₦airaland Forum

There is nothing wrong in traveling to Europe and North America to seek greener pastures. Nigeria can be very depressing at times and the country is not that organized. I've heard stories of how people will be working for small business owners in Nigeria and not get paid for months or they are paid rubbish wages that can not help them plan for their future. Some Nigerians are better off in Europe because they won't be a burden on their more successful siblings who are based in Nigeria. The poster complained about a lot of things in the UK but he did not talk about what Africans face in other European countries. It is not easy for Africans to live in countries like France, Germany, Italy or Spain. It is even harder for them in countries like Poland, Czech Republic etc. Many Africans including Nigerians come to Britain because they find things easier there. Instant steps are taken in the UK if you are discriminated against. Racism does not go unpunished in the UK and it is easier to move ahead in Britain than other parts of the EU. That is why Nigerians who have gotten EU Passports move to Britain to access the opportunities there. Nigeria is a country of about 160 million people so it won't be that bad if about 10% of the population live outside the country.

Nigeria has opportunities no doubt but the place is still chaotic to an extent. You can't predict the time you'll get to work in Nigeria especially in the big cities unless you drive yourself to work early enough. The FG is not putting into place policies that will generate jobs for the unemployed and the Security of people in the country cannot be guaranteed. So a lot of work has to be done to get Nigeria on the right footing. The Government has to put in a scheme that will allow Nigerians to be identified by a National number so that the issue of fraud can be reduced drastically. Banks are scared of giving loans to small entrepreneurs in Nigeria because they cannot be properly identified and may run away with the money in the long run. We don't even have a proper Birth Registration Agency in Nigeria. Can we proudly say we know the number of babies that were delivered in Oyo State in 2011 or in the last 3 months? Data is very important in National Development and this is an area we need to work on. I have discovered that is individuals in Nigeria that are doing things to keep Nigeria growing. And individuals cannot do it alone. The corruption in Nigeria is alarming. Then we have people who are doing well not thinking beyond taking care of their wives and children. For those living in Europe and North America, you should count yourself lucky to an extent. You have seen how things are being done there and you should not spend the rest of your life working menial jobs. If you can't run your own business, then get some decent education and apply for better jobs. If you feel your destiny lies in Nigeria, then you can save up and start something there. Make sure you have a British Passport, EU Passport or American Passport before going to set up something in Nigeria. It will help you to be able to travel the world easily without bottlenecks or harassment at different Airports. Just do something with your life.

You can sit down at home in the UK and access jobs easily. If you've registered with enough Agencies, you will always have something to do. Dishonest employers are routinely punished here and your wages will always be paid. There are a lot of Government Agencies and Private organizations that will fight for your rights as a worker and you can even get free legal aid. These are the kind of things and systems that should be implemented in Nigeria. Back in the days, I visited a so called Employment Agency in Lagos, Nigeria, and the place was very dirty and small. Very disorganized office with no computers and Landline Phones. It was a terrible sight. Why can't we do things properly in Nigeria? Corporate organizations are not also helping matters. Too much money is being spent on Music Jams, Reality Shows etc. Corporate Organizations can start building libraries and laboratories for Secondary schools in the country. This will help the country in producing more knowledgeable teenagers and youths. I could go on and on. Cheers.

Being Nigerian is more than just living in Nigeria. Nigeria is more than just a geographical expression. Nigeria is not where it should be presently because of the high level of corruption in the place. Corruption has to be weeded out out of the Nigerian Psyche for the country to develop. There are so many things that are wrong with Nigeria that I don't know where to start from. I have a friend who is on holiday in Nigeria at the moment. He lives in the UK and he is Nigeria for a 3 Weeks holiday. He has been finding it difficult to connect with his office and friends back in the UK because of the slow internet speed in Nigeria. The internet which is the vehicle of personal and national development is taken for granted in the UK and the rest of Europe. That is not the case in Nigeria. So people have their own reasons for living in Britain and other countries in Europe due to bad state of things in Nigeria. How many Nigerians can afford to visit eateries like Sweet Sensation, Tantalizers, Tastee Fried Chicken, Mr Biggs etc on a constant basis? I also believe that Nigeria has a lot of potentials that are yet to be harnessed. This is why I said that Nigeria is more than a Geographical Expression. You can be a Nigerian and live in Europe or even have multiple Passports and Nationalities. You can be in North America and have a Company in Nigeria. It is all about putting together a team in Nigeria and having intelligent management skills that will ensure that your business becomes a success.

