Thanks dht.

Should GEJ not be congratulating GMB or the 25% of 2/3rds of the states means we can't draw any conclusions yet?

Surely the population of Delta can't be as much as Sokoto and Borno ... shame the results still show tribal divisions though.

ifeomaekol:
let the best man win, all politicians are the same. Last four yrs pple voted for jonathan en mass, wat did he do? Nw its buhari, come four yrs later, d same pple ll vote him out, cos he ll still nt meet up to the pples expectations.

That's the beauty of a true democracy

And to think of all the clubs he's played for in the UK, the BBC had to find one with him in his Nigerian team jersey to help drag Nigeria into his mud. Shame on the BBC I'd say.

Does anyone know how much postal order one would require for renewing an e-Passport in London? The website states £40 for renewals and £20 for new applications which seems odd that renewals are more expensive than new applications.

I have paid the $65 fee online and scheduled the appointment, just don't want to get there and find I don't have the right postal order value.

Will appreciate hearing from anyone that's been recently for the same thing. And if there's anything else that will be required that isn't mentioned on the website.

Thanks.

In the past, I wrote to the Nigerian High Commission whenever the name of Nigeria was being tainted be it a TV programme or newspaper. I would write asking them to contact the producer, editor etc to right the wrong. They obviously never acknowledged my emails and I've never heard of a retraction about Nigeria.

The media are consciously reminding everyone the murderers of the British soldier killed senselessly and so horrifically in Woolwich are of Nigerian descent, which is true but we need less of the reference to Nigeria or someone to state clearly and publicly that they are not Nigerians. They have never even been to the country! People are phoning radio stations asking why Nigerian children are like this (can't blame them as every youth knife crime in London seems to have a child of Nigerian descent involved), and people are probably writing all sorts online about Nigerians etc.

They do not remember the great people representing Britain that are of Nigerian descent, those that win Olympic medals, footballers, politicians etc. I can mention a few but I'd hate to write a good name on this thread.

Even Chechyna which isn't an independent nation denounced the Boston bombers as Chechynans. These 2 boys though they have Nigerian names and are of Nigerian descent are not Nigerians.

When will the Nigerian High Commission start speaking up for Nigeria?

Thanks but I'm ideally after one inside the GRA as the products are impulse buys so requires an area with decent footfall.

Which part of Bank Anthony is the one you have, any landmarks to guide please?

If anyone has a suitable shop or space for a catering cart within Ikeja GRA -Joel Ogunnaike, Isaac John etc- I'm still looking. About 9sqm to 20sqm. Thanks.

Still looking.

I'm after about 20sqm sized shop, stand, or space for a stand (indoors or outdoors) but with plumbing and drainage to sell baked goods preferably on Isaac John or other busy parts of Ikeja GRA.

I'd appreciate if anyone with a suitable property can leave me their contact details here please. Thanks.

at work?

A colleague and I were wondering about this today and it seems we have never worked with any such person. The people of African origin in Senior positions in almost every place I have worked seem to have been raised outside the UK, came here to study and settled here etc.

Just wondering ... hope our experiences are not indicative.

So much trouble creating 128 identities for so little money. If he fraudulently obtained £636k of which £418k is mortgages he got £218k net with most of it as housing benefits and job seekers allowance. Personally, I think the banks and the benefit system deserve what they got as both are screwed. Unfortunately, we the little people end up paying it back somehow. And if he hadn't dragged Nigerians and consequently all non-white Brits and other immigrants into the mud all over again ,

I know this guy and he always came across as a good person, very calm and level headed. Always had flash cars but I never thought anything of it and he allegedly had a printing franchise anyway. Unfortunately the name I know him as is neither David nor Seyi so I probably never knew him.

Such a shame.

A friend has a house available for short holiday let from 12th July to 12th August 2011. Features are:

3 bedrooms
2 reception areas
Large kitchen with mod cons – including microwave, washing machine, dish washer etc
Off street Parking
Large rear garden
Sky TV
 
It’s on Ellesmere Avenue in Mill Hill, London (NW7). It is offered on a self catering basis and is not serviced; available at £750 per week fully inclusive. Deposit, references and proof of ID will be required.
 
I will try to provide pictures as soon as she sends them to me. Please email phortoes@googlemail.com for more information.

It will definitely be interesting to read the experiences of those that have moved back. Here's a link to Jide Salu's blog. He moved to Nigeria after about 20 years in the UK , I don't know the person, I just googled moving back to Nigeria or something of sorts someday and found it. Not sure it's been updated anymore but you can at least still read the first few months and years. Made interesting read for me then.

http://babajidesalu.posterous.com/archive/1/2009


And he's put together what to consider before moving back to Nigeria-
http://babajidesalu./2009/10/29/20-must-questions-to-ask-before-relocating/

Thanks for all your replies, I discovered the Property section shortly after posting this and not been back here for some time.

