Nairalanders,

Now that Nigerians have seen that our votes can finally be counted (to a large extent though), my excitement and enthusiasm to see Nigeria progress to the next level has never been higher. I have many times cried in silence and felt betrayed when I saw the level of impunity that has characterised the recent administration. Sometimes I wonder by their actions if there is any patriotism left in their blood.

My prayer is that Nigeria should be great again not just by rebasing the economy but that folks on the streets can now say that 'oh yes, my life is much better'.

My advice for APC and GMB is as follows fir the first 3 months:
1. That the president and VP as well as any ministerial nominees/appointees declare their assets.

2. That the monumental allowances presently enjoyed by high public officers most especially politicians be reviewed downwards.

3. That INEC will be empowered to improve on their present success and avoid the lapses that happened in some regions.

4. Ensure that irrespective of the personality, there'll be ZERO tolerance on corruption.

5. Set a timeline to ensure that new refineries will be built.


These are my thoughts for now.... I'll appreciate if you guys can add yours and pray that someone somewhere might read this and perhaps help convey same. Thanks in anticipation.

The NOIPolls Limited, on Tuesday, released a report of its monthly governance poll which revealed that 40 percent of the participants approved of President Goodluck Jonathan’s performance over the past month.

In comparison to the performance poll results from November 2013, these results showed a 10-point decline in Jonathan’s approval rating and was also his lowest in 2013.

Other results from the findings revealed a five-point decline in the current administration’s (the executive cabinet, ministers and state governors) rating and an eight-point increase in the number of Nigerians who had experienced some improvements in power supply (26% in November to 34% in December, 2013).

Participants in the survey were asked three questions:

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the performance of President Jonathan in the past one month?

40 percent of the participants approved of his performance, 29 percent disapproved and 31 percent were neutral, neither approving nor disapproving. The results showed a 10-point decline from the president’s November approval rating (50%) and a seven-point increase in those who disapproved of his performance from the November rating (22%).

Results based on geopolitical zones

The South East zone, with 58 percent, had the highest number of participants who approved of the president’s performance. The North West (40%), North East (38%) and South West (35%) zones had the highest number of participants who disapproved of the president’s performance in December.

“Evaluating the President’s rating over the year 2013 reveals that the President obtained the highest approval ratings for his performance in August (57%), followed by October (55%) and February (54%).

“On the other hand, the President received the lowest approval ratings in the months of December (40%) and April (42%) 2013.

“Furthermore, analyses using quarterly averages reveal that the 3rd quarter of 2013 with an average of 53% was the President’s best quarter in terms of approval ratings; while the 2nd quarter with an average of 43% was the worst quarter in terms of the President’s approval rating.

“The year round average approval rating in 2013 was 49%,” the report stated.

2. How would you rate the performance of this current administration in the past 1 month?

43 percent of the participants believed that the administration had performed averagely in December. 25 percent felt they performed well and 32 percent felt that they had performed poorly.

Results based on geopolitical zones

The North Central and South West zones, with 47 percent each, had the highest number of participants who rated the administration’s performance averagely.

The North East zone (45%) had the highest number of participants who rated the administration poorly and the South East zone (40%) had the highest number of participants who believed that the administration had performed well.

According to the report, these results showed, “a 5-point decline in the proportion of Nigerians that approve of the performance of the current administration from November (30%) to December (25%).

“Comparable to the President’s approval rating, the current administration also received its highest approval rating in August (35%); while its lowest rating was in April (16%).

“Analyses using quarterly averages reveal that the best quarter for the current administration was the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2013 with an average rating of 29% each and the worst quarter for the current administration was the 2nd quarter with an average approval rating of 20%.

“Comparing this to the quarterly analysis for the President’s ratings, both ratings mirror each other, 2nd quarter was the worst quarter for both as the 3rd was the best for both.

“This mirrors the perceptions that both ratings are closely linked to each other, if ratings are high for the President, it reflects on his Cabinet and vice versa.

“The average quarterly rating of the current administration for 2013 was 25%.”

3. How would you describe power in your area in the past 1 month?

34 percent of the participants said they had noticed slight improvements in their power supply over the past month. 29 percent said their power supply had remained bad, 21 percent said there was no difference and 16 percent said it had gotten worse.

