₦airaland Forum

Kobojunkie:
A short-term solution to chaos which is really TRAFFIC? Come on now  . . .  We have been offering ourselves PATCH-PATCH solutions to unrelated problems for way too long. I doubt this will solve the chaos. lol . . . I forgot to also tell you that the Augean stables solution is not really applicable in this case.

Definitely, drastic measures need to be put in place to curb the traffic nightmare and also not impinge of the freedom of citizens. Reckless driving is not solved by a BAN. That is a NON-BRAINED(pardon by Anglais) way of pretending to solve problems.

Fashola is simply too occupied at this time to face this problem squarely, I believe he is transiting nicely towards solving the problem with all of the infrastructural developments we are getting in Lagos. The augean stables solution is applicable now, we divert one river through the bloody place to wash off only Okadas.
Short term solutions will impinge on the freedom of some citizens, but through iteration, we can fine tune it. In more developed countries bans might not be applicable, in Lagos, ban them, bring Keke Napep abeg. People are getting too fat, they need to slim down by walking some distance.

Kobojunkie:
I actually believe the events of the last three years have gone to show that what people need is a leader to inject some structure and they will follow. The Tax system in lagos speaks to this.
Marwa actually did create extra lanes on some portions of Ikorodu road and many of the roads in Ikorodu. Traffic used to be hell for people working in Lagos but living in Ikorodu before then. Even the bridges were in really bad straits at one point that it was safer to get over them on Okada than in a danfo or molue back then.
Yes, traffic is so many times heavier now but it used to be heavy back in the days and why governments kept needing to, not only maintain old roads but construct new ones/create extra lanes existing ones to ease the situation. In the state I live in, we have 4 lanes on the main way and an extra express lane.
But how is banning Okada or banning pregnant women from riding Okada's a SHORT-TERM solution to the transportation issue? You do realize that Hercules never really did exist as the stories claim and the reality is when you ban something without providing an immediate and more times better alternative, 99% of the time you CREATE a new problem of possibly equal magnitude or more or more in some cases.

It is a short term solution to creating some semblance of order on lagos roads (okadas create a lot of chaos), just went out to buy some asun (dont know the english word for it), and you need to see the okada guys and their riding. As I said, I can see that you are canvassing an end to end solution that will not single out the Okada as being the main cause of the transport wahala, it is an admirable thing to do, but, it wont work in present day Nigeria, we do things in instalments here.
I now realize the bloody guy did not exist (thanks for bringing it to my notice), the solution to the augean stables is still the best one, we need to take drastic actions in some areas you know. I also need to change my name, maybe to phantom.

Kobojunkie:
Again, hurry is NOT a problem. I live in a huge metropolitan area and hurry is accommodated because people have to get from point A to B in time no matter what. The state is constantly looking for ways to ease traffic and that is NORMAL in metro areas.
The bicycle thing is NOT wrong because there is NO PROOF that riding bicycles/motorcycles are MORE DANGEROUS than riding in cars if all other things are well taken care of. So it is TOO EASY to blame the bicycle rider or the motorcyclists for all accidents. Granted, some Okada riders ride dangerously but NOT ALL Okada riders are that dangerous and so banning is a lazy minds way out of problems that need to be seriously tackled.
I lived in the same Lagos late 70's through 90's fulltime, and I know for a fact that the traffic problem back then is NOT half/not even a quarter as bad as it is today. I remember when Marwa started dualization projects on so many of the roads, especially Ikorodu road, that eased a  lot of the traffic problem in that area fast. But you know how Lagos population is constantly growing, so it is government's place to continue to adapt and find solutions.
Okada started showing up late 90's because of the rise in population, bad roads and traffic issues. Okada's used to be limited to remote villages and stuff. Even there back then Danfo's were more in use than OKadas.
I am not an OKada fan myself but I know that you are seriously generalizing, and making some false assertions. Okada riders can be tamed and quickly too. All the government has to do is same it has done to cause people to pay taxes -- enforce rules and stuff. Seizing Okada's is not even supposed to be an option since it is NOT illegal to ride those. Thinking of the same applied to cars. Imagine the police seizing cars are a way of solving some car related issue on the road.
People are NOT FORCED to get on Okada's, and so it is cheap to claim that a ban is better because igbobi is filled with people who have been in Okada accidents. There are better ways to deal with this issue than instituting complete bans or bans on Okada riding for pregnant women, who by the way mostly have brains of their own to figure what is good or not good for themselves. Maybe education is a better option, however a ban remains the typical "BAN first USE OUR BRAINS LATER" approach to solving issues.

