Popular Lagos based man of God and founder of the Household of God Church, Rev. Chris Okotie, on Tuesday, made a formal declaration of his intention to run for the esteemed position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2011 general election.

Rev. Okotie while making a formal declaration at the secretariat of the Fresh Democratic Party (FDP), on Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, in Lagos, said that his aspiration was a divine call to duty, to salvage the country from inept, corrupt and purposeless leadership of the ruling party.

He added that, “Without doubt, I remain fully persuaded that only the emergence of a credible, visionary and progressive government can usher in a new Nigeria of our dream. And I am confident that I represent these ideals and, with my fresh agenda, we can create a new nation, a new Nigeria, which would take its rightful place in the comity of nations.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/7562-2011-okotie-declares-intention-to-run-for-presidency

When will he learn?

moremi2008:

Many thanks Freeman. I see that you'll be @UMBC. My sister attends graduate school there and she loves it. Good luck!

actually i'm the one going to UMBC not freeman.so which school u putting in for?

lamex22:

@vandops,i had already registered for the GMAT and TOEFL before i got a copy of my transcripts.

thats cos when u were admitted, that was your DOB on the documents you gave the school.since you are going for your masters programme, ul probably be asked for your transcripts bt il jst advice you go with all the documents and pray for favour and if they are to ask and see the difference jst xplain the situation as it is and DONT LIE

God pikin:

@ Vandops: Plssss, I don't want to raise eyebrows here. He's a very good member of the house. I suspect there's a problem. He said he has paid and expects it to have reflected. He replies my mails and even promised to call this weekend.

Anyway to confirm this person, I heard he helped you, seadogs, fagbon01 and others in paying the same SEVIS fee. His email add is val2rhyme@yahoo.com.

If you can confirm this email address, then I'm sure that I'm in safe hands. I don't doubt if he has paid it. But I'm really really worried. Waiting for 9days now when the site said 3 days no be joke at all.

God help us all!

lol, okay, though i paid thru my aunt in the states but he did help others with their payment and am sure he has paid yours, maybe SEVIS are yet to update.lets keep our fingers crossed

lamex22:

@House,thanks for all your previous comments
I have a slight challenge the date of birth on my BA transcript is 1980 while that on my international passport,GMAT and TOEFL is 1979.
I hope this will not raise issues at the embassy
and What can I do about it

how come of late nw, peeps are bringing up this mistakes, lamex, wuld ask hw cme u dint use same DOB of ur bachelors on the gmat/toefl?

God pikin:

@ House: Plsss I don't know what to do o. A house member helped me pay my SEVIS fee since last wednesday but it's still not reflected on the site uptill now (9days). I'm really getting worried o. What's your advice plssss? The waiting is getting too long.

@Djunit1: How did you pay it, considering that they've banned Nigeria from using master or credit card?

God help us all!

and whats the house member's name?

djunit1:

My People. I have another small question again. People would condemn me for asking but the truth is when you have not done something before you would try your best to do it very well and not mess it up with your own hands. My Waec cert. indicates my age of 1988 but my passport says 1989. and I filled the school forms with the age on my passport. No my problem is would they ask for Waec cert because I am going in as a transfer student and did not do toefl because the school did not need it. House what is your advice on this. one of the guys I met one the schools forum on face Book just got his visa today and I am hoping that I would follow him soon. I have not booked appointment but I have paid the SEVIS fee since yesterday but it is not showing on their site yet, I hope this is not over staying because I gave the money to someone to pay for me.

Forgive me for all that note my real question boil down to the age thing and how long does it take for the SEVIS fee take to update to paid on their site?

