₦airaland Forum

Shalom my friend, Akolawole,

Nice linking up with you on this forum once again, ironically on the issue of Great Britain. A small island that claims to be great! True, there has been various forms of limited amnesties that have benefitted many. To say thousands would not be too far-fetched. I know being your usual analytical self you may find this difficult to accept, especially in the abscence of quotable statistics.

Having said this, the spectre of unlimited amnesty originally raised in this thread remains a dream, not in the UK. Gordon Brown cannot allow this, not at this stage. Though the reality is that a form of amnesty or another is crucially essential to integrate the teeming masses of overstayers and illegals in Britain. It is obvious that the policy of deportation has failed to solve the problem. Why not eliminate the underground by granting a general amnesty?

I have been following developments after the shambolic selection of President Yar'adua. It has been a couple of months now. Yar'adua has been making the right noises, though his silence during the last symbolic and rather routine labour strike raised a few eyebrows. To date, there has been little action from the man.
   Rumours have it that the man is "shaking" following the pending legal challenges instigated by the never-say-die duo of Buhari and Atiku. They say he is watching the scenario before launching and firmly asserting himself. Others say that it is all a lie. That the next 4 years would not be different from the previous years. That we are not yet out of the woods. They say it is another Shagari in the making.
   Personally, i believe that this government has not shown enough pragmatism. It has been rather docile, achieving nothing concrete so far. It's choice of ministers does not inspire zeal. This country is sick and needs a vibrant government. The people are suffering and corruption reeks to the highest heavens. But where conservatives like Obasanjo still control access to the corridor of power, never expect much. Obasanjo remains a part of the Nigerian problem.
    Let us accept this sober fact. We have simply demonstrated that we are incapable of ruling ourselves. Ours has been a failed attempt at nationhood. What separates us are far more than what unites us. The Nigerian experience remains a "mere geographical expression."
We cannot go on at this rate - this is a real shame.
    I have a proposal to make, ladies and gentleman. I believe the solution is to simply accept the inevitable. It would of course sound odd inviting the British to continue from where they let off. However, the United Nations seems to be a better alternative. This is apparently the only neutral body we can turn to now. Let us return Nigeria to the UN. Let this giant in the sun that failed to live up to its promise and potentials become a protectorate of the United Nations.  
    I am no less patriotic than the average Nigerian. I love my country and wish her well. However, i have no faith in this political process. It is the same old story. Old wine in new bottle. Scoundrels in power. Shame on the black race.

It's nice knowing that this thread still generates interest. Really, it goes beyond my experience with the Nigerian NI office lady - that was just a starter to kick off the thread. I hope Jaybee 2412 would take note of this point because he really missed it! I never went to the NI office looking for someone with a Nigerian name or seeking special favours because i met a Nigerian. The focus was on the contempt of Nigerians for Nigerians. Could this be borne out of the horrendous and shameful acts and escapades of our fellow citizens? Or could it just be an inborn malaise in us?Indeed, this is not the best of times to be a Nigerian in foreign countries!
When you may want to believe that an end is near to these shameful stories about Nigerians, you only need to open the dailies to read more. You can imagine my shame when lately Nigerians occupy a position of dishonour and shame in British dailies. It is almost an everyday news. Nigeria never participated in the Iraqi war, but would you believe that some Nigerians are benefitting immensely from this war. They sit down in London and pocket allowances of British soldiers at the war front through their shady connections and deals. They are now serving jail terms, having been caught by the long arm of the law.
If you say that is enough to digest, then what do you have to say about the Nigerian couple recently ordered to refund £1.5 million of scam money? Money made from sending scam mails to people promising to deposit huge sums in their accounts. The stories are endless and i can go and on. Some say we are simply ingenious and only outsmarting less endowed others, but it is my humble conclusion that we are simply sick as a people. Ingenuity we possess that made us incapable of ruling ourselves, of creating a peaceful and prosperous nation. Some ingenuity!!
So, what are those horrible things Nigerians do? Can we start creating a ccompendiumfor them? Nigerians are extremely dishonest. Nigerians steal and kill. Nigerians are scammers. The word Nigeria is an international liability, Brothers and Sisters, the adjectives are endless!!!

