tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12596789057293249352009-11-25T04:24:01.128-05:00A review of Nigerian affairs and happenings in the political, financial, social and every realm.SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-42580356564282087752009-11-25T00:24:00.001-05:002009-11-25T00:24:00.899-05:00

Lagos is Nigeria's economic center and has a rich cultural history and heritage. Its roads carry everything from okadas[1] to Bentleys. Unlike many other parts of Nigeria, upwardly mobile Lagosians are used to red carpet soirees, international concert events on its many beaches, intruding yet engaging paparazzi like Niyi Tabiti, and unbelievable tales of the city's rich, famous and even infamous.

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-20393482156074430402009-11-23T00:00:00.005-05:002009-11-23T09:01:42.091-05:00

Nigerians love their titles. As such, it is common to find people with a Chief, Dr., Engr., or all of the above in front of their name. And, they expect to be referenced by their title which indicates their many achievements and successes. It is no different for Nigeria's legislators. The members of the House of Representatives insist on being addressed as 'Honorable', while their peers in the

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-77281882352737497512009-11-19T00:37:00.000-05:002009-11-19T00:37:00.194-05:00

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. Well, it turns out that Mercer's 2009 Cost of Living Index did all the work for me. According to the

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-7265926512130533182009-11-18T00:45:00.000-05:002009-11-18T00:45:43.797-05:00

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

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-83447428778155149272009-11-16T00:58:00.003-05:002009-11-16T16:30:46.407-05:00

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

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-2673992886805153662009-11-13T00:04:00.001-05:002009-11-13T00:04:00.327-05:00

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

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-54065985444547332462009-11-10T07:53:00.046-05:002009-11-10T09:44:33.258-05:00

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 REMITTANCES IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT Nigerians are expected to take care of a lot more than just their

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-28760505714250229842009-11-06T00:41:00.002-05:002009-11-06T00:41:00.293-05:00

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

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-61033806853614956962009-11-04T11:31:00.002-05:002009-11-04T11:35:09.063-05:00

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

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-44725281795330098392009-11-02T03:58:00.000-05:002009-11-02T03:58:51.462-05:00

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?   HOW OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-36030335094133110812009-10-30T00:10:00.001-04:002009-10-30T01:09:18.464-04:00

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

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-3026791745624191922009-10-28T09:15:00.000-04:002009-10-28T09:26:09.805-04:00

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

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-52185141454660661182009-10-26T08:21:00.004-04:002009-10-27T17:33:17.246-04:00

Nollywood is Nigeria's film industry and currently the third largest in the world after Hollywood (U.S.) and Bollywood (India). Movies are created with small budgets and in a short amount of time, and despite the quality issues of many of them, they have become a mainstay of the average Nigerian, and proven popular across the African continent and the Caribbean. Nollywood continues to gain

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-64792252532231201972009-10-21T08:19:00.002-04:002009-11-05T10:52:19.065-05:00

Not too long ago, a Nigerian traveling to Europe documented a power outage at Murtala Mohamed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria. The outage was in the terminal and based on the description given by the gentleman filming, individuals were boarding planes in darkness. And now, it has been reported that a fire department at the same airport recently went for hours without electricity. The

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-34910892286424623322009-10-19T03:16:00.001-04:002009-10-21T08:25:02.484-04:00

Nigeria's mining industry is a sector on the verge of a boom. The current administration has been propositioned by various countries and mining companies seeking to take advantage of the nation's ample natural resources such as gold, precious and semi-precious gemstones, metals and ores. Like in many other African countries, China has made many inroads in Nigeria's mining industry.It appears that

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-41440106102607108992009-10-16T12:37:00.001-04:002009-10-17T20:34:15.703-04:00

Chimamanda Adichie's talk at TED.addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='solomonsydelle';

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-87409134339703976082009-10-12T00:32:00.036-04:002009-10-12T00:32:00.186-04:00

It has become cliche to complain about Nigeria's power problems. The recent discussion on the potential government ban on imported generators, and the ire it created raises even more questions about power generation and the needs of businesses and individuals. It is definitely time to rethink Nigeria's approach to the creation and supply of electricity. Consequently, I now believe that Nigerians

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-84196837208009125072009-10-09T00:02:00.003-04:002009-11-04T08:19:31.553-05:00

I heard this song sometime ago at one of my favorite haunts - Notjustok.com. The song, "Be Like Yours" is by Omolara Ayodele and has a neosoul, jazz vibe to it. She was born in Lagos State and received a degree in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan. Omolara has featured MI on another track "Tonight". According to her Facebook Fan page, she mentions Lauryn Hill, Brandy, Sade and Mariah Carey

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-5144063524676064362009-10-07T00:54:00.002-04:002009-10-12T10:28:27.437-04:00

The publication, Business World recently reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) plans to ban the importation of generators. Now, for anyone who knows Nigeria, lived in Nigeria or has been to Nigeria, generators are a way of life for those who can afford them. The sound of generators whirring at all hours to deliver electricity is likely more prevalent today than the sound emitted

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-36681194692585366642009-10-05T08:27:00.005-04:002009-10-08T11:41:28.723-04:00

Nigeria celebrated its 49th independence anniversary on October 1st. A former colony of Britain, Nigeria started out as an economic outpost, supplying the British crown with riches and influence that pays dividends even today, and it eventually became a formal and independent nation state in 1960. An independent nation that even many of its creators believed would have a hard time succeeding.

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-73028252246807208352009-09-29T11:30:00.001-04:002009-10-09T09:32:42.715-04:00

In an effort to bring peace to the Niger Delta, Nigeria's federal government created an amnesty program. The program required militants to surrender their weapons and in return, they would receive a presidential pardon, education, training and access to a rehabilitation program. The amnesty offer was announced by President Yar'Adua in June and is set to end at midnight on October 4th. Since its

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-83761264399702624192009-09-23T01:47:00.000-04:002009-09-23T01:47:17.629-04:00

One of the great deficiencies of being human is the fact that we forget things. Consequently, the field of history gained a foothold in human existence. But, despite spoken and written history, there are those who have decided to re-write the past particularly in the case of the late Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha, such as Presidential hopeful, General Buhari, former military dictator, Ibrahim

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-79706105619798689612009-09-22T00:20:00.002-04:002009-09-23T01:47:14.460-04:00

Nigeria is a complex country with faultlines that run throughout its length and breadth. The faultlines that comprise the various interest groups and issues within the nation's body politic are equally complex, and according to some, indecipherable. In many cases, however, some of the faultlines are hidden under layers of other distracting and more obvious issues, but, nonetheless, they exist and

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-41303901588746593802009-09-16T09:56:00.002-04:002009-09-22T00:19:41.853-04:00

A member of Nigeria's National Assembly displayed a significant amount of self importance and lack of tact recently. Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives (PDP, Rivers State), slapped a Sergeant-At-Arms that dared ask for his identification prior to allowing Igwe into the National Assembly Complex. The last time I heard of a similar incident, was when former US Congresswoman

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1259678905729324935.post-9947466343307752162009-09-14T09:16:00.001-04:002009-09-22T00:21:40.699-04:00

It was with great curiosity that I learned that a former President of Taiwan was sentenced to life in prison, last week. Chen Shui-Bian is the first former Taiwan leader to be put on trial, and he was convicted for embezzlement of state funds, money laundering and the accepting of bribes. I couldn't help but wonder if such would ever be possible in Nigeria, a country which has witnessed Heads of

SOLOMONSYDELLEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17564768670896215900noreply@blogger.com7