₦airaland Forum

@BabyGirl 1

You have spoken well. There is nowhere like home. We need to start thinking of how to fix Nigeria. I believe there is a set time for everything. This is the time for us to do something about our country's underdevelopment. Cheers.

I know how it feels to live abroad. I also know how it feels to live in Nigeria. Sincerely, it takes the grace of God to survive in Britain. With the current recession, a lot of Africans are having it rough in Europe. I am not about to bore you with tales of woe here. I'm okay and not doing badly. I have been able to observe how things work in the UK. It was until I travelled to Britain that I came to realize that many of the images we see on TV about this place are phantom. Don't get me wrong, Britain is an Industrialized nation. It is also one of the wealthiest nations in the world. However, there are a lot of things going on in the country. There are poor people in the United Kingdom too. Infact, official statistics state that about 1.4 milion children live in poverty in Britain. I have also come across many homeless people on the streets of London. That is why I laugh when many Nigerians thinks money can picked on the streets of London. You need to work hard for the money. That is the truth. Unless you want to do fraud. And God help you if the Anti Fraud -Unit of the Metropolitan Police comes after you.

I believe we can change the way things are done in Nigeria by putting our hearts to it. It is the responsibility of all of us to make things work in Nigeria. I hold this belief that anybody who has innate creative abilities can survive in Nigeria today. Innovation, creativity and hardwork is the way out of poverty in Nigeria. We have to walk the walk and do the hardwork of promoting our businesses. That is why I'm using my blog to give Nigerians all kinds of creative ideas and how to promote their business. I have my own personal business ideas and projects, but I'm keeping them to myself for now.  I will swing into action very soon.  There are a lot of business ideas flying in the air and we only need to catch the vision. When Nigerians start getting entrepreneurial, there will be no need for many of them to travel out of the country. However, if you're abroad right now, start saving some pounds, euros or dollars weekly. Start thinking of what you can do back home. By being abroad, you should have learnt one or two things about business and entrepreneurship. Don't be afraid of starting small in Nigeria. Nigeria is open for fresh ways of doing things now. Just look at Nairalist.com and Kerewa.com. These are two classified advert websites that are growing strongly in Nigeria. Think of what you can do too. Like I said earlier on, there is nowhere like home. Cheers.

There is no place like home. Though I'm not in Naija at the moment, I love my fatherland. I will be coming back to Nigeria when I'm through with what I'm doing here. I know many of us will give a lot of reasons why we should not stay in our country. I also agree that Living in Nigeria could be tough and daunting, but I've come to realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side. I just want to give this simple advice: If you're able to travel abroad, study how things are done in your country of abode, work hard [ hardwork does not kill and it pays in the end ], save up some money [ You can save money if you're determined ] , and come back to start a business in Nigeria. We cannot continue enjoying the infrastructure and facilities of other countries. We need to embark on the development of Nigeria after seeing how things are done in countries like Britain, USA, Canada, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Holland etc etc.

I was told of a lady from Ghana who came to the UK on a 2yr visa. This lady knew what she wanted to achieve from the onset. She did up to 4 different jobs and worked extremely hard for those two years. She did not allow herself to be distracted by what other ladies were doing in London. Many of her friends and relatives thought she was mad. She rented a small room and bought food and clothing at a bargain or on ebay. She was spartan in her lifestyle and frugal in her spending. At the end of the day, she packed her bags and returned to Ghana. She returned with more than 10,000 pounds. Today, she lives like a queen in her country.

The Development of Nigeria lies in our hands. No one will do it for us. This is the right time for us to start investing in our country. No matter how small the investment is. I don't want to say much but I know what I'm doing. If you're abroad right now, this is for you. Sit down and think of a biz or project you can carry out in Nigeria. Look around you and see what business models you can replicate back home. If you're determined and hardworking, I can assure you that you're on the path of really making it in life. Enjoy your stay abroad but have Nigeria at the back of your mind. Cheers.

