Tofax's Posts
Nairaland Forum › Tofax's Profile › Tofax's Posts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 (of 24 pages)
 Politics › Re: Breaking: Australian Govt Gives Nnamdi Kanu Free License To Operate Radio Biafra by Tofax: 11:29pm On May 08, 2019 |
golddust6000:Africa. Europe. Asia. North America. South America. Australia (or Oceania) Antarctica. |
| Politics › Re: Breaking: Australian Govt Gives Nnamdi Kanu Free License To Operate Radio Biafra by Tofax: 5:56pm On May 08, 2019 |
golddust6000:Google is your friend. |
| Politics › Re: You Are Not Above The Law, EFCC Replies Saraki by Tofax: 5:51pm On May 08, 2019 |
The vision and mission of setting up EFCC by Obasanjo has been seriously bastardized and destroyed by this present administration. EFCC is nothing but a tool of vendetta by the ruling party (APC). EFCC has proven overtime that some persons are more equal than others. 1 Like |
| Politics › Re: Sowore Blasts Buhari Over 'IG Is Losing Weight' Comment by Tofax: 6:14pm On May 06, 2019 |
post=78159048: |
| Politics › Re: Breaking: Australian Govt Gives Nnamdi Kanu Free License To Operate Radio Biafra by Tofax: 11:55am On May 06, 2019 |
Amazingman:Australia is a large land mass, larger than any island. It has a distinct continental shelf, and sits within its own continental plate The most commonly accepted definition is that Australia (the continent) is comprised of Australia (the country), plus New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Seram (an island in Indonesia). Australia is both a country and a continent. The country called Australia is a part of the continent that is also called Australia. Australia is also a part of the region called Oceania, which is not technically a continent. It is also a part of the region called Australasia, which is a sub-region of Oceania. Australia (the country) is in Australia (the continent). 12 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics › Breaking: Kidnappers Abduct Taraba Perm Sec by Tofax(op): 6:05pm On May 05, 2019 |
Kidnappers with guns have on Sunday abducted the Permanent Secretary in the Taraba State Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Susana Jonathan. Kidnap She was kidnapped in her house at ATC area of Jalingo. Details later: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/breaking-kidnappers-abduct-taraba-perm-sec/ |
| Politics › Re: Abia Women Protest N18,000 New Tax Bill By Abia Government (Photos) by Tofax: 4:37pm On May 03, 2019 |
Ekejoestar:It wasn't a riot, it was a protest. The white man coined the word Aba women riots to suite themselves. 3 Likes 2 Shares |
| Education › Re: Winners Chapel Acquires Land For Universities In Ghana And Congo - Beecroft by Tofax: 4:34pm On May 03, 2019 |
Reelmii:MANY. in fact the numbers are uncountable. 1 Like |
| Politics › Re: Dino Melaye Exposes Yahaya Bello's Looting Of Kogi State In 38 Months by Tofax: 8:16am On Apr 30, 2019 |
lordkush:Bello was very wealthy before he became governor? pls don't say what you don't know. 9 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics › Re: Boko Haram Storm Military Base In Northeastern Nigeria by Tofax: 5:45pm On Apr 28, 2019 |
BuhariAdvocate:In that case he should resign for the 'Northern elders' to take charge. you can't be the commander in chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria and expect some elders do your job for you. |
| Politics › Re: The Silent War Between Oshiomhole And Obaseki by Tofax: 4:53pm On Apr 28, 2019*. Modified: 8:07am On Apr 29, 2019 |
My Greatest Achievement In Edo State Is Wiping Out Godfatherism Politics- Oshiomhole . https://naija247news.com/2014/06/21/my-greatest-achievement-in-edo-state-is-wiping-out-godfatherism-politics-oshiomhole/ But you want to enthrone yourself as the new godfather of Edo politics. 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics › Re: Dino Melaye Poses With His Children At His Convocation In ABU Zaria (photos) by Tofax: 12:01pm On Apr 28, 2019*. Modified: 4:47pm On Apr 28, 2019 |
gistblogger:Which one is Abu Zaria University? do you mean to write Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. (ABU,Zaria) 12 Likes |
| Politics › Re: NAF Acquires 2 New Attack Helicopters (Photos) by Tofax: 7:43am On Apr 23, 2019 |
 Is it because of this 2 New Attack Helicopters they organized this party? Nigeria is just a funny country. Get up and put those Helicopters into use immediately. no time for those rubbish I'm seeing there. 20 Likes |
| Politics › Re: Ijaw Youths Blow Hot Over Gold Mining In North, Demand Constitution Amendment by Tofax: 5:31pm On Apr 20, 2019 |
Alaniyiokorausa:Their pocket is running dry. When you hear this Ijaw youths talk about resources,they're indirectly telling the government to settle them and after then their voice will go cold. 2 Likes |
| Jobs/Vacancies › Re: Please Help! My Brother Is Thinking Suicide Because Of No Job. by Tofax: 6:14pm On Apr 17, 2019 |
Or11:I wonder how some people reason. if you don't have any reasonable input why demoralise him the more. do you know whether he has submitted uncountable CV's before he adopt this method. So,if he don't submit his CV online he is Lazy? The truth and reality in Nigeria is that there're millions of people chasing few available jobs. Getting a 70K job in Nigeria is now a testimony. 1 Like |
| Politics › IMF Says Nigeria’s Debt-to-GDP Ratio Is Risky by Tofax(op): 7:37am On Apr 11, 2019 |
