[It might be a good idea to suggest that to the young lad to encourage him rather than belittle this attempt he has made. You could also build him that beautiful encasement you have imagined as part of your contribution to developing him and his project. Always put a kind word forward.]

I wonder what that contraption will be used for. Who uses coins in Nigeria? Even ten year old kids in Nigeria don't know what a coin is.

By the way, why is it that whatever Nigerians build are always rough-looking and rustic? See the carton sef.

If it were built by an American or German kid, it'd be made of either smooth, ergonomic high grade plastic or metal, and very pleasant to look at. [/quote]

Please send property pix to lumzye@yahoo.co.uk. Regards

How much is this property selling for?

This is very shameful....however, you can send a petition to the National Assembly's committee on foreign affairs, and also copy the Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs.

I walk into a branch of first bank in Surulere, this morning in company of a middle aged woman who isn't literate. I had persuaded her to open a savings account earlier in the year despite her reservations about having a bank account. Whilst she had valid reasons about the banks being insecure and unexplainable charges, I had superior arguments to counter every reservation she had expressed. At the end of the day she opened an account with first bank. Her fears became a reality within a couple of weeks when she got her bank balance,  she had being charged for text messages, COT, etc and her balance had reduced by about NGN1,500.00. Expectedly, she dragged me to the bank to act as her interpreter, and we managed to unsubscribe from the text messaging service which was a culrpit. I advised that she could visit the bank at anytime to enquire about her balance since she didn't want a debit card.

Fast-track to the BVN palaver which she managed to get through and eventually got enrolled on. She had waited endlessly for the bank to advise her of her BVN which never came. I reassured her that her money was safe and accompanied her to the bank yet again.

With a broad smile, I walk into the banking hall and tell the bank officer that she wanted her BVN and her bank balance. He shockingly tells me "we no longer run the balance enquiry service for walk-in cistomers". My mouth agape, i pinch myself to make sure I am still alive. He repeats the same again, and yours truly threw a barrage  of questions at him. If i cant come into the bank to enquire about my balance what is the point in having a bank account with your bank? He advises that text, email, ATM, phone-in service etc are options available. I was truly disgusted! What happens to those that are illiterate, aged, mentally challenged, OCD, etc who will want to go into the banking hall for the balance enquiry service? 

I concluded that the banking sector is worse than BH! Economic saboteurs! No wonder we haven't been able to effectively mobilize national savings for development. Little wonder there is an estimated one trillion Naira in unbanked funds, leaving the economy in disarray with high lending rates and very little funds to on-lend to borrowers. Alas, i now understand why we have about 60% unbanked Nigerians (majority don't bank not because they don't have money money to save but for the complexity and distrust of the banking sector).

I was totally gobsmacked. I had thought First Bank being a legacy bank should be at the forefront of promoting inclusive banking!

Then another dilemma begins, how do i convince the woman to continue keeping her account if she has been told she can't walk in to obtain the balance on her account. Bear in mind that the bank lends her money out and trades with it, but still doesn't think she has a say as to how she prefers to be served. What a shame! These banks have lost the plot!

 The folly of this policy is that they will eventually not be able to sell other banking products to a handful of customers who would ordinarily walk into the banking hall.

The banks have been blinded by cheap funds from the government, COT, text messaging, transfer fees etc.They seem to have forgotten that these are not actual revenues from real banking activities! Their role is to create money and wealth, by the multiplier effects of funds they lend out. 

The woman quietly told me after this encounter that she would be drawing down her funds with the bank,  obvious to increase the trapped trillions which we have been unable to mobilize over the years. The consequence is that the cost of borriwing will remain high with mortgage loan, business loans, education loan etc remaining a myth for Nigerians but for a few high net worth individuals.

I would like to know of peoples experiences with their financial services provider.

Kindly send pictures of the property to me lumzye@yahoo.co.uk. Thanks

Thank you for alerting us about the kidnap scam. Car buyers should take extra-precaution such as not going alone to meet car sellers for vehicle inspection. Another measure of precaution is being discreet about their itinerary with car sellers on the day of inspection

I am on the lookout for a Nigeria used 2007, 2008, Toyota Avensis to buy. It must be clean, well maintained and with a low mileage.I am based in Lagos and available to inspect the vehicle @ short notice. Send me an email: lumzye@yahoo.co.uk

Has this car had a paint job? Has it been in any accident? Where can it be inspected?

Boss, I thought you had offers for 1.25m? I honestly didn't think you could achieve what you were asking for a 2005 Avensis! My offer of 1.1m is still on, cash.

Lucky you! Sell quickly!

Hello, could you tell me what the mileage on this vehicle is. Any accident history? And where can it be inspected. Thanks

Boss, my offer of 1.1m still available. The car is 2005, Naija used, nobody will pay you more for this car.. let us deal and the car will fly quickly!! When Can i inspect?

I make an offer of 1.1m for this car. Send me a mail if acceptable. I will pay cash immediately. Thanks

Is this vehicle still available? Can we arrange a viewing/inspection of the car? Many thanks.

Is this the same test which held on 30th April at Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf
Westferry Circus? A friend was invited for this test and was told a couple of days before the test that it had been postponed!!! Thinking a Nigerian factor was at play!!! All the best to you guys who wrote it.

could anyone help with some information? i have an interview with IBTC and need some information on how the interview is conducted i.e. interview structure (likely questions), length of interview etc. and any other information that will help. Thanks