₦airaland Forum

Dizzytee:
Dear Parents,

Holidays are here, pls take note of the following :

Child molestation
Sexual abuse,
Rape

Child predators are everywhere seeking for whom to devour.

You really don't want to see this happen to your angels and bobos.

Be extra careful.

A. Know where your children or wards are per time.

B. Leave them with very responsible and reasonable, not just some respectable adult jerks.

B. Never leave children alone,not for a second.

C. Apply safety measures in and around the house.

D. Secure your home and be vigilant.

E. Check and understand why your kids like an adult and check why some adults repel them.

F. Don't be caught up in this wayward society, wear modest and decent clothing for your girls. .....Jerks can release sperm on themselves just by looking at a baby's bum, Its that bad.�.

There will be a lot of parties, be careful.

G. Holidaymakers. ....�. Don't send your kids off to their grannies without helps around. Most Grannies are weak, vulnerable and not so disciplined anymore. Don't burden them with children stress.

H. Don't accommodate other kids you can't care for in the name of holiday.

I. Watch your teenagers.

J. Get closer to your children and wards this holiday.

Keep close, embrace your children ,pray and play together.

They can watch television but be mindful of what goes into their mind. Most of the time ,a lot of accidents could have been avoided.

Always give them reasons to appreciate life more.....

Thanks a lot bro for reminding us all these tenets

Femotech123:
Proposed transcript
COA $32k
No funding
Course: bachelor degree social work
VO: why are you going to USA
ME: I’m going to US for my bachelor degree in social work at XYZ.... university
VO : why did you choose this course/ program
ME: caring for people especially the vulnerable has always been my passion and what I love to do, this course emphasis on social services render to people and will expose me on helping people to overcome difficult challenge like mental illness, abuse, disability and many more.
VO: why did you chose this school
ME: based on my research, XYZ... university is top north when it comes to academic, they provide internship to boost once career and also undergraduate, XyZ.. university share sentiment about the helpful, polite and friendly nature, all this will go a long way for me in my career.
VO: why US
ME: American institution are known to have high academic standards also US degree have an excellent international reputation, they provide a flexible academic environment and also make cultural diversity of their defining pillars, by studying in USA it will help boost and equip me more on how to care and help people around me even when I return to Nigeria.
vO: how many school did you apply to
mE: I apply for 3 school... xYZ university, university of xyz and xyz college.
VO: when did you graduate from high
ME: 2014
VO: What have you been doing
After my high school, I acquire some skills on how to repair a computer( laptop, desktop, printer) for 2 yr and afterward I took a diploma course in local government and development studies and also did a one year industrial training base on the course ( hope it’s not red flag.. I fill it on my ds160 already that I went to poly ooo).
VO: what will this degree do for you/ what will you do when you return
ME: I intend to return to Nigeria to work with government or private institution to improve the well-being of vulnerable Nigerians then later start my own NGO which will focus on children with specific health challenges and people struggling with addiction.
VO: who is sponsoring you ?
Me : my brother
VO: what does he do ?
Me He is a real estate developer, he buy and sells land and prosperity and [b]he also have 5 unisex saloon 2 in Lagos 2 in Ibadan and 1 at ogun state [/b]with a total number of 25 employees.

This is my second proposal please any area I need to work on again. Thank I will be glad for your response/contribution/ suggestion

The bolded texts are not good for your application.

Uncle with 5 unisex salons sponsoring you for a 32k$ course? You think am.

2014 to 2021....what have you been doing? This is a tough one?

mikael11:
VISA DENIED
ABUJA, August 12th
here is my transcript

Me : Gud morning
Vo :Gud morning sir
Vo: Have you travelled before
Me: No.. never had a reason to
Vo: Oh! Your first .. Where are are going to
Me: I’m going to ISU to acquire my bachelor’s degree in Marketing
Vo: Okay.. when did you complete your high school
Me: July 24th 2018
Vo: What have you been doin since then:
Me: I’m a product designer and I have been working with…. Vo: cuts in

Vo: Who is your sponsor
Me: my uncle.. mr xyz and he is the Ceo of bla bla
Vo: Cuts in…….. types for a bit .. sorry you are not eligible for this visa.

Please what could have gone wrong.....

Reading your transcript, the bolded is where I think you lost it. I think if there is a gap between the year you got out high school and university admission, a convincing explanation is needed to scale this hurdle.

It is expected that you go to university after high school. Venturing into a side show For several years after high school makes it seem you either couldn’t get Pass jamb into a Nigerian University or your folks couldn’t afford to get you into a tertiary school here.

This is my gut feeling; I could be wrong.

SMREXY:
This is going to be a somewhat long...

Fams, in whatever you find yourself doing, always put GOD first. Without him, your hardwork and great profile could be regarded as nothing in few seconds. Indeed, GOD is nothing but Great and Awesome... Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin.

Also, NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR PURSUIT FOR SUCCESS!

My first visa interview was at LAGOS and was scheduled for November 27, 2019. I had a fully funded PhD in Civil Engineering (Water Resources Option) at University of Kentucky, Lexington.

So, this was how the interview went...

Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Good morning, pass me your passport
Me: Should I include my I-20?
VO: Pls do
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the United States of America to have my PhD. degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in Lexington
VO: Why University of Kentucky?
Me: I got to realize, during my online search, that the University of Kentucky meets my expectations with respect to my research specialization. I realized that Dr.__ specializes in fate and transport of environmental contaminants (had the mind to express myself further but wouldn't know what killed my morale at this point, just got blank)
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I was able to complete my application to only University of Kentucky. I would have also applied to University of Colorado but my GRE score was not up to the required score of the school
VO: What's your GRE score?
Me: 300 (I proceeded to give the breakdown)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at....
VO: What will this PhD do for you?
Me: Apart from my research, the PhD will give me the opportunity to gain promotion to the position of full Lecturer as the position I currently hold is a training position that requires further training (meanwhile, I had prepared to say something different entirely but someone gave the advice and I thought it weighed more than what I planned initially, so my subconscious took it instead)
VO: Why are you changing career
Me: No, I would not be changing career. My first and second degrees were in Water Resources Management and I intend to specialize in Water Resources Engineering during this program. Moreover, I intend to focus on water treatment, which is better handled in Civil Engineering.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at Federal University of...
VO: What do you teach? (I couldn't hear what she was saying until the third time)
Me: I teach water related courses (I had to say this twice and later realized I should have been explicit enough)
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I have never had the need to
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm not
VO: Started typing...
Me: In my mind, I felt it was going to be positive as she continued to type. Then a smile appeared on my face as she opened her mouth to say the unexpected.
VO: I'm sorry I won't be able to approve your visa this time. Then she passed my passport and I-20 with a yellow paper to me.
Me: I collected them with a smile and told her thank you.


