₦airaland Forum

drizslim:
True Patrotism Unlike Those Ipad Ipob People click Like if u think NIGERIA will be Great Some Day

Are you also carrying a Nigerian flag everywhere you go. If you dont, then you may consider being more patriotic.

SnakeDoctor2020:
But that was just August 01 2015? Anyways, it's good to know that you have fixed it.

That was when I posted it here on NL. That was actually the first topic I ever posted here and it was just shortly after I joined NL I think. The actual incident occurred much earlier than that. But it's fixed though.

SnakeDoctor2020:
Well, it's good to know that you are doing good too yourself. It gladdens my heart to see my fellow Nigerians doing well here in US. I am not in a competition with anyone so I don't wish to live the life you are living, I am already living a life of a dream come true. And I hope you have taken care of this situation ==> https://www.nairaland.com/2494574/how-tell-wife-she-std

Sure, I took care of that. It happened about a couple of years ago. Fixed

maternal:
I'll answer your questions in numbers again. It keeps the discussion organized.

1. It doesn't matter what your mortgage payments are, can you afford ? If 1200 per month is a bit too much, why not save a higher down payment so your monthly payments could be lower ? Again planning. These homes you claim some people can afford to build in Nigeria, lets be honest, we're talking about corrupted politicians or people from abroad. How many common man in Nigeria can afford their own home ? While you keep on bashing the mortgage scheme, at the end of the day someone abroad will eventually home their own home and build massive equity on it. In Nigeria unless you have a lot of money liquid cash, good-luck. Lastly, stop comparing someone who has a good paying job abroad and gets paid every 2 weeks consistently, to someone who earns 1 US dollar per day. Apples and Oranges. Of course someone abroad can afford to pay 14,440 on mortgage per year. Furthermore, don't compare the quality of the average house abroad to one in Nigeria.

2. I also own property in Nigeria and a side business. I'll be in Lagos 3 weeks from today. I also know what I'm talking about.

3. I live in Canada. I have a child and yes I've paid for daycare before. In Canada, taxes are slightly higher but we get a lot more back from the government up here. The Ontario provincial (equivalent to a state) government will also give free college tuition for students who come from a household of 50k or less.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/the-one-province-that-gets-daycare-right-in-canada-think-7-a-day/article14933862/?page=all

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/is-tuition-really-going-to-be-free-for-some-ontario-students-despite-the-skepticism-heres-how-itll-work

4. I live in Canada. The 100k is obviously Canadian.

5. To sum it up, stop comparing both economies and the cost of living. It's just not comparable. At the end of the day, the quality of life and prosperity is better here than in Nigeria. Regardless of the 1st world problems we face over here. My friend stop it.

From your point #5, only a fool would say Nigeria is better than Canada or the US. Also, only a fool will just jump on a plane without thinking of what to expect wherever they're heading to, which is the reason I made my initial comment. Im not related to anyone here and don't have a problem with being point-blank on saying what could save them some troubles - information is key. Many Nigerians have been brainwashed with the wrong information about life overseas and that has been on for decades. The only ones that have realized it are the ones that have seen things themselves.

When I first got to the US, all I knew about the US were all I saw on TV and word of mouth. I went through a lot to get where I am today, but it would have been different if I had access to the right information in the beginning.

Your point #1, $1200 per month for the kind of place I want for myself and my family isn't much, and I obviously took the deal because I could afford it. I mentioned that again for those that haven't factored the fact that putting a roof over their head wherever they're heading to think about that.

No comment on your point #2, Im sure any smart Nigerian living overseas should own something back in Nigeria and should be ready to book the next available flight if they want.

On your point #3, I don't know of anyone in the US making 6-figures in dollars and getting government help. I have never gotten a dime from the US government towards anything because of my income. I guess Canada is different, I don't know why the Canadian government should pay for your daycare if you make $100k. As I mentioned in my original post, visiting a place is a different experience from living there. I visited Canada several times but never lived there.
What happens to those that only make like $10k per annum. Those are the types the US government help. Do those that make $1m per annum still get government help in Canada?

I understand healthcare is free in Canada, it's not in the US. About $600 is deducted from my paychecks every month for my family's healthcare insurance. I haven't even been sick nor seen a doctor for about 2 years, yet about $300 is taken from me bi-weekly.

Your point #4 is noted. Thanks for clarifying.

