Nigerians need to evolve from a rent-seeking mentality to a value creating mentality. Why can't universities buy/rent land to use for agriculture. Say you start with 100 hectares, you can use the farmland to plant, to conduct research that your students are engaged in, you can experiment with agaric technology, chemicals etc All these things have monetary value. But because of Dutch-disease the first thing we always think of is government giving money.

The only way Nigeria can progress is if every region progresses. I applaud our industrious brothers from the East.

attackgat:
I am happy that he is not one of these Igbo men who makes money and goes to develop other peoples lands. He went back home and invested heavily

If it should snow in naija today, 90% of the population would die. In fact, I think it should even snow. Nationwide!

So according to NBS (National Bureau of Statistics), you're in the top 2% of the Nigerian workforce if you earn N200k+ per month. Also for the total number of bank depositors in Nigeria, less than 500 thousand people have up to 500k in their account (in the whole of Nigeria!!!). So statiscally speaking most women can't do much better than this guy.

The Federal gov should cease allocations immediately. Let those that can't contribute to the Federation go-and-die. Royalties from oil should go to oil producing states. If you want oil money, go and pump oil in your own backyard. Other states would be forced to go into agriculture, manufacturing, processing, technology, finance, real estate, tourism and hospitality, construction, consulting and all the million and one things we should be doing but refuse to because of oil.

We all know by now that social media is one of the modern day tools for keeping politicians on their toes.
What is interesting is the different ways people use social media to achieve it. On May 7, I woke up &
logged on to Orbi. It is like Twitter but for voice. You hear people speak instead of write. I ended up finding
out that a UI student had been killed when I heard this post:

http://www.myorbi.com/o/7c249

The interesting thing now is that we can use social media to let the government hear us directly. Voice is so
much better than text if you want to pass across a message. Twitter for text, Instagram for pictures, Vine for videos
and now Orbi for voice.

You can get the Android app on the Play store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orbi.app

Was this developed in Nigeria?

Wow! This is freakin' impressive. Did you make this yourself? Now downloading. I'll give my feedback once I look through it.

This is too awesome. Totally made my day. How can I reach him? This cannot remain unnoticed.

3 hours, no comment... Our future is very bright

Obviously like they say, necessity is the mother of all invention. The environment in Israel forces them to develop and implement quickly. That leaves people with positive reinforcement and an incentive to invent more. People tend to gravitate towards things they see success in. The lesson for naija dey simple, when people start to dey hammer for technology, everybody go open book

Nairaland. 8 years. No logo. There is god oooo.

Finallyyyyy an airport that actually looks like an airport. Every other airport in Nigeria looks like shyte.

Given that there is no criteria for ranking cities, these lists are purely subjective. So theres no reason to bash anyone. Still, some of these posts are just imbecilic lol.

Anyways here goes my list. I think 3 is way too short a list being that there are so many competing cities in naija right now. So im listing 5. Also Im basing my ranking on planning/orderliness, economic potential, and cultural/touristic potential.

1. Port Harcourt: I've been here. It is a decent city but I wasnt blown away. Not planned, disappointing road networks, & mad traffic can frustrate. Still the presence of multinationals and their state income means that they have great economic potential. Night life is pretty good. Overall better than majority of Nigerian cities.

2. Kano: Significant because of its status as former regional hub. It has one of the biggest state economies and is actually decently planned (going from word of mouth). Culturally obviously, there is the christian/Muslim debacle.

3. Calabar: Small city but very clean, planned. They are attracting major foreign investments and seem poised to be a city to watch. GE is investing heavily there. There is a palm plantation being built. International style Golf Course. They have the international convention centre being built. Obudu. Tinapa (hopefully takes off someday).

4. Enugu: Havent been here but I here a lot of good things. Seems like the place in the East poised to take off. Going from pictures it seems to decently planned. I would actually like some Enugu ppl to tell me more about the economy there.

5. Ibadan: Obviously, I'm biased here because this is my hometown. But I think Ibadan is extremely underrated. Most don't know that IB is a top 5 economy in naija. Mostly as a holdover from its days as the Western region's capital. Also Lagos seems to be spilling over into IB as Lag is getting choked up. Planning wise, IB is a mess. Its basically a big slum but there are lots of gems within for those who know the city. Plus their are a lot of new projects going on. Real Estate, Hotels (4 points are on the way), infrastructure. Culturally its also picking up. Nightlife is picking up, conferences are coming etc. We just need the govt to keep up the work and invest heavily in planning and beautification.

