The Internet is indeed proving its ability to make the world a global village. Like what obtains at a typical village square, after President Goodluck Jonathan had uploaded his January 7, 2012 speech in which he appealed to Nigerians to understand the need for the present sacrifice with regard to the removal of subsidy on the price of petrol (PMS), villagers began to pour in their comments. The comments numbered up in thousands as at Saturday evening when this correspondent visited Mr President’s facebook account.

The comments represented different shades of opinion on the ongoing issue of subsidy removal.

It is noteworthy that the comments were adequately informative as to know what is good and/or bad about the policy in terms of necessity, implementation and timing and reasons for and against the regime that favours subsidy removal.

One of the those making comments, Faxzomoryeen, Dr Pharxzo Prince, couldn’t see any reason for the removal of the subsidy and had to call the attention of other Nigerians to an analysis by Mr Femi Falana, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist on Channel Television. He writes: “1.Crude oil production/day-2.5M barrels; 2. Current price= $113/barrel; 3. Daily sales= 2.5M x 113= $282.5million; 4. Monthly sales= 282.5M x 30days= $8.475billion; 5. Yearly sales= $8.475billion x 12= $101.7billion; 6. Naira equivalent =101.7billion x #160=16.272trillion naira per year 7. Nigeria 's budget for 2012= 4.5trillion naira. Now d question is: Where is d surplus going?!”

Tosin Otitoju wouldn’t go along that line. He pitched his tent with Mr. President. He writes: I support peace and progress. See message copied from my brother's comment (Christopher Chukwu) "Dear president it is a good policy but wrong timing, you should work hard on cushioning the effect now. It is time for us to make sacrifice for better tomorrow, but a lot of people do not understand what you want to do for us. They do not understand that we will have functioning rail and transport will become far cheaper”.

On his own part, John Elile wanted Mr President to be left alone. He says, “Nigerians should leave Mr President alone because he knows what he’s doing”

But Nkiruka Ezike Enyindah counters: “Does he? Am just asking o??! Until Nigerians see corrupt politicians and civil servants brought to book”.

Olorunmola Joshua Tope says: “Mr. President should stop thinking he and his wrong and selfish advisers can do it alone. Respect the primary duty of the legislative arm of government”.

Okechuku Equnze supports Olorunmola Joshua saying: “We, the people of Nigeria , ought to seize this moment to define the terms of the debate. Let's not waste this opportunity to roll back the organised fraud in Nigeria that enables the president, governors, ministers, legislators, local government chairmen/councilors to live like emperors--at the expense of the rest of us. Labor leaders and workers as well as professional associations ought to insist on removal of the scams called security vote and constituency allowance; drastically reduce ministerial portfolios; ban foreign medical trips for Nigerian officials (if they're "transforming" Nigeria, as they claim, they must enjoy the same medical services as other Nigerians); remove the immunity clause that protects criminals in office; institute part time legislatures (where law makers are paid allowances for the days they sit); identify, prosecute and jail the fuel marketers (and their bureaucratic enablers) who have defrauded Nigerians through inflated fuel subsidy claims etc. By Okey Ndibe”

To paint the results of corruption and underdevelopment for the President, Emmanuel Charles says: “The situation of Nigeria after graduating, by way of 51yrs of political independence, is now worse. I can grade its performance as follows: Health =E8, Transportation =D7, Unemployment =B2, Education =D7, Poverty=A1, Corruption=A1, Social Amenities=D7, Security =F9, kidnapping/Assassinations=A1, Human right=D7, Banking sector=F9, Electricity=F9, Agriculture=F9. It’s too bad of us in this country, only God can deliver us. The poor are crying”.

Oladimeji Najimu was unhappy that Mr President is not blessed with good advisers and so counsels him “... don't allow anybody to advise you, advise yourself. Nigeria lost a lot last week.”

Elias Ozikpu simply wanted him to “Resign now!” because the whole thing is nonsense. Part of the nonsense is the 2012 budget as thrown to the light by Isaac Adegbenro who concluded that “there is a lot of waste, and misplaced spending priorities in the budget which can be reviewed to free more funds to finance subsidies, capital investment and improved governance. Do you remember #budgetscam ? This is worse than that!”

But one of those in defence of their village head is Emeka Menkiti who declared “Emeka Menkiti solidly supports your action in removing this fuel subsidy of a thing that is making the richer much richer and the poor much poorer. However, the challenges and confrontations keep the good work in transforming Nigeria Mr President”.

Also in support of the President is Alh Tanko Balarabe. He writes: “I supporting you sir, whatever you are, because I Love my country Nigeria and I know you are one of the Nigerian Lovers, may Allah guide your government Amin”.

Blessed De explains: “It is true that our beloved president has really been behind in explanations, but he has good intentions. President Goodluck Jonathan has not been able to explain to us properly the situation at hand, but the truth is that what he is facing right now is something that really needs a divine intervention. There are some groups of vampires who have held our beloved nation hostage for a very long time. These people are called the cabals, they are well organised and well rooted in every aspect of Nigeria ’s economy, and they control the oil sector, legislative, executive, judiciary, military, police, customs and every key sector of this great nation. They are like lions; another name for them is corruption. They control every thing in the country even the air you breathe. These are not the kind of people the president can fight on head collision. They are very strong, and more powerful than Nebuchadnezzar. The so called subsidy we think we enjoy is totally coveted by this well organised syndicate. They are the root of every problem in our society, even the so called Boko Haram is sponsored by this group of people. The idea behind removal of subsidy is to cut short the strength of these beasts. When an animal is getting hungry, he will fight the way the beasts are fighting now, but when its food is fully taken away, he will have no choice than to be humble. Please my brothers and sisters, ‘Goody Boy’ cannot fight this war alone because it’s too much for him. He is very much alone up there, but he can’t voice it out because he is even scared for his own life. There is no gain without pain. Let us support Goody Boy’s policy, he means well for us all. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”