₦airaland Forum

@Fhemmmy @Kobojunkie

If you have a relative who's an architect or an engineer, they will be able to tell you the true costs of constructing Public Utilities. It is easy to think constructing a Public Toilet should not cost much until you start building the facility yourself As the work goes on, you will start spending money. Then you will realize the enormity of the work at hand. It is easy to pontificate and suggest how things should be done, until you're shoved into the hot seat yourself. Think about the cost of the Suck-Away, the Borehole and the aesthetics. Then think of workmanship fees. I'm not talking about building a cubicle and calling it a Public Toilet. I'm talking of an edifice that will take about 5-6 people at a time and have a male and a female area. Cheers.

@Fhemmmy

I think we need to ask ourselves what kind of Public utilities we want. We need to ask for quality and not quantity. As a Zikite, I was brought up in the tradition of always striving for quality in anything I do. I don't believe in a public toilet that will look like a bus-stop just with one toilet seat and one wash hand basin I'm talking of a Public toilet with at least 5 compartments and three wash hand basins. There will also be a space for urinating, you know. What I'm saying is that each of the Public Toilets should have 5 toilet seats and 3 wash hand basins with running water. Then the 5 million Naira will be justified  I have seen Public Toliets in the past in Nigeria and they were just ridiculous in design and structure. No wonder they broke down and became dilapidated I believe Akala will not give the contract for the construction of the toilets to local contractors, many of whom execute contracts shabbily. I want the Governor to use credible Engineering firms operating in Nigeria.

The Oyo State Government also has to employ cleaners that will make the toilet areas neat and hygienic.  There should be signs and notices around the toilets that will give instructions to users as they empty their bowels Cheers.

Personally, I don't think 5 Million Naira is too much to construct a Public Toilet. It depends on the kind of materials that will be used to build the toilets and the facilities that will be available there. Fellow Nairalanders, have you thought about the sinks, basins, sockets and lighting, the suck-Away, electrical wiring, plumbing and beautification of the toilet sorroundings    I am not Akala's relative and I don't want to know him, but I think Oyo State needs public toilets. Let us watch as they start building the toilets. Do you know how much it costs to dig Suck-Aways these days? What about workmanship fees? Let us be realisitic, mates

The problem with facilities in Nigeria is the issue of maintenance. We have a very bad maintenance culture It is very disheartening when I see Nigerians treating and using public infrastructure anyhow. Look at the Parks in Britain and the facilities in them. These facilities have been there for decades and sometime centuries, but they are still working and functional. They are also maintained yearly by council workers. In Nigeria, we dont care about facilities and vandals are having a good time down here. Have we also realized that the Public Toliets that will be constructed in Ibadan will need to have constant water supply for flushing? That means a borehole will be constructed near the toilets. What about toilet rolls? Think deeply, please.

Nigerians need a lot of re-orientation about our attitude to Public Facilities and Infrastructure. My advice to Akala is that he should monitor the construction of the toilets and ensure that they are up to the required standards. No chance for contract scams. Cheers.

Nothing short of a revolution will correct the injustices in Nigeria. We have a President who has no clue about the keg of gunpowder the nation is sitting on.  Umar Yar'Adua is a disgrace to the great Yar'Adua political dynasty. This is what happens when a President is imposed on the citizens rather than him being elected through the ballot box. Olusegun Obasanjo needs to share part of the blame concerning the present state of Nigeria. OBJ has proved that he is a bad leader. Good leaders are respected with the candidates they push into power. It is obvious that OBJ does not want his little achievements to be surpassed by a much younger purposeful President. That was why he brought in Yar'Adua as his replacement. Very shallow thinking from the Owu man I know Nigeria would not be in this same position if Donald Duke, Peter Odili or any of the other guys had been nominated to occupy Aso Rock.

99% of Nigerian Politicians are insane. Cheers.

Kai, no wonder Nigeria is a failed nation

@Esibi

You can start a very successful business with NI50,000 Naira in Nigeria. From what I've read so far on this thread, I have come to the conclusion that many Nigerian youths and graduates are not innovative in their thinking. Esibi, you have to start thinking out of the box . You need to blaze a new trail and do something different. You hold degrees, mate. Why must you sell recharge cards or delve into the okada business ? Bin those ridiculous ideas, my friend. My advice is that you should think about where your passion lies. What do you like doing most? What skills do you possess that will help your business? Nigeria may be not have a lot of infrastructure or constant electricity, but you can still achieve your dreams.

