Dunno why the title is 'Y' but i guess i've been bitten by the crazy bug that Lagos is infested with. I really wish i can be walking around and be able to record my experiences on the streets in and out of lagos and at work. No day has gone by in Lagos without me seeing something out of the ordinary in Fashola's paradise.
Okay...have a feel...on the way to Ota last sunday evening at Abule Egba, i saw this man in white Agbada come down from a Toyota Corolla[2008], got down from the car in the middle of the road[traffic] and started urinating on the culvert in the full glare of everybody,policemen, commuters stuck in traffic and the salespeople there...lol
Okay, you've seen that before, try this...have u seen someone give birth on a public bus?
The constant subject of Okadamen and other hapless Nigerians by security operatives[thugs in uniforms] leaves much to be desired....
I have seen uniformed men throwing blows at Obalende...
Lets brainstorm on something...It is an idea that I picked up somewhere. Instead of the hollow vision 2020 of the Nigerian Government[more on this later], can we drive development through a much improved vision of hosting the World on Nigerian soil in the year 2006 by hosting the World Cup?
The South Africans can testify to the level of development that their country's public infrastructure has undergone in preparation for the World Cup 2010.
Can we make it happen in Nigeria?
01 September, 2009
24 August, 2009
Dabo
People like Godwin Dabo should be held responsible for Nigeria's plight. I heard his interview with Daily Sun on Radio this morning and I was amazed that men of his ilk can not just keep their mouth shut and atleast by that, we wouldnt know the amount of folly stored up in them. Agbaya.
A portion of the interview is reproduced below.
“He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency,” he said.
Dabo launched a virulent attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ANPP standard bearer in the 2007 elections, Major General Muhammadu Buhari for nursing the ambition to become Nigeria ’s president, saying that the former vice president had failed in his political career, just like his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Presidency is zoned to the North. So, at the appropriate time, the North will sit down and decide the person they are going to field. For anybody to say there is no alternative to Yar’Adua, that person is not speaking the truth. The North is now filled up with a lot of credible people who can replace Yar’Adua. I tend to support what some people are saying that Mrs. Yar’Adua will be a more effective President than her husband. Of course I will support her if she is fielded. The husband, because of several factors said he was going to do just one term. The enemies of Nigeria should not push Yar’Adua for a second time. I’m in Abuja and I have not had light for the past six days. I’ve been on generator for the past six days and I’m in the heart of Abuja.
I believe President Yar’Adua has made his point. He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency. Everybody who has met her leaves with the impression that he has met a woman who is in charge. She is like Margaret Thatcher of Britain . She is like Mrs. Clinton. For God’s sake, let Yar’Adua allow his wife continue or in the alternative, there are many Yar’Aduas who are ready to step in. there is Babangida Yar’Adua and other people. But Atiku cannot come in because he’s the same failure like Obasanjo who gave us the worst government. Atiku was part of his administration for a very long time before they had a misunderstanding and parted ways."
My grouse is not with the fact that Yaradua should not recontest. Rather it is at Dabo's suggestion that Yaradua should put his wife as if that will just make everything alrite. Dabo himself said that Turai is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency yet he hasn't had power supply to his house in the heart of Abuja the FCT in six days. What a shame for someone of Dabo's stature to consider the Presidency a family affair.
As far as Nigerians should be concerned, the Presidency was zoned to the North by the PDP. If someone from another part of Nigeria comes around tomorrow and he promises to give us succour from the visionless government of President Umaru Yaradua, what stops us from voting that person in as the next President of Nigeria?
What we expect from Statesmen is to convey an emergency conference and look into how the power of the masses can be harnessed to make the Federal Government wake up from its slumber and provide proper governance for the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If people like Dabo have nothing better to say other than to take up public space with stupid commentary on state of affairs of the Nigerian Nation, I regret to say this because of ur supposed old age, but I've got to say it, just SHUT UP!
A portion of the interview is reproduced below.
“He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency,” he said.
