₦airaland Forum

I see a lot of remorse for MTN here.
Remember that MTN is only acting based on available competition in the market.
If you need to vent your anger, look at the regulatory body, that's their job.

netotse:
omo, no matter the kind of music you name i danced to it o. . .not er'one that influences his/her posting does so because of comfort. . .go figure!

I am not perturbed by your reason to influence your posting. I am disturbed that some can influence and hence enjoy the scheme because of their advantage, while others who actually experience the scheme for what it is, might feel otherwise. But like I said earlier, this is just a minor indication of a bigger national issue.

Dis Guy:
But atleast you are better prepared physiologically than someone that gets flung anywhere to do anything

kind of agree, a friend got sent to calabar, served in a bank another friend got flung elsewhere, to serve with a local government council with no office per se just an abandoned building with no electricity so had to sit outside trying to learn the language with the help of almajiri students for months until he tweaked it and moved out

As far as NYSC postings are not a level playing ground (at least to a good degree), we shall keep on seeing threads like "Is it Wise to Come Back To Do NYSC"

seedgie:
@ i am a newbie intending to apply for masters in canada (petroleum engineering/ geoscience). i graduated with a 2.2 in geology in one of the fed. universities. please i need info on schools without tofeol as requirement for admission. I equally want to know if should apply for april or may batch. pls i need your response fast. thnks

@seedgie. There are alot of schools that would waive off TOEFL for you. But the bigger challenge is: have you seen a program where you fit the CGPA entry requirement ?. If you have, simply write them that your undergraduate study was in English in Nigeria. They might offer you a waiver or other means of satisfying the requirement. This is common.

netotse:
I'm not a foreign trained grad but i'll add my 2 cents.

I chose where i wanted to carry out my NYSC(right down to the place i was posted) and for me what determined that choice was my career path, i have my NYSC as part of my work experience, i'm not the patient type so i knew i wasn't going to teach anybody's child. . .lol

This is the persistent Naija issue. NYSC rules are there. Those who can't tweak it, face the music. Those who can, sing a different song.

IBEXY:
Dont listen to jingoistic remarks here. There are other ways to show your patriotism for naija apart from denying the stark pathetic realities there.

I like the dimension of your argument

pharmow:
Thanks for the prompt response Rare. i so much appreciate your kind gesture. i will try to contact them ASAP. in respect to the assistance you said u'll give in reviewing the mail before sending it,this is my email addy femcast@yahoo.com so that u can peep your email addy to me. once again thank you

I will mail you

pharmow:
 iii)Am i not going to have issue with CDHC considering the fact that am presently 27 yrs

@pharmow, just to mention one thing about the age issue. The visa application usually has a questionnaire in which your study & work history are inquired. As far as you can account for every period, without gap years, you reduce the probability of having any problems with age. Moreover, if the MSc application is successful, your age would definitely be ideal.

pharmow:
@ Rare,
Thank you so so much for the response, when i went to the Mcgill link, the requirement for the program are that Candidates should have completed, with high academic standing (CGPA 3.0 out of 4.0), a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, in a discipline relevant to occupational health, such as: chemistry, engineering, environmental sciences, physics, medicine, nursing or other health science.
About the CGPA i had 3.18/4.0 and by a bachelor's degree or its equivalent can they give consideration to HND. my discipline is microbiology,i think that is relevant. moreso, you said something about taking some extra terms of undergraduate courses instead of starting afresh please what do you mean by this, can you please emphasize on how to go about it. thanks, anticipating your response

Here is a web page containing contact detail for the Occupational Science program http://www.mcgill.ca/index/?Unit=239 (email: graduate.occh@mcgill.ca).
Contact them with a detailed description of your scenario, explaining how an HND ranks with respect to a Bachelor's in Nigeria. From their experience of admissions, they should be able to know how to rank equivalence. Worse case scenario, you get conditional admission requiring you to take some undergraduate courses to fulfill your entry shortfalls. I know people who have done that. But ultimately you graduate with a master's degree, which is my emphasis.
I can assist you to review the mail you send to the school, for appropriateness. You should be prepared to call them to discuss this, if it warrants it.

