Both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have cemented their legacy in the field technology. Bill Gates will forever will be known as the man who brought PC to the doorstep of common man
through Windows OS. Chances are that 8 out of 10  computer users use Windows daily either for work or personal.

I like the humility of Bill Gates and his big heart. His foundation (Bill and Melinda) outfit is deemed to be the largest private philanthropic foundation in the World! That to me is a measure of success that is unparalleled in Silicon Valley.

Also, in the struggling years of Apple (nineties,) it was Microsoft that bailed Apple out of their financial woes by injecting the much need cash into Apple.  Without that capital infusion, Apple would have collapsed or swallowed up.

For those who are arguing about who changed the world the most between Bill and Steve. The answer is clear cut.
Read more    --    http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-09-08/tech/30128341_1_microsoft-products-macintosh-software-innovators

eyesonyou:



This discussion is about South East and not SE versus any other origin. The OP who is an indigene of SE has made an observation, and he is concerned about the situation.

If you feel his observation his wrong, feel free to put up facts to refute his stance rather than use condescending statements like " Anambra state alone has the capacity to buy up the whole SW (except lagos)"

With what would Anambra use to buy the entire SW? With Monopoly money I presume.
A cursory glance at the economy of Anambra and Oyo will quickly dispel that notion of yours.

Expenditure
Anambra State Fiscal Budget 2010   NG 67 billion
Oyo State Fiscal Budget 2010            NG 139 billion

Productivity
GDP Anambra State 2007                  NG 6.7 billion
GDP Oyo State          2007                  NG 16.1 billion

Oyo State alone has twice the budget of Anambra; more than double the GDP of Anambra, and yet you would have us believe that Anambra can buy the entire SW.
Think you should review your mindset, and stop deluding yourself.

Sorry, the GDP were measured in USD and not NGN

I am very curious to know what will happen if an Ibo does not win the presidency in 2015.
You guys should spend your time understanding the political terrain of Nigeria rather than issue empty ultimatums.

Nobody is going to cede the presidency to anyone come 2015.  It's going to be whoever can navigate the political terrain the best.  The North or other regions will not fold their hands in 2015 and simply handover the presidency to Ibos.

Ibos must understand the need to form alliance with other regions. Without that much needed alliance, I'm afraid the presidency will continue to elude you.
Democracy is a game of number and alliance, the number is not just there for you guys.
You can issue all the threats you want, it will not sway anyone to hand over the presidency over to you.
A better approach is to form strong alliances with your Southern neighbors before venturing out into the center.

chino11:

This thread is not based on common-commonsensical grounds and balances. I make bold to say that the economy of Anambra alone is bigger than that of entire SW put together (except Lagos). With the establishment of oil and gas refinery, seaport. The most modern technology and the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing company is in Awka.

The first indegenious automobile manufacturing company was recently commissioned in Nnewi Anambra state. We are not talking about the biggest commercial and economic investment in Onitsha.  Anambra is the 3rd largest economy in Nigeria after Lagos and Rivers states. So I don't understand how SE is the poorest.

Recently Anambra got approval to construct Cargo/passenger International Airport, what more does a state need to actualise economic independence. .? Anambra state alone has the capacity to buy up the whole SW (except lagos). Little wonder Mr President called Anambra the BRAIN BOX OF NIGERIA.

This discussion is about South East and not SE versus any other origin. The OP who is an indigene of SE has made an observation, and he is concerned about the situation.

If you feel his observation his wrong, feel free to put up facts to refute his stance rather than use condescending statements like " Anambra state alone has the capacity to buy up the whole SW (except lagos)"

With what would Anambra use to buy the entire SW? With Monopoly money I presume.
A cursory glance at the economy of Anambra and Oyo will quickly dispel that notion of yours.