My second visa interview at ABUJA was scheduled for January 12, 2020.

Me: Good morning, Sir! How are you doing?
VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: I'm doing fine, thank you.
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20
Me: Here they are.
VO: Are you employed?
Me: Yes, I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of...
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the US to have my Doctorate degree in Civil Engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering at the University of Kentucky.
VO: Why this school?
Me: Apart from the full time research assistantship I was offered, which covers my tuition fee with a generous stipend that covers my living expenses, the school meets my expectations with respect to research specialization. My guidance, Dr... who specializes in the fate and transport of environmental contaminants and their treatments also specializes in Water Disinfection, which is a problem I intend to tackle when I am back to Nigeria after my programme in the US.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of... where I teach water related courses such as Water Quality Assessment and Pollution Control, Principles of Irrigation, Hydraulic structures and Elements of Hydrology. I am also a researcher by default (I had a letter from my Registrar but I didn't remember to mention it).
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I completed my application to University of Kentucky. Though I also have a pending application at Steven's Institute of Technology
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I never had the need to.
VO: Sorry, bla bla bla
Me: May I please know why I was denied?
VO: It's written on the paper
Me: Thank you


The third one was at LAGOS on June 1, 2021 for a different programme and school.

VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: Good morning, I'm doing fine. How are you doing too?
VO: Good, thank you. Pass me your passport and I-20.
Me: I did as instructed
VO: (Typed and glanced through his system and my I-20 for a while) I can see that you are going to Kent State University for a PhD in Geology.
Me: Yes please.
VO: How did you learn about the school?
Me: I used Google search and USnews.com to search and narrow down the schools that offer my course of interest.
VO: Why the school?
Me: Thank you for this question. Firstly, I will like to let you know that Kent State University offered me a full-time Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that fully covers my tuition fee and living expenses including 70% of my health insurance as you can see on my I-20. Also, I was able to establish a research correspondence with Dr... who was excited to receive my mail after mailing him to inform him about joining his research team towards conducting a research on the modeling of hyporheic zone which is the interface between surface water and groundwater systems and allows for the exchange of both organic and inorganic pollutants. Also, I should let you know that the school initiated a platform known as flashfriends that allows for the interactions between current and prospective graduate students to enable the sharing of information about the school and all, which was very helpful during my application process.
VO: I can see that you've been refused twice, 2019 and 2020.
Me: Yes, that's true for the same program in Spring 2020
VO: Which school was that? (I didn't hear well so I asked to be sure)
Me: That's University of Kentucky
VO: You applied for Water Resources Engineering then, why Geology now?
Me: Thank you for this beautiful question. I should let you know that my major, which is Water Resources Management, is an interdisciplinary course that cuts across geology, hydrology, civil engineering and environmental science including climate science. So I am going for the Geology aspect which will allow me conduct a research on the modeling of the interaction between surface water and groundwater systems which is similar to the research I intended to conduct with my PhD at University of Kentucky. (All this while he kept typing and wouldn't say anything). So I chipped in this... Also, I was unable to sustain my funding at University of Kentucky due to COVID.
VO: How did you get this great funding?
Me: Thank you. I believe the admission committee must have been greatly impressed with my academic excellence and research capability. I completed my first degree with a First class and my second degree which is a Master's degree with distinction grade. Also, I'm quite sure my recommenders must have submitted excellent recommendation letters on my behalf because they know me quite well having worked with them while they were HOD of my department where I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer. So they know about my capabilities quite well.
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm single
VO: Do you have kids?
Me: No, I don't
VO: Typed for a while that I was already hoping I got the Visa this time... Then blah blah blah
Me: Felt bad, said thank you, then left.

The interview lasted longer than this as he was just typing, typing and typing. I noticed his countenance at some point while he was reading through something on his system so I have a feeling that the issue is from my profile which I wouldn't know what it is. The denial was quite shocking because I was not expecting it throughout the period our conversation lasted.


Now the fourth and the FINAL...

I wouldn't know how, but God perfected everything. The next 2 days after my last denial was my birthday. I checked my visa portal to see what's up and luckily, I saw first available date "June 28, 2021". I thought I was dreaming because the date appeared too close for a recent denial (that's a freaking 27 days after last interview). With faith, I rushed to pay another MRV fee and I was fortunate to still have the date intact at LAGOS Embassy.

What if I tell you that I do not really have a transcript to share for my fourth interview. I mean my experience was nothing but God's mercy. At the utterance of my first response, I was already about to give up because I realized I was in no way at my peak. However, God was merciful enough to change the story for me.

So, I was scheduled for 11:30 am but I left my hotel around 8 am. To locate me became an issue for my bolt driver so I spent several minutes trying to get him to find me. That didn't get me worried though because I felt I still had enough time since it's just a 25 minutes drive to the embassy. Eventually, I was able to capture him after he had passed me again. Thank God I saw his car colour and plate number on the app. I eventually got to the embassy arena and had my bag and phone kept with one of those business oriented fellows... If government no provide job at least some people thought it well to earn through a legit means other than scam and related ways. Meanwhile, they were not even considering the scheduled time of interview so I was just passed in for document verification. It's like not much people were fixed for today because the population was not so much as my first but more than my third.

After the whole waiting, I was eventually led with four other people into the interview hall. It was then I realized that people plenty small o... But still not as much as my first.

