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Celebrities / Re: Wizkid And Naomi Campbell Jet Out To Milan by MidasT(m): 6:49pm On Jun 16, 2018
Older women issagoal
decatalyst:
This boy seems to be into older women now grin


The other day it was TIWA and now, CAMPBELL maybe tomorrow Juliet Ibrahim grin
Religion / Re: Pastor Adeboye Lays Foundation Of Akwa Ibom International Worship Centre (Photos by MidasT(m): 7:57pm On Jan 21, 2018
NgeneUkwenu:
Waste of resources!
Fool

3 Likes 1 Share

Jobs/Vacancies / Re: Globacom Nationwide Massive Graduate Recruitment 2017 by MidasT(m): 10:31pm On Dec 13, 2017
BruncleZuma:
experience.center@gmail.com nah so Glo don poor reach...apply at your risk ooo.

Mod: I have just gone to Glo's website and it's actually from Globacom, and I must say that I am ashamed on their behalf ordinary Microsoft 365 Account, dem no fit afford.
Thanks for the correction @Simongonner
That is exactly what came to my mind when I saw the mail. Coupled with the discrimination of only want Bsc graduate. This thing cannot be real
Foreign Affairs / Re: Robert Mugabe's Resignation Sparks Wild Jubilation In Zimbabwe by MidasT(m): 8:12pm On Nov 21, 2017
FarahAideed:
Exactly the same way wild Jubilation will be sparked in Nigeria if Buhari resigns today today ..let Buhari test his popularity by resigning
��� he can always re-contest.
Politics / Re: Jonathan Probe: $12 Billion Traced To USA, $3 Billion Loot Hidden In China by MidasT(m): 9:28pm On Oct 22, 2017
Opakan2:
Jonathan na bastard I swear..

How are we even sure the fool is educated.
Upon all the things wey money fit do eg. Ogoni lands cleanup and more, all the impotent man could think of is theft of such magnitude.

Such a shame
it seems you have comprehension problem.

3 Likes 1 Share

Religion / Re: Chris Okotie Celebrates His 59th Birthday Today by MidasT(m): 9:40am On Jun 16, 2017
hopefulLandlord:
another religious scammer celebrates birthday, remember when this guy ran over and over for presidency? little did Nigerians know he was simply profiting from running by gathering people's money, then being paid "compensation" by inec for losing election, once INEC stopped the compensations our man of god coincidentally stopped running

I always tell people that Christianity is all lies. Its a fantasy created for control, to impoverish the masses and keep them humble. No longer are chains and whips required, we can control people thru a promise in a book . The government loves evangelistic preaching . It subdues masses, keeps them paying taxes, makes them docile, humble meek low self esteem folks just waiting till death for some promises they will never get. Provisions, prayer requests, blessings for behavior, recompence for offerings and tithes, fruitful accomplished life , all this and more ....you gotta believe !! Faith and the promise of hope.... for some imaginary posthumous benefit
You are entitled to your own stupidity. Revel in it, no one is asking you.
Travel / Re: Photos Of Awhum Waterfall And Cave, Enugu by MidasT(m): 8:32am On May 31, 2017
grin
dkronicle:
i hate that kind of place, its too narrow.one dynamite, everyone is gone.
you are evil grin grin
Religion / Re: Apostle Suleman Sex Scandal Allegations: Checkout This Facebook Post by MidasT(m): 5:59am On Mar 13, 2017
sasko:
.Our offerings and tithes are no longer sent to baba God


but rather used to Spoil side chics

..we are now existing from the book of malachi heading to Revelation

.
How are you suppose to send the tithes and offerings to God! Have you even read your Bible before or they just told you so. There is an earthly purpose for your tithes and offerings. God is not a man, and He has no needs. You tithe and give offerings for your own blessing.

2 Likes

Travel / Re: UK Launches 24-hour Visa Service In Nigeria by MidasT(m): 3:32pm On Aug 11, 2016
BIGERBOY1:
We no dey go, na by force. We will remain home and develop our economy
Malarkey!
Politics / Re: Exploration Of Oil Begins In North East Nigeria (Photos) by MidasT(m): 11:39am On Aug 11, 2016
PaulIdu:
Others are searching for vast sources of lithium but Buhari is still searching for oil in 2016. This is the lack of vision that made me stop supporting him
I bet a million bucks the dullard has never heard of Tesla

2 Likes

Family / Re: Advice: My Father Didn't Train Me In The University,should I Forgive Him? by MidasT(m): 11:20pm On Apr 06, 2016
If your father was not alive, won't you have gone to school. Stop spreading your dirty linen in public.

