₦airaland Forum

Is this what it feels like to have a haemorrhage in the head?! Cuz I'm sure this same minister initiated a very crude, shameless and tragic 'recruitment exercise' just this year.

The CG of immigration denied being informed about it, tho I will assume his officers were deployed for the exercise.

The likes of SEC used Philips Consulting for their recruitment procedures, a traceable and accountable recruitment firm. The Minister of Interior used a recruitment firm nobody ever heard of or heard about since then.

They charged charged over 100,000ppl for vacancies less than 5000, tho officially it was said to be 5000. Strangely is the same number of vacancies again.

Ppl died, ppl got injured and many left scarred for life.

There was an official 'probe & report' to the whole fiasco, from the minister to the recruitment process and actual event.

And before the outcome of that, the same minister and ministry are about to go ahead on another recruitment drive?

Is that right or am did I just watch one too many Telemundo programs?!

Speaking of which, what's happened to all the probes, investigations and so on??

Crash of the Capital Market - which led to the face off between Hembe and Oteh

Whatever the name of the probe that led to Lawan Saga, which doesn't seem to end.

Stella and her bullet proof BMWs

NNPC and......

Never mind.

1st of all... (Go on, say it)

A 2012 BMW 7 Series High Security Vehicle (NEW) retails for about $350,000 (N56M) each.

The Inspector General of Police & other top Defence Staff have @ least one in their convoy. The IGP has two & I've been led to believe that his are 2011 models which the NPF got for N46M each. Regardless, Is the NCAA trying to tell us they work in similar dangerous climates?

If provisions were made to purchase security vehicles for "operation reasons" in the budget, that's fine BUT for N255M ($1.4M) for just 2 vehicles?!

Are they now putting the blame on Coscharis for inflating the price? Was no research made as to price of such vehicles on the international market or from BMW directly?

Why call for the sack of the DG? I'm sure his approval limit doesn't cover N225M, tho I stand to be corrected.

Furthermore, NCAA can't seem to be able to get their stories straight. 1st they denied it -> then they confirmed the purchase -> various reasons why the purchase was made.

All in all, I don't see why some folks on here are talking about what party, tribe or religion these lot belong. What is wrong is wrong. I'm following the current trend in the Chinese Government in dealing with instances like these closely. They are getting quite interesting.

"Home is where the heart is"

&

"Everything is not for everybody"

I was in diaspora for 15yrs, got my qualifications, citizenship & a fantastic work history. I came home as a result of a mixture of circumstances & feelings. Desire to be closer to parents, as they are getting old, got bored of the UK despite having a good job (32K per annum not including benefits which for a single guy isn't bad), the economic outlook of the UK, getting a 2yr contract with a Gov Parastatal here in Naij.

I packed up, got to Naij & after a few weeks started to get the feeling I might have made a wrong move. Due to my position, responsibility & having had all my my working life in the UK, I was stepping on toes in my work place. I didn't know that there's a difference between working in Naij & working in the UK. I paid for my ignorance. They flipped the script on me to the point where I wasn't paid for 6mths, my car was vandalized on several occassions & some other stuff. Ability to play office politics, Naij Style, is a must.

Moving to Naij has cost me my savings, relationship & friends back in the UK. Everyday life in Naij has been frustrating. Driving, Banking, Telecomms, celebrating mediocrity etc. It has been a steep learning curve for me. Maybe if I had better guidiance things would have been different.

I lost weight tho, I'm looking all trim now. Grateful for that. Now, I'm saving up to go back to the UK, doubt I will be back.

Sometimes, it's the lilttle things.

justwise: Are you sure you read her case?

Yes I did. I simply pointed out where there might be a snag in her friends application. Needs to be aware of it & get an immigration lawyer to give further advice.

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your friends situation. Just to give you a bit of heads up, to qualify for ILR there are some residential requirements that might be an issue:

- been resident in the UK for at least five years (this is known as the residential qualifying period);

- been present in the UK five years before the date of your application

- not spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months of the five-year period.

Pls check the guidiance notes for further clarification.

Regards.

As a first timer, I'll suggest you go with Virgin.

1- Virgin is a morning flight, less hassle to check in @ MMA compared to a Night flight (BA or Arik).

2- Virgin staff, as mentioned already, are nice & very accomodating regardless of which class you fly.

3- Immigration folks would have seen tons of ppl already & PROBABLY not bug you too much with unnecessary questions.

4- Unlike terminal 5, you get more transport options to get you away from the airport, once you are over your shock upon discovery of what a proper airport ought to be like.