Hi all, Ikokore is a yoruba meal [ Ijebu people love it so much ] and it also used for ceremonial purposes. It is made from water yam, palm oil [ loads of it ], shrimps, fish, spices etc etc. During the Ojude Oba celebrations in Ijebu-Ode, it is the food that is eaten for the day. It is very delicious and nourishing. I also want to add that the tuwo that is prepared in southern Nigeria is trash compared to the real tuwo that is eaten up north. I know what I'm saying because I was in Abuja for 3 months in 2002 and I was friendly with some Hausas. Cheers.

Haba, please take it easy with your hatred of ikokore now!! It is a nice ijebu dish and I really enjoy it. Its been a long time I tasted it though. My worst Nigerian soup is Okro Soup. I hate it with a passion. It is just tasteless. I also don't like cocoyams. Then there is this yoruba meal made from corn called egbo or some name I can't remember now. It is my worst Nigerian dish. The owner of the private hostel I lived in back in my days in high school in Naija used to serve us egbo as a meal. I pray God will forgive her. Cheers.

The old anthem is better than the one we currently use. I long for the day when Nigeria will start competing with the industrialized countries. We have got all it takes to beome a Superpower. We need to change our attitude to the way we see our country. I'm sharing President Umar YarAdua's pains. Our president is not happy that Nigeria was not invited to the G20 summit in London. Fellow Nairalanders, you need to read his emotional response to Nigeria's exclusion from the London event in The Guardian. That was the first time that I would see the president feeling concerned about the state of the nation.

I believe Yar'Adua and a couple of Governors are determined to turn things around in the country. However, we need to help them. They cannot do it alone. They need our support. As much as we love to criticize our leaders for their shortcomings, I feel it is high time for us to step into the battlefield and fight alongside them. It is not easy to lead. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Let us look at the movie, BRAVEHEART. Wiliams Wallace was able to conquer the English army because of the support he got from his men. He was not the only one on the battlefield o. One of his men, who was even Irish, saved him from being killed by an assassin. The Irish warrior was always watching the back of Wallace [ Mel Gibson ]. After Wallace was captured and killed by the English through treachery and betrayal, Robert the Bruce took over as leader of the Scottish army and the men of William Wallace. And what did Robert the Bruce do? At the next battle with the new English King and his Army, he told his men before charging at their enemies- '' You bled with Wallace, bleed with me!!! ''. What happened? The Scots were inspired by the words of their leader and they followed him into battle. They won a great victory that day.

Let us support our leaders as they strive to steer Nigeria towards development and economic recovery. Let us support Dora Akunyili and her Rebranding campaign. I have noticed respected Nigerians already criticizing her on the pages of Newspapers. They are saying she would fail even when she has not started her demanding work. When will we shed this negative mentality of ours? I know Yar'Adua has good intentions for Nigeria. He is only being sorrounded by saboteurs. If we can rally around our President by starting our own individual development oriented projects in our respective spheres of influence, the bad eggs in his cabinet will be destroyed. We need to be good followers too. Let the old anthem inspire us into believing in the manifest destiny of Nigeria. Cheers.

For me, I believe there are not many Nigerian artists that can be accepted globally. This is not because they are not creative enough or original in their approach to music. We need to understand that there is a lot of politics being played by all the big music recording companies. Africa is definately not their choice continent where they can draw music talent from. And it mostly bolis down to skin colour and nationality. I have listened to some CD's of the ' great' white musicians they promote and all I can say is that the music is trash. One of the best rappers in the 90's was Akinyele [ Check out his music on Youtube. He was a New York Rapper and most probably has a Nigerian father ], yet he was not really promoted by the music company that signed him. There is something going on which people with an african heritage or origin will never understand.

Also, music today has been comercialized. It is not about the message anymore. It is mostly about beats and rhythm. If it was about the message in the music, Asa should be number one on the world music charts by now. Bukola Elemide is good anyway. For Africa to start producing artists that will sell millions of album copies internationally, African record companies will have to set up shop in the Western world and market their artistes themselves. Dbanj, Tuface, Psquare, Mode 9, Nice and the rest of them are good but their music is mainly listened to by blacks and people of african origin.

