₦airaland Forum

Maybe the confusion is the adjectival phrase. As some posters had pointed out, we may be into something different from recession. I do however know that, what we're in right now is worse than recession. I think the FG should know that, the people of Nigeria would rather go into recession and have roads, power supply and food than stay in this so called present situation of "surplus" and die in sorrows.

I wish Nigerians could actual see somewhat differently than they had been doing for years. M L King was a reverend too. He preached everywhere he went. He started the crusade for Civil rights from the pulpit. We need more and more Bakares, more Felas and more folks with public clout calling for justice. We need Imams and school teachers and pastors to start crying for social justice.

I once met a prof. from Boston University who told me he wrote part of his PH.d thesis on Fela. I was like wow. It's a shame that we Africans seldom realise the impact of such social crusades.Thats the reason our unelected thieving politicians surmise that they could play on our intelligence and get away with it. I makes me go nuts when I see stuff like this.

Just imagine if the likes of the Dasuki and Adeboyes and Oyedepo begin to teach those who listen to them, on the needs to be socially conscious. I'm praying and I believe we'll get there some day.

@ OGB5
"when faced with a situation that calls for facts, fools result to insults.
You can not engage in educated discourse without insults.
Go and learn how to present your case. " This is coming from a man who just said "Ibori must have paid for this womans flight also. Don't blame the uselessness of your governors on Ibori." referring to my mom. I'm not intrested in joining issues with any poster here. Once again, that's why we're in the current mess in Nigeria.

No doubt that, its arguable that Ibori is stolen more than most other governors. offering Ribadu that much money, follow the details at the British court and you would be delusional to think that, Ibori is just as any other governor. They're not any better, but Ibori stands out. Once again, I have not benefited from Ibori's loot and he did not pay for my mom's flight,please address issues and do not attack persons.

I'm looking at hiring via NL when I come with a company to Nigeria in '10. We had always worried about honesty with Nigerian workforce. My game plan however is that, I'm willing to match the banking and oil industry. Good incentives, but one lie, you're gone.

I feel the pain of the growing unemployment rate in Nigeria. I willing to alleviate it in my own little way. As stated, I'll post the opening here in NL. I'm sure I could recruit some bright minds from here. Also, as pointed out, we agree on 70k or 150k I give you 150k, caught you trying to steal 20naira,the same day you're out through the door.

A friend of mine went home, advertised with Guardian started a small coy and lost more than 500k to thieving employees. He had to close business because of family and employees. I don't play that sh**t. will not burrow 300K from a USA bank to come gift it to thieving employees. Heads would roll. hey this may be a little off topic, but it borders on employment and its just my concern in that regards. Please bear with me. I'm stressing the need for honesty in the work-force. my thing is that, you get your salary the 27th. Full pay as agreed. As employees and employers, let our YEA BE YEA and NAY BE NAY

@ Ogeforeal, I agree that it takes a lot of liver, Only in Nigeria though. My heart cries when I see stuff like this. My mom is currently visiting from Nigeria ans she said, Ibori did more than any other governor in the past. I told her that, its also true that he stole more than any other governor in the past. Yes, whatever he did, he was elected to do just that. But the wanton stealing? we have not elected him to do that.

Now the slap on the Nigerian people face. Its a shame. Things like this would cause the Military to take us by surprise again. This is similar to what Shagari and the rest were doing back in the days.It really hurts my heart. I was going to buy ticket and go to London just to witness the trial of Ibori Cronies. One thing I could tell you guys is that, such flagrant disregard to the people of Nigeria would lead our body polity to a place we and the stealing politicians never bargained for. Lets watch and pray.

@ poster,
so sorry about your ordeal, but like they say, in Nigeria, you got to be on your toes.Well here is how it works. For me sometimes when in Nigeria, I have over 5 to 9 thousand dollars to change at a time. This is how I do it.
Call the mallam to meet me at the bank, I count my dollars, give it to the cashier, he counts his naira gives it to my cashier, who counts verify and then puts it right into my Nigerian account, then hand the mallam the agreed dollar amount.

This is what I'm guessing happened to you-its no jazz-they counted the money short of a piece. Then the asked you to count. You counted and it was short of a piece. Then, they feigned ignorance like the less one piece was a mistake,as such they need to verify it. You gave it back to them, they counted, removed a few more pieces and agreed that it was missing one piece. This ONE piece they would add to it before your eyes.Little would you realize that, in lieu of ONE piece, they had removed THREE or more pieces. Now, because you already counted the money and here ONE piece is added, you never bothered to recount. ITS THE DOCTRINE OF THE MORE YOU LOOK THE LESS YOU SEE. please be careful next time.

