₦airaland Forum

Mods please can we move this to Career/Job section? Thank you.

How Good Are You At Your Job?

My last employer told me "most salary-earners won't be happy with their pay even if you increased it but the truth is that they don't deserve it".

He was right.

The economy has crashed and financially everyone is hurting. You now feel you deserve a pay increase, but do you deserve it? NO.

Sadly, for all our "African morality" and religious teachings, we are not a very well-shaped people. We don't work in a way that deserves praise and dumb hardwork (and whining) is prized more than intelligent contributions and smart work. Let me give you a story:

A woman found herself in the position of having to work as a help and child kinder to a family. Now, we have all met househelps and maids and drivers and trust me, they are a necessary evil. I repeat, a necessary evil. Not a helpful aid. Because most of them don't even have he basic tools to be good at their jobs. Yet will expect to move to another job and demand higher pay (whilst whining). But this lady, she didn't do that. She worked hard and smart. She valued the children and household under her care. If she did wrong, she apologised (rather that stand there in sullen silence like most maids do). She spent 3 years at her place of work. When she had to leave her job as a househelp because she and her husband wanted to start their family, it dawned on her what she earning. In the past 3 years, they had increased her salary to N50,000 monthly. And when she was leaving, parents and grandparents of the house she was workig in have her a total sun of N450,000. They asked her to call them anytime she wanted to resume work.

Her salary was increased to N50,000 monthly and her severance was N450,000. This househelp was earning better than most office workers.

ARE YOU WORTHY OF YOUR PAY? BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF, WOULD YOU PAY YOURSELF WELL?

Now, that lady didn't work alone, there were 2 maids in the house. But where she was exemplary, the other maid was a typical Nigerian worker. But when the 2nd maid heard what happened, she started dreaming of the egunje she too will get. A month after the 1st maid left, 2nd started grumbling that work was too much (even though they had hired a replacement to share the load) and she wanted to go. So they released her. She went to say goodbye to get employers and stood there, smiling suggestively (waiting for her own N450,000). To her shock, the parents said goodbye and asked the gateman to escort her out of the house. Without a kobo.

She worked like a typical Nigerian and earned like a typical Nigerian (they never increased her salary).

IF YOU MET YOURSELF AT YOUR PLACE OF WORK, WOULD YOU PAY YOURSELF A NICE SALARY?

That first maid has come back and is managing the house and training the new staff. Now, she can easily launch a business of training household staff.

This is not "God answering calls", He will only "pick up calls" of the worthy people not people expecting miracles after doing little.

YOUR ATTITUDE TO WORK DETERMINED HOW FAR YOU WILL PROGRESS. NO JOB IS TOO IRRELEVANT OR TOO GOOD FOR YOU.

folks4luv:
I smell hypocrisy! this move is laudable if there are no people, I mean medical personnel to employ. what stops him from employing more doctors and nurses to fill in the public hospitals and clinics? won't that be employing and empowering more youths? he may have his reasons aside ones stated here but he should not try to score cheap political points.
where will he receive medical care? Abroad?

The medical schools up North are not filled up and this do not produce enough doctors (why do you think they use mostly midwives there for childbirth??) and doctors in the South mostly do NOT want to go to the North to do even posting if they can avoid it. So he's going to find it hard to hire new staff unless he offers a deep financial incentive...which is impossible in this economy.

If this guys runs for president, I am willing to even rig an election for him to win! He's wonderful and visionary. Sometimes I cannot believe he's a Nigerian.

Goldmine, thanks for that detailed explanation. I've used Amazon several times but never with a Nigerian debit card (it's linked to my foreign cards). I'll try a few things from Aliexpress, hope I don't get my fingers burnt.

Gerrard59 you have no idea what your kind words did to my soul yesterday. I most times think I'm not contributing much to people. Thank you!

Is there any way we can post that comment on fb here? I think our agric-crazy guys need to see it. Everyone is rushing into agriculture but producing the same things so there may soon be a food glut and prices will fall. I mean, every fish farm I see on Nairaland is growing catfish...when there's a large population who won't eat fresh catfish but are heavy fish or seafood consumers (like my family and extended family).

OP is exaggerating. The volume you have to invest to die.had to be large. It wouldn't be such a common houseplant if it was so poisonous. Some species of cocoyam are even more poisonous.

If you do want to know safer plants for indoors , please check this thread.

[url]/https://www.nairaland.com/2894705/hibiscus-flower-society-calling-all[/url]

C.c. Caracta, mykel25

Air Purifying plants

"It is a truth universally acknowledged" (showing off my Jane Austen ...) that in Nigeria, air quality is nonsense. Now, before you say "who e epp?", please consider that you are breathing in fumes from generators, kerosene stoves, all the chemicals we use to kill some stubborn mosquitoes (Raid, that pink paper etc), even air freshener. That is a LOT of chemicals being inhaled. And strangely, respiratory illnesses are increasing in Nigeria, particularly amongst kids. Since your healthcare system is rubbish, preventive medicine is the best!