The Poster made a lot of points that are valid. It is not easy for Africans to get good jobs in the UK. There are a lot of bills to be sorted out on a monthly basis and racism still exists. Many Africans do menial jobs or jobs that are unskilled and the coming of the Polish and other EU Nationals into the UK has made the job market very competitive. Many Nigerians are also busy trying to get their papers and they enter into Marriages and all kinds of arrangements that stop them from achieving their true potentials. The UK is going through a Recession but there are still opportunities in the country compared to other European Countries like Spain, Italy, Ireland and France. I still wonder why some Nigerians will do menial jobs for a long time. The Average Nigerian is intelligent and should be able to set up a business of his own after some years or get an education and vie for better jobs. We need Nigerians in the diaspora to open up companies in Nigeria and also stimulate the intellectual prowess of youths in the country. What stops Nigerians in London from pulling resources together and hold Career and Self Employment Fairs for Graduates who are just living Nigerian Universities and Polytechnics? There is a lot to be done for Nigeria by Nigerians in the diaspora. You don't have to live in Nigeria to succeed in life or even run a Nigerian Company. There are Nigerian and Carribean Communities in the UK. Smart Nigerians can tap into these communities and make money with good business ideas. Information is key in the world today and if you're creative, you can become the next Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates. Cheers.

God exists in my life and nobody can change my belief in him. Cheers.

I feel this is a good move by the Abia State Government. What I don't like is the word 'Donating' used to refer to Governor Theodore Orji's giving out Refuse Disposal Trucks. The Governor is merely doing what he is supposed to do as the leader of Abia State. I will prefer it if the Abia State Government can go into proper Recycling of waste products in the state. Building two Recycling Plants in the State will ensure that the rubbish generated in the state is recycled and sold to Companies in Nigeria and Asia who can now reuse them as raw materials. The Lagos State Government is doing something in this regard. Governor Fashola has implemented a recycling policy for Lagos and I've seen photographs of what is going on there. Rubbish can yield good money for Abia State if it recycled properly. Nigeria as a country needs a National Recycling Policy. People should stop bashing the Abia State Government . Theodore Orji is on the right track. Cheers.

I am really touched with the story of these guys who were jailed in China. I wonder what Nigerians are going to do in China. The Chinese don't give a damn about Africans and we all know how they manage their Factories and Companies in Nigeria. I also blame Nigerians for doing illegal things in foreign lands. In Western Europe, the Prisons have better living conditions for foreign prisoners. This is because the human rights laws in Europe are very strong unlike China and other parts of Asia. The Chinese Authorities treat their own people unkindly not to even talk about Africans. Nigerians should aim for better climes rather than China. Cheers.

Hmn. I don't even know where to start. I believe siblings fall apart for a number of reasons. Envy is one of these reasons. We should all realize that though siblings come out of the birth canal of the same Mother, their destinies are different. The eldest child might not be the most successful child. In a family of 7 children, the 5th born might become richer than the other children due to reasons best known to God and hardwork. Sometimes, strife among siblings is caused by the Father or Mother who openly love one child than the others. The other children will notice this as they grow up and resentment and hate for the favored child sets in. Naturally, there will be competition among siblings but the behaviour of Parents also lead to disharmony among siblings later in life. So when the 4th born starts prospering than his senior brothers and sisters, strife sets in. I have also observed that wives and husbands of siblings also contribute to them falling apart. Women are naturally very competitive and they can wreck havoc on the love between two brothers. I know what I am saying because I have experienced this directly. The wife of an elder brother might not be too happy seeing her husband's junior brother doing well than him. So jealousy sets in and we all know what can happen.

