Eldeedon:
Help!! somebody should pls help me out with a place around Ikeja to do my PPA..


check my signature for my contact....... thnx

dm

nonye6194:

dm

I hv sent u a mail

Wow i just finished reading your posts from day one. I enjoyed every bit of ur story keep up the good work and have a wonderful service year

Wow nice one bro! Your story is really captivating and informative. Looking forward to camp experience soonest. Btw I love your style of writing [color=#000099][/color]

The next week I travelled home for the holidays, to spend a good time with my family that I've been away from since I left for camp in July. Trust me when I say nothing beats family. And in the words of legendary Luther Vandross song

'A house is not a home' ❤️

My plan was actually to spend a full month before returning back but monthly biometrics (which is usually the first week of the month) made me stay three weeks instead

I couldn't even complain much, I needed that money that comes after biometrics.



Well, back to suffer head

I was relieved when I found out my PPA was resuming operations on the second week of January. So after I returned and did my biometrics the next day, I continued my holidays (an extra week of marathon movies, sleep and whatever). I would've preferred the one week with my family sha, but e go be.

I did my biometrics with May (as usual ) and we caught up on our last three weeks of holidays. It was good to be back tho. At least, to complete the last lap of these scam of a service and be free


Then this issue of the upcoming elections the next month

We nairalanders (and any other gossip blog regulars) know how heated the comment part of the politics section usually is. I usually think that that's how these commenters behave in real life lol. I also wonder if some of dem get work sef (no pun intended). I am tempted to drag some monikers in this thread but home training would not let me .

Well, what point was I even tryna make sef

Aha! Elections lol.

Well, our LGI told us during one of the last general CDS That every corper is expected to participate in the elections as ad-hoc official.

What is even wrong with these people sef! Na by force ni ?!

I spoke with a few friends and they were all on board with the kini and deep down I wanted to follow and do too. I need money scatter.

How man go do?

These days I broke sotey I owe myself money . The way money gets spent in this Lagos unknowingly dey fear me. Although I don't get much from PPA but it gets me by sometimes.

NYSC monthly allawee is not even an option for me as I've not touched the money since I left camp.

I know some of y'all will be shouting 'Corper Linus'

But it's the truth. I haven't taken a dime out of the account (Well, except the ones yeye access bank keeps removing for lubish card maintenance ). Apart from that, the money is still untouched and if you do the maths you'd know how much is there (August to January).

Why I never even flex that money sef ?!

I was hoping to save a little something to get a small space before POP in June/July. After I don land job.................Amen o!
I won't even lie, it's been difficult depending on just PPA pay to get by. I remember several temptations to withdraw small to sort an issue or two but I couldn't sef. The credit card hadn't been activated so no transaction can be carried out on the account . I did that on purpose to lol
I later activated the card to lend a friend or two a few monies to help sort their urgent issues and they all paid back. So we're still alright .

But access bank does not want to leave the poor account alone with yeye bank charges (especially the card maintenance charge). That one pain me pass . Card that's in my wallet I haven't used before that they're removing money for its maintenance

I intended to move all the monies and future ones into one of my unused account (diamond bank) to cut down the excess charges. Only for access bank to purchase diamond bank weeks later.

2019 and village people af resumed work


Do y'all remember Kele from camp? My fellow head of the OBS (but in the editorial section). Well, he is a small time artiste/writer and he released an EP back in December titled 'BUDS' and it's a good listen. The EP is out there on music platforms so y'all go out and support a brotherly. Plus, he printed face caps to promote his release and I copped one for myself to support the movement

We rise by lifting others!

There is this group I belong to on telegram (getjobs.com) which has a massive membership of top HR talent specialists and job seekers (mostly) in Lagos and environs. The group's aim is to share job vacancies, connect job seekers with first hand openings that haven't been posted anywhere (most of the times).

Daily, the group receives 30-50 new job openings and trust me, it's a huge task if you leave and return to the group for a few days. The amount of unread messages (openings) will make you weak in the knees lol. I joined the group back in August when I had PPA issues and it was the result of the job fair this group organised.

