Any Nigerian's in the house

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>me too! I think I might do public policy for my masters- But see that's why I want to transfer to stanford so bad cos they have a public policy major for undergrads- I know it'll be actually cool if we do that-! like take the trip)</p>

<p>Before, I used to think like you, and rationalised too that I shud rolly come back to nig when I'm settled- But I think if you'r really sincere about making a differenhce you shud go back early and learn the local politics while improving your skills by going for international symposiums- Indeed I know a couple of highly intelligent nigerians who went back in their late twenties after working a bit for firms like mckinsey in the USS who are making a HUGE difference! Plus they get internationally recognised fr it which I think is really cool so their efforts are not in vain- and frankly speaking, if you have an interest in politics ( u r eyeing the presidency eh!_) those kind of pople might just have an edge over you as nigeria would not have such a paucity of leaders in say twenty years? Imagine all the young yuppies like you and I coming back finally from diaspora in say twenty years? It'll be incredibly competitive-I'll rather go back early and consolidate and get a first mover's advantage-</p>

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<p>my mum got an appt there a year earlier. so it was just a case of leaving dad for mum, lol. Besides, I needed a DRASTIC change of environment...i don't think i'd have survived back there in my circumstance. plus since i came here, i've developed immensely. not that everything was laid out for me on a platter, no. but i had to look and move around for myself. the internship was just OFFERED to me in january, and it's been AWESOME ever since. back in ibadan, the alliance franc wasn't functioning. there was no german society, except in lagos. same for a college of music. but i've been able to do all that here. i retook my sats here too, and the weather is MUCH cooler for such exams. It's been a real crazy ride, but thank God i'm where i am today.</p>

<p>meeting people, building bridges. it's been amazing. where i work, [us edu adv center] i've met amazing people, who are all going to various unis this year even as far as IUB, germany. i think if i'd gone straight to the us last year, it'd have been very difficult for me. but now, i htink i'm more than ready, and i have a greater sense of responsibility toward my family and homeland. PERSPECTIVE; i needed that last year. now i think i've found it, or maybe not just yet....</p>

<p>yeah, FIRST MOVER'S ADV, that's really true. if you come too late, they'll just look down on you, "Who does this guy think he is, etc" hey, man, if you get into Stanford, that would be supercool!!</p>

<p>and i wonder what happens to the girls who study in USA. i only hear about the guys. all except Okonjo-Iweala</p>

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<p>I wish that I was around while you guys were making these posts. It's so refreshing to see that I am not the only one that is really concerned about Nigeria's state of abject decadence. I'm probably the only representative of probably the worst secondary school represented here. That said, I do beleive that you don't necessarily have to be in public service to make Nigeria a better place.</p>

<p>Let's start with the fact that any development of Nigerian human capital is a good thing. Our nation's tertiary institution are a disgrace to us. Students will probably pass through them without doing anything other than passing exams. Without an improvement in our human capital we aren't going anywhere. So, those of us going to better schools abroad with the intention of coming back some day are doing our countries a huge favour.</p>

<p>I'm interested mainly in the sciences but I just can't make up my mind between the physical and biological sciences. I hope to set up power companies all over Nigeria one day. There is really no need for us to leave things like that in the hands of foreigners. With stable power (and an enabling political environment, Jrock I'm counting on you for that when the time comes), our industries will grow. Inflation will be curbed. The opportunites are endless. </p>

<p>We should also remember that tiny countries like Japan with next to no natural resources are referred to as "developed countries". Mother nature has so blest Nigeria but our resources are either stolen from us or squandered. Neither of which benefit the millions of Nigerians that are not sure of when next they will get something to eat. The only thing that Japan has over us is a vibrant industrial sector.</p>

<p>Another thing that our policy makers are very adept at doing is making laws with loop-holes. Now for those of you that are still in Nigeria, please tell me why people like NIGERIAN POLITICIANS should be granted immunity. Let's not even get into that. I'm sure that if we wanted to start listing all the things that are wrong with this country, this would be the busiest thread on CC.</p>

<p>Jrock, did you take french in secondary school? I was the only science student in my class that had the liver to do something like that. Paid off though! </p>

<p>Afrikaan, I am sure that you are mistaken. LJC did not win the 2004 edition of the Shell competition. I participated and for the first time Model Secondary School won. My partner was just too smart for you people. I was just there to bask in the glory.</p>

