George to Segun: so if i'm going to pull this third term trick here how do i convince the American people that we need to amend the constitution.
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Friday, March 31, 2006
When Segun met George
George to Segun: so if i'm going to pull this third term trick here how do i convince the American people that we need to amend the constitution.
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
The ideal home show
The Waterfall was the only interesting thing at the ideal home show ..
I might as well have stayed at home but instead i went to the ideal home show at Earls court. If you were there last year don't bother going, its the same old set up from last year. I was hoping to see a lot of companies dealing with alternative energy, especially solar power.
Lets just say i was disappointed at the turn out.
You do see the strangest things in London, like the homeless guy at my local train station answering his mobile while begging for money (and he even has a dog too..)
Lets just say i was disappointed at the turn out.
You do see the strangest things in London, like the homeless guy at my local train station answering his mobile while begging for money (and he even has a dog too..)
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Celebrating what is positive about Nigeria
Naija rocks???Its surprising how much a lot of us complain and never really talk about the positive things in Nigeria. An alien from outer space will think Nigeria is the worst place on earth going by the stuff written in the media, blogosphere and the many nigerian forums on the net.
It's understandable, a lot of us are very passionate about the country and find it hard to understand why Nigeria is the way it is.
So to make up for all the negativity around, here's my TOP 10 list of the positive things about Nigeria
1. Nigeria is still one entity despite the many ethnic and religious crises throughout its history. (think its not a big deal, it could be a lot worse look at similar African countries like Sudan, Somalia and the Congo).
2. The outstanding citizens the country has produced (Fela, Tai Solarin, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka etc)
3. Our national football team (i'm not into football but even i get excited when our team plays)
4. Our rich history and culture (just check out the art from Benin)
5. The community spirit still prevalent in many parts of the country.
6. The entrepreneurial spirit in Nigerians (the private sector is truly alive in the country and if the government creates the right environment, the private sector can definitely turn the country around)
7. Nollywood (yeah this is a controversial one but i still it see it as a positive)
8. The Music (from Afro beat to Juju to Apala, or is it Highlife you want we've got it)
9. The organic foods (when your taste buds have been assaulted with all kinds of artificial crap, you begin to appreciate our natural tasting foods)
10. The warmth and friendliness of most Nigerians despite the harsh economic situation.
Ok i have to admit it was hard to come up with ten but its a start and i know that it will get easier with time (we just need to get rid of the bunch of idiots that hold us back...)
Quote: “Water continually dropping will wear hard rocks hollow.” - anon
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The Power of the Sun (2)
Solar power, why are we not using it???
I've been doing a lot of research into solar power since my trip to Australia where it is widely used. I still don't understand why solar power is not widely used in Nigeria considering how bad the electricity situation is. There are still no signs of improvement despite the "billions" spent by the current administration since 1999.
There are so many generators in Nigeria (no thanks to cheap imports from China) that a lot of people have stopped relying on NEPA (or whatever it is called now) even as a back up supply.
I really (and i can't stress it enough) hate generators, the noise and pollution they produce drives me nuts. I just don't see it as a viable way of generating power when we have so much sunlight.
I'm aware of companies dealing in solar power in Nigeria, but the cost of installation is still very high. It shouldn't be too expensive as the prices of the major components - solar panels, deep cycle batteries and inverters, have been falling for the last few years.
I'm planning to install solar panels to provide electricity in my garden shed and i was quite surprised at the cost here in the UK, which is about £120 for the whole solar power kit. (this is the basic package : 10W Solar Power kit, this can provide power to two bulbs for a few hours)
Its just crazy, if its so easy and cheap to install a small unit here in England, where you'll be lucky to get 4 hours of sunlight (and that's in summer), then why not in Naija where no one bothers with the weather forecast because its always sunny, and we're talking 8 and half hours of sunshine every single day, especially in the north where the rainy season is short.
We need to wake up to the reality around us and stop importing f**king cheap generators from China, we need solar power and we need it now!! Oil is going to run out in probably the next 50 years and we're yet to invest in alternative sources of energy (apart from gas). In Australia, solar power is used to power the streetlights in the Sydney olympic village. In many parts of the US, solar power is now used as an alternative to the public supply. Even here in cloudy old England, solar energy is becoming a viable alternative as energy prices keep rising.
Its great that more people are now using power inverters, but it still relies on NEPA to replenish the charge. Replacing that part of the process with solar power should be our ultimate goal.
Depending on how successful i am with the installation in my garden shed, i'm going to install a similar one at our house in Lagos when i'm over there later in the year.
I've given up on the government ever providing constant electricity....
For anyone interested in Solar power, inverters etc
http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2003/november/solar.htm (Nigeria: Warming up to solar energy)
http://www.dbrooke.org.uk/solar.html (David Brooke's solar power setup)
http://www.icpsolar.com/4105/system_setup.asp (system set up)
http://www.solartechnology.co.uk (Solar Technology International makers of Photovoltaic Solar Panels)
http://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/
http://www.solarwatts.co.uk
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=LA02564&N=411
http://www.scottypower.com/
http://www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html (how to make a solar power generator)
http://www.justwebservices.com/index.php? (power inverters in nigeria)
Quote: “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die…” - anon
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
The Power of the Sun (1)
Total eclipse of the Sun
A total eclipse of the Sun began its journey across the Earth at sunrise in eastern Brazil on Wednesday. It will sweep northwest across Africa, Turkey and Central Asia before ending at sunset in Mongolia.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4849224.stm
Parts of Nigeria (Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Zamfara and Katsina states) will experience a solar eclipse today.
While everyone is excited at the opportunity of experiencing such a rare event, the government is a bit concerned, you know how stupid, oops sorry superstitious some of our people are. In 2001 when a lunar eclipse occurred in the north some people (and i use that term loosely) decided to attack christians.
So this time around the government (thank God it is finally waking up to its responsibilities) has decided to "enlighten" people ahead of this event. But i doubt if that will be enough to stop some smart Nigerians (i.e. Religious Ayatollahs) from claiming it's a "sign from God"
When solar fears eclipse reason
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4852690.stm
Solar eclipses are nowadays major tourist attractions, but in ancient times, they were events of ill omen, to be dreaded and feared.
While scientific knowledge has explained the phenomenon, some superstitions continue to hold sway. An eclipse in Nigeria in 2001 was seen by Muslim youths as anger from god for sinful activities.
And the ancient belief that an eclipse presaged war and devastation is still preached by some mystics in India. A belief persists in India that all cooked food left uneaten during an eclipse should be given away, as it will have become impure.
A superstition with rather more common sense behind it holds that anyone holding a knife during an eclipse will cut themselves.
Ignorance breeds fear
For most of human history, people did not understand what an eclipse was.
It is a terror that goes back thousands of years, with references in the Old Testament and ancient Greek and Mesopotamian literature.
The ancient Chinese believed that solar eclipses were caused by a dragon trying to swallow the Sun.
To this day, the Chinese for a solar eclipse is "resh" or "Sun-eat".
If they knew an eclipse was coming, the Chinese would shoot fireworks and bang gongs to scare it away.
The Vikings believed two wolves ran after the Sun and the Moon, and that an eclipse happened when they caught up with their prey.
They, too, would make as much noise as possible to scare off the beasts.
The power of prediction
When scientific knowledge was not widespread, a little forewarning could be a powerful tool.
In 1503, the explorer Christopher Columbus, stranded in the Caribbean, "predicted" a lunar eclipse he knew would take place to secure respect and fear from the natives - as well as a regular supply of food.
Some fared less well. Some time between 2165 BC and 1948 BC, brothers His and Ho were appointed by the Chinese Emperor Yao to keep a watch on the skies. Sadly, they failed to predict an eclipse and the Emperor chopped off their heads.
Growing awareness of the science behind the phenomenon did not stop many cultures feeling uneasy.
In Japan, wells were covered to prevent poison from dropping into them from the darkened sky.
