Properties / Re: Invest In Tigerkenn Homes Ltd Property Development Partnership by yomickey(m): 6:56pm On Jan 05, 2017 |
spyder880:
Very good suggestion, I think we can work it out that way. Others are free to make suggestions too. I also agree with this. Do you have a value for the project you plan to undertake now? |
Properties / Re: Another Beautiful 6 Units Of 3 Bedrooms Construction by yomickey(m): 1:37pm On Oct 23, 2016 |
Oga Spyder,
Many thanks for the insight you bring to building projects. Any chance you can avail us with the cost as you go along? |
Properties / Re: Construction Process Of A 6 Flats (3 Bedrooms House) by yomickey(m): 1:36pm On Oct 23, 2016 |
Oga Spyder,
Many thanks for the insight you bring to building projects. Any chance you can avail us with the cost as you go along? |
Properties / Re: Buy Lands At Royal Palm Estates Enugu State by yomickey(m): 2:17pm On Feb 23, 2015 |
I am very sure if you take time to read what I wrote as well as what has been written all along in this thread you will get my point and not reply in this manner. I will deviate from your comment and let this thread continue on the discussion it was meant for. It is obvious how well we all know English language usage! I hardly comment on threads and I sure will not be doing so because of this. Thanks. chiboy11: Bro ure sayin shit,I am not saying spyder Is not tranparent nor he s a scam, wat am sayin is dat u don't come wit a tread stating buy land here when ure not even sure of the land in d 1st place, he wud ve used anoda heading like Lands wud b aval in dis estate afta our cros check, I tink u kno english usuage well so confrim.
I wish him gud luck,n won't coment here again b4 dey say am rude. Bye
|
Properties / Re: Buy Lands At Royal Palm Estates Enugu State by yomickey(m): 12:54pm On Feb 23, 2015 |
chiboy11: Ure not even sure of d land in d 1st place n u came here to advertise, dats crap 4rm ur own side,ow am I sure d next one won't b a dead story ![](/faces/huh.png) I hope you can appreciate someone (Spyder880 in this case) who is so transparent in his dealings. I am sure his first motive of opening the thread is that people are aware of what he is doing and if anyone has any information (such as was the case of the Tigerkenn Homes Property Development Initiative) we can be made aware of such. Absolutely no point in your comment as everyone here works as a team and no one believes he possess all the know how. Thanks. 6 Likes |
Religion / Nigeria Shias In Potiskum Hit By 'suicide Attack' by yomickey(m): 2:36pm On Nov 03, 2014 |
A suicide bomber has blown himself up at a Shia religious ceremony in north-east Nigeria, killing about 20 people, eyewitnesses have told the BBC. The bomber joined the ceremony in Potiskum town and blew himself up, the witnesses said. No group has said it carried out the attack, but suspicion is bound to fall on militant Sunni Islamist group Boko Haram. It denounces Shias, a small minority in Nigeria, as non-Muslims. Witnesses said the bomb exploded as the crowd was marking Ashura, a solemn day when Shias mourn the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, in 680 AD at Karbala in modern-day Iraq. Boko Haram has waged an insurgency in Nigeria since 2009. It has repeatedly targeted Christians and rival Muslim groups. In July, it was blamed for bombing an open-air mosque in Potiskum, killing four people. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29882218 |
Family / Re: Paid Live-in Nannies Vs Professional Daycare, Which Is Better For Babies? by yomickey(m): 9:36am On Aug 06, 2014 |
|
European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) / Re: Ruud Van Nistelrooy Retires From Football by yomickey(m): 4:00pm On May 14, 2012 |
|
Politics / Re: Henry Okah's Allegations Are Entirely False - Dr. Reuben Abati by yomickey(m): 10:26am On May 03, 2012 |
Tyche: What has happened to Abati? Nothing. Just trying to get his daily bread... 1 Like |
Politics / Re: First Lady Takes Off To Europe by yomickey(m): 10:58am On Jan 13, 2012 |
Has anybody checked the luggages going with her? I smell massive laundering before the government collapses. |
Politics / Wikileaks - The Nigerian Fuel Subsidy Fraud by yomickey(m): 2:35pm On Jan 11, 2012 |
The fraud Nigerians are subsidising - Wikileaks
DETAILS LAST UPDATED ON WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER -0001 00:13 PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY, 10 JANUARY 2012 09:06 WRITTEN BY WIKILEAKS
Reproduced below is a secret cable of the United States Government on the fraud in the oil sector in Nigeria as published by Wikileaks.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000767 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2014 TAGS: EPET EINV EFIN PGOV NI
SUBJECT: SCANDAL BREWING OVER NIGERIAN FUEL IMPORTS
Classified By: J. GREGOIRE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B), (D), AND (E).
