₦airaland Forum

omidan21:
Einstieno.u ve just said it all. Especially this part you said " On the other hand, some people by virtue of their psychological wiring wouldn't find fulfillment and happiness without their career". In all honesty.this journey isn't for everyone.but every Nigerian is just rushing into it. Pls forgive I wish everyone planning towards EE a positive outcome. But what am saying take for instance I ve a friend that gave birth to all her kids in US they ve US paali already. They are doing very well here .living in a Behind posh estate. And I ask her why she stressing canada entry .she said for the future of her kids and am like.but ur kids are US citizen already naah. Herself and husband works in a Government parasatal they ve never spent out of their salary [we all know as it they go so I won't elaborate much on that ]. And less stressfull work .I vexed at her cause really there are people out there that Need this slots more. So I wonder how herself and her husband wont get depressed when they get there and are faced with taking little jobs for a while , jobs that no matter how little they wld work their butt for every hour paid and no extra money from runz unlike the parasatal they worked for here in Nigeria . Even if they get good jobs. People that ain't use to spending from salary. For almost 10 yrs of their lives .aw they want take do their lives in canada then. She vexed at me that I didn't want the best for her and I was like toohh no vex ohhh.

So you actually think it is normal to live on income from runs and other corrupt means (as that's what the bolded suggests)? This is one of the things that living in a place like Nigeria turns you into. Just so you know, your high tolerance for corruption and cutting corners is not normal and even the couple knows. Allow them to move to where they can live normal lives of living via honest labour.

Obtay:
Hmmmm,
Thanks for this.
Just part of the reasons we are still staring at that COPR till date.We really need to come prepared,psychologically,emotionally wise.It might be a huge financial drop for us (considering we really are doing okay here )till we balance back but we are trying to look beyond the financial gains and focus on other benefit.Hopefully we summon the courage to soon.It is well.

One key thing that keeps crossing my mind is,if we decide to send kids abroad to school when they are of age(to say my kids are just 5yrs and 6yrs now).How are we sure we will still be financially fit then to pay the huge fee as international student? especially going with the way naijas economy is going and who knows what tommorw really holds.Then case of security challenge these days(heartbreaking)
..
Sorry to bother you all with my thoughts,,just alot running through my mind.

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May God direct us all aright.

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You are already asking yourself the right questions to help you in weighing your best move. But in truth, there is little to fear. There is only the challenge of the first 3 years to overcome. For many, its quite shorter.

Add to that the fact that the life expectancy in Nigeria now is 52.2 (a decline in the last few years), while that of Canada is 82. Hopefully Naija pollution and lifestyle has not eaten too much into one's system. Thus by moving to Canada, you are literally extending your lifespan... by living in most parts of Lagos for example, you are shortening it.

The earliest time to make the move is today, particularly if you will eventually have to make it. The younger you are, the easier it usually is to integrate into this community. And if you are past 30yrs, I would advise not moving to the quiet countryside. Throw yourself into the main centers of action in your preferred province. Once you settle, there is always a quiet suburb around the major cities to move to (if calm and quiet is your thing).

And if cost of living is your major reason for avoiding the GTA, discount that.

My opinion.

canadausa:
sent you a message

Check your mail.

salford1:
I have never been to Ontario, but i heard Brampton is to Ontario, what Peckham is to London. How come you can't find naija people lol. Maybe you are looking in the wrong places.

The Peckham I have heard of (never been there) is quite notorious for some very bad stuff. I live in Brampton and I don't see why it has got some negative rep, aside the large South Asian population.

canadausa:
Hello Everyone, I am in Brampton area Ontario. Looking for Nigerians around me as friends only. Please hit me up!

PM me to join the whatsapp group for Nigerians in GTA

salford1:
Exactly. It's even tougher if they are couples are in regulated professions. One person would have to hustle to pay bills and rents while the other study or prepare hard to clear the exams in one attempts or while going through the internships which are hardly paid.

