wonlasewonimi:


Congratulations.. Why do I always think you're a guy. Like I always tell new people here, it's very tough at the beginning but gets easier as you push on.

JustAPasserBy:

I always (albeit wrongly) thought that Contra5 was Y-chromosome human.

By the way, which of the Facebook groups did you join?
I see. Lot of them…

And see I was not the only one...

wonlasewonimi:


Congratulations.. Why do I always think you're a guy. Like I always tell new people here, it's very tough at the beginning but gets easier as you push on.

maybe because of the video game we used to go play at roadside game centers. 'Contra' - one of the games on the 1000 games on one console.

deept:


maybe because of the video game we used to go play at roadside game centers. 'Contra' - one of the games on the 1000 games on one console.

I am not a gamer though. It's just that handle - Contra5 is not remotely feminine.

Contra5:
Hello,

I just want to appreciate everyone here. You guys are doing a great job. I have learnt so much here from discussions on building credit score to buying a house. I moved to my own house in October after 10 months of 'crazy'. Buying a house in the UK is not for the faint hearted. We started looking at houses last year and left to pick it up again in January and it was a case of you put in an offer and some else offers 10k above the asking price. It was a sellers market not sure if it has changed now. Someone here mentioned the Facebook group (First time Buyers) - its really good. Thank you.

Please be careful when choosing a mortgage advisor. Some of these white folks can only deal with the straightforward cases - they literally know nothing about BREXIT or immigration rules etc. I recall Fatima had said she was calling banks herself. I wish had done that! It's best doing everything yourself because no one knows you more than yourself. After 3 rejections from 3 banks with a 10% deposit and the reason the advisor gave was because of my nationality. I knew something wasn't right!. I got on the phone. Got mortgage approved with Natwest within 2 weeks.

It was such a stressful experience. The seller put the house back on the market because she thought we'd never get our mortgage application approved. I don't blame her. On the day of exchange, the bank refused to release funds because of the different names on my passport and application form - pulled out records of all comms with the mortgage advisor where he told me its not a problem. They said the guy resigned a month ago so I had to go physically to the bank. It was past 5pm - knocked on the door and told them to open up. Short story - to survive in the UK, you've got to fight for everything. I don't care if they call me fiesty black lady.

I digress, this is an appreciation post. Thank you all.

I said it when i got my mortgage, most advisors don’t understand the immigration rules, then all the ones i contacted said i was not eligible, but hay hoo, popped into the bank and I got sorted.

@Justwise and co please can UK driving license be used in Naija, and can one be able to use UK bank app for transfers/ transactions in Naija. Lastly please the day 2 lateral flow test kit, did you order it while in Naija?

wow, big congratulations. delay is not denial

5gee:
I got my ILR.
10 year route
1 year - Student visa
5 years + tier 2
4 years Spousal/partner
Hopefully I will get my passport in January. Then I can start applying for jobs abroad.
I did not apply for my ILR on tier 2 because I was naive. I was at risk of redundancy with barely 2 months to my ILR and the company wouldn't give me a letter without stating that I was at risk. I didn't feel comfortable applying with that on the letter so I canceled my appointment and when I failed to get another sponsor and not enough time to find a decent job in Nigeria, I applied for a spousal visa which reset my timeline.
In hindsight, I should have applied and I would have been granted it, saving me thousands of pounds in application fees and NHS surcharge. More painful is the fact that I had considered moving back home in the earlier years but got to the point where going back without at least ILR was not logical. Hopefully I find a good role back home or somewhere near , Amen.

TRAY2:
@Justwise and co please can UK driving license be used in Naija, and can one be able to use UK bank app for transfers/ transactions in Naija. Lastly please the day 2 lateral flow test kit, did you order it while in Naija?

You can use it but it’s not advisable. Drive with a Nigerian license. Uk bank apps work here as normal. As long as you have good internet and can receive any OTP’s.

TRAY2:
@Justwise and co please can UK driving license be used in Naija, and can one be able to use UK bank app for transfers/ transactions in Naija. Lastly please the day 2 lateral
flow test kit, did you order it while in Naija?

What mamatukwas said.

Best to order on time even before you leave, deliveries around this period can be unreliable.

TRAY2:
@Justwise and co please can UK driving license be used in Naija, and can one be able to use UK bank app for transfers/ transactions in Naija. Lastly please the day 2 lateral flow test kit, did you order it while in Naija?

Yes UK bank app works in Nigeria, you can send money to your Nigerian account through any of those agents.

Yes I ordered my PCR test kit while in Nigeria but shop around because some are cheaper than others.

God bless everybody that gives advise here despite your busy schedule. Is not easy. Gracias. How wish Nigerians in uk are united like this offline.

iboboyswag:


So Contra is a woman?? And here is me thinking you was a dude...

Plenty congratulations...

For nairaland everybody na man woman no dey

Aprokodaughter:


For nairaland everybody na man woman no dey

No b so... The way she writes tends towards the male gender. But you, I am certain of your gender.

iboboyswag:


No b so... The way she writes tends towards the male gender. But you, I am certain of your gender.

Nairaland still dey call me Sir even with the daughter in my moniker. I know if man dey bear daughter now.

Pls help me guys how can I meet u here??
What are the procedures?

