₦airaland Forum

hmnn loads of info here

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fm7070: let's also have it in mind that there are different types of parents. some will add more to your problem and cause matrimonial pandemonium while some have better understanding. Mothers especially have a way of competing with your wife and getting disatisfied no matter how the wife tries and if the wife is frustrated, she can include some dose of poison in her meal
Personally, I will prefer a situation whereby neither my parent nor my in-laws will live with me in my matrimonial home.
However, i will make sure I try my best to take care of them, medically and otherwise.
They can as well be visiting their other children from time to time.

I witnessed a situation whereby a friend who wanted to help his mother had to move his own family to the uncompleted house his mother has, the guy spent fortunes to put the house in order. At first, the mother was appreciative to both her son and his wife, but things soon started going another way when the guy's brother and sister started picking issues with the wife. Even the mother they set to assist gave the wife a high portion of trouble, painting her as a bad wife with all sort of unecessary allegations.

The guy almost went mad because he has spent more than 1.5million naira with the intention that he will live in the house for like 6years before he would move on with his life and his mother will rent out the house and have something to fall back on. to cut the story short, it wasn't funny for the guy's family.

Sometimes, one has to think twice before doing certain things, they're our parents but one has to think of his family as well. If they understanding and will sure peace in your neclear family, go ahead. If not, forget it.

Your friend's experience shows that it's a complex issue. People get too emotional and simply say it's ok for their parents to come and live permanently with them. It can create more problem and resentment.

Staying for couple of months is fine; permanently NO. Taking care of you own little kids and parents under the same roof can be very stressful, especially here in North America.

Olalekan 0: I wouldn't even think twice before bringing my parents to PERMANENTLY live with me.
They gave me the enviable life that i have and made me who i am today,so the least i could do to say thank you is keeping them company in their old age in my house regardless of the part of the world am domiciled in. And should my wife ever complain about it,i 'll file for a divorce,straight up!

Dude, you're not been realistic. Your wife equally has the right to bring in her folks to live in the house. Then what? Seriously, you'll divorce your wife if she complains?

Ladies saying poor guys are more loving than those with extra cash are LIARS. Guys don’t believe this. Maybe they’re managing you until they find a correct guy. Don't buy this Nollywood story, romeo and Juliet nonsense.

Most Naija women are impatient when things aren’t working out. You start hearing stuff like “see Dele took his wife & Kids to Disneyland and you’re still struggling to get me visa for Dubai.” Naija women bug you to buy “aso ebi’ every weekend for some dumb wedding or birthday. And you want us to believe. The motto for our ladies is: "No money No love"

So for ladies, who is a poor guy? well when you’re dating a guy between 31 to 34 then you must see/observe these things, if not he’s poor.

- Lives in his own apartment; not with mom or pop
- On these 3 occasions he steps up his game to show he loves you: your birthday, valentine and Christmas. Not just with flowers or a measly meal at McDonald’s
- Of course has a job or business (and make sure you can verify this)
- Listens to your problems and tries to come up with a solution especially if it involves money.

If he’s under 30, well there’s still time but… if not, ditch this poor guy NOW. Your marriage is already in trouble before it’s even started. Ask yourself why can’t he meet these needs. Money ritual can be a last ditch attempt to change things.

I may sound cold, but we live in a brutal world. Cost of living has gone up a lot in the last 15 yrs… Today you pay for wedding, 2 yrs you start buying diapers, 5th yr you’re paying school fees, small time baby #2 arrives and the cycle starts again, you wanna buy a correct ride to take family out and so on…

@stilldee

men! you did great job. I was really laughing reading your chat with this scammer. "Osaro the scammer" can Air cargo car from London for just N50k and the car will arrive Lagos in 7 day. Air cargo? Naija scammers no go kill me wit laughter o

onyewec3: Wow...so u need someone witout nominating ursef or anyone frm ur village.aint that a show of shame?

