Here's the highest I've done.

But try as I may, the never hardly goes beyond 160km/hr.

Why

It's not like I'm ready to sign a death warrant though

Lmao!

So on point!

I guess I've become unknowingly used to some of these your 'rules'. But very funny though.

Gosh! Meeeeeeeeennnnh!

What are my eyes 'sawing'?

This is GMB 'sawing' off GEJ's neck! No be me talk am o.

Just got off from a long day, and wetin my eyes dey 'saw' I dey report o.

Continue! #change is imminent!

Nice.

Tell 'em to be fast. My rice is burning...or else GEJ will have to pay for another pot of rice.

Can someone please be kind enough to tell me what's going on?

Can't view it here.

No be only GEJ and GMB dey on hot seat.

It seems the whole of Nigeria dey hot seat too.

Hmmmmmmmmm! It is well o.

Whoever wins, we accept. Let peace reign, that's the most important thing right now.

Just as many of the above have posted, intracity driving is definitely NOT the same as intercity driving. Your driving skills are brought to the fore on the highway?

My own first test came over a year ago when I had to do Oshogbo to Awka with a Volvo S80. Spent 9 hours on the road with a 30min break in between. Just did the same journey today in 4 hours 30 mins in the same car.

As always, keep your speed to what you can handle. Never be tempted to follow other speed demons.

Secondly, keep your mind alert. Get as much rest as you can the night before your journey. Don't over eat (eating too much drains blood from the brain, and you'll end up drowsy at a point when you need your mind alert). Hydrate well, and avoid alcohol or drugs that may influence your brain.

Take a break whenever you feel you're getting drowsy.

And it makes lot of sense to have some company, if you can.

Lest I forget, keep your car top shape.

July 07, 2007

Hi everyone. I'll appreciate some candid advice at this point.

I'm in a fix as to choosing whether to go to the Nigerian French Village of to enrol with one of Alliance Francaise's classes. I was going through some of the comments here, but a large number of them are decades old.

I really appreciate it if someone would be kind enough to 'prescribe' the best out of the two.

Thanks a million in anticipation of your responses.

Abakaliki Road...

One of the random pics I took during my stay in Anambra.

Anambra has one of the best road networks in the country. Can't just lay my hands on random pictures I took in Adazi-Ani, Neni, Mbaukwu, Nnewi, etc...hinterland towns with well tarred roads.

9th Mile...in solidarity with OP's Southeast pics

Has it been closed? Wake me up when it has

I have to say at this point that I'm one of those 'ghosts' that only come to read and follow threads, but hardly comment. But at this point, I feel prompted to add my own to the myriad of comments I've read here.

I use a 1999 Volvo S80, which I got about the middle of last year (2013). Now, it's in its second year, and my experience with it is just marvellous, I must say. Even those who have a chance to drive it always talk about its beauty and sleekness. I haven't had any major issue with the car, except for the usuals...oil change, servicing, and one shock absorber replacement.

Nonetheless, I understand the reasons why some people here complain about Volvo models. My family is a Volvo family, and I guess I took it after my Dad. We've used the 240 station wagon, which I must say is a little noisy, but a very (emphasis on very) strong car. We've also used a 740 sedan, which is also old but still running. These old models are gas guzzlers, as in, they suck in fuel. But this also depends on your frame of reference. You can't compare these cars with the Asian types which are built mainly to be fuel efficient.

Now back to why I love my Volvo, I chose it because of its aesthetics. I just love the design of my S80, especially with the huge taillights, the menacing rear bumper (which one of my friends refer to as 'ikebe super'), and the 'shoulders' running from the front to the back. It was designed as a luxury vehicle with a comfortable interior. It's spacious, and cute on the inside. It's got a cool sound system too.

Secondly, it's got a powerful 2.9L Inline 6-cylinder engine whose performance is unparalleled when compared with cars of the same era. You can imagine me traveling at speeds close to 140km/hr when my RPM is within the 2000 range. It's also got this kickback feature that gives you this sudden burst of speed that pushes you back in your seat when you activate it. It can get you from 60 to 100km/hr within a few seconds.

