Kola, I'm impressed.  It's simply b'cos you've not got anything else to say (it's not for Bagoma's sake).
You basically said I don't have any rights to question OBJ's actions b'cos I was born in 83'.
Maybe why we are doubting him is because there's been clamour for a third term and he has not said anything to the contrary. Could you please link me to his comments denouncing a third term?

@Bagoma,
I feel you.  No shaking.

@ Johnny

When you talk about continuity, are you talking about the  national football team? B'because YES, they have continuity problems.
If you are talking about our government, Mba.  Continuity was never our problem. Our problem is mis-management of the system. OBJ don play him part, somebody else should be allowed to show what he has to offer.  WHat is it with you guys? You want to believe everything the man tells you. For heaven's sake, what kind of stupid reform policy is it that cannot get a single refinery in the country working to full capacity after 8 years?
C'mon say something original, man.

@Kola

I'm sorry for not being born in 1935 or 1920. Hmm...Here I was thinking it pays to read a bit of history. Never knew you had to be there to be able to say anything worth listening to.
I was under the impression though that OBJ became the president of Nigeria after Murtala Mohammed was assasinated february1976. Incidentally, Murtala's government was very popular with the people at the time. And when he died, OBJ as his deputy was the obvious choice. He was not "forced to take up the mantle" by anybody. I suppose you were one of those who "forced" him to lead Nigeria. In case you need reminding, Murtala was the one who set in motion the machinery that effectively brought about the second republic headed by Shehu Shagari. NOT Lt. Obasanjo. Get your facts straight. Obasanjo, to his credit, voluntarily gave up his post when the time came. And I respect him for that. But don't attempt to tell me the second republic was his grand idea. I no gree.
And about the 79' elections, what about it? What if he voted Shagari? What was the point in announcing it, anyway?
This is one of the fundamental problems with Nigeria. You are guys are too sentimental. What does it matter if a yoruba man or ijaw man is the head of states? As long as he has progressive ideas on how the country should be ruled, anybody should be given an opportunity to do that.
By the way, I've read those books you mentioned from cover to cover. "My command" twice.
Who are the kingmakers? You, my friend, are blinded by your sentimentalist views.
If OBJ leaves, I am sure whoever comes in will want to continue whatever good legacy he's put in place.  Assuming the man kicks the bucket tommorow (God forbid), will Nigeria crumble? If his reform policies cannot hold when he leaves, then they clearly are not good enough. And that's just a fact.
Its like a programmer writes a program, and after he's done, nobody can read it except him. What would you call that kind of program? Junk is what I call it.

Obj has had 8 years(eight). Not one or two. There are people with better ideas( no insult to the man, mind you). I don't think he's the be-all and end-all. Simple as that.

BTW, it such a good feeling to be back on the topic. Your move, mate.

@Kola
Sit back and watch Arsenal win the league this season and challenge for the champions league as well.
You know, before Man-ure had their treble season, BBC football analyst, Alan Hansen made the comment "you cannot win anything with kids". Then the beckhams and giggs were just coming up.
Guess what? Man-ure won the the league in superb fasion. Next few years, they were treble champions.

I strongly believe we'll win something this season, either the league or champions league. Chelski better watch their back!!!
About spending, I don't think it's the answer. Look at a club like Lyon, how much have they spent in the last three years? But you can argue they are the second-best team in Europe after Barcelona. Madrid spent more than $50Million in the summer, did you see their last league match, where they were played off the park by Barcelona?

I tell you, sit back and watch our "small boys" perform magic.

I think Senderos is a great defender. Unfortunately, in his position, we've got Campbell and Toure, both more reliable. If you look at things objectively, we've not really had our first team complete for any match this season. Even at that, the tempo has picked up and I believe when the next transfer window opens, we may not even be looking to recruit more players. FFS, Van Persie is turning it on, Reyes showed what he was capable of during Henry's absence, we've got Quincy and Lupoli. I don't think we are lacking upfront. Where we need strengthening is our central midfield. Gilberto sometimes looks out of his depth.He is not a typical DM and Fabregas is more of an attacking mid. Eboue aint looking bad either. Niether is Alex Song.

