₦airaland Forum

atlwireles:
Are you the same Prof Femi, working as a lecturer in one of our higher institutions? If you are the same person, then God save this country.

Yes, I am. And if you "know" me, then you know I value logic and avoid sentiments.
Don't just inform us of your despair; educate us on its cause.

Themandator:
Buhari will never be in a position to fight corruption even if elected, instead what would happen is that government under him would be fictionalized. He would be a captive, just like Abacha, of some young Northern elements with king-size grudge against the liberalization, privatization and commercialization initiatives of his predecessors.

Where is the evidence for this? Certainly not the public-domain records from his regime.

I admit, governing in a democratic dispensation is a totally different ball game from having absolute powers in a military junta. However, the first requirement for anyone to stand up to corruption (corruption does fight back...) is strength of character and courage. GEJ has neither, while Buhari has both in spades. Why then should I doubt that he would do a better job than GEJ? May I remind you, the way this race is shaped, GMB doesn't have to be the best Nigerian for the job; he only has to be better than Jonathan. Well, the Otueke don has set the bar so low that I can confidently say GMB will do better than him.

See my response to Razavi above.

NairalandOP:
You keep on mentioning corruption as if Buhari will be the Messiah against Corruption. How can someone who says Abacha never stole be considered the messiah? How can someone who wines and dines with corrupt leaders like Tinubu and Atiku be regarded as the saviour. How can someone whose party said they will not probe past corrupt officials be considered as the one who can fight corruption? Bros, you are a learned fellow. Don't allow yourself to be deceived.

razavi:
... That precedence already exists, both in the conduct of this fellow during his junta, and with successive governments. It has always proved cosmetic at best- and hollow on closer investigation.

You have written well, but you need to take a step back and consider the question: which of these two is likelier to fight corruption: GEJ or GMJ? You have made a case that no individual can single-handedly fight corruption. Perhaps. However, the changes you suggest must happen under the watch of someone, right? They are far likelier to happen under GMB. And this is not based on speculation: the records of both of them while in power are there to speak for them.

I was right here during GMB's regime and while you would find many people describing him as draconian, high-handed, cruel etc, you would rarely see anyone accusing him of corruption. You make allusions to GMB favoring his cronies while in power. I do not have enough data to speak to that, so will have to request for concrete examples from you.

Now, move over to our contemporary dispensation, and examine the imprecise description of the source of his operational and campaign funds, both present, and the former three attempts at election; his association with suspect characters: Tinubu-of the forged certificate and drug trafficking fame

You cannot clean the Augean stables without getting a little sh*t on your hands. GMB has no political machinery, that much we know. How else is he going to get into power without depending on existing structures, no matter how tainted? All we need is some sign that he is able to hold his own against the Tinubus when necessary, and I think there is some evidence of that. Incidentally, may I remind you that this is effectively a straight contest between GEJ and GMB? Which accusation made against GMB above is Jonathan not more guilty of? You give me Tinubu; I give you Kusamotu. You say GMB has given "imprecise description of the source of his operational campaign funds"? May I remind you that our Commander In Chief has flat-out refused to declare his assets? And this is the smallest example of (to use your language) imprecision on his part. For every allegation of corruption against Buhari, there are 10 against GEJ. For every allegation of illiteracy against Buhari, I can give you multiple examples of incompetence from our PhD president.

This is less about finding NO fault with Buhari (there are many). It's more about asking whether he is more competent that GEJ in the areas that matter the most. Show me a Nigerian that believes Buhari will do a worse job fighting corruption than Jonathan, and I will show you Pinocchio.

Montaque:
same to u.
Just know that nobody will get my vote because he will fight corruption,because after the fight,we will still need to put in place the right policy,and strong institution for good administration.
When we ended up having these two candidates,do u see the effect of wrong policy in it. Federal character,quota system,sentiments and wrong mentality to rule are screaming in the backyard.
We have a bigger problem than corrution, we are just blinded by the effects instead of the cause.

