisations, and were high-ranked officers.
Both exhibited traits of insurbodination to their superiors in their different institutions.
The list is endless, because people of these manner, always have issues in common.

"Sadly, the negative impact of the law is beginning to manifest and the focus of this is on Senator Mohammed Ahmed Sani's alleged marriage of underaged child. The provision of the Child Rights Act section 21 contradicts the teaching of Islam. Islam encourages men to marry women of their choice as mentioned in Qur’an 4 verse 2 without any emphasis on age limit."We wish to make it clear that any law that contradicts the essence of the teachings of Islam, our divine religion is unaccepted to the Muslims of this country.”

This is what happens when you let ignoramuses take charge of your religion. They would twist the words and deeds of your prophet to fit their own warped logic. Let's suppose for a minute that the Quran does indeed say "marry women of their choice". What does that mean?

If that doesn't mean you can marry your own mother, sister or go to someones house and snatch their women as long it is your "choice" then there is no way that can also mean marry children. They are giving their religion a bad name because of their lust- and their God will not forgive them!

strangleyo:

It would be nice to invade their country and dig up and sell their uranium, buy them food in return for their independence, and build a giant wall between us and them.

What are you talking about? Can Nigeria dig up its own coal, gold, oil and all the other resources properly? All these countries that surround us are begging for leadership which by default falls on Nigeria because of our size. In substance, however, we don't show it until there is some crisis and it is too late. If Nigeria developed a sound agricultural system we would spread it in the subregion to our and their benefit.

We need to remember that at the bottom of all these are individual lifes. They are looking for food and water in a crisis! Don't make fun of their predicament since your response reflects on your inner self.

aisha2:

It is nothing Personal. I am sorry If you feel that way but I have a job and a little time to do it please make It easier for me.
The Yerima Thread was left here because there is a Political Side to It. He is a Politician and Serving Senator. I tried to find Justification for having your thread in the Politics section but could find none.
Sorry if i hurt your feelings but I assure you, Its Nothing personal, No vendetta, No Bribe, No control groove.
Thanks. I trust you will not be opening more threads to bash me or repost the thread here.

Thanks for your reply. I understand this is a thankless job for you, and this seems to be a difference of interpretation. I 'll let your ruling stand, and since it was not my intention to attack you let me ask you to remove this thread. Also, please remove the following thread which I reposted before seeing your reply: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-450184.0.html

Zodiac61:

I detect racism here. She is white, therefore, should be incapable of speaking flawless Yoruba. Please, get real, there is nothing unusual about non natives speaking another language flawlessly. Quite a lot of Nigerians speak flawless English, you know. The natives do not consider it a big deal.

You are adressing the wrong issue. It was a big deal to those in the church because these were not known Yoruba speakers. You can also tell that she put in great effort specifically for the songs - she said everything else in English. At the most basic level when non-natives breakout in another language the natives are usually delighted - everywhere on the globe.

One more thing, if you saw racism in those reactions then you don't know what the term implies!

Zodiac61:

If you wish to wallow in your ignorance and lack of curiosity, fine, but please, speak for yourself. You may be god's robot, I am not.

First, that was an analogy which applies only to the aspect in my statement. My statement has nothing to with God but our state of knowledge of past, self, environment and ultimate end.

Perhaps you already have the answers to the fundamental questions:

1. Why are we here?
2. What happens after death?
3. What is out there in the rest of the vast universe?

If so please share. Otherwise come down from your high horse - not necessarily fo believe in God but at least to acknowledge that since you don't have all the answers it is a possibility that there is someone out there with the answers.

Oboma1:

Reckless use of power by OBJ and take note, his tools here: Bayo Ojo and Nuhu Ribadu.

Is it not reckless use of power to openly steal your peoples resources while they die in penury? Two wrongs don't make a right but at least Ribadu's use of power was on the side of justice. Those corrupt politicians deserved what they got, Ribadu didn't. And what police is going to learn indiscipline if the wrong to Ribadu is righted - the same police that stand on the side of the road collecting bribes openly?

There is a difference between the Reuters story and the below Tribune Story on the role of the soldiers


Three killed in fresh hostility in Plateau •Nigerians must disengage from ethnic, religious biases — Jonathan
| Print | E-mail
Written by Isaac Shobayo, Leon Usigbe and Ishola Michael - Tribune

Barely three days after the Plateau State government lifted curfew imposed on Jos and its environs, another crisis broke out at Tusung in Barakin Ladi local government of the state on Saturday, leaving three people dead.

Sunday Tribune reliably gathered that the incident occurred at about 4: pm when some Fulani herdsmen stormed Tusung village in search of  missing cow believed to have strayed away the previous day.

A source close to the village told Sunday Tribune that while the Fulanis were combing the area in search of their missing cows misunderstanding ensued between them and the natives, leading to physical confrontation.

