@SIBLI-06, I will take it that you are ignorant of your country's hostility to Nigerians/Africans who want to visit their land.  It starts right there in Nigeria - at the Embassy.  In all my primary to tertiarry education in Nigeria, I never spent close to £15,000 tution. But we are made to pay up to and sometimes, twice as much to study in your country and after such a huge sum of money for tution, you are told to go home because you are not Bristish.  That, to me is very harsh.

The ruins the British caused in Benin, Edo state is still there for you to see today.  The worst thing is that the artifacts that were STOLEN from Nigeria still generates millions in pounds to the British people till date. The British govt as do other western countries do not see the need to send part of the money generated from stolen art works back to the countries where they originated from. That indeed is sad!

Well, back to the topic. The UK and US should repect our sovereignity and stay out of our politics.

its a free world; let them try if they can.

when u get to heathrow airport, the way the officials scrutinise ur passport is baffling, the questions u r asked is annoying, but the worst fact is when those nasty dogs start to sniff u around. but this doesn't happen to citizens of other so called industrialised nations.

and he has the temerity to also insult me on nairaland. i don't blame him.

This guy that said is a londona, has he ever been to Nigeria, how can you comment on a country you only see on TV, come to Lagos and see 99 standing 24 seating for Molue, and then take that back to England and see if the so called Britons can adjust to that.

@omom, I am fully aware of how ignorant some of the Brits who work at the BHC in Lagos are. I attended the BHC when my wife was first applying for her visa and the way my wife was treated was dispicable (notice the difference, I said "Some of the Brits". I try not to group everybody together, how can I i don't know them all). The same applies to the passport control staff at airports in the UK (I'll talk about that later) I in no way condone their self centered, self promoted attitude. I truly feel for you guy's. My gripe is what I consider to be a blame culture that some Nigerian's adopt (It's obvious that we will never agree on that so let's leave it - The atrocities that my ancestors committed were terrible (I don't claim to know much about what my ansestors did as it was never taught in my school - why would they promote it!). You should not however tarnish everybody with the same brush.

@odeku - Hope you not referring to me about "never been to Nigeria" - I have been here over seven years and have probably visited more places in Nigeria than most (Well riverine area's anyway).

Now the security dog's at the airport - I don't believe that the dog handlers direct the dog's specifically to Nigerians. I do agree that most flights into the UK from Nigeria (The ones I have been on) are screened using dog's. If you have nothing to worry about what is the problem. I have been stopped on two occasions by the dog / dog handler and had my bag searched. I look at it as they are only doing their job. I suspect that in the past the security have found passengers with drug's on them. I could be wrong but consider it!

Passport checkers - Do you not think that they have had hundreds if not thousands of illegal aliens entering the UK via the airports? If you agree with that statement which if your a realist you will. You should also appreciate that it is their job on the line if they do not scrutinize passports. What do you think happened to the security personnel that allowed the bayelsa governor to pass through in drag??

@toshmann - 

Thanks for listening to MY VIEW!

SIBLI_06:

@toshmann -

,

anyway, my main problem is not what sibli's ancestors did to mine, but what is happening now. talking about school and what was taught, right now, even here in Wales, i'm being taught by disciplined professors, whites, british, and they have exposed to us, wholly, the hipocrisy of the west. they teach us how the world powers have made sure that Africa never grows. WTO.(world trade organisation) that is where justice should start. they have taught me, in british schools, how the west cheated, is cheating and plans to continue to cheat the rest (of the world).

how can i trust this people.

just recently the new york times, washington post and the BBC hammered the nigerian govt on the taylor affair. how fair is that? taylor was not in jail in nigeria, he came to nigeria not as a prisoner but as an agreement by west african nations for the sake of peace in liberia. he was free to move around in the country.
this same guy escaped from prison in boston and nobody attacked america for that. when alami escaped from british custody we didn't attack the U.K. hoe could the BBC accuse nigeria of being "irresponsible and incompetent"?

it hurts.

@toshman, I can see this going through your spine. It hurts dearly. . In as much as I don't support OBJ in his 3rd term ambitions, I sincerely think that both US and UK should back off and learn to stick their nose where it belongs.

thank you miss world,
for this you have my vote as the next 1st lady of naija
a.k.a miss IBB

@Toshman, I'm glad to hear that!

