₦airaland Forum

asha 80: some people from akwa cross axis answer that name as i have come across some of them.from the first name it is obvious that he is from that axis.

I see. Nice to know that someone potentially from Akwa Ibom chairs shippers association in that axis. Good one.

asha 80: onlytruth and point b what i was trying to point out is that the port was not only beneficial to the igbo person against what the popular belief is but to the generality of trade in the east.

Copy that my brother.

Onlytruth: Strong point. I don't know if that fear would ever end. It did not start today.

Same fear that made Nigeria, through the instrument of PDP, choose Obj rather than the more obviously suitable Ekueme. It's a paronia!

Onlytruth: I respect Soludo a lot. He hit some points here but I think he missed a few others. Unless Ndigbo are prepared or ready to convert to Islam en masse (which some have actually argued for), Nigeria should be viewed for what it is. There is a very good chance that Nigeria can disintegrate, business or no business; money or no money, trade or no trade.

We Ndigbo should not seem desperate to save a system that is discriminating against us.
Nuff said.

Indeed, I understand your point. The death of Nigeria will not have a major effect on Igbos (or yoruba if I may add). Either it dies or stay, business is business. Money is universal, and highly mobile.

asha 80: the chairman is not even igbo.

If 'Udofia' is not Igbo enough, I wonder who is. Then too it doesn't matter, what matter now is putting the port to use.

Until I see pictures of ship berthing, loading, and offloading cargos, it is not yet uhuru!

Sadly the 'fear' of what the Igboman will do has almost completely destroyed the country. 'For fear of death, Nigeria in on the verge of suicide!' She will either have to pull back or hasten the plunge! Change must happen!

Soludo is one the very brilliant mind we have in Nigeria, nay Africa. He is very much on point here. In saner clime people like him should be directing affairs at the highest level in the country. Alas, some people are even angling to thumbprint for the Sule Lamidos, and Atikus of this world, simply because we live in a mad-house, where the overriding motivation is benefit to ones ethnic group.

Bottomline, Nigeria must become a nation or die trying! We cannot continue to 'commit suicide for fear of death' as articulated by the erudite professor. We must indeed evolve, or die! We cannot simple continue is same trajectory! We must change course. Restructure now!

mekaboy: AND WHO IS THAT? EVERY MAN IN IGBO LAND IS HIS OWN BOSS, NOBODY BOWS TO ANYBODY.

Indeed, but in 2015, just like we did for GEJ, we shall individually say the same thing!

To bad I can't watch the video on with my phone. But the truth of the matter is that Sanusi want to spend N40 billion to immortalise a certain Amina of Zaria.

In the end, the bigot fail to realise who will be worse affected by the attendant inflation and currency devaluation.

Nigeria don't need nor even want the new currency. It should be as simple as that, just not where Sanusi and his bigorty is concerned.

A religion and culture that promotes indolence and over-reliance on 'God' certainly will produce over meek and submission people, who sees their leaders as God-like. Such people are willing to do whatever he demands - 'God wills it!"

Now I wonder what kind of people the Hausas were culturally and economical prior to the arrival of the quoran and tesbau (?) clutching Fulanis. Perhaps this will give us and idea to what extent 'Islam' have affected their way of life - for good or bad?

I know culturally, in the days of yore, a typical Igbo is rated by the number of yam tubers in his barn. How much christianity or perhaps the civil war or both have influenced this way of live is another viable candidate for research. On the surface, I would say, he (the Igboman) have adapted quickly to the changes brought by Christianity, perhaps much more positively than given credit for.

The way I see it, a new religion can rub of positively or negatively on an existing culture. The Hausa and Igbos present a typical case study for further research!

I agree with the Op,
Especially on the issue of Isha-Allah fatalism as descried below:

As for[b] inshallah-fatalism,[/b] why try very very hard when, in the end, every fiber in your individual or collective being tells you that, in the end, it's all up to Allah, and he will intervene, quite inexplicably and suddenly, whenever he wants. Why try to create or accumulate wealth in societies suffused with Islam which, in any case, are subject to constant upheaval? There is constant jockeying for position in order to obtain more wealth -- such as the oil wealth available, so much more abundant than anything the Arabs themselves could possibly make. And in any case they don't try. They rely on millions of foreign, mostly Infidel, workers.

