₦airaland Forum

Don't you get tired of doing this? Different usernames, ridiculous prices. Anyone who falls for your scam is foolish. Even the number on your picture sells you out - there is 419 . You don't even know how to scam. Go and find a job.

Caption this photo

I found this story and decided to share. I don't know if it is fiction or it happened for real

A man rented a house and moved in with his family After 2yrs his rent was increased from 400,000 to 500,000 he didn't complain because he likes the house.

The following year he couldn't come up with the money and the agent was on his neck and the wife saw what the husband was passing through and decided to go and borrow the money so that the husband will pay back later, the husband was indeed very happy. He paid back the cash when he got it.

Two years later the house rent increased to 700,000 and this man became upset so he begged the agent to introduce him to the landlord so that he could talk with him but the agent bluntly refused.

The man decided to do an underground investigation to know who is the landlord of the house.The revelation of his investigation really shocked him, the house belongs to his wife!

My question is, if you are the husband what will you do? and as the woman what will you say to your husband?

Introduction

This is a simple guide I have prepared for aspiring entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship students. After reading this write up, you should be able to recognize why and when to develop a feasibility study, know how to identify a business feasibility study and explain the major sections of a classic feasibility study. This article will also enable the reader to focus feasibility study sections to meet specific needs, know the major pitfalls when writing feasibility studies and learn how to present a feasibility study to others.


As an entrepreneur, after identifying a business idea/opportunity, introducing/development of a new product, the next phase in the development of an idea/product is to conduct a feasibility study to ascertain the viability of the business (venture) and obtaining useful information to plan and make decision on whether to go-on or not. The feasibility study is conducted during the deliberation phase of the business idea prior to commencement of a formal Business Plan. That is, a feasibility study of a business is done on an ex ante (before the business or venture comes into existence) basis. At the end of the feasibility study a feasibility report is written which provide a basis for taking investment decisions and could also be used in securing finance for the business, product/services.

What is a Feasibility Study?
A feasibility study is an analysis of the viability of an idea through a disciplined and documented process of thinking through the idea from its logical beginning to its logical end. Thompson (2005) defines a Business Feasibility Study as a ‘controlled process for identifying problems and opportunities, determining objectives, describing situations, defining successful outcomes and assessing the range of costs and benefits associated with several alternatives for solving a problem’. Literally, a feasibility study is a fact-finding stage on whether some ideas will work or not, if there exists a sizeable market for the proposed product/service, and what will be the investment requirement and where to get the funding from. It also finds out whether the necessary technical know-how to convert the idea into a tangible product may be available the likely damage caused by the business/product to the environment, if the cost to restore the environmental damage is within acceptable limits and so on.

Overton (2007:7) notes that the aim of a feasibility study is ‘to analyse the viability of a proposed project, product or service’. A feasibility study helps an entrepreneur answer the question, “Should I proceed with the proposed business idea? Is it a workable business venture?” Usually, a feasibility study should be conducted to determine the practicability of an idea before proceeding with the development of the idea into a business. If it is properly done, it will serve as a master plan for the establishment or development of the business, product/services.


Why feasibility study?
The following are the objectives of a feasibility study:

• To find out if a business idea can be transformed into a viable business venture:
…is it possible?
…is it justified?
• To suggest possible alternative solutions.
• To provide management with enough information to know:
Whether the venture is possible
Whether the final product will benefit its intended users
What the alternatives are (so that a selection can be made in subsequent phases)
Whether there is a preferred alternative#
• To minimize the chances of embarking on an unprofitable business venture.
• To reduce losses.
• To be used to raise capital (source for funds) from financial institutions.

A feasibility study is a management-oriented activity. After conducting a feasibility study, an entrepreneur makes a go/no-go decision. It is an analytical tool that includes recommendations and limitations, which are utilized to assist the decision makers when determining if a business concept is viable (Hoagland and Williamson, 2000). Feasibility studies are useful either when starting a new venture or when identifying a new opportunity for an existing business, such as a new product or service.

