•Reaction to ‘The North has already destroyed itself (2)’

By Sanusi Maiwada

I wish to register my total disagreement with the half-truths and innuendos presented by columnist Dele Sobowale. He prides himself as a well educated economist who has been contributing to economic matters for well over four decades. Yet, he flaunted not only inaccurate figures but also deliberately manipulated data to incite the gullible public in southern Nigeria. He has so far made two series under this obnoxious heading and is primed to go the long haul if he is not stopped in his tracks.

Let me begin by exposing some of the wrong information in his diatribe. The North of Nigeria is not a parasite and will never be. From historical times, this region has had agriculture as the main occupation of its people. We remember, with nostalgic feelings, the famous groundnut pyramid, the cotton belts of some northern provinces and the revenue generated by the colonial government which provided the seed capital for oil exploration in the defunct Eastern Region of the country. A region so steeped in the provision of the most basic needs of man cannot be said to be a parasite. If we had had sound political and economic leaders since independence, the North would by now be feeding the entire African continent.

For the purpose of illustration, I will narrate my experience going to Enugu from Abuja. Anyone familiar with the route from Abuja, through Ajaokuta to Otukpa and then on to Nsukka and 9th Mile, will know that it takes nearly 10hrs to get to Enugu because of bad road. In a distance of about 83kms between Otukpa and Enugu, I lost count of the number of trucks conveying cattle, goats, onion, tomato, beans, sweet potato, Irish potato and many other agricultural produce from the North to the South-East. Remember, these are locally produced items and not some imported luxury goods using dollars purchased from the CBN. Pray, what does the South-West produce that compares in economic importance to what comes from the North? Mr. Sobowale misfired again by showing a wrong table for the zonal allocation of the $22. 7 billion loan being sourced by the Federal Government. One big error is the grouping of Taraba State as part of the North Central. The Mambilla hydroelectric power project, which has an allocation of about $5 billion, is in the north eastern part of the country. Therefore, it is preposterous to assert that the North-East has lost in the ‘Bonanza’, a cruel and mischievous attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. It is noteworthy, however, that projects are located and prioritized based on needs assessment. Nation building is a continuous process. Therefore, no nation starts the construction of all necessary projects at once due to paucity of funds. Another gross failure in the columnist’s presentation is the notion that the South-West is only benefitting $200 million from the loan. This is also not true. The Lagos to Kano railway project costing over $5 billion will run through Ibadan, Ilorin, Minna, Kaduna, Zaria and then on to Kano. Already, the Lagos to Ibadan section has been completed. Mr. Sobowale was not fair and objective enough to tell his largely southern audience that a railway line, just like any other means of transportation, has a starting point and a terminus. The North has had to endure the blatant injustice of not starting this project from both Lagos and Kano ends. He never bothered to address an issue like this which speeds up the execution of projects because it is not his people that are at the receiving end. Finally, Mr Sobowale insinuated that the South will shoulder 80% of the loan repayment burden. I do not know how he came about this. Perhaps, this man should give us a detailed explanation of how this is going to happen. The oil in the Delta does not belong to only the people of the Niger Delta or the South. I believe this issue was settled a long time ago, that all mineral resources found within the boundary of a country belongs to each and every citizen of that country. Thank goodness, the value of the black gold is falling. We shall soon see who the real parasite is. I do not support President Buhari’s government policy of political exclusion. It is grossly unfair to treat the South-East of Nigeria as an outcast. It would have been a game changer if the President had embraced the region like others despite not voting for him in 2015. The opposition against his re-election from the region in 2019 would not have been as fierce. But with his insensitive attitude to the region, the people are right to continue to oppose him. I sincerely hope that a redress will be made to bring everyone on board. It is not too late. In conclusion, I think it is time to hold a Sovereign National Conference, Restructuring or whatever kind of gathering we desire to thrash out some lingering sociopolitical problems our country has been facing. It is pretty clear that our country is not yet a nation. There have been so many misconception, misinformation, falsehood and injustice perpetrated either deliberately or otherwise against many parts of the country. Virtually every section feels marginalized and abandoned one way or the other. Citizens like Mr Sobowale who have the opportunity to shape public opinion should be very careful and use their pen for the benefit of all. •Maiwada can be reached via maiwadasanusi5@gmail.com

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/what-does-the-s-west-produce-that-compares-with-the-north/

The North and the South West who contributes more to Nigeria, please dont count expatriate quota as your contribution , i am talking about indigenous contributions

please intelligent discuss only.

