₦airaland Forum

^^^^^
Sorry to disappoint you, but Oshiomole might not be the man you think he is.
If he really is a man of the people why did he fight vehemently to prevent Jonathan form being declared as acting president.

blaksmith:
Many don't understand what a 2nd airport will do to Lagos. MM is Federal and so no revenue accrues to Lagos; a Lagos owned airport will increase revenue to Lagos for the years to come, it is capital intensive but in 20years time, Lagos will still continue to reap the benefits, In terms of population, Lagos is at least 2ce the size of London and definitely larger in terms of land mass, yet London has 4 airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead and London City Airport, all providing different levels of international and regional flights.

Many say MM1 is enough, Far from it, With Lagos being the busiest route in West Africa and probably second to Johannesburg in Africa, one tiny Airport that manages to operate one runaway is not enough. The Lagos Govt has realised the loss of revenue the Nigeria suffers with only on e airport in Lagos. All the major airlines in the world want to fly into Lagos and those already flying want to increase their slots but they can't simply because MM1 does not have the capacity to deal with such an influx. Don't criticize simply because you don't understand.

Lekki axis also needs to be developed, the mainland is congested as it is. Lekki/Epe expressway has virgin land that would remain undeveloped unless incentives are in place to ensure return on capital fro any investments made.An airport and a freetrade zone definitely signals the right intentions.

And hello, a lekki/mainland bridge would obviously decongest traffic on bbloody third mainland bridge and that axis,

Fashola is not the Federal Govt so you can not expect him to tackle things that should necessarily fall within the purview of the Fed, many of you talk about healthcare, and unemployment, Capital projects create employment, do you think jobs just appear out of thin air. You spend money to make money. And setting in place capital projects is creating sustainable development. Healthcare, is not free and many of the people who need healthcare basically cannot afford it. Through creation of better jobs, they can better afford healthcare, and revenue that accrues to Lagos State can be channeled into upgrading the healthcare system in Lagos,

The opinion of those who dissent with this project point towards a quick fix or short term solution to the problems we face. That manner of doing things has been a bane to our development process. Our problems require solutions that adopt a long term and well structured strategy. Solutions and answers that outlive the tenure of any administrator or executive office holder. I want to be able to say 10years from now Fashola took a decision which would be positively impacting my yet to be born children. The bible advices us to leave an inheritance to our children's children. Simply put, your legacy should be felt in the generations to com when you are long gone.

To those who understand the greater ramifications of building an international Lagos and are not afraid to take those bold steps, i am sure you all will understand my angle of approach. A new Lagos airport is not just an airport to me, it signals the construction of a gateway to economic progression and sustained development.

@Blaksmith
Thats for the excellent speech jare! You've said it all. I wish those against can read your speech and gain better understanding on the direct links between creating investment friendly environments(which the airport would do) and the uplifting of the populace from the dregs of poverty into a den of wealth!

@190
Don't worry nobody will insult you. We understand its a mental problem you are struggling with.
For me I would just advice you hurry up and take your meds, before the manic disorder degenerates further.
Or better still, call your doctor quickly!

ftye:
, for all we know, it was all a perfect scheme by Tony Anenih and his cohorts to rubbish, discredit and bring an end to the Political career of Oshiomole.  I really dont see Adams in his right frame of mind conceiving such, we should look beneath the surface and not believe the obvious?

Ok so Anenih gave Oshiomole ogogoro to drink, so his left frame of mind came into being abi? Nonsense.
If you knew better, you wouldn't speak like this. The man has just one thing on mind- Ultimate Power. The easiest route for him to get it is by joining IBB as his VP.

[size=24pt]Yes!![/size]

Sack Him!
[size=13pt]Sack Him!! [/size]
[size=15pt]Sack Him!!![/size]
[size=17pt]Sack Him!!!! [/size]
[size=20pt]Saaaaacccckkkkk Hiiiiiimmmmm!!!!!!![/size]

Kobojunkie:
How many of the state's own residents(let's assume those who have lived in Lagos State upwards of 10 years) have actually moved up this social ladder? How many of the former Maroko dwellers have moved up the social ladder?

