₦airaland Forum

I think your article is a classical example of naivete at its peak. It's quite glaring whose sides you're on. Firstly, the premise on which your analysis is based is largely flawed; who said strike action is violent? I am sure you are not aware of the so many mass protests and strike action that Martin Luther King was involved with. The problem with most Nigerians is that we're always focused on the immediate gain. We don't look at the effect the rot in the sectors has on the system holistically; and we will continue to shortchange ourselves until we learn that, we have to make sacrifices to eventually get what we want.

I also do not think your article was well researched, otherwise you would have known the many overtures ASUU has made to the Federal Government (FG) to reach an agreement devoid of strike which yielded no fruitful result. The most important question should be, why should the FG enter into an agreement she wasn't interested in honoring? The terms of the agreement should be mutually binding on the parties involved and if that's not the case, the erring partner should be brought to book unless there is a new agreement that has been mutually committed to.

As far as I'm concerned, if the strike is going to take 2 years to resolve, then so be it, if that will bring some level of sanity to the educational sector. Indeed, what are you learning in these schools anyway? Even in some of the supposedly best universities in the country, the level of dilapidation the institutions are faced with is alarming. The infrastructures are nothing to write home about. Even more worrisome is the quality of human resources in our universities. The really good hands are old and retiring and the universities are unable to attract the best of hands anymore. You have a case of frustrated graduates (after looking for job for God-knows-how-long) returning to man the affairs in the universities. They have no thorough grasp of what the subject matter is all about and they are more concerned about meeting their basic needs than attending to the needs of the students.

You also don't quite believe that ASUU is fighting what they claim they are fighting for; how exactly do you measure genuineness. Have you seen the terms of the agreement? Only when you have done so would you understand. The only reason why strikes have not been effective is because they are not being done well. It should be a case of "strike until meaningful results" are obtained. That's the only effective language that is understood if only it is done well. Mind you, the dialogues they have had are countless. Several warning strikes have been embarked upon to no avail. FG has shunned several meetings and you still don't think the strike action is worth it? Curiously though, why is it that ASUU gets the most flak when it comes to strike actions? Why can't we turn the table and say - FG, honor the terms of agreement once and for all and let's see if they give results.

The educational sector is a shadow of itself; nothing in that system works. Again, If it's going to take a 24-month strike to bring some sanity into the system, then so be it. Whatever is worth doing at all, it's worth doing well. If we are going to have a university education, the least we deserve is the best, anything short of that is unacceptable.

Travelista: Sorry to hear about the deaths of your coworkers; terribly sad state of affairs.

Now, here's something you may not want to read but it's truth and may help to put a few things into perspective:

1. According to your post, IBplc was taken over by Access Bank. As an IBplc employee (core or support), a person would be lucky to still have their job. In takeovers/mergers, the company that was taken over almost always gets the short end of the stick; this means, unless stipulated in the documentation that allowed for the acquisition and/or merger in the first place, your jobs is not guaranteed. If any wants to be angry, their wrath should be directed at the former leaders of IBplc.

2. Access Bank does not have to offer room for growth to former IBplc workers. Access has employees they hired using their own hiring practices; they come first. Don't like it, find another job.

3. As for being terminated for the slightest infraction: remember that Access took over physical branches but they may not need all of the employees acquired from IBplc. Again, making a mistake may look like you shouldn't have been hired in the first place. I know the excuse is flimsy but, again, they don't have to keep on people they did not vet themselves.

4. I don't even know how to address you blaming Access for the death of employees. If the families of the deceased believe that death was caused by actions made/taken by Access, they can file a lawsuit. Other than that, no business is going to offer money without being asked/forced.

5. Again, Access did not have to keep IBplc employees on payroll. Asking workers to stay late is the norm especially after a major takeover. As there lapses during the transition period, it is only fair that things get back to normal as soon as possible; that usually means someone is going to be burning the midnight oil and as IBplc was taken over, their held over workers get to do the grunt work.

6. No one from the former IBplc or Access Bank has to show up for the funerals; would it have been nice to show solidarity at such a time? Of course but it is a personal choice as to whether one attends such events. Outside of the branch where the deceased worked, no one else should be expected to beat their chests and pull out their hair. Access Bank is your employer and NOT your relative. As long as they pay you, they don't owe you anything else.