The only Nigerian artiste that might break into the white market in the near future is Asa [ Bukola Elemide ]. She is unique and mysterious. Just listen two her track- ' Eiye Adaba' Her videos are also mind blowing. Cheers.

We need to realize that what Governor Raji Fashola is doing is good. There is no gain without pain. Lagos needs to be sanitized and made very organized. I'm sure BRF will find somewhere for the traders to sell their wares without them obstructing traffic and throwing so much waste around. I also think it is time for people to start thinking of settling down in other states. Lagos is not the only place where money can be made. Do you know how much money is made at Bodija Market in Ibadan daily? or the Oja- Oba market in Akure, Ondo State? What the Lagos State Government needs to do is to construct Modern Markets for traders that are far removed from areas where people live. Cheers.

hmn, I don't know what to say o. I am deeply shocked with this fresh information. I am not a member of CE but my sister is a strong member of the church. I have observed a lot of things about some of her female friends. I don't want to have anything to do with those ladies. I don't want to be a judge here, but why do some CE ladies who have been members for years suddenly leave the church and marry brothers from other churches? I have heard a lot of tales about CE young men and ladies, but it is not up to me to tell them on Nairaland. God will judge all the fake ministers of God before his throne. I wish CE well. Cheers.

Congrats to Nigerian women. Maybe it is time for a Female president in Nigeria.

@ Blacksta

I agree with you 100%

Cheers

Apart from being lethargic in their approach to work, many Nigerians have to take some pride in the kinds of jobs they do. Many Nigerian youths are too ' classy ' when they want to apply for jobs. The painful truth is that some of these dirty jobs pay more than some office jobs. I can remember way back in the early 90's when I was growing up in Nigeria. There were three young graduates who had just finished from one of the western polytechnics then. What amazed me was that the three of them did not apply for jobs after their youth service. One of them had a tipper and soon they started distributing drums to residents of my area. Before I knew it, they had written letters to the landlords of all the houses in the area. They announced that they wanted to start collecting household waste and rubbish for a small fee. That was how their business started. These guys were very good and in a matter of months, they had gotten an additional tipper and other streets were signing in. The last I heard of the guys was that two of them went to Germany for their Masters degrees, while the last one took over the business fully.

If only our current graduates can learn from the example I have given. There are a lot of business opportunities in Nigeria at the moment. My father's Lebanese friend told him some years ago- '' I don't know why Nigerian youths leave the country in droves for Europe. Why can't they see the gems in the gutters and the bushes around them? '

Mind you, this Lebanese Guy has a Mechanic Garage and a Restaurant in Nigeria. He's doing well for himself.

May the good lord give our youths wisdom. Amen.

I hate the Nigerian culture that most time believes that elder brothers must always do well than their younger ones, even when the younger sibling is talented and able to do well on his own. I also don't like the issue where it is believed that the elder sister must marry first before the younger sister. We need to change our mentality in Nigeria. Cheers.

@Naijaking1

You have spoken well. You have said it all. Nigerians need to understand the meaning of WORK. Many Nigerians don't want to work hard but they want to live comfortably. I have been to Government parastatals in Nigeria and words cannot express the lethargy I noticed there. You will see workers chatting as soon as they get to their desks. One Federal Parastatal in Akure, Ondo State, has workers that start playing the game of checkers [ Draughts ] as early as 9:00am in the morning. Meanwhile, the place is decrepit with nothing serious going on there. One of the workers even told me [ I was a corper attached to the Parastatal then ] I should not bother reporting for work. He told me he just comes to collect his salary at the end of the month.

I have been shown the light about WORK in Britain. You will not be paid if you don't work hard in the United Kingdom. If you're lazy, you will soon be found out and you'll get sacked. This work ethic also obtains in other European countries. The reason why the Western economies are advanced is that hardwork is encouraged in those countries. Citizens are made to give their best in all they do. If you're hardworking in Britain, you will be recognized and most times, there is a kind of reward for you. It does not matter if you're working for the minimum wage. The guys that clean my street are white English and they do their job graciously. The good thing is that some of them live well and have exotic cars. On the other hand however, a minimum wage must be set for the Private sector too. The Nigerian government has to see to that. A living wage has to be set and enforced by the government so that Nigerians can afford to have a good standard of living while working hard for their employers.