Anyway, there is talk that Real madrid bought Baptista, so as to be able to negotiate a deal for Ashley Cole involving him. Don't know how true that is. But if we were to get someone like him, the squad will be as strong as any other. I really believe we are going to challenge for trophies(including the EPL), this season, even with our young squad.

Bottom-line:
1. Sell Cygan to Luton town;
2. Buy a DM (Mascherano or Baptista);
3. Get the full team back to full fitness;

And we've got a world-class team again. Mind you, we are an attacking team, unlike chavski and more recently, Man-ure.

Peace to all da goooners

Ha.ha.....ha!

Kola,

Just what is your definition of "MIS-INFORMATION"?
I have been very careful not to make suggestive comments in my posts. I have not specified any time limit/range for anyone seeking legal perm. residence.
I repeat:  I neva tuck the number of years person need to apply for permanent residence for dis country.
Seriously, you are putting words into my mouth and I don't think it's funny.

Have a look at these two sites again:

1. http://workpermit.com/uk/naturalisation.htm;
2. http://workingintheuk.gov.uk/ind/en/home/applying/british_nationality/general_requirements.html;

Do you by any chance notice any similarities?
Yeah... that's right. They are effectively saying the same thing. Now aren't we both misleading the public here (by your logic)?

You wanna inform the users of this forum?
There is the announce board. Don't use my posts as an excuse to pass on your infinite wisdom. And by the way, you might want to check again( b4 your next piece of INFORMING) as there are schools that offer courses at fees less than those you've quoted.

Gosh, I have forgetten what the original topic was about!!! Please remind me.

AaaRrrrrrrrrrggHhhhhh!!!!

Seriously, Kola, can you read at all?
When did I post those comments(1 & 2) you've credited to me (in message #53)? what are you playing at?

You've asked me a question and answered same yourself. What is then my part in your small drama?

Abeg, guy free me. If you can't read, stop boring me with your logic.

http://www.workpermit.com/uk/naturalisation.htm

Nothing is amiss,Kola. Use your head,THINK.
Can we get back to the original topic now or do we carry on with this off-topic discussion?

Kola, I'll let it rest. But please next time, do read my post carefully if you intend to answer and quote what I say, PLEASE, b4 going on to call me a liar.

Your response:
You posted the web address on #41. The visa cartegories are well-defined there. And the people I was talking about are on 3- years and 2- years student visas. These can be renewed, if you got valid reasons. And every country has a set minimum number of years b4 you go on to apply for perm. residence. Hope say you dey flow with my thinking?
Now tell me how one cannot "ultimately" acquire residency through that means!

I dey go sleep.

BTW, Yeah, Arsenal all round!!!

Hehe, what has been taking you this long?

Of course, they are temporary residents. Does the word "ultimately" mean anything to you?
BTW, you posted #42 today, not yesterday.

Odeku:

OK GUYS ITS NOT six months. Its six months for every cpount which means he get 6 years

The sentence for all the charges run concurrently. Amounting to only SIX months.

Honestly, I cannot believe this, myself. He is expected to pay fine of N4,000,000, which is about .02% of the alledged $150 Million. I hope those in charge of recovering the monies and properties actually do that. Cos' if not, it is the greatest insult Nigerians have had to put up with from the authorities, in recent times.

C'mon Kola, I meant: give me the number(#) of the message you want me to verify(in other words). That can't be too hard now, can it?

And what exactly did you write yesterday?
You posted three times on this thread yesterday, which one are we talking about?

Kola, it is your choice the way you interprete what I write. I used the word "ultimately".  Check your dictionary if you don't know the meaning of the word. And don't  misquote me. If you intend to quote me, then quote me CORRECTLY!
You can convince yourself that majority of Nigerians who leave that country (women,men, boys or girls) are just interested in "visiting" their host countries!

And what will this "BIGGEST LIE" be? That the number of Nigerians abroad is still on the rise? Who are you kidding, man?