There basic questions that could lead to you been asked to present ur waec
1. ur probably goin for an undergraduate program
2. probably ur bin out of sec school for so long

so in my opinion, il say u stick to the original one and also be watchful of ur answers cos during the interview, wateva answer you gives automatically generates the next question. They normally dont ask for waec certificates except they smell sumtin fishy and then they would also get in touch with waec office to verify your document and presenting a fake makes them blacklist/ban you from entering the states.

freeman07:

@vandops,
Bro, howfar now, u no dey com YIM again??
Howfar we get yarns
@vandops, seadog406, Young M
U guys know the next step, so lets hook up and chat
@Young M
na our prayers (vandops, seadog, me) work for you. So u have to wash.
U, pick the date. We are ever-ready
YIM asap.
@Godpikin
Goodluck to you.
Prayer is the master key
@all going for interview
Pls Pls Pls, take time to read this thread from pg 1- 88. It will really help to build your confidence wen u get to the embassy/consulate.
I know how i was before joining this thread.
Read this thread thoroughly, like its an exam,
Remember Heaven/God helps only those that help themselves.

lol, u sure?

seadog406:

I will like to ask,did you write any exam(TOEFL&SAT)?and forget about thinking Oluwole or watsoever,though the year is a red flag,but the chances of them asking you to bring your waec certificate are slim.when i went for my interview,i wasnt asked for my cert.Young M,Freeman and even Vandops wasnt asked, so just start praying to God Man,

lol, u forget say dat woman aske me for my waec,sat and toefl?

God pikin:

@ Young M: How come u were able to secure appointment barely a week after u had a previous one. How many time can one attend interview.

I also picked 10am appointment, does it mean I have to get there at least 3 hours ahead?

It will be the 1st time I will be going for such. I sincerely pray for God's favor and hope to come share my testimony of this trend too.

Amen o, May God grant u favour and also hope ur well prepared.

Applicants for student visa can apply as many times as they want and as for time, i'll suggest u be at d embassy latest 6.30am cos dey don't look at d time of interview, they will just group you together.

wetin i dey wash?no be the same tym we collect visa ni?and we don wash dat day, na Young M u sppose dey follow talk,

seadog u wan play ojoro abi, we go pick d visa bt u no pop any champagne for man nw

@young M, i dey wait o

Young M:

@ Seadog406 , Khunleah and freeman07 Thank you guys.

Vandop said and i quote " well well well, d downfall of a man isnt d end of d world ", today my persistence finally paid off.
i actually had my 1st appointment last week tuesday but was denied because the consular asked me where i made my research, i told him princetonsreview.com and peterson.com instead of the correct one which is www.princetonreview.com and www.petersons.com Please. take note as this simple things count and go a long way. The websites were wrong, he later asked me who helped me with filling the forms and getting the school, i told him i did but he wasn't convinced and denied me. The same Consular that denied Vandops and interviewed freeman, people, that guy is strict.

NairaLand!!! Shall i Begin


Like a typical interview date, i got to the embassy 7.10 because my appointment was for 10am but people were not much and 10 o clock appointment was told to join the queue.

Went through the stages and settled for the interview.There were four consulars today ,
The nice woman,
the fair guy that denied me and vandops, then two other guys.

The same guy that denied me was in charge of doing bio metrics today. Immediately i saw him at the biometric place, i felt relieved because i thought he wouldnt be doing interview for people but just biometrics. So i passed through him and settled down.Suddenly, na so the guy start to dey interview people oh, i was just praying that he shouldnt call me.

Next Applicant please, i was the next applicant and it was the same Guy that Denied me last week that was calling,
Na so i breath in hummmmmm and out waaaaaaaaa,
Got to the guy, greated him and it went thus:

Me:Good Morning, ( he didnt answer ) i passed my documents to him.

Consular: why do you want to go to the USA
me: To study

Consular: what school?
Me: I told Him

Consular: Why that school?
Me: Because where it is located is rated among one of the safest place to live in the USA and its affordable by my sponsor.

Consular: is that all? is that why you chose that school out of all the schools in the USA
Me: Yes, basically

Consular: looks at me and ask, was i the one that attended to you the last time?
Me: Yes

Consular: He give me back all my documents and told me to go back to the queue and wait for another consular to call me.
Me:ok

My people, see as prayer dey work, i dont think this has happened on this thread before. Na so i run go chill beside the seats wey dey there. I just noticed Angel ( the nice woman ( consular ) was on sit ). People on seat asked me what happened and why he told me to come back, na so i quickly use scope and said , the consular told me to wait for the woman to attend to me, na so i just dey chill, as the other consulars were calling next applicant, i didnt gooo oh. after some minutes, the woman just called next applicant and i rush go there with smile on my face. and it went thus:

Me:Good Morning, with correct smile.

