This intervention is to call attention of the world and specifically Lagosians unto one of the reasons businesses in Lagos do not thrive. If you are a business man in Lagos, probability of getting a commercial goods bus and mini truck to convey materials for you between the hours of 8am to 2pm may be less than 5%. The mostly given reason is that VIS will arrest them for mostly flimsy reasons. According to the drivers these officials claim that Sanwolu has given them revenue target. A visit to Oshodi office of these people will shock a normal human being. Details in subsequent write ups. The huge fines legitimate and otherwise provides why Lagos roads are so empty about the time earlier mentioned. The question here for Nigerians is how low do we want to drive productivity in a comatose economy. Are these emperors really interested in whether the economy works or it is all about buying more bullet proof vehicles while living a rotten wealthy life? It is despicable that in a country of zero production, a government is busy eliminating the very little existence of life via creating fine on very flimsy excuses called offense. This may suggest why people ordinarily visited their anger on this body during the endsars protests. Not forgetting the sudden becoming of church usher by the governor few days to 2023 elections. We seem to have also forgotten that the same governor Sanwolu released vehicles impounded by this same body just to win the 2023 elections. This goes to show that the governor himself is aware that this agency is of no good. Meanwhile, there is a court of Appeal judgement barring this organization from the roads. Why has the governor not obeyed? Governor Ambode barred the same people from Lagos roads and I am aware that it was a business enabling strategy that worked. Finally, who ultimately pays these fines? Obviously, the people including those urchins that glee satisfactory while levying pain on fellow compatriots. Any surprises at why inflation will keep mounting? Businesses will strive to survive. The governor can still recuse himself from this malaise.

The former president General Mohammad Buhari once said Nigerian youths were lazy and that brought so much controversy. I remember agreeing with that concept to the degree that the parents of the youths were more culprit. Several years down the line, food is becoming the most scarce item in the country. The same country that boasts of uncountable abandoned projects especially, buildings, both private and public owned. The question is why these abandoned projects? Where did the resources abandoned in these projects come from? However, I was recently on a search for farm land along the sokoto road around Atan in Ogun state. The disgust was the number of so called Estates on the road. Almost all are abandoned projects. I started telling my colleagues what a marvel it would have been if all those places were to be Farm estates. My experience in commercial farming indicated that three major resources are essential. 1. Security. 2. Water.3 Road.
These essentials can be easily provided by the promoters of residential estates abandoned all over Nigeria and especially, the ones seen at Atan sokoto road. This could have checked the spiraling insecurity and unemployment rates. But are our youths lazy? Why the preference for residential estates where a lot of people galavant the roads and social media space all in the name of realtors? Why are the people tying down scarce resources in these unnecessary White elephant projects? Are the people really lazy? The conclusion amongst the four of us on the search that day was that it would have been perfect and food been in abundance if those abandoned projects were Farm estates. Let us think about it.

A major plank of the problems with Nigeria is might is right. Until the country breaks that plank hmmm. If the court has spoken, will they obey?

This might be a hoax after all. But it can also be food for thought. The experience of a truck manager and concern for highway safety brought about this write up. Our trucks encounter a lot of revenue collectors on Nigeria's highways. The number of collection points in Benue and lokoja is becoming alarming. And so is the number of kidnappings on that axis. Is this a coincidence? Another experience we have is the activities of Ogun state TRACE along the Ore- Sagamu highway. This agency incredibly operates for 24 hours of the day on this road. Their best activity ln cohort with unknown okada riders is extortion of helpless truck drivers who experience mechanical problems. Their sudden 24 hour operations and the rate of kidnappings on this route may actually be another coincidence. Recently, Lagos state has seen some increase in kidnappings. Some tagged billionaire kidnappers were killed recently too. But has anyone tried to look at the recent surge in the number of levy and forceful extortion points in the state to know if there can be a correlation? As earlier stated, it may not be out of place for the security agents and members of public to examine the probability of some relationship in the contexts above mentioned.

dipsx:
Oga sir,
una really done try but na the allowances and bonuses na im we take decide say una dey inconsiderate.
So please revert to your colleagues and give 60% of the area of interest back to the people then get back to us.

99% I dare say.