Smile.
We have many problems, but corruption is the one problem that undercuts ANY effort to solve other problems. Beyond fighting corruption, we need evidence that our president is able to headhunt great minds and give them the "space" to perform. OBJ was a better headhunter than GEJ. However, GEJ has not done shabbily in that regard either (I'm looking at you, Minister of Agriculture). Unfortunately, with corruption still enthroned, all their efforts have been akin to water into a bottomless pit. I believe GMB would also be a good headhunter. Combine that with my perception of him as a man with strength of character, I'm leaning in that direction (that's just me, mind you).

My problems with Buhari: I fear he could be sectional in his outlook. While I do not doubt his street smarts, I wonder about his ability to express himself. "Islamization" (whatever that means) is not one of my fears (would you bet that under GEJ, the entire north would not be lost to insurgents in 4 years?). Also, the North-South issue does not matter to me (when are we going to grow up as a people?!).

All the best as you make your choice bro!

Montaque:
..Now,when the cheats don't get punished,we are no longer talking about corruption,but lack of good policies to combat it.

This is why we say we want someone who will fight corruption (through anti-corruption policies). In other words, corruption is our biggest problem, and policies to fight it should be the most important legacy of an effective Nigerian president at this time.

I heard somebody saying he wants anything other than GEJ,when he gets that which he wants,he will want anything other than that,and the cycle continues.

Actually, life simplifies things for us. You always pick the best of what is on offer; you can't make a choice that is not available. In this case, its GEJ or GMB effectively. There is almost certainly a better candidate somewhere, but for now, these are the two we have. No need kicking yourself for picking the best of a bad lot. Hopefully, we get a better batch next time?

Please am apolitical now. HNY

As am I. However, we will - you and I - have to decide who leads us for the next four years. I pray we will (whoever we choose) not fail ourselves; I pray we will not fail posterity.

Happy New Year to you too bro.

allcomage:
The fact is,neither gmb nor gej is the messiah that will usher us into the Eldorado.

Thank you, but if you were going to respond to my post, you should have tried to answer my question na. I never said GMB is a messiah. I do however think he is the best (I use the word loosely) of a bad lot.

Would you please answer my question: is Buhari more likely to fight corruption than Jonathan or not?

hansad:
Have you ever heard of Sani Abacha? .

Yes sir, I have. If we are to believe the evidence, Abacha was the most corrupt Nigerian president however.

However, go look at my post once again. I indicated a sense of a "chopping" frenzy within the corridors of power; of liberty from on high to chop. Even though Abacha might have been corrupt, the feeling of "institutionalized corruption" was less than during IBB's regime, and arguably, less than now.

Montaque:
we have a bigger problem in Nigeria,that feeds and waters corruption. Its two fold,the issue of wrong governmental policy(cluelessness if u might) and the low level of civilisation(not education) among the citizenry.
The ordinary Nigerian engage in corrupt practices nd bribery when he feels that if he doesn't do that,he will not get wat he needs,because of the policy guiding that area which has failed to ensure that all persons are catered for.
Take for example,if u don't runz ur admission,Nysc,or job,u are not sure of them. This is because the government policy and how its being administered are faulty,then comes the uncivilized populace. Ever wonder why Nigerians in the UK are tax compliant? They know that they have freebies to enjoy therefrom,it has dividend if u pay.
Corruption is a problem no doubt,but its not the foundational issue,its rather a consequence.
GMB(FYI,am apolitical this year) fought corruption in the 80's,but he met the truth later on that without adequate govt policy and administration,the people will still be corrupt,because they can't survive under a government that does not guarantee its dividends.

You state two things that -in your opinion - are more dangerous than corruption.

1. "Clueless" government policy : my response is to quote you: "The ordinary Nigerian engage in corrupt practices nd bribery when he feels that if he doesn't do that,he will not get wat he needs,because of the policy guiding that area". No sir. It isn't "policy" that makes the Nigerian embrace corruption. It's the sure knowledge that (a) he will profit more from it (b) cheaters will not be punished. Goes back to what I said.

Nigerians in the UK are not compliant because they have freebies. They are compliant because if they are not, their arse will be kicked. That is human nature. Unfortunately in Nigeria, there is no one to kick your arse, not when our president is pardoning the highest-profile example ever caught.