I see where you are coming from but trust me it is easier to reform our politicians than to reform the Okada men or other road users (I accept that other road users can be mad too). Marwa fixed the Odo Iya Alaro bridge (the one that links Maryland to Ojota) he did not really dualise Ikorodu road. Traffic is heavier now, but it was heavy then, very heavy.
Fashola said something that I really like, he is committed to fixing the roads that lead to our areas, from there, we should find our way. Lagos State can not solve the transportation issues without a mass transit system in place, the mass transit system will take years to build, while we are building it, we need to look at short term solutions. Lets just apply the method hercules used to clean the augean stables, ban the bloody guys.

Kobojunkie:
Lagosians are not the only people in a hurry. . . people in other cities who know time is money are also in a hurry. But they do not all have the same Okada issues lagos is dealing with. So, definitely being in a hurry is NOT TO BLAME for this. Like I have said over and over now, Okada's fill a gap that remains open . . .  following the principle of demand and supply, when the demand for no fuss form of transport became high, the Okada's showed up in Lagos and have continued to multiply with the years.

You are kidding, right? Let me give you a reality check here. Before Okada's, Lagos did not have the current level of issues with traffic. Okada's became a necessity as the traffic issue worsened, along with the situation with the roads.
After all the argument you gave on Okada's being dangerous, you are willing to now claim that Bicycles are a better option? ROFLMAO!!!
Do you have any real clues what the real issue is in Lagos? Cause it is beginning to seem you are confusing your personal bias against Okadas with the real issue with Okadas in Lagos.

Lagos Hurry no get part two o except maybe Kano and I heard that they are also a menace over there. The Bicycle thing was with tongue firmly in the cheek ( I no know book o). Before Okadas, Lagos had a terrible level of issues with traffic and we had no Third Mainland bridge ( I grew up in Lagos in the 80s, traffic on Ikorodu road was hell). I have clues what the issues are because I face them everyday. Okadas would have been a good way to move if the riders were disciplined and not on some cheap drugs, unfortunately, they are not and can not be made disciplined. Please visit a typical police station to see how many okadas are seized on a daily basis, visit Igbobi to see what they are doing to people's legs

babapupa:
Going on and on spewing the the same nonsense about filling the need, you not only sound irresponsible as usual, you sound thoughtless and heartless. No responsible government looks the other way while the people they swore to serve and protects gets maimed and killed because of other people's needs.

What government sets up a special hospital unit just to treat victims and perpetrators of your so called need? Going to that extreme means something is wrong somewhere and something got to be done. It is an sustainable situation.

How do you justify putting your silly needs above other people's lives and safety?

Faulty or not, we still have public transportation and just like in a lot of societies, don't we used to walk from the bus stops to our final destinations?

And what other alternatives are you talking about? We don't have public transportation? Or you just need to have a few limbs broken and some deaths just because you need door to door drop off service?

Okada is not and shouldn't be the only means of livelihood and if for whatever reason you have none, there are vocational trades, apprenticeship, Abi what happened to that age long tradition of learning some lasting skills that could also be taught others.

Putting the lives of the citizenry in the hands of illiterates and unskilled riders is absolutely insane and irresponsible.

If you can not learn a trade or aquire some other kinds of skills, go back to your towns and villages and find something to do, the state can not sustain millions of people entering Lagos with no money, no place to stay and eventually defaulting to quick money ventures like Okada @ the expense of vulnerable Lagosians.