Dabo launched a virulent attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ANPP standard bearer in the 2007 elections, Major General Muhammadu Buhari for nursing the ambition to become Nigeria ’s president, saying that the former vice president had failed in his political career, just like his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Presidency is zoned to the North. So, at the appropriate time, the North will sit down and decide the person they are going to field. For anybody to say there is no alternative to Yar’Adua, that person is not speaking the truth. The North is now filled up with a lot of credible people who can replace Yar’Adua. I tend to support what some people are saying that Mrs. Yar’Adua will be a more effective President than her husband. Of course I will support her if she is fielded. The husband, because of several factors said he was going to do just one term. The enemies of Nigeria should not push Yar’Adua for a second time. I’m in Abuja and I have not had light for the past six days. I’ve been on generator for the past six days and I’m in the heart of Abuja.
I believe President Yar’Adua has made his point. He should let another Northerner try or put his wife. Nigerians will support his wife because the woman has shown clearly that she has what it takes to lead mankind and there is nothing wrong with a husband handing over to a wife who is very effective. To me, I would prefer the wife because I have seen that she is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency. Everybody who has met her leaves with the impression that he has met a woman who is in charge. She is like Margaret Thatcher of Britain . She is like Mrs. Clinton. For God’s sake, let Yar’Adua allow his wife continue or in the alternative, there are many Yar’Aduas who are ready to step in. there is Babangida Yar’Adua and other people. But Atiku cannot come in because he’s the same failure like Obasanjo who gave us the worst government. Atiku was part of his administration for a very long time before they had a misunderstanding and parted ways."
My grouse is not with the fact that Yaradua should not recontest. Rather it is at Dabo's suggestion that Yaradua should put his wife as if that will just make everything alrite. Dabo himself said that Turai is in charge of the mechanics of control in the Presidency yet he hasn't had power supply to his house in the heart of Abuja the FCT in six days. What a shame for someone of Dabo's stature to consider the Presidency a family affair.
As far as Nigerians should be concerned, the Presidency was zoned to the North by the PDP. If someone from another part of Nigeria comes around tomorrow and he promises to give us succour from the visionless government of President Umaru Yaradua, what stops us from voting that person in as the next President of Nigeria?
What we expect from Statesmen is to convey an emergency conference and look into how the power of the masses can be harnessed to make the Federal Government wake up from its slumber and provide proper governance for the People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If people like Dabo have nothing better to say other than to take up public space with stupid commentary on state of affairs of the Nigerian Nation, I regret to say this because of ur supposed old age, but I've got to say it, just SHUT UP!
11 August, 2009
Fashola’s Lagos: Not yet Uhuru.
I lived in Lagos long enough to be well acquainted with the kind of life Lagosians live before going after the proverbial golden fleece. Fast-paced, chaotic, all day long adrenaline-pumping activities in a very challenging environment devoid of good governance, swarming with men of the underworld, rickety buses, bad roads, corrupt inept policemen, noise-polluted with the Kings of the Road, Agberos holding sway.
It is very heartening to see people believe in the present government of Lagos State. It is a sign of better things to come. The way people talk about the Governor of Lagos State without finding faults, praising and eulogizing the achievements of the young man makes you wonder what He has really achieved in his two years in office.
The way people describe Lagos is like describing El Dorado. Lagos is now different, there are flowers in most public places, Lagos has been beautified and all that and People in the Diaspora rely on what they see on TV to form an opinion of the state of things in Lagos. How far can they be from the truth?
I arrived Lagos just over two weeks ago and I was disoriented for a whole week before I started pulling myself together. There was no light. Yes, there was no constant supply of Power Supply but in all my growing up years, the light situation was never as bad as what I met on ground. My folks told me there had been no power supply to their area in three weeks. I waited five days to catch a 20secs glimpse of power supply and a full week to have 2-hours supply. At least I remember growing up and having constant power supply on an estimated average of 12-15hrs everyday.
