₦airaland Forum

Nigeria, major oil producer, raises prices of oil and has fuel scarcity, when the rest of the world is enjoying decreased pump price fuel glut. I can't even tell whether there's fuel subsidy or not anymore. We have been blessed with so much, (oil, large rivers, lots of sunshine), yet we can't even generate regular power. People can't even afford to run the gen at 200-250 per liter.

On the other hand, this would be a really good time for investments in solar, and in fact, I've seen an increase in people installing solar panels. If only we could make electric vehicles in this country, then we'd be independent of this damn oil. I tire

I hope a younger generation of leaders would have learned valuable lessons when they eventually take over from these old men and women who have no clue how to run a country successfuly. Smh

Every 3 months or so, there's fuel scarcity. I hope Dangote's refinery is still on schedule for 2017.

Though I'm sure that after it's compete, people will start will start complaining about monopoly, forgetting that nobody has been willing to step up to the plate and refine our oil so we don't have to keep queuing for fuel every 3 months.

I really like how Buhari always results in economic contraction and queues. 1984 as a kid my parents and I queued for basic food stuffs and household goods. 2016 is here, and I'm queuing again, this time for fuel. As least the guy is consistent smh.
I said it, that this guy is not what we needed, but we all fell for the swindle. Hopefully we won't easily forget in 2019.

dayowunmi:
Africa and it's backward mentality. If you are rich, you don't need to flaunt it. Yet to see dangote or bill gate snap pics with bales of money or gold plated stuffs beside them. This senator and davido are mentally age mate, but physiologicaly the senator is older.

It's not an African thing... it's an immature thing... most of Nigeria's and Africa's truly wealthy don't go about flaunting it.

Isn't that nice, two rich Nigerians taking swipes at each other. Hope they pay their taxes sha

They are both queens

There's a thing called "protocol" Mr. Governor, and you failed to observe it. Never mind who else could have briefed the President, you, as the chief executive of your state, have a responsibility to your boss, to report incidents of such important nature.

frleopardo:
those states will be allowed to speak for themselves through a referendum cos I'm sure they don't want to be a part of nigeria anymore. If they want to form a niger delta republic its up to them. Don't speak for dem.

You say I should not speak for them, yet you're so sure they don't want to be in Nigeria. I'm so sure they want to remain in Nigeria.

These two positions are opinions, both with reasonable arguments for and against, so yes a referendum would be in order.

You have every right to encourage their leaving, just as I have every right to discourage their leaving

gidgiddy:
So when Kanu calls Nigeria a zoo, calls Buhari names and even calls for secession, he is well within his rights to do so.

He has a right to free speech, yet within all countries inciting treason is not kindly looked upon. Let him try seriously calling for secession in UK or US and see how quickly they shut him up.

EZENDDIGBO:
Any outsider that mention five eastern state as the core igbo is a fool, sorry to say so.
The core igbo state started from rivers igbo, delta igbo to benue igbo.

Proudly igbo from eze ndigbo.

As you've mentioned there is "core igbo", and the others, (delta igbo, rivers igbo, benue igbo) who in reality are really Ibo-speaking, not Igbo. You know this.

A majority of those people trace their origins outside Igbo land. You know this

Core Igbo always remind us that we are not core, so we should shut up and do what core igbo wants. When it's time for political appointments or state creation or infrastructure, core Igbo is always quick to remind us that we're not really ndi-Igbo.

So please, all I'm asking is to:

A. Be consistent and always include us in Igbo matters during the good and bad times. Support us when we seek representation, and don't be quick to insult us as if we don know our unique history.

Or

B. Realize the two-faced nature with which you treat your non-core Igbo brethren and leave us alone, out of your maps, out of you machinations, out of your ambitions because history has shown time and again that you will abandon us when things get rough, despite our support

SailorXY:
I find it funny when people like you speak on behalf of a location comprising people of different ethnicity. The coined political South South in today's Nigeria is nothing, divide & rule doesn't fool anybody anymore.

How many states have you been to in Nigeria sef? I have served or stayed in 28 states of Nigeria & I can boldly tell you that "One Nigeria" is the biggest scam known to man!
As much as I know you are an impostor claiming crap you not as if it will add £££ to your bank account, let me clear your doubt - the set up of the country is for family & friends. You can take this to the bank.

Please who are you to speak for a whole 'political' region?

The thing is, if you go to China, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, and many others, you will find a multitude of smaller nations and tribes, choosing to live together in 1 country. "One Nigeria" is not a scam, but an optimistic and existing desire for "One nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity".