Due to popular demand, i have added the GDP comparisons between the different zones / regions in the country

and the North is still miles ahead of the SW .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nigerian_states_by_GDP

kettykings:
•Reaction to ‘The North has already destroyed itself (2)’


Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/what-does-the-s-west-produce-that-compares-with-the-north/

The topic clearly says, what does South west Produce that compares with the North...

But the writer did not justify his points rather going around the circle.

Anyways, North, Middlebelt, Southwest produce the highest Nigeria non oil products...

Northerners are very hardworking, they are not lazy at all, it's just their belief in begging and rapid multiplication dats their problem.
An average northerner is more hardworking dan a westerner
but d truth is dat it's not working hard but working smart. Westerners are more educated. As for South southerners, God mercy for their youths especially those from Rivers and Bayelsa

Sanusi Maiwada wrote:


For the purpose of illustration, I will narrate my experience going to Enugu from Abuja. Anyone familiar with the route from Abuja, through Ajaokuta to Otukpa and then on to Nsukka and 9th Mile, will know that it takes nearly 10hrs to get to Enugu because of bad road. In a distance of about 83kms between Otukpa and Enugu, I lost count of the number of trucks conveying cattle, goats, onion, tomato, beans, sweet potato, Irish potato and many other agricultural produce from the North to the South-East. Remember, these are locally produced items and not some imported luxury goods using dollars purchased from the CBN.

He continued thus;

what does the South-West produce that compares in economic importance to what comes from the North?



Another gross failure in the columnist’s presentation is the notion that the South-West is only benefitting $200 million from the loan. This is also not true. The Lagos to Kano railway project costing over $5 billion will run through Ibadan, Ilorin, Minna, Kaduna, Zaria and then on to Kano. Already, the Lagos to Ibadan section has been completed. Mr. Sobowale was not fair and objective enough to tell his largely southern audience that a railway line, just like any other means of transportation, has a starting point and a terminus.


Maiwada continues

The North has had to endure the blatant injustice of not starting this project from both Lagos and Kano ends. He never bothered to address an issue like this which speeds up the execution of projects because it is not his people that are at the receiving end.



The oil in the Delta does not belong to only the people of the Niger Delta or the South. I believe this issue was settled a long time ago, that all mineral resources found within the boundary of a country belongs to each and every citizen of that country.

Conclusively and Clearly

From the picked submissions above it is clear the north and west are too greedy to live among other Nigerians. Just look at how they are dragging themselves on who is more greedy and who is less greedy whereas both are parasites and liability to many financial freedom.

They even thanked God that oil is fast losing her value. West and north really needs to carve s niche of their own and let others be. The whole write up are all centered on who is more greedy.

Men are naturally evil.

I do not support President Buhari’s government policy of political exclusion. It is grossly unfair to treat the South-East of Nigeria as an outcast. It would have been a game changer if the President had embraced the region like others despite not voting for him in 2015. The opposition against his re-election from the region in 2019 would not have been as fierce. But with his insensitive attitude to the region, the people are right to continue to oppose him. I sincerely hope that a redress will be made to bring everyone on board. It is not too late.

This one na just make-up to clear face.

kettykings:
The North and the South West who contributes more to Nigeria, please dont count expatriate quota as your contribution , i am talking about indigenous contributions

Indigenous contributions in what way??

By the way, you said North (NE, NW, NC) against (SW)
It's really unfair..

Pick a geographical location of any north and then South west not the whole northerner (17) states

zionmde:
Northerners are very hardworking, they are not lazy at all, it's just their belief in begging and rapid multiplication dats their problem.
An average northerner is more hardworking dan a westerner
but d truth is dat it's not working hard but working smart. Westerners are more educated. As for South southerners, God mercy for their youths especially those from Rivers and Bayelsa

I agree with you.
Buh justify the bolded, Expantiate more.

Seerade029:


Indigenous contributions in what way??

By the way, you said North (NE, NW, NC) against (SW)
It's really unfair..