Over the last 10 years, the states population has witnessed serious increase. When the claimed 2 million jobs come in from FTZ, how many lagosians will be skilled and ready for these new jobs?
It is easy to come on here to say it will happen this way and that without necessarily considering the reality of things. How many people have actually moved up the social ladder?

All the over a hundred thousand new residential structures that have cropped up in Lekki, (an area which is adjudged the fastest growing in Africa) where do you think the inhabitants came from? Most were once poor Lagosians living in the mainland. As the Lagos economy blossomed especially in the last 5 years, many people moved up the ladder and started relocating in droves to places like Lekki. That's what caused the massive jump in prices of real estate in the Lekki axis.

So yes, poor people are getting out of poverty, and with the LFTZ in place they would get out even much faster.

^^^^^
Justwise, why are you this negative?? Nobody sees what you are seeing. Only you sees mikkyangel in a negative light.
Are you really serious or you are just fiddling around? You might want to do a character check!

It might actually taste better than chicken!!

netotse:
we have the adopt a school thingy now. . .

@at the emboldened
but that's the thing, companies go into business to make profit, so it's only natural they chase the attractive places.

Exactly! Investors would naturally prefer to put their money where they would get the highest return on Investments.


@Kobojunkie
I understand your point, but I think it is a matter of priorities. Over time Ikorodu, Alimosho and the other areas would have their turn in one way or the order. Its a natural process. Lekki at some point in time was not an attractive place. Remember Maroko? The bulldozing of MAaroko actually birthed Lekki's development.  Its only when VI and Ikoyi started turning into commercial areas that Lekki became a beautiful bride.

Overtime as Lagos evolves in it's development, and as the residents move up the social ladder,hopefully many of the slummy areas would naturally become ghost towns which would automatically make them ripe for the bulldozers, after which they can be turned into modern urban settlement.

In the meantime the best the Government can do is to provide survival amenities(hospitals, schools, portable water, etc) for such areas, anything beyond that would almost be wasteful as someday sometime those areas would face the bulldozers.

formunt:
Do not blame any one but the master coup ploter,IBB, the maradona,the evil incarnate of Nigeria

I disagree. I think Oshiomole is the one who is the deceiver here. IBB is not the one who decietfully invited Wole Soyinka and the other credible Nigerians.

[quote author=@labiyemmy link=topic=439190.msg5974298#msg5974298 date=1272579755][size=18pt]lies[/size][/quote]Its no lies. It appears he(Adams) did it. Right now Wole Soyinka and a lot of others are so pissed off at Adams attempt at deception.
It would have been an endorsement for IBB by very credible Nigerians if it happened as they planned.

Incase you don't trust Saharareporters enough, here is the news on Vanguard

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/04/29/soyinka-tinubu-shun-ibb-mark-at-benin-rally/

banku:
We can learn from Maroko and turn it into mix housing, local stores, mum and pap bisiness enterprises.

Rich people do need working and middle class to enjoy their environment, otherwise they will continue to live under barbwire and iron with no exit in case of fire. Once they step out of their humogous prison homes, they step right into gutter.

Exactly what I mean when I talk about Pro-poor VS Anti Poverty.
Banku is a Pro Poor fellow who wants govt to feed poor people, while Fashola is an Anti Poverty Governor who wants to make poor people rich.

Banku, the very moment you get it in your head that every poor person has the potential to be lifted out of poverty, you would begin to understand the need to create quality job opportunities. To create quality jobs,you need an environment that would attract big time investors who in turn would create these jobs.
Someone just mentioned here that The Lekki Free Trade zone is expected to create 2 million jobs. The salaries from these jobs would cover approximately 8 million persons. That is half the population of Lagos already. What other strategy could be better than that??

Dis Guy:
[size=14pt][/size]

yUP

the governor will soon build a wall around lekki, V.I and Lekki, anybody that wasnt to come should pay to visit

this is very good for lagosians lekkisians

lekki o ni baje oo

Yes, non-lekkisians would even have to apply for a visa to get into Lekki.

