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  • Nigeria To The US: Someone Cannot Play With You?

    Nigeria To The US: Someone Cannot Play With You?

    If you’re reading this, you’re already too late. All the cool people got it a day early because they’re already subscribed to our newsletter – Game of Votes.

    We know you don’t like being a professional LASTMA, so here’s a chance to read all that happened in Nigerian politics in a way that won’t bore you to death, before everybody else. Subscribe to the Game of Votes newsletter, to get just that, here.

    Now back to the news.

    1. A Beef History of Okorocha and Ihedioha.

    Politics in Imo State is starting to look a lot like my face when I woke up to work on this post: a hot mess.

    At the centre of this mess arethe former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and the incumbent, Emeka Ihedioha.

    Political drama? Featuring a past and present governor, in Nigeria? Why, I never would have guessed it.

    Okay, what happened here?

    It all started in 2018 when, perhaps dizzy from all the foreign nationals erected in Imo State, Governor Rochas Okorocha forgot he was in Nigeria —  a democracy — and decided to impose a monarchy. In the elections held in the year of our Lord 2019, Okorocha tried to have his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu instated as governor of Imo State.

    As we know,  that didn’t pan out and gubernatorial victory eventually went to the PDP candidate, Emeka Ihedioha. Okorocha didn’t like that.

    A ton of ugliness ensued: Okorocha alleged that Ihedioha wasn’t the real winner of the elections, and Ihedioha (allegedly) hit the man where it really hurt ⁠— his statues —  just one day after resuming office. Have to love the priorities.

    Now, while Ihedioha denied being behind the demolition of the Akachi statue, he didn’t miss the opportunity to point fingers at the unpaid workers responsible for erecting the statue, perhaps their anger at Okorocha led them to do it. Petty what?

    Arrows have since flown, with the Ihedioha administration alleging that the past administration left no hand over note and therefore no instructions as to continuity. Ihedioha also threw shade at the ₦43.5 billion government house built by the Rochas administration, claiming it was “a decayed place”. According to Okorocha, the current governor claimed he governed from a bush bar in the government house and therefore has to operate his government from outside the house. Ihedioha even converted the Eastern Palm University owned by Okorocha, into an annex of the state university – IMSU. This guy?

    Okorocha has accused the current governor of attempting to destroy his legacy and also being obsessed with him,  here’s video to prove it. Okay Mariah.

    More serious allegations of financial impropriety have been made, however, with the Ihedioha administration recently accusing Okorocha’s of leaving the state in ₦32 billion debt, as well as the former governor operating over 250 bank accounts while in office. Okorocha denies both claims.

    Senator Rochas claims the Ihedioha administration spends over ₦2.8 billion on sanitation, and that the governor used his first three months in office to construct multiple homes and a hotel in Owerri and his hometown. Claims which were denied by the current governor and one-upped by the accusation that the Okorocha administration stole the sum of ₦1 trillion from the state treasury while in office.

    On August 19th,  the Ihedioha administration began a probe into the contracts awarded by past governors Udenwa(1999-2007), Ohakim (2007-2011) and Okorocha (2011-2019). What plays out should be interesting. 

    2. Uh-Oh, Dino Could Be A Senator No-Mo.

    On August 23rd, an election tribunal sitting in Kogi State, declared the election of Dino Melaye, the declared winner of the 2019 Kogi West senatorial election, nullified. Mr Melaye’s victory was contested by his rival – APC’s Smart Adeyemi. The tribunal has ordered that fresh senatorial elections be carried out.

    Melaye served as the Representative of the Kabba/Idimu Constituency for two terms, before being elected as a senator in 2015. This is his second term as senator.

    So how is he taking it?

    If you think he’s mulling about, then clearly you haven’t seen this Instagram post and caption from three days ago.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B1omIQAHz1e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    He plans on appealing the tribunal’s decision and has this to say about his post in the National Assembly: “for my senate mandate, no shaking”. Ugh, his way with words ❤️. 