Pick a geographical location of any north and then South west not the whole northerner (17) states

when Nigeria was created , there just 3 regions , so today the discussion was raised based on the 3 regions

kettykings:
The North and the South West who contributes more to Nigeria, please dont count expatriate quota as your contribution , i am talking about indigenous contributions

Lol you're adding pointless qualifilers to distract from the obvious fact. Even with the handicap the SW is obviously more productive on per capita and aggregate basis. What is the north? Is one geo political region going to compete with 3. How is this a debate.

Seerade029:


The topic clearly says, what does South west Produce that compares with the North...

But the writer did not justify his points rather going around the circle.

Anyways, North, Middlebelt, Southwest produce the highest Nigeria non oil products...

well the writer did not justify the points, but nairalanders can justify their points and lets find out who contributes more

Blue3k:


Lol you're adding pointless qualifilers to distract from the obvious fact. Even with the handicap the SW is obviously more productive on per capita and aggregate basis. What is the north? Is one geo political region going to compete with 3. How is this a debate.

The percapita you are talking about is basically majorly from Lagos ,Lagos has expatriate quota , igbo ,Niger delta contribution even northern companies like Bua and Dangote boost Lagos contribution please stick to the objectives of the discuss .

forget all this GDP figures from yemi kale , please state the contribution in practical terms

Seerade029:


I agree with you.
Buh justify the bolded, Expantiate more.

Check ur vicinity, observe carefully wat an average northerner does, compare dat with an average westerner (I mean d uneducated ones)
Then be truthful to urself if wat am saying is a lie
They fetch water
they see clothes
they dispose waste bin
Suya for night
Bike
etc. they just do anything possible to feed.

Seerade029:


Indigenous contributions in what way??

By the way, you said North (NE, NW, NC) against (SW)
It's really unfair..

Pick a geographical location of any north and then South west not the whole northerner (17) states

Bros, as a westerner, we accept the challenge. All the north together against southwest. Let them come forward.

kettykings:


when Nigeria was created , there just 3 regions , so today the discussion was raised based on the 3 regions

We accept, Oya bring it on.

Waiting for the tribal warriors to arrive and attack their master up North.

Of course they won't dare.

Buhari is the problem of the country....

We need some one who can unify the country

We have never been this divided as a nation

How sane people still support this useless government baffles me

kettykings:


The percapita you are talking about is basically majorly from Lagos ,Lagos has expatriate quota , igbo ,Niger delta contribution even northern companies like Bua and Dangote boost Lagos contribution please stick to the objectives of the discuss

Lol see more pointless qualifiers to prolong obvious answer. It doesn't matter who invest in the state. If the other states cant attract investment that's their issue. These activities are counted towards GDP so what's the point of the useless qualifers. It's only present to make the debate interesting.

You have no way of precisely subtracting the "non indigenous" production. No you're wrong the per capita production includes more than lagos. Do rough math in you head and you'll notice it. Kano has the largest population and GDP in the north and rivals much smaller states.

kettykings:


forget all this GDP figures from yemi kale , please state the contribution in practical terms

Lol GDP numbers are no longer practical because you can't make pointless speculations. The chart puts the amounts in cash and full report shows the industry's in detail. You're clearly a joker.

Those who come to say Igbos hate buhari have always heard me tell them the feeling is mutual. Buhari hates Igbos like a plaque. Even in the next world, we not still vote for a buhari.


This defender didn't say anything tangible in his quest to rubbish the erudite Dele Sobowale.

Seerade029:


Remove Lagos, none of your south east states can beat south west.

Ogun will trash your an.nambra
Oyo will trash Enugu
Ondo WI trash imo
Osun will trash Ebonyi
Ekiti will trash abia..

How does this relate to the thread?...

And you will call yourself educated person. You don't even know the state that make up southeast. Aboki with half baked education will never stop to disappoint.

zionmde:
Northerners are very hardworking, they are not lazy at all, it's just their belief in begging and rapid multiplication dats their problem.
An average northerner is more hardworking dan a westerner
but d truth is dat it's not working hard but working smart. Westerners are more educated. As for South southerners, God mercy for their youths especially those from Rivers and Bayelsa

Seerade029:


I agree with you.
Buh justify the bolded, Expantiate more.

