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Foreign Affairs / Re: Russia Retaliates To Obama's Sanctions, CNN Reports by since1914(m): 9:31am On Dec 30, 2016
zicoraads:
No, they haven't retaliated. If you call this retaliation, then be glad Trump is the incoming president. Had it been it was Clinton that won, it would have been much more severe. The Russians, like the Israelis, are waiting for Trump to assume office. In the hope that his policies will be more favorable to them. Although in the end, both countries would have lost. No nation can live in isolation.

Still I find it ironic that Trump and Putin are acting like two lovers who are on honeymoon, which is maybe a good thing. But trust me, the relationship won't last. The two of them have big egos. They won't last as friends. My only hope is that they don't draw us into another arms race and subsequently a war that is needless.

I agree with you on this, I think Trump's presidency might not make so much difference after all, because Obama's actions, as hasty as they seem is a well-planned set-up for Trump. This sanctions have already whipped-up an innate anti-Russia sentiments amongst his countrymen, and the moment Trump steps too far out of line with regards to US-Russia relations, those sentiments will result in very serious backlash from Americans, and even the US congress. Trump's hands are now tied in this regard and he can't grant too many concessions to Russia even if he wanted to.

It's the same scenario that is playing out with the Israelis as well. Obama's government orchestrated UNSC vote against Isreal's development of new settlements on disputed territories with keep Netanyahu in check, especially with Trump and his Ambassdor-designate threatening to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Which in itself is an act of provocation, that could end up creating more problems and ultimately derail the Isreali-Palestinian Peace Process.

1 Like

Crime / Re: Lady Who Stole Fowl In Cross River Paraded Unclad By Youths (Photos) by since1914(m): 10:54pm On Dec 24, 2016
3kay945:


Your last paragraph contradicted what you preaching,. Why would the village head be striped naked Isn't there any other form of punishment ?

Don't worry, I didn't mean it literally, am just been sarcastic. smiley
Crime / Re: Lady Who Stole Fowl In Cross River Paraded Unclad By Youths (Photos) by since1914(m): 6:21pm On Dec 24, 2016
wydmag:
I wonder what this country is turning into, once a female is the culprit, guys who are sex starved will be shouting about stripping her naked! I am not saying what she did is right or neither does it have a moral justification but stripping a girl just to feed your pangs doesn't make you any better!!!

The old man sitting in front, is even using his 'torchlight' phone to take a picture of her. This act violates not just her dignity but also her rights as a human being. And on account of this, renders inconsequential, whatever crime she has allegedly committed. Secondly, why expose the unclothedness of a full-grown woman to little children? They even have front-row seats, tomorrow they will be the ones striping and defiling women.

I suggest that when things like this happen, the government authorities should get hold of the village head and also strip and parade him naked, so he will learn to keep his depraved subjects in check.

23 Likes 1 Share

Jobs/Vacancies / Re: Of Ambode's 50,000 Ngn, Idleness And One Night Stand by since1914(m): 8:24am On Nov 04, 2016
The Governor goofed on this one, it's an obvious own-goal. Though, I greatly admire Ambode for what he has achieved in Lagos within the short time he has spent in office, I have my reservations about this job offer. As much as I concede that the motive behind the offer is noble, I still can't ignore the glaring issues it throws up.

For instance, how does a graduate bus conductor relate with his barely educated bus driver? Their orientations are different and they clearly belong to two different social classes, hence will always be at loggerheads, considering the mutual prejudice each already holds against the other. Secondly, am also wondering what the career progression for a graduate bus conductor is; will he ever get promoted, or will he remain a professional bus conductor for the rest of his life?

I understand that things are very difficult at the moment, but Nigerian graduates must learn to value themselves more. Asking a graduate to become a bus conductor in a place like Nigeria, no matter how good intentioned the motive is; is a mockery of our educational system. I advice the Governor to use that money to create another kind of job for graduates, one that does not belabour the dignity of those he is trying to 'help'.
Travel / Re: My Racism Experience During A Vacation In Russia by since1914(m): 9:18am On Oct 14, 2016
@ ERONX sorry about your experience, but I think it shouldn't be seen as the rule. Don't let that put you off, from visiting again. Thankfully, you also said his supperior was unhappy with him. By the way, you mustn't forget the fact that most low-level policemen in most countries are barely educated and that is always evident in how they relate with people. I have always wanted to visit Moscow and St.Petersburg, hopefully, I will in the very near future. I have lived very briefly in Eastern Europe, and still have two very good friends there, and they have turned out to be one of the truest friends I have ever made.

