₦airaland Forum

Sky Blue:
You are yet to answer a simple question (and I bet its because you have absolutely no clue what the answer is). What percentage of the money is coming from Government? Do you see how that question potentially throws out that essay you typed above?

Nothing is difficult there to answer. Government has the yam and the knife, so they know what to do. They might not contribute a dim in the project, but they can still use the same structure to develop other aspect of the economy, without contributing a dime. Take for example, they can still use the same structure to develop a proper housing policy for Lagos, without contributing a dime, and rescue Lagosians from living in slums, as disgraced by BBC documentary.

Still on my stand, the proposed new Lagos airport project would have been a welcomed development if many issues raised in the state are attended too. As I earlier said, if you go to Alimosho LGA, which is the biggest in Nigeria (in terms of population), you will be surprised at what you will see. Alimosho LGA, as recognised by Nigerian constitution extends towards Alagbado (where AIT is). Alagbado is in Ogun state, but extend close to that area. Now, if you must go by the events in Lagos, then you will know that, some of Fashola's policies are elitist in nature. This is concurred by his comment sometimes ago, that Lagos is not for everybody and this can be interpreted as; if you cannot cope, please go back to your village. The main land section of Lagos, is characterised by decay, and long neglect. I dont expect him to change the face of Lagos overnight, but those policies, that will touch the majority of those, that he taxes on daily, and monthly basis, should be priority. What do they need in the mainland, good motorable roads (and not just powering street lights with generators), pipe borne water, electricity (that will propel development), good quality education (and not just paying WAEC and NECO fees), creating atmosphere that will bring in investors, which on the other hand, create employment for these graduates, and skilled others.

These airport, will just benefit but a few. what is the population of those in the Island? Why is Fashola trying to rival the FG? I am not saying, in the long run, this project will not benefit Lagos, but do we need it now? Just as it was earlier stated, if INEC aptitude test, was to be held in Lagos, then Fashola would have seen the need to do more in other aspect, and leave this airport stuff for now. The less the jobs, the more the crime, and nothing one can do to that.

@ Ovie; U should have been very factual and more constructive in your stand. That is why you are being attacked. Besides, never jump into any discussion next time, I must advice. Read through a thread, and make up your mind, before you choose a stand!.

olafolarin:
People need to read the news first before making comments, The airport will cost N43B while the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge which is almost finished will cost another N30B,

The Bridge is neccesary to link both Ikoyi and Lekki without going through the other congested roads.
The airport however sounds controversial but it is needed to speed infrastuctural,economic and industrial development of the axis.MMIA is already overstretched and lacks the xteristics of a national gateway.
Lekki Inter'l Airport will reduce the burden of MMIA and the location of the airport will see more commercial and economic activities,

The main aim of that airport is for the elite. Shekinah!.

Monitor this thread very well. Most of those in support of a new airport, are those outside this country. A typical Lagosian, knows that, a new airport is a misplacement of priority. How I wished that INEC aptitude test, was to hold in Lagos, then Fashola will know whether Lagosians indeed, need a new airport or infrastructure that will make room for job creation and structures that will make lives more meaningful? This man is losing touch fast, and soon, EFCC may expose him, if he continues this way.

mekusxxx:
Obasanjo gave a very good advise. I hope Jonathan listens. It is the turn of the North and they should be allowed to complete it. Turn-by-turn presidency is the best for a multi-tribal, tribalistic, divisive, selfish and highly incompetent population such as Nigeria

I may have to concur here. In a multi-tribal society like Nigeria, it is better tribes takes turn to rule, else, marginalisation might set it, and trouble in-view.

odiaero:
should i say waiting 4 next season? or rather, their computer keyboards are faulty

odiaero:
 Liverpool 1: 3 chelsea, are u satisfied?

Yes, I know I have watch this match before. Chelsea won!.

Beautiful penalty, LAMPARD. GOAL.

Mr. Yar'adua, now that it has been confirmed that you can walk, talk and let us all be in peace. We are tired of speculations!.

I wonder why she is frowning. Is she not happy?

