₦airaland Forum

The is poverty in Nigeria and its making people mad, I mean real mad. Corporations are taking advantage of the situation. Employees aren't helping too. Admitted, its not their fault, but the system is forced them to think in error mode.


Bank chiefs are making a "bank" out of the system and the poor graduates are working till 11pm even on sundays, its just not right.


Check this out, I was in Germany a few yrs ago, saw some danfos, decided to buy 4 and send to naija, had more than 10 people from the church and friends willing to drive, because I was going to do the drive, deliver certain amount and at the end of 6months or 1yr, the Danfo is yours.

When I got my Army contacts involved, asked the drivers to go to an Army officers office to sign papers stating that, they will obey the terms of the contract, they all backed out. Out of 12 selected, only one agreed to follow through. What I'm trying to say is that, honesty is scarce at home and this again makes the investors to be mean and want to kill the average employee before he or she kills them. Its sad, but hey, that's our almighty Nigeria.

@ fresh,
you got a solid point just right there. I'm sorry to say, Nigerians are just very selfish when it comes to what they can get, regardless of whose horse is gored. A friend of mine burrowed money from a bank( as we always do here in the state)went home with over 70M naira, started a company, paid his staffers very well, but they turn around complaining and stealing all his stuff, isn't that sad? its dog eat dog at home.

I must tell you I love Nigeria too death, not running away, coming back big time, I will bring the money, pay well and give my employees "man to man" marking, LETS PLAY!, I'm not new to the system, A deputy district attorney in my county that we went to Ife together said, "no go o! them go kill you just for your money o!". I said, well, if they do, thats my luck, but I assure I will not go down alone, folks will waka with me too, na today? me wen don dodge bullet tire for warri, deceive yourself and call me americana, at the end we'll see who is the Americana, but back to the subject, please, govt. should pls help the big corps. do what is right.

My heart bleeds when I read stuff like this. I was ready to write my piece, up until I saw papabrown's post. Now, if he is right, then there is a situation there. I personally think that, an employer should not pay an employee 25K to bring in 5M. Thats just WRONG. Now, if what they bring in to the bank is actually 25K, then, as one poster rightly stated, don't hire them in the first place.

Its not argument that, take it or leave it, that is absolutely lame, then again, anything goes in Nigerian mentality. When the Oboris and Cecelia are walking with Billions, the young graduate is toiling the streets, thats what we need to change. Please once again, we need to put our lawmakers to work. Nearly everything in Nigeria needs a reform.

I'm about to be an employer or 5 to10 in Nigeria. I'll match the highest paid(in the field, excluding oil companies). However, you'll work for the pay, any laziness or attempt to defraud me or the company, you're out the door.

I'm not a huge fan of Abiola, while I detest the fact that, a white man would come tell us how filthy Abiola was, I would like to say, in the absence any other contestant, Abiola was the way to go.


Would an Abiola Presidency had been a catastrophe? You bet it would have, but hey, we would have been a step away from the mess and total disregard to civil rights that an Abacha government plunged us into.


Babangida is insulting the intelligence of Nigerians, but I want to sound a warning here, be careful, like Obasanjo he may end up Nigeria's president

@ otoxx,
I want you to know that, there are honest God fearing and very smart and educated Nigerians out there in Nigeria who are capable and willing to move the Nation forward and a lot of these guys can't boast of 200K kept somewhere. You asked if I could say the same, Honestly no. I can't say I don't have over 1M Naira. Thats the reason why I do not think I'm capable of ruling any part of Nigeria right now. I have been expose to western cultures and pleasures, it would be too much of a temptation.
So once again, yes we need such Nigerians. It may not be the all and all, but its a sure way to start. You're right, its not as easy as saying it, but just my thought.

1. Jonathan appoints Olisa Agbakoba as INEC chairman, announces that he is not running


2. Jonathan gets a fiat/law or anything barring ANY person who had served in any capacity from contesting for ANYTHING

3. Disband all the current political parties. Open the door to Nigerians who had NEVER traveled or live overseas,except for schooling. Do not own more than 1M naira in their account and would NOT own more than 1M when they leave office. Will not travel during their tenure in office. Trust me when we get our house in order, the mountain in the UK and US will come to us. Check this out, not sure if we went to beg BP and Mobil to come to Nigeria.

