₦airaland Forum

Kanu has done well for Nigeria. It is good that he is retiring at this moment. He remains one of Nigeria's best players in history. I really respect him and I'll never forget those classic goals he scored against Brazil at the Olympics in 1996. Though he has lost form in recent years, he still retains his good heart. Nigerians owe him a lot for the patriotism he has displayed during his career. I feel the Federal Government should honour him by hosting him to a dinner and naming a stadium after him. Thank you, Papillo


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I have been looking for this kind of thread on Nairaland. The main reason why we don't have Venture Capitalists in Nigeria is that we don't really trust each other. The legal system in Nigeria is still fragile, and it is not easy to get your money back if an entrepreneur you're working with suddenly becomes dodgy. Then we don't have a solid data system in the country. How can you verify easily if someone is living where they claim to live? NIPOST which is supposed to manage our Postcode system is a sleeping giant and the Police lack the tools to go after defaulters. There are people who have invested in small businesses in the past but they got their hands burnt . I believe Nigerian Banks can really foster entrepreneurship in the country. The banks only need to be courageous and proactive in this regard. Graduates with solid business plans who can provide references from important people should get a look in from the banks. The banks do not have to invest millions in businesses. It could be as little as 50,000-500,000 Naira.

All the Banks will be doing is to monitor the businesses they've invested in and make sure the entrepreneurs open bank accounts with them. This will enable the financial advisors to know how the money is being spent and how much money from profits is being deposited in the accounts. However, we need to tackle the greed that runs in the system of most Nigerians first. Cheers.


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Fellow Nairalanders, I feel we are not getting some things right. It is true that we have the right to be angry with the woeful display of the Eagles in South Africa However, we need to ask questions concerning the structure of Nigerian Football. How much has the Federal Government spent in upgrading sporting facilities all over the country? I'm not talking about Stadiums that were renovated when we hosted some FIFA tournaments. What I'm trying to say is this: How much money is being used to upgrade Football pitches in our secondary schools? Do our Secondary Schools receive Sporting grants from State Governments and Local councils? That is why I feel Sani Lulu, Bolaji Ojo-Oba and the rest of the guys in the Glass House are colossal failures. I doubt if the Nigerian Football Federation [NFF] has plans to develop Football in Primary and Secondary Schools all over the country.

We don't plan for the future in Nigeria. After the disappointing display of Nigeria at the 2002 World Cup and the pain of not qualifying for Germany 2006, is it not a shame that we are still in the same rot in 2010? I'm so sure a report will be drawn up as usual after this World Cup. A lot of blames will be apportioned and a new coach will be employed. However, will the root problems of Nigerian Football be tackled? Will the Nigerian Football become well organized that players from all over Africa will be playing for Nigerian Football Clubs? Will attempts be made to revive the Principal's Cup in our secondary schools in a bid to ensure that we field very young players for FIFA U-17 and U-20 tournaments? I feel these are the issues we should be discussing on this forum. Cheers.


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Personally, I think both Amodu Shuaibu and Lars Lagerback are bad coaches. The difference between them is that one is more exposed than the other. Lagerback is from Sweden and he grew up in an environment where things work. He has been exposed to all kinds of Grade A facilities and worked with a well organized Swedish Football Federation. Amodu on the other hand grew up in a country where things do not work [ Nigeria ] and where good sporting facilities are hard to come by. He has also been unfortunate to have worked with a Nigerian Football Federation that has been consistently run by incompetent administrators for some time.

