₦airaland Forum

justwise:
What is worrying here is the fact that you knew that American military intervention will lead to disaster in Nigeria but in an attempt to sound sympathetic you are still suggesting that military intervention is the only solution for the killing going on.

I have listed a number of possible solutions here but as that is not what you want to hear you keep asking me to repeat it again and again.

As regards what to do, the only thing I remember you saying is that the solution lies with the Nigerian government i.e they should wait until such a time the government looks their way. In practical terms, they should wait for their turn to be killed.

We can only guesstimate what an intervention by the U.S would bring. What we know for certain is that many parts are being decimated as we speak. What I have said is simple- I cannot in the comfort of Canada/UK ask those who are being killed to sit and wait for their turn. I can't offer them a pill I know I wouldn't take. If I can't profer a solution, then I should approach whatever solution they find with empathy.

Again, for the fourth time at least I ask-what should those being killed do?

“The former governor of Bauchi State, (Isa) Yuguda, was able also to go with a government delegation into the bush and they met more than 5000 bandits. They are all complaining — those who have lost their parents, those who have lost their brothers, those from hostility too,” Gumi said.

Does not surprise that I woke up to these headlines on NL.

The government is organising prayers and going to beg. The victims should wait for their attackers to show mercy but in the interim start paying tax to these bandits and sending their daughters over as gifts to appease them as many communities already are.

This is what folks say victims should wait for. It's easy to tell folks to sit and wait when one is far removed from the chaos. The shocking lack of empathy is telling.

There is no concrete plan to go ahead with robust community policing, immediately ending the almaj*r* scheme, manaditing education for kids, perhaps approaching China for cheaper drones, expanding the federal police and military and and making them be proactive in their response, chanelling the exorbitant pay of our federal and legislative politicians into security, tangible infrastructural and economic investment into a populace that is increasingly being impoverished e.t.c.

The last governments solution was to fashion a grazing route in the 21st century. This ones plan seems to be to plaster over it and pretend it does not exist

hammed71:
No worry e go do you like film trick, I pray the go ahead with their plans so we can see who's right or wrong

So what should these Nigerians being killed daily do? Sit and wait for their turn I guess?

If you are worried about my stance, you should thank God it's not my family facing what many of the villagers are. Then you'd see how extreme views can be.

If you're responding, please don't forget to add what these Nigerians should do

justwise:
You are.

I find it worrying that despite asking repeatedly, the only solution you're offering to what is increasingly the certain demise of many Nigerians is for them to sit and wait for their turn.

My posts on this have been clear. Never been a fan of Trump (even opined he may be looking to bully Nigeria and Africa through this). Neither am I oblivious of his possible underlying motives. However, I cannot tell those who have seen their villages decimated over the last decade to sit and wait for their turn.

immortalcrown:
Catholic cuts its coat according to its size. Yet, Catholic is the most powerful and biggest Church.

The Catholic Church may not own a car factory. But many of the engineers in car factories were made by Catholic schools and foundations.

The Catholic Church does not boast of its priests owning private jets. But it boast of being the Church with the highest donations to charity.

All this my church vs your chruch chest beating is nauseating.

Wake up and smell the coffee. This is 2025 and an increasing amount of people care less about religion or your church.

This post should be a cause of concern. Why are most of our recent biggest buildings churches? Why are factories being shut down to build churches yet people languish in increasing poverty but are told by their leaders to pray and hope while the wealth of the nation is looted abroad to countries who don't care about God?

justwise:
Do you know the strange thing about many of you in support of American military intervention is that you can not provide a single evidence that it has ever worked anywhere in the world but you still support it.

Let me ask you this...give me one country that America has helped militarily to bring about peace and security, one. ..

Again, I am not in support of a U.S intervention or violation of our sovereignty but I cannot look at those being whose relatives are being murdered and tell them to wait for their turn. The image of a butchered truck of bodies brought in or burning bodies during riots is forever etched in my memory.