Only reason I'll suggest going with BA is that you have day light on your side when you arrive to find your square root. But if you're the type to suffer jet lag, a Virgin flight, go home/destination & sleep.

Either way, I wish you a lovely journey & time in the UK.

Regards.
Regards

Idowuogbo: Aldo? U make sense joor! At least u hitting shops dat do cute shoes for size 9s, see me thinking wen situation begin red, u go just enter Okrika grab timberland give am!

Nah, I like how she shows her 'appreciation' when I get nice shoes in her size.

Nothing beats her reaction, I doubt I'll get the same reaction if I get her a rolls royce with 10 Hublot watches tied to the wheels .

She loves good shoes in her size, no doubt.

Idowuogbo: Better person no mind dem derailers jare..... but! Oh boi u short o!!! Na she dey carry u wen una wan do d gidigidi gba gbam?

Lmao! It was a challenge at first

PDA can be akward, I look like her younger brother or sumin sometimes

I've to choose my moment to kiss her in public, even in private, cuz I can miss & that can be embarrassing.

She caught on to the fact that I get excited when we take escalators or stairs .

Once I figure out how to tackle 'you may now kiss the bride' I'll propose .

Then again I'm a boobs man, so works out well for me *dont tell her *

stillme: Lol!! But the problem of tall people is how to get shoe and shirt of their size.

Yup, shopping for her can be quite taxing. She loves shoes, oh my God she loves shoes but size 9 for Ladies is like hunting for a four leaf clover!

The ones you get are so ugly, you wonder what picture these ppl have of women who wear size 9 and up.

When I pop into the likes of Aldo *thats what I can afford, when the time for red bottoms come she will get them *, see a nice pair I know she'll love they tell you they only have up to size 7, 8 if you're lucky!

I then have to think of something else when shoes would have done the trick

Lmao!

Hilarious comments... I'm short and proud (5'5) and my lady is tall, standing at 5'11 without heels. Lord knows she owns a lot of them.

It's quite comical when we go for functions cuz she usually wear heels. I take the piss, she takes the piss, our parents take the piss and not to forget close friends.

At my height, MOST people I meet are taller than me and luckily I grew up with tall people so no complex about my height.

I believe the 'shortest' girl I've ever dated stood at 5'7, yeah to me that's tall . Not that it's a criteria, it's just that at my height even year 10 kids are taller than me .

There are a lot more factors that constitute choosing a partner and more importantly being a MAN than looks.

I'm of 'average' looks and all that stuff but never lacked, so guess like fat folks I must have a 'bubbly personality' .

It's a shame WE get hung up on the physical and material side of things and miss real gems.

Her friends remind her how she swore she will never date a guy shorter than her, lucky me I guess.

My folks reckon our kids will be taller than me by age 5!!!

She said she prayed for tall, dark & handsome, 1 out of 3 ain't bad she said!!! *won't say which one*

There are a lot more serious issues a couple will face or when choosing a partner than height difference.

Sure, there are some physical constraints, a post suggested jumping & climbing the guy - not possible, if she tries to jump me it will be like clearing hurdles.

I can carry her, not the princess type tho but more like over the shoulder potato sack type

I can tell when she drives my car judging by the distance I've to cover to reach the steering wheel.

She can tell when I drive hers, no prize for guessing how

I guess sometimes, height like age is just a number! Having a sense of humor and substance can help to.

Just thought I throw my experience in the ring.

p.s I used to laugh at Tom Cruise when he was married to Nicole

Okay, I would not punish them but have a "WTF was on your mind?" session!

Teachers I would invite:

My further Maths teacher - Called our mothers witches cuz we told him we didn't understand his "lessons" (all he did was copy the textbook examples) then flogged us when we failed the test!

My chemistry teacher - Made chemistry difficult for me simply cuz we shared the same interest, a girl!

My Social studies teacher - Always sending me on food runs. Your order made no darn sense, N2 rice and N5 meat!!!

On the flip side, teachers I would love to kill a goat for:

Mr Mudashiru - Made mathematics so simple.

My biology teacher (can't remeber her name) - She was a fine specimen , needless to say I found biology so motivating I aced it .

Mr Lance (Physics) - He was eccentric but taught me (indirectly, dont think it was his intention) to stand up for what I believe in.

Mr Edun - THE most feared teacher who I discovered to be a nice guy and I went from a C to A in English Lang due to his efforts!

Mr Akinyemi (Arts) and the other Art teacher - Pure jokers, made school fun.

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more pics

Hey,

Just wanted to share some pics with you

Japan is like a second home to me, I was pretty much smitten with the place and people before the earthquake but what I've seen during what has been a trying time for Japan has made me fall in love all over again . Their resilience and tenacity, as individuals, a community and a country, in the face of adversity has been awe inspiring and a source of inspiration and hope. My To Do list looks less intimidating now, lol.