There are a multitude of Nationalist movements around the world, Texas from USA, Scotland from UK, Catalonia from Spain, to name a few, that do realize there is greater strength and prosperity in remaining united. I hope we too will realize that. Those that decided to split anyway: Eritrea from Ethiopia, South Sudan from Sudan, Bosnia and Herzegovina from Yugoslavia, East Timor from Indonesia are still finding their feet.

SailorXY:
I find it funny when people like you speak on behalf of a location comprising people of different ethnicity. The coined political South South in today's Nigeria is nothing, divide & rule doesn't fool anybody anymore.

How many states have you been to in Nigeria sef? I have served or stayed in 28 states of Nigeria & I can boldly tell you that "One Nigeria" is the biggest scam known to man!
As much as I know you are an impostor claiming crap you not as if it will add £££ to your bank account, let me clear your doubt - the set up of the country is for family & friends. You can take this to the bank.

Please who are you to speak for a whole 'political' region?

I have as much ability to speak for a whole region, as core Igbo people have to speak for all of SS assuming that we will join the fight on their behalf. If you think I have no such right, then my Igbo brothers must also withdraw their assertion that SS is part of Biafra. I love my Igbo brothers and sisters, and I deeply admire their drive, industriousness, business acumen, etc., but I fear they don't see us as equals, and the quick jibes and reminders that I'm not "core Igbo", don't help matters. There's an arrogance from the three major groups in Nigeria that we minorities have to put up with, but (yes, I'm speaking for all minorities), we stand a better chance for fairness in Nigeria than we do in Biafra.

From what I've observed from listening with my ears to the ground, the setup of Biafra would also be for family & friends, as long as you're from Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, or Enugu. For the rest of us, tough. Am I wrong?

I frankly don't believe that we should break up the country and become fragmented, each less able to assert ourselves on the world stage, and each less able to fend of Western (and increasingly Asian) imperialism. The better solution would be to educate our Northern brethren and relieve them from the poverty that makes them such easy puppets in the hands of their elite.

It would be also good for Igbo industrialists and politicians to pool together, unite, and get better representation at the Federal level, so this talk of marginalization will stop. Whose fault is it that Igbos decided to focus on education and industry to the abandonment of military and political power? Why blame the holder of yam and knife when you don't make serious effort to hold the yam or the knife?

NB: focusing on education and industry is good, but as you can see, should also be accompanied with focus on military and political power.

pasol4real:
But having Said that the potentials that igbos have is in its human resource.they hav What it takes to become the China / japan of africa,going by its technological know-how n penchant for business.

I wholeheartedly agree that human resource (talent) is most important to a people's prosperity. I have mentioned my admiration for that quality in my Igbo brethren, and it explains how developed countries got to that stage. No argument there.

pasol4real:
After all britain,France,japan,germany Spain italy do not have oil .

With the exception of Japan, which is notable for not having much natural resources, all the other countries in your list have oil. They may not be major exporting, or may not even be actively exploiting it today, but do in fact have some oil. In fact, it was the availability of oil near Aberdeen, Scotland, that laid the foundation for modern refinery. Don't forget that ships, planes, rockets and cars were running on petroleum long before its discovery in Africa and the Middle East. And that gas lamps were lighting up the streets of Europe, Asia, and America long before (late 1800s) the first flare in the Niger Delta.

pasol4real:
Talking about landmass i stand to be corrected but i think the só called core igbo states put together is bigger than any of the eu states mentioned above .

Landmass is not as important as access to the sea, and most Western European countries have access to the sea. It's so important that not a few wars were fought in Europe over the past few centuries. Nonetheless the landmasses of various countries (via google, in square miles):

France - 248,573
Spain - 194,845
Japan - 145,925
Germany - 137,903
Italy - 116,347
Great Britain - 88,745
Biafra (including SS) - 29,848
Biafra (core Igbo) - 16,000 estimated

So Great Britain is about 5.5 times the size the core-Igbo Biafra I speak about, which is also landlocked. It is my contention that access to sea for trade and diplomacy, land mass for farming, and a larger pool of natural resources are factors that influence the desire for Biafra to include the SS

I will add Israel for comparison: 8,020 square miles, with few natural resources. Note that it has access to the sea, extremely volatile relations with neighbors, was actually carved out of existing countries, and would not survive without ongoing financial, military and diplomatic support from USA and UK.

pasol4real:
As for the só called ss states not been part of biafra thats actually very laughable ,because these guies are fully in support of it with Just pockets of resistance from some parts of rivers n bayelsa .crossriver,aklwaibom n the anomia area of delta are fully in support.
Só u can see that Your sentiments n assertions that biafra would have to canvass for help n support from Nigéria does not really hold water .we would have diplomatic relations with nigeria Just like it is practised around the globe.