what are you trying to say? I don't get you

pastor mmadu: I wonda wre we r headin to, yet i c youths cursin nysc and nscdc just because sum group of nuisance wre brought 2 book...if u r here and u knw dat u stayd in d university 4 yrs, graduate witout reference, yet nysc refusd 2 cal u up, tel me. Its only doz dat didnt go dre dat u'l tel dat u dnt hv cary ova yet skul refusd 2 release u...cm 2 tink of it, wat doz it profit one 2 live a fake life, fake campin, fake service, fake discharge, at d end of d day u cnt present it openly cos ur number is nt in nysc database, hw i wish they had patience til it cm 2 pas and they graduate genuinely...yet wit dat fake cert, and conection they cn get themselvs into sum private firms and b an obstacle 2 genuine graduates, God help us...2 my felow nairalanders, if our sense of judgement is putin square peg in a round hole, then i pity our future...we realy need God's intervention

Seriously! are you a University graduate and a Pastor? You completed 4 years in a university and wrote a final year thesis, like this?

Good nominate her quickly. She's better suited as Policy wonk in World Bank; not economic minister of Nigeria. We need somebody that can guide our economy right, not Iweala. She's really been a waste of space

madanne4real: This maybe an old picture when Alams was the Governor of Bayelsa state and GEJ was his deputy. If you look closely, you will see that the ADC of GEJ is not sitting behind him as is the norm. We should not rush into conclusion yet.

Yes, we need to confirm if the picture was taken when Alams was governor. That said, when Jonathan became president he reached out to Alams despite his conviction. Also, Jonah still sees Alams as his "oga" so I won't be surprised if this is a recent pic.

Have sienna but not yet in naija. Still in Canada

manny4life:
Unfortunately, while I do see this as an "OK move" according to my quote BUT dangerous in the long run.

1. There is no doubt that the Chinese Economy has been experiencing growth, GDP on the rise, more exports than imports resulting to trade surplus, increased in their reserve et al, however, all these are obvious, but that isn't my point. My issue with this is that moving more than $5billion (10x of $500million), about 15.6% of our reserve into a currency that often devalues all the time isn't the smartest thing to do.

2. No doubt that their population is the indeed the highest, however, with regards to their population vs per capita, this is "really low" compared to other nations. Besides, their middles class are able to consume more (but what % is the question)? In addition to that, while their currency appreciates, that's the whole point, CHINA DOESN'T WANT THEIR CURRENCY APPRECIATING. Economist have suggested (according to reports to Congress) that China pegs it's under value at 40% of it's real value and will CONTINUE to do so in order to gain trade advantage.

3. The pressure from the West - United States and Europe is NOT pressuring China to "devalue" it currency (wouldn't that be giving them more hand), the reverse is the case, in fact they want it higher valued, in addition,  however, they have argued that China needs to allow its currency to flow freely based on market demands which will make their currency appreciate, thus, making the purchase of goods and services slightly higher and will more likely reduce China's export.  

4. I still think that you're missing the point; no one is arguing whether the Yuan will appreciate, economic indices predict that the currency will rise, however, for China to be more competitive and gain trade advantage, economic trade nations have argued that it "undervalues" it currency. I am not arguing whether it's appreciating, I know it's appreciating, my point is, Chinese Government will continue to undervalue its currency to stay competitive.

Like Congress had put on hold their bill, should this go into effect, you would see a trade war between the West and China, something I don't think China's economy can withstand because about 1/3rd of Chinese export is into the U.S., while a double-digit is to other Europe nations. Again, my point is why do you hold reserve in a country currency you know fully well that they intentionally "undervalue" their currency?

Kudos to you. All very valid point. And to add more

- The Chinese govt can never be trusted to act fairly and will continue to resist calls to allow her currency appreciate. Why place our reserves in the hands of a govt that can change the rule and refuse to adhere to market forces

- Most of our oil export goes to the U.S, so it makes sense to hold reserves in dollar. What exactly to we export to China? nothing. Yes, we import stuff from China but doesn't mean we have to hold Yuan (Renminbi)

- China holds over $1.4 trillion in U.S treasury bill; an indication of total confidence in the dollar. And despite the S & P downgrade, demand for U.S. Treasury bills has not abated. Yet out learned Mallam thinks flocking to Yuan reserve is a smart move.

