₦airaland Forum

afam4eva: the funny thing is that the same people who respect Fela for his views on national issues will still argue that MKO was a progressive. It just shows that people only accept what they want and discard the rest.

Right on bro. That we Yorubas saw MKO as. a messiah is one of the political tragedies of our time. I never trusted the man. He was part of the problem and never changed

I guess selective amnesia played a part in elevating MKO to the hero status

shymexx: I understand where you're coming from, [b]but my point is; why do they have spend that much just to shop in the UK - when they can get the same thing in Nigeria? [/b]Thus, keeping the money in the Nigerian economy... If you put the money they would spend to obtain the visa, flight tickets, accommodation etc... into consideration, is it really worth it??

I think most of them just do it out of ignorance and the "look cool" factor(inferiority complex) - just to show off that they 'shopped' in London... But either way, it's hurting the Nigerian economy, that was my point..

You're wrong. They can't get the same thing in Nigeria. Too many low quality, "factory rejects" from China have flooded the street of our cities. Visits stores in Lagos and you'll see most of the clothes look like second hand clothing. Those Chinese just keep dumping rubbish in our market.

Can you blame these folks for shopping in London? Nigeria can never be a top manufacturer of household goods & clothing; let's forget that. The opportunity is gone. That ship has sailed. Mexicans, Chinese, Indians and some other Asian Countries have become highly efficient at producing these goods at competitive prices.

For instance a lot of goods in Shoprite, except food are mostly imported.

So what should we focus on? We still have some competitive advantage in agriculture, food processing and agro allied activities if we get our act together.

Producing quality goods require solid Supply chain management, access to finance, well trained workforce, solid infrastructure etc Having a abundance of labour is not an advantage if few are well trained to use modern and complex manufacturing equipment

This experience is very real.

See a documentary on UK chanrel 4. The "Entity" on channel 4. This documentary is very SCARY. It' happens to people all over the world. This entity is called "popobawa" in Zanzibar

Search for the documentary on YouTube.

basisop: You and that your Uncle are big unpatriotic oyibo slaves! Make sure you guys don't come back again else you have to bring French and German roads to drive on.

Sad but he's uncle is right. Nigeria airways, Arik etc are garbage. you'll always regret flying with those glorified molues

shymexx: I don't understand Nigerians sometimes, the guy is just being himself - yet you're hating on him... How about if he fakes it and look stupid, like most Nigerians imitating western culture look to me, then you would label him a faker.

The guy is just a traditionalist and you also alluded to the fact that he was raised by his grandmother. Perhaps, that contributed to his traditional way of doing things, and there's nothing wrong with that - as along as he has a good heart... Having a good heart is the most important thing in a relationship, the other crap you posted is just secondary..

The word 'modern' is so overrated, modern means contemporary - and not everyone believes in 'groupthink', some might just opt for the traditional ways of doing things based on their temperament and upbringing... Nigerians need to rid themselves off this perverse thought process and accept people for who they're...

Agree the guy can be what he wants but this is a stubborn man set in his own ways. He's not traditional but simply manipulative. He's using the traditional angle to have his way. Too rough at the edges to embrace other ways of doing things

It's bad manners to tell your host what you want to eat. If you don't like what was offered just say no. Yam and palm oil? Should a Yoruba man visit an ibo man and insist on eating amala and ewedu?

The OP had better let him go to his village and find his bride, He's the sort of guy that will tell the wife he can't baby sit or cook because tradition frowns at it.

Media spin does not cut it. If you like wear Armani or Hugo Boss suit to office, if your performance is below par you'll be fired. Simple

GEJ doesn't need spin doctors, just perform and let the people decide.

faithin9ja: Young man, you are still missing the point.

Nobody doubts inflation, but even the US dollar you use as a yardstick has changed in value since 1994, actually prices have more than trebled in the US since 1994 (I gave you the UK example above).

What you fail to mention is incomes have gone up markedly since 1994. Are people still earning 1994 salaries? actually many things such as cars are even more affordable today than in 1994 Nigeria. It was in the early 90's that Nigerians started buying imported tokunbo cars'. In present day Nigeria, Nigerians have started buying brand new cars again (with a downward blimp in 2010)

I asked you, if you currently earn a salary, compare what you earn now to what your father earned in 1994.

By the way I bought my first car in 1985 in my final year university - a N200, 12 year volkswagen beetle.

