₦airaland Forum

I am Nigerian, born in D.C. To embrace both nationalities, I regard myself as a Nigerian-American. But to tell you the truth, I consider myself a Nigerian first, before America. That was where I grew up.

www.nigerianmemories..com

Parties, 419, and dressing. Nigerians are noted for those 3. A redeeming quality of ours is that we are also respected in the academic environment in the Western World. Just ask any Nigerian.

Anybody thought of photoshop? Na so my co-worker(s) tell me.

Last month or thereabout, a student on my campus commited suicide by plunging to her death from the parking garage. I don't know what may have led to this tragic episode, but on the minds of some students, stress could have been a factor. Back in Naija, no matter how stressful college life was, I had never heard of a student contemplating or even commiting suicide. And there was a lot of challenges that we faced back home that would have led to this tragedy. Strikes by ASUU, failures and carryovers of courses to the next class, victimization from male lecturers against female students grades on grounds of denial of sexual favors with no grounds for redress, because our system overlooks it. I can still recall hearing the story of one lecturer on campus whose presence in the exam hall terrified more than a few students with his announcement

"Make sure you write well to obtain your "'s).

Such comments would automatically deflate the confidence of students. An acquaintance of mine told a friend that education in yankee was easy compared to Nigeria. The proliferation of books for research, the encouragement of your professors, the availability of college counsellors as well as access to money via student loans and scholarships could make college in Yankee a smooth ride. (Hey, dont forget the interest rate yet!!!) So, why is suicide quite common in Yankee?

Please note, I am not judging anybody for taking that route. I know that life itself is stressful and unfortunately people succumbed to the vicissitudes of life by taking the suicide route.

I am happy to always read of God's wonders in people's life. And it is also good to know that people are quick to attribute these Miracles to God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. As always, forge a relationship with Him, Amen.

Remember the 90's? When the subject of aliens was wildly embraced in the American pop culture that Hollywood capitalized on the frenzy and made some movies (Independence day starring Will Smith was one of it) about it. This subject of alien's existence has made its way into the front pages of magazines, mostly the junk ones that consistently (you know the one that is always stashed beneath the counter at the grocery stores) write about an alien either landing on earth from outer space, with pictures to prove it. The pictures of these creatures are just creepy to say the least.

Scientologists are not the only ones who believe in the existence of aliens. Some regular folks do tell me that the concept that we (humans) are the only inhabitants on this planet is just absurd to say the least, that in other planets, be it Mars, or Jupiter, or in space, wherever, there are some forms of life there that we can't really pinpoint. And the universe, as vast as it is, with constant discoveries embarked upon by scientists today about the existence of other planetary bodies, evidence of the Handiwork of the Supreme Being have not really sold on to the general populace about the existence of aliens or other humans outside planet earth. Naysayers, of course would have a field day, attributing it to a coverup by the American government.

However, I still hold tenaciously to the the belief that human beings are the only occupants of this earth.

Do you all think so?

A fantasy land in today's world where dreams are fulfilled, freedom of speech reigns with no persecution and a chance to share in the national cake.

Unfortunately, some people put these celebrities on a pedestal, idolizing them and would exchange their paycheck just to get a glimpse of them. Listen folks, celebrities are people, just like you, with most of them, I am sure, having 10 fingers and ten toes. What may set them apart from you is that they are stupendously rich which to me does not make any difference in my life, cos man's worth is not measured by wealth.

Wake up and smell the roses!!!

Omo, Nigeria all the way for Christmas!!!. The festivities, the burning of palm fronds in the Church, the slaughter of fowls/goats for "Afia Efere/Rice and stew, the hordes of visitors, family friends and relatives thronging around to visit one another. Even when there was no exchange of gifts, you could hear merriment in the air. But most important of all, lets not turn it into a commerical event, but rather look at it in the spiritual realm, because Christmas is a day that we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ to atone for our sins.

Thank God for Jesus Christ, Halleulujah!!!

2old4that, that was a very insensitive comment, mocking those who choose to fly first class.

Question, Question, this one get k-leg. Why would one care if Nigerian 'celebrities' fly first class or not? To criticize them for being 'money miss road' if they go by economy or accuse them of being extravagant if they fly first class?

Dont sweat the small stuff, people. Someone may be trying to provoke you to anger. If and when IBB decides to run, then action will take place. As of now, just chill.

We need a God fearing Leader, not a Ghandi like leader.

That man just ruined the economy of Nigeria. He should not be given a chance to compete for office. I lived in Nigeria during his regime and I remember that he banned former politicians from competing in the forthcoming elections. Why has he been given a chance? To 'atone' for his past? Give us a break, babangida, and crawl back to your mansion that you built with your ill-gotten wealth.

If Nigeria was indeed a decent place, economically to live it, tell me, why would I be toiling for my bread and butter in America?

Domino baby, I feel you on that one. I had a classmate who liked to brag that he came from a rich family. He had a younger brother, that he tried to drag into his complicity, but he never fell for it. So, when this guy would come up with his stories on some car that was shipped to his father from the Netherlands (there was a pamphlet of foreign cars that he used to order from the Netherlands, but can't recall the name of the firm), my roommates would say, "Alright, lets' go ask , (his younger brother) to verify your comments. And he will reply, "Sure, lets go". And my roommates will go and ask his brother, "Did your father receive a car from so so and so company"? His brother would reply.

