SIMON KOLAWOLE: Industry and the Nigerian Project

Simon Kolawole Live!: Email: simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com

Let’s say I have $10 billion “change” and I don’t know what to do with it, why should I invest it in Nigeria? Patriotism is not enough. It’s a business decision I have to take. It’s not about sentiments. I have to look at the market, the costs and the political environment. Why should I put my money in an economy where a large percentage of my cost would be on diesel? Why do I have to build roads and drainages, provide my own security and battle with the demons in government who want me to part with bribes before I can get necessary approvals? Why should I invest in a country where policies are changed and goalposts shifted every so often? On the surface, Nigeria should not be a place for any rational human being to invest, even if he has $10 billion to burn.

Boko Haram Chieftain Arrested in Former member, House of Rep's Residence

Police Headquarters

The manhunt by security operatives for militants of the dreaded fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Saturday  yielded results with the arrest of one of the wanted chieftains of the group, Hassan Pagi Bukur in Gwrinpa in Abuja. Bukur was arrested at the residence of the former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Tijani Umar Kumalia.

Arepo: 25 Persons Killed as Vandals Burst NNPC Pipelines Again

Oil pipeline

Sheriff Balogun and  Chiemelie Ezeobi

No fewer than 25 suspected pipeline vandals were Saturday burnt to death at Arepo village in the Obafemi  Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State when a ruptured Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline exploded.

The vandals were said to have gone to the area to siphon petroleum products from the ruptured NNPC pipeline.

It was gathered that the explosion was sparked off by one of the vandals who released a gunshot into the air to exert his superiority over his colleagues.