₦airaland Forum

Wandungu, that story of your friend caught cooking in the dormitory was very funny. Yeah, the same incident happened with my roommates in high school when they were caught sipping garri in the dormitory which was against the rule. And, yeah, they were nabbed red handed and paraded by the teacher to all the classrooms on campus, with each of them, carrying the condiments they had contributed , garri, glucose, and water. That episode was something else on campus.

Another one: There was a restaurant in the vicinity in my high school that we nicknamed "Nkanya" (an Ibibio term for thatch house) and the owner of the cafeteria was called "Nkanya" too. This restaurant was a hit with students, and the man's benevolence towards students in giving them food on credit was extremely enticing. The only catch was that you would write down your name in his book that you owed him. No biggie. So, students would go to his restaurant and dine on credit. Then during exam time, "Nkanya" would change. He would personally come to my high school premises during exam time and tell the teachers that he was looking for so so and so students because they were owing him. Can you imagine this scenario, you are in the middle of your exams, sweating it out, when the teacher, would announce out of the blue

"Where is "Mr. A", he owes this man 50 Naira (or whatever the amount may be), come and settle him or else you wont take your exams". It was very embarrasing, and students would laugh at it, while you step outside, trying to negotiate with this unreasonable (?) man that you would pay him later. It got to a point that sometimes students may have missed a portion of their exams. Something terrible may have happened, because one of my classmates told another fellow that if "Nkanya" ever made an appearance on campus, seeking to collect his debts from students during exam time, he will beat him up.


Nna, high school back home was something else. My siblings always got a kick out of it when I narrated to them my stories.

www.nigerianmemories..com

Life may be better abroad, but dont let pictures and tales of America deceive you. You work hard to get a dollar, and you pay taxes and bills. When you buy a house, most times, you are in debt for thirty years, and a drawback is that if you fall behind on your mortgage payments, as paddylo wrote, the bank is at liberty to possess it. Now, even after paying off your mortgage at the end of thirty years, you would still make payments for property taxes, which varies froms tate to state. Dont let anybody deceive you. Yankee is fine quite alright, if you work hard, you are most certainly sure of three square meals a day, but life is isolated here, people dont take the time to exhale the simple aspects of life. Some people are always in a hurry trying to make ends meet. Conversations between pals is conducted mostly on telephones. You cant go out with your friends to a nearby spot to have dinner with, especially for a newbie, because you are always working.

I dont know how it is in Nigeria now, because I left home in the 90's. But during my stay there, it was for the most part, smooth. Pops and Moms made it smooth for me. But to be frank though, food wise, yankee definitely beats Nigeria hands down.

Welcome, and it is good to know that you have not been influenced by the actions of certain groups of misguided Nigerians. Dont worry about them, Nigerians are generally hospitable.

Olabowole, what does the Koran say about the Messiahship of Jesus Christ?

Read this links.



http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/quran-Jesus.html

http://www.theGrace.com/about.html

According to the Bible, there is no excuse for one to be an atheist. Read Romans 1:20

http://bible.cc/romans/1-20.htm


http://www.waytoGod.org/qexist.html

Yeah, the Holy Bible is the Word of God.

For those fortunate to be American citizens, one is aware of the patriotism and loyalty expected from them by the government. The war in Iraq, while unjustified, is still going on strong with casualties on both ends. Yet, our president is bent on finishing the course till the end of his tenure. As of now, there may be a clarion call, a draft for all citizens between a certain age to join the war. If you were an opposer of the war and you were about to be drafted, what would be your reaction? Knowing that your refusal may result in your termination of your American citizenship, would you gladly stay true to your ideals by renouncing your citizenship and move back home (Canada is another destination, though for celebrities ) or would you meekly abandon your stand on the war and cave to the US demands?

Africa, our Africa, Africa, the heartland of our ancestors. Bereaved of her children during the ignominious slave trade, plundered of her resources by her prodigal children and foreigners and derided globally for its unending battle with poverty, Africa is indeed a survivor. The continent of my childhood where memories of riding tires in the cold rain with my siblings and friends, cracking kernel in the bush with my mates, and attending a Christmas party with my loved ones, I love and cherish you, Africa.

So, last Sunday, an article in the NY Times (Sunday edition) caught my attention. It was about forced labor in the continent. The picture of the little boy at the riverside in Ghana (I think) is quite touching. While some of us here are salivating over job prospects at home and abroad, dreaming of retiring in mansions and feasting on lobsters and other enticing cuisine, there are a record of people who have it rough back home. Unemployment is one of them, but people do manage, somehow. That is the tenacity of humans, the ability to survive. The sweat on our brows, all evidence of energies spent in achieving our heartfelt desires be it gaining a job or spending endless nights studying for an exam, the end result is that death ultimately is the final answer for man. So, while we are sojourning on earth, seeking to fulfil our destiny of either acquiring riches, getting married, retiring on a lakseside mansion close to a golf course, lets not forget the Number one priority, and that is dedicating our lives to Jesus Christ. And for those lucky to strike a pot of gold, endeavour to help out the downtrodden, unsure of when the next meals would come.