Volvo and safety, almost synonymous. Volvo claims to have invented or hold the patent to the 3-point seat belt design, amongst other safety designs. Volvo also was the first to introduce SIPS into its vehicles. You need to see the long list of safety devices and designs that Volvo uses...all in a bid to make safety of its passengers its first concern.

Some people complain about the fuel consumption, but for a 6-cylinder engine, what do you expect. Of which when compared with cars within the same capacity, it still holds its own. I travel between Oshogbo and Awka with about 3/4 full tank, that's a distance of over 400km.

Another issue that people talk about is parts, but there are now parts everywhere. When I'm in the SW, I get my parts from Ibadan or Lagos. In the SE, parts are available in Onitsha.

Noise pollution is a thing of the past, so just forget about that.

The problem of mediocre mechanics is however a major issue. These new set of Volvos have got a 'very' complex electrical system. And God help you if you allow any of these 'thugs' in sheep's clothing to start fiddling with your wiring. There are some intelligent ones among them though, at least, giving them the benefit of doubt.

Well, I guess I've finally succeeded in boring some people. So it's time to stop after a job well done.

Still, I love my Volvo, and would always go for a Volvo, first.

Edit (10/03/2019): Just stumbled across this post from about 5/6 years ago. I still use my Volvo S80 and it's been a good car for almost 6 years now. I should get a newer version of the S80 - a 4.4L V8 in a few weeks.

I am very much convinced that Volvo is it for me.

Hi all,

I have been looking for a reliable Volvo service center, but haven't found one. But going through all these responses puts my mind at rest.

I have a 1999 Volvo S80, and just as other users have remarked, it's 'the bomb'. It's my first car though, and it's surely a pleasure to ride. I haven't had major issues with, except for when I made the mistake of allowing one of these local mechanics to start poking his dirty hands in every conner of the front half, looking for what isn't lost.

Presently, there's this clunking sound I get whenever I run over rough roads, bumps or potholes. Initially, I was told it was the shock-absorber pad, which I replaced, but the sound is still there. It seems to be coming from the driver's side in front.

I've read tons and tons of stuff online, and it seems everyone is pointing to the sway bar end links and probably bushings. I just want to know whether someone else has had the same experience, and what was done to solve the problem.

Thanks y'all.

I had a similar experience along that same road...exactly what the OP described. I ended up spending close to N80, 000.

Only if I had read this much earlier.

Twas in December, 2013. I had set off from Oshogbo, Osun State to Awka, Anambra State with my 2000 S80. Prior to this journey, I had done a servicing of the vehicle, just to avoid something like this. Till I got to Ore, there was no problem. Just a couple of kilometers into the Benin-Ore expressway, someone on a bike pointed my attention to one of my tyres. Because of the stories I had heard previously about robbers and stuff on that road, I did not even bother.

Not too long from there, I met another guy on a bike who was still pointing at my front tyre. At that point, I became wary. So I slowed down because I felt that for two people to be pointing at something, then it means there's something actually wrong. Now, I realize that was my undoing. Stopping, I came out to look at the tire, and lo and behold, there was oil on the rim, and it was smoking. My brain never took into cognizance the fact I just came to understand now.

To cut the whole story short, the guy told me to go to Benjamin, a mechanic down the road. And guess what, I foolishly did...like a sheep led to the slaughter. Benjamin, seeing raw meat, jumped at the sight. He told me that if not for 'God', I would have lost my tyre on motion and would have been involved in an accident. Well, he told me most likely I had lost my drive shaft or something, can't even remember what he called it now.

Just like the poster's story, had to change both side's 'whatever he called it' after calling a parts dealer, who we both literally had to prostrate for before reducing the price of each from 40k to 35k.

Reading this, I'm so furious...and funny enough, the guy is still there, living large on other people's foolishness. And to think of the fact that he even told me to come visit when next I pass on the road.

I may even need to do that!