Expenditure
Anambra State Fiscal Budget 2010   NG 67 billion
Oyo State Fiscal Budget 2010            NG 139 billion

Productivity
GDP Anambra State 2007                  NG 6.7 billion
GDP Oyo State          2007                  NG 16.1 billion

Oyo State alone has twice the budget of Anambra; more than double the GDP of Anambra, and yet you would have us believe that Anambra can buy the entire SW.
Think you should review your mindset, and stop deluding yourself.

snowdrops:

Or could it be a front be unscrupulous nigerians to invest looted funds in a foreing land

Be proud of your country man.  He is not a front for anyone.
He's a well known investment banker who has a rich history in the investment world.
He was at one time the head of Credit Suisse First Boston.
You can read more about his bio in the link below. The article was done by Time Magazine.

http://www.time.com/time/2002/globalinfluentials/gbiogunlesi.html

Mekusxyz:

http://www.imostate.gov.ng/enlarged%20exco.php

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=47825427892&comments
18 Tito Asekhame SPECIAL ADVISER Housing and Urban Development

This man is from Edo State.

Appointing a non-indigenous person as a special adviser is not a biggie because the position of a special adviser is not viewed as being sensitive.
Special Adviser appointment is more of embellishment than substance.
As far as I know, Lagos state is the only state that has appointed a non-indigenous person as a commissioner, Tinubu
was the first to set the pace, followed by Fashola.

@OP,

I do agree with you that generalization is not good; however, there is a strong "but" when it comes to
Islam.
Often, we generalize because of our own personal past experiences and through information disseminated to us
by the media.
I tend to see people as they are regardless of color, creed, religion, but I have to admit that Muslims have given
everyone (including me) the opportunity to classify them as violent inclined people.
Granted that poverty and illiteracy play a big role in the indoctrination of the violent Muslims.
Are they are all violent? Of course not! However, does Islam preach love and hate side by side? The answer to
that is a a resounding YES, hence, the generalization by everybody.

There are several religions in the world, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc, and no one classifies their followers as violent.
The reason why Islam is getting a bad rap is because of the rampant act of
violence by SOME of its adherents, and lack of unequivocal condemnation by Islamic leaders across the world
While some do condemn these acts, some flame it. To dispel the characterization
of Muslims as violent, Islamic leaders must speak with one voice.

@blacksta

Well said, I concur with you 100 percent; however, you have not given any information on how to
start a revolution.  You have only defined it.
It will be interesting to hear your opinion on how to start a revolution -what it entails given the dynamics at work in Nigeria.

Good piece nevertheless.

Onlytruth:

You are not making sense at all. So, Aburi Accord concluded in JANUARY 1967 and the East seceded on May 30th 1967. Don't you notice that both Aburi and Awo's statement happened 5 months, and 29 days respectively, before eastern secession? At least Biafra did not secede BEFORE Awo's speech or Aburi.
You sounded like Biafra seceded before both events.

So, how much time do you need to secede? If I have my way, I would secede even today. Nigeria wastes time and opportunities daily. The world is not waiting for us. In fact they have been fed up with us.
There is what President Obama and Dr Martin Luther King Jr call "the fierce urgency of now".

I would engage you if it would be conducive, but I know it is futile.
Everyone is an historian on NL; objectivity seems to be out window,  emotions now prevail.

marvix:

@eyesonyou yes christians yes the pastors can encourage their members when Nathan went to David did he mobilise people to go and question the king he sought his audience got it and passed across Gods message nd left that's d pastors role pray for peace in the land Bishop Desmond Tutu fought against apartheid then all southafricans and indeed africans fought against it but after independence has Desmond been in the news pushin for reforms or can u tell me the Bishops political party? I'm sure that at election time all contestants can approach him for blessings

True dat to some of your stance.  Medium of communication is dynamic, what obtained in the Biblical period may not be applicable today. But the message is the same:
speaking out against injustice.   I have not been following Desmond Tutu for now, I am sure he is still active on some issues.
I agree that pastors have no business with political affliations. Like I said earlier, their primary role is to shepherd, period.
But we cannot ignore their influence in our society.

asha 80:

Can you discuss these with an illiterate onitsha or aba trader yet he makes sure his children go to school.