    It’s important to mention here that Melaye plans to contest the Kogi State gubernatorial elections holding on November 16th, if he wins the PDP primaries. He is also being prosecuted by the police for allegedly aiding violence in Kogi State and attempting to commit suicide. Just throwing that in.

    3. Nigeria To The US: Someone Cannot Play With You?

    In a little play I like to call: ‘When America Goes Low, Try To Go Lower, But Remember the Exchange Rate (working title), Nigeria has reduced visa fees for Americans applying to Nigeria, just one day after the US announced it would be increasing visa fees for Nigerians applying to the US. This proposed increase was essentially to punish Nigerians for making her citizens pay higher visa application fees, while Nigerians paid less when applying to America.

    If this isn’t the meekest response to “keep that same energy” you’ve ever seen, then I don’t know what is. Someone, please ask this guy to give Nigerians a masterclass on Big D Energy.

    Let’s Back It Up

    Back in 2017, the US began imposing stricter non-immigrant visa reciprocity terms as part of a ridiculous “Muslim ban” led by the administration of big man, little hands – Donald Trump.

    These ‘reciprocity terms’ are a bit of ‘gbas-gbos’ if you will.

    It requires the equal treatment of American citizens and a foreign country’s nationals when it comes to non-immigrant visa applications, especially regarding validity periods and application fees. They also spell out consequences where the reciprocity doesn’t bang, consequences like the payment of a reciprocity fee, in addition to the visa application fees.

    Now would you guess what country, until recently, thought it’d be a good idea to have higher visa fees than those charged by the US to her citizens? This same country had over 220,000 citizens spend ₦9.7 billion on non-immigrant American visas in 2017 alone? Just guess.


    For the past 18 months, the US has been trying, to get Nigeria to adjust the visa fees imposed on Americans and finally had enough on August 27th, 2019. The country announced it would be imposing a non-refundable reciprocity fee, which Nigerians would pay in addition to visa application fees, but ONLY where the visa application was actually granted. The fees were to differ according to the type of visa applied for, but say you applied for a student, tourist or business visa, a non-refundable reciprocity fee of $110 (₦40,700) would have been paid in addition to the equally non-refundable  ₦59,200 visa application fees, bringing the sum total to  ₦99,900. The reciprocity fees were to ‘eliminate’ that cost difference between both country’s visa application processes and were to take effect from August 29th.

    Now That You’re Up To Speed, Here’s What Happened Next.

    Perhaps Nigeria was protesting the outrageous Muslim ban or the indignities Nigerians have to suffer for American visas by imposing higher fees, I don’t know; but whatever it was, the government decided going low is no way to work things out, the country is almost 60, back pain is real.

    So on August 28th, the Nigerian Federal Government said: Lol, ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴜʀɴɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴄʜᴇᴇᴋ? and reduced the visa fees Americans had previously been subjected to.

    Rauf Aregbesola, Nigeria’s (clueless) Minister of Interior blamed the tardiness on implementing lesser fees despite 18 months of discussions, on “delays due to transition processes in the Ministry at policy level.” Uhun, sure.

    Now that the burden of reciprocity fees are out of the way, Nigerians can focus their energies on tackling the real demon, actually getting an American visa to begin with.

    4.Buhari Takes Japan.

    https://twitter.com/HelloMilez/status/1167280039446089728?s=19

    Even though social media was filled with tales of our favourite travel vlogger — President Buhari, going to Japan to visit Prime Minister —  Shinzo Abo who was away at the G-7 meeting, he was really there to attend the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development alongside African leaders like the president of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon and South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. We’ll just pretend we didn’t notice Nigeria didn’t get an invite to the G-7 for our peace of mind, okay?

    Also, the presidency wants you to know, there’s also no truth to the rumour that members of IPOB harassed the presidency. So there.

    Did You Miss This?

    1. This man allegedly stole from Nigeria in 1998, got caught and was allowed to keep a portion of his loot. He now heads the ministry with the third-highest budgetary spending for 2019. The big reveal here. 