It was learnt that in the ensueing scuffle, three people were killed in a barbaric way and their remains roasted before being buried in two different shallow graves.

Sunday Tribune further gathered that the entire Barakin Ladi Local Government was thrown into confusion while motorists plying the highway that runs through the council abandoned the route for fear of attack.

A military source who spoke with Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity, disclosed that it took men of the Military Special Task Force who arrived the scene of the incident three hours, to restore normalcy to the area while four of them also sustained fatal injuries.

The remains of those who died had been deposited at the Nigeria Air Force mortuary while those who sustained injuries are also receiving treatment at the same hospital.

Director of Operation  of the Military Task Force Colonel simple confirmed three people dead without any further comment.

Meanwhile, Plateau State Police Command has commenced a process for the re-trial of suspects of the Jos crises in the state capital as required by the constitution.

This development was made known in Jos on Saturday in a press statement by ASP Muhammed Lerama on behalf of the state Police Commissioner Ikechukwu Aduba.

State Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Edward Pwajok told Sunday Tribune that the state government was not aware of such development, “I m just hearing it from you and is coming to me as a surprise, when we are officially contacted then I will know how to react for now neither the state police command Jos nor the force head quarters has contacted me”

Lerama said in the statement that, “The Plateau State police command wish to state that the Police force criminal investigation department (FCID) and the Federal Directorate of Public Prosecution (FDPP) Abuja held a pre-trial meeting at the police headquarters Jos on Thursday, 20th May 2010 with the officers and personnel of the state CID Jos as well as the private legal practitioners employed by the federal ministry of justice to prosecute the offenders involved in the Jos crises.

“The reason for this meeting is for the stakeholders to harmonize all aspects of investigations conducted in the cases for a successful prosecution”

The statement added, “by this bulletin, we are calling on all stakeholders and affected persons particularly relations and victims of the January Jos crises who were unable to go to make statement to come forward for a pre-trial interview with the prosecuting counsels.”

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday warned Nigerians to refrain from promoting ethnic and religious factors capable of dividing the citizens of the country.

The president said this during his state visit to Gombe State where he commissioned some projects executed by the state government and attended the maiden convocation of the state university.

According to him, “we are first Nigerians regardless of whether we are male or female, rich or poor, whether we are Fulani or Tangale, whether you are Bilreti or Hausa, Kanikari or Kanuri; our commitment to the union, sacred value of justice and commitment to develop all parts of this country equitably remains unshaken.

“We must work to harness our resources for the improvement of the standard of living of all Nigerians regardless of any distinguishing affiliation.

“As one nation, we have one destiny. No act, omission, statement, claims and activities either in public or private that divide this country along any cleavages must be allowed the slightest space in any part of our dear land.

“We are one, irrespective of our class or creed. If we seek development, we must seek unity, fair play and love. It is only by working together as a nation that we can meet our aspirations to greatness,” president Jonathan stated.

He, therefore, advised universities to ensure that the training given to the youth was such that prepares them for a multi ethnic and multi religious society.

“The training that our universities provide must prepare our youth for a multi ethnic, multi religious society where everyone is considered first as a human before anything,” he said.

He observed that the government and people of Gombe State have demonstrated the capacity to harness the diversity of the state as he stressed that violence and other undesirable behaviours have no place “in our nationhood.”

“Undoubtedly, universities remain the centre for the incubation of inventors and innovators and also, for solving social and economic challenges. It in this regard that I urge the universities as institutions to continue to work hard to disengage from all forms of social vices which do not ennoble humanity.

“The major task before us is to build a greater and stronger Nigeria where the expectations of citizens are met at the doorsteps of stability, he stated.   

He recalled that when Nigeria was at the verge of becoming “a banana republic,” the universities were at the forefront of the efforts to prevent the country from descending into all forms of arbitrariness through vibrancy and activism saying “that the culture of peaceful engagement” must be sustained.

The president pointed out that citizens must seek to build a nation of strong institutions and systems that “serve the poor as well as the rich, the powerless and the powerful in equal measure under God.”

He pledged that the federal government would continue to support the university system so as to improve the necessary intellectual modules that would drive the development of the country.

He remarked that it was in line with this that the government recently negotiated workable agreements with all university-based unions with a view to making strikes and closure of institutions things of the past.

In his address at the occasion, the governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, praised president Jonathan for choosing the state as the first place in the north for a state visit since he assumed office as president.

“You have demonstrated that you are a father, a leader, a statesman and a great promoter of national development,” he observed.

What is wrong with Nigeria. Who issued orders to soldiers not to shoot when they are attacked?

"But from nowhere, Berom youths armed to the teeth appeared and started unleashing havoc," he said, adding three soldiers who were under orders not to shoot following the end of the curfew were also injured.

