₦airaland Forum

@singinchic, why should it be the other way round? you are already condemning western culture for trying to displace the indigenous culture, and on the other hand, suggesting/implying (?) that kenyans should incorporate the western culture into their native culture? Please be clear.

Ritchboy, I am not going to trade barbs with you, but would advise you to read thoroughly before contributing your opinion on this topic, as well as others. A respondent wrote that 2 million Naira was of greater value, in Nigeria, than 100k, and I disagreed. Our debate was on the relative value/worth of a particular currency in their locale, (that is the worth of Naira in Nigeria, vs the value of Dollar in America), not the value of the dollar in Nigeria. Now, if I was given the option of earning 100k in America, or its equivalent in Nigeria, I would choose the latter.

Having perused through this site, I have observed that the controversy is becoming uglier and uglier. Lets cast our differences aside, and beg God to guide us in His Righteousness Paths for as long as He gives us life. All this argument that "Mine is better than yours", even when, we humans have fallen short on the Glory of God smacks of self-righteouness. Elitisim in Catholic Church (in my opinion) reached a high note when the pope remarked that only Catholic Church or so, was the only true Church of God. I had deluded myself into believing that there was only one true Church of God, and traversed some Churches, in quest for Salvation. Let this deceit stop!. Let this arguement stop too. Lets put everything into perspective, and ask ourselves this question, "Does this argument bring Glory to God"?

P/S: I am not perfect.

Oprah's ascent into wealth was through legitimate business, via her talkshow spanning into other lucrative projects. Hence, her title as the richest black American. Wikipedia has explained Forbes decision not to list Nigerians like Abacha because his source wealth was shrouded in controversy.

For Dangote, why are you all upset that he has not been listed as a billionaire on Forbes Magazine? Must we be looking upto the west to uplift our status in the world? If Dangote acquired his wealth in a clean manner, but is ignored by the west, that should not be his problem. We need to stop seeking recognition from the western world.

It is symbolic, as you have written, but have you not heard of some parents who have demanded an arm and a leg from their future son-inlaw?

Well, someone wrote earlier that rents in Victoria Island command about 3 million Naira, so, if I was making 2 million Naira in Nigeria, then VI would not be on my list. In San Jose, I can easily net a 2 bedroom unit in a very nice part of San Jose, or even move to Atlanta, where the rents are cheaper, and live comfortably with 100k. Will I get running water 24/7, constant electricity, etc?

It is just better to abstain from alcohol, but I am curious to know what your views are on drinking wine? Is it ok for Christians to consume it? I used to, but stopped drinking wine a while back.

"Nightmares without pilgrim.1"? You are going overboard@pilgrim, please refrain from that.


@Lawyer, unless you can show us a verse in the Holy Bible, which should be the Final Authority on our worship of the Supreme Being, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, where it is written that Mary serves as an intercessor between Mankind and God, then it is totally wrong and blasphemous to acknowledge that she serves as some sort of mediator for us. Lets not follow man made rules, but commandments ordained by God. Jesus Christ has Rightly stated that No man comes to the Father except through Him. That's the Truth. The Holy Bible corroborates this Truth by this message " And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8 v. 32) Jesus Christ is the Truth, not Mary, and He is the Only One who can set us, mortals free.

Certain dilemas that I am constantly facing (which I know is not related to the topic), when reading a novel is coming across an insertion of a foul language in the novel, or using God's Name to stress a point. How can I resolve this conflicts? Quit reading it, or am I making a big deal out of fictional novels?

@Pilgrim, which one is true Islam, since your discourse (pardon me if I am wrong) is alluding to the fact that they may be an element of truth in Islam.

Pilgrim, thank you for the Biblical verse that deals specifically on Melchizedek. To be frank, reading the Holy Bible is very refreshing.

Very creative of Kenyans to incorporate some aspects of their culture into the western culture.

I would rather make 100 thousand dollars annually, and live in San Jose, California, than to make 2 million Naira and live in Nigeria. Even after paying rent for a very nice apartment in San Jose, lets say for 1600, for two bedroom, I can still set aside some money for a rainy day after spending some on groceries, gas, and other bills in Yankee.

To the poster who wrote that Oprah knows that Dangote is richer than she is, how can you be sure that Oprah even knows who Dangote is? And even if Dangote is richer than Oprah, what difference does this make in your day to day life?