Results based on geopolitical zones

The South East zone, with 46 percent, had the highest number of participants who had experienced improved power supply. The North Central zone (29%) had the highest number of participants who had experienced no change in their power supply. The North West zone (36%) had the highest number of participants whose power supply had remained bad and the North East zone (23%) had the highest number of participants who said power supply had gotten worse over the past month

According to the report, “Trend analysis of the Power supply in Nigeria over 2013 reveals an 8-point increase in the proportion of Nigerians that noticed an improvement in December. Furthermore, the highest power rating in Nigeria was recorded in January 2013 (47%) the while the lowest power rating was observed in November (26%).

“Quarterly analysis of 2013 shows that power supply was best over the 1st quarter with an average of 41%, and worst over the 2nd and 4th quarters with an average of 33% each. The worst quarter in terms of power supply ratings mirrors the lowest rating for the President and current administration.

“Indeed previous Governance Poll releases had suggested a loose relationship between power supply and the perception of Nigerians about the performance of the President and his administration.”

Please nairalanders, lets carry out our own polls and see what we think of this administration.
Moderator - Lets take one week for this exercise. thanks

NB: You can get details of the report from business day:
http://businessdayonline.com/2014/01/jonathans-performance-rating-declines-by-10-points-in-december-noipolls/

Guys, which bank could she be working?
I thought Sanusi has stopped all these nonsense.

They could be right afterall, the position of PDP prior to GEJ campaign was that zoning is dead. My submission is simply to allow what is good for the goose, is good for the gander!

I have gone through the comments so far but I will like to digress here,
I'll like to hear what the ladies think about this.

Also I want to find out if gay is acceptable in Naija cos I know in Malawi and Cameroon, the practice is strongly condemned.
Though hypocrisy is practised in naija, but we must still have it in our minds that we lay good foundations for our kids.

Very important

I had a distinction from a very reputable university in the UK and was immediately given monetary award and also employment in an energy industry. As long as u give your best, know what u r doing and link your dissertation to the practical world then surely even if u make a pass but know your onions, then opportunity will surely come.
My advice is what is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

Obosi na Orji uzor
Ovoko
Odeyemfe
Angbalanze

His slang are kind of dumb!

where are those who have been supporting Yerima na?
Guys please go to
http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/news/headlines/15577-leave-yarima-alone-women-tell-naptip

and read the rubbish those supporting Yerima have put forward. It is sickening that we still allow peodophiles like this to walk as free men!

Groups of women comprising the Association of Widows and Less Privileged Empowerment and the Hausa-Fulani Women Group of Nigeria yesterday picketed the offices of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) over what they termed the undue attempt to prosecute Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima, accused of marrying an underaged girl. The women said they are against the Child Rights Act because it is a bill that does not guarantee the future of the average Muslim girl. Rita Audu, the president of the widows association, said the reasons why girls in the North are being married out early is because of the fear of HIV/AIDS and other related diseases that these girls might contract if they are left on their own. She added that Yarima had been nice to the widows right from when he was the governor of Zamfara State, and it is unfair that people are spoiling his name all over the country over his marriage to his 13-year-old wife. "There is nothing wrong with getting married at an early age. Most of us were married between the ages of 10-12, and nothing has happened to them. We didn't contract VVF. What is being done is that your husband will not touch you until you are mature enough. Some girls are being kept in their parents houses until they reach the age of 17 or 18, which is the appropriate age for a husband to start having sex with his wife according to Islam. “We have been to Egypt to see the girl, and she is in good hands, under the custody of her parents, until she attains the right age before Yarima can touch her," Audu said.
Addressing the women, NAPTIP's Executive Secretary, Mr. Simon Chuzi Egede, said the agency had received their grievances and would look in the matter. He said Nigeria is governed by rules and laws, made by the National Assembly and NAPTIP is only enforcing the laws, which child rights acts is among. “So, if there are any complains, they should be made to the National Assembly since they were the ones that made these laws.”


source:http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/news/headlines/15577-leave-yarima-alone-women-tell-naptip


Wonder shall never end!

@naijamini
You have well spoken and objective unlike some who are very opionated.