I smell something fishy here - soldiers were only injured, while the three people they escorted were burnt beyond recognition. Government fiddles, while Jos burns!

---

Shuaibu Mohammed
JOS, Nigeria
Sat May 22, 2010 6:46pm

Youths hacked to death three Muslim herders in central Nigeria on Saturday and burned their bodies, days after a curfew was lifted in a region
where hundreds have died in religious violence this year.

Military officials said the three herders from the Muslim Fulani ethnic group were searching for lost cattle when they were set upon by Christian Berom villagers in Tusung, some 40 km (25 miles) south of the Plateau state capital, Jos.

A Reuters witness saw three bodies, slashed with what appeared to be machete blows and burned beyond recognition, at the Nigerian Air Force hospital in Jos, where they were brought from Tusung by soldiers.

"The three Fulani men were said to have contacted some soldiers to escort them to search for their lost cows," one senior military official said.

"But from nowhere, Berom youths armed to the teeth appeared and started unleashing havoc," he said, adding three soldiers who were under orders not to shoot following the end of the curfew were also injured.

Plateau state government lifted the night-time curfew on Wednesday. It had first been imposed in November 2008 during post-election violence in Jos but was extended in January following clashes between Christian and Muslim gangs.

The federal authorities deployed troops to Jos after hundreds of people died in January but the military presence and curfew were not enough to prevent further outbreaks of violence in March and April, in which hundreds more people died.

Over the past decade, thousands of people have died in religious and ethnic violence in the "Middle Belt" of central Nigeria, where the Muslim north meets the predominantly Christian south.

The tension is rooted in decades of resentment between indigenous groups, mostly Christian or animist, who are vying for control of fertile farmlands and for economic and political power with migrants and settlers from the north.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was sworn in as head of state on May 6 following the death of president Umaru Yar'Adua, has said ensuring peace and stability is a priority.

But analysts fear local political rivals may seek to exploit the divisions in Plateau state in the run-up to nationwide elections due by next April.

(Writing by Nick Tattersall; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

So you are saying anything that touches on religion should be sent to the religion section. Currently the politics section is filled with replies on a post related to how a Kaduna muslim group advice Yerima to stop honoring invitation to answer for his pedophilia because he was following some kind of muslim tenet that allows you to marry children. Shouldn't that be sent to religion too. It is not the topic or the instrument. It is whether the message was about religion. If she wasn't following some partial rules why not scour the entire politics section and remove obviously non-political posts.

Smells to high heavens!

wwheelz:

No offence but going with your post accompanying the video, I would move it to the religion board too

Remember when IBB annulled June 12 and some people told you Abiola should "Insha Allah" accept it. Remember how IBB used "Insha Allah" everything time he kicks us in the behind, and we roll over and play dead. Why is that so?

It is because Nigerians are fond of attributing everything to God. Knowing that people like IBB blame him for their failures and sometimes downright wickedness. God did not wish his name to be used this way.

As 2011 approaches please make sure that those who hide behind "Insha Allah" or "God Willing" do not rob you of your rights. After they have used the hand of Esau to win elections they will "Insha Allah" you with Jacob's voice. Before we free ourselves of these hypocrites we need to accept responsibility for our own actions, destiny and needs.

That is the spirit of the following and is the lesson I take from it and that I am trying to convey (Aisha2 - I know you have the power, so ban me if you like).

For your hilarious relaxation at the end of a week of hard work the caucasians in this video sing at RCCG in almost "flawless" Yoruba. Enjoy it. They need more lessons with the dancing though - completely out of tune

On the Serious Side:
1. The effort those caucasians put into fulfilling their mission must have been incredible. You can tell by the joy & relish with which they performed it - no mind the dancing.
2. The singer's understanding of the first song (Ki lo le se, Olorun mi) is obviously different from the way many Nigerians understand this song. For the difference listen to her comment somewhere in the middle of the song where she says:

"He has a plan for you, NOW he wants YOU TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT PLAN". Big difference if you know what I mean.

To Nigerians one and all this is the role of God in your life to use an example:
1. If you are hungry God is not going to make food jump in your mouth - that is your responsibility.
2. If food is not on your table God is not going to put food on it - that too is your responsibility.
3. If you don't have money for food, God WILL NOT bring food to your house - that too is your responsibility
4. God will not go to the farm for you or go to work for you - your responsibility sir/ma
5. If you do plant casava or okra God has put plans in place for rain, but that plan is not fool proof and when it fails he expects you to irrigate
And so on and so forth.

