Hello guys,

I acquired a piece of land last year at Sapele road in Benin. It's already about 5months now since I bought the property; a land measuring 100 by 125 ft ( i.e 100x125). I acquired this land through the help of my in-law and I have all the land documents including the survey plan and deed of the agreement except for the C of O which the original owner had not done as at the time I bought. But I have a copy of all the deeds of transfers that have been made of the land up to myself.

Now, the problem is I want to start something on the land to prevent intruders. Although my in-law has assured me that there are no longer land grabbers (Omoniles) in Benin which has been abolished by the state government and the Oba of Benin, but I fear that people might till want to encroach on the land as lots of development is going on around the property. Most of the neighbouring properties are being developed every day.

I currently don't have enough funds to develop the land right now as the money I used in buying the land (1.8million naira) was almost all the money I saved from my MSc scholarship funds. I am currently not in Nigeria as I am yet to return back. I decided that I would make a fence around the land as that would shield off intruders to a large extent. My in-law happens to be a building contractor and has guys working for him. I have asked him to send me a quotation for what it will cost to make a 4-foot fence around the 100x125 piece of land and here are his quotes:

1. Moulding blocks

a) 50 bags of cement @ 2800 naira each = 140,000 naira

b) 5 trips of sand @ 23000 naira each = 115,000 naira

c) labour - 700 naira per bag = 35000 naira

2. Setting of Blocks (Fencing)

a) I trip of sand = 23,000 naira
b) granite dust - single trip @ 40,000 naira
c) 35 bags of cement = 98,000
d)Labour : digging and casting = 25,000 naira; clearing = 6,000 naira; bricklayers = 100,000 naira

From the above quotation, it follows that it will cost me 580,000 naira to erect the 4-foot fence. Also, the fence is not going to be a complete square cover as on side has already be done by an owner of the neighbouring land. So what we are looking at is a U-shape fence.

So my worry right now is if it is a good idea to invest such huge amount on a fence, given that I don't really have that a lot funds to start the proper development now. On a second thought, should I just save up more money and add to the 0.58million naira and then do a good foundation of my building rather than erect the fence.

Please, I need the advice of experienced builders on the quotation and advice of mature people who have embarked on a building project before. Thanks

drberry:
The aim of education is largely defeated especially in a country as ours. We have a lot of educated people, Professors, Ph.D holders, MSc holders and graduates from different disciplines yet we still import almost everything we use, there's still gross disobedience to societal laws, there's gross misbehavior and unethical practices in our societies, etc the lost goes on and on.

I'm an advocate for education, however I believe more that it's should be evident in our lives first as individuals and secondly in our society at large.

I totally agree with the OP. Education is a vital tool in the life of an individual. While education includes schooling, it's is not restricted to schooling. Schooling is just a part of being educated and not all there is to education. While schooling involves going through an organised system of learning of facts and acquisition of information and in the process developing one's mind to be able to think constructively and rationally and be able to apply oneself productively. True education is all encompassing, schooling being just a vital part of it.

A truly educated individual is one who can learn, unlearn and re-learn. One who is capable of a rational, constructive and conscientious thought, who can apply himself positively towards his own continual self development and improvement and can ultimately contribute meaningfully to the progress and growth of his environment. It's more of an enlightenment of the heart and mind than informing of the mind or intellect.

"Education is all that remains in us after we have forgotten all that we learnt in school" - Albert Einstein

Hello guys. Has anyone who wrote on the 21st of November received the hard copy of their IELTS certificate?

godsboy4eva:
Wrote at NT on November 21st and got my result online today.
Listening -7.5
Reading -7
Writing -7
Speaking -7
Overall band -7.0

Congrats @godsboy4ever. I wrote at NT too on 21st of Nov. I just checked mine now.
Listening 7.0
Reading 8.5
Writing 7.0
Speaking 7.0
Overall band 7.5

cyrielo:
No result found that's what it says

I got d same msg wen I tried to check online. @cyrielo have u received ur hardcopy result?

