₦airaland Forum

ochukoccna: ^^^^
Which one be major commitments O future don?
Lyca and Lebara are both fair enough, only that I call Naija everyday to speak with my boo abi na wifey i suppose talk sef
Didn't plan that initially but from our convo's I've seen its given her stability of mind thus I continue
Alternately I've told her to Skype up
Do talk to her sometimes on land based mobiles like Visafone but you should know ladies were born to talk
Though at times I wish I was buoyant enough cash wise to deport her to the UK
So many snakes posing as friends and so many fake plastic smiles
This country is damn cold;weather wise, spiritually and emotionally
Bless God racism is not as pronounced like Russia or Ukraine
Fighting that with loneliness would have been crushing
Now I get it why books , articles etc I've read prior coming here say the West is a damn lonely place to sojourn in
I used to think coming over here would give me the leeway to browse different colours and races and was so eager to far away from her
Yet kinda miss , even long for her& her drama in many ways [every woman was born with drama ]
Talking about cold , how una dey take survive winter for this zone, knowing you don get experience pass for this matter
I for ask don Oms the question too but hin too na JJC just like we we

Thank God say you no ask me about the cold o. Na Autumn jacket and thermal wear dey do the trick o. That's the only way I know about keeping warm o. I no know which one Future Don dey talk when word dey miss o . My hand no dey. So, just wear your jackets and avoid being outdoors for long.
Mr Ochukoccna, I bin think say you don marry now. Better bring madam here o. Me no wan hear story when Winter cold drop o
I agree with the spiritual and emotional coldness, so I advice you find a place of worship with predominant worshipers as Nigerians.
I don't get this smile thing too well yet. Everyone keeps complaining about fake smiles. As oyinbo dey smile to me, me too dey smile back. I don't know which is fake or real.

bebe2: pls can anyone enlighten me on this,

what masters program can one study dat can increase their chances of staying in the uk to work for atleast 5yrs.

the ladies background first degree is in industrial mathematics.

she is currently working for her local council as a statistician in benin.

i know dat after studying in the uk u r supposed to go back to ur country of origin. i also learnt that there are certain courses that u are allowed to stay on an work.

pls help.

I'm not sure about that information about certain courses that allow people remain in the UK. I believe you are in the UK, right? The new Tier-4 (PBS) visa allows you study here and after your study, either go home or advance in studies in the UK. However, if you get a job after your studies, you can apply for a class of visa whereby your employer will have to sponsor it (the visa). Now, no course can guarantee any job as there are many factors involved. However, some jobs have higher chances than others.

madeit2thetop: oct 9th and still no response from this people mehn this is crazy

Did you call UKBA yet? Like Miz Gene advised, it's a good idea to visit VFS or call them.

Jen1: Hey guys, been a while I was here. Seems January applications have started, what's this about toefl again, things just become more complicated by the day. Anyways wishing all the jan applicants best of luck and God speed.

Hi Jen! It's been a while. ETS (TOEFL/GRE) gave Nigerian centres indefinite suspension so it is not possible to take the exams in Nigeria at the moment.

kellyemms: i am thinking of submiting the online toefl print copy.

Okay. Although you didn't mention your interview date as I asked but I will go ahead to share this: Since you are planning to submit the online version anyway, I advise you to give them a reason not to deny you visa because of it. If you still have the time, mail your school and tell them to send UKBA an extra information about your situation. Hopefully, they will. On top of that, write a short introduction letter and explain the indefinite suspension by ETS (which UKBA will be aware of anyway) and state the possibility of difficulties in verifying your result due to the suspension. Let them know your school has verified it and it is original.
It is still your choice and you may choose not to notify them of the issue. I just think it may be worth it in the end. All the best and do let us know how it goes.

Onegai: A while back, I was at work, and there was a colleague of mine, and from even up close, you'd swear she was of excellent moral standing, calm and good. She was singing a christian song as we worked and then she broke halfway through her song to turn to us and ask "please do you know where they write GRE on the mainland?". Most people suggested the island, and then she replied "no, I want the mainland. I need someone that can supply me the answers for the exam beforehand. VI location, I'm not sure they would. Someone said the Ikeja one he got complete answers to the test before". Then she turned back to her computer screen and christian song.

