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Sagewood's Posts

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PoliticsRe: NL Political Dialogue Nov 2012: STATE POLICE - ARE WE READY FOR IT? by Sagewood: 4:47am On Nov 25, 2012
Nigeria is NOT ready for the State Police system. Corruption, poverty and illiteracy are still
at unacceptable levels.
It will lead to excessive abuse of power, extra- judicial killings and be used as a political
tool to further the agenda of the State Governor. It will certainly become the
vigilante arm of the state government.
The current federal police system is NOT perfect, but it will suffice for now.
The greatest threat to an efficient and robust Nigeria police force is corruption,
and lack of accountability at all levels.
Just like every facet of the Nigerian life or government, corruption pervades the air.
Don't expect the Nigeria police force (NPF) to improve soon, except every other aspect of
government makes progress. The NPF does not exist in isolation, the whole country have to
improve and develop together.
PoliticsRe: Where Philip Emeagwali Got It Wrong "Nigeria Owes Me" by Sagewood: 9:48pm On Nov 24, 2012
Emeagwali is a BIG fraud!
If anyone cares, take time to study his profile and background.
What you will find will definitely surprise you.
His claims are so outlandish. The guy is delusional at best.
Foreign AffairsBlack Family Driven Out Of Orange County, Calif. Due To Racism by Sagewood(op): 4:03am On Nov 23, 2012
One African-American family is coming forward about the racist acts that drove them out of Orange County, Calif. Unfortunately, their experience is not an unfamiliar one for the predominantly white area.

The family, whose names are not being revealed for safety reasons, moved to Yorba Linda in May 2011 because they thought it was a safe neighborhood. But as soon as they got there, they were targeted.

First, they were awakened in the middle of the night as rocks shattered the windows of their house, the OC Weekly reports. Then, they found all eight tires on their two cars had been slashed.

They filed a police report and assumed juveniles randomly targeted them, CBS reports. Soon after, their six-year-old son related a story of classmates who said he couldn't play with them because he was black. He also said a kid told others that they could not talk to the boy because he was black.

A year after they moved in, their young adult son revealed that people would often shout the "N-word" racial slur as he rode his bicycle to work.

Finally, in October, as the father was pulling his car into the driveway, he said someone directed pellets of acid at him, damaging his car.

“My life felt threatened at that point,” the father told CBS. A few weeks ago, the family moved out of Orange County altogether.
In response, the Orange County Human Relations Commission said it intends to share the story with local politicians and conduct listening sessions with African Americans in the county, the Los Angeles Times reports. African Americans make up no more than two percent of the county and only one percent of Yorba Linda.

The commission has fielded 19 similar reports of discrimination against black families in Orange County so far this year, KPCC reports. This reflects a steady rise over the last two years.

The Southland's growing racial diversity, coupled with the economic downturn, has fostered a welcoming environment for hate groups in the area, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

Wade Michael Page, the deceased man accused of mass murder at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in August, moved to the OC in 2001 specifically for the region's hate music scene. There was also a sizable neo-Nazi rally in Pomona to protest California's Dream Act.

This hate map from the SPLC shows that California, with 84 hate groups, has the largest number of active hate groups nationwide.
Car TalkRe: INNOSON MOTORS - World's First Black-owned Car Manufacturer by Sagewood: 7:37am On Nov 22, 2012
Whatever your comments are, please take time to read and understand history.
Many countries or manufacturers started like Innoson and they were derided and
never given a chance to succeed. But countries like China, India, Brazil and South Korea
forged ahead nevertheless. Today, Brazil's economy is larger than that of the UK and Canada, and poised to overtake
France and Germany within few years. China's economy overtook Germany and Japan few years ago, and they are positioned
to overtake the USA, and become the world number one economy within 20 years.
Manufacturing played a key role in the growth of the above countries.

Long live Innoson Group, Long live Nigeria. Let's build Nigeria and be supportive.
PoliticsRe: US Plans To Extend Drone Strikes Operation To Nigeria by Sagewood: 6:55am On Nov 21, 2012
If the above write up is true ( I strongly doubt it), GEJ should under no circumstances invite the US military to Nigeria.
Check all the countries they are currently involved in, and name one where there is peace.
The situation will get worse and the country can slip into civil war or more like Pakistan or Yemen.
BIG NO! to any such ill- thought and conceived ideas.
Nigeria can and will take care of her security issues.
TravelRe: Which Is Your Best Nigerian Cities Visited And Why? by Sagewood: 6:44am On Nov 18, 2012
Nigeria is a great country with many good cities. Though a lot of upgrading is needed.