Hello guys, has anyone here who wrote the IELTS test in lagos on the 21st of Nov in Lagos (National Theatre) received his/her result or been able to check online?

IdrisARiruwai:
me too! but does that mean we are successful?

I got an sms invitation too. Congrats to everyone that got. Indeed it was worth the waiting

Guys is it true that there is someone from Edo that scored 80? Does anybody know of such one for a fact?

Who has idea of when the list of successful candidates will be published? Judging by how last year's selection process went; the test was written btw 11th and 12th of June 2014 and by 10th of July 2014 the final list of successful candidates was published in the national newspaper - which was like 1month after. But since they wasted a lot of time this year b4 inviting candidates for the screening test, I would like to think that they would fast track the process so that those successful candidates that wanna go for the September entry can still meet up. Cos a friend of mine that got it last year was able to use it for September entry in Leeds. So anyone with idea of when final list will be out?

Please Emasel are you sure about you said, that someone from Edo scored 80? Please confirm and let me know. It's me Oni

Emasel:
Guys who have written should share their scores, so we can have a rough idea of the top scores from the different states.

Mehn this year's nitda test is as tough as last year's. Please where are the Edo scholars.......let's share Nd discuss d scores. Anyone with above 64 from Edo?

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Hello Inspire Auto, a great morning to you. Please could you help me check up this VIN. It is urgently needed biko. send to oniemma4@gmail.com Thanks a bunch!

3N1CB51D21L428570 NISSAN SENTRA

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Congrats Adetola007!....I celebrate with u. It's always a thing of joy to finally achieve a long pursued goal. I fully understand the inestimable joy nd happiness u currently feel. It jst reminds me of mysef wen I graduated in 2012 with a 1st class in Elect Elect Enggr from uniben. It's been jolly ride for me since then. A lot of opportunities await u bro. Your degree is a powerful tool which with d right information has d potential to take u places. congrats once again for d noble feat. See you at d top.

samlestic:
all diz reliable source something sef! we are tired. btw wat of civil engineering

this is reliable....cos I av seen d list mysef nd I av checked my name on d list at d deptl office as a GA in d dept. I dn't know if d list for civil enggr is out buh I can confirm from a colleague who is a GA in civil enggr dept.

Arysexy:


Why is it not uploaded?

The problem is with d crpu dept. Buh d admission list was brought to d EEE dept on friday. I will upload snapshots of d list on monday wen it is pasted.

hello house, admission list for M.ENG ELECT/ELECT ENGGR is out. All concerned shud endeavour to check their names at d deptl office on monday 09/03/15. It'll pasted on monday. frm a reliable source

pls add me up. 07064739930

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Your post is amazing. I admire your input. It's encouraging to even myself, a graduate. I currently work as an assistant lecturer in Kwara State College of Education although with the intent of moving to a varsity after my masters. I admire you for delving into the academia after your degree. Most first class products want to eat oil money without considering that it will lay waste to what's in their brain. Although I wasn't able to make a first class because of the nature of my discipline (English and Literary Studies) which uses subjective marking and other factors such as the fact that I never intended to study the course. I was jolted there from Law and later loved the course in my second semester of 100level which was a big blow on me. I also gained admission quite young. Barely 15+ then so I had to discover myself. I was able to meet up, change course and broke records(made parallel As at times). However, I came out with a 2'1 and a certificate as the best graduating student. I intend to pursue masters this year.
Meanwhile which school is EEE. Pardon my ignorance. I would like to make your acquaintance so that we can share ideas. [/quote]