4.Invites Foreign electoral monitoring groups into the country

5. Puts at least 200 Billion Naira into the election to ensure training, security and smooth and fair electoral process

There and then I would say there is hope. If not, as one poster said, its soldier go soldier come, OBJ, IBB, GJ,Ibori, they are all one and the same thing. We need a radical approach to redeeming Nigeria. Personally, I think we're trying and I'm sure we'll get there some day.

I would not call her Ole or unstable. Also, I think it's somehow, what can I tell you. I also want to say, she isn't getting no 50%, funds in the ministry belongs to the ministry which is a 501c Establishment. Now, money that belongs to the preacher, that she might get from.


I respect preachers, I know they stumble just like any one of us. Our own Nigerian pastors, if not for our prevailing cultures, their wives would be leaving them in droves. In Africa, man is the all in all in the home, especially where he is being called "daddy" by thousands of followers, you would be shocked what they do at home. But, to me, that's OK, cos they are human as long as they don't do what me and you wouldn't do, for instance cheat on their wives or beat them and all that kind of vices. But arguing and all that usuall marriage stuff? why not. However, in America, some of these stuff could lead to divorce.

I feel sorry for the Hinns family. As one poster noted, its not news, its been in the woods for a while now. But hey, lets pray for them and hold on to our own faith. For some of us who have no faith and see this as an avenue to tongue lash the "so called men of God" please do have a field day. In Nigeria as well as in the US, some men of God are fake, others are true to God and men.

@anonimi, thanks, I think we need to be reminded of his track record.If you look deeply into the NUJ you would see an IBB apologist in there, its so sad. People have been pauperized so badly that, they could sell their soul for money.

IBB had it all planned out, it would be sad if it worked. I remember a few years ago a Nigerian I respected offered me an invitation to attend an IBB campaign meeting in New York, I was sick to my stomach, I was like are you really serious?

But, once again, with the way things run in Nigeria, this guy may rig his way through, save our souls oh God

I think it depends on the situation. Maybe you had just stated the relation and the other person is used to calling that ex. It could mean he or she is cheating and it may actually just be an innocent mistake. Now if it happens over and over, then there is a problem. I don't think you should result to slapping or calling names. Once again, it depends.
If it happens to me? I'll say, girl pls get it right, this is me holding it down and not that person you just called, ok? now don't pull that on me again///]\\\\\]]]]\

When would all the Nigerian celebs take a stand? the struggle needs at the least 80% of them


musicians, actors, pastors, imams and all university students need to take to the street for one day, and as a poster suggested, we may need to go to their homes, DON't set it on fire or anything, don't kill their kids(not yet), just let them know that, ENOUGH is getting really to be ENOUGH

Also, I guessing that Seun comment is not from the Seun who runs this site, if it is, then, it means I was wrong on who and what I had thought he stood for.

LOOKING AT THESE PICS MY HEART WEEPS WITH JOY, I saw the Nigerian law enforcement standing and looking at protesters, felt like I was looking at a picture taken in New York, why? thats where I was involved in a protest and the police would not touch you, but stand and watch as long as you don't touch them or vandalize anything, Who said we're not moving forward

I was involved in "Babangida must go" and I carried the scare all through my high school days,


Nay its not for one day, its not for one day, this story of Nigerian freedom, its not for one day.

This is amazing, it may not be now, it may not be now, this freedom of the Nigerian people would come some day.

Call Nigerians whatever name you so wishes, but ONE DAY, ONE DAY, things would begin to change.

For those of you calling for peaceful transition, trust me, with the level of decadence we have reached, sustainable prosperity for ALL can't be achieved

unless blood is shed in some way. After all, blood is being shed today, in riots, accidents, electric poles, starvation, armed robbery related killings, fighting

over family properties, lack of health care, to mention but a few. So, before you say no blood, ask, whose blood are we talking about?