Jonathan, exhibiting the trait of a typical Nigeria leader.

The latest news is that, Ibori escaped even without his mistress. The lady was still sleeping when Ibori got wind of the news and escaped. As at Wednesday, the Mistress was seen boarding Arik flight en route an unknown location. I thought behind every successful man, there was a woman? Where is she running to? Ibori is a good man, except for the financial aspect of it, that is the problem. Corruption should not be tolerated in whatever form, but I hate Jonathan's method of going about this. He has shown that, he is under an influence.

Rightnow, Ibori is out of town and IG cannot produce him, so what next?. Drama and more drama!.

Is there no one that can stop IBB?

2011: Nothing can stop me, says IBB

[color=#990000]Aide says 16 governors endorse former military leader’s presidential bid[/color]


Former President, Genera Ibrahim Babangida has vowed that the antics of his critics would not prevent or discourage him from testing his popularity by running for President in the 2011 elections.

He made this known yesterday while reacting to several media reports allegedly aimed at discrediting his person.

In a statement by his media spokesman, Prince Kassim Afegbua, General Babangida said he knows the character of those who are currently mushrooming as social activists and human rights defenders and their chief sponsors.

“All these criticisms would not stop General IBB to run for elections in 2011 in expression of his constitutional rights as a distinguished citizen of this great country,” said the statement issued by Afegbua, who is also the Acting National Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP).

This is coming on the heels of reports that 16 of the 36 state governors have thrown their weight behind Babangida’s bid for election as president in the 2011 elections.

The statement issued yesterday by Afegbua wondered why it is only when the former military President signified his intention to run for election that such “irritant pretenders” suddenly jumped into action.

It said that Lagos has become a breeding ground for self-acclaimed activists whose conducts fall below the conditionality of accountability, transparency and probity. “They shout blue murder at their season of convenience while they plunder the resources they get from foreign grants without accounting for same, yet when they talk of accountability, one will think these characters are products from the mars,” said the statement.

It challenged General Babangida’s accusers to publish their records and statements of accounts of their respective organisations in the last ten years, if they truly believe in transparency and anti-corruption, and Nigerians would be shocked at the level of rot in those organizations.

On the Okigbo Report discourse, the statement said “General Babangida was neither indicted by the Okigbo Report nor was there anywhere the report questioned him on the handling of the so-called funds.

“What the report said was that much of the funds were concentrated on infrastructural development of the Federal Capital Territory which in the opinion of the Panel was not priority areas,” the statement added.

It stressed that the report also called for the overhaul of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to enable it perform its functions optimally, adding that while calling for the reforms of the CBN, the Okigbo report also recommended the dismissal and retirement of some key staff of the apex Bank. “The idea of a $12.4 billion oil windfall only exists in the imagination of those who are largely unfamiliar with the issues of that era. There was nothing like $12.4 billion windfall,” it stated.

Meanwhile, an aide of the former military President disclosed at the weekend that IBB has concluded plans to formally declare his ambition to contest for the 2011 presidential election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The aide told Peoples Daily in Abuja, that Babaginda will publicly make his ambition known any time from the end of this month.

He stated that 16 governors and the United States government have already endorsed Babaginda’s ambition to govern the country for a second time as civilian President.

The source told one of our reporters that: “He (IBB) will run; there is no going back again. He will declare his ambition any time from end of this month.

“Already, 16 governors have endorsed him and more are still coming. Also the United States has endorsed him and he will contest under the PDP.”

In an interview Babaginda granted this newspaper last year, the ex-military ruler said he was not interested in contesting the 2011 polls.

However, the man often referred to as “Maradona” when he was in power from 1985 to 1993, may have been forced by circumstances to change his mind following indications that President Umaru Yar’adua may be incapable or unwilling to contest the 2011 election because of his health condition.

Last week, while returning from Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital where he had gone to attend the birthday anniversary of Governor Gbenga Daniel, Babaginda told airport correspondents in Lagos that he was consulting with stakeholders on his presidential ambition.