While there are some similarities between the 'Isha-Allah fatalism' of Islam and "by God's grace" craze of Christians, I believe that educational advantage plays a key role in what follows after these cliches have been expressed. The guy who is fairly educated will probably (in automaton fashion) seeks out some inculcated problem solving techniques which he has been fortunate to acquire, while the illiterate resort to his indoctrination and dogmas, or at best street-wisdom. The result of these choices clearly explains the disparity of distribution of wealth and means between the Northern Muslim and Southern Christians in Nigeria. It is the religion stup!d!

There is no gainsaying the fact that Arthur Eze (and Peter Obi if he was part of the gang) spoke for themselves. When the time come, President GEJ will be roundly accessed, and Ndi Igbo support or not will be articulated. In anycase, come 2015, President GEJ should be 'gently nudge' to play the role of 'an elder statesman.' Single we heard, single term should it be! Let him spend his 4 years term setting the country on irreversible road of reform for efficiency, equity, fairness, and prosperity. SE 2015 (Rochas, Chime, Ngige, any of this guys have my vote before GEJ!)

musiwa6: most of this inform are 419 information, this is why boko haram is bombing you. instead of resolving the issue of satellite picture.. it looks like you are telling lies to make the case worst. the word of God says, no man who cover his sin shall success.

i think the north should send people there to verify this inform and see, if really.. it is not a depot.... they build claiming it is oil production.

Aare Musiwa baba, I hail oo.

rhymz: it is already in progress nwanne, the project is in two phases and will be concluded in 2018. It is a very big project and I heard that they are demanding for 200hectres of land from the imo state Government to commence the the work. Anyway, God dey! Gradually the whole of SE is taking form. Thanks to GEJ's way of doing things.

My brother thanks for the update. I am sure Imo state can deliver on the land demand. Glad to see things taking shape gradually in SE. We meed to continual monitor progress or show our concern at the very least. SE development will benefit every one, even if it it only reverse migration.

HammedSodiqq: It will be seriously rejected, especially if the agenda is to fuel secession

Why would it be rejected? What they want is not different from what Ohaneze proposed to as part of the constitutional amendment. I believe SS want similar arrangement. Getting North Central on board should be that difficult.

I support Yorubas aspiration for Regional Autonomy, true Federalism and State Police. I couldn't careless if Soyinka, Tinubu, Obj or Bankole, etc is elected to lead them.
Good luck in your quest!

Oga Youth Minister, start with Almajiris in the North. Forget the Youth, you can't change them now, it's a tad too late. Target the children. Go house to house, and make parent sent their children/ward to go school. That was how the South send their children/ward to formal school. Many parents were forced to send children/ward and many children were also forced to go to formal school! Almajiri educational system is poison chalice!

gidson12: oil producing states in the south east current list now includes, Imo, Abia, and anambra:......Enugu is soon to join

Ebonyi is not far behind. A little more 'scratch' and the ground will reply with the black gold.
Cross River should not give up now the should - drill, and drill, the whole of Southern Nigeria is oil rich - onshore and offshore!


Rochas,
How far now with Imo State Gas Plant? No fall our hand oo
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/spdc-to-build-3-5-billion-gas-plant-in-imo/118755/

rhymz: hahahahaha. . Funny guy.
Thank God for Anambra, the southeast is gradually taking form with strategic investments that will not only attract funds but also the right people with the technical know-how and expertise. Anambra is one state that I foresee will be the next biggest thing in Nigeria with its extremely industrious people and available funds. All the state needs is a Soludo not even Ngige, the state needs people like Soludo with revolutionary skills and forsight to develop and move the state from a its present status to a better well organized state that can generate money and govern itself without any recourse to FG.

Guy, u very badt!!

CyberG: The real question is why should Naji ever even bring ANY kind of conflict of interest to the system? Was he ignorant of the rules or the allure and irresistible attraction for money overwhelm all his sense of judgement and ethics? As soon as he crossed the line, all and any options and outcomes are ON the table. But watch how ibos will defend a betrayal of the system, of his bosses, a sabotage of a "working" process in as much as the betrayer is ibo.