I stumbled on it while surfing on the web. However, it's been a great forum in the typical Nigerian sense. I can understand the need for some light forums, but some are over the limits and simply outrageous. However, i have made some useful contacts via this forum and believe it's serving a good cause. Keep it up, Seun! Shalom!!

Hi Omonla,

Shalom!! Thanks a lot for your advise. I guess we will have to take you up on your offer of assistance. I forgot to mention that we had been through the website and made over 67 points in most cases. We, however, became confused as regards whether to use an immigration expert or not. We are also concerned about the uncomfortable long duration applications seem to face, hence we felt an immigration expert might know a trick or two to speed things up.
I feel highly reassured by your letter and would be grateful if you could help. In this regard, is it possible to contact you on a less open basis. My email is oluseguncs@hotmail.co.uk. If you could link up with a contact number, that would be very fine - i have free calls to Canada. Thank you.

Shalom,

Wondering if anyone on this forum could give the names and contact details of any lawyers in Canada competent on immigration matters. I would rather prefer Nigerians who are practising immigration consultants in Canada.
I have a group of friends and colleagues interested in migrating to Canada under the skilled point-based system. I would appreciate lawyers recommended on personal experience and not just from internet addresses.

Your response is much awaited.


Regards
Hsmpwise.

Dear Readers,

We Nigerians do horrible things - so many indeed. I am stil waiting for the responses. However, is it possible to say that our bad deeds could be beneficial in a way? Please read this and give your comments. Happy reading!!

Thanks, Stranger 12. Over now to the moderator for possible re-listing of this thread as suggested.
Shalom can never be too much. It simply means peace.
Nevertheless, thanks for your suggestion, once again. It is really Shalom all the way!!!.


Shalom!!

Shalom Brother Muyete,

    I wholeheartedly agree with you about the sordid acts of we Nigerians. I must say that i cherish all you wrote and indeed fully agree with you that we ought to change our psyche and national orientation. Brother, did you observe something? Responding to this thread has not attracted much reactions from fellow Nigerians simply because the topics raised therein touch our collective conscience. It is a topic wherein each and every Nigerian is guilty one way or the other, to a greater or lesser degree. It is not as attractive as discussing the "beauty" of some half-baked homemade video stars. We are not honest with ourselves in Nigeria. We leave the substance and pursue the shadow.
   Nigeria's image is battered both inside and outside our shores. Our leaders are nothing but a pack of disgrace. They care little about the country they claim to lead. They are more concerned with their pockets and amassing dubious wealth in Europe and America. We the followers are no better. Crime is our hobby in our quest to get rich at all cost without sweat. Your experience with HSMP is no doubt borne out of the general distrust for anything Nigerian. It is rather unfortunate. However, i feel that the likes of "Agnes" are not helping the situation. Not one bit.
   On my part, i try to do what i can, making honesty and integrity my watchword. I do not claim to be a delibrate ambassador for Nigeria. I am just what i am. However, i do believe that with proper orientation, good governance, eradication of poverty, increased access to quality education, Nigeria can definitely go places. In this i am convinced.

  Bracing up for more responses!!


 Shalom!!

Well, guys, the world is really moving and the old order is about crumbling! You can imagine what i mean when an agent of imperialism in the person of Tony Blair was reported in the news lately canvassing for reformations in the United Nations to meet the challenges of the 21st century. A major thrust of his suggestions is the enlargement of the Security Council vetoing membership.
Despite all our imperfections, i strongly believe Nigeria deserves a permanent seat - a vetoing one. We have sacrificed a lot in the African continent. Internationally, we are not left behind. And it is no gainsaying that the future portends more challenges and more sacrifices for Nigeria as a nation. We deserve our rightful place in the comity of nations - and this is one way.


Shalom!!

HORRIBLE THINGS NIGERIANS DO!!

