http://www.fox5dc.com/news/213739894-story

Mods, kindly help me post the full story....I'm mobile at the moment.





Extremely sad story! Based on insider gist I heard, she's been offering nanny services for ages in the MD axis with good references.

However, it seems like this time things just went awry. She was trying to feed the baby the 'naija' way of force-feeding. Unfortunately, the baby developed asphyxiation in the process.

This is a strong warning to we Mothers & other care-givers alike. Please let's refrain from force-feeding, the effects are extremely fatal. When the child is hungry, she will eat, no need for compulsion abeg.

May God protect all our little ones.....

Waow!!! This country seems to be grinding to a halt quicker than we even thought. Losing our place as the main aviation hub in West Africa is a major blow as the number of jobs, services and other revenue streams tied to this decision will set us back billions of Naira. It's widely known that our airport taxes is one of the highest in the African region, yet we still can not plough this back to make the airport such an enviable edifice worthy of international recognition and hence, a cash cow.

The multiplier effects of this decision might go as far as even affecting the nigerian pilots on these airlines, as they might be forced to shed some jobs since the route is no longer lucrative for them. Our policies in Nigeria can be counter-productive sha...You say you want to increase FDI, yet your policies are antithetical to the very sermon which you preach.

This week alone, Sun International (International hospitality brand) has said it will be elaving Nigeria, over 3000 dock workers have lost their jobs, the export ploic is a sham - It's taking almost 30days to clear exports out of Nigeria due to multiple ports inspections & levies, yet you want to encourage exports, almost 300 SMEs closed shop, 45% of Manufacturers now operate on less than 60% of installed capacity etc...Just bad news galore!!!

I just tire for this country.....It's official that this government is confused!!!




Lalasticlala
Dominique
Obinoscopy
Mynd44

Waow!!! The issues on this thread just keep growing daily and now such a very educative thread has now lost it's main objective.

Can all Brabus victims & sympathizers move their complaints to the other thread opened by Hajj above? So that we can continue learning here abeg...

It's obvious we don't have a moderator anymore in this section as this thread has been derailed from the last 200pages...

Mynd44
Seun
Lalasticlala

cococandy:
Wow is it that bad

I know life isn't easy anywhere though but for someone earning in Naira (that practically has no value), how do they sort all these millions in responsibilities? That Lagos sef. Never liked it. Too bustly and exhausting. It's like the sun is even hotter there. Lol.

@nikkygal, my house is a 4 bedroom. Great neighborhood. Golf neighborhood. New. We even bought it before it was completely built.
Ballpark figure of 1,800 - 2,000 grand a month. give or take. And it's in the surbs of one of the most expensive cities in US as of now. Meaning you can even get way cheaper if you spread out to other places or choose less square feet.

Anyone who's moving like that should buy within their pockets. Not buying million dollar houses that will drain them financially.

Okay...Thanks for the heads-up. I've reviewed my numbers downwards for practicability.

Lagos life is tough sha....just too much wahala! I agree that anyone making the move should actually buy something moderate and pocket-friendly.

Onegai:
Nikkygal, where down south is a mortgage that high? Houston is an affordable place to live (I'm assuming that's where you are because a lot of Nigerians are there or is it ATL?). Unless you go and buy pass your pocket. Maybe California but I'm surprised the South is expensive. That's the first I've heard of it.

Besides, you're paying to buy a house. In Nigeria, you're paying rent. And you dare not take a loan: 25% interest rate from the bank.

Houston is largely affordable...however, there are expensive places in the city too which can be quite high-end (Galleria axis, bunker hill etc). But for the sake of arguement, let's even say the mortgage is $1500 monthly. That still brings your monthly spend to about $3k - about N1mln monthly which is actually lowball, becuase having kids in daycare/kindergaten is plenty $$$, home maintenace fees, county taxes etc.

Anyway sha, I'm enjoying the discourse and I guess ultimately, we'll all have to choose what works well for us and our peculiar circumstances.

Onegai:


Everything you've said is very true. The people taking this option are not people who have no other options. I don't expect someone to complain of N150,000 per term schoolfees and want to relocate. Let's look at a family in 1004:

You raise very good points but you need to understand that living in 1004 and its environs is already considered highbrow and so all other social amenities in that axis will be equally expensive. I heard peeps in 1004 pay an average of about 100-120k monthly on power I have relatively stable light in my area, say about 15-18hrs but even at that, i spend average of 10k on nepa & about 15-20k on gen. monthly. This is still fair on my pocket as the accountant in me won't allow me pay for those highly priced serviced apartments.

