₦airaland Forum

Here is a video I just put up with gives detailed explanations about the BCS exams and what you can use them for. It is probably the most detailed video on the internet about BCS HEQs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJkU00dpN9s

Negotiate the ransom.

It's sad that our country has come to this.

In the past few months, at least 3 people I know were kidnapped in different locations, including S/W Nigeria. They were regular people- not the typical "elite".

When you start negotiating or raising ransom for your loved ones, it is really disheartening.

Sadly, it is a better alternative to trusting the government agencies. Report to them to fulfil all righteousness but take your matter into your own hands.

Negotiate. Don't be afraid to tell the kidnappers how much you have regardless of how much they bill. Beg them.

And pray.

That's Nigeria for you.

I wish your sister safety.

OSDD:
Application fees?..or na free?

There are different costs for the different levels. You can easily confirm current costs on the BCS website. At the moment, though, level 4 is made up of 3 papers, each costing 45 pounds. You also have to register as a member of BCS with 30 pounds to sit the exams.

If you wish to train with an approved centre, such as the one I represent (mentioned below), you will have to pay training fees as well.

More information about Twim Institute's BCS program can be found here: http://twiminstitute.com/bcs/

Got a question? I'm happy to answer!

If you have tried to boost your points for Canada Express Entry, you may have heard about BCS Higher Education Qualifications. What many people don’t know, however, is that the BCS International Higher Education Qualifications are a robust set of qualifications that provide an academic pathway on the same level as a UK Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology.

In this write-up, I will attempt to provide comprehensive information about the qualifications and help you decide if they are meant for you.

What (or who) is BCS?
BCS, The Chartered Institute of IT is the trading name of the British Computer Society. The British Computer Society has over 60,000 members in 150 countries and operates under a royal charter granted in 1984. In the UK, royal charters are granted to establish significant organizations and learned societies. With the British Computer Society’s royal charter, it is an independent professional body with the power to award Chartered status within the IT industry (just like there is a body that awards Chartered status to accountants).

What Are the Higher Education Qualifications (HEQs)?
The BCS HEQs is a suite of qualifications in IT that are mapped to the British qualification system at Levels 4, 5, and 6. In the British qualifications framework, A levels are level 3 qualifications. The first year of a Bachelor’s degree, a Higher National Certificate (HNC), or a qualification like the BCS Level 4 certificate in IT are all examples of Level 4 qualifications. The second year of a Bachelor’s degree, a Higher National Diploma (HND), or similar qualifications like the BCS Level 5 Diploma in IT are examples of level 5 qualifications. The third (final) year of a Bachelor’s degree (UK Bachelor’s degrees are 3 years since the entry point is A-Levels or similar level 3 qualifications) or a qualification like the BCS Professional Graduate Diploma in IT are examples of level 6 qualifications. In other words, if you study with BCS all the way from levels 4 – 6, you will end up with a qualification evaluated at the level of a UK Bachelor’s degree.

Who Regulates These Qualifications?
The UK has a number of bodies such as Qualifications Wales, the Scottish Qualifications Agency and the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). Of these 3, the most widely known is Ofqual. Ofqual is described on Wikipedia as a “non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and, until May 2016, vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. Colloquially and publicly, Ofqual is often referred to as the exam “watchdog”.

In other words, for any qualification to be accepted as a valid British qualification, it must be approved by Ofqual or one of the other agencies. You can confirm the list of valid UK qualifications by visiting the Ofqual Register of Qualifications.

Can I use BCS qualifications in place of a Bachelor’s degree?
Since BCS qualifications are regulated by Ofqual, many universities all over the world, and most especially in Europe and Asia, accept them for entry into Master’s programs in IT. Also, they are evaluated correspondingly by bodies such as WES. This implies that many universities in the US and Canada will also accept them as such.

Besides, the British Computer Society is a very strong brand. Understandably, their qualifications carry a lot of weight in the world.