Please i rather prefer obj's third term bid than to see IBB in power. He's a disgrace, and like every other passed leaders, they should be treated as outcasts(no offence to the person who has this handle on this forum)

President Obasanjo has CONFIRMED beyond any reasonable doubt that HE WILL RUN for that third term.  He did so 48 hours ago in a chat with the Washington Post when he announced that the decision about his running for a third term RESTS IN THE HANDS OF GOD.   Anyone who understands Nigerianese English knows that God ALWAYS says whatever the person who invokes his name wants him to say.  If I had a million dollars right now I would bet every last red cent of it that Baba Iyabo has finally broken cover with his decision to run again as a matter of ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY.

The US and UK may go ahead and issue the expected proclamations about the need to adhere to democratic principles, but the real opinoin and stand of the West on that third term plan will be determined by the identity of those other presidential candidates who emerge to face off against with Baba Iyabo.  If, for example retired General Babangida, who secretly enlisted Nigeria into the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries) during his 1980's dictatorship, should emerge as the leading opposition candidate, the UK and US WILL COVERTLY AND OVERTLY SUPPORT OBASANJO's third term to ensure its success and prevent the radicalization of Nigeria's large muslim population.

Once again, the best gift to a loved one in Naija is Visa. Hopefully I will be in a position to do so in some coming years because they need to taste life outside Naija. They need to know that things aren't always like it is in Naija. They need to smell hope and alive. And sooner or later, they will escape those horrors. Amen!

Missworld that is nonsense, do you know I have friends and cousins that came to the state and left back for Nigeria because they say we Africans in the state are suffering, trust me and I kid you not on this, there are many Nigerians living in VI or Okoyi and Port Hcrt that will not trade anything to come to this obodo oyinbo

if i can get a job that will pay me the equivalent of £500.00 monthly in nigeria, honestly i will remain there for life. i hate the treatment one recieves occassionally from these dudes here. i'm made to feel inferior. and if one doesn't take time one may gradually and unwittingly start accepting that may be one's race is actually inferior.

SHIT. no matter what, there's no place like home

but then who go give me that kind job for naija when i no dey PDP.

oh

Odeku, you are talking about that little satisfied group. The fact is that most Nigerians want to come to USA.

Missworld:

Odeku, you are talking about that little satisfied group. The fact is that most Nigerians want to come to USA.

FACT

Toshmann

I feel your pain bro, but i will have to agree with Sibli here. I think we should stop the "Blame the west first attitude" and try to control our destinies. I also am of the view that the US in particular should do everything including putting sanction on the government of OBJ, if he seeks a third term. This one party system of government has failed us for 7years and i am tired of the nonsense. We need fresh faces and fresh ideas in Aso Rock.

with all due respects, old glory, do you think sanctions will bring any meaningful outcome? iraq has been under sanctions for years, did it affect sadam hussein effectively? no. the poor masses in iraq bore the pains. hussein continued to live in mansions and palaces.

it wont help us. the US wont really help us to install democracy. they can only advice. and history shows that they have yet to successfully install democracy in any country where there was none. and more importantly i'm yet to know of any country where US intervention led to political stability.

they tell OBJ all sorts of things about how important and respected nigeria is, and go behind the slowpoke to make gerogatory statements about nigeria. i once read a document from the state dept about nigeria. i wish i can get to it to show you how those guys see us.

note that i don't really blame the west entirely for our problems, i only said our problems can be traced to the british rule. they laid a precarious foundation for our country. they were purported to have intensionally installed a govt that they can manipulate from london. and that has been it since then(more often than not)

anyway, i respect ur opinion but i hold on to mine.

@Toshmann

Please hold on to your opinion, i am not discrediting your points, but i must say that it is high time we are held responsible for our failures in governance and corruption. We have a president that said last year that he has only 675days left and is now asking to change the constitution for another run. I think for our sake, and sake of people without a voice, the US should meddle in our politics and bully him and his aspirations OUT OF POWER. I am sorry but i am glad that we have an interest the US needs(Crude Oil) They buy our oil, and give our leaders someone they are answerable to. Since they do not give a hoot about their citizens, maybe sanctions, or boycott would get their attention.OBJ says one thing in Abuja and tells a different story in Washington DC.