In Europe and North America, there is little love between siblings because of the pressure to see who makes it big first. We have this absurd belief in Africa that the first born must do well than his junior siblings and that they must look up to him all the time. I have since thrown this belief into the dustbin and I've focused on my future with a view to doing well in life. Jay Jay Okocha's brother started playing football before him. Emmanuel Okocha played for the Super Eagles one or two times but Austin Okocha became a legend in the Nigerian National Team. It was even Emmanuel that took Austin Okocha to Germany. Jay Jay played for Clubs in Europe that his elder brother could only dream of. Yet they are still close to one another without any acrimony between them. Same obtains between Emmanuel and Celestine Babayaro. So I believe siblings should love one another and realize that our destinies are different because it is God that has the final answer as to what we will become in life. Cheers.

@Naptu2, thanks for the good work you're doing. I am really proud of the Lagos State Government for making the Lagos Carnival an annual event. With this and other carnivals across the country, Nigerian tourism is being boosted gradually. Tourism can be a major revenue earner for the Nigerian Government and People if the right steps are taken by the Federal Government, Private Companies and Culture Enthusiasts in the country. Take a good look at Ibadan in Oyo State. Ibadan is Nigeria's unofficial city of culture but the Governors and people of Oyo State have not realized the cash cow that Ibadan is. You can hardly find a Nigerian Writer or Musician of repute that did not live, school or got trained in the city of Ibadan. Sade Adu was born in Ibadan. Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Odia Ofeimun, Dr Tony Marinho etc schooled in Ibadan either at the Government College or the University of Ibadan. Yet, Ibadan does not have a Carnival and its potential as a tourist centre has not been harnessed. On the other hand, there is no way participants at the Lagos Carnival will not dress like West Indians since the idea was brought down to Lagos from Brazil and the West Indies. What should be done is to infuse the other cultures in Lagos into the Festival i.e Hausa, Igbo, ijaw etc dressing and masquerades. I really love the idea of the Lagos Carnival.

There is nothing like being Self Employed. The wealthiest people in the world own their own businesses. I will advise the poster to become self employed if:

1. He has Talent: If you have got a talent which you can turn into a profitable venture, then you can forget about the oil job. Talent matters a lot in business because you will be passionate about what you are doing.

2. He has some Money to Start Off: Mr Poster, do you have some capital to start your business? You don't have to have millions of Naira in your Bank Account. Just have a tidy sum of money to begin with and grow your business gradually. I must let you know that you have to be patient before the profits start to roll in.

3. He has mapped out an Advertising & Marketing Plan: If you don't advertise, it is like you're winking in the dark. So the poster has to organize a Marketing Campaign that will fit into his budget. People need to be aware of what you're producing or selling.

The poster should read widely on being self employed. He could also take up the oil Company job if it pays well and save up some money to run his business later on. Cheers.

Kanye West should try and settle down just like Jay Z has done with Beyonce Knowles. He should be trying to become a role model to black youths in the USA. I'm not saying Jay Z is a perfect guy, but he has become a success because he is not getting involved in scandals these days. I hope Kanye and Kim's new relationship will not hit the rocks in a few months time . Hmn.

Good Friday is a day to reflect on the sacrifices Jesus Christ made for us. I don't really bother myself about the Meat thing. I will eat meat today and God will not be angry with me. I've stopped bogging my progress down some of these religious dogmas that hold people down mentally. Yes, I eat meat on Good Fridays and will continue to do so. Cheers.

Chelsea FC should just score one more goal and put a smile on my face. They are missing too many chances .

A better link online to watch the game, guys. Thanks. Can I have the link, Please? Cheers.

I just hope Roberto Di Matteo and his boys @ Stamford Bridge are watching this game. They should know what they are up against in the Semi Finals once they complete their victory over Benfica of Portugal tomorrow. I just know that Chelsea FC will halt Barcelona FC in the Champions League this year. The officiating is bad at the Nou Camp tonight.

Any link where I can watch this game live online? Thanks, Guys.