My point exactly. In Nigeria, price of goods have risen up to 20 times (and more for some items) in the same period. YoY double digit inflation continues to erode people's earnings. Wages, particularly in the public sector have not kept apace with this level of inflation. So in real terms, Nigerian workers are getting significantly less pay compared to 20 - 25 yrs ago


The good old times that people talk about on this thread is just 30yrs ago. This is a relatively short period for the steep price increases in Nigeria today.

Nuff said, I'll let folks enjoy their memories.

faithin9ja: Young man stop displaying your ignorance. Value of money always changes over the years. Your money has a very different value today - in economics it's called NPV (net present value)

In 1994 your Dad was earning how much? Perhaps N10,000 a month (that's what middle level bankers earned in the mid 90's) today middle level bankers earn N300,000 a month.

1990 rent for a flat in UK was £350 per month, today it's £1500 a month. Just one example. Go on brush up on your economics

Its about the purchasing power of the Naira not NPV. In 1994 diollar was N35; today it's N160. And because we import everything, inflation is always high and wages will rise constantly to keep without

In the early 80s the naira had real purchasing power, today it's worthless like toilet paper. That's what I'm talking about

Since IBB introduced SAP the Naira has been on a downward spiral. When you can buy food for N5 then and today N200 gets u nada

Compare price increase in USA/Canada vs Nigeria in for the last 20 yrs and you'll see how much imported inflation has decimated our economy.

Let's do some math here:

In 1994, my dad bought a Honda accord for N150,000. I believe it was a 1990 model tokunbo from a dealer in western ave.

Today a 2009 accord sells for N2.5 million. So 17 yrs ago this amont will buy me 16 accords! 17yrs ago

Mehn things don wowo for this our Naija no be small o

Any other item to compare?

DeCleff: LEARN FROM THIS STORY.

I was dating a young girl (Edith) and we really loved each other. But along the line while she was in Port Harcourt, her parents called her to come home for an important meeting and she went.

When she came back from Umuahia, she told me that HER PARENTS ASKED HER TO MARRY ONE OPPRESSOR ( A WEALTHY GUY) Who based in Lagos and haue come to ask for her hand in marriage. I couldn't stop her because she came from a poor home and her parents wanted the money without considering their daughter's happiness.

Three days to her tradhtional marriage, she came to invite me, passed the night with me and we made love. But i didnt attend the ceremony. Though everything went on well.

But a year later the man died and she already had a daughter for the man and THE FAMILY OF THE MAN CHASED HER AWAY WITH THE DAUGHTER.

Now the poor girl who was forced against her will, is suffering with no one to help. I have search for her but couldnt find her.

SO ASK YOURSELF IF YOU ARE READY FOR IT BEFORE GIVING IN TO YOUR PARENTS DESIRE.

Well life is a risk it doesn't mean this can happen to her.

Abeg don't frighten people with Nollywood story

So called experts giving advice on how to relate at work is so boring. Most have never lifted a finger to do a decent job
Besides, article like this are just posted to drive traffic to their blogs or make you listen to them at their next speaking engagement

In the real wiorld $ motivates you to work. All this one na theory

Make ppl get job first then you can talk abt this
And besides this applies to office Job

So na through Facebook post we get health status of Naija Minister? This is a joke

She holds a key ministerial portfolio and we should be informed IMMEDIATELY if she's incapable of performing her duty.

[quote author=trix!]So you have proof that She is hospitalized in Germany? I'm curious, why hasn’t any news agency with a known office and reporters carried this news? why is it that only faceless news agencies have this authoritative source?
I’m not holding brief for anyone, But Rebuen Abati Said She's on vacation, an ‘authoritative anonymous source’ said she's hospitalized, who am I to believe? Spokesperson for the president, or an unknown person?
My point is Ruben can be held liable for what he said, and unknown person cannot be held liable.[/quote]Well it's confirmed by AP that your first lady is in Germany been treated for food poisoning. Satisfied?

This shouldn't be a big deal in the first place. Govt officials should have sent out press release stating she's ill and is been treated in hospital. Shikena. Why all the hide and seek?

We know why Ruben and co are playing games: to cover up the fact that our health system is in such bad state yet they can squander OUR money to treat minor ailments abroad

Or maybe she's actually gone for a tummy tuck.

Fiawest: This speech must have been delivered after a Dinner Party,I'm sure this guy.....yes I will call u a guy is drunk,or how else can we describe this watery statement from a (Dis)Honourable Minister of a Federal Rep.......'D last time I check'....u can imagine.Useless people.