Can I use BCS Qualifications for Express Entry to Canada?
A good number of the Nigerians who sit the exams write them for this purpose. As explained earlier, BCS qualifications are valid British credentials and are typically evaluated as such by bodies such as WES because they are Ofqual-regulated. There are 2 main scenarios most people would explore:

- Write BCS exams from levels 4 – 6 and then get them evaluated by WES as equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor’s degree in IT.
- People who already have Bachelor’s degree would write the level 4 exams, get them evaluated as a UK diploma equal to the first year of a Canadian Bachelor’s degree. Based on this, they would then apply for Express Entry using the “2 or more diplomas or degrees” option. This helps increase their points as against applying with only their Bachelor’s degree.

When are BCS exams written and how can I write them in Nigeria?

Exams are written twice every year, typically in April and October. Yes, you can write them in Nigeria!

Source: https://twiminstitute.com/2021/09/13/bcs-exams-and-your-international-career/

Ideally, you should be able to generate the admission letter on your own. However, the NOUN portal sometimes has errors and correcting them as a new user may be a time-consuming process.

I will therefore recommend that you visit your study centre and ask for the ICT department. Each study centre has an ICT team that can help out with things like that for a small fee. If you meet the admissions requirements, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to correct.

__________

PS: To determine if you should consider NOUN for undergraduate-level study, I made the video below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shktw3OWTWI

NOUN is a great option for people who are working or unable to attend regular schools for any reason.

I am currently enrolled in a Post Graduate program at NOUN.

I have made extensive videos that can help you make that choice (determine if it's for you) and also know what it entails. One of them is below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKpS5XaVL4

If you have taken the test and obtained a band 7+ score, please feel free to add your tips as well. If you are yet to take the tests or wish to sit them again, you can ask questions and I will answer the ones I can.

I wrote the academic version of the IELTS earlier this year and scored 9.0 in reading, 8.5 in listening and speaking, and 6.5 in writing, bringing my cumulative to 8.0. Why was the writing score so low? Because I made a mistake that you can learn from if you are yet to take the test.

Before that, however, I thought to share a few tips to help you prepare for the IELTS:

1. Don't underestimate the test. It is not merely a test of English, so prepare for it. Depending on how good your command of the English language is, take 2 or more weeks to prepare.
2. Be familiar with the format of the tests you will be writing. The academic version is different from the general version which is also different from the UKVI version.
3. Watch relevant videos. YouTube has really great resources for IELTS preparation!
4. Don't be overwhelmed if you start preparing and obtain low scores in practice tests. That's why you should start early! If your preparation is right, your scores will improve significantly.
5. Learn to detect distractions especially in the listening test. Many times, they would say things that are detours- they are meant to throw you off the path. Don't be distracted!
6. If you get confused along the way, ignore that question and move on to the next one. If you spend too much time on a question, it can throw you off balance and cost you other questions. It is better to sacrifice one point and gain the rest than to lose them all.

So why did I score 6.5 in writing (which dragged me down to a band ? Well, I didn't manage my time properly. You can watch my video for a more detailed explanation


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJe8QGUfquM

Visit the lecturer's office and apologize to him. If he doesn't hand back the phone, explain the issue to the Head of Department. Explain in a remorseful tone as you don't have any rights to claim here.

In most cases, it is illegal to record people without their consent. While there might be no clear laws about this, people are still entitled to their intellectual property. It would have been a different issue if you had informed the lecturer beforehand.

That said, it is in my opinion, an offense he can and should easily overlook. It is not uncommon to find students recording lectures after all. In a worst-case scenario, talk to a senior lecturer like I suggested earlier.

It is known as the National Open University of Nigeria.

Here are a few steps you can follow:

1. Check their website to determine if you meet the criteria for your proposed course. For a Post Graduate Diploma, you will need a Bachelors degree. I believe third class honours is acceptable for a PGD.
2. Apply for admission online. You will complete a form and submit it, after which an admission letter would be generated automatically for you.
3. Visit your proposed study centre with your printouts and credentials.
4. Pay your registration, tuition, and examination fees. Basically, this implies generating a Remita code on the portal to load your "wallet", paying in the stated sum to the bank, and then utilizing your wallet balance to offset the respective fees.
5. Verify your exam registration at the study centre.