Its a shame, then once again, its ONLY in Nigeria. The things that happen are always a shocker. I'm thinking its part of our culture. I mean, why is it a big deal for the President to publicly say " I'm sick, can't fly right now". Check this out, an American pastor will climb the pulpit and say, " I was sick last night, pray for me" Nigerian pastors? no way, till they spill their last blood.

So, I'm thinking its cultural for our leaders to lie and feign some kind of superiority(even in the centre of resounding failures). I guess we forced them into it. The president would be respected if he admits the fact that, he missed the meeting because he was under the weather, that is, if this is the case. I wonder what other reason(s) he may have had.

Its very important, for international relations purposes. then again, remember all the junketing Obasanjo did in his first year in Office? did that got us anywhere?NO. However, this is still important. Kudos to the poster who opined that, as president, he can't be forced to send our troops. there is no arm twisting. We're a sovereign nation.(I'm guessing).

@geniusbami,
let me us your quote here "remember: No can ride on your back unless it is bent." I think Sony is riding because the few scammers have bent our bank as a Nation, right?

I'll start by saying, you may get robbed in Bronx at 6pm before you do in Ikeja. However, I must say that,Sony did not give us that reputation we-our yahoo yahoo brothers- gave us the reputation. Is Sony right to use it? yes and no. Yes because, its American culture to joke in that manner. Its a joke. Americans joke in such fashion with Italians, Mexicans e.t.c. Its not racial, it just stigmatizes Nigeria in a way that she is been portrayed.
 Check this out, Bank of America has in its training Manual "Nigerian Scam Practice". Think they made that up? for no reason?, by the way, one of their chief instructors in Massachusetts is Nigerian, she had to teach the topic,maybe she should have resigned from a 72k paying job.

  As a Nigerian, I got a job in the Attorney generals office in 2002.Our office open line got a Nigerian Fax, promising oil deals, 3 weeks before I resumed. Wonder why my appointment was not withdrawn?join the club.

 I'm by no means lending credence to Sony's behavior, what I'm saying is that, I'm not ignorant to the fact that,we earned that reputation. Mrs "Akinluyi" should not have responded to it at all. He should have allowed people like me and you do that.Why? because, it gives Sony governmental attention.
 '
Also, I think the Ad is been remade/censored. I saw it on TV last night and its without the "Nigerian Millionaire" comment. So lets thread wisely and not feign ignorance of the scenario. we even have Nigerian singers reference our "scam identity" some even praise it.

@Candylips,
I see a generation of vibrant selfless youths coming up. I see a selected few living overseas coming home to make an impact. There would be some kind of revolution and the youth on campuses and everywhere would wake up. Thats what I see, my brother.

I have represented Nigeria at several international conferences for youths and currently as a professional. I have been an advocate for the image of the Nigerian nation.
@ sammy, I think those of us who live overseas have a significant role to play in this.

I had also sponsored kids through primary schools, bought books and paid school fees of kids I never knew


In the next five years, I hope to have a private scholarship fund for at least 20 primary school kids, 5 secondary schools and 2 University students. Would pay for everything they need to graduate successfully. Also, I would hire 5 kids straight from college with a 2/1 to teach Jamb and GCE lessons for free and pay them what their colleagues with the same qualification earns.
Once again, I think what you guys are doing at your school is very important, please keep it up. Also, what you plan doing after graduation is totally invaluable to Nigeria, we got a few people like you and politicians would start sitting up.

Nigeria is at a critical point in its existence. Take this test, be very honest and see where you stand,you be the judge. See if you'll be worthy to be called PATRIOTIC,if you'll be any different from the current leaders if entrusted.

1.AS AT TODAY,WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR NIGERIA-THAT IS STRICTLY SELFLESS-?

2. WHAT CAN YOU DO-WITH WHAT YOU HAVE NOW-FOR NIGERIA?

3.WHAT CAN YOU DO IN 5 YEARS.