@Ibabalol,
I'll hate to admit that, you're right and once again, that's the human nature right there. When I first left Nigeria, I had a college prof. who emailed and called just to show me how dissatisfied he was, that I left the "struggle". How I'm not true Nigerian. Two years later he was out of Nigeria and told me, he is never going back.

The "this is Nigeria" thing? sure, once again its just human. Lets not run the risk of turning this topic to abroad guys Vs. home based folks. That topic is usually fiercely heated. But we just can't deny the fact that, there is iota of jealousy mixed with anger at the guys who are back home visiting.

I see the subject is getting very interesting and safe too. Please lets keep it sweet. @cute4u, not sure if I got the ID right, but hey, its true what happen or is happening to you is very common.

Just as another poster said, its better to talk less, play safe and reduce the amount of jealousy you stir.

Personally, I was living between 40 and 42K per year, for a few years and most of my friends were happy with me, once I took professional exams, got qualified, stepped it up, it was bad belly all the way,

stuff like promotions, you can't hide them and I do not agree that, you owe a mentor anything other than respect. When you get promoted more than he is, sure would be jealous, sure you would too. I would, maybe for a few hours, then I'll be happy for you. Its natural, lets avoid it and sometimes, understand the people who safely exhibit it.

[b][/b]Not everybody likes and enjoy a topic like this, moreso, since it doesn't involve strong opinions and calling of names. I think its a fine topic where we could share our experiences as well as learn from each other's point of view. So please don't end the topic, end your viewing if you so want to, but let the other guys enjoy!

@ poster and the whole house, jealousy is a necessary evil. It's bad when-as one poster noted-it becomes aggressive. As another poster noted, juju and air commanders are then involved, or for the Oyinbos, reporting to boss and not saying hi and all that other vices gets in.



Not only family, friends as well can catch the virus,  Bible mentioned it as one of the sins of the flesh.


You be on your guard and be sure you shake it off when it comes

Its only those who are behind you, that would "BACKbite you.

Also, friends, play low, keep it simple, avoid room for potential aaggressivejealousy whenever you can

waiting for the day the GOVTs. of the Western world and large Multinationals like Microsoft would gather artist, poets, authors and dancers and make movies, songs, poems and write books about THIEVING African leaders

When banks and corporations in the WEST would go on youtube and reveal accounts belonging to past and present leaders.

While yahoo yahoo and AFF is bad as bad as it could get, it doesn't lie in the same foreign entity, that has been partly responsible for pauperizing the African Nation, to come back and bewail the decadence that came as a result of their past and current action. At the least, the lack the moral credibility.

[b]Its a shame that, some folks actually think that, protest regarding the status of Nigeria should be done only at the shores of Nigeria. Once again, some of these posters barely know anything about international relations between countries. I should not say anymore, but thank the few guys who tried to enlighten these guys, by even citing the rallies for Nelson Mandela
A chuck of the problems we have today came from the WEST.

In the colonial days, they did not stay in the their countries and dream or talk about our resources, rather they came over and looted. We can't stay in there now, we must let them know whats happening.

When "Yaradua" needed to speak, he did not call NTA, he called BBC, you kidding?

When Ibori looted, he went to London to starch the money away

As another poster had noted, we need to let the world know that, "its no longer at ease" and we know that, they-foreign govts.- have a role to play in all these. I personally think it's intellectually juvenile to say we should not protest overseas.

@last threader, you made it sound like we're all in Afghanistan, please, its not that bad. Trust me, I see where you're coming from. Naijas are tough to the core, the same reason ROI in naija are one of the highest in the world, depending on what you're doing and how you're doing it. Building is tough, fact is that, once you start to build, you had just signalled that you have a lot of money, so everybody wants to "chop" from you. Once again, you can manage that with proper project and risk management.
As per property upkeep, trust me, naija offers the cheapest. I have rented in the US before, landlords fix nearly everything, your light goes off you call the landlord, you got plumbing issues, landlord- i some what miss those days-, but in Naija, you only see landlord at the end of your three year lease, I mean in most cases. Security, sweeping and the likes are the tenants. So, pal, its not as bad.
By the way, where is that bank that offers 16%? sounds pretty good, please share with the house.