NO, no car came in from Netherlands" he is lying". The guy would be infuriated, and there would be some sort of a heated exchange between the brothers because junior refused to support his snr brother with his pack of lies. At times, he would try to beat up his brother for not covering up for him, but students would quickly seperate him.

Another one, hear tory.

Senior students who were fond of beating up junior students of course risked being expelled from school. But the situation could be remedied if they brought in their parents. My school was not far from town, and for some us students, we were very adventurous. In the course of this adventure, travelling to town, some of the senior students would forge friendships with the "Cyclists" and Drivers.

So, whenever they ran afoul of the school rules and were called upon to bring in their parents, fearing reprisals/rebuke from their parents, these deceitful senior students would bribe the drivers to pose in as their father. To appear professional, they would outfit them with suits, bribe them with money and advise them on how to act. And these drivers would appear, trudging in with their fake son. As the principal would be reading out the lists of their son's behavior, some of them in a dramatic fashion would break down and 'cry', moan, or even attempt to slap their 'son'. Students knew about the game, but the principal and the teachers fell hook, line and sinker to this deceit. Eventually, the truth caught up with them and any occasion that warrented a parent's presence was announced by a teacher

"Make sure you bring in your true father, not your fake father".


Drama really reigned in my school. I have some stories that even after finishing high school years ago still cracks me up at times.

Odeku, if you have provided substantial information about the duplicity of Babangida, then why would you ask people if Babangida is the right leader to rule Nigeria?

I attribute such phenomenon to inferiority complex.
You know, the complex issue that Oyibo language is superior to our mother's tongue, and as such, should be reverred over our local dialect. I say it is a shame.

Praise Be to God for hearing your prayers. I am from Uyo, grew up in Calabar and reside in California. I was not aware of any Ecobank in Uyo. It seems bank are now becoming a mainstay in Uyo, transforming the once sleepy/civil service city into a major thoroughfare.

Hi Awa,

Do you live in Senegal? I plan on visiting Dakar, by God's Grace as well some other cities. My favorite author was Senegalese.

I clicked on the link and read the controversial article.

Let me point this out to you. Worshipping on Sunday instead of Saturday is no longer a sin, as the article states. We Christians are not obligated to worship God on Sabbath day, since we are under the Grace of God. Even the Holy Bible states so.

For more information, read this link.

http://www.bible.ca/7-Col2-14-16.htm

Hmm, that is an attractive pay , 120k a month after 6 months. May God grant you His Hearts desires, Amen.

Jesus Christ and Muhammad have absolutely nothing in common. Jesus Christ came from Heaven to offer His life as a ransom to us sinners, so that we would have eternal life on earth. His Gospel, reverred over the world is about the message of God's Love to Mankind. For the Holy Bible says, "For God so Love the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)

Jesus Christ offers Eternal life to those who love and obey His Commandments. No other man in this world, including Muhammad can do the same

What kind of questions do some people ask on the board? It is NEVER proper to fight in front of your kids. Every adult should know that.

Both fall under the same criteria. You get married when you are an adult, in most cases.

It may be the loss of a job, wreaked finances, or even your astronmical student loans, that may propell you to move back to your parents house. Understandably, some parents (African parents) wont kick out their children, and for kids under the hill (those below 25), that may be a perfect choice. Usually one graduates from college in their early 20's, and during the rosy economy, a job right from college was guaranteed. But as the economy has tanked with people finishing colleges later in life, faced with high interest school loans, would it be a blow to your dignity/esteem if move back home, though you may be living rent free?. But for those in the late 20's/early 30's category, would you feel ashamed asking mom and dad if you could move in?

Worse, if you are married and your parents, in their 'golden years' (abi platinum years for hip hop) decided to downgrade their house to a 2 bedroom 2 bath house. So, you and your spouse, and kids trek back home and a room is assigned to you. Would you still take it, or would you feel like an underachiever for doing so? And, worse, if the bedroom is not spacious to accomodate your teeming family, guess what? You may decide to leave junior in the spare room while you and your better half may take up space in the living room.

We hear of some women desperate to get married, and when the right guy comes along, they stall, because the man is expected to fulfil his traditional obligations. But what if he chooses not to propose to you, because we are living in the 21st centurty, what would you do? Break of the relationship in search of a traditional man who would do the proposal, complete with a carat diamond engagement ring? How about you do it since we live in the 21st century? I think the book of etiquette, or romance need to be updated, if it hasnt been. Women can also go on bended knees and propose too. I read Halle Berry did the same for her then husband, David Justice.

There is nothing undignifying of a woman to do the proposal, neither does it spell desperation to me. If love compels you to do so, then go for it.

Cheers.

There is every reason to celebrate our independence day. Lets look at life in the positive angle, rather than dwelling on the negative side. It could be worse, wouldnt it, wars would have erupted, thereby reducing the country into ashes. But we Nigerians have so far proven resilient in the midst of the hardship that has befallen our country. We are known for our friendliness and happiness. Lets rejoice. Other countries have fared worse than ours.

I am happy to be a Nigerian. I dont know if I would have been happier, had I grown in some other country.

Mirinda, hands down!!! Is it still available in Naija. I dont see any in Yankee.

Live a life that brings Glory to God. That is the utmost goal in life.