In practical terms, could you give an answer to my questions

Zahra29:
Canada, Australia and other countries have similar medical exams for certain categories of immigrants before admitting them or granting them settlement status.

Apart from TB, the UK has zero health checks and does not deny visas or settlement on this basis.

We should do well to have a rounded conversation as this place grows. There is no point cherrypicking stuff to suit ones narrative.

Discussions around migration should be about weighing pros and cons. I've gone through the main migration pathway for both the UK and Canada and can say for most, the later is easier to get into but then, that's hardly the point here.

What I want to see is a comparison of what each nation has to offer and not the constant urge to excuse any negative change on the basis that 'Saudi Arabia' doesn't allow migrants to do xyz

It does appear that many Nigerians underestimate the true reach of terror in Nigeria.

I said it years ago that I have my doubts the Nigerian government can truly defeat these terrorists even in decades. With each passing day, these terrorists grow stronger. It's easy to think that what we have now as a nation is the norm. Far from it- the world keeps changing and even in modern times, lines keep being redrawn.

After a long stint in the south, I remember visiting Zaria, alighting from a bus at night and froze as I saw a young boy with a plate begging for money. I stood looking at him for over 10 secs and all that flashed back was part of my childhood and hoardes of kids that came around begging.

Despite growing up in the north and thinking I had a good understanding of the north, my time in Kano changed my perspective. I lived in good part of the city yet my alarm clock daily was tens of young boys who'd come around in different batches singing and begging for alms. I encountered many sleeping on the road pavement or bare floor at night. I always asked myself if there are these many out-of-school boys begging, where are their female counterparts because they obviously were not in school and there was very little female representation in the office space. While a few of the boys came from surrounding states, with time I got to know that many of their female counterparts lived most of their lives behind high walls waiting to be married off to make more out-of-school kids and sadly some used to settle debt. It doesn't surprise that Kano has one of the highest birth rates in the world.

What irks me is the fact that things are getting worse. Those out of school kids are increasing in number. Those boys grow up in the worst of conditions being indoctrinated, traumatised and left with little or no skills to make money. Does it surprise that the gunmen have an unlimited source of foot soldiers? Combine this with the wide, largely under-developed terrain in the north, discovery of solid minerals to sell on the black market, porous (or non-existent) land borders, most of northern Africa being run by ragtag militias, resource limitations of the Nigerian state, corruption etc. then you see my skepticism

There's much talk about seperatist narrative from the east. However, I belive the strongest concern to the Nigerian states continued existence is growing terror. And to be clear, this is not a north vs south issue as most parts of Nigeria are struggling. It's just the reality of my experience

justwise:
I have stated the solution here before and my view on that hasn't changed.

Trump doesn't give a toilet brush about Christians in Nigeria or human life in general, the current Nigerian govt and previous administrations have failed Nigeria but they are the only one that can fix this mess.

If the American military forces start operation in Nigeria the situation will get worst, more ''cherished Christians'' will die and peace and security will be a distant memory

I'm struggling to get your practical take on this.

Some folks in Jos pushed to raise awareness of this in the U.S after years of begging for help

1. What is your advise to folks in Jos or southern Kaduna who have seen village after vilage decimated and much of their kit and kin killed? All this happened while they were begging the Nigerian society to come to their rescue. What would be your advise- should the remaining residents of Kagoro sit and beg the government while waiting for their turn to be killed?

2. What if it was your village and relatives being affected- would that change your response? If 17 members of your family were machetted down in a day (like someone I know), would your response still be to keep waiting for the government?

Lastly, If the answer is to beg the government, how long do they need to do that before it becomes obvious it's not working?

Talking about things we could have done differently- another was keenly paying down my mortgage.
I did that to the tune of 20k before I stopped. My thinking was that since my interest rate then was above 5%, I'd be better off paying down my mortgage rather than paying the bank more interest at that rate. I stopped when interest rates dropped below 4.7% as something about it just didn't click. Also, I was getting better returns elsewhere. I thought I did my reasearch but I had only considered how much interest I wouldn't pay and not the opportunity cost of the additional paydown. (i.e what advantage having that money free could bring)

It finally hit me when I was scrapping to get a BTL, I began to ask myself why I overpaid.