CAVEAT:Please, if you got nothing to add,just move on,do not attack other posters,just be honest and truthful to you and you alone. You'll be amazed that,some folks have done absolutely NOTHING and have absolutely no plans for NIGERIA,just self and family,its not strange,that's the status of most of our leaders before they got there. Patriotism means, its done for NIGERIA and NIGERIA only,not family or friends, but in furtherance of the National interest, regardless of how small it may be. Teach JAMB lessons for free,pick pure water bags from the street,refuse a job because of what it stands for, i. e anti-Nigerian,refuse a bribe, little stuff that starts with you and you only. I'll take the test myself, and I must say upfront,I'm wanting myself,but I'm on track.

[b][/b]I had followed this thread from the start. I have nothing else to say other than the fact already enunciated by a few posters. Dele Momodu had at one point in time,wine and dine and also sang the praise-maybe through photos- of those who were reputed to have plundered this country.

The said DM is trying as I could guess put forth a new image. One that says, I'm an activist and I'm concerned,very concern about the current deplorable state of the country, I may be of help. The only problem is, he is got a reputation.


No doubt that, DM may be interested in leadership role,in politics-this is his Gd given right as a Nigerian-the problem with this however, is that we fear if he would be like one of the people he celebrated or if he truly is now "very concern" about our present plight.

Its very hard though, for the youths today to overlook the fact that, DM was published thieving politicians and even 419s. Then again as some posted noted, he was trying to earn a living, he used the politicians and 419s to gain that popularity. This same popularity is by all means is current undoing.That's the way life goes.

My recommendation for DM: start publishing hard working Nigerians who are actually patriotic, those who are charitable from their little earnings. Please, DM, use your Ovation magizine to clean your image, not rhetoric. Change the style,search for Nigerians who teach for free in secondary schools, organize JAMB lessons for free, paying school fees of kids unrelated to them.
Its time to herald the TRUE PARTRIOTS.

I sure do not lend any credence to the act of wife beating.However, I need to point out that,the punishment given to Chris Brown is not SEVERE at all. Probation is nothing at all, it means that, he should have no incidence in the next 5yrs,piece of cake.

The community service could mean something,but in most cases, they use proxy and falsify time cards and get out of that pretty easily too.

I know in Nigeria, you beat your wife and girlfriends very well and its even not a matter for the police to say the least law courts. In America-if you're poor-you go to jail for that. Working in the American legal system, I know there is a different assault law for the bobby browns,James Brown,50cents and other celebs and the assault laws for the poor average MLK street citizens.

Hey,what can I tell you? I personally think its a shame,but the nation is got to step up as some as practicable,recruit folks with the right age and get them ready for the game.We may even do better,worse case scenario,we'll lost out to a previously weaker team. It would become a national shame should our government try to defend them in futility.

I'm not sure if MRI could tell date of birth or provide an estimation. I'll ask my surgeon friend tomorrow morning. I'll let this forum know.But then again, if its true,let the government thread wisely,hence it further damages our rep as a nation.

Its uncautionable for a Minister to say that. Say its true,it still doesn't appear in his mouth to say that. You don't call your son a thief just because others are doing so. Wonder where diplomacy is with the ambassador


Also, we all need to be good reps for our failed country. Its not required that we live in denial,because,its obvious that Nigeria as a country is been rubbished by her leaders and the fecundity with which they savage the country is heavily reflected in the way, we as citizens now behave.

Is Nigeria better than America and Europe?absolutely not. Can we be better? you bet we can. Right now, I'm not sure in what respect we're better. But I sure will not go shouting on the mt. top how deplorable things are,that doesn't make me a better Nigerian, or one that is exonerated from the problems, "we're all guilty, casualties are not only those we died in the war".

I think the sense PROJECT is making is that, Tinubu is not a saint. He adduce first hand experience as a party member to indicate that, the said Tinubu is not a democrat. Hence, if you think he is incorrect,then please pontificate. Do not attack persons,talk issues. Argue based on the force of reasoning and logic and not on the logic of force.
My take is that, Tinubu and a majority of Nigerian politicians are dishonest. However, Tinubu may be better than a lot of Politicians. He appears more like a democrat than majority of the pack.This is my opinion.