1 Like

Politics / Re: Menace Of Fulani Herdsmen May Result In Civil War If Not Checked-huriwa by MidasT(m): 8:51pm On Apr 05, 2016
DaBullIT:
According to HURIWA in a media statement jointly endorsed by the National Coordinator Comrade[size=18pt] Emmanuel Onwubiko[/size]





Na dem
Don't worry, they will soon aim their satanic rifle at your household, and you will become THEM, a victim.

1 Like

Business / Bulk Purchase Of Petroleum Products: PMS, AGO & DPK. by MidasT(m): 1:11pm On Mar 24, 2016
Metro Energitik
[ www.facebook.com/
metroenergitik] is an emerging bulk trader of petroleum
products: PMS, AGO, LPG, Bitumen & DPK.

We operate from Oghara, in Delta State, which is home to over six reputable petroleum depot; an assured guarantee for
continuous and unlimited supply
of petroleum products.

We also act as depot
representative in and around this region.
We look forward to doing business with you. God bless.
Politics / Re: Has INEC Paid Non-corp-members Adhoc Staff In Your State, And How Much? by MidasT(m): 7:28am On May 02, 2015
talk2hb1:
Virtually everybody in Osun state has received hi/her allowance.
9,000
4,000
For each of the election.
We were Paid instantly.
That means you guys got 13k per election. What about the 4.5k training allowance? Have they paid it too?
Politics / Re: Has INEC Paid Non-corp-members Adhoc Staff In Your State, And How Much? by MidasT(m): 7:28am On May 02, 2015
talk2hb1:
Virtually everybody in Osun state has received hi/her allowance.
9,000
4,000
For each of the election.
We were Paid instantly.
That mean you guys got 13k per election. What about the 4.5k training allowance? Have they paid it too?
Politics / Has INEC Paid Non-corp-members Adhoc Staff In Your State, And How Much? by MidasT(m): 11:40pm On May 01, 2015
We have only receive an alert of 9k in Delta State, and even some local governments like Ethiope West, have not received the mandatory 4.5k training allowance.
Politics / Re: GMB And Tinubu Disagree On Ministers, Transition Team? - Believeafrica.net by MidasT(m): 10:59am On Apr 08, 2015
STPEACE:
Tinubu is a criiminal, let him allow our Presido to make his choice abeg.
Na today you know say Tinubu na criminal? After he has delivered Buhari, you have now come to realise that he is a criminal, kontinu! There is God.

1 Like 1 Share

Politics / Did Gov. Musa Kwankwaso Made This Statement? by MidasT(m): 10:39pm On Mar 14, 2015
"A president under a Yoruba party; solely owned by Tinubu and financed by Gov. Amaechi, cannot be said to be a president from the north, and cannot
represent the interest of the north".

"Today, the 19 northern states'
governors and the Vice President are the political stakeholders we have in the north. And if their inputs were not considered as to who becomes the next president from the north. Then it's simply a kangaroo arrangement that will
never see the light of the day. This is not about party "

~ Gov. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

1 Like

Politics / Re: Amaechi's "Parallel Government" Statement Is Treasonable, Says Doyin Okupe by MidasT(m): 3:48pm On Nov 21, 2014
stopdat:
He said if the elections are rigged. Why is Okupe afraid? Is the PDP planning to rig d elections?


1. Is there any scientific test to prove that an election has been rigged?

2. Which political party doesn't manipulate election results in their stronghold

3. The army of clearly under-age voters in the North, doesn't that constitute a form of rigging.

Amaechi is clearly out of line, and if not for immunity, he should be in DSS custody answering some pertinent questions.

"why destroy a house 'cos you can't live in it"
Celebrities / Re: Davido Lied! He Can’t Afford The Acquisition And Maintenance Of A Private Jet, S by MidasT(m): 8:40pm On Aug 29, 2014
sleek82: im yet to see a private jet dat costs dis low!
Am sure you have access to google; you can use it to verify my "assertion".
Celebrities / Re: Davido Lied! He Can’t Afford The Acquisition And Maintenance Of A Private Jet, S by MidasT(m): 7:04pm On Aug 29, 2014
There are different categories of jets; there are some that goes for as low as $500,000, but the jet in the photo Davido released is top notch and will cost several millions of dollars, and that, he cannot afford.