[center][flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of_sRHlCk-c&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1[/flash][/center]

]

What am I saying: God would not do for you what you can do for yourself, he rewards efforts, he pays attention to the individual condition, but is not partial. [size=14pt]He lets those that refuse to learn from their mistakes continue to suffer the consequences. I have heard that if someone else can do it on the planet it is unlikely that he will step in on your behalf. He doesnt't like it when people close their eyes to HOW and continue asking him to do it for them. He especially dislikes those who cooperate with or otherwise enable those who keep them down, while they shout for help.[/size]

The destiny of man is to populate and take care of the earth - the children are the God-appointed responsibility of the adults. How man does it is up to him and would determine whether he destroys himself in the process or not.

Don't wait for manna from heaven (in the thousand years of human history, such occurences can be counted on the fingers of one hand). Here is another one for you to enjoy.

[center][flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLWrsfcMy0I&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1[/flash][/center]

Please read above post.

The message is not about the singing really, it is about one of the fundamental problems that afflict Nigeria today - putting all the excuse for our indolence or, if you care, sometimes wickedness on God. The singing was a vehicle and the reason it was posted was that the woman provided the correct interpretation of the song, a point that many Nigerians miss!

We cannot be entirely sure of the nature of God - but you better believe that in whatever form there is a higher form of life somewhere in this universe. The way I see it we are like a self-conscious robot who is incapable of fully comprehending his origins, his environments and his destiny.

As for those claiming to represent God I have no idea whether they are truly his representatives, but some of their actions provide cause for doubt.

Zodiac61:

I fail to see the point of this post. A white woman singing in Yoruba - big bloody deal 
Are christians so desperate that they will seize on anything as proof of the existence of god?? What is so special about her singing in a Nigerian language that necessitates the title "role of god in human affairs."
Are we so dumb that we fail to realise that people learn languages and you do not need god to do so. 
I speak English and I am Yoruba (Praise the lord, god is great - Zodiac can speak English). And to top it all, I have a friend who does not believe in god - she speaks English, Spanish and German. Guess what, she is Yoruba too. I guess she will wow the fools who attend the Holy goat ghost night into thinking god is even greater than they think he is.
Stories and posts like this just show believers to be stu.pid and gullible.
I fear for Nigeria, so much in thrall to Adeboye and his ilk. 

I cannot believe your unwarantted attention to duty wrt my posts. Obviously, you are doing someones bidding. If you disagree, here are three posts you need to delete or move to show you are not on somebody's errand:

Nigerian Inventor Scares Toyota : https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-449656.0.html - Auto
The Prostitution In The Nigerian Banking Sector: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-174822.0.html - Whatever, but certainly not politics
'groove Control': D 360 Degree Naija Entertainment Tv Show: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-449955.0.html - Entertainment

For those wondering what this is about I had noticed my posts/replies disappearing over the last week or so, but Aisha2 showed her face by quietly moving the following post: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-449688.0.html#msg6075339 which I promptly adjusted and explained why it was really about politics and reposted. Then she moved it here https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-449927.0.html#msg6076765 with the following message:

please tell me what this has to do with with politics? I will move again and please do not it post here again.

Obviously, Aisha2 has too much time on her hands or too much bribe in her pocket or too much vendetta in her heart to be hunting down my post, yet missing the above samples or may be it is simply my imagination that she is taking down my posts while leaving obviosuly irrelevant ones in place. Explain yourself.

When you are done I will help you find many more so you can go after them until you completely remove every single one of them from the politics section. Otherwise, please return my post to the politics section where it belongs.

blacksta:

My God - Most Nigerians suffer from serious inferiority complex - What is the big deal with Non Nigerian signing in one's local dialect. I find the whole thing disgusting and wonder why a church will drag itself so low to amuse it followers instead of addressing real issues. Church is not a social club. I am sure many here can sing songs in french, chinese or other Non Nigerian languages.

You completely missed the message. I am not excited by it, but I admire the effort they put into it, that is not the same as being excited by it. The church members were certainly excited because they were probably not expecting it.

Focus on my message man!

Jesus said quote; "The kingdom of God is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three large measures of flour, until the whole mass was fermented." This is no kingdom of God message and I am no Jesus, but the leaven being small inside the three large measures of flour is my message.

Shouldn't this be in the culture section?

No.

I don't really care if an Oyibo can sing a Yoruba song. 

Duly noted. However, the message was not about Yoruba culture - but as expected you are fixated on the word "Yoruba". Now go find another place to set your tribal fire.

For those wondering Aisha2 moved the original here: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-449688.0.html#msg6075339

@tttn726

I hate the Nigerian thing! Name from Lord Lugard's girlfriend, territory carved out on whim of England (ok, Britain, even though the big partner or bully is England while SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND,WALES, well, are all in there) Language i have spoken from small (School, TV etc) is another bleeping peoples language!!!! I can't even speak mine smoothly!!!!!!

