₦airaland Forum

Well considering Jack Warner has sung a couple of different tunes during his inspection I think much of this has to be taken seriously but also in context. First of all South Africa has not had a hiccup free capital works project schedule on the world cup by any means. Labor Strikes, mis estimations of budgets and Fifa taking out a huge insurance policy if South Africa Fails in their Capital projects does not say hiccup free. With a mere 14 months to opening kick off Durban and Cape Town are both just getting started on the Fabric Roofs for their stadia. ONe Stadium that was to be part of this years confederations cup in South Africa has been scratched off the list because it will indeed not be ready. South Africa are far from Supermen when it comes to these things either.

Second Warner can be in Total Phrase of Calabar's Stadium and City in October of last year and not utter a word negative or positive about them this week. During that inspection he called Abuja National stadium beyond what this tournament needed and a facility that would be on par with the Senior World Cup. Calabar's Stadium he said was practically in the state that he remembers it during the 1999 u20 Tournament. Thwe maintenance culture he went on to say is in Calabar. He names Calabar and Abuja as ready then. What has happened in 4 months with Calabar ? did they have an earth quake? I take the mans words very seriously but which Words do you take when they conflict with prior statements? Something is a amiss with the Fifa VPs words.

Third Warner on the ground had huge Phrase for Warri in regards to the preparation and the facilities that he put on par with Abuja just a few days ago. Last October he phrased the Hospital facilities in Warri as being better then a great number of the cities for the 2007 U 20 tournament being Canada!!!! Why go around phrasing aspects of Nigeria's preparations and civic infrastructure if you don't indeed mean it ?
Fourth if Kaduna with huge preparations for the National Sports Festival isn't cutting the mustard with Warner then their in a huge problem. This is a Stadium has new seating , Turf and a Tartan track put in for the national sports festival this month not for October of this year. A Tartan Field that is being put in by leading company in the World for these surfaces Mondo from Italy.

I can see the problems with Kano and Enugu but when you are talking of Calabar and Warri getting phrase with Warner to the local press and something very different with the final press conference then something is up.

Brown Bags for Warner ? Well that was what happened with Fifa Executive Exiting Nigeria prior to the U20 1999 tournament and that is admitted by Fifa Officials at the time . I think Warner is using this as needed motivation to get the job done but who knows about the other motives. What has indeed Changed is that the government has taken over the organization of the works to bring these Stadiums up to standard and Fifa or other sports federations don't like that. The Former Members of the LOC were trying to exhort money to the tune of over 300 million dollars for this tournament. They were turned away and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan was put in charge with little less then 33 percent of the inflated budget. Dr Adamu was fired out of his job at the NSC and he is a Fifa Executive member. Jack Warner's judgment can be clouded when his fellow fifa Executive Member loses his day job at the hands of the Government.

I think you will see the following host . Abuja , Lagos , Warri, Calabar, Kaduna and Ijebu Ode and that Nigeria in the final inspection has pulled of the Miracle of the 21th century. Warner is very dramatic with his words and predictable.
Of indeed may Ghana host which would be hard with 4 new stadia .

Well pie1ect great response to this topic and the same goes for others. Generally Merrill is right but like someone said Nigerian's generally don't believe.
Very little Foreign Debt . Reformed Banking Industry , Industrialists on the rise beyond the Oil and Gas Sector. Agri Business starting to get organized.
A Telecom industry that is one of the fastest growing in the World with plenty of room to grow further. Nigerian Businesses are spreading their influence across Africa and beyond. Nigerian Businesses have learned the art of Branding . Oando , Glo , Dangote the Nigerian Banks.