It is just a publicity stunt, and we are better informed. He should be censured for attempting to mislead us. That we love his music doesnt mean we are daft to swallow this nonsense.

He should have told us the make and model of the jet, but he dint, in other not to expose his folly.

There is a limit to publicity stunt, and crossing that line, it becomes abhorrent.

3 Likes

Business / Re: $10bn Chevron Escravos GTL Produces First Liquids by MidasT(m): 4:33pm On Aug 27, 2014
Blockus:


You sound like a vulcaniser.
Chai! Gift vulcanizers with some intelligence; they are not all hollow as that guy sound.

1 Like

Politics / Ebola: We Cannot Be Too Careful by MidasT(m): 7:55am On Aug 09, 2014
Ebola: We Cannot Be Too Careful.

By the time my mother called me last morning, I was already hysterical. The hysteria was not inspired by fear or distress, but i was finding it difficult to
suppress the bouts of amusement that greeted the ingenious salt and hot water message that came in torrent.

You could decern the fear and trepidation of Nigerians in the message, and in the speed with which it encircled and permeated the nation. The
telecommunication companies must have exceeded their monthly target in one night
where Ebola concerns peaked.

I began to really questioned if Nigerians truly believe the religious teachings of eternal bliss in the life beyond- the street lined with gold, and of the seven virgins.

Why should we as Nigerians continue to put up with this system that gloriously treats us as sub-humans, when we could
bid farewell to this nation and head for celestial bliss and unending enjoyment?

Trust me, as at the time i was having my bath, the thought of the ingenious concoction that was supposedly an efficacious containment for Ebola has left my sub-conscious. I had a regular bath; without any elixir that is suppose to ease whatever fears, however minimal, the spread of Ebola must have precipitated.

I cannot be careful enough. From the little I have researched about the virus, bathing with salted hot water, to me, is just a ruse
devised by some smart merchant to make salt pricey. Afterall, i know of a war that was fought because of salt.

However, there was some emotional benefit to the ruse; Nigerians were calm after having their salt and hot water bath.
indeed, it was an elixir; it drained fear, panic and distress; and the whole nation went about their business as usual; not minding the government who failed to
maximize the head start we had before Patrick Ebola Sawyer reached our shores from Liberia.

When we studied vectors such as insects, rodents and the likes in basic biology, we were not told that these animals knew they were providing logistics for
something so lethal that it extinguishes life of the highest form.

But Patrick Ebola Sawyer was a vector of a different order: a vector with knowledge,
conscience and reason. Yet, he resolved purposefully to extend suffering and death to the heartbeat of Africa. Adolf Hitler has a new competitor in P. E Sawyer.

Ebola is potent and lethal, scientists say it can survive outside a host for up to four days. So if an infected person leaves any
body fluid on door knobs, currency notes, car doors, spoons, etc. it could survive on such items for up to four days. Therefore, any person that uses those infected items within the external lifespan of Ebola, has potentially contracted the virus.

It is a grim situation, so i understand the fears of Nigerians and their honest effort to live Ebola-free; but i fear for Nigeria
because of her population and the way she networks the world with it.

A major outbreak in Lagos alone will be near apocalyptic. The way our system function is just the perfect storm Ebola will ride to decimate our nation. Nigeria's
economy is cash based; our transportation system is a natural stimulant for the emission of body fluid; decrepit health infrastructure; and medical personnel that put self and their appendage before the interest of Nigerians. We cannot be careful enough.

I remember Anthrax, and how the
outbreak was muted as a detonated biological weapon; because it originated from the west and killed white people.

Ebola is more lethal, and has killed more; but the conspiracy theorists have changed profession; it is now a public health issue, whose origin has been traced to an African delicacy: bushmeat. But the skeptic in me believes Patrick E. Sawyer had malicious intent before he boarded the plane to Nigeria. He could be the biological
weapon that was detonated.

We cannot be too careful, neither should we resign our existence to the fate of certain death from Ebola. As i was pondering on this issue, i received wisdom: maybe it was our prayer as a nation that made Patrick E. Sawyer took ill
as soon as he reached the shores of Nigeria. What would have happened if he had found his way to Calabar were he would have shook hands with several persons? It would have been the final straw that break the back of the proverbial carmel.

