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Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 11:48am On May 14, 2013

AjanleKoko: We may not be able to achieve that in Nigeria, due to a number of factors. High cost of infrastructure development, mismanagement, corruption, and accountability. Even pension money is stolen in Nigeria.

Though some governments have tried. When the fuel subsidy was removed in January 2012, Lagos State actually made an adjustment in PAYE as a means of cushioning the effect of the fuel increase. Small, but at least it means someone is thinking about development. By and large we will get there.

So if you were elected a governor today what will you do with a limited purse and massive holes to fill. Do you go out to lift the people, their suroundings or a bit of both.

Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 11:09am On May 14, 2013

AjanleKoko: Well, Amaechi did a lot of good work with schools and hospitals, which I like.
He also decided to spoil it by getting himself an executive jet

Fashola, in my view is still the most balanced. I have seen a lot of good work all over Lagos, even in the most neglected places. Quite impressive. He's also done very well with the general hospitals, which is very important for grassroots. Where he has not done much is in the area of education, as it seems that ministry has been used to gratify political interests.

If that's all government does then who is responsible for taking us from 1 or is it 2 dollars a day to 3 dollars a day. How do we get there.

The lady above hails the infrastructure in Akwa-Ibom. That's fine until the excuse for grinding poverty. What is wrong with stimulus, cash in hand. Developed countries do it by tax breaks, coupons, subsidies. Obama did it - cheap cars, the EU does it. 25 percent of its budget, a mountain of cash goes to keeping its farmers merry who contribute only 5 percent of GDP. What does the AKSG subsidize that is visible, measurable and tangible.

Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 10:42am On May 14, 2013

AjanleKoko: I don't think it's fair to generalize and say all Nigerians want cash in our pockets.
Many Nigerians, particularly the illiterate country folk, just want a few of those things I listed, and nothing more. The acts of a few greedy noisemakers can't determine the true mood of the nation.

And I am not so sure that Duke went a long way in that direction. I don't see how Tinapa or the Calabar carnival has contributed much towards food, shelter, clothing, etc., for Cross Rivers State dwellers.

That's what am saying. Some Crossriverians then felt that way. When Liyel was coming in the cry was loud and clear. We want stuff for us. It is also mistaken to believe the average villages gives a hoot about an airport in town. So how do you react to that if it crushes your budget for years.

Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 10:30am On May 14, 2013

[quote author=Didi_8]Development should be focused on human beings. Not necessarily about high rise buildings. Any development that is not sustainable is not good development. For example, a road is built but due to lack of maintenance the road gets worse than it used to be before it was 'upgraded'. That development did not need to take place in the first place. The bulk of what is taking place in Nigeria is not economically and socially sustainable. They are not development.[/quote]But there is a consensus that there are two things holding back Nigeria's development - the works and the will aptly represented by infrastructure and legislation. And there is a precedent. America bought its way out of the great depression by government's massive investment in infrastructure. It created jobs and stimulated the economy. Other recessions were handled by the private sector but when things get really bad governments alone can handle them by massive investments. Obama did it.

Anyway I agree with you that infrastructure is not the silver bullet. I mean what did we not hear when the telecom sector was going private. "We will witness massive influx of investors", "we will attain this target and that", "Nigeria is on the path to development". Well today after more than a decade it doesn't feel that way so the optimists have jumped on the next train saying, "don't worry, just fix power and its eldorado". Something doesn't sound right with that because to me if snappy telecoms just makes it easier for me to browse porn and chat up hookers, round the clock electricity means round the clock DSTV and super roads means obesity then what?

Debate continues.

Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 10:00am On May 14, 2013

AjanleKoko: OP is right.
Development is mostly about providing the enabling environment for citizens to achieve their aspirations. That encompasses the basics: access to food, good shelter, clothing, medical care, education, power, roads/transportation, and jobs/economic empowerment.

Once all of that can be guaranteed for the citizens, the skyscrapers can come

But Duke went a long way in this direction but some of the people said bull. We want cash in our pockets. I've said it severally. I believe acts more than words. Nigerians act what they mean. They want buildings without water, limousines without roads and private jets withoiut airports or radar coverage. This is what I see happening. All else is theory. I don't know of any Nigeria that correlates his persona with the state if the nation. We essentially live a lie.

Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 7:58am On May 14, 2013

sandrapower: development is having good access roads...

