₦airaland Forum

How disheartning to read the responses on this post!!! From now on, anytime i hear anybody complaining about how terrible Nigeria is, i will send them to this post to come and see the reason why. Please, what kind of parents are we if we cannot encourage your children to put in their best and be true to themselves? So what if you have a child who is not the best in academics? Every human being has their own unique talents, so why not encourage your children to find theirs and use it to the best of their abilities? Micheal Dell was already making thousands before he went to the University because he recognized his talent for selling things. He eventually dropped out of school and is now a millionaire. How much of an education do Oluchi, Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and even Dangote have? Yet they have all put their talents to work for them.
Teach your children to put in their very best effort at whatever they do and to be proud of themselves, whatever the result is. If you carry them through school, don't be surprised when they are 40 years old and still coming home to you to beg for handouts.

It's great to meet people with lots of talent. I wish I had talent. . .

Zahymaka, are you fishing for compliments here? Because i happen to know that you are good at Math and write pretty well too. If anyone doubts that you have talent, they can visit my website, which you designed.

everyone seems to know how to sing. na wa o

Actually, not everyone does, but everyone seems to think they do - one look at American Idol auditions is all the proof you need!

I still say be careful. They are very vague about the entire procedure. Will they help you gain admission to Harvard, Oxford or Stanford or is the scholarhsip contingent upon you getting the admission by yourself - which i might add is no small feat? What does it cover and is it for a single year or the duration of your education? Even if they are sincere, i don't think they know what they're doing.

Take them through your resume very concisely. Focus more on your education and work experince than on any personal information. For example, my name is xyz, i have a degree in Economics from University of ABC, where i graduated with a first class degree. I have spent the last 6 years working in the Operations department of 2 major Nigerian banks where i did blah blah blah.

It's a good idea to write something down and practice beforehand because that question almost always comes up in an interview.

Seun,
Those two goals are not mutually exclusive. What is so boring about watching ten (presumably) intelligent young Nigerians solve business problems? Would you rather watch big brother where they get paid for doing essentially nothing?

Well i'll think about it, i know theres a lot of cash to be made there!!!!!!!!!

Hmm, i think you might need Seun's permission for that, or at least cut him into the deal.

Thomson Crowther is a non political, non ethnical and non governmental organization sponsored by eminent Nigerians, aiming to promote the educational career of Nigerians in both undergraduate and postgraduate levels by giving scholarships to students. At present, Universities where we extend our scholarships to are Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Calgary and Oxford University

The sole aim of this great foundation is rendering the foreign GRE (Graduate Record Exams), TOEFL (Test of English language as a Foreign Language) and the SAT exams insignificant as possible, but encouraging Nigerians to appreciate their country by giving them essay topic on current happenings on Nigerian society to write upon and in return giving scholarships to worthy Nigerians that have excelled in this essay write up, thus, our scholarship is strictly merit oriented.

This is an opportunity for Nigerians to express themselves on issues concerning our beloved country and see whether Nigeria society is worth studying, as you never can tell if you will be among this year Thomson Crowther scholarship train to Harvard University, Stanford University, Oxford University and University of Calgary.

This is a quote from the site. I am somewhat skeptical of an organization that awards scholarships to Harvard, Stanford and Oxford Universities and yet cannot employ someone who can express themselves properly in the English Language to update their website. Besides anytime someone wants you to pay money to get money i would say BEWARE!!!

Alliance Francais for French and the Goethe Institute for German, Unfortunately, i don't remember the addresses anymore. If anyone knows, let them post it please.

shawshank redemption was really a nice movie, loved it

I second that. In fact, i third, fourth and fifth it. That's my best movie of all time.

East Coast,

Looooooved this. Now all i have to do is sit down and plan my own "how-to-be-famous" strategy.  Maybe i should change my user name to Red Hot Chili Peppers

I'm married to someone i met and dated at work.

If you're still in the US next year, go to Harvard University's African Business Club annual conference. They typically have big Nigerian business men in attendance and its always a great opportunity to network and talk to them about job opportunities. Past conferences were attended by Fola Adeola (GTB), Wale Tinubu (Ocean and Oil), Ladi Balogun (FCMB) and Foluso Phillips (Phillips Consulting) to name a few. Check out their website http://www.hbsafricaconference.org/2006/index.htm.

Another good event to attend is Careers-in-Africa's annual career fair. I think its in April every year but in the UK. The focus of the employers at that fair is to hire expats. Their website is http://www.careersinafrica.com/cia/index.asp. All the best.

Congratulations!!! That's good to know.

Nobody is saying the private universities are perfect but it is still a big step in the right direction. The more schools we have, the more competition there will be among them for students and lecturers and the better the conditions will get both in private and government owned universities.

thanks 'consultant' for the invaluable advice.

My pleasure. All the best making your decision.

Seun, i'm with you a 100% on this one. This topic is one that i am particularly passionate about. I want to see Private Universities in Nigeria give those public schools a run for their money. The sooner we become like the USA, where schools have to sweat to attract the best students and so have to put in their very best, the better for Nigeria.