In 17th Century England, John Milton wrote in Paradise Lost: "The Sun in dim eclipse disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change perplexes monarchs."
Eclipsed lovers
Today, most concerns centre on the risk of eye damage from looking at the sun directly without protective glasses.
Indeed, the level of anticipation ahead of an eclipse is so great that in Ghana, the authorities will sound sirens across the country to announce the eclipse.
But historically, not all peoples have been so negative in their view of eclipses.
Some North American Inuit believe that during an eclipse, the Sun and the Moon temporarily leave their places in the sky and check to see that things are going all right on Earth.
And one touching Amazonian myth describes the Sun and the Moon as lovers.
They loved each other so much that the Sun's light scorched the Earth and the Moon's tears drowned it.
So it was decided that they should live apart in the sky and only be allowed to touch each other's shadow during an eclipse.
TOTAL ECLIPSE FACTS
Occur when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, as it travels west to east
Previous eclipse happened in 2003, but was only visible from part of Antarctica
Next eclipse will happen in 2008
Width of effect on Earth is at most 270km (167 miles), and record duration is seven-and-a-half minutes
Will come to an end in about 600 million years when the Moon will be too far away from Earth to cover the Sun
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Things that make you go WTF
What The Fuck is going on..A 45- year- old callous father, Fadahunsi Oriarewo, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a six-year-old girl in Festac town Lagos, after enticing her with N10 for the purchase of sweets (candies).
But Oriarewo, a caretaker at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in the area, denied the rape allegation, telling Saturday Sun that he only sexually assaulted little Miss Robinson.
"This is a surprise to me. I did not do it (penetrate the girl). I only fingered her. Na my finger I take touch her. I swear I no do am at all," he said in Pidgin English.
Also, sources around the neighbourhood further told Saturday Sun that raping of underage girls has been a common occurrence in the area for sometime now. They disclosed that a 14-year-old girl was raped in the area few weeks back and pleaded with the police to get to the root of the case.
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/mar/25/814.html
While the Nigerian government concerns itself with irrelevant sexual issues, sexual crimes against underage kids go unpunished. Many cases are not reported and the response the accused man gave in the above news story, that he did not 'rape her but only fingered her' (as if either of them is a lesser crime) reveals how prevalent such abuses have become.
Nigerians talk about morality and spew so much religious bullshit that if you didn't know better you might start believing it.
stumbled on this interesting article in the Washington Post, African Christians a Growing Dynamic Force.
Anyone extremely sensitive about religion will have to forgive me, but what a load of crap
I found the following parts of the article extremely amusing
"You want to see where Christianity is heading?" said Campbell Shittu Momoh, an author on Nigerian religious affairs. "Come look at Nigeria. It's already here."
And it's Hell, if that's where christianity is heading, thank God i got out quickly
"The church in Nigeria is very, very disciplined and focused," said Dickson Adeyanju, the chief religion correspondent for The Guardian, the largest newspaper in Lagos. "That sets them apart."
yeah very focused on getting people's money and sucking them dry through tithes
"Adeboye radiates confidence _ even when making eyebrow-raising predictions.
Most followers wouldn't dare question him. Adeboye says he has a pipeline to God. He makes headlines in Nigeria each year with prophecies, which are usually vague and open to many interpretations. This year's include that a "major evil organization" will suffer a blow."
probably Dr Evil's Organisation
"What I'm talking about here is not spiritual authority, but economic authority. The pastors can basically do whatever they want with the money," said Samuel Bayo Arowolaju, a Nigerian-born expert in African churches now living in suburban Chicago. "The pastors of this church become superheroes or kind of mini-gods."
while their followers become 'Religibots'. Might as well call them by their true name, c u l t s
Characteristics of a cult
The service in early February _ with its "modest" crowd of 300,000 _ raised "a couple of tens of thousands of dollars," said Adeboye. There's one at least that big every month in addition to thousands of smaller weekly services in Nigeria and around the world. Adeboye tells the faithful: Give so you can get.
"It is clear in the word of God that you don't get out of poverty by praying. You don't get out of poverty by fasting," Adeboye said after the nearly nine-hour event. "There's only one way of getting out of poverty. It's by sowing."
Sowing what and where? His church i suppose.
"Why did I join Daddy's church? Take a look around," she says, waving her hands at the crowds. "Daddy inspires. Daddy tell us Jesus is right here to help improve our lives. The Anglican church was all about, 'Don't do this, don't do that.' Daddy is all about possibilities and making breakthroughs. It deals with heaven, but also the here and now."
whats all the 'daddy' stuff about?? [and who's the daddy? ; - )]
Daddy is pleased.
who wouldn't? He's smiling all the way to the bank
i have to admit that in their own way they are providing some form of employment through their business enterprises (the university,bank,drycleaners etc)
but at what price???
turning Nigerians into 'RelgiBots' who can't think for themselves.
-----------------------
In the News: I will contest the 2007 presidency -IBB
Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, finally takes the speculation off his rumoured ambition to run for the nation's top job come 2007.
"I am ready for 2007… if I get the nomination of my party, I will contest", the Minna General told a team of editors in a no holds barred interview during the week.
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/mar/25/818.html
The original trickster (or is it evil genius??) is back and God help us all if he makes it to Aso rock. Only a country like Naija will produce such a person like IBB. And it's only in a country like Naija such a person will even consider going for the presidency again.
Now i'm not one of those people who will blame IBB for every ill that has befallen naija since 1985, that he outsmarted nigerians time and time again shows how slick and smart he is. The guy obviously knows our people well and deserves his nickname 'maradona'.
But like Maradona's addiction to cocaine (which destroyed his football career), IBB is addicted to power, and his pursuit of that power will ultimately lead to his downfall...
-------------------------------
Quote:
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.
One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Monday, March 27, 2006
There's one born every minute..
Looks like some 'dumbasses' are using my blogging email address to send me some interesting "email" offers (i'm not calling them 419 emails as every nationality is in on the scam these days).
give it a rest, anyone expecting me to fall some 'get rich quick idea' should read previous blog entries.
From Mr. Paul .O.Johnson
plz do contact me with this my email contact/
(pauljohnson_2003@yahoo.ca)
From Mr. Paul .O.Johnson
No- 48 Bill Cinton Drive,
Treichvill,Abidjan.
Cote d' ivore.
Dearest
Greetings of the lord and may the blessings of my father in heaven be unto your household.
great is he who gave us his love not like the love of the earth but his divine love and salvation.
By the grace of God i am Mr. Paul .O.Johnson a liberian and by the grace of God a succesful Business man.I have in my days travelled far and wide doing importation in automobile parts i am however residing in Abidjan where i have my business location,
I however now regret never living a godly life in my healthy days, i came to know god now that i am so ill and surfering from cancer that has defiled all medical attention.
i took business so serious but i now know that it doesnt profit a man to gain the world but lose his life.
i have been told by my doctor that the cancer has eaten so deep that i have zero chance of survival,i have been into shock and back from it.but my greatest regret now is that i never got married and my friends now flee from me since they thought my ailment has drained me financially.
i only give thanks to god for the little wisdom he gave to me.which i have now started given out here in my environment for his work since i may not have need for them soon,and part of that i will also give for his work around the world so as to accomplish my heart desire of touching lives globally before i finally meet my creator.
I have left in a trunk box in my security company a total sum of five million five hundred thousand Dollars($5.5m) and this is what i have made up my mind to give to a good christain led by the spirit of the lord or to any church that is willng to help the sick,orpharns,disasters victims and to the less priviledged outside there this has been my heart desire.if you can be of any reasonable assistance for this fund to be used properly and strictly as i have said,then you can reply me and tell me your details so as to forward it to my security company so as to make some neccesary changes for the fund to be sent to you or you can come personally whichever way you choose.
expecting to hear from you soonest as you get my mail
thanks.