@Mr Knowall
Obviously you are out of touch with the geo-politics that plays out in Nigeria. FYI, every state that seeks progress now knows to run as far away as possible from dealings with the FG. TINAPA was killed by the FG. The power problems we face today are a result of the FG's insistence on maintaining a strangle hold on the sector.

Fashola would be foolish if he follows your advice. I like the part where you spoke about urban sprawl and I support that point, but you killed it with all your other postings.

After i watched the footage for 20 times , i was convinced that it was fixed and unreal .

That thing that made you watch the video 20 times is the same thing that makes you have an absurd thinking pattern.

Now, I love conspiracy theories. I believe they are cool. I follow them a lot and enjoy them for the sake of it.


For me, I would rather have 1,000,000 US Marines in my backyard, than have just one terrorist living in the same city I live.
I would welcome with my whole heart the deployment of American troops in Nigeria as it would help protect us against the Boko Harams and the shameless bigots that committed those atrocities against women and children in Jos.

To be fair and sincere, I think the Filliipinos have the best work culture. They are very serviceable and they work without bringing personal egos to the job. I think it is a cultural thing.
But as you rightly said, they are truly everywhere.

But the term "Knowledge worker" I assume would not be perfect fit for the Fillipino workforce. Most of the jobs they engage in are very menial jobs that require more hands than brains.

I really do think Nigerai has a lot to learn form them though.

Kobojunkie:
[b]Is Lekki the only area of all of Lagos State that needs investors? [/b]What about places like Ikorodu and surrounding Local Government areas? We have millions of people in these areas who would love if it the government would focus, even half of the attention it does to the Lekki/VI/Ikoyi area. At least to help bring some of that money our way. I don't believe it is not anti poverty, according to your language there, to want that some of that money to be spread around other parts of Lagos, or do you? Thousands of businesses have had to lay off so many in my area alone. We, on the other end, want investors to come in and invest in our local governments, so when is the government going to start investing in us, whether through PPP or not?

As for the transportation issue, if people didn't need to commute to VI/Ikoyi/Lekki everyday and back, the congestion issue would be half solved. The reason they are forced to, in most cases, is because that area remains center of commerces in most of Lagos. If development were evenly spread, most of the traffic headaches would disappear.

Let me use the New York example to counter your argument!

Why is Manhattan by far the most developed borough in New York? Why doesn't Brooklyn or Queens or Long Island have as much concentration of investments as Manhattan. Why are all the skyscrapers located in Manhattan?
The reason is simple. The developers of the city of New York realized the need to concentrate development in a certain area so as to make the city a magnet for all forms of investments. Today all parts of New York are beneficiaries of the success of Manhattan. Without Manhattan, New York would not exist today as a major international player.
 
What Fashola is trying to achieve with Lekki to the benefit of Lagos is exactly what Manhattan did for New York.

Ikorodu is not Lekki. The kinds of investments Lekki would attract is totally different from the types Ikorodu would attract. As Babapupa said, everything is in a plan. Interestingly, when the fourth mainland bridge is built, Ikorodu would be the biggest beneficairy as the bridge would link Ikorodu directly with the new Lekki axis.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssss!!!!!
It signifies that Nigeria is back on track.

When we have the likes of El Rufai returning to the country and the likes of Ibori fleeing the country, then it tells you that the country is back on track!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssss!!!!!

[size=13pt]El-rufai returns on Saturday[/size]
By Ayo Okulaja
April 29, 2010 12:15AM


The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nasir el-Rufai, will return to Nigeria on Saturday, NEXT can exclusively report.

Mr. El-Rufai has been on a self-imposed exile since November 2009, and even though he had announced that he would return to the country in December, he released a statement, five days to his planned arrival, saying he had postponed his return for security reasons.

At the time, his lawyer Bamidele Aturu, in an interview with NEXT, said that “in the light of the uncertainty surrounding the exercise of public power in Nigeria in general, and security matters in particular, it would be decidedly unguarded for Mallam El-Rufai to return to Nigeria on 27 December 2009.”

Since then, a lot has changed on Nigeria’s political scene, with the former Vice President stepping into the shoes of ailing President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. It is still not clear if this has a bearing on Mr. El-Rufai’s decision to return, but sources close to him told NEXT that his flight is booked and he will be arriving at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on Saturday, aboard a British Airways flight BA0083.

