Doff_Man:

Aid improvement by ceasing this unnecessarily vile name calling

vile name calling? Someone outrightly lies and scoffs at such magnitude of suffering in the streets, tell me what greater evil is there? It quacks and waddles like a duck, ergo it is a duck.
Sometimes I think that the 'tiny' middle class are the most viciously evil group in Nigeria. I have seen countless cases where 'the rich middle class managers move against company drivers receiving benefits totaling $10( N1500) per week'. How many pay this same drivers N30,000 monthly, not because that is all they can afford, or because that is even a fair wage at all, but because they feel that is the maximum this 'inferior' drivers should get. Afterall the minimum wage is set at N18,000.
A country where being kind and good and honest is something to be ashamed of.

james_ibor: If yours haven't improved, pele! Most people I know have had improvements in their standard of living.

.

luvmijeje: Cry me an ocean! The guy just sat down in a place and started analyzing rubbish! Oyinbo, I don't believe you added anything as you wrote but I don't blame you if not for those that sees you guyz as mini gods at our expense.

Just look at these two posts that lack all objectivity and compassion. Reeking of such inhuman selfishness that you would be almost forgiven for thinking they came from extra-terrestials, of the most utterly apathetic sort.

The truth is bitter. All what he wrote is correct. It's very easy to notice the corrupt attitude and dishonesty of Nigerians if you have lived and worked in abroad for sometime. If you have never left Nigeria for a developed country, what he narrated might not be clear to you, you won't even see most of his narration as a summary of corruption. why? corruption is already a norm to most Nigerians and they don't even have any developed country to compare Nigeria with.

A Nigerian senator earning $2million dollars and American president earning $400k dollars. Big shame.

I remember a Nigerian RCCG pastor in UK telling me he thought he had reached Heaven when he visited Europe (Germany), first time in his life. The pastor he was going to take over was even sad that another pastor which he lobbied for to take over from him was not the one sent by the RCCG governing council.

The oyinbo man has nothing to gain or lose, he only spoke his mind. The truth and nothing but the truth.

BoboYekini: vile name calling? Someone outrightly lies and scoffs at such magnitude of suffering in the streets, tell me what greater evil is there? It quacks and waddles like a duck, ergo it is a duck.
Sometimes I think that the 'tiny' middle class are the most viciously evil group in Nigeria. I have seen countless cases where 'the rich middle class managers move against company drivers receiving benefits totaling $10( N1500) per week'. How many pay this same drivers N30,000 monthly, not because that is all they can afford, or because that is even a fair wage at all, but because they feel that is the maximum this 'inferior' drivers should get. Afterall the minimum wage is set at N18,000.
A country where being kind and good and honest is something to be ashamed of.

what exactly is your point? are you a driver? if so, pele.
maybe through corruption, u will be able to increase ur salary. abi?
those evil middle class should also upgrade their corruption so they also can join the rich upper class.

then everyone can climb a ladder and be happy.

shior.

Is there any hope for Nigeria? How I wish I could have left this country when I was a kid.



Even foreigners know Nigeria more than the Nigerians.
Even pastors and Imam now encourage bribery, robbery, and corruption.

ooseven:

People like you are one of the problems of the country.

You want people to keep saying nigeria is flowing with milk and honey even though you know it's rotting from within.

So I ask you, what will change Nigeria?

I think people like YOU are one of the problems of the country.
Nigeria is corrupt everyone knows that. I'm only asking you how another "corrupt nigeria" article will change the country. answer d question.
this not the first time oyibo god man has declared Nigeria to be corrupt. is it?

if you have any critical thinking skills or sense you will see that even the oyinbo guy himself said he will stay in Nigeria (he's most likely making a LOT of cool cash to do so) and he will survive comfortably because he knows the system and can play the game. hahahahahahahah that is the KEY to the whole article right there that nobody is talking about.