Yours was a long read, but it shows the passion you have about these issues and it was well worth the read. How can we not realize the shame of carrying on a name that was picked, not by our colonizer, his wife or his child, but by his MISTRESS. It means that we are yet to have a true patriot as national leader. That leader when he does come would institute a name changing process as one of his first tasks.

Resolving the language issue also remains a big problem for Nigeria. We ban our languages from official process, but can't come up with a way to ensure everyone can speak & read the chosen official language well - until that happens, a process that well take several years even if we start right this minute, no large scale development is coming to Nigeria.

For your hilarious relaxation at the end of a week of hard work the caucasians in this video sing at RCCG in almost "flawless" Yoruba. Enjoy it. They need more lessons with the dancing though - completely out of tune

On the Serious Side:
1. The effort those caucasians put into fulfilling their mission must have been incredible. You can tell by the joy & relish with which they performed it - no mind the dancing.
2. The singer's understanding of the first song (Ki lo le se, Olorun mi) is obviously different from the way many Nigerians understand this song. For the difference listen to her comment somewhere in the middle of the song where she says:

"He has a plan for you, NOW he wants YOU TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT PLAN". Big difference if you know what I mean.

To Nigerians one and all this is the role of God in your life to use an example:
1. If you are hungry God is not going to make food jump in your mouth - that is your responsibility.
2. If food is not on your table God is not going to put food on it - that too is your responsibility.
3. If you don't have money for food, God WILL NOT bring food to your house - that too is your responsibility
4. God will not go to the farm for you or go to work for you - your responsibility sir/ma
5. If you do plant casava or okra God has put plans in place for rain, but that plan is not fool proof and when it fails he expects you to irrigate
And so on and so forth.

[center][flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of_sRHlCk-c&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1[/flash][/center]

@Aisha2
This post was really about Nigerian politics (see the line highlighted below). All the other things are the means of conveying this message to the reader. I thought someone might miscontrue it for a real religious or entertainment post, but from the comments you can see that at least one person located the main message. I am not into providing entertainment per se.  The message is a serious one. Please don't move this one - I changed the title a little. Thanks.

What am I saying: God would not do for you what you can do for yourself, he rewards efforts, he pays attention to the individual condition, but is not partial. [size=14pt]He lets those that refuse to learn from their mistakes continue to suffer the consequences. I have heard that if someone else can do it on the planet it is unlikely that he will step in on your behalf. He doesnt't like it when people close their eyes to HOW and continue asking him to do it for them. He especially dislikes those who cooperate with or otherwise enable those who keep them down, while they shout for help.[/size]

The destiny of man is to populate and take care of the earth - the children are the God-appointed responsibility of the adults. How man does it is up to him and would determine whether he destroys himself in the process or not.

Don't wait for manna from heaven (in the thousand years of human history, such occurences can be counted on the fingers of one hand). Here is another one for you to enjoy.

[center][flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLWrsfcMy0I&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1[/flash][/center]

Kobojunkie:

Obasanjo was once the Nigerian Obama. So was Abiola. Men with little experience but ability to talk the people into backing them.We have had tons of those in Nigeria. My question still is, what do we have to show for the OBAMAs of our past? I mean so far we have learnt that one man’s Obama is another man’s idiot. Why continue to wait for a messiah rather than step up as individuals to make vital changes needed to change the nation?

They were not true Obamas! They were 25% Genuine, 25% Pretenders and 50% ignorant, as many of us really are in areas of life beyond our experience. Obama had his moment when he got his inspiration and then embarked on his training. The process could be reversed but those two ingredients are essential.

What this means is that we need somebody whose life experience (and his education) has prepared him/her, perhaps unknowingly, for the work of liberating Nigeria - Moses of the Israelites never thought he was being prepared and was really shocked when he was called upon. The true liberator of Nigeria is unlikely to come from the usual pathways to political power - although nothing rules it out. Do we have one in President GJ? Only time will tell.

The OP is certainly not an Obama for his description of the Obama phenomenon: "OBAMA has successfully bullied the white skinned and the older generation of American politicians into submission" is, to say the least, way off mark. Those who think Obama has not changed anything would need to open their spiritual eyes. The changes the Obama Presidency has engendered is not for the physical eyes to see - it is a generational shift of heart and minds.

[center][flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of_sRHlCk-c&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1[/flash][/center]

For your hilarious relaxation at the end of a week of hard work the caucasians in this video sing at RCCG in almost "flawless" Yoruba. Enjoy it. They need more lessons with the dancing though - completely out of tune

On the Serious Side:
1. The effort those caucasians put into fulfilling their mission must have been incredible. You can tell by the joy & relish with which they performed it - no mind the dancing.
2. The singer's understanding of the first song (Ki lo le se, Olorun mi) is obviously different from the way many Nigerians understand this song. For the difference listen to her comment somewhere in the middle of the song where she says:

"He has a plan for you, NOW he wants YOU TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT PLAN". Big difference if you know what I mean.