Having said that, living in the mainland doesn't necessarily mean you'll spend average of 5hrs daily in traffic. Those living in the yaba, surulere, gbagada, anthony & marlyland axis do not spend more than an average of 1-2hrs daily on commuting to the Island. Though this might still be something, the associated savings could be quite significant as you can still find very good schools in the 250/300k range as well as affordable services too - healthcare, markets, domestics etc.

I agree sha that those who make this relocation decision are people who have options and are quite comfortable...Also I know that most people who move their families abroad, move into very small accommodation, use 1 car etc just to save cost. But the catch is they still want to live close to the office, still drive 'ok' cars, so they pay a premium for that decision. As a matter of fact, 1 in at least 6/7 of my colleagues have moved their families abroad - for people that work in the Oil Industry, it is almost a given in the circle. I have about 5-6 friends that moved to canada in the last 3months....and yea, it's all on the skilled visa thing and quite a nos of us qualify too, but making that decision is a choice.

I only wanted you to take cognisance of the implication of such decision and its sustainability. Hoenstly, living in naija these days is just too expensive and the cheaper option many have taken is to move their families out of Lagos which has resulted in huge cost savings for them. Good schools in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Benin etc are fairly priced and with good amenities and a higher quality of life compared to Lagos which is full of so much hustle.

Onegai:


I don't want to explain much here, but there are some perks to owning a house in the U.S. if you play your cards right. A lot of people in my circle would rather prefer to buy a home outside Nigeria than in Nigeria. The benefits are more. Most of these people relocating are looking at cost of living. For some, it costs 3 times as much to sustain the same lifestyle here as in the U.S. Just your energy bill alone in Nigeria is enough to make you want to move out again, talkless of expensive healthcare (still not the best), exorbitant schoolfees and the hassles of day-to-day living. Lagos is probably one of the most expensive cities to live in. Someone's diesel bill is now N340,000 monthly. Any money she's making in Nigeria is going towards living expenses and schoolfees, with absolutely no savings. So what's the point staying here, paying so much just to have at least 22 hours of light, paying so much to educate your child reasonably well (not go to Oxford o) and being unable to retire anytime in the next 20 years? She doesn't even have a flashy lifestyle, and it is still that expensive to live and eat healthy, fresh food and put on an a.c. all night. And if you say "cut down your lifestyle", Himself asked me "what am I working for and suffering for, if I cannot even enjoy it? What's the point of this madness if I cannot even sleep all night with light?".

Imagine all the stress you want through today. Now imagine the money paid to you for that stress went all on paying schoolfees and buying lunch for that child for one day and you have to do the same tomorrow. Now imagine if you could get paid half, get 50% less stress and pay nothing again for schoolfees (because they took their half as taxes already).

Valid points you've raised here that I mostly agree with and makes a lot of sense. Infact issues around the cost of living in Lagos, school fees, power etc is a nightmare these days and how much stress one even has to go through to even make the money is another wahala.

However, blank is also making a salient point which is about the cost of maintaining a family abroad, considering the fact that the husband who is the main earner will be in Naija & being paid in Naira. Therefore, he will still be constantly under pressure to earn enough to sustain his family overseas and let's face it, this can be a whole lot!

Mortgage for an average 3-bed condo in a good neighbourhood is about $2500 (south) and that's almost 900k monthly excluding other sundry household expenses - utilities, feeding, miscellaneous etc...So we're looking at an average of about almost $4k monthly to maintain an overseas family...That's about N1.4mln. What of the husband in Nigeria? He has his own monthly overhead too - fuel, car, feeding, parents,siblings etc. God help them if the hubby is also still renting in Naija, that will be double rent...as he might be paying between 500k-N1mln for his small accommodation.

In effect, the hubby should be earning at least N2mln monthly to be able to comfortably afford and sustain his family unit. How many people earn up to that in today's economy? And even if you do, I haven't factored in savings or making investments oh! Does that mean you won't have a back-up for the rainy day? So you'll be caught with living from pay-check to pay check....What if you lose your juicy job? Howdo you sustain this lifestyle?