SnakeDoctor2020:
Don't mind that smartmugu guy, i really don't know what kind of life you are living in US but as for me, i am very comfortable here.

Glad ure comfortable. I am too. I love to see everyone doing well. You asked about what kind of life I'm living here, all I can say is most likely way better than you can dream of. I'm probably someone you know, but I'm smartmugu here on NL.

honey86:
Daycare is $10 per day in Quebec. The cheapest in the country.

Probably with some government help, which depends on your income. Most people I know don't qualify for government assistance based on their income.

Canada is different from the US. Healthcare is free in Canada, it's not in the US. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Canadian government supports the residents for daycare to be that cheap in Quebec, but that still would depend on income in the US. The super-broke ones in the US get free daycare support from the government, but who wants to live like that?

I can't imagine any private individual setting up a daycare anywhere in the US or Canada for $10 per day without any subsidies from the government, unless they have robots in place to do the actual baby-sitting. Robots or computer don't have to go by the minimum wage. I would prefer to have my kids watched by a person, not a machine.

akanniade10:
Na this kain smartmugu go dey tell hin brother for naija say, u don't need to come here, it's really not easy, the struggles and co... Read ur points and trust me I couldn't pick something meaningful.

I'll say a quick prayer for you. May God grant you all your wishes. If one of them is to travel abroad to hustle, may God set the pace for you. May God also make your paths as clear as you want them.
Why did I pray for you? Hopefully sometime while you're abroad, you'll remember one Smartmugu you just criticized for just saying the truth.
BTW, I never discouraged anyone, just telling people what many don't know. I don't live in Nigeria, and would encourage everyone to explore other nations like I said in my original post you criticized me for.

Your comment about telling my brothers not to travel abroad is wrong. Everyone in my family has been all around the world. Many chose to live in Nigeria afterwards, running their own businesses - labor is cheaper in Nigeria, they could have done same business anywhere else in the world they want.

maternal:
Your post is bias against Canada and the US.


1. People in the west get paid way more and CONSISTANTLY than people in Nigeria. You factor in cost of living, and rent is not as bad as you're making it seem to be.

2. Don't break the laws and you won't have any criminal issue. Child support is necessary sometimes. I can't believe the system here makes men financially responsible for their child.

3. Each region/state is different when it comes to child care. In my province it depends on your yearly salary, while in Quebec for example daycare costs 10 Canadian dollars per day. Though they pay a lot more taxes there.

4. When you live in one if not the most developed nations in the world, their really isn't a desire to live anywhere else. Why would I go from a Bentley to a Honda ? I think that's more the issue than wealth.

5. Stop it. Mostly the elites or very well off can travel abroad. Because very few travel outside of Nigeria now you're making it seem like anyone there can pick up their bag, get a visa, and spend 1200 USD on a plane ticket. A country where most make 1 USD per day ? That's 365 USD per year.

6. I make 100K per year. I live a very comfortable life and have money in the bank. If you're in the west and make 100k per year and you're living pay to pay, you're living above your means. The cost of living is cheaper in naija ? I disagree. You literally have to pay for everything including unplanned expenses out your pocket. Gen,Fuel,children school, transport, etc.

There is nothing biased about my comments. Both Canada and the US are great places to live. I have been living in the US for a long time now and really don't see myself living in Nigeria any time soon with the bad news everyone reads about Nigeria everyday here on NL. It appears nothing really works back there anymore. I probably won't fit in anymore until after spending a good amount of time in Nigeria again. Rather, I'd just visit every year or so.

Back to your points on costs of living, I live in Atlanta, Georgia, and have been paying $1200 per month on mortgage for my house for the past 5 years. That is $14,400 per year. With that amount, some folks could be landlords in Nigeria. Ask around about this city, I know some folks paying about $1600 - $3000 per month on rent or mortgage in different areas of the US, so I don't see anything biased about this comment.
You can actually check it out on www.willow.com yourself. You could pay cheaper in an apartment or living with roommates, I lived like that several years ago but I preferred something else when I started my own family. Those that live with their parents can sometimes live free depending on what kind of parents they have. No lies here, neither is anyone trying to discourage anyone.

One difference between the US and Nigeria - some people can afford to build their own houses in Nigeria, in the US most people rely on mortgages that could span 30-35 years depending on several things. I live here in the US and go to Nigeria often, even have stuff happening there. So I know the difference between both worlds.