Mr. Paul johnson
plz do contact me with this my email contact/
(pauljohnson_2003@yahoo.ca)
-------------------
and from espana, the usual spanish lottery scam from a senorita sandra blanco
FROM: PROMOTIONS DEPARTMENT
SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY BV
CALLE CALLAO 55
C.P 28921
MADRID SPAIN
PRIZE WINNING NOTIFICATION
PRIZE CATEGORY: "B"
REFERENCE NO: NIL-B-3120-01101980-SPBV
EMAIL TAG NO: NIL-B-15-01-05
We are happy to inform you that the recipient email address has been
selected as one of the lucky email addresses in the category "B" of the
online lotto conducted by our company SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
BV here in Madrid. CONGRATULATIONS! The cyber-lotto was conducted by a
first of its kind automated computer balloting system, where by email
addresses (25,000 email addresses), were extracted from all continents of
the world. A draw was held in different categories and winners from
different parts of the world emerged and are entitled to various cash
prizes depending on their different categories. Thus, you/your company with
this email address, attached to Email tag number: NIL-B-15-01-05 and a
Reference number: NIL-B-3120-01101980-SPBV in the Category B, is entitled
to a lump payout of € 950 880.00 (Nine hundred and Fifty thousand eight hundred and eighty euros only ).
As a category B winner, selected by computer balloting system where
only email addresses were sorted, from a total number of 25,000 addresses
drawn from all over the globe via an automated computer ballot of our
International Promotions Program, SEVEN winners emerged in this category
and therefore each are to receive payouts of €950,880.00 (Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand Eight Hundred And Eighty Euros) from the total of €6.656.16 (SIX MILLION,SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX THOUSAND SIXTEEN CENT EUROS).
To immediately claim your prize, please contact our Category "B"
financial agents GLOBAL LINK DIPLOMATIC & FINANCE COMPANY, below are the contact information of their financial director:
Mr.JOSE BONO FEDNANDEZ
Financial Director
GLOBAL LINK DIPLOMATIC & FINANCE COMPANY
Tel:+34 657 176 624
Fax:+34 940 466 083
E-mail:globallinkdss@diplomats.com
Provide Prize reference number-NIL-B-3120-01101980-SPBV and winning
Email tag number-NIL-B-15-01-05 for confirmation. In your best interest(s),
you must initiate contact within two weeks of receipt of this correspondence. GLOBAL LINK DIPLOMATIC & FINANCE COMPANY is to handle all matters. with regards to claiming of your prize money. You are also advised to send a copy of this email, to your claims agent Mr. Jose Bono Fednandez, when contacting him.
You may be required to provide any of the above information during the
process of collecting your prize. We congratulate you once again and it
is our hope that you participate in any of our international programs
in the nearest future.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sandra Blanco
Promotions Manager
SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY BV
====================================================================
The SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY BV Awards is proudly sponsored by some interested multinational companies yearly as a medium to promote their products.The spanish international lottery internet draw is held once in a year and is so organized to encourage the use of the internet and computers worldwide.We are proud to say that over 200 Million Euros are won annually in more than 150 countries worldwide.
====================================================================
In the news (not too long ago)
Prescott accountant sent to jail (March 10)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4794586.stm
An unqualified accountant who hid his criminal past has been jailed for four years for stealing almost £1m from John Prescott's department.
Robert Adewunmi, 32, lied about his qualifications to work for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
wonder what he would have done if he was a "qualified accountant". The strangest thing about this story is that none of the major news sites seems to have a picture of the guy.
Some even had the picture of the Deputy PM displayed on the news story (as if he had anything to do with the crime). I wish there was a pic to confirm if the guy is truly Nigerian...
The name and type of crime may fit the profile of a typical naija criminal but i still need to see a picture to confirm. If we don't know what the guy looks like he can easily change his name when he gets out and slip back into our community (thats assuming he's actually Nigerian...)
Quote: "Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer" - anon
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
give it a rest, anyone expecting me to fall some 'get rich quick idea' should read previous blog entries.
From Mr. Paul .O.Johnson
plz do contact me with this my email contact/
(pauljohnson_2003@yahoo.ca)
From Mr. Paul .O.Johnson
No- 48 Bill Cinton Drive,
Treichvill,Abidjan.
Cote d' ivore.
Dearest
Greetings of the lord and may the blessings of my father in heaven be unto your household.
great is he who gave us his love not like the love of the earth but his divine love and salvation.
By the grace of God i am Mr. Paul .O.Johnson a liberian and by the grace of God a succesful Business man.I have in my days travelled far and wide doing importation in automobile parts i am however residing in Abidjan where i have my business location,
I however now regret never living a godly life in my healthy days, i came to know god now that i am so ill and surfering from cancer that has defiled all medical attention.
i took business so serious but i now know that it doesnt profit a man to gain the world but lose his life.
i have been told by my doctor that the cancer has eaten so deep that i have zero chance of survival,i have been into shock and back from it.but my greatest regret now is that i never got married and my friends now flee from me since they thought my ailment has drained me financially.
i only give thanks to god for the little wisdom he gave to me.which i have now started given out here in my environment for his work since i may not have need for them soon,and part of that i will also give for his work around the world so as to accomplish my heart desire of touching lives globally before i finally meet my creator.
I have left in a trunk box in my security company a total sum of five million five hundred thousand Dollars($5.5m) and this is what i have made up my mind to give to a good christain led by the spirit of the lord or to any church that is willng to help the sick,orpharns,disasters victims and to the less priviledged outside there this has been my heart desire.if you can be of any reasonable assistance for this fund to be used properly and strictly as i have said,then you can reply me and tell me your details so as to forward it to my security company so as to make some neccesary changes for the fund to be sent to you or you can come personally whichever way you choose.
expecting to hear from you soonest as you get my mail
thanks.
Mr. Paul johnson
plz do contact me with this my email contact/
(pauljohnson_2003@yahoo.ca)
-------------------
and from espana, the usual spanish lottery scam from a senorita sandra blanco
FROM: PROMOTIONS DEPARTMENT
SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY BV
CALLE CALLAO 55
C.P 28921
MADRID SPAIN
PRIZE WINNING NOTIFICATION
PRIZE CATEGORY: "B"
REFERENCE NO: NIL-B-3120-01101980-SPBV
EMAIL TAG NO: NIL-B-15-01-05
We are happy to inform you that the recipient email address has been
selected as one of the lucky email addresses in the category "B" of the
online lotto conducted by our company SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY
BV here in Madrid. CONGRATULATIONS! The cyber-lotto was conducted by a
first of its kind automated computer balloting system, where by email
addresses (25,000 email addresses), were extracted from all continents of
the world. A draw was held in different categories and winners from
different parts of the world emerged and are entitled to various cash
prizes depending on their different categories. Thus, you/your company with
this email address, attached to Email tag number: NIL-B-15-01-05 and a
Reference number: NIL-B-3120-01101980-SPBV in the Category B, is entitled
to a lump payout of € 950 880.00 (Nine hundred and Fifty thousand eight hundred and eighty euros only ).
As a category B winner, selected by computer balloting system where
only email addresses were sorted, from a total number of 25,000 addresses
drawn from all over the globe via an automated computer ballot of our
International Promotions Program, SEVEN winners emerged in this category
and therefore each are to receive payouts of €950,880.00 (Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand Eight Hundred And Eighty Euros) from the total of €6.656.16 (SIX MILLION,SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX THOUSAND SIXTEEN CENT EUROS).
To immediately claim your prize, please contact our Category "B"
financial agents GLOBAL LINK DIPLOMATIC & FINANCE COMPANY, below are the contact information of their financial director:
Mr.JOSE BONO FEDNANDEZ
Financial Director
GLOBAL LINK DIPLOMATIC & FINANCE COMPANY
Tel:+34 657 176 624
Fax:+34 940 466 083
E-mail:globallinkdss@diplomats.com
Provide Prize reference number-NIL-B-3120-01101980-SPBV and winning
Email tag number-NIL-B-15-01-05 for confirmation. In your best interest(s),
you must initiate contact within two weeks of receipt of this correspondence. GLOBAL LINK DIPLOMATIC & FINANCE COMPANY is to handle all matters. with regards to claiming of your prize money. You are also advised to send a copy of this email, to your claims agent Mr. Jose Bono Fednandez, when contacting him.
