mufutau55:


Finally read all tbe 8 pages. Very interesting. If I put my story here, I go get a lot of whipping. So, make I just keep quiet and follow yours. You know how to take beatings.
I have to give it to you though, ypu really blend well, well.
Keep enjoying yourself. One day, I go join.

Hajji M.

God’s time is the best Sir and it’s such an important move that it can’t be rushed or done haphazardly. My move was also made easier by selfless people like you that demonstrates and encourages us that you can be in the abroad but still have things going on at home too.

EgunMogaji2:

God’s time is the best Sir and it’s such an important move that it can’t be rushed or done haphazardly. My move was also made easier by selfless people like you that demonstrates and encourages us that you can be in the abroad but still have things going on at home too.

Thank you sir. God is great and we have to give all thanks to Him.

Hajji M.

EgunMogaji2:
After reading a thread on Nairaland titled (Naija to Yankee: Thoughts and Experience), I thought I should document my move in the opposite direction. I thought this would make for a nice read because it’s the opposite of what’s going on now with everyone seemingly fleeing Nigeria.

I left Nigeria in July 1986 to get a degree in aviation and complete training on becoming a commercial airline pilot. Having never seen a computer before I left Nigeria I was instantly

hooked by computers and programming when arrived in the USA and I changed my course to computer science. My first program I leant was Turbo Pascal.

But I’m jumping ahead. Let’s go back to 1986.

Stay tuned.

Copied from Village Headmaster Forums @ http://forums.villageheadmaster.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=52#p59

Good afternoon sir I read your thread and believe me it's very lovely am a silent reader though
I also help you thank God for journey mercies and save trip I pray everything you brought home will not perish and you will not lack any good things
My points exactly is what advice can you give to we young chap trying to Leave Nigeria and seek a better life In abroad

EgunMogaji2:


You’re getting the picture Sir.

I could retire cheaper to Mexico than Nigeria. At least in Mexico I won’t have to sink a borehole, buy multiple generators, rebuild screwed up buildings, bribe policemen and thugs, etc

I could simply drive across the border from Mexico to USA every day if I wanted to. I have Nigerian friends who do exactly that.

The issue I’m starting to feel, and frankly it’s getting tedious, is that people are discounting the joy of being back home.

I was watching a documentary on YouTube about Igbo Ora having the worlds highest twin birth rate. I clicked a link a tab onto Google Map and found out that it was a 2 hour drive away. Guess what I did? Took a shower, hopped into my truck and went there for lunch.

Some weeks back I went to Ogbomosho. And before that I went to Ore.

I love Nigeria and I love being here. End of story

My hometown, I didn't see this thread earlier I would have hosted you in Ignore.

ZINIBANKS:

Good afternoon sir I read your thread and believe me it's very lovely am a silent reader though
I also help you thank God for journey mercies and save trip I pray everything you brought home will not perish and you will not lack any good things
My points exactly is what advice can you give to we young chap trying to Leave Nigeria and seek a better life In abroad

Greetings.

The only advice I can give is to strive to do it legitimately, if possible. There's nothing sadder than seeing immigrants that can't move freely abroad due to lack of paperwork.

Try to move to a climate that is warm. Personally I can't do Canada or any of the frozen tundra countries. Additional try to stay close to home if you can. Believe me, I look with envy at guys living in Italy/Spain. They can be home in 6 hours versus my 18 hours from California.

Good luck and may our blessings find us where ever we are at.

EgunMogaji2:


Greetings.

The only advice I can give is to strive to do it legitimately, if possible. There's nothing sadder than seeing immigrants that can't move freely abroad due to lack of paperwork.

Try to move to a climate that is warm. Personally I can't do Canada or any of the frozen tundra countries. Additional try to stay close to home if you can. Believe me, I look with envy at guys living in Italy/Spain. They can be home in 6 hours versus my 18 hours from California.

Good luck and may our blessings find us where ever we are at.

Thanks sir

How's the semi-lockdown treating you sir?

Solar powered house?

DisGuy:
How's the semi-lockdown treating you sir?

Solar powered house?

I’m good. I’m thankful I made the move when I did. 401K investments tanked in the USA with the virus stuff.