What about the cars to drive on them. In Abuja city centre I can name two streets that have full infrastructure - roads, walkways, drains, sewage, transformers, streetlights and cool houses with to let signs hanging on them without one single tenant. If it was in the country side those roads will be used to dry maize and pepper.

Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 7:33am On May 14, 2013*

anulaxad: Don't be silly.

DEVELOPMENT IS THE STYLE OF BUILDING OR MAKING BETTER.

NOTHING BUT INFRASTRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT.INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALL I CARE ABOUT.THATS DEVELOPMENT.

A HUGE CONSTRUCTION BOOM WILL DO GOOD FOR NIGERIA.

See what I mean. This is one big obstacle we have, divergent interpretations. How do you get to where you can't agree to.

Going back to the Cross-river example one thing you'd often hear is that Duke spent so heavily on infrastructure and not much on 'human capacity development' aka pressing cash into hands. I remember even the debate on nairaland where I supported the 'creation of conducive investment environment' through the provision of infrastructure and legislation but Crossriverians replied that they can dance and sing along with the carnival but they can't even 'afford' to get to Tinapa thoughtless of buying stuff there.

Another thing. I once googled 'the single largest employers of labour in the world'. Guess what. Two of the top three organizations were American government parastatals. And this is the bastion of capitalism. Food for thought.

Politics › Re: What Is Your Definition Of Development? by Reference(m): 6:48am On May 14, 2013

Yeah this will be interesting. I remember vividly the case in Cross-River. Durinng the tail end of Duke's tenure this debate surfaced. He was accused of building this and building that while the people remained in penury and we who were witnesses then coined a phrase for Calabar - 'a place where the streets are London and the compounds are Lagos' and it was true because you could drive through some parts where half a street will be lined with mud buildings but the quality of infrastructure - roads, drains, water, transformers, etc were class. Obviously having lived in Lagos, Port, Aba, and Uyo during Victor Attah's tenure this was not the case. Compounds were always better than streets. You will see mansions, duplexes with limousines and heavy jeeps wading through lakes and craters to get to their garages.

I think the question of development has to do with what a 'peoples' ascribe as their core values and in Nigeria this is where we have serious problems. The avarage Nigerian doesn't know what living the good life means and he has no idea whatsoever of the path to get there.

A bigger problem however I've come to notice lately going back to the Calabar example is that we donot have unified values, unified ideologies, a unified definition so its like a group of people not knowing where they are going and worse fighting each other to take charge of the trip before agreeing a direction.

Interesting debate. Continue.

1 Like

Nairaland General › Re: Any Spiritual Implication For A 29yr-Old Sharing Bed With Her Mum? by Reference(m): 10:31pm On May 13, 2013

abujalapdog: Can any shade more light if it is morally right or there is any spiritual implications for a 29yr old graduate to sleep the same bed with her mum till date? I have seen that this thing affect her relationship with her boy friend alot because she hardly tolerate men around her. Can anyone contribute anything they feel might be helpful?

You've not provided enough information and the tone of the post feels 'one kind'to me. First of all find out why she's sharing; due to lack?, etc. And more importantly I prefer she shares a bed with her mum than her boyfriend. It in no way affects her future relationship except with a guy looking for free sex.

I once traveled with my mum for an occasion and we arrived the town late so I lost one of two hotel reservations. I had to bed up with my mum that night. It was strange because I had to trim my excesses like leaving the TV on all night but it was okay, but again for just one night. Depends on the circumstances.

Politics › Re: Iranian Accused Of Importing Arms To Nigeria Sentenced by Reference(m): 10:06pm On May 13, 2013

mu2sa2: According to news reports the arms were actually destined for Gambia, imported by the govt there. The trial and sentencing of the Iranian is just to please western countries. Sham judgement, similar to what is dished out every day by our malleable judges when ordinary nigerians are involved .

And since when has Nigeria become a transhipment port to the Gambia. And if it was legal why wasn't the Nigerian authorities informed before hand. Anyway do more research on weapons transhipments and inform me where you have ever seen it happen in the world. The only people who do arms transhipments are rogue nations or the former soviet union and now russia to evade international watch dogs. It is illegal business my friend. Nigeria is widely known to be at the forefront to get an international treaty in place to fight the proliferation of small arms due to our home grown problems. You expect our law enforcement officials and the military to fold its arms when their feet are dangling above fiery coals.

1 Like

Politics › Re: Iranian Accused Of Importing Arms To Nigeria Sentenced by Reference(m): 9:15pm On May 13, 2013

Gamji007: We don't have a judiciary in Nigeria. The police,SSS,courts etc are all wash outs.