He has chosen to participate in the corruption in order for him to stay in Nigeria and continue making money as an expat in the oil and gas industry. since he is NOT nigerian and corruption is a "Nigerian" thing, he can comfortably participate in corruption and blame it on Nigerians because corruption is inherently a "Nigerian characteristic."


http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/12/21/nigeria.halliburton/index.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/8111277/Shell-to-pay-48m-Nigerian-bribe-fine.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201208170215.html

I've alwaiz bin an ardent believer in " e go better" buh last week I found out dt d modern man(homo sapiens) actually was african n frm migration n interbreeding and natural selection, other races evolved. Den I stopped believin dt africa kan eva get better.d african ancestors of dose odha races improving in leapbounds had to leave africa in groups, dey moved far frm dre lands for a reason. Todae dose dt stayed behind still aff dre generations wallowing in corruption n all. Check out all african countries n guess what unifies us; leaders dt don't wanna leave dre seats, opposition dt don't mind killing ppl jes to make a statement,corruptions @ all levels,tribalism,nepotism,profit maximization @ d expense of ppl(imajin some1 tellin me dt I shdnt sell cheaper so dt I won't incur d wrath of awon iya", witchcraft n voodooism,political unrest in abt 50% of african soil.
Check out d world map n look out ow beautifully n strategically placed africa is!discover d diverse ppl in it! CivilisAtion started in africa n yet we r stl called bushmen!our ancestors were unbelievably strong! Dey built d pyramids, lived in rocks hunted wiv barehands n survived in d jungles *imajin wot a typical african jungle must aff looked lyk den*
Dey aff left dre legacy!
What will we leave for generations to come?
What race will evolve from us?
In 2000 years tym what will be left of africa? Deserted lands or blood?
Will it be better?
Or will it hit rock bottom bfor it soars 1ce more?

heed101:
Even pastors and Imam now encourage bribery, robbery, and corruption.

It's because we no longer see bribery as corruption.
Hardly you would even see a multinational company(even the one the expat works for) in Nigeria that is not also corrupt. They pay honorariums and send gifts(another term for bribery) to get approvals, win contracts, get licenses e.t.c The oyinbo expert must be aware of this as well.....but he's making his cool cash and knows the system very very well.
He probably lives in banana island, has burtlers, has escorts and soldiers to protect him. Who doesn't enjoy living like a king.

99cent:

I think people like YOU are one of the problems of the country.
Nigeria is corrupt everyone knows that. I'm only asking you how another "corrupt nigeria" article will change the country. answer d question.
this not the first time oyibo god man has declared Nigeria to be corrupt. is it?

if you have any critical thinking skills or sense you will see that even the oyinbo guy himself said he will stay in Nigeria (he's most likely making a LOT of cool cash to do so) and he will survive comfortably because he knows the system and can play the game. hahahahahahahah that is the KEY to the whole article right there that nobody is talking about.

He has chosen to participate in the corruption in order for him to stay in Nigeria and continue making money as an expat in the oil and gas industry. since he is NOT nigerian and corruption is a "Nigerian" thing, he can comfortably participate in corruption and blame it on Nigerians because corruption is inherently a Nigeria characteristic.

It's very obvious by the highlighted that you didn't read the article, so there's no point arguing with you on an article where if you cared enough to read the first and last paragraphs, you wouldn't have made such blunder.

99cent:
I think people like YOU are one of the problems of the country.
Nigeria is corrupt everyone knows that. I'm only asking you how another "corrupt nigeria" article will change the country. answer d question.
this not the first time oyibo man has declared Nigeria to be corrupt. is it?

if you have any critical thinking skills or sense you will see that even the oyinbo guy himself said he will stay in Nigeria (he's most likely making a LOT of cool cash to do so) and he will survive comfortably because he knows the system and can play the game. hahahahahahahah that is the KEY to the whole article right there that nobody is talking about. He has chosen to participate in the corruption in order for him to stay in Nigeria and continue making money as an expat in the oil and gas industry. since he is NOT nigerian and corruption is a "Nigerian" thing, he can comfortably participate in corruption and blame it on Nigerians because that's how you survive in Nigeria. by being corrupt. According to him, orruption will NEVER be eliminated in Nigeria because it is deeply part of the soul of the country etc. that's just how Nigerians function.

so tell us, plz, how does this help improve the situation if all he's saying is that Nigerians have corruption gene. can genes be changed?

Why do you love arguing like you have got blinkered brain cells? You went from being "cfours" to "99cent" - yet couldn't add a little brain to your re-birth.

Someone took time out to write an unbiased and objective truth about everything wrong with the country cesspit. However, rather than think critically about the write-up and try to look for ways to ameliorate the unique problems with the country, you're giving excuses like a git. It seems most of you allergic to change and you love the status quo the way it's. However, when it's time to act pseudo-western and spam everywhere with theoretical Eurocentric junks most of you can't demystify, you would be quick to do that, just to look "educated" and "civilised."