Dear readers, i wish to start a new thread on the horrible things we Nigerians do. Things that are detrimental to ourselves and that in no way potray the country in a good light. I would appreciate contributions. The ultimate aim of this thread is to educate ourselves, to re-orientate our minds ( not Babangida's type of national re-orientation ), create jokes and fun, and ultimately effect behavioural changes, if possible. The theme is "Nigerians". They could be in the East or West. USA or Europe, China or Namibia. It is simply those "horrible" or less than acceptable, sometimes humorous, sometimes shameful things, Nigerians do. So, let's ride on!!

I went for the NI ( National Insurance ) interview a couple of months after getting to the UK. The office was a long, open one with lots of tables for interviewers. Of course, the interviewers belong to different nationalities, same goes for the applicants. All the while, i observed a particular interviewer to be a Nigerian, though hanging a name "Agnes" on her chest. From her accent, there was no doubt she belongs to the motherland. So you can imagine my joy ( or appropriately sorrow ) when she called my name. She started by trying to discover possible lapses made by the British embassy and the immigration officials in granting me a visa. She over-scrutinized my passport, asking series of perplexing questions on the type of visa i was carrying. All i came for was to be given an NI number so that when i work, necessary taxes can be deducted!
When i expressed my opinion that she seemed to be going beyond her brief, she said and i quote " when it comes to you Nigerians, one has to be doubly sure"!!! I was dumbfounded! At a stage, i felt maybe i made a mistake. Maybe she was not a Nigerian, but her accent left little doubts. I looked closely at the documents on her table and saw " Agnes Adedeji ". God, here is the case of pot calling the ketttle black - or how do they say it again? Contempt of a Nigerian for fellow Nigerians.
    Brothers and sisters, there are stories to tell. We simply need to change our behaviour and attitudes as Nigerians. Rudeness is entrenched in our psyche. Unwarranted or simply put, senseless pride remains our albatross. A trip to the Nigeria High Commission at Northumberland Road in London creates a solid picture of how not to be civilised. How not to behave, in short. You meet extremely rude and pompous officials. Any prior patriotic feelings of being in your country's premises evaporates on getting to this odious edifice. They are never ready to assist and never taught or knew anything about courtesy or politeness.
    We can go miles and miles. But it is not only the public officials who are guilty. Even the common man on the street has his own portion. But i must not state everything, else i end up in a court of law. Remember our dear President who was confronted for not responding on time to a disaster in Lagos a couple of years back? You know his response? " I don't have to be here, "! This is to a national disaster!!
    I am waiting brothers/sisters. What do you have to say?!!!

Shalom!!

Dear Ramono, i quite appreciate your view. It is balanced. Of course, no Nigerian can deny his heritage. And i am not saying the HSMP scheme is the panacea all qualified Nigerians need to subscribe to. Of course, there is no place like home and i for one will never forget my home.
We pray to have a country we can be proud of so that i will not face the type of embarassment i faced in Israel in 1995, when i was simply embarassed for no offence other than being a Nigerian. This Israeli woman could not understand the oddities in the contraption called Nigeria. A country that stands to give so much but achieving very little. Ramono, i do not feel happy to know that my dear country is in so much bondage. With so many qualified, patriotic and upright citizens burning with zeal. But these qualities are not alone to influence things in Nigeria. We have syncophants and mediocres having the day. It is a pure irony.
Of course, i am very willing to assist in bringing Nigeria out of this doldrums if possible. Though i did not contribute to it in the first place. But have i got a chance? Ramono, have you got a chance? Until the country is ready to embrace what it has, then there will be no option than to move out. We need to seek a greener pasture, so to say.
I hold no grudges against Akolawole. It is just that we have different approaches to identically perceived problems. I did check the British citizenship clause and he is very correct. Correct in the sense that one can apply for naturalisation after 12 months of Indefinite stay. I appreciate his correction.
This forum, despite everything, might be the begining of good things for Nigeria. Let us keep it up. Insha Allah, Nigeria will one day realise its true potentials.

