₦airaland Forum

What I can't understand is why everytime Nigerian Government officials want to eat frogs, they always take the ones with no eggs. Why not just outrightly buy 1 brand new Presidential Jet and sell off the other 8? Why should our president be cruising the skies with a tokunbo plane? I thought they even banned Second Hand goods already?


For those that claim that God will save Nigeria, I just want you to know that you're insulting God. Why can't he save countries like India and Brazil where the people are making all efforts to save themselves? Why should he save a Nation whose people have resolved to be condemned?

We need to also know the type of planes they want to buy so we can  enquire the prices in the open market.


Nigerians, please have a little courage and join me to help yourselves. Ha ahn!

I wonder why Nigerians have not called on the government to subsidize Garri and force some food processing companies to build Garri production factories seeing that Nigeria is the highest producer of cassava in the world.

A company will register as a NEWSpaper and start publishing rumours, speculations, suggestions and hearsay.


Sources, sources, sources. All bullcrap. The most amazing part is where they declared that Obasanjo had a vision of Yar'Adua leaving the seat by virtue of his ailment. Something even Yar'Adua had no clue of. Hmmm, Pastor Olusegun Obasanjo aka Obstro-damn-us.


Nigerians, grow up and stop acting like the Europe of the Dark Ages.

Paroh frey

you see, most Nigerians believe that freedom of press includes the right to lie, to cause insecurity, chaos, tension and instability in a Nation so please let's enjoy this freedom. Let's enjoy this democracy. The people have spoken and in a democracy, government officials can only do the wishes of the people who are the real government. Take a poll on this thread and you will notice that the majority does not favour your view.

Long Live the Sahara Reporters and may their plans for Nigeria be realized!

Or by us as slaves and colonized people.

@adconline

I do very much agree with you on everything you say.

When the GSM companies came, NITEL which was clearly a competitor was also trying to play the role of an umpire. Claiming the advantage of their "backbone", the began to stall and control the new GSM and stall their growth till MTEL was ready to roll out.

MTN and ECONET had to come together and frustrate NITEL to death before they could achieve anything commendable.


NNPC has grown so big and powerful though that it may be very difficult for the private companies to over power it. It has to be stripped to pieces and sold off.

If the President were to step down, the Vice President would become president. However, if the President were to die, fresh elections will be held to get a new president.

@rethink

You never thought of this because this idea is extremely silly and childish.

How can you punish private entities for the failures of the Government? Will you like to be sent to jail when an NPA Chairman launders money?

Do you know what NNPC staff will do to these companies after they finish building the refineries? Look at virgin Nigeria, do you know what problems the dead staff of the defunct Nigeria Airways put Richard Branson through before he could finally put that thing back in the air? Now where is virgin Nigeria? Has the government not seized it back and renamed it Super Eagles or some stupid name like that? Where is it going to end? FAILURE!

Now as yourself what the nature of investment that Virgin Atlantic put into that project that our government has now thrown into via garbage can. Virgin Atlantic was investing more than they were making because they were investing in the future and not in the present. The future where they will reap the investments which they made in terms of infrastructure, time, public relation, aircraft, winning customers' loyalty, that future is about to come and we just took everything back to square zero. Eagle Square Air or whatever rubbish they call it is now en route failure.

How can we mandate our government to continue ripping private industries off? Some say that because Shell or Chevron has massive infrastructure on ground, they won't leave. Of course they can't leave, but they can sponsor a military coup or a civil war and bring in a Junta or Rebel Lords whom they can work with. We forget that most civil wars and coups in Africa are sponsored by foreign private businesses with approval of the government of their home country.

Why was the son of the former Prime Minister of Britain coordinating an overthrow of the Government of Equatorial Guinea? Why did MEND blow up the Presidential Palace of Equatorial Guinea? Because some oil companies are paying to install a government which is more cooperative.