My understanding is actually the inverse: most SS people have wised up and are not in support of it, but there are vocal pockets that seem to think they would be better of in Biafra than in Nigeria, but I truly believe will be sorely disappointed. Your assumption of our automatic support, I must say, also rubs us the wrong way.

We should continue the civil discource, and I firmly believe that I am right, with as much conviction as you believe you are right.

Zet72:
Who is this kwanu? Your inconsequential and insignificant ss and it accursed oil is never and will never be in the time table of the agitation of REPUBLIC OF IGBOLAND. WE are pursuing a homogeneous society, devoid of raghead muslims, lazy oil chanting tribes like urs and identity-less and confused people like ss. So shove ur ss down ur bucal cavity, we don't give a flying mess

Wow. I didn't expect this. On one hand Biafra includes the SS, even in literature, calendars, and public speeches. Yet you speak (and I must assume you're not alone in this) of a homogeneous society sans lazy and identity-less people like me.

My dear readers, I hope you realize that SS reservations about our lowly place in Biafra is not unfounded.

steve13:
Mr Nextstep can you list the European countries with natural resources, The fact is, there is huge deposit of oil in Igbo land,but they don't talk about it, they don't care, also you so much prefer they use your oil to develop the North and the west, that was wise

America and Canada (technically not European) are blessed with huge deposits of oil and natural gas, as are Norway and Russia. England, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, to name a few, were blessed with varying amounts of iron ore, coal, petroleum, natural gas, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, copper, timber, water, (and talent) which made their industrial revolutions possible.

Oil was discovered in Africa from the late 1950s. All the ships, cars, planes ran on oil discovered in Europe and the Americas 50-80 years before then. There are documented cases of oil going back to the 1600s in Europe and further back during Roman times. You'll find this elucidating: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_petroleum_industry

steve13:
You sound so lazy and greedy, isn't it all about the oil? Who told you Igbos are looking for oil? Very crazy lazy mentality, FYI check th oil deposit in Anambra and Imo,

I'm just pointing out that the motives for Biafra claiming those places are purely for its self interest, and there is nothing wrong with that. Every country and its peoples must pursue foremost their own self interest.

I acknowledge the hard work and resourcefulness of my Igbo brothers; and in fact am jealous of it. I understand that industry is the key to prosperity. However, to exclude natural resources from any national plan does not make sense, and since this is what any sane country would do, I include it in my list of motives for including non-"core Igbo" in the Biafra struggle.

Every part of the world has certain amounts of deposits of different resources. It makes sense that there are oil deposits in Imo and Anambra (given proximity to existing oilfield further south), but perhaps not as readily available, or as cheap, or as plentiful as other parts of the country. Besides, the rigs in the delta are already there, whereas it would take years for the ones you speak about to be fully operational. I also mentioned access to sea and arable land.

These are tactical things I would keep in mind if I was planning a new country.

Control of natural resources (oil, minerals, ores, water, etc) has been at the heart of most wars and agitations for independence, and there is nothing unique here (vis-a-vis America, Canada, China, Russia, France, etc) that can convince me that the oilfields in the Niger Delta are not a major component of Biafra's plans

steve13:
Like the minorities are better off with Nigeria I don't want to call you fool.ish, do not cry more than the SS, Igbos are not as wicked as your slave masters and they ain't interested in enslaving anyone

That's the point. We would be no better with Nigeria nor with Biafra, so we prefer the status quo.

Look at it this way, why would we go though all the disruptions and heartache of agitating for Biafra when we would simply become second-class citizens? The story repeats itself except instead of developing Lagos and Abuja, SS oil money would develop Onitsha, Enugu and Nnewi. Doesn't sound like much of an improvement to me.

Oh, I am SS, so this is not a case of crying more than the bereaved. We've seen "join us and fight" become "but you're not core Igbo" enough times to fall for it again.

pasol4real:
Story for the gods
This zoo must fall
Its Just a matter of time .
This is not about any political power
Biafra must be free só it can harness its God giving potentials .

