Devonian's Posts
Nairaland Forum › Devonian's Profile › Devonian's Posts
 Career › Re: I Am Confused - Job Satisfaction Or Renumeration? by Devonian(m): 3:49pm On May 22, 2010 |
If I were you, I'll stick to my current job, ask wife to relocate to Lagos after completing her course, and within Lagos relocate to somewhere more closer either to workplace or access routes to workplace, cutting off a sizeable/considerable amount of time spent in the traffic. Above all, put your wife into the whole picture: let her be a part and parcel of the entire decision. |
| Career › Relocating Back To Nigeria by Devonian(op): 2:56pm On May 22, 2010 |
After over 10 years in the UK where I obtained my bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees, in addition to teaching for a few years, I am planning to return to Nigeria and contribute my own quota to my fatherland. I intend taking up a teaching appointment in a University, preferably a Federal University. Is there anybody on Nairaland who, as professionals or academics returned home from UK, USA, Canada or Australia, who can share their experiences with me here on: (a) what to expect; and (b) the pitfalls to avoid. If you do not fall into this category please DO NOT respond to this posting. I need ONLY professionals or academics (not hustlers, no offence intended, please!) who have already experienced returning home after a long spell in European, North American and Australasia countries. |
| Politics › Re: American Jailed For 24 Years by Devonian(m): 12:51pm On May 21, 2010 |
texazzpete: |
| Politics › Re: American Jailed For 24 Years by Devonian(m): 9:32am On May 21, 2010 |
US can't do anything about this because Sharon Dennis Thorpe, the accused, pleaded guilty of the offences. However, I think the Judge was unduly lenient to the point that he said, “I felt like letting her go but it will send a wrong signal to others because the offence is indeed very serious but putting into consideration her repentance, I hereby sentence her to two-year jail term on each count with hard labour amounting to 24 years.” With or without pleading guilty and showing repentance, British and American judges often hand down the harshest and maximum punishment to criminal cases involving Nigerians in the UK and the USA, and possibly elsewhere in the world. So, why not hand down the maximum prison sentence to her as well? This is precisely the issue another poster has raised on NL, we treat Europeans, Americans and Australasians like monarchs in Nigeria, treating our own people like bullshit. Shame on the Judge. |
| Health › Re: Careless Doctors Slashes Babies Head During Cs, Mother Begs Fashola For Justice. by Devonian(m): 9:29pm On May 19, 2010 |
This is an example of the depth to which medical training and expertise in Nigeria have sunk. The educational system has become a shadow of what is used to be up until the late 1980s, following which things began to fall apart. |
| Christianity Etc › Re: Why Do Yoruba Movies Promote Babalawos? by Devonian(m): 3:47pm On May 18, 2010 |
Religion and culture in any socities across the world are inextricably intertwined. Even in European societies where secularisation have, arguably, decimated the power and influence of religion on the society, religion remotely or intimately underpins values, ethos, traditions and practices. In spite of the widespread of Christianity across Africa, particularly, sub sahara Africa, African Traditional Religious (ATR) diviners, priests and medicine men and women (Yorubas call them Babalawo, Onifa, Adahunse, Onisegun, etc) persist and would forever remain part and parcel of the fabric of traditional African societies. |
| Politics › Re: Kemi Adegoke Blazes Trail In Uk Politics by Devonian(m): 4:07pm On May 06, 2010 |
redsun: |
| Politics › Comparing Usa And Niger Delta Oil Spillages: Jg Should Act Like Obama Is by Devonian(op): 12:21pm On May 01, 2010 |
For decades, BP’s activities in the Niger Delta had caused, and continue to cause, untold hardship not only to the Niger Deltans, but also to the Niger Delta natural habitat. If you compare the way the Nigerian government and BP has over the last few decades been dealing with environmental degradation in the Niger Delta with the manner in which the US government (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8655139.stm; http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8653039.stm), the Governor(s) of the North American State(s) concerned, local fishermen, environmental agencies and the BP company itself are collaborating to minimise the impact of this incident on the people and the environment, and the manner in which litigation are likely to emerge in connection with this US oil spillage (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8655683.stm), one wonders why THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT IS COLLABORATING WITH BP (AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL OIL COMPANIES) TO TREAT NIGERIANS LIKE POO, AND NIGERIA ITSELF LIKE A BANANA REPUBLIC! ONE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT UNDER JG WOULD TAKE A LEAF FROM HOW THE US GOVERNEMNT IS PRESSURISING BP TO ACT. IF JG A NIGER DELTAN FAILS TO FACE THIS PROBLEM HEAD ON WITH THE BP, HE IS A SHAME TO HIS OWN KIT AND KIN, AND IN DEED THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, NIGERIA. |