When to develop a feasibility study:
• When developing a new idea, product or service
• During Expansion
• When embarking on a new venture or project


Feasibility vs. Viability
The following words are very important if one is to fully understand the meaning and purpose of a feasibility study. They are possibility, probability, practicability, capability and achievability. We ask the following questions in the process of carrying out a feasibility study.
• Is this business possible?
• Is this business practicable?
• What is the probability of success in the near future?
• Do I have the capability to carry and sustain the business through the business life cycle?
• Will I achieve my goals and objectives in the long run?
• Do I have the needed resources and support to start the business?

These questions above need to be answered clearly before the business start-up. There is nothing to fear, if you have gathered enough materials and information needed to help you decide whether to go on or stay back. At this stage you will need certain entrepreneurial qualities and courage to believe in your dream.


Business Viability
A business viability study is a subset of the feasibility study. It concerns the concept of risk in business and the survival of the business in the face of uncommon and unfavourable business environment. For example, establishing a brewery in Kano or Sokoto might be feasible, but is it viable? Will the religious environment permit it to function effectively? Similarly, establishing a fish pond in Makurdi may be feasible but may not be viable when you consider the weather, location and other factors.

The difference between a feasibility study and a viability study is that the feasibility studies confirm that the business is practicable while viability determines whether the business can stand any form of challenges and risk in the near future.
The purposes of feasibility study are to assess the practicability of the business, seek financial support from investors or banks, research on other sensitive areas of the business and to gather enough information as to why others succeed and why others fail.
Types of feasibility

There are various classification of feasibility studies. The following four types have been identified for the purpose of this article:
• Operational Feasibility {Will it work?}
• Technical Feasibility {Can it be built?}
• Economic Feasibility {Will it make economic sense if it works?, Will it generate profits?}
• Schedule: Constraints on the project schedule and whether they could be reasonably met.

PIECES Framework
The PIECES framework developed by Castro and Mylopoulos (2002) can help in identifying problems to be solved, and their urgency when developing a feasibility study:
P Performance: Does current mode of operation provide adequate throughput and response time?
I Information: Does current mode provide end users and managers with timely, pertinent, accurate and usefully formatted information?
E Economy: Does current mode of operation provide cost-effective information services to the business? Could there be a reduction in costs and/or an increase in benefits?
C Control: Does current mode of operation offer effective controls to protect against fraud and to guarantee accuracy and security of data and information?
E Efficiency: Does current mode of operation make maximum use of available resources, including people, time, and flow of forms…
S Services: Does current mode of operation provide reliable service? Is it flexible and expandable?


Major Sections of a Classic Feasibility Study
Although, there is no generally accepted format for presenting feasibility studies, a good feasibility study should contain the following major sections: market analysis, technical analysis, financial analysis, economic analysis, ecological analysis, legal and administrative analysis.

Market Analysis- a market is a medium of exchange of goods and services between buyers and sellers. The objective of a market analysis in a feasibility study is to examine the characteristics of the product in detail and specify the requirements that must be met if it is to be acceptable. These include: prices, market size, market segmentation and problem analysis of the sellers as well as total demand, degree of competition, estimation of quantity and quality to be supplied, availability, distribution and sales for profit.

It also involves knowing who your customers are and to achieve this you need information on: consumption trend, past and present supply position, production possibilities and constraints, imports and export, competition, cost structure, elasticity of demand, consumer behaviour (intention, motivations, attitudes, preferences and requirements), distribution channels and marketing policies in use, administrative, technical and legal constraints impinging on the marketing of the product.

Technical analysis: This section is on whether a product can be designed and manufactured at a reasonable cost and in a particular location. It also determines if the required facilities and technologies are available. It must begin with the end product and the quality of raw materials, suppliers, equipment (capacity and production volume), processes, labour required factory location and layout, land and building, and waste disposal.

The issues involved here are classified into inputs, through-puts and outputs:
Input analysis-is mainly concerned with the identification, quantification and evaluation of business/products inputs, that is machinery, equipments and materials. Ways to ensure that the right kind and quality of inputs would be available at the right time and cost throughout the life of the business/product/project.