.

An interesting quote on the Ibori saga and how a THIEF could have become President of Nigeria.

"Had Yar'Adua lived, and made Ibori his vice-president, he would have had a clear run to become president.

"Then Mr Ibori would have met Queen Elizabeth at the state house, instead of serving at her pleasure," by Antony Goldman a journalist

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17184075

[quote author=Kilode?! link=topic=881165.msg10284873#msg10284873 date=1330355113]Statements like the one in bold offer a peep into the minds of those we elected to serve us. As right as it may be. And it is right. But I'll offer a diffrent perspective.

Obi, by putting the blame on his followers showed he CANNOT proactively tackle corruption within his own jurisdiction. It's a cop out, an admission that he is incapable of leading.

I see no references to serious efforts he's made to  tackle corruption.

Obi can propose changes to the law, even federal laws, he can rally civil society support to pass stringent anti corruption bills, he can be an activist Governor if he so wants to. That is the stuff of change-making politicians. But No. He's blaming the people he swore to serve and protect from corruption.

Absolutely ZERO sense of public accountability

This same mentality is rampant all over Nigerian Leadership from North to South across party lines.

But Obi is correct though, idiooots will still file out enmasse to vote him and his ilk back into power. No punishment for their zero performance. No consequences for their lack of accountability.[/quote]Right on point buddy! A cop out indeed and it speaks volume about the type of leader he is

"A thief in government house" a simple and poignant statement. No need to paint it in rose colored words like embezzled, mismanagement or laundered money. NO! Ibori you are a THIEF.

And this guy was a mover, shaker and King maker under Yaradua. Calling him a Thief, right in face is more powerful than the actual sentence.

There are more thieves seating in govt houses in other states as we speak. One day I hope we get the opportunity to call them THIEVES

adelegan1:
That is what I'm saying out grower which also know as contract farming is the best. because you don't have to go through the stress of planting and harvesting all you have to do is to sponsor farmer and they will bring the rice to you so you can process

sounds interesting. how those this work? pls provide more info

jobfront:
Now, I have lots of true life stories to share with you, which should motivate any wise person reading this thread, one of them is this:
you wouldn't believe that my eldest brother, just 40yrs, a employer of over 10 graduates, with each not earning less than N50,000, owns a big house in lekki phase 1, uses some of the best cars you can think of, and owns other properties and assets nationwide, just bought BlackBerry phone last month, do you know why he finally decided to buy it? Because his business clients started to demand for his pin and blah, blah, so he sluggishly bought one just for their sake. One day, we asked him, why don't you want to buy a BB? He replied: I don't need to add more expenses to my troubles, and besides, I cannot be using something to adds no economic, financial, etc value to my life and business, so what's BB? And he went ahead to tell us how he's planning to lay off three of his staff this year, one is a female, for her habitual pinging attitude even while she's at work. I frowned on this very note because my childhood friend living and working in the states once told me that they dare not take their phones to work, not allowed at all, I pondered, why can't Nigeria have this kind of law in place? Hmmmm,

Secondly, my other brother that died in a car accident early last month, refused to buy BB despite the fact that he is very very, and also an employer of labor running one of the best, but you know what? His extravagant, merry-loving rich friends lured him into buying this phone called BB, and this very BB handset led to his early departure from planet earth, how? We learnt through eye witnesses that witnessed the accident that led to his death, that he was pinging while driving and didn't notice the on-coming vehicle or whatever, and before he could put things under control, he has already joined our grandpa and granny, sobs, sobs, so my brothers and sisters, don't let all these evil technologies maim your lives, think economically, safety, finance always,

Now I ask to proponents of the original topic and very many others: ask yourself, how has this very BB i am using impacted my life; financially, economically, socially, morally, mentally, religiously and otherwise? Answer that question withing you,

Sincerely sorry for your loss and I pray your brother RIP

Blackberry is not the culprit, but our approach to its usage. In fact BB like any other smartphone have improved & simplified how we communicate. Businesses have also witnessed some level of efficiency due to these devices. That said, every individual is responsible for how they use it. No one should bow to peer pressure or try to be part of the crowd.