Start small. I don't want to start giving business ideas on Nairaland. However, I know there are a lot of dynamic business you can do in Nigeria that will make you successful in life. If you have personal internet connection at home or in the office, you need to start reading extensively on the internet. If you can cook well, I think I have a business idea for you. If you have access to a car, this business idea will work for you. I will giude you on what to do free of charge. You will also get tips on new ways of promoting your business.

We will need to chat. Lets take this first step. Send me an email with your Yahoo Messenger ID at: tolukandi@yahoo.com

We will take things further from there.

I am wary of sharing my intellectual property on Nairaland. Get in touch, mate. Cheers.

@Hackney

Thanks for your interest in the campaign. The unjust charges being collected by Nigerian Banks is affecting all of us, even those in the diaspora. We need more comments and articles on the blog. Post your sad experiences with Nigerian Banks on the blog and let the World read it. We have been working hard on this campaign, though I have to stay awake late into the night after coming back from work. We have a member in a top media house in Nigeria who is working hard behind the scenes to get us quality pictures for the blog, and also information and the contact details of the new CBN Governor who we intend to write to directly also. We are also collating information online about Nigerian Banks and the number of Media Houses we have in Nigeria. We'll keep you updated on the blog. Thanks for your support. We shall not fail. Amen.

@Concerned Nairalanders

Thank you for your comments. God bless you for supporting this cause. We really need your support to make this campaign successful. I have been denying myself of sleep since last Friday to make the campaign very nstrong. I have sent an email to many of my friends on this issue, and they are also forwarding the mail to their friends. We are trying to build a chain reaction by Nigerian Bank customers scattered all over the world. We will not fail by the grace of God.

Nigerian Bank Customers have been taken for granted for too long and it is time to act Lets do this together. To spread the word about this campaign, you can just do this simple promotion exercise.

1. Get some sheets of A4 paper. Write out the web address of the blog: www.nomoredishonestcharges..com and cut the paper into small sizes. Distribute the web address to friends and Family and tell them to check it out. It is as simple as that.

2. The blog belongs to all of us. Send us an email at: naijabanks@googlemail.com
We will send you the password to log into the blog and comment on the articles or write your own article and complaints there. We need more stuff on the blog, including pictures. The fight is slowly gaining momentum. Join us in the crusade. Cheers.

Nothing will move Nigerian Banks from charging you ridiculously except there is a mass campaign against them. Writing letters to the bank chiefs and managers will not solve the problem. There must be a sustained campaign in the media and that is what some of us are working on. Check out the blog:

www.nomoredishonestcharges..com

The blog was started last week Friday by some Nairalanders and we are gradually gaining momentum. Join the crusade and lets achieve the desired victory that will surely come. The blog belongs to all of us. We are working on some articles and perfecting our strategies. Lets have your ideas and you can also start doing something on your own.

Email The Movement of Nigerian Bank Customers at: naijabanks@googlemail.com

We will give you the password to log into the blog and add your comments or post articles and pictures. Only a well planned public and media campaign will stop the greed of Nigerian banks who are steadily making sure that we do not have control over our bank accounts. Cheers.

The Boy called Red.

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@Defatigue

Thanks for the work you've done on the blog. Thanks for the graphics and your articles. I believe this move of ours will eventually lead to the abolition of ridiculous charges by Nigerian banks. Nairalanders, please support this cause and post your comments on the blog. Tell your friends about this campaign. Lets get others involved in this crusade. Cheers.

www.nomoredishonestcharges..com

I dont think Exams are a true test of knowledge. I believe the score awarded to me in my UME Examinations was manipulated. I studied hard for the exams and I was scored 207/400. Anyway, I'm a graduate now. I used the 207 score to secure my admission in a liberal arts course in UI. However, I know I'm gifted naturally and I have a unique thinking ability which is helping me tremendously now.

Many great men in the world today never really cared about exams while they were schooling. I believe more in personal research and reading up on things than coming to sit in a hall to answer some questions in other to be awarded a certificate.

I'm back, fellow Nairalanders.

The blog has been opened-

www.nomoredishonestcharges..com


A new email address has also been opened for the campaign

naijabanks@googlemail.com

Try and visit the blog. I have already posted a short article there. The google address can be used to log into the blog. I don't want to give the password here because of Saboteurs. Just mail me at: naijabanks@googlemail.com for the password.


You can then log into the blog and write your own experiences and suggestions there. If you've got pictures, you can post them there too. The blog belongs to us all. I dont want any position. I'm not important. The blog needs to have enough content by Sunday when it will be added as a footer on the first article that will be sent to Nigerian Newspapers and Magazines on that day.