2. Low level of civilization: I do not agree with this. There are many studies that show that Nigerians perform top of the heap when inserted into more organized societies. On what do you base this assertion?

Montaque:
am not a TANist nor ever will. I hope that answers ur question.

Nooo, it doesn't answer my question. I honestly do not even know what a TANist is. I see the term used on Nairaland, but never bothered to figure out its origin.

What I wish you would do is to form (for yourself) a list of attributes a Nigerian president MUST have, and use that list (not emotions) to pick the best candidate. Someone described GMB as "garbage", and sadly, I see exactly what he means. Unfortunately, GEJ is failing us in (what I consider) the few most important areas, and this "garbage" would be an improvement in those areas.

Montaque:
sorry to intrude,but do u honestly believe that corruption is the major problem we have in Nigeria?

Yes o.
Our people are smart, and capable of hard work. But when you introduce short cuts and remove a man's incentives for hard work, chaos ensues. If every Nigerian - in every walk of life - had reason to believe his hard work would translate to success (and that cheaters would be punished), THEY , not the president, would improve every walk of life through their hard work.

Of course insecurity is a big problem, but (a) it's a global problem (b)our local version is again exacerbated by corruption. I will bow to a superior argument, if you have one.

Montaque:
yeah, you left out a few things,and sadly the most important. You left out the legal qualifications.
Just like a self righteous man who has not heard about Jesus christ,and yet wants to make heaven.

I have said in my first post that "the law is the law". In making my list, it is of course assumed that a man meets the legal requirements to be president, and an implicit assumption of my debate with you is that GMB is qualified (you can see in my first post that I suggested that GMB's candidature *can* fail if he is not qualified).

So what say ye bro: assuming Mr Buhari does have his certificate, do you agree with my list above, and where you do not, could you indicate? This might provide a better way of logically evaluating who would make a better president than the histrionics going on on both sides of the divide.

Sermwell:
Will you stop being dumb...

A man who calls me dumb for no reason is not worthy of being addressed. In fact, I would be ashamed to be in the same camp as a man who is unable to conduct civil discourse.

Jwonder:
Yes i agree we deserve better than GEJ but it can never be GMB, NEVER! ..gimme someone else and i will jump out of GEJ's boat but for now. GEJ 2015 till buhari realizes he is about to fail again.

Guy, I probably have more reasons to hate GMB than you do. Last time, I said "lai lai! I can never vote for Buhari". However, the hallmark of a sensible man is that he allows logic, rather than emotional outbursts, to dictate his actions.

On which necessary yardstick for good leadership does GEJ trump Buhari? What about the converse?

I think the biggest problem we have as a nation right now is runaway corruption. It has rendered everything else moot. There can be no doubt that we, as a people, are smart. However, when you remove the linear relationship between hard/honest work and reward, social, economic and political chaos is what results. This is the legacy of Jonathan's Nigeria.

Is GMB more likely to fight corruption successfully than GEJ? Your honest answer to that is:...?

chikis:
I have been watching all the political intrigues going on in Nairaland without commenting. I think I have to start commenting now....

Why? Both candidates are not good? But as they say "half bread is better than none." "A bird in hand is better than two in a tree." "The devil you know is better than the angel you never know". I think Good Ebele is a bit better than Buhari.

Even if I decide not to vote any of the candidates during the election, I know and believe firmly that Jonathan will come out victorious. Why? Because I have spoken the minds of (70 or 60)% Nigerians who may not be verbalistic now but will show their intention based on how they will vote during the election. Thank you.

Welcome my brother. Just like you, I used to avoid commenting on politics, but its our country too, dammit!

Saying you have spoken the minds of 60% to 70%: don't you think that is a function of your sample size, spread, and demographic?

Why don't you let's do it this way: could you try to list the few most important qualities or attributes that you believe a Nigerian president should have? Perhaps if we can agree on such a list, we would be better placed to identify which candidate is the best of a bad lot.