When it got to data capturing, the lady asked me when I took my passport photograph and if I had used it for a previous interview. Since the latter response was a yes, that's how she gave me a note to go and snap another one outside o. Thank God they already have a guy on standby in the waiting arena who was charging just #1,000. I went back in after I got the new passport and I completed the process. Then comes another long wait for finger print capture. That's how oyinbo's computer no wan capture my fingerprints o. I was like abi my international passport is fake ni abi dem don ban my passport ni... don't mind me, it's not a good thing to have visited the embassy several times without approval. He had to restart his system and apologized for the delay, then I felt a lil relief that the problem ain't from my end. At last the system came on and fingerprints were captured successfully.

Finally joined the last que for interview proper, then I started viewing different VO-Applicant interactions proper. In this life, until GOD says it is your time, my brother and sister just continue to have patience o because this visa approval/denial of a thing could make a denied best student feel like losing all hope. Some guys with strong case and everything intact, the next thing sorry blah blah blah�. While some with shaky voice and less effort will just get it ...boom... visa has been approved! There was the case of a guy who had previously went to US twice for tourism and spent 6 good months without any good reason to bail himself out. Mehn the VO tackled the guy till the end o even as he was trying to tender other high grade certificates to cover up his flaws. At last he was rejected and everyone kinda laughed because it was turning to a drama between them.

Meanwhile, there were 4 VOs (one was like a part-time because she wasn't really stable at the window but she eventually became my super hero).

I was checking out the scenarios at each of the windows but didn't let what was happening affect my morale because a lot of drama was happening for whoever is ready to laugh and some set of people were actually deriving joy from it. All the while, I just kept praying to God for mercy because after my 3rd interview, I knew what was left for me in this sojourn is nothing but Allah's mercy. I wasn't having any VO in particular in mind but was praying that I get interviewed by the VO that will be willing to allow God use him/her for my case. Thankfully, I got God's mercy in a miraculous way and my prayers were fully answered.

When it was almost my turn, there's a guy in my front that was about stepping to window 2 (or so) where the part-time VO is but was beckoned on to move to one of the active VO window where dramas were happening. This left me open for the window 2. I got there and the following happened...

Me: Good morning ma'am (with a smile)
VO: Good morning
Me: How are you doing ma'am?
VO: I am doing fine (with a smile)... Maybe she likes my attire because I wore native
VO: Pass me your documents.
Me: *(After getting rejected 3 times without me being asked if I have any document from my employer, a friend advised that I include it with my I-20 and fake ignorance. After all you've been denied before so it's no new thing, the most the VO will do is to return it)* So, I folded the letter of introduction I got from my Registrar (stating that I'm a bonafide staff of the Institution with my job role, including that I am expected back at my job after the programme) and placed it in front of my I-20 in-between my international passport, then passed it to her.

VO: (Luckily for me that was the first thing she saw) She removed the letter and glaced through it so swiftly as if she didn't read anything and returned it back to me that she doesn't need it. In my mind I was like... *chai mama don vex o* �
Me: Collected it and felt as if nothing has really happened.

VO: Why did you choose this school?
(Me that I already have a good proposed response for such question just realized that nothing was in my head again o, but at least went ahead to say the rubbish English that my mouth could speak at that time)
Me: I chose the school because among the schools that I applied to Kent State University had my focus with respect to course interest and research focus. I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer (VO cuts in...)

VO: that's okay, you work as an Assistant Lecturer? Where?
Me: At the Federal University of... in...

VO: Okay! What will this degree do for you?
Me: As an Assistant Lecturer, it is expected that I ensure (VO cuta in again)

VO: Where did you say you work again?
Me: Federal University of... in...

VO: Checked something on her system, then was like University of what did you say?
Me: Federal University of... in... In fact I have a letter from my Registrar incase you wish to see.

VO: No, I don't need that. Who is paying for your education?
Me: The school offered me a Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that comes with tuition fee waiver and a generous stipend which I am grateful for that covers my living expenses and 70% of my health insurance leaving me with a deficit of $1,835.

VO: So who is paying for the balance?
Me: I will be covering that with my personal savings.

VO: Checked my I-20 and was like 'Okay'

I was just staring at her. That's how she carried my passport and dropped it inside a box and removed a white paper o. Then she faced her system and started reading through what's there. Then everything started looking like a film trick. She wasn't really happy with what she's seeing there. So she took out my passport from the box and also picked my I-20. At this point, I became really scared and started saying all prayers that my mouth could say. Thank God there's nose mask to shield my mouth's movement. All I was asking for was God's mercy as much as I could. She eventually stepped out to speak with someone I was not seeing, but it was obvious she was soliciting for a consideration on my behalf (only God knew what these people don write for my case o). She came back, started doing something on the system and it seems like copy and paste or deleting something sha. Meanwhile, she's yet to return my passport into the box but at the same time still have the white paper placed beneath my I-20.

VO: What position will you attain with your PhD?
Me: Lecturer II

VO: Okay!
She resumed to her typing and after a while, the golden words came out of her mouth... "I am approving your VISA"

That's how my system just scattered that I was trying to listen to what she was saying but my ears no gree hear o. All I wanted at that moment was to allow her stop talking so I could thank her for the consideration.

Eventually she finished talking and I thanked her and pray that God continue to bless her abundantly. It was obvious from her facial expression that she's happy about the decision and how I felt afterwards.


Special appreciation to my one and only chiefest chief, PEPEronically macaroni who saw my first interview transcript on Nairaland, reached out to me and gave me some encouragements that denial is nothing, that I will eventually get it if I remain steadfast. Thank you very much great Scholar, brother, leader and all-in-1 personality. May God continue to be your fortifier.

God didn't stop at that, He always had people sent to me at every point of my bad times. In no order of arrangement, these Scholars have been of great and immense support to my morale in all ramifications: Afeez, Ariwoola Mattew, Demmy, Yusuf, Debik, Zaynab, Mayowa, Chinonso, Gifty, Enyo (Nairaland), Eyo, Kemi (Nairaland), Kush, the whole ACER family and FCLN family. You guys are the best!

Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin... God will not start what He cannot complete. So, remain steadfast in your pursuit for excellence!

Bro, I am happy for you. Your story gave me a lot of inspiration to always remain steadfast in any endeavor.

I guess the previous VO kept rejecting the application due to home ties: no wife, no kids. But the last VO really was swayed by the current job at a Federal university.

All the best, bro. Remain steadfast both in study and in faith. God has done it for you.