There are alternatives though which might be less stressful and pay a little above minimum wages. E.g there are assistants jobs for some in the tech industry or health industries. Only obstacle would be competing with a large pool of candidates. The lesser the requirement for a job, the more applications an employer would likely receive for an opening.

I was speaking to a Filipino colleague whose husband practices law and she said she worked for 3yrs while her husband stayed home studying for licensing exams and getting accredited. Though it appears to have paid off for them today, I just wonder how much of a strain they went through to make that happen.

salford1:
This is true for non-regulated profession. You can even get a job before landing if you have good skills and solid work experience. There are immigrants with solid work experience that land over 100k per annum jobs few weeks after landing. However, if you are in a regulated profession and wish to practice in that profession, there is no magic or shortcut to it. You will have difficult exam(s) and sometimes intenship that could be up to a year long to fulfill prior to qualifying to practice. To pay bills, one will have to get any job while preparing for the said exams or interning.

For example, for immigrant lawyers who prefer to practice, they are looking at close to three years of hard study. There is no short cut to this.

einsteino:
PART 2 of My RAMBLINGS

Factors to consider when picking a survival job:
Flexibility: Some jobs are pretty rigid, you could get fired for being absent/late a few times despite the fact that you wouldn't be paid for those times. When you are still trying to settle and scouting for a better job, the best survival job would be the one that lets you still work on finding your dream job. This may include giving you the convenience to study or attend interviews. I noticed during the time I was working warehouse jobs I had no time for anything else. When I return home, I am too tired to do anything other than sleep and I would wake up with body pain.

Thank you so much for your frankness. One must have a balanced expectation before making the sojourn into these lands. To me, the best survival jobs are those with late/night shifts, leaving the day free for you to attend to your job search/interviews. Taking too many excuses to be off work can get you fired.

The issue of 'Who know man' is real. That you are referred/recommended by someone can be the tipping point in deciding whether or not to employ. This can sometimes be understandable when you view the issue from the employer's lenses. For example, my employer will spend over $20,000 to train me over the next 3 months, yet they don't have a guarantee that I will be there by the end of this year. A recommendation from their reliable employee therefore helps them to form an opinion and make the hiring decision. However, that is not to say 'who know man' is the only way... afterall I wasn't recommended by anyone.

From the foregoing, abeg... make we dey help fellow Nigerians. If you work in a structured organization, help other Nigerians to get in (yes, they are qualified)... as other nationalities are helping themselves. While it's easy to help those we know, let's also remember to help those that are not so known. Put in a good word on their behalf, go out of your way to find opportunities for them.

If you have landed and are interested in the financial services industry, PM me.

opeyemmmy:
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Not necessarily. Provided he can source the CAD and deposit the funds in his CAD domiciliary account, the bank will transfer the money from his CAD account without having to convert it to USD.

Except the challenge is in getting CAD, in which case he may have to use a USD account. The bank conversion rate comes into play here.

Please which bank allows you to open a CAD domiciliary accountÉ

opeyemmmy:
Please note you can transfer CAD directly from Nigeria (you are required to have a domiciliary account of any currency) to your offshore account with NBC. All that's required from you is the swift details of your bank and your account details with the bank.

Seeing the responses to your posts so far, I had to call a colleague to confirm my assertion.

Yes, CAD can be transferred from Nigeria. However, it will be treated as a third currency. Your funds will first be converted to USD and then to CAD. You will lose a lot in exchange rates and fees.

Na so Mungo Park explore sotay dem say e discover River Niger... wetin we dey find for bush?

ceemac:
My people, while you go through the system, allow the system go through you also. Take out time, go to safe places even when it is for no reason. Try some restaurants and fast foods here and there and visit some places to immerse yourself in the culture out here. Attend festivals, most importantly as summer is fast approaching, explore the beaches relax and do you as much as possible. Let life and activities give you the needed experience you should have. You sure cannot do all the shifts and overtime, ara ni o ma fabo si..