We cannot be too careful, but we should observe cautions as hope brightens for a vaccine that could be an anti-ebola.

Irrespective of our present estate, and our world-acclaimed governments that excel in absurdities, it is our hope for a better tomorrow, that makes us the most unique and distinguished beings on earth.

1.9 billion naira cannot conquer ebola overnight; one well educated Nigerian that has experienced the full gamut of
responsible leadership, will give us all wonderful nights without an Ebola scare.

@ibakowilliam
Politics / What Would You Do When You Live With Hamas by MidasT(m): 11:42am On Jul 31, 2014
I was hysterical when i learnt Bolivia flagged Israel as a terrorist nation because of the inadvertent death of unarmed Palestinians; and disillusioned at the death of Palestinian women and children who are paying the ultimate price for Hamas stupidity.

Collateral damage is always a by product of conflicts, and should be expected. However, it is prejudiced biased thinking
to consider Israel the aggressor in this case; Hamas purposefully created the conditions for the current crisis in Gaza.

What will you do when over a thousand rockets a day are launched at your major cities and towns with the malicious intent
of causing harm and economic damage?

Will you attempt to appease the demon who is bent on destroying you, more so when you have the capacity and might to snuff out the dangers?

Will you sleep well, even during daylight, when you know your enemy has tunnelled his way to your living room?

I suppose none of us will allow such circumstances to thrive while we are in charge and have the capacity to recede the lethal threat of the enemy into insignificance.

Whatever Israel is doing now in Gaza is justified. Our vitriols and outrage over the deaths of
unarmed Palestinians should be directed with laser precision at Hamas.

When Hamas launched rockets into Israel from heavily populated areas of Gaza, they hoped to achieve two major victories.
Firstly, to cause the deaths of Israelis, and secondly, to spark a global outrage against Israel; when Israel go after those launch
sites, which will inadvertently lead to the death of unarmed Palestinians.

While Israel may be winning the warfare on the ground, Hamas is winning the media war because it has created the right conditions for it. Hamas is turning us against Israel because of the civilian
deaths they have created the right
conditions for. This is the ultimate goal of Hamas for this seemingly pointless war.

It should be instructive to note, that Hamas do not see the dead Palestinians as collateral damages; they are seen as martyrs, and the Palestinians themselves buy into this suicidal narrative, that is why
they continue to allow Hamas use them as human shield. But there is a limit to how far humans can be allowed to shield terror; there is always a breaking point.

Back home, Boko Haram has killed more people in Nigeria this year, than Israel has done to the Palestinians, yet we did not see any protest of any sort in the arena of the insurgency by Boko Haram. But this same bigoted zealots are protesting the
defensive measures Israel has adopted against the lethal threats and attacks of Hamas on the
well being of its Israelis and the nation of Israel.

Boko Haram have killed their wives, children, and husbands, and they refuse to raise an eyebrow in defiance. What other ideology will substantiate such behavior if
not the ideology of counting their dead as martyrs.

Am not discountenancing prejudice in my analysis, but in all, rationality and objectivity will highlight the theme of this piece as a truism.

1 Like

Travel / Re: Nigerians Among Races That Excel In America by MidasT(m): 12:04am On Jan 11, 2014
This is El-rufai talking
cramjones:

...Nigerians that come to the United States are self-selected. They are often times among the best and the most resilient Nigerians. They had to take exams, win scholarships, verify their transcripts, get great GPAs from their Nigerian Universities to make it to the US, and even then, had to go through a visa interview that even further accesses their potential to succeed in the US etc. They are those that naturally seek for excellence and since their inept government created an environment were this excellence remains herculean at best to achieve, they go on to seek it in other climes where talents and potentials can be explored and developed. These Nigerians ultimately excel and become successful in the United States. This to me is what make Nigerians successful.