The only good, non-corrupt Nigerian is a dead or an unborn Nigerian. Just forget morals, ethics or anything. I'm glad they're scrapping the exam.

Although many Nigerians have been shoved by their selfish nature to accepting corruption as a norm, I do not agree that the "only good, non-corrupt Nigerian is a dead or an unborn Nigerian." I have met honest Nigerians who hold in high esteem, moral values, truth and equality, and I will still meet thousands of them.
As regards the TOEFL/GRE suspension and other related issues; while we cannot blame 'them' for their actions because it is their country after all, we must begin to decide how we, as individuals, can be better Nigerians and ultimately 'create' a better Nigeria.

lirusehn: use ur search engine

Oh! Thanks for the advice. I used my search engine and I got this search result: "Rhetorical Question." If you haven't heard of Rhetorical Devices, Wikipedia is your friend. You need to know that these days, being "loud mouthed" online isn't quite catchy. Real men are making the world a better place by solving real problems. #Brotherly advice. Please ponder before your next comment on my post, thanks.

mayten30: na wa ooo see as the op head be like map of africa,her nose be like aso rock,her mouth be like dirty dust bin wey dey smell,her eyes be like person wey typhoid fever don finish her life,I no blame her,na some guys I blame because of wetin dem wan chop dem go see monkey tell am say na she be the prettiest thing in the world and for their mind they will be laughing at her and say "see this monkey she sef think say she fine true true"if na me be the chick I go vex tear bra and pant take swear for her gene wey make her face be anyhow like spoilt road of lagos/ibadan express road.

This could pass for cyberbulling, you know? And you violated the Rule 2 of posting on this forum. Seriously, haven't people got a sense of empathy and respect any longer? Or shall we put the blame on ASUU? Well, we are who we are, and who we truly are defines our beauty. Who is now the beautiful one? The one who has humbly expressed herself? Or the one who, lacking respect for the form of another, chose to bully?

As much as I find this thread entertaining, the question which spiraled into this bucketful of ideas and thrills appear to me as reasonable and thoughtful. So all girls are beautiful? Well, sadly, and truly, yes. It's just that they have varying number of admirers though. (All things...God made them all). To answer the question, many attractive (note:I avoided the word 'beautiful) ladies get carried away and forget to tidy up the intrinsic values that truly define longlasting appreciation and beauty. The simplest and commonest of these values are KINDNESS, HONEST SMILES and GENUINE INTEREST IN OTHERS. (I'm letting out a million-dollar nugget). Let an Aye Aye (you can google this animal if you haven't heard of it) possess those three values and I bet it will get "handsome" suitors.

ochukoccna: I see they use VOIP [which is as I thought]
However, I don't know how cost effective it is compared to Lebara and Lycamobile which cost 1p per minute [only when you call landlines] while Rebtel is 2.99p
Its only when you call mobile lines it shines through at 3.49p though Lycamobile is close at 4p when you are on a bundle
Even at that, the valuedial I asked about quotes 3p per minute for calls to Nigeria mobiles
Yet I'd love to find out if ANYONE CAN TRULY RECOMMEND THEM seeing I'd been hearing of Rebtel far before I ever thought of getting a Tier 4 visa
Its not just lapping up to their advert and getting scammed eventually
Looking at Skype to help out though for all this Lyca, Lebara and even Rebtel will eventually be fall back secondary options

I'll say it's entirely up to you. Don't mind the landline rates o; how many Nigerian contacts do you have on your mobile that is landline? So, choose based on mobile rates. I use Lyca and Rebtel (depending on my mood...lol) You may try out the value dial with a small amount and test their network if it's alright (they use VOIP like REBTEL but these VOIP systems too get seniority). REBTEL for instance, assigns a local number to your line which makes the VOIP tunnel through a landline gateway. This ensures a better reception and quality. But I am not advertising REBTEL o (even though I have affiliate link and I will get bonus for referring anyone ). My point is, find out about your options (and don't consider money alone), then choose what's best for you.

kellyemms: i applied to my skul around september, i could stil find my result online den, so im sure my skul verified dis bfore i was given an offer. But now i cant find it online anymore and it d toefl dat was written in my cas. i will b goin for january intake for msc. i notified my course admission officer to reissue me another cas to include olevel and not the toefl, he said the cas had been already sent to ukba.......i just hope the vo dnt really check the toefl wen i go for visa interview. And also will i b given my documents back immediately after the interview and also if an applicant is successful in the visa application is it during the interview the vo will notify the applicant that he is successful?

