sunnymighty:


Congrats! Bro. My question is this....I have been working with a local NGO here in Nigeria that rehabilitates Children with disabilities, precisely Down Syndrome, I have attended series of Certified trainings here in Nigeria organized by Int'l Organizations and NGOs. I wish to continue in this line because it is my passion. What are my chances? Is it possible to apply for jobs over there from here? Even if I have to be trained when I get there, btw I will be Fifty this year and also occupy a top position where I work. Expecting your reply. Thanks!

Good day sir, I remember we spoke about getting a job with the NGO you work for last year when I just finished schooling, I had to go for youth service. I'll be done by next month
How can I contact you? Would be honored to work in your organization

You wise so? You just allow me waste data for rubbish?

Interested boss!!
I no like wahala
Just check me out 🙏
Guobe

iCauseTrouble:
I work from home plus I run a small business.
I pay myself and my staff on 25th of each month

Boss you get online work for me or you have space
I can work online

Nostradamu:
5-10 minutes read.

This post is a breakdown of my arrival story from Nigeria, my MOTHERLAND, to Adelaide, my new home in Australia.

Note:
1. Events here are from my POV.

2. I am a first-time traveler.

3. Remember to take this information as something other than a living document; events stated here could have changed or discarded when you read it.

4. Nonetheless, you can use these instructions to guide your next journey. I'll include as much information as needed to help anyone with a similar situation.

Documents I prepared from Lagos, Nigeria:

1. My international passport.

2. Visa grant, printed one document containing 4 pages. (I made 3 extra sets of photocopies, which wasn't required, as I found out later, but I just wanted to be safe than sorry.)

3. Yellow Fever Vaccination Card. The officials at the point of entry into Australia asked me for it.

4. My Covid vaccination card. The officers didn't request it either in Nigeria or Australia.
Airline ticket

5. Receipt for extra legroom on the plane (entirely optional).

6. Receipt for my lounge in Doha (entirely optional).

Departure experience from MMIA (New Terminal)

We were told that Qatar Airways had relocated to the new terminal at the airport. So, that was where I eventually boarded.

My flight was scheduled to depart at 21:10 hrs, but I arrived 5 hours earlier at the airport. Leaving the house was a personal decision as Qatar only required me to be there 3 hours earlier.

Only travelers were allowed at this new terminal, so my brother and mum were told to stay outside. But one of the officers changed her mind and later said Mumsy could follow me.

Customs
The first people I met were officers of the Nigerian customs who asked me a few questions. I politely responded to all their inquiries, and they let me go without much hassle.

Staff of Qatar Airways
Qatar Airlines officers were the next to screen me. They weighed my luggage and tagged it. Me wey get sense pass federal government, I'd already bought a portable luggage scale at home.

With the scale, I ensured everything I packed was 2-3kg less than the airline's requirement. And because I arrived early, I was the first in line when boarding was announced.

Then, I went through the airline check-in, where they inspected my passport and a print-out of my e-ticket. They also re-weighed my bags and didn't give me plenty wahala because I met the weight requirements.

I did not make the mistake of packing any local food with me on this trip because I can't speak grammar. This decision saved me lots of headaches in MMIA and at Adelaide airport.

Immigration experience and rules to follow
Before I got to the immigration desk, I filled out a piece of paper with several questions (can't remember the name of that document again).

When I got to their desk, the screening was quite thorough.
- My passport and visa grant were reviewed

- The piece of paper I filled was checked

- All my items (bags, jacket, phones, etc) were scanned with a machine

- Then, there was a metal detector (i.e., magnetometer) that I had to walk through with my shoes off.

Omo, it was thorough.

As per the extortion that most travelers had experienced and complained about, it was very subtle. Only one mama immigration officer jokingly asked me to "bless" her. But I tipped the others that screened me out of my volition.

Nobody per se compelled me to give them anything, not even the customs official. I almost didn't believe I was at MMIA because the atmosphere was very professional.

For a moment, I almost attributed that experience to the new sheriff in town - Keyamo. But that's a discussion for another day.

Quick Tip: MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED WHILE ALL OF THESE EVENTS/INSPECTIONS ARE GOING ON.

Final Check-in
After scaling all these hurdles, the last lap of my journey was the last check before I boarded the plane.

My people, i no go lie for you, IT WAS EVERY LETTER OF THE WORD: SURREAL.

Like, "na me dey comot for Naija so?"; "Abi dem go announce say the flight has been canceled." ; "what if one DSS officer just con meet me say they 'have questions'?"