Thanks Literatymathy for appreciating my modest input regardless of the obvious typos. Again I must commend you for being able to gain university admission at a very young age (15+), I actually gained admission at the age of 17; you seem to me a bright mind judging by your record of best graduating student. For that, I say a BIG kudos. EEE in full means Electrical Electronic Engineering. Being in the academics has always being a childhood ambition for me (I actually aspire to be a professor of reput in my field). I enjoy research alot and love to learn new things and better ways of doing things and have always been fascinated by physical systems and nature. Coming from a relatively modest family, where in my early childhood days I had to help my family as farm labour, in our rather subsistence agricultural practice, I can still remember the drudgery of having to repeat a particular task over and over again, this always bored me. It was not until I came across inventions like the electric washing machine, electric bread toaster, electrically powered toys and mowing machines that perform their functions with little or no human effort. This was an eye opener for me into the world I seek: where human physical effort could be reduced to the barest minimum. My fascination with all these propelled me to study these machines in order to understand the underlying principles with which they operate. The crave for knowledge and problem solving informed my decision for studying Engineering. I intend to be actively involved in research and work in a highly reputable academic institution or research center where cutting-edge technology can be developed that will drive the Nigerian economy and position our nation as a high tech nation amongst the committee of developed nations. The responsibilty to make this nation great rests upon the shoulders of we the young Engineers and innovators and we need to start pushing ourselves beyond the limits and challenge the status quo.
@DJMONACO....thanks sir. To answer your questions; as I have stated above, I studied Electrical Electronic Engineering. As regarding study tips; I first would like to draw your attention to the socratic dictum that says "OH MAN KNOW THY SELF". Study habits and hence tips are largely relative and an individual thing. This is why the best advice for study habits and tips is that one should first understand oneself thoroughly first. While in the undergrad programme I always try to design a study schedule that best suite my personality. I am more of a day-person, that is I am more effective during the day than at night so I try to make maximum use of my day-time. And also I am the type of person that like to study a lot on my own. I only just need to be told what a course is about; like an overview of a concept, from there I can go on to study on my own. I easily get bored and tired sitting for a lecture for say 2hrs or more, so I try to attend the first few classes on a course at the beginning of the semesters, once I grasp what the course is about and I fully understand the scope of the course, I tend to withdraw from regular lectures and instead spend more time at the library because I do better studying on my own than have a lecturer teach me everyday all through the semester. I do not in anyway infer that students should shirk lectures, NO NO; all am saying is that every student should strive to understand themselves and determine what method is best for them. Some students are better of being taught everyday and spoon-fed for them to fully grasp a concept while some others only just require a brief explanation of a concept and they can go on to build on that, I belong to the latter group. Which ever group one belongs to, an important key or point to take into consideration is consistency in pursuing one's goal. Consistency is the mother of perfection they say. To ensure my consistency in studying everyday, I try to wake up very early each day to study at least 2hrs in the morning before doing any other thing in the morning. Research has shown the that retention capacity of the brain is usually high when one just wakes up newly particularly in the morning because the mind very fresh at that time and devoid of any form of worries. So by studying 2hrs every morning means that even if the day's activities become so hectic that am unable to study again during the day atleast I would have read for 2hrs on any particular day. For a bright and highy focus student, 2hrs a day consistently is enough to make a very decent grade in any course. But to be excellent, you might require more hours of study depending on the number of courses one is offering in the semester and the broadness of the courses. Again the KEY is understanding oneself.
So to summarize the study tips I would say:
1. Study yourself to understand and know your strength and weakness

2. Define a goal for yourself regarding the semester and design a study plan that will enable you achieve the goal.

3. have a thorough understanding of the scope of the courses to study for the semester

4. Go for lectures and when there, BE THERE; focus and concentration are paramount

5. Keep a comprehensive note of important points and concept in every course and lecture

6. STUDY TO KNOW AND NOT TO PASS YOUR EXAM

7. believe in yourself ( very important ), and more importantly, believe in GOD

8. just a little addendum; learn about the 20/80 rule for personal effectiveness. I recommend a book by Dr. Stephen R. Corvey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