I disagree.

In the first place, Nnaji was appointed special adviser, and then minister because of his experience and works with those company. His mentioning those past and present relationship to the presidency was a mere formality. I think he resigned because some of the people he had to work with are hypocrites, and holier than thou. Barth was simply too well bred for their shenanigans.

The real question is: when are some others going to toe the path of honour, come clean, and take a graceful walk away as exemplified by the honorable Barth Nnaji. I bet, that will be too much to ask, in a land infested with crimes and criminals. Since you mention Igbos, show me any high level Yoruba man that have ever toed such honorable path. We know your tribe cover one fraud with another. shameless people, always bringing tribalism into every issue. olodo

ekt_bear: So....GEJ sacked Nnaji, not Sambo.

Again, Sambo does not have that power constitutionally.

That's assuming the 'sources' are indeed credible.

Barth Nnaji said he resigned voluntarily to protect the integrity of the process.

Why is it that it's mainly Yoruba posters who are having wet dreams on this topic. Joblessness, dread, or what?
Na wa o!

Katsumoto: It doesn't address the questions I posed

The minister and the Igbos believe the route is viable.

The airlines are objecting to using that route.

Why is it those who don't believe in the viability of the routes that have to use the route? Why not those who believe in it's viability?

You need to stop using monkey sense.

Perhaps you are the one carrying on with crab mentality. Your point is why ask for foreign direct investment when local business men are there? Why don't you ask same question of oil mining and extractive industries!

Katsumoto: It has been over an hour, yet none of those arguing about the viability of the route has attempted to respond to this.

If the route is so viable:

why aren't Nigerians seizing the opportunity?

Why isn't the government encouraging Nigerian Businessmen to seize the opportunity?

Why is the Nigerian government pushing the profit to foreign airlines?

Wouldn't it be better for Nigerian firms to make the profit from this route?

Why aren't the most business minded (as we are often told) Nigerians, the Igbo, seizing this opportunity?

After all, it's in their regions and they are the main consumers.

There is your answer:

PointB: Airlines are big business, and requires huge investment. It doesn't make sense trying to set up one, when there are big players who could be cajole or coerced. And I never at any point imply that Nigeria government has any expertise in managing International Airlines. Rather my argument remains that, it is the duty of the government to promote different sections of the country, advertise them to potential investors and hope they take the bait.

If the airline insist in obtaining concession, that could be discussed and agreed. But insisting that the route is not viable even without any concrete evidence betrays us as harboring some form of ulterior motive.

Basically, the way I see it is this: Government should sweet-talk or arm-twist these airlines into giving the route a try, and back-off if it doesn't work. But not to promote the airport in any way wont take us anywhere.

Katsumoto: Please educate us on why the Nigerian government isn't setting up a small airline to run this route.

While at it, please tell us what qualifies the Nigerian government as an expert in running an International airline.

Airlines are big business, and requires huge investment. It doesn't make sense trying to set up one, when there are big players who could be cajole or coerced. And I never at any point imply that Nigeria government has any expertise in managing International Airlines. Rather my argument remains that, it is the duty of the government to promote different sections of the country, advertise them to potential investors and hope they take the bait.

If the airline insist in obtaining concession, that could be discussed and agreed. But insisting that the route is not viable even without any concrete evidence betrays us as harboring some form of ulterior motive.

Basically, the way I see it is this: Government should sweet-talk or arm-twist these airlines into giving the route a try, and back-off if it doesn't work. But not to promote the airport in any way wont take us anywhere.

Katsumoto: 1. If concessions were offered and taken, then the airlines would be making plans to use Enugu and we wouldn't be having this debate
2. Are surveys meant to be secret documents? Where are the surveys?

No one suggested that an International airport supporting all parts of the country is bad. The debate is about forcing foreign airlines to use a particular route. Stop being thick in the head.

If your government believes that route is viable, then why isn't it using the National carrier? Oh I forgot, your government can't even run a freaking airline. Yet it has suddenly become an expert in running foreign airlines.