Do you know plants purify the air and release oxygen? Yes you do, they taught us that in school!

Now, some plants are better than others but the good thing is that most of the great air purifying indoor plants are easily available in Nigeria (aloe Vera, Boston fern, snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, palms etc) and are not expensive. Infact, go to virgin land and uproot your fern free sef. Pop them into a container and not only jazz up your living room or bedroom or bathroom, but keep yourself healthy.

Gerrard59:
We import flowers into Nigeria?
There're lots of business opportunities in Nigeria, but let me graduate first and work in Mckinsey .

And keep some dollars for me once you start earning biko!

I have only met 3 florists (one in Lagos, one in Benin and another in Asaba) who actually know how to work with locally grown flowers. The rest, importing because they don't know how to use our local flowers. Our local flowers haven't been improved scientifically to either last long or impart fragrance (i was told by a knowledgable florist that in the 80s, Nigerian Marigold flowers smelled divine but challenges in location have stopped production of them). Another thing is availability: a florist can require upto 1000 blooms of a particular flower (wedding decor chops flowers) and they won't be able to get that quantity grown in Nigeria, so they import. Lastly, we cannot grow certain flowers like commercial type roses (the popular ones you know, because actual roses don't look like that) unless in certain areas like Jos. All those riots and ethnic and religious clashes make that impossible. And it is a costly business because no-one wants to invest in something that will yield dividends in 10 years' time. Nigerians also like buying imported stuff (how many brides will agree to a tropical bouquet?? How many guys want to send a bouquet of tropical flowers to their babes on Valentine's Day??)

anonimi:
You might be surprised at what the Horticulture institute has about this.
Cheers

Where are they located please?

It is sad that we are screaming "no jobs, no jobs", people get married every single weekend and do burials yet florists in Nigeria cannot get a supplier of fresh flowers but would rather import fresh flowers and other sellers import fake flowers. What is the Institute doing? This is such a large market in Nigeria as weddings and burials are all we do. Imagine having 2 hectares supplying fresh flowers, you will make a profit because your clients have money (you're not dealing with people who want N5000 bouquets). Hotels, banks, schools, churches, events, personal are using fresh flowers. Also, a lot of these plants have other used (producing oils, petals and compunds needed in industries like Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals).

We need to expand our minds in this country.

[quote author=fostermd post=44766222][/quote]Everything you made perfect sense. That's the problem, you are addressing a forum filled with over 70% of people who DO NOT like Common Sense. So rather than keep hitting your head against wood trying to explain and run out of breath, I suggested you spend your time more productively. As I am about to do with a good book! Bonne Nuit!

Macgabe:
Male doctors are calmer when it comes to handling medical issues. Remember, women are very emotional so they may not be able to handle some medical issues properly without their emotions getting in the way.

You're kidding, right?

So when you fall down whilst playing or fell sick, did your mother's emotions cloud her mind that she couldn't treat you? Because according to you, that would have been impossible, her emotions will keep her from responding. But the fact that you're here, typing this, shows that there is a woman who has responded well to some medical issue in your life.

Have you met a female before or did you base your comment on the type of females you are surrounded by?

fostermd:
As a male doctor,I have delivered women of more than 200 babies per vag*na excluding Caesarean section,and several other procedures.The key is to abide by the best medical practice and it's no big deal.
We are professionals with high degree of sense of responsibility ,confidentiality,guided by very strict ethics(perhaps the strictest amongst many professions).we give the maximum respect to our patients based on Hippocratic oath,privacy and inform them about there rights.Many hospitals here have Charters,which explains patients' rights

Dr, you're on Nairaland attempting to sound sensible and explain reason to Nigerians. Best leave and go do something more productive

Why didn't the doctor first ask the OP who he was to the patient?

Happy birthday

Hpystmum:
Please dear, with regard to your comment on the topic "LIST OF BABY ITEMS" and recommendation on RECTANGULAR COTTON CLOTH DIAPER instead of Terry Towel for burb cloth. Please, where can I get the rectangular cotton cloth diaper in Nigeria. Here is my contact: oluebubejehoval@gmail.com

08067878711
Thanks and remain ever blessed

Hello could you remove your number and email as there are a lot of scammers. I've replied you on the other thread. Thanks

Tell your friend to tell his wife. And let him sleep with both eyes open for a while . She's probably not going to leave him. But he will wish she had when she's through with him. So let him for the rest of his life be on tiptoes and best behaviour around his wife. And define the relationship strongly with Cynthia, financial support for his child to be paid into an account for the child and no visiting alone, he must carry a female relative with him to see the child. Because you men are very "flexible" with morals and if he takes his male friend, he may start getting comfortable and his male friend will encourage to marry Cynthia as Wife no2. (Meanwhile same male friend will be eating Wife no1's meals and won't see a problem with helping destroy her peace).