My people perish for lack of knowledge. So if the government actually implements this, some Nigerians will rejoice? Heaven help us.

Those of you who own private business should be able to understand what it feels like when you have borne you costs, paid your staff, your taxes and everything, only for the Federal or State Government to impose a huge unseen cost on you such as constructing the road on which you located your company.

Shell is a private company, it has signed agreements with the Nigerian Government and there are clear cut cost which it would bear annually and taxes which it should pay. After all they've lost because of the militancy, why should we now impose unseen costs on them.

Shell was the first company to build a refinery in Nigeria when it was still profitable to own a refinery. Did anybody beg them to build a refinery? Did anybody force them to build refineries? No! They built it because it is the business they are into. Then the government came and took over the refineries and the stupid military men wanted to hear the people sing their praises and the set unrealistic prices which brought in subsidy. Since then, we have not freed ourselves from the problems of scarcity, hoarding, TAM, strike, black market and adulterated products.


Instead of forcing companies to build non-profit refineries, why not do the right thing and stop fixing prices for them, make their business profitable and they will invest. They will even happily pay hundreds of millions of dollars just to acquire a license.


This "by force" building of refineries will only increase corruption, laziness, dictatorship, deterrence of foreign investment, bribery, and diversion of products to other countries.


In 2007, we discussed it here on Nairaland when Bluestar (Dangote et al) wanted to buy the refineries. I said it was best the Nation "dashed" him the refineries so that we have products. Today Nigerians still have their refineries, where are the Petroleum Products!!!

According to Article 13 of the declaration of Human Rights, everyone is free to leave their country and go to wheresoever they want and return to their country if they so like.

That is a human right and all of these European countries abuse it, yet Africans have never put it up to the face of the European Nations that they are the greatest abusers of Human Rights.

Compare the UN Declaration of Human Rights with The EU Declaration of Human Rights. The only difference is that the EU removed article 13.

Igbos are Hebrew. Those who are referred to as Jews are of the family of Judah. In Anambra state, the people of Ozubulu are the descendants of Zebulun which is the Largest of the 12 tribes.

There's a family in Anambra too I believe known as the Eri which it is clearly stipulated in the old testament that only from that family should the priests be made of.

I don't want to argue this because I have my facts. When you see Nigeria's first flag, there was a Star Of David there. Most of us still don't know what it represents. The Catholic Church concentrated on the catholicization and reorientation of the Ibos more than any other group of Nigerian because they were alarmed when they found a people of more than 10 million Hebrews spread across Easter Nigeria to Cameroun.

Is it not undemocratic for Government and the people of Nigeria ti keep forcing private companies to waste their money on soon-to-be failed projects. If you own a private business, then you can imagine what it feels like for there to be a change of policy which requires you to dole out about $1 billion and about 2 years of your precious time on a non-profit infrastructure.

With the removal of subsidy, it is the Oil Companies that will be begging the government and paying huge license fees to build refineries. Let's stop this dictatorship attitude where we just wish the government will pass on all of out needs to the oil companies. So when there's a food crises next time, will the government force the oil companies to cultivate farmlands? Make the construction of Refineries profitable by removing the chains of subsidy and then you will see oil companies you've never heard of in this world will be falling over themselves trying to get a license to build a refinery.

I should stop here, but lemme give the example which no one has stopped giving ever since. When the GSM companies came to Nigeria, a NITEL local call within Lagos was about N2.50 and a NITEL trunk call from Lagos to Kaduna was about N17.00 . Then the GSM companies came and charged N50.00 for any call, whether local or trunk call. They didn't make international calls and when they attempted it, it was above N100.00 .

The GSM companies sold SIM packs and made money among the elite, but they noticed that people weren't really making calls. Why would anyone call within Lagos a minute for N50.00 when they can as well use a landline to call 2 minutes for N5. At this point, ECONET and MTN had to call on the Federal Government and NCC to deregulate totally. Within a few days, a call within Lagos had become between N5 to N10 and a trunk call to Kaduna was N40. That was when it started making sense to open up call centres with GSM phones and as competition came in and the customers continued to put pressure on the GSM companies, today we can make GSM calls to Kano for about N25 and call abroad for about N50.