I remember at the job fair, how surprised I was at the attendance and quality of the firms (mostly multinationals) that sponsored it. I made up my mind then to take the group serious as my first career job could come from here . But first I gats to get everything in order. I started with my CV and LinkedIn profile, thanks to the free reviews I got. Then I began connecting with all the HR experts/firm I could find on the platform. I also started sending out my CV to openings I found on the group I matched their requirements.

These was all last year when I bin dey find PPA. Once I found one, I deleted both apps as my phone had serious memory issues and I had to do something.

I no get choice

But I made up my mind to reinstall both apps and double up efforts from January on both platforms so I could land a job before I pass out from NYSC. That was what I did and this brings me to January 18th.


I got home that evening after a stressful day at work and I opened my email to see the message below :

I got invited for one of the many openings I applied for

A freaking Machine operator position in a growing FMCG firm !

I never espererit

I was excited that it's been barely two weeks I stared applying and I got invited for an interview. I was glad I was considered (even if I scale through, or not). I informed my folks about it and started preparing for the interview which was in three days.

The day came quickly and I got there 1 hour ahead of time. The place was a recruiting firm in Ikoyi, acting on behalf of their client to take care of the recruitment process. Since I got here ahead of time, I decided to chill and use the hour to relax my nerves as I can't even rehearse anything now to avoid getting anxious. 20 minutes to the time of the interview, I was called in for the interview.

I kinda freaked out a bit on the sudden call in but I was relaxed and ready to ace the interview. I got more confidence when I saw my interviewer.

A very fine sister choi

I wasn't tensed or feeling jittery like my last PPA interview months ago in VI. The lady did a wonderful job and her manner of conduct was professional and personal at the same time. Her candour helped me ace the interview and from her look, she was impressed with my answers.

Not those ones that'll interrogate you like Nigerian police at checkpoint

Forget this diary o, I sabi book die

Fast forward four days later I got another email.

I got a second invitation for the last lap of interview for the job!

This time it was with the Managers and CEO at the firm's location in Matori. I was elated but not too surprised as I expected this to happen, given how well (I thought) I performed in the first interview.

See nonsense pride

But I was having doubts towards the job because of the following:

-Pay (wasn't too befitting of the position and responsibilities it demanded)
-Distance (between my current residence and the factory)
-Combining PPA, NYSC and Machine Operator
-The demands stated in the job description

Well, I decided to ignore all of these and prepare for the upcoming interview. And I gats prepare well cos the fine sister that interviewed me on the island probably won't be there .

PS. I added her on LinkedIn

The day came and I arrived the venue 4 minutes late (because I couldn't locate the firm on time) and I met two other candidates for interview for other roles in same firm. They started calling them in first and that gave me some time to relax as usual. While waiting, the factory manager came around and gave me a few tips which I was thankful for.

My turn came and I went in. It was a little different type of interview from the initial one and more work based questions and practical questions were thrown at me. I did my best and was sincere in everything with them. They were satisfied and we ended the interview on a good note. I left with high hopes.





Maybe not too high.

I had resolved to quit my PPA if I get a satisfying job offer.

Who PPA epp sef

My plan was to turn the firm into my PPA for the rest of my service months and use just few hours of a day for my biometrics monthly. At least I would come to an agreement, so it would prevent any wahala with the potential employer.

Although it was a long January (as usual ), but I was glad I was able to make the most out of it. If not for anything, I started 2019 with a pretty decent note.

Oh!

I totally forgot to mention to y'all that I ordered for a more better device here in NL in January. My current device (Nokia II) can't even go on with the bulk of stress I put it through daily. Apps crash while in use and memory runs low everytime. It was getting irritating. Plus, it's responsible for the low quality pictures I upload on this thread. Don't get me wrong, Nokia II has the toughest battery a smartphone can boast of. I remember going three days without charge and it was on 38%. On top the internet I surfed.

Nokia is still the daddy in battery durability and longevity no arguments!

The upgrade to a better phone was long overdue but I had to do it myself on my terms and when I can afford to

Also in same January, I went and picked up my certificates for the training I did back in September in Ikeja. Results were already out and I waited for when I'll have the chance to pick the sturvs up. And it was necessary so I'll have something interesting to add to my résumé. The day I went was supposed to be the inaugural inec training at the LGA but abegi !

Fi mi le

I got the certificates and I was so pumped . Told Emy about it and she went a week later with Ru to pick theirs up too.