¶1. (C) SUMMARY. A scandal is brewing in Nigeria over prices paid by the government for imported fuel. International fuel traders have been falsifying the dates of bills of lading to reflect particularly high market prices, overcharging the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by $300 million or more. END SUMMARY.
¶2. (C N/F) On April 2, Chris Finlayson, Chairman and Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Corporation of Nigeria (SPDC), told Consul General and Econoff that a scandal is brewing within the NNPC over payments made to international fuel marketers. Finlayson said some marketers have been changing the dates when fuel shipments bound for Nigeria were loaded in order to take advantage of particularly high market prices. He said the total overpayment by NNPC may be as high as $330 million. Finlayson noted that Shell is not one of the marketers in question, but is becoming a leading fuel supplier for NNPC.
¶3. (C N/F) On April 6, Femi Otedola, President and CEO of Zenon Petroleum and Gas, the largest supplier of diesel fuel in Nigeria, essentially corroborated Finlayson's report. Otedola said over $300 million has been overpaid by NNPC for fuel imports, and that many leading international traders are involved. According to Otedola, NNPC contracts to pay its suppliers the market price on the day a ship is loaded with fuel. He said NNPC recently discovered, however, that bills of lading were altered to reflect loading on days of high market prices. Discrepancies were found when comparing dates on the bills of lading with dates of landing in Lagos.
¶4. (C N/F) Pointing to examples, Otedola said that while a tanker loading fuel at a refinery in Bahrain usually takes four weeks to arrive in Lagos, comparisons between the bills of lading and dates of arrival of some shipments reflected only a four-day difference, and in other cases, if taken at face value, indicated the journey took nine months. Otedola said 73 shipments from refineries in the Persian Gulf, England, and Venezuela listed delivery times of only one day. NNPC is attempting to get compensation for the over-charge. Otedola went on that most of the fuel traders supplying Nigeria are implicated in over-charging NNPC, and showed a list of 17 companies that supplied fuel in the first quarter of 2004, several of which, he said, are significant players in international markets, such as Trafigura and Vitol. Otedola added that three companies clearly not involved in the scandal are British Petroleum, ChevronTexaco and Shell.
¶5. (C N/F) Otedola recommended that NNPC stop contracting with international fuel traders and negotiate purchases directly from refineries worldwide. According to him, such a move would have two positive effects. Otedola calculates that NNPC would save some four billion dollars a year in expenditures on imported fuel. (Note: Prior to deregulation in October 2003, NNPC, then the sole importer of fuel, lost two billion dollars per year because it sold stock to retailers below purchase price. After October 2003, NNPC initially stopped subsidizing fuel sales, letting marketers import fuel to be sold at market prices. However, sources agree that NNPC is back in the business of subsidizing gasoline sales while it maintains a facade of deregulation by encouraging private marketers to import fuel that NNPC purchases at market price. NNPC then sells the fuel to marketers and retailers at a reduced price to ensure that those companies maintain a profit margin while holding consumer prices to informal caps set by the Department of Petroleum Resources. End Note.)