Bros that was rather harsh o, though true in the case of those unskilled okadas, one day one day you and Kobo will get along.

Kobojunkie:
Please read your own posts there. You are saying a better alternative already exists and runs in these areas but people REFUSE to ride the better alternatives? You also mention people sitting down to tell their reps to do something about good access roads? Again, can you at least provide for on the ground solutions and points to support this ban. Like I said earlier, the Okada's currently serve a purpose for which there seems no better alternative yet. A Ban will not be necessary IF a better alternative exists cause that is usually how the minds work even in places like Nigeria. If they find they can get from point A to B in a better way, I doubt people will still opt for Okada instead.

This "ban first, think later" method of solving problems is ridiculous

Lagosians are always in a hurry now. People take Okadas because they are faster, they are faster partly because they do not obey traffic rules (have you seen them at traffic lights?), the keke Napep can come in to take over the routes being run by these Okadas, they are already doing so. The on the ground solution is what worked before the Okadas were here and what is working in those states that they have been banned or maybe I should go the Ojo Maduekwe's way, make everybody buy bicycle.

Kobojunkie:
I think you are missing the main issue here. Okada's are not just here for nothing, they serve a purpose. That you can walk kilometers in some areas does not mean you can in all areas. Try some of the back communities and you will likely revise your talk there.
Lagos is not PH . . . I can bet you there are parts of PH where people are currently hating the ban on Okada. Now, Okada fills a need. Do you BAN before you provide an alternative? Or do you FIRST provide a better alternative and then watch people leave Okada for it? Remember Okada was not always needed in most of Nigeria.
Are Keke Napep's able to get people from point A to point B in relative time as Okada can? By the way, you did not answer my Danfo question, or I think I did ask a question.

Keke Napeps take a longer time because they are saner than the Okada riders. Danfos pose dangers sure, but, their recklessness is being curbed up to an extent by the LASTMA guys and by the rent takers on the road and compared to okadas, they are much much safer.

Kobojunkie:
I think you are missing the main issue here. Okada's are not just here for nothing, they serve a purpose. That you can walk kilometers in some areas does not mean you can in all areas. Try some of the back communities and you will likely revise your talk there.
Lagos is not PH . . . I can bet you there are parts of PH where people are currently hating the ban on Okada. Now, Okada fills a need. Do you BAN before you provide an alternative? Or do you FIRST provide a better alternative and then watch people leave Okada for it? Remember Okada was not always needed in most of Nigeria.
Are Keke Napep's able to get people from point A to point B in relative time as Okada can? By the way, you did not answer my Danfo question, or I think I did ask a question.

The alternatives are already here, Keke Napep can get to where Okadas go, maybe if they ban the Okadas in those back communities the people will sit on their representatives to do something about good access roads.
The other alternatives will be to build better roads and provide other means of transportation, I believe Fashola is working on that, but, while he is, LETS BAN THE BLOODY OKADAS.

Kobojunkie:
My issue is more with the need to stifle freedom in the name of unsupported safety   . .  Danfos and other rickety motors out there pose as much danger, some cases even more danger to the babies and the pregnant woman, than the okadas. Unborn babies are more likely to develop health issues when pregnant women are forced to sit for hours in traffic, with all the fumes and exhausts from all the idle cars and trucks.
So, is a ban really a SENSIBLE solution or just the same old "BAN FIRST, THINK LATER" solution we seem to have for all things in Nigeria?

I am saying ban okada for everybody outright, be it pregnant women, unpregnant women, any and everybody, they constitute a nuisance to the society, I am prepared to walk kilometers if they are banned, afterall I travel to PH where they are banned and I am still able to move around. Danfos are dangerous no doubt, but the okadas are in a world of their own.
I have suggested alternatives such as Keke Napep and other "safer" methods.

Kobojunkie:
How do you know it is not good for their health? Answer that first . . . . how did you come to that conclusion by this ban?