You may be required to provide any of the above information during the
process of collecting your prize. We congratulate you once again and it
is our hope that you participate in any of our international programs
in the nearest future.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sandra Blanco
Promotions Manager
SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY BV
====================================================================
The SPANISH INTERNATIONAL LOTTERY BV Awards is proudly sponsored by some interested multinational companies yearly as a medium to promote their products.The spanish international lottery internet draw is held once in a year and is so organized to encourage the use of the internet and computers worldwide.We are proud to say that over 200 Million Euros are won annually in more than 150 countries worldwide.
====================================================================
In the news (not too long ago)
Prescott accountant sent to jail (March 10)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4794586.stm
An unqualified accountant who hid his criminal past has been jailed for four years for stealing almost £1m from John Prescott's department.
Robert Adewunmi, 32, lied about his qualifications to work for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
wonder what he would have done if he was a "qualified accountant". The strangest thing about this story is that none of the major news sites seems to have a picture of the guy.
Some even had the picture of the Deputy PM displayed on the news story (as if he had anything to do with the crime). I wish there was a pic to confirm if the guy is truly Nigerian...
The name and type of crime may fit the profile of a typical naija criminal but i still need to see a picture to confirm. If we don't know what the guy looks like he can easily change his name when he gets out and slip back into our community (thats assuming he's actually Nigerian...)
Quote: "Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer" - anon
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Friday, March 24, 2006
I'm disgusted (Part 1)
definition according to dictionary.com
disgust
To excite nausea or loathing in; sicken.
To offend the taste or moral sense of; repel.
n.
Profound aversion or repugnance excited by something offensive.
dis·gust·ed
adj.
Filled with disgust or irritated impatience.
I'm disgusted with (in no particular order)
The nigerian government
for the way it has organised the current census. There were mixed signals and conflicting information from government officials throughout the previous week. People in Lagos were forced to stay at home for five days while in other parts of the country people moved around.
Its not rocket science, allocate 2 days, do the damn counting and let people get back to work.
Bush et al (no surprise there)
for the disaster in Iraq and for the hypocrisy regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. I may not like the islamic leadership in Iran but who the hell are the Americans to decide who should have access to nuclear technology. Their unilateral actions around the world is the reason why Iran wants to have nukes. Can you blame them? the US will not mess with North Korea and thats because they have nukes..
Religious Ayahtollahs - extremists, fundamentalists, whatever 'ists'.
They are the biggest problem we face in Nigeria and have turned many Nigerians into 'ReligiBots'. They come in different shapes and forms boring us to death with their religious crap. They make our society a less tolerant place and i think its time the government took a stronger stance. You want to be religious keep it to yourself and stop inflicting it on others.
Obj and his 'third term politricks'.
The 'would he', 'should he', 'could he' drama is becoming boring and tiring. He should stop hiding behind a smokescreen and put his cards on the table. The country deserves an answer now.
Obj. (again) digust x2
I'm stunned that he would even consider staying past his 'sell by date'. Give it up old man and let someone else do the job.
Previous generation of Nigerians,
yeah the generation that had it so good (jobs when they graduated, great educational facilities etc) but had no vision whatsoever and in the process sold us into 'economic slavery'. Obj is a current example of how hopeless the previous generation is, the guy has no vision whatsoever. People like Awolowo et al left a lasting legacy that has continued to propel the Yoruba race. Obj's generation are like parasites, feeding off the country and leaving nothing behind for the next generation.
Globalisation.
The west is full of crap, its the old maxim of 'do as i say not as i do'. The US screams security when an Arab company buys a company that controls some of its ports or when a Chinese company tries to buy an American oil company. The French government block attempts by foreign companies to take over french companies. Yet they have the nerve to lecture developing countries about protectionism. They want us to open up our borders to all their imports but are unwilling to do the same.
To be continued when i'm in another bad mood....
Quote: "Everything has been outsourced to God, unfortunately God doesn't do consultancy work"
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
disgust
To excite nausea or loathing in; sicken.
To offend the taste or moral sense of; repel.
n.
Profound aversion or repugnance excited by something offensive.
dis·gust·ed
adj.
Filled with disgust or irritated impatience.
I'm disgusted with (in no particular order)
The nigerian government
for the way it has organised the current census. There were mixed signals and conflicting information from government officials throughout the previous week. People in Lagos were forced to stay at home for five days while in other parts of the country people moved around.
Its not rocket science, allocate 2 days, do the damn counting and let people get back to work.
Bush et al (no surprise there)
for the disaster in Iraq and for the hypocrisy regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. I may not like the islamic leadership in Iran but who the hell are the Americans to decide who should have access to nuclear technology. Their unilateral actions around the world is the reason why Iran wants to have nukes. Can you blame them? the US will not mess with North Korea and thats because they have nukes..
Religious Ayahtollahs - extremists, fundamentalists, whatever 'ists'.
They are the biggest problem we face in Nigeria and have turned many Nigerians into 'ReligiBots'. They come in different shapes and forms boring us to death with their religious crap. They make our society a less tolerant place and i think its time the government took a stronger stance. You want to be religious keep it to yourself and stop inflicting it on others.
Obj and his 'third term politricks'.
The 'would he', 'should he', 'could he' drama is becoming boring and tiring. He should stop hiding behind a smokescreen and put his cards on the table. The country deserves an answer now.
Obj. (again) digust x2
I'm stunned that he would even consider staying past his 'sell by date'. Give it up old man and let someone else do the job.
Previous generation of Nigerians,
yeah the generation that had it so good (jobs when they graduated, great educational facilities etc) but had no vision whatsoever and in the process sold us into 'economic slavery'. Obj is a current example of how hopeless the previous generation is, the guy has no vision whatsoever. People like Awolowo et al left a lasting legacy that has continued to propel the Yoruba race. Obj's generation are like parasites, feeding off the country and leaving nothing behind for the next generation.
Globalisation.
The west is full of crap, its the old maxim of 'do as i say not as i do'. The US screams security when an Arab company buys a company that controls some of its ports or when a Chinese company tries to buy an American oil company. The French government block attempts by foreign companies to take over french companies. Yet they have the nerve to lecture developing countries about protectionism. They want us to open up our borders to all their imports but are unwilling to do the same.
To be continued when i'm in another bad mood....
Quote: "Everything has been outsourced to God, unfortunately God doesn't do consultancy work"
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Poor Slave
Was contributing to a topic on one of the forums i visit about the negative portrayal of Africa by the western media.
I don't know how anyone can support or justify the portrayal of Africa by the western media. Lets start with the choice of words they use, they describe our ethnic groups as "Tribes", that in itself is a derogatory term to use in describing African ethnic groups when such words are never used to describe European ethnic groups.
But i digress, if we Africans can not see the damage (and hypocrisy) in the way western media report events about Africa then it's pointless complaining when football supporters in Europe make 'monkey chants' against our footballers or westerners ask Africans if they live in trees etc.