Shadbay:
Visa approved at the Abj embassy. (7:30 am appointment) EA approved on 2nd August after waiting almost a month.
COA: $29,000
Funding: nil
SOA: $70,000
Sponsor: Uncle (Different surnames)

I was attended to by a white male VO. There were two windows active with VOs this morning. One male and one female.

The guy had denied about 7 applicants right before it got to my turn.

VO: Good morning. Pass me your I-20 and your passport please.
Me: (I obliged)
VO: (types for what seemed like 30 secs) First time? Have you traveled to the US before?
Me: No.
VO: Okay, first time. And who'll be paying for your studies?
Me: My uncle.
VO: What does your uncle do?
Me: He's a real estate developer and property management consultant.
VO: Oh, wow. Do you have his bank statements?
Me: Yes (I passed them to him and he perused through it carefully)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a Hydrogeologist. (I didn't bother telling him where and for how long I have been working. He was fixed on his screen, typing)
VO:What did you study for your undergraduate degree?
Me: Geology.
VO: Do you have any family in the US?
Me: No. (while maintaining steady eye contact)
VO: So what are your plans after your studies?
Me: I will come back and work as a consultant to my state's water corporation. I wish to help tackle water sustainability issues and other critical problems affecting quality of groundwater here in Nigeria.
VO: (types for what seemed like an eternity)
Okay, I'll be approving your visa. Pick up your passport from your designated collection centre. It might take a week because of COVID-19 rules...(I believed this was what he said (that deafness that comes with this paper is not a myth at all )



I was fighting to contain my excitement.That VO was on a denial streak and God came through for me. Thank you, Jesus. I had to bone up so the hustlers no go tax me. Lol. One of the security who saw my white paper said I should go do Thanksgiving, that I was the 1st approval all morning after back to back denials.
I'd like to point out that confidence is key. This is my second application. I was denied 2 years ago. I came back better, well prepared and more confident. If you were denied, just re-strategize and come back with a stronger application.


PS: Please, who's in Bowling Green State University, let's link up.

Before the VO starts the routine Question and answer, he/she is already typing furiously on the computer. Does that mean he/she has already taken a decision on the application hoping you could convince him/her otherwise with your answer?

There are folks who get 3 questions and visa approved. There are those are really grilled with questions and visa rejected.

I really don’t get the trick.

Ngasky:
The BDC's are criminals. But on another note this guy did nothing in the video.
If you are analysing something you must proffer solution after stating the problem. But unfortunately he didn't proffer any other feasible solution. Imagine BDC operator gaining profit of more than 100 naira for every single dollar. How can you regulate them to stop?
Money is the root of evil. And these people have enough to buy off any agency
inspecting them.
I believe the solution is exactly what CBN did. Whoever needs dollar should go to his bank and use his account to buy at the official rate. It will be easier for CBN and financial regulators to know who buys what currency and what he aims to do with it.
Nobody will come every week claiming he needs dollars. So it can be controlled.
The problem is the criminals and corrupt government employees (civil/public) that will contunue to look for dollar to keep as security.
For now the BDCs' are claiming it is business as usual. But with time they will run out of foreign currency and that market will collapse. someone will think scarcity will make dollar to appreciate but look at this now anybody can access the dollar at the official rate from his personal bank. so who will leave official rate and go and pay 100+ more naira per single dollar from black market?
Now people will think someone with physical dollar will not go to bank to sell his $ because it is more at the black market. but the same black market will crash because if they cant sell because everyone is buying from bank. so if they cant sell definitely they will not buy. or at least they will only buy below the official bank rate. so this will force the customer to go to the bank.
Imagine 5000 BDC in 37 states. that is more than 135 BDC company in each state in Nigeria�. something is definitely wrong

Why can’t the banks sell FX just like the BDCs? I mean the banks can setup a teller point for direct sale just like the BDC and sell FX directly. CBN sells to them at the parallel rate for direct sale and they sell to the traders. It could be E-dollar, not giving to the buyers but immediately processed just like moneygram. This way we could gradually make the business not too lucrative for these guys on the street since the bank fulfills that function.

As per those buyers with clear documentation for Form Q, Form A, they can get it at the CBN rate.

The trick here is to gradually take the role of the street BDC and get a control over the speculation; and also watch the banks because they tend to get greedy and run another side show for themselves.

obiekunie01:
hi

2D payment gateway only requires a credit card number and expiry date to accomplish the payment.

In contrast, the 3D payment gateway demands the ID and the password provided by the issuer, in addition to the credit card number and the expiry date and an otp to process payment.

the federal inland revenue service uses the 2D payment platform - once you key in your card details they withdraw ur money without sending you otp. same with most online shops,

it then mean that once anyone have access to your card details, all he has to do is look for shops that use 2d payment platform and use your card to shop till your account is empty.

now scammers develop 2-d online shopping platforms for the purpose of using it to wipe funds from skimmed cards. you will just stay and be receiving alert for market you no buy,

smart guys no longer use their cards at point of sales - they rather do transfer or create an account for pos only and only fund it whn they want to use it instantly.

IT IS NOW A MUST FOR EVERYONE TO BE STREET SMART OR SORRY GO BE YOUR FRIEND.

BEWARE OF POS. SOME NOW INSTALL CCTV JUST TO CAPTURE YOU TYPIN YOUR PIN. SOME PRETEND THEY ARE DIALING A NUMBER WHILE CAPTURING YOU AS YOU ENTER YOUR PIN.

Boy! This is chilling!

Is paystack the medium providing the gateway For these websites to banks processing system?

Why aren’t the banks rejecting request from 2D platforms, and insist on them to upgrade to a more secure 3D platform?

I know 2D gateway is essential for over-the-phone payments but, atleast, there should be a way to incorporate the OTP aspect of this process to make it more secure.

Payments made over the 2D can be charged back, right? The customer can file claims to the bank, and in turn, the bank request a charge back from the merchant. I don’t if this is possible here; but overseas you can charge back on a fraudulent debit.


I tell you my story. The boys hit me on a Saturday night. All through that night, my phone had no network.. no calls... non SMS. I thought it was the usual network failure in my area. Airtel has poor network around this end. Then came Sunday morning... still no network. I checked my other phone used mainly for browsing; it had service.