So rather than directly tackling the Okada issue head on, the freedoms of a group of people in the society should be impinged on instead? So an Okada man cannot drive his pregnant wife to the hospital, even gently to the hospital? Pregnant woman who own motorbikes are barred from riding them for the duration of their pregnancy even when their is NO evidence to prove that riding on Okada is bad for the babies health?

When I say that it is not good for their health, I mean it is a dangerous means of transporting a pregnant woman, infact, for me it is dangerous means of transportation full stop. It is dangerous because of the way these Okada drivers ride(you need to see them in action), if the ban is in a place and an Okada rider wants to get his pregnant wife to the hospital, let him take a taxi or danfo or molue or keke Napep(abi taxi man no go chop). The law will affect some people negatively but it is for the common good.
Ideally the state government should regulate them, but that is a daunting task (let an Okada man hit your car and you try to remonstrate with him, u go hear wen).

tkb417:

when the time is near, my wife will move to the hospital

cant drive a pregnant woman in labour, ill kill the 2 of us in fear

best thing is to have the hospital near my house

She insisted on going to work o, infact she had to walk about 700 meters to where I was parked (took her about 45 minutes because of the pain) because of the construction going on in Marina around that time. To all the ladies in the house una well done o, labour pain no get part two o.

Kobojunkie:
So SHARIA type BAN is what you impose on these woman for being pregnant? Do you realize what a BAN like this implies?

Whether it is SHARIA BAN o, or not, it is for the health of the pregnant woman, the menace of the Okada riders is just too much. Hope you have seen them in action on Ikorodu road or even on the Third Mainland bridge. They have been totally banned in PH and the people are moving on with their lives, yes there will be some discomfort,, but the benefits outweigh the discomfort jare.

tkb417:
i hope that wont lead to wahala when they want to give birth

imagine a scenerio when the roads are blocked and the pregnant woman is in labour

would okada suffice at the point in time?

blanket ban may not be the best afterall

expand the roads and make the okadas useless

Labour is not a 1 hour thing, I have driven my wife in Third Mainland Traffic when she was about to give birth and she still got to the hospital, stayed for about 2 hours before she gave birth(the experience na die sha o). Imagine a woman in Labour on Okada.

Kobojunkie:
Banning pregnant women from riding Okada is good?

Banning pregnant women from riding Okada is good, those guys are suicidal.

tytylayor:
@Woke4all , u r not serious , lol

i believe all dose supporting d govt on banning pregnant women, nursing mothers and under 17 from taking okada are not residents of iyana ipaja, abule egba, igando etc. if dey r, they will knw d necessity of okada.

d govt should do dat if der'l be al alternative for these set of people.

If I have my way, they should be totally banned and probably replaced with either Keke Napep or proper buses, they have been banned in some other states and people are coping. They are a great nuisance.

NaijaNaWaa:
Yes, they do. But I know a lot of renowned Professors, not quota professors, who were/are just getting by. I understand that Professor Iya Abubukar was a first class student of Mathematics but I'm yet to see any of his books. You DEFINITELY know professor Chike Obi, the world renowned mathematician before whom the likes of Iya Abubukar bowed? Well, he died wretched. You know why?He was a thoroughbred academician.

On the whole, you've no answer. I'm not going to respond to any other post here except it ANSWERS my posers. Thanks for your effort but just know that Ibori and Ribadu are in the same league.

I do not even know this Professor Abubakar sef, if he was a first class student, then bone that thing, enough contracts and commissions from government, my HOD in school was an associate professor and she was getting $40,000 for a single consulting work from the state government(she carried out the job o, no be all these paper contracts o). If Ribadu is in the same league as Ibori, they would have nailed him a long time ago when Yar Adua was alive, the only allegation they had was that he did not declare his assets, even that was not true as he had declared his assets long time. Ibori is a confirmed thief, Ribadu was used by Obasanjo to go after his enemies, but those enemies were thieves, the enemy (Ribadu) of my enemy (Ibori, Alams, Akala, Adedibu, Udenwa and for quota system sake any other northern thief, ehen Atiku) is my friend.