It's that simple.

To get a good idea of what studying at NOUN is like especially at the postgraduate level, here is a video I made:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKpS5XaVL4

I have received a good number of comments after my last video about my experiences as a post-graduate student at NOUN. One of the ones that I felt needed addressing was the question of whether NOUN would be a good option for an undergraduate. So, I have made a video about that as well!

Here is a short version, though:

NOUN is a great, accredited university that you can easily gain admission into. However, it is also a different model of learning in many regards and may or may not be suitable for you. There are several factors you need to consider:

University education should be about learning and culture. Learning has to do partly with teaching and research. At NOUN, you would not have access to the normal kind of teaching. Are you mature enough to handle this?

Part of the implications of "Culture" is that the university prepares you for integration into society and teaches you about its norms and expectations. It also allows you to form friendships and associations. These are not readily available at NOUN, at least not in the regular ways.

Please note that I am not in any way implying that NOUN is a bad choice. Not at all. It is just a different kind of institution that you need to understand and ensure you are equipped for. It is typically a great choice for mature learners and people who have already had some other form of post-secondary education.

As stated earlier, I did a video for people who are about to make that decision and need comprehensive information. Please find below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shktw3OWTWI

University of the People is an "online, American-accredited, tuition-free university". What exactly does this mean and how is it relevant to you? Is it an option you should consider from Nigeria? Is it a scam? What are the classes like?

In this video, I talked about UoPeople and gave a first-hand review of what studying at UoPeople is like.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdoeqqQZdec

NOUN is a great option. It has its downsides but it is very good if you are a fan of open learning.

I did a comprehensive review of NOUN based on personal experience. Its a long video but it will definitely give you a good idea of what to expect and what factors to consider. Please find below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKpS5XaVL4

It depends on the kind of job the applicant is looking for. I would however recommend getting a higher degree such as a Masters if possible. In many situations, if the fields are completely different, the candidate may be able to get into the new field with a Post Graduate Diploma and then proceed to a Masters. There are also many foreign universities that would accept industry-relevant experience plus a degree in any field as proof of eligibility to get into that particular field at Masters level. Please note that this may not be possible in all scenarios.

Depending on the kind of job being sought, certifications may be a good route to also consider.

And if you are looking to relocate, you may wish to consider diplomas like the ones we offer at Twim Institute in Business Management, IT and Hospitality & Tourism Management. They are British diplomas, are valid educational qualifications, can be used for WES evaluation and can help you get started on your chosen career path. More information is [url="https://twiminstitute.com/international/"]available here[/url].

University of the People- or UoPeople- is a good choice. I am a past student who did not complete the course for personal reasons. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

-It's cheap by American standards (not completely free). A Computer Science degree will cost you a total of slightly less than $5000
-You may be able to get a scholarship
-It's accredited by DEAC (national accreditation) and seems to be on track to get regional accreditation
-It is online, thus allowing you to work while schooling
-They have some great collaborations and agreements with other schools
-It is actually very thorough!

Disadvantages

-Even the "small" fees (charged for examination assessments) can be very high by Nigerian standards
-There are no lectures in the real sense. There is a study guide implemented through Moodle but then, you have to read up on your own and participate in discussions and peer grade assignments. Don't underestimate this as there is usually a lot to read and if you are not cut out for it, it can be very discouraging.
-Sometimes, peer grading can lead to very unfair assessments
-National accreditation is not really recognized in the US. Regional accreditation is what all the major universities and colleges have.

In summary, UoPeople can be a great choice for you but be sure you understand all about it. I personally gained a lot from them.

Meanwhile, you may also want to check out our UK diplomas at Twim Institute which lead to UK Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 qualifications corresponding to the first, second and final years of UK study. You can top up to a British degree instead of Level 6 at well recognized British universities with only a fraction of what would have been your total cost otherwise. Available courses are in IT, Business management, and Hospitality & Tourism Management. You can read up more about it here.

