₦airaland Forum

Boll2010: I known u wnt be wise wit ur reply,

What you put up there..is there any iota of wisdom in it? Because debosky is moderating a section of Nairaland does not give you any right to paint him black. You will say it's the 'sexuality' section - so what??!

Being sexualy active is not a crime in itself (it's even a good sign that you're alive!) - it's when you can't control your desires and urges that you become slave to it. That's the 'sin' thing God warns everyone to steer clear of.

I have had some very interesting and enlightening discussions with debosky in many areas on this nairaland - politics section in particular. He's a very smart guy with very good analytical skills. You on the other hand I don't know. So, if I follow him, it's really none of your business.

Boll2010: young man calm down,I jst checked ur profile now n saw u followin DEBOSKY a notorious person in d SEXUALITY N ROMANCE section,so don't sound to serious,its al fun

Who the fucckkk is this one??!! If you know what debosky's brain is made up of, you'll know he's not in your league. You think everything about life is all ''sex''?? oshi!

I honestly don't understand why this type of utter nonsense and rubbish of a thread is allowed to catch my attention. What has nairaland turned into?? Where in the world is Seun? The other day it was for me to ''Look at OBJ wearing a T-shirt'' at the front page; then some shitty things about an unknown person getting married. Is this how nairaland wants to reward those of us who have been their ardent supporters and readers since 2005? I did all I could to bring a burning topic on ''Nigeria and Nigerians - from a British Expat'', to the front page, that topic kept going down the ladder - as hot as it is!!

I know if I leave this place, I will not be missed. But I must warn that if this is how Seun wants to start running his nairaland, many will not take the site as a serious one anymore. But then, many have gone and new comers are trooping in. Ki ni big deal?! Abi!

Babiloko: dis man vowed 2 take his life if PDP loses election in edo state.....i wunda y he is stil alive

It is possible that it is his ghost that's talking. smh.

@kokosheen,
Many thanks for all your explanations. Well done.

@edo.girl,
I will rather believe the stories/news I get from companies corporate websites than from ANY Nigerian newspaper outfit - any day, any time.

And please, I never implied in any way that Olokola was a viable project. Way back since 2006 I ''predicted'' - and that, right here on Nairaland, that the project is a dead-on-arrival one.

@edo.girl,
Sorry, it's not Brass - Bonny please. So, let me tell you point blank that I work with an IOC (the inner caucus group) - is that sufficient for you now? So spare me all the other facts about economics and planning.

There is a Shell Nigeria Gas outfit at Ota for your information (http://www.shell.com.ng/products-services/solutions-for-businesses/natural-gas.html). That unit sell gas to many of the factories at Ota and Aba. So, your claim that usage of natural gas is ''relatively low'' and that very few people use gas in Nigeria isn't very true. You even stated that ''Paradoxically, much of Nigeria's gas can't be sold locally due to low domestic prices. '' What you should say is that the requisite 'hardware' needed to channel the stuff to many end users isn't there at the moment, but I think (and I hope this will come to fruition) the FG is putting some plans in place to make sure that the distribution of this product is within the reach of the average Nigerian - to get better value.

You may want to read the stuff in this link as well. If we want to enlighten the public, lets do it properly.
http://www.nnpcgroup.com/NNPCBusiness/BusinessInformation/InvestmentOpportunities/NigeriaGas.aspx

You need to understand that cheap energy sources means better life for everyone. It is true that profit making will be severely cut as a result of the 'glut' of gas in the market. But that doesn't make it unviable. If the IOCs don't go into the business, others will.

[quote author=edo.girl]It's all down to viability.
The price of LNG collapsed on the world market a few years back, and though it has improved a bit, new gas discoveries have been made in many more countries (including East Africa)thus meaning there are more supply sources. Paradoxically, much of Nigeria's gas can't be sold locally due to low domestic prices.[/quote]Actually the above in bold is not true in its entirety.

I have a very reliable source at Bonny LNG who stated that it was more profitable selling our liquefied natural gas to local manufacturing companies at Aba, Ota, Enugu and elsewhere. We all know that the companies at Aba buys gas from either Shell Gas or LNG. Do you think Shell and Total supply gas to Bonny LNG for free? Very cheap source of energy translates to very cheap product - and you can imagine the multiplier effect on consumer goods etc etc.