¶6. (C N/F) Otedola added that by cutting out the international traders, NNPC would also enhance the environment in which Nigeria's refineries could be restored and operated. Otedola said he believes international fuel trade "mafias" are behind the failure to bring Nigeria's refineries back on-line and to capacity. Otedola is convinced these traders arrange for the vandalization of crude oil feeder pipelines, which keep the refineries at Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna closed or under-capacity. He said the international traders generally receive at least one million dollars per shipload of fuel to Nigeria and have grown accustomed to the easy money Nigeria offers as long its refineries remain down.
¶7. (C N/F) As an example, Otedola described an arrangement the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) had with Sahara Energy for the provision of diesel to an emergency power generation plant in Abuja. He said that while a pipeline was under construction to deliver fuel to the main power plant,NEPA paid some five billion dollars to Sahara over four years for diesel to the back-up plant. It was later discovered that NEPA had received only about one billion dollars worth of fuel, according to Otedola. Otedola said that he, too, was contracted to deliver diesel fuel to the plant on occasion; however, he petitioned the president to investigate the matter after becoming suspicious of NEPA's ongoing contract with Sahara and the fact that the pipeline for the power plant was never finished. He said his intervention led to an investigation that ultimately resulted in the cancellation of NEPA's contract with Sahara.
¶8. (C N/F) COMMENT: The allegation that international traders bilked NNPC of hundreds of millions of dollars is yet another example of the poor management of Nigeria's energy sector, and highlights the complex links between crude sales, fuel importation, refinery maintenance, and energy production here. Otedola is probably right in suggesting that long-standing sweetheart deals between the NNPC and a variety of fuel traders is keeping the system inefficient. That may also explain why the GON just can't seem to get its refineries running even after spending a billion dollars or more on maintenance contracts over the last four years. Otedola said he initially bid to purchase the Port Harcourt refinery offered for privatization, but he recently told President Obasanjo he will not invest in the refinery so long as NNPC purchases fuel from traders instead of negotiating directly with refineries in other countries and leasing ships itself to deliver fuel to Nigeria. It is not clear if Otedola's assumption that the international traders' stake in Nigeria's current fuel market is the main driver behind the country's refinery woes. But it is clear that the fundamentals of infrastructure security, interim supply stability, and transactional transparency must still be addressed if the GON is to be taken seriously about its efforts to deregulate and largely privatize Nigeria's downstream petroleum sector. END COMMENT. HINSON-JONES |
Travel / Re: BA Does Not Accept Credit Card Payment From Nigerians? Another Racist Attitude? by yomickey(m): 2:05pm On Dec 29, 2011 |
My experience is that if the name on the card is different from the name on the passport or the name of the person travelling, then the payment will not be allowed.
This has happened to me before when I tried to help someone pay for her flight to Nigeria but I have used my card to pay for myself for my last trip and it went through without problems.
Guess the name Nigeria and some dodgy Nigerians have brought them too much stress!!! |
Religion / Re: Dr. Sign Fireman: Man Of God Or Man Of Money? (Video Documentary) by yomickey(m): 12:40pm On Nov 29, 2011 |
firegirl:
just wanna say somethings you gont know, i have been in Fireman's church and i know when someone is brain washing one's head. wat if a man comes out today and money comes from no where, but his money is from the devil, you wont say a thing, let me tell you, God's plans for we his children is for us to be rich and not suffer, You dont know what you are missing, Dr. Fireman preaches the true word of God, he opens your eyes to the true meaning of the bible, i will quote what Dr. Fireman said 'if i teach you anything and it is not in the bible, then you'll know that God didnt call me' also he gives proves. wateva miracles he performs, it is in the bible and i can prove it,
Dont condemn a man of God, this worl, if you have money people will criticize and vise versa, Dr. Fireman IS A TRUE MAN OF GOD, stop listening to what people are saying and come and see for yourself,
you that is saying that he is a fraud star, how many cars have you bought? i can tell you that all the cars and jeeps that Dr. Fireman has riden were given to him as a gift and he has given so many out as a gift to his pastors, his members and also to the church,
SOP SAYING WHAT YOU DONT KNOW, COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF
COME TO NO. 3 KETU CLOSE, AGUDA, SURULERE COME AND HAVE A FULFILLED LIFE ![smiley](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/smiley.png)
Is taskgirl also firegirl ![](/faces/huh.png) |
Religion / Re: Dr. Sign Fireman: Man Of God Or Man Of Money? (Video Documentary) by yomickey(m): 2:33pm On Nov 22, 2011 |
taskgirl:
All i can say is check these links and maybe the eyes of your little understanding about the things of GOD can be opened. ---- http://signfireman./ and http://christianmatters./.