I will stop here for other bright minds to contribute their bit. Thanks

Hello guys, it's great to be on this thread. Thumps up to the OP for creating the thread and an avenue for people to share their academic experience and hurdles. In the light of the topic at hand I would like to share a little thought so as to encourage someone out there. With all humility, I would say that I happen to be recipient/holder of a First Class honours degree( not by shear luck but by a conscious and consciencious effort) in EEE from one of Nigeria's best ivry league colleges and currently a postgraduate student and graduate assistant lecturer. Graduating with a good grade from school is not so difficult as many believe it to be but a result of a consistent, dedicated effort geared towards achieving a goal. I would like to seize this opportunity to crave the indulgence of all undergraduates on this thread to in God's name take their studies seriously if they're not already doing so. I say this in the light of the current reality of the Nigerian job market. As of today, the Nigerian job market has become so dense and competitive that having a 2.2 is useless let alone a third class because most jobs advertised by employers these days put 2.1 as their benchmark. Due to the saturation of the Nigerian job market, the 2.1 benchmark is no longer adequate to seive graduates so employers now advocate for graduates with five credit in one sitting in waec. The implication of this is that if it happens that you were a "not so good" student in your secondary school so were able to get into the university by combining two waec results but eventually got better in the university and probably was able to graduate with a first class through shear hard work and determination; am sorry to inform you that you going to have a very big problem in your hands when you start applying to job vacancies because most employers especially employers of the BIG coys ( like the big audit firms; kpmg, PWC, Ernst and young, deliotte, the big oil MNC like shell, oando, etc) require candidates with good grades from uni and good grades in waec ( atleast five credits including Maths and English). So for the forks still battling with waec who happen to be on this thread, please learn a thing from the above. Well to avoid excessive ranting, I will like to posit that the decision to make a first class in the university is best made before beginning the first semester of the first year of the degree program. This so because it programs one's mind for success from the very beginning. The research that lends gridance to the above assertion was carried out by a Nigeria respected Public speaker, Motivational speaker and personal/corporate development coach- FELA DOUROTOYE. To close my ranting I will simply say that it cost far less to succeed than to fail- the price for success is less expensive compared to the shame of failure. SUCCESS at whatever endeavour cannot be achieved without Planning, focus, determination, perseverance, self-believe and God.


Please have the patience to read through the above and feel free to drop a question.....BTW pls bardon any grammatical inconsistency.

Please send to my mail....oniemma4@gmail.com
God bless you

Please also send me a copy..Thanks in anticipation
oniemma4@gmail.com

Thanks guys for your contributions.@afrocandy, I was told that I would sign legal bond with the coy that will prevent me from leaving. According to the terms of the bond, I can only leave wen I have worked for a minimum of two years afta training. My problem is I don't know how robust their training is, as they're a very young firm with no strong presence yet so am not even sure of the career path there. Am very confused right now cos I really need to start doing something. Staying at home with no money in one's pocket is not funny at all

Hello everyone, am a young promising graduate Electrical Engineer, graduated in 2012 with a great grade in EEE and rounded-off my nysc in Feb this year. Since I completed my NYSC I have been applying to alot of job openings and thankfully I have been called for many aptitude tests and interviews but yet to get an offer letter from a desired coy. I recently applied to an Engineering servicing firm in warri ( named withheld) and the HRM was really impressed with my performance in the interview and my grade. they are willing to give me an offer but with a CLAUSE. the clause states that I would be on a training for 18months ( during which I will be on a salary of 60k ), after which I would do a voluntary service work that would last for another period of two years ( still on same pay) but with a possibility of a raise depending on the level of performance and dedication to work. Please kindly drop your advice..........

Please send the video to me nd any other workforce past questions u might have at oniemma4@gmail.com
God bless you

Please I need the past questions. here is my email addr> oniemma4@gmail.com

Hello Paulipopor, I really appreciate ur write up. It's quite motivating and inspiring and it's coming at a time I really need it. Ur write-up suggests that u're very confident of urself and also very focus which is what am trying to develop in myself. I graduated with a very good grade and am currently doing my nysc. I tend to have less confidence in myself and this is making me loose focus and it's affecting my planning. Pls can u offer some advice....I'll truly appreciate it. Thanks in anticipation.

I'm so interested.....here is my email addr: oniemma4@gmail.com