I can’t believe that this is happening. So many dead in 1st world countries

What hope do we have in 3rd world countries?

I live a prepper lifestyle so solar is the way. I’ve made significant investments on it.

Thanks for asking.

EgunMogaji2:


I’m good. I’m thankful I made the move when I did. 401K investments tanked in the USA with the virus stuff

Oga mi, you don't want to know how much I have lost o.
God dey sha!

Hajji M.

mufutau55:


Oga mi, you don't want to know how much I have lost o.
God dey sha!

Hajji M.

I can imagine Sir.

A former coworker went down by $75K. That is N30M gone.

EgunMogaji2:


I can imagine Sir.

A former coworker went down by $75K. That is N30M gone.

Market goes up, market goes down. That's the nature of the game. If he stays put for a couple years, I can almost guarantee he will recoup the losses and even get ahead again. While majority of the market has been in a selling frenzy, some of us have been in buy buy buy mode. I have moved a significant portion of investments out of bonds into currently undervalued stocks that are a really good bargain right now. Some people with deep pockets are going to emerge very wealthy within a short time period.

Mancala:


Market goes up, market goes down. That's the nature of the game. If he stays put for a couple years, I can almost guarantee he will recoup the losses and even get ahead again. While majority of the market has been in a selling frenzy, some of us have been in buy buy buy mode. I have moved a significant portion of investments out of bonds into currently undervalued stocks that are a really good bargain right now. Some people with deep pockets are going to emerge very wealthy within a short time period.

Please, could you share some of these stocks you put your money in?

Mancala:


Market goes up, market goes down. That's the nature of the game. If he stays put for a couple years, I can almost guarantee he will recoup the losses and even get ahead again. While majority of the market has been in a selling frenzy, some of us have been in buy buy buy mode. I have moved a significant portion of investments out of bonds into currently undervalued stocks that are a really good bargain right now. Some people with deep pockets are going to emerge very wealthy within a short time period.

He wanted to retire on March 31, 2020 and his 401K is his safety net as not all USA companies offer a pension.

He can’t wait for the market to go on an upswing.

The crux of the matter was investment was lost.

PS: Folks, please don’t make rash decisions but at the same time don’t die on the job. 2 years is 700 plus days. A lot could happen.

EgunMogaji2:


He wanted to retire on March 31, 2020 and his 401K is his safety net as not all USA companies offer a pension.

He can’t wait for the market to go on an upswing.

The crux of the matter was investment was lost.

PS: Folks, please don’t make rash decisions but at the same time don’t die on the job. 2 years is 700 plus days. A lot could happen.

What stocks could you recommend at this point in time?

A lot of the stocks have gone down 20 - 30% and I don’t have any metrics to predict which of these stocks can regain its “normal price”.

Olalekank:

What stocks could you recommend at this point in time?

A lot of the stocks have gone down 20 - 30% and I don’t have any metrics to predict which of these stocks can regain its “normal price”.

I’ve never been really good at stuff like that. I invest at Vanguard and just allow them to manage my stuff.

Good luck.

EgunMogaji2:


I’ve never been really good at stuff like that. I invest at Vanguard and just allow them to manage my stuff.

Good luck.

Nice
Would check them out
Thanks

EgunMogaji2:

He wanted to retire on March 31, 2020 and his 401K is his safety net as not all USA companies offer a pension.

He can’t wait for the market to go on an upswing.

The crux of the matter was investment was lost.

PS: Folks, please don’t make rash decisions but at the same time don’t die on the job. 2 years is 700 plus days. A lot could happen.

I am lucky that I have a full pension and 401k/Deffered Compensation is another way to save extra bucks. So, no fear about my pension unless NYC Govt goes into banktrupcy.
As soon as this ObaniCoro started and market started going down, I moved all my investment into Fixed which is Guaranteed investment, so I have not lost much.

You are right about staying long on the job... I have been thinking of retirement for long now but never had the liver to actually do it. But after this Coro is over I will surely do it... this is a wakeup call for me, I dont have many years left on earth because of age. God save us sha!

Hajji M.