<p>Bumpitybump, welcome to CC. How do you like it so far?</p>

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<p>Is been interesting going through the posts. I guess someone mentioned earlier that is time that we focus on the positives rather than the negatives( or maybe am imagining .. hehe. But yeah we have serious problems in Nigeria and from my own opinion is actually going to get worse but don't attack me yet.. is just a good sign that we would hit rock bottom and start growing at least that is what I strongly believe. I am pleased that there are people like u guys on this forum that would want to go back to Nigeria. As you know we are the future of Nigeria. If u have not come here i.e if u re still in Nigeria( am laughing) I pray that you stick to what you think now, don't get carried away wen u get here cos is very easy to change ur mind about going back to Nigeria to help build it up. Anyways I have had interesting conversations with "silly" Nigerians as I call them....hope no offense because they seem to compare America with Nigeria. I explain to them that America and other developed countries have made a lot of sacrifices to get where they are and the question is are we ready to stop whinning about the current state of our country and think of constructive ways to build it and at least make a difference as individuals?
Anyways I was just voicing my own opinion and I hope it was a food for thought....</p>

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<p>Hey everyone-
ukay- where are u transferring to? from? how come?
about the whole nigeria thing, i'm holding myself back from jumping in on the discussion cos frankly, i'm a little ignorant, i grew up in c</p>

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<p>i enjoyed reading all your responses, however let's not be quick to bash nigeria's unis...some of them are good and that's where majority attend. however the administration is really poor, and the system limits opportunities for most, for instance, the JAMB vicious circle. after all, Finance Minister, Okonjo-Iweala, got into MIT from Uni of Nigeria, Nsukka...and today on CNN, they don't even bother to mention that she did ugrad in NG, all CNN says is "MIT graduate"!! anyway, i hope our dreams will come true, and a la Rev Jesse Jackson, let's "keep hope alive". [y'all should listen to his famous speech in contest for the primaries at the time of the so-called rainbow coalition, etc].</p>

<p>yeah, switch, I did French. only 6 students did it in SS3. our teacher wasn't so committed [how much are they paid, anyway?] from SSI - SS3, music/french/art were squashed together in the same period. i had to alternate classes between music and fr. wasn't easy. but it sure paid off too.</p>

<p>yeah, pimpcess05, i can totally relate. i went to Lagos every Christmas for 18years, inducted into the Ikoyi/Apapa circles....very intimidating as i was just a bush boy from Ibadan. but of course, i got used over the years, sticking with my cousins. those tiny lagos social circles.</p>

<p>ukay, we really can't make a difference as individuals. it never works. we need to start thinking "TEAMWORK". of the best doctors, engineers and scientists in the world, nigerians are among. of the richest and the poorest, nigerians are there. but look at the country. truly, everyday in Ibadan [i like walking] i saw more than 10 different mad people in one day. and each month, i kept seeing new faces. i said to myself, 'if i were governor/or pres, i couldn't stand the sight. because that person in the gutter is also a fellow nigerian. a human being! it could've been me. i tell my friends that, if i were governor, i would spend my nights under the stars, until all the classrooms in my state had roofs over them...</p>

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<p>yeah pimpcess05 def add me to your msn! </p>

<p>off topic, but "such is life", so i think, upon remembering the stories my parents told me of the days long past...the friends they've made, the deaths, the shocks, the upheavals, and most importantly----where they all are today.</p>

<p>*les gars et les filles*it's not how you start that matters i.e. humble beginnings, but it how you end that counts. think 20 years ahead...</p>

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<p>jrock.. yeah i understand teamwork is wat we need.. actually I am trying to see if i can network with a lot of Nigerians in different colleges here but that is for later dough wen i have e opportunity to. obviously ur right i did not have time to elaborate or explain further as i was already going to class but i mean u have to understand that there are mad ppl everywhere too i mean look at America too. i go to NY like every other week even in Philadelphia and I am always like is dis e developed country ppl talk about all e time? we cannot save all but we have to make an attempt to save some which i guess makes the U.S different frm Nigeria but i tell u dere are still a substantial amount of dem out here. I grew up in e Eastern part of Nigeria and went to one of the fggc's and i get u .. i see de beggars and u get so used to them dat u do not notice ey are ere. I remember going to church every sunday and giving out my bus money and walking home wen i do not have a ride but next sunday a different batch of dem are ere ....In my college and transfer essay i actually wrote about one of dem dat has influenced what profession I chose.....and about being a governor and changing all dese things remember that u can have the goal urself or wateva of changing Nigeria as many people dat have gone in ere have but if ppl are not behind u ..is virtually impossible( comes down to e teamwork again) and i guess dat is e problem we have in Nigeria now but yeah props one day we wld have governors like u dat wld fight very hard..hehe</p>