Nairalanders, the fact remains that UNTIL Ribadu brought the war against corruption we were on brick of total collapse. We all are witnesses that even police men at that time were cautious of taking bribes, people become scared of duping people and to a certain extent it gave us confidence in doing business.
You guys may not understand the damage the corruption has brought to our country. Those of us in diaspora know better.
Ribadu may not be a saint agreed but most politicians know that this guy will not fall for their money. Selective justice as some say is just a diversionary ploy by politicians. The truth is that overwhelming evidence must be brought before EFCC goes after an individual. I have a friend who was working under Ribadu and I know the temptations these guys face but Ribadu gave them confidence just like Mounrinho to believe that the war against corruption can be won and must be fought.
I think the only way EFCC can be fully autonomuos is to allow the national assembly to screen nominated persons and this will prevent any interference from the Presidency.

Alamesiagha, should be ashamed of himself and stop crying foul. I cannot imagine how a man like him will dress like a woman to escape the cause of justice if he had nothing to hide.
I know Ribadu will be given a greater challenge and its the best decision Goodluck will do so far. We must fight this corruption and allow services and development to thrive and our economy pick up. Its so sad that many will feel otherwise but the truth however bitter, must be told. I rest my case!

@poster

You have been advised but it seems you are allowing your emotions to becloud your good sense of judgement.
Listen, i hate to see fellow Men like you do stupid things and you call it love.
I will tell u my experience dude. I was emotionally enslaved to girl I thought I so much love, but then I was a broke ass. She was playing the tricks and looking for a highest bidder. It was dificult for me but I resigned myself in building my life and making a success out of it. Now that I have got money she's begging to come back.

Lesson: this lady of yours as others have rightly said, is not a lady that i think you should spend the rest of your life with if what u have said is true.
A word is enough for ,

AIRDIG:

@dexmond, bidemi12, AF 4 Lyfe, teskyg, jas amn & soldee.

If you claim your are aghast with Mohammed story, then you having something coming. unless all the disgust express is on double standard which some nairalander are known for.

Now I want you to also focus on the stipulations of the Bible which allowed marrying a girl of 3 years and 1 day old!!

if you are still in denial check Genesis 17:17 which narrate the story of Isaac marry Refka while she was just 3 years old. The Genesis mentioned that Isaac was born while Sara was 90 years old. Refqa was born in the same year in which Sara died i.e 127 years old" i.e. Isaac then was thirty seven years old, and Refka was just a baby. When he attained forty years old and she attained three years, Ishaq has married her. Refer to: "And Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean". (Genesis 25:20).

The 55th Commandment of Talmud Sanhedrin stated: "A maiden aged three years and a day may be acquired in marriage by coition".

Of course, modern populist Christians don’t read their own texts; they just cut and paste what serves their own interests.

Instead of making sense of the whole set up ; we resort to groupthink & bigotry, accusing the muslim & islam religion as Paedophilic. When even for the people God so love jew were practising OT bible !" is the age that girls become adults. Or have you never heard of the Batmistfa?>>

@ AIRDIG

I think you are as dumb as a 3yr old!
Please check your facts before coming here to misinform and spread unscrupoulous comments.
Your Bible quotation of Gen 17:17 never mentioned Isaac marrying Rebecca when she was 3yrs old!
Everyone knows the story of how Abraham sent his servant to go and get a wife for his son and what consequently happened. Nairalanders can a 3 yr old be able to take her father's sheep for grazing and then fetch water to give to Abraham's servant? The bible made it clear that Rebecca was a fully grown up woman before her marriage. For your info Gen 17:17 states 'Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

secondly Gen 25:20 simply says that ' And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian'.

Please i want to admonish that u check your facts before coming here as enlightened minds are here and not some misguided myopic religios bigots like you! Mschew

So far I have read NLs post and it seemed to be one sided. I would have loved it that those who are also Muslims should clearly spell out where it was stated for such a sacrilige. I have a few posers for the infamous senator.

1. Yerima recently divorced his 19 year old 3rd wife with an infant to cater for. Guess when he married her - not upto 3yrs back!

Nobody as asking about the pschological and social welfare of this young single mother who has been traumatised by the beastiality in Yerima. If indeed he loves her why divorce then remarry another child?