Wetin concern police and SSS for dis matter. Dem don submit candidate for trial. Na dem go prosecute and sentence again. Wen dem do extra-judicial we go dey complain.

Business › Re: Atms Dispense Fake N1000 Notes by Reference(m): 3:49pm On May 13, 2013

Denn: so if someone comes online now and claims that he used XYZ bank ATM on saturday and he got N20,000.00 in fake notes.

does it mean it is true?
even if he has the fake notes physically, how can you prove that it was received from the machine?
if you have a private business where you sell cooked food, will it be really nice if someone comes on nairaland and claims he saw rodents in the food you served?
dont you think the best approach is for the offended party to first seek redress with the offending establishment?
dont you think a formal approach to conflict resolution shows that we are different from other lower animals?

Yes, if I am made to eat roaches in burgers I keep quiet and seek redress while others continue to eat roaches. Who is more important, the customers or the business. They are lucky, if it was in civilised societies na lawyer go contact them with class action thoughtless of naming and shaming.

When horsemeat found its way into beef products round europe the companies involved were named instantly and each one in he distribution chain took immediate action in the public to find out what went wrong, effect remedies and assure customers it won't ever happen again. For people like you stuck in government control mentality where PHCN takes light for months without explanation get real, Nigeria must and will change.

Business › Re: Atms Dispense Fake N1000 Notes by Reference(m): 9:22am On May 13, 2013

We don't need stories just damn facts and figures, names and locations. Which bank, which branch, which ATM, period. Then you will discover that even without further ado the problem will stop. That is the essence of social media. If you can't be factual its either a lie or you are part of the problem.

4 Likes

Business › Re: Atms Dispense Fake N1000 Notes by Reference(m): 9:13am On May 13, 2013

Yet more nonsensical reporting to further prove just how deep corruption has sunk. The name of the consullting firm was mentioned, the name of the CBN was mentioned but not surprisingly the names of the offending banks were protected so that the scam can continue perpetually. Then we turn around and accuse government of cover-up when we cannot even admit to ourselves the truth. Have you ever heard or read on international news stories of importance where the actors are completely anonymous. We Nigerians deserve everything we get. No ATM for me this morning. Period.

13 Likes

Politics › Re: Jonathan Plans Shipyard To Boost Maritime Sector by Reference(m): 8:24am On May 13, 2013

While we are all crying that Nigeria is over dependent on oil and with high unemployment industrialization is our only way out. That's how Japan and later Korea got out of war debt. Today they are top of the pile in shipping tonnage closing down several ship building plants in Europe and the US even though they don't have an ounce of iron ore.

Here in Nigeria we have iron ore, steel plants, ports filled with foreign ships and an army of unemployed youths turning militant by the day and yet its not important, misplaced priority.

Telecoms and banking are good but we cannot develop depending on those sectors alone. Shipping like construction, agriculture and manufacturing is labour intensive and can sponge a lot of the unemployed out there particularly the blue collar range that have become an internal security problem in Nigeria.

Politics › Re: Jonathan Plans Shipyard To Boost Maritime Sector by Reference(m): 8:01am On May 13, 2013

Policewoman: Maybe in your region. In some other region, they have started assembling SUVs, mini buses, coach buses, cars, e.t.c. So talk only about yourself pls.

Don't lose sleep over these folks. That's why its good to travel. Just get down to Portharcourt and see what guys are doing in boat building for the oil industry. I have friends there who are giving foreign competition a hard time. The challenges are clear, an enabling environment. All government needs to do is to transform these outfits from businesses to an encompassing industry. This requires investment.

Politics › Re: Jonathan Plans Shipyard To Boost Maritime Sector by Reference(m): 7:46am On May 13, 2013

otokx: electricity and good roads with security is what we need in the short term for the next 7 years, any other thing is wash.

Otokx. You of all people living in Portharcourt knows how important the ship building industry there is. As a matter if fact if there is any industry that is important to the Niger-Delta and other coastal states and can match the oil industry for revenues, jobs and investment, it is ship building. Glad you said other needs are short term but we all invest in medium and long term things as well.

These things will be the legacy of the oil industry when eventually the wells dry up.

Politics › Re: Jonathan Plans Shipyard To Boost Maritime Sector by Reference(m): 7:37am On May 13, 2013

Good move if done properly. I however prefer stimulating the private sector to develop it by creating ther right investment environment by proper value chains. But if it is another poorly thought-out potential white elephant that will load us with debt or inflate government expenses long-term then they should'nt consider it.