Throughput analysis- refers to the production/operations that would perform on the inputs to add value. The stages of production (manufacturing process) , where to locate your facility, the sequence, layout, quality control measures and so on.

Output analysis- this involves product description ( in terms of physical features-colour, weight, length, breath, height), chemical material properties, as well as the standard to be complied with such as SON, NAFDAC, NESERA and so on.

Financial analysis- This section is aimed at assessing the business/product from the economic point of view, whether the proposed business/product/services will be financially viable to meet the burden of servicing debt and satisfy the return expectations of those who provide the capital. This is made possible by using the information gathered from the marketing and technical studies to estimate the total cost of the project, cash flow and the projected balance sheet. These estimates serve as a basis for assessing the business/product/service in order to know if it will be profitable and capable of making a good return on investment and services.

The financial analysis takes a look at total investment cost (which include preliminary expenses, capital investment and working capital), means of financing, projected profitability (profit and loss accounts, sales revenue less labour), estimating the sales revenues, production volume, direct labour and material costs, overhead estimates, depreciation, break-even quantity, cash flow projections (taking into account interest, dividend and loan repayment as well as planned expansion), projected financial (profit and loss account and balance sheet ) position.

Economic analysis- This involves the study of cost and benefits of the business/product/service. What an entrepreneur is concerned with whether the capital cost as well as the cost of the product is justifiable as well the price at which the product will sale at the market place.
At this stage the economic and commercial feasibility need to be conducted. Economic feasibility helps one to know the unit cost of the product and commercial feasibility informs whether enough units would sell.

Ecological analysis- This involves the study of the environmental implication (such as pollution) of the business, product/services. This stage look at what is the likely damage caused by the business/product/service to the environment, and what is the cost of restoration measures required to ensure that the damage to the environment is contained within acceptable limits.

Legal and administrative analysis- This refers to the choice of the form of business organisation, registration , clearance and approval from diverse authorities.
The forms of business organisation are sole proprietorship (where the owners handle all responsibilities, production and marketing, personnel and finances), partnership, company (which will be private limited company- with minimum of 2 to 50 members, and public limited company- with a minimum of 7 members and no limit), co-operative ( enterprise owned and controlled by people working in it). The registration and clearance need to be taken from the corporate affairs commission (CAC), NAFDAC, Nigerian stock exchange (NSE) and SON.

[b]Features of a feasibility Study
[/b]When a feasibility study has been carried out, a feasibility report will be drawn and it contains clear supporting evidence for its recommendations. A good feasibility report must be able to highlight the following:

1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Executive Summary (summary of all the key sections of the feasibility study, it is written last after the content section of feasibility study is completed but is read first and should not be more than one page )
4. Introduction (Justification, Study objective, Scope of study)
5. Product/Service Description (Describe your product/service here)
6. The Promoter (Name, Address, Telephone number/Email address, Qualifications, Work history and background in brief, Status of promoter – whether company, or individual, etc..
7. Market Assessment (In this section you provide an assessment of the market demand for your product or service. The analysis reveals who will buy, how much of your product and what they are willing to pay for it). Some Questions to answer in the market assessment
• What is the size of the market?
• What is the sales volume?
• What is the production volume?
• Who is buying the product or service i.e. who is your target market?
• How many customers are there? Who are they?
• Where are they currently buying the product or service?
• Are the customers satisfied?
• How is your market segmented currently?
• What are the major trends affecting your market? etc
8. Competitor Analysis
• Who are your major competitors?
• What are the major strengths of each?
• What are the major weaknesses of each?
• What are their production capabilities?
• Are you familiar with the following factors concerning your competitors:
9. Marketing Strategy (Depending on the outcome of the feasibility study your business plan will include a detailed marketing strategy. For the feasibility study a brief outline of your strategy will suffice).
• How will the market be accessed? What distribution methods will you use?
• What is the competitive advantage of your product or the benefits of your product in relation to the competition?
• What will attract customers to your product?
• How is your product differentiated from the competition?
• What pricing methods will you probably use?
• What promotional methods will you use (i.e tradeshows, advertising, etc.)?
• Outline any commitments you have received from customers already.
• Outline export potential if any.