This blog was just started and post were only written today, are you trying to defend him or did he decide to start blogging now? |
Computers / Re: Microsoft Exchange Server by yomickey(m): 11:32pm On Nov 15, 2011 |
HERO111:
@yomickey, pls am interested in learning ms exchange server, where i work in nig currently we mk use of ms win servers and we are already thinking of deployingexchange pretty soon. how do you think i can learn it here in lagos? can i study with materials and will b good at it or i need a specialised training on it? thnx
I am a firm believer in self study but I feel your best bet again is if your company can send you to a training organised by Microsoft but if you can get books to read and have a small lab, the sky will be your beginning. Let me know what you think, |
Technology Market / Re: Are Microsoft Sever And Exchange Server Used In Nigeria by yomickey(m): 10:53am On Nov 11, 2011 |
Loads of companies use Microaoft Exchange Server in Nigeria.
I worked with projects involving Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, System Center Configuration Manager etc and they are quite big.
Banks, communications companies etc all use them.
What I have observed though is that it is most times a guy-know-guy way of getting jobs. If you have worked with someone in a company who has moved on to another, he most likely will be the one to reference you for a new post there without much advertisement. I have seen it happen very well.
Anything else you need to know, feel free.
Cheers, |
Computers / Re: Microsoft Exchange Server by yomickey(m): 10:28am On Nov 11, 2011 |
omafones:
Anyone in the house with experience of using MS Exchange server in Nigeria, is there a big take up by corporations? how does it link up with our local ISP's? is the use growing or declining in Nigeria?
or any useful information will be much appreciated.
thanks guys & gals
I used to work for a company was a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and we did a lot of projects for Microsoft including Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 for Sterling Bank then. Big corporations in Nigeria do use Exchange Server and before I left it was growing pretty well. I know Celtel then was using it. Also MTN and I was part of the team that installed It for Visafone Communications Limited before I left the country. I seem to have forgotten the names of the companies but I know there are quite a lot. It is a fantastic product. I have lost touch since I left the shores of Nigeria but I am getting back on track now. If there is anything else anyone needs to know, I will be glad to be of help. Cheers all, |
Sports / Re: Wwe - World Wrestling Entertainment [real Or Fake] by yomickey(m): 2:22pm On Nov 01, 2011 |
Its fake and they even advice people not to try it home as they are all trained professionals,
Dont believe them for once. |
Religion / Dr. Sign Fireman: Man Of God Or Man Of Money? (Video Documentary) by yomickey(m): 2:01pm On Nov 01, 2011 |
Miracles, expensive cars, exorcisms and bodyguards: religion is big business in Nigeria. Reporter Seyi Rhodes and director Matt Haan travel to Lagos to reveal the extraordinary world of the millionaire preachers. This recording is mainly of Rev Sign Fireman and I was amazed at how this supposed man of God described the church and Jesus. Only God can help us in Nigeria now. It gets so confusing everyday who to follow or believe as God's servant. Its a shame that some pastors use their position of authority to extort the mediocre. May god help the gullible in their strife for seeking the face of God. Click the link below to see the profound attrocities and untold stories by Channel 4 of a so called man of God in our beloved country. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/4od#3252995God help us all. ![sad](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/sad.png) |
Health / Stomach Pain. by yomickey(m): 11:47am On Oct 21, 2011 |
Hi all,
My fiance usually have this stomach pain almost every day.
She has used all sorts of drugs but we can't seem to fashion out what is wrong.
Can anyone help?