It wasn't after a while I stumbled on this video and wished I saw it earlier. It's another example how the general wisdom might not always be the best. Good channel by the way. Strongly recommend.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4sy1f8Q4YA

ukay2:
Few questions please:

1.How do I contribute to SIPP through Ltd co, will the Ltd coy receive the 20% tax relief and another 20% tax relief from HMRC? I don't have Ltd coy though...

2. Will govt not tax me 40% at withdrawal as a higher tax payer if I use my personal account for the SIPP.. remember I have NHS pension to withdraw too which will shoot me back to 40% tax bracket as income from the total pension withdrawals . What rate will the government tax me?

3. If I invest the £20k (£12k my real contribution though) in Google in my SIPP and in 20 years time the investment becomes £100k... I withdraw £25k tax free and then start to share the remaining £75k with the govt at 40% tax unlike me owning the entire £100k with ISA account without any govt chooking eyes.

1. With a ltd co, you don't get the tax relief.
However, pension contributions are considered a business expense so you deduct the cost before paying corporation tax. If not made, you'd pay corporation tax on the money at rates of about 20% and then income or dividend tax on that sum before it becomes yours (depending on how you want to take it out). What I used to do was catch up with my accountant before my company end of year was due and they'd estimate how much corporation tax I may be due to pay. I then determine if its worth making an extra pension contribution. Also the only limit here is the 60k annual pension limit whereas with a personal SIPP contribution, you cannot add more than your taxable income in a given year. So a ltd co director with 20k taxable income can contribute 50k via their ltd co into their SIPP. If it was a personal contribution, the max would be 20k. The good thing is that you can contribute both personally and via your ltd co in same year.


2. It's impossible to estimate what the tax brackets would be when you come to retire but we can use todays rates. It's very unlikely your income in retirement would match your working income
Also, the current NHS pension is only accessible (with certain exceptions) without penalty at state retirement age. So if you want to keep working fulltime till 67 (likely 70 with time), then it's less of an issue. But if you choose to retire earlier, then robust options are needed. Unlike your NHS pension, you can access you SIPP earlier at 57. Lets say you choose to retire at 60. That leaves you with 7 years before you start drawing your NHS pension. Drawing down on your ISA and SIPP here would help you bridge that gap. Your taxable income would most likely remain in the basic rate.

See it this way: Lets say you need 35k pa after tax to live in retirement. It might not seem huge but remember that most would have paid off their mortgage at this point or at least use the tax-free part of their pension to do so.
You could take 10k from your ISA (tax free), 12.5k from the taxfree part of your pension and 12.5k from the taxable part of your pension (which would still be tax free as it's within the tax free allowance). So in essense thats 35k pa tax free. Even when your NHS and state pension kick in later, your tax bracket would most likely be 20%. The 'generous' pension system is one of the ways the UK really shines.

3. There's a lot of speculation with individual picks. I tend to veer off them in especially with my SIPP. But I see your worry. Also had same concerns too and but after years of maxing my ISA, it became clear as I understood the UK tax system that I should also look more towards my pension. From the examples above, you can see it's not as straightforward. You'd need to be living extra extra large to be paying 40% in retirement. I'm talking incomes of well over 100k not 50k. Some people even transfer most their ISA to their SIPP before retirement to get the tax rebate.
Another consideration- as a higher rate payer, the The 20k in your pension costs you 12k. The 20k in your ISA would definitely cost you more than 24k initially (remember you'd have paid 40% on the income first).

ISAs are sweet. But for retirement, not many products beat a pension. ISAs to me are good as they are offer good flexibility even before retirement. One can also use them to bridge the period before accessing a SIPP if they want to retire or cut down before 57.