Why can't we agree to do the same with Petroleum and Power? Why do we want to continue suffering under this subsidy. Today oil marketers cannot import as much product as they want or as they have the ability to import, they import as much product as the NNPC is willing to subsidize. So if there's scarcity of Petrol and Kerosene and the Nigerian market needs 2 million litres of Petrol and 2 million litres of Kerosene, even if the marketers have the funds and facilities to import 4 million litres of Petrol and 4 litres of Kerosene, but NNPC says it only will subsidize 1 million litres of Petrol and 1 million litres of Kerosene, then the marketers have no choice than to reduce the amount of product they will import. It is that simple. SUBSIDY PUNISHES US!

Is it not undemocratic for Government and the people of Nigeria ti keep forcing private companies to waste their money on soon-to-be failed projects. If you own a private business, then you can imagine what it feels like for there to be a change of policy which requires you to dole out about $1 billion and about 2 years of your precious time on a non-profit infrastructure.

With the removal of subsidy, it is the Oil Companies that will be begging the government and paying huge license fees to build refineries. Let's stop this dictatorship attitude where we just wish the government will pass on all of out needs to the oil companies. So when there's a food crises next time, will the government force the oil companies to cultivate farmlands? Make the construction of Refineries profitable by removing the chains of subsidy and then you will see oil companies you've never heard of in this world will be falling over themselves trying to get a license to build a refinery.

I should stop here, but lemme give the example which no one has stopped giving ever since. When the GSM companies came to Nigeria, a NITEL local call within Lagos was about N2.50 and a NITEL trunk call from Lagos to Kaduna was about N17.00  . Then the GSM companies came and charged N50.00 for any call, whether local or trunk call. They didn't make international calls and when they attempted it, it was above N100.00 .

The GSM companies sold SIM packs and made money among the elite, but they noticed that people weren't really making calls. Why would anyone call within Lagos a minute for N50.00 when they can as well use a landline to call 2 minutes for N5. At this point, ECONET and MTN had to call on the Federal Government and NCC to deregulate totally. Within a few days, a call within Lagos had become between N5 to N10 and a trunk call to Kaduna was N40. That was when it started making sense to open up call centres with GSM phones and as competition came in and the customers continued to put pressure on the GSM companies, today we can make GSM calls to Kano for about N25 and call abroad for about N50.

Why can't we agree to do the same with Petroleum and Power? Why do we want to continue suffering under this subsidy. Today oil marketers cannot import as much product as they want or as they have the ability to import, they import as much product as the NNPC is willing to subsidize.  So if there's scarcity of Petrol and Kerosene and the Nigerian market needs 2 million litres of Petrol and 2 million litres of Kerosene, even if the marketers have the funds and facilities to import 4 million litres of Petrol and 4 litres of Kerosene, but NNPC says it only will subsidize 1 million litres of Petrol and 1 million litres of Kerosene, then the marketers have no choice than to reduce the amount of product they will import. It is that simple. SUBSIDY PUNISHES US!

When news hit us some months back that militants were raping female NYSC members, some people said it was a lie, that it was the JTF doing all the raping. Okay O!

The Lord God Almighty will help Brazil, He will help Saudi Arabia and he will even help India because they help themselves. But God will never help Nigeria till they stand up and help themselves and that will probably never. So let's raise our glasses and toast to never; the new word to signify the Nigerian nation, people, and progress.

The Governor of Benue State who is the Chairman of the committee for the 6,000 MW has admitted that he even lacks the competence to comment on the issue.

@Becomerich

stop denying your own people or else you will also deny us when you becomepresident.

The fact that you're from Benin Republic doesn't mean we won't let you becomepresident. Afterall, Abacha was from Niger Republic.