2. If it was a crime in Egypt, considering that they are even more 'Islamic' than the so called Islamic Nigeria, why is it applauded by the Islamic council?

3. Yerima further claims that he only respect the Islamic laws against the Nigerian constitution; then why is he in the senate where they profess to uphold the constitution and make laws for the entire country.

4. This is a man whose actions are despicable and a disgrace to humanity. Its a shame that so called religious leaders are backing him up and then trying to threaten the whole nation because of this bigoted fellow! Nonesense!!

The congregation was becoming worried. They had been singing the processional hymn for the fourth time and the groom was yet to arrive in the church. When the officiating ministers asked the bride, Kemi and her family members what was amiss, they were told that probably Funsho, the groom, was held up in traffic. But a call to his cell phone proved otherwise. His cell phone was switched off! Not quite ten minutes later, Fusho sent a text that Kemi should not expect him for the wedding as he had changed his mind! The text reads in full: “Oluwakemi, I’m sorry, I know I have hurt you, I have disappointed your parents, I have betrayed your trust in me. But I know you would just a find place in your heart to forgive me, I cannot go on with the marriage, I’m sorry, you cannot just understand. I decided to keep it to myself because I believe I can handle the whole situation all by myself. Once again, I’m sorry, please bear with me.”
It was when Kemi fainted in front of the altar that it dawned on the crowd and her family that Funsho had dumped her, right on her wedding day! A day that was supposed to be her day of joy.

Nairalanders, what will you do if you were dumped on your wedding day?

Now that Good Luck Jonathan has officially or controversially, assumed executive powers as president, he should be warned that any temptation on his part to exacerbate societal schisms through a misguided embrace of the divisive  politics of the discredited ancien régime cannot be said to be in the national interest. Any flirtation or re-alignment with the elements of the “born-again” misrule who for eight wasted years had imposed a delusional and primitive kleptocracy based on lawlessness and anti-social conduct should be considered as an unacceptable assault on our collective psyche. If such abdication were to happen, Jonathan and his acolytes must be prepared to face the wrath of the people.

IN SIMPLE ENGLISH - DO THE RIGHT THING GBAM!!!

It is said we shouldn't speak ill of the dead. Most NLs have been celebrating the unconfirmed demise of Baba go-slow.

Its unfortunate that despite the signs of the handwriting on the wall, Yar'Adua couldn't step aside (just to protect the few cabals). We need to wake up as a country and fight against this cabal - but thank God that the almighty is visiting them gradually.

Lets see how the drama unfolds and if he really died what the cabals' will plan for us then - but we must rise against them. I can't believe as educated as we are and enlightened as we are, empty heads are still dictating the pace for us.
May God take out all those that plan to bring out nation to disrupt and all who plan to steal our nation treasury, may God steal their lives gbam!

http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/index.php/news/headlines/10476-council-to-enact-law-on-bride-price

Jakusko Local Government Council of Yobe state has revealed its plan to enact a bye-law that would fix the maximum bride price to be paid in the area.

The chairman of the council, made the revelation recently, while speaking in an interview.He said that the law became necessary when the council observed that youths were being discouraged from getting married because of the exorbitant bride price charged by parents of prospective brides.

Wonder shall never end nairalanders! so does it mean these guys have no more pressing issues to tackle and provide meaningful development for the council? But some may like it abi?

Guys lets calm down and look at this holistically.

Do you think the senators or politicians ever have the ordinary Nigerian at heart?
Why did they have to wait till the US backlist us before trying to talk tough?

Firstly, their threat are borne out of selfish motive so they'll not be embarrassed when checking in/out.
They have failed to address recurrent uprisings in the north which in most cases are instigated by fundamentalist ( I have lived 6 years in northern naija, 14yrs in south west, 3yrs in the east and 2 yrs in south south before coming over to the UK)

Our diplomatic prowess is really weak. What the so called Ojo Maduakwe (who spent over 2.7bn naira on foreign trips alone last year) could have done was to intensify diplomatic talks from day one as well as the Vice president going to see Obama (but he couldn't make a move cos he's afraid and handicapped) which could have averted this ugly scenario.

Yar'Adua ill health does not help matter (moreover was he not the same person who chose to rather go to Saudi arabia to open a University instead of attending the world summit?)