Ultimately, I see these options as tools. Its better to ones quiver full so that say 5-10 yrs before retirement, they can sit down with a financial advisor and start making plans.

ukay2:
Just started SIPP account with Freetrade....the thing make sense....I was able to buy individual USA stocks I like like in my LISA and S&S ISA...

After maxing out LISA and Stock & Shares ISA...any other funds goes to SIPP

Make the govt credit my 20% contribution to SIPP, and I will claim the remaining 20% via self-assessment account...

I do not like that the govt will tax me the total SIPP portfolio after 25% tax free withdrawal...the govt should only tax the funds contributed and not the SIPP account profits....lol

It's a close call but for retirement, SIPP might come out better or at least equal for most especially higher rate tax payers.

The main difference being ISAs are after tax and SIPP before tax.
A 20k contribution to your SIPP would only cost you 12k as a higher rate. If the contribution is made via ones Ltd co, you dont have the personal tax rebates but it counted as an expense before corporation tax.
True one would pay tax when they come to withdraw (after the lump sum) but it would usually be at a much lower rate than they'd have paid in their working days.
ISAs are easily accessible which is a huge bonus. Many end up using their ISA to bridge early retirement or augment later retirement.

I personally pushed heavy into my ISAs earlier on but looking back, I feel I should have had an even split.

justwise:
Totally agreed but military intervention by a foreign govt is never the solution as that never worked anywhere in the world.

American defence contractors are rubbing their hands together now waiting to start selling guns and other aminations to us and laugh their way to the bank. We will pay for this war with our resources while the country is destroyed and the war will never end.

Let's be practical here. Whats the solution?

What should I tell someome who has seen their family nembers r**ped, killed, kidnapped, burnt alive? To wait and hope? I have seen folks who had their whole family wiped out and only escaped via a stroke of luck.

For all intents, Trump may be using this to bully Nigeria into subservience given our refusal to acquiesce to his plan to deport untethered folks to Nigeria- a move which might have given other African nations the nerve to say no. Or perhaps, he is trying to shift attention from his turbulent dip at the polls.
All said, as much as I despise Trump, given what I've seen, I cannot in all honesty tell folks caught up in this to sit and wait.

babajeje123:
I know two people who had near death experience in the Northern part of Nigeria, and both are Christians. One had his head butchered by Fulani herdsmen in the middle of the night and left him in the pool of his blood. Thank God grace saved him. The second person, a lady, living in southern Kaduna then. While the Islamic Jihadists were on rampage when El-Rufai was the Governor, she took to her heels for safety and had no place to hide save a pit where they already dumped about 30 dead bodies. She jumped in and pretended to be dead. She was there for almost 12 hours before help came.
These ones, and many other Nigerians who were victims have a different opinion from yours. By the way, both of them are in the UK now.

Quite harrowing stories I can relate to them after living in the north and witnessing many riots.

The one that did it for me was when I witnessed a truck of bodies being brought to the hospital where I worked. They were the result of a riot that happened on the far outskirts of the city. As of then, the mortuary of other state hospitals around had filled up with casualties. I looked at bodies of young and old that had been butchered like cattle. I told myself I was done with that town. Not surprisingly, the government declared a local curfew and later claimed it was less than 10 that died.

If one has witnessed the other end of this menace, it gives perspective. It shouldn't take Trump to remind us the value of human life.

Goodenoch:
This has made me laugh so much this morning.

That first 1 billion monstrosity of a house in Pinnock has to be the most absurd thing I've seen in a long time.

The first house was truly an eyesore. At first, I thought it was something bespoke until it became obvious the house was just a mess. I dont understand the general love for all white exterior walls and concreted exterior floors.

The issue with investing in 9ja is the sentimental value it holds for us. Manytimes, the economical value fails to add up. There's the advantage of diversification and the fact that stuff in 9ja is out of reach from any western brouhaha should things go awry. But then, the currency devaluation and poor property laws remain an issue.