I had always thought a 12 Unit 3BR apartments would yield a higher ROI. However, I friend called me from stateside, that he had to pay 200k for a two bedroom face me I face you for his brother, then I was like, wow, so they now cost that much?. Now, if that's the cost, it may be an option to think about, since, besides the land, it would cost very little to put up a 48 room(room and palor attached). 12 doors facing 12 doors, each door with two rooms. Once again depending on the area, these may be vacant for too long, you may get tenants who are unable to continue paying and a few more related risk.
Conversely, 3 or 2BR flats in a good area is a no brainer. You can't go wrong on the ROI, just that, it would very well cost more than the face me structures. With the right team of workers, you could finish a face me in a month. I'm looking at a 12 or 15 3BR units in an already developed area. like buy some face me in Ketu and pull it down for multiple unit.
I do some time feel bad about crushing 12-15 families in such a small place, then again, I think of the good side, providing accommodation for someone somewhere.
PS: It would be great if any builder can offer specific deliverables for either of the project suggestions. Cost difference, ROI and government approval procedures.

@ Iranaladun, take it easy, sure naijas like to fake, it may be a complex, but not in all cases. It sometimes depends on when you left Nigeria and what you think about yourself,friends and Nigeria as a country. If you're proud to be a Nigerian, you sure would not change your accent when you come home. You want to celebrate th culture with the folks, not try to poise that you're now Oyinbo. Also, depends on your age when you left Nigeria, keep in mind, some folks accent are genuine. I speak with an American accent because I have lived here for a while and it just happens. Because I left Nigeria as an adult, I can't forget how to talk REAL naija, when I'm in Nigeria or amongst Nigerians, I go pidgin. I sure don't try to fake, guess I'm too old for that. I went through college in Nigeria, not about to dumb my background. I love America, love the culture, but hey, no matter how bad Nigeria is said to be, or actually is, I still love her. I kid you not.
I think the earrings, baggy jeans and braided hairdo and fake accent is technically an age thing before its ideological. Long to visit Nigeria. I take care more than when I go to Sydney or Perth in Australia, but hey, I'll still go as much as I can.

I think KOL and Oat said it pretty succinctly. First, the poster made it sound like Nigeria is a horror show. I got attacked in Manhattan in '02 and 3pm in the afternoon, go figure. Asked for security tips, that's all well and good. Don't talk about earrings, handsets and wrist watches, that's a little bit trivial.

Is Nigeria the safest? NO WAY, even the so called big boys there are security conscious too. As suggested, go low key, have fun and return to your base safely.

I was in Nigeria, my older sister requested that, I stopped talking when we went to the market, by the way you talk, folks can tell you may have extra hard currency to throw around. As one poster noted, master your pidgin. I switch to Pidgin and it worked for the 13 days I stayed.

Are there big boys in Nigeria? you bet, some are 419s some are professionals working hard and they use 4 to 500 dollar worth cellphones, that Nigeria. When I visited, my friends are now well placed, bank managers,legislators in Ikeja and all that, they did everything to try to tell me they're richer, I allowed them to enjoy the day, NEVER TRY TO PROVE that you're richer. Once again, my friend-poster-just play low.

Folks, it all depends on who you're talking to, the cost of fencing as well as the quality of fence you get. I have two properties in Nigeria and, trust me, you could pay 1.4 and the other guy pays .6 or even lesser for thesame quality or maybe,more often than not, for a lesser quality.


I think that, the bottom line is, "shop around". Do your home work, be careful, some folks are unable to deliver, not because, they're fraudulent, but because, they underestimated the ACTUAL cost of the job, once again, just chop around


For the contractors on here, please play safe with each other, ever wonder why you have different names? because, you're very different people with different price, if A says, I'm do it with 1.4, "B" thinks he could do it lesser?, please show us how, without attacking the other guy, lets safely brainstorm.