That said, I also think Africans nay Nigerians also need to learn the right social etiquettes when travelling abroad. To earn the respect of white people, you must always act like royalty. You cannot go around in oversized t-shirts and baggy jeans hanging half-way down your buttocks. Neither should you be talking loudly over the phone in a public space. You must also be ready to pay for premium services, because the possibility of running into seedy characters(whom most likely will be racist) will always be higher in a 'no-star' hotel than it would in a say, a 3-star hotel. As an African you must never go back-packing, like white people do, nor should you stay at cheap hostels. The rule is, if you do not have money, don't travel, wait until you can afford to travel comfortably before you do so. When you use premium services, you stand a better chance of meeting the right people.

Imagine, a pure-breed English man or American visiting Nigeria and renting an apartment in an obscure part of Maroko for instance, you can only imagine the kind of thing whey him eye go see.

6 Likes

Politics / Re: Idoma Group Threatens To Invoke ‘aAlekwu’ Gods On Moro’s Persecutors by since1914(m): 3:24pm On Sep 30, 2016
bigtt76:
Nor mind dem! They never invoke Alekwu on the Tiv tribe chancing them since state creation na Moro dem wan fight for. #MissedPlacedPriorities


I can assure you that the man is speaking for himself, and his stomach. My idoma friends and acquaintances, I confronted with this issue, say they have never heard of the organisation before today, and that the recognized body that speaks for Idomas is the Idoma National Forum. They also, said the Alekwu has no potency in matters like this. Besides, the case at hand is being arbitrated under criminal law and not on the basis of any native law.
Celebrities / Re: PLAGIARISM: Popular Nollywood Actor Offer To Write Speeches For President Buhari by since1914(m): 9:22am On Sep 22, 2016
I agree that the president sure needs a better speech writer than the quack he is currently using, but from what this fellow has written above, I think he will also be needing his own speech writer to help him do his job as the President's speech writer.
Foreign Affairs / Re: Kenya Is Ahead of Nigeria In All Aspect (Facts Don't Lie) by since1914(m): 10:11am On Sep 04, 2016
TonyeBarcanista:

Some of you talk like you are special breed of people. If only you know that the social media is supposed to be used as a tool to promote national advancement, project a country's good image, and earn respect among your peers. It is gross abuse to turn it into arena of internal and external brawl. If every adult spend their time on Brawl I am sure nobody will come up with internet not to talk of social media.

It is even a shame that the people we bad mouth are faring better than us. Seriously, we are supposed to be slugging it out with South Sudan- But you will hardly see them constituting nuisance on SM like we do.


I think it is posts like yours and the response of FFK that has further amplified what should have ordinarily 'passed away' as a brief moment of childish tantrums throwing. And I wouldnt have bothered with a response if this didn't come from someone as erudite as yourself. This is because, I personally see this whole episode as nothing more than a display of infantile idiocy on both sides, the type we exhibited as little children, each time we had disagreements with our playmates.

But when people like FFK and a widely circulated newspaper like Vanguard goes ahead to give needless publicity to this idiocy; then it does nothing but typify everything that is wrong with the black man. And is no different from a scenario where two people who woefully failed an exam, argue back and forth on who performed better than the other. If the Americans and Chinese engage in this type of debate, I 'might' understand, but for the citizens of two struggling economies to be doing this...

Most hardworking Nigerians on whose back the greatness of this country is being built will never have the time to even acknowledge, not to talk of responding to this; because they are probably too busy cooking up the next big thing, or even forging business alliances across the continent to be bothered by what a few kids think. Very soon, the arguments might even degenerate to morbid comparisons like, the number of people killed by Boko Horam Vs those killed by Al-Shabab.

6 Likes 2 Shares

Travel / Re: United Airline To Stop Flights To Nigeria by since1914(m): 8:55am On Jun 30, 2016
claremont:
Emirates Airline hasn't left Nigeria. They have only reduced the Lagos-Dubai flight frequencies from 2 departures to 1 departure daily. You guys should get your facts right and stop being a tool for spreading half-truths.

At times I wonder what the IQ of the average Nairaland user is, especially at this current times when it's very easy to verify facts online by simply making use of Google. Someone put up a post like this, and the whole comments is filled with people who are not even bothered to confirm the facts of the issue. They prefer to cling on to half-truths than do a bit of research to get the facts, yet they claim to be educated.