The problem with Nigerian Football is Systematic. No foreign coach [ Not even Jose Mourinho ] will succeed as Nigeria's Coach when the country's football has no structure. The Nigerian Football League is not developing and can't be compared to the 90's when our league flourished. Nigerian Football is being run by Charlatans and Mafia-like groups. It is all about the money now and the parasites running Nigerian Football do not care about putting infrastructure in place.  Without a vibrant football League, Nigerian Football will remain in the abyss of failure. Come to think of it, is it not from the Nigerian Premier League that Clemens Westerhof discovered George Finidi, Sunday Oliseh, Isaac Semitoje, Moses Kpakor etc? None of the current Super Eagles defenders can match Isaac Semitoje when he was playing for the Super Eagles. We need to develop grassroots football with the Government investing substantial sums of money in the league. A blueprint should be drawn up with the aim of making Nigeria's Premier League the best in Africa. We also need to tackle the issue of fielding over-aged players for FIFA'S U-17 and U-20 tournaments. This means we need to revive football in our secondary schools with the return of the Principals Cup all over the country. When the structures are put in place, it will be easy for a Foreign Coach to succeed in Nigeria. He will have a large pool of home based players to choose from and our Europe based players will sit up.

Lagerback should not be totally blamed for our woeful perfomances in South Africa. We failed because our football has no structure. Thanks.


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I am not buying into Joseph Yobo's attempt to pacify angry Nigerian Football Fans with promises and strong vows. I don't see the Super Eagles beating South Korea. The Koreans will want to win the match or at least get a draw to boost their chances of qualifying. If Argentina beats Greece, South Korea will qualify for the second round. Nigeria is really in a bad position right now. Greece will also be aiming to beat Argentina or pull a draw with Maradona's boys. Yobo should bury his head in shame. The battle is already lost and nothing can remedy the situation. I'm not being pessimistic but we don't deserve to be in the 2nd round. Nigerian Football needs to undergo a major surgery with the guys in the Glass House being flushed out- I'm talking about the likes of Sani Lulu, Bolaji Ojo-Oba et al.

As for Lagerback, I am really disappointed in him. I thought he was going to make a lot of difference as Nigeria's coach. He needs to go. Let us give a Samson Siasia a chance to build a new Super Eagles Team for Nigeria. Cheers.


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Yet another thread on tithing Well, I've not been paying tithes for some time now and I don't think God is angry with me or will refuse to accept me as his son because I'm not paying tithes. I have paid tithes in the past and I won't say paying tithes is wrong. What I am most concerned about is making Heaven at the end of the day. It will be a grave disaster for anyone who is a regular tithe payer and churchgoer to miss the rapture and go to hell There are lots of conflicting doctrines in the church today and one needs to be careful of Pastors who are wolves in sheep's clothing. Is it not Pastor Enoch Adeboye [ I respect him and his Ministry ] that told a gathering of thousands of Area Pastors, Deacons and Workers that God told him if the rapture should take place at the moment he was speaking to them, only about 3-5 people would make heaven? The story still makes me shudder in fear and trembling as I type this post.

Most Christian gatherings today are becoming jamborees God help us all. Hmn.


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Minister Aganga must be high on something

Hmn

I still maintain that we have to improve on data collection and management before launching out on a scheme like this. Nothing concrete will be achieved if we cannot work out the number of unemployed graduates and youths in Nigeria. Managing data is not a joke and it needs serious financial investment. We need to develop databases that are linked to each other in Nigeria. In a country where Government officials find it difficult to give the masses the exact figures of the amount of money being made yearly from trade and Internally Generated Revenue, I wonder why we think running the benefits system will be smooth like gravy. Too much money is being wasted [ and also stashed in secret bank accounts ] currently because of our almost non-existent data systems.

For the benefits scheme to work, all the levels of Government and the Private Sector need to work hand in hand. Our universities will have to update their graduation records so that it would be easy to verify if Graduates attended a particular school. The NYSC would also have to take all their records online to authenticate Youth Service claims. We need to be very organized in Nigeria. Since the ID Cards project has failed [ ID Cards cannot effectively guarantee a person's identity by the way  ], we can make use of Passports, School ID cards, Driving licences and Company ID cards for the collection of the 15,000 Naira. The painful thing is that Government Departments in Nigeria have not been taking data capture and management seriously. I wonder if the birth of children in Nigeria can be verified easily in a matter of minutes It won't take ages for the Federal Government to build databases on Nigerians for economic and social welfare purposes.