FELA IS A FORCE TO BE LISTENED TO, EVEN AT DEATH. NIGERIA WOULD BE DIFFERENT TODAY IF WE COULD HAVE JUST 3 OR 4 FELA LIKE SINGERS TODAY. INSTEAD, WE HAVE 50CENT AND USHER LIKE SINGERS. ITS ALSO SAD THAT, PEOPLE MOSTLY THINK HE WAS JUST ANTI-GOVT. THOUGH HE WAS, BUT IT WAS FOR A JUST COURSE, HE HAD WARN, YEARS BACK, THAT WE'RE BEDEVILED BY THE OUR LEADERS.

   HIS MORAL DIMENSIONS MAY BE QUESTIONABLE,BUT THATS HIM, LIKES WOMEN,TALKS ABOUT SEX AND COME TO THINK OF IT, WE ALL DO, HE WAS ABLE TO LP HIS PASSION FOR US ALL TO HEAR.

SOME OF NLers HAVEN'T REALLY LISTENED TO THIS SO CALLED FELA, WHENEVER YOU DO WITH AN OPEN MIND,YOU'LL KNOW THAT, FOR OUR NIGERIA TODAY, FELA IS STILL RELEVANT.

wow!
this is both fun and interesting. From reading about aviators-in the making-and furious Nigerians home and abroad, the fun is unending. I do however, have this to say:
No doubt, that, most Nigerian leaders lack wisdom. They're thieves too. This is granted and it's evident is picking projects that aren't grassroot, rather, one they can get rich from.

No doubt, that, it's not quite fair considering the fact that we're bereft of good leaders, to compare Nigeria with UK or America. even if we're richer than all of them.

Also, for the fellow Nigerians living overseas, go easy with the criticisms. Nigeria is NOT hell, even if it is, it's no joy or pride to just throw it out there like that, please. Refrain from condemning the poor who are excited about a plane touch down. There could be several reasons for that. They could be genuinely excited, maybe they're paid to be there, maybe they're uneducated, non of these is actually all their fault. At least, we've also seen some harsh level of the lack of education here too, evident in the inability of posters to write properly. My point is that, let's be fair, pray for the best and do whatever we could. I think what everyone here on NL could do is speak considerably. attacking Nigeria and even the poor doesn't really cut it, however, if it makes you feel good, well then, maybe, but search your heart, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR NIGERIA?

@Radiovibe, when you think of the way our government places it's priorities, you'll weep. I was at a traditional seminar in Chicago and we had senators and house of rep members from Nigeria. You got to see what they were asking for. While the US members were talking about development, these miscrants wanted to go see Micheal Jackson's birthplace, some wanted to find white prostitutes and others wanted to go shopping. I was like what a shame, these are the same people we're looking up to, to change the state's present predicaments.
One of them actually told me how big his house is and how many guards he is got and how he got dogs from Germany. Though he is well respected and I first heard of him when I was in primary 6, I looked at him and said, "Uncle I'm afraid of leaders like the ones we currently have" he later told the Union-chicago branch- that I was very rude to elders. And, that one looking to get some loots came to me preaching. I walked away from him. I had 45mins to present a paper, they edited it and cut my time to 10mins. Saying these so you can imagine where we're going with out leaders. My fear is, if me and you will do any better should we get there. I say this because, I know that, Nigerian culture celebrates wealth regardless of how its acquired. Also, we have the national cake mentality.

@honiri01, I saw that post that you quoted and I wasn't sure what to think of that argument. I must say that, it has some merit. The earth has a way of taking care of itself. I remember my environmental law class many years ago. The prof. painted a very gloomy picture, but today, it's obvious that, some of the argument for doomsday no longer stand.
  I do not think,that it's the plan of God to wipe out poor Nigerians. I also think that, we have a way or mitigating the harshness of nature. Guess that's why we build houses with roofs, hence we would just allow the sun to shine on us and the rain to wet us later. So, we could very well control the waves, storms and volcs. We'll not stop them from happening, but we could stop them from impacting us adversely.