.
Travel / Re: United Airline To Stop Flights To Nigeria by since1914(m): 8:52am On Jun 30, 2016
claremont:
Emirates Airline hasn't left Nigeria. They have only reduced the Lagos-Dubai flight frequencies from 2 departures to 1 departure daily. You guys should get your facts right and stop being a tool for spreading half-truths.

At times I wonder what the IQ of the average Nairaland user is, especially at this current times when it's very easy to verify facts online by simply making use of Google. Someone put up a post like this, and the whole comments is filled with people who are not even bothered to confirm the facts of the issue. They prefer to cling on to half-truths than do a bit of research to get the facts, yet they claim to be educated.

I could never have imagined that, this level falsehood could be easily peddled in this age of unlimited access to information. I just bought an Emirates ticket two days ago, and barely 24hours to the flight, no one has yet called to say they have cancelled any flight. So I don't know where bloggers and infantile news site are getting their information from. Gone are the days when Nairaland used to be the 'go-to' place for the most up to date information...today, it's a place I can barely recognise.

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Education / Re: Floating School, Makoko, Lagos, Collapses After Heavy & Torrential Rainfall by since1914(m): 5:18pm On Jun 08, 2016
TheFirstLady:
, this is bad PR for him really... in future the architectural integrity of his designs will be questioned...

The collapse does not necessarily translate to bad PR for him or his work, rather it will offer him and his team an opportunity to go back to the drawing board and do something better. The structure even though functional, was actually an experimental design. The idea was to learn from this and further iterate the concept and have them mass produced eventually. A better-designed replica of this building is currently being exhibited at this year's Venice Architecture Bienniale in Venice, as Nigeria's first ever entry at the event. The terrain of coastal communities in Nigeria has created a permanent need for this kind of Architecture, hence I will be disappointed, if the Architect and his team fail to maximise the opportunity the current publicity offers them.
Properties / Re: Interior Architecture In Nigeria Is Very Bad by since1914(m): 9:13am On May 31, 2016
Onegai:
Willow08

Some of us don't really like Modern Contemporary (though I love the use of light). For me, I would pay an interior designer well to give me an African Colonial house, complete wih a blend of African and English furnishings, natural materials mostly and of course glass. I want my home to be out of the ordinary and i would prefer natural grass than artificial. I wish I could post a pic of my sister's lawn as it's so nice (Lekki). Also I rarely see Landscape architects here.

And there are some stunning houses in Lagos, but you haven't been inside to appreciate them. wink


I think that is the knowledge that is usually lacking amongst most Nigerian designers & their clients; oftentimes they both do not even know the design style they are working towards. You walk into a space and you can't tell if it is Contemporary, Classical, Art Deco or any other style for that matter. The designers & their clients just lump together different elements from all the styles they can think of, hence the spaces end up having no character at all. A classical design, must be a classical design, and all the elements therein must reflect this reality. For instance, Cornices have no place in a Contemporary interior - they belong to classical design; just the way the artichoke lamp or a Barcelona chair will look out of place in a Classical interior.

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Business / Re: Will Nigerian Banks Ever Start Issuing Credit Cards? by since1914(m): 8:01am On May 13, 2016
InvertedHammer:
Think about the mindset of a Nigerian.

Mr. A works for XYZ. He has a credit limit of N500,000. And in this era of uncertainty, Mr. A is fired on Friday. He walks into his bank and maxed out on his cash back. Worst case scenario, he will have a bad credit. No jail time, no asset s foreclosure because credit cards debts are unsecured loans.
Repeat this similar scenario a thousand times. Will collection agencies work in Nigeria? Will the banks hire Samoans with baseball bats to collect on deliquent accounts?

The best a bank can do is give credit backed by the amount in the individual's account. Then it defeats the whole concept of credit facility.

I think with the BVN, it is possible to run a credit background check on each individual irrespective of the bank their accounts are domiciled at. Therefore, if Mr. A takes a credit card loan from Bank GTBANK, it will be impossible for him to take another loan from Zenith Bank until he repays the first one. All the bank needs to do, is to use his BVN number to run a background check to ascertain his credit worthiness. If he fails to pay the money after its due date, the same BVN can be used to trace all his other bank accounts and if funded, the value of the credit can be debited from there.