I am bemused by the comments Nairalanders have made on this thread. Let us appreciate what we have There are some good Nollywood Movies around and they are being screened at the Cinemas. Movie Producers like Kunle Afolayan and Obi Emenloye have stepped up the game and you can watch their Movies at the Cinemas springing up all over Nigeria. Movies like 'Phone Swap', 'The Figurine', 'Anchor Baby' ( Lonzo Nzekwe ) etc are really good with solid story lines. People should think before they make comments. I've watched some Hollywood Movies that glorify sex too. Nollywood is growing very fast on a daily basis and we need to support the Industry. I accept there is a need for improvement by some Nollywood Directors and Producers. However, with time, the wheat will be separated from the Chaff. Cheers.

Nice Bank with a solid history. I was shocked when I heard of Tayo Aderinokun's death. He really supported Nigerian Arts when he was alive. May his soul rest in Peace. Amen.

I think we will have to get used to it. I love this new look of Nairaland. A 7 year Old Child should look different from when he or she was born. Keep the good work up, Seun. Cheers.

Where do these people want to start from? I hope they have ways to move the money they might have saved in UK Bank Accounts to Nigeria. It is not a good experience getting deported from any country. They will have to start all over again, you know. Nigeria is not a terrible place to live in though there are a lot of things that still need to be done in the country. The British Government and the UK Border Force have intensified their efforts on locating and removing illegal immigrants from the UK. The Indians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis are the most targeted among the ethnic minority groups in Britain. Hundreds of them who are illegal immigrants are being picked up and deported on a Monthly Basis.

Sometimes, Nigerians get deported due to their own fault. If you know you're an illegal, why are you getting yourself involved in Credit Card Scams, Internet Dating Scams etc? Are you not placing a curse on yourself in the process? Some Nigerians without valid residence documents will be trying to claim benefits and in the end, they get caught by the authorities who then discover that they are illegal. If you don't have papers, just keep your head down and try to sort yourself out of the mess you've found yourself in. If you're honest, God will help you in due time. I pray for the 120 deported Nigerians that they will still do well in life. Don't Lose hope. Cheers.

I don't think the likes of Drogba, Lampard and Ashley Cole should be blamed for the poor performance of Chelsea FC. Andre Villas Boas was just not good enough to manage the club. He needs to gather more experience and come back to the English Premiership 4-5 years from now. I am very disappointed with what is going on at Stamford Bridge. This is the worst season for Chelsea FC in recent times. We need to qualify for next Season's Champions League and buy new players who are committed to taking the club to soccer glory. I believe Torres, Drogba, Mikel Obi etc should be offloaded and a new Squad built in preparation for next season. I still don't understand why Chelsea FC did not buy 2-3 Players from the German Squad @ South African 2012. Players like Lukas Podolski and Thomas Mueller would have added some bite to the Chelsea FC Squad. Lets see what Di Matteo will do before the Season ends. Cheers.

The Rooftop MCs are really good Gospel Music performers. I've been following them for some years now. I admire their creativity and they are really bold to have entered the industry as Gospel Hip-Hop Artistes. You might tempted to believe that they are not genuine Christians when you start listening to their Music, but you will soon discover that they've got deep messages embedded in their songs. I love 'Agbara Nla'. It is a solid track and I am looking forward to their new Mixtape which I hear is going to be very good. Luv ya, Guys.

I hope a blueprint has been drawn up to make this new NYSC Posting Policy work. I am happy that the FG has started to reason with my arguments. I don't see any sense in Corpers serving in Banks, Insurance Companies, Oil Companies etc. Are they serving the Nation or their Pockets? The NYSC Scheme ( Even though I want it to be scrapped and replaced with the National Volunteer Scheme ) should be about developmental work especially in our Research Institutes, Farming Settlements and Rural areas. I recommend that Graduates above 25 years old should be excluded from the NYSC Scheme and handed a one off payment of 250,000 Naira and told to do something with it. The remaining Graduates should then undertake the Youth Service and really contribute to the development of Nigeria. I have a lot of ideas on what should be done to make the NYSC a more useful scheme. The FG has taken the first steps and I commend the Presidency for this. Cheers.