Thanks. |
Food / Re: Food's You Miss When In Nigeria. by yomickey(m): 10:55am On Oct 21, 2011 |
I miss nothing, I simply love every food that comes out of Nigeria.
Home Sweet Home, |
Career / Re: Lawyers' Bench: Court Matters & Ors by yomickey(m): 1:07pm On Oct 17, 2011 |
Wallie:
These are from a book called 'Disorder in the American Courts' and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.
____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory? WITNESS: I forget. ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot? ___________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning? WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam? _________________________ ___________ ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he? WITNESS: He's twenty, much like your IQ. ___________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken? WITNESS: Are you shitting me? _________________________________________ ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time? WITNESS: getting laid ____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: She had three children, right? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: How many were boys? WITNESS: None. ATTORNEY: Were there any girls? W ITNESS : Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney? ____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated? WITNESS: By death. ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated? WITNESS: Take a guess. ____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual? WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard. ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female? WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male. _____________________________________ ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney? WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work. ______________________________________ ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people? WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight. _________________________________________ ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to? WITNESS: Oral. _________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body? WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m. ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time? WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished. ____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample? WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question? ______________________________________ And the best for last: ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor? WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar. ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless? WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law,
The funniest jokes I have heard in my life, lol. Thanks man, |
Nairaland / General / Re: What Would You Miss If You Were To Leave Nigeria? by yomickey(m): 6:55pm On Oct 04, 2011 |
Gala and Viju Milk in hold ups. Bread and aganyi beans and rice curtain around my house. Meeting boys up at Agbo Jedi corner. Tungba (Jump) music and dem agberos and conductors at my bus stop,
the list is endless jare. I miss Nigeria well. |
Crime / Re: ABSU Case: Was It A violation Or Not? by yomickey(m): 1:20pm On Sep 27, 2011 |
All in all, no matter what transpired before the incidence there this is a case of violation and I believe the perpetrators should be held accountable for their office.
Chikena. |
Crime / Re: ABSU Case: Was It A violation Or Not? by yomickey(m): 1:19pm On Sep 27, 2011 |
Anyone kind enough to share the link of the video with us? |
Phones / Re: What Depletes Phone Battery Most? by yomickey(m): 4:58pm On Sep 26, 2011 |
The worst is charging the battery when it has not fully drained its energy, that way the battery life will keep reducing, |
Romance / Re: What Is The Cure To A Broken Heart? by yomickey(m): 4:49pm On Sep 26, 2011 |
Move on! |
Romance / Re: Is It Proper To Pay Your Girlfriend's School Fees? by yomickey(m): 3:05pm On Sep 13, 2011 |
Forget her being your girlfriend and think of it as you helping someone who is in genuine need.
If you can afford it, go ahead and help her out but you need to still stand by her and ensure she does not derail as it is obvious she is not enjoying the support of her family.
It should not be about what you want to gain but about the impact you have on someone's life.
Think through it and if you find that small part of your heart that is convinced she will make the most of the education, go ahead mate.
It might be the best thing you will ever do in your life. All the best. |
Education / Re: Askia Oghale Tessy - Best Graduating Student Of Middlesex University by yomickey(m): 3:42pm On Sep 12, 2011 |
aloy/emeka:
[size=14pt]Nigerian girl breaks academic record in UK[/size] By Segun Olugbile Sunday, 11 Sep 2011
SEGUN OLUGBILE in this report highlights how a 23-year-old Nigerian girl, Askia Oghale Tessy, laundered Nigeria’s battered academic image in the United Kingdom by emerging the best graduating student at the 2011 convocation of Middlesex University, carting home five awards.
![](https://www.punchng.com/images/September/Sunday/pix201109111223432.jpg) Oghale, during the 2011 convocation of Middlesex University, United Kingdom
She left Nigeria in 2010 an unsung hero. Though Miss Askia Oghale Tessy had graduated a year earlier with second class upper degree in Computer Science at the Novena University, Oghume, Delta State, nobody gave her a chance to do well at the Middlesex University, Hendon campus, United Kingdom, where she had secured admission to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Information/Computer Technology. But Oghale did not just do well, she emerged the best international graduating student to launder Nigeria’s battered academic image.