Sadly, we Nigerians embrace every new "toy" as if our very existence depends on it. We are so vain! BB is only a phone not a way of life.

Driving while Using a mobile device must be banned in Nigeria. In Canada and some states in the U.S it's already against the law. Let's face it, texting while driving is a recipe for disaster.

georgee:
Tnx a lot guy 4ur response. As we speak nw,[b]marriage preparations ar at a halt. [/b]Was paid a severance pay of jst ova 800k, wt wil i do wt it afta payin 300k(my house rent)ths feb endin. Mayb u can teach me a viable biz i cn do wt 500k. Am nt soliciting 4 pple 2 contribute money 4me. Al i ask 4 is a sincere help dat cn link me 2 anoda job. I av neva stopd prayin 2 God,  Tnx again 4 ur response

Great move for putting wedding preparation on hold. Next move is to quickly pay your one yr rent, so you have a roof over your head. Don't stay with relatives.

N500k may not be a lot, so if you have asset like a car consider putting that up for sale in next couple of months. Mobility is crucial in Lagos, but having cash flow crunch is worse with a baby on the way.

Now decide if you want to look for a new job or start a small business; don't rush things.

adelegan1:
My friend im going to advise you and other person on this forum why not to invest in agriculture. I believe this will help you and others


They are alot of factor affecting agriculture in nigeria and i will list them.

(1) Unavailability of labour

(2) lack of appropriate techonology

(3) poor transportation network

(4) unstable price of product

(5) theft and non compliance of labour to instruction

(6) failure of government
and more

Now im going to tell you how this will make you fail no matter how smart you are, listen

Unavailability of labour; people in the rural area are not willing to farm. if they agree to work for you will have alot to face with them they not follow your instruction  and you cant say much to them because they will tell you they are not working anymore. so you dont have choice than to be romancing them with more money. and they will still not do the proper thing and they will be alot of neglegence on their part that will affect your business.

if you bring in hire labour or contract laborer from the north they are more dangerous. most of this things you might not see as big deal now until you start you farm. agriculture is labour and capital intensive and you might make back your money talk-less of any profit be warned



Lack of appropriate techonogy:

only the approriate techonology will help to reduce the cost of labour and cost of production generally. you have to share tractor with hundred of people if you dont have your tractor and you might not have it on time from the government agency to do your job.

If you can purchase hand tractor it will help you alot you can google what hand tractor is or see how it work on youtube. you can use it  to  do everything in the farm from plowing,harrowing,discing,ridging,harvesting,irrigation, transport and alot more. If you have this hand tractor it make agriculture more profitable and reduce cost of labour.

the hand tractor is not expensive about $3000 in nigeria. but big and small farmer in nigeria do not have this simple machine that can do more it price

if you dont have the appropriate technology please dont invest in agriculture you will cry.

poor transport network;

after producing you will be responsible for transportation factory the road are bad and cost of transportation is high and the price of produce is not stable

see the list go on. i cant just keep writing you might not take my advice but surely eveybody will do their mistake. things might look normal when you start real farm you see the great problem and challenges.

If agriculture is so profitable in nigeria why is government not running a state farm

I will advise you to into processing of farm product instead of farming ask me how and i will tell you

Some of the problems you listed aren’t peculiar to agriculture alone but are experienced in other industries in Nigeria.

Agribusiness (I deliberately use this term) encompasses seed supply, farming, food marketing, packaging and exporting. Sadly, most people only understand the farming aspect and spend all their energy and time cultivating large hectares of land without proper planning and strategy on getting the food to consumers.

Like any other business, understanding consumer needs is the first step to success. A detailed marketing analysis will help identify key segments (direct consumers, food industry, Poultry farms, industrial users and exporters) and size of each potential segment. For instance, maize is consumed as popcorn, cereal, ogi, eko, used for feeding animals etc. So these are your products; not maize. Farming is only the means to an end and not your end goal.