Just watched the movie yesterday, and comparing it with all the hype, it was almost crap. The good thing was that I watched it in the comfort of my house. Minimal costs encountered.

The truth is that it is difficult to compress all the details in the book into one 1-hr plus movie. At a point, it was like the producers were just showing one scene each from each chapter...making it look 'incoherent' and discontinuous. It was not making much of any sense to me.

But the graphics were okay anyway.

Just my humble opinion though.

Nice picture.

Anyone posted to Awka South?

casket:
The Federal Government has lifted the suspension of Residency Training Programme in all federal hospitals with effect from Thursday,  28th of August,  2014 (yesterday) while the ongoing appraisal of the programme continues.
The Federal Government has also reinstated all resident doctors that were disengaged as a result of the suspension with effect from the same date.Accordingly, all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of the training centres are directed to issue letters of reinstatement to the resident doctors to enable them resume work immediately.
The Federal Government urges the resident doctors to see the magnanimity of government in reinstating them as a goodwill gesture to engender greater commitment and dedication to their duties.
Source: www.channelstv.com/2014/08/29/breaking-news-federal-government-lifts-ban-residency-training-programme-medical-doctors/

Fish heads! Like as if they issued them disengagement letters in the first place.

Clueless government. Smh!

Same issue I've been battling with since yesterday. Imagine, I had been scouring all over the Internet thinking my device was the problem. Now I know I'm not the only one...so relieved

Hoping this gets solved ASAP. And to think I just switched to Etisalat from MTN. Hmmmmmmmm!

Hello peeps!

How are y'all doing in camp?

Having fun I guess...

Pls do, cos you'll miss it much later.

The screenshot is just to give you a general idea of where the camp is...just between Onitsha and Awka (where the red marker is).

Meeky: bros did ya ppa give u accomodation?

Yeah, I got accommodation. As a medical personnel, most hospitals would actually give accommodation. The question is whether it would be conducive and comfortable, or not.

But for you, one way or the other, you'd likely get, regardless of where you're posted to.

Wiseracre:

Really helpful. Thanks thanks and thanks.

Am thinking of joining the boys brigade...any suggestion on a better group?

You're welcome, anytime.

There are basically about four groups you can join in camp, asides the CDS groups later on. They are the camp's orientation broadcasting service (OBS), camp clinic, Red Cross, then, religious groups.

OBS selects on the basis of your auditioning performance. They would do that on Sunday after arrival.

All medical personnel are free to work in the clinic, although emphasis is always on the doctors, nurses, medical lab scientists, dentists, physiotherapists, optometrists and...errrrrrmmmmmmm...that's all, I think. I was like an Asst. CMD during my own camping.

Red Cross? Don't really know much about them.

Then as per the religious groups, only three are allowed. That's Nigerian Corpers Christian Fellowship (NCCF), the Catholics, and the Muslims. You choose whichever you want.

As camp progresses, other groups would come up, such as MDGs, and so on.

In all, I don't think there's anything such as a better group. It all depends on your skills, and what you want.

kennykg: What do you guys travelling from lagos think about travelling together ? Tuesday?

You guys should probably travel together in a bus, and the bus should drop you in camp, or at least at the junction.

#justsaying

Wiseracre:

Thanks bro,Howz the accommodation like in AKWA and onitsha? Can u give a budget range?

Accommodation in Onitsha and Awka is a little expensive (relative to your pocket and NYSC allowance though). Just as Udyelle said, the average is about 60-70k for a self-contained room. I think this is because of the fact that there are many university students around, especially Unizik students. But the truth is you don't have to come to Awka. I'll tell you why.