Anyways there goes my list. Outty 3000.

This guy won MVP of the Israeli league. Do you know what it takes for a KEEPER. To be the MVP of an entire league. The boy is simply magic. Best keeper in naijas history, hands down!

Obsanjo was a proactive reformer but a terrible politician. Some of his achievements are:

Debt Relief, Bank Consolidation, Stock Exchange growth, Setting up the Foreign Reserve & Excess Crude accounts, NEEDS/SEEDS/LEEDS framework. The power reforms in actuality started with Obsanjo with the setting up of the regulatory framework (NERC) and building of the NIPP's. A lot of the work that is being commissioned now started during his regime.

However, setting up frameworks and putting people on the ground to execute are totally different which is where he failed abysmally. By rigging thugs into state government houses and cuddling incompetent ministers/commissioners, he invariable undid the work his government started. Lastly, he handed us a sick and unfit Yar'Adua as president which to me is an unforgivable sin and is a reason for much of the problems going on in the country right now.

Jonathan to me is a consolidator, finishing some of the needed reformed and building on them:

By continuing and completing the power reforms started by Obasanjo and perfected by Barth Nnaji, Jonathan might be the President that finally solves our power problems (which everyone know accounts for 70% of Nigeria's problems).

The deregulation of the fuel industry though highly unpopular, was the right move and one that took a lot of guts. You guys voted him to make the difficult choices not the convenient ones. In the long run, investment in refinement would not be possible without total deregulation (Dangote for example). Expect total deregulation if he is re-elected.
The setting up of the Sovereign Wealth Fund is another solid macro-economic decision that benefits us long term.
If they indeed setup the mortgage fund, that will be the biggest win for Nigerians. People still dont understand the importance of mortgages to a capitalist economy. This to me along with power reforms is the biggest reform that can be implemented.

On the downside, he has an absolutely abysmal record with corruption, and is playing election politics years in advance. The security situation in the country is worse than ever and he doesnt inspire confidence thing will get better. Also there is an absence of leadership to pass bills in the national assembly to benefit the country. More politics, less governance. Let's hope he can focus on working once he get re-elected (because he WILL win even if they have to burn the country down). God bless naija!

The govt shouldn't stop there. They should mandate that a certain percentage of all govt vehicles should be purchased from Innoson, say 30% to start with. Let them supply the govt buses, SUV's, and salons. This is how industries are built. Kudos

The vultures are alreay circling and their tongues already salivating. Dinner is served. This is sure to die a swift and silent death just like everything connected to the FG. *Grabs popcorn*

rooftech: what has he done. your blind eyes will one day be opened.TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH IS EXPECTED. 2TRILLION OVER 6YEARS COLLECTED AS ALLOCATION EVEN THIS MONTH 69.9 COLLECTED AND YOU ARE RANTING.

YOU CAN NEVER COVER THE TRUTH .
THE AIRPORT,IBOM POWER PLANT,5STAR HOTEL WAS DONE BY THE LAST GOVERNMENT.
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IBAKA SEAPORT.

STOP THIS NOISE.

Why Nigerians always choose to be silly will forever elude me. Shouldn't we all be happy at any sign of progress anywhere? You might hate Akpabio and his politics, but you can't deny what he has DONE! He has been one of the better performing governors in Nigeria. I think the real question is, if Akpabio can deliver this much then what is happening in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, which all get similar allocation to Akwa Ibom?

I'm happy for Akwa Ibom, I'm excited for Cross Rivers, I hope the Aba power plant works because they will force other to perform or get left behind. Lets call a spade a spade, Akpabio has performed. Saying anything else is hypocritical, not with the level of graft in Lagos and elsewhere.

I think in general Nigeria is under blogged. It might be over blogged when it comes to celebrity stuff, but Nigeria is such a huge country with a lot of different issues that are yet to be blogged about. The key is to find about 5 blogs that really resonate with you, and following them. There are so many niches that are yet to be covered. I returned to Naija in 2011 and it strikes me everyday how much there is that can be done. I just started blogging about my observations and experiences. Unlike most blogs, I focus on quality not quantity, so 1 or 2 post per week. I try to be as creative as possible and keep it relative short. The blogs that I think are actually creative and i actually look forward to reading are tech cabal, naijanomics, omojuwa, mytestimonyblog and of course mine digivarsity.