So I have just used lemonade today since a lot of you have said great things about it

In case you wanna try, I have a code. Leave me a mention and I will post the code

We will both get £20

luvlyoracle:
Pls help me guys how can I meet u here??
What are the procedures?

No procedure necessary to meet anyone. Just read up as much as you can and try to intelligently blend in.

Aprokodaughter:


Nairaland still dey call me Sir even with the daughter in my moniker. I know if man dey bear daughter now.

Nairaland is a pot porri of individuals. You should expect even more.

jesmond3945:
God bless everybody that gives advise here despite your busy schedule. Is not easy. Gracias. How wish Nigerians in uk are united like this offline.

If we unite offline we go lose our essence as Nigerians. With whom will we compete again?

TheGuyFromHR:


If we unite offline we go lose our essence as Nigerians. With whom will we compete again?

lol. If you know you know.

iboboyswag:


Nairaland is a pot porri of individuals. You should expect even more.

When I first started to post for Nairaland...it was a shock me. The default was that I must be a man.... I can't count how many replied I posted correcting I am not Sir or Bros

LagosismyHome:


When I first start to post for Nairaland...it shock me. The default was that I must be a man.... I can't count how many replied I posted correcting I am not Sir or Bros

I think that one of those times was when we first crossed paths. On the students thread.

Graceful as ever. Your grace.

I am loving the win posts and news shared recently. Many more wins in this house.
Compliments of the season minus covid to everyone.

Mamatukwas:


Congratulations.

Thank you Mamatukwas! I follow your page on IG and likes your post whenever I go there. I like hardworking women. Well done! If teaching is your forte, I think you should have a masterclass/online course. It will help a lot of migrant wives with kids.

Haha! Thank you. Yeah, it can only get better.

Congratulations.. Why do I always think you're a guy. Like I always tell new people here, it's very tough at the beginning but gets easier as you push on. [/quote]

You too! It's the last one there. Property - First time Buyers. It's a private group with about 30k members.

JustAPasserBy:


I always (albeit wrongly) thought that Contra5 was Y-chromosome human.

By the way, which of the Facebook groups did you join?
I see. Lot of them…

So a lady can only have a feminine name? You got it though! I game a lot as a teenager and Contra was one of my favourites.

deept:


maybe because of the video game we used to go play at roadside game centers. 'Contra' - one of the games on the 1000 games on one console.

Contra5:


Thank you Mamatukwas! I follow your page on IG and likes your post whenever I go there. I like hardworking women. Well done! If teaching is your forte, I think you should have a masterclass/online course. It will help a lot of migrant wives with kids.

Aww thank you so much Mami. God bless.

AKALAMAGBO:
Congratulations 5gee … Omooo mehn, this particular thread no be for kiddos ooo, I mean sometimes I just imagine the age of some gurus here and I be like OOH; justwise go be around 42 TheGuyFromHR go be like that 45 LexusGS430 fit be 37 Fatima04 maybe 38 Aprokodaughter response dey always twist my head one kind, maybe 37 ( me and her still dey same bracket ) …… BUT MEHN I respect all of you GURUS and thanks for supporting us upcoming gurus as well, God bless you all… No PUN intended Aprokodaughter
.e

You are not nice oo, how can I be older than ancestor Lexus now

Chreze:


You just reminded me of when I came to this place, so make I tell you more.

[b]Getting the Airbnb for 1month might be a good option. When you get to the house here’s what to do and what I consider the order.
[/b]
1. On the day or night of your arrival. Go to lebara site and order for a SIM card. It’s free. (http://lebara.co.uk/). And they will have it delivered to your apartment in about 48hrs. When buying the SIM card, go for the option of getting an unlimited calling and texting plan with data. The minimum is £5. That unlimited call will help you

The bolded is not luxury is the best plan for those with family unless you are a small unit and have a family very much willing to accommodate. Even at that don't overstay your welcome oo.

I see a lot of families stranded and frustrated with the process of house search and settling down because of not planning properly. Yes it's difficult to get a house but that's largely due to the pressure of being stranded and squating with people. Everyone would eventually get their own place and settle.

mizGene:


Hmmm. I also figured the cost might be a deterrent for some of them. Does this apply also to tier 4 dependents?

From the guidance have read this only applies to Tier 4 students with the degree certificate, but who knows it might just be in one of those other numerous gov.uk documents

It was such a stressful experience. The seller put the house back on the market because she thought we'd never get our mortgage application approved. I don't blame her. On the day of exchange, the bank refused to release funds because of the different names on my passport and application form - pulled out records of all comms with the mortgage advisor where he told me its not a problem. They said the guy resigned a month ago so I had to go physically to the bank. It was past 5pm - knocked on the door and told them to open up. Short story - to survive in the UK, you've got to fight for everything. I don't care if they call me fiesty black lady.

I digress, this is an appreciation post. Thank you all.[/quote]

Congratulations on the new house. Let's come and wash it

Contra5:


Thank you Mamatukwas! I follow your page on IG and likes your post whenever I go there. I like hardworking women. Well done! If teaching is your forte, I think you should have a masterclass/online course. It will help a lot of migrant wives with kids.

How do we locate her on IGz so we can learn