Bower's Tower is one of the tourist attractions in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. In this video, you will learn about this tower and watch the story behind it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2NWGXby9xw

How did Bishop TD Jakes become the mega preacher he is today? In this video, we will "deconstruct" his success, examine some of the useful insights and principles we can learn from his journey, and how we can apply them to our own lives:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5c74mHsxxc

This video provides an overview of the courses, environment and facilities at Twim Institute:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNZ5AviIv4A

Are you interested in learning a skill? The Twim Art institute, otherwise known as Twim Institute, is the perfect option for you!

Departments and Courses include:

School of Fashion: Fashion Design (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) in both Male and Female Fashion streams
School of Media Arts: Photography, Filmmaking, Video Production
School of Design: Front End Web Design, Graphics, User Interface / User Experience Design
School of Food & Drinks: Catering, Events Management, Cakes

For more information, please visit https://twiminstitute.com or call / WhatsApp 09033279205.

On-campus hostel is available

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIo1Ie88eE

iamadonis2:
The author of this post is very wise

Thank you!

Starting a business can be exciting. For many, it is like giving birth to a child: it can be painful but most would feel that it is completely worth the trouble.

Sadly, though, most people do not realize just how hard it can be to go past the starting phase. The news gets even worse for Nigerians: while it is hard to launch out in business anywhere in the world, it is especially difficult in Nigeria. Some of the reasons for this are unclear/confusing regulations, erratic power supply, poor roads and infrastructure, lack of access to capital, and many others.

The point of this post is however not to discourage you from starting a business in Nigeria. It is rather to tell you some of the things I feel, based on my 15 plus years of running a business here, which you should avoid. I must mention that not all my scenarios will match yours, and I recommend rethinking my thoughts into your context.

1. Registering Your Business Before it is a Business: Registration or incorporation papers from the Corporate Affairs Commission do not make a business (although they confer a seal of legality to it). What makes a business- any business- is customers! Until you have patronage, you are not yet in business. Most people put the cart before the horse, focusing on registrations and paperwork. Instead of that, I would recommend that you should find your first set of customers, and then register your business. Be sure that your model works and there is market demand for it.

2. Registering a Legal Form You Don’t Need: One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make is to register their ventures using legal forms they don’t need. To put this in other words, there is a world of difference between the implications of being “incorporated trustees”, “business name” “private company limited by shares”, or “private company limited by guarantee”.

I remember the first time I registered a Limited Liability Company. I was convinced by a “professional” that limited liability was the best and I could use that registration for any kind of business in the future. While that was true to an extent, his information was very incomplete. Had I known the tax implications and stress involved in a company that was still very young at that time, I would have stuck with my business name registration. It would have been much cheaper to continue as a business name until the business grew big enough to take on the implications of limited liability.

Educate yourself about these things. The “professionals” often don’t understand these differences from the perspective of someone doing business.

3. Starting a Business without Understanding Your Business Model: Many people do this because they see other people who are successful in a particular line of business and they assume that they will be able to get the same results without having the same mastery of the model. The truth is that the same business idea can be implemented in different ways and achieve different results. In my neighborhood, there are two top-notch schools with very high ratings. One charges school fees of over N100, 000 per term while the other charges close to 10 times of that amount. Both have high patronage but obviously very different revenues. In other words, two people can sell the same product, attract completely different audiences, and earn very different incomes. The determining factor is your business model and you should understand this before you start your business. You should also revise it from time to time so that it remains relevant given the realities of operating where you are.

4. Not Researching about the Dynamics of Your Environment: Location can be very crucial in determining the success (or failure) of your business. There are two petrol stations opposite each other around my house. One attracts massive patronage while the other just gets by. What is responsible for the difference? The side of the road each one is located on! One is better positioned for morning sales because being a residential area, vehicular traffic is high when people are going to work and at that time, they are want to ensure that their cars are fueled. Obviously, this same example may not be applicable in a neighborhood with different dynamics.