I have lived in America since the 90's and have noticed the bulk of charity endowed in colleges and the society. Nearly every single cause has a charitable foundation attached to its name. And this is in a country where racism, the divider of the human race still plays a role in the society. Back home, where warmth and hospitality is normally associated with our temperament and society, surprisingly, there are no charitable causes in the country to back up our impressive characteristics. Few scholarships to reward a brilliant student for their college education, few programs to alleviate poverty in the villages and lots of roadblocks to discourage individuals interested in developing the country.

How can we, the future generation of Nigerians abate the problems of Africa? Or, are we destined to trudge on the paths of our predecessors like IBB, Abacha, Idi-Amin, Sekou Toure , ?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/world/africa/29ghana.html?ei=5087%0A&em=&en=5e681b9c3df8108a&ex=1162270800&pagewanted=all

There you go again with your anti-white comments.

Odeku, your choice of language is horrible!!!. Come, how old you be?

What is wrong with marrying a white woman? Are they not human beings? To each his/her taste though.

I am an Ibibio man, from Akwa Ibom state, and as far as I am aware of, my tribe has not be associated with cannibalism. I cant say for any other ethnic group, but there have been allegations that this sadistic practise has persisted in some areas of Nigeria, even in today's age.

Credit card is different from a debit card. With a debit card, you are actually withdrawing money from your bank account, whereas, a credit card is some sort of a loan from financial institution. Now, the rate varies from 0% to as high as 20%, if not more. Credit cards are necessary, because you use them to build credit. Without having credit in this country, you cant even build a house. Prospective loan officers would check your credit score to ascertain if you have been diligent with your credit card payments, before they entrust you with a home loan.

I'd say, dont panic, apply for one and get it, but please be very judicious with your spending, especially on credit cards. The interest rate alone can bankrupt you, if you are not careful, and you may be in perpetual slavery to this institutions to pay off your debts. But is this not America where mortgage for a house can stretch to as long as 30 years (places in California are offering a 40 year loan). But if you are having a hard time paying bills in London, omo, fashi credit card and put your finances in order.

10 thousand pounds for a credit card limit? That's no biggie.

Of what benefit would this translate to the common masses? Please educate us.

Enroll in college on a parttime basis. Dont even think of quitting your job, no matter what. There are hundreds of graduates who are waiting for the slightest opportunity to snag your job, because the pay is not bad. You should know that, as well as this adage that "Opportunity strikes once".

Goodluck

Do you think Beyounce really cares if you think she is beautiful or not?

Another insightful article in the NYTimes (Sunday edition)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/world/africa/29ghana.html?ei=5087%0A&em=&en=5e681b9c3df8108a&ex=1162270800&pagewanted=all

Discouraging people from working in the banking industry should be ignored. Some people dont have a choice in life, and in Nigeria where unemployment is high, the banking sector has reversed the trend of unemployment in the nation. While their hours may be brutal, the money one earns may be consoling to say the least. So, if someone graduated from college and was unemployed, then had the fortune of working at a bank, should they turn it down because of your advice I completely disagree with you.

This is funny. I thought such peculiarities were only common in Nigeria.

Cant recall the first day I used the computer, but I was nervous that I would wreck the system. Later on, I overcame my nervousness, because to make inroads in silicon valley requires computer proficiency, which I acquired.

@Otokx, what of other foreigners who moved back with their spouses to Nigeria and have, for the most part, adjusted remarkably in the society?

@Aitmark. While your advice may be on target, not to discourage you, but the hidden dangers of dealing with Nigerian customs can be very frustrating. Not that I have been there, but after clearing your car off from customs, hunting for an apt in expensive Abuja and Lagos and settling in with your new job, do you guys ever realize that sometimes, monthly salaries may be held for 2-3 months, especially if you are working for the Nigerian government. Lets not gloss over it and be realistic. As for that originator of the post, my advice is for you to stick it in London for the time being, acquire as much experience as you can in your intended field, then on vacation in Nigeria, look for jobs. Dont be surprised if the companies are willing to meet your demands, because some of them would have the mindset that you have the experience of working in a foreign land.

Goodluck.

I had one hundred dollars but at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, one of the security guards demanded 10 dollars from me. I caved into to his demands because I did not want anybody to 'delay' my trip. So, when I arrived, I had 90 dollars on me.

Jesus Christ has no comparison, so please take a note of that.