₦airaland Forum

A single man was given unfettered access to $3B -a chunk of our nations reserves at a discounted rate of over 50% from prevailing the market rate. When questions were asked here it was said he is a business man.
As if that was not enough, the government then bought into his private venture at an inflated fee of $2.7B

But we're to believe it's the money paid by hapless masses escaping the brutal effect of the padt regime that's responsible for the nairas decline

Patriotism thru ethnic lens. It

ahiboilandgas:
na the bad news from Goldmansac bank cause this panic again !tbey trigger the panic bank of America says naira is over valued above 600 .Goldman says the net reserve was 3 bn USD. They are playing mind games . Once we start getting weekly bid like before ( 2000 bdc) currently undergoing doing final round of documentation na 650 you go sell am last last .the Fgn is going to sell down of usd assets to raise 15 bn usd . Like some stake in NLNG and NNPCL with buy back option is on the table .a stable currency (Naira ) is in the overall interest of everbdoy ( speculators,citizen's,rumour mongers,haters of Nigeria Bdc operators politicians) no body is totally immued to the fallout of a collapsed naira

The last time BDCs were allowed to operate, they were largely involved in rountripping creating a bottomless pit the CBN could not fill. Same reason why their licenses were suspended.

When questions were asked here, you were quick to defend their acts as 'business men' and instead blamed 'importers'. Well the importers have survived.
The devaluation today was set in stone partly by their actions. If BATs government allows then do same thing that PMBs allowed, same outcome would be guaranteed.


Patriotism thru ethnic lens.... it doesn't matter what BDCs do to the naira. As far as they are my brothers or I benefit directly, I must protect them and point fingers at others.

BorisJohnson:
Help Needed!!
The Care Agency that brought me to the UK on Health & Care Visa CoS has just been sanctioned by the Home Office. They have now lost their CoS status.
All the foreign staff (plenty of us) have now been told to find a new sponsor, or leave the UK within 3 months.

Please, do you know where I can be able to get a new CoS? Please help.


Please help a brother.

Any plugs? Leads? Recommendations?
Please help.

Hope you find something soon. Being in the UK should make it easier this time. But what happened?

pizapato:
Yes I am not.

I can't let patriotism drive me into penury. Anyone who is wise will split their investment into 2 parts (some in dollar and some in naira).

The issue we have here is that people often colour patriotism behind an ethnic lens.
Most of the decisions that led to the issues we have today were taken within the last 4-6yrs.

What did people say when those decisions were taken?
Now the fruit of those decisions are coming through, people are blaming victims.


The current devaluation was set in stone at least 2yrs ago. The question now should be- is the government making decisions that would prevent a repeat in 2yrs time?

Neverlosemoney:
Humans wants are just insatiable.

People really need to learn how to adjust their lifestyle to their income. Chasing more income, more yields has always been the root cause of financial catastrophes and most needless sufferings out there.

True, human wants are insatiable but taking legal steps to see you (in old age) and your children are afforded some necessities is not greed.

There has been no smaller country that saw rapid inflation and currency devaluation where its citizens did not turn to other available currencies. Nigeria will not be the first.

The last time we had this widespread emigration of our middle class was in the late 80's/90's. How many people who left then regret it today?
How many who had the means then but refused to leave still think they made the right decision?

Acidosis:
.....

These are the unpatriotic people behind dollar scarcity.

One wonders, who does more harm to the naira..
1. A sitting president who travels to the UK for medical treatment or
2. An average earning banker who sells his property to seek greener pastures abroad?

Neo-colonialism.... aka mental slavery

Anambra has a number of indegenous companies ... in Agric, oil n' gas, manufacturing e.t.c. This helps keep money home

giselle237:
You are contradicting yourself. If noone’s life’s worth is from a British passport as you say, why then are you saying they need to wait 6 years to get this same passport?
.

First, tone down on the agression, it's not a fight.

My point here has been that people should get relevant sought-after skills that enable them climb the right ladder and if conditions are right, could be open to explore other options. Plus it gives you the capacity to adress unfair decisions when they arise.

The conversation here has been telling. Perception truly differs.

missjekyll:
"Recent immigrant"

That is a self limiting misnomer and I encourage every legal immigrant to take advantage of every single legal opportunity this country offers.

I think thats an issue here. For some folks, their sense of worth is tied to having the passport. Unfortunately, it's not the case for everyone. Over recent years, a number of our best heads have moved to the UK. All these folks cannot be pummelled into the bottom rung as in times past. Most recent legal migrants into the UK have put in more than is due and its up to them demand the full gamut of experience for their moneys worth.