And they expect investors to take them serious with crappy talk like this. It's a disgrace. They don't care about the economy; only to chop money and travel abroad.

Of course, with runaway inflation and no development GDP growth is meaningless. Today it's impossible for a family of six to feed properly on N5,000 for a month.

So the more the economy grows the less people become richer. This is the challenge with our economy.

Slowly, slowly we'll find out what is ailing her

But seriously the first lady of the GIant of Africa had to travel to Germany for ruptured appendicitis. That is it?
We have doctors in LUTH, UCH right?

Those German doctors will probably just shake their head, smile and watch their bank accts grow fatter.

dedeike: My brother, I am as shocked as you are. I wonder why people are this gullible in this part of the world. Anything goes, just say it and it will sail.
Even on Nairaland, it baffles me how supposed literate men take news items from online newspapers such as SAHARAREPORTERS(SHOPRITE OF LIES) very seriously inspite of their rich history of misinformation and falsehood.

Which one be your one? Let's wait & see events unfold. Remeber they kept telling us Umra was running up and down the stairs while the man was in a vegetative state

Sahara reporters has mostly been right on their reporting. Guardian and other national dailies are busy taking brown envelopes so we don't trust them

BTW why do our leader run abroad to treat a common cold?

Asking for the price of gari is a symbolic expression. My take is how is a topic relevant to challenges facing most Nigerians.. Gari being a food consumed by the masses captures this sentiment

So nothing wrong in asking

Warfibabe: ^^^^^ kobojunkie.....its obvious you dont have children yet. try to be up thru out the nite wit a child and the next morning with your red eyes see if you can touch even a cup...

then you can come here and make mouth.

I had a friend like you, even till now with 2 kids, she is still insisting that she dont want no help.. yet her house is a pigstile cus she cant keep up with cleaning. but she will be the first to call ppl lazy.



btw which white ppl are you even talking abt? even the stay at home mums still get help from their partners with children, laundry, dinner, and so on.

a lot of them dont have helps not cause they dont need one, but cause they cant afford one. i have some of them as my friends and i know they cant keep up with housecleaning daily so they do it every 2 to 3 days.

personally i like my house clean everyday, so if i cant get it by myself, i dont see why i cant hire someone else to do it for me.

@op, non living shud be preferable, but only on week days.

Even abroad with all the gadgets, its the same. Our women spend too much time on frivolities - gossiping for hours on the phone, updating FB, chatting on BBM etc. These takes too much time and it's crazy

Most Naija homes look unkempt despite the fact men do their share of the household chores. They find time to do business (selling stuff) and can't spend 3 hrs to keep the house clean. An average home in North America won't take long to clean even with kids

Some now bring little girls from home as house maid and say they're helping the girls family. Rubbish!

noblezone: Mr. President,

Just do what you can and leave the rest.

Nigeria is a failed project of the selfish colonial masters.
It is too bad that Lord Luggard and his fellow slave traders are not hear to see the consequences of their actions.

A nation without a national ideology is nothing but a mirage.

Not yet 2013 and you've given him an excuse

Of course, the criticisms will continue until we see results. Yes, you own boko harem problem, lack of power, bad infrastructures etc.. the buck stops with you. You promised and swore to transform Nigeria; just get on with the job.

Are you expecting sympathy? You knew Nigeria had so many challenges and decided to take on the job of President; volunatrily

andyanders: What I keep asking here is, why should we not consider the state of our roads nationwide and the safety of the hazardous job you want to expose these young graduates? Have we not known that these our roads are death traps? Why must one come out and be given a job he or she does not want because he/she is hungry and must carry these trucks to die on our highways? Have we considered that our security system here is a complete failure in that these guys will be at the mercy of the armed robbers?

If you drive a truck outside the shores of this country like USA, you stand a chance of making good use of your time since they have time to operate as trucks are allowed to start operation by 10pm and exit out of the roads by 6am. Now, just take a look at our roads here and tell me the roads that are safe and you want a graduate after suffering to go to school to be exposed to dangers without any form of security. In as much as we appreciate Dangote's gesture to the youths, he should have employed them as marketers, than truck drivers. Creating employment for the youths should be seen as nation building and not a proposal for one's death.

So its ok for unskilled and illiterate young Nigerians to be exposed to dangers on our road? This your point is irrelevant

This brouhaha is much ado about nothing for three reasons:

1. It's a personal choice whether to apply; it's not mandated by government. We make decisions all the time based on what is best for us. This is one of them

2. The 2,000 positions are a mere speck in the ocean considering millions of graduates are unemployed. It will not solve the unemployment crisis nor impact the economy.

