₦airaland Forum

1987
A young family

?1980
Mum at her village home

1978: A man from IsiUzo marries his true love

This would be my first post in this section.
I would like to celebrate my Mum, Mrs Ifeoma Maduka Ezeh (nee Nwafor) as she clocks 53!

Born on Oct 1, 1960 to Pa Nwagbara Nwafor (God bless his memory) and Mrs Monica Nwafor(both from Ozalla, Nkanu LGA of Enugu State) my mum was the quintessential only daughter: to this day , her mother still fondly calls her 'baby'. During the post independence days, she was called Freedom by her peers.

My mother accompanied her parents in their trade itinerary, consequently spending the better part of her early life in Onitcha, Anambra State until she returned to Enugu to attend Sedes Sapientae College in Iwollo.

In 1978, she married my father at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu.

My mother's worst experience was losing both her younger brothers: Ifeanyi and Patrick (God bless their memory). I was little at the time, but I wished there was something I could do to make her sorrow go away.

My mother is jovial, gentle, enterprising, and extremely philanthropic.

I want her to know that my siblings and I love her very dearly, even though we are all grown now and have (or about to have) our own families.

I love you, Mum!

Happy Birthday, Mum!

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!


Edit: Mods, pls consider for FrontPage.
I'm several hundred kilometres from home, and so I'm hoping seeing Nigeria's foremost online forum celebrating her birthday would suffice for a birthday gift for my Mum. Thanks.

@ OP:
It's almost taking GEJ's entire 1st term to build the second NigerBridge, Enugu-PH and Onitsha-Enugu highways.
The very few completed projects don't quite satiate our appetite.
By his second tenure, we ought to be requesting fresh projects, rather than still ask for projects that ought to have been completed a year ago, and forgotten.
Tell GEJ I'm not happy with him.

Studies suggest Nigeria presently has an unemployment rate of 23.9%, with the unemployed youth population standing at 20 million and counting.
In simple terms, approximately 1 in 4 Nigerians' unemployed.
This essentially makes mockery of our high GDP figures and our expectations to become Africa's next power house.
Who should be held accountable for this?
I've given the matter some thought, but the ultimate solution continues to elude me.
Not to mention I've questions that are troubling me.

In 2013, I'm wondering why we still have to award road construction contracts to foreign firms? I've taken time to observe the process of road construction. And I think there's no rocket science in it. Nothing our engineers can't do. But the question is "why aren't our engineers doing it?" A friend once mentioned it's because our engineers aren't organized. Why is that? Can't we come together to set up an indigenous road construction company, not necessarily Government-owned.

I'm also wondering why we have to depend on foreign firms to build houses for us. Again, what are our own engineers doing. I hear Intercontinental hotel Lagos was designed by a Nigerian. Why can't this be replicated everywhere else. I say this because we complain about unemployment, yet our actions suggest we really enjoy the status quo. Why can't these companies be owned by Nigerians and employ expatriates only when expertise of a certain subspecialty is necessary.

I'm also wondering why we embrace white people to take up the few jobs that Nigerians are well able to do, except they are stymied by lack of capital. I just recently read that Enugu State concessioned the state owned flour mills to a foreign firm. Osun state has granted another foreign firm the right to set up a palm oil processing plant. I believe there are 101 other examples. This mentality that "they're white, they'll do it right" is as absurd as it is unfounded. There are Nigerians making waves the world over, and Nigeria does not even care to identify with them.
There are other instances of course: Shop rite et al.
BTW I'm no racist. Neither am I averse to bilateral trade interests. But there are far too many foreign firms in Nigeria taking up jobs that, at worst we need only a little help to do, but we aren't able to because of certain reasons that I cannot identify no matter how hard I try. Most responsible nations work hard to promote their local trademarks and shield them from domination as India is doing with Tata And Micromax, but in Nigeria the case always needs be different.
Like the Igbos say "Nkemdiiche bu ajo afa!" In other words, it's to our disadvantage to take a differing stance on that.
Someone is going to ask me how I've supported our homegrown companies, but I'd rather you not ask. Let's evaluate the issue without blackmailing oneanother guiltconscience of the same offence.

I'm no economist but I'm convinced that these foreign firms do more good to their home countries ultimately.

Ngwakwe: T. A. Orji collects infrastructural levy in Aba without repairing the roads and fixing the drainages.

Orji collects environmental levy in Aba without providing refuse bins and carting away the refuse as at when due.

2 weeks ago, on my first visit to Umuahia, I ran into some men in curious uniforms near the FMC who demanded to see my vehicle particulars. Upon my insistence, they introduced themselves as Ministry of Transport officials and demanded to see my MOT tax clearance. I was like "what the hell kinda crap is that?"
Like play like play, I ended up at their office, and they demanded N4000 (including the cost of inspecting the vehicle. Lol)
The guys wouldn't even listen to me. I don't live in Umuahia, why should I pay tax to the state?

Thankfully, an uncle of mine showed up and saved the day.