Zahra29:
That's not true.

There are many more examples, but typically I'm trying to provide a more balanced view and I guess it comes across like I'm bashing

How about your post depicting Nigerian health workers as quacks?

What if I tell you a number of them can't wait for the 6 years to come before they retrieve their well earned passport and head off while having their UK investments incl properties yield? They dont even pay IHS, some are offered a good sum to remain and may have their visa fees paid for.

Some who's life worth stems from having a British passport would not stomach 'immigrants' who see same passport as an optional bother.

hustla:
Costs £148 per person to renew post study visa for Nigerians in Canadian school . Just dey blow my mind since my friend told me

We will soon be paying about £2500 per person, roughly CAD 4,317.Now imagine a family of 5 applying for this route excluding rent, feeding etc, major cash out for UK gov

Hehe... it's why I advise folks moreso those who emigrate early to build themselves and aim high... That's when u know that employers would make exceptions for you. When the questions then become whether to remain or move elsewhere.

Peerielass:
....You want them to charge VAT on tuition fees for parents who are already subsidising other people’s education by not taking up places in state schools?

I like your impressioned statement about VAT on school fee. Those are tired arguments that have been well addressed with a number of national examples.
Why not share reasons why it makes economic sense to abolish inheritance tax, keep private education vat free, abolish additional tax rate while at thesame time, make ilr/visa fees go up every year with inflation, extend time for ilr to 8 yrs, put all immigrants on a 45% tax treshold and worse still exclude naturalised folks from state pension.

Cue: These are all political decisions. Groveling over a policy that rewards the rich at the expense of the poor only creates inequality.

Are there no better pictures to depict an African child than this?

While the wealthy are being readied a tax break that'd see the government lose £7B, minimum wage earning migrants would have to fork out over 50k per family beore they get the chance at building a reasonable life, mortgage, private pensions e.t.c.

I know enough about macroeconomics and social engineering to know that it's moves like this that compels a group to the bottom rung of the society.
What happened to vat on private school fees? Oh! That does not punish immigrants.

Win-win my compatriots said.
Oh how about the UK changes its laws, brings in a hoarde of Nigerians, harvest one kidney each and in return, grant them permanent leave. Win-win my compatriots will say. It's capitalism afterall... supply vs demand. They can go back if they don't want.

heroshark:
...
If you believe paying the fee to move to the UK will make you poorer, then by all means stay in your country and remain richer.

The idea that 'oh your country does not treat you any better' is not a tenable excuse for unjust treatment in any modern society else that'd be a good excuse for racism, slavery, prostitution e.t.c. oh! you were called a monkey in your workplace?...well your country does not treat you any better so shut it.

Also hiding behind capitalism is not also an a answer to this else the NHS, social housing e.t.c would be toast. The government exists for that very reason.

Immigrants make more than their fair share of contribution- thats called tax, NI, school fees, the skills they bring, economic footfall, while having no recourse to public funds'
Forcing them to shoulder the wage rise of others while still bearing the cost of living crises is unfair. It means many would be condemned to the bottom rung of the society.

P.S. I would not be paying the new visa or IHS fee as those would be fully covered by my employer (should I need to reapply) but that does not mean I should make excuses for an unfair system.

heroshark:
I don't know why you keep stressing the black and brown like the policy is targeted at them only. The policy is targeted at immigrant/non-immigrant who want to leave their countries to come live in the UK whether black, brown or white the race is inconsequential.
And I think it's a win-win for even the immigrants because I personally will choose to pay the increased ihs fee, once and for all, than having my tax increase. Additionally even the immigrants working in those sectors also get a pay increase.

Go to page 86 and see the origin of 'black and brown'. After that, you could raise it up again.

A win-win I see.

Let me break it down for you. This is like your boss taking from your salary to pay for the road trip of your work colleagues. You then call it a win-win cos you were also on the bus and that you alone paying for the whole trip prevented everyone from contributing their fair share.

This move means that immigrants are left poorer (cue inflation) irrespective of whatever salary increase they receive just so Brits can have more in their pockets. This creates inequalities. Read through polished 'right sounding statements'

Zahra29:
White immigrants from Europe, US, Australia, Canada and others will also be affected by these increases.

Lol...

Goke7:
and you think the average EU citizen will pay that much for IHS fee when the Uk is not heaven

It's why I chuckle when I hear about an EU deal to plug the labour shortage.

This graph says it all. Expect a steeper decline from the EU with this new levy. Good luck crafting a deal that undermines the 4 pillars of the EU or getting EU folks to pay uni fees, IHS fee, T2 e.t.c and fund your 7% wage demand. Talk of slave labour.