With regards to registering for schools from 3 months, I remember trying to get my daugther into the highest ranked Nursery in the area and the lady said they have a 2.5year or so waiting list and I'm thinking, surely that means you must have enrolled before being pregnant since the kids start at 2+. Otherwise she just didn't fancy my Naija accent  .

On sending children to Nigeria one of my cousins gets round it by taking her children to Nigeria for all of their summer holiday every year where they attend summer school. It's interesting when they come back and wonder why the teacher had to shout so loud at someone for something they consider to be flimsy etc. But regardless, they always look forward to it, they mix with other children based in Nigeria and learn the culture. Unfortunately as more children in Nigeria sef don't speak the local languages any more, they still come back speaking English.

My almost 4 year old understands some Yoruba as I made an effort with her initially but I stopped unconsciously. Her sister doesn't even understand "wa" (come). I will definitely start that again.

Chaircover,
Congratulations. I've always respected your comments in this section and was pleased to read about your achievement in property section. Nice.

How does one send a private message please?

Are you able to provide any more information? Including price, size of plots, if the land is dry, the level of development of the area etc and how to find out more information if one is interested. Thanks.

Thanks Chaircover & Claus.

We actually settled in this area for their good schools since we got married. I registered both of my children since they were 3 months for an independent school that is rated Outstanding in all areas but for which I do not know their ranking in the league tables. Seems like independent schools don't have reliable league tables.

I've found Ofsted to be about everything else but academics hence I try to look at both league tables and Ofsted reports. Shame some schools are now refusing to publish results for the tables. There are 3 schools that usually top the league around here but the Ofsted report for one of them is "Satisfactory". On reading the report and visiting the school, it's mainly due to the facilities they have. According to Ofsted, the classrooms are too small, not enough play area for the children, lack of a room dedicated to ICT etc. All important of course, but if the council won't give permission for them to build and they are on Green belt land or something of sorts, what's a school to do but manage with the facilities they have.

Of course, the ideal would be reviews from parents but I don't know people whose children go to the local state schools except the one I mentioned above, so it's difficult to get opinions. I have loads for independent schools, most people I know have their children in Independent schools as everyone just seems to do what others are doing etc but I really don't just want to follow suit without doing some proper research. And then, I'm not sure it's necessary to pay so much at primary school level. For now, I know Secondary school will be independent except they get into one of two grammar schools.

My daughter is only 3 so I'm not sure I can get her opinion and we probably would only visit the schools for a few minutes on open / assessment days.


Claus
It’s good to have a plan. You should identify the schools you are aiming to get into from when your child is about 2+, attend open days (usually in September for state schools and varies for independent schools) and know their entry requirements. You might need to start attending their affiliated church etc or move closer to their catchment area. I'm currently an active member of 2 churches, if an hour of my time a month will get us into a good school, why not? We all pay the same taxes proportionally so why should my child be made to attend an underperforming school?

And I have gone on but I’m quite passionate and anxious about the issue.

Sagewood:

We need more news like this. May God bless more christian leaders to take up projects like the one above, and expand since the govt is unable to perform. Men of God should take over and prosper the country

Will it at least be a mix of low cost and higher end houses so it's affordable to most Nigerians especially those that make up the congregation in his churches giving religiously?

If that is not the case then its better to have an underperforming government than Christian leaders who do not seem to walk the walk like Jesus did.

Blazay:

Yes, when done with love.
No, when done with frustration and bi-polar disease manifestations.

Some children need tough parenting. . . others don't.
Each child is different.
One size does not fit all.

Well said.

Have I missed something? The OP didn't ask the girls to lift up their skirts etc as he/she says they are "always parading the yard" suggesting he/she didn't. Hence, what has the OP said that's suggested he/she is a paedo? Is the person not simply asking people's opinion on if girls that young should be wearing such underwear and in order to buttress their point considered taking a photo? Taking a photo would have been wrong- agreed. And before I am crucified, I have 2 daughters and certainly wouldn't want any paedos round them or any other child for that matter.

Personally I don't believe young children should wear that kind of underwear and even if they did, it shouldn't be on show outside that neighbours or anyone else would see them.

Apologies for doubling this topic but I posted in the Education forum and didn't get a response. This forum is quite active and discusses issues on raising kids, which this is part of too ,  hence my coming here  . I'm hoping I am not breaking any rules and I will get comments from people with experience of either sector. So here it goes-

We are getting nearer the time when we apply for a school place (primary) and I can't make my mind up on independent (private) or state sector.