I called Airtel... the said nothing wrong with my line. Maybe my SIM card is damaged. I went to Airtel office at shoprite. That was when I discovered they had swapped my SIM.

Immediately, I checked my email box: the debit alerts came rolling. First 30k, then another 30k on Sunday morning, another careless withdrawal ... total debit was 260K.

Omo, I followed it up with GT bank on Monday. Made a police report at Lions building, sworn court affidavit, stamped and registered. Copies of the debit alerts. Presented all these to Airtel office legal unit, GT fraud unit and CBN.

Got my money back in 21days.. to God the glory

This is really sad. I wonder why the Chinese get involved in this sort of business in Africa.

They started with “Koso” wood. They cleared the woods in the zamfara and other northern states. The local government, rather than protect their forest, were gladly tolling this venture. Banditry in the north made them focus on the gold and stones in the south. They are currently in the trenches for these items.

They have almost wiped out donkey in Northern Nigeria and other African countries. It was so bad that other neighboring country had to ban slaughter of Donkeys.

We would be glad if the Chinese investors can focus more on industries rather than on our wild live and natural reserves.

RSAV:
Sorry about that experience. I believe you have learnt some lessons, good or bad.
I observed you didn't object to the Route Violation (one way) you were booked for. Asides being a traffic offence, it could have led to a crash. Please avoid it henceforth.
To your questions, the officials that impounded your vehicle are LG officials, as you noted and stated. They are not bound by FG's TSA policy. Most States and LGs still operate accounts in commercial banks and collect revenue in cash or through accounts in those banks.
The mode of operations of those officials is crude and lacks basic training and decency. However, LGs just like other tiers of Government have the right to collect road taxes or fines. It's on the concurrent list in the Constitution.
It's best to avoid such issues in Nigeria because you're not sure of being treated in a civilized and decent manner.
Thank God you didn't hit a motorcycle rider or a pedestrian. You may have spent more than the 10k you paid as fine.

My brother, what’s the way forward in this country? We go continue to live like this?

These politicians know what to do but they refuse to do it. They deliberately make loopholes for their corrupt schemes.

It’s just a mess!

jerrybone:
Wednesday August 4 passed like a dream to me. I have heard about the inadequacies of the Dapo Abiodun led Ogun state government but today hit me in the face and I still can’t believe it all

I was accosted at the Sapon area by people in mufti who looked more like robbers than government workers who claimed to be working for the Abeokuta South Local Government and I wondered what was happening because :

1. They had no uniforms
2. No name tags
3. No identification or ID cards
4. No face masks

They claimed I drove on one-way and the first thing I did was asked for the sign. They showed me some sign and I accepted and asked to go to their office as I was not interested in paying an undocumented bribe. I turned and saw that one of them (now wearing a lemon vest) had removed my number plate and I told him I was not going to go anywhere without it.

Another asked to get into my car and I told him he cannot if he isn’t wearing a facemask (National policy from the President himself) eventually, one of them went to buy one, my number plate was fixed and they led me to their “Office” close to CBN and asked me to park somewhere. I got down expecting to be led into an office to see how much the fine is only for me to be led to a restaurant. A lady said they will book a ticket for me and collect a fine.

TAKE ME TO YOUR OFFICE

I did not allow her finish and asked that I want to be taken to their office as it was not right. She said she is at the restaurant because she was monitoring the other cars and motorcycles arrested and I asked her to point the office to me so I can go pay my fine and she refused. I told her if she didn’t, I will simply go home. At this point, she asked that my car be chained. I ignored.

I kept insisting on going to their office and at this point the ignored until a man from another department came and told them to give me a booking so I can go pay to the local government headquarters in Ake. I was given the payment advice and I took a commercial motorcycle to Ake.

NO OFFICE

On getting to the headquarters, the revenue office told me they have an office where I was coming from that I was supposed to pay to and asked me to go back, they directed me to a certain MR Wasiu. I called him and he said he was in the complex where my car was impounded and he has an office there. I took another motorcycle back, I got back hoping to meet this MR Wasiu in his official office but I was shocked when he was sitting under a shed as he said he had no office and that place was just a make-shift place.

I now irritated, gave him the ticket and he asked me to pay 10,000. I gave him and he took the money in cash (against federal government directive on TSA)

The questions I have include:

1. Is it right for local government officials to collect stop motorists while not in uniform?

2. Is it legal to not wear a name tag or any form of identification?

3. Is it right for officials to be on the road without facemasks and outing citizens at risk?

4. Is it right to remove people’s number plate?

5. How can so-called officials work from a restaurant?

6. Why collect money in cash in violation of TSA?

In fact I am so tired of this DEMOCRACY!. Let the men in khaki just take over and run this show. It’s just getting worse every day.... damn!

Atleast the men in khaki have a chain of command. You know how is in charge. This “our democracy” is like a full blown demonstration of the crazies... free for all thugs!

obiekunie01:
you know absolutely nothing oga!

and u have been no where!

IN FACT, YOU KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

TECHNOLOGY HAS GONE FAR MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER, EVER CATCH UP.

IN FACT, TO BE ON THE SAFER SIDE, I NOW STORE MY COIN IN COLD STORAGE. IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW.

Hi Obie

Your words gave me a lot to think about.
I am just wondering how is that possible that money can be withdrawn from an account without OTP for someone who doesn’t have a debit card to the account?

What does this 2-D platform work?

I have experienced sim swap in the past. That had to do with some guys using a fake ID and their contact at airtel helped swap my sim. Then Access bank USD operation does not require pin.

Educate us a little about this possibility so we know how to protect our finance.

Cheers

From my experience in Lagos:

POP cost 4500 per square meter
Wall screening cost 450 per square meter
Glova screening paint -4000 per bucket
Waterproofing powder -700 per bag
Bonding -13,000 per bucket

Mordecai:
There was a time phones emit radiation enough to heat fuel up and cause an explosion. The warnings are a carryover from those days.

Do the experiment and burst this myth.

If we are to judge by what they have been saying, then how about FCC saying the possibility of this explosion is only theoretically possible and in practice very remote.

Phone radiation is not as high as the one generated by Microwave oven in your kitchen.