NaijaNaWaa:
I posted the above question for over 10 hours now and no one has come up with an answer. Well, I know that you don't have any answer except to call anyone that does not buy into the Ribadu crap as "corrupt". But if anyone has any answer, I will be glad if he/she can share it so that I can ask my follow up questions.

The fact is that there is no real diference between Ribadu and Ibori. They're big time thieves.

Bros, the freedom of information bill might have allowed you to sight his tax returns, unfortunately, it has not been passed(Harass your representatives to pass it). Professors do earn a lot of money sha o, forget all of that ASUU noise, those guys earn money and also act as consultants to Governments and foreign agencies. The difference between Ibori and Ribadu is that Ibori na confirmed thief and Ribadu na reformer.
This issue of selective justice has been discussed here on Nairaland, Nigeria as it is now can not do wholesale justice(who go do am, Jonathan?), it is when things fall apart among the thieves that the losers are prosecuted, we should just work and pray that things should start falling apart among. them.

Dede1:
It is very shameful that most Nigerians will go to any length to support mediocre. I am not sure about this Osun State and Okiro crap. Simply being appointed as State CP or even IG will not eradicate armed robbery in Nigeria.

However, it is quite unconscionable to compare the services of a police officer who had fought crime as an active duty officer to another police officer who has never arrested a mere trespasser.

The office of the chairman of EFCC is not exclusive duty of active police officer. The current chairman of the EFCC is retired police officer. Anybody could be appointed as the chairman of EFCC.

In my book, Nuhu Ribadu is an embodiment of fraud.

Bros, which one is more mediocre, the one that helped increase crime rate or the one that put some powerful people behind bars. As long as I am concerned, Ribadu tried, yes, he had his faults, but, none of those he prosecuted can say they were innocent. Let Waziri prosecute the other thieves. Okiro was not meant to eradicate robbery but at least reduce the bloody thing abi no be hin work order be that and as the commissioner of police, the buck stops at his table.

Dede1:
Nobody has slightly suggested that the rewarding a hard work is wrong in any organization. However, there is everything wrong about promoting a lazy police officer such as Nuhu Ribadu to DIG. It is very silly of this hypercritic and sycophant called Ribadu to compare his unmeritorious promotion as AIG to the promotion of Mike Okiro as DIG.

When Mike Okiro was the Lagos State police commissioner, he is reputed to have led Anti-Robbery team in patrols and engaged in fire fights with armed robbers. It is very uncommon to see police officers of the caliber of CP in anti-robbery patrols. Mike Okiro’s promotion from CP to DIG was meritorious due to his selfless service to Nigerian society as a police officer.

In the other instance, Nuhu Ribadu has never arrested a common trespasser during his questionable tenure as a Nigerian Police Officer before his nepotistic appointment as chairman of EFCC. Baring his state of origin, it would have been hard for this typical hero of Nigeria to make DCP.

Which Okiro, the one that was in Osun state and Armed Robbery ballooned, please Ribadu is ten times the man Okiro was.

Hotstepper:
@hercules07, which of the schools in Ottawa?

Either University of Ottawa or Carleton.

Liss:
@ Hercules,

Where in Canada are you intending to reside and why? I mean why did you select that part Canada? Just wondering as I really don't have family there just a few friends so, it's somewhat a tough decision for me.

Also, how appropriate would it be to refer to my sister's in laws as my relatives. I don't think that is right as they are not directly related to me thru the marriage.

@ Everyone, how much of Canada do you know that would make you decide that this territory or province is the best for you? Pls, share.

I will reside in Ottawa because I am thinking of doing a Masters there. It is not appropriate, they must be siblings or parents.

insight04:
The lady had a Nigerian passport and needed to have obtained a UK visa before transiting through UK. Being a Canadian Resident doesnt give her any exemption or special concession.