1. Technical or Production Analysis (This portion should be based on verifiable data and contain sufficient information and analysis so that a determination may be made on the technical feasibility of achieving the levels of income or production that are projected in the financial statement)
2. Prototype or sample product (If you need to develop a sample product or prototype as part of the feasibility a description should be given here.)
3. Management Capability (Describe the requirements for the management positions and responsibilities for those personnel. Describe the skills/expertise you will need to bring to the business. Describe existing capabilities within the business (related to qualifications and experience of promoter).
4. Financial Analysis (Include preliminary financial projections (with a clear understanding of assumptions) and an estimation of all variable and fixed (overhead) costs will be necessary to estimate the profitability of the proposed venture.
5. Required Financing (Required funding to enter this market and feasibility of raising capital (if necessary).
6. Economic Impact (Show the potential economic impact of the proposed venture e.g. job creation, salaries of employees, sourcing local suppliers, etc.
7. Conclusions and Recommendations (A suggestion as to the feasibility of the project.)
8. Appendices (Include any supporting documentation including references here.)


The pitfalls of writing feasibility studies
Incomplete understanding of the financial implications of the business involved,
1. Not sticking to the plan,
2. Over anticipating the market
3. Falsification of information
4. Non-management support
5. Non anticipation of changing environment
6. Lack of viability

On a final note, if you cannot prepare a feasibility study on your own, just like you can hire a Doctor, a Lawyer, an Engineer and an Architect to assist you handle a particular situation; you can also hire a professional to help out in preparing a feasibility study. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone to do it, always know that it is very important and a necessary ingredient for any successful idea, concept or venture to thrive.

References
1. Castro, J. and Mylopoulos, J. (2002), Information Systems Analysis and Design: The Feasibility Study. http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~jm/340S/02/PDF2/Feasibility.pdf Accessed on 15th July, 2013.
2. Hoagland, H. and Williamson, L. (2000). Feasibility Studies, Kentucky, University of Kentucky.
3. Overton, R. (2007). Feasibility Studies Made Simple, Martin Books, Australia.
4. Thompson, A. (2005) ‘Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation: The Art of Successful Business Start-ups and Business Planning’, Perth, Best Entrepreneur.

For more details on business related guides on business plans, business proposals and many more, you can visit my page http://egenaode.

University lecturer wins Airtel-NIM’s Young Managers’ Contest

A lecturer from the Benue State University, Ode Egena, has emerged winner of the 2013 Young Managers’ Competition organised by the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in collaboration with leading telecommunication services provider, Airtel Nigeria.

Egena who represented the North Central Zone was declared winner in the national final of the competition, which took place at the NIM Head office Lagos at the weekend.

Egena’s victory came after an eight-man panel of judges assessed all six finalists representing the six geopolitical zones.

Enemodia Ernest, from the South-South Zone emerged the first runner up while the only woman who made it to the finals, Maryam Bello (North East) was adjudged second runner-up.

Olugbenro Oyekan (South-West), Chikere Onyechigoziri (South East) and Bello Saidu (North West) came 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

Mr. Egena won the star prize of a brand new car plus N150, 000 cash prize, while the second and third contestants were rewarded with a laptop plus N100, 000 cash prize each, while the last three contestants received consolation prizes.

The first three winners will be presented with their prizes at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Annual National Management Conference of NIM scheduled to hold on Monday 16th September in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

The President and Chairman of Council, NIM, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, in his address expressed gratitude to Airtel for giving huge support to NIM and for the sponsorship of the 2013 Young Managers’ Competition.

He said “Airtel, aside providing funds for the purchase of the Star Prize of a brand new car for the winner as well as prizes and cash reward for the first and second runners up, staked its hard-won corporate image by endorsing and sponsoring the competition, commending the Telco for its many contributions towards the developments of Nigerian youth”.

In his remarks, Segun Ogunsanya, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, stated that Airtel was committed to creating credible platforms for the development of Nigerian youth.