5. Contracting Out Your Role in Your Business: One of the fastest ways businesses die in Nigeria is the exit (or lack of active participation) of the founder(s). If you are unable to make time out for your business, perhaps you should not start it.

Hiring people is great but to utilize staff time, you need structure. Structure requires leadership and it still comes back to you, especially at the early stages. This explains why many Nigerian businesses thrive while their owners/founders are in the country but dwindle when managers are appointed to oversee them due to the death or migration of the founder.

I should mention that your aim should be to get your business to a stage where you do not have to be actively involved for it to grow. I fully support putting such structures in place. I am only recommending that you should be willing to sacrifice the initial time and effort needed to attain the level of growth and structure needed to leave it alone.

PS: If you would like to know more about starting a business in Nigeria, I’ve got great news for you. I have an online course that covers much of what you need to know- from whether you should even be in business to the appropriate corporate registration categories, defining your business model, turning your ideas into products, selling, etc. Please enroll at https://creativeskillsvillage.com/courses/how-to-start-a-business-in-nigeria/

Source: https://inspiredwitholumide.com/2020/07/07/5-mistakes-to-avoid-when-starting-your-business-in-nigeria/

Meanwhile, if you are creative, you can sign up at https://creativeskillsvillage.com/forums to participate in educative, developmental, and informative discussions for creatives. You can ask questions, answer questions and contribute your knowledge!

Do you desire to be able to create (or manage) your own website or blog? Or would you like to be able to do it for others?

Sign up for this Wordpress online class on Creative Skills Village. The current cost is NGN 3,999!

What if you are not a "techy"? Congratulations! This class is meant for you. Wordpress is a simple but powerful Content Management System that powers one out of every three websites on the internet. If you master it well, you can build not only corporate websites but also news blogs like Linda Ikeji's blog, Bella Naija and Vanguard News) as well as e-commerce sites.

Creative Skills Village gives you access to affordable, high-definition video courses taught by experts in Nigeria's creative industries. Besides offering comprehensive classes, you can replay videos, adjust streaming settings (to save data consumption), ask questions on the forum, and get expert advice. We have also integrated a job board to enable you to hear about job openings for creatives around the country really quickly! Besides, you are part of a dynamic community of forward-thinking creatives.

Sign up now or check us out to see other courses you may be interested in!

https://creativeskillsvillage.com/courses/web-blog-design-using-wordpress-for-non-techies/

Would you like to learn about Fashion Design?

I've got great news for you. The Twim Art Institute, one of Nigeria's leading arts and vocational schools, has online courses you can take advantage of! These are not WhatsApp classes. Rather, they are proper, well-structured video courses available via our e-learning platform and certificates are issued on completion.

The Fashion Design for Beginners- Female Clothing course lasts for 6 weeks. You can learn more about it by watching the video below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_yDubOn4YA

To enrol for this course, please click here: https://www.creativeskillsvillage.com/courses/fashion-design-for-beginners-female-clothing

PS: Other courses (such as Male Fashion and classes on Photography, Web Design, Entrepreneurship etc. are available on the portal.

With the coronavirus pandemic, most cities around the world are under some kind of lockdown or the other. At this time, the internet is the best hope for many small business owners and religious leaders. But what if you are new to the concept of influencing people online? Don't worry- this video explains it to you.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12PjW-3iO5c

With a growing number of confirmed Coronavirus cases, it has become necessary for both residents and the government to make several adjustments. But how much do people even know about the virus? Watch the misconceptions, opinions and how you can stay safe.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXAPeVgmXI0

"For the first time since 1894 when Agodi Prison was built, inmates will write exams..."

In a society where most people want nothing to do with prison inmates, a young man, Yomi Fadare, is sacrificing his time and resources to reform prisoners. Thanks to Yomi's efforts, inmates of Agodi Prison, Ibadan, Nigeria can now receive lessons, write Senior School Certificate exams, undergo ICT training and vocational programs. Watch the story of this Nigerian change-maker.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8cJVNs6Nxk

http://awarewa.tv/?p=2479