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<p>for pimpcess05.... transferring to Mount Holyoke College cos ma current school is sinking faster dan I imagined. too small like 485 girls, no internship opportunities, dey do not have ma major( econs) .. i have to do dat at Villanova and I dnt like e idea, science dept kinda weak cos am minoring in bio just a couple of oda stuff so dats why..</p>

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<p>Good to clash with you on CC, Jrock. </p>

<p>Hey everyone, I'm Jrock's friend who's in ABTI-Yola. The full name of the school is American University of Nigeria and you could check out the website at <a href="http://www.aaun.edu.ng%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.aaun.edu.ng&lt;/a>. Its a new school and strictly follows the amercian curriculum. Its an affiliate of American University, Washington DC. The school's really packed with profs. from UCLA and Boston and some Nigerian profs as well. </p>

<p>Concerning Jrock's community service likes, you should see him in action. If you are not a community person, you'll want to be one. He has a lot ahead of him. </p>

<p>It's good here from you guys and your schools. Keep it up.</p>

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<p>Now lets take it easy on the school and community thing. You guys are making this Nigerian forum sound too brainy. Lets talk something else. What other things do you guys like (apart from community things, since you've talked about that)?
If you know me well, I like combining other activities together with my academics (Jrock can testify to that).</p>

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<p>To add one more thing...ABTI-Yola has got some profs from MIT and Howard. Just thougt I should let you know.</p>

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<p>Osaetin, so glad to see you here, too:):) welcome back after a long absence!!!</p>

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<p>of course, Osaetin is one Nigeria's future greatest physics-loving b-ballers, soon to be unleashed on the world. switch, watch out for him in the business field too:D</p>

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<p>This thread has definately morphed since the last time I was here(which was just yesterday). I love the intellecutally stimulating enviroment, and it gladens me to see so many ppl with passions for out nation. And I would not define this as whining in anyway. If we dont highlight the problems and pretend as though there are nonexistent, slowly (I believe), we will begin to ignore them (and push the responsibility of change to the next generation).
I maintain that this is first step to taking action. Given alot of this could start out as childish ambitions and as the years go on some of us might lose zeal, but along the way it might inspire another to tke action. I want to believe that ppl like Martin Luther King Jr who made civil right changes must have started to develop a passion to voice the wrongs racism and segregation when he was a child(being prevented from riding his bike into the white ppl area). We are no different(I believe).</p>

<p>Despite the fact that this conversations seem "too brainy," i doubt I will keep coming here (especially since I have already been accepted and I have no tension to release) if the conversations here were frivolous and a total waste of time and brain energy.</p>

<p>Osaetin, I know some Nigerian professors here that are planning to come to ABTI. I hear you are a co-lover of physics, well I hope to be hearing from and about you.</p>

<p>I definately agree that we should concentrate on improving the already existing institutions and not focusing on buiding new ones.</p>

<p>And yes switch you are very right, I checked the Loyola Jesuit College and it was 2003 that we won, not 2004.</p>

<p>Just a side thought-in as much as we are praying, planning, and hoping to effect change in our nation, are the citizens ready and willing to accept change. By this I mean, the corrupt, the rebellious, the Nigerian way mentality sunk its teeth so deep into the flesh of the typical Nigeria.
Take for example-I was driving from school, and i reach a stop light and am mandated to stop despite the fact there was not other car within a 2 mile radius of me(hyperbole...(copying Jrock)). I remember PortHarcourt Nigeria, with the 1 or 2 traffic lights it boasted of, a similar stop with no opposing car to hinder my approach across the intersection agressive drivers behind me begin honking crazyly, insisting that I break the law just to quickly go.</p>

<p>With Nigerians it seems that everything must be in a hurry, and it must be in a haste. like the ago old cliche "slow and steady wins the race." Right now I study American History and yes like a sine graph there have been ups and downs, but I notice some main things: there is still and steady patient accent to betterment with the cooperation of the public.</p>

<p>In our dreams for our nation the only thing i fear is SELF. Not like I am communist or anything, but if we(I mean Nigerians) can forget ourselves for just a second and focus a little on the NigerArea, "things will [not] "fall apart."</p>

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<p>Afrikaan, I agree with you concerning the ups and downs of Nigeria and its inhabitants. But in every system of hierachy, whatever affects the top affects the rest of the body. If the leaders of this country have the needs of their people in mind, things would be a little different. And that has been made clear in a few states in Nigeria e.g. Cross River. The governor had his people in mind and the state has undergone drastic improvement. </p>