I now understand your situation. Miz_Gene has given you a good advise though, and I advise you take it. I guess you don't want to take a new test, right? You appear to be a risk taker, but I implore you to risk wisely then. I guess it takes time before they send original test scores and that's why you don't have it.
As for your question up there in bold, you will not be given your documents immediately as it's part of the whole application and you will only receive them back with your passport after your application has been assessed. You can only know about the outcome of your application after you have received your processed application (after 3-15 working days).
When is your scheduled interview date and are you still going ahead to submit the print-off TOEFL result?

ochukoccna:

My friend Ochukoccna don come again. Even if I don't want to laugh, I must laugh. I'm sure your wife will love you specially except she doesn't have a sense of humour...lol.

miz Gene: Don Oms, what has happened here is that Nigeria just recently lost ' accreditation ' for carrying out both toefl n gre tests, the reasons for this hasn't been made clear but could likely be due to cheating at some centers. So apparently this is what is affecting some people's results.
@ Kellyemms, I believe UKBA will know about this and being their usual thorough/ killjoy self, they will use every opportunity to refuse u a visa. if u ask me,dy may even be looking out for applicants from Nigeria with Toefl. You can either risk it by going ahead to apply and hoping they won't detect it or mentioning it in ur interview. But instead of risking your 80k on rejection, why not register for pearson now with 37 k and and get ur results almost immediately. The ukba accepts it, so does EVERY school in the UK even though u may not see it on their website. (You must realise that d more time u waste, then d less likely u' ll get an agreeable date for the exam cos toefl is no more there so every1 will b rushing for ielts n pte, so d earlier u make up ur mind d better)
You then send d result to ukba n u can explain explain during ur interview why u r providing a pte instead of the toefl written on ur cas ( u can include d toefl print out too). You may also want to mail ur skl n ask for the pte score they accept, but if u aim for a least score of 75, dt wud b good for ANY school as most skls require a score of 59.

That's a good explanation and advice for kellyemms. I just don't understand why Nigerians are causing these 'problems' for us all.

kellyemms: i was checking my toefl result homepage and i found dat i can no longer view my score anymore but i av the online print out which i used in applying to my school den. I told my school to reissue anoda cas to put my waec instead of o'level but they said dey av already sent it to ukba.Toefl said dey had problem with the center dat i av to write the exam again. my score is not up to 2years. can i still use the online printout for visa application? do ukba really verify the toefl score or the just look at the printed copy?

My brother (or sister), I'm sorry I cannot answer your question directly. The UKBA are not predictable, trust me, so don't assume tuey won't verify (especially when you submit an online print off version). Let's hope some other people who understand this issue come online and help you out. And by the way, how did your school verify it? And did you ask TOEFL if UKBA had the means to verify your result despite the centre issue?

ochukoccna: Okay will read up on them and see if their total package can dust Lyca and Lebara mobile bundles

Rebtel is cool and I use it. And they're very popular and reliable. Just check them up. You may still compare with others like you have said.

kellyemms: wow ets (toefl and gre) don barn nigerians oh! i can no longer access my toefl online result anymore but i stil av d one i printed since. please does the ukba really verify this toefl bcauz in my cas it is toefl dat was written in it. abeg oh help on this issue..

I personally don't understand your case well. But if your TOEFL is not over 2 years old, and your school accepted it, and you have the original document sent by TOEFL, then I don't think you have any problem. For instance, with IELTS, after a time, you can't check your result online but any school in the UK has a special password and link used for verification. So explain this your case well, or contact TOEFL.

njideofor: but its stated that i can appeal to the decision if think incorrect can you tell me steps for administrative review do I need a lawyer to do that?