Five days after the last interview, I got a mail offering me the job for the position of a Machine Operator

Dancing Azonto and Alanta together...

Good job!!! I'm happy for you

but how did you join the telegram group. I know nothing about telegram

I was shocked, to say the least

There's no emoji to describe how I felt (so I won't use any lol). I couldn't believe I could land such position and at such short time. I couldn't even steady myself to read the full contents of the offer letter initially. I later calmed down and read its complete content. The letter contained the terms of employment which it's content brought back the doubts I had about the job previously (before the interview).

There was a new cause for doubt and this was the firm's working hours.

7 am - 6 pm (1 hour break)
Monday - Saturday
Option of overtime when necessary (I.e. working on Sundays and late hours)

Oh my sweet Saturdays

Suddenly, I was torn between accepting or rejecting the offer outrightly but I decided to sleep on the issue.
I thought I could but the truth is I couldn't even do that, as I was easily distracted by the thoughts of the job and the possible consequences of the decision I'll eventually take. I spoke to a few close friends and family for advice but na dem even confuse me pass

One will tell you to take the job in the morning. Only to call in the afternoon to say you should reject it, citing some strong points I wished weren't true

I drew up possible pros and cons of accepting the job because I was under little pressure to make a decision as the firm called and also sent a text for a reply from me. But that's not what made the decision for me.

I considered the pay and what I'll spend on transportation to and fro work

The area the firm is located

The working hours and the toll it will take on me coupled with the nature of the job, traffic and possibly lateness.

And at the end of the day I had to reject the job offer

I kinda felt I lost out by rejecting the offer but a reminder of why I did reassured me I made the right decision. I wasn't ready to relocate for this job and that meant possible lateness and monies spent on transportation (about 1,000-1,200 daily).
I know I will land other (better) options with the months I had left before I finish up NYSC. Even with all of these, I still thought about my decision before I sent that rejection email.

I got a reply from the firm after I sent my rejection mail.

I sent a reply to their response. And that was the end of it.

I'd like to know what y'all think about the job and the decision I took.


what would you have done and why

You did the right thing bro
Considering the amount you going to spend daily on transportation and the working hours. Saturday too? Quite extreme.

That being said, if the firm choose to work out the aforementioned, then I think it's a good start.

Be that as it may, I trust you will be great and better offers are coming.

I think you did the right thing about the job offer. I was in a scenario during my IT placement where office hours were very long (8 hours daily even with the shifts/ Sat and Sun. inclusive) I only worked there cause i needed the experience in my field. If you do a rough maths about your expenditure for 30 days you might be running into a loss coupled with the distance and overtime.
P.S your ardent follower from PHC, i wish NYSC will just stew my bread and send me to Lag next month for A. Looking forward to other works from you on NL. Lets connect soon i hope . FG

nonye6194:
I'd like to know what y'all think about the job and the decision I took.


what would you have done and why

You try o, I loathe politics section. Too many useless arguments and insults rather than information. I no dey ever go there.

Nice that you got a job, if you can get one, u can get another. Dropping the job however was Worth it. The stress involved doesn't commensurate the amount.

I'm curious though, if you haven't touched your allowwee, how did you sponsor all those certs from novelle

fait10:
Wow i just finished reading your posts from day one. I enjoyed every bit of ur story keep up the good work and have a wonderful service year

mucho gracias

nonye6194:
There is this group I belong to on telegram (getjobs.com) which has a massive membership of top HR talent specialists and job seekers (mostly) in Lagos and environs. The group's aim is to share job vacancies, connect job seekers with first hand openings that haven't been posted anywhere (most of the times).

Daily, the group receives 30-50 new job openings and trust me, it's a huge task if you leave and return to the group for a few days. The amount of unread messages (openings) will make you weak in the knees lol. I joined the group back in August when I had PPA issues and it was the result of the job fair this group organised.

I remember at the job fair, how surprised I was at the attendance and quality of the firms (mostly multinationals) that sponsored it. I made up my mind then to take the group serious as my first career job could come from here . But first I gats to get everything in order. I started with my CV and LinkedIn profile, thanks to the free reviews I got. Then I began connecting with all the HR experts/firm I could find on the platform. I also started sending out my CV to openings I found on the group I matched their requirements.