@Kollinfbi;
I would appreciate if you had some form of US or Canadian immigration reference (web link) for this so-called "New General Student Visa Route"

You wonder what people use the internet for ?. The poster could have handled it better armed with discrete information.
Worse off, is the impression he'll relay to other first-time travellers back home.

pharmow:
iv) is there any institution offering BSc in Occupational health and safety in canada, i have searched the net but cant find any v)what are the minimum wages of the provinces in canada.
Your responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

McGill University, Master of Science (Applied) in Occupational Health Sciences: http://www.mcgill.ca/occh/programs/msc/
With a HND, rather than aspire to a Bachelor's degree, I believe you can negotiate admission requirements for a master's degree, and take some extra terms of undergraduate courses.

Minimum wages, by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC): http://srv116.services.gc.ca/dimt-wid/sm-mw/rpt1.aspx?lang=eng

Dis Guy:
, but another major reason could be to further their career or pick up new opportunities in the emerging economy,

This is a potent reason.

Moreso, if like Okija_juju, you secure the citizenship and have a good career-enhancing offer plus having decent savings, I think you can easily make the relocation, knowing the reverse direction is always possible.
The greatest concern might be spouse and kids.

mctolspell:
I received my package from the embassy stating that my account statement is counterfeit, on that basis i am hereby denied and barred from entering Canada for two years unless if can get a letter from my bank stating the reasons for this and i have asked/done my medical. Pls i want to know my chance of getting the visa if my bank send them the requested letter.
Pls i need your advice , urgently

@Mctolspell, no one here can answer that question because only you know the truth.
If you're confident in the authenticity of your documentation, then provide the letter as requested, and the decision can be reversed.
You have been given the option to defend yourself, exploit it if you're confident
If you were just testing waters, and not eager to come to Canada; now is a good time to give up !!

mikeujoel:
Actually it's different strokes for different folks.

Like I said in my first post, I have no regrets for going overseas. That notwithstanding, I still maintain the notion that it is not all bad with Nigeria. Guys, I have got friends back home that are doing so well. I do not doubt the fact that jobs are difficult to come by back home, but don't tell me there are no opportunities. Hell no!

You have to create these opportunities for yourselves. There are Nigerians doing well overseas and there are still thousands of Nigerians languishing in poverty overseas. If you doubt me, go to the UK and US. I have been opportuned to school and work in the UK as well as in France and Asia and I know a lot of our brothers that are not doing well overseas, they all want to come back home but are ashamed of what folks back home will say. You see in Nigeria we have this silly mentality that everyone overseas is doing well.

How do we solve the Nigerian situation? Dude, I really do not know. The Nigerian case is a serious one, but at the end of the day it is our home. Our only home. So to all those Nigerians overseas that keep bashing Nigeria, I say shame on you. You are abandoning your country and expect the White man to accept you in a foreign land? Hell no! you will always remain a second class citizen (even if you hold the country's passport). I am appalled at the response of some guys in this forum with regards the situation in Nigeria. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Talking down on your country.

Yes, we agree Nigeria is in a mess but we can change it. We are just 40 years old, if you read history books  you will find out the US and UK where no better at that age. These trying tmes will past, I assure you. The wind of change has started already.

I know I will receive some bashing (as usual) for this post, bring it on. You guys may claim having lived in the UK and US for over 10 - 15 years, I do not doubt this. I too have schooled in the UK, worked in the UK, France, Malaysia, Singapore and presently the Middle East (because of the nature of my job), so I know what I am saying. I will have it no other way, I have the opportunity of continuing earning good money and living in the Middle East for the next 5 years but hell no! I am going back home. Ol' boy there is fun in Nigeria.