With our penchant for not wanting to do things properly, the 15,000 Naira benefits system for unemployed graduates will be abused on a large scale. Without a solid verification system, a dodgy guy can claim the money in 10 States  [ 150,000 Naira ] without being detected. Bring  Energy and the databases on first, and other things will follow. Cheers.


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This thread is getting more interesting by the minute Giving money to unemployed graduates in Nigeria will result in a lot of fresh problems arising. Suddenly, the Oluwole Forgery Syndicate will start to blossom again [ It has been curtailed a bit by the activities of the EFCC and the thorough document verification methods used by the Embassies in Nigeria ] and fraudsters will start collecting cash that they are not entitled to  Innovation and industriousness will also be hampered as many Nigerian youths will just be waiting to collect their 15k at the end of the month. They might not think of using their talents and gifts to earn a living, and will be dependent on Government handouts.

Nigeria is not good at record keeping and data management. Is it easy to prove that someone is unemployed in Nigeria? We don't have NI or social security numbers like the UK or the US. In the UK, it is easy to track your employment history through your NI number. The UK authorities can find out if you're unemployed through your NI number. The Nigerian Government does not have database centres where information about people can be accessed. I see a situation where well paid Nigerian graduates [ Who are obviously working ] will be claiming the 15,000 Naira benefit  Some Nigerians might also become ingenious by collecting the monthly 15k under different names and in different sates. One person can be banking 150,000 Naira montly without being caught.

We will also be seeing a rise in irresponsibility and careless living among Nigerian youths. Personally, I've seen some of the negative effects of the benefits system in Britain. The UK Government is hiding some statistics and information from the people. The immigrants are the ones paying 45-55% of the money given out as benefits to people through taxes and NI contributions. In Britain, some families have not worked for generations and solely survive on all forms of benefits. Cancelling the benefits system will lead to a civil war in Britain. People have become so dependent on the state that they will become vicious if their benefits are taken away. Do we want to go the same way in Nigeria? Even with the databases in Britain, people are still playing the system

Nigerians are naturally enterprising by nature. Let the Government fix the problems bedevilling the nation like lack of adequate electricity and solid healthcare, the bad educational system, bad roads etc first. It is after they've done this that they can start thinking of setting up a social system. Cheers.


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I thought Obesere or Daddy Showkey would win the Gulder Celebrity Showdown. Well, congrats to Emeka Ike. I don't know why the guy is hated by a lot of Nairalanders but I somehow admire him. I've seen some of his movies and he's not a bad actor. Personally, he has some of my personal characteristics. He does not like being pushed around and fights for what he believes is his [ Like the Estate he's trying to wrest away from thieving relatives ]. I prefer Emeka Ike to Jim Iyke.  Congrats jare, Emeka Ike  I dey behind you, my man. Keep on flying high.


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@ Mike Oscar, tell them oooooooooooo



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Here are 10 songs I never get tired of listening to:

1. Lost in Space by Lighthouse Family
2. Free [ I wish I knew how it would be to be free ] By Lighthouse Family.
3. The Great Romantic by Tunde Baiyewu
4. High by Lighthouse Family
5. Ex Factor by Lauryn Hill
6. Jebele by Kween Onakala
7. Under His Shadows by KUSH
8. unconditional love by Donna Summer
9. Orere Elejigbo by Lijadu Sisters
10. One Love by Onyeka Onwenu

I love these songs and they are stored on my computer. Cheers

The FG needs to make this commitment a reality. It is now a yearly ritual to announce to Nigerians that Police wages will be increased Our leaders should start taking action concerning their promises. I believe our policemen should be paid nothing less than 80,000 Naira a month. These are people whose lives can be terminated anytime by men of the underworld. Apart from the issue of Police salaries, our cops need to be retrained and well equipped. Many of the Police barracks should be pulled down and officers should be made to live among civilians. The Government can then subsidise their rent. Personally, I believe that until Nigeria's tax collection techniques are improved and more Nigerians are made to pay their taxes, the country's development will be slow. Cheers.