3. In couple of years, high staff turnover from this position may force a reversal by Dangote group to higher school certificate holders instead. And if it succeeds, well all the best. That's how labour demand and supply works.

The real debate should be how to create gainful employment in Nigeria outside the oil sector, telecom, financial services, civil service, multinationals and large companies (like Dangote)

doctokwus: I thought I was d only one dat has seen dat d hyper inflated cost of land& houses in nigeria is simply bc of stupendous ill gotten wealth acquired by politicians & corrupt govt officials.Nigeria's economy is a paradox

Another factor to consider. Corrupt politicians who do not care how much they pay per night so this will keep prices very high. Some even have permanent rooms in Abuja hotels

[quote author=High_Chief]Am sure why most hotels are very expensive is just mainly because they had to generate their own power all day, pump water et al. So all these reflect on the amounts they charge. Nigeria should fix stable electricity and they will see the positive ripple effects in so many sectors.[/quote]Not the only reason. Nigerian business people expect very quick return on investment. Businessmen are not investing for the long term; they want to recoup their money quickly due to the high risk of doing business in Nigeria

People setting up schools do the same. They pack all the costs upfront by charging exorbitant prices. it's short-term mindset.

Given higher labour costs and taxes in UK./U.S.A vs Nigeria the cost of running a hotel should be significantly lower. Plus hotels over there pay heating costs and Labour is unionized too.

Staying in a hotel in Nigeria is just a rip off. simple

safeact: There has been lots of stories where men are been humiliated by their wives as a result of being d bread winner of d house. Girls who are bouyant enough to buy themselves one some times are scared as they think they might scare their suitors away and men on the other way,might be in love with one of such ladies but will always withdraw when marriage is mentioned.

Now, i have a girl friend who confided in me that she cant buy herself a befitting car. According to her, men will b scared of approaching her cos they will think her status is higher than theirs! For record purposes, d girl in question controls about 30million and above but prefers to be jumping bikes.

I tried to convince some of my male friends to go marry d chick after all, she is still in her twenties but they all said NO that they cant marry any girl who is richer than them because they will be sturbon to them later on in d marriage.

My friend needs an advise on what to do in order to enjoy her wealth and still get her hubby. As i talk to you, she has been duped by some men claiming to be in love with her!

dis your story get k leg o. girl in her twenties controlling N30 million? abeg when she finish school, start work/business and get so much. For Naija? she be Adenuga/Dangote pikin? or she collect oyel subsidy money?

manny4life: You see yourself? In your bid to discredit other places, you're more confused. Cities are inside a state, or city states, Enugu is a state while Nnewi, Awka and Onitsha are different cities in Anambra state. There are different types of cities either by size or multi level tier govt cities , according to their rating, they're probably referring to "Mega Cities" type standard, NOT small cities. Although, they NEVER specified, they ONLY talked about the indices used in their ratings.

STOP confusing yourself, [b]Nnewi may not have 10+million in population (size) and belong to Mega cities by size but it's indeed a small city [/b]of it's standard. For instance, DC does not have a population of 5million let alone 10million but it's 300x economically sound than Lagos. I'm just giving you example why cities rank - either by population, size/land mass etc. I can give you several cities with <5million people, but they're economically sound.

Nnewi is a city? c'mon guys get real. In that case Shagamu, Ijebu Ode or Ado Ekiti are cities.

BTW we are talking CITIES here. Don't bring towns/villages with one roundabout into the conversation

dasparrow: How many immigrants living in Toronto can afford to live in the 'swanky' neighborhoods of Toronto?

I don't know. One dullard said VI, Lagos is better place than Toronto hence my comment

neeyee88: :oToronto the fourth bets city to live in the world? they are obviously joking! Toronto aint no where near the 15th best place in the world at all...never! Victoria Island in Lagos is far better...trust me!

No need to make crass comments like this. Ever been to the swanky neighborhoods of Toronto?

Take away places like Lekki,VI,Ikoyi,Ikeja,Magodo,Ajah and you are left with what?

Visit Alimosho (the most populated LG), Mushin, Mile 2, Ajegunle, the chaotic Apapa port and you'll just hate the city. Even Yaba, Surulere, Maryland etc Anthony village have become so chaotic

It's difficult to disagree with this report as much as I love Lagos. It feels like a city about to explode with all those people roaming the street