Ganbare Nippon!

Pop over to http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/06/japan_three_months_after_the_q.html for more pics.

@ Poster - I get where you are coming from. I stopped attending church from 2006 - 2009, started again in 2010 and stopped April this year.

Reason? Well a mix bag of feelings and what not, some have been touched upon by other posts in one way or the other. I'm quite blessed to have lived in various places and this has enabled me to attend different churches along the way.  

Before I go on, I would like to mention couple of things;

- I'm a very liberal person
- I believe there is a fine line between spirituality and Christianity
- I believe life is Black, White and a whole lot of shades in between
- I believe there is one God, regardless of what you call yourself may it be Muslim, Christian or what not.

Taking the above into account plus other experiences I've had and so on, my thoughts and opinions are shaped like these -

I believe churches expand needlessly and try to put the financial responsibilities to the members in one guise or the other, sow for 24hr miracle and such. I know of two redeem churches within 10 minutes walk from each other, both struggling to pay their mortgages. Why not combine and have the 1 church, pay the mortgage on that building before expanding?

I have serious issues with churches in Nigeria and their Pastors/Heads/G.Os travelling abroad in the name of spreading the Gospel. They make it sound like their work in Nigeria is done and time to move out. I feel that tithes and offerings are not made use of properly. Agreed, the tithes and offerings are used for the usual, to take care of the Pastors, bills, church buildings and assets. After that, I believe the church should look after the needy in its congregation and its immediate community. If your church members get together to buy you a private jet for the "expansion of Gods work", as a pastor I would expect to turn down such a gift and ask the funds to be contributed to something that could be enjoyed by many and not just a select few!

I believe churches should be more practical in their ways and same goes for Christians. Christians talk a lot of talk and Bible thumping but not many back it up. A pastor in one church i went said something along the lines that If I have to tell people that I'm a Christian, then I do not act like one. People should be able to tell from my manner and way of life. Not because I said so or they see me go to church every sunday and weekday.. I am thinking along the lines of the same science behind celebrities and product placements. Get where I'm coming from? Christians and Churches do need to bang on about the Bible every time, preach through actions, engage the community around you, spread love, compassion and tolerance. Let them see the benefits of having a healthy spiritual life so that they can ask "How can I serve your God?"

In regard to teachings in Churches, I find that if something is good or cannot be explained it is "Gods will" and if it's bad it's the "work of the Devil and his agents". If you don't succeed, it is the forces of evil at work. Is it unthinkable that one persons "misfortune" (cuz we see it as one) is meant to be another persons "fortune" as willed by God?  We cannot all be millionaires, have our own business, mansions etc. For you to succeed someone else has to fail. Does this mean that God does not favour the person that "failed"? Guess it was not "Gods time" for that person. Teachings should not be just on financial prosperity or about evil forces out to get you. If we as Christians live right, carry out our duties as Sons/Daughters/Parents/Members of community, then surely our God who neither sleeps nor slumbers will look out for us!

IMO, I would say do not let churches and teachings discourage your pursuit for a well balanced spiritual life. The Bible is open to many interpretations. If the same people can  disagree on the events of a 90min football match watched live, I'm not surprised we'll disagree on how best to interpret the Bible. At the end of the day, "even a non functioning clock is right twice a day". The best one can do is to search for a church where the teachings and beliefs are inspiring and so on.

Currently, I still pray and in the absence of a church I pay my tithe to a charity (orphans). I feel a lot better knowing that money will be used for the benefit of the needy in my community, "Only God can judge me"  

Hhmmmm,  I must have played a bad copy of BFII, off to GAME to complain

Things I liked about BF2

1- You cannot hide behind cover for long
2- Online multiplayer

Things I didn't like about BF2

1- Targeting using RPG, Tanks and grenade launchers was iffy to say the least

2- Weapons, especially the Shotguns, were unrealistic, they can only be used/effective in CQB. This is not the case in BFII, Shotguns are effective regardless of range/distance.

3- So many glitches - people get stuck in walls, enemies just pop out, they hold their throat regardless of where they are shot, squad members stand around to crack silly jokes and you have to wait for them to finish before moving on and so on.

4- Too many cut scenes and a not so impressive plot.

5- Way too easy - ammunition dumps and explosive barrels pretty much everywhere.

6- Playing on veteran had little diference on game experience. The enemies simply required an extra shot! You dont get overwhelmed in number, AI or firepower.

