LAGOS - ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES

During a recent conversation with an American friend of mine, I tried to explain to her that Lagos was one of the most expensive cities in the world. It was hard for her to understand, and it was hard for me to fully explain to her as I did not have a whole bunch of statistics on my side.

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TAXES - ACCOUNTABILITY & REVENUE IN NIGERIA

The concept of paying taxes, be it federal or state, is relatively foreign to many Nigerians. Unlike some parts of the world where almost everyone, regardless of their position or income pays some form of income/revenue/property taxes on a regular basis, taxes are only collected from some Nigerians and some businesses. Many argue that this reality contributes to a lack of political accountability on the part of officials and consequently, diminishes the impact of democracy on average Nigerians. But, just as important, the lack of a formal tax structure means that many state governments, like Kano State, over rely on the federal government for income and as such, the amount needed to cater to citizen's needs is limited.  This is undoubtedly a serious problem during the current economic slowdown. However, the Nigeria Governors Forum has announced that come fiscal year 2010, state governments will begin to collect taxes from many more residents.

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'JERRY RAWLINGS' IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR NIGERIA

Buba Galadima, a high-ranking member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) recently called for a violent revolution in Nigeria that would use the Jerry Rawlings Solution to purge the nation and create political change. The Jerry Rawlings Solution (JRS) refers to the execution of many powerful military officers and other military/political elite by Jerry Rawlings shortly after he took over Ghana in a violent 1981 coup. Galadima is not the first Nigerian to speak of such as a solution to Nigeria's problem and most likely he will not be the last. However, such calls for violence are not the solution Nigeria needs and in fact would likely create more problems for the country.

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NIGERIAN MUSIC XVI: SIJI

Siji is a Nigerian musician now based in the U.S. Like every good Nigerian child, he completed a Masters degree in Engineering Product Design and then, began making and releasing his music.

Here is his song, "Yearning For Home". As one who thinks of 'home' on a daily basis and yearns to return, even if for a visit, I appreciate this song greatly. There are many references to Nigeria, Nigerian music - Afrobeat, and Yoruba culture (can you spot the ayo game?). The video is tastefully made and has a neo-afrobeat/soul/Brazilian feel to it.

Enjoy




Thanks to Mr Starks at World Famous Naija Blog for introducing me to this wonderful Nigerian artist.

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NIGERIAS - $10 BN IN REMITTANCES

Nigerians abroad send at least $10 billion in remittances to their loved ones at home. This amount makes Nigeria the 6th highest destination for remittances according to the World Bank. That also makes Nigeria the top remittance destination on the African continent.

Source: World Bank Blog

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TOO HONEST TO BE A POLITICIAN?

When asked if to consider entering the dangerous field of Nigerian politics, a man answered,

"I wouldn't make a good politician. I don't know how to lie."

That simple statement reflects an unfortunate reality in politics all over the world. Politicians are generally considered to be slick tongued individuals with the capacity to say anything to gain and maintain power.

That statement also highlights that because of the reputation politicians have, average individuals do not expect them to be honest. But, if honesty is not a characteristic we expect from those who represent us, what does that say about who we are? And what does that mean for the future of representational politics i.e. democracy in Nigeria?

A tough question to ponder, but politics is probably the second oldest profession on Earth, after prostitution, and like the latter, it will be around in some form or another. In essence, politicians, those who lie or otherwise, will always be around.

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23MN OF NIGERIA'S YOUTH ARE UNEMPLOYABLE

With an unemployment rate of 28.57%, the revelation that 23 million of Nigeria's youths "are unemployable" was a tough pill to swallow. Mr. Depo Oyedokun, Chair of the House Committee on Youth and Social Development made the announcement while presenting a bill that would require this fact be considered in all government policy. Oyedokun stated,

"Of the over 40 million unemployed youths in the country, 23 million are unemployable and therefore susceptible to crime, hence the need to articulate what could be done to salvage the situation... [the] aim is to create the enabling legislative framework that would ensure the total emancipation of the Nigerian youths."

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NIGERIA'S 'FREE PRESS': RANKINGS VS. REALITY

According to Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), freedom of expression is suffering in Nigeria. The organization's most recent Press Freedom Index 2009 categorizes freedom of the press in 175 countries and Nigeria ranked 135, right above Mugabe-controlled Zimbabwe. The only question is whether this categorization by RSF is accurate - Is Nigeria's press free or not?

 

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A JOKE ABOUT NIGERIAN POLITICS

I posted this joke some years ago, and while looking over old posts, I stumbled upon it. As always, it made me chuckle. Not because I wish harm on anyone, but simply because the joke is very funny.
Enjoy the 'lighter' side of Nigerian politics....

A driver is stuck in a traffic jam on the motorway. Nothing is  moving.

Suddenly a man knocks on the window. The driver rolls down his window and asks,
"What's going on?"

The man responded, "Militants have kidnapped, OBJ, IBB, Atiku,Buhari, Tony Anenih,
Ahmadu Ali, Dariye, Nnamani, Odili, Ibrahim Mantu, Tinubu, Kalu, Maurice Iwu,
Adedibu, Ibori, Olubunmi  Etteh, and Igbinedion."

They're asking for a $500 million ransom. Otherwise they're going to douse them with
petrol and set them on fire. So, we're going from car to car, taking up a collection."

The driver asks, "How much is everyone contributing, on the average?"

The man  responded, "About a litre of  petrol and a stick of matches."

I wonder what names would be added to the list of 'kidnappees' now that this joke is a few years old.

UPDATE: In some unfortunate news,the father of the former chair of the Central Bank, Charles Soludo, was allegedly kidnapped. According to Nigerian Police, Soludo's family is yet to report the kidnapping. Whatever the case, I can only hope that the elder Soludo is well and that he be with his loved ones. 

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A SWAMP FULL OF DOLLARS - BOOK REVIEW

Michael Peel's first book titled A Swamp Full of Dollars is a refreshingly balanced look at Nigeria through the prism of its most famous export - oil. Peel, who lived in Nigeria for some years as a reporter for the Financial Times, goes beyond the typical depictions and assertions made about Nigeria. He places modern day issues such as the Niger Delta militants, political corruption in a historical context, enlightening readers about the roots of many oil-related problems.

Even the most well-versed and passionate observers of Nigeria and its history would be interested to learn of the 1895 palm oil war between residents of the Niger Delta and British colonialists, given the parallels to present violence, corruption and subjugation in the same region more than a century later. Peel also focuses on the complicity of non-Nigerian actors/interests and their role in creating some of the issues Nigeria faces. Peel expressly illustrates how these foreign actors have exploited Nigerian oil and compounded problems, showing a weave of complexity that is fascinating.

A Swamp Full of Dollars is definitely a must read for all trying to understand not just Nigeria but how oil an the converging interests of of others can transform oil, a natural resource that should be a blessing, into a curse, of sorts. Peel has managed to write an engaging, yet informative book about Nigeria, its people, its past and possibly its future. It is a definite addition to any library, personal or otherwise.

To learn more about Michael Peel or the book, please visit his website or IB Tauris

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