Apart from emerging the best, she also carted home five of the awards on offer during the convocation. According to the university, the Nigerian got the award as the best graduating student in Management Information Systems, Decision Support Systems, Systems Design Technology, Expert Systems Technology and Transaction Processing Technology. For her efforts, the UK university has given her an appointment as a lecturer and an automatic admission to run her Ph.D degree at the institution.
In a telephone chat with our correspondent, Oghale said that the quality academic background she was exposed to at Novena, her determination to succeed and the grace of God contributed to her academic success in UK.
“My experience in UK has proved that Nigeria’s education sector is not as bad as we think it is; at least I did all my primary, secondary education and my first degree in Nigeria and if my country’s education sector had been as bad as we used to think, one would not have been able to cope here,” she said. [i][/i]
Oghale, however, added that the level of facilities available in most UK institutions were far better than Nigeria’s. But she said that no student could succeed, whether in Nigeria or in foreign universities, if such student lacks determination and will power to shun distractions.
“For me, I pay full attention to whatever I want to do and I think that also contributed to my success,” she said.
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201109111224351
Why do we just like to speak bad of our nation? Where do you have the record the Nigeria's educational image is battered? How many of the so called citizens of the western world study as much as we do or really excel better than us academically. Askia has said it all (see bolded and italized text), let us be proud of our nation- educationally, we are always fantastic. Check the records mate! |
Travel / Re: Would You Pay at least =N=1m For Visa? by yomickey(m): 9:40am On Sep 09, 2011 |
faakay:
God Forbid!
Don't ever pay that kinda of amount for visa?
With that 1 Million Naira you can get the visa yourself without any agent nor invitation letter
Tourist Visa Slot the fund into your account and run it for like 1 - 2 months, book a hotel in the UK, make sure u have got a company been registered under your name, pay tax clearance fund, if possible get a flight ticket for the duration of your stay and other necessary documents requested.
If vou like pay 10 Million, your visa application might be granted/denied by the consular office
Thanks. I was wondering what he plans to do with the money. Anyways, he has lost his plot then. |
Travel / Would You Pay at least =N=1m For Visa? by yomickey(m): 4:08pm On Sep 08, 2011 |
Hello NL,
I have wondered for a while what the cost of leaving Nigeria is for people.
A friend told me he could arrange UK visa for me for =N=1m on any name he gives or for =N=1.5m if I want to use my name but will wait for at least 6 months.
Is it this serious and expensive to get a visa and how much will you be willing to pay to leave Nigeria?
Serious opinions please, thanks. |
Politics / Re: Gej Vs Yara'dua by yomickey(m): 3:12pm On Sep 08, 2011 |
oxford:
Introduction
In his inauguration speech of May 29th, 2011 President Jonathan promised that he will "never, never let " Nigerians down. As his administration clocks 100 days, here are some highlights of the achievements of the President and his team in a continuing fulfillment of Mr. President's promise to "never let" Nigerians down.