Even though I'm presently serving in Awka (didn't work it though), in retrospect, I'd have loved to serve in the interior. My first few months in Awka were so boring, that I had to keep travelling around almost every weekend to stay with my buddies. Where? In the same interior I initially didn't want to go to. I'm not saying the villages and small towns are much better though, but for me, I enjoy my time there, much more than just staying in the capital. More so, you can easily access the big towns as they aren't that far. In fact, you can travel between the farthest town in Anambra to Awka within an average of 30 minutes. I'm saying this because I've actually toured around

Then in terms of accommodation, I can say that about 80% of employers in Awka would not give you accommodation. I'm sure none of the ministries would give. Some schools give, but just a handful. The reason is because of the congestion and the high price. But when you compare with other places in Anambra, most of the corpers get free accommodation. For instance, in Anaocha LG, about 20 minutes away from Awka, almost all the corpers were fully accommodated, free of charge, either in schools' corpers lodges, or individual homes of the locals. This points to the hospitality of the Igbo pple in general. They are quite accommodating, I must say. And the homes are not just small bungalows or face-me-face-you you find in the SW, they are nice, big, decent houses.

Enough of that for now.

My point is you don't actually have to work your posting. Let nature run its course, and you'll be better for it. And you'll save yourself plenty money along the way.

Udyelle:

For doctors and those in the medical field...you may have to join the camp clinic...if you become the CMD or the Asst CMD then it ill be easy to get a posting to the place of your choice...if not you'll just be posted to any hospital but it all depends on how well you behave and which top official gets to notice and like you

She's right!

But it doesn't work all the time though.

Meeky: university of calabar and i studied medicine and surgery.graduated 2011

Cool!

That's my brother from another mother. I'm serving at the state university's TH in Awka, though the hosp has been knocked out at the moment. We'll definitely get to see in camp. Once you get to camp, identify with the camp clinic as soon as you can. It makes a whole lot of difference.

tobybasten: una do well, pls @nyt can one change 4rm the white uniform n camp to somethng else? Coz cold dey dat side

Lolz...camp is fun. You'll surely have all sorts of crazy experiences.

In camp, they'll definitely ask you to always remain in your whites 24/7, but who wants to wear his own whites to the bathroom or the loo
Once you are within your hostels, you can wear anything (don't quote me o). The only drawback is if the soldiers decide to face your own hostel at 12 midnight on that day, and ask all of you to file out, God help you if you're found wearing mufti.

On Sundays, you may be allowed to wear mufti officially till 2.00pm, but it all depends on the Camp Director.

easrael: I'm posted there too from the University of Lagos. My questions are:
1. Where can I get affordable transportation to Anambra in Lagos State.
2.How much is the fare?
3. Is there an ATM in that camp
4. General Camp description and direction there.

As far as I know, transportation from anywhere in the SW to Anambra is between 2.5k and 3.5k.

You would always get transport to Onitsha from anywhere in the SW. BTW, Onitsha is the first port of call in Anambra state. The orientation camp is along the expressway between Onitsha to Awka, the state capital, and on to Enugu. In your own best interest, I'd advise that you take a vehicle going to Enugu and drop at the orientation camp junction at Umunya, Oyi LGA. I had a funny experience on my way to camp too...so wouldn't want any of you to have it. And funny enough, there really isn't much difference between the T.fare to Enugu and Onitsha, probably 200 or 300 naira diff.

There's no ATM in camp, unless you wanna bring yours from home

General camp description? Well, it's along the expressway. Just a short distance from the express, along an untarred dusty or muddy path. Once you arrive at the junction, there would be bikes waiting to ferry you in.

hormohthorlarny: Is d state very ok and comfortable?

First and foremost, I'm from the South-West, and coming here was foreign for me. But so far, it's been fun and exciting. Part of me doesn't even want to leave Anambra by the time I'm done.

The State is okay, and the present administration is really trying to make things better.

The peeps here are quite welcoming. I've had a taste of both sides...the urban and the rural. I was posted to Awka with no stress, no pun intended. But as far as I have seen anyway, Awka can be boring. So I tend to spend more of my time in the villages with my friends.

The question of whether it would be 'okay and comfortable' depends on a number of factors, chief of which is where you're posted to. But for now, I think we'd talk about that later.

The most paramount thing for now is getting to camp, settling down, and enjoying your stay for your first 3 weeks in Anambra, at least for most of you.