The good thing is that Canada is a melting pot for different races and nationalities, you don't necessarily have to travel to India to learn more about them in Canada and that also holds for some other nationalities.

Travelling they say is part of Education, relocation in itself is Naturalization.

#TuesdayThoughts

True words... LOL at bolded.

Here are pics from my group's 20km hike last week. Looking forward to this weekend's hike.

Come shop with me

Square One Mall

Mississauga City Center

iPopAlomo:
Which snow is melting...? Here in Ottawa... I hear we've 3 winters...

Snow don melt finish for GTA... just minimal patches here and there

simpleAg:
so forgetting your maker when you get to a foreign land can be the mistake of a life time.

It is the greatest mistake a person can ever make

Lexusgs430:
They become more enlightened, and see religion in the true light it is...........

One big fraud.......

Yet when that same 'enlightened' soul loses everything or is struck by some incurable disease, he finds that all the things he had replaced God with are vain and empty. In the privacy of his heart, he feels this void and emptiness, and the meaninglessness of all his struggles. He screams there is no God, he insists that if there is one, He must be sadistic, wicked and humourless. Yet lying on his death bed, he realizes that the one thing he is not sure of is WHAT NEXT! At that point, many cry out to God. What a life of missed opportunities.

Kunleayo:
Hello Guys,

I will like to add some simple facts, based on my personal experience.

I migrated to Canada Mid-2018, before then I won't deny it, I attend church service 2ice a week (Wednesday & Sunday) and still the special service on 1st Saturday of the month. Some people will know the church I attend by now.

I understand God first before anything, Yes God First. When you have prayed to God, you also have to put in effort (work) in order for the answered prayers to manifest. Which is very normal. Some people get carried away with the amount of money they are able to gather within the shortest period and these in turn will tell, when they have worked all through the week and they are too tired to go to church on Sunday. Hence, the frequency in church service starts to reduce. BOOM.

Personal, my attendance in church has reduced and seeing this thread actually touched me. How this all happened, I don't know but the truth is, expect you are a pastor/imam and a strong devoted Christian/Muslim, you will surely fall into the same situation.

As someone that also moved to Canada recently, I understand how maintaining the consistency of your faith as it was can be a challenge. I must however encourage you to fight for your faith and refuse to let the comfort of our land of sojourn become a challenge to your faith. In truth, there is a lot we can achieve via hardwork, but there is a higher purpose for our lives. There is a difference that we have been called to make that transcends dollars and naira, and if we do not stand guard, our faith would gradually grow cold.

As a child, I wondered why the children of Israel would suddenly turn their backs on God when they began to live in some measure of comfort, and then turn back in repentance whenever calamity strikes. However, that is exactly what plays out when you move to a place with a system that works. You find that as an ex-lagosian, you no longer have to pray for the roads to be traffic-free, the dangers of danfo are now history, you sleep and wake in peace and security, you don't pray for power supply and swear at mosquitoes... even 'village people' appear to be on leave... but our faith in God is not about these things. Our faith is based on this relationship wherein we can call Him 'Father', and the witness in our spirit that we are the sons of God. So I commend you not to forsake the assembly of the righteous, but to stand fast in the liberty in which Christ has made you free.

Ice rink in recreation centre attached to the school

Secondary School in Brampton

If the allegations against him are struck out, he will return to his office as CJN as he was merely suspended and not removed.

mikkyphp:
Actually, i have seen this twice on the Ontario 401. Me sef shock, but i guess the urge to wee wee was too much

It may actually be illegal to pull over on that highway.

This is a good read.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commuting/what-to-do-if-you-just-cant-wait-until-the-next-rest-stop/article18464144/

iaatmguy:
any time i bring my "john thomas" and wee wee in public, then i remind myself, you must comport yourself, remember you are going to an organized environment and country. that being said, how do you guys take a leak, when you are pressed or how common are public toilets?