Just crazy things were going through my coconut head, and I didn't know why.

Omo!!!

Anyways, I was saying.

There was a big area where all the travelers were waiting for the boarding call. At this point, I still had over 2 hours to play around that part of the airport wing.

So, I went to eat Indomie noodles in one of the restaurants at a price that would buy two cartons.

But it's all good.

When it was time to board, the announcement was made, and the staff of Qatar Airways commenced the final check of all our hand luggage.

Then, we were ushered to our various seats by beautiful and very polite air hostesses.

The journey from MMIA Lagos to Doha International Airport took over 8 hours. Omo, I watch films tire; especially when the turbulence started.

The only thing that consoled me during that tense period was that I didn't watch ANY movie about plane crashes, and I increased the volume of the movies so much it was only the vibration of the plane I felt.

Don't blame me; local man never traveled before, especially at 39K feet in the air.

Here are the answers to the set of questions below:

* Stopover experience? When did you land at the airport?

We landed in Dohar at night, I can't remember the time now. But my stopover was for 14 hours, 55 minutes. Luckily, my uncle had purchased a lounge for me to rest. The payment lasted only six hours, which I renewed for $75 because I had about $900 cash. That ensured that I had 12 hours of access and spent the remaining 2 hours locating my boarding gate.
ABEG, QATAR AIRPORT IS BEAUTIFUL.


* How did you carry all that cash with you?
I only had $900, which I didn't declare because it was not up to $10K.


* Can you open a bank account while still in Naija?

I tried, but I could not because the banks I tried had changed their policies.

* Which State/suburb did you settle in and why?

I settled in Adelaide for two reasons: 1. my uncle lives there, and it is a regional area where my visa permits me to stay.

* Driving in Australia? How long can you use your Naija driving license before you get Aussie license?

According to the Department of Driving in SA, till it expires or you become a citizen. https://www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/my-car-licence/international-drivers

* Where you live and why you like it or don't like it? Tips on choosing the right neighborhood, mortgage plans, proximity to work etc.

I have no idea about mortgages and the right neighborhood. Sorry! I am living with my uncle for the foreseeable future till I get my place.
However, my office is not far from where I live in Adelaide.

* How easy was it to settle in, with your kids? How did you go about finding the right schools for them? What is their school system like for toddlers (age 5 and below)?

I don't have children at the moment.

* Can a mother combine work and taking care of the kids?
I do not have any answer to this question at the moment.

* What culture shock have you experienced?

1. My boss addresses me as "mate". And during my final interview, he asked if I drink alcohol. Omo, I shook!!!

2. They obey traffic laws as if their lives depend on it.

3. It gets dark after 8 pm. I nearly had a panic attack the first time I experienced it.

4. The people are generally friendly, contrary to what I had read about from some posts on NL.

5. They don't joke with their road markings.

There are a few others I can't remember now.

* Tips on how to cloth and cope with the cold weather.

When I posted this message, I had just marked my 8th day in Adelaide, and it's been summer all through. I'm talking about 31-42 degree Celsius type of summer. E shock you ba? However, my uncle told me there's a type of underwear people wear mostly here during winter -"Long-john." He said people wear it before wearing everyday clothes, e.g., formal or official.

* Are there Nigerian food/restaurants etc? Are they very expensive?

Nah! None That I have heard about.

* Can one start a business (exportation, consultancy) in Australia?
Sorry, I cannot help with any valid answers in this regard.

* How much does your family survive on in a month?
My uncle still handles all my feeding and housing till I earn enough and move out. So, I really can only say a little in this area.


Stay tuned for more info as I experience them and pictures coming up.

Good day
Please how is their fees for international students
How much are we talking about and what are the requirements for applying
Are there cheap schools?

Please share to me

richardsdaveed@gmail.com

Abeg where the number make I chop money also

Didiinma:
My ppa is anyama ogbia please how is the place?

Emeyal you mean?!
Check your Letter well and let me know the local government you were posted

trilacos:
I did my POP this year

Congratulations

LasgidiOnline:

I am to resume camp tomorrow.

Batch C2 right?
Congratulations hope you come with all your original documents

The high rate of Infection and STDs in this community is alarming damn

Another shocking things is parents here take pride when their daughters get pregnant, I over head two women arguing about which daughter gave birth first and she should be respected because of that, daughter of 19, 20.

It's just so sad but it is what is it, Bayelsa is a land surrounded with water, flood happens every 10 years as I was told. It happened last year which cost a lots of life and properties, people had to sleep on the road as flood has covered their housee and chased them out of their house. I hope Baylesa govt has plans for the next one to come.