In summary, relocating your family is a good plan considering the access to education, healthcare and other countless benefits but it takes a really strong earner in Nigeria's economy of today to make that move. As it is a very expensive venture and will so requires a lot of planning and frugality to achieve.

blank:
Good day all. Forgive me if it's a silly topic bit I really have no clue where to start from

I noticed that my son is really good at computer games and is quite inquisitive as to how they work. I downloaded some basic coding games for kids for him and he has mastered them and is now bored with them.

I know he needs to learn more to maintain the interest. I don't know where to start. He has consistently won Best in ICT in his class and he is only 5. Is there something I can do to keep him engaged in it during this long vacation? I am out of ideas.

Nice one.....Good job mama

Infact, seems like a lot of parents are now looking at getting their kids acquire deeper IT & tech. skills. I've heard at least nothing less than 10 of my friends & colleagues talk about enrolling their kids into some programming or coding class this summer.... Catch them young!!! There are a couple of such programs around and I know there's one going on somewhere in Lekki & another around Mega plaza....I saw the flyers sometime just can't remember now...pele!

I think you can also use google to help you locate such trainings close to you. We have to encourage & stir these kids interests from young. The world is moving at a very fast pace these days, and we can't allow for our kids to be left behind regardless of being in Africa.

blank:


Where you dey sef? Or is this your new year's resolution?

Lol! My dear, been extremely busy with life oh.....Too many things going on & so I have a full plate on my hands...New baby come join the matter again... That pushed me to automatic NL observer....lol!

Hopefully, I'll be more active when things stabilise. How body nah? hope you're good?

Terrible!!!

favoredgal:
Got some good Black Friday deals on bellefit( the postpartum girdle) and travel system (car seat and stroller) and some other stuff. Still in Naija but I ordered them down.

These deals are worth checking for those traveling soon

Please was this on Amazon? which site did you get the deals?

Make I sharply go check abeg.....

favoredgal:


$30 to ship one box of diaper

Isn't that pricey?

That's definitely pricey!!! How much is the whole box of diaper sef?....lol! That's like buying the box of diaper all over again.

I didn't pay that much when I used Dakt sha...just shop around for the best deals with the shippers and take the one that suits you most. Forex is not smiling at the moment...lol!

nefertitiram:


Why don't you carry overweighed bags, up to 32kgs and pay the penalty? The things I shipped since Sept 30, I still de wait!

One of the golden rules of sea freight is to ship your stuff AHEAD...at least 50-60 days before you need them.

On my previous trip to have my baby, I started shopping a few days after I entered town and shipped off all the big stuff within the 1st 2 weeks of my arrival. The ship berthed in Lagos a few days before I arrived and I got all my stuff 2 days after I entered town. So basically all the Diapers, wipes, clothes from 6 months upwards etc and all the other heavy stuff I bought was still right there on time, despite taking about 50 days to ship from Houston to Lagos. The smaller & more urgent stuff, I air freighted and it arrived days after I got into Lagos.

The rule of thumb is basically to just plan to buy your stuff well in advance & sort them out into the heavy or light weight category. That's what will determine what you can carry with you on the plane, air freight or sea freight. All 3 options have worked well for me sha because I bought diapers, wipes etc that my kid used to up till like 15/18 months and it saved me a lot of money in the long run.

yokus:
Ported from NY to Houston, chei Southwest local flight was delayed for 8hrs, sat down at the airport for 8hrs, chei, the body ache no be here, i am still recovering... they calmed our nerves with $200 flight voucher n $7 breakfast voucher. Lesson learnt- Avoid local flights close to thanksgiving day or hols
Pls does any1 know a good affordable cargo or shiiping agent in Richmond or Houston?
Thanks in advance.

favoredgal:


Heya, pele

Pls when you find this shipping company do let me know

Thanks

You can use Dakt Logistics

16810 Barker Springs Road
Suite #218
Houston, TX 77084
Mobile: (832) 443 2989
Phone: (713) 645. 3258
Fax: (713) 429. 1384


OR

Hont Global Services, Inc
7111 Ardmore Street,
Houston, TX77054

Phone: +1 713 748 0010 , 1 713 748 0011 , 1 713 842 4283

I've used both of them severally on previous trips and they're very reliable. PSI shipping recommended by Manchybabe is also good, as I've also used them before.

Tiwalope:
We give and return all glory /honour and adoration to God.The Lord blessed us with a bouncing baby boy (9.8pounds) on Wednesday 18th November. Mother and child are doing extremely great.west Houston medical team was extremely helpful through oout our stay.