My dream is to have a Nigeria where these talents can find a space to come back to Nigeria to build our country from the ruins of the GEJ and other previous administrations. We have a chance, We have APC! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria



El-Rufai, thank God for once u have admitted -using ur moniker- that the administration in which u served as minister, was ruinous to Nigerians and Nigeria. You and the other nation destroyers have ganged up in APC, and are scheming to return to power; to continue the reckless looting and deprivation that u were not able to complete. If GEJ has allowed ur kinds to continue with their selfish and debilitating deeds, am sure by now u would be a staunch supporter of GEJ, and even propose a third term: irrespective of what people will say. My one single prayer, is for you to remain politically irrelevant for the rest of ur life.
Politics / Re: St Paul's College President Denies Speaking To SaharaReporters by MidasT(m): 5:51pm On Jan 09, 2014
The "Honourable" minister: Stella Oduah needs to speak up now and defend herself. This is not an issue about competence, but a matter of honour. I expected her to have come out with a position on the allegation, but her continued silence implies culpability. The storm shall not pass over this issue, cos as much as i support the GEJ admin, she has become a festering sore that no ointment can sooth. If the university needs a court order to release details of her qualications, then those with the reach, that makes a hell of a noise daily, should get it, and follow the matter to a logical conclusion. And, FFK and cramjones, pls stop giving half informations to Nigerians.
Politics / Re: An Open Letter To Nigerians by MidasT(m): 12:46pm On Jan 09, 2014
... Africa and Africa is Nigeria; and if Nigeria fails, the little hope
Africa and the black nation around the world has would have been
extinguished. There is more reason for us to continue living as one indivisible country, than to disintegrate
along ethnic lines. Balkanization does not strenghtens, rather, it
weakens. Therefore, we should learn from history.
Our leaders have failed to marshal out a plan or policy that will continue to keep us as one; and reduce the in-fightings and attritions that weakens the resolves of Nigerians to live
as one. However, There is a means in sight: the National Conference
is a golden opportunity to finally cement the country as one
indivisible entity. Therefore, we
Nigerians must support it fully, and discuss every conceivable issue that affects our peace, progress and unity. As expected, our political and ethnic leaders are positioning as clogs in
the wheels of development; but we should see through
their ruse and scheming, we
should curtail their influence over our decisions: because so far, it
has brought us no good.
Peace, prosperity, progress and unity are what every true Nigerian
craves for. Therefore, we should not allow the desires of self-centred and disgruntle elements to derail our desires and aspirations as a people. Surely, they will come brandishing various religious and ethnic cards and idealogies highlighting the
benefits to you and yours, without regards to the impact it will have on your neighbour. But remember, that selfish and ethnic-
centred decisions does not
engender peace and goodwill; rather, it brings strife, rancour and
conflicts.
2014 is a great year, and as Nigerians, we should do more: think more, plan more, strategise more, execute more, read more, trade more, manufacture more, farm more, produce more, educate more, feed more, enrich more, uplift more, attract more, preach
peace more and live more. We are Nigerians, we can do more, lets
do more. God bless
Nigeria.
By Ibako William Ochuko.
Politics / An Open Letter To Nigerians by MidasT(m): 12:36pm On Jan 09, 2014
The year predicted by the americans for the disintegration and dissolution of the Nigeria state is just a year away (2015), and already, we are headed for the precipice; and if Nigeria happens to fall of the cliff at that point, the tribal, ethnic and religious conflict that would engulf the nation will completely consume not only Nigeria, but the entire continent of Africa.
Regardless of how the nation-state Nigeria came into existence, it is our duty, responsibility and obligation to hold the "parchment" together, and painstakingly turn the parchment into a well integrated and seamless entity that will be a model for peace, progress and unity in diversity for the world to emulate. Naturally, Nigerians are averse to the disintegration of our pride (Nigeria), but the actions and
comments of our leaders are
the very forces that is rapidly hastening the extinction of Nigeria as a country. Nigerians are exceptional people, capable in doing mind-blowing and amazing things. All around the world, Nigerians (not Easterners or Northerner, neither Westerners
nor Southerners) are known for their ingenuity, moral and
psychological fortitude, ambition, creativity and enterprise. That is
why despite the inefficiencies and short comings of the government and social system, we are still the happiest people in the world: our citizens are not suicidal like those of the west; we are hard working; genuinely interested in the progress of our ethnic neighbours; we are a very hospitable people; and wholeheartedly welcome and entertain Nigerians from other pary of the nation in our own