For me: a Nigerian president:

1. Doesn't need to be the smartest , but he MUST be a good judge of character
2. Must above all else, have strength of character (and by extension, must be able to lead)
3. Must be honest
4. Must be able to select an excellent team, but be ready to project his beliefs to "keep them honest"

I'm sure I've left out a few things, but some omissions are deliberate.

Jwonder:
Abeg show us his certificate and end this whole issue.

Don't you understand? This is not about GMB.
I stood in the sun for hours last time to vote for GEJ against this same GMB. I don't even think I like GMB as a person. However, I am convinced he will make a better president than GEJ.

If GMB does not provide his certificate, that's his problem. All I know is, we deserve better than GEJ, and we will get it.

bemagnify:
d d devil u knw is beta dan d angel u dnt knw..... Letme tel u... Gej is beta dan all d aspirants...quote me

GEJ better than other aspirants? Could you tell me why?

bemagnify:
in summary?

Most of us* don't care about GMB's certificates, but even if that is used as a basis for taking him off the ballots, we* still want GEJ out.

* Those sick and tired of the corruption, impunity and lack of real leadership

I personally don't care about whether Buhari has certificates or not but the law is the law.

What PDP should realize however is: it says a lot about how much Dr J has disappointed us that we would take a closer look at a man (GMB) we have rejected three times. At this point, it's safe to say that many people want ABJ (Anyone But Jonathan).

Personally, I have misgivings about GMB, but the much I can say for him is: he is a honest man, and has the strength of character to project himself on the polity/nation. When you combine that with the willingness to appoint smarter heads than his, and allow those heads perform (see Idiagbon, T) you have the makings of a good president.

Dr J on the other hand, I have no way of knowing how corrupt he -personally- is, but the man is weak, doesn't appear particularly smart, and lacks charisma. Other than IBB, he is the head of state under whom corruption has had the freest stroll through the corridors of power. It doesn't matter how fast you pour water into a bottomless pit; it never gets filled. The corruption and impunity in Dr J's government has knocked the bottoms off, and render everything else moot. We are tired of this crap. I am tired of this crap.

PDF should be careful. Some of us fear that people want Dr J gone so much that if you take away credible alternatives, they would *still* reject him...God help us.

GMB

EagleScribes:
The summary of it all - most Nigerian lecturers are average or below average

Relative to what?

Emperorking20:
Many of Nigerian tertiary institution's lecturers do feel too big to comment on their students' post on social media. It's a clear difference between black lecturers and white lecturers.

NO. It's a clear difference between African culture and "western culture". The power distance is just much greater in a typical African society. And I wonder why your lecturer has to comment on your social media posts? Would you expect him to do that for ~200 students...is he jobless?

Most Nigerian lecturers behave as if their students will not graduate for life. Some intentionally mass fail students to portray themselves as strict lecturers.

I object to your use of the word "most".

Most Nigerian lecturers are lazy yet they want their students to be hardworking. They don't consider themselves as bad examples for students.

I object strongly to the word "most".

Some Nigerian lecturers textbooks are carbon copy of foreign authors. Still they will reject students' project because they copied.

It would help if you gave some examples of the former. Still no reason why the latter should be tolerated.

Some Nigerian lecturers' spoken and written English language are very bad yet they will always deduct students marks for grammatical errors

They grade you to a marking scheme, not their own level of control of the Queen's language.

This doesn't mean you cant find a really good intellectual Nigerian lecturer. Shout out to all amiable and super standard lecturers

You can tell I'm unhappy about your post. You make it seem like "really good" lecturers are the exception, rather than the rule. I can't say I agree with you, but perhaps I'm looking at the issue through glasses rose-tinted to the shades of my university?

revolt:
mr oga the examples I gave are lucid enough naaa!! Maitatsine wasn't during the civil war, neither was gideon akaluka etc, stop boxing the atrocities of northerners to that period even in 2003 ppl were killed and their bodies put in trucks to the east. Like I said most northerners, support the pogroms and anti nyamiri riots. A taste of their medicine isn't my doing!! KARMA!!! Trust me e nvr start.