Those potentials are severely limited if Biafra is honest with itself and really keeps to the core Igbo states and not involve Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, or Akwa ibom.

Though filled with very resourceful and hardworking people, the real Biafra (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo) is a tiny, densely populated, landlocked area with little oil. Look deeply in your heart and you will see this is true. It will still need to learn to play nicely with the remainder of Nigeria in order to access those resources it aims to control. It will need to negotiate for access to the seas, to the lower parts of the Niger, to access gas for its industries, to get the iron, silica, and other ores not found within its borders. It will have to cede all its industries (or pay heavily to retain control of them) that are presently outside its borders, and be prepared to pay tariffs for exporting goods to other parts of Nigeria. It should leave other peoples who dot want to join it alone.

It seems a lot easier to just learn to play good politics with everybody else, rather than just picking up your ball and breaking away, while bullying others to join you because you know you can't do it alone.

So with all this flippity floppity, you can see why it's hard to believe that those at the helm of this country actually know what they are doing.

I mean, a random coin toss would likely achieve exactly the same results. And much cheaper too if we replaced the CBN governor with a coin.

I'd go further and suspend all arms of government for just six months. President, his cabinet, all representatives, senators and all their hangers on: six months without pay. The money we'd save might be enough to rescue the economy. Smh

CORRECTMAN78:
Biafra is not cheap though certain. If we did not give up, we will sure sing for victory.

Biafrans, don't give up!!!

Indeed don't give up, but please leave us in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa ibom, out of it. This is in reality, a "core Igbo" agitation, and the only reason we get dragged into is is because of oil, access to the sea, and arable land.

We have seen this before: while the struggle is on, we are all one people; but when the struggle is won and it's time to enjoy, we are divided into "core igbo" vs " western igbo".

We can guess where all the presidents and plum appointees will come from: Enugu, Nnewi, Awka, Owerri, Aba, and maybe Onitsha. These same cities will host all ministries, important ports, headquarters and so on.

Did the guy enter Nigeria with a visa or a Nigerian passport?

If the latter, then the British government legally has no jurisdiction over him, as he is in Nigeria as a citizen of Nigeria. Of course the Brits can strong arm Naija, but that's another story.

So Mr. Kanu, you are ready to sell out to the Brits in order to support your treason. Don't forget they eventually supported Nigeria last time because it was in their best interest... And the Americans will support Britain. And the French will want to see a breakup because of their rivalry with Britain, not because they support you.

This Biafra thing needs to quit: Igbo people claiming Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, AkwaIbom, and some people from those states are agreeing. Yet we know that the presidents and all important posts of a Biafra would only come from "core Igbo" areas for the next 100 years; capital would be in "core Igbo"; development would mostly be in "core Igbo" areas, and so on.

The main complaint is marginalization. This is because most Igbos choose to do business and not consolidate political power. Instead of agitating for a separate country, more Igbos should learn and play the political game, be united, and use their business strength to gain more political power at the center. Then there would be much less marginalization.

For those outside "core Igbo" areas who are also supporting Biafra: be wise. It is when you want to run for president or senate of Biafra you would hear words like "delta Igbo", "western Igbo", "not original Igbo", "our brothers across the Niger". You would also be reminded of your Benin, Yoruba, or Ishan roots, when it's time to allocate an airport, build a port, dual use a road, build a hospital, and so on. It is then you will know the true meaning of marginalization.

We need to all work together to make Nigeria the giant it is destined to be, instead of breaking up into small puppet states that the West can more easily manipulate.

A word is enough for the wise...

Nellybii:
Don't mind them. It is the normal slave mentality and self defeatism that has bedeviled the black man. That is why the black man will be the first to admit that nothing good can come out of Africa ever. It is a shame. He didn't mention how much tax he coughs out monthly to develop Europe. He pays 38000naira to fill his tank. Now has been reduced to 25000naira. See how happy he is. They go to Europe and behave normally.
They come back to Nigeria, disobey every law and blame the government. Shame!!

Yes, it really makes me angry when these been-to's come home and start disobeying laws and complaining about every single thing. If this place is so bad, please return and stay abroad and let us hear word!

If you wait until things are better to come home, you'll wait a long time. If you come back and help things get better, they will get better sooner. We need your exposure, experience, and skills... just don't come here and abusing us like so many been-to's.