On your comments on daycare costs, have you ever paid for daycare? You mentioned Canada, if you've ever been to Canada, you wouldnt say what you said about Quebec, Canada. I have been to Canada more than 30 times, I have friends with kids living there and I have never heard of a $10 CAD per day daycare before. You mentioned Quebec in Canada, the minimum wage in Quebec is $10.55 CAD per hour, so why would anyone watch your child for $10 CAD per day? Or were you referring to just one hour of the day?

If daycare was that cheap, I'd be glad to pay for 3 years straight and not worry about weekly daycare payments.
For me, for two kids, I've been paying $300 per week for the past 3 years. I actually think that's a good deal. That's another $14,400 per annum. Google the cost of daycare in Atlanta. Actually, read some comments on this forum http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlanta/783493-cost-daycare-intown-atlanta.html
The costs people mentioned in the link above are just for one kid. I have two minors. Not complaining, because I'm used to the system already and earn enough to pay it and other bills. Compare to someone coming from Nigeria with 4 kids not knowing what to expect. It could be harder for them not knowing they can't find a maid like they had in Nigeria here.

See if you can find anything cheaper in this area. If you do, please don't hesitate to share the location. I definitely won't have someone living in a drug-infested neighborhood watching my kids for trying to be cheap. I can't imagine my kids coming back home high on something at their ages.

From the tone of my original message, you should be able to tell I didn't mean to scare anyone nor discourage anyone. It's great here and I personally don't really see myself living in Nigeria anytime soon for now. If I want that for myself, why won't I want that for anyone else? I was only shedding some lights on the realities that some of us don't know about before jumping on the plane so we can all be prepared.

You mentioned that you make 100k per year, what you didn't mention is if you were referring to Naira, USD or CAD. If you meant Naira, that's about $400 per year. That's about what some people spend on groceries for a month here, especially when they have kids. I haven't heard of anyone making that little a year in the US. On the contrary, people tend to pay their rents for years in Nigeria, which is unheard of in the US. Also, I haven't heard of anyone paying $400 per month for rent anywhere in the US, so what you currently make a year wouldn't put a roof over your head for a month in the US, unless ure squatting with someone.

I can defend everything I said anywhere, anytime and hope to clarify on some misconceptions. I bounce between the US and Nigeria a lot and I know what I'm saying.

Again, not discouraging anyone - just some heads-up type of talk.

Im done with this topic, everyone can think however they want to think.

maternal:
I think he messed up his life when he came abroad. Either way he needs to understand his reality is not the next man's.

Oh wow. Did I say anything negative about coming abroad? Is it wrong to state some of the differences? By the way, I still live in the US, my life is perfectly intact. I'm doing great professionally and financially because I positioned myself for that from my first day here. All I said was intended to shed some lights on the misconceptions.

I don't think it's going to fall. I've been looking at the picture for about six hours now, it hasn't fallen yet. Still looking, I'll look till they get to their destination. I got this, I'll keep everyone updated. The picture should change when the tractor falls. I'll watch the whole day to see how this ends.

LUCAS99:
I totally agree with you. Like I said before if you are looking for a better standard of living then America is the best place for you. One thing for sure is that the American society will offer you a better standard of living compared to Nigeria. Good roads, Stable electricity, Security etc… but all this comfort comes at a cost.

The white man is not stupid. The system is designed in such a way that most money you make goes back into the country. Besides if it was so easy to save money most people will work two or three jobs to save up money and leave the country and will only come back to visit. But the big question is how do you save up the money when you have to worry about rent, light bill, cable bill, water bill, auto insurance, tuition etc.

When you try to explain to your relatives back home what you are passing through and ask them to hang on that you will send them some money later. They think you have the money but you don’t want to give them. When you see people who have spent 5-10 years living here is not really their fault, sometimes they feel stuck in the system. I have already spent about four years here and still trying to figure it out

However some people have been able to figure out the system and how to work around it. You see them shipping containers and going back to Nigeria 3-4 times a year. But most of them are not willing to let you know how they initially raised their first capital.

The most important thing is to have a solid plan even before you decide to come over. Even when you arrive be focused and discipline. Once you lose focus in this country is always difficult to get back on the right track.

Hopefully everyone of us will make it in this country.

Glad you're seeing it yourself. I bet if someone had told you when you were in Nigeria, you would have thought they were lieing. It's a great place, but it comes with a cost. I wish everyone in Nigeria could be granted visas to th US, let's see if most of them won't run back to Nigeria.
If the Nigerian government fixes the roads, electricity etc, I'm sure most Nigerians overseas will want to go back home.