This insult is on you thieves who think the populace are dumb people. That fire you people in government are setting up will devour all of you. The biggest rogue is the one that wants a jet at this time

There was a robust engagement on Nigeria's economy with some friends over the weekend. The agreement was that Nigeria's leaders know the truth about the doom awaiting existing and potential investors in the country. The evidence was so simple to be pointed out. A five ton truck went to supply a customer goods at Ikorodu and spent over forty five thousand naira (#45,000) on the trip. Some of the monies were receipted and others not. Too many agberoes weilding sticks and spiked woods, police, and frsc. This is outside the diesel and other legitimate costs. We all agreed that this trend was initiated in Lagos during the 1999-2003 government. Today, it is common practice all over the country. And it sounds like a huge joke when some people claim to be shopping for new investors. Some of the tickets on display here narrate the story without dogo treunchy.

Very good development. Impunity breeds nothing but impunity and anarchy. This is just a symbol of what may go round. Meanwhile, has frsc been patrolling the NE and NW?

There are recent advertorials from the Nigerian police calling on vehicle owners to approach cmris.gov.ng to after a payment, obtain a cmr document. The police claim that this document will enable proper identification and in an event of theft speedy and thorough investigation. How scandalous can a claim be? Is this document going to act as an online realtime tracker? What about the former impositions of cmr, ecmr from the same Nigeria police on the same lame reasons earlier adduced? Who has empowered the police to become a revenue collection agency? I watched an analyst on Arise tv recently say that what Nigeria is passing through currently is state capture by some elite. Is it that this elite is so heartless and unmindful of the current economic hardship they have fostered on the people? Will it be better Nigeria explodes? They must be careful how far for granted they will take the people. There may be ethnic problems, but the mindless imposition of hardship on the people while they feed fat on common wealth may soon be the rallying point. The police must put down this atrocious revenue drive.

Soludo should find better things to do with Anambra state. Clashing with customs and traditions may not be a good direction. The state assembly may have also been misled to wade into an area ordinarily for traditional rulers.

The government and political class will not like this. Elections will no longer be rigged. Riding over people with impunity will no longer be possible. Feeling like a demi God will be gone for the ogas and their criminal security agencies. They certainly will not want this. They will not let it happen.

We are being regaled with ugly stories of kidnapping in Nigeria today. No region is spared the trauma. Citizens are becoming haunted. Security agencies are finding it very difficult to keep pace with the criminals. The question is Why? I may not have all the answers, but I believe that to solve a problem, the best possible option is to improve your self. Have the security agencies improved themselves? Let us look at how the security agencies especially the DSS may have aided the current kidnapping for ransom in the country. How many Nigerians remember the modus operandi of this security outfit when it comes to arrest of suspects. Midnight operations. Breaking down of doors and walls. Removal of house roofs. Brutal invasion of offices. Vehicle Chase and double crossing of victims/suspects on the roads. Invasion of court houses and legislative assemblies. These impunious displays were staged not minding the possible outcomes and consequences. Today, we witness kidnappings patterned after those displays of the security agencies. We even see them wearing their uniforms. The initial effort by the kidnappers was to make their crimes look like security operations. And today, they exhibit their own impunity by showing us videos of their activities. Conclusion: Are the security agencies ready to improve themselves? Can they restore confidence in the people? The time is still morning. A stitch can still save 9.

Mr Retired General, how did you become so stupendously rich? What qualified you to own oil blocks in the niger delta? Fundamentally, why have you not been prosecuted for the bloody coup and bloodletting you and your cohorts carried out Nigeria?

This is the best of labour since after the Anti-SAP demonstrations. Kudos to the present leadership. Nigeria's current descent to anarchy and reckless impunity has to be checked.

Road travel ordinarily should be pleasant and interesting. The same can not be said about travels on Nigeria's roads. Bad roads, kidnapping, robberies of various shades including that by outright criminals and government backed ones are part of the turmoil on Nigeria's roads. One agency fast becoming notorious for road robbery is the federal road safety commission. Transporters have observed recent recruitment of freshers with this terrible zeal for extortion. They gleefully request for fire extinguisher, spare tyre, expiry date of tyres, lights, and recently refurbished plate numbers. All sorts of offense targeted at exploiting the road user who has already been brutalized by the nature of the roads being travelled. The worst being operating in an economy where bare existence has become a terrible challenge. WHY WILL FRSC PUNISH MOTORISTS WHO HAD THEIR FADED PLATE NUMBERS REFURBISHED BY THE LAGOS VIS? Is this not the height of impunity and wickedness? Which law permits this agency on the road and for what purpose? Why don't they make themselves useful by identifying bad road portions and getting government do the needful while standing at such spots to prevent accidents. Why can't they make sure road signs are visible to direct road users appropriately? Why don't they operate only ambulances for rescue of accident victims? Such should actually be the concept of such an agency. Finally, the Appeal court has ruled that FRSC has no business on state and local government roads. Why are they not obeying this judgement. They are rather seeking for firearms. This is laughable and pitiable because they will become game for bandits and ugm aside turning themselves into armed robbers. FRSC should be scrapped as it appears a ubiquitous being without clear-cut direction.