No you cannot discuss those topics with an illiterate in the South as well.  Most illiterates in the South are illiterates not because there
is an oppressive system in place to keep him that way but due to some unforeseen circumstances.

The illiterates in the South longs to read but regretfully cannot do so because of events beyond his control.
He values education and want to ensuire that his offsprings do not suffer the same fate, so he sends them to school like you rightly said.

While the two illiterates (North, South) appear to be similar but they are so disparate in thought process.

real4life:

i feel pity for people like you with loads of poo in their pants yet looking to wipe someone else's yansh.

better go and face the reality that there is a long way to go before anybody starts helping anybody in Nigeria.

@eyesonyou,
good points, i must add that our biggest problem is leadership. i cant imagine why the northern governors fail to have a 3 point agenda focusing on education, agriculture and solid minerals.

I wonder why myself. The Northern governors are part of the elite that want to subjugate their people.  The more people are repressed the more the
governors can cart away.
You know a lowly subject innately believes that elites are superior in some form?
Take slavery for instance, it was perpetuated for 400 years or more because Africans were uneducated at that time.
And education was forbidden for African slaves in the US; so, slave masters continue to perpetuate his evil ways with impunity.

We must all join hands together. North South to free fellow Nigerians from bondage.

A pastor can speak out against injustice.  Slavery ended because Christians denounced it soundly. William Wilberforce (though not a pastor) single handedly
fought the British parliament to enact law banning slavery.

Carrying placards is everyone's responsibility.  Many famous pastors not only carried placards but demonstrated against injustice. Rev MLK,  Bishop Desmond Tutu
are notable ones. As a matter of fact, the more they speak out, the better for Nigeria. The Bible is replete with many examples, Jeremiah, John the Baptist that was beheaded
for speaking out against Herod, and Nathan who confronted David for his affair with Bathsheba.

Having said that, the primary role of a pastor is to shepherd his flock and instill righteousness into his ward.

SapeleGuy:

The same line also caught my attention. Lol - Fear of the Niger Delta is the beginning of wisdom.

It reminded me of a similar line by Awolowo

"If the Eastern Region is allowed by acts of omission or commission to secede from or opt out of Nigeria, then the Western Region and Lagos must also stay out of the Federation, "

What is your point?

If you are alluding that Awolowo statement equates an accord between Ojukwu and Awo, then you have ignored the facts of events.

Do you realize that Awo made that statement on  May 1, 67?  And Ojukwu declared secession on the 30th of May.
Or are you implying by any means that Ojukwu considers that statement an accord with Awo?  And 29 days later he declared secession because of Awo's statement?
Please ascribe some intelligence to Okujwu.

Do you know that the Aburi accord was in Jan 67? And that Ojukwu had already made up his mind even before the accord,  five full months before Awo
addressed the Western parliament and made that speech. Did you read the entire speech? I guess not.

Fhemmmy:


That is only applicable under normal circumstances.
How do u help people that think they are the one with good hands and needs no help, how do u develop people that think you are out there to wipe them off the planet.
These people are just simply backwards, and the ones that are doing well are happy as well, cos they will be able to push the others around without resistance.
Till they realize there is a problem, nothing anyone could do

It may seem to you that they are iredeemable. Brother, all is not lost.  Before the Southerns had education, I am sure some missionaries propably thought the same of us.
Today, we have scientists, doctors, physcists etc, we even manage to produce a Nobel winner.
How can an uneducated man realize that he has a problem? From which angle would he diagnose his problem?

Would you discuss Keynesian theory with Suya man? Or genetics with the Mei guard?
These are far too complex for him to understand for now, but subject the same man to an academic environment, stimulate his mind.
Voila! The same man will now be discussing space technology with you. Such is the mind of man.
Help must come to the dying man because he cannot help himself.

aloy*emeka:

Good analysis but I must affirm that religion + idleness fueled by joblessness is the problem in the north. If majority of them are gainfully employed, you think they will have time to run around their streets wielding machetes?