Don’t simply start rice; maize; cassava farming etc rather develop a detailed business plan on how to serve potential customers and which aspect of the agribusiness you want to start with. As your business grows you can integrate vertically or horizontally.    

Agribusiness can be capital intensive and not for the faint hearted. However, it can be very lucrative; albeit a long term venture.

[b]@OP I'll be very wary of rice production because of Nigerians' fondness for polished, imported rice. Ensure you develop a solid plan with risk assessment before you invest your capital.
[/b]

Agribusiness in Nigeria is clearly overlooked given the immense opportunity. That said, the risks can be very high at the beginning, so it must be a long term venture.

Also, specialization is key given the various aspects of agribusiness: input production (seedlings), animal husbandry, farm production, processing, storage, packaging, export and so on

The huge investments in Fixed assets (land, building, farm equipment, milling equipment, generators etc) can be leveraged as collateral for future expansion.

@lightest. I believe it's the same car; the hood and front door looks damaged in the first pics. Why was the car closely sandwiched with other cars? He should have sent images showing the car alone. Clearly, this is a very dubious dealer

The dealer simply tricked you by concealing damages in the pic he sent. The passenger's side was not even shown in the pics

Go for a full refund or massive discount. wish you all the best

Obi1kenobi:
You have it completely wrong. In Soludo's stats (which correlated with NAPEP's independent stats), the North had a  FAR higher poverty rate than these stats portray (states like Jigawa and Yobe were as high as 95%). The SW were well ahead of the the North but significantly behind the SS/SE and states like Anambra, Bayelsa and Abia who were consistently highly rated on several indices which anyone conversant with those states would agree with.

It's beyond a joke to tell me states like Niger have a lower poverty rate than Anambra and anyone who's been there would agree.

It's a shame I can't post links cos I'm using an antiquated browser on a phone to post but I'll fetch the links when I get on my laptop. You could also search it urself.

Yes, I also expected poverty rate in Niger to be higher than Anambra; I'm puzzled by this. Could proximity to the FCT have a positive impact on Niger state economy?

Kobojunkie:
I believe the number of children per woman in Nigeria is put at about 4 or 5. And it is usually worst with the poor.

And with polygamous households each wife may have 4 kids bringing household size to more than12; hence the vicious cycle of poverty.

The usual solution out of this poverty trap is to send some of the kids to well off relatives. The relative now has more mouth to feed with same income (I digress, this should be another topic)

The numbers aren’t surprising, since Nigeria is currently ranked #152 out of 183 countries in the Human Development Index – a much more reflection of a nation’s wealth than GDP.

That the trend is set to continue is deeply troubling amidst all the persistent noise on double digit economic growth by the Jonathan administration.

Those still doubting the $1 or $2 do not understand the issue. Consider a household of six in Nigeria: how many of them earn more than N1, 000 per day or N28, 000 per month? Also remember that household sizes for the poorer segments are very larger, reaching up to nine or more.

BizBooks:
Are you sure of this statement? With the preponderance of American specs in Lagos, one would think that more cars are shipped to Nigeria from the US than any other country. I have friends who specifically come to the US from London to buy cars.

ditto. I've also received calls from friends in the U.K. looking for American spec cars to use in Naija

[quote author=baby-boy link=topic=866164.msg10159350#msg10159350 date=1328800630]Look you could get a better one (1999 - 2001) for around £450 - £700 that depends on the level you search,  regarding the tax,  You tax it if you want to drive it which is around £118 for 6 months, but if your shipping it you dont need to tax it but it has to be towed to the dock!!!

Like I mentioned earlier on my friend bought a Peugoet 407 (2005 or 6) for £2100 which already had tax on it so he drove it to the dock, 

Another one bought a Land Rover Freelander 2002 for £1200

They are so many fantastic cars that you could get for around £500




Actually the moment they increased the age of the cars to be shipped to Nigeria to 15 years A LOT of Right Hand Drive are heading to Nigeria, 

The cost of fuel which is high over here got a lot of people to selling off their cars with the Engine Capacity from 2.3 ltr engines onwards at give away price!