Buying in 9ja is mainly via cash. That 1b when converted to pounds would set one up with quite a few standard buy-to-lets in the UK. Investments one can retire on reap the reward of in any part of the world. To me, main advantage of property investment is leverage, without that, index fvnds are a much better option.

I also looked at the Air bnb ish but the maths didn't add up for the cost of property in good parts of Abj/Lag. However, I've heard of someone abroad who does this in Lagos- quite bespoke apartments. Chap reports it adds up. Afterall, little/no operating tax is paid.

Finally, e be like say na empty land e go be but that also has its issues. Even after securing it, one might return and see it's been sold off or bandits don relocate there.

justwise:
I see many ignorant Nigerians are celebrating this post from one of the dumbest president America has ever elected.

If America is allowed to attack BokoHaram and other militant groups in Nigeria then this is the start of our own Afghanistan, Iraq etc.

American military intervention in any country has never lead to peace, infact all the countries American troop went into is now in the hands of those they went to fight.

The little peace Nigerians enjoy now will be a distance memory if Trump is allowed to carry out this threat.

With the way things are, the killings and desensitisation to them have become too much.

Without being a fan of Trump, the Nigerian government has failed to step up and address this. Yet, our politicians increasingly feed fat. I cannot in all honesty tell someome who has seen their family and many more murdered not to seek help especially if I'm not providing a reasonable alternative.

With what I know about the north and direction of travel so far, this menace may ultimately lead to the end of Nigeria if not well handled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W89rWOKzOCo

Thinking abour real estate in 9ja always wondered why the risk/reward sometimes didn't add up.

This was a good watch. Where do folks think there's value to be had in 9ja?

Ohraykon:
Hello good people, my student visa interview at the UK embassy is tomorrow, I don't know what to expect but i have some documents of past interviews questions. Please can you guys help me with guidelines because i am really scared! thanks

First, though it nay not seem so to you, one needs to understand that the UK wants students coming in.
There would generally be three ways why you might not scale thru
First, your nerves- easier said than done but you need to gain some composure.

Secondly would be external factors such as predetermined outcomes or quotas which you largely cannot do much about.

Lastly would be documentary errors which is where I hope you have all documents in order.

Another period of oversubscription just like with Buhari? Hehe.

Does not surprise me the rates are not mentioned in the article. Hope we're not celebrating going to borrow money at cutthroat rates

Ugmama:
Well said. I have lived in London and I don’t fancy it anymore. I need a quiet area, so I intend to move North and I want to stay close to hospital. Any house that gives me nice serene, proximity to key areas like train, church, mall, school is my take.

You'd get that in many places all over. Key question would be what place is suited to you.

careerwoman:
Long post alert…
It’s finally PPR!! 🍁

Welcome to 🇨🇦

Congrats

luqken:
Hi fellas,

I am looking at alternative network provider to my O2. It's currently looking like a waste of money

I commute Luton to London and I struggle to have good calls and internet service enroute my trip especially inside Thameslink.

I have a feeling there could be a better network I could try out there as I see people making successful calls/internet in the train and stations.

As you know the commute route, try using Opensignal. It is an app that lets you see the network coverage for different providers around the country. It also tells you the coverage type (4G, 5G...) and data speed

Goke7:
dem don dey impersonate you? 😂aaah you have made it in life bruv. Congratulations! Can I have you as mentor? How much is your fee? 😂

Hehe... scammers full ground

Ugmama:
Please our landlords and experienced people here,

What do we look out for to know a house that would appreciate in value in the near future?
No question is a stupid one according to my tutors 😁

As Lexusgs430 said, historical sales data is one.
I use houseprices.io . It's a good resource to quickly compare historical data.

Secondly, what investment is being done there. I dont mean stuff planned in the unknown future. I know of a town that saw a 20% jump in prices partly due to a nuclear plant being built close by.

Third is transport connections and proximity to major hubs such as London, Manchester e.t.c

Then you have unique stuff like schools e.t.c.