Well, constant power supply falls under the prerogative of the Federal Government under the bungling leadership of President Umaru Yaradua. Constant power supply to Lagos state is technically not under the control of the Lagos State Governor.
On the Second Day I arrived, I had to go to MMT-2 with a friend of mine who was catching a flight to Abuja. There were no more flights to Abuja a night before when we arrived in Nigeria.
From the MMT-2, I went to the Computer Village where so little has changed. The perimeter fence protecting the rail tracks before you get to the computer village proper was down and people were doing business as usual despite the supposed wahala from KAI personnel. From there, I went to Oshodi to see the new wonderful glorious Oshodi. I was disappointed.
Last Sunday, Segun Odegbami during the Dreams come true TV Show with Jazzy B at Ibadan reiterated something that had been in my mind for a while. Nigeria is in darkness. Politicians who are elected into power do nothing and the few ones who do something small are idolized and praised to no end.
Gov. Fashola has no doubt raised people’s morale level about governance in Lagos State but what he has done so far is like trying to drain a swimming pool with a 1Litre bucket and scooping the first 2Litres.
No doubt, his sincerity, open-mindedness and frankness have endeared him to Lagosians but the Oshodi I saw on that day and a number of times after that has always left me thinking that Oshodi can still be much more better than what it is right now. The people have seen the difference that a responsible government can bring to bear on a situation. Work is still ongoing but it should be noted that half of the lights especially the ones under the flyover-bridges are working absmally. In previously cleared areas, people are now selling and getting more confident day by day. Earlier this evening, I saw a small relaxation spot with 6chairs springing up under the flyover bridge where people sat smoking and drinking with the woman vendor ready to refill.
Take a trip round Lagos. I was at Aguda, Surulere earlier today. Asides the removal of structures that were jutting into the streets, nothing of note has happened in that area. The roads were still in a bad state of disrepair and some areas I walked through are worse off than when I last saw them. Take a trip to Ilaje, Bariga, Itire and you will see that there are a lot of things to be done in those areas.
Oshodi which is hailed as having being transformed is still filthy and I saw some people driving against traffic despite the KAI, Police and mobile enforcement personnel stationed there.
“Eko o ni baje o” is a popular slogan in Lagos but I humbly suggest another slogan, “Ka parapo, ka tun Eko se”. Eko sure needs the participation of everybody to make it better.
The Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola surely deserves some pat for a good job well done so far but not the accolades he is showered with now. Like Obama that was denied a honorary degree at the Arizona State University, Gov. Fashola needs to do much more to deserve the accolades.
It is very heartening to see people believe in the present government of Lagos State. It is a sign of better things to come. The way people talk about the Governor of Lagos State without finding faults, praising and eulogizing the achievements of the young man makes you wonder what He has really achieved in his two years in office.
The way people describe Lagos is like describing El Dorado. Lagos is now different, there are flowers in most public places, Lagos has been beautified and all that and People in the Diaspora rely on what they see on TV to form an opinion of the state of things in Lagos. How far can they be from the truth?
I arrived Lagos just over two weeks ago and I was disoriented for a whole week before I started pulling myself together. There was no light. Yes, there was no constant supply of Power Supply but in all my growing up years, the light situation was never as bad as what I met on ground. My folks told me there had been no power supply to their area in three weeks. I waited five days to catch a 20secs glimpse of power supply and a full week to have 2-hours supply. At least I remember growing up and having constant power supply on an estimated average of 12-15hrs everyday.
Well, constant power supply falls under the prerogative of the Federal Government under the bungling leadership of President Umaru Yaradua. Constant power supply to Lagos state is technically not under the control of the Lagos State Governor.
On the Second Day I arrived, I had to go to MMT-2 with a friend of mine who was catching a flight to Abuja. There were no more flights to Abuja a night before when we arrived in Nigeria.