Ogunsanya, who was represented the company’s Zonal Business Manager, Lagos Metro, Ayo Ogunranti, assured that Airtel will continue to throw its weight behind laudable initiatives for the youth even as he commended all the winners and those who participated in the competition.

Also speaking during the event, star prize winner, Mr. Egena expressed his appreciation to Airtel Nigeria and NIM for their efforts in encouraging young Nigerians through the initiative.

“I want to thank Airtel Nigeria for the robust sponsorship; without Airtel, we will not be here today. When other sponsors are concentrating on other areas, Airtel is looking at how it can develop the mental capacity of young people. I thank Airtel for this and they have, by this singular action, completely won my heart for life”, Egena stated.

The Young Managers’ Competition, established by the NIM in 1974 was instituted for the primary purpose of encouraging participants who are endowed with creative and research abilities to hone their skills through conducting independent in-depth research into management related issues with a view to proposing new solutions.

In addition, the competition was established to discover and support young men and women who distinguish themselves in conducting studies in different areas of human endeavour with the hope that such propositions would help development in all its ramifications.

Source: http://www.worldstagegroup.com/worldstagenew/index.php?active=news&newscid=10711&catid=37

Sincerely GT Bank is becoming something else. I used the bank for international funds transfer last year for payment of tuition fee and the charges were so high. I liked the bank but their attitude has changed. I am only looking for an alternative bank and I 'd stop initiating transactions with the bank.

Anyaoku advocates return to regionalism
by Agency Reporter

Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has advocated a return to regionalism “for Nigeria to effectively face her development challenges”. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Anyaoku made the call in Awka, Anambra State on Thursday at a lecture on good governance organised in his honour by a non-governmental organisation, Youth Affairs International Foundation.

The theme of the lecture was ‘The Role of Youth in Governance’.
He said, “There are big challenges confronting the governments; state and federal, the challenges of youth unemployment, how to deal with the massive corruption and the growing challenge of insecurity. “Insecurity that began with kidnapping in the Niger Delta is an identifiable grievance that the area which produces the nation’s resources was underdeveloped.” Anyaoku stressed that the security challenges had manifested in the Boko Haram menace which was “making life nearly impossible for those in the northern parts”.

The elder stateman added, “That is a challenge that the government need to tackle much more effectively. “For the country to effectively face the challenge, we do need to return the structure of our governance to a regional system. “I recall that there was healthy competition during the era of regional system. “Now we have a system that not only involves the country in spending too much in the cost of governance, but also fuels destructive competitions among the diverse ethnic groups for the control of power at the centre.

“I don’t think our country can achieve the desired goals on the existing structure. “Our country Nigeria, by all economic indices was at par with South Korea and Malaysia, but today these countries are one or two generations ahead of us. “I hope that you, the youth of today, will remedy the situation in not too long a time to come.”

Have you ever noticed that a woman's 'I'LL BE READY IN FIVE MINUTES' and a man's 'I'LL BE HOME IN FIVE MINUTES' are exactly the same?

afam4eva: It's really not about boredom like someone put it. Rather it's like a trophy. This behaviour can be likened to a team that plays really had to win the world and after they've achieved that, you don't see them training everyday.

I love ur description. Maybe the training during the process of 'preparation for the tournament' was so tedious.

Mynd_44: Were you born daft or did you have to take lessons?

Don' get insulted, but is your job devoted to spreading ignorance?

Mynd_44: And now you must be feeling good. You just dropped a punch which just show how incredibly silly you are.

Are you always so stu.pid or is today a special occasion?

Mynd_44: I did not tribalise. The Yoruba definition best describes you and so I used it. Understand? Now go play with the pigs in the gutter like you always do

I hail your sense of judgement and analysis. If you were twice as smart, you'd still be stupid.

Mynd_44: The OP says it all. I mean if your name is Ode -express, how will you not post nonsense?

One thing I guarantee u is that ur Mynd[i][/i] is filled with mediocrity. Must u tribalize every word? The fact that 'Ode' in yoruba means something doesn't automatically give it a single meaning. Check very well, people from other states in Nigeria bear 'Ode' and it means something else. Nonsense! Must u comment?