Lets do this together. We will be helping a lot of Nigerians and foreigners alike in the process. Cheers.

@Blitzer

You're welcome. I need more complaints and facts to back up this campaign. Spread the word around, please. The blog will be ready tomorrow morning. And you will all be able to vent your anger and spleen to the whole world there. If you've got pictures of the affected banks or their logos or their websites, let me have them. Email me at: simplyredmedia@gmail.com

Cheers. God is on our side.

@all

The blog will be floated tomorrow. It will go live tomorrow morning. Cheers.

@Stagger

You do not need to live abroad to know if the banks there charge ridiculous sums of money to maintain your account. The truth is they do not charge you any money for opening an account and using their ATM machines. The ATM machines that charge you small sums of money for using them are run by private financial agencies and not the banks. If you are a frequent reader of EUROMONEY, you will know that what I'm saying is the truth. The Banks in Britain do not also charge you for using another bank's card on their ATM machines. There is a synergy between all the banks in Britain. The foremost banks there are HSBC, NATWEST, BARCLAYS, ALLIANCE AND LEICESTER, ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND [ RBS ], INTELLIGENT FINANCE, HALIFAX and LLOYDS TSB.

From what I've read so far, it seems UBA is the main culprit on this issue. I also want to make it clear here that anyone who tries to blackmail me for carrying out this campaign will find out that I'm a formidable opponent. Your persecutions and threats will not work. Amen.

For those who are concerned about the unfair practices of Nigerian banks and who want to support this campaign, please email me at: simplyredmedia@gmail.com

I will start a blog on this issue and I will give you the password to the blog so you can post your experiences and pictures of banks there. The blog will be circulated on the web throughout the world. Lets do this for the ones who cannot speak and the generations unborn. Cheers.

I'm back and I'm right on time. I said I would be back on this thread by 6pm and I kept to my word. I have gone through some of the recent posts and I'm dismayed by the comments of some people on this thread. Who are you fronting for? It seems some bankers are here to defend their employers. Though it is a free world, Nairalanders are not stupid Someone talked about overhead costs. Why should we bear the brunt of the operating costs of running the banks when these same banks lend money [ our money ] to importers and big businesses who in turn pay back hefty sums of money as interest. Who is deceiving who? Lets call a spade a spade. Nigerian banks are feeding fat on the ignorance and siddon look attitude of their customers.

I am not a banker, but I have had debates one on one with some Nigerian bankers and I'm appalled by their knowledge of the industry itself. It is a shame that most Nigerian banks do not give enough information to their customers when they are opening new accounts. I can remember way back in 2005 when I opened an account with UBA in Akure, Ondo State. I was a corper then. I and seven other NYSC members were opened savings accounts on that day. We were given ATM Card forms to fill by one hefty ' Customer Care Assistant ' and within an hour we were given the actual plastic cards. That was the end of it . The guy did not bother to tell us what to do with the cards and there was no leaflet that would explain how to operate the ATM machines. Funny enough, UBA in Akure did not even have ATM Machines then . It was only the First Bank branch at Alagbaka that had an ATM machine.

Anyway, it is time for some action!! so here is the email account you should send your ideas to: simplyredmedia@gmail.com

The first article will despatched this weekend. If you're with us, get in touch through the email address given above. It is a collective effort. Let us get it right this time around. Let us do this for generations unborn so that they will not be screwed by our banks. Cheers.

simplyredmedia@gmail.com

@maruchi

I feel you, mate. I'm going out now. I will be back around 6pm. I intend to open an email account where I will receive mails from Nairalanders interested in this campaign. Cheers.

@Mikesonics

Nigerian Banks do not have to rob their customers to pay their workers. They should look for innovative ways of making money. A good number of them use the money we keep in their vaults to engage in commercial activities anyway. They should not be allowed to keep fleecing Nigerians. Nigerians have consistently failed to demand for their rights and that is why we are treated badly by various organizations in the country. We need collective action, please. This siddon look attitude to different issues affecting us will have a adverse effect to generations of unborn Nigerians.

Lets do something for thos ewho have not opened bank accounts now. Cheers.

@Nairaland

Why was my third post blocked? I need some explanations, please. There was nothing inciting or improper about the post

@Naijacutee and FOD

Whats going on?

cheers.

@Fhemmy

The Motorcycle commercial transport Unions do not conduct tests for new members before registering them. I do not think there is also any certification that is given to the riders. The unions are mainly concerned with the fees they collect from their members. This is where the Federal Road Safety Corps [ FRSC ] should come in. We don't need too many road agencies in Lagos who pretend to be doing something while they are actually looking for money. The FRSC has to be revived through solid funding to tackle the madness on our roads. Cheers.