Your question actually does more to to expose your ignorance, and render your argument baseless. You dont have any information on whether concession was requested or offered. You have not document to suggest that Enugu Airport wont be a viable. Yet you are arguing rather childishly that airlines will be shortchanged if forced to use the airport as an operation base. Dude, na wa for u!

DANILSA: Sorry sir, I sympathize with u, keeping knocking and it shall be opened to it. No matter what southerners do by 2035 you will achieve ur aim.

Not a bad idea. I like to see the loser square up against someone as [b]old [/b]as his grandson by 2035. Perhaps, Nigerian will look with pity upon him, and grant him his holy grail.

How do Nigerians (home and abroad) explain the Boko Haram 'Islamic' fundamentalist and terror gangs to their foreign friends?

Do you tell them the truth that those terrorists are mainly based in the Northern part of the country, with their Head Quarter in Maiduguri? Do you also tell them that the impossible mission of the group to Islamise Nigeria? How do you respond to use of suicide bombing by this militants?

Honest answers pls.

FSU: This in bold is laced with childish irony, given your arguments so far
What was the government doing again that we are even discussing about? So they choose to seek a new site, they chose one of your options above to establish a new international fly route. Do you still have any other complains?

When you build an international airport that is not the first of its kind in a country, there are three ways you can make airlines use it (1) persuade them to use it, employing some govt fiat (2) Share the routes among the airlines, so some can use the new airport (3) inform fliers from that area, for whom the airport was built to patronize the airport. The minister took options one and two and we are debating it now.

Those who talk about market forces, ask yourself how the Enugu airport will be used (Nigerian tax payers money was used to build it) by foreign airline aside these three options.

Perhaps the minister did not even consult well; the best option, for me, would be for her to educate Igbo travellers domiciled in Igboland on the need to use the airport in their domain: creates job for their people, lessens their travel times, safer for them than riding to Lagos/Abuja before boarding a flight, etc.

Market forces don't apply all the time, otherwise Obama will leave the auto industry to sort themselves out and not bail them out. You inject govt fiat/help/regulation/whareva you call, it into something the first time, and then market forces take over. The fact that Igbos travel out of the country more frequently will make Enugu international airport the one to beat sooner than later.

Some of these guys are actually blinded pure ethnic hatred and sectional agenda, masked in some twisted logic. For all they care, Enugu Airport can rot provided it was not set-up in their region. Shm

Katsumoto: First, I responded to your original question and gave an analogy to support my position.

Second, an international airport was provided in Enugu. That is government policy and it is fine. What isn't fine, is requesting that International airlines use the airport at all costs.

Have you ever heard of the marketing term - Cannibalize?

Simply means that providing an additional good or service will reduce the profits of the first good and service and not necessarily increase profits. Sometimes, you make a loss because you provide redundant services.

Some airlines can only afford to use one route. If you request them to use two routes, they make a loss because of additional logistics.

In Europe, budget airlines can't afford to use the major airports, so they approach local and regional governments who grant concessions so as to make using their airports more profitable. Sometimes, regional governments approach businessmen with concessions.

Has the Enugu state government provided any grants or concessions to assist the airlines? No

Has the ministry conducted any survey to support the implicit viability of Enugu? No

Airlines are not charities and the airline industry has the worst profit margins in the business world.

If I get you right, your are inferring that the airlines will be shortchanged if forced to operate from Enugu. However to support your position you made alot of assertions which are conjectures, and certainly based in not hard facts. What evidence do you have to suggest the airline have requested for any concession from government (state or federal) and were not granted? On what ground do you suppose that the Ministry have not done any survey on the viability or otherwise of the Enugu Airport? Your say so? In the absence of any hard evidence, your opinion should remain exactly what it is - opinion. Quit making it appear like your have hard fact to back it up! None one even know for sure the difference in market size between between the Enugu and Abuja Airport creating all these furore. Neither can anyone show hard evidence of the survey done by the Airlines to suggest that the Enugu Route is viable.


And I still wonder on what ground some people are basing their argument. Why are we so concern about protecting the foreign airlines, while we should be analyzing based on benefit to Nigeria. That is why I asked:

1. In which way(s) is having functional international airports serving various part of the country bad for the country?
2. Will asking new airlines to operate from Enugu diminish the status of Abuja, Lagos, or Kano Airports?