    2. Anyone know where I can purchase just 1mg of the confidence of Nigerian Men? Here’s Adebayo Shittu, Nigeria’s former Minister of Communications who was caught with a fake NYSC certificate, admitting shock over not being re-appointed.

    3. Even though countries like the US eradicated polio way back in 1979, our president is still using Nigeria’s polio eradication as a talking point for the country’s ‘improved healthcare’. Off that mic!

    NOT.THE.NEWS.


    1.Okay, maybe this is a little newsy. Wondering what the fuss about the parliamentary suspension in the UK is about? This could help.

    2. A man walks off a boat, walks into a restaurant, orders the albatross soup, takes one bite and kills himself. Why did the man kill himself? If you can figure this riddle out, hats off to you becauseee.

    3. The Many Lies of Carl Beech. Have you heard about this creep? Check this out.

    Boyin Plumptre

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  • What Happens When You Want Canada, But Canada Doesn’t Want You?

    What Happens When You Want Canada, But Canada Doesn’t Want You?

    I have survived 26 rotations around the sun. In that time, I have suffered through some of the worst Nigeria’s educational system has to offer and borne witness, first-hand, to the failings of the government to its people. If anyone knows a thing about disappointments and lemon conversions, it’s me. But for all of my resoluteness, nothing has quite prepared me for having the exit gates of Nigeria, repeatedly shut in my face through succinctly worded, visa rejection letters.

    I felt the very first stirrings to leave the country in 2014. This was two years post-graduation. With a Business Management 2:1 in my bag, and a seal of determination yet to be tampered with by the Nigerian polity, I was certain the sky and gainful employment were well within my reach.

    Spoiler — I was wrong.

    When one year of belly-churning interview waiting rooms, online examinations, the occasional bottom-bare Skype interview and impersonal email rejections grew into two, it became imperative that I leave the country hell-bent on making me little more than an unemployment statistic. However, one afternoon’s gander at international tuition costs and accommodation fees, even at the ₦150 exchange rate, quickly convinced me to keep the fate in my job search and make things work regardless, intra-state.

    In March of 2015, fortune, or what I imagined at the time to be fortune, finally smiled at me. I got selected to a graduate-trainee program at one of Nigeria’s leading banks. I was elated and convinced it was the start of something great in my life.

    Spoiler – while, I wasn’t wrong, my aspirations were grossly overestimated.

    Let me tell you a little something about my current role. Forget grand end of year bank parties and workers, advertised singing Christmas carols — when you are assigned to be a Customer Relations Officer at a Nigerian bank (my position for the past few years), here’s what you’re really signing up for: a 7 day work-week (weekend autonomy is forsaken for ATM duty and ad-hoc staff roles). Work hours that span between 7am and 7pm, together with the occasional dabble in street marketing to bring customers in. The bank also keeps an almost zero-tolerance stance on sick days, and if that isn’t enough, the good times are topped with a crippling uncertainty over the future, seeing as the promotion structure is restrictive at best and nebulous at worst.

    All of this for the very beginnings of a six-figure salary. While the majority of my peers have begun the rites of marriage and starting families, both concepts are so foreign and far away from me as to be otherworldly.

    For the past three years, this has been the summation of my work life and interactions. While I am ever grateful to not stare down the barrels of unemployment every morning; there’s nothing quite like living your life as a series of ‘justs’ to make you aware of how bleak Nigerian futures promise to be. “Just keep the job, who knows what God has planned for the future?” “Just marry now, money will come later”. “Just keep the faith, everything else will fall into place”. The uncertainty is exhausting. I’ve seen the job market, I know Nigeria’s economic projections, I have seen the future of Nigeria for me, and it holds no real promise. I want out.

    On the advice of a mentor already settled in Canada, I resolved to apply for a student visa. My hopes lay in earning an MBA, with a subsequent work permit to begin the process of integrating legally into Canadian society. My jail-break from Nigeria was finally in motion.