| Politics › Re: New Video of Training, Martyrdom Statements : Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab by Devonian(m): 1:30pm On Apr 27, 2010 |
frosbel: |
| Politics › Re: British Election : Who Is Nigerian's Choice? by Devonian(m): 12:38pm On Apr 23, 2010 |
uktrader: |
| Politics › Re: British Election : Who Is Nigerian's Choice? by Devonian(m): 12:12pm On Apr 23, 2010 |
I am responding to the OP as someone who originally came to the UK to study, and who before settling permanently here, had experienced studying under the Conservative Party—led by Margaret Thatcher, and the Labour Party—led Tony Blair. My response as well as my decision to vote for the LABOUR PARTY is therefore informed largely by Opportunities which labours gives to people like me to maximise their potentials to the fullest capacity in an environment which engenders professional development and growth. The Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher (TO HELL WITH HER AND THE TORIES) 1) Foreign students, under the Conservative Party (led by Margaret Thatcher) were prevented from working both during term times and during holidays 2) Under the Conservative Party, any foreign students who, upon graduation, wished to obtain work permit to work legally in the UK had to return to their country of origin first and then apply for work permit. In some cases, it was simply not possible for such graduates to return to the UK to take those jobs. 3) Under the Conservative Party, you HAD to bring into the UK all the money for your fees and maintenance, and once you’re done with your degree/course, then, it’s BYE, BYE! 4) Under the Conservative Party, differential fee were introduced, making foreign students pay three times the amount of fee payable by their home counterparts. The Labour Party under Tony Blair (MAY GOD BLESS HIM REAL GOOD & GIVE VICTORY TO THE LABOUR DURING THIS ELECTION) 1) The Labour Party under Tony Blair made it possible for any foreign students to work part-time during term times and full time during holidays. 2) The Labour Party, under Tony Blair, made it possible for any foreign students, wishing to switch from students visa to work permit to do so without necessarily returning to their country of origin. 3) The Labour Party, under Tony Blair, made it possible for any foreign students (initially those who graduated in the fields of science and engineering, now graduates in any fields) to remain in the UK for at least 1 year to gain Post Graduation/Qualification Work Experience, before returning to their country of origin. The Labour Party, under Tony Blair, introduced the Overseas Research Scholarship (ORS) Scheme for PhD candidates. The ORS Scheme pays the difference between the Home and International fees, which meant that if your academic profile is solid enough to get the ORS, you, as a foreign student, pay the same fees as home/UK students. WHICH PARTY WOULD I BE VOTING FOR? THE LABOUR PARTY. |
| Politics › Re: Bbc2 Welcome To Lagos! by Devonian(m): 6:11pm On Apr 16, 2010 |
I missed the broadcast, but just finished watching it on BBC iPlayer . So, others who missed it can do so on BBC iPlayer , too. I watched this documentary with mixed feeling. Initially, I thought here comes the Western media, once again. I recollect watching a similar documentary about India and Brazil. However, as it unfolds, I thought, on the one hand, that the creativity, industriousness and resoluteness of the characters are praiseworthy. On the other hand, I felt Nigeria is a failed state where those in government are starching away billions of pounds in foreign banks, whilst highly creative and industrious Nigerians are rottening away. Of course, many had gone to their graves with their huge talents dying with them and their dreams never came true. How I wish ERIC OBUH (aka, Vocal Slender) could be financially helped with a view to ascertaining that his debut CD is released and marketed both at home and abroad. The fact that his kind of talent could be identified in one of Lagos' landfill would suggest that there are thousands of his kind in the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. The Nigerian government needs to organise annual "NIGERIA'S GOT TALENT SHOWS" with a view to discovering talents, not just in the music industry, but in craftsmanship and tradesmanship, and engineering (electrical and electrinics; mechanical; civil, etc, etc), to mention a few. |