You are correct that jobless+idleness+religion are problems in the North. However, all of these social issues are symptoms of poverty and indoctrination by
Northern elites.

It has been proven scientifically that there is a strong correlation between poverty and social behavior.  Couple that with lack of education. you have a TNT at your disposal!

South must help. It is ironic because the South too needs help (more like deliverance)

Fhemmmy:


It is not the job of the south or the east to develop North, it is the job of the notherners to realize how much they need development and go for it.

Basic principles of Economics will disagree with you.  If the North lags behind, our GDP suffers as a whole.
While it may appear to be unjustifiable for the South to help with the North, the truth is if we continue to ignore their suffering,
we shall all continue to bear the brunt in the form civil unrests. Beggars will continue to invade the south,  Polio that was once a thing of
the past in the world is now making inroad into the South via the way of North.

Do you get the whole drift?  You know -spiral effect of an issue.

edoyad:

The statistics tell it all, Highest poverty , infant and mortality mortality and illiteracy  rate in Nigeria. When you add religious violence and general unwillingness to cooperate with the rest of the country on matters that could possibly bring about development, one is left to ask what exactly is the purpose of the contraption called Nigeria ?
When major Gideon Okar, a man categorized as northerner(like myself) split Nigeria into two in his address to the nation after a botched coup attempt back in the 80s, we all celebrated. But would severing all links with these people bring about the final solution ? If we say Nigeria must remain one, can we truly see a change in mindset of a people that appear not to believe in the same values as the rest of the country : education, female emancipation, freedom of religion etc. ?
I'd really like people of hausa extraction to contribute as this will help discussion gain a dimension that's usually lacking.

The sooner the South realizes that the issues in the North have to be addressed urgently the better for Nigeria as a whole.

I am from the South, precisely Lagos, and I grew up with Northerners, and I can affirm to you that
the Northerners that I grew up with are not different from me in every aspect.

Fundamentally, human beings are the same. From New Zealand to Cape Verde, we are the same with little or
no distinction in cognitive reasoning if subjected to the same environment. What seperates the North from the
South of Nigeria is the lack of Education in the North,and lack of opportunities in Nigeria at large.

With the right nurturing the North can be as developed as the South.  (The development I refer to in the South is relative to Nigeria.)

Malaysia is predominantly Muslims, today they have the tallest twin buildings in the world -the Petronas Towers.

Southerners tend to generalize that religion is the problem of the North.  There is a far more sinister cause, and of course the inept
FG is not helping with the situation with their apathy to the affairs of Nigeria in general.

Wily*Wily:

Saboteur Yorubas are the only problem Southerners will have in having a united voice.
They will sneak secretly to North at  midnight to pay them a Thank you visit.
Yoruba stop snitching, your behaviours are not helping Southern Nigeria.

A mind they say is a terrible thing to waste. But YOU have certainly lost yours.


Back to the thread.

The problem of Nigeria is deeper than  North or South or even religion.
Civil disobedience be it in form of religious riot is a symptom of a far greater ailment.
Lack of equity and justice for all, deep-seated corruption at all levels, abject poverty, are the root cause of Nigeria's problems.
The Hausa people go on rampage because their elites have denied them access to education, as such, they are prime
for indoctrination of any kind, political or religious wise.

Frankly, the North needs serious help; they are at the bottom of every ladder in Nigeria.
The Northern masses cannot liberate themselves because they lack the ability to do so.
A blind man cannot lead another blind man out of a smooth terrain talk-less of a rough terrain
like Nigeria. The South must do it for the North for Nigeria to progress as a Nation.

The South must realize that the development of the North is essential to  the overall
progression of the nation at large.

Splitting Nigeria into (what?) may sound like a good idea in the interim.  I welcome that if we can all go our separate ways peacefully.
But I realize that Nigeria is very complex and the question of a peaceful breakup is at best a wishful thinking, plus Nigeria is so heterogeneous in terms of identity
that every village will want a country of theirs. In the end we may all lose.