@mikeujoel,
Decisions like yours are better made after first-hand experiences. You have had a lot of exposure, and made money, and are well-positioned to fit back into Nigeria to lead a decent life & make some impact however little, having satisfied your dreams. I'm sure you wouldn't have felt like a hurried return after merely your first year out of Nigeria or when you were still yearning more exposure.

seeni4ever:
try to go to nigeria and find out everything. that will be a very good thing to do. if they can offer you more than 200,000 a month in nigeria, my brother i will advise you to take without hesitation. cost of living in nigeria is not that bad. you can get a nice apartment for less than 8000 a month in abuja, lagos or porth harcourt even in ibadan. at the end of the day u will be happy that u take the job.

Are you kidding? 8000 a month in those cities can not be termed "nice".

I like these criteria posted by Oyinda for considering the subject of "regrets":

" 1)The age of person at time of immigration. the older you were the less opportunities you may feel are available to you abroad.
2) Length of time abroad. the longer u've been abroad, the more disenchanted you may become and start thinking of coming back home.
3) Position in Naija. If you were rich in naija, it may be better to stay home. That's why politicians and big business men only go abroad for summers and vacations even though many have the option of staying abroad permanently.
4) Success abroad. obviously if you have achieved your dream abroad, then you probably want to remain there."

Besides that, why do I get this feeling that contributors on this thread that are in Nigeria get this feeling of joy when they read about Nigerians abroad suffering. Then comes the ever-endless tales of Nigerians abroad being cleaners/janitors, menial jobs etc. Whilst it is not anybody's dream, these people are actually financially independent, which is something that doesn't come easy in Nigeria.

I wish we can come to the state when we can simply appreciate and respect everyone's decision. If you are in Nigeria , enjoy it; if you are abroad, enjoy it. We can channel the energy of home versus abroad arguments into discussions of how we can do collaborative business.
If I am abroad, how can I do any collaborative business in Nigeria without trustworthy capable hands resident in Nigeria?.

Cuddlemii:
Thank you very much everyone.
I have an insight to everything now. I will apply to at least 2 masters programs in Canada whether top or below and Let God do the rest. Me on my own would polish & upgrade my IT skills and qualifications as an added advantage for job, I cant shout.
I cant keep obsessing about masters abeg since 2007.

@Cuddlemi, if I may suggest, why not apply to a good blend?; one top (your dream-sch) & one 'below' as you put it. You never know!!
Some of the 'below' schools can be surprisingly more expensive from my research. You might get a top sch with comparative fees (but higher entry requirement). So experiment with a blend.

Cuddlemii:
@Rare, what school would that be.

University of Alberta

Laajman:
@Rare- I haven't read previous postings, but I assume you live in Canada.
I think if you're looking to work here, choosing an Ontario school would be a safe play as most
recruiters visit all these schools.

A lot of the high-rated and popular schools are in Ontario; but I believe we still got a few equally good ones outside of it, that are also visited by employers, because I've seen a lot of them come here, and students securing jobs.

gel03:
@rare, charlie193
I just want to know if the school (concordia university college of alberta) is ok as in standard. Then any other thing u feel i should know about the school will be appreciated as well.
Thanks.

It's not the most popular school in Alberta. I really don't know much about it to be honest.
I don't want to go into issue of rankings because it's been heavily criticized here

Laajman:
Also, do you also want to work here after schooling, or return home right away? If you're staying back here, choosing the right school
could go a long way in getting a decent job.

@Laajman, I've always believed it should work this way; does it actually ? That was prime in my mind while choosing my school

gel03:
@ rare, charlie 193
Please does any one know about concordia university college of alberta? I am thinking of applying for a masters program. Thanks.

@gel03; I know the school exists but I've never been there. Any particular thing you'd like to know about it ?