To Nigerians one and all this is the role of God in your life to use an example:
1. If you are hungry God is not going to make food jump in your mouth - that is your responsibility.
2. If food is not on your table God is not going to put food on it - that too is your responsibility.
3. If you don't have money for food, God WILL NOT bring food to your house - that too is your responsibility
4. God will not go to the farm for you or go to work for you - your responsibility sir/ma
5. If you do plant casava or okra God has put plans in place for rain, but that plan is not fool proof and when it fails he expects you to irrigate
And so on and so forth.

What am I saying: God would not do for you what you can do for yourself, he rewards efforts, he pays attention to the individual condition, but is not partial. He lets those that refuse to learn from their mistakes continue to suffer the consequences. I have heard that if someone else can do it on the planet it is unlikely that he will step in on your behalf. He doesnt't like it when people close their eyes to HOW and continue asking him to do it for them. He especially dislikes those who cooperate with or otherwise enable those who keep them down, while they shout for help.

The destiny of man is to populate and take care of the earth - the children are the God-appointed responsibility of the adults. How man does it is up to him and would determine whether he destroys himself in the process or not.

Don't wait for manna from heaven (in the thousand years of human history, such occurences can be counted on the fingers of one hand). Here is another one for you to enjoy.

[center][flash=450,350]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLWrsfcMy0I&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1[/flash][/center]

He-He-He - IBB's Achievement ? Now that's an inscrutable oxymoron.

Sure, IBB achieved something. The only problem is that IBB's achievements are comparable to what would happen if the occupant of Aso Rock ran away and we did not know he was gone.

Beyond that, what vision do you allocate to a man who was not elected to government, arrogated all the powers of state to himself, got unprecedented cooperation from almost all quarters, but still managed next to nothing in his achievements.

IBB needs to provide explanations on many issues or "mistakes" as he likes to call them that would justify a sane person voting for him . The first would be how do you keep making "mistakes" with the destiny of more than 100 million people for 8 years.

The man needs to sit down and preserve whatever respect people may still have for him - take his place as an elder statesman, that much he may be able to get out of Nigeria. IBB's mystique is broken and we have seen his true colors, he is like an orange whose juice is gone - forever, there is only drying out left to do!

Deep Sight:

A friend of mine and I have been involved in a heated debate concerning the subject of the acheivements of Babangida's administration (1985 - 1993).

He asserts to me as follows -

"And I wish you would stop being guided by passion alone. I dont like IBB anymore than you do, but the man's administration achieved a lot. That fact does not change even if the motive was personal enrichment of himself, family, friends and cronies.

Better life for Rural women worked more than you care to think. Ask women in Kogi, Imo, Niger states. I am anticipating your response - "Mariam made billions on every ten thousand she gave "that may be so, But it still brought succour to the woman in the hinterland whose existence was hitherto unknown.

I wont vote for Babaginda (or any of his spurn), but please try and appreciate that one truth does not annihilate another truth,  "

Now i emphatically disagree with him. I am of the firm persuasion that the IBB Regime acheived exactly NOTHING in Nigeria, and that that administration virtually destroyed this country and incapacitated its structures in a manner so comprehensive that we can barely grasp the extent thereof.

I would like your views on the simple question -

- - - "Did IBB's administration record any significant acheivements for Nigeria?"

@EzeUche
He claimed no domination. How is it wrong for someone to say that our language is your language - isn't it a matter of saying here look there is no such thing to disprove him? The Itsekiri have no struggle against Yoruba domination. If the language relationship is indeed true, and the current Itsekiris migrated from Ijebuland then what would be so wrong in pointing out their ancenstral home?

By the way the war that the Awujale referenced was well documented by the British. The Ijebus did indeed take their case to war against the British insistence to pass through Ijebuland on their way to whereever:

"While affairs had been in this unsatisfactory state in the western portion of the sphere of British influence,
a dispute with the Jebus had sprung up in the east. The Ejinrin market, situated about ten miles east of
Epi, was closed by the Awujale of Jebu Ode on account of some disagreement with the people of Lagos;
and though, in October, 1890, in consequence of representations made by the government of Lagos, it
was formally opened by the Governor and representatives sent by the Awujale, the Jebus made this
concession unwillingly, and had no intention whatever of departing from their policy of excluding
foreigners from the interior of their country. Consequently, when, in May, 1891, the Acting Governor,
Captain Denton, C.M.G., left Lagos with an escort of Hausas to proceed on a mission to Jebu Ode, with
the object of coming to some agreement for the opening of the country to commerce, the Jebus refused
to allow the party to enter their territory, on the plea that they feared hostile action. The Awujale not only
refused to treat, but rejected the presents offered on behalf of the British Government, fearing, no doubt,
that to accept them would entail some concession on his part.