UK Immigration Officers  at the passport control  desk do not have handcuffs and dont have the powers to do so. However, Immigration Officers at the Detention Centre or Enforcement section do have such powers.

The lady had previous visa applications refused so she would demand closer attention.

The lady was most likely refused entry to the UK and removed to Canada. Hence, she would be having at least a one year visa application ban.

The lady must have thrown up a tantrum that played into the hands of eager Officers who handcuffed her.

Pregnant Nigerian women are a perceived security risk to UK Immigration Officers due to NHS medical abuse(i.e medical tourism).

She should appeal against any decision granted against her.

If she wasnt of good behaviour to the Immigration Officers before being handcuffed she should just move on

You do not need a transit visa if you are doing what is called a Direct Airside Transit, as long as you have a Canadian Visa on your passport, you can transit via the UK ( as long as it is airside o)

Liss:
@Hercules,
Many thanks for your elaborate response. Highly appreciated. You really did well with your expose. Lucky for you as regards the no interview thing o.

Anywayz, pls keep providing details for the house such as your first few weeks in Canada. BTW, do you have family back there or just friends?

I will do so, I have friends there.

Maybe that is the new process, remember I started mine in 2008, things might have changed. If the website tells you so, then it is so. I believe paying can be via money transfers ( don't quote me on this)

ajison3:
hercules u paid through a lawyer right , cause i am still  looking @  how i can go round dat payment thing . I also got a mail from a friend some minutes ago that i should send the application without payment and see what dey would say dat he sent his own without the application fee.

No, I paid physically in Accra, at times I did wire transfer ( for the DNA stuff)

koolkamzzy:
The 2M may seem to be a small money, but with 2M you can start a better business and leave happily in Nigeria. But wen you travel out, You will be treated as a second citizen over there, i have contact with white men on a daily basis and i know how they treat the black people.

@ hercules07, i must say you have realy tried. its good to go over there for upgrade of certificate and get enlighten but if one have a good job i Nigeria i think it's better to stay i your own country and enjoy all the freedom.
wish you all best of luck

Yeah, if you have a good job in Nigeria and you do not want to say get Masters it might not be worth it, but freedom in naija sha I dont know about o. I work in a firm where I am a partner and shareholder, so, if it does not work out, I still have the business to come back to.

ajison3:
no hercules u try ooo , did dey ask for a particular amount u must have to settle in canadan @ koolkammsy how much be 2 million now for u to start a life in canada

I can be persistent sha, you will fill in the amount in the forms, they also have have the amount required on their website. Going to Canada can be for you to enlighten yourself, update your qualifications, get their pali and come back to naija.

Liss:
@ Hercules, I see what you mean by it showed. Thumbs up for you that you still kept at it. Some pple might have given up.

So are you done with the processes now? Have you received your visa now? Also, on an average, how much do you think one would spend on the application processes, as you are still required to have enuf to cater for yourself and your family for the first 6months you arrive in Canada.  

Also, where in Canada are you hoping to live and do you have jobs already lined up? Pls, can you start from the initial application process till date?

Yes I am done with the processes now and I have visas for myself and my family. I actually went to Accra instead of sending the items because funnily enough it can be cheaper and you get to see the town ( I also had friends in Accra so accommodation was no problem). Official amounts will be application fees, medical fees, IELTS fees and Permanent Resident fees (www.cic.gc.ca is your best friend).
We are a family of Five and we are required to have about 24K CAD when landing, of course, I am not moving all of my family down there at the same time, someone has to establish first ( and my wife has a fairly good job, so no need to uproot her for now).
I intend going for another masters in ottawa, so that I can have Canadian Qualifications (no Canadian Qualification or Experience, no work in your chosen field, except you are lucky or have say CCIE), I will do holiday jobs sha to complement whatever I take from Nigeria.
Let me try to itemise the process.