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, said yesterday that Nigeria’s Debt-to-GDP ratio though good but risky and cannot be guaranteed going forward. Debt-GDP ratio compares the size of a country’s debt to its economy with a view to determining the sustainability of the debt profile as well as the vulnerability of the economy to creditors and repayment obligations. The ratio which stood at 21.1 percent early last year was projected to reach 25 percent at full year 2018. But the Fund indicated that the range is already risky and cannot be guaranteed. The Fund also harped on the use of the funds borrowed saying that the channelling of the fund to productive sectors is necessary to achieve significant impact on the economy. Tobias Adrian, Financial Counsellor & Director of Monetary & Capital Markets Development of IMF, at a press briefing on “Global Financial Stability Report” at the ongoing World Bank/IMF 2019 Spring Meeting in Washington DC, USA, stated: “Nigeria’s borrowing to GDP is still low but we cannot guarantee the risk going forward given the global economic downturn. The prudent use of the money borrowed is significant to improving the economy.” While commenting on the global economy, he stated that political and policy risks, such as an escalation of trade tensions or a no-deal Brexit, could affect market sentiment and lead to a spike in risk aversion. He advised that amid rising downside risks to global growth, policymakers should aim to avoid a sharper economic slowdown, while keeping financial vulnerabilities in check. “Policymakers should clearly communicate any reassessment of the monetary policy stance that reflects either changes in the economic outlook or risks surrounding the outlook. This will help avoid unnecessary swings in financial markets or unduly compressed market volatility. “In countries with high or rising financial vulnerabilities, policymakers should proactively deploy prudential tools or expand their macro prudential toolkits where needed. These countries would benefit from activating or tightening broad-based macro prudential measures, such as countercyclical capital buffers, to increase the financial system’s resilience. “Efforts should also focus on developing prudential tools to address rising corporate debt from nonbank financial intermediaries and maturity and liquidity mismatches in the nonbank sector. IMF Warns Rising Debt Makes Economy More Vulnerable “Regulators should also ensure that more comprehensive stress tests (that include macro-financial feedback effects) are conducted for banks and nonbank lenders. “Emerging market economies should ensure resilience against foreign portfolio outflows by reducing excessive external liabilities, cutting reliance on short-term debt, and maintaining adequate fiscal and foreign exchange reserve buffers.” Future outlook Adrian further stated: “Looking ahead, there is a risk that positive investor sentiment could deteriorate abruptly, leading to a sharp tightening of financial conditions. “This will have a larger effect on economies with weaker fundamentals, greater financial vulnerabilities, and less policy space to respond to shocks. “Possible triggers include the following: A sharper-than-expected growth slowdown could lead to tighter financial conditions as risk asset prices fall, reflecting a weaker outlook for corporate earnings, even as policies turn more accommodative. “An unexpected shift to a less dovish outlook for monetary policy in advanced economies could trigger a reprising in markets, especially if investors realize that they have taken too benign a view on the monetary policy stance.” https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/imf-says-nigerias-debt-to-gdp-ratio-is-risky/ 1 Like 1 Share |
| Politics › Re: IMF Ranks Nigeria Second Worst In The World In Use Of Sovereign Wealth Fund by Tofax: 9:00pm On Apr 10, 2019 |
Imaging GEJ in the saddle with all this negative indices. hmmm. We were told the reason why Buhari appointed his kindred and his follow Muslim into vital positions of governance is because they were appointed on merit. its obvious Buhari major concern is to to promote primordial and religious consideration. 19 Likes 2 Shares |
| Politics › Re: Time To Break Deadly Conspiracy Against Ajaokuta Steel Co. by Tofax(op): 12:26pm On Apr 06, 2019 |
KIND WORDS FOR HON. MINISTER DR. KAYODE FAYEMI My dear Minister, sorry if I sound a bit hard. I don’t like it myself but like I told you in your office, I tour rural communities and interact everyday with the unemployed; the pains in their eyes are unbearable and that’s what I pour out right here… the pains of Nigerians and the huge expectations from your kind self and Mr. President. You visited Ajaokuta on the 14th of December 2015 and promised an urgent action first by composing a think tank whose report would be submitted to the President; that’s 40 days ago!!! The Russians worked even on Christmas day to get the letter to you. When are you going to respond and extend an invitation to at least hear out their plans for ASCL and Nigeria? When would you constitute the fact finding committee? How long a time would the committee have to prepare its report? When would the President digest the report? When would decisions be made? Please note that Nigerians expect your efficient office to act quickly as we are fast drowning. Mr. Minister, I am aware you were misinformed that the Russians are not interested in the constructions works in ASCL, that’s not true sir. Please do not be trapped by misinterpretations. For that sake, I have decided to post TPE’s letter out to Nigerians to read. Also, my team met with the senior management of TPE in Russia today the 26th of January and they once again expressed their readiness to work with Nigeria on Ajaokuta and other projects if need be. Sir, do you know that TPE Russia constructed 3 of India’s largest steel plants namely – Bhilai, Bakaro and Visakhapatnam? Do you know that Bhilai is an eleven-time winner of the best integrated steel plant in India? They say the blast furnace technology in Ajaokuta is old, no sir. Do you know that India recently contracted TPE Russia to reconstruct and modernize Rourkela (originally built by Germans) and Durgapur steel plants? It shall interest you to know that TPE is installing the largest blast furnace in India as part