We remain forever grateful to God,i pray that the good LOrd will bless all mothers and fathers in Jesus name.

Grateful and thankful heart.

Congratulations Tiwalope on the newborn! May God bless him & keep him.

Please which Doctor did you use at WHMC? I'm trying to make up my mind on who to use.....since Dr.La is now pricey, I don't mind porting.

Thanks.

Lalasticlala
Obinoscopy
Seun

blank:
@ Nikkygal,

I don't think they are removing degrees totally as an entry requirement. They seem to be saying that they don't care if you made a 2'1, 2'2 or third class as long as you can prove yourself in the recruitment process. They seem to hiring only graduates.

Okay, thanks for that. Let me modify my post then.

Nonetheless though, it will make recruitment more 'interesting' in that space....lol! There'll definitely be quite a few surprises springing up from this.

Interesting development.

I read this online yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Honestly, i think it's a double-edged sword. On one hand it will provide a level playing field for everyone.

However, hope it doesn't leave a bad taste in the mouth of the genuine 1st class & 2.1 graduates who could feel short-changed after going through the rigour of coming out with good grades & now having to compete seriously with lower rung candidates.

Anyway, having said all of that, from my experience as as a a professional accountant too who 's been there in a Big 4 Firm, I'll say just make your experience count by quickly acing your ACCA/ICAN exams and do all you can to gather the requisite experience in the first few years and make your mark early. This is to give you that extra edge outside the Professional practice industry, when you want to get out to catch bigger fish


cc: Lalasticlala
Obinoscopy
Seun

Ishilove
Lalasticlala
Seun

Why is this informative thread not on front page? We need the security agencies to step up and need as much publicity as it can get.

Please do the needful.

Ishilove
Lalasticlala
Seun

I think this thread should be on the front page so people can be aware. Other guys on the property section have testified to be victims of this scam from the other link Gboliwe posted.

Please let everyone take heed.

This is the constant display of madness we see on Lagos roads daily.

I know the driver could probably have fallen foul of the rules but running him over like a common rodent is the height of insensitivity and barbarism exhibited by these VIO officials.

I wish the onlookers were able to apprehend all the culprits and deal with them mercilessly before the police arrived.

Bunch of power drunk twats!!!

Beetle:
My two pence


Nicki,

you're a U.S. Licenced doctor
Your husband is 13 years older than you
You don't talk to your parents
His family don't respect you
He doesn't want you to work neither does he want you to write your professional exams.
In between I read your last thread where he nearly killed you and his mum was on the phone and up to now she hasn't called to check up on you.
You want to kill yourself because of a man.



This screams abuse in the highest order, my friend find your way back to US with your kids and get a job cos if you divorce him in Naija, your kids will be taken away from you. This man here doesn't care about you. He was looking for a victim, and you were young and he took advantage of you. What I don't understand is the petty reason he doesn't want you to talk to your parents cos of wedding that took place 2 years ago.

Beetle! Thanks for this post. You just practically regurgitated all what I wanted to say.

Nickibarb, you're in a toxic, emotionally abusive relationship period! I don't understand how you've allowed yourself become such a whiny, wingy scared puppy in the marriage. I mean, it's honestly quite irritating seeing a grown ass woman, well qualified with a sound pedigree reeking of such low self esteem.

You need to take charge of your life and stop being so needy haba! Your life doesn't start & stop with your husband. Continue to invest in yourself, get a job, work hard & save and take care of your kids.

Re-connect with your parents!!! They gave you everything, you owe them so much. How dare you cut them off because of a man? Especially an undeserving one as yours? My dear, no man is worth my life!!! I will live long to take care & enjoy my kids and so should you.

I'm not saying you should necessarily leave your marriage, but you should discover yourself & take charge of your life. You've given your hubby too much power over you, it's obvious you're practically being trampled upon in that marriage with a damaged self-esteem.

Once your husband notices you've discovered new interests & priorities apart from him, he will sit up. Dress up, make up, get a job, visit friends, learn new hobbies, take out the kids, just explore new stuff. Your outlook will change & i'm sure things will gradually improve.

All the best dear!

Hmmmn!

Yeye people! Kudos once again to the Nigerian Government for taking this decisive step to show the South African Govt that we indeed mean business.

The impunity with which a lot of these foreign countries just think they can run rough-shod over us is crazy!


**Meanwhile, I usually wouldn't say this but, first to comment ain't bad hun **