    Armed with a valid passport, my admission letter to a University in Ottawa, WAEC and NYSC certificates, a copy of my transcript and a Statement of Account I believed sufficient to encompass school fees and consequential costs, I made my first application to the Canadian embassy in April of 2018.

    I won’t get into having to freeze my expenses for anything that wasn’t life-threateningly important to raise the necessary fees. Or having to ask my retired parents and working siblings to chip in when my frugality couldn’t suffice. I won’t even dwell on the fresh hell of retrieving my University transcript, only to be told I had an outstanding course by the school management, 6 years post-graduation; but I will speak a little on the non-refundable visa fees I have had to expend on this exit strategy of mine.

    .

    At my last count, I have spent upwards of ₦200,000 on 4 non-refundable visa application fees. That’s a full month’s salary, plus substantial change, all to be told an unceremonious no. I concede it’s necessary to the process, but I imagine I am not alone in thinking a downward fare review would be invaluable to Nigerians, especially when the rate of denials is put into consideration.

    When I got my first rejection letter from the Canadian embassy in June of 2018, about 8 weeks after applying; the most inconsequential things popped into mind within the first minute. First, that I wouldn’t be using the resignation letter already typed up and sitting in my drafts – just yet. And second, a wanton giggle at the memory of mouthing a strong  “AMEN”, when the security guards at the visa application office, asked if I was headed to Canada.

    Shortly after came the overwhelming feelings of despondency. Fears I had been grappling with reared their heads: would I never have the chance to leave the country? Was I fated to continue at this job forever? Seeing as previous attempts at finding new employment had proved abortive? What could my next steps be? I read through the reasons for the denial — an absence of strong ties to Nigeria, dismal travel history, the shortage of funds and the fear that I wouldn’t return to Nigeria if given the opportunity — so much, they just might be etched in my brain.

    After permitting myself some time to sulk, I began to consider the appropriate courses of action to re-applying for a Canadian visa.

    Per the rejection email —  I couldn’t get married just yet to create strong ties. More funds could be pooled from family to suit their financial requirements, while there was nothing I could do to allay their fears of remaining in Canada.

    I resolved to build a travel history, using money I would much rather have channeled towards my schooling, to better my chances.

    I applied for a visiting visa to the US in July of 2018, together with a mammoth crowd of people looking for an out — whether temporary or permanent.

    At precisely 9:15am, my interview began in full view of other Nigerians craning to hear what was asked, to better prepare themselves for their round. Following a series of questions, a blue parcel was slipped into my hands —  my ₦76 000 application had been denied before 9:30 am.

    Keeping with the denial streak, my visa application to the United Kingdom was also rejected in December of 2018. This was thankfully remedied by an approval to visit Dubai in the same month. By which time, through the help of family and more savings, a substantial increase had been made to my account balance.

    Fast forward to February 14th 2019 when — bolstered by a swollen account balance, and some travel experience, I tried my hand and applied to the Canadian embassy to have another chance at a needed life change.

    For the second time, I paid a non-refundable application fee to study in my chosen University, again I paid out ₦63,520 for the visa application fee. Gathered all the prerequisites, and made sure to keep a solemn nod when asked if by the security guards if I was headed to the Canadian and not the South African office.

    With more hope than I should reasonably have allowed, I waited to hear back from the embassy. Going against my better judgement, I spent an unspeakable amount of time bingeing on YouTube videos of life in Ottawa and Ontario, planning for my life there. When I got the email, on April 13th 2019, requesting that I return to the embassy to retrieve my Passport, without an accompanying directive to proceed to medicals (as an approved application would have requested) I felt that same despondency attempt to rear its head; but I allowed no room for it.

    Instead, I am choosing to focus on only the positives, viewing the rejections as an opportunity for some introspection and of course, a chance to raise more money.

    Because, while the goal hasn’t been shifted, the goal post may have been subjected to some change.

    These days, you can find me returning from a day’s work spent conversing strictly in English, to spend my time poring over IELTS practice materials. No, a sudden need to certify my ability to speak the English Language didn’t come over me; but I am setting my sights on Dublin, where I hope the luck of the Irish will favour a Nigerian just looking to lead a better life.