Wait a minute what happened to Ahmed SANI? Zamfara?

I hear he's running for President.

What I Learnt in Church Today, 11th of June.

Topic: "Working with the Anointing". Concluding part of a series - "The Church in the Workplace"

Major points to note:

Your secular job is a calling from God.

Deut 8:18
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. KJV

The purpose of God's financial blessings on you is to establish HIS purpose on the earth.
Christianity extends beyond going to church on Sunday, we are representatives of Jesus in the world and that includes our workplace, When we are effective at work, we bring glory to God.

How do i get anointing to operate in my work?

1. Before you go to work, sharpen your axe.
Have you ever tried cutting wood with a dull axe? That is what we are when we try to work in our own strength, outside of God. Prepare yourself by reading the Word to receive wisdom, and by committing your work to God every morning in prayer before you dive into the day.

2. Work as an act of worship to God.

Colosians 3:23-24 NLT
Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men. Remember that you will get your reward from the Lord. He will give you what you should receive. you are working for the Lord Christ.

3. See your work as an opportunity to serve others.

Mathew 20:28 NKJ
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

Phil 2: 3-4 NKJ
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

4. Put yourself in a position to be used by God

Acts 20:24 LB
But life is worth nothing unless i use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the good news about God's mighty knidness and love.

God didn't just put us in our workplace to make money and satisfy our own material wants but to influence the lives of those we come in contact with.

To listen to this message online, go to http://www.victorywc.org/sermons.asp.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I pray God's blessings on her and her siblings.

Check out this site http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/recipes.html

How did this game methamorphose from "Let's cook rice" to "Let's serve our husband dinner?"

Go to this site http://www.workpermit.com/uk/hsmp_calculator.htm and use the points calculator to see if you qualify. To the best of my knowledge the person who scores 65 (the cut-off) has as good a chance as the one who scores 100. The most important thing is documentation. If you don't provide enough documentation to show why you qualify you won't get it, and you have to send the original of all your documents.
You can also check out this message board where people discuss their experiences with the HSMP http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=6845ce745e9fea1cc1967bc3dec64e61.

Once you get it though, be aware that getting a job in the UK can be a GREAT hassle, as i've heard from those on hsmp, so weigh your options carefully before you go for it.

Both are excellent firms so it depends on what you want. If my data is still correct, i think KPMG pays more. However, PwC is a branch of the global firm while KPMG is only a franchise. If you're in consulting, i think kpmg has a more vibrant consulting arm but if you're in audit or tax, you might want to opt for PwC.

When i first came to the US, i wanted to use the dishwasher in my apartment so i got some dishwashing liquid (the type that you use to hand wash plates) and poured it into the dishwasher. I came out a few miuntes later to see a river of soap all over my kitchen floor. That's how i learnt that there is a type of soap meant specifically for the dishwasher.

A friend of mine graduated with a 2.2 in Sociology from UI. She was admitted for her Masters in Solciology, also in UI and is currently doing her PhD there. I also know someone who graduated with a 2.2 from the department of Economics in UI. he is also rounding up his PhD in Economics.

consultant
constructive criticism is welcomed. Thank you. Can i have your number and email address?

You can contact me using contactus@usastudyinfo.com. I may give you my phone number personally but i won't post it here. Note that i'm not in Nigeria though.

This is not an attempt to criticize you in anyway Funsho cause you're doing a great job here. I made a few changes to your letter, to make it sound better grammatically.

                                                                                 
                                                                           4, Asa street,
                                                                            Ikeja Lagos.
                                                                            Ist June,2006.

The Human resources Manager,
ABC Nigeria Limited.
4, Tom street, Ibadan
  Oyo state

Dear sir,

APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF CHIEF ACCOUNTANT

I read with extreme interest your advertisement in The Guardian Newspaper of May 30th 2006 for the post of Chief Accountant. I graduated from XYZ University with a degree in Accounting (2nd Class Honours, Upper Division). In addition I have a  Masters degree in finance, proffessional qualification (ACA), and many years of cognate experience.

I understand that this post requires a candidate with a strong analytical mind, a self starter who must be able to work with little supervision. I possess these attributes and they have served me well in the past - ensuring my rapid promotion by my previous employers.

I would appreciate an opportunity to interview with you and demonstrate to you first hand that i am an excellent fit for this position. You may contact me at the above address or through my telephone number 08038363655. I have also attached my resume for your perusal. Thank you for your time and consideration.

                                                                                  Yours faithfully,
                                                                                   Adekunle Olufunso
  ATT'D
  CV

Female Consultant!!!; she's been so helpful to me. Sha has many clients. I love her.

Thank you Rare. I'm glad to have been of help.

Female consultant,
You seem to know some few things about this,may I know what body you work for?or are you on your own?

Actually, i don't work anywhere within the American education system. It's just something i'm passionate about. I'm a management consultant. I work for a firm called Deloitte Consulting in the US.

You might have yourself a client.
But you have to be real good to win me though.
Bye

Hmm. Are you sure you can afford me?
Seriously though, most of the information you need i already provide for free on my website, but i'm always willing to answer questions.