Similarly, an unconfirmed report by an online news portal, Pointblanknews.com said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is championing the campaign for IBB’s return within the PDP.

Pointblanknews.com quoted sources who confirmed that both men have met five times in the recent past to fine-tune strategies on how to actualise the plan to make Babaginda President in 2011, with the latest meeting taking place on Thursday at Otta.

The news portal further reported that Babaginda’s campaign to become President after the exit of Yar’adua next year is being coordinated by Senate President David Mark and Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

The choice of Mark is for the Senate President to mobilise support for Babaginda amongst PDP members of the National Assembly while Governor Aliyu’s role is to rally support for the ex-military leader among state governors.

But Peoples Daily could not independently confirm all this claims by the online news site.


http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php/news/59-front-page/12937-2011-nothing-can-stop-me-says-ibb

Otobroto:
2011: IBB Rejects Tinubu’s Offer To Run On AC Ticket

OVERTURES by the Action Congress (AC) to present the former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, as its presidential standard bearer for the 2011 general elections hit the rock last week when the Minna general rejected the offer.

A source in the uphill residence of the former leader told Saturday Tribune on Friday that a five-man team led by the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, visited General Babangida to offer him the presidential ticket of their party.

According to the source, the AC emissaries told the retired general that the party was prepared to concede the ticket of the party to him for next year’s presidential election, with Tinubu as his running mate.
But the former military leader, who recently said that he would not disclose his ambition until a nationwide consultation with his supporters and other stakeholders was concluded, declined the offer.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/front-page-articles/830-2011-ibb-rejects-tinubus-offer-to-run-on-ac-ticket.html

General Babangida, it was  learnt further, told his guests that as a loyal Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, he was not prepared to leave the party, but preferred to actualise his political ambition in the party.

While rejecting the offer, the source, who was at the meeting, said, “General Babangida, in his usual characteristic manner, listened attentively to the offer by the AC, but told them that he would rather remain a floor member of the PDP than to be the presidential candidate of the party.”

The source added that Babangida’s position was based on the recent endorsement of his presidential ambition by some key figures of the PDP, which included the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as the international support being extended to his presidential ambition.

In another development, a United Kingdom-based pro-democracy group, The Nigeria Project, has concluded plans to immortalise the late first lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Babangida, at an international lecture to hold in London at the end of the month.

Nigerians have shown here that, they have short memories. AC have also shown here, that their party does not have a direction. IBB too have shown here, as well, that he knows the party that can help him achieve his selfish interest. What did he forget in Aso Rock, that requires his return? Why PDP if his intention is genuine?

2011: IBB Rejects Tinubu’s Offer To Run On AC Ticket

OVERTURES by the Action Congress (AC) to present the former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, as its presidential standard bearer for the 2011 general elections hit the rock last week when the Minna general rejected the offer.

A source in the uphill residence of the former leader told Saturday Tribune on Friday that a five-man team led by the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, visited General Babangida to offer him the presidential ticket of their party.

According to the source, the AC emissaries told the retired general that the party was prepared to concede the ticket of the party to him for next year’s presidential election, with Tinubu as his running mate.
But the former military leader, who recently said that he would not disclose his ambition until a nationwide consultation with his supporters and other stakeholders was concluded, declined the offer.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/front-page-articles/830-2011-ibb-rejects-tinubus-offer-to-run-on-ac-ticket.html

General Babangida, it was learnt further, told his guests that as a loyal Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, he was not prepared to leave the party, but preferred to actualise his political ambition in the party.

While rejecting the offer, the source, who was at the meeting, said, “General Babangida, in his usual characteristic manner, listened attentively to the offer by the AC, but told them that he would rather remain a floor member of the PDP than to be the presidential candidate of the party.”

The source added that Babangida’s position was based on the recent endorsement of his presidential ambition by some key figures of the PDP, which included the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as the international support being extended to his presidential ambition.

In another development, a United Kingdom-based pro-democracy group, The Nigeria Project, has concluded plans to immortalise the late first lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Babangida, at an international lecture to hold in London at the end of the month.