So with the BVN, Mr. A cannot take credit and run away, unless off course he never wants to own a bank account in his lifetime again. I think this presents a good opportunity for banks to start reaching out to individual customers to borrow. The level of credit an individual is entitled to, should be determined by the volume of business they transact on their bank accounts annually. For this credit system to work effectively, the CBN also need to set up a department/agency totally dedicated to the management of bank customer credit information so that banks can access them when they need them.

1 Like

Properties / Re: VERY IMPORTANT: Mistakes Architects Make And Should Be Avoided by since1914(m): 8:29am On Apr 16, 2016
midform:
No qualified architect will make this kind of mistakes! We have less than 4000 qualified architects in Nigeria for God sake. Pls direct this thread to quacks, drafters, and other allied professionals in the building industry who think they can do architects' job. Architects know every rules guiding designs and they will never disobey or go against the rules.

This sums it all up. I think the OP, has probably been dealing with only charlatans, because these are mistakes that a sane Architect will never make.
OP, there is something called zoning ordinances, and it is the basis upon which building plans are approved in any locality, therefore anyone serious about designing, will first and foremost acquaint themselves with all the relevant sections of this document.

Someone also mentioned that clients force them to design in the way OP decribed. I personally find this comment not only annoying but also irresponsible, because, nobody tells his lawyer how to argue in court, or his doctor how to treat, so why should you allow clients make you churn out bad designs. I think every young professional must put in the time, and make the relevant sacrifice to be successful. It should not initially be about money, rather the early stages of a career should be used to build a stellar reputation; in that way, your professional career will have longevity. Don't ever agree to just anything the client says (especially if it is against your better judgement), if he cannot respect your professional opinion let him take his businesses elsewhere, or better still, do it himself.

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Properties / Re: 4 BEDROOM DUPLEX (A New Dimension To Nigerian Architecture) by since1914(m): 10:14am On Apr 08, 2016
skimanski:



Got a piece of the roof eaves Material on Site today. and Taught I should Share with you as promised. Its a 10mm Thick Habestus Slab. Solid and can Withstand Any Where Situation. We have used it 6 Years back to Cover an Office External Walls when I used to Work for a Firm. Taught I'd resurrect the Materials for this Project

Ok thanks. I have actually never heard of it before. I initially thought it was Alucobond panels that you used to clad the fascia boards.
Properties / Re: 4 BEDROOM DUPLEX (A New Dimension To Nigerian Architecture) by since1914(m): 10:39am On Apr 06, 2016
skimanski:


13mm Thick Habestus Board. Solid and Hardcore, Drilled to the wood. Will Take a close Picture on site and Post here soon.

Thanks, I will appreciate that greatly.

I think what you have done with the roof is ingenious. It will shave a huge chunk off the total roofing cost, and still have same look as one whose soffits was casted in concrete. It also gives you the flexibility of playing with different roof levels.
Properties / Re: 4 BEDROOM DUPLEX (A New Dimension To Nigerian Architecture) by since1914(m): 8:54pm On Apr 05, 2016
Hello skimanski. Quick question. What material did you cover the fascia boards and eaves with?
Properties / Re: 4 BEDROOM DUPLEX (A New Dimension To Nigerian Architecture) by since1914(m): 9:14am On Mar 25, 2016
skimanski:


Normal Alluminum roofing sheet. When you do a flat roof, you are strongly advised to use long span roofing sheets so the slope doesn't cause leakages. Hence the reason why Lekki gardens have lots of leaking roofs . They have use stone coated sheets on slopes that aren't sharp .

Thanks, I thought as much.
Properties / Re: 4 BEDROOM DUPLEX (A New Dimension To Nigerian Architecture) by since1914(m): 8:38am On Mar 24, 2016
Mr. Skimanski what type of roofing sheet did you use. Are they stone coated or normal aluminium longspan? I like the flatness of your roof.
Celebrities / Re: Law Grad Who Can't Find Job 8yrs After Graduating Sues Former School For Refund! by since1914(m): 8:13am On Mar 24, 2016
This case has merit, and it is symbolic of the disconnect between what professional education promises and what it delivers.

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Politics / Re: Reps Probe Secret Recruitment Of 909employees By CBN by since1914(m): 5:57am On Mar 18, 2016
...While at it, they should also probe the 250 people recently recruited by FIRS, most which were sent in by members of the National Assembly.