Consular: why do you want to go to the USA
me: To study

Consular: what school?
Me: I told her

Consular: have you travelled outside Nigeria?
Me: Yes, to Ghana.

Consular: Why did you choose Economics?
Me: Told Her

Consular: Why did you choose the school?
Me: Told her

Consular: Did you write Toefl or psat.
Me:No, because i am applying as a tranffer student.

Consular: when did you finish secondary school?
Me: I told her

Consular: what have you been doing since then?
Me: Told her i got a Bsc from Unilag.

Consular: So if you already have a BSc why are you going for another Bsc?
Me: Told Her and gave her convincing reasons

Consular: ok, can i see your bank statement?
Me: yes and gave it to her

Consular: ok, gives me a white form and green ticket to go pick up my visa at lekki.
Me:whew, thank you ma'm

It was as if Spartacus was fighting Teokolis in the Arena
But God made it possible and i won.

Thats my story, People, i beleive it was God that did it for me ohhhhh, for those going soon, please pray hard, there is nothing God can't do and my case is a Testimony,
Lagos Consulate na War zone ohh we were like 11 students there today and a guy was denied before me because he lied. Please DO NOT LIE. The guy was asked if he has anybody in the USA he said no, later the guy checked his record and saw that he was denied 3times in 2008 and when they filled the visa form, he filled that he was going to see his Uncle.

So people, Thank God and thanks to everybody on Nairaland,

Hola.

hmm, now dats wat am talkin abt.u did take our advice on meetin dat woman.smart move on ur part. so nw dats done and dusted, na to pop champagne remain o,

freeman07:

Newest addition to the ROC. Young M, U r welcome oo
Seadog dey tell me one longthing
Na now we wan wash am oooo

freeman, true talk o, seadog u beta behave and cme wash am for us o, lol

djunit1:

How come it is only people going for masters posting their experience here? I have applied to a school for my BSC and my I-20 would be delivered to me on monday. I want to know if it is the same process they would ask or something different. I have paid the school deposit and would be getting all documents to back up my finances ready before the interview but I still need advice from people here.

Look around and you'll see my posts as an undergraduate and things expected of you

djunit1:

As a first timer to apply for interview at the US embassy for a visa do i need to go to Abuja as I reside in Lagos. I hope to get answers as I am about to schedule my interview. Thanks,

You dont need to go all the way to abuja.I got my visa from the lagos consulate so also others in this forum

illinois:

so i've joined the league of intelligent talkatives! Anyways i've learnt alot of stuff/info from this forum & thot to lend my voice.
My appointment is on tuesday @ Abj, i'm taking

ds 160
I 20 & fee confirmation
Passports
transcripts/gmat
Financial documents
admission letter

PS- do i need to take land documents as proof of ties to 9ja?

You dont have to take any land documents with you, Your bank statement should have cash enough to fund your first year school expenses. Hope you have piad your SEVIS as well?

God pikin:

@ Freeman07: Thanks, I already included it in my application under the work section, for the fear that saying "unemployed" might not sound well. I guess I would simply be silent about it. And if CO should ask me, I will simply say the truth, that it's just 1 month left and I've written to nysc for consideration.

What's your take about this or what do u advice?

There's nothing beyond God!

unemployed can be a bad tin if its bin a long tym u left sec sch. since you have included it in your application, just tell things the way they are,

2gd:

@ Freeman07.I guess your last post was meant for the God pikin, not 2gd.

right

God pikin:

House please advise me, hope being a nysc member (though concluding in Sept/Oct-batch C) wont affect me in anyway with the Consular officer. I plan to resume sch in late august, and will find a way to get a friend help collect my discharge cert in oct.

If consular officer should ask me about nysc, what do I tell him? U know- I trying to envisage all possible questions. Abeg make una advise. Thanks

Its either you are done with it or you are yet to go, dont lie o

freeman07:

@Dasleeky
I get insider for Records office.
I go hook u up for YIM.
But I think u can tell the consular just that.

freeman da james bond, lol

vandops:

thanx padi mi, so hws your preparations goin?