Thinking about the whole issue, reminded me of a great song by Jimmy Cliff called 'Poor Slave'
Poor Slave - Jimmy Cliff
Poor slave take the shackles off your body
Poor slave pull the shackles off your mind
Please listen to me carefully and if I'm wrong
Then correct me
But if I'm right mine's not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means one's not free entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can't think independently
Poor slave take the chains off your body
Poor slave pull the chains off your mind
A tree is still a tree
Though it sheds it leaves when winter comes
But it blooms again in spring
But if it did not bloom its roots are torn
But a slave remains a slave
Without the knowledge of his roots
Until he's taught the facts
Not just some but all the truth…
Poor slave take the shackles off your body
Poor slave pull the shackles off your mind
There was a brother the other day
Telling me he is feeling high
Well I just sadly had the time
But drug and booze is lowering
And if I'm asked how to get high
I'll tell the truth and not a lie
But high and high a man can get
With wisdom, knowledge and understanding
Poor slave ease the pressure off your body
Poor slave put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave ease the pressure off your body
Poor slave put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave take the shackles off your body
Poor slave pull the shackles off your mind
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
I don't know how anyone can support or justify the portrayal of Africa by the western media. Lets start with the choice of words they use, they describe our ethnic groups as "Tribes", that in itself is a derogatory term to use in describing African ethnic groups when such words are never used to describe European ethnic groups.
But i digress, if we Africans can not see the damage (and hypocrisy) in the way western media report events about Africa then it's pointless complaining when football supporters in Europe make 'monkey chants' against our footballers or westerners ask Africans if they live in trees etc.
Thinking about the whole issue, reminded me of a great song by Jimmy Cliff called 'Poor Slave'
Poor Slave - Jimmy Cliff
Poor slave take the shackles off your body
Poor slave pull the shackles off your mind
Please listen to me carefully and if I'm wrong
Then correct me
But if I'm right mine's not the praise
Now let us see if we agree
The definition of a slave
Means one's not free entirely
So a slave is still a slave
If he can't think independently
Poor slave take the chains off your body
Poor slave pull the chains off your mind
A tree is still a tree
Though it sheds it leaves when winter comes
But it blooms again in spring
But if it did not bloom its roots are torn
But a slave remains a slave
Without the knowledge of his roots
Until he's taught the facts
Not just some but all the truth…
Poor slave take the shackles off your body
Poor slave pull the shackles off your mind
There was a brother the other day
Telling me he is feeling high
Well I just sadly had the time
But drug and booze is lowering
And if I'm asked how to get high
I'll tell the truth and not a lie
But high and high a man can get
With wisdom, knowledge and understanding
Poor slave ease the pressure off your body
Poor slave put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave ease the pressure off your body
Poor slave put the pressure on your mind
Poor slave take the shackles off your body
Poor slave pull the shackles off your mind
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Friday, March 10, 2006
A day at the British Museum
its the birthday weekend and the best way of spending it was to drag myself off to the British Museum. Wifey is not around so its me myself and i doing the celebrations this year.The British museum is such a magnificent place that you could almost forgive the British for filling it with 'stolen' treasures and artefacts from around the world.
Had to go see some of the excellent pieces looted during the British raid on Benin during the 18th century. They stole the artefacts from Benin but couldn't believe Africans created the art.
Some crazy guy back then even came up with the ludicrous theory that it wasn't made by Africans but came from the mythical Atlantis.I guess back then they just couldn't handle the fact that the savages could produce such exquisite art.
More pics
Benin Art 1
Benin Art 2
Benin Art 3
Benin Art 4
Benin Art 5
Benin Art 6
Benin Art 7
Benin Art 8
Benin Art 9
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
In the News: Big Brother Nigeria goes on air
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4778036.stm
http://www.bigbrothernigeria.com
The BB phenomenon hits naija, should be interesting, shame i won't have the opportunity to actually see it. Not that i'm a BB fan, although i did watch the first UK series when it first started just to see what all the fuss was about. My interest in the Nigerian version is purely for sociological reasons. ; - ) It'll be a great opportunity to see how Nigerians react in such an intense environment.
Anyway i suppose its a great opportunity for the contestants. I mean the prize money (equivalent to about 14 million Naira) will definitely make a lot of difference to whoever wins. I'm not too sure i'll want to win that kind of money in such a setting. Every fraudster from Calabar to Sokoto will want a piece of the action.
Looking at the profiles of all the contestants, noticed two fellow Pisceans called Francisca and Frank, and i'm already hoping either of them wins.
I did find it funny that to watch it online you have to pay $20 dollars, yeah right like thats going to happen....
Quote: "Hate is love minus the facts" - anon
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4778036.stm
http://www.bigbrothernigeria.com
The BB phenomenon hits naija, should be interesting, shame i won't have the opportunity to actually see it. Not that i'm a BB fan, although i did watch the first UK series when it first started just to see what all the fuss was about. My interest in the Nigerian version is purely for sociological reasons. ; - ) It'll be a great opportunity to see how Nigerians react in such an intense environment.
Anyway i suppose its a great opportunity for the contestants. I mean the prize money (equivalent to about 14 million Naira) will definitely make a lot of difference to whoever wins. I'm not too sure i'll want to win that kind of money in such a setting. Every fraudster from Calabar to Sokoto will want a piece of the action.
Looking at the profiles of all the contestants, noticed two fellow Pisceans called Francisca and Frank, and i'm already hoping either of them wins.
I did find it funny that to watch it online you have to pay $20 dollars, yeah right like thats going to happen....
Quote: "Hate is love minus the facts" - anon
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Monday, February 27, 2006
In the News: Recent riots in Nigeria
The usual spate of violence has erupted again in Nigeria and the usual talk of civil war is buzzing around the numerous forums.
It takes strength and conviction to fight a civil war not our usual fire brigade approach or knee jerk reaction to everything.
Then who will fight? definitely not middle class Nigerians, they'll be on the first flight to their usual boltholes in Europe and the US.
For the country to implode there has to be a coup. Any major event in Nigeria starts with a coup... When the chips are down the politicians won't have the stomach to fight, what's the point of looting if you won't be around to spend it.
African conflicts are easy to predict because most conflicts in Africa are never truly resolved. "Peace" in most African countries is the lull between the end of the last conflict and the start of the next one.
I've just finished reading 'Me Against My Brother', an excellent book by Scott Peterson. I wish a lot of Africans will read this book so they can understand the futility of violence. The book is an eyewitness account of the events in Sudan, Somalia and Rwanda.
The unending conflict in these countries especially Sudan will probably go on for generations to come. Even when violence overwhelms one of the combatants and the fighting stops. It could be 20 years after and all it takes is another trigger and the fighting resumes as if it never stopped.
Quote: "Tell a lie loud enough and long enough and people will believe it." - Adolph Hitler
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
The usual spate of violence has erupted again in Nigeria and the usual talk of civil war is buzzing around the numerous forums.
It takes strength and conviction to fight a civil war not our usual fire brigade approach or knee jerk reaction to everything.
Then who will fight? definitely not middle class Nigerians, they'll be on the first flight to their usual boltholes in Europe and the US.
For the country to implode there has to be a coup. Any major event in Nigeria starts with a coup... When the chips are down the politicians won't have the stomach to fight, what's the point of looting if you won't be around to spend it.
African conflicts are easy to predict because most conflicts in Africa are never truly resolved. "Peace" in most African countries is the lull between the end of the last conflict and the start of the next one.
I've just finished reading 'Me Against My Brother', an excellent book by Scott Peterson. I wish a lot of Africans will read this book so they can understand the futility of violence. The book is an eyewitness account of the events in Sudan, Somalia and Rwanda.
The unending conflict in these countries especially Sudan will probably go on for generations to come. Even when violence overwhelms one of the combatants and the fighting stops. It could be 20 years after and all it takes is another trigger and the fighting resumes as if it never stopped.
Quote: "Tell a lie loud enough and long enough and people will believe it." - Adolph Hitler
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Monday, February 20, 2006
In the News: Nigeria cartoon protests kills 16
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4728616.stm
At least 16 people have been killed in northern Nigeria in violent protests by Muslims over the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Eleven churches were burned during the riots in Maiduguri, the capital of the north-eastern state of Borno.
here we go again and so it starts just as i predicted, once again a bunch of ignorant RAs (religious ayatollahs) have hijacked something that has nothing to do with us and in the process killed innocent Nigerians...