As a matter of fact, we as a nation stand to benefit hugely from low energy prices. Environmental degradation as a result of using firewood and kerosene will stop when you can buy cheap liquefied petroleum gas and use for cooking. Imagine every home in Nigeria with gas lines to their homes for cooking. Shouldn't that be something everyone should desire?

naptu2: +100. Very good post.

Firstly, it has not been confirmed that they are pulling out.

Secondly, remember what Rotimi Amaechi said in his Hardtalk interview? He said that the oil majors are not pulling out, but are concerned that the PIB has not been passed. It's difficult for them to plan and invest, if they don't know the rules that would guide their operations.

The stuff in bold, I agree with totally.

Four years after BG Group divested from Olokola LNG project, two other International Oil Companies, IOC, Chevron and Shell, have pulled out, a source has said.

@naptu2,
So, what then is the above saying about Shell and Chevron? - oh okay, because their spokesmen were not on ground to ''confirm'' Vanguard's story? Well.

I don't think Vanguard will publish something like this if there isn't anything concrete to suggest same. But then again, you may be right, anything can happen in Naija.

@Gbawe,
Hmnn...you sound like one new guy on Nairaland. Did you click on the link I posted earlier on? The whole Olokola thing was founded on corruption.

Anyway, when you're done reading the thread I opened about that project in 2006, come back lets chat.

trillville: You are starting to sound like Buhari, I just pray that you will not start crying after every four years like him.

Nahh...I'm not interested in politics. Read my words up there, it must be by some stroke of luck for me to get that far. But that doesn't mean I won't be actively fighting against corruption in my corner of Nigeria.

esere,
At least, by the time I'm done, some FEAR would have been instilled in those 100..and maybe, just maybe, I would have put the mechanisms in place to discourage corruption and corrupt practices. I appreciate the fact that these things take time and will not achieve 100% performance.

trillville: I do not want to sound unpatriotic but please if you can find something to do in the UK do not come back home. I made the same bloody mistake after my undergrad. If you want to steal money, it makes sense coming back here but if your idea is to make a difference, you may end up messing ur life up.

I have said this before, and I will say it again: I am coming back for my country - and I will ruthlessly purge that country of EVERYTHING corruption - so help me God! I have travelled round the world and have seen how organized things can be. I am going to do all in my powers to make certain that we get that needed change to move forward as a nation.

Blood will flow. Many fat cats will die and they should be ready. Ono will not/never be gentle with corruption. Watch out for me guys.

esere826: ^^^

Of course, your chest beating is in order
Moral rostrums are an excellent posturing

We all need some Jesus in our societies
You'll make a fine one

...but the challenge with your type is that you rarely make it to a position were you can be a catalysmic change agent
so the society needs an Obasanjo to push you forward and firmly in place to cause havoc to evil.
This happening is oft referred to as LUCK
...evil/corruption therefore births good


My argument is that corruption/morality comes in different shades of grey
some are as neccesary as the fermentation/spoiling needed to make tasty cheese

So we need to take an enlightened view of corruption and not the blatant black white categorization that we easily ascribe to

esere826,
Well, the thing is I find it very hard to mix corruption with good. Whatever good comes out of anything corrupt must be some kind of Greek gift to the Trojans. I have lived long enough on this planet to know that. I like to call a spade what it is.

As per the spoiling and fermenting you alluded to, in order to make a tasty cheese, that must be your own personal view - and that's fine, we're all entitled to our own opinion. I await 99cents rebuttal.

^^^These things starts somewhere my dear. You need to have 'sufficient' clean history about yourself to be able to properly beat your chest and condemn anything that's corrupt. How can you stand on a higher pedestal and condemn others if you do not have the moral standing to do so?

99cent: well that's because we are HUMAN. All humans are predisposed to corruption in absense of law enforcement. regardless of class OR nationality.
the guy didn't claim to be corrupt free himself did he? I'm sure he most have paid or received some bribe here and there throughout his stay otherwise, he would have left a long time ago.
even british companies are implicated in HUGE corrruption scandals in Nigeria. and guess what, the british law enforcement agencies are investigating it. If only Nigeria had functioning law enforcement agencies.