One of the best state schools in the area is close by -about 15mins walk- normally tops the league tables or in top 10 of about 80 schools but Ofsted only rates it good. One of the not so great schools is about 5 mins walk, usually below average in league tables but rated good by Ofsted too. I wouldn't consider the local independent schools as they are not academically strong but another that's about 15 mins drive.

Money would be an object in that we both have to keep working to be able to comfortably afford it. I want to retain the flexibility of not working if I choose not but my husband can keep working. Whatever we decide, we would have to do the same for our younger daughter the year after.

Just wondering if people can share their experiences as a growing number of Nigerians in the UK send their children to independent schools so hopefully loads of experience of both sectors on here.

Is it worth going private for primary school? Are the Ofsted reports reliable? Any other information to consider please? Thanks.

We are getting nearer the time when we apply for a school place (primary) and I can't make my mind up on independent (private) or state sector.

One of the best state schools in the area is close by -about 15mins walk- normally tops the league tables or in top 10 of about 80 schools but Ofsted only rates it good. One of the not so great schools is about 5 mins walk, usually below average in league tables but rated good by Ofsted too. I wouldn't consider the local independent schools as they are not academically strong but another that's about 15 mins drive.

Money would be an object in that we both have to keep working to be able to comfortably afford it. I want to retain the flexibility of not working if I choose not but my husband can keep working. Whatever we decide, we would have to do the same for our younger daughter the year after.

Just wondering if people can share their experiences as a growing number of Nigerians in the UK send their children to independent schools so hopefully loads of experience of both sectors on here.

Is it worth going private for primary school? Are the Ofsted reports reliable? Any other information to consider please? Thanks.

How can I get more information? Don't want to put my contact details on here and it appears there's no way to send you a private email. Thx.

Here's a photo of the nanny that allegedly took him. I pray they find him soon .

And here's what's doing BB rounds though I can't confirm if it's true or not.

"For those of us who are mums, or planning to be very soon, here are some security tips for us to work with, but the major thing is for God’s guidance and protection over our families.

A 10-months old baby was kidnapped in an estate on Saturday morning 6.45 am by their 2-weeks old nanny, right under the parents nose. Very well behaved lady indeed, named Victoria. This family had been married for 6 years and this happens to be their first baby. As special as this baby is, the mum and dad are usually always around or at least a relative, the nanny does not go out with her alone, even within the compound. But she still succeeded in kidnapping this baby…the question is how??

The dad is usually in the habit of locking their compound gate by himself at night and opening the gate very early in the morning, (even though they had a security guard), so on that fateful day, he went downstairs to open the gate. The mum apparently wanted to take her bath, and the dad was downstairs, so naturally she called on the nanny to hold the baby for her so she could quickly have her bath.
The nanny carefully strapped the baby on her back and pretended to be going about her normal chores, she swept the porch downstairs and cleared the waste into the bin, then she carried the waste basket and told the gateman she wanted to throw the waste outside the gate. …bam! That was it, she escaped with the baby and by the time her number could be reached, the call was traced to Seme border at 9.00 am the same day, in just 3 hours!.

They have been contacting the parents of the child with about 20 different numbers within 6 days from Cameroun, and other locations, but have not named their price yet, apparently because the baby had just undergone an operation some days to the kidnap, and was bleeding from the surgery point. They are yet to name their price as I write…."

I agree you have to live by the rules of wherever you find yourself; however, I would probably do exactly what the mother has done. He most definitely wasn’t sent to Nigeria to be forcefully married off (I believe it says somewhere he is in boarding school) and it is unlikely his life is in any danger. It’s very sad to read about what teenagers get up to in this country and most disheartening is reading the names of these children after they’ve been arrested/convicted etc and finding out they are of Nigerian descent. I have seen children sent back to Nigeria after mixing with the wrong crowd here and coming back better off and appreciating what they have more than before. It is obviously not a magic cure but a parent will at least try.

Well done to his mom for ensuring he doesn’t become another statistic and at least giving him a shot at life. Hopefully he will look back someday and thank his mom for making such a sacrifice for him. These days I look back on life with my disciplinarian mom and I bless her …

Woman jailed over son's return


Published on Mon Feb 14 18:28:47 GMT 2011

An east London woman has been jailed for eight months for her "flagrant breach" of a High Court order to co-operate with the return of her teenage son from Nigeria.

Lydia Erhire, of Newham, is believed to be the first person to be jailed in the UK for breaking the terms of a Forced Marriage Protection Order.

Her 17-year-old son, Edirin Onogeta-Idogun, was made the subject of the order in July and provided with emergency accommodation but then went on holiday to Nigeria, where his father, John Idogun, is a special adviser to the governor of Delta State.

When Edirin failed to return in early August to start college in Hackney, he was made a ward of court and his mother and father were ordered to return him to the jurisdiction.