Otobroto:
Two persons have been confirmed dead in renewed violence in Turu village of Vwang district of Jos local government area of Plateau state. 37 cows are also being reported missing following the killings. A search team by the community yesterday recovered one of the bodies while efforts were on to recover the other body still missing. Following this, the Nigerian army has been placed on red alert, even as acting President departs to the US on a four-day state visit.

Police Public Relations officer, ASP Mohammed Lerama yesterday confirmed the attack. The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Kaduna Vom, (K/Vom) Police station, Superintendent of Police, SP, Isa Adejoh confirmed the attack to our reporter but however said, the case file had been transferred to the commands headquarters in Jos.

The attack is coming barely after Tuesday’s peace meeting convened by the Gbong Gwom, Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, between the Berom, the host community and their Fulani neighbours to find a lasting solution to the perennial killings that have ravaged the state the past years.

When will this ever end, in Jos!.

Two persons have been confirmed dead in renewed violence in Turu village of Vwang district of Jos local government area of Plateau state. 37 cows are also being reported missing following the killings. A search team by the community yesterday recovered one of the bodies while efforts were on to recover the other body still missing. Following this, the Nigerian army has been placed on red alert, even as acting President departs to the US on a four-day state visit.

Police Public Relations officer, ASP Mohammed Lerama yesterday confirmed the attack. The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Kaduna Vom, (K/Vom) Police station, Superintendent of Police, SP, Isa Adejoh confirmed the attack to our reporter but however said, the case file had been transferred to the commands headquarters in Jos.

The attack is coming barely after Tuesday’s peace meeting convened by the Gbong Gwom, Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, between the Berom, the host community and their Fulani neighbours to find a lasting solution to the perennial killings that have ravaged the state the past years.

The fresh attack was said to have been carried out in a village called Dakyo near Kuru, few miles away from Turu. The deceased were said to have been murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen while grazing.

According to information gathered yesterday by our reporter from the father of one of the boys killed, Haruna Mandung, 50, said, “our children went out on the 7 April 2010 to graze in Dakyo, a village near Kuru, by 6:00pm we were expecting them to come back but, they did not come back that day, so we became worried.

“The following day, Thursday, 8 April we put a search team from the village to look for their where about as we could not see them. So, we had to report to the K/Vom police station yesterday, (Thursday) about the missing boys and 37 of the cows they had gone out to graze.

“Fortunately, when we again mobilise for more search the next morning, we went there to Dakyo and we were able to recover one corpse. One is still missing up till now that i am talking to you.

“The boy we have found is my own son, Simon Badung. He is 15 years old and his brother, Ishaku Mallam, 25, is still not found. The two of them left on the 7 April for grazing. See how his killers killed him. His head was almost severed. Is brutal and barbaric”. He recounted with tears on his face.

Meanwhile, two districts in Riyom local government area of plateau state yesterday addressed the press stating the level of damages they suffered from the recent killings in Byei village.

Spokesman of the two Community Development Associations, Bachi and Riyom, Bitrus Tawal, said they have become targets of “annihilation” by the “Fulani Terrorists” who have resorted to “using cutlasses to cut their crops with impunity, just to destroy the people’s economic base and provoke them.

“We have lost crops worth over N120,000,000.00 and the Fulanis have also stolen our cows, grains and in the process brutally maimed or killed some defenceless innocent Berom people in these villages”.

The communities recounted that before the “wicked and unacceptable attacks of Baten in Wereng village and Byei in Riyom village in the early hours of 17 March 2010” nine persons had been killed and some cows belonging to members of the communities were rusticated by the Fulanis.

According to spokesman of the communities, Bitrus Tawal, the Fulanis have “forcefully taken over three Berom hamlets namely: Fass, Rotchun and Rankum in Jol village of Riyom district.

“The Fulani have not only forcefully occupied these hamlets but have changed the native names of Rotchun to “Rafin Acha” and Rankum to “Mahanga” which literary means a spying ground in Hausa language”.