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/British-Police-Investigating-1.3-Billion-Shell-ENI-Nigerian-Oil-Bloc-Corruptio.html
http://blogs.wsj.com/corruption-currents/2010/12/21/halliburton-says-it-will-pay-35-million-to-settle-nigeria-bribery-charges/


I love how you talk about your cleaner or your co-worker or your boss or uncle GEJ but nobody on this thread has yet to talk about themselves or point finger at themselves. hahahhaahah u think you are the exception to the article?
everyone in Nigeria is corrupt except you? if only nigerians could change their ways except you? LOL

Now, let me tell you a bit about myself. I've had to tell one 'oyinbo' guy who showed me a 'shortcut' way around paying for goods in a retail store in Houston that I will NOT follow his advice. You know what he said? You MUST be a different Nigerian.

I have been asked if I will stay back in the UK after my program by some folks from Khazakstan. I told them that whatever knowledge I have gained MUST be put to the greater and general use of my country Nigeria and that I have no plans or desire to stay back in the UK. I do not belong there and home is Nigeria. I had gone for their Khazakstani day in the school. Their response: You're a different Nigerian.

Back home in Naija. I have refused a 1500 dollars bribe (raw American dollars cash in an envelope) meant to influence my decision to 'alter' the award recommendation to our board for a contract. You can say 1500 dollars is a small amount of money - but this is how it starts. If you're not faithful in a small amount, how can you be faithful when millions come your way?

Now, that's some little story about myself. If I delve into personal 'issues' you will know that I am a no-nonsense Nigerian and a 'meritocratic' inclined human being. I consciously purge myself of every desire to tell a lie. I was a virgin when I married my wife. And although 'tempted' to have extra-marital affairs, I have, by the grace of God been faithful to my wife. I do not live above my means. I cut my coat according to my size and the quality of the clothing stuff I can buy. I don't look down on others who don't have the same opportunity as I do, and I don't envy anyone who have more than I do.

But I passionately hate corruption. I have told several of my friends that they should watch out for me in the future. I have warned them that if I venture into politics, and I become the president of this country by some stoke of luck, I am going to sacrifice myself and the life of anyone found to be corrupt for the liberation of this country from the jaws of corruption, nepotism, religious bigotry, indiscipline, laziness and ethnic rivalry. Everything will be done on merit. Tim did say in his write up that there are indeed some 10% or so Nigerians who are honest and true. I can beat my chest and say I belong to that group.

Now, that's a little 'something' about myself. Should I ask that you 'say' something about yourself? I am sure the corruption gene is in your blood, but who knows, lets hear from you.

I ''prophesized'' this will happen to that project, back in the days..haha.
https://www.nairaland.com/21679/olokola-lng-niger-delta-question

99cent: I see ur point. it's fine to appreciate what he wrote. I also do. but I just didn't agree with the pessimistic view that Nigeria will forever remain corrupt.

Sorry mate, there was nowhere in that write up where he categorically stated that Nigeria will forever remain corrupt. Maybe you want to copy that out and paste here for all to see?

99cent: can you explain why u think law enforcement will not work?
i think it will take decades. it won't be an overnight transformation.

Good. In this one, we agree. So, law enforcement in Nigeria at the moment is NOT one of the solutions to the problem of the country.

99cent: nigerian teachers who sit in their staff room buying and selling merchandise rather than teaching students in d classroom.are they corrupt? sure. but why are they doing what they are doing? they will be the first to point the finger at the govt for being corrupt but they also are corrupt but they rationalize their corruption because they are not getting paid their monthly salaries etc. that makes perfect rational sense hence why corruption will never go away until we have proper enforcement of laws concerning salaries, supervision, oversight etc. even those who are corrupt will not feel guilt. the police man collecting bribe to feed his family. do u expect him to feel guilt?
or maybe a politician who sees other politicians making money. of course he too will naturally feel he has the right to similar treatment like his peers. it's sad but reality.
same goes with the unqualified british expat who takes the job because he knows he can get away with it.

Here, you've merely buttressed Tim's views that the type of corruption prevalent in Nigeria knows no class. From the cleaner that helps clean my desktop computer and my other gadget and frequently asks for ''something'', to uncle GEJ and PDP cronies in Abuja, milking the country dry, corruption is rife, endemic.