At your comment about where people get capitals from, I'm sure you're already aware the US is more of a credit economy vs Nigeria that is a cash economy. You can actually take out huge loans with good credit, so you don't have to wait on someone to explain how they did it when you already know how some people are - many would prefer you to follow them rather than walk with them, the first lesson I learnt in the US.

blessedvisky:
It seems she has cataract in one eye. Over-jacking

You this boy, how come that's all you noticed about her? Lol

blessedvisky:
It seems she has cataract in one eye. Over-jacking

You this boy, how come that's all you noticed about her?

Check out that Sony TV. Looks like mine. Big boy things.

Wetin person no go hear about these boko people. What school in Chibok did they kidnap these birds from biko?

Thompsonneyo:
leave that smart Mugu,i jez dnt understand u guyz,but if dem dey share dia visa, na u go first hussle collect, nd if it happens ur already there, then WTF ar u still der for??listen the system works, so many lives have changed, so many positive stories, even today if you got d right papers, ur better off there, so many opportunities.... imagine ppl still doubling dia hussle to leave a meagre life in Nigeria,.. life's too short u knw...

Did I try to discourage anyone from coming to the US? I just gave an idea of what to expect. It's a beautiful place and I'm glad I'm a citizen here as well as I'm a Nigerian.

I don't think anyone would ever say America is not a great place. It is. There is a difference between visiting the US and living in the US. I guess people get to understand the US more when they decide to live there.

By the time you start working, making money and find out much of it is going back into the system, then you'll understand why people said those negative things about this beautiful place.

When you eventually start seeing that the cost of your accommodation for 2 months is more than some people need to pay for a similar place for a year in Nigeria. Factoring in other bills like car note, auto insurance, gas, taxes, 401k etc. Those add up pretty quickly and dictate how much you're left with after those deductions. When you start racking up credit cards, then you'll realize you're actually gradually getting enslaved and can remain in the US working and working to be free again.

No one prays to get in trouble, but when people start to deal with legal issues like child-support, traffic issues, alimony, or some criminal issues, then they're further trapped in the system. Nobody wants that to be their portion, but some people have been labelled criminals for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. All they can do is work and work to give the system what it wants from them. Some just give up and end up like the returnees you mentioned.

Also, when you start a family and understand how much daycare alone takes from your paycheck per week, you'll understand more. If God blesses you with a set of twins to start with, as long as you can budget at least $1000 a month for someone to watch them while u go to work, ure fine. In Nigeria, most people would rather hire a maid and pay them about $50 a month for that. So, it's easier to save in Nigeria than in the US and Canada that you mentioned.

Have you ever wondered why the US passport can get US citizens almost anywhere in the world, yet Americans hardly travel like Nigerians do? My opinion is that many people living in the US are at what they'd call "comfort zone". Many US nationals haven't seen anywhere else but the US and can only assume that's how the rest of the world is.

I've been asked a few times by some Americans that if it's true that Africans live on trees, how did I learn English etc. At first I said yes, that we all in Africa live on trees, that all the airports in Africa are even built on trees, that's how every African travel around the world. Via runways built on trees, if that's logical to them. Lol. I was being sarcastic at first until I realized many of them started spreading what I said. I'd just suggest they visited Africa themselves to find out. Many of them don't even know Africa is a continent and not a country. I guess many only rely on what they see on TV - some bushmen documentaries from some weird part of Africa, with bare-chested men and women and they just assume that's how we all look. I know Nigerians ain't nothing like those bushmen stuff they see on TV. Some Nigerians are blessed enough to cater for some of their cities for years, many don't know that because all they know about is their country.

Many others that would love to travel are buried in debt and bills or don't even know what a passport and a visa looks like. Their mom and dad probably never had one. The same amount of money you invested on your trip, some would rather put that towards a bill and remain here, never trying to see anywhere else because the bills are more important. To me, the system is designed for everyone to keep working and end up spending whatever they make in the US in the same country.

I would think a person making $100,000 per annum in the US would prefer a job that pays $50,000 in Nigeria. Why? Everyone living in the US pay for the comfort the US provides. Depending on that person's lifestyle, even though they make over $100,000 (about N33m in Nigeria today), they may end up still living from paycheck to paycheck. On the other hand, someone that makes meagre $50,000 in Nigeria can actually save about half of it because the cost of living in Nigeria is actually lower.