Nigerians have corruption genes and are mostly criminalistic by nature - that's a fact. You lot need to look for ways to purge yourselves off that regressive ailment that's become the bane of Nigeria, if the country is to move forward.

Keep shouting "oyinbo man" everywhere because he's speaking the truth. But when it's time to copy and paste another "oyinbo man's" article about your pseudo-feminism, you won't hesitate to do that, would you? Psycho!

saxywale:
It's because we no longer see bribery as corruption.
Hardly you would even see a multinational company(even the one the expat works for) in Nigeria that is not also corrupt. They pay honorariums and send gifts(another term for bribery) to get approvals, win contracts, get licenses e.t.c The oyinbo expert must be aware of this as well.....but he's making his cool cash and knows the system very very well.
He probably lives in banana island, has burtlers, has escorts and soldiers to protect him. Who doesn't enjoy living like a king.

If you read the complete article you should have read this part as well

james_ibor: "The police chief of a sizeable Thai resort town has his fingers in many pies, but he’s not interested in shaking down street vendors.  His minions might in order to supplement their salaries, but generally once the boss has his cut of most of the action, he’s not interested in sweeping up every last baht.  As a result, commerce can continue relatively unmolested.  The same is roughly true amongst the Sheikhs of the Middle East.  Bung the Crown Prince a few million for the contract, and he’ll allow the project activities to go ahead pretty freely.  He’s not interested in making an extra $10k by insisting you hire his brother’s lorry fleet to transport the gravel.  Such restraint may also be practical: the dodgy official in the UK isn’t going to be interested taking pennies if he risks getting fired or going to jail, he’ll have a minimum price he’ll work for.

But Nigeria has the same problem I saw in Russia: an almost pathological insistence of securing for yourself 100% of everything that is available, and not a kopek or kobo less.  I have observed before that Russians would rather have 100% of nothing than 50% of something, and the same is true – but on a far greater scale – in Nigeria"

I'm bewildered by the sheer accuracy of this article...It takes a true thinker to understand the indepth analysis of the Nigerian "problem" discussed by the writer. I'll discuss my opinions later...

@james_ibor,
That's the ''class'' distinction and ''degree'' thing the British expat explained from the start of his article. It's not like the corruption plague is not rampant in other places of the world. But the one in Nigeria is UNIQUE. It's a SPECIAL kind, and like X-Imhotep rightly pointed out, it's in OUR genetic make up. Corruption par excellence. The classless type where a PhD holder, if allowed to rule the country, will not do anything different from what a street urchin will do.


I have seen that many folks on this board can read articles, and reading they sure do very well - like my little 6-year old girl. But when it comes to comprehension, it's a different kettle of fish altogether. Many Nigerian ''readers'' can hardly comprehend what's been read. It has degenerated to that level. Yes. So so sad.

ono: @james_ibor,
That's the ''class'' distinction and 'degree'' thing the British expat explained from the start of his article. It's not like the corruption plague is not rampant in other places of the world. But the one in Nigeria is UNIQUE. It's a SPECIAL kind, and like X-Imhotep rightly pointed out, it's in OUR genetic make up. Corruption par excellence.

I have seen that many folks on this board can read articles, and reading they sure do very well - like my little 6-year old girl. But when it comes to comprehension, it's a different kettle of fish altogether. Many Nigerian ''readers'' can hardly comprehend what's been read. It has degenerated to that level. Yes. So so sad.

Yea. Another quote from the article

james_ibor: "It is the degree, or extent, of corruption which makes Russia different from the UK, not the form. Understanding this concept is important in describing Nigeria."

and,

james_ibor: "As I said before, you’ll find such practices everywhere, but to nowhere near the extent found in Nigeria."

Tony Spike: I'm bewildered by the sheer accuracy of this article...It takes a true thinker to understand the indepth analysis of the Nigerian "problem" discussed by the writer. I'll discuss my opinions later...

My dear, I have read several articles about Nigeria in the past. None compares with this one. It's in a different class of it's own. The thorough analysis, comparisons, objectivity and seamless transitions from one level to the other beats me. I doubt Wole Soyinka or anyone else will do better. And to think the guy is an engineer. I'm stunned.