People have pointed out the debt situation Westerners have in regards to Homes and Fancy lifestyles. Nigerian's actually pay as they can afford and thus don't have the trap of foreclosure. In America People try to speculate on Real Estate Values and Banks give them equity loans for that . The same in Britain. How many times does one have to move from one house to another in a lifetime just to up the square footage ? People in America are now getting into reverse mortgages . you are 65 and you take an equity loan on the home you have paid for over 30 years , You die having a loan you never pay on and the Creditor gets your home not your Kids . People in North America and other places used to live generations in the same home.
As a Canadian I have studied the recent history of Nigeria and people I talk to in Nigeria are shocked to find out there are actually some pieces of Technology in Nigeria that are not in my G8 nation of Canada. I know my limited experience in Abuja is the best of Nigeria so the view can be distorted but I also see via the web what is going on in the rest of the Nigeria and it is all very impressive.

How Nigeria is leap frogging land lines for Telephones their will be a leap in power generation. America we continue to maintain 20th century systems. Nigeria is having to built 21 th century infrastructure by passing the band aids. Banks and financial houses are the key to growth partnered with people who actually make products. America and Western Europe are declining on both accounts Nigeria is growing on both counts.
A flash Drier for Cassava costs 65,000 dollars from Brazil to import into Nigeria. A Team of Nigerian Engineers developed and are about to market a Nigerian Cassava Flash Drier that uses one third the fuel and Cost 24,000 dollars. This type of thing prevents capital flight and makes Nigerian Agriculture more productive. If Nigeria Gains food security and has the most efficient use of energy resources in the future and you will see a country that will grow hugely. I don't think world Economic Forums would put Nigeria in the "next 13 " hot economies in the world without some basis.

Nigeria today is at the point America was at the turn of the 20th century. Bold entreoprenuers , businessmen and people who will work with good wisdom to create products and wealth. America that is very much dead with the try to catch the Asian Mentality or rather they give up to China that now makes the Goods America Once did. I came to Abuja and witnessed Capitalism in it best at the Wuse Market where you don't have shopping carts to carry goods , you have wheelbarrows . A simple but effective way that shows the utility of Nigerian though process. Why buy two different items when one will do the same job. Ironically I learned afterward of a young Entrepreneur in Abuja who actually has a shop with Molded plastic Wheelbarrows that he claims "are just as good as the Chinese ones" In Canada no one makes a Wheelbarrow we buy them all from the Chinese with credit cards and money we don't have. Our Senior Citizens take out reverse Mortgages that eventually Cede homes they have spent their lives paying for so they can buy a 50 inch Tv made in China and take a couple of trips to the Caribbean not passing on the wealth to their children .

Well in regards to the reversal by the President . The original decision was totally right. The Budget was a rip off of the country. I say this as a native born Canadian citizen who supports Nigeria's efforts. What the president did was set and example of turning back a symbol of corruption in Nigeria.
The lining of pockets while hosting a sports event that will have little effect on Nigeria's World image via TV is a Crime. Brazil Last Year for the RIO 2007 Pan am Games hired a Company from the United States to provide broadcast services for the games. Surely the same thing could and should be done . the purchasing of Broadcast equipment for each of these tournament is foolish. The building of new dressing rooms that would be perminant seems foolish considering Temporary structures could be used and then given to the local state government for an office or something. The event runs three weeks there is a balance between providing the best for the Fifa Officials and Players and going totally overboard for a Junior Championship.

In Canada we have held events successfully and with a profit for the People .
The Calgary Winter Olympics of 1988 was very profitable but it was only with having cost controls and proper prospective that 100 million plus dollars was in the organizing committee's Bank account in the end. That money was but into a fund to support the Venues forever and also has help the Winter Athletes of Canada climb to become a world powerhouse of winter sports. The Committee was selfless , committed and very intelligent to get maximum value for invested dollars . New Ground was broken in international sport for Commercial deals which the IOC benefits from today.

To me Nigeria could someday host the Summer Olympics and the World Cup if it can develop the type of Talent Calgary Canada had for 1988 for each and every event it hosts. Hopefully President Yar Adua can make that happen . He certainly has the right prospective and balance for the country. Now he needs the selfless organizers who will have many side benefits for even the people of Nigeria not involved in sports festivals.

david I believe he actually runs a soccer school in Nigeria. Certainly a White man who loves the country with a great sense of loyalty despite his being departed from the National Team and the efforts past 2002. He went on to coach in southern Africa but the country escape me at this time. After that stint he came back to Nigeria and established a Soccer School with Partners .