I won't leave a husband if this happens, but that dude is gonna end up with a recurring illness and I will cry and pray louder than the most dedicated pastor everytime he's in the hospital. And most women will probably do the same

There is a lot of sanctimonous judging happening on this thread based on one picture. You don't know what is going on. An explanation could easily be (based on the child's supposed age):

Guy met girl and have done some sort of formal marriage ceremony with her before NYSC. Girl gets pregnant and works her posting to the same place as guy. They don't look financially needy, all my friends who were posted to certain multi-nationals could have easily dashed away their NYSC pittance. Their marriage ceremony done may not be church or trad but they may be legally married in a Registry (I personally didn't think I was married even after I had done my registry and most people celebrate their wedding anniversary on the Church date, not the legally-recognized one. My chairman had to tell me i had been married for a while before the Church date). So maybe they feel the same so he's joking and calling her Baby Mama.

I had a cousin in this same situation: came back from abroad to serve in Abuja because his babe was there and they did registry and she was pregnant at passing-out parade whilst he was earning triple digits at his place of posting.

I'm just saying, I don't think these 2 are irresponsible folks. I've seen several irresponsible people who look more respectable. We don't know the whole story and the young man clearly said he was joking.

Where is the father in all this?

Well a 12 year old who is responsible can take care of younger kids but hers isn't. Right now, this isn't ideal. Maybe find an elderly lady to watch them until she can sort herself out and speak to her.

You've gotten great advice already. Just bear in mind, a lot of women in her situation will NOT let you stay under her roof (you guys aren't married yet). So she's not evil. Plead with her that you can handle some days a week by yourself.

So an update:

Buy a seasponge for your baby. It's soft and will last a year or more (compared to those Gerber washcloths). Ours is still going strong. Expect to pay N750 for one big one. But do NOT buy it from the baby store or baby section of a place like Game. Theirs is N2300 and a regular type is N750. The difference is the word "baby" on the packet.

Sudocrem is an all-round good Zinc oxide cream (15%). Desitin as well (max strength is 40%). Zinc oxide creams are good for when baby has any type of rash. So rather than use it daily (they are not cheap), use either Vaseline or mix coconut oil and shea butter
as a cream and use that as a diaper cream. Then all you need is a small cup of Sudocrem that will last and only be used when rashes occur.

Aveeno, Sebamed Baby, Boots and co can be pricey for baby washed and shampoos. Johnson's is having quite some issues due to it being very harsh. May I recommend Dove Pure and Sensitive bar soap? It comes dermatologist and paeditrician-recommended and is paraben-free and fragrance-free. It is also cheap (2 bars go for less than N500 and will last). Compare that to Aveeno at N2500 per bottle.

Attend Children's birthday parties. This is a great way to stock up on stuff like plastic plates and spoons, stationaries and nice toys. I know someone who hasn't bought a pencil in 5 years for her kids and some party packs I've seen are ahmazingggg for great toys (computer games and art stuff and books). However, you also have to reciprocate and give nice party packs (no chinkele piece of N10 fried meat with one N5 pencil now )

The only medicine you should have is Infant Acetamophin (Tylenol) or Infant Aspirin (Calpol). Ask out doctor for the appropriate ages for either (one is better for newborns and the other works for babies above 3 months). Luckily, Emzor has started making Strawberry-flavoured Paracetamol, because Calpol's price is not for the faint-hearted

There is a company now making padded baby changing mats and it retails for N1000 at Game. So in case you have lost your baby changing mat or are using another bag as a bag, you can get one.

Hpystmum:
Please dear, where can I buy the rectangular cotton cloth diaper in Nigeria

It is Gerber brand and I don't have an exact supplier's contact so I cannot say where to get it precisely in Nigeria. But I know you can buy off Amazon or get something similar off Aliexpress.

You can set Parental Guidance control feature on DSTV when you're not home and that shous give you a mental note to change the channel when they are there.

Wao lookatyew enduring, wearing red boxers and black singlet to keep your marriage. Knowing that divorce is a sin.

Mah Niggur

"But we don't need the Gender Equality Bill, our women are equal to men already, the Bill will make them prostitutes and lesbians nyaaaaa"

-Nairaland Association of Misogynists (of whom they are plenty)

MathsChic:
Utterly baffling. I was expecting some male folks to support this. Just wasn't expecting this much overwhelming support. I keep wondering what in the world will make the Nigerian male turn away from these chauvinistic trappings.