Nowhere in Tim's write up did he say he wasn't qualified for the job he did in Nigeria - I think going by what that man wrote up there, he will pen that down if he was into something not good. At least he did point out that some single expats go out with our Naija girls. Fair enough jare.

99cent: I've read more coherent, objective write ups about the problem of corruption in Nigeria by foreigners. Infact, i've taken classes in international studies where i've been lectured about corruption in Nigeria by an american and foreign professionals. so maybe that's why I have a different perspective than you.

Ok. Now, the weblink posted is just the guy's blog - it's not a formal ''training website'' of some sorts, or a ''corporate corruption-teaching website''. So, looking at stuff from that angle, you agree that this is the way Tim Newmann personally saw Nigeria during his stay in Lagos. He didn't even go to press with it. Had he published his findings in a ''corruption journal'' or Transparency International report now, I will put on a different hat analyzing his write up. And yes, while you're into international studies and stuff, I am an engineer - like Time Newmann. We definitely will view things from different angles. But we need to be very careful how we go about this.

99cent: remember that he is an expat himself. therefore what he is doing is pretty much making the expat problem one into one that has a solution. and then painting the "nigerian problem" as one that has no solution.
to me the solution to corruption as we know it is simply LAW ENFORCEMENT.....

Now, this isn't fair on the guy. If you read my explanation of what he wrote very well, he wasn't happy that we have folks who are qualified to do some jobs ''locked up'' and forgotten. He felt we're doing ourselves a great disservice by doing this. To me, that's fair enough.

The expat thing he wrote was spot on. I have worked with some ''expat'' in my department whom I had to teach how to use MS Excel to do simple graphical presentation of historical well and reservoir performance. I was so shocked I wondered how he got in the company in the first place. I have also worked with an excellent British expat, who's working in Malaysia now, and I can tell you this one isn't a fake, lazy ass expat. He worked hard, he motivated me and several others and I know he's worth his salt.

Law enforcement will NOT work in Nigeria - at least, for now. Lets not deceive ourselves. I don't even need to go about explaining anything on this one.

Alright 99cent. I have tried to look at things from your angle. See, it's not all about bashing us in that piece or telling us what we know already.

I think this piece is meant for us Nigerians to read, reflect and think about how we can come together and collectively solve the monstrous problem called corruption that's killing all of us. If we begin to look at the messenger instead of the message we will lose sight of what this man is trying to pass across.

I felt bad reading all that was written in that piece, but that doesn't make it a lie. It's the stark n a k e d truth about my country - our country. Personally, I have never seen a coherent, thorough, graphic description of the socio-cultural and political write up about Nigeria, that's so well written by someone from another country. I used to think that folks from other parts of the world do not know us this much. But this piece proved me wrong. This guy knows more that I even do about my country.

The guy also expressed his displeasure at the way ''expats'' who are not qualified in the first place troop into the country, while our people who are half decent and capable are relegated to the background or ''locked'' up somewhere. In that section he did provide a way out of this. He stated that people should be ''tested'' to check their suitability for a job or otherwise. That's solution enough. He probably couldn't fathom a solution to our other ''bigger'' corruption problems because it has defied all logical reasoning and he's so amazed at how we have come to embrace this in the country.

In all, lets not feel insulted by the guy. I think he's a very blunt guy who tells stuff the way it is without mincing words - very much like me!

@Stillwater,
You brought out one of the main points in that write up. Bullseye!

desgiezd: I agree with most of the things the guy observed and wrote about but after all said, what are the solutions to these myriad of problems or are we going to continue with it till the end of time? To me, this is the crux of the matter.

You and I have been here long enough, desgiezd. Since we both joined this forum (05&06), have you seen anything written like this about Nigeria from a foreigner?

As per solutions, I'm all eyes I am waiting for people to write something different from the killings and bloodshed that will follow the systematic elimination of people feeding from the rot that's Nigeria at the moment. I noticed that at some point, the writer implied that there's no way out for us - as far as he knows. Perhaps we Nigerians can be sincere enough for once in our life and call a spade a spade, accept that we have problems bedeviling us. That's the first part, then we can now move forward to other steps.

Jakumo, please, I need you here. I will like to read your response to this burning ''report'' on Naija.