LasgidiOnline:
I've just been posted to Bayelsa state, my question is, do the state government pay corpers?

The state government pay CORPERs 8k every month but the money would b accumulated for you and paid in batches at the last 3 or 4 months of your passing out
What local government where you posted to

... So i was able to get an extra PPA which payed 5k for a subject, would be going there just twice a week
I also got a home lesson like two months now and it has been going on well
But why are bayelsa children not wanting to learn or go to school and the parents are less concerned about it, this is heartbreaking
I was teaching the both kids lesson yesterday evening, not even spent 30 minutes with them, all of a sudden the mother came and said they want to go to farm that I should cancel teaching for today and come tomorrow
Lol in my mind, I was like what the heck is this
Well that is not my business, all I know is when months end I collect my money..

.. so there was this ex corper that passed out recently, before she passed out I bonded with her, she fell in love with me the first day of our CDS, I noticed it but kept quiet till the day she brought food to my lodge, that day was like film. She cooked vegetable soup laced with sliced ponmo and meat dancing all around the food, I was in awe as I never expected it, but trust me I devoured it and thanked her.
We started talking and gisting, one thing led to another, we started kissing and smooching
The babe is thick as Bleep with all full option.
I fondled her Wella and she begged for more, just that I could not go further as it's just our first time meeting.
She was like she's sorry, in my mind I say see this one, you don see fresh corper wey you wan use hold body, well I dey gidigba

I took of my eyes from community girls as this girl was cooking and bringing food steady for me, her room mated asked her what's going on, she just said nothing that we are just friends, Omo it went on like that till she passed out with this last batch.
Omo e pain me to my bones marrow as I'll miss her and her food, just say she no sweet down there, it was just normal, no extra feeling. Just needed to unwind after months of holding back

Well we ended things on a rough part as we had issues before she left, it's all good for me kus man don dey catch feelings already which wasn't my motive but we move

Since I left camp I have not even gone to my PPA as a lot of breaks here and there, almost 4 months now, I need to get my brain thinking
I guess I'll be resuming fully by next week.

Oh I forgot to let you guys know, I got a new phone after this Bayelsa governorship election

Details later

trilacos:
I was posted to bayelsa but I relocated,I really wished I stayed but where I relocated to,I was able to see money very well but no socials.

You passed out already or you're a new corper?

..... Like someone said up there, my service year is going great as I'm still on it tho I have not started my ppa since I left camp august 20 something, reason being that Bayelsa went for a month flood break or so and since then I have not done anything in my PPA, I was posted to a community girls secondary school which is quite okay tho

Alright as an hustler which I am, when I left orientation camp, and started life in my new community, I was forced to go look for something to do as schools were fully functioning, I stayed in the corpers lodge, manageable to an extent , my roomie got a side PPA that would pay him 10k per month, he would be teaching 2 subjects, he picked Agric and Civic education, he got another one quite far from where we leave but with a higher pay, all in a private school . He begged me to take one subject so as not to get him stressed out, I took civic and we split the money into two, I got 5k at the end of every month. We go to the school just 2 times a week.

One thing I noticed about bayelsa is that their children don't like going to school. An ex corper once told me that you can be teaching and two children can just take excuse from you to go out, you ask them where to and they tell you they're going to farm and would not return and there is nothing you can do to them.
They're all predominantly farmers who prefer their farms to education.
I just hope bayelsa government would do something drastic about this as it's alarming.
Is it their youths? Those ones wake up in the morning , young promising guy would just starts smoking and has no plan for the day, give them something to do and they get lazy about it, I wonder if they think this is how life is, well we corpers would try out best and sensitize them about lots of things


My community is Emeyal Community, Ogbia LGA area of Bayelsa state
For the corpers posted to this place, my clearance location is Otueke, a very popular place as its the home of former president goodluck Jonathan, but sorry to say the place is notbjng to weitr home about as they dont even have constant light. A university was established there Federal University Otueke which helped boost the environment.

Going down to the community girls, as guy man I've been holed up for months as mg hormones raging and eants to burst, I decided to ask how the girls in the community run their shits, I was told that bo matter what happens, I have to be protected at all cost as the rate of HIV and infection in the community is largeeee.

Here as a corper you have privilege, just have sweet mouth, gas and indomie and you'll have them running to your lodge like flies but I never for ones did that as the "infection parr scared the hell outta me" I better hold myself till I see my babe soon enough.