That is why I encourage women "don't support your husband financially if he is not supporting you domestically". When it is time to share bills or run away and abandon their children, women are equal to the task. When it is time to give women a chance to make decisions, women are inferior. Almost half of them on this thread were brought up by their mothers, women who could not get fulltime work due to the fact that she had small kids and no helper, women who could not get any support from any organisation and had to send them to do houseboy with someone else. They will be screaming at every rape case reported on NL frontpage and ignore the fact that almost none of those cases will even go to trial, talk-less of convict the attacker (who will then locate their sister to rape). Yet they are making noise loudly.

You seem like a smart girl. Please marry the most un-Nigerian man you can find. Or better yet, marry a foreigner. So that when you are talking Science to him, his ego won't be smarting that he doesn't know half of what you know and he won't start looking for ways to deal with you because of that.

MathsChic:
Yet another evidence of primitiveness from Nigeria's supposedly esteemed senators. Just when you start to think they are liberated and educated, they turn back to their backward ways which have kept Nigeria in perpetual darkness

Not just senators, aren't you reading the comments from most of the male children on this thread? Because when you have a right to work and educate yourself and stop your husband from beating you, you become a prostitute or a lesbian immediately.

Like lunatics, they will come and be shouting "women are not equal, we are Africans, shut up!" in Politics section, then open a thread in Family section saying "my father has abandoned his responsibilities and my mum cannot support me and my siblings".

Okay so they need to conduct awareness to encourage people to buy Nigerian and encourage Nigerian manufacturing. Because I can see people on this thread already planning on hitting Aliexpress (which sells finished goods). Please be patriotic and buy what cannot be produced in Nigeria only. Or you will come here and wail again in a few years' time.

I have to study this. Well done OP

tearoses:
Hello everyone

Patiently awaiting the summer

My garden looks a mess right now

Even my mum who came at the weekend was shocked

Im looking for a dwarf apple tree that I can put in my suitcase and bring to Nigeria. Not much luck but fingers still crossed.

Will they let it through Customs?? If you do get it in, abeg share cuttings!

cococandy:
I saw this type of hibiscus today. I think that's what it is but I might be wrong
I've never seen it before.
It Has two colors. Dark pink (maroon) and peach (ish).

Prettttyyyy. Try and Google the image so we know what it is. In identifying plants it also helps to know what the leaves look like.

FINA4804:
Mumsgirl27,I understand you. I am into the business.
Everybody pls note USA Johnson cannot be faked at least for now but maybe SA and UK can be faked I am assuming on this information because of the packaging. So if you are using SA or UK then watch out.
@Eminya, thanks at least mother's are reading

It's not about fake Johnson's products, it's about how harsh Johnson's can be in quite a lot of babies' skins. I had issues, my nephew's had issues and I know people who has issues with Johnson's baby wash. We all bought ours from different sources in the U.S. and in the U.K. as in, we were physically present abroad buying them and still got rashes. Even my paeditrician abroad told me not to use Johnson's because it can be quite harsh in some babies' skins. Even amongst mothers abroad, the rashes are a common complaint. But it's the cheapest baby product on the market and since they do have quite a strong lobbyist presence with most U.S. govt bodies, they will sort themselves out. Some doctors in Nigeria are now echoing that sentiment too that parents should avoid Johnson's products. As per cancer, I don't know. Personally I won't put any talc-based powder or powder of any sort near my privates or anyone else's (leave the good bacteria there to do its job )

I'd be more worried about random Chinese product imported with no safety testing into the Nigerian market. And make a note not to use any talc powders (unless absolutely necessary) because of respiratory issues.

blank:
I use Lucas Papaw ointment. I had to try different ones before I used this one and it was good on their skin. Another one I use sometimes is Salvation intensive healing by mama.

Try different ones till you get the one that works well with their skin.

Where did you get Lucas Pawpaw ointment in Nigeria from please? It's only sold online in most parts of the U.S. even.

Slowlybtsurely, try a mix of beeswax, olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter with a few drops of essential Lavender oil (you can add calendula and tamanu oils if you wanna splurge). Or check out this organic company in Nigeria, Sahara Sunrise (she makes a baby balm) or try The Honest Company Healing ointment in the U.S. HTH

sonnie10:
Why are they projecting an increase in debt based on those new vaccines? Children do not need the HPV and pneumococcal vaccines. There is no truth in these.

Babies need pneumococcal (it is when some neighbour's child ends up in hospital due to lack of it that other parents rush and get it). HPV is recommended at 13 years. The U.S. that pipes potable water even to flush toilets is giving Rotavirus (to prevent stomach bugs and diahrrea) for free, Nigerian government and its unregulated water supply is refusing to give this to the masses. Go to the Newborn thread and see mohers daily asking for doage instructioms for ORS and how to stop diahrea. So yeah, there's some truth.