Manchester United probably didn't think much of being one of the Greatest and highest Valued Sport Brands in the world playing to a very empty stadium .
The reports are out there . The Excuse that Lagos would have done better doesn't cut it either because Man U is not going to play in a stadium that Fifa is having trouble approving for next years U17 Cup. Surelene and the other Stadium in Lagos next door to Surelene does not cut it. We are taking about multi million dollar talent risking careers here and that will not happen in a broken down stadium known to be the home of Squatters and Bandits. the British have a travel advisory for Lagos, Port Harcourt and the Calabar / Delta region because of the kidnapping of the Joseph Yobo's brother.
In a British Paper it is reported that fights broke out at the game in Abuja , People had Flame devices , The Cops ruffed up fans . Manchester United will not be back or any premiership team or any team from Europe for that matter .

The problem I see is lack of Lead time on Promotion was one thing. Security has to be professional but ban any pyrotechnic devices coming into the stadium . The Promoters have to have a handle on what the market will bear for Tickets and Tv has to be blacked out for watching the game in the city the game takes place. Until Nigerians know the value and that 1.5 million pound fees for United Doesn't come with a half empty stadium then Nigeria is not going to progress for entertainment . At the cheapest ticket being 8 dollars US the upper bowl should have been filled. There must be 60000 people who could fill the seats of Abuja National Stadium and at a half decent return for the promoters.
General lack of proper planning and experience seems to be the problem here. I say these words with a great deal of sadness in my heart As I hope for Nigeria everyday.

This is because Nigerian Sports Authorities treat Nigerian Athletes like Cattle. THe stories I have read today are really sad.
When Nigeria's only Gold Medalist in the Olympics for individual competition says she wished see had of followed fellow athletes and changed her citizenship is really cuts to the core of what is wrong with the Nigerian Amateur Sports System.
No wonder athletes have gone to places like Spain . Portugal and England to compete for more appreciating nations. Until the President get rid of the rott or the attitude with sports authorities that Athletes are the Prime Stakeholders and not Cattle to make money from then Nigeria will under achieve greatly.

fantastic stuff kem

that is why sepp blatter stated natural disasters . It is code speak that basically signals a LOC to get on with the job at hand .
Saying that the stadiums were not going to be ready would be discouraging to the LOC. On the other hand if the LOC thought they could skate by without providing what was bid on or what is required they just had a vailed message that Fifa Has a Plan B.

Paul t

I don't think it is what is wrong with Africa per say Morpheus . South Africa is not alone in under estimated the task of Capital works projects to host the World Cup. Olympics or any sports festival. South Africa is not Nigeria or any other place for that matter. London 2012 Is still looking at barely breaking ground on the stadium that is needed four years from now. The Same goes for much of the London 2012 prep work .
The World Cup is one of the worst for what is needed and demanded. 3.5 million fans attend the tournament and that calls for huge transportation infrastructure on top of 10 to 12 stadiums of 40000 to 70000 seats with all spectators in single seats and all covered by roof.
Nigeria is wise to go after the Commonwealth Games and make Abuja the city for that effort. Abuja is certainly prepared thanks to the infrastructure left from the All-african Games in 2003. Getting into mass transit and intercity transport able to handle million s for the world cup or olympics is not in the cards right now in Nigeria but who knows in the future. Lagos is the key for a world cup or olympics even if Abuja is a bid city for the Olympics simply because Lagos would have a role for Sailing , Soccer Trianthlon and other events that would be hard for Abuja to host because of geography.
support the Abuja 2018 bid http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=17343847842
Yes nigeria no mounting a bid for the world cup was very wise.
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/pictuofan/abuja2018alogo.jpg
Paul T

wham I am a sign maker in Canada and here my idea for a Interum Logo for the Abuja 2018 commonwealth games bid.
We now have the largest Facebook Group for the 2018 bid which has more membership then four english cities combined .
Check it out http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=17343847842
We would like to get 10s of thousands on the group as this would show support in overwhelming numbers for hosting the games. https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/pictuofan/abuja2018alogo.jpg

I envision a logo contest with 36 runners up and 1 grand prize winner for the Abuja 2018 logo. All entries would be restricted to Nigerian Citizens with a runner up winner from each state.
36 is the number of states in Nigeria and also the number of Support Pillars in Abuja National stadium . A State Commonwealth Games Banner would be hung for each section symbolising unity.