From the MMT-2, I went to the Computer Village where so little has changed. The perimeter fence protecting the rail tracks before you get to the computer village proper was down and people were doing business as usual despite the supposed wahala from KAI personnel. From there, I went to Oshodi to see the new wonderful glorious Oshodi. I was disappointed.
Last Sunday, Segun Odegbami during the Dreams come true TV Show with Jazzy B at Ibadan reiterated something that had been in my mind for a while. Nigeria is in darkness. Politicians who are elected into power do nothing and the few ones who do something small are idolized and praised to no end.
Gov. Fashola has no doubt raised people’s morale level about governance in Lagos State but what he has done so far is like trying to drain a swimming pool with a 1Litre bucket and scooping the first 2Litres.
No doubt, his sincerity, open-mindedness and frankness have endeared him to Lagosians but the Oshodi I saw on that day and a number of times after that has always left me thinking that Oshodi can still be much more better than what it is right now. The people have seen the difference that a responsible government can bring to bear on a situation. Work is still ongoing but it should be noted that half of the lights especially the ones under the flyover-bridges are working absmally. In previously cleared areas, people are now selling and getting more confident day by day. Earlier this evening, I saw a small relaxation spot with 6chairs springing up under the flyover bridge where people sat smoking and drinking with the woman vendor ready to refill.
Take a trip round Lagos. I was at Aguda, Surulere earlier today. Asides the removal of structures that were jutting into the streets, nothing of note has happened in that area. The roads were still in a bad state of disrepair and some areas I walked through are worse off than when I last saw them. Take a trip to Ilaje, Bariga, Itire and you will see that there are a lot of things to be done in those areas.
Oshodi which is hailed as having being transformed is still filthy and I saw some people driving against traffic despite the KAI, Police and mobile enforcement personnel stationed there.
“Eko o ni baje o” is a popular slogan in Lagos but I humbly suggest another slogan, “Ka parapo, ka tun Eko se”. Eko sure needs the participation of everybody to make it better.
The Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola surely deserves some pat for a good job well done so far but not the accolades he is showered with now. Like Obama that was denied a honorary degree at the Arizona State University, Gov. Fashola needs to do much more to deserve the accolades.
07 July, 2009
Taking Bush to the Cleaners.
It is really funny how you try to make sense of the world and it just doesn’t add up. A lot of things that should ordinarily be are out of place and a lot of things that shouldn’t be the way they are allowed to stand to please some people and people with common sense are appalled.
A discourse on Iraq is an over flogged issue. However, the reverberation around the world is enough to drive sane people to seek workable solutions. I have been thinking about something for a few weeks now.
The United States of America invaded Iraq going against all international norms, conventions and rules of engagement, also not forgetting the UN was not in support of the war from the beginning.
America allegedly invaded Iraq because they were suspected of having Weapons of Mass Destruction. Overtime, that reason was found to be untrue. Even if Iraq had weapons of Mass Destruction, did Saddam Hussein leave anybody in doubt that he had the capability and the will to launch an attack against any country? Though, the invasion was later being justified because Saddam was a monster who was killing/terrorizing his own people. Was he the only one who killed/terrorized his people? There are lots of other countries where their leaders are disconnected from the people and they are terrors to their own citizens.
The fact which is out there on the table is that President Bush sanctioned the invasion of Iraq and is a very good candidate for the International Criminal Court in the Hague. A lot of people have been killed, maimed and millions of people will never return to normalcy.
What more does the ICC need to prosecute the former President of the USA?
A discourse on Iraq is an over flogged issue. However, the reverberation around the world is enough to drive sane people to seek workable solutions. I have been thinking about something for a few weeks now.
The United States of America invaded Iraq going against all international norms, conventions and rules of engagement, also not forgetting the UN was not in support of the war from the beginning.
America allegedly invaded Iraq because they were suspected of having Weapons of Mass Destruction. Overtime, that reason was found to be untrue. Even if Iraq had weapons of Mass Destruction, did Saddam Hussein leave anybody in doubt that he had the capability and the will to launch an attack against any country? Though, the invasion was later being justified because Saddam was a monster who was killing/terrorizing his own people. Was he the only one who killed/terrorized his people? There are lots of other countries where their leaders are disconnected from the people and they are terrors to their own citizens.