Shalom!!

To Old Glory, HSMP is meant for skilled individuals(graduates or those in graduate level works). It is better described as a phased assimilation process to British citizenship, based solely on economic productivity.It assures you of Indefinite stay in 5 years and citizenship in 10 years.
But then, Akolawole seems to know better. In fact, he claims to have sojourned outside Nigeria for an appreciable length of time but is obviously an expert on Britain. Unfortunately, a sentimentally pessimistic expert.
Nigeria is rotten as it is, this is a painful fact. Nothing works - bad roads, unacceptable unemployment rate, embarassing corruption, epileptic power supply, stone age transportation system, erratic and unreasonably expensive communication networks, unstable democracy, et.c. We keep on praying to God to help us tackle this mess. And it's been shown over time, that any nation in these throes of underdevelopment would have some of its citizens moving out for better pasture. And of course, those who will stay will stay!
No country can ever be perfect. Not even the almighty America. But even with their imperfections, roses can still be seen in the countries of the west. Suggestion of a reasonable means of migrating to Britain should not irk Akolawole so much.
I say this with all conviction, even if Nigeria were to become the paradise we so much pray for, people will stay move out. Take it or leave it.

Shalom!!

Hi everyone! Ramono and Old Glory represent two ends of the spectrum. Ramono and Akolawole could not be more patriotic than i am. The fact is that human migration is a historical reality. It has always been occurring throughout history. It does not make anyone less patriotic.It has its attendants benefits and it will keep on occurirng. You are free to remain bound to your country if you so desire. But you should not use blind patriotism to discourage others or justify your cause.
Nigeria stands to benefit a lot from its citizens migrating out. And of course, Nigeria is my country. I have lots of investments and interests in this country. Being in Britain does not make me less of a Nigerian. I feel encouraged by the positive response to my posting. And i will still encourage those who are qualified not to hesitate. The impact of foreign, hard currency imput on our economy is tremendous. It must not stop. Even if Nigeria were to become the paradise we so much hope for, people will still move out. This is a fact.

Shalom!!

Seun,
I would create a thread when Nigeria becomes the country of my dream. I would create one when our leaders begin to say no to unbridled and selfish interests at the expense of nationhood. I will create one when Obasanjo is finally shown the way out. I will create when this country wakes up to its true potentials in the comity of nations. I will create when i stop crying for my beloved country. I am still crying - how then can i create a thread?

Via Search Engines. I felt Nigeria should not be lagging behind in the IT world. We need a forum like this to network - i mean, get together, pass information to ourselves, share opinion and so on. It is just cool.

Hi everyone. I am a Nigerian based in the UK.I feel compelled to search out a forum like this in my desire to get across to fellow Nigerians looking for a leeway to get to the UK a legal one for that matter. I am eternally grateful to God for the opportunity i had after my horrenduos experience with a British immigration lawyer.I was introduced to this Nigerian couple ( not husband and wife ) who proved of tremendous assistance. They are God-fearing, or as they would prefer, God-loving.They are no immigration lawyers, but vastly experienced in the processing of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme ( HSMP ).They provided invaluable support in terms of choosing the right documents to submit, preparation of job description, filling of forms and so on.

The fees charged were very, very affordable compared to the astronomical sum demanded by immigration lawyers.I had initial fear of making international calls from Nigeria, but they made communication easier by calling me and sending emails. I cannot say too much here, as i know of more than 10 people from Nigeria in the UK today, courtesy of their assistance.They are completely honest and reliable and do not accept too many clients at a time.If anyone is interested in contacting them, please get in touch via my email.

I decided to bring this message to fellow Nigerians as i am aware of the millions of Naira being lost yearly on futile visa attempts, even by highly qualified Nigerians.The HSMP route is the British Green Card, albeit only for graduates or those in graduate work.

Guys, come on, let us come down in droves. In the long run, Britain must be an extension of Nigeria!This is a beautiful forum, please keep it up. I hope to make lots of friends here.