@ congohouse

I'm happy for you, mate. I'm also entrepreneurial in nature. However, like I said earlier on, it is not everyone that can manage his or her own business. It takes a deep intellect to become a successful entrepreneur. However, people can live well if they watch their spending habits and lifestyle. Cheers.

This is my honest reply to this post. It is not everyone that can become an entrepreneur. I also believe people should discover their natural gifts. It would go a long way in making them comfortable in life. People also need to take a look at their lifestyle and spending habits. When you spend so much money on drinks and other frivolities, there is no way you won't complain about being treated at your workplace like a slave. I have seen people who are not earning much in Nigeria but they are comfortable. They know how to get things at bargain prices and they save some money every month, no matter how small the amount is. I'm not against having some fun now and then, but what do you have to say about a man that earns 40,000 naira a month and takes 4 bottles of Gulder daily? or smokes packs of cigarettes everyday? Our spending habits also contribute to our standard of living. Cheers.

Nairaland is getting more and more interesting daily. I hope our leaders are on this site for ideas that will lift Nigeria out of the doldrums. The ferry service is a good idea. I believe private investors can come in and implement the idea. The development of Nigeria is in our hands. It should not be left to the government alone. Nigeria is a place [ despite the peculiar problems the country has ] where a innovative and determined entrepreneur can make loads of money if he or she can dare to activate the right ideas.

If the banks can invest in the transportation sector, they will make lots of money. In England, the Virgin group of companies has its imprints everywhere. Richard Branson is into all kinds of businesses ranging from Air and Rail Transport, Media [ TV and Broadband ], Health Clubs, Holiday Resorts, Telephone services [ Landline and Mobile ] and other innovative businesses. I'm waiting for peeps like Dangote, Otedola, Jimoh Ibrahim etc to start investing in the public infrastructure of the country. They will make more money in that way. I'm someone that believes in the manifest destiny of Nigeria. What I'm happy about is that the race to develop Nigeria has started. And Seun Osewa is playing a big part in it by creating a forum for Nigerians to vent their ideas and interact with one another. God bless Nigeria. One love. Cheers.

www. toluihidero..com

Chei, I can't believe that ladies will stoop so low to demand for popcorn all under the guise of selling their bodies. The end is indeed nigh.

@Noah

Okay, I will name names now. I want to expose some organizations in Nigeria that have been horrible to me when it comes to customer care.

1. WEMA Bank, Akure, Ondo State; I had a horrible time with the counter staff at the bank, especially one woman who I was always unfortunate to come across everytime I visited that Wema Branch. She always looked at me scornfully anytime I wanted to withdraw money I was a corper then and sometimes I withdrew as little as 500 Naira at a time. She always made me feel that I had little savings with the bank. My account with the bank should be dead by now. I lost their withdrawal booklet eons ago.

2. NIPOST, General Post Office, Oshodi: Ha, this Post Office should be given an award for bad customer service. It is all about the Benjamins here o. If you don't dole out some money, nothing will be done for you by most of the staff at this Post Office. All kinds of letters that does not belong to me are stuffed into my box. The sorting room at the Post Office is nothing to write home about. It is a very dirty place and the staff there are rude. The Place was decrepit the last time I visited there. I don't know if the place has been renovated. The workers there behave as if they are doing you a favour. To buy stamps is even a problem. Some thing should be done about that Post Office. I'm considering moving to the Ikeja Post Office in the near future.

3. Guardian Newspapers Ltd [ secretary to one of the Editors ]: Very wicked woman. I don't know if she's still with the company. Way back in 2005, I was at The Guardian to do some research concerning my Final Year Project [ Long Essay ] at the University of Ibadan. I had been using the Newspaper's Library for sometime until that fateful day. Due to the nature of my research work, I had to clarify some information with the paper's executives. I was able to get through to the administrative department who told me to purchase a book about the company and its owner, Alex Ibru. As I was going back to the library after purchasing the book, I saw a door that had the notice- Reuben Abati. I quickly decided to see if I could get some information from the great writer. That was where my troubles began. His secretary said he was not around and when I asked her if I could drop a note for him, she replied by asking what I was doing in the premises anyway. Suddenly, she picked the phone up and called the security at the main gate- '' Security, there is this young man in a blue shirt and black trousers and shoes. I don't know what he wants. Please come and get him''. I felt bad at her behaviour and quickly left the company that day. The guards did not even come for me. Guess they were used to her arrogance and wickedness.