part of Nigeria: though they
speak a different language, we know that they are our brethren.
Nigeria is an economic and political behemoth, and the only country on earth that has the potential (human resources) to be
like America. The Americans know a competitor when they see one, and accords respect, envy and disdain. That Nigeria is the giant of Africa is not an overstatement, rather, it is an understatement. Nigeria is ...
Politics / Re: The Mint Coountries: Next Economic Giants. by MidasT(m): 9:30am On Jan 07, 2014
...beyond commodities, and has to improve its infrastructure.
In Turkey, visits to white goods
manufacturer Beko and Turkish Airlines, the world's fastest growing airline, definitely made me go "Wow", and in Nigeria, I was saying it all the time.
(Turkish Airlines: The world's fastest-growing airline)
The creativity in that place is so easy to get enthused about, at least it was for me, and I returned full of excitement about different
personal investments I might follow up on.
In Mexico I was all set to be disappointed, as expectations are so high, but the young president and his equally young colleagues
are full of determination to change the place.
If you thought Maggie Thatcher stood for serious reforms, these guys make her seem like a kitten. They are reforming everything
from education, energy and fiscal policy to the institution of government itself.
What about all the challenges and things that usually scare people? Well corruption is obviously one topic that all four would seem
to share, and I had many interesting
discussions about it in each country.
In Nigeria, Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi argued that corruption rarely prevents economic development - and that
the growth of the economy, accompanied by improvements in education, will lead to better governance and greater
transparency.
Such views are important to listen to, as an alternative to our often simplistic Western way of thinking. For many credible people in
the Mint countries, corruption is a
consequence of their weak past, not a cause of a weak future, and certainly not the number one challenge. It falls way down a
list compared with the costs of energy and the breadth of its availability and, of course,
infrastructure.
(Generators are much in demand in Lagos)
Sorting out energy policy was seen in both Mexico and Nigeria as a top priority and each country has launched a major initiatives this year, which if implemented,
will accelerate growth rates significantly.
Here is an amazing statistic. About 170 million people in Nigeria share about the same amount of power that is used by about 1.5 million people in the UK. Almost
every business has to generate its own power. The costs are enormous. "Can you imagine, can you believe, that this country has been growing at 7% with no
power, with zero power? It's a joke." says Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote.
He's right. I reckon Nigeria could grow at 10-12% by sorting out this problem alone. That would double the size of its economy
in six or seven years.
In Indonesia, the fourth largest country in the world, I would say leadership and infrastructure are the major challenges, though there are many more too. But
challenges and opportunities sit side by side.
In one of Jakarta's slum areas, Pluit, the land is sinking by 20cm per year because of over-extraction of water, but property prices elsewhere in the city are rocketing.
I talked to a man building the country's first Ikea store, who reckons a third of greater Jakarta's population of 28 million (the third biggest conurbation in the world) would have sufficient disposable income to shop at his store. As he said: "We just know it's going to work."
In Turkey of course, its politics and the combination of a Muslim faith with some kind of desire to do things the Western way is a unique sort of challenge. Some might argue the same challenge exists for Indonesia but I returned thinking this was not the case. In Jakarta at least, the Western way of doing things seems to be generally accepted - in striking contrast with Turkey.
So can the Mints join the top 10 largest economies in the world, after the US, China, the rest of the Brics and maybe Japan? I think so, though it may take 30 years.
I look forward to going back to each of them more regularly now I am helping to put them on the map, just as happened with the Bric countries 12 years ago.
Source:m.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25548060
Politics / The Mint Coountries: Next Economic Giants. by MidasT(m): 9:20am On Jan 07, 2014
The Mint countries: Next economic
giants?
6 January 2014 Last updated at 00:36
In 2001 the world began talking about the
Bric countries - Brazil, Russia, India and
China - as potential powerhouses of the
world economy. The term was coined by
economist Jim O'Neill, who has now
identified the "Mint" countries - Mexico,
Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey - as
emerging economic giants. Here he
explains why.
So what is it about the so-called Mint
countries that makes them so special? Why
these four countries?
A friend who has followed the Bric story
noted sardonically that they are probably
"fresher" than the Brics. What they really
share beyond having a lot of people, is that
at least for the next 20 years, they have
really good "inner" demographics - they are
all going to see a rise in the number of