    *This story was written on behalf of the protagonist. Some events have been modified to protect their identity.

    Boyin Plumptre

    , , ,

  • Can We Convince You To Not Apply For That Visa?

    Can We Convince You To Not Apply For That Visa?

    Can we bend your ear for a minute? Have you nursed dreams of leaving the shores of the country to a place that ‘works’?

    Perhaps the lure of fancy things like ‘stable electricity’ and ‘welfare programs’ has had you keeping long nights, studying for the IELTS, even though in your heart, you know Mrs. Ekanem knew what she was doing when she gave you that Best in English Language prize?

    Maybe you’ve lost your weekends to language classes — slaving over French conjugations and trying to make sense of German capitalisations because you’re ready to risk it all for a chance at that Quebec stay or Merkel’s Germany?

    Well, we’re going to go against the very essence of our beings and attempt to convince you to hold off on the classes and the grueling application procedures, to maybe give Nigeria a second chance. But we’re going to do it together, assessing the current systems in place to TRY TO UNDERSTAND IF YOUR REASONS FOR LEAVING ARE WORTHWHILE.

    As it currently stands, the main reasons for Nigerian emigration stem from: the economy, security, better welfare, education and maybe tourism. We’ll attempt to break these down to understand if Nigeria’s situation is so bad, thousands and thousands of miles are necessary to keep you away:

    Education

    Now, we all know Nigerian employers let their bias for international degrees show and a UK Masters degree is essential to progress as a Yoruba demon, but can we try to help you see reason in not travelling?

    So what if Nigerian Universities are under resourced and Nigerian lecturers prefer their notes antiquated? At the last count, two Nigerian Universities – Covenant and The University of Lagos made it to the top 700 in the world.

    What was that? You deserve only the best and no one remembers number 2, let alone number 689?

    Well, at least we tried, go on and fill out that visa form.

    Economy

    Because we are honestly kind people at heart, if you’re looking to leave because of Nigeria’s economy, we won’t try to stop you. Any escape from the poverty capital of the world, currently boasting a double-digit unemployment rate (23.1%) is a welcome relief. Go on with your bad self.

    Better Welfare

    Let’s see – are power, pliable roads, a sympathetic police force, running water, working emergency systems, sturdy bridges, reliable power supply and a welfare system for the poor that inalienable, that you have to leave the country to feel like a loved citizen?

    Okay, so maybe we have no point with this one.

    Security

    Okay, it’s terrible that we have two known terrorist organisations currently ravaging the state, and it has happened more than once that school children were taken from their schools to fulfil a worrying agenda. Also, it maybe that your sons, brothers, nephews and maybe even you aren’t safe from trigger happy policemen.

    …You know what, let us know how we can help you with that visa application form.

    So, we’re admitting failure here. If you can escape, pick today to do so. Let no one try to put sand-sand in your garri. Unless of course, you have good reasons to stay, then please let us have them in the comments below.

    Boyin Plumptre

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  • Did You Know Your Green Passport Can Get You Into These Countries Without Visas?

    The visa application struggle is very real with our not-so-much-loved Nigerian passport, and a lot of us have learned that the hard way. However, there are still a few countries that will have us with no hassle! Check out these African countries you can visit visa-free.

    Thank God, sha. We never cast for here.

    1. Cape Verde – West Africa

    A former Portuguese colony, this beautiful island country is located on the West African coast. The official language is Portuguese, and the national language is Kriolu. Cape Verde has amazing weather and is a great choice for a visit.

    2. The Comoro Islands – East Africa

    Comoros is a constellation of islands off the south-east coast of Africa, east of Mozambique and north-west of Madagascar. Although The Comoro Islands is listed as visa-free for Nigerians, we still have to get visas on arrival. Life. There are lots of exciting touristy things you can do on the islands, so you should definitely check it out.