I am yet to see anyone taking a leak by the roadside, so no come start am for here You may actually get a ticket

For me, first is mind conditioning and using it to control your body. Second is discipline and proper planning. Piss before you comot for house or office. Last last, if all else fails, public toilets exist in some public buildings, or enter a business, patronize them and patronize their toilet too

kay2011:
1 year stock taking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I clocked 1 year in Canada today like play like play o and it has been an interesting journey.

Met some Naija people in the course of my waka here and we had a small Christmas get together with my new Naija friends. It was a fun. Madam was elated at passing her first turkey baking challenge. Abeg, I am still looking for more Naija people in this neighborhood.

I am enjoying the job and the stuff I am learning. It's looking upward and cant complain. I feel the need for a part time job, so I started a travel website : http://budgetfaresnow.com/ for flights, hotels and shopping. Abeg make una help a brother. I also have a block of (4nos) 3 bedroom flat for sale in Ikorodu, Lagos. I am hoping to register a business soon in Canada and see how well it goes.

Conclusion:
1. Everybody's story is different
2. It might be important to start small to sort out the bills
3. Last last, everybody will be alright !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on the progress made so far. It can only get better.

If you are planning to run a business, I would advise you incorporate federally as early as possible to benefit from taxation and corporate identity advantages available to corporates. Costs just about $215 and you are good to go.

It appears something is wrong with your site as it is not opening.

I just moved to Brampton too... lets hook up sometime soon.

Jennypharb1:
Hello, can I pm you if you don't mind. I'm looking at registering and sitting for the exams as well.

No longer have access to the mail linked to my account.

Hephgirl:
congratulations on ur job dear.
basement during winter is crazy. A full house can be frustrating if u r d occupant in d basement.

If your landlord is nice, they will help to heat more than usual. But truly, basement can be cold.

Zeewirld:
.@Amdman...I have registered for ACAMS and will be writing by October.I hope this is acceptable by employers in Canada?

Yes it is.

Jbelieve:
Congratulations on all your wins and I pray you have more. Please I want to ask if you have previous experience in the bank before. Also, are the positions entry level positions?

Yes, I have banking experience. The position is for experienced hire.

zohan101:
Been following your updates.. I must say they inspire me a lot..Presently gathering as much information as I can on practising my profession (civil engineering ) in Canada.. More blessings and favors for you ..

Amen!!!

TESTIMONY TIME

So I have been 6weeks in Canada and I can say that God has been so faithful, so much so that my greatest challenge many a times is making the best choice amongst many good options. Here are a few highlights:

Starting a Business
Participating in Acces' Entrepreneurship Connections has been very helpful in getting to understand how things work here. My business' niche is highly regulated, so there is a lot of work to be done. Lots of useful contacts made. Looking forward to Business Day 1.

Finding Work
First week of February, I decided to start job-hunting so that bills will be getting paid. Before the week was out, I got and resumed at this interesting job at an Airline Servicing Company. Also got an RBC invite for an info session and interview. Aced it and got an offer to resume at RBC this February as a fulltime staff. They will be bearing the cost of obtaining some certification that I require. Today, I got another offer from TD Bank...but RBC's offer appears better, and I love the atmosphere at RBC's head office where I will be working.

Finding Accommodation
This has remarkably been easy. When I needed to move from Airbnb to a more permanent accommodation, I found a lovely place in Toronto where the Landlady didn't care about my newness to Canada. No job reference, credit check or guarantor required and rent is paid month to month (not first and last as is usually required). Now because of my new job at RBC, I need to move to Mississauga. Guess what? A Canadian friend connected me to a couple in Brampton that have a furnished 1-bedroom basement apartment for rent and we agreed on a month to month rent of $625 CAD! For a 1-bed apartment within GTA! Amazing!

There are so many other things to be thankful for in this new place called HOME, and it can only get better.

TIP: Doing as much research as possible before landing is important to hit the ground running.