I was involved in another political debate this weekend, the usual type that happens when 2 or 3 Nigerians gather. At a certain point in that discussion i said something along the lines of religion destroying the social fabric of the country. Not too many believed me but think about it, Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world and yet it is also the most corrupt. Since the early 90s we've had more disturbances/crises caused by religion than any other thing.
You don't have to be a sociologist to see the damaging effects of 'militant islam' and new age/pentecostal churches in Nigeria. It's as if the two religions have turned Africa's most populous country into their new battle ground.
Forget about 'tribalism' (yuck i hate that word) or ethnicity dividing us. Religion is the new 'tribalism'.
Quote: "Religions are like farts. Yours is good, but everyone else's stinks." ~ from Picket Fences
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4728616.stm
At least 16 people have been killed in northern Nigeria in violent protests by Muslims over the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Eleven churches were burned during the riots in Maiduguri, the capital of the north-eastern state of Borno.
here we go again and so it starts just as i predicted, once again a bunch of ignorant RAs (religious ayatollahs) have hijacked something that has nothing to do with us and in the process killed innocent Nigerians...
I was involved in another political debate this weekend, the usual type that happens when 2 or 3 Nigerians gather. At a certain point in that discussion i said something along the lines of religion destroying the social fabric of the country. Not too many believed me but think about it, Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world and yet it is also the most corrupt. Since the early 90s we've had more disturbances/crises caused by religion than any other thing.
You don't have to be a sociologist to see the damaging effects of 'militant islam' and new age/pentecostal churches in Nigeria. It's as if the two religions have turned Africa's most populous country into their new battle ground.
Forget about 'tribalism' (yuck i hate that word) or ethnicity dividing us. Religion is the new 'tribalism'.
Quote: "Religions are like farts. Yours is good, but everyone else's stinks." ~ from Picket Fences
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Friday, February 17, 2006
In the News: Bush denies secrecy over Cheney shooting
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1712091,00.html
George Bush today said accusations an overly secretive White House was slow to disclose details of the Dick Cheney shooting had drawn "the wrong conclusion about a tragic accident".
His comments came as Mr Cheney learned he would not face charges over the accidental shooting of a 78-year-old lawyer and Republican donor while the two were part of a group quail hunting on a Texas ranch.
oh dear just when i thought i didn't have any material to blog about i stumbled on this report in the guardian.
Now i'm a liberal and i can't stand the current republican leadership in the white house, so any story that allows me to poke fun at bush et al is welcome indeed.
I do feel sorry for Dick Cheney's 78 year old hunting partner who ended up having a heart attack as a result of the shooting. Good thing he didn't die, imagine the headline 'Dick kills 78 year old republican donor' yeah i know its tasteless but opportunities like this don't come around very often. ; - )
Its a bit worrying that Dick and George are quite accident prone, lets hope the nuclear button is well protected from these pair. Like one of the papers noted, it's a shame georgy and dick are not hunting partners...
Also in the News this week: Lynden David Hall dies after cancer fight
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4716060.stm
Lynden was the UK's version of D'angelo/Maxwell. Shame he died at such a young age..
Quote: "Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen, even so does inacton sap the vigors of the mind." ~Leonardo DaVinci
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1712091,00.html
George Bush today said accusations an overly secretive White House was slow to disclose details of the Dick Cheney shooting had drawn "the wrong conclusion about a tragic accident".
His comments came as Mr Cheney learned he would not face charges over the accidental shooting of a 78-year-old lawyer and Republican donor while the two were part of a group quail hunting on a Texas ranch.
oh dear just when i thought i didn't have any material to blog about i stumbled on this report in the guardian.
Now i'm a liberal and i can't stand the current republican leadership in the white house, so any story that allows me to poke fun at bush et al is welcome indeed.
I do feel sorry for Dick Cheney's 78 year old hunting partner who ended up having a heart attack as a result of the shooting. Good thing he didn't die, imagine the headline 'Dick kills 78 year old republican donor' yeah i know its tasteless but opportunities like this don't come around very often. ; - )
Its a bit worrying that Dick and George are quite accident prone, lets hope the nuclear button is well protected from these pair. Like one of the papers noted, it's a shame georgy and dick are not hunting partners...
Also in the News this week: Lynden David Hall dies after cancer fight
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4716060.stm
Lynden was the UK's version of D'angelo/Maxwell. Shame he died at such a young age..
Quote: "Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen, even so does inacton sap the vigors of the mind." ~Leonardo DaVinci
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
In the News: Trans-Atlantic love costs American lady $50,000 - Duped by Nigerian fraudster
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/feb/14/804.html
A 42-year-old American lady, who came to Nigeria from Texas, United States, with her wedding accessories to tie the nuptial knot with a supposed male American Muslim she met on the internet has gone back home heartbroken.
This followed the discovery that the man she had travelled to Africa to be joined to in wedlock was not the one in the photograph sent to her, but a 24-year-old Nigerian posing as an expatriate engineer, working in an oil company.
Its really sad when you read stories like this. Online romance seems to be the new '419 method' to con people out of money. On one hand i feel sorry for the victims, on the other i am angry with them. How gullible can you be? On the internet anyone can be anything they want to be. Me self wey dey call myself ijebuman, i fit be igbira man now...
The Guardian in the UK had an interesting article some weeks ago - http://money.guardian.co.uk/scamsandfraud/story/0,,1637593,00.html
Here's a recap of the 419 methods in use:
Laundering crooked money scam
Next of kin scam
NNPC scam
Overpayment scam (ebay, amazon etc)
Job offer scam
Winning ticket in a lottery you never entered scam
US visa lottery scam
Gorgeous person in trouble scam (in which scammers in chatrooms and on Christian dating sites pose as beautiful American or Nigerian women)
Here is my own personal guide to avoid 419 encounters (Seems pretty obvious but there's one born every minute..)
don't be greedy
if it sounds too good to be true (no free dinner in life so if you're looking for FOC, they will get you)
if someone keeps mentioning God in every conversation especially when it has no relevance to the issue. (my peeps are very religious so religion is a handy tool in the modus operandi of a 419 scammer)
acting in an unprofessional way or displaying unusual business practices.
anything that requires you to pay quickly so you don't lose the 'opportunity'
always get professional advice or advice from a neutral party to ensure all is 'kosher'
never underestimate them (even ijebu 'jazz' can not protect you from 419)
Basically anything that triggers my 'defence shield' (ala star trek style) and trust me its not just naijas, every nationality is well represented when it comes to fraud...
Quote: "Businesses may come and go, but religion will last forever, for in no other endeavor does the consumer blame himself for product failure." ~Harvard Lamphoon, "Doon" (paraphrase)
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/feb/14/804.html
A 42-year-old American lady, who came to Nigeria from Texas, United States, with her wedding accessories to tie the nuptial knot with a supposed male American Muslim she met on the internet has gone back home heartbroken.
This followed the discovery that the man she had travelled to Africa to be joined to in wedlock was not the one in the photograph sent to her, but a 24-year-old Nigerian posing as an expatriate engineer, working in an oil company.
Its really sad when you read stories like this. Online romance seems to be the new '419 method' to con people out of money. On one hand i feel sorry for the victims, on the other i am angry with them. How gullible can you be? On the internet anyone can be anything they want to be. Me self wey dey call myself ijebuman, i fit be igbira man now...
The Guardian in the UK had an interesting article some weeks ago - http://money.guardian.co.uk/scamsandfraud/story/0,,1637593,00.html
Here's a recap of the 419 methods in use:
Laundering crooked money scam
Next of kin scam
NNPC scam
Overpayment scam (ebay, amazon etc)
Job offer scam
Winning ticket in a lottery you never entered scam
US visa lottery scam
Gorgeous person in trouble scam (in which scammers in chatrooms and on Christian dating sites pose as beautiful American or Nigerian women)
Here is my own personal guide to avoid 419 encounters (Seems pretty obvious but there's one born every minute..)
don't be greedy
if it sounds too good to be true (no free dinner in life so if you're looking for FOC, they will get you)
if someone keeps mentioning God in every conversation especially when it has no relevance to the issue. (my peeps are very religious so religion is a handy tool in the modus operandi of a 419 scammer)
acting in an unprofessional way or displaying unusual business practices.
anything that requires you to pay quickly so you don't lose the 'opportunity'
always get professional advice or advice from a neutral party to ensure all is 'kosher'
never underestimate them (even ijebu 'jazz' can not protect you from 419)
Basically anything that triggers my 'defence shield' (ala star trek style) and trust me its not just naijas, every nationality is well represented when it comes to fraud...