Deepening National Cohesiveness & Rule of Law
National Cohesiveness: After his victory at the April polls, President Jonathan was magnanimous in victory, sending emissaries nation-wide to get the buy in from all stake holders in the Nigeria Project. As a result of president Jonathan's commitment to electoral reform, the April Elections were adjudged the freest and fairest elections in Nigeria since the return to civil rule in 1999 as attested to by local and international observers a fact so apparent that all major opposition parties with the exception of one have publicly accepted President Jonathan’s victory. Reduction in Election Disputes: By close of submission of election petitions it was established they had dropped by almost 80% from the 2007 figures. Rule of Law: In the last 100 days this administration has obeyed all court judgments and respected the doctrine of Separation of Powers by not interfering in other arms of government. Trade & Investment
The National Automobile Council established an Automotive Development Fund to provide long term loans to resuscitate the automobile industry and generate jobs. A machinery is now in place for the establishment of 37 Skills Acquisition Centers nationwide. Approval for genuine foreign investors to obtain visas at the point of entry to facilitate FDI investments. Completion of Model Skills Training Centers in Abuja-a collaboration between the Industrial Training Fund and the Institute for Technical Education, Singapore, first of its kind in Nigeria Establishment of the Nigerian Vehicle Credit Purchase scheme. Began process of establishing a World Trade & International Business Center in Lagos. Commencement of the process for backward integration in Sugar & Rice Production to ensure self sufficiency. Launch of the Campaign Against the Importation of Sub Standard Products. The Economy
Expansion of the Oil Sector: Boosted by the overwhelming success of the Amnesty Programme of the current administration, Nigeria's oil production expanded by 20% and she reclaimed her former position as Africa's largest oil exporter which she had hitherto lost to Angola. Nigeria set a new record by being recognized by OPEC in the month of July as the second largest oil exporter in the cartel second only to Saudi Arabia. It is the first time Nigeria has recorded such a feat. Inflation Rate Down: Inflation rate has been reducing as the administration enforces tighter fiscal policies. In June the Consumer Price Index revealed an inflation rate of 10.2% which dropped to 9.4% in July being the lowest rate in the last four years. Foreign Reserves Rises by 10% to $34 Billion GDP Growth Rate Holds Firm: Nigeria's GDP growth rate month over month has continued to grow from 6.7% in May to 6.9% in July of 2011. Top Investment Destination: Nigeria has been declared one of the top three investment destinations of choice in Africa (number 2) by the independent Africa Business Panel in The Netherlands. Infrastructure
Power Generation: The President approved the pioneer board for the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NEBT) Plc, in an effort to stabilize power supply by facilitating smooth operations between independent power producers and distribution companies. Nigeria now generates power at her highest level ever. Mass Transit Train Services: The Nigerian Railway Corporation has commenced Mass Transit Train Services in five out of the six geo-political zones with the sixth zone coming on stream before the end of the year. Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority: With the establishment of the NSIA, the President facilitated direct investments into infrastructure with the priority areas being Power and Roads. Road Projects: The current administration approved funds for the rehabilitation of the East – West road in Nigeria in order to facilitate transportation of goods and services around the country. The Federal Government also awarded contracts for various road projects across the country whose impact will soon be felt nationwide. Launch of the NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X Satellites: Nigeria launched two satellites in August 2011. These satellites were designed and built by Nigerian Engineers/Scientists in conjunction with British Scientists and will help expand Internet Bandwidth, monitor the weather and provide early warning to prevent natural disasters like floods, crop monitoring and urban planning.
Access to Justice
Setting up of a 12-man Justice Sector Reform Implementation Committee to ensure the implementation of various reform that have been articulated and widen access to justice. Mr. President assented to several bills to increase access to justice including; The Human Rights Amendment Act, 2011; Legal Aid Amendment Act, 2011; The Evidence Act (which has simplified the process of collating evidence in our legal system) Ensured compliance with court judgments, especially with regard to payment of judgment debts. Repatriation of looted funds to the country. The sum of 22.5 million Pounds sterling were recovered from the Isle of Jersey, U.K. Increased focus on Legislative Advocacy via a host of pending bills designed to enhance the welfare of Nigerians Freedom of Information Bill. The President signed the FOI Bill, thereby showing his commitment to lifting the veil covering governance and deepening participatory democracy. Already there have been tangible benefits with the first FOI case instituted in court and the recent declassification of hitherto classified information. The framework for compliance of the FOI Act has been prepared by the Office of the AGF for gazetting, after inputs from critical stakeholders. Pro-Youth and People Policy