If the federal govt can privatise the power sector and there is constant and efficient power supply (electricity),
development and GDP will triple within a decade.
PropertiesRe: 100k Per Plot Cheap Land In Abuja : Read ! by Sagewood: 8:59am On Nov 17, 2012
This is a scam. I called the poster few months ago, and he refused to answer the calls.
If he is not a 419, why not give details of the fake land. Moderator ban the poster.
Nairalanders beware!
Science/TechnologyRe: China Overtakes The USA In Scientific Research In 2013 by Sagewood: 8:49am On Nov 14, 2012
Interesting times. Where is our dear country in all these unfolding scientific events?
PropertiesRe: The Real Cost Of Building A 6 Bedroom Duplex (reloaded) by Sagewood: 6:28am On Nov 14, 2012
The duplex is looking really good. Great job!
BusinessRe: Why Is Customer Service In Nigeria So Aggressive? by Sagewood: 9:58am On Nov 12, 2012
It got to do with the culture of rudeness, aggressiveness and poor sense of customer service prevalent in Nigeria.
In the developed countries, every member of staff is a defacto customer service representative.
I believe some banks are improving in this regard, but the lack of knowledgeable and well trained
customer service representatives remain problematic.
BusinessRe: I Need Advice On How To Setup Printing And Design Company by Sagewood: 9:30am On Nov 12, 2012
@ poster, I believe this topic was discussed previously. Search the nairaland website for details.
I am planning to set up one in Asaba, Delta.
PropertiesRe: Photo: Shanghai 1990 Vs 2012 by Sagewood: 10:26pm On Nov 11, 2012
The chinese are serious about development and industrialization, while
Nigeria keep going in BIG circle.
Only Nigerians will develop Nigeria, nobody else.
Look at countries like Malaysia, Brazil, and Singapore.......Let Nigeria read their developmental
history and learn.
PropertiesRe: A Plot Of 650SGM Land For Sale At Mpape Area In Abuja 2.200million by Sagewood: 10:34am On Nov 10, 2012
What's the size of the land?
PropertiesRe: 2plot Of Land For Sale At Kaigini Kubwa Area In Abuja,SOLD,SOLD.SOLD by Sagewood: 7:54am On Nov 06, 2012
Is it in Phase 1, 2 or 3 of Kubwa?
RomanceRe: Does Chauvinism Generate Successful And Happy Relationships? by Sagewood: 7:01am On Nov 05, 2012
Lame topic/ post and analysis.
PropertiesRe: Who Is The Owner Of This Land by Sagewood: 8:57pm On Nov 03, 2012
Land belongs to Peter. Let Paul get his money back from the criminal agent/ land owner.
People should be jailed for double dealing in lands and related matters.
PropertiesRe: From Paper To Brick: A Journal Of Construction Activities by Sagewood: 6:28am On Nov 01, 2012
@ Brabus,

Congrats on this job/ construction process.
Please try and include what items (template) were included in the contract
and how you arrived at the quality of materials to be used and the finishings.
PropertiesRe: Why Do Most Nigerians Abroad Remain Tenants When They Are Back Home? by Sagewood: 10:00am On Oct 29, 2012
Info@lpf,

Hope you are not just bouncing off property investments like you are buying cell phones?
There are a lot of issues involved in owning and renting out apartments/ houses.
There is nowhere in this USA or Europe where you will buy a property @ $30,000 and it will give you rental
income of $500 per month.
Even in Atlanta, GA, it is not possible. Except it is a foreclosed and run down property begging for a fix - up.
Let's fact check your information: post the website or telephone #s of the realtors and I will call them to
buy those your cheap $30,000 property.
Nigeria is far better (especially Abuja) to invest in terms of real estate/ property than in the USA or Europe.
I have properties in the USA, Europe and Nigeria, and know the issues, and the realistic ROI.
PropertiesRe: Strictly For Nigerians Living Outside Nigeria by Sagewood: 11:34pm On Oct 28, 2012
I move a motion for the moderator to ban the poster, Opalu.
We don't need detractors and fraudulent fools in this section.
What do you take Nigerians for?
PoliticsRe: Pictures Of Aba Roads: I Weep For My State by Sagewood: 11:16pm On Oct 28, 2012
Nigerians, when will we learn?
When will we pull together and sanitise the entire country?
When will we see environmental degradation and pollution as a problem for all Nigerians to tackle?
When will we double-down on development and build the country from the ground up?
When will we see the collective good as the best way to make the country good?
When will we stop ethnic / tribal name- calling and stupid merry-go round and face the problems we have as a country?
When will we look inwards and lay lasting developmental foundations and infrastructure for the benefit of all?