Mrs Justice Macur, who sentenced Mrs Erhire for her contempt of court, said that information had been received from Edirin that he had been "forced or subjected to procedures which were meant to exorcise him from his disobedience to the will of his parents and to remove him from what they regarded to be unsatisfactory friendships".

In November, after a hearing before another judge, Mrs Erhire signed a letter instructing her sister to facilitate the return of Edirin from his Nigerian boarding school.

But it later emerged that she had immediately sent another letter countermanding this instruction.

In February, Edirin attempted to leave Nigeria but was intercepted by immigration officials and taken off his flight from Lagos.

Mrs Justice Macur, in London, said she had not found Mrs Erhire responsible for the February incident but had found she was complicit in November in "thwarting" the court's efforts to have Edirin returned.

She ordered that Mrs Erhire should be committed to Holloway Prison immediately for eight months, but said she would have the opportunity to apply to purge her contempt.

http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/news/woman_jailed_over_son_s_return_1_1454238

sledge406:

Why do I have a problem with the BOLDED Voted by the public on a live program yet we have judges to pass the final verdict Some should please explain to me maybe I'm still living in the past.

And you should stop acting or sounding all HOLY like you don't tear peeps to pieces with your mouth as well. Becos na your cousin, make I no hear word---Indeed success get plenty family sha (see all of them showing their heads now ---A show such as this must be talked about hate it or love it and nuttin u can do about it.

Having said all those, I still hold my prior comments. Sue me!!! (And yes, I'm going to the GYM to reduce my fat backside and obese structure, be in shape like 'em Vin Diesel and Dwane Johnson and gonna contest the next Miss Nigeria since it aint about looks and I bet you even the contestants will vote for me publicly.

Don't get it twisted, I'm MALE!!!

If you have a problem with the need for voting and judges, you should ask the Producers of the show.

Naturally people need to talk otherwise her reign would be uneventful and she will remain in the shadows like some …

I’m certainly no holier than thou. Naturally I love my own and support them wholeheartedly especially when they do good things including winning Miss Nigeria.

I appreciate beauty; however believe it or not, I wouldn’t tear someone to pieces for being "ugly" or because I don’t think they are 19. It’s a learning process but once you realise that we can’t choose what we look like or who we are, you will learn to appreciate the wonders of God in each person. If each person had a say in what they looked like, imagine how beautiful but boring the world might have turned out to be.

Damilola is so 19 and I know because I know when she was born as she is my cousin. Now I realise what celebs and others in the public eye must go through. Chei, people don't know her but they feel they have the right to judge her. She was voted as Miss Nigeria by the public, there is no magomago in this one. She might not be the most beautiful girl in Nigeria and rightly so too as it isn't a beauty pageant- leave that to the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest- but she is extremely intelligent, well spoken and IMO beautiful. I believe she will represent Nigeria very well anywhere in the world.

Well done Damilola; I pray your reign will bring you blessings, joy, happiness, wisdom, riches, increase and the best things in life not just for the tenure but forever as well as good tidings to Nigeria.

If anyone can please put the final up on You Tube please? Thx.

We brought someone here from Nigeria and we have no regrets 3 years on. My children get 1-2-1 care which I consider priceless. I preferred having my child at home full time until she was 2 before starting Montessori. IMO a lot of Nurseries that take children from birth or a few months etc wouldn’t teach your child much either until they are nearing 2 which is why some preschools/Montessori won’t take them till that age. Her nanny takes her and picks her up. She also helps around the house. And now that I have another child, having her has certainly been fantastic. We always had a relative or another staying with us when we were growing up so I have no qualms with having an extra person in the house. She's part of the family now.

She had studied up to SSCE in Nigeria and continues studying part time here, so she's not exactly someone that only gives the feeder. She’s intelligent and actually teaches the children through play in her own way.

One obviously wouldn’t just ask anyone off the streets of Nigeria to come be your nanny in the UK. Ours had worked with my husband in the past in Nigeria and I went to Nigeria for 3 months when I had my first child and she stayed with me. I was able to decide if I would be able to live with her or not. People change and yes she did change. She was the quietest person in Nigeria but is one of the loudest persons I know in the UK. Not a problem as long as no major issues. And I certainly wouldn’t advise bringing family to be your help, best an independent and where possible try to spend some time with the person.

I also know of someone who did the same and the lady’s been with her for 13 years though she now has UK citizenship, she’s still with the family. On the other hand, I know people who have had horrible experiences with domestic workers.

tpiah:

99.9 % of black babies are born with straight hair.

excepting the cute bald ones of course.

True. And most white babies are born bald or with very little hair. Chances are, her hair will turn afro in a few months like most black babies and she'll probably look like a very fair black child except with blond afro (like an albino though they say she isn't one).