of Rourkela upgrade. Sir, please join as we ask ourselves why India, with all its steel expertise keeps calling on TPE Russia? It’s because they are good and honest and that is what Nigeria needs now. GSHL was not invited by their government to work on their plants? Better still – has GSHL ever done any steel works in India? Was Nigeria supposed to be a guinea pig? Little wonder they can’t let go of Nigeria and are holding Ajaokuta hostage. Sir, please see that the arbitration with GSHL is terminated as soon as possible. In the meantime, TPE is at this moment writing a comprehensive letter of intent to the president, your office shall be promptly copied sir. Thank you . Today the 26th of January, I printed copies of the letter and again took a set to the Minister’s office and a set to the Director of Steel Engr. Also Abdullahi promised to follow up with the Minister. Dearest Nigerians and Kogites, it is said that you can’t make the same mistake twice, the second time you make it; it’s no longer a mistake but a choice I don’t know what a third mistake is called. We have watched our God given economic destiny being tossed twice by a few; we cannot sit back and watch it happen the third time around. It will be a big shame unto us. Anger will do no good. We shall forgive everyone for every negligent decision made in the past. Sadly we have found ourselves in the most despicable of times; we should be courageous enough to seek to take the best path forward. Let us think deep quickly and ask ourselves – what do we have to lose or gain if the Russians come back to rescue Ajaokuta? Now that God has ushered us a new government in Kogi state, let us demand of our Governor and National Assembly members to make ASCL their watchword. Let our dear royal fathers HRM the Attah of Igala, the Ohinoyi Ebira land, the Obaro of Kabba and others keep interceding on behalf of ASCL. Let every Kogite realise that there is no better time than now to unite and seek that justice is done to ASCL. Let every state in Nigeria join forces to call on the federal Government to revive Ajaokuta because that single project coupled with Nigeria’s intellectualism can usher us into unprecedented greatness. We are too poor, our youths are jobless, our future is bleak, we cannot continue to suffer this much. The time to speak up and act is now!!! Truly yours, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti. 2015 Note: This report took weeks of constant research with me meeting with the Minister of Solid Minerals Dr. Fayemi, Director of Steel. Also Abdullahi, Sole Administrator, Engr Onobere, TPE Russia and so many others. No part of this excerpt expressly .stated, though all true, was made by any of the above mentioned. |
| Politics › Re: Time To Break Deadly Conspiracy Against Ajaokuta Steel Co. by Tofax(op): 12:24pm On Apr 06, 2019 |
RUSSIAN TyazhPromExport (TPE) IS BACK WITH HOPE FOR NIGERIA The Sole Administrator of ASCL Egnr. Onobere has repeatedly said that since the Russians left in 1994, no progress has been realized on the project. The following questions kept hovering my mind : – the moment Nigeria realized their mistake in not completing ASCL and were ready to commence completion, why were the Russians not called back to resume works? Why did we settle for SolGas and GSHL in the first and second instances? – From the quality of work evident in Ajaokuta, is there any doubt on the expertise of TPE that questioned their invitation? – Could it be that TPE wasn’t invited because the Russians are too straight forward and don’t engage in “smart business”? My research led me to uncover a lot of conspiracies on how TPE is no longer interested in doing business with Nigeria and some even said TPE no longer exists. My curiosity took the better part of me and I decided to look them up the internet and initiate contacts. I sent an e-mail to TPE in mid November and another early December 2015, none were replied. It is said that desperate times require desperate measures and that when you truly want to do something, you shall find a way; so I contacted a dear friend of mine who lives in Russia and who happens to be the acting Chairman of Russia’s Arbitration Court on International Economic Matters – Mr. Tunde Adewon. As God would have it he is also a Nigerian; born to a father from Ondo State and a Russian mother. His father late Engr. Moses Adewon was one of the senior engineers who worked to build the Itakpe Iron Ore complex. Mr. Adewon on behalf of Builders Hub visited TPE in Moscow, Russia in the 2nd week in December 2015. After the first brief meeting, TPE, as precautionary measures ran a security check on me. Then Mr. Adewon was called for a detailed meeting and this was noted; – TPE expressed deep sadness at the manner in which ASCL was handled. – TPE said their heart was poured into the project in other to give Nigeria, the greatest country in Africa, the biggest steel Complex in Africa. – That never, in all of their works across the world, not even in India, did they build a steel city as big as Ajaokuta complex. – That it was sad Nigeria did not heed to their warnings about the international conspiracies and Nigeria turned their back to them instead of seeing the bright future they dreamt for us. That we, by our own hands allowed our economy to be trampled amidst negative interests by other powerful countries. – That over the past years, they had tried reaching out to the Nigerian government to allow them come back and complete the project. Nigeria did not respond positively. – That they would want nothing more than to work to revive Ajaokuta and help Nigeria create jobs for its people and take itself out of poverty. Nigeria, they said must wake up from its slumber and be greater than ever before for itself and for Africa. During a skype meeting, TPE was advised to write a letter of intent to the Minister of Solid Minerals. I also