How many people have been killed on religious motivated undertones? How and where did the 50bn naira capitalisation of the First Islamic Bank come from? It is said that a finger soiled with oil will definitely affect the rest this is a typical example!
These are posers for enlisting us!

If we think we can deal with the US by short cutting the oil supply, then we will be in for a shocker. Okay, when the restiveness in the Niger delta hampered our oil output; didn't the US survive?

I had a dream yday, where i saw the khaki boys taking back power and this greatly disturbed me. Unless and until we get our acts together we will loose our place in the international community.

The entity Nigeria is on the precipice of collapse and woe to those who called themselves our leaders - for our country is gradually turning if not already become a FAILED STATE and in the words of Chinua Achebe, for the centre can no longer hold its own and this have thus FALLEN APART!

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo joined President of Djibouti and the Ethio-Saudi Sheik Mohamed Al Amoudi by acquiring large plots of land in Ethiopia.

The former Nigerian President is also to invest in Hotel and tourism sector of Ethiopia and has since secured a 20,000 square meter of land near Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) town of Oromia Region called Ada, according to Capital Ethiopia newspaper.


Obansanjo’s intention to invest in Bishoftu has come following the footsteps of Djibouti’s president, Ismael Omar Guelleh, who took 10,000 square meters of land last year to build holiday home in Bishoftu and also bought 3,000 square meters of land for agriculture in Bale, Oromia Region of the country.

http://www.news.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12150:obasanjo-invests-in-ethiopia-buys-20000sqm-of-land&catid=46:lead-stories&Itemid=140

I thought this old man should be thinking of trying to redeem his lost image and try to lay a legacy yet he has gone to far away Ethiopia to invest the looted money he took. Shame on baba iyabo!

Aso Rock Operator: Good day, this is the Nigerian Presidency ASO Rock, Abuja, how may I help you. Obama: Good Morning and compliments of the seasons. This is the President  of the United States of America, Barack Obama from The White House please can I speak to His Excellency the President of Nigeria, Umarua Ya’rdua

Aso Rock Operator: Hold on please

Aso Rock Operator: (after a long wait). I am sorry Mr. President; His Excellency is not on seat right now.

Obama: In that case, please can I speak to his deputy
Aso Rock Operator: That will be His Excellency, Jonathan Goodluck, the Vice President. I will put you through.
Obama: Thank you

Goodluck Jonathan: Good Morning, Mr. President. I am sorry we kept you waiting. How may we be of assistance?
Obama: Good Morning your Excellency and compliments of the season to you. I hope you had a good holiday and that you are looking forward to the near year.

Goodluck:  Yes, thank you we had a good holiday, baring a few hiccups here and there. I hope you, Michelle and the girls had a wonderful time in Hawaii. I am sure it must have been like going home for you as I understand you grew up in Hawaii.

Obama: Your Excellency, I am sorry I have not called you much earlier, considering the unfortunate incident of 25 December. 

Goodluck: Not to worry, I am sure you have been very busy
Obama: As soon as I was informed of the incident, I interrupted my holiday to hold an emergency meeting with my security advisers. I asked for a preliminary security report on the incident to be on my table within 24 hours. I thought it would be best if I spoke to you when I have seen that document. I also ordered an immediate review of all airport security. And I have addressed the nation three times, one in a live press conference, the other by a recorded message and the other in my weekly television and radio address to the American people. I assured the American people that we as The United States of America will not relent in our effort to bring all those responsible for this evil act to book. I assured the American people, that their safety was our main priority and even though we advised people to go about their festive businesses as usual, we advised them to be cautious and report all suspicious behaviours to the law enforcement agents. At no time, must Americans take the law into their own hands or put themselves at risk.