It's amazing, and I'm very moved by this. I'm just hoping and praying that the Nigerian government does something and in a timely manner. This is a perfect example on things we need to spend our money on. I think with the right amount and common sense, we'll get a new dam in two years.

from a radical perspective, its time to call on all those who had looted the country to come help her now. I'm sure that, some of you would agree with me that, there are 100 Nigerians who can cough out a Billion Naira each. they are there, ex governors, ex. ministers etc. Let them set the pace. I'm sure we do not need Bill Gate to come to the rescue, we have our Otedolas and Dangotes.

Let me throw a caveat here, this is just my simple take. I had seen that there are a few high school folks behind computers here. Trust me, not ready to trade polemics with anybody. Please say what you think and move on. leave the other guy to his opinion. You have an moral right to defer, but you do not have any such ethical rights to be disrespectful.

I'll quote nononecent who quoted pakosa, live wherever you have peace. London, japan, Akure,Chicago,Ore,manilla,enugu or Sydney.

I'll also say, it's all relative. No need joining issues with each other. You love Sapele in Nigeria then stay there, don't let the guy in London make you feel bad.



You love Manama in bahrain, then stay there. Once again as long as you're happy there regardless of the NEPA, racism,thuggery,poverty, riches it's all you, my friend.

I love Nigeria, I'll tell you that. But trust me, I'm happy here. I help back home, cos I know folks who are not happy. I have at least a sizeable number of kids under my small scholarship, that's my contribution. I'll increase it too. Once again, stay where you're happy as conversation as to choice of where people live, keep in mind that it's relative.

@Radiant and Fhemmmy,
you both got very valid points.I'll be all means choose an African club, by the way I went to one way back in NY and it was off the chain, ,back on the subject, you choose base on individuals, but you just are unable to rule out the fact that, some stereotypes got some truth in them.
Don't judge a book by it's cover, but hey, you got to select your bookshop though, right?. As I had stated earlier, I love everybody,say hi when I see em,even sometimes offer assistance, but I don't do the big Nigerian "parapo" thing. I once had a license plate that read GREAT IFE, love Nigeria, but also love my peace. I once went to an all Nigerian church and come and see how they were fighting over rice, I was like really? in America?, lol, you got to be kidding me, love my people, I must add, but, hey, love my peace and sanity too. How about the Nigerian Progressive Union?, I attended once and it was like I was back in Ife, and its ALUTA continual, I was like, hey, I'm too old for this sh**t.

I love to be a Nigerian. With regards to association, I keep it low and use the same standard that I'll use for my Oyinbo friends. What I mean is that, I keep my friends within my professional level. Don't play around with no visa lottery kid, just as I would not be friends with an Oyinbo crack head. I see a secondary school drop out visa lottery guy out in the street, I'll hug him, introduce myself as Nigerian offer any advice i would, give him my number and that's it. He is not coming to my house and I'm not going to his. we're not going to the same church-unless he is already a member of my church- and I do not go to a Nigerian Church. I can't stand an all white church or all black church, to say the least all Nigerian church.
As someone pointed out, there is a lot of drama keeping Nigerian friends. As a matter of fact, I just don't have the time.As per indentity, I'll tell you up front, I'm an excited Nigerian. even if Osama is found in Nigeria today and yaho yaho boys scammed Obama, I'm still Nigerian. My job points to the fact that, there are Honest Nigerians who are also well placed in London and America. A friend of mine, is the Deputy District Attorney of my city. I once took a house buying contract from a Nigerian kid-though he is lived here for yrs-said he sometimes tell people he is from Ghana. I was like really?. I told him that's a shame and that I'm afraid he is not getting the 3 percent commission from the house I'm buying. So, it's really your choice. Please keep in mind that, whatever i say here is my opinion and it's not flawless, its just me. we really may not think alike, at least that's why we don't share the same DNA