We like to give examples of how the Americans, Europeans, Canadians, Asians, etc, are making their countries better places to live
and we don't want to do the right things as they have done and are still doing.

Wake up Nigeria, stop being stupid. The world is watching!
PropertiesAbuja Vs Lagos Investments by Sagewood(op):
Abuja or Lagos, which city is more profitable in real estate investments
and have better ROI years?
PropertiesRe: Strictly For Nigerians Living Outside Nigeria by Sagewood: 9:15am On Oct 28, 2012
Your website does not exist.
419..................Nigerians beware!
Foreign AffairsRe: Obama Vs Romney: US Presidential Debate On Tuesday October 23 2012 by Sagewood: 4:21am On Oct 23, 2012
Breaking News: Obama won the debate.
PropertiesRe: UNBELIEVABLE!! Cheapest Land Deal Ever!!! by Sagewood: 5:08am On Oct 22, 2012
Send scan copies of the papers to: sagewood@yahoo.com
I will ask my lawyer to verify and we will take it from there.
Why is the land owner selling at that price?
PropertiesRe: Nigeria's Architects: Are Their Works Admirable To You? by Sagewood: 5:00am On Oct 22, 2012
I visited thehavenhomes.com
That's the kind of trend I want to see in Nigeria; originality and contemporary designs.
Just like in every country in the world, there are upper, upper middle, middle, lower middle and poor classes.
I believe many Nigerians will be willing to pay extra if the are given choices.
It is not enough to ask them to choose between standard and luxury finishings.
Designers and builders should provide 3D interactive presentations/ graphics on their computers and give them options.
People will know what they are paying for and make informed decisions.
PoliticsRe: EFCC Arrests FAAN Official With N218m At MMA, Lagos by Sagewood: 4:27am On Oct 22, 2012
Hmmm.........naija na wa. Hope a comprehensive investigation will be undertaken and not swept under the carpet as usual.
Christianity EtcRe: Share Your Testimonies Here by Sagewood: 9:19pm On Oct 21, 2012
Thank God for bringing the future in an amazing way. Thank you, Lord.
BusinessAfrica’s Economy Bulging In The Middle by Sagewood(op): 6:12am On Oct 21, 2012
Africa’s economy Bulging in the middle



Tags

A boom in sub-Saharan Africa is attracting business talent from the rich world

AFTER giving a speech at a business conference in London a young analyst chatted with investment executives in the audience, then followed two of them to a nearby hotel lobby. Over glasses of Chablis the executives raved about their company’s worldwide network of extravagantly decorated offices and their fat annual bonuses. Then they offered the analyst a job. What surprised him was not their interest, nor the chunky salary, but the place where they wanted him to help invest their millions: west Africa, the most backward part of a poor continent.

In recent years investors have been piling into Lagos and Nairobi as if they were Frankfurt and Tokyo of old. Anaemic growth in the rich world has made sub-Saharan Africa an attractive destination for money and its managers. Foreign direct investment has increased by about 50% since 2005. Once regarded as casinos, local capital markets now seem less risky. J.P. Morgan has just added Nigeria to its government-bond index for emerging markets; South Africa had hitherto been the only African country on its list. The American bank, the world’s biggest underwriter of emerging-market debt, predicts that adding Nigerian bonds to its benchmark will lure an extra $1.5 billion to the country. New funds will pay for so far non-existent infrastructure on a continent with a land mass equivalent to that of China, India, Japan, America, Mexico and Europe combined (see map).


Some business people remain sceptical about Africa’s long-term prospects. Sales blather in Western financial circles hailing an African “golden age” is overblown. Most Africans are still poor, even if local managers drive flashy cars. A gaggle of truly wretched states is still trapped in misery and is unlikely to attain even modest prosperity soon. A recent survey found that nine out of 11 countries in the world at “extreme risk” of having a food crisis are African.