If this is the complaints box of nairaland where mods listens to folks - then I implore you all mods to please move the topic on Nigeria and Nigerians to the first page and on number 1 spot for a very long time so that every living Nigerian on planet earth, who can read, comprehend and understand can see how the world see us.

james_ibor has given the link. Debo (at least I know you) and Seun, please, for old time sakes, kindly move that topic to number 1 spot. Thanx.

There is a culture so prevalent that it is a defining characteristic of Nigeria whereby no amount is ever enough, and no sum too small to be pilfered.

This reminds me of a pastor asking for those who can donate 1 billion naira to see his secretary....and everyone else, those who can donate 100 naira as well, to give towards the building of a humongous 3km by 3km auditorium.

From 1 billion naira to 100 naira - no amount is too small to be pilfered. It seems there's some kind of parallel relation between the Pentecostal church style of ''giving'' and the ''pilfering'' we see in every sphere of our national life. Pity.

[quote author=james_ibor]The corruption, theft, and graft can take many forms: falsifying a CV (I don’t mean enhancing, I mean pretending you’re a Lead Piping Engineer of 12 years experience when actually, until yesterday, you were a fisherman); selling positions in a company; stealing diesel from the storage tanks you’re paid to protect; issuance of false material certificates; impersonating an immigration officer to access an office, from which you then tap up the people within to fund your latest venture; selling land which isn’t yours; deliberately running down the country’s refining capacity in order to partake in the lucrative import of fuels; falsifying delivery notes of said refined fuels in order to receive greater government subsidies; deliberately restricting the country’s power generation capacity in order to benefit from the importation of generators (which must be run on imported fuel); theft of half-eaten sandwiches and opened drink containers from the office fridge; tinkering with fuel gauges at petrol stations to sell customers short; conspiring with company drivers to issue false receipts indicating more fuel was supplied than actually was; supplying counterfeit safety equipment; falsifying certificates related to professional competence (e.g. rope access work); paying employees less than stipulated in their contract (or not at all); cloning satellite TV cards, meaning the legitimate user gets their service cut off when the other card is in use (the cards are cloned by the same people who issue the genuine cards); the list is literally endless.  There is no beginning or end to corruption in Nigeria, it is a permanent fixture.

Nepotism is rife: family members are employed and promoted before anyone else.  Outright theft is rife: from a pen lying on a desk, to billions from the state coffers. Dishonesty is rife: from the state governors to the street urchin, lying to enrich yourself is the norm.  You name the scam, it is being done in Nigeria.  Eventually, nothing surprises you.

As I said before, you’ll find such practices everywhere, but to nowhere near the extent found in Nigeria.[/quote]hmnnn...na wa o. So, oyinbo people dey see these things too?

Alright, so we agree on ''that'' point right?

.

Tony Spike: I'm bewildered by the sheer accuracy of this article...It takes a true thinker to understand the indepth analysis of the Nigerian "problem" discussed by the writer. I'll discuss my opinions later...

My dear, I have read several articles about Nigeria in the past. None compares with this one. It's in a different class of it's own. The thorough analysis, comparisons, objectivity and seamless transitions from one level to the other beats me. I doubt Wole Soyinka or anyone else will do better. And to think the guy is an engineer. I'm stunned.

I kept nodding my head as I read one paragraph and move to the next. It's just like playing my favourite songs to my hearing. I've been dancing ''awilo'' since.

@james_ibor,
That's the ''class'' distinction and ''degree'' thing the British expat explained from the start of his article. It's not like the corruption plague is not rampant in other places of the world. But the one in Nigeria is UNIQUE. It's a SPECIAL kind, and like X-Imhotep rightly pointed out, it's in OUR genetic make up. Corruption par excellence. The classless type where a PhD holder, if allowed to rule the country, will not do anything different from what a street urchin will do.


I have seen that many folks on this board can read articles, and reading they sure do very well - like my little 6-year old girl. But when it comes to comprehension, it's a different kettle of fish altogether. Many Nigerian ''readers'' can hardly comprehend what's been read. It has degenerated to that level. Yes. So so sad.

Why on earth is this not in the front page yet?? EVERY living Nigerian on planet earth MUST read this article urgently!