Cnach:
Oh Africa, sorrow
Pls how do they use to pump air and it will reflect on the pump reader?
Na the rocket science I wan know.
I'm ok with the brain injuries they gave me as a child, both in pronunciation and superstitious believe.
Wetin vesi me pass na the warning make they reproduce this fake speculation any where as if it is Versace design drawing.
Oyibo do us shaa o

I think say na only me shake head when I read this story..”what a garbage report!”..

it just shows the class and level of many visitors to Nairaland front page. Are they mainly JSS kids? They all took this story hook,line and sinker. Just a few like you countered this garbage... jojomario also questioned the credibility of this report.

With this level of ignorance in the society, do you think we can ever progress?

chatinent:
No part of this post should be reproduced without written approval from the author.


Five things you should look out for while fuel in a Nigerian fuel station.

.

Source: https://www.nopremiumtears.com.ng/2021/08/five-things-you-should-know-to-avoid.html


Please drop your comments below. How has this post helped you? Please drop your comments.

Nice write up. But I just want to point out that using a mobile phone next to petrol does not necessarily cause an explosion. It’s theoretically possible but not proven in practice.

The chances of that explosion happening is very remote.

I hope you can take a cue and burst this myth.

Cheers

There is no evidence that using a mobile phone next to petrol may spark an explosion. The science is “not” there.

From page 1 to page 2, no one countered this narrative on mobile phone radiation-petrol explosion? No science student on Nairaland? This is sad!

Test for Non-Science kids on Nairaland:
Pour a bit of petrol in a cup.
Set a mobile phone to auto answer
Place the phone over the cup.
Go to safe distance and call that mobile phone from another phone.
Any explosion!

.... mythbusters to the rescue

Highzhikk:
Has anyone been placed on Administrative processing? How long did it take?

People, I went for my interview on 7th of July (Fully funded offer, PhD Biotechnology) everything was going fine until the VO asked if I have travelled out of Nigeria before. I answered that I have gone to Russia for MSc in Biotechnology.


The VO went away for like 20mins and she came back and told me that she was checking about my course. After another five minutes she hand me the 221g form for Administrative processing that they need more time to research about my course in Russia (It happens that Biotechnology and some other STEM courses are on the technology Alert list).

Who has been in this situation and how did you solve it?

How did the administrative review go? Did they issue a visa?

kenwizy:
Hello guys,

Please I need everyone view on this.

Please assist to make possible corrections on my proposed interview as it's my first time


Gurus please assist..
Thank you all as I wait here for your resposes.


Vo: why or what's your purpose in USA/ Travel plan.
Me: I'm going to the US to pursue my masters degree in social work at Morgan state university in Baltimore.
Vo: why this course?
Me: caring for people especially the vulnerables has always been my passion and what I love to do. I've decided to master in social work as it tend to turn my passion into a profession.
Vo: what's your study plan?
Me: I would be offering just 4 courses in my first semester and a total of 60 credit for the 24 month course with a field practicum which last 16 hours a week. Part of my courses would be GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTISE, SOCIAL WELFARE & URBAN ECONOMICS, and RESEARCH AND URBAN SOCIAL PROBLEMS..
Vo: Why did you choose this school?
Me: the Cost of Attendance is quite affordable compare to other schools. And also the school offers graduate internship within the two years of study.it has a strong collaboration with various industries which I think would help harness the skills and knowledge to transform what is thought in class to practical use.
Vo: what will this course do for you?
Me: this degree would equip me with the skills and knowledge i need to be a successful social worker..it would prepare for a better position In NGOs I've volunteered for and government agencies upon my return to Nigeria.
Vo: what's your plan after graduation/ what's this degree do for you?
Me: As I've said earlier, upon the completion of my course, in intend returning to nigeria to work with gov/ private institutions to improve or ameliorate the well-being of vulnerable Nigerians, then later start my own NGO which will focus children with specific health challenges such as children with hoes on the heart and many more.
Vo: who would be sponsoring your program?
Me:y Aunt will be sponsoring my Cost of Attendance while myself and my dad would be handling the Living Expenses.
Vo: what doest your Aunt do?
Me: she's a nurse in the Uk.
Vo: Are you married?
Me: not yet but I've a fiancee who works as a nurse in a govt. General hospital.
Vi: have you travelled before?
Me: No
Vo: where do you work/ what do you do?
Me: I currently work in a bank but uses my weekends and leave for my volunteering work..
Vo: so why the change of career?
Me: I have never wanted to be a banker but I had to pick it up as the job offer came as an opportunity..so I decided to take it and save-up to prepare myself for my career goal and objectives in social work.

I think that NGO angle is the best strategy to compel the V.O. Since you are a banker and going for masters in social work.

Is the NGO you volunteering for a prominent one? Better for you if it’s an international NGO. Mentioning their name and having a letter from them could help convince the V.O.

Tpharell:
Stop pontificating ignorance, get the unsealed damning documents that show his involvement with Hush and you wont utter such words of ignorance

Please if you still have the link to the FBI report, kindly screenshot and upload here so that i can read the whole facts of the case. May be I am missing something here

idahme:
Have you read the transcript of the conversation between Hush and Kyari? If yes you wont make this assertion. Kyari was in the know of the scam, Hush intimated him. Different cases abound of Kyari extorting money from detainees, one was from a Lagos businessman to the tune of 41 Million Naira. That guy is corruption personified, that has been his mode of operation from abnitio. With evidences that has surfaced , there is no way the NPF wont nail him even though we all know they are even worse than Kyari but na who dem catch na him them dey 'Thief'.

From what I saw in those FBI report, and transcript, Abbas told Kyari that Chibuzo defrauded him, and he should help arrest Chibuzo. I did not see or read in the transcript where he told Kyari about them scamming of a Qatari victim.

Please if you still have the link to the FBI report, kindly screenshot and upload here so that i can the whole facts of the case. May be I am missing something here

xpool:
You guys surprise me a lot!
Why are we Nigerians living in Nigeria always pretend to be surprised whenever issue of corruption arises.
We are very corrupt, corruption is our way of life, there is no police officer, custom officer, immigration officer, civil servant, politician, artisan, lecture, etc in nigeria that is not corrupt. So why do we pretend to be surprised over Kyari's case?
Why we dey form?
Abi police, custom, road safety for road block dey hide for the open Roger?!