It is also unclear what Mr. El-Rufai’s plans are once he returns to Nigeria, or what he intends to do about the two arrest warrants issued against him. The first warrant accused Mr. El-Rufai of conducting treasonable activities abroad. While the second, issued on November 5, described Mr. El-Rufai as wanted “for acts contrary to Sections 96, 120, 123 and 124 CAP 532 laws of the federation of Nigeria” as well as “some provisions of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act (of) 2000.” Former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, had also announced the commencement of extradition proceedings on Mr. El-Rufai, based on the Senate Committee on FCT’s report, which also allegedly indicted the ex-minister.

Mr. El-Rufai is also being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to account for almost $250 million spent during his tenure as Minister of the FCT. He, however, in a terse email letter to the anti-graft agency, ahead of his planned return last year, stated that “for the avoidance of any doubt, I am returning to Nigeria on the 27th of December, 2009. I will never be afraid to face a bunch of lackeys like you.”

He is facing an eight-count charge for criminal conspiracy and abuse of office while he served as minister along with Altine Jubrin, a former director general, Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), and Ismaila Iro, former general manager of the same organisation.

As of the time we went to press, neither Mr. El-Rufai nor his lawyer Mr. Aturu could be reached for comments.

Mr. El-Rufai’s return might add to the complications and internal crises presently experienced within the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He is a card carrying member of the PDP, although it is not clear which of the factions in the party he belongs to.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5561464-146/el-rufai_returns_on_saturday__.csp?CSPCHD=00000001000041mvumpn000000Ew50MKXfKsbHXlO_XIVFkg--

If it were as you assume, I think he would have put it the other way round and it would have said, "I have gotten an MBA qualification, thereby adding value to my CV".
I think its the way he used the English Language. Anyways, why am I defending him. He can do that himself. But I don't think it's unfair to call him a scammer just because you suspect he is soliciting. You should have quality evidence, b4 making such a bold claim. Maybe you do. I don't know.

justwise:
@ mikkyangel

You are a confused or a poor dubious agent, I thought u completed your Msc in USA in 2008, work there, even get your social security number? Now u are talking about ANOTHER Msc in Canada? Only a fool will fall for your little dirty tricks to dupe pple here.

@Justwise
I read through Mikkyangel's article and I couldn't find anywhere where he stated that he completed his Msc in USA in 2008.
An excerpt from his post:

Today i am happy that that move paid off, i have had 4 kidney stone surgery for free(becos i had health insurance),this same treatment would hv cost me not less than 800k in n9ja.i hv worked in America(last summer),thereby getting a work experience Certificate and a social security number,i have added value to my CV thereby getting an MBA qualification. I have visited Spain, and just last week i was in Germany where i found some pretty good bizness Opportunities(i mean real good opportunities in the name of imptation).

"I have added value to my CV, thereby getting an MBA qualification". . . . What I understand by this is that in many Universities, in order to pursue an MBA, you need work experience, so by working in America last summer, he has added value to his CV, which automatically qualifies him to pursue an MBA. That's my understanding on mikkyangel's statement, but I could be wrong.


Although I concur with much of what Mikkyangel says, I think it might appear like there is a tad bit of exageration here and there. He surely does make Europe and lkiving abroad look like a bed of roses. Back in time, year 2000 to be precise, I was in a similar country as Poland, and it accorded me the opportunity to travel across the world as visas from these countries were very easy 2 obtain. I think things have changed a little now though. I hear things are a little more difficult than back then as there are now loads of Nigerians everywhere.

doyin13:
Well. . .all the man hours lost on lagos roads due to inadequate infrastructure surely would satisfy both the Business and Working class.

Addressing the gridlock is both pro poor and anti poverty abi?

I thought Fashola is doing much already to address the gridlock. Isn't that what the BRT and the light rail are about? I'm not suggesting that Fashola ignores pro poor issues. I just think honestly that seeking to take people out of poverty by creating a job friendly environment is better than trying to maintain people in their poverty situation.