@X-2-X

Thanks for the enlightening information. Cheers.

aribisala0

I have read on forums that if you've got a valid visa in your old Passport, you can still travel with it provided you've gotten the new E-Passport. The visa or Residence document in your old Passport was issued by another country and not the Nigerian Government. I feel that is why the sign 'Cancelled Without Prejudice' is stamped on your expired Passport. 'Cancelled Without Prejudice' means that any visa in the Passport issued by another Country can still be used for the purpose it was intended for provided it is still valid. I need to hear from someone who has traveled to Nigeria with a visa on a expired Passport MRP Passport and the new E-Passport. Thanks a Bunch.

I feel the Imo State Government should abandon plans for a State Airline and focus on creating jobs for Residents of the State. Rochas Okorocha should take things step by step so that he won't leave office with many abandoned Projects. He should focus on making Imo State very agrarian with an eye of exporting Food Produce to other Nigerian States and Countries in West Africa. A good idea is to set up Factories that can produce Food Products like Canned Fish, Fruit Juice, dried vegetable sauce etc. People cannot do without food, you know. By developing the Manufacturing base of Imo State, more indigenes will be employed in the process. An employed Nigerian is an asset for his State in the long run, because he or she will pay taxes and be responsible, obey the law and participate in the development of the environment around him or her. The Imo State Government should also take Recycling seriously. There is money to be made from Rubbish. If Okorocha can set up Recycling Centers in all the Local Government Areas of Imo State, many imolites will get employed in a very short time. The waste products that are being sorted out can then be sold on to Companies both inside and outside Nigeria who will reuse them in manufacturing goods and products.

Governor Rochas Okorocha, Bin the idea of a State Airline. That is not what you need for now

Nice Thread. The old Nigerian Passport is known as the MRP ( Machine Readable Passport ). It is being phased out gradually as the E-Passport is now to be used as our National Document. I need to clarify something. What happens if someone has a valid visa or Residence Documentation in the old Passport which has expired. The Visa in the old Passport is valid but the Passport has expired. Can the person travel to Nigeria and come back to Europe with both the new e-passport and the Old Passport which contains his Visa? I read someone that the visa ( issued by another country ) in your expired Passport is still valid because it was issued by another country. I need someone to explain this scenario to me. Thanks.

A Revolutrion will happen in Nigeria sooner or later. It is bound to happen with the way things are going. The best time for a Revolution in Nigeria is now. We have a weak President at the moment. Let us act on this opportunity. Thanks.

Why can't the FG just scrap the NYSC Scheme altogether for God's sake?   Let the damned scheme be scrapped once and for all. I'm tired of the stupidity of our leaders sef With the Boko Haram menace they are still sending Corpers from other parts of Nigeria to the North !!!  These mofos are surely high on weed or something. Na wa o. If any Southern Corper gets killed in the North once again, there could be a heavy retaliation by the people of the South West, South East or South South. Why are things so messed up in Nigeria? Haba

We all have different experiences in Europe and North America. Some Nigerians have good experiences while others have bad experiences. It is what we go through either good or bad that determines largely whether we want to remain abroad or head back to Nigeria. Some Nigerians started out as cleaners in London but today they own houses in Britain. There are people who are having spiritual problems and they've got to overcome the psychic forces tormenting their lives before they can break through abroad. Some Nigerians are also meant to succeed back home. I still see Nigeria as HOME but I know I have to stay in the UK to achieve my artistic dreams. I don't hold a British Passport or an European Passport but I'm always complimented about my good diction and fluent English Language skills. What I'm trying to say is that we hardly change from whom we are back in Nigeria and character is built over time. There are enough resources we can make use of here in Europe and North America but many Nigerians are mainly concerned about cash and material possessions. When you're good at something and you're focused, the money will come in an avalanche in due time. There are Africans in the UK earning millions of pounds in the creative industries but they're very reserved people. You just need to dig deeper into the internet archives to see their achievements. We are all cut out to succeed in life and Nigeria is not the only place where you can be respected as a Black Man or Woman. Cheers.