Cheeers Paul T

Very simple to build a light table . and a couple of ways
I have taken 1 inch by 4 inch lumber boards here in Canada and a sheet of plywood 24 by 36 inches . Layed the 1by 4 on edge to boarder the sheet of plywood. I then paint the box i have made White. Then you take stand 24 inch fluorecent light tubes with the electrics and screw them to inside the open box. Then you have a piece of White Plexiglass cut for the top . you drill hole in the edges of the 24 by 36 plexi and then drive screws in . One has to think of the on and off switch and I installed one on the outside wiring the light tubes to the switch and the switch have a wall plug to connect with you power.

Another way is to find a recessed ceiling light with fluorescent tubes in it . You wire a plug on to the fixture and and replace the eggcrate of frost ceiling fixture shield with a opaque white sheet of 1/4 inch lexan or plexi.

Of course it all depends on what is available locally. I have used glass panes on a frame using natural sunlight as a light table
Cheeer Pt.

very good composition and balance.
Cheers pt

Who's going to compensate da winners?
And da begining/deadline date?

The Committee and this is something I have thought of and I am not part of the committee. So Officially there is no contest yet .
A good prize award for all winners would certainly draw the attention of the Nigerian public to the bid and certainly have it with support. Brisbane Australia's 1982 commonwealth games logo came because of national logo contest.

This can also boost the an aspiring artist's Career . Certainly worth a risk unless someone is absolutely swamped with Design work in which case they don't need the attention a contest brings.

Cheers Pault

man in the gold very good. I can't believe the corel artists in Nigeria. Very good stuff. I am Canadian the home of Corel .
The commonwealth Games Bid I would love to see a Logo contest with one main winner and 35 runners up for each State of the country.
All winners would have money prizes and the art work would be represented in banners , Postcards and other Games collectables.
Cheer Paul

Check out the Abuja Facebook group supporting the Bid

Raymond you are a funny guy and thanks
Pault

very nice corel work
heres my latest
https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/pictuofan/abuja2018alogo.jpg
There is a Facebook group supporting the bid
Cheers paul

composition and balance are very key to a good graphic. If the viewer cannot identify a Logo's thrust in communication then the point is lost.
Heres an an example https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/pictuofan/abuja2018alogo.jpg
Something I designed with a simple message that is spelled out in the slogan .
Eventually a Logo like this could have the World Map taken out if the Bib campaign was to get the point across . "The Center point of the Commonwealth"
Cheers paul

https://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/pictuofan/abuja2018alogo.jpg

By the way a facebook Abuja 2018 commonwealth games bid group has started . In three weeks it has become the most membered commonwealth games and abuja facebook group.
Cheers Paul

well hello everyone in nigeria and beyond. my name is paul and I am from Nova Scotia. I believe that Abuja has the best of facilities to host the commonwealth games of the three bid cities. The debate is always going to be social responsibility of course but seeing as you do have the Abuja National Stadium complex on the ground today why not use it to the best advantage.

As a person from a community near Halifax I believe it would be a travesty for Halifax to be awarded over Nigeria and actually Halifax may not even make it to the final bid decision. Halifax has no stadium, no aquatic centre to the standard needed , no velodrome and no real support on the ground from the citizens.
We have special interest group pushing this agenda that has been after the commonwealth games for 20 years. The problem is that in the pursuit not one single venue has been erected in halifax for the games since losing the bid to victoria for the 1994 games.

My self Education of your city and country has certainly opened my eyes for the stereotypical view a north american would have of nigeria. Please support your bid because I believe your country can do the best job.

paul taylor