Nigerians of must put aside their differences for now and fight the plaque in the system.  
The South however must lead the charge.

No2Atheism:

Personally I would wish Nigeria should split tomorrow morning without bloodshed cus Hausa-Fulanis have seriously hindered the progress of Yorubas as a group of people . . .


--------------------------

Hausa-Fulani have been using religion as a basis for political gain right from the time of Usman dan Fodio hence . . . am not suprised that religion is still being used till today for political gain by the North . . . consequently, Nigeria has become almost a failed state. . .

The earlier Yorubas stand on their own the better  . . . anyone that wishes to join the Yorubas would have to do it on our terms and not on the terms of Britain or US . . . enough is enough . . .

I'd wish for Nigeria to work for there is strength in number. It is just that we have failed to harness the strength of our diversity.
So much to gain from each other if we set aside our differences and work toward a common agenda.

It is rather unfortunate that we are this junction hoping that Nigeria disintegrates.  
I have no objection to a Yoruba nation as I believe that a Yoruba nation will flourish.
There is history to prove that, however; in modern economy where nations are forging unions
so as to be competitive in the global market, we in Nigeria are stepping back into the 1940s.

Nigeria has all the elements to be the greatest nation in Africa if we only we pause for a second and think
objectively.
A great leader is all that is needed to make Nigeria great.  The prejudice and tribalism that are so prevalent today will be a thing of the past if a
right leader brings forth equity into the system.
Rather than break-up Nigeria, why not first fight for the obvious  -good leadership, and if that doesn't pan it, we can now think of break-up.

No2Atheism:



. . . Afonjas did not give Ilorin to Hausa-Fulani . . .instead Ilorin was stolen from Afonja by the Hausa-Fulani . . .

Stop trying to create a false impression . . .

Of course Afonja did not give Ilorin to the Hausa-Fulani!  Who in their right senses would lead a rebellion only to give it out.

Afonja enlisted the help of the Hausa-Fulani to fight Oyo empire; however,  they helped him
for a while but they later turned around and and killed him, for it was their intent from the beginning to conquer Ilorin.

sjeezy8:

If Nigeria was to split today the whole state of kwara will go along with the yorubas. No doubt

I concur! If Nigeria is to split, Kwarans will undoubtedly align with the other Yorubas of the SW.
I have never met any Kwaran who considers himself/herself anything else other than Yoruba.

Of course, you have some who in the interim will claim to be something else for political gain; even those
ones will quickly reclaim their Yoruba ancestry if Nigeria was to split.

SEFAGO:

LOL, the way y'all are arguing one would think African history was well documented or you guys were there.

The period in discuss (early 1800s) is well documented through oral tradition and written records.

becomrich;:

Yorubas are not seeking for Autonomy in Nigeria. we want to leave Nigeria like the Oni of Ife has said. Republic of Benin.

We want to be part of the republic of Benin. And if anyone doubt, the United nation can conduct a poll, if we want to leave Nigeria or remain in Nigeria. We want to leave. It is not in our best interest to have remain in Nigeria. Autonomy does not solve our problem. We had autonomy in the 60,s but what happen was the north use the military to remove. And it is only a yoruba man who does not know his history that would tell you that autonomy in Nigeria is the solution. It is a temporary solution before the north do what they did in the 60,s.

We leave Nigeria to join the republic of Benin. And that give us forever autonomy that can never be cancel. We do not benefit anything from other ethnics in Nigeria that we need to remain with them.

They are the one gaining financial and otherwise from us.  So any yorubaman who think, that state allocation would stop, is A SlowPoke. He does not know maths.

We have calculated the gain and lost in dollar. It is only a silly Yorubaman that would want to remain in Nigeria. If you are not gaining anything from the other person, do you remain with them and let them dry you up, while they keep thier own.


Our future is in better in Benin republic than Nigeria. 1,000,000 times.