made it clear that neither I nor Mr. Adewon were interested in any monetary reward. We were only good citizens of Nigeria trying to use our best arsenals to contribute our quota in helping our country. They appreciated our honesty. On the 25th of December 2015 (Christmas day), TPE wrote and sent the letter (which I have attached to this post) to the Minister of Solid Minerals Dr. Kayode Fayemi. TPE is expecting to be invited over to discuss a path forward which would first entail technical evaluation of ASCL to ascertain damage and recommend modernization and upgrade plans for completion. TPE said they are very ready to come to Nigeria even at a week’s notice. On Monday the 18th January, I paid a courtesy visit to the Minister himself; Dr. # Fayemi acknowledged reading the letter from TPE and mentioned the Ministry would look into it. I pleaded with him on the need to expedite actions regarding ASCL and reminded him of the TPE’s intentions should be considered a priority. 4 weeks after the letter was sent to the Ministry and no response from the Minister’s office, I visited the Department of Steel within the Ministry. To my shock, no one had seen or heard of the letter of intent. Question – what happened to the TPE’s letter after the Minister read it. Is it not supposed to be sent to the Steel and Legal departments for action? Do you also know that till today, no committee has been set up to investigate into ASCL? |
| Politics › Re: Time To Break Deadly Conspiracy Against Ajaokuta Steel Co. by Tofax(op): 12:22pm On Apr 06, 2019 |
2013 TILL DATE – INDIANS HOLD AJAOKUTA TO RANSOM One would have assumed the drama over in 2013 but alas, the Federal Governments hands are tied on progressing with ASCL. GSHL shrewdly crafted an arbitration clause in the contract between the government and GSHL which prohibits Nigeria from dealing with anybody until all matters with GSHL are resolved. In other words, the Indians do not want Nigeerian government to proceed on completing Ajaokuta until an unreasonably selfish condition is met – they want the Nigerian government to give Itakpe Iron Ore company to them free for 25 years. At the moment of this report, there is a modified contract containing such ridiculous terms before the minister of solid minerals in favour of the Indians. GSHL wants to tap Iron Ore from Itakpe and move to Delta Steel which was in June 2015 taken over by Premium Steel, a company set up just months before the purchase of Delta Steel . Premium Steel is owned by another powerful Indian conglomerate headed by the # Vasuwani brothers (owners of the controversial Stallion group). Truth is that Itakpe was set up as a captive mine to ASCL. The original plan holds that iron Ore would be moved from # Itakpe to ASCL which will in turn distribute to other smaller rolling mills, Delta Steel inclusive. If GSHL succeeds in its bid to take charge of Itakpe, ASCL will become a sad history as there will be no Ore to feed from. That means Kogi state will have no steel plant of its own ever again. So no matter that amount of pacifying information the government publishes for the public on the urgency and good intention they have towards ASCL, nothing shall be done until the arbitration is terminated. Patriotic Nigerians must call on the Nigerian Government to immediately terminate every agreement in whatever form with GSHL. Nigeria is too big a nation to be held captive by an Indian company. TPE, a whole Russian government owned company who built the complex did not cause this much pain to Nigeria… why would a private Indian Company who has never operated any steel plant in its own country India do such a thing to us? A more worrisome question to answer is – Who’re the heavyweight Nigerians behind GSHL selling us this cheap? I don’t believe Mr. Primod Mittal would have the courage to stand alone and dare this much pandemonium; so who are the greedy Nigerians toiling with the present and future of Kogi state and Nigerians? No matter what, Nigerians must remember that the masses are always majority and the power to determine our future truly lies in our hands. Our silence and ignorance has only cost us this much. |
| Politics › Re: Time To Break Deadly Conspiracy Against Ajaokuta Steel Co. by Tofax(op): 12:19pm On Apr 06, 2019 |
THE INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACIES A lot of people talk about the international conspiracies surrounding ASCL but very few know what actually they were or are. Here; In 1992, when the project was near completion and while the Russians (TPE) called on the government to work on needed infrastructure; powerful countries namely # France , # America , # Germany , Britain etc including the organizations like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) started reaching out to Nigerian government to terminate the project with the Russians. The Ohinoyi of Ebira land HRM Ado Ibrahim witnessed firsthand a plot by the IMF during a conference in NewYork where a team of Nigerian officials and foreign agents connived that ASCL should be completely dismantled and forgotten. To them, Nigeria did not need to have a steel plant. Nigeria could as well buy steel from them if needed for its development. Nigerian government listened to the negative solutions without ever considering the true intentions of the so called experts from these powerful foreign countries. Russia all through stood its ground alone against France, America and co and kept on reminding Nigeria of the need to ignore the adverse opinions. Russia told Nigeria that this conspiracy was cooked by the West to stop Nigeria from achieving the economic strength strong enough to uplift not only itself but the whole of Africa. To them, Nigeria and Africa needed to be kept as a market for all junk goods from the West. This is in line with the colonial economic model brought in by the British and so, to have Nigeria