I'm still wondering how many immigrants are needed to fund this wage rise.

Bourne007:
This your statement is baffling .. . Isn't IHS for all continents inc EU? .. .

That statement has an origin...
To quote 'The average Brexit voter certainly did not vote for increased immigration from black and brown countries...'

They don't want EU folks, dont want black and brown people, dont want a tax rise but want 7% wage rise a stagnant economy can't pay for.

Zahra29:
I'm not sure I understand question 1. Are you saying there is only a binary choice between higher taxation or higher immigration? I was in favour of the social care levy that Sunak introduced when he was chancellor before it was reversed by Truss. I obviously did not like the additional tax on my income but I accepted it if it would help rescue the NHS/ social care.

You do know the IHS was introduced about 8 or so years ago by Theresa May? It's not a recent phenomenon. It started at £200, but has been increased twice since -roughly doubling each time. It was only a matter of time before it would have been increased again, even if the Tory MPs had not written to Sunak.

I did not infer.. only asked.

With tax thresholds frozen, there's a real fiscal drag and most people would invariably pay higher taxes. The question Zahra becomes, would you prefer the government increases taxes to fund the pay rise or would you rather black and brown immigrants pay?

The double taxation called IHS and visa fees may have increased with inflation... but an increase aimed at paying public sector workers higher wages has not been a matter of public discussion before. It's not like we never knew... it's just that there's now an acceptance of this fact.

hustla:
Isn't it on this same thread we said people should try to aspire for Better jobs than care and people got angry and said all sorts?

Hehe.. he's mouthing now. If na oyibo pikin tell am to jump, he'd say 'master how high'

Looking at himself as a lesser human would only stunt his growth moreso after 10months in. Hopefully, a 22 year old oyibo pikin resets his brain with well garnished insult.
It's why I advocate having the good mix in your circle and see your fellow compatriots rising up the ladder.

Finally, neo-colonialism is not a good thing. Ask most Nigerians where their ancestors are, they'd say in hell... i.e to them, every Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba person e.t.c who existed before Christianity and Islam is burning in hell. Tell me what else is needed to conquer a mans psyche.

eniola1010:
One thing that marvels me is how a disable person can live a normal life abroad.

.....

Dude after you're done being in awe, start building yourself.
Looking diwn on yourself and your ilk shatters your confidence and only keeps you at the bottom rung of the economic ladder in this society.

For those looking for the link- starts at abt 4:58
Funny how despite the UK mainstream media attending the brief, in reporting, they’ve been largely silent on the visa fee increase. Imagine a headline line 'Immigrants to shoulder 7% public sector pay increase'


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9aN9XlIm6A

Zahra29:
Without immigration, nearly every country in the modern world would crumble, including Nigeria who relies on Chinese workers and companies for example

You guys are missing the valid points that have previously been made.

3 questions for you.


1. Would you rightly prefer to pay higher taxes or rather accept more brown and black people here to slave it out for you?

2. In what sustainable do you think the government should have funded the wage rise demands?

3. In a broad range, whay number of immigrants would the UK need to hit its sweet spot... i.e fund the 7% rise in addition to the NHS?

Goke7:
Honestly am shocked that a British PM could openly say they will have to fund pay rises from what legal immigrants will pay. Though to some it looks as a subtle way to reduce net migration but I see it as a final punch to the arguments the right wing extremists always have about the influx of immigrants.

Sunak just openly agreed with your conclusion here that this economy will collapse without immigration. Anybody still arguing should just go and watch that Sunak video. The man may have hurt many Brits egos with this.

I think Sunak is playing a political game here and being brutal but factual. Recently, a number of Conservative MPs had written to him itemising elaborate means of reducing legal migration without considering the antecedent effect on the economy. With this, such letters would be more guarded

This move is a response to them and challenge to the wider sentiment. Your 7% pay rise in a stagnant economy has to come from somewhere.

Spending cuts? Which among the biggest 4 of education, defence, health and social care have not been underfunded
Tax rise? A sure election looser. Even the most ardent brexiter would rather vote for more fee paying 'black and brown folks' than be responsible and tolerate a tax increase to pay for what they consume

What I find worrying is that aside increasing levies on poorly paid immigrants, there is no other plan to fund a whooping 7% public wage rise
Secondly, IHS is double taxation. Those on work visas already pay NI and income tax. Why do they have to pay a separate levy?

Next thing would be an increase in the lenght of time to ILR... they'd say it's to foster better integration.
I've been searching online and the UK mainstream media has been silent on this. Please share a link if you see one

Goke7:
Big answer to those who say immigrants contribute nothing much to the almighty Uk.