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Politics / Re: Entrepreneurship Is Not The Solution Of Mass Unemployment in Nigeria by since1914(m): 6:42pm On Mar 16, 2016
I absolutely share your views on this, I have always said that, it makes no sense to force money on graduates to go into business as an alternative to paid employment. Most Nigerian graduates would have been contented working in their field of study to further develop their professional skillset rather than being given unsolicited funds to go into businesses which they are ill - equipped to manage.

The funniest part is, when professional graduates like lawyers, Engineers or even doctors are given grants or loans to start snail farming. when they should have been allowed to grow in their field first before probably creating a business within their field of expertise. Rather government should focus on supporting existing small businesses that are ready to create jobs. I recently read a well - written article on this same issue about two weeks ago. It can be found here... http://allafrica.com/stories/201602170564.html
Politics / Re: I Was In Agatu But Did Not See Where 300 People Were Buried – IG Arase by since1914(m): 1:35pm On Mar 13, 2016
SycophanticGoat:



By the way, was it in Makurdi it happened or in Agatu because the senseless Harassè said he went to Makurdi.

The charlatan did not even go anywhere near Agatu the scene of the carnage; he simply went to Makurdi and held a kangaroo townhall meeting and later returned home, to issue this careless statement of his.

1 Like 1 Share

TV/Movies / Re: Brilliant Movie Quotes You Find Inspiring by since1914(m): 9:48am On Feb 08, 2016
...have you done your time, in a first marriage to the girl with the right father?
- Carl Van Loon ( Robert De Niro) in the movie: 'Limitless'
Politics / Re: FIRS Targets N5tn Revenue In 2016 Non-oil Revenue To Account For 80% Of Earnings by since1914(m): 5:16pm On Feb 03, 2016
Obiagelli:

I agree that we should at least tripple VAT, currently we earn about 900 billion from VAT.

businessdayonline.com/2015/02/vat-fetches-treasury-n803bn-in-2014/#.VPN4YfnF-So

Increasing taxes is inevitable, we don't pay enough taxes in this country, especially the very rich. We need to increase taxes, yes, but we cannot do that before sanitizing the tax agency, that place reeks of corruption. Just last Monday a deputy director at the Zonal Tax office at Katampe, Abuja was picked up by the EFCC for demanding a bribe of #5million from Baze University. My contacts at FIRS, told me that, the sum wasn't even the total money collected. They said that the FIRS staff had already collected a lot of money from the university so as to lower their taxes and that the #5million was merely the outstanding balance of the bribe they were supposed to collect. Earlier this year a director was discretly asked to return hundreds of millions by the EFCC. Several cases of theft abound at the FIRS hence, I think Nigerians will not be willing to pay more taxes if that place is not cleaned up; for now nobody is willing to 'donate' more money to fund the lavish lifestyle of Nigerian tax officials.

1 Like 1 Share

Politics / Re: Minister Of Defence Dan Ali In Russia by since1914(m): 1:52pm On Jan 29, 2016
aventura:
Why not the pentagon. I think this is a very unsmart decision. Russia has never been known to adequately aid anyone or group that fled to its protection. Not that I'm pro west, but been conversant with the history of African alliances especially the Cold War, I don't see anything coming out of this visit. Any business with the Russians should be of a covert nature away from the prying eyes of the west.

It is impossible to make this kind of visit a covert one, because in the world of millitary intelligence, it is very possible that the US knew about the visit even before the Defence Minister and his team left Abuja. Reason; there is still a very active espionage network in the both Russia and the US. The Americans have Russians spying for them in Russia, and the Russians have Americans spying for them in the US. As can be seen from the periodic bursting of spy rings in both countries, you will agree with me that American - Russian espionage didn't end with the cold war.

About Russian alliances in Africa, I think you were a bit unfair to the Russians. I do not support communism neither do I adequately understand it's ideologies, but I must concede that the Soviets gave a lot of support to its allies in Africa during the cold war. For instance, between the Sixties and early Nineties, the Soviet Union trained thousands of cadres of MK, the armed wing of the ANC, to fight against the racist regime in South Africa. And that is why the apartheid government then labelled Nelson Mandela a Communist. The Soviets also fought alongside the Cubans in Angola against Apartheid South Africa and their stooge Jonas Savimbi and his UNITA rebels. When the Belgian government, the CIA and their cohorts in Katanga were creating problems for Patrice Lumumba in Congo soon after their independence, it was the Russians he turned to, possibly because he trusted them the most, hence was labeled a Communist, which eventually led his deposition and execution by the US, British and the Belgians. I am not in any way saying that their mission in Africa was altrusic, because it is very plausible that the Soviets also had their own ulterior interests in Africa then, but evidence shows that they did what they could for their allies in Africa at that time.