I don't need you to agree,  as opposed to you. If you bother checking (since you are so interested in "informing" the masses):

1.) Try finding out if the number of Nigerians immigrants has decreased/increased or remained steady  over the last 4 years. I wonder why Britain had to impose visa restrictions on Nigerian youths, and why a country like S.Africa would introduce the visa conditions they did recently? (Abi that one na "THE BIGGEST LIE" TOO);

2.) And while you are at that, will you try answering my question on the minimum wage before you go on one of your rants?;

3.) And you didn't bother answering me if you would allow your own .......(Posted on: Yesterday at 02:19:44 AM);

4.) Oh...Can you also find out the statistics on Nigerians abroad returning home permanently in the last few years?

Gosh, I am highly impressed by your selective memory, my friend. You want me to answer you questions(?), when you choose what to answer to.

Suit yourself mate.  This is becoming very interesting...

PS:I am waiting for your next piece of CLARIFICATION and INFORMATION,  OH EINSTEIN.

Hey, there.  Anybody from Fedgocol Warri, class of 2000 in da hawz? Would like to get in touch with Ediru(3c).

www.nigeria-friends.com is also a good place to get re-united with old classmates

I've not watched the movie. But I'd prefer someone who can see for herself. I've got nothing against blind people, just don't think i could live with.

@ Hot angel

I think you guys are more familiar with Pop Idol. X-factor is simply the British version.

joftech:

Although there's visible poverty here but am yet to see anybody who can't get something to eat no matter how small it may be. Education up to Senior Secondary School level is more or less free. Most of the people abroad saying all these rubbish about Nigeria don't really know what's presently obtainable back home.

The "quality" of the "Education" is what is more important, Bro. I guess you can name 10 government secondary schools which libraries or laboratories are fully equiped.  Not all those adverts they show on TV, I mean in real-life.  Name me five Federal Universities with fully equipped labs, for the diiferent programs they run, currently. I'm not talking about the days of Awolowo, I'm talking present-day Nigeria. Nigerians are some of the most brilliant fellows on the earth. You can imagine where we would be if we had the resources to keep some of these great minds at home.
Has it ever occured to you that more and more people are patronising the Private institutions(both secondary and tetiary)?  And have you ever bothered to ask yourself why most Nigerian guys are sending their wives out of the country to places like Britain once they get pregnant? Is it because they don't know of the "free education" in Nigeria? I tell you, mate, it's frightening, the rate at which you see Nigerian girls( or ladies) coming into this country to give birth so as to ultimately get themselves some kind'a residence permit. Just in the last three weeks, we've had three babies born by women(who have been here less than three months,BTW) in the church I attend. And with the curent weather conditions. These are kids that would otherwise be born and raised at home, if their parents were comfortable with the idea.
Nigeria has fundamental problems and OBJ has waited too long to tackle those problems. Now he wants a third-term, like there is some magic he's going to perform inside four years.

Akolawole:

1) You wrote " Kids are hawking..... Is there anything bad in hawking ? All my brothers and sister had hawk before, Awolowo and Abiola had experience it, So whats the big deal

@ Akolawole

Unless, I'm reading that statement wrongly, I take it you mean Hawking should be made an obligation for kids just because Abiola and whoever else went through the experience. I think it just goes to show the mind-set of Nigerians if someone can say there is nothing wrong with having kids(who should be at school anyway), patrol the streets in a bid to earn peanuts. It's such that poverty and misery is considered a "normal way of life". Seriously, can you allow your kids( if you've gotten any), to go running around on highways with stuff on their heads?  I don't think so, mate. To answer your question, there is everything wrong with it. I can't believe you'd ask a question like that! Your brothers and sisters went through that, does that make it alright then? I never had to go through that b'cos my parents did and they know what it means.
If you can't see anything wrong with the hard-life that is basically a typical one for the Nigerian kid, then I've got nothing to say.