The fact which is out there on the table is that President Bush sanctioned the invasion of Iraq and is a very good candidate for the International Criminal Court in the Hague. A lot of people have been killed, maimed and millions of people will never return to normalcy.
What more does the ICC need to prosecute the former President of the USA?
21 June, 2009
Dear Mr. President by P. O. Agbo
Dear Mr. President,
I'm sure you are tired of people saying you are not performing as a
president. Mr. President, for your own name in the annals of Nigerian
history, pull out the check book and contact these companies listed
below immediately. If you call these companies, Nigeria's power
problem will be a thing of the past. These are companies with decades
of experience in everything Nigeria needs to move the country forward.
If you start the process of solving Nigeria's power problem by
contacting these companies, Nigerians will forever remain grateful.
1. Bechtel USA
www.bechtel.com
415-768-1234
2. AECOM USA
www.aecom.com
213-593-8000
3. ABB
www.abb.com
Mr. President, call these companies, sit down and ask them to:
1. Give you a satellite image of Nigeria:
Sit down around a table, draw a line going from North to South, Draw
another line going from East to west. Ask them to give you a quote to
build a six lane freeways that goes along these lines.
Draw a circle half way from the center of the previous line. Ask them
to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build another six lane freeway
and railroad along this circle you just made.
2. Ask them to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build a
21st century power generation and distribution grid.
3. Ask for a 5 year commitment for them to run the power station and
train Nigerians on the job.
Mr. President, you will not solve Nigeria's infrastructure problem by
going anywhere else. Please, this is the 21st Century, how can you
award a contract to a company where Nigerians cannot get online and
see the company previous projects. How can you give Nigeria's money
away without a serious due diligence to see if the company has the
wherewithal to handle a project of that magnitude. You have a duty to
lead Nigeria out of darkness, please Sir, do something. I am hopeful
these 3 companies will give Nigeria a chance and come and help us.
Stop your Ministers from looting Nigeria's treasury by bringing all
these companies from Asia and Eastern Europe to loot our treasury.
Remember few billions was given to Chinese Engineering & Construction
Company to build railroad. Sir I have been searching the web to find
this company, to see the projects they've done before, to see a blue
print of what they are going to build for Nigeria. I have not seen
anything.
Fighting online bloggers and press is not going to solve any problem.
These journalists are doing what journalists do: report on things that
affect Nigerians. Every single one of these online reporters have
cried for Nigeria just like I have. To watch a country so richly
blessed be plundered by a bunch of kleptomaniacs makes us all cry. To
see the police shoot innocent Nigerians and call them armed robbers
makes us all cry. Mr. President Nigeria belongs to all of us. Large
percentage of us want to come home but how can we do that when you,
the President, cannot guarantee the safety of property or life. Nobody
hates you as a human being. We hate that you are in that office and
seem not to know what to do.
Stop the killing in Niger Delta, enough is enough. Get these multinational companies devastating the region to become partners, build
schools, bridges etc in the region where they tapping oil and reaping
100% returns. Remove the name militants and talk these Nigerians. An Army should never point a weapon at its own citizens.
Out of these companies, choose one for power and one for the road
construction. Sir, they are afraid that a new government will come in
and not pay them. That's one of the reasons why reputable American
companies doesn't want to do business with Nigeria. So open escrow
account and write a check for the whole project. These companies do
not abandon projects. They do not give kickbacks. They will get
Nigeria back on track. Do something Mr. President, Do something. Obama
chose to go to Ghana because we have become irrelevant. Do Something.
Show the world you know what to do.
These kids who are being called militants, kidnappers, 419ers will
have the ability to open a bakery and know that power will not go out.
My mother, Mr. President will be able to sell cold water knowing that
power will not go out. A country without middle class cannot survive.