[/quote][quote author=fishhooks link=topic=118823.msg7155453#msg7155453 date=1289917383]Hello Nairalanders
I have been reading all the posts here with keen interest and would appreciate some frank advice on relocating. A lot of wise counsel has been given and would be most eager to read your take on my post.
My brother is 40 years old with a degree in Animal Science but completely fed up with living  in Nigeria and has been considering relocating to Canada.
I know his age is somewhat of an issue but would really appreciate some practical advice as to what sort of visa he can apply for and what his chances of getting a job in this field are.
Thank you

This is complicated

biometrix:
Hello all.
To your know what documents do you think the CDHC verifies e.g Bank statement, employers reference transcript etc? My transcripts were sent directly from my issuing university does it need verification? They have not contacted my bank or employer either. Got a letter for my medical test in 20working days, what does this mean(sure approval or further processing)? and how long from experience do you think it would take to get my visa after my medicals?

Nice work here,

@Biometrix, what's the fuss about? Just follow the instructions on the medical letter.
It's obvious you haven't read through this entire thread properly. Do so, and you'll see your answers.

tosinosho1992:
@Rare,

Thanks for the info. Can I leave for Canada a month before my course starts?

@Tosinosho1992
Your entry into Canada is only dependent on the range of dates as approved on your TRV. You can travel anytime within that range, irrespective of your school calendar.

charlie193:
@Tosinosho
yes you will need to show some of your document at the port of entry. docunent like your passport, letter of admission, temporary entry visa, letter of intoduction given to you by the embassy, prove of funds, etc.
check www.cic.gc.ca to get the detail of the document in will need at the port of entry.
about the one way ticket, i am even confused about this. maybe someone in the house can help us out.

I always heard this fear of 'one-way' ticket when I was in Naija. Upon arrival at my port of entry, no one asked me anything about my travel ticket neither was I asked for proof of funds, and I entered as a student. I was only asked of all other documents you mentioned.
The differing stories might be because there are different border officials at the ports.

@Lakewood; you're welcome. Let me know if there's other info I can assist with.

tosinosho1992:
I implore you to read the live appeal cases of study permit refusals heard at the Federal Court of Canada, to have a general idea of what is expected of an applicant by the visa officer, and how cases are dealt with. Please follow this link:
http://decisions.fct-cf.gc.ca/fc-eliisa/search?language=EN&courtScope=fc&all=study+permit&title=&citation=

Tosinosho, this is a very insightful link. Am amazed at the number of refugee applicant cases, who are Nigerians !!

Geolalisa:
@ Poster
I will strongly advice you get your NYSC certificate, cos even if you decide to go for your masters and after which you want to come back to nigeria and work, you must present your NYSC certificate. so is not a waste of time. Best of luck.

Being abroad gives you an easy excuse to maneouvre.
I was just thinking that if completing your masters program puts your age beyond the maximum allowable age, you can always request an exemption from NYSC.

Hence, your profile might look like this: foreign bachelor's degree + foreign master's degree + (possibly foreign work experience) + NYSC exempt certificate = High employability in Nigeria !!

But if your age is much lower than the borderline, then you can experiment it.

Lakewood:
Hello @ Rare,
I am looking at completing my MSc in Human resources Management in canada next year.(Fall 2010)
I have done extensive research and York university and University of Toronto seem to be the only schools offering post graduate studies in Human Resouces management. I have applied to York and am currently applying to Uof T
It seems kinda strange that only 2 schools in the whole of canada offer such a popular course.
For avoidance of doubt, would u know of any other good universities that offer a Masters in Human Resources Management. (not MBA)
Many thanks,

@Lakewood; a lot of schools may offer human resource mgt as an option under their MBA program, which is not your focus.

Also, in schools where it is available, it may not necessarily be offered as a 'Masters in Human Resources Management' in most schools, but rather as a research option under the MSc Management programs.
For example, I found this one in the University of Ottawa, where it is a focal option under a masters in Management: http://www.telfer.uottawa.ca/mscmgt/en/msc-in-management-human-resources-management-focus
Hope that helps.

obietrix:
@Rare, its advisable to apply to more than a school.it incresses the chances to be admitted.

I haven't stated anything against applying to more than a single school. I only discouraged the idea of settling for less without a thorough research.