<p>Taking Yola, where my school is, for example, do you believe that the vice-president of Nigeria is from Yola. There are senators and influential men from Yola. But Yola is nothing to write home about. Poor electricity, no traffic lights, people still live in mud houses. I can count how many times I've left school to go to the market or just for the fun of going out. The location of the school is the only place that makes sense in the whole state. And I think its because the school was coming there, if not....</p>

<p>Whenever anybody good gets into power and wants to change things around, something bad happens to that person. Most of the time, they are assassinated or one way or the other removed from power. Take Muritala Mohammed for example. Take Bola Ige and Buhari. These men would have changed the country for the better but they were excuted or removed from government. Its so sad. When things like these happen at the top, you don't expect anything better to happen at the bottom. We have to do something before things really get out of hand and Nigeria becomes like any of the other nation. We are supposed the giants of Africa (even though is now on paper and not in reality).</p>

<p>I'll be looking forward to seeing the new profs., Afrikaan. But I don't know how you'll hear about me...maybe from the new profs that are coming or through my msn: <a href="mailto:osaetinevbuoma@hotmail.com">osaetinevbuoma@hotmail.com</a>. </p>

<p>I wish everyone success in their various prospective schools.</p>

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<p>oh pimpcess.. i did not answer one of your questions.. Rosemont College , PA is my current school</p>

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<p>This is an amazing thread. Please don't stop the "brainy-ness". I'm loving it.</p>

<p>I agree with most of what Afrikaan said. In order to change our country, we must start by changing the mentalities of Nigerians. When I was younger I spent about four years in Cameroon. According to demographic and economic statistics, Nigeria is supposed to be a better place to live in than Cameroon. But many a times I wonder what indicators these statistics are based on. Since I came back to Nigeria, I have had no choice but to juxtapose the approaches to life of the peoples of the two nations. </p>

<p>In Nigeria, everything occurs with frenetic pace. People are more concerned with getting ahead of others than they are with contributing to the community. I don't want to make a "convese accident" by taking the attitude of the majority and applying it to the whole because I do realize that not every Nigerian is like that. But since I got back that's the vibe that I've been getting. In Cameroon, things are very different. Life is a lot more mellow. And, I'm not just talking about one part of the country.</p>

<p>Another thing that I observed was that the resources per capita in Cameroon seemed to be a lot more than they are in Nigeria. (Smaller country that can afford to provide its citizens with almost 24 hour power supply and cheap food.....sounds better than Nigeria to me)</p>

<p>Obviously, in our country we have the gorgeous houses and good roads but what is the quality of life that our people lead under all that? The average Nigerian will not feel accomplished until he has amassed N1mil and drives the best car in his village and the means does not matter either. Just do what you must. How long can we keep living like this?</p>

<p>We truly need to find a way of changing the Nigerian psyche before any changes can occur. Let's also consider the fact that Nigeria has shunned her children that a great many of our people just do not love this country. And, why should they? What has it ever done for them? There is a lot of suffering on the streets and for years our leaders have turned a blind eye. Corruption is a problem that most of us should be conversant with.</p>

<p>Nigeria is blest. We just need to deal with its people.</p>

<p>Osaetin, it's great to welcome another physicist to the thread. Although I guess that you have been here longer than I have. Maybe we should discuss the some crazy physics-oriented ideas next time.</p>

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<p>well said guys:) i'll be issuing a thought-provoking post next. </p>

<p>ukay, what are your plans after graduation. i don't know if you have some insight on this: many many Nigerian ladies study abroad [in the US, to be specific], but what do they do after graduation. all the time i've spent nigeria, i've only heard of adult men who studied abroad. what about the women? do most of them settle in the USA? anyway, i won't be surprised, b/c i don't see how an american-educated lady will marry a nigerian son-of-the-soil, lol</p>

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<p>i agree, switch. even here in Zimbabwe, despite the enormous economic problems, life is relatively stress free. But then, it's not good to be too docile. We need to be fast-paced in Nigeria, but in a positive direction. We should be thirsty for success, but to attain it by fair means not foul.</p>

<p>Nigeria has a very LARGE population and that is obviously affecting the "STRESS" in the life of Nigeria. Coupled with infrastructure that has fallen into decrepitude, it makes living in NIGERIA an extremely stressful affair.</p>

<p>WHy is NIGERIA not developed. And in fact, Black Africa as a whole. Let met me proferr two postulates.</p>