| Christianity Etc › Re: Pastor Tunde Bakare Blows Hot (why I Quit Redeemed Church) by Devonian(m): 3:43pm On Apr 15, 2010 |
@akinbola What is this senseless ranting all about? You simply haven't mde sense! Surely, you're one of the "touch not my annointed on NL. You certainly need deliverance, education, and some critical thinking skills development. |
| Education › Re: Expulsion Scandal Rocks Covenant University: 120 Students Expelled by Devonian(m): 3:22pm On Apr 15, 2010 |
I'm just reading this, but are the students and their parents aware that the university can successfully prosecute this matter before the United Nations Human Rights Committe (UNHRC) by invoking their individual right to freedom of conscience, thought and religion? This would be a fantastic test case. |
| Christianity Etc › Covenant University: A Xtian University Shying Away From Theological Education? by Devonian(op): 5:24pm On Apr 14, 2010*. Modified: 2:27pm On Oct 29, 2012 |
I recently browsed the website of Covenant University, expecting that the University would be offering programmes in Theology & Religious Studies. I, however, realised that these are not on offer. Curiously Covenant University offers Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology. These subjects often serve as windows through which the phenomenon of religion can be gleaned, and hence the sub-disciplines within Theology & Religious Studies called, Philosophy of Religion, Psychology of Religion and Sociology of Religion. I have a feeling that since the academic study of Theology & Religious Studies isn't always congruous with literal biblical interpretation or fundamentalist and evangelical hermeneutical approach to the Scripture, for example, Covenant University tactically chose to exclude it from its curriculum. Or, else, how could it deal with alternative views to creationsim (e.g. Intelligent Design, Big Bαng Theory and Evolutionism), or Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Situational Ethics, or 'Source' and 'Form' biblical criticism, etc, regularly taught in Theology & Religious Studies classes. I am really curious about the exclusion of Theology & Religious Studies programmes from the curriculum of a Christian University which not only emphasizes morality within the rank and file of its students and staff, but also offers humanities and social sciences such as Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology. Any thoughts and ideas as to why this is the case? |
| Politics › Re: I’ll Run For 2011 Presidential Polls, Says Ibrahaim Babangida by Devonian(m): 4:04pm On Apr 11, 2010 |
Things really hadn't fallen apart when in 1958 Achebe legendarly wrote his novel. Babangida's return to the Presidency with the likes of Halilu Akilu, the agent of death and murderer, would sound Nigeria's death knell, hammering the last nail into the nation's coffin. |
| Politics › Re: Ask A Somali Anything, Naija Folks by Devonian(m): 8:54pm On Apr 10, 2010 |
@ KnowAll: I very much agree with your reasoning. Nonetheless, @ OP: Given that Somalia had been part and parcel of the trans-sahara trade since about the 2nd century BC, it would be an absolute lie to claim that there were no sexual liaisons between the Arabs and the Ancient Somalis which over these centiries had produced mixed raced children. |
| Politics › Re: Jonathan Approves Further Foreign Treatment For Yar’adua by Devonian(m): 8:23pm On Apr 10, 2010 |
Why won't him return home to be taken care of by his family members? This is a matter of a desperate, selfish man wanting to die in office. Ariel Sharon, comatose former Israeli Prime Minister, turns 81 in February of this year. Three years ago, he suffered stroke. Unable to cope with the demands of Prime Minsitership, he vaccated office, and another person took over, not as Acting PM but as substantive PM of Israel (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5811758.ece ). The same can be said of Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, the then President of the Council of State of Cuba. When Fidel Castro took ill, he voluntarily transferred his responsibilities to the First Vice-President, his younger brother Raúl Castro, on July 31, 2006, announcing subsequently that he would neither seek nor accept a new term as either president or commander-in-chief (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7252109.stm ). In their hay days, Ariel Sharon and Fidel Castro were gallant soldiers unlike this lame Yar'adua. Nigeria's money spent in caring for this man--who would never survive--is sufficient to revamp at least one Nigerian ailing medical school and dilabitating teaching hospital. The blood of Nigerians would continue to cry on all those who have at one time or the other led, and are still leading Nigeria |