For instance, what can Fashola do about say the slums of Ajegunle. Almost nothing!! Maybe he can build some toilets and and a few primary health centres, nothing more. Slums are an undevelopable area. The only solution eventually would be to bulldoze them. That for now is not possible as the cost implications are gigantic!

There is something I always talk about: Pro Poor VS Anti- Poverty.
I realised that many of us Nigerians are Pro-poor instead of being Anti- poverty. Being Pro- poor means that you rather feed, clothe and house poor people while being Anti poverty means you would rather take poor people out of poverty.

Fashola is an Anti poverty Governor. His projects might look elitist, but that is the only direction to go if you must create jobs.

The Lekki free trade zone would attract lots of investors and as a consequence create loads of jobs for those poor people in the mainland and as they earn better salaries they would be lifted out of poverty.

To be able to attract investors, you must create a business friendly environment. The Lekki Airport would be the biggest relief for the business class. Lets remember that the business class are the engine of the economy as they are the direct tool through which jobs are created. Without the business class we would have no jobs.

So, my people, rethink your Pro-poor stance and embrace an Anti-poverty mentality!

All those speaking against the airport are doing so based on a very illiterate understanding on the concept of PPPs.
This project is a public private partnership. In most cases, the money used for the project would be sourced form the private sector.
The concessionaire would have to make returns on his investment for crying out loud!

Now let me ask you illiterates, is it possible for a private company to make its money back by building hospitals for poor people?? Or by repairing state schools?? Or by building homes for slum dwellers My friends, the private sector would invest only where they would make sizey returns on their investments.

The beautiful thing about PPPs is that since the private sector is there to fund huge infrastructure projects that have potential for good ROIs, the Government can now use it's scarce resources to fund non-profitable areas like hospitals for the poor, low cost housing, state school infrastructure and the likes.

Please Nairalanders educate yourselves, even if it is just a little!!

This is so good for Lag.  The Lekki airport is the best thing that would happen to Lagos.
At least, with the airport in Lekki, when foreigners land Lagos, they wouldn't have to see all the mess that is on the mainland.It would be strictly Lekki, VI, Ikoyi.

Now think of this, Abuja wanted to build just a runway in an already built airport for almost 70 billion.Just a run way!!  Lagos is building a world class airport which would include a very sizey runway, world class lounges and all the things we see in foreign airports for just 43 billion!! Oh those thieves in Abuja!!

Ofcourse the PPP arrangement is the bomb. This is the future. If we can get it right with PPP, then it wouldn't matter too much any longer if we have useless leaders in Govt, as the private sector would cover up 4 much of govt's ineptitude.

As per the Lekki rd, I think LCC made a mistake by not placing flyovers across 1st and 2nd and even Chevron R.abouts. Without flyovers, the hold-up would definitely continue, especially when the new lekki port, the FTZ, the Airport and all the other new developments are ready.

nobilia:
Are we sure the appointment is not a form of kick back for the Billions of Naira he is pushing Nigeria to borrow?
I do not see the need to borrow with excessive interest where we have lots of fund that are not bearing enough interest, Excess Crude Account, Foreign Reserves.
For Pete sake, we just paid off a huge chunk during Obasanjo regime. Goldman has a reputation for ruining countries, I hope this is not it.

Borrowing is not exactly a problem. The problem usually is whether the borrowed money will be put to good use. The truth is, if we want to play big, especially in infrastructure development, then we have to borrow big. But we must use 100% of the borrowed money for the purpose in which the debt was taken.
What happened in the past was that all the money we borrowed ended up in the pockets of our thieving leaders. If all that money was put to use, by now we would have about adequate infrastructure.

My suggestion would be that we borrow only for power, rail and road infrastructure.

^^^^

I agree. I think Education and culture are mainly responsible for this. First, the percentage of educated Northerners, both male and female is very low. For the females, the percentage is minuscule.
Secondly, educated Northerners are more likely to work in Government circles that in the corporate world.

One thing to note though is that this trend is not restricted to Nigeria alone, but cuts across countries that practice a more conservative form of Islam.
All the Gulf countries have this same problem and it is fueled by their brand of Islam which tends to (in my opinion) subjugate womenfolk, preventing them from aspiring anywhere beyond baby making and kitchen technics.