7- Graphics for a 2010/2011 game was not up to par

8- You can only stand or crouch, cant crawl/creep. The video for BF3 shows you can do so this time.

Guess I'll leave it at that! 

Still, the preview for BF3 looks top notch and very different from BF2. I'm looking forward to my winter holidays - BF3, GOW 3 and COD:MW3 .

I play mostly FPS and Racing games as a result have a few games to compare and expect a lot for my £39.99. For me, BF2 was nowhere as good as COD:MW2 or GOW 2 for that matter and I found that tasking. GOW 2 was like a bad action movie that just would not end!!

I can only think I got sold a bad copy!

1- Nigeria has a high level of noise pollution - Ppl increase the volume of their TV sets to drown out the noise of the generators but don't turn it down when having a conversation, no distinct separation between residential and commercial areas and so on.

2- Nigerians have a strong mix of passion and frustration - This comes across in our use of wild gestures when we speak.

3- The need to be the Alpha Male/Female - Often with nothing of substance to back it up.

4- Nigerian phone etiquette dictates that "the volume of your voice should be directly proportional to the distance of your listener" FACT.  

Then again, I dont think this trait is specific to just Nigeria/Africa, we just do it best

Labelle:
Emailed. Sent chat msgs. Still, silence.

Sorry, just checked my inbox, nothing. Just to confirm ice_sid1@yahoo.co.uk with an underscore.

Labelle:
Hi so_silly, please what's your number? Wish to ask you a few Qs. Apologies in advance for putting you in a wierd spot, I have no other means of relaying my request.

Hey Labelle, being a public forum and all, here is my e-add: ice_sid1@yahoo.co.uk. I'll try my best to answer your questions.

I never really cared about natural v hair pieces, until I dated a girl that rocked natural! Not looked back since .

The picture some guys will paint about going natural, you would expect these girls to have curly hair reaching out to you from the cleavage or that she runs away from make up and smells like running shoes. You are thinking of those tree hugging hippies. It takes dedication, discipline and confidence to go natural and maintain it. Some of the qualities I love & look for in a lady. So, when I see a lady with well kept natural hair & make up, I know that to some degree she has those qualities I'm looking for.

p.s I would not date a lady just cuz of her hair but a lady with natural hair would catch my eye 1st, just saying  

p.s.s Next time you see a lady with natural hair, throw her a compliment (without being sleazy) and notice how different her response/reaction is.

Yes! With Jack Bauer, the entire CSI team, Snipers and Counter Snipers in tow

But seriously, I would have no choice in the matter cuz most of my friends are female so it would be hard to turn round and start yarning french!

If I have any doubts about the event/friend I would be upfront about them and discuss some compromise/measures etc. and request details of the what, where and when without trying to sound like some control freak.

Life is too short for all that drama, save your energy for other things. If your partner is promiscuous or weak willed in the first place then he/she will disappoint, regardless.

Yes, it is possible, and I'm a living proof (so far! ).

It is the easiest thing for me in a relationship. My last relationship, happened to be the longest, lasted 4.5yrs and we were both faithful and committed to it. We were frank about our preferences from the bedroom to daily activities and we sought a middle ground for everything. Before I get involved with someone, there has to be connection on different levels and not just physical.

I believe it depends on a lot of things and not just the relationship you are in. Your family background, place of work, friends you hang out with etc.

For me, I come from a peaceful and loving home where my Dad referes to my mum as "my wife" not "your mother/mum". He treats her with respect, love and kindness and she does the same, so i grew up with the notion to treat women with respect and avoid those that wont treat me with the same respect.

Like some posts said, a lot of we faithful guys are "plain and boring" and I cannot deny that . I rarely go to parties/clubs, I have a close circle of friends, don't drink, smoke or do drugs so my judgment is never impaired by such and  my main vices are travelling and eating out. So, avenues of temptation are greatly reduced. Most of my friends are female, so I don't get carried away with female attention - on the downside I tend to fail to notice when a girl is flirting with me, I just think she's being nice and friendly . I also would like to reduce the chances of STDs, unwanted pregnancies and so on, I don't like drama.

And many more things add up to make being faithful in a relationship as easy as breathing, for me!

Oh yeah, and the grace of God for good measure .

Really sad to see this happening, I love Japan & I go over quite often. Luckily, my friends are based south of Japan so they are okay, physically. My heart goes out to the people of Japan and i trust they will come out of this stronger.


Trust the holy rollers to see things in only black and white.

buzugee:
God did not do it. God simply did not intervene. see for God to intervene in your affairs ? you have to ask for his permission. until then ? you are left at the mercy of Beelzebub.