1. My friend told me "you need to get this Canada Stuff", I was reluctant but my wife sat on me to do it. ( 1998 - 2006)
2. Downloaded Application forms for me and my brother, filled the forms, paid the fees and took them to Accra to submit at CHC (June 2008)
3. CHC Accra rejected my brother's application because he did not satisfy one of the NOC requirements (he is listed in my application anyway, so he will definitely make it to Canada) but, mine was accepted. Circa September 2008
4. CHC asks for documents to be sent to them, more forms filled. Circa February 2009
5. CHC asks for even more documents and for IELTS to be taken. Around April 2009
6. CHC asks for even more document and more forms are filled ( Transcripts and so on). Around June 2009
7. Medical Request sent, we had medicals, unfortunately, I did not update my information properly as I had a daughter after the initial application. October 2009
8. I inform CHC of my new daughter. October 2009
9. CHC fired me one stinger of a letter on not informing them early enough about the birth and not updating my forms properly. November 2009 ( Fastest Response)
10. I "beg" CHC on the act of omission and offered to go for DNA test. November 2009
11. DNA option accepted ( DNA process is something else). January 2010
12. Daughter confirmed as mine by DNA test (as if I had any doubt, though I used to tease my wife to come clean o before the results come out because I will be a good foster father  ) Circa February 2010
13. Medical Request received for Last Daughter. About Two Months Ago
14. Request for Passport. May 2010
15. Visa Issuance. May 31st 2010
16. C'est finis for application
Despite alll my errors, I was not called for any interview. Now the hard part starts.

Liss:
Hercules, I guess since you used the Federal Skilled workers route, then your occupation is one of the lucky 38 professions, right? Pls, let me know what your profession is as I was informed that only some certain professions can apply through the skilled workers class if there is no arranged employment.

Also, since you did not apply thru a lawyer or representative, how long did it take for them to reply you from Nova Scotia? What do you mean by it showed you

I am an IT Network Manager, that translates to (NOC 0213). I got all my responses from Accra and not from Nova Scotia, everything from the application to visa issuance took exactly two years. I know it took that long because my application was littered with so many "errors" (please go through the www.cic.gc.ca site very very well).
When I say it showed me, it is a way of saying that it was tedious and took a lot of my time, it wont have been too stressful if I had followed instructions properly, let me try to itemize the issues I had.

1. Getting Transcripts for me and my spouse was a hell
2. I was asked to go for IELTS, giving 60 days and the module I was to take had already been fully booked, thankfully, I was able to get a seat.
3. I had to undergo DNA test because I omitted my last daughter's info when updating my information ( I had to update the information so many times, it was not funny), that added about 5 Months to the process.
4. I had to travel to Accra so many times, I became a Chief over there ( Thankfully I had projects I did for Metro TV over there so that helped)
5. The stress of waiting for a response from the CHC in Accra
6. Money spent on the application process

koolkamzzy:
@ hercules07,

pls can you help provide answers to my queries above since you have passed through the sam process and overcome. the one i'm more concern about is the Number 2 and 3 question

2. Is it compulsory that all family memebers (wether acompanying or not) must have a pasport? because their passport number is required in the form
3. I also learnt that there is a certain amount that some one must have in his/her account (which is more than a million naira) b4 travelling.

pls your urgent reply will be appreceiated.

2. All of my family members is accompanying me so they all had passports, I think it is a good idea if they all have, after all they will still use the thing.
3. Yes o, but it depends on the number of people that are going with you. Please use the website www.cic.gc.ca, that is one of the best resources out there.
I made so many mistakes while processing mine, but, they were always gracious enough to point these things out to me and to ask for clarifications. I wish you all the best.

ajison3:
i also taught that one must take  the English exam but when i called 3 people that are in Canada they said u dont need it , that since u speak English all u need is a letter ,its still confusing to me sha. house abeg intervene

You need to take the IELTS test, forget that letter issue, I have done the Federal Skilled thing and they asked that I should take the test, I took the bloody thing o. Kai the Federal Skilled thing showed me sha, but, I have overcome.