I wish no one thinks I'm trying to discourage anyone on their travel plans. I'd encourage people to go anywhere in the world they like -it changes people's mindset to know things are done differently in several parts of the world. This is just to give an idea of what to expect if anyone decides to live there. Visiting a country is different from living there.

It all takes planning though.

Welcome to the US bro. Carefully watch as reality unfolds.

mrvitalis:
If this country was sensible.. . Soldiers would have been drafted to all filling stations to sale this fuel till things normalises

But no our leaders are to dumb to think and too proud to accept advice

Even the soldiers would be bribed. How much do they make?

TijaniAbu:
Why is FG so desperate? Desperation that will make fools out of them. One man with God is a majority, and Saraki is a man with God. Take it or leave it, God made that man Senate President. Oro Buhari ti fe di aseju ni baba ase te.

You see, u didn't even get any "like". How much did Saraki pay you for this comment?

Vince77:
I'm just tired of everything.

Don't commit suicide yet. All will be well.

If this man scales through all these charges, then no one else in Nigeria deserves being called a criminal.

valdes00:
Am 26 n Bae will b 30 by November...... n we r balling strong... she hasn't giving me any reason to back out sins 2yrs ago till now...... I pray we gt married... I don't av a problem with age, so far she GATS all d qualities a man could ever wish for in a woman....

Tell bae a nairalander says "Hello bae"

His son looks like Faze, that plantation boy.

englishmart:
he looks terribly stubborn
Despite the smile, he still didn't look like a gentle man

Yup.
Buratai = Buru Die.
Those that understand Yoruba know what that means.

SexyStrawberry:
OK, now I get it, thanks for clarifying the fact that this thread is for the almighty little kids here, forgive me for being too old and old fashioned, i carry my grey hair enter wrong thread, no vex, make I go find my age mates.......... ( Abeg my age grades, where una dey? there's a lonely granny over here)

Lol

chaelmic:
i spotted Rotimi Amaechi driving a Range Rover sport in maitama abuja yesterday by himself.
because i was in a staff bus, the picture i took of him wasn't that clear enough

Why do you think he became "The transporter"?

omooba969:
@bolded,

every other skin colour apart from black is oyinbo to the average nigerian, even tunisians are oyinbo too in their eyes.

And that's what's weird. "Oyinbo"...lol

Even though I agree with the content of his letter, why write to Chinese president? Does the Chinese president know anyone named Gbajiamala? He probably doesn't know who the heck Fayose is.
Why do we have to disgrace ourselves overseas when certain matters can be handled here at home?

omooba969:
@bolded,

That's a form of stereotyping bro, you need to be mindful of your choice of words when referring to other groups or races.

There are also hispanics in high places in the US, we have them as doctors, engineers, lawyers, IT professionals, even in the US Congress & Supreme court.

So what are you all about?

I'm not being stereotypical in any way. You're correct there are Hispanics in high places too. That's why I didn't say ALL Hispanics do menial jobs. Look at the statistics and tell me I'm incorrect for saying MOST do menial jobs.

That's not intended to be ride in any way, these are jobs that someone has to do any ways, and I admire their guts for being so hardworking vs some that don't like to work at all.
Why I spoke up was because Hispanics are called 'Oyinbo' in Nigeria, which I think is weird.

musicwriter:
My brother tell them o!.

The only countries that are Oyibo people are Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, USA and Canada. I can go as far as including all western Europe and Scandinavian countries. In fact, the name ''Oyibo'' is a name our ancestors used to call white people who came to Africa for slave trade, and also colonialists.

The other day, I was talking to someone and he told me a lady was married to a white man, and just as we were chatting the man drove in, and when he came out of the car he was a Pakistan man!. I just shook my head and asked him ''is this the person you call white man?''.

Lol. So, Pakistan man na Oyinbo for Naija too? Soon, Chinese and Indians self go become Oyibo. SMH.

Mickchillz:
Lolz guys comot for there o jare.. Too much hollywood movies is talking.. Stop addressing it like you have first hand information about them.. And white is white, you don't only have to be from america.. To clear the air, enjoy your hollywood movies lol, infact I would recommend dirty grandpa; for me that movie is bawling Peace out..

Bro, not everybody on NL live in Nigeria.
I live in the US and I have first hand information.