7. Core staff and support staff are not the same thing nor do they share the same duties; why should support staff be afforded the same benefits of core staff? You're complaining about not receiving nursing mother benefits even though your were paid during your maternity?! Amazing. Here, maternity leave is unpaid.

8. The more I read, the more irritated I am becoming with the author of this piece. Unless the professional, core and support staff all have the same level of degree, the complaints should just end. Why should someone put in the time to earn a higher degree only to earn the pay money and benefits as someone that has a lower level degree?

I can't even continue...this person was kept following a takeover and still complains. I must need a nap because this whole piece is just full of whining for no justifiable reason.

Cheer up, upgrade your degree and try again. If Access still won't give you a chance, look elsewhere. Good luck.

What happened to empathy? What happened to policies wearing a human face? The writer has not asked for heaven and earth, he just wants to be treated like a human being which I don't think is too much to ask for. To most of the points you've raised, they are rather inhuman and I'm not sure they were well thought out. If these former employees are not going to be treated with human dignity, then they shouldn't let them stay. The most basic thing an employer owes an employee is human dignity and respect.

naijatoday: There is this yoruba song that says..... God as I Go out today..... Cant remember much but can anyone help thanks

Oluwa mi, mo n jade lo
Lati se ise oojo mi
Iwo nikan lemi o mo
Loro, lero ati nise

These videos are freaking hilarious. Very nice 'single' and dance steps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0MeZbdDHkU

http://www.keek.com/!lIIvbab
Make sure you learn the steps here!

For all of you still wondering what the dance style to "my oga at the top" is - please check this link to learn it ASAP!
http://www.keek.com/!lIIvbab

Mynd_44: Well I am the man marrying my wife bro and not society. I will be the one who is affected directly by whatever our decisions and not society so why should I allow society decide what I should do and who I marry?

Think about it brother. If you keep pleasing society, you will lose your sef to it and become another statistic

Unfortunately, you're not the only who will be affected by the decision you take. In fact, it's really not about you. For me, it's about the kids you may eventually end up bringing in to this world. Think about the suffering, pain these kids will have to go through. If you've ever lived with an SS kid, you'll know it's not an easy ride. And Mynd, when the wahala starts, the love might fade away. If you guys decide not to have kids, then, that's absolutely FINE but I don't think it's going to be fair on the kids when you could have prevented it from happening.

kennyGGG: Na wa o! Wetin person no go see for this forum. Well my advise will be that you get a reference letter from the NYSC directorate that your NYSC certificate won't be available until much later. You may not need to do any explaining

Thank you for your advise.But what should the letter address?Will it suffice to just state that the Certificate for my Batch has not been prepared by the Directorate and as such yet unissued?Or go further to state that I have been granted terminal leave till the end of my service year?Or further to state that this To Whom It May Concern should be accorded the same weight and regard as a certificate.These are my thoughts. I want to be careful of what to include and not to include in the said letter.And which file of officer may issue this letter we are talking about.Thank you for your time.

Fhemmmy: At any point in time, did you tell the CDHC that you have completed your NYSC?

Thank you for your concern Mr Fhemmy. I have not at any point in time imply or state that I have completed the NYSC to CDHC. The law firm I work for actually wrote an attestation on my behalf to state that I joined the employment as an NYSC Counsel and I have their permission to leave the office from September 2012 to October 2013 when I would complete my Masters program. What are your thoughts,please?

Hello Everyone.I have been a passive observer of this thread and I cannot but commend the good work and success we are building in this house.I got my medical instruction today. I submitted 25th of May and my Uncle (US based) is my sponsor. The problem here now is I am requested to submit my NYSC Certificate to the embassy along with my medicals on or before 25th of August.I have not completed my NYSC as I would be passing out October(Batch C) and my school is resuming September 4.I'm in the wild on this and I need suggestions on how to proceed with this.