[b]TAKE TIME TO READ. It's worth reading it. Trust me

A married lady was expecting a birthday gift from her husband.
For many months she had admired a beautiful diamond ring in a showroom,
And knowing her husband could afford it,
...
She told him that was all she wanted.
As her birthday approached,

This lady awaited signs that her husband had purchased the diamond ring.

Finally, on the morning of her birthday, her husband called her into his study.
Her husband told her how proud he was to have such a good wife, and told her how much he loved her.
He handed her a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious!
the wife opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the wife's name embossed in gold.
Angrily, she raised her voice to her husband and said, 'With all your money you give me a Bible?' And stormed out of the house,
leaving her husband

Many years passed and the lady was very successful in business.
She managed to settle for a more beautiful house and a wonderful family,
but realized her ex-husband was very old,
and thought perhaps she should go to visit him.
She had not seen him for many years.
But before she could make arrangements, she received a telegram telling her that her ex-husband had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to her. She needed to come back immediately and take care of things…

When she arrived at her ex-husband's house, sudden sadness and regret filled her heart. She began to search through her ex-husband’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as she had left it years before.
With tears, she opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Her
ex-husband had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11,
'And if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more shall your Heavenly Father, who is in heaven,
give what is good to those who ask Him?

As she read those words, a tiny package dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a diamond ring, with her name engraved on it -- the same diamond ring which she saw at the showroom.
On the tag was the date of her birth, and the words. 'LUV... U ALWAYS'.

QUESTION:
How many times do we miss God's blessings, because they are not packaged as we expected?

MORAL LESSON:
Do not spoil what you have, by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

IF YOUR GIFT IS NOT PACKAGED THE WAY YOU WANT IT, IT’S BECAUSE IT IS BETTER PACKAGED THE WAY IT IS.
ALWAYS APPRECIATE LITTLE THINGS; THEY USUALLY LEAD YOU TO BIGGER & BETTER THINGS

'The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart!

All a man need is a patient woman to stick by and watch his dreams fall into place and to quit nagging.
Do you think she knew he would become the US president at this time? I don't think so; but she stuck with him and his VW beetle anyway!

I trust you enjoyed this “STORY”. Pass it on to others, It will go a long way to help!
Have a splendid and a wonderful day today and always!!![/b][color=#770077][/color]

Please how much will a 2001/2002 VW Passat and VW Golf 4 cost? Both with AC and Auto drive

Please how much will a 2001/2002 VW Passat and VW Golf 4 cost? Both with AC and Auto drive

Please how much will a 2001/2002 VW Passat and VW Golf 4 cost? Both with AC and Auto drive

I have seen several men made concerted efforts to impress their women before they marry. But after the wedding, I have observed that most men reduce their efforts and commitment. Is it normal? What could be responsible?

May God help us

Hello Nairalanders,

If you have and/or manage your own business, can you kindly assist me to complete this online survey? The survey is aimed at assessing the impact of business support initiatives (government and private) on the Growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises. It is purely academic and your responses are anonymous.

The survey will not take more than 5 minutes of your time
You can find it on the link below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFhFMVZEOVZNaVI3MEtMclV0a3VYQVE6MQ

Thank you!

Hello Nairalanders,

If you have and/or manage your own business, can you kindly assist me to complete this online survey? The survey is aimed at assessing the impact of business support initiatives (government and private) on the Growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises. It is purely academic and your responses are anonymous.

The survey will not take more than 5 minutes of your time
You can find it on the link below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFhFMVZEOVZNaVI3MEtMclV0a3VYQVE6MQ

Thank you!

Cars are amazing technological feats that litter our roads round the world today. Every passing year witnesses the debut of a new model or some incredible modification on an existing model. But I’m not here to examine car models or talk about which is the newest innovation.

I’m here to talk about the funny names Nigerians give these cars!
It’s amazing how some cars that have become popular end up getting nicknames which are usually as a result of situations surrounding them or their looks.

I took some time to gather as much as I could on the famous car models that were notorious for one thing or the other way back then and presently today.

The Honda series are usually very notorious for getting names.