turn around its economy and that of weaker nations hitherto being exploited by the super powers, and by implication, impact negatively on the extent of influence of the richer countries sent shivers at the smart future awaiting Nigeria. Nigeria’s government was too busy focusing on ushering the 3rd Republic, June 12 saga and all. No attention was given to the Russians. TPE was no longer being paid. In 1994 TPE left Nigeria. SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS The Dept Buy Back Nigeria’s contract with TPE was to construct ASCL for five billion German Deutschmarks (DM) and such that the Nigerian steel authority gave TPE promissory notes guaranteeing payment to the company. When Nigerian government suspended payment and TPE left, TPE sold off these instruments to recover some of the debt owed to the company. In October 1995, a series of secret debt buy-back transactions took place whereby the debt instruments were sold at inflated prices to Liberian companies purportedly owned by the Abachas – Parnar Shipping Corporation and Mecosta Securities .This involved the withdrawal in 1996 of $2.5 bn of public funds to settle debts owed to Russia for the construction of the Ajaokuta steel plant, but which in reality had been discounted to only $500m. Obasanjo in 1999 settled debt through OMPADEC . SOLGAS – the first Concessionaire In 2003, Nigeria under president Obasanjo realized the need to complete Ajaokuta and so, SolGas, an American company which specialized in petroleum was given concession. For a year and a half, Solgas zero progress raised questions as to their technical capacity to operate ASCL. Even though they claimed Senator Liyel Imoke and Gbenga Obasanjo brought in Global Steel Holdings Limited/ ISPAT to short- change it from performing. To this end, Nigeria terminated contracts with Solgas. There were no minutes recorded to document deliberations engaging or terminating with Solgas. GLOBAL STEEL HOLDINGS LIMITED (INDIAN) – the second Concessionaire An Indian company first operating under the name ISPAT then changed its name to Global Infrastructure Holding Limited and now # Global Steel Holdings (GSH) were helped into Nigeria by Sen. Liyle Imoke and Gbenga # Obasanjo under President Obasanjo’s tenure in August 2004. The agreement was such that company would own 60 percent of the shares of the steel mill. The Federal Government would keep 30 percent while 10 percent shares would be sold to the public. This company GSHL owned by Mr. Primod Mittal is not affiliated with ArcelorMittal, which the world’s renowned steel giant. # ArcelorMittal is owned by # Lakshmi # Mittal and a cousin to Mr. Primod Mittal. This concession which saw the taking over of ASCL and Itakpe is termed one of the biggest scams. The plant was hugely undervalued for $300m and GSH was to pay nothing to the government but inject its funds to revive the plant with a number of conditions some of which were: – 1. That the Federal Government should give GSHL two oil blocks. – 2. That GSHL be allowed to be lifting crude oil from Nigeria. – 3. That the Sapele Power Plant be given to GSHL to operate. – 4. Concession of Delta and Warri Ports to GSHL to operate. – 10. The supply of Natural Gas to GSHL at “competitive and reasonable tariff”.(GSHL came up with this condition after it failed to sign a Gas Supply Agreement with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company. GSHL offered to pay N5.00 per cubic meter of Gas as against the market price of N30.00). It also inserted in its conditions that “Gas price should be kept reasonable and consistent. After all these conditions, ASCL still deteriorated as equipments of ASCL were moved to Delta steel (which GSHL took over in 2005) while some to other private owned Indian owned steel factories in Nigeria in the name of “borrowing”. The federal government under President Yaradua realized the huge mistake Nigeria once again made and sought to terminate the contract with GSHL. The then Director General of the BPE, Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa stressed that the approval of the concession of Ajaokuta by president Obasanjo was in violation of the BPE Act. At Senator Ahmed Lawan led Adhoc Committee, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Architect Mohammed Musa Sada also revealed that the federal government under Obasanjo single handedly sold ASCL to GSHL and that GSHL ruined the Ajaokuta complex by stripping it of all valuable equipment and machineries. It led to the cancellation of the entire process by the federal government. This act didn’t go too well with GSHL and they dragged Nigeria to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in London, UK and demanded Nigeria pays them $1B for termination. In 2013, after 6 years of heated negotiations at the ICC, the Jonathan’s administration successfully took back ASCL. GSHL also lost their $1B demand. |
| Politics › Re: Time To Break Deadly Conspiracy Against Ajaokuta Steel Co. by Tofax(op): 12:17pm On Apr 06, 2019 |