For instance, in Saudi Arabia, women aren't allowed to drive. Question is, how does a woman who by law is prevented from driving have the presence of mind to aspire anywhere near a corporate boardroom.

So my point is simple. As politically incorrect as this might sound, Conservative religion has a lot to do with the reason why you would hardly find Northern women in the corporate world.

Since the advent of Jonathan and his crew, Nigeria is back to international reckoning!

This is very good for the country. There is Hope people. There is Hope!!

With Aganga as World Bank Chairman, we can be assured of enough leverage when it come to project financing especially in areas of power, rail and road infrastructure.

Aganga emerges World Bank chairman
By Daniel Idonor

ABUJA—MINISTER of Finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga,  in Washington D.C. has emerged as the new Chairman of the Board of World Bank and International Monetary Fund, BWIs, after a keenly contested election.

This was just as the World Bank indicated interest to carry out a comprehensive audit of the power sector in the country with a view to finding lasting solution to the power crisis.

The move was a follow-up to the recent parley between Acting President Goodluck Jonathan and top management of the world financial body during his last visit to the United States, US.

Aganga told journalists at the meeting in Washington DC that the new appointment had further demonstrated the important role Nigeria plays in the global economic front.

He said: “As you are aware, Nigeria was elected as the chairman, board of the BWIs for the 2010 during the 2009 annual meeting held in Istanbul, Turkey. I am delighted to inform you that I have since assumed the responsibility of that office.”

The minister said the appointment was “a unique opportunity to serve” noting that such opportunities come once in every 20 to 30 years.

Describing the new role as a huge challenge, Aganga said he will not disappoint Nigeria and the international community that offered him the role under the current global economic recovery stage.

World Bank experts visit Nigeria for power audit

Meantime, a team of World Bank experts would be visiting Nigeria on May 10, 2010 for the exercise that would proffer solution to the power crisis in the country.

Addressing journalists at the World Bank/International Monetary Fund, IMF, 2010 Spring Meeting, in Washington DC, Aganga, who was joined by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, said because the issue of power had become central to the nation’s economy, the Federal Government was determined to engage power experts in all the fronts to tackle the problem.

Aganga noted: “The meeting was very fruitful, as the bank stands ready to assist the country. The meeting resolved to have a comprehensive audit of the power sector. A World Bank mission to this effect is envisaged for May 10, 2010.”

He told reporters that the Federal Government power committee had done its audit of the power sector, noting that what the World Bank promised to do with Nigeria was to share their own understanding of the power problem.

“They also have information to share with us and that is what the May 10, 2010 meeting is going to focus on,” the minister said.

Asked what the federal government intended to do to meet the power needs of the over 140 million Nigerians, Aganga said the acting president had assured investors and power experts of creating an enabling environment, that is giving the legal framework, in the sector as well as aligning and identifying investors that will key into the energy sector infrastructure development.

He noted that since financing was not the problem militating against the improvement of the power sector in the country, the government would, this time around concentrate on execution and having a plan that “we will adhere to” as well as ensuring that there was continuity in the entire power arrangement.

Other areas the minister said the World Bank had shown interests to assist the country include ensuring a systematic engagement and consultations on issues relating to agricultural sector.

He said the bank was also supporting ongoing reforms in the banking sector and the proposed Asset Management Company; strengthening the supervisory and regulatory framework for the financial sector and support for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, in the country.

The minister said the meeting with Oby Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President, Africa region also provided the opportunity to follow up on wide range of issues discussed with the World Bank Group during the visit of Jonathan mid April.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/04/25/aganga-emerges-world-bank-chairman/

Robotnik:
At a time when developed countries are developing laws to protect animals, see what your
country is doing, its just a shame that we like doing absurd stuff.

For crying out loud Mr Man, we are neither Europeans nor Americans. We do not have to copy everything they do. So the fact that they developing laws to protect animals don't mean we should follow suit. 
How about the "corrida de toros" in Spain??I mean bull fighting . . . . ever seen it?  Now thats cruel, but it's a cultural thing, attracts huge tourism . . . so its cool. If Lagos would use Ram fighting to promote development, then why not!!