To change from RHD to LHD is between N180k - N200k[/quote]The prices may be cheaper because there is no demand for RHD. Why convert to a RHD with all the risks involved.

Also, European cars including the UK do not have all the top features of North American cars. Most times you have to install AC and they're also manual gear.

You can't compare the pleasure of driving a V6 3.0 American Accord vs the 1.8/2.0 engine European model. Most Japanese car designed for the European market are simply not the same as the North American. So you're comparing apples to oranges.

GenBuhari:
@ texazzpete,

Mugabe is for me the greatest living African, yes even greater than Nelson Mandela.

Because he is man enough to refuse to be dictated  to by the white man / the West and has managed to remain in power despite their efforts.

Abacha was also a great leader as is General Buhari both of whom also defied the west, but paid the price, unfortunately Abacha paid with his life.

I repeat:

form your own opinions do not just adopt the whatever opinion the West wants you to adopt.

You must know something about Mugabe that the world doesn't know. Anyway, that's your opinion. Available evidence is very contrary to your opinion.

For instance; this man has ruled for 32 yrs and Zimbabwean living standard keep falling. Zimbabwe is ranked 173 out of 187 countries in the Human Development Index. This is a great man?

mickey jag:
Hahahahahahah! I hope you are having a laugh, mate.

So, Facebook is what will save the West, eh? Facebook has 3,000 employees. There are 50 million Americans who are unemployed as we speak. Another 45 million have no access to healthcare. "Tent Cities" a.k.a slums are increasing by the day http://www.businessinsider.com/lakewood-new-jersey-homeless-tent-city-2011-9#the-living-room-19

The Portuguese are emigrating to Angola and Mozambique in droves to escape unemployment. Greek parents are abandoning their children in the streets because they cannot feed them. A humiliated  European Union has gone cap-in-hand to China begging for money to bailout their collapsed economies. Brazil's economy has surpassed the UK's and is now the sixth largest in the world. etc etc.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/dec/26/brazil-overtakes-uk-economy
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24002772-bailout-fund-boosted-to-one-trillion-euro-as-leaders-seal-eu-crisis-deal.do
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2085163/Children-dumped-streets-Greek-parents-afford-them.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-14716410
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/21/europe-migrants-crisis-irish-portuguese


The witless triumphalism that shaped Western attitudes over 500 years of history may not last much longer. We are already living through the twilight of Western predominance.

The West simply cannot afford the standard of living that is currently enjoying because there’s nothing they produce that the world wants in sufficient quantities that will enable them to pay for the high standard of living and benefits / welfare for asylum seekers such as yourself and their own unemployed.

In addition,they are bankrupt and living off of a huge mountain of debt.


Now with collapsing economies, there are no colonies or slaves to exploit any more. China manufacturers everything. The Banking and finance sectors have collapsed. It cannot last much longer. Sooner or later civil unrest is coming to the West.

I would get out of there if I were you.

I didn't say Facebook will save the west; I only used this to illustrate how knowledge and innovation drives new products/services. 20 yrs ago technology companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple were unheard; today they've led to new job opportunities for the American economy and even worldwide. All this because of innovation.

Let's wait and see if your doom and gloom predictions about the west comes to pass.

Unfortunately, Mugabe says that the sun has set on the West and we should stand up to them. How do we stand up to the west? Can they explain. This all sounds like fiery rhetoric without any meaning.

When will abject poverty be a thing of the past and economic prosperity rein supreme in African countries? Mugabe lives in the cold war era and has no understanding of present day global environment. It’s no longer about liberation struggles but making African countries economically viable.

The only thing Mugabe did was decimate a once vibrant Zimbabwean agricultural sector. Some of the farmers displaced by Mugabe ended up in Kwara State as part of a joint venture with the state.

mickey jag:
The sun has set on the West.