Goodluck: Thank you for all your effort Mr. President. You see, as soon as the report of the alleged incident came in, I ordered an investigation. Unfortunately, unlike you, I did not give the security agents a time limit within which to have the report on my table. In Nigeria, things do not work like that. Most of the security chiefs are away to the respective country homes, in various parts of the country for the holidays. I was not able to reach them because there are no dedicated secure land lines where I can call them, the mobile networks is erratic at best and we hardly ever get signals to complete a decent telephone conversation. I did try to speak to one or two of the ministers, but their telephone batteries were dead because of power failure. You see, we were not able to meet the 6000 Mega Watts target we set for ourselves by December 2009. I have apologised to the Nigeria people, so they understand. Deadline and priority means nothing to us in Nigeria. I have not even bothered to address the nation or to tell the Nigerian people what we are doing to ensure that this incident does not occur again or to assure them that their security is our priority. Our information Minister has spoken in a press conference saying initially that the alleged bomber ‘sneaked’ into Nigeria before boarding the KLM flight out of Nigeria. It has later emerged that he arrived from Ghana that morning, spending only about 30 minutes in Nigeria and boarded the KLM Flight. She has since clarified this to the Nigerian people but gave no explanation for the initial comment. We have not held any emergency federal executive meetings on the current situation. I have not even seen the security advisers to the nation.  I have not been able to speak to the Inspector General of Police and I do not even know if he is in the country or not. But Mr. President please do not blame me, I am only the deputy and His Excellency President Yar'adua is currently in hospital in Saudi Arabia, he has been there since late November. You see, he did not hand over to me before he travelled so there is a really a limit to what I can do. He did not hand over to me because there are a few individuals who believe that power should stay with the North and that the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land should not be followed. Even though our regime swore to uphold the rule of law. They believe that if I were to act as president, come 2011, they will not get power back. They behave as if power and governance is something you give and take at will. In the mean time, the business of government grinds to a halt and we continue to make a fool of ourselves at the international stage. You see I do not even command the respect of members of the government. I recently ordered that no minister is to travel out of Nigeria during the holidays, I understand that one minister defied that order and travelled to attend to some ‘urgent personal problems’. I am constantly kept in the dark about the state of play in the country and I read most things on the pages of newspapers like everyone else.  Because there has been no hand over, I do not have the constitutional powers to do any of the things you would expect of me especially in a very serious situation like the alleged attempted bombing of the airliner. If America or any other country were to attack Nigeria now, this country does not have a Commander in Chief who will give the orders. You see, in Nigeria we do not trust each other and we treat the business of government as our personal property. But please let me not wash our dirty linen in the street since we are currently undergoing a re-branding exercise which is intended to showcase the positive side of things in Nigeria.

Obama: Your Excellency, I hear what you say. I guess that most of those problems are internal domestic issues for Nigeria, and as you know, the United States of America will not interfere in the internal domestic issues of a sovereign nation. But surely, you should be able to approve additional capital expenditure so that at last security at your airports could be reviewed and additional equipment like full body scanner purchased.

Goodluck: That is a very good idea. The problem is that we have not been able to get the supplementary budget signed off by His Excellency President Yardua because he has been in hospital so all capital expenditure that would have been covered in the supplementary budget will have to wait. Hold on a minute

Goodluck: I am sorry for the slight wait, my Special Assistance was just telling me that it has been reported that His Excellency President Yar'adua has signed the supplementary budget on his hospital bed in Saudi. This is the first time I am hearing about this development. To God be the glory, it shows that our president is getting better and that our prayers for his quick recover are working. You know we are a praying nation and a few days after the president took ill, the Senate President asked Nigerians to pray for the president. After that, we ordered 7 days of prayers. God is able!
Obama: I can see you have a lot of difficulties. I do not know if you are aware, since you have not received your security report, that the young man spent some time in Yemen. As a result, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called an international conference in the UK at the end of January 2010 to discuss the continued growth of fundamentalism in Yemen. I hope you will be able to make it; we can have a private meeting on some other important issues which we cannot discuss over the telephone. You know I was supposed to have a private meeting with President Yar'adua at the last UN General Assembly, but I understand he went to Saudi Arabia to open a university.

Goodluck: Mr. President, I would love to attend. It would be a great pleasure to also have a private meeting with you. At least, that will also be an opportunity for me to represent Nigeria on the international arena.  I am not sure if you have noticed that in the entire international platform where Nigeria is represented, it is usually our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ojo Maduekwe, would attends on behalf of Nigeria.  I will give you a few examples, the recent Common Wealth Heads of Government conference in Trinidad and Tobago, the recent UN General Assembly that you refer to or even the recent climate change conference in Copenhagen.  His Excellency President Yardua is usually not disposed to attend because of his failing health and I have never been authorised to attend. I think the so called power brokers are also worried that I would start getting international exposure, which might give some legitimacy to the agitation for the president  to hand over to me in an acting capacity.
Obama: So I take it that Mr. Ojo Maduekwe would be attending on behalf of Nigeria.