| Foreign Affairs › Re: Breaking News: Polish President Feared Dead In Russian Plane Crash by Devonian(m): 5:32pm On Apr 10, 2010 |
MAY THE SOULS OF THE DEPARTED RIP. HOW I WISH THIS HAPPENED TO THE CROP OF NIGERIAN LEADERS: CABINET MINISTERS, SENATORS, ETC, ETC. |
| Romance › Re: What If Your Boyfriend's Spoken English Is Really Poor? by Devonian(m): 5:12pm On Apr 10, 2010 |
I've met guys in the UK who dropped out of high schools in Naija, and who cannot accurately construct sentences in English. A number of them married British gals, mostly to regularise their illegal entry into the UK. How they communicate only God knows. Just a thought sha! |
| Politics › Re: A Nurse As Minister Of Health: Nma's Petition Disregarded. by Devonian(m): 6:29pm On Apr 08, 2010 |
docwizu: docwizu:You and others in the same boat as you are ostensibly some of the most unenlightened minds in today’s Nigeria. You're welcome to NL to continue displaying your ignorance. |
| Politics › Re: Ministers:the Profiles by Devonian(m): 12:22pm On Apr 08, 2010 |
I was going to flag this up until I read yours. This, and has never been any such university in the history of London. Is this another fraud? |
| Politics › Re: A Nurse As Minister Of Health: Nma's Petition Disregarded. by Devonian(m): 6:01pm On Apr 07, 2010 |
Kathleen Sebelius (http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/ ) is the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (the same as Nigeria’s Minister of health), she attended the Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati and graduated from Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C. with a B.A. in political science. She later earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas She has no medical qualifications whatsoever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius#Early_life_and_family ). Similarly, Andy Burnham the UK’s Secretary of State for Health, who was born in Liverpool, was educated in Merseyside at St Aelred's Roman Catholic High School and gained an MA in English at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. No further qualifications (http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartmentLeaders/Ministers/Ministersbiography/DH_100325 ). I challenge any right thinking person on this forum to tell me what makes Kathleen Sebelius, a Graduate of Politics and Public Administration, qualified to head the US Department of Health and Human Services; and, Andy Burnham, a Graduate of English qualified to head UK Department of Health; but, Suleiman Bello an RN, who not only holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the USA, but also obtained academic qualifications in Political Science, Public Administration and Educational Administration and Planning, gaining relevant professional, academic, and technocratic experience, unsuitable and unqualified to head Nigeria’s Ministry of Health. All health professionals (doctors [GPs, ophthalmologists, surgeons, etc], nurses, anaesthetists, dentists, occupational therapists, phlebotomists, carers, to mention a few, should be held in high esteem, without one group of health professionals looking down on others. If you’ve seen how health professionals of all kinds and shades work together harmoniously in the UK and USA, without the surgeon looking down on the theatre nurse, the theatre nursing assistant and the anaesthetists, all of whom work hand in hand, playing their respective roles in seeing patients through surgical procedures in hospital theatres, you cannot but conclude that we Nigerians need to rethink our colonial mentality that is continuing to derail us. A little digression before I go. A colleague completed his DPhil in Medical Ethics sometime last year here in the UK. He is one of those who wanted to serve his fatherland. His BA & MA was in Philosophy and Ethics which groomed him to complete his doctoral research in Medical Ethics. He returned to Nigeria, and got a job teaching in a university, but would not be allowed to teach medical ethics courses to medical students because he isn’t a medical doctor. Needless to say none of those teaching the medical ethics courses possess any qualifications or specialist training in medical ethics. This is a guy whose thesis had been published in the UK. Besides, he’s published a number of papers in the area of medical ethics in a number of peer reviewed international journals, and therefore not one of the self-publishing Nigerian academics who publishing materials in quack journals. What prevents the medical school of the university where this guy is lecturing from tapping from his wealth of research experience and expertise if not that Nigerians are still by and large under the yoke of mental colonialism. |