Please, read the UKBA site very well and search this thread via Google. The step is simple and it is online. In fact, it must have been written in your refusal letter.
As for the lawyer thing, well, if you have money to dispose, you may go for one. But you do not need a lawyer to fill an ordinary form and express yourself.

njideofor: Re: Uk Visa - Visa Appeal Process-part2 by njideofor : 8:59pm
please advise me on what to do am a 4th tier student my visa
application was refuse as quote As part of the application process
you were interviewed via skype by our in Sheffield when you
summited your application. I note that you were last full time
education in 2008 when you completed a diploma in public
administration. you have since been managing your father's
business. its not clear why you previously studied public
administration if your intention is to pursue a career in
business.you state that you chose this course as it will help you
improve your father's business in Nigeria. I am not satisfied that a
genuine student would pursue this course and invest a significant
sum of money in doing so.simply to return to the same
circumstances that you are currently in. given the foregoing I am
not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph 245zv(k)
of the rules...please guild me on how to to follow my appeal
processes and steps

Firstly, I am sorry to hear about your refusal.
Now, note that tier-4 applicants do not have full appeal rights especially when the refusal is not based on matters like prejudice and sorts. The only option to review a visa application decision is to apply for an Administrative Review, and the process is available on UKBA site.
Go through the UKBA site, search this thread and read about Admin Reviews, then if you have further questions, post it here.

madeit2thetop: Here is another silent follower of this thread in a state of I don't even know sef..well I want to knw if its actually possible for vfs or bhc or whichever is updating status nt to update my status or send me a message because I submitted my application on the 9th of oct for january entry and yet I haven't received any text nor changed status from the processing stage and today makes it 20 working days if my calculation is correct..osu mi o ..pls what can I do

A number of factors can cause that delay. But since you say it is now 20 working days, the best thing to do is to call BHC and make inquiry about your application. They'll tell you what is happening. Don't panic, it happens. Just call them.

bunburized: Thanks so much for your kind response.
Pls are you saying I can go ahead and book an appointment for 4th of Dec now?
I was actually thinking I can only make the booking after I have printed my statement of account.
Once again, to be sure I understand you correctly since the deposit was made today 5th Nov I can print out 3rd Dec and book my appointment for 4th Dec?
Is the above correct?
Don't I need CAS to be able to book an appointment online?

Yes, you can book an appointment before printing your statement but let the period be close to each other (say about 3-6 days apart). Don't worry, it won't be fully booked around that time of the year so if you go online on the 2nd of Dec, you'll definitely get appointment for 3rd or 4th.
Yes, you need CAS before booking an appointment as your CAS number will be used. And yes, the earliest date to print your statement is the 3rd Dec if you made full payments on 5th Nov.

bebe2: Brilliant tnk u.

Now the search starts in Ernest.

Pls how soon can she come if she gets a visa does it have to be very close to the time school starts.

As r u allowed into the country say in July?

In Nigeria, you only apply for student visa from 3 months to your School Start Date.

bunburized: Hello house, I just had 3million naira deposited into my account to cover maintenance and remaining tuition fee. Please when do i print the statement and apply for visa?
Secondly, I hope to make the initial deposit needed for an unconditional offer to be given in 10 days time. I hope that will not be a problem?

The whole money needed must have been in your account for 28 days, so if you made that deposit today, the earliest you can print statement is Tuesday, 03 Dec. You can book an appointment for that same day (if convenient) but I advice your appointment should be 04th Dec.
As long as you have evidence of payment for deposit (shown on CAS or genuine receipt) by the time of appointment, no problem. So since you have unconditional offer, it means you don't have CAS yet and when you make payment, it will reflect on CAS, so no worries.

kellyemms: Goodday, i am going for msc, i just received my CAS letter which was been scanned to me by my university. My toefl was stated in the cas but i want to use my o'level for my visa application. what do i do plz?