Strange also how you can't see how the cost of living has risen in Nigeria. I don't even know what to say. Do you mind telling me how much a bag of Rice costs presently and how much it cost say four, five years ago? When was the last time civil servants' minimum wage was raised, yet in that time, we've had all sorts of increases in cost of production ?
I aint impressed with the govt. of that country. I am not saying the OBJ guy is the worst president ever, but Nigeria could do with another fellow in charge, come 20007.

PS. Tony Blair can appoint Blunks as the next king of England if it were possible. It would have very little bearing on me actually, except that higher taxes would be needed for his eye treatment. Just let OBJ take leave of Aso Rock in 2007.

Akolawole:

Hello my Friend in Bolton,
1) NAFDAC documentary was shown on BBC1 two months ago. Are u proud to be a Nigerian? Are u proud of Obasanjo's government in that regard?
2) I would need more clarification on that your "Sentimental appointments" and would like to know which part of Nigeria are u from ? PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS.
3) You live in Britain, Do you know that the government of Tony Blair is only responsible for just 3 major things?
4) ANTI -CORRUPTION :Do u know that no Nigeria governor has visited UK since the arrest of Bayelsa governor?
We can criticise but CONSTRUCTIVE CRITITISM is needed in our country at this time.

I'll take your points in the same order.

1) Yep, I saw it. They are doing a great job. That's one in like how many "agencies" we've got in Nigeria?. Of course, I'm a proud Nigerian. If I were not, I wouldn't be bothered. But Just so you know, I aint' proud of OBJ's government,period.

2) Let's be honest,man. We both know those government appointments are never made on merit. It's mostly based on political affiliations, relationship to the Presido and stuff like that. Hell, what bussiness has COLONEL Musa Mohammed got in the Sports Mnistry, Or even the guy before him?  Take a look at the "AMBASSADORS" we've got. We keep re-cycling them like there are no more competent people. Or do you want to talk about Jibril Aminu who has held almost every post in that country? This is somebody OBJ appointed as Exec. Sec of NUC in his first tenure (pre-democracy). Since OBJ came back as a civilian, this guy has held no less than 3 posts.
By the way, I'm from Akwa Ibom State. What has that got to do with anything, anyway?

3) Britain is my country of abode currently. That does not mean that I am from Britain. Tony Blair can do whatever he likes, for all I care. I'm a Nigerian and that's where concerns me the most.

4) Says who? You can as well say No Nigerian gov. has travelled out of the country since D.S.P's arrest.  Are you trying to tell me how effective EFCC has been? EFCC has been on board for how many years now? Ask the government contractors who have not been paid for over a year and half now, what the current situation is on corruption.

I do feel for my country, that's why it pains me that kids are being denied basic things like education, good food, good health care.  It's easy for us to see the rosy side of things probably because' we have enough to take care of ourselves and spare to throw around. But my friend, spare a thut for those Nigerian kids who go out everyday hawking stuff, or those parents that cannot afford food, health care, for their children b'because rise in the cost of living is not matched with equal rise in income.
If OBJ decides to go for a third term, we are definitely heading backward. What is he going to do in four years that he couldn't have managed in 8years?

Blood convenants are SOOOO not a guarantee that any of the partners is going to be faithful. If my girlfriend suggests something like that, she's simply setting the break-up machinery in motion and I'll see to it that we actually break-up. I think it means there is no trust in the relationship. Sorry mate, but it does not stop you getting turned on by another girl. Somebody called it "Love In Bondage". I concur.

NO! Absolutely not.

Akolawole:

To my friend in Bolton, Haba! be fair about Obasanjo.
We are looking at Pre 1999 Nigeria and post 1999 Nigeria.
HE HAS DONE WELL

I'm sorry Mr Wole, I have my reservations about our President. I have not been in Bolton forever and I keep pace with what is happening back home. I'll be fair on him when after 6/7/8 years of his rule, Nigeria's Electricity can boast an acceptable level of stability. I will be fair on President Obasanjo when Nigerians can drive on Safe roads, when Nigerian students can learn in condusive environments. Do I go on? The current cost of living is considerably higher than pre-Obasanjo. He's ruled for four years and now two more, yet we can not boast one refinery in the biggest nation in Africa, that is working to full capacity,for starters. The news is always reading something like "The govt. is SET TO implement so and so". I don't buy it. Most places can not boast something as basic as clean water. I just don't see how "well" he has done cos poverty levels have increased significantly.
What made him base most of his previous appointments on sentiments? It's when his tenure is winding to a stop that he knows there are professionals who can do the job, better than Politicians and whatever.
He should not think of running again. It will simply set us back another few years. If he has put in place very EFFECTIVE structures, I'm sure whoever comes in after him will be hard pressed to implement them.