‘Pure Water’
Honda Accord 1986
[/b]This dude became the people’s favorite among regular sedans in Nigeria. Each time someone thought of buying a car, this Honda was not far off from the consideration list. It became so common that Nigerians nicknamed it ‘Pure Water’ because sachet water was the most accessible commodity anywhere

[b]‘Alla’
Honda Accord 1990
This was another favorite that continued where the 86’ model had left off. It was a heavy amongst the Hausas of northern Nigeria who were obsessed with it. This is how it came to be nicknamed ‘Alla’ because its supposedly said that when a Hausa man boasted about his Honda, he would go; ‘Na my Honda, Allah!’

‘Bulldog’
Honda Accord 1995
[/b]This ride gained its nickname because of the way its back was shaped and the way it sat on the ground – like a bulldog.

[b]‘Baby boy’
Honda Accord 1998
[/b]The circumstances surrounding this car’s nickname is quite funny. The car sort of became popular after it was spotted in John Singleton’s film titled ‘Baby boy’ which starred Tyrese Gibson in the lead role. Tyrese is seen cruising this Honda with cute alloys in many scenes in the movie.


[b]‘End of Discussion’
Honda Accord 2003

It was the tagline of its Ad that made this car popular as well as its Iv-Tec engine. The Ad simply said – ‘The New Honda Accord. End of Discussion.’ People loved this ride and it caught on like wildfire. However, the nickname ‘Iv-Tech’ later took over the former.

[b]'Anaconda/Evil Spirit'
Honda Accord 2009
[/b]When this Honda came out last year, people were alarmed because it had one heck of a scary look when you first came across it, and it was BIG compared to its past models. It got its nickname from the look of its healamps which look as menacing as the notorious Anaconda snake of the amazon jungle. The evil look of the headlamps also gained it a second nickname of ‘Evil Spirit’.

[b]'Orobo'
Toyota Camry 1992
[/b]This Toyota Camry probably marked the beginning of the ‘fattening up’ of the Camry range. Its longness and rotundness earned it the nickname ‘Orobo’ which is a Yoruba/pidgin lingo for ‘Fatso’.

[b]'Millenium'
Toyota Camry 1998
[/b]Suddenly Toyota must have thought it was time to slim down and introduced a slimmer model that became popular in Nigeria till today. The problem is, it didn’t have any distinctive nickname. The only name I ever gathered it was called was ‘Millenium’ because it came out in the year 2000; when we entered the millennium.

[b]'Big for nothing'
Toyota Camry 2004
[/b]The name probably came as a disdain registered by Nigerians at Toyota’s sudden decision to ‘fatten’ up the Camry again. This time it was so big and bogus that it was nobody seemed to see any use for its bigness.

[b]'Muscle'
Toyota Camry 2007
[/b]This car turned out to be a correction over the ‘Big for nothing’ because now all the bigness was put to good use; the car had curves that accentuated its beauty and gave it a distinct look; curves people referred to as ‘muscles’. Nigerians couldn’t resist calling this beauty the ‘Toyota Muscle’.

[b]'Beast'
Mercedes Benz 600 1995
[/b]This car was a huge monster that came out before most asian cars got into the bigness parade. It was never regarded as a regular car and was seen to eat up space. It was so massive and ugly it became rare and Nigerians just called it ‘the beast’.

'V Boot/ V Nyansh'
Mercedes Benz 300 1990
[/b]This ride caught Naija by storm. Nigerians fell head over heels in love with it. It was majestic and a beaut in its time. The design at that time was unique and its nickname, ‘V boot’, was derived from the unique shape of its boot which was later made sexy with the pidgin term ‘V Nyansh’.

[b]COJA
BMW 325i 2001
[/b]Not all Beamers got nicknamed in their time, and not all their nicknames stayed as long as other cars. But for this model of BMW, the story is different. It was nicknamed ‘COJA’ after it was purchased for ministers and delegates at the COJA games in Abuja in 2003. The car was the official car of the event and became popular as a result back them. Today, the name has however faded.