Sibli is saying all the right things and as hard as it is to say sometimes, i think the UK is not all that bad, or else there will not be over I million Nigerians living there. I am disgusted at the arrogance of our leaders and ashamed for my country. I wish the interest of the people would prevail over OBJ's personal agenda. And i will be in support of stopping this 3rd term agenda using all diplomatic powers of the UK/USA and if that does not work, i will even go as far as putting Assassination on the table. The US has a law against assassinating foreign leaders, but i am sure there is someone out there that can get rid of this nuisance we have in Aso Rock.

@old glory,

if the US/UK will bully OBJ out of aso rock i would be most grateful. if they can help nigeria install decent democracy, i would love them for it. but you see, these countries would not do that. the US would not want to invest the life of any marine for that. all they need is that oil. do you think the US loves nigeria? think again. they want the oil. if a dictator comes in today and begins to do what the US wants (give them steady oil) they wont mind.

if the US loved democracy so much why would they overtly or covertly support an attempt to undemocratically remove a democratically elected president in venezuela. the US is highly democratic, no doubt, but when it comes to international politics, the US is the most selfish country on earth. anything they do, they think of americas gain.

that is why i don't want them into our politics, b/c they will come to look for thier gain and once they get what they want they'll leave.believe me. they did it in iraq in the early 90s, after the 1st gulf war, the US encouraged an uprising in iraq against saddam. the people believed the US and revolted and saddam crushed the rebellion with the maximum military force. the people died. more than ten thousand people were killed. others kept disappearing. the americans sat comfortably in washington and condemned the killings and made it a debate in their congress while poor people died the other side.

do you want a similar thing for your country?

@Toshmann

Again you make very solid arguments, but i will have to respectfully disagree. I think the US does not have to Love Nigeria, I think they have a strong interest in Oil and i think that they have an interest in improving democracies around the world. OBJ knows he needs US blessing for his 3rd term agenda and i think it will be sad if they go along with his agenda. I am Glad Bush scolded him and i think we need a seemless transfer of "Elected Power". But again i respect your opinion.

bush scolded obj? hmmmn, news to me.

Abiodun, I don`t think US or Britain should come in, but because of the world`s concern for democracy, peace, fundermental human rights, they should be involved. Nigeria is very corrupt, the people in power will just
do what they like . If any such event happens, there will be problem in the country as regards to international issues. We all need and deserve a good government in the country. No sentiments attached to anyone, am just expressing my view to what is normal in the world today .

@ abblincoln,
ur views are welcome.

@Abbincoln

I totally Agree. I think you are onto something. I think in today's world, no government should be allowed to take it's people hostage without the international community stepping in.

USA ke, British wo. me no want any of them. let them stay and rule themselves. we will try our best even if it means baba staying in power. although i will pray he dies if he remains in power.

If that would be enough to stop him from doing what he wants to do (third term)

I am British and I personally think that we should take out Obasanjo. He is a common criminal and should be treated like a rabid dog! he is no better than Saddam Hussein or any other dictator!

I say it is time that the Nigerian people stop suffering because of this corrupt criminal!

Reverend

Some strong words there. When you say take him out, do you mean politically or with force? How do you suggest they people try to take back their country, or at least choose people of power, instead of wealthy individuals being forced down their throats. How can we Elect a government in Nigeria that is "Selected" By the people. These things are tough to do, if OBJ gets his 3rd term wish.

Take him out can mean many things, ethical or non ethical means should be employed. When you are dealing with cancer taking an aspirin is not going to cure anything. You need to cut it out surgically and make sure nothing is left!

Unfortunately I can not see a bloodless revolution in Nigeria and I also can not see any of Obasanjo's henchmen giving up their positions without a fight. But what are a few corrupt officials in the face of over 100 million dissatisfied Nigerians, People power has to be the way, But then you have the other problem, THE MILITARY!

They would surely become involved, maybe not on the side of Obasanjo, but on the side of their leaders!

Nigeria has such a huge potential! It is very sad that these people are allowed to rape and plunder the Country whilst others starve and live like beggars.