I like the advise from Tosinosho1992 anyway.

tosinosho1992:
Regardless of what is published on their website regarding admission criteria, a second class to them is an equivalent of B or B+ which to the best of my knowledge a CGPA of 2.97 would not suffice for.

I believe the response from Obietrix has questioned this conclusion

gel03:
hello house,  Pls does anyone have an idea wat d visa chances are for someone going for a second degree. I already have a bachelors degree but wit a cgpa of 2.97(2.2) which has made it difficult 4me to get a masters program. Secondly, make i no lie, i dont want to write gmat cos of  the stress i wil have to go thru traveling to either lagos or abuja. i live in asaba and just had a baby 3months ago. So i decided to apply for a program cald management as a second degree in uleth.its undergraduate. The program is meanth for people with a first degree. What i want  to know is if d embassy will see a problem with it since i already have a bachelors degree. I am married. Am 27yrs old and i work as well. Pls any sugestion would be highly appreciated.  Thanks all.

If you are applying to an undergrad program b'cos of your GPA alone, I think you haven't done enough research. Or are there other issues not mentioned?
Are you keen on Management courses (related to Technology) ?. Here's a program that suits your profile for moderate entry requirement; and also it's a graduate program not requiring GMAT: http://www.mun.ca/become/graduate/programs/MTM.php

morpheus24:
People who often get good jobs after service have connections of some sort so if you are one of those go ahead and play your hand.

The probability is not on your side being that we have over 150+ people in nigerian garning for few government positions. Choose wisely

This is not entirely true. The probability is low, I agree.

Nowadays NYSC is more about seeking work experience than about service.
Seems you are in early phases of kick-starting your career, this might be important to you.

With a foreign degree you can dictate your preference for your NYSC location. That's a plus !!
So if you have a desired location, try to seek opportunities with firms there where you can spend the one-year NYSC requirement as well as get work experience. Hopefully you can be housed, because you can't rely on the allowances for that in the bigger cities.

On the other hand if you can secure a relevant job wherever you are now OR you are absolutely ready to start the master's degree, you might not want to give it up for NYSC. You can always get an exemption note from the NYSC body years later, when you're past the age limit.

I do not mean to deter you from the 'service' year. If indeed you want to explore the voluntary service (esp in those remote rural areas), please do so. Some of us already enjoyed that.

tosinosho1992:
Hello All,

I must confess you guys are really doing justice to Canadian immigration with your meaningful advice. Please I could really use your help. I am in the process of submitting an application for a study permit to the London CHC. I live in Scotland where I did my masters degree. Please find below my information.

1) Foreign Student from Ghana in Scotland on a two year work permit.
2) Masters in Biomedical Science from Scotland.
3) BSc (Hon) Biochemistry from Africa.
4) Accept for MSc Biochemistry University of Victoria, with the option of switching to PhD in the second year
5) Work in a Cancer Research Institute in Scotland, work experience Unpaid
6) Funding/Scholarship form University of Victoria $18,000 per year (this covers my tuition, living expenses and miscellaneous)
7) I'm including my Uncle's statement of account worth $120,000 and business documents from Africa
I'm also including a letter from Virgin Atlantic manager (Africa), that's my brother.
9) Letters of reference from Scientist from my University and Institute.
10) My parents live in Africa, so I'm including a plan of our residential house in Africa.
10) And my statement of account with just £2000 and also a police certificate.
11) Age 26

Please do you think the documents would suffice, and if the scholarship would improve my chances. Also anybody with the London experience could please share their time line.

I look forward to your replies.

@tosinosho1992, it was a good thing you didn't take the scholarship for granted by providing additional financial support from sponsors. Well-thought out. I know a few people who fell into the trap are were denied on financial basis in spite of scholarships.

I see a trend here. Canada is attracting alot of int'l student MSc holders from UK to onwards research.

It's as useful to a hairdresser as any other business.

This brings me to an important point. The poster is probably only thinking of a local audience. Imagine visitors (or tourists) who want to come to Nigeria, and would like such information for their planning.

We want to market (or rebrand) Nigeria, but we don't even think it's possible.