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I admire Omotola. She is really beautiful and she's got great acting skills. She's also humble to an extent and one thing that makes me admire her the more is her shape. She's still stunning after all the years


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@ Ajanlekoko, you have spoken well. I always love to read your comments on any issue on Nairaland. Cheers.

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My siblings and I are trying to dig a borehole in our family house in Lagos. We have been told that it will cost 250,000 Naira by the contractor who has handed my elder brother a quotation. I feel the actual price of digging a borehole will vary in different parts of Nigeria. Cheers.

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@Poster, thank you for initiating this thread. I just came back from my mate's place and we've spent the whole day talking about establishing several sources of income. We are not doing badly and our living conditions are cool [ considering that we live in Western Europe ] but we feel we can make more money than we are making presently. Nairalanders, I want you to know that Nigerians in Europe and North America are also facing their own money issues and responsibilities. A lot of people on this thread have made my day with their comments and advice to the poster. There is nothing like having your own business and running things yourself. It is also possible to hold on to your job and run a small business as a supplementary means of earning income. Even in Europe, a lot of people are surviving on benefits and other government support schemes.

There are a lot of opportunities in Nigeria that need to be exploited. Nigeria is still a virgin land for business start-ups and I believe that someone who is earning 80,000 Naira monthly should be able to run a small business successfully in Nigeria. Another place where good money is being made is on the internet. One just needs to be careful of Scammers by conducting a thorough research on the companies and individuals that operate on the web. There are a lot of opportunities on the web. Cheers.

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I'm just speechless with this story . A lot of crazy stuff happens in the UK involving Nigerians. You can hardly get any help or service free from Nigerians in the UK. I've heard of people who help others with papers [ loaning out NI numbers and work documents ] and end up oppressing those they have helped by deducting large amounts of money from their wages. When these unfortunate ones complain, these heartless people threaten to call the Police or Immigration officers. The irony of it all is that at the end of the day, when the oppressed ones earn their freedom, they often do better than those who've been in the UK for 15-20 years. Nigerians need to start learning that money is not everything. Life is much more than money. Many Nigerians in the UK are going through what the lady being mentioned is going through. What I will just advice the lady to do is to find a way out of the situation and learn to be independent. Though independence comes at a price, God is alive. God knows how to fight on behalf of the helpless ones. It is high time Nigerians in Britain need to change their mentality. Cheers.


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The list is okay. It is our preparations and the time to really blend the players and their styles together that is giving me a lot of concern. It seems we are going to re-enact the script of the 2002 World Cup. Personally, I feel Samson Siasia should be called up to assist Lagerback next month in South Africa. He has worked with a good number of the boys on the list in the past. I don't see the Super Eagles going beyond the 2nd round at the World Cup. We've left things a little too late.


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I hope our leaders in the House of Representatives have really done their homework before announcing that more states will be created  We love doing things without adequate planning and research in Nigeria. I have this feeling that the new States that are being created are meant to compensate certain tribes in the country. Some of our Representatives might be clamouring for new states to expand their political base, with the aim of becoming Governors of the new states in the near future. Creating new spheres of political and geographical influence has not made Nigeria an industrialized country. States like Kogi, Yobe and Ekiti state have not become economic miracles. The living standards of people residing in the states mentioned have not improved So what is the big deal in creating new states?

Instead of trying to create new states for selfish reasons, our leaders should take a cue from Canada. Many Canadians are whites but they have different cultural backgrounds. There are French-Canadians, Polish-Canadians, Irish-Canadians, German and Scandinavian Canadians, Canadians of Russian and Lithuanian origin etc. Then there are Canadians of African and Asian ancestry or origin.  As big as Canada is, the country has only 10 Provinces and 3 Territories. Apart form the thorny issue of Quebec's Independence, no one is agitating for a new Province or Territory. What Canadian leaders are interested in is to keep the nation running and make the lives of their citizens comfortable. Our leaders need to start caring for the masses and not making life more difficult for the people.