    3. The Gambia – West Africa

    Africa’s smallest country, The Gambia is absolutely beautiful and is known for its diverse ecosystems around the central Gambia River, abundant wildlife, beaches, and so much more. It has it all. Nigerians can visit The Gambia visa-free for up to 90 days.

    4. Ghana – West Africa

    As part of ECOWAS benefits, Nigerians can enter our sister country visa-free, but sometimes, visas may be given on arrival. Ghana is famous for its slave-trade historic artefacts, beautiful beaches and parks, and Shatta Wale lol. You should definitely visit.

    5. Kenya – East Africa

    Kenya is a beautiful country with incredible wildlife. Nigerians can visit for up to 90 days, visa-free. From fun rides through the safari to snorkelling, Kenya is one of Africa’s most impressive vacation locations.

    6. Madagascar – East Africa

    Madagascar is situated off the South East coast of Mozambique and is the world’s 4th largest island. Different species of palm trees surround the waters and you can go swimming or snorkelling in the Indian Ocean. In Madagascar, Nigerians receive visas on arrival.

    7. Chad – Central Africa

    Chad is located in the central African region and is home to a wide variety of wild animals. You can visit Chad visa-free and can pay a visit to the Zakouma National Park which has 44 species of large animals and many species of birds. There are also many interesting sandstone formations.

    8. Mauritania – West Africa

    Mauritania a beautiful desert country situated between Morocco, Mali, Algeria, Senegal, and the sweep of the Atlantic Ocean. On arrival, Nigerians can acquire a visa. You can cross the desert on a camel, or explore Chinguetti, an impressive “Old City”; a crumbling, sandstone village, with various antiquated mosques and a few libraries.

    9. Mauritius – East Africa

    Mauritius is a gorgeous island nation located along the coast of the Indian Ocean, off the southeast coast of Africa. Mauritius is an English/French-speaking country with a tropical climate, clear and warm sea waters and beaches. A perfect romantic getaway spot, you can go snorkelling, swimming or scuba-diving. For 90 days, Nigerians can visit Mauritius visa-free.

    10. Seychelles – East Africa

    Seychelles is located off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean and is bordered by other islands like Zanzibar, Madagascar and Mauritius. The beautiful country of 115 islands boasts of a diverse blend of cultures and has some of the best beaches in the world. It offers Nigerians a visitor’s permit for one month.

    Sade

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  • 12 Beautiful Countries That Won’t Stress You Before You Get A Visa

    12 Beautiful Countries That Won’t Stress You Before You Get A Visa
    Planning to travel somewhere stress-free? We’ve got you! See Henley and Partners Visa Restrictions Report for detailed information.

    1. Kenya

    You can get a Kenyan visa on arrival for 90 days.

    2. Maldives

    Your visa on arrival for 30 days.

    3. Barbados

    Barbados is visa-free for 6 months.

    4. Seychelles

    You’ll only need a visitor’s permit that lasts for a month.

    5. Tanzania

    Breeze in and get your visa on arrival.

    6. Mali

    Mali is visa free.

    7. Mauritius

    Stay visa-free for 90 days.

    8. Fiji

    You can stay visa-free for up to 4 months.

    9. Dominica

    Stay without a visa in Dominica for 21 days.

    10. Sierra Leone

    No visa needed.

    11. Federated States of Micronesia

    Visa free, but only for 30 days.

    12. Burundi

    You get a 30-day visa on arrival.

    Shola

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  • 13 Struggles Every Nigerian Who Only Has A Green Passport Will Get

    13 Struggles Every Nigerian Who Only Has A Green Passport Will Get

    1. You, the night before you go to apply for a visa.

    Baba God, do it for your child.

    2. You and Visa forms.

    The stress.

    3. When you get rejected by some countries and you’re just there thinking about your life.

    Is this my life? Even this skreppy country is rejecting me?

    4. The moment you realize your passport is lowkey just a wallet for visas.

    When will it get better, ehn?

    5. You, praying that the immigration officer suddenly becomes colour blind.

    He shall see blue in Jesus’ name.

    6. What the line for foreign passports looks like in a new country:

    What is all this?