Someone asked why everyone is afraid of becomerich, I wonder if one needs any particular reason. The fear of becomerich is the beginning of common sense.


By the way, I'll add that Gowon was younger than 30 and Obasanjo is the first elderly President and I think the only President of Nigeria to enter office as a Grandfather. That's why other politicians started calling him Uncle Sege during his first political campaign.



I must draw everyone's attention though to how we have played around with this thread. Discussing boyfriend/girlfriend, talking about pot of soup on fire, arguing who's a man and who's not, describing the worwority of becomerich's tribal marks.

The average Nigerian youth has over the past 2 decades been pushed down and stripped of all forms of responsibility that they have started thinking, acting and communicating as children. If we don't get our act right and take control of our future; our destiny, which is our country, we'll soon be further demoted to the level of toddlers.


For the man that says he wants to run for House Of Reps, I hope you win. 2011, if I meet every requirement, I shalt be there. Afterall, if I can represent my country, will I be like becomeanimpostor trying to govern in other people's homeland.

Honestly, I have to mention that electricity supply has improved in some places in Lagos. In Yabatech, there was almost 2 weeks straight electricity, and when it began to malfunction, it was due to the local transformer which was reacting to some short-circuiting from one of the nearby houses.

In Magodo GRA / Shangisha area, they stopped rationing and there was such steady electricity that if ever it goes out, they bring it back in about 5 minutes. That just reminds me of Lekki of the 90's.

However, getting to Benin City, the electricity situation on University of Benin Ugbowo campus is terrible. after about 4 days on generator, power came from PHCN and lasted for about 20 hours straight, then disappeared, and we haven't seen it ever since.


@bayo1

I don't think it is wise for us to spread our net and start exterminating so many people. Let's just unleash mob action on the Minister of Power once it happens that on the 31st of December, Nigeria is still generating even 1 MW below 6,000.


Nigerians need to start setting examples and teaching lessons and I am ready be among the lecturers.


We keep forgetting that it takes nothing for evil people to assassinate good leaders, I think it is about time the good people of this great nation begin to weed out the bad government officials and office holders so there'll be some kind of balance up there.


So am calling on all Nigerians who have an ear, on the 31st December 2009, if there's no 6000 MW, let's go to Abuja and give the Minister of Power the same treatment thieves get in Lagos.

I was not disappointed at all because like you know Naija, I know Naija. I just want us to set an example.

Losing his job means virtually nothing to this man. He's already laundered enough money to pay his salary for 3 decades.

Let's kill the man on December 31st to set an example.

Let's Kill Him.


I really am not joking. Let's kill this Olarenwaju Babalola guy so that any other person who cannot do the job they are appointed to do will humbly step down. Dora Akunyili, Ahmadu Shaibu, Rilwan Lukman, all of them will then become afraid of failure.


Guys, I'm not playing here. By December 31st 2009, no 6,000 MW, let's just declare Mob action on him. Enough of this crap.

I really don't know what you all are celebrating here. University of Benin invited Ibori of all people as a Guest of Honour or some rubbish like that. Is that not already corruption of the highest order? Students could not protest against this all these weeks.

When the Founders' Day finally started, some stupid lobbyists and cultists were fooling themselves all in the name of protest. Now ask me what they were protesting. Complete shambolism. They didn't even know what they were protesting. Some said they raped some girls on campus, some said they won't pay the late registration penalty fee, some said they won't pay the charges for Entrepreneurship Project (CED), Some said there was poor electricity supply. 1 million voices from about a hundred mouths.

They were not protesting against Ibori, but more of appealing to him to come to the aid of students. i was on my way to the Exams and Records when I encountered the miscreants and beggars. Even the security men left their posts to sing praises of ibori, at which point he slapped them on the cheek with N1000 each. I'm not saying hearsay. I was there myself.