I'm sure this is April fool's joke, but in case it is serious please:

We don't need more police

The ones we have are already:
- badly paid
- insufficiently trained
- ill equipped
- unmotivated to actually solve problems
- bad tempered

Now you want to emply 10,000 more people to tax and beat us at every opportunity? I know you won't pay them adequately or on time, you won't make sure they have equipment or fuel for their patrol, and you won't sanction them for wrongdoing.

I already pay a hefty monthly tax to the police force every month here in Delta State. If it isn't 500 for fuel for SARS, it's 300 for the weekend to police, or 100 to VIO, or 200 to FRSC. Even vigilante want their 50 naira, and if you look at mopol the wrong way, you're frog jumping and dashing them 5k.

It's such an effective tax collection system: if you see police on the road, you will pay. If they visit you at home, you will pay. If you go to their station, you will pay. The only way to not pay police tax is to hide at home and not answer the door. Abeg we have enough police in Nigeria!!!!

You want to increase employment, just dash 10,000 random people money every month and they will spend it to grow the economy. At least they won't use their uniforms to harrass us.

asuustrike2009:
What happens during the rainy season cos there will less sun

The first thing I did was to group my family's energy needs into tiers:

Tier 1: We need to see at night, charge phones and laptop, and turn on fans when it's hot. (small energy consumption)
Tier 2: We would like to be able to use the fridge and AC (medium energy consumption)
Tier 3: We would like to use the deep freezer, toast bread, iron clothes, heat water for shower for those cold mornings (high energy consumption)

Then I bought a system that would allow me to satisfy Tier 1 all the time, even in the rainy season. For me, 1 solid day of sunshine will carry us for 3 nights, and 1 rainy day will satisfy us for 1 night. \

Tier 2 would be if we've had a really sunny day. If I realize it was cloudy or rainy, then I might turn on the fridge for just a few hours during the day before going out to work, but never the deep freezer or iron.

Tier 3 is really left for the dry season

In an ideal situation I would like to buy more panels and more batteries, but because of budget, we have to simply curb our energy usage.

Another thing I did is use 48V DC for LED lights, to avoid the energy loss of converting battery voltage to line voltage at 240V. LEDs are supposed to last for 10-15 years. So, as long as the sun shines every few days, I am guaranteed to see, charge, and keep cool at night.

As for me, the house I'm building is 100% solar. I never have to see a NEPA bill ever again in my life, and I urge her to do the same.

As they are raising tariffs, solar is becoming more viable, and I won't be bothered with no light or fuel scarcity for my home. Smh

Smh... More like "Tonto Dikeh Pictured With Her Mother-in-law And Stroller" cuz I ain't seen no baby in all these pics.

Not that she should be showing her baby, cuz some of y'all on social media don't wish her well, so just change the title.

Love u Tonto!

makingsense:
So what's d nextstep

Support our industries unflinchingly. Like you would support your clumsy child, because you know that it is only with your support guidance and love that this clumsy child will become a graceful and powerful adult.

makingsense:
Why won't they mock us..

When stupid producers can't think of something meaningful to act always recycling things!!

Not directed at you personally, but at us Nigerians who never see the good:


Shame on you all for mocking Nollywood. Go and watch American special effects from 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s and see how bad they were.

Our film industry is young, nascent, operating with a little budget. And all you can do is mock it constantly. It's just the same way we mock our Aba made things.

Instead of supporting Nigeria with heart and might, we always mock our country. We should be proud of what we have, support it, acknowledge that it can be better, and encourage it to be better.

We rather take the easy route and mock ourselves, supporting other people who have had their own struggles before us. Smh



All I can say is: "at first they laugh, then they fight, then you win..."

We really should forget about this national grid nonsense and start making localized power using solar.

Real investors are staying, because they know the fundamentals of the country are strong. It's speculators who are fleeing and I say good riddance. They only want to come, make a quick buck, then pull out. They don't actually bring development or real jobs and are the first to flee when there's any sign of trouble. A real investor will stay long term and actually care to see development, in addition to profits

tpiah01:
if that's their law (I dont know though), then the parents should make the child's name sound more Portuguese.

I dont see anything to fight over.

I don't know, but I also doubt it's enshrined in law for the authorities to discriminate on what names they approve of. It's likely just systemic bias, which can also subtly be used to deny a person a job, scholarship, promotion based on their names or heritage. It is well documented how in many countries, people are denied opportunities solely because of name or ethnic background. Even the English do it to the Welsh and Irish.

Even if it is law, laws and constitutional amendments are made when people fight for changes. If the law is unfair, there is provision in most countries to change it, and most changes have started with one individual deciding not to accept status quo.