Upon this affair being referred to the Home Government, the Governor was instructed to demand an
apology from the Jebus for the so-called insult offered to the Acting Governor, and to insist upon a free
right of way through Jebu country. The Awujale was to be informed that, if these terms were not
complied with, force would be used. In December, 1891, this ultimatum was conveyed to the Awujale
by an officer of the Lagos Constabulary, and the Awujale then consented to send to Lagos
representatives fully empowered to make the apology and sign a treaty.

In January, 1892, the representatives arrived, and on the 21st made a formal apology, and signed an
agreement to maintain a free and unrestricted right-of-way for persons and goods through Jebu territory;
the Government of the Colony undertaking to pay the Jebus an annual sum of £500 in compensation for
the duties they had been accustomed to levy on goods.

For a short time the Jebus observed their treaty engagements, and one member of the Church
Missionary Society was allowed to pass through Jebu Ode on his way to the interior; but when, soon
afterwards, in the month of February, another missionary attempted to pass through the capital he was
ill-used and sent back. A party of Ibadan carriers, who sought to pass through from the north, was also
turned back. The Awujale asserted that the Ibadans had been insolent, but it was evident that the young
men of the tribe were determined to maintain the old Jebu policy of isolation. The Jebus were a turbulent
and proud nation, and they considered it disgraceful to observe engagements which had been extorted
from them by threats. In consequence of these breaches of the treaty, the Inspector- General of the
Lagos Constabulary was sent to the Awujale to ask for explanations. He landed at Itoike, but was not
allowed to proceed any further, the Awujale sending to say that he did not wish "to palaver" with the
Lagos Government.

The Home Government now authorised the employment of force. Special-service officers were sent out
from England, two officers and 155 men of the Gold Coast Constabulary were ordered from Accra, and
three officers and ninety-nine men of the 1st Battalion West India Regiment were despatched from Sierra
Leone. These, with 165 of the Lagos Constabulary, and an lbadan Contingent of 100 men, making a
total combatant force of about 500, left Lagos, under the command of Colonel F.C. Scott, C.B., on the
12th of May, and disembarked at Epi without opposition on the day following. On the 16th the column
advanced from Epi; there was a slight skirmish at Pobo on the same day, another at Kpashida next day,
and on the 18th the force encamped at Majoda.

Next morning the Jebus were found in position, ready to defend the passage of the Oshun River, and an
action commenced at 7 a.m. The fire of the Jebus not only swept the ford, which they had deepened by
digging out the bed of the stream, but also the narrow bush-track which led to it, and was exceedingly
heavy and well sustained. It was reported that they had offered a human sacrifice to the goddess of the
river, to enlist her aid against the invaders, and this had so powerful an effect upon the superstitious minds
of the constabulary, that for a full hour they could not be induced to enter the stream; and it was not until
the West Indians, who had been held in reserve, were ordered up to lead the way across the Oshun, that
the enemy's position was carried. Between the river and the village of Magbon, which the victors entered
shortly after 10 a.m., was found the camp which the Jebus had occupied the previous night. It was
estimated to have accommodated from 5,000 to 6,000 persons, and as about half the occupants of a
native camp are women and non-combatants, the passage of the river was probably disputed by about
3,000 men. The Jebu losses were supposed to be severe, but the British force lost only three killed and
twenty-four wounded, exclusive of carriers.

YORUBA-SPEAKING PEOPLES OF THE SLAVE COAST OF WEST AFRICA THEIR RELIGION, MANNERS, CUSTOMS, LAWS.,
LANGUAGE, ETC WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING A COMPARISON OF THE
TSHI, GA, EWE, AND YORUBA LANGUAGES.
BY A. B. ELLIS (1894)

EzeUche:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Just another way for the Yoruba to claim a people that is not their own. Ha! 

The Itsekiri are their own people!!! I support the Itsekiri and there struggle against Yoruba domination!

@bk/babe97
Cut this senseless tribalistic ranting out, will you. It is not amusing, it is simply sad. Point one finger and the remaining four are firmly planted on your chest!

bk/babe97:


. . . .every bad vice!!! From Armed Robbery to Kidnapping, Human Sacrifice, Drug Dealing, Fraud, Prostitution ect Ibo men are at the top of their game!!! The link below shows how hypocritical most Ibo men on Nairaland are. From reading a lotta posts I used to think the crime below was the forte of Yoruba men as claimed by the likes of Mekusyyshiyyt, Dede1, Wily+Wily, MENTALgong, Ezeuche and co. However, new revelations show that it was really the Ibo men, in their usual sneaky way of life, that actually had a strangle hold on the racket but somehow managed to shift blame to the docile Yorubas.