Intervention in Pricing and Distribution. The President introduced the unique policy of intervening in the pricing of kerosene by engaging with the Private Sector and the price reduced within the first 100 days between May and September, 2011. He also introduced the KeroDirect policy of selling kerosene direct to end users essentially cutting out the bottlenecks in the distribution system. This successful scheme has reduced the artificial scarcity of the product hitherto faced by the Nigerian masses. Allowance Increase for Youth Corps Members: In recognizing the sacrifices of our youth corps members, the President approved the upward review of their allowances from 9,700 Naira to 19,800 Naira. Minimum Wage Increase for Nigerian Workers: The President approved an increase in the minimum wage earned by the Nigerian worker to 18,900 Naira monthly. This is in line with his belief that Nigerian workers deserves to earn more as compensation for the efforts they put into advancing our society. A Positive Gender Agenda
35% Slot For Women President Jonathan took the unique step of proactively reserving 35% of cabinet positions for women. Despite immense pressures, Mr. President held firm and has so far given women 31% slot as far as Ministerial positions are concerned. As a man of his words, when you add female Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Assistants to be appointed, that figure will certainly rise to 35%. This is more than the recommended gender representation ratio of 30% in the Beijing document. Merit was the yard-stick in filling these slots with President Jonathan appointing only the best. Security
Deepening Security and expanding Peace in Nigeria Peace has been sustained in the Niger Delta, Militants are in training or engaging in worthwhile ventures. Drastic reduction in kidnapping in the South East with the implementation of President Jonathan’s order on the establishment of the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian army in Ohafia, Abia state. Investments in Facilities for an Intelligence-Based Security Approach. Maritime Safety has been ensured and stabilized in the last 100 days. Planning
Working Smarter Not Just Harder Retreats and workshops were organized for the cabinet to rub minds and enhance synergy within the administration. To give effect to Mr. President’s statement that improving the economy and creating jobs is of the highest priority to this administration, a 15-man Economic Implementation Team was put in place under the Chairmanship of President Jonathan to include a coordinating minister for the economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, two governors including opposition party governor, Peter Obi of Anambra (Honorary Presidential Adviser on Finance) and Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa (Honorary Presidential Adviser on Agriculture). Another innovation was the inclusion of the Private sector with the membership of Captains of Industry including Alh. Aliko Dangote, Mr. Atedo Peterside as well as the President of the Nigerian Economic Society. Foreign Policy
Review of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Nigeria’s foreign policy was reviewed to reflect a “citizen-focused” foreign policy designed in the words of President Jonathan to “accord this vision of defending the dignity of humanity the highest priority" and link foreign policy to domestic policy while placing a greater emphasis on economic diplomacy. Nigeria Hosts The World:
In the last 100 days, President Jonathan has further cemented Nigeria's position as the regional leader in West Africa as well as in Africa by receiving the British Prime Minister, David Cameron and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. A record number (40) of Foreign Heads of State and Governments attended the inauguration and swearing in ceremony of President Jonathan on May 29th, 2011. In the same time period President Jonathan has also received the Presidents of Niger, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic and Liberia. Nigeria Meets the World:
President Jonathan was received at the White House in June 2011 where he had a one on one meeting with the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. A Strong Team
Although it took some time principally because of the recesses declared by the Senate (President Jonathan respects the doctrine of Separation of Powers) Mr. President came up with a stellar cabinet. The cabinet includes tested hands like: Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, immediate past Managing Director of the World Bank and former Finance Minister who superintended Nigeria's exit from the Paris and London Club of debtors. Dr. Olusegun Aganga, a former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs International. Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, a former Vice President at the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (established by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with the goal of bringing a green revolution to Africa). Prof. Bart Nnaji, a former World Bank consultant and professor of Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Robotics amongst others. Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate, former Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA); and Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Former Chair Person and Country Director Accenture Nigeria. In the history of Nigerian cabinets from pre-independence to date, no cabinet has had the quantum of stellar appointments as President Jonathan has in his first cabinet post election. Conclusion
It is early days yet, but with such a team armed with a transformational agenda, Nigeria is set to fulfill the potential in the Morgan Stanley report from last July to the effect that Nigeria is set to overtake South Africa's economy as the largest economy in Africa.
^^^lol. Reuben Abati at work. Guess GEJ doesn't even know half of what is written here. |