Quote: "Businesses may come and go, but religion will last forever, for in no other endeavor does the consumer blame himself for product failure." ~Harvard Lamphoon, "Doon" (paraphrase)
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Monday, February 13, 2006
In the News: Beko Ransome Kuti Passes on
http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1709720,00.html
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/feb/12/34.html
The last of the Ransome-Kuti clan (Dolupo, Olikoye and Fela), and a strong human rights advocate died this weekend from lung cancer.
Beko along with the likes of Tai Solarin and Fela spent the better parts of their lives fighting for social change in Nigeria.
That social revolution has not happened yet but it will happen someday...
Quote: "Nothing in the world is more haughty than a man of moderate capacity when once raised to power." - Baron Wessenberg
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1709720,00.html
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/feb/12/34.html
The last of the Ransome-Kuti clan (Dolupo, Olikoye and Fela), and a strong human rights advocate died this weekend from lung cancer.
Beko along with the likes of Tai Solarin and Fela spent the better parts of their lives fighting for social change in Nigeria.
That social revolution has not happened yet but it will happen someday...
Quote: "Nothing in the world is more haughty than a man of moderate capacity when once raised to power." - Baron Wessenberg
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Friday, February 10, 2006
In the News: Nigeria may break up, US insists
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/feb/9/813.html
United States government is standing by its bleak assessment of the repercussions of a third term bid by President Olusegun Obasanjo, brushing aside Abuja’s complaint of interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs.
Senior administration officials told Daily Sun that the report by US Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte that attempts by President Obasanjo to stay in power beyond 2007 could signal the eventual breakup of the country is an accurate reflection of the state of affairs in the West Africa nation.
Africa's most populous nation has always been an unusual creation, what were the British thinking when they decided to unite 250 ethnic groups into one country. Any political crisis in the country has the potential to tear the nation apart.
The Ibos still smarting from their defeat by federal forces in the civil war are ready to jump ship at the first signs of war. The ever volatile Niger delta is also waiting to jump ship the minute the 3 main ethnic groups start slaughtering themselves. The middle belt doesn't really have an agenda and just wants to go with the flow. The core north will do anything to keep Nigeria as one as it ensures it is not a landlocked country like Niger republic, while the Yorubas in the west are a bit ambivalent at the moment since they now have political power, besides they have access to the sea so they can pretty much survive as the Oduduwa republic.
In light of the US comments, i've tried to imagine a scenario where the country breaks up and i can't really see it happening because the country really has no configuration it can fragment into. The 3 main regions (north, south west and south east) separated by rivers Niger and Benue is nothing but a geographical feature. Its wishful thinking on anyone's part to think Nigeria will fragment along those lines.
The reason is simple.
Lets look at the North, you have to give it to them they know they'll be one of the biggest losers if 'Project Nigeria' ends. Not just because they will lose access to the oil and the sea, but because of what will happen to the whole concept of 'the indivisible North'.
The North as we've all seen in the last few years is anything but united. Sharia and unending religious conflicts has turned this part of the country into 'Lebanon'. I can only imagine what will happen when trouble starts, the middle belt, minority ethnic christains from southern Kaduna will definitely not want to be a part of any 'Dan Fodio' kingdom that emerges. The north will pretty much have its hands full dealing with ethnic and religious divisions for a long time.
The interesting thing is, the north, compared to other parts of the country has the resources to stand on its own - its tourist potential, unlike oil, is an infinite resource.
Lets move on to my fellow brethren in the south west. The Yoruba share a common language and religious divisions don't really matter. The problem for Oduduwa republic is that the Yorubas are not really united, they only unite when they have a common goal or enemy, take that away and the Yorubas will start bickering amongst themselves. The ijebus will either be oppressing other groups or using 'jazz' (joking of course) on them while the egbas will stab each other in the back. The eguns will suddenly remember that they don't really have much in common with the others while the edos and itsekiris will definitely go their own way. And not forgetting ife and modakeke, it would be worse than the western region crises of the early sixties.
And then our good friends in the south east, unlike the other parts of the country they've had a bit of experience with nationhood, so its just a matter of bringing out those old biafran notes from under the mattress, dusting up the old flag and hey Biafra republic is reborn.
The only downside for them is they'll be landlocked as the minority groups in the delta will not join up with them. So that means Biafra republic will have to find a way to ally with one of the many groups in the delta. It won't be easy as Cameroon too will want in on some delta action.
The Niger delta can't be a country on its own and will fragment into fiefdoms, which means there's still going to be a lot of conflict in that area because of the oil. There will be continued conflict between the different groups over the limited unpolluted farmland, creeks, oil rights etc.
Then you have the larger players like Biafra and Cameroon, they will probably encourage the conflict for their own interests. You also have the oil multinationals like Shell and Chevron, they will probably finance and support any group that gives them profitable drilling rights. The conflict could go on till the last drop of oil is removed...
To cut a long story short, there won't be any winners, no part of the old country can enjoy meaningful economic development with so much conflict in the surrounding areas.
Then what happens to all the investments each part of the country has in the other parts. What happens to the power systems, transmission wires, telephone cables and other infrastructure that we all share?
Who inherits Nigeria's international commitments, foreign assets, embassies, Abuja ????
Quote: "War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil,never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children." ~ Jimmy Carter
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/feb/9/813.html
United States government is standing by its bleak assessment of the repercussions of a third term bid by President Olusegun Obasanjo, brushing aside Abuja’s complaint of interference in Nigeria’s domestic affairs.
Senior administration officials told Daily Sun that the report by US Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte that attempts by President Obasanjo to stay in power beyond 2007 could signal the eventual breakup of the country is an accurate reflection of the state of affairs in the West Africa nation.
Africa's most populous nation has always been an unusual creation, what were the British thinking when they decided to unite 250 ethnic groups into one country. Any political crisis in the country has the potential to tear the nation apart.
The Ibos still smarting from their defeat by federal forces in the civil war are ready to jump ship at the first signs of war. The ever volatile Niger delta is also waiting to jump ship the minute the 3 main ethnic groups start slaughtering themselves. The middle belt doesn't really have an agenda and just wants to go with the flow. The core north will do anything to keep Nigeria as one as it ensures it is not a landlocked country like Niger republic, while the Yorubas in the west are a bit ambivalent at the moment since they now have political power, besides they have access to the sea so they can pretty much survive as the Oduduwa republic.
In light of the US comments, i've tried to imagine a scenario where the country breaks up and i can't really see it happening because the country really has no configuration it can fragment into. The 3 main regions (north, south west and south east) separated by rivers Niger and Benue is nothing but a geographical feature. Its wishful thinking on anyone's part to think Nigeria will fragment along those lines.
The reason is simple.
Lets look at the North, you have to give it to them they know they'll be one of the biggest losers if 'Project Nigeria' ends. Not just because they will lose access to the oil and the sea, but because of what will happen to the whole concept of 'the indivisible North'.
The North as we've all seen in the last few years is anything but united. Sharia and unending religious conflicts has turned this part of the country into 'Lebanon'. I can only imagine what will happen when trouble starts, the middle belt, minority ethnic christains from southern Kaduna will definitely not want to be a part of any 'Dan Fodio' kingdom that emerges. The north will pretty much have its hands full dealing with ethnic and religious divisions for a long time.
The interesting thing is, the north, compared to other parts of the country has the resources to stand on its own - its tourist potential, unlike oil, is an infinite resource.