I feel it is time for me to properly comment on this type of threads that pop up on Nairaland frequently these days. There is nothing wrong in travelling abroad. The greatest thing that has happened to me is leaving the shores of Nigeria for Europe. I have really developed myself and my reasoning has changed. I also believe that travelling abroad guarantees a better future for those who can make lemonade out of stone. Exposure is very critical to the development of a Man. Before I traveled to Britain, I always thought white people were special people that cannot do any wrong. Today, I know Britain has dull, wasteful and unambitious white people. I have also discovered that if you're good at what you do, you will become successful abroad no matter the discrimination you might face. What would have happened if Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie had decided to stay back in Nigeria? Would she have found a safe haven in the USA to write her Prize Winning books 'Half of a A Yellow Sun' and 'Purple Hibiscus'? Mind you, Chimamanda also attended solid Universities in the States for her Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies. What about Tunde Baiyewu ( The British-Nigerian ) who is the vocalist for the Lighthouse Family? Tunde Baiyewu spent his early years in Nigeria and even spent a year or two at a Nigerian Polytechnic before moving back to Britain ( Where he was born ). Would he have met Paul Tucker ( His Band  Mate ) if he had stayed back in Nigeria? Do Nigerians even appreciate the kind of music the Lighthouse Family perform? So I believe it is all about destiny, Nairalanders.

When people complain about taxes abroad, I just laugh  Taxes are the mainstay of Western Nations and it is an an offence to be evading taxes. Tax Cash is used to develop the infrastructure in the UK. Your rubbish is collected weekly because of the tax you pay. The roads are smooth because of the tax you're paying. That beautiful park near your home remains well maintained because you and loads of other workers and business people in Britain are paying their taxes. Someone was talking about Mortgages being expensive. There are different categories of houses you can move into and you can get some mortgages in different parts of Britain for about £750 per month. At the end of the day, the house will be yours.  Racism exists and I am not denying it. However, blacks also get good jobs in the UK. If you're skillful in something and you're educated, you can rise to the greatest heights with the help of God. Another reason why Nigerians have problems in Britain is that they don't have the right papers or get their documents very late. So many years would have been wasted trying to get documents that would help them take greater steps towards being successful abroad. Some Nigerians and Africans are also contented with doing menial jobs for a long time and do not take advantage of the educational system of Britain and Europe to get some qualifications. Because I am a creative person, being abroad is good for me for now. I still want to study and test the skilled job market here. I've got a lot of options before me at the moment and I want to get the best out of the European System. Traveling abroad means different things for different people. The problem arises when Nigerians equate being abroad with being able to earn substantial amounts of money and live large. I don't think like that though I know I'll be wealthy somehow. Lastly, you can't compare Nigeria to the Western World. Even the poor people in Britain are taken care of and they have access to quality healthcare. We all come from Africa to Europe, North America and Britain, but our destinies are different. We should all just strive to make the best out of life wherever we find ourselves. Cheers.

Hmn. I wish Clarion Chukwura the best. She was great as an actress and she has a good diction. Well, she might have misbehaved in the past but being Christ entails a new beginning. I really hope she is sincere about her calling. True Christianity is a serious matter o . For all those criticizing her, I feel you should also look at yourselves in the mirror. No one is perfect. Cheers.

It is easier to live in Nigeria without a job than in the UK. Things are tough in Britain at the moment and foreigners are are not looked positively upon these days ( Especially if you're Black or Asian ). If you don't have a job in Nigeria, you will at least have family and siblings to fall back on. In Britain, if you're legal, you can claim Job Seekers Allowance if you're jobless and get some other benefits. However, the money you'll be given is not enough to make you live comfortably. Many British lads and ladies spend their Job Seekers Allowance ( Paid out every 2 weeks ) on food and beer/clubbing. If you're illegal in the UK, you're at the mercy of people for you to survive. You won't be able to get a good job ( unless you use false documentation ) and even if you use forged documents to work, you would be found out sooner or later and deported. After all said and done, I believe God has plans for everyone. It is the God Factor that matters in life. People say a lot of negative things about Nigerians in the UK but I know it is possible to become a Millionaire or whatever you wish to become anywhere in the World. It will take a lot of hardwork and prayers, but things will come out well for those who believe in God. Cheers.