Culled from the Kush Chronicles:http://thekushchronicles..co.uk/2010/08/funny-names-nigerians-give-cars.html[i][/i][b]

Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday inaugurated a special post-graduate scholarship scheme for all university graduates with a first class degree.

Inaugurating a 10-man steering committee for the take off of the scheme, at the State House, Abuja, Jonathan decried the dearth of qualified academic staff in the tertiary institutions.

He said that 60 per cent of lecturers in the 124 universities across the country had no Doctorate Degree, noting that the situation “is embarrassing and un-acceptable’’.

“The information I got from the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) is that about 60 per cent of our academic staff in our universities don’t have PhD. that is quite embarrassing, I belief the Professors here will also feel bad.

‘’We have 124 universities, Federal, States and private and that is not good enough.

‘`I will set up an inter-ministerial department to work with some of you in the academics to come up with policies for robust training so that young men and women who are interested in academics could go anywhere in the world, that over the years we must bridge that gap.’’

The President said the initiative, which he conceived while as Governor, was aimed at building human resources for sustainable development and national transformation.

He said the committee would commence the programme by selecting 100 beneficiaries on merit for post graduate scholarship in science and engineering courses in the best institutions in the world.

“Every year, we should tap from among our best brains, selecting our best brains, we are starting with 100 because we have not made adequate arrangement for funding but the number will increase when we make budgetary allocation for it in 2013.

“We select our best brain in the area of science, engineering and some areas of economics and expose them to the best facilities available in the world.

“The ministry of education and this committee will have to travel to these universities to negotiate for positions in the top 25 universities in the world.

“The idea is for you to benefit you must have a first class. It is based purely on merit, no quota. We are giving opportunity for best brains.’’

President said the beneficiaries of the scheme would, on completion of their studies, be mandated to work for the country for a period of five years as lecturers or researchers before they could be allowed to go in to their chosen careers.

Jonathan tasked members of the committee to ensure transparency and merit in the choice of the prospective candidates.

Responding, the committee’s Chairman, Prof Julius Okojie, thanked the President for the appointment and assured him that they would deliver on their mandate.

Other members of the committee include the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Dr Jamaila Shuara and Mrs Iddatu Abdullahi of the Federal Schorlarship Board.

The rest are Professors Musa Alabe, Mohammed Sule , Mohammed Onogu, Olurotimi Tayo, William Okowa and Ikenna Onyibe.

The Deputy Director, Tertiary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, will serve as Secretary.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/05/jonathan-inaugurates-scholarship-scheme-for-first-class-graduates/

Can anyone in the house tell me if a blocked phone in UK can work in Nigeria. Or can a blocked IMEI Number be restored? Thanks

Sleeping on Duty!

There is no right word that is a magic word, only a right attitude can

16:24 BST

Liverpool have parted company with manager Kenny Dalglish.
The 61-year-old returned to England on Tuesday having flown to Boston earlier this week to hold showdown talks with Liverpool’s owners FSG.
Dalglish masterminded his side’s Carling Cup success this year – the club’s first trophy since 2006 – but failed to secure a top four finish having been allowed to invest over £100m since he returned to the club in January 2011.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/live-update/855/ferdinand-walker-expected-to-miss-out-follow-englands-euro

PrettyCindy: @op as much your woman has an enviable character, bottling up issues isn't really the best especially when you are the cause of the problem(s). True she may be the type that easily forgives and moves on like nothing has happened but don't be suprised that a day will come you guys will have a huge misunderstanding and out of no where she will start bringing up supposedly past and buried issues.
Just try and talk to her about your desire to see you guys talk about misunderstandings when they arise. Communication is one of the basic keys to a successful union. Goodluck.

Thank you so much. I have discussed it with her already.

Busy_body: You are not compatible with her. You have serious communication issue so it would be foolhardy of you wallpaper over this major crack in the wall.

I wholeheartedly agree with Breathing and Moremi's train of thought too.

Its not a compatibility issue and I guess you were quick to conclude that we have a serious communication issue. What I complained is her unwillingness to discuss some issues not a communication issue. We communicate well only that she feels once an issue is gone past we should let it go