MOT...

femi4love: @ passion007

Please what part of Ondo Town are you? My people live at the beginning of Gani Fawehinmi street, coming through Lafenwa Street, but our compound is a bit raised higher than the houses around there.

I'm not too familiar with the places but the affected parts I'm aware of are around Funbi Fagun, Ife Rd (Esporta) and Valentino.

The rain eventually stopped around 4 pm.

For all these dudes claiming this is no serious matter,
I can already count 6 families displaced by this flood
I've helped a few move their luggage
I would have taken more pictures, except I felt it was insensitive.
Snakes were found in a few houses
I hear there are missing persons in Ibadan.
Let's joke when we must, but this is not quite the time.

This is a serious matter please.

dayokanu: [img]http://www.nairaland.com/attachments/839678_obi-flood_jpg7165f9ec340c3a737f68d847c3632029[/img]

LOL
What the hell is Peter Obi doing in Ibadan?

.

Are we really this bruised and battered?
The Saudi Government is raking in billions of dollars every year from Hajj, and we are excited about being the first to deliver our money to them.

What the writer didn't mention is that while the Borno contingent left via their airport (Maiduguri Airport), the Osun group had to drive to Ikeja despite there being an airport in Osogbo. Oh, I forgot, the silly state and federal governments are still locking horns over the airport's ownership.

505 muslim pilgrims from the state of Osun; Sunday made the first Nigerian pilgrims to arrive the holy city of Mekka, Saudi Arabia for the 2013 hajj exercise.
The pilgrims who left the city of Madeenah last Saturday concluded the first major rite-Umrah at midnight. They were
later checked into their hotels after the Umrah rites.
Speaking on the feat the Ameerul Hajj, Alhaj Dhikrullah Hassan said the unprecedented development is borne out of strict compliance of the Osun Government to stipulated rules of the Saudi authority on Hajj operations. Ustadh Dhijrullah explained that “two states Borno and the state of Osun were the first states that took the first flights for the 2013 operations. They took off from the north and we moved from Lagos. However, our success started coming at the point of our arrival in Madeenah straight from Ikeja. Last two years we arrived in Jeddah. Alhamdulillah that we saved our pilgeims from the rigours of the long trip from Jeddah to Madeenah by road.
“However, the Saudi Arabia government believes that we have precedence; because you would recall that we even got formal commendation from them since 2011. That is one of the reasons why we got the opportunity to move to Makka before any Nigerian contingent”, explained the Ameer.
According to him, the pilgrims enjoyed a more conducive atmosphere carrying out the circumbulations or Tawaf and Sa’yi- which are compulsory aspects of the Umrah. The Umrah is the first major act of the rites to be done in Makkah before the major hajj rites observed within five days.
“To many of them, they would think that the atmosphere of tawaf and Sa’yi is usually that free as they had it. But they have only enjoyed the fact Allah has continued to inspire our Osun government under Aregbesola, that he did the right things regarding the hajj operations.
“Another advantage here is that our pilgrims will for the first time, underline for the first time return to Nigeria by the 18th of October. And that is saying our hajj experience will be done within a record period of one month; just one month.
By the official Saudi calendar for the 2013 hajj exercise, all rites of the pilgrimage would be concluded by the 14th of October. The first batch of the Osun pilgrims is scheduled to return to Nigeria four days later; while their second batch counterparts- 354 pilgrims are scheduled to return to Nigeria on the 20th October, 2013.
Meanwhile, the second batch; who are still in Madeenah as at the time of filling this report, will leave Madeenah for Mekkah on Wednesday. When they will carry out their Umrah rites

http://www.osundefender.org/?p=122968

Lol. What did you do?

Jakumo: As long as you know how to swim, there is nothing to fear even if it rains for 7 days and nights nonstop.

Just seen the pictures. It is getting deep. Acquire a canoe right away, and learn how to paddle quickly.

I've been meaning to learn how to swim.
Can you suggest a YouTube video to tutor me for this emergency occasion? Lol
Seriously though.

geeez: The last major flooding we had got Onitsha submerged

The landlocked SE zone has a landmass almost the size of Oyo

As if that is not bad enough, half of the land is erosion ravaged

Same happening in Ondo.
https://www.nairaland.com/1450926/24-hours-nonstop-rainfall-ondo

No need to trivialize/tribalize this issue.

In a few minutes time, it would have rained for 24 hours nonstop in Ondo town, Ondo state.
A few friends have reported the same rainfall pattern in neighboring towns: Benin, and Ilesa where some families had to vacate their homes.
I've a few pictures of Ondo.
The perimeter fence is almost entirely submerged
This fence normally stands at no less than 2 ft.
The body of water responsible for this, hitherto a stream, running about a meter deep and 2.5 meters wide, has welled up to almost 2ft deep, knocking down several portions of the perimeter fencing.
The Fagbemis who only just moved in a week ago are at risk of being displaced; they must think the estate agents sold them a dummy.
Bridges in town are overflowing.
People are moving their cars to less prone areas.