Just as my brothers in the house told you, you must provide all documents on your CAS else you risk visa refusal. If for any reason, you truly cannot provide that TOEFL result (which I believe TOEFL can send to UKBA if you request for it), your other option is to perhaps beg your school to issue a new CAS to state they personally assessed you and not mention TOEFL. All the best.

ochukoccna: Bro, how are you?
Assignment and lecture no let me post as I for want though I do take quick glances at NL
I opened an account last week with Barclay's
From my research it was either they or Lloyd's
thank you for the concern
From what I heard, CBN gives the old generation banks preference during forex bidding and sell for them at cheaper rates
Maybe that's the cause of the discrepancies in the forex rates
How true is this tale, I do not know until I'm able to confirm from Nigerian banking halls insiders

I'm good bro, thanks for asking. That's the drill here o. And maybe because the MSc is 1 yr, they seem to have it compacted and it may put pressure on students. All is well. As for the rate, I think you made a good point. GT's rate has dropped to 260 this week though. So hopefully, the trend remains so.

ochukoccna: Last GTB transaction was 266.98
Late July to November usually has higher rates
Probably should ease off in the new year

Yeah, the rate has been like that for a while and I learned it's always like that around this time of the year. What led to my initial comment was the info that FirstBank was charging 255 naira per pound, so I was wondering why GT would do us strong thing if the info were correct. It's all good though. By the way, how far with your account opening? Which bank did you pick?

fckyourman: the rates are not regulated, some bank use their own rates. If you have a gt internet bank account, check how much your last purchase was in naira then divide it by the pounds you spend.It should give you the rate there are charging you

Yes, I get to calculate my rate and I know it has always been between 265 and 268. I just didn't know they can charge way too high compared to other banks.

fckyourman: Dont use gt bank, use first bank.

GT Rip off people their exchange rate is 266 while first bank is 255

Really? How could that be? I mean, isn't this rate regulated? Unfortunately I don't have FirstBank account and if GT has truly been doing that, they have messed up then.

justwise: Did you hear that directly from the bank or you read that from their website? I never heard such thing before and i know many students running current account with Barclays bank recently.

I think I should have stressed what I meant by regular in my post earlier. Sorry about the way i expressed myself. I hate to type long sometimes but I will now. I currently have a current account which I opened with NATWEST. Truly, their debit card only works on their Machines, Post Office's and RBS. That account is called BASIC ACCOUNT and there are limitations on what you can do with the account though there are no monthly charges. For instance, the account bears your Nigerian address though your UK address will be on their system. The Disadvantages: 1) You cannot use the card to order goods on certain websites as there is bound to be billing address issues (e.g. hp.co.uk). 2) If you want to use it to verify paypal, it will require extra efforts.
Truly, you can open current and savings account from Lloyds and Barclays too, but these accounts have some limitations of some sort and that was what I was trying to explain in my previous post. That 3 months thing I mentioned was from Barclays. They said you can't open a regular Student account if you don't bring at least a 3-month bill to show you have been in the UK for at least 3 months. Barclays will only open an International Student Account for you. In Halifax's case, they required 1-year stay in the UK.
So, in summary, I did not say it was impossible to open a bank account as an international student, I was only trying to explain what limitations exist on one's options. I hope that clarifies it.

adaobi123: Not all the time

Okay o! Anyone can break the law but he who gets caught is the offender! As long as it is LIVE, you need a License.

@ Thething You honestly have a good argument but it holds true that whether good or not, the ECO will be the judge of that. Although I didn't know there is war in your country before I said your country was the main problem. I actually saw through the ECO that processed your application. In my honest opinion, go ahead with your Admin Review Request and be very hopeful/positive and even pray (if you believe in God). I pray you are vindicated and given the visa. All the very best.

God bless you OP. Not for your list though, but for the comments you made people drop. I have just had the best laugh of my week.

ochukoccna: Nna, na wa O!
No pesin to contribute since this post
Abeg na, help

BTW, was at HSBC and learnt they no longer do biz [open accounts] with Nigerian students due to 'issues' in the past with such accounts and account holders
Hmmnn!
Our Nigerian student ancestors una no do well O!

My brother. All those banks are similar to each other. You cannot open a regular current account with any of them (if you haven't spent at least 3 months in the UK for many student accounts) and in some cases you need to have lived in the UK for 3 years. However, many of those banks like LLoyds and Natwest have nice current accounts that you won't be charged for running them and you can open the account even if you have only spent 1 day in the UK. Though basically, these accounts put into recognition your Nigerian address and you are also limited on certain things. Natwest offers BASIC ACCOUNT (current) and Halifax has something like EASY CASH account. My advice is you open a NATWEST BASIC ACCOUNT and after about 3 months of stay, open a BARCLAYS/LLOYDS account.