This is good from the Nigerian police. Hope they establish this case beyond reasonable doubt and punishment served out. No human rights claiming governor should deny such death warrant when passed. Such crazy trend must be checked and on time.

[quote author=helinues post=125727114]

What is President Tinubu doing precisely in UAE?

Let's start from there[/quot

You asked a reasonable question here.
Let me reply this way.
A good friend of mine about 30 years working experience with an agro allied firm just informed me yesterday that his department which had 24 staff just reduced to 9 this past week. That is 15 person's thrown into the unemployment market. Will UAE provide jobs for them?

Sharpsharp00123:
chinedu chinedu

Just rest in Jesus name

You are right.
Some of us have been favoured by God to run business in Nigeria for about 3 decades. We are about retiring to more quiet life. But are we going to have a peaceful rest with most youths as jobless and crime hunting?

Nigeria, according to the president wants to play a great role in the G-20 group. They also claim to be looking for investors to woo into the bourgeoning investment climate in Nigeria. As good as the talk sounds, I want to state small but effective realities that are not just keeping the foreign investors away, but also eliminating current businesses in Nigeria.
1) A truck movement from say the east to either the north or west Nigeria costs a bribe and non receipted payments of about #50,000. This is payment to corruption.
2) As at today a truck traveling in the aforementioned routes may not complete the journey in three days due to the horrible states of the Enugu -northern routes and the Onitsha - Lagos or Onitsha - northern roads. This is decay in infrastructure and loss on time.
3) I received a foreign investor from Belgium recently. He narrated his experience with the FRSC. The officials precisely along Isheri Igando road harassed him and made serious attempt to extort money from him on the allegation that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the back of the taxi that he was in. There was serious panic in his voice as he was calling me. I quickly made contact with our lawyer but he was let go before our lawyer could get to the scene. This is the foreign investor that the president and his team are looking for on television.
There are definitely a lot one can talk about. The principal thing is that the government need to remove the internal problems they have created before attempting what they are already embarking on. Their actions so far seem like self deceit.

Drama of the domestic stupid service. The part one against the judges came to nothing. Only God knows if this present foolishness will amount to anything. The present people who think that power is their briefcase must learn from Niger and the rest.

I have watched with dismay Nigerians' reaction to the News that 36 soldiers were KILLED in Niger state by bandits. This seems nearly a platoon of soldiers. And Nigeria did not declare a state of mourning. Flags are not flying at half mast. The federal government functionaries today were busy lunching a book written by an octogenarian in a television life broadcast. What a shame! What if the president had died. The flags will fly at half mast and days of mourning would have been declared. Just one old man! What makes the life of a president who may have manipulated his way to office be more important than that of 36 young soldiers? Who deployed these soldiers? What was the intelligence that preceded the deployment? Is the military high command investigating this massacre? Could there have been sloppiness in the deployment? Where is the dss in all this? Is it possible that they were too busy with the president looking for a scapegoat in Emefiele and Bawa? Why are NIGERIANS keeping so quiet over this NATIONAL tragedy. I beg to be different. I also want to think that there are still some human beings left in the country. I am not asking for too much. Let the NATION mourn. If there is a president, there would have been a national broadcast. Flags would have been flying at half mast.

We have observed the unrepentant behaviour of some Nigeria policemen responsible for the recent endsars demonstration that took place in the country. What is not clear yet is the role some government officials play in the malfeasance. The thought is that Time will tell. The practice of criminalizing young men especially those with a certain hair style is trending. It is not just about the harassment but the mindless extortion that follows. Presently, some of these evil minded officers lay seige at Dopemu bridge in Lagos about midnight to intimidate and extort money from truck drivers who's crime is coming in and going out of Lagos as prescribed by the state's traffic law. A bridge that has neither a no truck pass sign nor an overhead barrier. How does that fit as a no truck pass bridge. That is where the government has a role. Are trucks barred from using Dopemu bridge? That however, does not grant these robbers in uniform to extort hundreds of thousands of naira from hapless and ailing businesses.