Police swoop on visa racketeers, arrest suspect with 120 passports
By Ifeanyi Okolie
Friday, May 14, 2010
Sometime in August 2005, a combined team of both policemen and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), launched an onslaught on the notorious Oluwole Market located in the commercial nerve centre of Lagos State. Then it was a notorious enclave for criminals, who specialized in forgeries and sophisticated crimes such as international passport racketeering, credit card fraud, drug cartel, fake certificates, currency and visa forgeries; among others.


The suspect: Emeka with different passports, fake stamps etc




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At the end of the exercise, over 20 persons were arrested and fake items such as, cheque books and traveller’s cheques belonging to different financial institutions, international passports of different countries, travelling documents, certificates of various higher institutions, various official stamps of government parastatals, corporate bodies, federal ministries, banks among others were recovered from various parts of the Market.

The exercise was an offshoot of the then President Olusegun Obasanjos’s anti-corruption crusade geared at changing Nigeria’s reputation and also creating an enabling atmosphere for foreign investments. Unfortunately, it did not last long as some of the fraudsters shifted their operational base from the popular Oluwole market to a remote but unknown area in the Lagos island, known as Lewis Street.

Investigation by Crime Alert revealed that the reputation of this new operational base at Lewis Street grew quite fast, as fake documents of any kind, raging from travellers cheques, work permit, visa or school certificates could be acquired without pains. That was how Lewis Street took over from Oluwole.

Some of the patrons who had visited the street recently have many stories to share. A middle-aged man who simply identified himself as Omoshe, a resident of Kirikiri town, Lagos, during an interaction with Crime Alert, said he was swindled of the sum of over N450,000 by some visa racketeers operating at the notorious street who had provided a fake British Visa to him. According to him, he was scared of the notorious Oluwole and he was also scared of confronting the embassy for visa.

“I was introduced to one Chuks by a friend and he assured me that I can get a visa even without going for interviews. He also assured me that I can process the visa without paying all the money and I will have to pay when my visa is ready. I was highly convinced and I gave him N50,000 for a start and he assured me that the process would take just three weeks, because I was desperate to travel abroad. I pressurized him and before the time the visa came out, I gave him the balance before boarding my plane.

“I was filled with joy because I was about leaving this land of frustration for good and I also thought that my visa was original. It was when I got to Heathrow Airport that I realized that my visa was fake. I was checking in when the immigration officer who went through my green passport discovered some anomalies and she alerted the authorities. I was arrested and taken into a waiting room where I was interrogated. My elder brother who was at the airport to receive me came in and discovered that I have been arrested and he could not take me home. I was deported back to Nigeria, and I had to start over again. I made little effort in recovering my money, because I alerted the police and I went looking for Chuks but he was no where to be found”.

Another victim of the notorious street was one Mr. Michael, an importer. In his case, his Turkish Visa was stolen and it was sold off at the Lewis Street. But Mr. Michael’s case did not end like others. This time, he had some little share of luck on his side. After reporting the case to the police at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FEDSARS, they swooped on the street and succeeded in recovering his stolen visa while one of the kingpins was arrested with over 120 Nigerian and ECOWAS passports with stamps belonging to various financial institutions.

The suspect identified as Emeka Olisa (39) who is currently cooling off at the dreaded cell of the FEDSARS told Crime Alert that he specialized only on visa racketeering and travellers cheques.

The Delta State-born, who spoke in a sober mood confessed that he charges as much as N750, 000 from his victims and the stamps were used to procure travellers cheques.

“ I have been in this business for over seven years and I also have a fashion designing outfit in Lagos but I wasn’t meeting up. That was why I ventured into this act. The deal that brought me to this place was on a Turkish Visa that was given to me to sell by one Emma. I didn’t know the visa was stolen until the police came. But before I took the visa from Emma, I gave him about eight passports to get visas on them. I also gave him part payment, but he went away with this passport and he did not return them at the agreed date.

And owners of these passports were on my neck and they were seriously asking for their visas. I called Emma and I told him that the owners were on my neck but he would not listen.

At one time, he brought back photocopies of the visa and told me that they were ready but I can’t get them because one of our men at the embassy wants to lay low for a while. When he said this, he told me that he has a Turkish visa that he wants me to sell. I asked him to send it over which h

e did but I refused to sell the visa because he was owing and I intended using the visa as a leverage for my eight passports. I was at my office at 67, Lewis when the police came and arrested me”.

When asked how he would have sold the visa and if he did, what will the buyer do with it? Emeka, emphatically said that, the visa will be sold to some one that looks more like the person on the visa.

The spokesman of the FEDSARS (ASP), Lekan Ogundare who confirmed the story said they have spread their drag nets all around the notorious Lewis Street which he described as ‘safe haven for fraudsters and forgers’ assuring that they are poised to curb their criminal activities.




http://odili.net/news/source/2010/may/14/318.html