Check out my latest post: How to Overcome Premiership Withdrawal Syndrome http://digivarsity./2013/06/16/5-ways-to-overcome-premiership-withdrawal-symptoms/

I think in general Nigeria is under blogged. It might be over blogged when it comes to celebrity stuff, but Nigeria is such a huge country with a lot of different issues that are yet to be blogged about. The key is to find about 5 blogs that really resonate with you, and following them. There are so many niches that are yet to be covered. I returned to Naija in 2011 and it strikes me everyday how much there is that can be done. I just started blogging about my observations and experiences. Unlike most blogs, I focus on quality not quantity, so 1 or 2 post per week. I try to be as creative as possible and keep it relative short. The blogs that I think are actually creative and i actually look forward to reading are tech cabal, naijanomics, omojuwa, mytestimonyblog and of course mine digivarsity.

Check out my latest post: How to Overcome Premiership Withdrawal Syndrome http://digivarsity./2013/06/16/5-ways-to-overcome-premiership-withdrawal-symptoms/

I have an uncle in Abuja who chases contracts and is friends with all the PDP politicians and I can tell you that Buhari is their biggest fear. They will stop at nothing to keep him out of power because they know its game over for them if he becomes President.


The sad truth is that Nigerians don't want good leadership. Most will cry about our leaders but when presented with good candidates will make excuses to not vote for them. Most people don't mind corruption. They want someone who can magically develop a place while settling everybody. We are a country of lost souls.

I don't support the idea of electing a leader who once truncated a democracy but if we call a spade a spade, Obasanjo was also a military head of state, and Buharis tough stance on corruption is better than Jonathans free for all chopping jamboree.

In an ideal world, we would have a younger, resolute anti-corruption champion as President (a la Ribadu) but this is Nigeria. Anyone who thinks Jonathan is going to lose is decieving themselves. 2011 was the best chance to rid ourselves of PDP but since people are not ready for change,mumu Nigerians voted for Jonathan Badluck :/

Suffering from Premiership Withdrawal Syndrome? Here are five easy steps to help you overcome them

It’s hard to believe that its already been a month since the English Premier League concluded in spectacular fashion. Manchester United ran away with the league, with Man City (aka money bags) and Chelshit following. My beloved Arsenal sent Tottenham crashing from Champions League glory with a late goal to seal the win against Newcastle in the final game of the season(pumps fists).

Last season was crazily topsy-turvy. Apart from Man U, almost every team had to put up with ulcer inducing dips and peaks in form. Arsenal fans have mastered this dance all too well. We often start the season slow, then just when we look like we’ve been left for dead, we stage a furious comeback, and roar back up the table only to finish in either 3rd or 4th place.


The ups and downs, the speculation, injuries, and the unpredictable twists and turns of the Premiership are what keep us glued. But now that the season is over, I’ve been experiencing Premiership Withdrawal symptoms. With no matches to look forward to, no injury updates, no trash talking with fans from rival teams, I feel slightly disoriented on weekends. I find myself scouring the web for the latest transfer news updates and my heart skips a beat every time one of Arsenal’s rivals is rumoured to have interest in one of our targets. I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to deal with this Premiership Withdrawal Syndrome(aka PWS), and here are 5 suggestions I came up with for anyone out there who is currently suffering from the predicament as me:

1. Do Nothing

The first choice, which is the easiest, would be to do nothing. So go ahead and deny having withdrawal symptoms, convince yourself that you are okay, and that you don’t need help. While you might actually make yourself feel better in the short run, you are more likely than not to end up doing this ===>>>

To see the more entertaining methods which include Masai jumping and Walking to Brazil, go to: http://digivarsity./2013/06/16/5-ways-to-overcome-premiership-withdrawal-symptoms/

So what are you doing to overcome your own PWS? Feel free to comment and share.

I've always said the biggest stumbling block to growth is access to capital. In the end, it takes capital to make capital. Apart from the manufacturing sector, the services sector should be a large contributor to the economy, much more than it is now. Lets remember that America itself is an import based economy. Retail, real estate, creative industries which are not necessarily power intensive industries need capital to grow.

I think that the gains that will be made in the long run from increased access to credit offset any immediate pains. Imagine the thousands of companies like Jumia & Konga that haven't been started because of lack of access to credit? It is imperative that the MPR be reduced. What we will need is a strong and determined President to ensure that reforms are driven so that the Banks actually increase lending after such reforms are made.