Lastly, there is no way the US will sell sophisticated millitary hardwares to Nigeria without stringent pre-conditions. But with Russia, it most likely will be 'no strings attached' kind of deal - cash and carry. We are not quarrelling with the US, we have only gone shopping in Russia, as we would anywhere else. I think the long term goal for us here should to manufacture as much arms as possible in Nigeria. We cannot keep importing all our arms, it is not only unsustainable, it is also very risky.
Business / Re: Plunging Naira - Before You Blame Emefiele, Look At Yourself - Kenneth Ezaga by since1914(m): 12:00pm On Jan 20, 2016
This is a brilliant piece, and it is a debate that we would be having as a country, sooner or later considering the current state of the Naira.

Unfortunately, there is also another side to the writer's narrative. While, I do concede that some Nigerians are 'bandwagon consumers' who buy things simply because their neighbours are buying. We must also take a very critical look at Nigerian businesses and the quality of the products and services they churn out. Money is very difficult to come by these days, and people would always want to have full value for their money. Therefore Nigerians should not be blackmailed into patronising Nigerian businesses just to fulfill some nationalistic objective, rather they should only do so if it gives them value for their money.

Most Nigerian businesses have not understood the importance of building solid brands, hence cannot yet compete with their foreign counterparts. They always aim to meet a supposed 'Nigerian standard', rather attain global best practices that will guarantee them a place on store shelves. If Globalcom for instance did not meet those standards, it would not have survived a single day in Ghana or any of the other countries where it operates. Every Nigerian company that wants to be taken seriously, must wake up and start acting like a global brand, because government cannot keep protecting them in perpetuity, there has to be a timeline after which the markets will be liberalised. Dangote has built a global brand from Nigeria, so what excuse do they have not to do same. When we heap invectives on Shoprite and Spar because they are foreign brands, we must also realise that there are several Nigerian companies and banks doing business abroad as well.

I recently met a foreigner in his mid thirties, whose family own chains of manufacturing businesses in Nigeria. He told me his father was born in Nigeria, and his grandparents moved here long before independence. Eventhough his father and grandfather have passed on, the family businesses kept expanding. That says a lot about Nigerian businesses. How many family businesses in Nigeria have survived the traditional family 'war of inheritance' on the death of their patriarch.

4 Likes 1 Share

Properties / Urgently Needed: Premium Quality Suspended Ceiling Boards (metallic/Gypsum) by since1914(m): 6:37pm On Dec 27, 2015
We are currently working on a small retail project that requires the use of suspended perforated metal ceiling, or premium quality Gypsum acoustic ceiling boards. We want only premium quality materials, and not any of the inferior looking ones on the market. The ceiling quality should be as good as the ones manufactured by Armstrong.
www.armstrong.com/commceilingsna/products/ceilings/_/N-c
Autos / Re: I Need An Experienced BMW Mechanic In Abuja by since1914(m): 4:59pm On Dec 27, 2015
I will also like to have the contacts for a good BMW mechanic in Abuja as well...apart from Coscharis of course.
Politics / Re: It Is A Class War silly! By Joseph Edgar by since1914(m): 3:00pm On Dec 26, 2015
Smoke2015:
Nigerians, just like when Bill Clinton told the Americans during one of his election campaigns that it was the economy, I am also now telling Nigerians that it is a class war period.

Our sufferings and frustrations are not because we belong to any section of the country or because we are Igbos as the hapless Nnamdi Kanu and his ilk would have us believe it is simply because we remain the grass under the feet of a collection of elephants in a continous struggle for power both political and economic.

Our low level of education and enlightenment continue to put us in positions of servitude to be used and misused by the elites whose membership cut across ethnic lines and are kept together by their collective greed.
The Marxists pushed this position in the 70s and we refused to see it. I have been mulling these thoughts and have decided to expand on it as I now have incontrovertible evidence that our oppressors do not take their decisions based on the integrity or otherwise of the people they claim to represent but are driven by the urge for the primitive and continuos accumulation of power and wealth.