Watched the last series won by Brookstein. Quite interesting. But I've not had a chance to see the new series
Is it ..wow?

I've learnt a lot. First of all, I've just found out about MTN VTU, which is something I think I'll explore. I'm also making a few friends. This is just a great place to be.

This is most interesting. One of my relatives has been pestering me for money. If I could help him set-up his own bussiness, I would be very happy. What do you reckon will be the cost of setting up shop, currently?
Airtime+store+ gadgets(if any is needed)?
And how profitable is it(realistically)?

timba:

Interesting topic! I never gave thought to the fact that you could start a business with N4,000 and thinking about it now, I realized that it's possible!!! A lot of suggestions have been provided and I want to say I'm impressed that this buddy is thinking about making something of his life with the money he has.

I may not be able to give super suggestions on what kind of business to do but may be I would share a little experience. Early this year, I became tired of the fact that I had to rely on income from my parents, a salary and then some little income that I could get from doing little businesses and I wanted to have the feel of doing business! I did some consulting and started selling MTN VTU airtime in school.

I bought a VTU SIM card and paid a distributor to supply airtime to me so I could sell. The VTU SIM pack came with a manual on how you could operate the system and in a couple of days, I was up selling airtime. At a time, (without agressive advertising et al) I was making some good income. Now it really required about 18,000 to run the business then but it's a lot easier now as you can buy airtime worth 4000 (as a minimum).

I really do feel you shouldn't neglect the fact that you are to start small. You shouldn't despise your days of little beginning. You'll learn a lot in the process of starting small without incurring much debt. So this is my little advice to you:

1. Find something you can start with the capital you have. It may not give you so much in return but be faithful.
2. Work hard and be dedicated in building your business.
3. Watch your expenses and do proper accounting. Know how much you're spending and how much you're making.

Thanks.

Warri is the place to be in Nigeria. Other places are too "quiet". I basically grew up there. Attended Twin Fountain and then FGC.

I live in Bolton and I've been to London only twice during my time here. I absolutely dislike that place. It's a very nice place but TOOOOOOOO...congested. I guess that's why they introduced Congestion charge or something like that. Manchester or Edinburgh are better options. By the way, roads in London are too small given the stature of the city and the fact that its a popular tourist destination.

I don't know much about the Mormon religion but I tell you guys something, and this one I know 100%.

There was a time my dad was kind'a getting interested in Mormon and he bought a handful of their books, including their "Bible" and something about the founder. One day when I was at home alone, I decided to read these two books and get a feel of what the religion was about. Trust me guys, I fell asleep and when I woke up, those two books had disappeared. God knows where they went.
B4 you start assuming, I'll tell you I was at home alone, not even the "gateman" was in. The only other people with their own keys,apart from me, were my parents and they were out of town together. Moreover, I only slept for 30mins max. The House was securely locked, as I did not want anybody popping in and finding me on the couch reading Mormon books. I searched everywhere I could, nothing. When we moved houses, I had my eyes out for these books, but they was nowhere to be seen.

I am not attempting to pass any judgement on them, but that's the strangest thing that ever happened to me. My HOLY BIBLE never bailed out on me b4.
My dad never asked b'cos my mum and me had been giving him serious grief about his interest in Mormon. I guess he concluded I had burnt the books or whatever.

Very interesting and enlightening, I must say. I always believed he was Jesus Christ though.

Oh then, it could have been true.
I'm changing the topic of this thread then. Sorry Peeps!