I think i have to agree with him.. northerners are hardworking most of them they're the cheapest labour you'll get in Nigeria ... southwestern youths beg alot.. infact.. exclude the north from Nigeria.. southwest will officially be Nigerias number one beggars club.. while northerners in southwest will beg saying abadura southerners will beg saying !baba twale putting their hands up.. theres a popular saying in oyo state.. if I dont have I go beg you will not visit any party in southwest where you will not see able bodied youths with beards begging anyone coming down from his personal car.. the stuff is so annoying that I've had to confront them once.. for the ss region like Bayelsa and ph.. I've not really take note of them.. but one thing I know is.. they have pride and most of them wont do labour work for a living

Nigeriabiafra80:
they produce touts and agbero
Their hatred can generate power,

Says osu agbero at upper iweka.

zionmde:

Check ur vicinity, observe carefully wat an average northerner does, compare dat with an average westerner (I mean d uneducated ones)
Then be truthful to urself if wat am saying is a lie
They fetch water
they see clothes
they dispose waste bin
Suya for night
Bike
etc. they just do anything possible to feed.

This is what you're missing..
An average westerner (un educated ones) will learn work..

Here in west, we don't joke with learning of work.
Aluminum, Hair dresser, saloon, Phone repairer, Plumbing, Welder, Artist, computer, etc...

The way you mentioning Buhari on this forum every second. I know the name has automatically added to your phone dictionary.

You have a big problem ogbeni.

ZombiePUNISHER:
Buhari is the problem of the country....

We need some one who can unify the country

We have never been this divided as a nation

How sane people still support this useless government baffles me

Blue3k:


Lol see more pointless qualifiers to prolong obvious answer. It doesn't matter who invest in the state. If the other states cant attract investment that's their issue. These activities are counted towards GDP so what's the point of the useless qualifers. It's only present to make the debate interesting.

You have no way of precisely subtracting the "non indigenous" production. No you're wrong the per capita production is includes more that lagos. Do rough math in you head and you'll notice it. Kano has the largest population and GDP in the north and rivals much smaller states.

Are you going to count the contributions of igbo , chinese ,indian business men in lagos as part of the contributions of the south west ?
The north according to the write up did not count the contributions of igbo , chinese ,indian business men in the north as their contributions, they did not count the contributions of yoruba in the north as their contributions

It’s high time we see ourselves as one Nigeria and forget about this tribal sentiments and bigotry!!

The southwest does' not produce anything, they relay and depends on lagos as a land lord waiting for his tenants for house rent....

Psalmy2cute:

I think i have to agree with him.. northerners are hardworking most of them they're the cheapest labour you'll get in Nigeria ... southwestern youths beg alot.. infact.. exclude the north from Nigeria.. southwest will officially be Nigerias number one beggars club.. while northerners in southwest will beg saying abadura southerners will beg saying !baba twale putting their hands up.. theres a popular saying in oyo state.. if I dont have I go beg you will not visit any party in southwest where you will not see able bodied youths with beards begging anyone coming down from his personal car.. the stuff is so annoying that I've had to confront them once.. for the ss region like Bayelsa and ph.. I've not really take note of them.. but one thing I know is.. they have pride and most of them wont do labour work for a living

Street begging is different from being loyal to someone or looking for favour

It's hard u see Yoruba man doing street begging.
All those shouting baba twuale. Is just a means to be noticed or looking for favour.
They are the ones those politicians will use as machinery.

An average westerner will learn trade.

Tailor, Plumbing, welder, aluminum, phone engineers, computer, numerous to mention etc..

Dear Op

We all know you are just trying to generate insult to the north...

You're in a revenge mission via how I exposed your lies yesterday...

Kano alone is in every aspect more productive than all the eastern states...

Apart from Assembling and packaging fake products in Aba what other things does south east contribute to Nigeria?? Nothing

They're all traders scattered all over Nigeria... Benefiting from their host communities!!

The north at other hand deliver 80% of food produce in Nigeria...

Tomatoes, Beans, fruits, groundnut,soybeans, cow milk and many others...

Na we still dey give una meat...

Cows, goats, rams and jacky that some of u consume...

The north just need to invest more on human development... And watch her hit her peak

The north is too blessed...

So now I want the easterners to tell me apart from trading... Tell me what other things do you guys contribute to Nigeria?

What is it that Nigerians consume that is produced in igbo land?

I'm a Yoruba man but only a fool will think hausa people are lazy.

So only Yoruba people are doing Agbero... that's laughable igbo,edo, and other ethnic doing agbero too.