Wearing of African garb is banned in Kenyan Parliament? That's taking western culture too far. Even in Nigeria, I can attest that some people are beginning to discard suits in favor of our native wears.

History is replete with continents, attaining a great deal of prosperity in a particular era. Africa, now reduced to mere rubbles achieved promience in the olden days with the Malian empire, where Mansa Musa held sway with its wealth. Then there was the Songhai Empire and the Ghana Empire, which all made a substanial impact in the ancient times. (does anybody know where I can get Onwubiko's History book?). But perhaps, the most famous of all the empires was the Roman Empire, which is now a shadow of its former self.

In today's world, America and to some extent, Britain are forces to be reckoned with. The US has achieved a global prominence that its economic policies is capable of affecting all the nations in the business world. Its currency, though declining in value has achieved visible prominence even eclipsing the currency values of certain other countries in certain high brow locales. I read of places in Victoria Island, I think where Naira is not accepted, but the dollar. But Africa is quietly gaining sway once again. A report in one of the biz magazines I read wrote that Africa is one of the hottest places to invest in mobile phones. America on the other hand is declining surreptiously, economically. The dot-com bust served proved the instability of some of the economic policies of the United States. While recovering from the aftermath, another uproar has occured in the mortgage industry, which has created a ripple effect in the economy, resulting in lay-offs and creating a negative view on housing, still touted as a model of the American dream.

Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and some other African countries, are experiencing a rebound in their economy. While the impact is yet to be felt worldwide (compared to America), there are certain Africans who are now returning back home (though not in droves) after staying in the western world. Now, could this be the era for Africa to reclaim its lost clout, or is this just a flash in the pan?

Amazing Grace is one of the Greatest Love Songs!

But it is true, some Nigerians have this mentality that anything imported from abroad is a 'must have' item. I am actually gladdened to read about the progress and developments in Kenya. Reason is that, some people have begun to adopt the mindset that blacks are incapable of governing themselves. They illustrate South Africa as an example of an country gone bunkers after the end of apartheid, citing the proliferation of industries to the heydays of apartheid. And Nigeria is also mentioned in the same wave length too. Before independence, orderliness was a way of life. Then we got independent and confusion became the norm of life back home. Even in America, same illustration has been made, though in a different style. Black neighborhoods are projected negatively due to crime, high unemployment and the prevalence of run-down buildings? Do white neighbourds suffer from such negativity? Probably not!

Even after living in America these years, I still regard myself as a citizen of Nigeria.

I think it would have to be secondary school friends, followed by friends in the University. Primary school days is becoming quite distant in my memory. I called up a friend of mine in primary school last year, but the passage of years had dampened the friendship. We just could not really relate to each other anymore.

There are proofs of the existence of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Holy Bible. If he did not exist, dont you think that some naysayers/critics would have written a book detailing a 'cover-up' by early Christians? Even if such books exist, their reputation has not lived upto the Glory of the Holy Bible. A food for thought!

I am indeed impressed that Kenya has choosen to retain certain parts of their culture, rather than adopting the western culture in their life. In Nigeria, the reverse is the case. Infact, an adoption of these western culture/lifestyle is seen as 'bourgeouis' and a stamp of approval that you have indeed 'arrived' while disassociating with the African lifestyle. A case in point is the proliferation of Mr. Biggs, probably adapted from Macdonalds. Lets stop this 'follow follow' syndrome of copying everything abroad into our country and strive to be original.

Only Noah and his family members survived the deluge, which affected the length and breadth of the world. Let nobody deceive you into believing that the flood was only restricted in a certain locale where Noah and his family lived. The Holy Bible should serve as the FINAL authority!

The burden of responsibilities expected from you, comes hand in hand with the respect conferred on you from your siblings and parents. Last born, you are doted on by your parents, but sometimes, you are at a disadvantage if your parents die. God forbid, if they were to pass away when you are young, and your elder siblings are cold-hearted, it will be rougher to forge ahead financially.


As per school fees for your younger ones (to the respondent), please just see it as your obligation to them. Dont even consider it a burden.

Misplaced priorities.

Three Kings of the Orient is actually a legend that is probably linked to the number of gifts that Jesus Christ received from them. I dont think it is written in The Holy Bible the number of wise men who came to visit Him during His Childhood.

And what makes you think that I dont defend blacks against racist whites?