Sorry, I had to break it down to you like this. We love our country.
To solve our problem doesn't take a rocket scientist. And as you can
see, no mention of tribe or ethnicity here because we are all the
same, Nigerians. I am tired of my fellow country men and women saying
"na God/Allah dey doam". No, we have to do this. God has done his part
by given us the resources. It is up to us to use the resources to
better our people.
Create Your Legacy. Like Obama said "You will be remembered by what
you built, not what you destroyed."
Thank You Mr. President.
P. O. Agbo
Los Angeles.
etep007@gmail.com
I'm sure you are tired of people saying you are not performing as a
president. Mr. President, for your own name in the annals of Nigerian
history, pull out the check book and contact these companies listed
below immediately. If you call these companies, Nigeria's power
problem will be a thing of the past. These are companies with decades
of experience in everything Nigeria needs to move the country forward.
If you start the process of solving Nigeria's power problem by
contacting these companies, Nigerians will forever remain grateful.
1. Bechtel USA
www.bechtel.com
415-768-1234
2. AECOM USA
www.aecom.com
213-593-8000
3. ABB
www.abb.com
Mr. President, call these companies, sit down and ask them to:
1. Give you a satellite image of Nigeria:
Sit down around a table, draw a line going from North to South, Draw
another line going from East to west. Ask them to give you a quote to
build a six lane freeways that goes along these lines.
Draw a circle half way from the center of the previous line. Ask them
to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build another six lane freeway
and railroad along this circle you just made.
2. Ask them to give you a quote on how much it will cost to build a
21st century power generation and distribution grid.
3. Ask for a 5 year commitment for them to run the power station and
train Nigerians on the job.
Mr. President, you will not solve Nigeria's infrastructure problem by
going anywhere else. Please, this is the 21st Century, how can you
award a contract to a company where Nigerians cannot get online and
see the company previous projects. How can you give Nigeria's money
away without a serious due diligence to see if the company has the
wherewithal to handle a project of that magnitude. You have a duty to
lead Nigeria out of darkness, please Sir, do something. I am hopeful
these 3 companies will give Nigeria a chance and come and help us.
Stop your Ministers from looting Nigeria's treasury by bringing all
these companies from Asia and Eastern Europe to loot our treasury.
Remember few billions was given to Chinese Engineering & Construction
Company to build railroad. Sir I have been searching the web to find
this company, to see the projects they've done before, to see a blue
print of what they are going to build for Nigeria. I have not seen
anything.
Fighting online bloggers and press is not going to solve any problem.
These journalists are doing what journalists do: report on things that
affect Nigerians. Every single one of these online reporters have
cried for Nigeria just like I have. To watch a country so richly
blessed be plundered by a bunch of kleptomaniacs makes us all cry. To
see the police shoot innocent Nigerians and call them armed robbers
makes us all cry. Mr. President Nigeria belongs to all of us. Large
percentage of us want to come home but how can we do that when you,
the President, cannot guarantee the safety of property or life. Nobody
hates you as a human being. We hate that you are in that office and
seem not to know what to do.
Stop the killing in Niger Delta, enough is enough. Get these multinational companies devastating the region to become partners, build
schools, bridges etc in the region where they tapping oil and reaping
100% returns. Remove the name militants and talk these Nigerians. An Army should never point a weapon at its own citizens.
Out of these companies, choose one for power and one for the road
construction. Sir, they are afraid that a new government will come in
and not pay them. That's one of the reasons why reputable American
companies doesn't want to do business with Nigeria. So open escrow
account and write a check for the whole project. These companies do
not abandon projects. They do not give kickbacks. They will get
Nigeria back on track. Do something Mr. President, Do something. Obama
chose to go to Ghana because we have become irrelevant. Do Something.
Show the world you know what to do.
These kids who are being called militants, kidnappers, 419ers will
have the ability to open a bakery and know that power will not go out.