Lets move on to my fellow brethren in the south west. The Yoruba share a common language and religious divisions don't really matter. The problem for Oduduwa republic is that the Yorubas are not really united, they only unite when they have a common goal or enemy, take that away and the Yorubas will start bickering amongst themselves. The ijebus will either be oppressing other groups or using 'jazz' (joking of course) on them while the egbas will stab each other in the back. The eguns will suddenly remember that they don't really have much in common with the others while the edos and itsekiris will definitely go their own way. And not forgetting ife and modakeke, it would be worse than the western region crises of the early sixties.
And then our good friends in the south east, unlike the other parts of the country they've had a bit of experience with nationhood, so its just a matter of bringing out those old biafran notes from under the mattress, dusting up the old flag and hey Biafra republic is reborn.
The only downside for them is they'll be landlocked as the minority groups in the delta will not join up with them. So that means Biafra republic will have to find a way to ally with one of the many groups in the delta. It won't be easy as Cameroon too will want in on some delta action.
The Niger delta can't be a country on its own and will fragment into fiefdoms, which means there's still going to be a lot of conflict in that area because of the oil. There will be continued conflict between the different groups over the limited unpolluted farmland, creeks, oil rights etc.
Then you have the larger players like Biafra and Cameroon, they will probably encourage the conflict for their own interests. You also have the oil multinationals like Shell and Chevron, they will probably finance and support any group that gives them profitable drilling rights. The conflict could go on till the last drop of oil is removed...
To cut a long story short, there won't be any winners, no part of the old country can enjoy meaningful economic development with so much conflict in the surrounding areas.
Then what happens to all the investments each part of the country has in the other parts. What happens to the power systems, transmission wires, telephone cables and other infrastructure that we all share?
Who inherits Nigeria's international commitments, foreign assets, embassies, Abuja ????
Quote: "War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil,never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children." ~ Jimmy Carter
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Thursday, February 09, 2006
BA's letter of apology In the News: Travellers flay spraying of pesticides on Europe-bound flight
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/feb/7/468.html
...Besides accusing European airlines of spraying passengers leaving African cities with pesticides, the petitioners allege that these airlines charge exorbitant fares on African routes, render poor services, and do nothing to reprimand their staff who are often very rude to African passengers. “The rudeness of most European airline staff to Africans is serious enough to bother any human being with a conscience. Africans at European airports are simply ignored, snubbed and downright disrespected. In fact, a substantial number of African passengers feel frustrated when trying to ask European flight attendants and staff any question concerning their connecting flights.
The way European airlines treat passengers on the African routes is, for lack of a better word, disgraceful. And i don't blame them, we seem to accept all the crap they throw at us.
Using the Nigerian route as an example, this route is dominated by Virgin and BA, and for both airlines it is one of their most profitable routes. The price of a ticket from London to Lagos is the same as the cost of a ticket to Sydney (which is on the other side of the world). This issue of spraying insecticide (while the plane is filled with passengers) is just 'taking the piss'
We pay so much, yet they treat us like 'second class citizens'. I'm going to refrain from even talking about the role of the government in protecting the interests of its citizens. Lets face it, any Nigerian that expects the Nigerian government to protect them is living in lala land.
Personal experience with BA
So i had a bit of a problem with BA on my last trip to Lagos in 04, the usual thing, faulty engine, flight delayed for hours etc. To be fair to BA they did offer to put us up in an hotel, however the hotel they offered was not to my "high" standards at all. I mean i may have stayed in a few 'shitty' hostels and hotels in my many travels but at least i was the one paying for it, in this case BA was paying so there was no way i was going to stay in 'stopover hotel' or 'airport hotel', if their own flight crew was going to stay in sheraton then i had to stay there as well.
Unfortunately for me the BA ground staff in Lagos was having none of it, so i ended up spending the night at MMA (with the bloody A/C on full blast!!). To cut a long story short i got back to the UK and took it up with their customer services with the usual 'Naija shakara' that all true 'naijas' learn if they ever lived in Lagos.
Lo and behold BA came begging with a generous offer of compensation. (and that was how i ended up in Australia some months ago)
And its not just BA i've claimed compensation from, KLM too got the same treatment for messing around with my luggage.
The moral of my story is, if you are unhappy with the way an airline or any company treats you, complain, hit them hard, if you're in Nigeria don't complain there, send it to their main base and make sure you chase it up.
Quote: "You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do." ~Anne Lamott
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
In the News: Deadly bird flu found in Africa (Nigeria)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4692916.stm
The deadly strain of bird flu has been found in poultry in northern Nigeria, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has said in statement.
The Paris-based organisation said this was the first time the disease had been detected in Africa.
The body said it was the "highly pathogenic" strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which can kill humans.
Ok even with my sometimes 'uncanny ability to predict the future' (na special ijebu power wey i get) i couldn't have expected bird flu to hit Nigeria so soon. see my previous posting in october
http://naijaman.cfmxdeveloper.co.uk/diary/2005/10/in-news-recently-bird-flu-reaches.html
This will probably decimate the poultry industry if the health authorities do not contain it quickly. We used to own a large poultry in SW Nigeria and there are hardly any safeguards in place. I just hope the Nigerian government is well prepared as i'm sure they knew Nigeria is in the migratory path of birds flying from Europe. So there was always a possibility that it was going to affect us.
Anyway i expect a robust response from 'Baba Iyabo' i'm sure he wouldn't want all his 'prized' birds at his large poultry farm in otta to end up dying from bird flu.
Must be a record for me, two postings in one day
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4692916.stm
The deadly strain of bird flu has been found in poultry in northern Nigeria, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has said in statement.
The Paris-based organisation said this was the first time the disease had been detected in Africa.
The body said it was the "highly pathogenic" strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which can kill humans.
Ok even with my sometimes 'uncanny ability to predict the future' (na special ijebu power wey i get) i couldn't have expected bird flu to hit Nigeria so soon. see my previous posting in october
http://naijaman.cfmxdeveloper.co.uk/diary/2005/10/in-news-recently-bird-flu-reaches.html
This will probably decimate the poultry industry if the health authorities do not contain it quickly. We used to own a large poultry in SW Nigeria and there are hardly any safeguards in place. I just hope the Nigerian government is well prepared as i'm sure they knew Nigeria is in the migratory path of birds flying from Europe. So there was always a possibility that it was going to affect us.
Anyway i expect a robust response from 'Baba Iyabo' i'm sure he wouldn't want all his 'prized' birds at his large poultry farm in otta to end up dying from bird flu.
Must be a record for me, two postings in one day
In the News: Nigerian MPs burn Denmark's flag
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4689314.stm
Nigerian MPs cheered in the northern majority Muslim state of Kano as Danish and Norwegian flags were burned in a ceremony in the parliament premises.
It seems there's no getting away from this issue, our politicians have got in on the act as well. As long as it's just flags they are burning and it doesn't turn into the usual religious riots this part of the country is well known for.
comments have now been enabled on the blog...
Quote: "Without cultural sanction, most or all our religious beliefs and rituals would fall into the domain of mental disturbance." - John F. Schumaker, Corruption of Reality, Unified Theory of Religion, Hypnosis and Psychotherapy
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4689314.stm
Nigerian MPs cheered in the northern majority Muslim state of Kano as Danish and Norwegian flags were burned in a ceremony in the parliament premises.
It seems there's no getting away from this issue, our politicians have got in on the act as well. As long as it's just flags they are burning and it doesn't turn into the usual religious riots this part of the country is well known for.
comments have now been enabled on the blog...
Quote: "Without cultural sanction, most or all our religious beliefs and rituals would fall into the domain of mental disturbance." - John F. Schumaker, Corruption of Reality, Unified Theory of Religion, Hypnosis and Psychotherapy
get involved by sponsoring an African child today:
http://www.plan-uk.org/wherewework/westafrica/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)