I kept nodding my head as I read one paragraph and move to the next. It's just like playing my favourite songs to my hearing. I've been dancing ''awilo'' since.

ono: @james_ibor,
That's the ''class'' distinction and ''degree'' thing the British expat explained from the start of his article. It's not like the corruption plague is not rampant in other places of the world. But the one in Nigeria is UNIQUE. It's a SPECIAL kind, and like X-Imhotep rightly pointed out, it's in OUR genetic make up. Corruption par excellence. The classless type where a PhD holder, if allowed to rule the country, will not do anything different from what a street urchin will do.

I have seen that many folks on this board can read articles, and reading they sure do very well - like my little 6-year old girl. But when it comes to comprehension, it's a different kettle of fish altogether. Many Nigerian ''readers'' can hardly comprehend what's been read. It has degenerated to that level. Yes. So so sad.

You see, this article is very much like the gospel letters of Paul to His Christian brothers. Very deep and abstractly personified across...no wonder there are few people commenting on this thread.

.

ono:

Alright, so we agree on ''that'' point right?

Where we ever in disagreement on that?

Alright, so we agree on ''that'' point right?

luvmijeje: Cry me an ocean! The guy just sat down in a place and started analyzing rubbish! Oyinbo, I don't believe you added anything as you wrote but I don't blame you if not for those that sees you guyz as mini gods at our expense.

Your living in denial! This guys is so accurate in his observations. Every single words are true.

I know many people are going to attack the messager instead of trying to analyse the message...the points he raised dat impressed me is how a nigerian would make sure that all d job positions remains in his family line,and how we nigerians treat corruption with indifference even if it's within our level..talk more or less of politicians.

99cent:

I think people like YOU are one of the problems of the country.
Nigeria is corrupt everyone knows that. I'm only asking you how another "corrupt nigeria" article will change the country. answer d question.

More 'Nigeria is corrupt' articles will help to shame people like you who are very happy with the status quo into improving your sphere of influence. That is the answer to the question

99cent:
if you have any critical thinking skills or sense you will see that even the oyinbo guy himself said he will stay in Nigeria (he's most likely making a LOT of cool cash to do so) and he will survive comfortably because he knows the system and can play the game. hahahahahahahah that is the KEY to the whole article right there that nobody is talking about.

He has chosen to participate in the corruption in order for him to stay in Nigeria and continue making money as an expat in the oil and gas industry. since he is NOT nigerian and corruption is a "Nigerian" thing, he can comfortably participate in corruption and blame it on Nigerians because corruption is inherently a "Nigerian characteristic."

He chose to return to a country/job where he was making a difference and getting paid legitimately for his efforts. Where do you read that he is there to 'participate in the corruption'?
In your madness and imbecility, you do not realize that the author NEVER said 'corruption is a Nigerian characteristic'. In fact, he repeatedly pointed out that corruption is everywhere. What the heck is wrong with you? Can't you read? Are you not educated? Was your English teacher corrupt?

he stressed that corruption exists everywhere. What he pointed out was the sheer scale and audacity of corruption, even for the little things that would be overlooked in a corruption riddled country like Russia.

People like you are part of the problems of this country. poorly educated, intellectually challenged apologists who cannot see the truth even if it bit them in the arse. Whether your responses are from poorly reasoned faux-patriotism or just plain imbecility, you're coming out to defend the indefensible.

ono: @james_ibor,
That's the ''class'' distinction and ''degree'' thing the British expat explained from the start of his article. It's not like the corruption plague is not rampant in other places of the world. But the one in Nigeria is UNIQUE. It's a SPECIAL kind, and like X-Imhotep rightly pointed out, it's in OUR genetic make up. Corruption par excellence. The classless type where a PhD holder, if allowed to rule the country, will not do anything different from what a street urchin will do.

I have seen that many folks on this board can read articles, and reading they sure do very well - like my little 6-year old girl. But when it comes to comprehension, it's a different kettle of fish altogether. Many Nigerian ''readers'' can hardly comprehend what's been read. It has degenerated to that level. Yes. So so sad.

My brother, you are 100% correct. How anyone with a brain can disagree with this analysis is frankly beyond me.

I still cannot fathom why this thread hasn't hit the front page. It should not only hit the front page but should be made sticky for at least a week.

Rossikk:

Thank you. So because we have not turned to Japan or Germany, it means we've made no progress? For your information on many things you mentioned we have improved, such as infant mortality rates, poverty rates, and even access to clean drinking water. Evidence:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nigeria_statistics.html

Even the World Bank the other day admitted that poverty was reducing in Nigeria. What about the roads and rail? What about communications? Was it not under the military that all the infrastructure crumbled, something we're now fixing to great acclaim by Nigerians? Will your foreign visitor/writer know any of this? Afterall he just pops in and out and can write anything.