That said, for many parts, prices reflect prevailing market realities. Areas which are cheap are less priced for a reason and manytimes remain that way unless something fundamental changes. So when you see a 'cheap' place ask yourself why it is cheap and if it really offers value.

All said, if looking for a place to live, I'd be more focused on stuff that personally brings value to me not just what house prices might do

thaotech:
Be careful folks, especially people who have contact details in their previous posts. This lowlife tried to impersonate jedisco, claiming he tried to quote my message but anti spam bot prevented him from doing so.

Hehe... you see wetin I dey tok.

Aggressive blokes full ground

thaotech:
Chief, I present cephalic sir
I'd really love to get your guidance regarding several pathway considerations if you don't mind.
Can I send a pm?

My brother/sister I greet.

I prefer to have conversations here to preserve my anonymity an make others fit chip in. Alternatively, u fit quote me on a forgotten thread on a remote section of Nairaland

Ogonsbaba:
I have completed and got my keys earlier this month. I went for an old build and got my mortgage with Barclays bank with 10% deposit. My interest rate was 4.46% when Bank of England interest rate was 4.25% and I fixed it for 5 years tenure. Thanks to everyone for answering questions and for the words of encouragement.

Congrats.
Landlords don dey plenty

Madeu:
This tread has been helpful. Completed and got my key today. 3 years in the UK and buying as a solo buyer -feeling over the moon. Now I can opt back to my pension.

Hehe.. congrats.
Go find person mk una two chop the benefits.

muyico:
Why correcting her?? Were you assigned to disciplinary committee?? African is born to lies

Africa ***
Don't make yourself inferior

ferfer:
Please share when you have the AI tool.

@mortgage - Great plan to let the broker run all the different scenarios. I beg you, shop around. If you have been pre approved for a particular amount/rate, you are still allowed to approach another financial institution. I think they only pull (hard) your credit once for the first one and that is it. As a new comer to Canada, some (I know for sure that TD has this because I know someone who got it) financial institutions have newcomer rate/bonus thingy! Shop around - broker, big 6 bank etc.

@Rav4...unless I have the resources to go buy the only Bugatti Ottoman made for Suleiman the Magnificent, I will vote with my feet for a tested and trusted, albeit banal and ubiquitous, RaV4.
The taxi drivers definitely know something we do not and I'd say we follow their lead!

It appears there's no truly global fvnd that trades/is domiciled in CAD. The best I saw were VXC and XAW but these exclude Canada. It's odd though but I'm looking.
Two options Im looking at - one might be to replicate a global fvnd by buying either of those two and a separate fvnd for the Canadian local market only. Making the later about 3% of my portfolio to replicate a truly global fvnd. The other would be to buy a foreign domiciled fvnd such as FWRG but one would now need to factor currency exchange fees.


Regarding the mortgage, wouldn't a mortgage broker be able to look at the whole matket and advise? My thinking and experience has been to get a broker who has access to the whole market. However seeking car insurance quotes showed me how fragmented the Canadian system is. I have discussed with a broker that's linked to my bank and he gave me a good overview of what's tenable.


Hehe @rav4... it's like buying Corolla 04 in 9ja. To many, its Corolla or nothing else. Reminds me of when I was taking my driving lessons in the UK. I kept asking the chap if most cars I pass are good or not. Chap told me mk I chill, that most modern cars are dependable and no company builds a factory to sell cars that would breakdown in months- at least not in the west. Toyotas are not a thing in the UK and cars wey people dey drive there were not breaking down unduly. Ultimately, if one gets a decent car thats not too old, it should serve. My target is to buy a car that I can wake anyday within the first 3-5 yrs of purchase and drive anywhere. My only business with the car should be the annual service/mandatories. Many brands should offer that.

skydiver01:
I agree re: reduction in the rate (pace) of price increases and I think you meant to say actual drop in prices is called deflation

True. Mistake by autocorrect. Now corrected