My mother, Mr. President will be able to sell cold water knowing that
power will not go out. A country without middle class cannot survive.
Sorry, I had to break it down to you like this. We love our country.
To solve our problem doesn't take a rocket scientist. And as you can
see, no mention of tribe or ethnicity here because we are all the
same, Nigerians. I am tired of my fellow country men and women saying
"na God/Allah dey doam". No, we have to do this. God has done his part
by given us the resources. It is up to us to use the resources to
better our people.
Create Your Legacy. Like Obama said "You will be remembered by what
you built, not what you destroyed."
Thank You Mr. President.
P. O. Agbo
Los Angeles.
etep007@gmail.com
A cashless World
Imagine a world without cash. Imagine a world where physical money becomes extinct. What would a world like that be like?
Before the invention of the paper money by people in China a long time ago, people have always had forms of transaction which invariably leads to Trade-by-barter of goods and services.
Since the introduction of paper money that has different values, it has subtly become the next free-flowing thing after water.
In today’s world, what can you do without money? You can certainly move around with your debit and credit cards in your wallet and do most of your transactions but a bill or a coin to toss here and there is not at all out of place.
Taking reality into cognizance, the world from the UK to the Cayman Islands, Somalia to Italy, Niger to Taiwan does not have the capability to eliminate cash from the system.
Imagine taking your card to Bolade Oshodi, Lagos to swipe your card for just two oranges. Even if the orange seller tells you there is a machine available for use, you’ll probably think it is a ploy to steal your card information.
Cultures, Norms and Values will be challenged leading to a new world order.
Some people will flow with the dynamics and make more money while some would become poor in no time because they can’t just get the concept and survive without physical cash in their transactions.
By legislation or something, if everybody in the world, residents and visitors alike need to have a consolidated card that will contain their bio-data, bank account details and balances…I presume that financial crime will drastically reduce. There would be financial accountability that will make the world a sane place. Morals as well are bound to be on the increase as some people would not want to have a traceable anomaly behavior to them.
Developing countries will now have a real chance of infrastructural development.
People in developing countries can now walk the streets at anytime of their choosing without the fear of the men of the underworld.
In developed countries, illegal immigrants will be virtually non-existent.
What is your take on this?
Before the invention of the paper money by people in China a long time ago, people have always had forms of transaction which invariably leads to Trade-by-barter of goods and services.
Since the introduction of paper money that has different values, it has subtly become the next free-flowing thing after water.
In today’s world, what can you do without money? You can certainly move around with your debit and credit cards in your wallet and do most of your transactions but a bill or a coin to toss here and there is not at all out of place.
Taking reality into cognizance, the world from the UK to the Cayman Islands, Somalia to Italy, Niger to Taiwan does not have the capability to eliminate cash from the system.
Imagine taking your card to Bolade Oshodi, Lagos to swipe your card for just two oranges. Even if the orange seller tells you there is a machine available for use, you’ll probably think it is a ploy to steal your card information.
Cultures, Norms and Values will be challenged leading to a new world order.
Some people will flow with the dynamics and make more money while some would become poor in no time because they can’t just get the concept and survive without physical cash in their transactions.
By legislation or something, if everybody in the world, residents and visitors alike need to have a consolidated card that will contain their bio-data, bank account details and balances…I presume that financial crime will drastically reduce. There would be financial accountability that will make the world a sane place. Morals as well are bound to be on the increase as some people would not want to have a traceable anomaly behavior to them.
Developing countries will now have a real chance of infrastructural development.
People in developing countries can now walk the streets at anytime of their choosing without the fear of the men of the underworld.
In developed countries, illegal immigrants will be virtually non-existent.
What is your take on this?
18 June, 2009
Iran
On the eve of the Iranian elections, an Iranian friend of mine, Majid walked up to me and asked me whether I was following the Iranian elections. I replied in the affirmative. We talked for a little while on what the election portends for the people of Iran.
When you meet an Iranian for the first time, you will be forgiven for having the misconception that you are meeting a potential terrorist.