Go any government office, if you no “roger” door no go open for you. Even immigration office, your file no go move if you no roger. Wahala dey for the country.

If you dey roger well. When you get issue any where, call “oga” he go send boys.

Armanipounds:
The way this case is being comprehensive and concise shows that Abba Kyari or whatever he is called is technically guilty... So many damning evidences already gathered to send this dude away for a very long while in a US Federal Prison! But as a Law student who believes in "You are innocent until proven otherwise" let me watch this case with intent! As a matter of fact, this dude shouldn't be in Nigeria by now, he has serious questions to answer and should submit himself open to investigations quickly if really he is claiming he never at any point in time had fraudulent links to Igbalode Abbas Ramon

The case against Abbas is the conspiracy to defraud a Qatari victim. I am not sure the evidence (judging from the FBI court filing) is available that Kyari conspired with Abbas to commit this fraud.

I think his(Kyari) is that he arrested Chibuzo on Abbas’ request, because of the allegation that Chibuzo defrauded him (Abbas). But this case couldn’t go to court because there was no evidence that Chibuzo had defrauded Abbas. Even Abbas would not like this fraud allegation to get a court hearing because it will expose their illegal doings.

The 300,000 roger was paid for the boys (police team) that made the arrest of Chibuzo. I think this is fairly typical in Nigeria. You want police to make an arrest of a suspect over an allegation, you must fuel their car. Bad as it may, it’s a way of life here.

What do you think?

cpu2006:
if this story is true, then, 99.99999 percent of Police force are corrupt

Every one of them dey collect “roger”.

Our culture of “roger” is the problem here. And I have serious doubt we will be able to take “roger” out of our life as a third world nation.

Many times we call on a police Oga to help us resolve an issue or intervene in a matter. This “oga” will intervene to help out. You call on him when other police men harass you on the road. When there is a robbery. In a case of fraud. In all of these, this “oga” will help. But you know as a culture here you must roger “boys” at the end of the job.

This is what I see in this Kyari -hush saga. I think his bosses at NPF will understand and see it from that view that he just helped “hush” to arrest Chibuzo because “hush” claimed he defrauded him (hush).

Foreigners may not really understand this “roger” culture of ours, but we here understand “roger”.

A foreigner investigating a case but not familiar with the culture here, these might appear terrible but it somewhat a way of life here. Bad as it may, that’s how the Nigeria system works!

Chyjoey:
I'm beginning to think what you say is not as important as how you say it and how you carry yourself.

I've seen people with excellent transcripts who still got denied. Transcripts don't tell the full story. You may be saying all the right things, but being inaudible or stuttering through the sentences, fidgeting, poor eye contact. The VO may misread your nervousness as dishonesty.

There may also be reporting and recall bias when people are writing their post approval and post denial transcripts.

Infact, I think transcripts are a general guide but don't tell the full story.

You are indeed right. There are so many other factors that influence a positive or negative outcome in a visa process. Many transcript I have seen here shows that V.O. gut feeling plays a greater role. You might say all the right things, but she may not grant a visa.

From your overall experience in this visa process, can you outline the key criteria that may influence a positive outcome in the a visa process?

supportnija:
I think as a police officer , Kyari did bad here, Kyari will be punished by PUNISH POLICE, Kyari upon received a called from HUSH, he would have told him to call his lawyer and write petition , it is not part of police work go after someone who dupe another person without petition approved by DIG or IG himself.... But where he will escape is that, according to the DOCUMENT hush never told FBI Kyari was part of the deal, he said he bribe him to PUNISH CHIBUIZOR, here are two separate thing, except there are other hidden documents KYARI will not be released by Nigeria government, because Kyari was part of the crime neither involved in the crime.. why FBI is going after everybody that partook knowing or knowing is because they need to get the money back for the owner. I advice everybody not the collect money you never know source, we have the similar case now in our office both people that received 4000 ,2000 naira were all have their account blocked, we had almost 48 account blocked. BE BOLD TO STAND AGAINST CRIME IN GUISE.

Our culture of “roger” is the problem here. And I have serious doubt we will be able to take “roger” out of our life as a third world nation.

Many times we call on a police Oga to help us resolve an issue or intervene in a matter. This “oga” will intervene to help out. You call on him when other police men harass you on the road. When there is a robbery. In a case of fraud. In all of these, this “oga” will help. But you know as a culture here you must roger “boys” at the end of the job.

This is what I see in this Kyari -hush saga. I think his bosses at NPF will understand and see it from that view that he just helped “hush” to arrest Chibuzo because “hush” claimed he defrauded him (hush).

Foreigners may not really understand this “roger” culture of ours, but we here understand “roger”.

My question:
Does the FBI investigator not understand we have a culture of “roger” here?

Tosinmichael11:
Ok

V.O: Good morning, pass me your i20 and passport.
ME: I did.
V.O: Oh you're going to kentucky?
ME: Yes
V.O: what do you do?
ME: I'm a fashion designer
V.O: Do you sew or sell
ME: I sew and sell
V.O: oh great, So why IT
ME: I Want to incorporate it to my business for growth since IT helps business grow through data collection and customer database
V.O: Who's sponsoring
ME: my cousin
V.O: typing....... then reached out for the blue paper with my passport and handed it over

Bro, within you, you know this package wouldn’t fly... come on! A tailor going for IT training in US? Why not learn the basic instagram and Facebook marketing here in Nigeria?

The line that actually killed the application is “I sow and sell”. She threw you a hook and you took it... come on, bro. That was your opportunity to “wow” her as a major designer for “A” list celebrity and brands.

No try this tailor and IT package again...abeg!

iwa03:
Hi everyone
I hope we're doing well. So I was a late starter to this thread(literally a week before my interview) but to GOD be all the Glory, my VISA was approved. I'm sory if the formatting is wrong but this was how it went, extremely brief too.