You see, Western economies have basically become a bunch of Las Vegas casino, smoke-and-mirror type economies whose creditors want their money back. You cannot sustain a lie forever. Already, the anarchists are out in force in central Madrid and Athens. Ditto Ireland, Iceland, Italy and Portugal. Britain and the US are not far behind.

So then, after their “economies” are gone, what will they have been left with? Granted, Africans will still be dirt poor, but if things get bad, we just go back to our villages and grow tomatoes,  I would not be surprised to see Africa's recent past become Europe's future. What an irony of history if that happens.

Their is a peculiar system in this world that defines any lazy bum White person living in Africa as an “expatriate”, while a hard working African medical doctor in America, a Green Card holder and an Ivy League graduate, will forever be seen as an illegal immigrant, a sponger and a coon, just an evolved monkey. Rest assured though, that system can’t last very long.


The bigger picture to the Africans in the Diaspora; be wise……. Already, the evil messages of fascist politicians like Geert Wilders, Pauline Hanson, the BNP, and the Vlaam Bloek, et al, are once again resonating with Westerners. Barrack Obama was a onetime bleep on the radar-even if he miraculously gets a second term, which I doubt he will.  Better get your fourty acres and a mule before the next Pogrom, genocide and mass-murdering dictatorship finds you unprepared. After all, the last one happened only 60 years ago, and 6 million Jews were slaughtered……….be wise………

Keep on dreaming! You believe America & European economies will disappear? really? As I type this a 25yr old American is about to launch a IPO for his company set  to net him $5 billion. What does he produce? he provides a communication platform that allows 800 million people to exchange ideas and thoughts. I'm sure you're using this service or know someone who does.

Why I'm bringing  this up? to highlight the disparities in western economies vs African economies. They are at the innovative and knowledge stage of economic development while we (Africans) struggle to feed & cloth ourselves. So do we blame the West for present morass and keep playing the victim. NO! Famine is no a constant threat that we can longer feed ourselves. So I'm not sure which village we'll run to as you said

Despot like Magaba seduce Africans with vain rhetoric like "standing up to the west" without any vision and plan to develop our economies. Asian countries have long figured things out and care less about standing up to the west.  

Our leader continue to bend forward and be hammered from behind by the West (excuse my crude analogy). A myopic and rudderless lot that simply want to enrich themselves and their own families. Look at the collection of despots at the AU summit and point to a single one that inspires you. For instance the younger ones like Gambia's Yahya Jammeh and Chad's President Idriss Deby are also on the same path as the older ones: race to the bottom

Let's stop listening to this nonsense and believing in the western conspiracy. The west is no longer the cause of our problems: its us and our leaders.

Jarus:
The stereotype about the North/northerners has been around for long, and doesn't seem it will end soon.

Tafawa Balewa, trained in England and with excellent command of English language and good accent to boot, was at par with the Ziks and Awos of this world in oration then, despite the latter duo being more schooled.

It still happens today, anybody from the north is dismissed as 'gworo-chewing, cattle-rearing illiterate'. Or isn't it funny that some people still call Lamido Sanusi illiterate even after he has proved himself at global stage, including delivering lectures at LSE, schooling American congress on how to deal with economic reforms, being the only speaker that received standing ovation in CFA global conference in 2011 etc? Funny? Isn't it? He is indeed illiterate.

Until those of us from the lower side of the Niger drop our arrogance and accept we are not the only educated and brilliant Nigerians, we will continue to receive shellacking from the Northerners!

Until couple of years ago, I also assumed Tafawa Balewa was an illiterate politician who became President by mistake. Now I know better. I was moved to tears when I saw an interview of this man on youtube. A brilliant man dedicated to the Nigerian cause.

Teaching on Nigerian Political history should be compulsory in schools. Sadly, Nigerians know very little about what happened during the First republic and Second Republics; events that took happened less than 50 yrs ago

Chief Adegoke "Penkelemesi" Adelabu was also portrayed as a buffoon by Yoruba elders. My goodness! if you read the history of this man you'll be amazed at his level of intellect and political astuteness.