All this time all they had to do was pray to God to intervene and remove the 400+ volcanoes and cease all seismic activity in the pacific ring. Wow! To think all these years of researching and investing in earthquake measures were for nought and not one single person living in the pacific ring made a prayer point similar to that?! I learn new things everyday.


"You will hear things like, "Science doesn't know everything." Well, of course science doesn't know everything. But, because science doesn't know everything, it doesn't mean that science knows nothing. Science knows enough for us to be watched by a few million people now on television, for these lights to be working, for quite extraordinary miracles to have taken place in terms of the harnessing of the physical world and our dim approaches towards understanding it. And as Wittgenstein quite rightly said, "When we understand every single secret of the universe, there will still be left the eternal mystery of the human heart."
Stephen Fry quoting Wittgenstein during a Room 101 TV program


People claiming Hawkins said there is no God, clearly have not read/followed his work just repeated a general misconception.

"One can imagine that God created the universe at literally any time in the past. On the other hand, if the universe is expanding, there may be physical reasons why there had to be a beginning. One could imagine that God created the universe at the instant of the big bang, or even afterwards in just such a way as to make it look as though there had been a big bang, but it would be meaningless to suppose that it was created before the big bang. An expanding universe does not preclude a creator, but it does place limits on when he might have carried out his job!"  (1988)

"With the success of scientific theories in describing events, most people have come to believe that God allows the universe to evolve according to a set of laws and does not intervene in the universe to break these laws. However, the laws do not tell us what the universe should have looked like when it started -- it would still be up to God to wind up the clockwork and choose how to start it off. So long as the universe had a beginning, we could suppose it had a creator. But if the universe is really completely self-contained, having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be. What place, then, for a creator?" (1988)

"However, if we discover a complete theory, it should in time be understandable by everyone, not just by a few scientists. Then we shall all, philosophers, scientists and just ordinary people, be able to take part in the discussion of the question of why it is that we and the universe exist. If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason -- for then we should know the mind of God." (1988)

"If you believe in science, like I do, you believe that there are certain laws that are always obeyed. If you like, you can say the laws are the work of God, but that is more a definition of God than a proof of his existence." (2001)

To those who make fun of his looks/disability - I don't even know where to start! He was diagnosed with his current condition (ALS) when he was 21, was given two years to live and has since then  achieved and contributed to his chosen field despite of his condition. Surely, he's a source of motivation, right?

olu77:
I don't ever have to defend God, he does not need anyone to defend him. He does what ever pleases him; our way is not his way neither are our thoughts his thoughts so, u'll just drain yourself out trying to defend him.  meanwhile, as a Christian I don't think I would ever succeed in changing atheists by engaging them in abusive arguments. I have come to realize that people are never born atheist, they turn so due to challenges that is above their faith or by reading wrong literatures. Pray that you don't find yourself in a situation where most atheist today found themselves before they embrace atheism. Come to think of it, in reality, some of us will never believe in God too if we are in Stephen Hawking's shoe. If truly we are Christians and we believe in the love of God we would stop condemning and judging these people it would not change their heart. We can only win anybody for Christ through LOVE and showing good examples.

Nuff said.

Bill Gates made real progress when he saw an opportunity in the Q dos software he BOUGHT from another company. He saw the potential in the software and he paid $50,000 for it.

Q Dos was modified into MS Dos, and the rest they say is history. The company he bought this key software from went under 4yrs after the demand for their products was replaced by demands for PC products -  the child of the product they sold to Bill Gates. When the business went under, they sued Microsoft for $60 million. They got  $925,000.

Dangote was a salesman/tradesman/importer (no doubt a competent one) by the time opportunity came knocking at his door albeit in form of political connections & favour. And like Bill Gates, he made good use of an opportunity.

I for one cannot criticise a person who made use of an opportunity that came their way AND the proceeds from that opportunity are not used to oppress their fellow men (in most part ).

To those who criticise the man, I ask - If such an opportunity came your way, what would you do?

Not saying the man is clean, who amongst our prominent figures in Nigeria (dare I say the world) is clean in ALL their dealings?

To make a debate about such matters to me sounds like asking to choose who you will marry - a murderer or child molester?

My attitude remains the same when it comes to the upcoming election - Its a choice between spit, Vaseline and KY @ the end we are still gonna get F'D!

What I would rather focus on are the achievements and impact of the person (Dangote/Adenuga/XYZ)

It feels good to have a NIGERIAN (tribe is of no concern) on the Forbes list. It just means he's has more clean hands than others, cuz i find it hard to believe that he is the RICHEST Nigerian.

By the way, not all who are given the opportunity can make a success of themselves.