Pursiuing: Bachelors at MHC.
COA: 10k
Course of study: Computer science and Psychology(although everyone is undecided until their sophomore ending)

Interview: Thursday , July 29, 2021
Consulate: Lagos, Walter Carrington
VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning sir
VO: So tell me what you're going to do in the US
Me: I'll be studying at MHC to pursue my undergrad degree in CS and Psychology (I should have said bachelors but oh well)
VO: So what will you do with that combination(He was interested in what I said at this point)
Me: Conduct research and build software for a Nigerian Organisation.(paraphrased version though, I spoke in-depth about this)
VO: Ok, who'll be funding you I see that most of your fees are covered by your school.
Me: My mother.
VO: What does she do?
Me: She's an entrepreneur.
VO: Alright, I'll be approving your VISA please come back in a few working days.....I didn't hear the rest.

And that was it guys, it wasn't more than 2 minutes. All I will say is, do quality r4search on your school and what your degree is going to achieve for you. They want to see that you know why you're going to school and you can actually afford it. Also, quote Mark 11: 24, believe in God's word and speak it into existence. God help you all in Jesus name, Amen.

Omo, you jazz the V.O.? You no know talk enough “turenchi” she give you visa.

Boy, your jazz strong o!

grandlexuz:
All this still doesn't link him to committing a crime alongside Hushpupi nor does it proof he was a beneficiary to his proceeds..Many politicians including Dino visited Dubai and took pics with Hush. He wasn't linked to any crime then and lived freely in a luxurious hotel as a Real Estate Agent ..I see Abba Kyari getting out of this.

Reading your post, I am glad someone is also paying attention to the details of the case. From the investigation report, there is no evidence of Kyari conspiring with Abbas (Hushpuppi) to defraud the Qatari victim.

Culture of roger:
Where I see a problem of which many of us are also guilty of is the culture of calling our police friends or police oga to the rescue whenever we have an issue. And we do “roger” that Police friend or oga after he extends his influence to help. Same case here: Hush told Kyari, he wants Chibuzo attested for defrauding him. Chibuzo was arrested Abbas(Hushpuppi) “rogered” the team. As a culture here, if you want the police to take up a case, you must roger.

This “roger” is indeed bad. For a foreigner investigating a case but not familiar with the culture here, these might appear terrible but it somewhat a way of life here. Bad as it may, that’s how the Nigeria system works!

And it’s a long shot trying to change this culture.

Yazmin:
Your idea has always been postulated as a way out of the FX quagmire we have had to live with in the entire life of our Nationhood.

In practice however the fact remains that either with the use of e currency (FX) or Travellers' Cheque (or a combination of both), the issuing bank would still need to settle it's forex positions with the honouring institutions (counterparty) and would need the CBN to sell it the scarce FX at a competitive rate ,due to the plethora of needs.

There is a huge and insatiable demand for FX from Nigerians and Nigeria for various reasons, the most prevalent being:

- Our status as a non capital and consumer manufacturing/producing Nation, which puts pressure on importation(and thus FX).

- Our likes for foreign products and services (against available local alternatives)

- Our over dependence on oil as a main source of FX (with dwindling fortunes of this and almost zero FDI's).

- Also, Diaspora remittances are also not adequately deployed and channeled to economic activities.

The underlying issues causing the scarcity in the first place must be addressed, then the channels for effectively making them available can be deployed.

Warm regards.

Bro, they really have to find a way to keep things stable... if it’s 1000 per dollar (god forbid) ... let them try to keep it within that bandwidth. This “flip flop” policy by CBN every time spooks people and business. It makes Naira very toxic.

Let me explain to you how this policy changes played out in my firm on Tuesday. We saw a report on Nairametrics about A new CBN directive to halt all dollars sales to BDC. This was late..past 4pm..the banks were closed.

On Wednesday morning, we initiated a rapid liquidation of all our Naira holdings to USD as a safe hedge at the rate of 510, Remember the last time CBN did a similar policy flip flop, Naira lost a huge value, and it has not recovered ever since.

Not that we want to hoard USD, but the Naira is so unpredictable. So many people and companies are in the same boat. The instability spooks every one. We don’t want to loose holding the Naira

If it’s 1000 per USD, let it be stable so that people and business can make projections and plans in the future.

CBN is always on about local manufacturing. Many manufacturing company here in Nigeria are part of the global supply chain. There is a component in there manufacturing process that has to be imported; even dangote imports. Nigeria Breweries still import bottles, even if the rest of the beer manufacturing are locally sourced (not sure).

Imagine an importer who Calculated his selling price at 525 Per USD today. Customers made payment to him via POS. By the time he receives this payment the next day, dollar could have risen to 530.. do you think he would want to risk using POS for his payments. He would want cash So he can quickly buy USD, and this defeats the cashless policy CBN wants.

Sometimes these changes have an indirect effect on the economy.

Why is it so hard for our policy makers / administrators in this country to make / implement the best policy for our numerous problems?

Why do they always put their interest above the people?

Why is everything so hard and difficult in this country?

Why?

Take “inner” city roads as an example:
Since they can not build “inner” city roads, why can’t they initiate a policy that would encourage home owners to interlock the half portion of road in front their building, and waive some of the land use charge. By so doing, we can have better inner city roads.

Ceenachi:
Then stop dollar being a legal tender on Nigeria soil. Naira is our own currency and that should be the currency for local transactions. When it comes to foreign transactions, there should be electronic conversion via commercial banks ( through individual account that is domiciled in a commercial banks) and this does not involve physical touch of Dollars . Our leaders know what to do but there is no political will to do it

Can you go to United States and find Naira being moved physically ? Or China ?

This is always what I have thought to be a good solution to this dollar issue.

Let the DMBs sell e-dollars for FCY remittance. and for BTA they can issue a travelers cheque or visa/master card with higher daily withdrawal limit. This way nobody needs cash dollars.

For those wanting dollar to pay school fee in Nigerian school, same e-dollar bought at counter and transferred to the schools dormicilliary account.

Why can’t we just find a simple easy way for those dollar issue. This cbn’s back and forth with BDC is just creating problems for the economy. Dollar is now 525... expect another uptick in the price of goods, and eventually price of service; meanwhile salary for the employed remains the same, creating need for the employed to find a “short-cut” means to make up for the deficiencies in their personal finance. Of course, expect more corruption! More agbero harassing truckers and commercial buses, more cases of police extortion, more bureaucracy at government office, and many more.