    7. How immigration officers look at you when you bring out your green passport:

    Oh God!

    8. Your face, whenever they detain you at a foreign airport.

    Why always me?

    9. You, looking at the countries that you don’t need a visa to enter.

    Is this a joke?

    10. When countries in the same Africa as you are still asking for a visa too.

    In my own continent again?

    11. You, watching your friends with blue and red passports plan summer holidays.

    Chai!

    12. Whenever citizens start misbehaving around you.

    Abeg oh! I know the colour of my passport.

    13. When you want to enter your own country and they are answering people with blue and red passports first.

    What the hell?

    Daniel Orubo

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  • Nigerian Artist, Tunde Odunlade, Shows His Gratitude To The Consular Officer That Approved His Visa 30 Years Ago

    Nigerian Artist, Tunde Odunlade, Shows His Gratitude To The Consular Officer That Approved His Visa 30 Years Ago
    Back in 1984,  Nigerian artist, Tunde Odunlade, and Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas Greenwich, met for the first time.

    Thirty years ago, Tunde, a print and textile artist went to Linda’s window to request for a visa to the United States when she was serving as a Consular Officer in Lagos.

    Tunde, who was granted the visa rose to be one of the leading faces of traditional African art . His work has been displayed in many countries and is currently in a collection of institutions such as the Smithsonian Museum of African Art.

    Thirty years after their first encounter, as if by coincidence, Linda and Tunde happened to be panelists for a discussion on the Chibok girls.

    Tunde recognised her and just had to pay her a visit to thank her for approving his visa in 1984. He even showed her some of his work.

    Tunde Odunlade was the first African artist to exhibit at the Festival of Atlanta in 1987. Till date, he uses his art to address the social issues Nigerians face.

    You can view his collections on his website.

    Maryam

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  • 15 Pictures That Describe Being A Nigerian With A Student Visa

    15 Pictures That Describe Being A Nigerian With A Student Visa

    1. You to Nigeria, when your student visa gets approved.

    I’m out.

    2. When all the scholarships have “must be a citizen to apply”.

    Is it fair?

    3. When you can’t talk to a Nigerian at home without them reminding you it will soon expire.

    You’ll be fine.

    4. When you can’t work more than 20 hours a week and your bills are just looking at you like:

    Hay God!

    5. Nigerians at home, when you try to give your political opinions:

    No vex.

    6. When your friends want you to come back home and visit.

    This friendship is too expensive, biko.

    7. You, when citizens start shouting “fuck the police.”

    I’m not among oh.

    8. When you try to travel somewhere else with your student visa.

    The pain.

    9. When you can’t do anything without filling a million forms.

    Kill me na.

    10. When you come back home and your parents start stressing you.

    Let me do and go back.

    11. When your friends are talking about skipping class and you remember your visa status.

    I cannot come and go and fail.

    12. When you realize your visa is about to expire.

    Jisos!

    13. When you want to renew your visa and they’ve increased the cost.

    WHY?

    14. When you’re waiting to see if they will grant you the renewal.

    God epp me.

    15. You to the country, when you succesfully renew your student visa.

    Winning!

    Daniel Orubo

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  • BREAKING: Basketmouth About To Lose His Endorsement Deal!

    BREAKING: Basketmouth About To Lose His Endorsement Deal!

    Basketmouth has been busy making endorsement deals in Nigeria and the abroad.

    Ahn ahn! Basketmouth fine small sha.

    But just like anyone else pitching ideas, you’ve got to make sure your oga at the top is happy with it.

    He holds the key to your success na… Financial success.

    But what happens if he doesn’t like your idea at all?!

    Open your mouth and start praying!

    Do you try and explain yourself?

    “Em Sah! You see the way this thing will look in the end ehn…”

    Do you run?

    Hay God and they gave him visa ohh!

    Do you start thinking of all that money you won’t get?

    *Cries in pounds, dollars and euros*

    Watch how Basketmouth tries to salvage his business deal here:

    Damilola

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