#Mattersarising TIME TO BREAK DEADLY CONSPIRACY AGAINST AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY, By Natasha Hadiza Akpoti I have been advised to use pseudo names in publishing this piece, but that’s not my nature. I am one who bolds up to situations and thus, I shall bear my name and consequences this report might stir. From the 14th of August 2015, the day I had an interactive and empowerment session with the black smiths of # Ebiraland; the pains in their voices daunted me. A people, whose ancestors carved a niche in ironworks way back as the 7th century suffered for want of materials to support their trade while a steel giant lay raped in their backyard by a series of unfortunate events and conspiracies. In October, I took online to issue a petition pleading with # President # Buhari to revive ASCL; and with your support we were able to get hundreds of signatures. Since that day, I left no stone unturned to discover the happenings so as to better understand the best path forward. I have taken time to make this report as brief and as simple as possible and urge you all to take time and read. 1958 to 1979 1958 – the colonial administration conducted a feasibility study on iron ore deposits in Nigeria. 1967 – the # United # Nations # Industrial # Development # Organisation survey identified Nigeria as a potential steel market which led to the signing of a bilateral agreement between Soviet Union and Nigeria. 1971 – the Nigerian Steel Development Authority was established by Decree No.9 to bring to reality a steel plant. 1979 – during the administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, TyazhPromExport (TPE) a # Russian leading engineering company commenced construction works on # Ajaokuta # Steel Company Limited. 1979 to 1994 In less than 12 years, TPE transformed a wide expanse of land to contain some giant size network of machinery meant to process the exploration of steel for # Nigeria . Indeed, billions were spent and its evident in the state of the art townships , roads, bridges, power plants, air strip, port, rail that were put up in Itakpe and Ajaokuta in # Kogi state. In 1990, as the project approached completion, TPE on monthly bases for 4 years wrote to the # Federal # Government reminders on the need to commence works on the necessary infrastructure needed to successfully operate ASCL and Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO). They are access roads to the mines and rail system from ASCL to Onne sea port in Port Harcourt. TPE also suggested the possibility of dredging river Niger which could offer a better and more convenient route of importing raw materials. This infrastructure TPE argued would benefit the public especially Northern part of Nigeria where finished steel manufactured products such as cars, parts, construction materials etc could be shipped to other states and nations once the state is fully functional as an industrial hub. The government never responded. THE INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACIES A lot of people talk about the international conspiracies surrounding ASCL but very few know what actually they were or are. Here; In 1992, when the project was near completion and while the Russians (TPE) called on the government to work on needed infrastructure; powerful countries namely # France , # America , # Germany , Britain etc including the organizations like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) started reaching out to Nigerian government to terminate the project with the Russians. The Ohinoyi of Ebira land HRM Ado Ibrahim witnessed firsthand a plot by the IMF during a conference in NewYork where a team of Nigerian officials and foreign agents connived that ASCL should be completely dismantled and forgotten. To them, Nigeria did not need to have a steel plant. Nigeria could as well buy steel from them if needed for its development. Nigerian government listened to the negative solutions without ever considering the true intentions of the so called experts from these powerful foreign countries. Russia all through stood its ground alone against France, America and co and kept on reminding Nigeria of the need to ignore the adverse opinions. Russia told Nigeria that this conspiracy was cooked by the West to stop Nigeria from achieving the economic strength strong enough to uplift not only itself but the whole of Africa. To them, Nigeria and Africa needed to be kept as a market for all junk goods from the West. This is in line with the colonial economic model brought in by the British and so, to have Nigeria turn around its economy and that of weaker nations hitherto being exploited by the super powers, and by implication, impact negatively on the extent of influence of the richer countries sent shivers at the smart future awaiting Nigeria. Nigeria’s government was too busy focusing on ushering the 3rd Republic, June 12 saga and all. No attention was given to the Russians. TPE was no longer being paid. In 1994 TPE left Nigeria. |
| Politics › Time To Break Deadly Conspiracy Against Ajaokuta Steel Co. by Tofax(op): 12:14pm On Apr 06, 2019 |
Ajaokuta Steel For the first time in history, 301 Legislators collectively sponsored a bill to fund a speedy completion of Ajaokuta Steel Project (Attached) The National Assembly saw this project as a critical economic aid in eradicating poverty by creating thousands of jobs & generating revenue for Kogi State and Nigeria at large. The amount recommended was $1b. The application of the money was amongst others for construction, improvement, extension, acquisitions & compensation of host community lands etc. Additionally, the money was to cover surveys, research and preparatory investigations inter alia. The DISBURSEMENT of the FUNDS was to be applied by the MINISTER of Solid Minerals. That upon completion and successful operation of Ajaokuta Steel Complex, if the Federal Government insisted on its concession, the law on privatization shall be followed judiciously to avoid illegal pitfalls thereby shortchanging the country . Most importantly is the 6 months imprisonment option for anyone who commits an offense against the completion of Ajaokuta Steel company by going contrary to the provisions of the completion bill. However, President Buhari’s rejected the bill for the following reasons: 1. Ajaokuta Steel Project is not important enough... NOW. He wrote : “appropriating $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account is NOT THE BEST STRATEGIC option for Nigeria at this time of budgetary constraints, and the nation cannot afford to commit such an amount amid COMPETING PRIORITIES”. Bare in mind Nigeria is building a $2 billion refinery in Katsina getting crude all the way from Niger ��. Nigeria is also