But even the sceptics accept that the latest outlook for Africa is good. The IMF says the continent’s GDP will grow by 5% this year, down from a predicted 5.4% but still much faster than almost anywhere else. In 2013 growth may nudge up to 5.7%. Further economic problems in the rich world could hit South Africa, but countries to its north are still likely to do well.

A new research paper by two World Bank economists says that if Africa were one country it would already be “middle income”, defined by the bank as having income per person of more than $1,000. Africa’s average is $1,700. In sub-Saharan Africa 22 countries have passed this admittedly still quite low middle-income threshold. Together, their population is 400m; they include odd cases such as Angola and Sudan, which were both ravaged by years of bloodshed until recently and where inequality is rife.

Wolfgang Fengler, one of the two World Bank economists, has identified four causes of Africa’s economic rise. First, the continent has the right kind of population growth: most Africans live increasingly longer while having fewer children, rather than the other way round. The UN says that Nigeria may overtake the United States by 2055 as the third-most-populous country after India and China, yet simultaneously reduce its birth rate.

Second, rapid urbanisation is creating efficiency gains and luring investors to capital cities that have begun to thrive and where growing population density cuts transport times and fosters small-scale industrialisation.

Third, technology is having a bigger effect on Africa than anywhere else, because it started from such a low base. In the past decade the use of telephones went from 0.7% of the population when land lines were rotten to 70% with the advent of mobile phones; Africa is a global pioneer in banking on mobile devices, not least since most people have no access to conventional banking.

Fourth, governance and economic management by officials have got better, again from very modest beginnings. The growing popularity of African sovereign debt is a good indicator.

“If current trends continue, most of Africa will be middle-income by 2025,” says Mr Fengler. But he warns that things will get harder. A lot of recent growth has been a matter of catching up, as well-known Western and Asian ideas and practices take root. Some say that the easiest ways to make money have already been exploited. Now Africa needs to build its still creaky infrastructure and diversify its companies if it is to keep up its fast growth. For that, it desperately needs two things: more capital and skilled workers.

Both are available in abundance in the West, where interest rates are low and job prospects grim. Hence the proliferation of African investment conferences in London and New York. There is much talk of where in Africa factories can be built and bonds bought. But equally high on the agenda is hunting talent from all parts of the world, Africa included. Managers search lunch tables for staff to poach and for investment professionals with experience in other emerging markets that could be useful in Africa.

According to one executive from a big Wall Street firm, salaries for Africa positions have gone up by 30% in the past year. “The continent is taking off but it’s still a tricky place to make money,” he says. “Political risks are high and contracts hard to enforce. Success often depends more on the quality of your people than on the attractiveness of the local market.”

Leading business schools in the West are getting in on the game. The London Business School held an “Africa Day” in May with a title unthinkable when colonial memories were still fresh, “Africa: Taking Ownership”. INSEAD, based in France, has an Africa Club full of former management consultants and investment bankers who want to move to the continent because—says one—they sniff an “opportunity to work at senior level with relatively little experience”. For them “Africa is like India and China ten years ago.”
PropertiesRe: Nigeria's Architects: Are Their Works Admirable To You? by Sagewood:
I have thinking about the same thing for some time now. I am glad someone started this topic for discussion.
Nigerian Architects, this is not an opportunity to ridicule your profession but rather a call for soul- searching
and critical thinking concerning your finished products. Just like the poster stated, there is no originality, innovation
and contemporary designs to be proud of. The exterior finishing badly needs improvement in your designs.
One architect in this forum (Ihebrooke) has set himself apart with his contemporary designs. We need more Ihebrookes in nairaland and in Nigeria to compete favorably with deigns from around the world.
Civil/ building engineers and construction experts need to revolutionise and diversify building materials available to the
Nigeria market. No one will make Nigeria great except Nigerians. Let's challenge ourselves to innovate every aspect of
development with emphasis on originality.
Foreign AffairsRe: Obama Vs Romney: U.S. Presidential Debate On 16th October 2012 by Sagewood: 9:17am On Oct 17, 2012
Obama won the debate and the night. Romney is unraveling!
TravelRe: UK Universities Applications Drop Due To Immigration Policy Changes by Sagewood(op): 3:09am On Oct 15, 2012
The current UK govt is totally out of touch and pretends to protect the interest of the British public. Once they have economic and social
problems they are quick to blame or crack down on anything foreign in order to appease to the sentiments of their people.
They have only succeeded in shooting themselves in the "foot." Nigerians have other places to choose from and not subject themselves
to draconian immigration laws.

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