You guys were the ones who initially singled out the war.
You sing karma as though your enemies have gone at each other's throats. I beg to differ. Remember what they say: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Even though you think all Muslims are "the same", there are some who speak -and act - against BH. But for the scales of tribalism, you'd probably think of those as allies. BH just killed the sort of Muslims who would make it harder for them to kill the likes of you. Why is that cause for celebration?!

revolt:
my views are inconsequential in karmas path, whether I pik up arms or not , the blood will have it vengeance and stop ur esatz modesty, we both know you see reason in my post and it scares u.

Scares me? I guess you think every poster on Nairaland is a kid in diapers.

Your problem is: you're so myopic. You choose to view everything from the standpoint of the Bianfran conflict. Mr. Man, wake up, the present problem is not an East vs. North one. It isn't even a Nigerian problem. We are entering the endgame of a conflict that has been waged in various forms for close to a millennium. Trying to explain it in terms of karma (with allusions to the Civil War) just shows how little grasp you have of current events.

revolt:
ediota!! Those moderates as u called them took part in araba, maitasine, even post census violence. You're an animal if uve nt realised the insurgency in the north isn't political again, neither is it ideological. Its a sharia state.. Blood is cryung out until they and their leaders, clerics etc come out and pray allah to heal their blood soaked lands.

Why don't you reduce the flecks of saliva?
Have you ever heard me blame the insurgency on those things you mentioned? You may think you're so much better than the BH guys but you're really no different. You're right where they started:

[conviction]+[ignorance]+[blanket hatred]+[ability to work up a rage] = wanton violence.

If I were you, I'd stop ranting and reflect a bit.

revolt:
Kaaaaaaarmmmmaaaa!!!!!!! The blood of innocent women n kids, maitatsine, araba etc them nvr see nyfin

You and that Gratiaeo fellow are fools.
Karma? Karma? More like fundamentalist Islam waging war on moderate Islam. End result: the moderates are either silenced or become radicalized, all the better to kill the likes of you. You have no idea what is going on, so why don't you go play your favorite video game or something?

thegoodjoehunt3:
[color=#000099]How is one article talking about the fact Nigerians played most of the role in curbing Ebola mean all articles are looking at it through the racist lens?

I wish you people would chill a bit to digest posts before hitting the "reply" button. Who said all articles are looking at it through racist lens? I'm saying this one article is doing that. You don't have to go at the issue with an us-versus-them mentality.

You said Nigerians played "most of the role" abi? While Nigeria deserves most of the credit, personnel and organizations from the west also deserve some of the credit, right? Show me one, ONLY ONE important western news outlet that says otherwise...which takes me back to my initial submission: if the article simply states the obvious (accompanied with racist undertones), it is pointless.

thegoodjoehunt3:
Amazing article. It is high time we get up as people in charge of our lives and environment. There is always something we can do to save ourselves and those we love from catastrophe.
I think we should speak out louder against evil in our government. If we do not, we risk ourselves.
For instance, we have no testing facility to help local researchers fight diseases. No matter how long we criticise the foreigners, we inhibit ourselves by letting corrupt ones rule and destroy the society. Let us act and speak out. Slowly, we will see the change we want to see in the world.

It's an amazing article only because it is pointless. Sure, there's white saviour complex or whatever you call it (most notable in Hollywood movies where the white guy always saves the day, no matter the setting) but you don't have to look at every situation through racist lens. Just as there are bad white men who spread only the worst news about Africa with glee, there are good white men who risk lives and all to fight for Africa. I personally know a few.

On Ebola: I thought that while a section of the Western press was up to its usual antics, on the most part, the reports were complimentary to Nigeria. Even CNN that seems to love hating spent a whole program discussing what Texas could learn from Nigeria (didn't watch the segment myself, so correct me if I'm wrong). Nobody that I know has tried to steal the credit entirely from Nigerians. They have simply also given credit to western sources where appropriate. For example, Fashola himself said:

"Dr. David Brett-Mayor of the World Health Organization saw and conquered Ebola. He single handedly started the Ebola isolation ward having cleared and cleaned the room. He admitted and cared for the patients before any Nigerian doctor joined him" (https://www.nairaland.com/1929467/fashola-sets-record-straight-ebola). I have also not see any evidence that the role played by the Gates foundation funding was overblown, so pardon me if I fail to get your point.