Il advice you do as been told besides nethacker has helped quite a lot of guys in this forum

khunleah:

Guys, am really happy abt this thread, for pple that get visa last week SEADOG, VANDOPS (padi mi) and freeman, it a 1daful thing to hear that good news, Young M na your week b this oooooo. My Advice for all. please 9ja image don get comma, please lets redeem back our image there. And am also looking forward to c u guys there. mayb a small party or get 2geda. THIS THREAD IS 1DAFUL AND THANKS TO THE MODERATOR.nethacker u r doin a great job, i c something, i no go loud am here, shei na true?, lol , QATAR FLY!!!!!!!!!!!

thanx padi mi, so hws ur preparations goin?

freeman07:

@ALL
PRAISE GOD.
NA GOD DEY  GIVE VISA OOOOOOO.
NO ONE ELSE.
I GOT MY VISA YESTERDAY AT THE LAGOS CONSULATE.
I WAS WITH VANDOPS.
HE ALSO GOT HIS OOOOOOOO
NA GOD DEY GIVE VISA.
NO ONE ELSE.
ANYBODY THAT IS GOING FOR THE INTERVIEW SHOULD PRAY MORE FOR GODS FAVOR THAN THE DOCUMENTS.
LETS THANK GOD.thanks for all the advice, and assistance. nethacker, gongo aso, femilangy, aroy1, kenzema, khunleah, femiflukis and my guy vandops who was with me (giving me the needed courage) from the gate of the consulate till when we entered for the interview. He was with me, and GOD was WITH US.
PRAY TO GOD AND FAST FOR AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE INTERVIEW.
@all going for the interview, just be truthful. DONT LIE and i repeat, PLS DONT LIE and put all trust in GOD. The consulars value Truthfulness.
THANKS ALL, POST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS SOON.
AS Steve4naija talk, together we can move Nigeria forward.

congrats bro, told u all tins wld work out fine,

well well well, d downfall of a man isnt d end of d world, ystday my persistence finally paid off ystday.
Like a typical interview date, i got to the embassy 6.30am and as usual d queue was alrdy bin formed.well me and michael(freeman)were representing nairaland as we both had interviews for same day

I was denied may 5th cos of insufficient fund, so it so happen i was d next applicant and the guy with the lady were free so i kept praying the woman call me first and it so happened

Consular: (big smile), Gudmrng
Me: (widest grin ever), Gudmrng Ma, how u doin today?

Consular:  am fine thank you, can i have ur documents pls
me: hands her the passport and I-20/SEVIS

Consular: so i see ur applyn for a student visa
Me: Yes ma'am

Consular: (looks thru the I-20) so y did u pick dis course?
Me: I wish to specialize in web programming and the school happens to be ranked among the top 5 for that major

Consular: hmm, top 5, so wat were ur other options and who did the ranking?
Me: 1st on d list was harvard, followed by yale and UMBC is 3rd

Consular: hmm, ok.so u chose UMBC cos its more affordable compared to the 1st two right?
Me: Yes Ma

typing, typing, typing,

Consular: (smiles still typing)so when did you finish secondary school?
Me: 2002

Consular: I'll say thats about 8 years nw, what hav u bin doin since then?
Me: I've been working while taking diploma courses as related to my major

Consular: so where do u work and what do u do there?
Me: I work with an outdoor advert media coy and i double as the IT manager and website administrator

Consular: smiles, thats impressive.so did u take waec, toefl and the sat?
Me: Yes ma

Consular:  ok, can you hand me the documents
Me: handed the results of the three exams over to her

Consular, types then looks at my I-20, so who is sponsoring ur fees and any documents to that effect?
Me: my dad, i then handed over the bank statement

meanwhile i was busy listening to freeman's interview at the next cubicle and the way the yeye man was bin so serious wit him

Consular:, ok, types again, i'm gonna issue u the visa
Me: (restraining my joy)smiling, Thank you Ma

Consular, make sure if ur travelling make plans after july 31st
Me: Thanks for the advice

Consular: ok, study hard and wish u safe journey
Me: Thank You very much

Gathered my documents, walk out of the embassy and felt so relieved at the same time waiting at the gate to know how freeman's went and as God would have it, he was also given.