The communities accused the Fulanis for deliberately refusing to attend several peace meetings called by the local government but instead resorted to “welcoming their kinsmen from other places far and near with whom they are unleashing their acts of violence on the Berom. They have violently turned Fass, Rotchun, Rankum and Janda a no go area for the original owners and security men in Riyom local government area”.

Two persons feared missing or dead, and cows missing in renewed killings: http://www.africanheraldexpress.com/?q=content/2-feared-dead-fresh-attacks-jos-army-red-alert

This story is false. Check here: http://www.africanheraldexpress.com/?q=content/obama-denies-receiving-promises-jonathan-iwu-will-be-removed

Another version of the same story: http://www.africanheraldexpress.com/?q=content/2011-nobody-can-stop-me-gunning-presidency-says-ibb

Kobojunkie:
These contradicting reports from our newspapers are starting to give me a whiplash. Which do we believe? What is the information minister doing about most of all this?

This man as we all know, is a "Maradona". He has made up his mind to contest the elections, but he is test-running his popularity. That is why he is not very certain.

It is going to be another do-or-die affair in 2011 elections.

I’ll run for 2011 Presidential polls, says Babangida
Headlines Apr 10, 2010
By SIMON EBEGBULEM AND GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

Babangida
BENIN CITY-FORMER military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, today (Saturday), in Benin City, declared his intention to run for the 2011 Presidential election.

IBB who spoke to newsmen at the Benin Airport while on his way to Asaba, Delta state, to attend the commissioning of Mariam Babangida dual carriage way and a lecture in honour of his late wife, said the persistent rumour by most Nigerians including his political associates and admirers about his intention to return to Aso Rock as a civilian President “is correct”.

The former military President who was dressed in a white Babariga, landed at the Benin Airport in a charted airline with registration number 5N-BLW at about 9:30am and was greeted by the Governor of Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and the deputy governor of Edo state, Dr Pius Odubu. The Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Aliu Babangida was also in the entourage of the former President. Other dignitaries at the airport included Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Chief of Staff to the Edo state government, Osarodion Ogie and John Mayaki.

It would be recalled that the former military president who ruled Nigeria from 1985 – 1993, had told Nigerians during the 54th birthday of Otunba Gbenga Daniels, Governor of Ogun State that he was still consulting with his friends and allies on whether he would contest the 2011 presidential election.
Only recently, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was reported to have held secret meeting with Babangida on the 2011 presidential election. Asked what he was going to do in Delta state, IBB asserted that “I am going to Delta State because of the special love I have for it and courtesy of the Delta State Governor,

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. I am looking forward to going to Delta state because that is my ancestral home. I think that is enough for today”.
Governor Babangida who also spoke to newsmen, stated that Nigerians look forward to the thorough implementation of the Justice Uwais report on the electoral reform in order to enthrone a transparent electoral process before the 2011 general elections.

He said the reform exercise was the only panacea for the emergence of credible leaders without questions about their character and ability to deliver on the dividends of democracy. “All of us are looking forward to it (electoral reform) because we want a legitimate election. We want an election everybody will accept. We want leaders that will emerge, that can say stop these things. We don’t want people whom we will doubt whether they are actual leaders”.
Other dignitaries with General Babangida included the former National Chairman of the United Nigeria Poeples Party, Alhaji Saleh Jumbo and the former Director of military Intelligence (DMI), Halilu Akilu and several others.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/04/10/i-ll-run-for-2011-presidential-poll-says-babangida/

selingel:
Another Ribadu worshipper. Abeg comot for road make I pass.

Na wah oh!.

It is now affecting every aspect of our lives.

bawomolo:
time for another state of emergency declaration?

Will state of emergency solve anything?

Oboma1:
JOS—THREE people were again killed in the Plateau State capital on Easter Monday following a fracas after an inter-denomination service organized by the Jos North Branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
Several others were injured and are now receiving treatment in various hospitals.
While a version said the three were shot dead by members of the special task force maintaining peace in the state, the task force denied this saying its members only went to the scene to disperse the crowd.

I just wonder what the end of this crisis will turn Jos into? Soon, every available land space in Jos, will be a cemetery.