I just want to say that,the amounts are HUGE, but is it true? sure could be true,not to say that it's true,but it could be true.Firstly, why those banks?reason is because,these banks would not publish or release any such figures and names unless with a court order.So,once again,this figures could be mere speculations.
It's easy to do.Just sell crude oil to the US for 40dollars a barrel,tell them to put 2dollars a barrel in the book and split the 38 dollar difference between three crooks and the US company. resultant figures? hundreds of billions of dollars as long as the contract runs for weeks or months.So in 48hrs Don Etiebet could have 4B dollars in his Switz account.
I kid you not,tears was almost coming out of my eyes.I know these names have all looted,but if these figures are correct, my heart aches just the very same it did when I lost my 23yrs old brother who was almost graduating from ife.other than that, I never felt this kind of pain.
Yes,these guys could hire Bill gate.I'm only consoling myself on the ground that, these figures aren't true,as these banks usually will not release these figures just like that.So, they could be untrue.

@last page,
what "BAN" info? the landlord tenant ongoing legislation? or your ban from posting on NL?. If its the law, I think its been posted before, but hey,should you want to post it again, I guess they said repetition is for emphasis, so please post again. if its however, on the rules of getting ban from  NL usage,you may want to post that, on user post,so we could stay on course here.

You guys want to come home a little bit? How about Majek? thats one Nigerian voice that we're loosing to only God knows what, I saw him some time ago tears was all over my eyes, I see Mike Okri every now and then, he is doing well.

Erecta,
I meant to say that, BANKS DO NOT determine credit worthiness.We do not have credit system in Nigeria, it takes a system, one orchestrated by a legal system. Not the amount of money you have in a Bank account.

@tkb417,
Its true that the issue here is the term of the lease agreement. One that requires the tenant to pay for 2 or more years. From the way Nigerians are,month to month would not work for a lot of people, people will disappear and come home at 2am just to avoid Landlords. This is happened to me about 13yrs ago. I had a property in Delta state, I was in Ife then, I had to travel to warri to collect rent and stay three days just to catch my tenants at home, its crazy.

Also, for the note, Banks to determine credit worthiness. That you have 20M in your account doesn't mean you'll pay ur rent when due. Even if Banks would tell how much a person has, you need a system to let them do that, you can't just walk in there and say, tell me how much this person has. Its got to be in the intended law, as at this moment its not part of it.

@lastpage,
I think you had mention the same point, govt. should be responsive and that's an approach to a lasting solution. If govt. could remove the attendant attractive ROI, investors would diversify further away from real estate. That's true, only problem is, we currently have an insensitive govt. who tries to make us feel responsible for it's failures. This law is one of such example of govt.S bad behavioural partarn in Nigeria.

@BAC, please take it easy. There would always be the less privileged amongst us.However, we must meet in the middle of the road as best as its OK for both parties.Some folks are just mad and angry at Landlords, some landlords too are bad, they want another three years right after the first, hence the ask the current tenants to move, that's not cool, in London and in the  US, you get sued "instan ta". so lets all be humane. We'll get there.

Mowire,
You did raise a good point, the idea here is recouping your investment. Nigeria is hot, my folks are tough, only in Nigeria you order 40 Tipper loads of gravel, you count it being delivered and yet its 19 load, though the 40 loads is delivered under your nose, only in Nigeria tenants would live in your property for 18 months without paying a dime, only in Nigeria my friend, only in Nigeria teachers go 4months without pay, teachers, I mean teachers, govt. employees. Why? because some director puts the money in a foreign account and he is trying to accrue interest, only in Nigeria, my friend.
I don't support the idea of agency fees and agreement fees, not even the huge fees charged by the Lagos state govt. I also think 3yrs may be too much, but 1yr is fine even 2yrs is fine, this is my opinion now, don't go screaming. You may think its insensitive, but hey, ask the same Lagos state govt. with all its charges, Omo Oniles and all that jazz with investing in Lagos.
I have rented apartments in the US before, you go look for the landlord to pay your rent, you pay postage to mail your rent in, you pretty much beg them to collect it, WHY? you have a credit to protect. In Nigeria, the system is so messed up, folks don't even care no more, they pay monthly, a lot of guys would default. How about a teacher who lives in your property not getting paid for 6 months? what judge has the moral credibility to order that s/he be thrown out?. So what does that mean? a private investor-landlord- is now helping a thieving govt. so to speak to steal state money.
Morewire, you want to built a 27 3BR unit for 40M, collect 3yrs, collect the agency fees and all them fees and gather as much as 30M and walk away. WHY? because, that house could go up in flames, tenants may refuse payment after the first lease and you have no remedy so to speak. This is not the case in America? why? you think because Nigerians are evil? no, because, our system-govt.-is failed us all. here they are again telling us,its us who are insane.