Becomrich,

You should wake up from your slumber. Which Yoruba people want to join Benin Republic?
I seriously doubt if you are a Yoruba person from Nigeria.  You are likely to be Egun.
Stop this your moronic rant and put away the Crayola as well.

Eziachi:

Igbo voted massively for Abiola in 1993, Obasanjo in 1999, and Tofa in 1993, to you that are not enough. What you should have tell us, is any election that the Yoruba nation had voted massively for a non-Yoruba when their own is a candidate in that election? The answer is none and never.

In 1979 all members or 100% of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo houses of assembly are UPN because they considered it a Yoruba party.
However, in Imo house of assembly, NPP has the majority, but NPN has substantive number, GNPP has five members, UPN 2 and PRP 1.
In addition, Anambra was 60%-40percentage between NPP and NPN.

If you wanted practice democracy, which of the parts will dream to practices it? The one that one party won 100 percent or the one that is evenly mixed? Its funny, people are accusing PDP of introducing one party system, but we knew where it originated.

You conveniently forgot that Zik was elected as a member of the Lagos Legislative Council in 1947 and 1952?

ezeagu:

Why can't people put their views forward with being insulted or insulting someone else? If you think someone is stating false information then correct them respectfully and with source.

Not when you have Mekusxxx with his Nazi mentality and his belligerent cousin, Williy-Willy, running wild.

EmperorOlu:

I understand where you are coming from and i don't have any problems with your argument. I know the idea of an Emperor is something that will be greatly rejected so i don't think for one second that it will be a walk in the park. At the same time, i don't think it is impossible because Nigeria have been under imperial rule since independence. The Hausas have dominated t power in Nigeria for the past 4 decade, whether it is military or civilian ,they are members of the same family. That is why yara dua refused to relinquish power to his VP.

For Nigeria to succeed, the current type of democracy will not work. Why do say this you may ask?
Because Nigerian politicians are greedy and i mean last one of them, whether they are AC or PDP they are corrupt
The PDP is already an imperial party that will not relinquish power without violence,The kaduna mafia backs them and the arewa backs them.

I know there is a power sharing agreement in the PDP that states that the next president must be from the east but i know that ,that will never happen with the current democratic set up. Do you remember what happened in Ghana, how brawling eliminated all the corrupt leaders in that nation, how he ruled for many year to put the country back on track before handing over to a democratically elected government?

That is what we need in Nigeria, you can not elect a leader for 4 years and expect the current Nigeria to turn around in four years. Nigeria need a long term plan that will be implement new ideas week by week for at the least 20 years to be able to stand on it’s feet again. If a good president rules for 8 year and he is replaced by a bad president ,the country will go down the drain again and it will back to square one.

In order to maintain discipline ,we need a long time GOOD  and talented leader to rapidly implement new ides that will get this country moving. You can not achieve that with democracy unfortunately.

Remember what FELA said = Demo -Crazy

Democracy fuels corruption and violence because of political parties and dirty campaign tactics, it starts from the campaign and they take it with them to the government. Imagine if we do not have political parties in Nigerian but instead pressure groups that will protest when the government is not delivering. That will be more effective that wrestling with state governors and senate officials. Do you know how much money is wasted on political parties? All that money can be diverted to better places where it will used for the greater good

Democracy has its own inherent problems; however, other alternatives are not just viable.
If practiced properly, Democracy can yield fantastic results as evident in Western nations.

What we need is to uproot the current political system that is riddled with malpractice, and replace it with
a sustainable democracy that is inclusive of all regardless of social or financial status of participants.

Yes, a long-term plan is desirable, but it cannot hinge on one person perpetuating himself/herself in power for twenty years.
A viable Democracy will ensure continuity of long tern plans. There is no need for a dictator.
As much as it sounds good on paper
for some one to  come in;  clean house, jail the looters, put the house in order,  it does not always play out as planned.

Gaddafi and Castro are good examples of leaders that have overstayed their welcome.