The picture below was taken by me later that evening returning from town. UNIBEN students didn't do anything worthy of mention. They just almost got the school closed till January. Dem jus' no wan read book.

There's none at all.


The Labour Party can hardly win an election when most Nigerians are in the labour force.

Action Congress is has a name that mentions no political ideology in particular.

The People's Democratic Party is tautology because democratic is of the people and any party that has to do with the people is democratic. So the repetition shows they don't even know the meaning of the PDP, let alone the ideology. The PDP of Nigeria is meant to be more like the Democratic Party of the USA but right now, it operates like the Republican Party.


A party like the National Conscience Party just got that name for naming sake.


The Don is absolutely right.

See what young people have started discussing away from the topic. Is this how you want to run this country?

Gowon was young when he became President and he's one of those who started the decay of the country. Yes he was.

In the near future, we'll have men in their late 30's and early 40's become President. Remember that it takes time to climb up the ladder of governance. We also need to change some of our laws cos one needs to be at least 31 to contest in House of Representatives elections. After serving a first tenure, such individual is 35 after second tenure, 39 years. After first tenure in the senate 43 nears old. After first tenure in governorship, 47 if they can possibly get into vice presidency, then first and second tenures as vice president will make the presidential aspirant has aged up to 57 years.

By the way, let's remember that not every elections converted by the aspirant will be won.

Now there are people like ASUU extending retirement age and we're looking at them. So we keep the senior citizens in circulation for longer and allow them to keep pegging entry age higher and higher.

All our neighbours are French. Should we not communicate with them? This is a wonderful idea and it was during the Abacha era that I decided to attend Alliance Francais to learn some french. The funny thing is that learning french help you understand English better. For instance, you get to find out that the name computer comes from the French verb "to count".

@naijaking

if you say Sanusi is your Messiah or your anti corruption crusader, please personalis these all to yourself. He never took up such offices so they're all in your mind. You character assassin!

@naijaking

you see why we keep saying that people should mind the source of their news? Look at the ridiculous link you posted. I was even afraid to clear on it for suspicion of viruses. It is people like you that will make nonsense of the FOI Bill when you begin to cook facts into fiction in such a manner.


@Ibime

you have done well! You just used little fact to defeat a quantum of lies. Heaven help us as we continue to help ourselves in this country.

CBN Governor's Golf Tournament all of a sudden became IBB Golf Tournament. Even the Fawehinmi boy can't simply respect the memory of his father?

@hollandis

UNIBEN is not the school you used to know. Girls everywhere, School Security dey shut boys up, even Ekosodin is now a kindergarten.

If you see some of us wey dey still run things or any guy still locking things down, most likely a alumnus living on campus or visiting.

If militants show UNIBEN, all man go peel out. Abi when Anao introduce MOPOL, na who wait?

Whether the funds get to the desired or targeted problems has nothing to do with the Nigerian government. The EU does not actually give the money to the government, they have agencies which they hand the monies to for the projects to be carried out.

So when nothing is done, the European based news agencies make it look like the African governments loot the money when in fact they never got to see it.

The European Agencies actually recycle the money back to Europe where it really belongs.

@naijaking

are you saying Cecilia Ibru is not getting a fair hearing in court?

Where else could she have a fair hearing? At the Oceanic Bank Headquarters?

My friend, her rights are not being infringed on. If she's still in detention, it is because the CBN has strong evidence that there's a chance that some of these CEOs may flee the country or possibly resort to suicide. That is why they have to be in protected custody. As for the issue of fair hearing, as long as she's allowed to defend herself in court and she's allowed to have her own lawyers, and she's allowed to present any evidence she wishes, then she's being given fair hearing. I don't know what else Nigerians believe fair hearing is these days.

Sanusi does not own the media. When he says Cecilia did this and the media spreads it everywhere, Cecilia also says that Sanusi did this and the media carries the headline everywhere. I really don't know what else this woman means by fair hearing.