My people, I watched this documentary on Nigeria and it was very clear that the civil war, several coups and economic bastardization that we have faced since we gained independence have been direct consequences of this struggle. Let me illustrate, I have always wondered why Fela the Late genius hated with a passion the Military especially Obasanjo and Yar'dua. The link is very clear, his mother was part of the independence push in the 50s. She attended most of the talks both in UK and in Nigeria. She fought gallantly and even dethroned a sitting Oba in the wake of her powerful incursions into politics. But immediately we gained independence she went into obscurity, cheated out of the fruits of her struggle culminating in her final humiliation by the OBJ junta. This was Felas grouse, how can his mother be so treated by these 'vagabonds' after all she had done for this country.

So what did he do, he fell back on the masses, taking advantage of their illiteracy and a need for release as a result of their massive poverty and suffering to rail against another section of the elitist club with which he was a major member by reason of his bourgeois birth. He wore the pants, smoked the weed all in his bid to show that he belonged to the masses. He succeeded to an extent but in death, his people came for him and took him away from the masses. They rewarded his family with political appointments, immortalization of his family name and all sort. Even today the Lagos state Government has given up although on lease as I hear a major part of our national historical monument - the Lagos Prison for his family to manage and maintain through his eldest daughter who is in a relationship with a talented Architect.

People, please open your eyes to the games of our masters. Another illustration is that of MKO Abiola, the purported winner of the June 12 Elections. He always regaled us with stories of his poverty, his poor upbringing and all. He did all these to curry the support of the masses in his fight against his colleagues as he struggled for power. He was not poor even in his youth, he was educated by Felas father in a school meant for elites and their children. Obasanjo attended the same school, (hope you are seeing the link) sent abroad to study and came back to join the Lagos University Teaching hospital from where he moved to some multi national and still as a very young man bought his first company. As a bonafide member of the elitist club, his colleagues in the military gave him all sorts of contracts making him one of the richest Nigerians of all time. During this time, he made very shallow contributions to the welfare of the masses. Making gratitious donations which were in no way compared to the massive wealth he had amassed through his prostituting with the military membership of the elitist club. All these was to hoodwink us and make us believe that he was a trusted ally.

But all his charade was blown open when he was bluntly told by his colleagues that the Presidency was not 'for sale'. However in his stubbornness he continued, relying on the bridge he had built between himself and the people to deliver the Presidency. This failed him for he underestimated the power of his cabal of wolves, his ambitions were frustrated by the military junta and he jumped to the masses for help like they always do, but we had been thoroughly weakened by his activities and that of his cohorts in the elitist movement and he invariably lost his life.

The linkages are very strong. The same people and their children have been ruling us both politically and economically. They only jump at ethnic and tribal colorations when they loose out in their intra class struggle. Falling back on the poor people to fight for them, claiming to have been cheated because they belong to a certain tribe but conveniently forgetting to state clearly that they were just poor strategist in a club the majority of us will never belong.

Let's look at Ojukwu the leader of the Biafran Secessionist movement. His father was at the time the richest Nigerian. Ojukwu lived a life of privilege and attended the best schools. His education gave him a little advantage over the other members who were firmly divided into three class subdivisions within the elitist movement- the political, economic and military. Ojukwu played in all the spheres and did not understand why he should be subjugated to Gowon who played in only one space and was not as educated. The progrom in the North and the continued massacre of the igbos gave him the firm vehicle and platform to carry out what to me and some scholars was a purely egoistic Crusade which led to the killing of over 2m Nigerians. After the war, what did we hear, 'no victor no vanquished', Ojukwu had run away with his famous Mercedes Benz to live a life of luxury in exile. This kind of camaraderie was a slap on the face of all those who had lost their lives, suffered untold suffering and saw their destinies thwarted but what would you expect after a fight between 'two brothers'?

The competition between the elites led to massive recruitments on all sides. The North carried out their Northernization policy, using the famed Barewa College as a bastion for recruitment into the civil service and the military school in Zaria for recruitment into the military. The west embarked on theirs too sending their scions out to the UK on scholarships mostly to study Law. That is why you hear of people like Fani Kayode being a third generation Cambridge educated lawyer. The Easterners also had theirs with what was then called the Argonauts, this was the Azikiwe led young Igbo Turks who were mostly educated and trained in the U.S steeped in the radicalism of the civil rights movements. Today you will see their children and descendants still holding forte.

People like Bola Tinubu, El Rufai, Buba Marwa, Dasuki, Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote, Keem Bello Osagie, Udo Udoma are all direct descendants and beneficiaries of the bastion of elitist control.