The fundamental problem as always is trust in the Federal government. The FG has a long history of embezzlement, and incompetency. How do we know they will do what they say they will? Wasn't SURE-P supposed to free up resources for capital projects? What has happened to the subsidy removal windfall and why do they have to borrow again? Plus we all know this will not be the first time the FG embezzles borrowed money.
Lagos does borrow a lot of money but the difference is that we can actually physically see world-class infrastructure being built. You cannot name one single completed world-class infrastructural project in 14 years of PDP rule.

Endorsements, endorsements, endorsements! That seems to be the craze for Nigerian celebs. Its easy to see why; a huge advance and steady paychecks. Plus your image is plastered everywhere from billboards to newspaper ads, further fuelling your popularity and fame. In these tough economic times, its one of the few win-win scenarios around. Brands get to promote and celebs get to eat. But which of these celebs can actually hold their own globally? That question led me to create a list of 10 global brands and their naija celeb incarnations. Enjoy!

M.I as Mercedez Benz

When you think of that dream Mercedes Benz, you think of an elegant, exquisite, ahead of its time, innovative vehicle. Those same words can be used to describe Mr. Incredible himself. M.I came into the rap game guns blazing, with lyrics and a flow that were way ahead of its time. He also has a reputation for being one dapper rapper (check the flow). Ironically, his Benz got stolen a while ago when he was in Abuja. God must have a sense of humor.



D’Banj as McDonald’s

McDonald’s is global and universally loved. It might not be the best brand or even the best food for you but somehow it remains one of the most prominent brands in the world. D’banj aka The Koko Master is sort of the same, he is the biggest star out of naija, and has a global reputation but yet no one can really say for sure what he does exactly. Is he a rapper? Is he a singer? Plus his brand of mediocre and suggestive lyrics might leave you feeling slightly confused if not thoroughly dumbed down



Tonto Dikeh as Tata Bus

Nothing much too be said. Very visible with not much talent.



Wizkid as Apple

The world seems stops whenever Apple releases a new product. Apple over the years has carefully crafted an image that not only projects ‘cool’ but has come to define and redefine it over and over again. Likewise, Wizkid has come to define ‘cool’ as far as naija entertainment is concerned. From his first video ‘Holla at your boy’, to performances with Chris Brown, and even his latest song ‘Jaiye Jaiye’ featuring Grammy-nominated Femi Kuti, Wizkid always seems to be one step ahead of the game.

To see the full version, with images include, visit: http://digivarsity./2013/05/06/naija-celebs-as-global-brands/

Culled from digivarsity.

“Only the dead have seen the end of war.”
― Plato

It’s all too familiar; the sight of a timeline scrolling downwards, dozens of nonsensical tweets being skipped, a slight pause, and a message in passing ‘Boko-Haram strikes again’. What was once a horrifying awakening, a tale of woes to come, is now just a side-note. First we were mortified, then we accepted as fate, and now we disregard altogether with the most prosaic of attitudes. We move on with our daily lives, as we often do after yet another avoidable national tragedy.

These morbid attacks, which once scared us all, are now just fodder for beer parlor talk and lovers of statistics. ’12 people died today’ or ’26 die while 60 are injured’ might get your attention, only for a minute. These headlines are now so common that we have become detached from the reality of these atrocities. That behind every ‘12’ people that die, there is a son who will never see his father again, a loving wife who will never hold her husband again, a young innocent child who loses both parents. This is the reality that should haunt us all. But our lives keep moving on.

Equal sad, are the battles between ‘Boko-Haram and the JTF’. The JTF, an acronym so often used that we forget that actual humans lie behind it. These humans are lost faces, unknown to anyone, caught in a fight that is not theirs to fight, and in a war whose spoils they will never enjoy. Yet, they fight to protect your right to dismiss them and go on with your life. Imagine the horror of hiding in plain sight, facing an enemy who you can’t see or hear, like ghost lying in wait for the perfect moment to strike.

This is an ode to those who mourn loved ones, to the soldiers who fight a thankless battle, and to us as a national community. We must never lose sight of the reality of death, the pain and anguish suffered by its victims. The moment we lose this perspective is the moment we will finally stop demanding answers, till the terror which lurks in the dark, appears right at your doorstep.



Tomi Walker

@tomiwalker