Goodluck: Mr. President, it is not that easy. There has been some problems recently with the travel expenses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria. I am told that Mr. Maduekwe was recently told off by the Nigerian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs because the total travel costs for his ministry came to about 2.7 Billion Naira. They have therefore refused to approve any more money for his travels. Mr. President, you see, 2.7 Billion Naira is about 18, 000,000 USD and that is for international travel alone. I understand that Mr. Maduekwe in response to the Committee said that these figures were justified because Nigeria needed to be visible in the international arena. I am sure you have noticed that visibility. I am not sure what the costs of travel for the State Department is in your country, but I think this figure is very monumental. But again, this is Nigeria and anything is possible.  Bearing in mind this budget cut, I am sorry that I cannot even guarantee that Nigeria will be represented at the Conference in London in January.

Obama: Before we go, please can you give me a quick update on the Niger Delta peace process. I must say that it is very commendable that President Yardua has made this a priority despite the challenges. I understand you are from the Niger Delta so you must be thrilled that the peace process is working.

Goodluck: Well, you see, it is commendable that there has been a peace process in the Niger Delta. You see, common sense would have detected that since I am from the Niger Delta, my office should have been involved in the whole process, but no, not in Nigeria. Since the president travelled for medical treatment, everything has ground to a halt. The militants are once again agitating, saying that the Nigerian government have not kept their own part of the bargain. You see Mr. President, the problem is that in this country, everything is personalised so that when the figure-head is not around, everything collapses. That might be the story of the Niger Delta peace process.

Obama: One last thing, I know this call has taken quite some time. If it is found that there were some collaborators in Nigeria, who assisted the alleged bomber, I trust they will be brought to justice.
Goodluck: You have my word on that. But there is another problem; we do not have a Chief Justice of the Federation, who will drive that process. You see, the previous chief justice of the country retired on 31st December. The new one was supposed to be sworn in by the president, but since the president is not around, this could not happen.  This being Nigeria, we came up with a solution; we got the retiring Chief Justice to swear in the in-coming one.  After all, the Attorney General of Nigeria has advised us that under the constitution, the president of Nigeria can rule from any part of the world. I am afraid, that the new Chief Justice may be occupying the seat illegally.

Obama: It sounds to me as if the situation is very serious. You do not have a head of the executive arm of government and now do you do not have a head of the judiciary. I am very worried.

Goodluck: This is Nigeria; Mr. President there is nothing to worry about
Obama: Thank you for your time and best wishes for the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR NAIRALANDERS THE NIGERIA SAGA CONTINUES!

SHOLABABA
SHOLABABA

please don't be offended. I sympathize with the fact that you brought an issue which disturbs you only to be offended by NLs.

OKay, I have a few things to first clarify to the house and you.
Eggon is a tribe found in Nasarawa state - north central Nigeria (if truly u are Jamaican). Listen; her tribe has nothing to do with this.

If u really loved the lady why did you want to check the circumference of her hole? And what criteria do you consider to conclude if her was too wide or yours not too small?

She trusted you enough to give u her facebook account which u took the trust for granted only to turn around like James Bond to chat with her male friends to investigate how many people she had slept with. Did you in turn give her your account details? Did you tell her about your past escapades as well?
Please consider yourself lucky to have her and don't fuss about your poor expressions - probably this is an indication that you should consider taking a private lesson in writing as this doesn't speak well of someone who claims to be from where u claim to be.  

Gbawe:

In sensible Countries, politicians don't apologize when they break a promise to the electorate. They resign !!!!!

The average Nigerian politician's brain is infested with a virus called corruption and his mind blinded to the plight of the common man while his lips speak of what he does not mean. As such they lack even the courage to resign.

In fact even this apology self cannot be relied on - after all Yar' Adua has not properly handed over to VP.