How do these elitists perpetuate themselves in power? Its Simple. Education and in some cases marriage. They have identified very early the importance of education hence the continuos push for their children and chosen ones to get the very best in education and tutelage. They go to the very best schools in the world and get the kind of exposure that common people's children will never get. In the olden days it was through scholarships opened to party members children and wards, today its making sure recruitment into choice jobs was strictly based on the level and quality of education preferably overseas degrees. Tell me how will a Shomolu man's son no matter how brilliant compete?

They have also perfected the art of intra class marriage. They marry themselves ensuring continuity and spreading of bloodlines although firmly within the elitist circle. Any attempt to marry out of this class is rebuffed and frustrated until the usurper packs his bags and runs away.

Clear illustration, look at the Management of Forte Oil and the pedigree of its Chairman you will see what we are saying. From the Group Managing Director to the Chief Financial Officer are children with strong pedigree that can be traced back two generations. They also parade very strong educational qualifications and tremendous exposure. So how will someone who went to Makoko Comprehensive and graduated from our ASUU strike bedeviled institutions compete favorably with these people. So you see, it's a class war my people.


Otedola himself comes from a strong pedigree that could be traced to the Awoist free education and scholarship platforms of the old western region. His father being one of the wealthiest people in the land emerged as the first 'sleeping' Governor of Lagos State and eventually today Femi is one of the wealthiest black men in the world. He is also perpetuating the elitist lineage by sending his own kids to the very best schools in the world, recruiting only the very best that his money can afford from a very shallow pool of labour and effectively limiting the rest of us no matter where we come from Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo or Ibibio to the servitude that remains our fate.

Now that it's rosy, we are not hearing that he is enjoying all of these because he is a Yoruba man o. By the time, he experiences a small hiccup, maybe a little intra class struggle he would fall back on his people and scream for war that these Hausa people want to take his firm because he is Yoruba.

This is where Nnamdi Kanu is getting it all wrong. The igbos are not suffering because they are Igbos, they are suffering because of their position in the societal hierarchy which decides who stays where no matter where you come from. Why do you think the South Eastern Governors will never support his position? it's because it may cause an imbalance of power and a restriction to resources. The Igbo elites will always look at Nnamdi Kanu as an orphan and treat him as such.

People, we are all suffering. Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbira, Ijaw. A poor man is a poor man. The same sickness in Onitsha is the same sickness in Kano. Have you seen the poverty in the North? Have you been to Makoko in Lagos? Have you been to the slums of Aba? We are fighting like fools because we do not know who the enemy is.

Biafra will not put food on the tables of the poor disenfranchised Igbo man, Biafra will not give him infrastructure, send his children to school or even give him a voice. The issue can never be Biafra, the issue is elitist suppression and full control of the levers of the economy emasculating the masses throughout Nigeria.

If you doubt me, let us allow Biafra go and you will immediately see the permutation replay itself with the rebirth of these same elitist people creating a new hierarchy and entrenching the same issues that led to the creation of Biafra. Another Ilustration, IBBs rash of new states did not solve the issues but indeed created a new set of minorities still suffering from lack. I was a minority in the old Cross River State and still remain. Minority in the new Akwa Ibom State with my grandfathers house still not joined to the National grid. So what are we talking about.

The solution is education. We must break the walls of illiteracy by liberalizing education. Let's enlighten everybody so that we all can at least see issues in its true form instead of its present coloration along ethnic and tribal lines.

It is a class war and the sooner we realize this the closer we will get to the Uluru.

http://josephedgarng..com.ng/2015/12/itss-class-war-stupid.html

Lalasticlala, Dominique, Seun
Politics / Re: Shame Of A Nation: Nigerians Used Nepa Ladder To Climb Unto Aeroplane (PIC) by since1914(m): 5:11pm On Dec 19, 2015
It seems the passengers arrived late to board their flight after the motorised stairs had been removed, and Airport workers decided to get them a ladder to get aboard the aircraft...after a few palms must have been greased of course!

6 Likes

Crime / Re: MC Oluomo’s Aide, Mamok Murdered In Oshodi (Graphic Photo) by since1914(m): 7:03pm On Oct 01, 2015
olapluto:
I remember Mamok very well from the Louis Theroux documentary on MC Oluomo. He sounded very articulate and he was a very trusted aide of MC Oluomo.

God bless you. I was trying to remember where I first saw that face. I watched that documentary thrice.

1 Like

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