EgunMogaji2:


He wanted to retire on March 31, 2020 and his 401K is his safety net as not all USA companies offer a pension.

He can’t wait for the market to go on an upswing.

The crux of the matter was investment was lost.

PS: Folks, please don’t make rash decisions but at the same time don’t die on the job. 2 years is 700 plus days. A lot could happen.

People perish for lack of knowledge
If he was looking to retire soon, even if 3-5 years out, majority of his 401k should have already been in cash and bonds. Company 401ks provide free advice illustratrating how your money should be invested based on your age and target retirement date. But then, even if he retires now and manages to live off soc sec for the next couple years leaving the 401k intact in stocks, he should regain most of the losses.

Olalekank:

Please, could you share some of these stocks you put your money in?

LOL... the game is to be sold, not to be told
I don't render investment advice online aside from the generic advice to invest in mutual funds. They will most likely appreciate over time.

Mancala:


People perish for lack of knowledge
If he was looking to retire soon, even if 3-5 years out, majority of his 401k should have already been in cash and bonds. Company 401ks provide free advice illustratrating how your money should be invested based on your age and target retirement date. But then, even if he retires now and manages to live off soc sec for the next couple years leaving the 401k intact in stocks, he should regain most of the losses.

Seems like you have calculated a good plan for YOU.

One size does not fit all in life.

Mancala:


LOL... the game is to be sold, not to be told
I don't render investment advice online aside from the generic advice to invest in mutual funds. They will most likely appreciate over time.

Hmmm

EgunMogaji2:


Seems like you have calculated a good plan for YOU.

One size does not fit all in life.

In this situation, one size does fit all. Anyone looking to retire in the short term (implying a risk averse investor) should not put majority of their money into stocks due to the inherent volatility of the market. Majority of my 401k is with Vanguard/mutual funds and they preach this mantra hard.

Mancala:

[/b]

In this situation, one size does fit all. Anyone looking to retire in the short term (implying a risk averse investor) should not put majority of their money into stocks due to the inherent volatility of the market. Majority of my 401k is with Vanguard/mutual funds and they preach this mantra hard.

If that’s what works for you. It’s what works for me.

But for others they put money in high risk but high yield investments up until the last minute. It’s worked for some and some have lost. It doesn’t make you be better than the other.

Life’s a gamble.

EgunMogaji2:


If that’s what works for you. It’s what works for me.

But for others they put money in high risk but high yield investments up until the last minute. It’s worked for some and some have lost. It doesn’t make you be better than the other.

Life’s a gamble.

I am in no way saying or implying I'm better off than anyone, that is certainly not the case. My intent was to reinforce or share some investment principles related to the situation. I wasn't born with knowledge. We all learn somewhere along our walk, so someone out there may gain something on a public forum like this. I have also been burned several times by the market over the years so certainly not smarter than anyone. Life is indeed a gamble, but we should go in with eyes wide open and take informed calculated risks.

Mancala:


People perish for lack of knowledge
If he was looking to retire soon, even if 3-5 years out, majority of his 401k should have already been in cash and bonds. Company 401ks provide free advice illustratrating how your money should be invested based on your age and target retirement date.

Very true and if your child is in Uni or almost there, you should be safeguarding that university fund. I always knew that but greed set in and Corona happened. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. . .

EgunMogaji2:


I’m good. I’m thankful I made the move when I did. 401K investments tanked in the USA with the virus stuff.

I can’t believe that this is happening. So many dead in 1st world countries

What hope do we have in 3rd world countries?

I live a prepper lifestyle so solar is the way. I’ve made significant investments on it.

Thanks for asking.

Who would have thought the sky would actually fall on chicken littles head? Egunmogaji2 all set up for the zombie apocalypse

MMotimo:


Very true and if your child is in Uni or almost there, you should be safeguarding that university fund. I always knew that but greed set in and Corona happened. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. . .