If u look at it: why couldn't VP give a new year speech but rather sent a statement to the press. Why? So he can later claim his message was distorted by the press when time for accountability comes

In other words, he has learnt from the lesson of the past as such NO MORE promises nor commitment is evident in his new year statement. Too bad

onye_ngbu:

He should rather apologize for thinking that we believe them

The year is closing down and what an eventful year it has been ending with the drama of the Farouk saga.

While Farouk may not have been able to keep his resolution, alot of us (including me) have severally failed in keeping my resolutions each year. I don't want to fail like Farouk, so guys how can I keep my new year resolution in 2010?

ehala:

Please can we get it clear? What does the author mean by the word 'over-rated'?

The dictionary explanation if something or someone is overrated, they are considered to be better or more important than they really are.
So in other words can we then say marriages are considered more important than they really are?

Please can we get it clear? What does the author mean by the word 'over-rated'?

Am sure when he was about blowing himself up his mind began to wonder 'so this is how my story ends?, won't see my friends again? won't enjoy again? why did Al-queeda not go themselves? If i die truly will i go to paradise or end in hell? but but . , em ' and then his hands started shaking, shaking as he tried to mix the chemicals and so he couldn't get a proper mix and - thank God he din't get it right!

Why Because no matter how radicalised u think u are, as long as u get NAIJA blood - u no go like to kill yourself for another person even if Bin Laden na your paddy!!!

Its really sad that Nigeria has been thrown into a state of political quagmire. From Niger delta militancy to Boko Haram lives were taken with impunity. From one cowardly brainwashed religious lunatic called Farouk to now this misdirected and illiterate and impoverished peasants called Kala Kato in Bauchi has also claimed innocent lives and properties.

This to me is a clear indication that there is a lack of leadership in the country where people do whatever they like - and most of all claiming to have religious undertones. Really, very soon one won't be surprised if sucide bombing start occuring in the country. But let them go to the national assembly, face your governors, face Aso rock and stop killing people who have done nothing wrong to you. This is really sad and the Muslim community should and can do more by educating their followers as a time will come when this will no longer be tolerable and THINGS WILL FALL APART!!

This shows that all are mortal and money is temporal.
hope IBB will have a rethink that the reason why he's still alive is to try and right the wrongs he had done.

To all those who have stolen our money with bizated lootery, the God that never sleeps nor slumper shall one day take them to hell.

Alot has been said and anger generated as a result of this cowardly act perpertrated by this good for nothing fellow. Its unfortunate that this young man is among 'a few privilege' (or should i say aristocratic) class whose father helped to deform the country. he grew up with the best things in life, but chose the path of destruction - now an innocent person like me have become an object ridicule. The annoying thing is that his so called father had alerted both the nigerian and USA securities regarding the extreme views of his son but was not taken seriously. Now it has culminated into an abysmal disgrace and has once more put all of us nigerians in diaspora in a very precarious position prompting unnecessary animosity from the international community and hatred thus outrasizing us from the comity of nations - but its time the Muslims in Nigeria begin to understand that the world is large enough to contain us all. this is really sad and disheartening - He'll be sentenced to life in prison in the states while his mother regret the day she conceived him, his father will begin to doubt if this is really his son he had invested millions on. Shame that a one time nigeria minister's son could attempt such a despicable act. Nigerians love to learn the hard way!

Alot has been said and anger generated as a result of this cowardly act perpertrated by this good for nothing fellow. Its unfortunate that this young man is among 'a few privilege' (or should i say aristocratic) class whose father helped to deform the country. He grew up with the best things in life, but chose the path of destruction - now an innocent person like me has become an object ridicule. The annoying thing is that his so called father had alerted both the nigerian and USA securities regarding the extreme views of his son but was not taken seriously. Now it has culminated into an abysmal disgrace and has once more put all of us nigerians in diaspora in a very precarious position prompting unnecessary animosity from the international community and hatred thus outrasizing us from the comity of nations - but its time the Muslims in Nigeria begin to understand that the world is large enough to contain us all. this is really sad and disheartening - He'll be sentenced to life in prison in the states while his mother regret the day she conceived him, his father will begin to doubt if this is really his son he had invested millions on. Shame that a one time nigeria minister's son could attempt such a despicable act. Nigerians love to learn the hard way!

for the nysc i think you should also make copies of your cv say 10 or even more.
you can start right away by reading your GMAT too!