I'll commend posters like tkb417 and Mowire for vehemently voicing their opinions without attacking the character/opinions of other posters, but rather addressed the issue the way they think-in their candid opinion-as true and correct. I would however, state thusly:

That, yes, Jakande estate and other nearly 20 to 30yrs old property sell for about the same price with the new ones.This is not a Lagos problem, its so everywhere in the world, property appreciate in value, save only that, Lagos is way too high compared to New York and Ontario or any other major city in the world. Why? please trust me on this, our govt. is killing us, we as Nigerian citizens are not angels, but its confirmed that we have a demonized govt. system.

Also, yes, the forces of supply and demand are tools for the practice of a free market system, not government regulations. That's why its called free market economy. if you build a house in Ikeja, ask for a 100yrs, shame on you,not by the people screaming at you, but by the next house going for 3months or monthly. So, what that translate into? It means that, in the next 100yrs, that house is still vacant, that's the force of logic and not the logic of force as intended by this bill.

Govt's inability to build housing projects for the people of Lagos state is a shame, not on the citizenry, but on the government's social infrastructural system.

" My people are useless, my people are senseless, my people are indiscipline" so the legendary Fela said years ago and that's what the govt. is saying to us very much so today.

I know of a former Lagos state governor with a home worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and you think govt. can solve this housing problem by being a player in the field of supply?, OK, wait till Fashola leaves office and see if any of his kids or grand children ever school in Nigeria again.

Back to the issue. a poster was right, some of us who supports the bill live overseas, but also, we're also part of the few investing in commercial properties in Lagos, as such we may not be squatting overseas.

Another poster did opined that, there is been a lot of housing effort by the govt. that's true, i never had the presence of mind to look into that. I do however remember that, that same Jakande estate rents at the ongoing price and terms too.

Another poster did lucidly state-which I think is true-that the laws of supply and demand would be the final arbiter in this case and you should be able to guess who "she" is giving judgement in favour of.

Truly, govt. could not build a hundred million homes, but it could at the least build enough to change the scenario. Build more and build more. We've got the money, so why not.?

A poster once insinuated that another poster is yet to pay a rent, little did he realize that he was referring to a man with wife and 2 kids, now that's an informational error. I saw another poster say, some folks who live overseas may be squatters, some times I feel like backing away from nairaland, because, I just don't want to join issues with folks who were in high sch, JSS 2 when I was in final yr in ife, that's not bad at all, just that, they still posit very weak argument and even attack persons instead of intellectualizing.

Wow,
this debate is getting tougher and more fun. Well, like BAc said, lets keep it clean. No abusive words. We're all just voicing our opinions, not that any of it may create any change or value to the proposed bill.

Kaecy5,
while I agree with you that, Nigeria is the only place where multiple advance rent is collected, I must also say that, Nigeria is one of the governments in the world that is not people oriented. Absolute disregard for the same people who offered power to its leaders. The point here is that,as you opined, it needs to start with the govt. As I had mention before, you can't treat this ailment from the flowers, needs to start from the roots.
So then, if you can't get a loan because the banking system as well as the govt. is rotten, why should landlords bear the burden? Look at NYC, an apartment in Manhattan cost up to 7k a month,guess what the govt. did, instead of forcing the trumps to reduce their rent charges, they built Bronx and other subs. So you don't have to live in Manhattan,travel from Bronx and work in NYC. Lots of govt. projects in Bronx, not comparing the US with Nigeria, but their leaders have same head with ours, Tinubu lived in New york, please, it makes me sick to the stomach,

The Poster who asked if govt. in the west is building houses for the masses, the answer is yes. One of such govt. programs is called project housing.

The other poster did mention a very salient point.Govt is not regulating price, but how long a lease should be. Well, if the govt. regulate a lease duration, its technically regulating the amount charged. Also, landlord could react by asking for 40k per month,then what? govt. would step in again.

I think land prices are off the hook in lagos.Can govt regulate that too? i guess not. Once again charity begins at home. Govt could actually build houses and contract it to private investors to manage, then they can regulate the prices for such homes. keep in mind, no one suggestion puts an end to the rest.So, please, lets brainstorm and try-for the fun of it-figure a nearly perfect scenerio that takes landlord and tenants into consideration and also, holding the govt. responsible and not private citizens.