However we must understand that shipping is the daddy of transportation and shipping related infrastructure is critical to national development. We cannot properly harvest international trade, support critical aspects of the PIB or even police our maritime borders if we cannot support shipping. If we are left with just buying and running vessels as opposed to manufacturing and maintaining them then the industry will remain exotic and continue to be controled by foreign powers or worse still suffer the fate of the aviation industry that is critically imblanced leading to constant stories if woe.

No nation seriously looking forward will ignore its industrialization. Whether the government is the right player is another matter.

2 Likes

Politics › Re: Gunmen Attack Southern Kaduna Village by Reference(m): 12:45am On May 13, 2013

Maybe we should come together and boycott beef products in the market or one day you will be chewing through your steak and literaly bite the bullet or worse still half a pound of C-4. These Nigerian cowboys are getting outta hand.

1 Like

Christianity Etc › Re: Will Lagos Ever Have A Christian Governor? by Reference(m): 5:35pm On May 12, 2013

Dam02: This guy will ever regret posting this topic.

Why. It is a legit question that should be addressed rather than ignored or derided. There are a few places in Nigeria that were like Lagos a while ago but not so today. I think strategic thinkers will look more closely at this scenario and seek to strengthen the factors that unify the peoples of the state rather than live in assumption. The state of a nation or teritory is very important. Don't take anything for granted. The forces of division and destruction surely don't.

1 Like

Family › Re: Open Communication In Marriage, A Plus Or Minus? by Reference(m): 2:52pm On May 12, 2013

yellowpawpaw: Maybe u got dat statement wrong.u can modify it.I gat what u were sayin very well.
Communication means a lot.there is nothin I dont tell my hubby and viseversa.even things dat made no sense.its very vital in relationship.

Just say most things. Not everything. No relationship is this perfect among men.

Romance › Re: How To Know If Your Partner Is Obsessed With You by Reference(m): 11:15am On May 12, 2013

There is nothing on earth that people do not get obsessed with talkless of relationships. Even dogs and horses will exhibit one or two at some point in matrimony. That's why its called relationship. Its like saying ambition is evil in work and career. Just meaningless. My own definition of obsession goes way beyond petty jealousy, insecurity and other acts mistaken in this post. There is no relationship in this world without a bit of those at any point in time.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Manchester City Vs Wigan : FA Cup (0 - 1) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 9:22pm On May 11, 2013

Mancini will start packing more than his sunscreen and beachballs. He's a gonner. The guy is just not a good coach. City with all the cash injection deserve more. The Premiership is just too tough for him.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 2:44pm On May 11, 2013

Today has been Frank Lampard's day. Living legend. We may not witness such again in our lifetime.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 2:16pm On May 11, 2013

That is a goal. It spun it at the last moment, just before the clearance. Terry injured before another European final. Is this another sign of good luck?

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 2:06pm On May 11, 2013

This Premiership na real snakes and ladders. Before the red card they could av even finished inside the top ten. Right now Villa could easily be dragged into the relegation ghetto where oga puppy face is area fada.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 2:03pm On May 11, 2013

Who else but ol Lamp. Chelsea legend.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 2:01pm On May 11, 2013

Benteke's sharing the same weed stack with Ramirez.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 1:58pm On May 11, 2013

Chelsea is looking dizzy and jaded no thanks to Rafa's ceaseless rotational policy.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 1:30pm On May 11, 2013

Ramirez airtel. Who was talking about weed abuse earlier.

European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Aston Villa Vs Chelsea (1 - 2) On 11th May 2013 by Reference(m): 1:28pm On May 11, 2013

Chelsea should wake up jor. There's a lot riding on this result. No less than a draw. Not looking good right now.

Music/Radio › Re: Are Ladies Respected In Nigerian Music Videos? by Reference(m): 12:36pm On May 11, 2013

[quote author=12 inches!]Oh my God!!! See what someone just said shocked

. Oya women over to u. Come and bash him.[/quote]I don't know about that but the facts are clear. Men donot walk around with bodies striving to leap out of their clothes. The notion that these sub-culture belongs to any class and creed is also false. Rich, well educated, married women do so as well and those who cannot for being 'caged' burn inside.

Not all those you see on those western videos are single and struggling. Some are married well to do professionals who are represented by 'highly respectable' entertainment agencies.

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