Any living human being is entitled to any belief of his choice. Threats can breed violence and no human being is immuned to the effects whether in your village or not. You probably need to go to places the drama is playing out to understand better.

This matter has nothing to do with the present case before the presidential election petition tribunal. I don't understand why too many people are in a hurry these days to play God or foresayers. Could it be as a result of the high rate of joblessness in the country or desperation to keep making money via unnecessary discussions?

The term "unknown gunmen" is no longer strange in the Nigerian lexicon. It may be a derivative of the popular "unknown soldier" according to the legendary Fela Ransome Kuti. The common denominator seems to be the destructive handiwork of the two. Currently, the south eastern states are witnessing the terror being unleashed by the now called UGM. They also appear to be sharing government functions in so many localities including the now regular Monday sit at home exercise. However, the major aim of this article is to x-ray the current tirade and subtle threats to the Igbo race by a few Yoruba leaders over the 2023 electoral choices and the manifestation of a sign of UGM in Lagos. Facts are that some Yoruba traditional rulers and motor garage touts have openly threatened the Igbo race in Lagos with death if they make it possible for a candidate other than the incumbent governor to win the gubernatorial election. The deputy governor of the state has been reported telling a gathering of Kwara indigenes not to allow their children to be "Obi supporters". Mr Segun Oshoba was reported to have cautioned Igbos to be careful with their political choices in Lagos. One Adamu Garba has also been making unguarded statements in the same direction. The executive governor himself also referred to Igbos as one of the reasons their principal lost the presidential election in Lagos. Following all these utterances are the targeted arsonist attacks on Igbo markets in Ikotun and Ajegunle. My piece is just to narrate that Lagos is building up structures that brought in the dreaded UGM in the south eastern states of Nigeria. The question will be if Lagos will survive that. Will Nigeria survive it? My humble plea is for the Yoruba leaders not go on with the current gathering of ant infested woods.

On politics today with Seun Akinbaloye, Mr Dele Alake the APC presidential candidate's media expert manifested total ignorance of the very popular political term gerrymandering. He said that Peter Obi engages in gerrymandering when answering questions. Knowing that gerrymandering is political manipulation of constituencies for electoral advantages, I really wonder the school Mr Alake and his APC folks would have attended. Or is it the same attitude of exhibition of ignorance with impunity for which they are known for?

Grass lawns and swimming pool, Yoruba culture revival? The pictures are nice. However, the purpose or purposes need to be outlined for better understanding. The next issue should be how this project fits into the present Nigeria.

It may be too early to start assessing the Chukwuma Soludo administration in Anambra state. However, my people say that ana esi na isi ahuru mara uto nsi. In other words, from the odour of a fart, you can know how sweet the feaces will be. My points: the current madness on Onitsha roads in the name of revenue generation is not only a border to decency, but also initiation of national business genocide. How can one expect any truck passing through Onitsha to pay #20,000 per day? How will it look when every state in Nigeria implements such lunatic revenue drive? Will any business in Nigeria survive such a situation? What about the fact that residents of Onitsha do not have any place to throw away refuse? Is it part of nuclear physics to evolve a simple refuse collection process which was well developed even as far back 1987 when we lived in the coal city of Enugu? Anyways I am posting the revenue receipt handed down on our truck after dangerously double cross our truck and beating the driver on the allegations that he did not stop for the touts or agberos as popularly known.

As the court pleases. And the right of appeal is still there for the convict to activate if displeased by the ruling of the honourable court.

Nigeria and Nigerians can not forget that Muhammad Buhari was directly responsible for the 2011 post election massacre of youth corp members and other patriots in the north. What was the punishment from the Jonathan administration? Probably that is partly why insecurity has gotten to it's new height in the country in fulfilment of his prediction that monkeys and baboons will be drenched in their blood. In life what you sow, you reap.

What is kassim so afraid of? A divided APC or the perception of an unsellable candidate? Kassim has been one of those who indicate an impending loser of an election. We will see whether this holds true in February 2023.

And we have a few yams to eat for the year.