As far as I know, democracy as it should be is still alien to the people of Iran. How and why did a cleric become the Supreme Leader? Isn’t that title supposed to be God’s?
For a while now, world news is not complete without a mention of the alleged role of Iranian-backed activities in Iraq, their grandstanding against the United States on Nuclear Programs and their defiance of United Nations sanctions.
The elections gave the people of Iran two choices. The first choice is to stay with Ahmadinejad and rubber-stamp his continued opposition to the United States and make continuous headline news for all the wrong reasons on major news channels all over the world.
The second choice is for them to break away from the past and embrace the world. I have met a lot of Iranians and they are not just Iranians. They are human beings, intelligent, active people always shying away from trouble.
The people of Iran are tired of being of Ahmadinejad that has put them at war with the world. They want to meet the world on their own terms and not what the establishment says. The women are tired of being oppressed in the name of Religion. They want to dress as normal people and interact with their fellow countrymen on their own terms. They are simply tired of being remotely controlled and being zombies.
Of course, Ahmadinejad is not the cause of the Present perception of the Iranian people. That can be traced back to the US embassy holdup from 1979-1981. I have read about the experience of a French-American-Iranian whose father worked for the Iranian Oil Company in the 70’s.
The grouse of the Iranian people is that Ahmadinejad with the backing of the establishment that he represents is worsening their situation.
The Presidential election as we understand was a farce and is causing a lot of unrest and reverberations around the world. Since the Islamic uprising of 1979, Iran has never seen anything like this. The people have taken a stand.
I cannot begin to imagine the backroom deals going on right now to calm the situation but any deal made with Mousavi is going to hold up for just four years. Any attempt to rig future elections would be met with better organized and well-orchestrated opposition.
The situation in Iran should be noted by people from Africa and the rest of the developing world where sham elections are conducted and justified. The people can rise up to say defend their votes and not allow any Supreme Leader or Court to decide their fate.
When you meet an Iranian for the first time, you will be forgiven for having the misconception that you are meeting a potential terrorist.
As far as I know, democracy as it should be is still alien to the people of Iran. How and why did a cleric become the Supreme Leader? Isn’t that title supposed to be God’s?
For a while now, world news is not complete without a mention of the alleged role of Iranian-backed activities in Iraq, their grandstanding against the United States on Nuclear Programs and their defiance of United Nations sanctions.
The elections gave the people of Iran two choices. The first choice is to stay with Ahmadinejad and rubber-stamp his continued opposition to the United States and make continuous headline news for all the wrong reasons on major news channels all over the world.
The second choice is for them to break away from the past and embrace the world. I have met a lot of Iranians and they are not just Iranians. They are human beings, intelligent, active people always shying away from trouble.
The people of Iran are tired of being of Ahmadinejad that has put them at war with the world. They want to meet the world on their own terms and not what the establishment says. The women are tired of being oppressed in the name of Religion. They want to dress as normal people and interact with their fellow countrymen on their own terms. They are simply tired of being remotely controlled and being zombies.
Of course, Ahmadinejad is not the cause of the Present perception of the Iranian people. That can be traced back to the US embassy holdup from 1979-1981. I have read about the experience of a French-American-Iranian whose father worked for the Iranian Oil Company in the 70’s.
The grouse of the Iranian people is that Ahmadinejad with the backing of the establishment that he represents is worsening their situation.
The Presidential election as we understand was a farce and is causing a lot of unrest and reverberations around the world. Since the Islamic uprising of 1979, Iran has never seen anything like this. The people have taken a stand.
I cannot begin to imagine the backroom deals going on right now to calm the situation but any deal made with Mousavi is going to hold up for just four years. Any attempt to rig future elections would be met with better organized and well-orchestrated opposition.
The situation in Iran should be noted by people from Africa and the rest of the developing world where sham elections are conducted and justified. The people can rise up to say defend their votes and not allow any Supreme Leader or Court to decide their fate.
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