undergoing a $3 billion seismic expedition in search from oil in Lake Chad basin & other areas. We are also seeking to fund a $12 billion rail project from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri The Federal Government recently took $1 billion for the purchase of military equipments to fight Biko Haram (meanwhile our armies are complaining of having obsolete or no ammunitions) . So I think PMB is right, we have so many other more important projects of competing priorities than to industrialize Nigeria. Our PMB added that : 2. “the Excess Crude Account funds belong to the Federation, it would be proper to consult with the National Economic Council and the States and relevant stakeholders; the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment were not fully consulted. The inputs of key stakeholders are necessary to create the optimal legal and regulatory framework as well as the institutional mechanism to adequately regulate the steel sector,”. Meaning : The Excess Crude Account belongs to Nigerians and the deliberations by the entire National Assembly (306 Representatives and 109 Senators), in addition to several public hearings and brainstorming sessions by Ad -Hoc committee on Ajaokuta’s revival which had the Ministers, Professional and host communities stakeholders in attendance was not good enough. I shall make my concluding observations in my next post. Have a good evening Natasha H Akpoti The People’s Senator #SDP |
| Politics › Why Do Many Countries Not Like Nigeria? by Tofax(op): 8:12pm On Apr 05, 2019 |
COPIED. I am from Cameroon and here is my take on the negative perception of Nigeria.... It’s gonna be a long one. Also I’m a native French speaker so don’t mind my English. Why do many countries not like Nigeria? Population & Perception ABOUT CRIME Nigerians are said to be criminal, aggressive, loud etc... The main “problem” Nigeria has is its sheer number. Roughly 200 millions of them. I don’t think Nigerians are more criminal than any other country. But the fact is 1 in 8 black person on planet Earth is Nigerian. So no matter where you go you will have a Nigerian community. They will be bigger than any other African community and therefore be more visible. For say 1 criminal from Cameroon in a given country you will have 8 from Nigeria (simply because their population is 8 times that of Cameroon) thus creating the impression that they are more corrupted/criminal that any other country when they are not. Take the famous “Nigerian scam” aka 419. I genuinely feel sorry for Nigerians because again they don’t have the monopoly of that. Unfortunately because of the sheer size of the population, you have the impression that it’s only them when it’s every where in Africa (I’ve personally been to 23 African countries and counting). By the way you must admit that you have to be smart to be able to extract money from someone you’ve never seen. ABOUT BEING AGGRESSIVE Nigerians must be aggressive because of their number. Let me tell you a story about my first trip to Nigeria. I landed in Lagos early the morning (6am or so). The drive from the airport to the city Center was long and boy there was a lot of traffic. I could see lots and lots (in their thousands) of people along side the highway and couldn’t understand why. They couldn’t have been waiting for a bus (on a high way??) to go to work right? When we had to stop because of the traffic, the car I was in was swarmed by hawkers! It was very scary to be honest. There were only 3 of us in the car: the driver, an armed guard (company policy) and myself, yet there must have been a dozen people surrounding the car and offering to sale all sort of shit from chewing gums to cigarets (not even packets but in the unit). I was shocked and asked myself “how much do they even make per day selling these things? There is so much competition anyway, can they even sell”?? It dawned on me that no matter how much they were making they had to be up early and be agressive if they wanted to make any mone. I always felt that all Nigerian have that kind of “survival of the fittest” mentality. That means being aggressive (in the good sense) ABOUT BEING LOUD Again that’s due to the population. If you want to be heard you have to be loud simple as that. Be it at work, school or even your family you have to be loud and in your face to even get noticed. I guess it’s another form of agression. ABOUT BEING COCKY/ARROGANT Again this is due to the size of the population and country. I call that “big country syndrome”. I saw very similar behaviour in the US. You can’t blame them. If you’re a Nigerian entrepreneur you won’t give a damn about other countries. Why? Because you have a population of 200 millions to serve. Why would you bother looking at a country like Benin ? Different legal system, language, currency and more importantly a population of just 11 million when Lagos alone has a population of 21 million. In my experience Nigerians are both cocky and ignorant. Ignorant because they don’t know or care about other African countries. In Africa they only know South Africa, Ghana and to a certain extend Kenya. Again I see a lot of similarities with America. ABOUT TREVOR ZYLSTRA Trevor Zylstra said Cameroon had a few tussle with Nigeria. Not sure what you mean but yeah there was a dispute over Bakassi an oil rich island. The conflit was peacefully resolved. Nigeria at some point blamed Cameroon for not fighting Boko Haram (forgetting that they let that cancer grow and spread in many countries). After many terrorists attacks, Cameroon army step up and cooperation has been excellent and we are united agains those bastards. Last but not least there are unrest in the English speaking part of Cameroon (Cameroon and Canada are the only 2 countries to be bilingual French-English). Some of our English speaking compatriots (I am from the French speaking side), who