Why are some people just so daft.4get world bank statistics.Is it not okonjo iweala and her people in govt that gives them the stats? The guy has laid out d bare truth, Nigerians (nt Nigeria) have a problem.the way we think is our problem.And I don't think we can move forward if we continue to think and live corruption.Mtcheew.D very rich senator @ Abuja and d very poor agbero at agege act d same way when it comes to taking bribe no matter how small.they can break heads,exchange blows and even kill. Think with ur brain bro,nt with ur anus.

Wow!!! This is an indepth and thorough analysis of this country. What wasn't said right there? Is it the fact that police asks for bribe or the one of having to pay a certain sum to a person before you can get clearance?

What infuriated me more was that some of the expats I encountered were hopelessly unqualified and too inexperienced to be there.  Nigeria is a difficult place to attract talent to, and as such – like a lot of oil towns worldwide – those who end up coming are usually way below the standard that should be demanded.  Unbelievably, incompetence and stupidity seem to be imported at great expense into Nigeria.

There you have it.

[b]Meanwhile, Nigerian senators – of whom there are 109 – enjoy an official package worth $1.5m per year, which they recently requested to be increased to $2.2m per year.  By contrast, the US President gets an annual salary of $400k.  Given the unofficial incomes of a Nigerian senator through graft and backhanders is probably 3-5 times that, we can probably estimate most of these guys are taking home something in the order of $4-5m each year.

The corruption, theft, and graft can take many forms: falsifying a CV (I don’t mean enhancing, I mean pretending you’re a Lead Piping Engineer of 12 years experience when actually, until yesterday, you were a fisherman); selling positions in a company; stealing diesel from the storage tanks you’re paid to protect; issuance of false material certificates; impersonating an immigration officer to access an office, from which you then tap up the people within to fund your latest venture; selling land which isn’t yours; deliberately running down the country’s refining capacity in order to partake in the lucrative import of fuels; falsifying delivery notes of said refined fuels in order to receive greater government subsidies; deliberately restricting the country’s power generation capacity in order to benefit from the importation of generators (which must be run on imported fuel); theft of half-eaten sandwiches and opened drink containers from the office fridge; tinkering with fuel gauges at petrol stations to sell customers short; conspiring with company drivers to issue false receipts indicating more fuel was supplied than actually was; supplying counterfeit safety equipment; falsifying certificates related to professional competence (e.g. rope access work);

.

.

praisehim: Why are we so religious yet very unGODly.do we even fear GOD at all in Nigeria.all what the guy says is correct.

THATS NIGERIANS FOR YOU...DEYLL RADA SHOOT AN ATHEIST OR ONE WHO JUST STOP BEING A CHURCH GOER THAN A POLICE BOSS WHO STOLE THE PENSION OF THIER DIEING FATHER...THEY MAY EVEN CLAP FOR HIM AND APPRECIATE HIS DEXTERITY AND INGENUITY IN ACHIEVING SUCH

ooseven: Why is this topic not on the front page...and "Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo Of COZA In Sex Scandal" is?.

As guardians of this forum, you Mods have a duty to redirect the minds of over "1million people" to relevant issues that get people thinking about the state of the nation.

What makes a sex scandal more important than a critique of our current state. Don't you feel this piece will get people thinking and seeking ways to change the status quo? Just saying!!!

Leaders of Nairaland, stop behaving like the government of Nigeria.

LIKE I SAID 2 THINGS INTEREST NIGERIANS/.....SEX AND RELIGION!

james_ibor: I still cannot fathom why this thread hasn't hit the front page. It should not only hit the front page but should be made sticky for at least a week.

WHEN TRUTH HURTS...HOW CAN THIS HYPOCRITICAL MODS DO THAT....THE VERY SAME THINGS THEY DO ON AND OFFLINE EVERYDAY

What jumped out to me is something i have been thinking for ages. "there are people deliberately sabotaging the nigerian refinaries rehabilitation so that they can keep making profit from fuel import. There is also a cartel sabotaging the power sector so that they can keep importing generators for profit. And i am inclined to belive this people are working together because generators also need fuel to work......so what is pres. Jonathan doing about this people? Because with them lurking, his "transformation agenda" will never be achieved, or are they his buddies?