Sunak just admitted that for the govt to take care of it’s people by increasing wages, they need more money from immigrants else they can’t pay

Just stumbled on this, oddly, when I search they're not many mainstream UK media reporting it. The UK openly admits immigration fees as an essential source of revenue. Simply means that for workers to get their 6-7% wage rise, there has to be a minimum number of immigrants coming thru. The recently touted 8yr wait period for an ilr makes more sense now. I wonder what those who 'did not vote for black and brown people' think about the this. Perhaps, they would get EU citizens willing to pay so much for little in return.

Take a married 28yo who comes here for masters. They'd pay:

Initial visa fee
Initial ihs fee for 1-2 yrs
Uni school fees

Then;
PSW fee
IHS fee again for 1-2 yrs

Then;
Tier 2 visa fee
IHS fee for 5 yrs.
ILR fee
Passport fee

All these are aside income tax and NI and very importantly, the economic footprint they bring.

After giving 8-9 years of their productive life to the the UK economy, a whole lot of these people would still be lower bracket income earners. The UK adds to their life but in far less measure than what they have brought.

Reason why I asked how many Brits of similar age have contributed as much.
Without immigration, this economy would crumble under its own weight

eniola1010:
Abeg enough with emotion, facts dont care about emotion, what is 'some' compared to 'most'

If some invention were by black race, then most were by white race.

We talking of most u talking of some.
Na some we wan chop.

If we had it going why then are u killing yourself to live in their land and be a citizen of their land

Abeg call a spade a spade

Even the some u r talking about arent citizen of africa nation they are blacks whom were born there

It might look daunting when you initially come to the UK and see their seemingly straightforward process for somethings we struggle with back home.

That said, the longer you stay and rise in your profession, the more you see its same human folk around the world. What differs is just opportunity- some of which was accumulated via devious means over centuries from others.

It's for your benefit that you slowly break yourself from the mental shackles of neo-colonialism. People would see it thru you and you'd just be another timid immigrant who believes their life worth is dependent on being in the UK. Such mentality would sure limit your attainment here

Chreze:
For clarity sake,

Is there any condition that stops one from :

Getting provisional license
Writing theory test
Doing practical test
Then start to drive alone without supervision in one month or two?

Aside from maybe booking time, slot, ability to learn UK pattern faster and all that. Is there like a certain rule that says all this can’t happen in a month or two?

If there are no rules, please can anyone share reason why it may not be possible.

Not aware of a way to excape this (outside the first year) for someone coming from Nigeria.

The UK driving test is mainly for ones protection as it helps ypu understand the roads and rules of driving avoiding harm to yourself and others.

It is an extremely straightforward exam. One which thousands pass every year. There is no catch to it. All thats expected is to repeat what your driving instructor showed you typically on thesame roads you practiced on.

Osilama1:
is it seun that said many Igbos should defend mmesoma rubbish here

You are still going down that rat hole of bigotry. Seems bigotry cant allow you comprehend my point. I specifically did not mention any group
Like I said, it's @Seun that has allowed this fora thrive on such.

Go on reddit, and other social media that folks around the world use. How much of ethnic slurring runs there?

If all you have to say is 'us vs them', dont bother responding to my message.

Osilama1:
but many of u use such nuances to defend mmesoma when she spoke... That she's intelligent

Who are the 'many of you'
I would not be joined into a ethnic 'us vs them' issue that Seun has allowed to thrive on nairaland.
Point is, speaking English is not a test of brilliance.

tiger28:
Innoson himself is a total illiterate......have heard him speak? You will laugh.

So I don't expect much from him.

Speaking English is not a test of knowledge. It's just another language of shich there are thousands around the globe.

Shave off your neo-colonial mindset

Peerielass:
Some of the Brits I know started working and paying taxes at 16. Majority of them retire at 55 because they have built up a huge pension pot by then. I also don’t know any 28 year old Brit who is not in an established career and already settled both job wise and family wise, irrespective of whether it’s blue collar or professional jobs.

We should be careful when we are making generalisations here.

Again, the question is simple: how much exactly has the average 28 year old Brit + parents contributed in comparison to $45 trillion India alone contributed and millions of their kin that had to die to support the British economy. Moreso in addition to the many who still support the NHS?

There are no generalisations there.

Regarding your second point, the average pension pot at retirement is public knowledge. The number of people who are off work for long-term sickness is public knowledge. Alot of people here deal with benefit claims e.t.c. you need to look around. It's not ghosts on the council housing list.