represent roughly 20% of the population, feel they have been poorly treated and want independence. Some have taken up arms and fighting a small guerrilla war. Since that part of the country has a border with Nigeria, arms were smuggled from Nigeria and terrorists had training camp in Nigeria. Again, thanks to the excellent cooperation at government level, Nigeria has sent troops to control the borders, thus significantly reducing the supply routes for terrorists. Last but not least I want to stress that Cameroon and Nigeria have bilateral agreement and Nigerians can come to Cameroon anytime and without visa and the reverse is true. It it estimated that there are 1 million Nigerian living in Cameroon (in a population of 25 mn). We’ve never had any particular issues with them. I for one like Nigerians but admit that I won’t date a Nigerian woman. Don’t get me wrong: they are as beautiful, smart as it gets but boy are they high maintenance. To much wahala... (trouble) https://www.quora.com/home |
| Politics › Re: Memo To Mrs Abike Dabiri-erewa, An Ethnic Champion .. by Tofax(op): 10:04pm On Apr 03, 2019 |
rosebowl01:if this news is concocted what about this: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/nigerian-executed-saudi-arabia-14-others-follow/ |
| Politics › Re: Memo To Mrs Abike Dabiri-erewa, An Ethnic Champion .. by Tofax(op): 10:01pm On Apr 03, 2019 |
wirinet:Nigerian executed in Saudi Arabia, 14 others to follow. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/nigerian-executed-saudi-arabia-14-others-follow/ Among the Nigerians in the Medina Prison awaiting execution are: Lolo Babatunde, Biola Lawal, Hafis Amosu, Jimoh Ishola, Tunde Ibrahim, Abdurimi Aweda, Adam Abubakar, Amode Tunde, Adewumi Adepoju, Saka Riyau, Aliu Muhammed, Abdul Raman, Yekini Yahaya and two other women. You've never heard of Hausa/fulani arrested for drug related crime or you refuse to believe it. Okay read this report from vanguard concerning those names aforementioned. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/nigerian-executed-saudi-arabia-14-others-follow/ |
| Politics › Re: Memo To Mrs Abike Dabiri-erewa, An Ethnic Champion .. by Tofax(op): 6:59pm On Apr 03, 2019 |
deomelo:Okay,so Mrs Abike Dabiri-erewa is jobless that's why she went on reeling out names of those UAE criminals, because they come from a particular ethnic group but decide to hide the names of those drugs criminals in Saudi Arabia. 7 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics › Re: Memo To Mrs Abike Dabiri-erewa, An Ethnic Champion .. by Tofax(op): 6:53pm On Apr 03, 2019 |
deomelo:Okay give the names of those executed for drugs and the ones on death row in Saudi Arabia. 5 Likes |
| Politics › Memo To Mrs Abike Dabiri-erewa, An Ethnic Champion .. by Tofax(op): 6:24pm On Apr 03, 2019 |
DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT THE UGLY FACE OF ETHNIC POLITICS IN NIGERIA - SO SAD! #DivideandRule ..... MEMO TO MRS ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA, AN ETHNIC CHAMPION ..... Dear Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mine is not a very long letter. Just to commend you for the "passion" that you bring to your work. I believe like you that when we name and shame the bad eggs tarnishing the image of our dear Nigeria, abroad, it will deter others from a life of crime, ABROAD. It is in this light that I appreciate your publishing the names of the 5 robbers in UAE. You gave their names as Chimmuanya Emmanuel Ozo, Benjamin Nwachukwu Ajah, Kingsley Ikenna Ngoka, Tochukwu Leonard Alusi and Chile Micah Ndumodu (Ndunagu?). Like you rightly pointed out "these five boys are a disgrace to this country and an embarrassment". Unfortunately, Mrs Dabiri, you simply referred to the woman executed for drugs in Saudi Arabia as "A Nigerian woman ". I believe you were in a hurry to address this very pressing national issue, that you coulndt wait to get her name. You also, in the same vein, failed to inform Nigerians of the names of the other Nigerians already executed for drugs in Saudi Arabia and tbose on death row for the same crime- drugs. While you and your team are busy still trying to unravel the name of the "Nigerian woman executed for drugs" in Saudi Arabia, permit me to give the names of those already executed and those on death row there for the same offend. I'm sure you will agree with me that all hands must be on deck to save the image of our nation. THOSE EXECUTED FOR DRUGS IN SAUDI ARABIA 1. Yusuf Yekini Ajiboye 2. Adebayo Adeniyi 3. Mohammed Abubakar 4. Mohammed Issa 5. IBRAHIM Ciroma and 6 Biola Ologunro THOSE ON DEATH ROW FOR DRUGS IN SAUDI ARABIA 1. Idris Adepoju 2. Abdulrimi Ajibola 3. Jimoh Lawal 4. Tunde Ibraheem 5. Amode Sulaman 6. Hafis Amosun 7. Aliu Mohammed 8. Babatunde 9. Abdulrasaq Lawal 10. Yekini 11. Abubakar 12. Kawu Muhammed 13. Madinah Yahaya 14. Awalu Muhammed 15. Kafilat Oljide 16. Ayisa 17. Abdulraman Mu'azu 18. Abdulraman Durojaye 19. Abubakar Usman 20. Sunny 21. Emeka 22 Issa. I hope I have saved you time that you can channel towards other issues? Thank you for all your services to our beloved country. N/B Forgive me for missing the "Honourable' in writing your name. - @Hope For Nigeria 8 Likes 1 Share |
| Politics › Re: Rivers Governorship Election Results: Wike Leads As INEC Continues Collation by Tofax: 12:59pm On Apr 03, 2019 |
chozzy:I tell u.... very badest. |
| Crime › Re: DSS Re-arrests Jones Abiri, Journalist Who Spent Two Years In Detention by Tofax: 10:37pm On Mar 31, 2019 |
Buharifan:https://www.sunnewsonline.com/dss-re-arrests-journalist-who-spent-two-years-in-detention/ |
| Politics › Re: Constitutional Crisis Looms As Cjn’s Tenure Ends In Three Weeks by Tofax: 12:37pm On Mar 31, 2019 |
Mario1983:https://punchng.com/constitutional-crisis-looms-as-cjns-tenure-ends-in-three-weeks/ |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 (of 24 pages)