@ lekan fayz

Lets get our complaints into the national media first and see what happens.

@ others

Please we need more ideas. Like I said before, I don't want any position. I was expecting to see more posts on this issue by now. Do we want the banks to take us for granted forever? Let me give you an example of what well structured and coordinated campaigns can achieve, mates. In England, the St Patrick's Day celebrations is held yearly at Trafalgar Square in London. There are almost 500,000 Irish people living in London. St Patrick's Day is the most popular festival celebrated in Britain's capital. Yet London is the capital of England, not Ireland. The English people started to feel being neglected by their government. This is because the London authorities spent good money celebrating the St Patrick's Day with the Mayor of London personally attending and giving a speech at the Irish Festival. We all know the rivalries between the English and the Irish [ IRA, Sein Fein et al ]

So what happened? Some English guys decided to take action. They designed an online poster and a petition calling for the St George's Day [ St George is the Patron Saint of England ] to be recognized and celebrated by the London authorities just like St Patrick's Day. The online petition was signed by millions of English people and the poster for the campaign was circulated through the internet. The Petition was then taken to Westminster and handed over to Government officials.

Lo and Behold, the Petition had some effect. The St George's Day was marked in a grand manner this year. The London councils and the British government spent money on the day and the day has been officially recognized. We need to start speaking collectively in Nigeria.

I need more ideas and people who are interested in this campaign. Lets show the banks that their attitude to their customers stink!! Things cannot continue like this. Cheers.

I think the ban is good. Okada riders in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria need to be certified before they are allowed to ply their trade. They must undergo some training and driving tests before they start operating commercially. We need good regulations to check these riders from hell. I am also suggesting that Okada riders who drive recklessly should have their licences revoked. They should also be banned from operating for some months. Computerization of motorcycle plate numbers and the details of Okada commercial riders will help the government in monitoring and prosecuting them.

Our problems in Nigeria are not insurmountable. We only need to be disciplined and utilize technology effectively to solve our problems. Cheers.

@pappy2000

Thanks for the question. Banks are there for us. They need us more than we need them. It is not the other way round. We need some form of collective action. We don't need to carry placards and march on the streets or picket the banks to express our grievances. This is because Nairalanders are scattered all over the world. Nairaland has given us the opportunity to come together online and share ideas. There is power in collective action, mates. So here is the plan.

1. We need to write about three well crafted articles about this situation to Nigerian Newspapers and Magazines.
2. We need to pull our ideas and complaints together so that the writers among us will have materials to add flesh to their articles.
3. We need a collective name for this movement against the banks and their ridiculous charges.
4. We have to open a blog page on .com that will contain our experiences. This blog will be edited and moderated by a good blogger among us. The blog will be added as a footer to our three articles so that Nigerians and the international community can read it.
5. We need pictures of some of the banks.
6. We dont want saboteurs among us. No negative view should be tolerated.
7. We need to start work asap.

I have given some ideas. Let others follow suit. Lets work on this together. I don't want any position here. I'm just contributing my quota to our salvation from the banks. More ideas, please. Cheers.

@poster

Follow Your Dreams

All the best

We have started again, fellow Nairalanders. I think it is time for some action We keep coming here to complain about the unorthodox practices of banks and other organizations without really doing anything to change things. It is pointless for us to fill pages of Nairaland with complaints and accusations with nothing changing at the end of the day. Perhaps, that is why organizations in Nigeria take us for granted

Sometime in 2007, I wrote a passionate and angry article about the state of the NYSC Orientation camps in the country. The article was designed as a open letter to President Yar'Adua. It was published in two Newspapers, if not three. And also online. The article led to some orientation camps getting closed and boarded down. Corpers were merged with their colleagues in states that had manageable orientation camps. Lagos state hosted hundreds of corpers from other states for the 3 weeks orientation programme. I also received e-mails from from Nigerians who commended me on the article.

I am not important. I'm not seeking for attention here. Our complaints about the bad practices and unmerited deductions by our banks need to go beyond this site. We need to get our complaints onto the pages of national newspapers. We need to write collective articles and do something collectively to stop these modern day robberies carried out by some Nigerian banks. I believe we can change things if we care enough about the problem. Cheers.