For me, the fact is: Nigeria beat Ebola because for once we were proactive, decisive and cooperative(we take credit for that entirely). We however also benefited from some help from the WHO (e.g. see above) and used some external funding, personnel, and advice to bootstrap our efforts. Is there any major news outlet saying anything to the contrary?

Yawn. Please educate me. Thanks.

abdulwastecx:
originality is a bit overrated

Did you just say that?

Internet has made it possible to access information easier. I can dowlaoad lecture note, video tutorials, engineering journals, softwares etc that would normally impossible to buy at open market here in Nigeria....information can easily be source now the problem is how to apply the data to better our life.

Information.Information.Information....are you guys deliberately leading me on, or do you truly not know the difference between information, knowledge and wisdom?

It's clear that this is a lost cause for me: you will obstinately refuse to open your eyes. But I'll leave you with this: I sincerely doubt that either you or the other guy have used as many software as I have for so long as I have. I seriously doubt that you have a fraction of the ebooks I have (or have immediate access to via the library of one of the world's top institutions). So forget about trying to preach to the choir here and listen to someone who knows better: The increased access to information of today's youth does not mean they are better scholars, for the simple reason that most of them are misusing IT! If you doubt me, walk out and ask a random university teacher!

LordReed:
The article says nothing of misuse but says Soyinka said that it can limit the imagination of youths, I have not heard a learned person say so much rubbish. How can the greatest single conglomeration of knowledge resource limit our imagination? Soyinka is simply being paranoid because the medium which brought him fame is no longer the primary source of information exchange.

Were you doing a search (Cntrl+F) for the exact word "misuse"? How do you interpret the following:

"communication gadgets like computers and IPAD were capable of bringing an end to the culture of book writing and reading, adding that the end point should be how to find a way of collaborating between book writing and use of internet knowledge".

See my last response to mbourie on the difference between having a lot of information, and being able to actually think. I wouldn't go as far as to say the Internet limits imagination, but any teacher would explain what Soyinka is probably saying here.

My students today have more information at their fingertips than those of yore. Are they smarter? Not necessarily. In fact, those who do not use IT properly are dumber! Can they draw on a wider range of ideas and concepts (hence imagination)? Sure, but only because of exposure to same online. Are they capable of coming up with more original ideas? Not necessarily.

mbourie:
"Nah food?" Brother, like the saying goes, "one man food, is another man's poison." As for me, i dont read articles from newspaper before, due to accessibilty and financial issues, but do you know because i follow these guys on twitter and other platforms i am enticed to read anything that comes my way e.g sport, politics, religion, motivational books, I get informed/misinformed before channels tv et al broadcast it or before newspaper publish it the next day.......The internet has made even "okada men," " artisans," to be politically informed and updated, imagine downloading books worth NGN2000 for just 121KB!!! Bloke, as for me internet revolution has brought everything to our doorstep and is the way forward........

Ah, I see where you went wrong.
You say the Internet has made people better informed. Of course! I said as much myself, and I assure you Soyinka agrees.

"Next time", You have to try harder to understand a topic before plunging into the fray. Soyinka was speaking specifically about SCHOLARSHIP. Being informed is one thing (I bet most kids know what Beyonce did last night, or who ISIS beheaded today), but being able to think critically, produce original ideas, and present those logically is another kettle of fish entirely. That is what Soyinka is talking about. Hope you've seen the light now?

mbourie:
...who believe using AutoCAD, Staad Pro, Microsoft Word instead of hand drawing, Manual calculations, typewriting machine makes you weak or worst still having a low I.Q.......

And which part of Soyinka's remarks gave you this impression?
Don't assume you value software or the Internet more than Soyinka (or me). All we're saying is: these tools have tremendous value, but that value comes along with some risks (one of which is: misuse leads to low-quality scholarship). What about this is so hard for you to swallow?