Kudos to da whole house, dedicate d visa to u all and maryland, usa, HERE I COME

simababe:

@ snoopy, guy ow far. Do u still av d post UME past questions. N wot was Est management cut off mark of last year. Sunbo{deluxe n partners}

54%

arkinses:

lol. . .tosin, agbaya ni e

serious agbaya

tosinaded@:

hehe see jambites!
welcome to Unilag. . . . where they make u think they are the best

any body going for computer science?

true talk man, thats d slogan,

anyways welcome newest batch of jambites,

aroy1:

@vandops

You should have initially used your Nigerian sponsor.I did tell you to do that before.

dint have any now,

phuckNL, so wat happens if i go with an extra document like my grandma's statement of account coupled with letter of consent from my parents tagged with my aunt's letter?

phuck_NL:

If you ever want to step into yankee, please don't go back at the end of the month. Your school is resuming August 31st abi? Book your appointment for August. There is no way your info/status could have changed in one month. Them go just deny you again. They will assume you are desperate. They will only chop your free money. I bet the person that interviewed you was a trainee. Probably why he/she was confirming details from a supervising officer.
Go back in August and make sure you go with exactly what you had this time around cos they have all your info.

okay, think dats a wise advice so what do what if i was to get a sponsor and make another appointment for july then?

was given the 241b refusal letter which states at the end "you can reapply once your family economic situation has changed"

NKnight:

I too gbadu your spirit! Wishing you all the best!

It is clear you will get the visa.

The officer feels you have a strong case for wanting to study and didn't stamp any rejection. With a 9ja sponsor you are good to go.

Guys, help a brother with advice.

thanx man.

Regarding ur question, i suggest u do as superbrain as said.u just have to get a 9ja sponsor even if dey dnt ask

SKYPO:


what of the sponsor is not of d same surname with me then what is the chances?.

well, guess one will just go for what he or she has, but if u can find any1 sharing same surname with u, claim d person to b ur father and use his accounts as ur backup statement, then ur gud to go, dnt make same mistake like me, my sponsor was mother sister living in the US, visa are determined by interview and not d documents u bring

SKYPO:

here, i don't ve parents or uncle who could afford to sponsor me. i think can look 4 someone who is equal to be task but problem is the surname is not of d same with mine.


thanks.

eeya, well dont lose hope yet atleast a trial wont hurt cos wat d officers are lookin for is someone who plans to return back to his home country and not one who intends to migrate to the US hence dats y interviews r conducted, if u put ur statement above to them, d first thing dt cmes to thr mind is dat d guy wants to migrate since he has no ties watsoeva dats gonna bring him back, what oda options u got?

freeman07:

@NETHACKER, I am just about to organise the cash. I cant make it for tommorow, hopefully nextweek. I am scheduling my appointment for june, all may slots have been taken.

Guy, snoop around dat US embassy area, there are still slots in may if u want, atleast i still got someone who can book me for another appointment for this month so its ur choice bro bt fret not, d interviews r always a piec

SKYPO:

,


1.   y d community college bcoz is affordable

2.   i intend stayin with him bcoz d is school 2 his house.

3. d school is advance in Research based on d field i intend studying.


oK, what of if i use my o'level 2 apply, what is chances of getting a visa?




thanks

guy no tell them dat one abt living with ur uncle atleast nt untill they ask, look for a sponsor acct from here either ur parents or grandparents to backup ur uncle

nethacker:

make i no lie u, e pain me

i knw, hw u think say me dey feel, anyways i will be going back b4 the end of d month well documented n prepared and this tym more dn ready to tackle the officer, atleast dats wat d letter says and passport wasnt stamped, add me 4 ur msgr nw, vandops20@yahoo.com

nethacker:

@ d bolded part: y did u do dat vandops? i mentioned it here on this thread dat "Never tell them u hv a US sponsor". u should hv listed all u got here instead of giving us half info. ask every1 else here wat i use to tell them abt sponsors. u make me sad honestly i must confess.

i know bt i did dat, hceck on page 66 or 67 of this thread where i listed everything i had on me, y i go drop half info?