There are speculations that God might have reneged on his promise never again to flood the world.

The building next to mine has architectural flaws and is marked for demolition. My proximity to the flawed building is starting to bother me.

And the worst part of all is that it's still raining unrelentingly/relentlessly!

On the bright side, the switch witch at PHCN seems to be under the weather.(literally and otherwise)
So, I'm watching TV and pretending nothing is wrong... May be nothing will be
Though stealing out time to say the Te Deum, my family's favorite prayer.

This is sad


So sad!

Chamackh: Please oooo what's the meaning of OLOYIN BEANS? Thanks in anticipation.

Well, Chamackh, I could tell you but Dozzybaba tells it better.

[quote author=L.M Ayedun..]Hmmmm!!! Sad one there
what a world we live in.
RIP prof.[/quote]It's tragic, really.
Which way, Africa?

"What is the wailing for?
Somebody is dead
Agosu himself
Alas, a snake has bitten me
My right arm is broken
And the tree on which I lean is fallen"

Culled from Kofi Awoonor's 'Song of Sorrow'

Rest in Peace, Prof!

Kairoseki77: I only became a tribalist when I started using this site, and saw all the hate and lies directed at Yorubas.

There's a grueling tussle here; I can't even let you win at being the victim. The Igbos here also turned tribalists from trying to resist the Yoruba onslaught.
So, it's another Egg-Chicken dilemma.

Nice to meet you, Kairoseki!

Edit: Nice house + great view.

Kairoseki77: You SW Igbos are funny.

I have probably travelled more than both of you combined. It is not my fault that you don't understand sarcasm.

I am currently in NY on business. And I will be the first to tell you that NYC is richer than Lagos. That is why I must come here for business.

https://i43.tinypic.com/1zb58x.jpg

That is a screenshot of Google Maps from my Iphone. It is 7am here.

SW Igbos? Oh Lord, am I laughing so hard?
You guys are a funny lot.
A few weeks ago, your people were up in arms against the existence of Igbo-Lagosians, and now you propose an even more expansive entity: SW Igbos.
Nigeria would be much ahead if you all believed that concept.
BTW You didn't need to go to great lengths to prove you're in NYC. You don't quite sound like the typical Yoruba tribalist, what with admitting that there are actually SW Igbos.

Kairoseki77: LOL, so another Enugu champion that grew up in Lagos and was schooled in Ogun! Shame on you for lying about your home. The home that raised you even!

Why did your parents leave the paradise in the SE to come to the slums of the SW?

Have you ever been to Enugu?

I ask again, do they have internet in the SE? Let an Enugu man come and defend his land, instead of these pretenders.

Kairoseki, you're losing it, man.
You should travel more, but until you do the Igbos will keep giving factual accounts of Yorubaland, while you keep asking ridiculous questions like "Is there internet in the South East?"
What next are you gonna ask "is Igbo a minority tribe in the SE"?
Already, I've met two of your kin who insist Ebonyi is in the SS, and I'm like WTF!

Kairoseki77: So you are another one that works in Yorubaland.

Do people in the SE get internet? And don't lie and say that you live in the SE. You have already exposed yourself.

Dude, stop grasping at straws.
Read that post again, there's no allusion to where I work.
I can have a Yoruba coworker and client in Kafanchan or Chad.

dayokanu: Slum capital yet your people wont stop flooding there on a daily basis.

Why would someone go to the slum capital? Its either they love slum life, Or the slum is better than whatever they have

Listening to you, one might get the impression that 4 in 10 men in Oyo are Igbos.
Feel free to inflate the Igbo population in Oyo now that it serves your interest.
Also, your selective amnesia will be most helpful when the Igbo political clout begins to grow, at which time you'll claim there are barely any Igbos in Oyo. It's happened in Lagos already.
Anyway, your people love to assume any fair complexioned Nigerian must be Igbo. That's how a Yoruba coworker accused me of being too nice to a client because "he's your brother", when in fact, the fair-complexioned client was Yoruba.

Kairoseki77: One thing I never understood about this lie, is WHY are you comparing Enugu to Oyo?

Everytime I hear this claim, it is always followed by talk of Oyo. Am I missing something?

Yes, you're still missing the stark reality that Oyo is the slum capital of West Africa:

"Ibadan, a running splash of rust...FLUNG and SCATTERED among seven hills"

Even one of our finest poets was nauseated by your capital 'city' that he had to write the above poem which became one of his oft-recited.
In simple prose, he was saying Ibadan is dirty (getting dirtier, hence a running splash), dilapidated, unplanned, and altogether uninhabitable. The fact that there are actually 'people' who live there is perhaps the eighth wonder of SW, Nigeria. That or Oyo people are well adapted to chronic severe poverty, filth, homelessness, almajirism, ritual killing, consanguineous r.ape, kid.napping, cholera outbreaks now and again, juju, and such other dehumanizing conditions, and yet you're here brandishing GDP figures...GDP, please!

BTW, did you hear Cocoa Building is falling down?
* snorts derisively *