Our leaders are ruling us with their heads stuck in rubbish bins. I'm pissed off.


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Obafemi Martins remains one of the best strikers Nigeria has produced so far. It is just that moving to England did not help his professional career. He was hot and banging in goals consistently when he was in Italy with Reggiana and Inter Milan. Obafemi Martins has also not been playing well for Nigeria in recent times. I believe he will do well at the World Cup though. I hope Lagerback will utilize him effectively as a striker with a knack for scoring goals. Under a good coach, Martins always blossoms. He played well under Roberto Mancini at inter Milan. I hope he will also play well under Lars Lagerback.


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I have not even watched the BBC documentary that is causing so much controversy. I know I should have seen it but I've been busy working on a blog project. There are slums in different countries all over the world but Nigeria's case is very unique. To whom much is given much is expected. Nigeria has the resources to take care of its citizens but Nigerian leaders are mainly selfish and very greedy. China which has almost 1.3 billion citizens is working very hard to cater for the people. Nigeria has a big landmass and with just 150 Million inhabitants, why is it difficult for the average Nigerian to live comfortably? Until we start getting our priorities right, we will continue to be portrayed negatively by the Western Media. I also believe the BBC has an agenda against Nigeria but the Documentary about the slum dwellers should serve as a wake-up call to our leaders. There are even places in Nigeria that are worse than Makoko Some areas of Ibadan are permanently slum-like in appearance. Isolo in Akure, Ondo State is infested with chronic poverty. There is simply too much suffering in Nigeria. We need to start caring for ourselves and demand for the right leaders. Cheers.


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Those who cannot gain admission into Nigerian universities because of low JAMB UTME marks should ask themselves this question.

Am I really meant to study in a University?

Getting degrees and certificates is not meant for everyone. Some people are good with their hands and repairing things. They should head for vocational institutions like Technical Colleges or go and learn a trade. Cheers.


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The guy was very stupid to have made such a strange attempt to get into America. There is no way he would have arrived Obama's country safely. I wonder how desperate Nigerians can get these days. With 800,000 Naira he could start a business in Nigeria and end up doing well for himself and his family. Some Nigerians abroad cannot even boast of having 800,000 naira [ When converted to £ and $ ] in their bank accounts. There are always bills to pay and family demands on them. It is stupidity of the highest level. Hmn.


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@texazzpete

Thank You. I don't know why there are 3 threads on IBB on the front page of Nairaland. Has Seun Osewa sold out? I need to know so that I can look for an alternative forum online to share my views on different issues. It would be a disaster if Nairaland becomes a tool in the hands of IBB and our other mostly corrupt politicians. I'm pissed off


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Nigeria does not really have a middle class. There is too much suffering in the country and the Federal Government is not doing much to set the country unto the path of development. Honestly, nothing much has changed in Nigeria over the past 15 years. Yeah, everybody has a phone now and the internet has come to stay , but the standard of living of the average Nigerian is still very low. Holding a job in Nigeria is unstable nowadays as employers cannot be trusted and changes in policies can lead to a sudden retrenchment exercise. Until our leaders start catering for the real social needs of the masses, the country will remain a third world country. What our leaders are not realizing is that if they invest in social infrastructure, they will be able to make the money invested back through taxes and charges. By modernising our Post Offices, the Government will create more jobs and also earn more revenue. Nigerian Post Offices can act as venues for the payment of taxes, water and electricity bills and as area job centres. We don't need to invent things for ourselves these days. Machines and their accessories have already been invented. We only need to use them to foster Nigeria's development.

The only thing standing against the development of Nigeria is the natural greed that lies in most of its citizens Greed and Corruption are deeply entrenched in the country's polity. We can keep coming to Nairaland to write about how Nigeria should be developed, but until we change our attitude towards money and material things, we won't transform the country. I can speak for myself but I cannot speak for other Nairalanders.  I don't blame the BBC for airing the documentary. It should make us and our leaders seat up and work towards genuinely taking Nigeria to greater heights. Cheers.


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