Well it has been all rosy as the community built a new corpers lodge and i was priviledge to be handed over the keys to all lodges as the lodge Marshall. It's really an opportunity to serve once again, it's not really easy tho as you'll be dealing with different people and all that.
I met a senior corpers recently and kinda had interest in her, she read the lines from the first time, she'll be coming around this weekend, she gats big ass and big boobs(cravings) let's see what thr weekends has for me.

Till then, PCM you can ask questions, I'll be here to help out in the little way I can
Corp members please contribute in your own way lets blow this up
How's your service year going??

Mods please help push this ongoing story to fp

The next day came and we were given a booklet on what would be done for the next 21 days , I ran through the book and saw the dreaded SAED, I feared for my life, this happened the first day as I was able to overcome those boring lectures and all.

The 4th day came and we were served Pap and beans with akara as I know it, My GOD in heaven, I slept that morning while the lectures were going on till SAED finished, I was shocked to my bones as I bribed one of the Camp police to allow me sleep reason being I was from the camp clinic, Those PCM on red band on their arm are so annoying. At that point you'll know that we Nigerians like to overdo things when given power , like brooooo I took pap this morning and you expect me not to sleep, I nearly deck one one Monday morning like that, so annoying as hell.
Well I overcomed all the SAED drama and lectures.

As at that period my phone was stolen before I came for camp so I was with a small phone, I had to lay low as u had "pride" as they called it
I was so ashamed to collect girls number while in camp apart from 3 girls and 2 other ones I got while I joined Band group

2 nights before our leaving camp, social activities did not hold, we were told to do whatever we like as no one would police us
That night people filled Mamie market like flies, see guys and girls grooving, I stilled to thr back of the charging spot and saw some streets stuff going on. Damn I was like, how do girls do this, can't conji be held till you go back and meet your partners, some were married but was still banged that same night.

I met one of my band girls I was eyeing with another guy going towards dark a dark place, I just said it was over, I felt bad tho but what can I do,I just decided not to show my self, my pride eas reduced because I had no android phone while in camp, I'll tell you in the later part how I got a phone.

While in the band we were promised of good PPA, most people called their friend to come join but after all said and done, they did nothing as I was posted to one creek community in OGBIA LGA, would mention the community later in my post

The last day when we were to vacate camp and go to our respective PPA, I saw the lovers, they were all hugging as NYSC has scattered them, the ones relocating and all, I saw one preety girl crying because her said guy in camp was relocating lol, I was laughing in my mind that I had to burst out, I was like "who is fooling who here". Person wey get serious date just used you to hold body before he relocate
Well it is what it is, Oh! I cannot forget how we swam inside water just to collect food from thr kitchen, it was hell as I caught feet infection that the camp clinic had no drugs for me

NYSC should please work on camp clinic at all NYSC camps in Nigeria, they gave one of my guy paracetamol for malaria as they said their malaria is finished, lol and all this has been budgeted for. Well na Nigeria we dey

... Or is it the scam going in in the kitchen section by the head of kitchen and all staffs there , jeez the greed is something else, I saw things my mouth could not talk

Tbc

... Only to wake up and checked my portal and say Bayelsa state, I was having a nostalgia feeling about my new adventure. My Dad asked me to relocate but I am an explorer and traveller, would love to take the bold step and see what NYSC year holds for me in a new land.

First of all, I schooled in one of the SS state, so I wondered why I was pushed and dumped in same region for my compulsory one year service, I actually wanted to be thrown to the north to see what's happening there as I have always fantasied about a lot of things about the Northern part of Nigeria

So let's go in a little detail about me, I come from a family of 6, the 4th born and the 2nd Male child, nothing serious
I took out on a Thursday morning from Abeokuta to Lagos then from Lagos (Ojota) to Yenogoa, a costly and expensive route I was not supposed to pass, would have gone through benin ore road then to bayelsa through benin Bypass. Well all is all over.
I spent 2 days on the road , slept in one hotel at warri around 3am as the benin warri interchange was blocked with tankers and all, I continued my journey the next day, and got to Yenogoa around 10am
Got some things needed like bucket, soap dish, water bottle and othet necessary tjngs needed.

I ran my registration, I was so glad I came with my original documents I ever had since birth, a PCM forgot one of her important documents and was asked to exit the camp as she cannot be cleared, I felt for her as I was already on her matter before it got to her turn to be screened

But it's life, we all have different journey per time in life, take life easy and no rush, trust me life would be better.
I finally registered and was fixed into platoon 4 and was confused about what's all that till we were briefed that same day about the camp activities and all it entails

Sorry I'm not a good writer bear with me

Tbc