Billie Jean

The organizers of the Gulder Ultimate Search should start thinking of making a woman the anchor of the program. These are my choices:

1. Funke Akindele [ I love her ]
2. Mercy Akide-Omagbemi
3. Emem Ema Obasi [ Mem'O, former Kush member. She's tough and well versed in Media production ]
4.Genevieve Nnaji

Emem stands ahead of the pack. Making a woman the anchor will add some spice to the show ]

Cheers.

Haha, you know what? I have written down some movie titles on this forum and I will go and watch them ASAP. Got you there, mates

Jokes Apart, I have two movies I can never get tired of watching-

1. The Five Shaolin Masters  [ Best Kungfu-Shaolin movie besides Bruce Lee flicks ]
2  Omen   [ Tastefully produced. This movie makes me aware of the presence of evil in our world ]

Cheers.

I don't know what to say Guess the respected columnist shot himself in the legs. It is quite clear that our elderly ones are not connecting with the youths. And come to think of it, Reuben Abati is still young. Dunno why he wrote that ill-researched piece. He should have realized that Nigerian youths are very informed these days. Maybe it is time for him to know that better columnists are coming to take over the Nigerian Media space WE ARE COMING O, Mr Abati. Cheers.

@Sagamite

Donugapi has helped me in providing some answers to your questions. I just came back from work Let me give you a more detailed reply, mate.

You talked about Amodu Shuaibu standing his ground in 2002 and being denied the opportunity of taking the Super Eagles to the World Cup in Korea-Japan. One of the main reasons why he was not allowed to take the Eagles to the World Cup was that could not win the African Nations Cup trophy in Mali that year. The NFF [ NFA as it was called then ] also felt he was not good enough to compete against the tactics of other coaches at the mundial. So Chief Adegboye Onigbinde was brought in.

You said the Eagles played well in Korea-Japan . If you watch all the games they played against Argentina, Sweden and England, you will realize that the boys had not really understood each other and that team had no bench with the likes of Femi Opabunmi and Mutiu Adepoju [ whose better days had gone ] on the bench, the Eagles crumbled gracefully. Onigbinde was very sentimental during the tournament, Sagamite. Where is Opabunmi now? Where is Christopher Ogbeche and his flying kicks now?

Comparing Amodu Shuaibu and Samson Siasia is like comparing Milo and Pronto or better still Schweppes Bitter Lemon and Fanta Lemon So because Siasia coached youth teams in the States, he cannot handle the Super Eagles. It is the same techniques he imparts into the kids that he will impart into the players in the national team. Siaone did that successfully with the U-20 and Olympic squads. Amodu Shuaibu is not on the same level with Siasia. They are poles apart. Siasia knows how to groom players for the future and that is why he started his football academy. Why is it that anytime Siasia is given an assignment by the NFF, a lot of young boys flock to him? Look at his recent screening of U-20 players in Abuja. Hundreds of young footballers came to the camp without being invited and begged him to conduct trials for them and see their talent It shows these young chaps believe in Samson Siasia. A shining light cannot be hidden. Siaone is gradually building his team for the youth championships in Egypt later in the year. He has laid low for now. Lets see the team he will come up with

Jurgen Klinsmann is one of Germany's best strikers in History. Samson Siasia is one of the most intelligent strikers in Nigerian history. Yekini scored loads of his goals with sheer brawn and powerful shots [ I respect him for his strenght ] while Siasia scored goals that were well thought out. You saw Chinedu Ogbuke's goal against Argentina in the 2005 WYC final. That goal was classic. It was just Ogbuke being a chip off the old block of Siasia. Klinsmann silenced his critics by leading the German team to a respectable third position at the 2006 World Cup. He put fire and passion into players like Lukas Podolski, Philip Lahm, Bastian Schwenteigger [ His crazy long distance goals were awesome ], Oliver Kahn and Torsten Frings. Siasia does the same thing with his boys. Lets dont talk about the organization of German Football. They are far ahead of us.

I'm not condemning Amodu, Sagamite. It is just that we need hungry players and a hungry coach who is technically gifted. Sunday Oliseh is coaching in Germany and Belgium currently. He is learning a lot from the Europeans. Exposure makes you very competent and focused. I'm a product of exposure and I'm still under construction in Media and writing. Samson Siasia has learnt a lot from his overseas experience. We need to change in Nigeria and do the right things at the right time. Who says Siasia could not have handled the Olympic team and the Super Eagles together? It was obvious that the Olympic Squad would transform into the Super Eagles. Sagamite, is it not happening now before our faces? We have taken the wrong steps and we need to do something fast before things fall apart

I need to do other things online, mate. Cheers All.