You are not alone in the desire to earn more from the market, its human nature . I've done that and been burned sometimes and successful other times. The best advice is to consult a financial advisor as well as a tax consultant if you are nearing retirement or relying on your investments for a major life event. One free advice I can give here is this (any decent tax consultant will point this out). Don't risk your regular 401k money in those situations (regular before tax contributions). Your regular 401k losses are not tax deductible in the US. However, after tax IRA contribution capital losses can be deducted on your taxes, and I believe for several years. This is one sure way of minimizing the downside. I have taken money out of my 401k and funded my IRA in times when I wanted to purchase large amounts of individual stocks. But then, I am not looking to retire in the near term.

Someone sent me a picture of a freeway near me. I’ve never seen this freeway empty like this, even on Sunday.

It’s saddening to see things that are happening.

EgunMogaji2:
Someone sent me a picture of a freeway near me. I’ve never seen this freeway empty like this, even on Sunday.

It’s saddening to see things that are happening.

Hello Mr. Mogaji.

I came across your thread, and I am particularly interested on what you think the problems are in Nigeria. As someone who has been out of here for over three decades, you certainly see things a lot clear than some of us here.

What's the problem with Nigeria? Is it the people, is it our culture, or is it government? There are many thoughts on this but then I'd like to know how you see it as a recent arrival. Obviously you are seeing the problems that we all here have gotten use to and don't see as necessarily a problem... We bribe to make way, pee on the road..etc.

Those who say the people are the problem point to the fact that the government is made by the people; and I don't mean election here. Those that make up the leadership are the people. They are not from Venus or Mars. The police units that kill indiscremently are the people. The people fill the roads and drainages with plastic bags and thrash and wail when government fails to its duty. Is the problem the people?

Or is it the culture? A belief that some magical being (juju) will make you rich and powerful and have a life if you sacrifice life to it rather than hard work. Hypocrisy is rife. The bigwigs would rather make "audio " donation: 1.5 billion, 1 Billion; but if you look closely that clinic or general hospital not far from them does not have a functioning incubator, not to mention ventilator.

Or is the failed leadership? The failure of leadership is everywhere. They'd rather buy luxury cars for themselves than buy ventilators for the sick. See them begging online for it than buy it

I hope these questions do not derail your thread. You could incorporate your thoughts to these questions in one of your chapters.

Many thanks and stay safe.

owagbeba:


Hello Mr. Mogaji.

I came across your thread, and I am particularly interested on what you think the problems are in Nigeria. As someone who has been out of here for over three decades, you certainly see things a lot clear than some of us here.

What's the problem with Nigeria? Is it the people, is it our culture, or is it government? There are many thoughts on this but then I'd like to know how you see it as a recent arrival. Obviously you are seeing the problems that we all here have gotten use to and don't see as necessarily a problem... We bribe to make way, pee on the road..etc.

Those who say the people are the problem point to the fact that the government is made by the people; and I don't mean election here. Those that make up the leadership are the people. They are not from Venus or Mars. The police units that kill indiscremently are the people. The people fill the roads and drainages with plastic bags and thrash and wail when government fails to its duty. Is the problem the people?

Or is it the culture? A belief that some magical being (juju) will make you rich and powerful and have a life if you sacrifice life to it rather than hard work. Hypocrisy is rife. The bigwigs would rather make "audio " donation: 1.5 billion, 1 Billion; but if you look closely that clinic or general hospital not far from them does not have a functioning incubator, not to mention ventilator.

Or is the failed leadership? The failure of leadership is everywhere. They'd rather buy luxury cars for themselves than buy ventilators for the sick. See them begging online for it than buy it

I hope these questions do not derail your thread. You could incorporate your thoughts to these questions in one of your chapters.

Many thanks and stay safe.

These are interesting questions, please give me time to respond properly. Thanks.

[And you believe all these things you mentioned are free in the Abroad




quote author=1nigeriamyfoot post=85233164]
You've said it all


To make it in Nigeria is very difficult for a common man except through grace of God

Anybody who's opportuned to leave should do so and not be decieved by what they read online

How could someone who spent 31yrs in usa motivate me to stay back in Nigeria! Someone who left Nigeria even when the system is still ok compared to what we have on ground now

Is it everyone who could afford to buy a power generating set?

Is it everyone who could afford to drill borehole?

Is is everyone who will be able to go to standard private hospital when they are sick?


[/quote]