Stantiques: Oh nice one friend
My school resumes 28th Aug . I will go ahead and cancel , can't risk the Compuiter based toefl report need an IBT . Moreover my sevis fee has to be switched

@gboyegad

Bro where are you I hope m not disturbing u , I m waiting for your email to send the Sevis infos to you . Pls get bck to me

Honestly, if your gmat or gre is still valid, I really don't know why you'd want to cancel your appointment based on the expired toefl. The visa officer is not testing your english fluency, he's only interested in the exams you sat to qualify for an admission. The irony is this, you may not even be asked for the toefl at all. When I went for my interview, I gave her my GRE and TOEFL and she didn't even look at the toefl at all. Again, what was your score in the TOEFL? and I believe you still have some unresolved issues with your SEVIS - that could be why you're so bent on cancelling. The embassy is not as scary as you think it is. Just be confident and articulate your thoughts well, with prayers, it's going to be an easy ride!

[quote author=Stantiques]Congrats bro ,

How was the toefl test like , wot aspect u like or shud someone concetrate on . I guess u went for MSC rite . I am presently prepaerin for toefl on saturday . I just want a high score .[/quote

Just concentrate on all the sections, it's not so difficult. it's really not a big deal if you're not so nervous. It's a very basic exam, much simpler than all the english exams you've had to do!

I also feel greatly indebted to come back here and say thank you to everyone who has at anytime contributed to this forum. I really can't count the number of times I've spent on this particular thread digesting the information in there. I read almost the entire thread starting from the "1st season" and of course the efforts have paid off. I went for my visa interview on Monday and it was approved. Below is the excerpt of the interview;

I had a little challenge before my interview. All applicants were being given a slip as we entered and we were being called for the document verification, biometrics and interview in a definite order. When I finished my biometrics and was waiting to be called for the interview, my number was skipped, I thought it was just an oversight so I didn't budge initially, but after about 6-7 people (whose number were after mine) did with my own name not called, I went to the woman who did the verification and she directed me to go to one window, where I was later directed to another window for my interview.

VO: Why have you chosen to go to the US for your studies?
Me: Because the US has a proven track record when it comes to educational advancement and they also have an excellent reputation in research activity

VO: How did you hear about the school?
Me: I came across one of their publications when I was preparing for my undergraduate research and besides a senior colleague is presently studying there.

VO: So you're working, where do you work?
Me: Told her the name of the company

VO: In what capacity
Me: Told her

VO: So how do you intend to pay for your fees
Me: Told her I got a graduate assistantship and my uncle will be paying for the rest

VO: Can I see your uncle's bank statement (before she completed the statement, she changed her mind and asked if I sat for any exam to qualify for the award and she requested to see them)
Me: Told her I sat GRE and TOEFL

VO: Did you apply to other schools?
Me: Yes, 4 other schools

VO: Mention them
Me: I did (thereafter, she said the schools I mentioned were rather random) and I explained that they're not random, that they all have something in common, and that's a lot of expertise in my research area ( I mentioned the research area)

VO: she chuckled; I really don't know what your research area is all about anyway.

You can go and pick up your visa on Friday, sorry Thursday.
Me: I said 'thanks' and I left her window.

PS: A black American lady interviewed me. When I got there initially, she was in charge of biometrics. A couple of friends said she'd interviewed some people earlier and that she was rather nasty.

I've heard a lot of stories before I went for my interview and I must confess it's really not as scary as it seems outside. (the interview wasn't up to 5 mins) Those who couldn't express themselves clearly were denied (not like my responses flowed well, but I was able to articulate myself and I think my responses made sense) Besides studying nairaland night and day, I made a list of my own possible questions and my own responses and virtually all the questions were asked based on the one I prepared for myself.
Also, my TOEFL had expired when I went for the interview but that was the TOEFL I used to secure the admission so I felt there was no need to take another one.
Another thing is, it's been repeated times without number, the importance of writing standardized tests (GRE and TOEFL; mind you that was the only document that was requested for me), I believe it shows your academic seriousness especially if you have a good score. You may be asked and you may not, but why would you want to take chances. The only exception to this rule would be, if you have a very very good transcript (and I'm talking 1st class students here) that may be convincing as to why your GRE was waived. In my own opinion, very few good schools would give you admission without GRE and the consular officers know this as well.
Lastly, God's favor is very important, I guess one can't ask enough for this. Prepare and pray well, and I believe you'll also have a good story to share at the end of the day.
To the old and new contributors -- gongo aso, superbrain, ojap, aroy1, impreriouxx, davidylan and so many others, thank you very much.