May God help Nigeria. I'm in a better place now. However, I will be coming back to Naija to save our children from becoming monsters when they grow up. Cheers.

Creativity at its best. I love the video. This is what I have been saying. Nigerians need to start asserting themselves worldwide. We have all what it takes to stop the negative vibes being circulated about our country. Cheers.

well, I predicted a goalless draw this morning. I am not happy about the display of the Eagles. I've got my life to live anyway. Cheers.

@Sauron

Stop supporting Amodu. You know that he and his boys did not perform well today. He has started meeting tough teams and his deficiencies are now showing. Hmn, things are looking odious. This game is a bad omen.

@Seun

Amodu should have put together his winning team by now. There is no time to waste. I will not accept any of the excuses he is going to give to the Nigerian sports media. He was given enough time to assemble a good squad for the qualifiers. The Eagles have spoilt my day. This is not the time for us to drop points. If they had played well and still drew the game, I would not be angry. However, they did not impress us. So Tunisia is leading the group now. We will have to play catch up to the Carthage Eagles. It is this same Tunisia that stopped us from qualifying for some important tournaments in the past. The eagles have started badly o

@presido1

Stop that joke, mate. I'm all worked up in my apartment now. It is now that we will really know how good Amodu is. The Kenyans even scored a goal against the stronger Tunisians yesterday.

@ tocdee

why did you say I am lucky? I really want to see some minutes of the match.

@ i laugh

the match is not being shown on the television. I was told by my mates that I could watch the game on the internet. Oh, God. I need to see at least 15 mins of the game. I want to really assess the Super Eagles team. From what guys are saying on this thread, the Eagles are really not playing well. Though away games are really tough, I feel that Amodu lacks the technical depth. Our misadventure in 2006 started in this manner. God help Nigeria.

I can't still watch the match on the internet.

www.livefoot.freehostia.com/nigeria.html/ is still not showing anything.

Anyway, I wish Amodu and his boys the best. Cheers.

Nigeria is really going to have it tough at this stage of the SA 2010 qualifiers. I'm sure the Mozambiqans are being inspired by Togo's victory over Cameroun yesterday. Tunisia's coaching crew will be smiling now and plotting Nigeria's downfall. The Carthage Eagles will be our toughest opponents in the group. We need to win this match at all costs. I'm not a prophet of doom, but I stopped supporting Amodu Shuaibu 2 months ago. All these small African countries have started asserting themselves o. We need to be very careful.

Lets see how this match will end.

I can't even see the game on Justin tv. It is not showing on my computer screen. Where else can I watch the game online? From comments on Nairaland, I can see that the eagles are playing badly.

@ too soon

Don't get it twisted. I support the Super Eagles but I don't support the lack of foresight on the part of Amodu Shuaibu and the NFF. What should be uppermost in the mind of the NFF is the task of building a national team that will do the country proud in SA 2010. I want to see some home based players featuring in the starting line up of the Eagles. Clemens Westerhof started using players like Sunday Oliseh [ whom he spotted in the Nigerian league ], George Finidi [ also from the local league ], Edema Fuludu, Moses Kpakor, Isaac Semitoje, Friday Elaho etc for prosecuting his World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifying campaigns in the 90's. Oliseh and Finidi went to Europe under Westehof's guidance. This was before the World Cup in the United States in 1994. We need a coach who can sniff out soccer talent from unexpected places. Take it or leave it, that coach is Samson Siasia. His time as Eagles coach is coming.

Meanwhile, I wish Amodu well. Lets see what happens against the guys from Mozambique today.

Cheers.