people eligible to work relative to those not
working.
This is the envy of many developed
countries but also two of the Bric countries,
China and Russia. So, if Mexico, Indonesia,
Nigeria and Turkey get their act together,
some of them could match Chinese-style
double-digit rates between 2003 and 2008.
Something else three of them share, which
Mexican Foreign Minister Jose Antonio
Meade Kuribrena pointed out to me, is that
they all have geographical positions that
should be an advantage as patterns of
world trade change.
For example, Mexico is next door to the US,
but also Latin America. Indonesia is in the
heart of South-east Asia but also has deep
connections with China.
And as we all know, Turkey is in both the
West and East. Nigeria is not really similar in
this regard for now, partly because of
Africa's lack of development, but it could be
in the future if African countries stop
fighting and trade with each other.
This might in fact be the basis for the Mint
countries developing their own economic-
political club just as the Bric countries did -
one of the biggest surprises of the whole
Bric thing for me. I can smell the possibility
of a Mint club already.
What I also realised after talking to Meade
Kuribrena, is that the creation of the Mint
acronym could spur pressure for Nigeria to
become a member of the G20, as the other
Mints already are.
This was something the charismatic
Nigerian finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-
Iweala was keen to talk about: "We know
our time will come," she said. "We think they
are missing something by not having us."
Meade Kuribrena went so far as to suggest
that, as a group of four countries, the Mints
have more in common than the Brics. I am
not sure about that, but it is an interesting
idea.
Economically three of them - Mexico,
Indonesia and Nigeria - are commodity
producers and only Turkey isn't. This
contrasts with the Bric countries where two
- Brazil and Russia - are commodity
producers and the other two - China and
India - aren't.
In terms of wealth, Mexico and Turkey are at
about the same level, earning annually about
$10,000 (£6,100) per head. This compares
with $3,500 (£2,100) per head in Indonesia
and $1,500 (£900) per head in Nigeria,
which is on a par with India. They are a bit
behind Russia - $14,000 (£8,500) per head -
and Brazil on $11,300 (£6,800), but still a bit
ahead of China - $6,000 (£3,600).
A big question that guided my thinking on
visits to these countries for the BBC was -
"How do these countries actually feel on the
ground, compared to my own expectations
and the general consensus of opinion?"
When expectations are low - as one might
generally say about Nigeria for example
(although not in recent years among
specialist investors in Africa) - it is easier to
be positively surprised.
But the opposite is also true - and this could
be a problem for Mexico, which financial
investors are really quite excited about.
Mexico owes much of its rising wealth to
the oil which it sits on, especially offshore oil
I returned from my travels thinking it won't
be so difficult for Nigeria and Turkey to
positively surprise people, as many put far
too much weight on the negative issues that
are well-known - crime and corruption in
Nigeria, for example, or heavy-handed
government in Turkey.
Indonesia, I am less sure about. The
country's challenges are as big as I thought
and I didn't hear too many things that made
me go "Wow" in terms of trying to deal with
them. The country needs more of a sense of
commercial purpose...
Politics / Re: My Stand On Who APC Should Field For The Presidency/VP - Femi Fani-kayode by MidasT(m): 11:11pm On Jan 06, 2014
ISpiksDaTroof: You couldn't even spell "Loser" properly if ur life depended on it,yet you stay online encouraging bigotry and tribalism. If only the money meant to give you a quality education wasn't frittered overseas into foreign accounts....
And who frieghted or laundered the money overseas? Please give us some names, and be objective.
Nairaland / General / Which State Has The Worst Roads In Nigeria? by MidasT(m): 3:14pm On Jan 06, 2014
I have spent the last 5 hours on the road travelling from Delta to the east, and am still on the road. Unfortunately, the vehicle (Bus) am travelling in has no single inch of shock-absorber, so we are swayed and vibrated by every bump, pothole and depression on the road. The swaying and vibration was more in Anambra state; as we travel from Delta Through Edo, then Anambra. (Narrow escape, just escaped a head-on collision. I dont blame the drivers though, i blame the government and the endless road construction that has been going on for decades in the east. Obviously, it has become the farms of eastern politicians from which they harvest billions every year at the expense of the lives of Nigerians that die from road accidents. Thank you God). Something remarkable and funny happened at the Anambra-Enugu boundary; as soon as we crossed the bridge connecting the two states, the rocking, swaying and vibrating that characterized the Anambra journey, ceased. It was unbelievable! Conclusion: The eastern region has the worst roads in Nigeria, while Anambra State is the state with the worst roads in Nigeria. Note: I have been to about a third of the states in Nigeria, distributed evenly amongs the six geopolitical zones of the country.

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