These was all last year when I bin dey find PPA. Once I found one, I deleted both apps as my phone had serious memory issues and I had to do something.

I no get choice

But I made up my mind to reinstall both apps and double up efforts from January on both platforms so I could land a job before I pass out from NYSC. That was what I did and this brings me to January 18th.


I got home that evening after a stressful day at work and I opened my email to see the message below :

Hi, I enjoyed reading your diary and I wish u a wonderful time as u conclude the remainder of ur service year, I hope u don't mind sharing the link to join the telegram group for the employment opportunities, I tried launching getjobs.com but it seems the site is down
Thanks in anticipation

Bestlily:
Dancing Azonto and Alanta together...

Good job!!! I'm happy for you

but how did you join the telegram group. I know nothing about telegram

thanks
just send a DM and I'll add you to the group. But you gats to have the app tho

fait10:
Wow i just finished reading your posts from day one. I enjoyed every bit of ur story keep up the good work and have a wonderful service year

thank you

Olaadun:
Wow nice one bro! Your story is really captivating and informative. Looking forward to camp experience soonest. Btw I love your style of writing [color=#000099][/color]

thank you, that's the essence of it all

segundpundit:

Hi, I enjoyed reading your diary and I wish u a wonderful time as u conclude the remainder of ur service year, I hope u don't mind sharing the link to join the telegram group for the employment opportunities, I tried launching getjobs.com but it seems the site is down
Thanks in anticipation

dm

sconp:
You try o, I loathe politics section. Too many useless arguments and insults rather than information. I no dey ever go there.

Nice that you got a job, if you can get one, u can get another. Dropping the job however was Worth it. The stress involved doesn't commensurate the amount.

I'm curious though, if you haven't touched your allowwee, how did you sponsor all those certs from novelle

lol

I visit almost all the NL sections mostly to read, learn and unlearn. Can't comment unless it's on a thread I created.

the certification no cost sir. 19500 pere

I'm sorry for no new update in almost a week. chance to Siddon arrange this thing is the problem . But I have locked down for this week(end) .

but wait o, how come we have 41k views on this thread

is it a real sturvs abi dem follow rig the numbers?

thanks alot guys

nonye6194:



thanks

just send a DM and I'll add you to the group. But you gats to have the app tho

Thanks dear...although I see you rejected the offer. nothing do you!!!

nonye6194:



thanks

just send a DM and I'll add you to the group. But you gats to have the app tho

I know kene, he is a friend , and he was a year ahead back in school, unilag! He is very smart and talented and he was even a student leader back in school , I am a graduate now, since October precisely and I am going to be among this upcoming batch a... never listened to buds though, but I saw the cover art on his Instagram page! Best of lucks to you bro!..

africandictator:
I know kene, he is a friend , and he was a year ahead back in school, unilag! He is very smart and talented and he was even a student leader back in school , I am a graduate now, since October precisely and I am going to be among this upcoming batch a... never listened to buds though, but I saw the cover art on his Instagram page! Best of lucks to you bro!..

Thanks a lot

To someone that might need a PPA. Lagos corpers only .

February started for me with attending INEC training for ad-hoc staff and this was to last from Friday to Sunday. When I heard Sunday, I remembered my first reaction was;

'Sunday kwa These people don't fear Jesus o'

On the first day, I left work to the venue only to find myself in an awkward situation. Other corpers were on their khaki while me (since I came from work) was on mufty. Haaa, I don't like anything drawing the slightest attention to me. Today was such day. Even though no one said anything, I think I felt eyes staring and saying whatever was in their heads. Or maybe I'm just imagining these things.

I didn't pay much attention to the training only for me to get the first shocker of the training.


Our trainer announced a test at the end of the session.

Haaaaaaa

Since it was multi choice test, I picked the ones my ears picked from the class and did 'tumbo tumbo' for rest .

Then on the second day, something happened

Today was the day I was supposed to pick up the new phone, so I planned to get it after the training. MAY came for today's class after plenty 'abeg' (lol). She's the only person I do things with in my LGA so any activity she's not around for, it'll just be weird (lonely) for me. Hence why I dragged her into this one

She finished up her class earlier than me and left so I had to pick up my phone and started heading back home on my own. I boarded a bus to my destination, which the fare was #100. It wasn't long the bus started the trip, the conductor shouted their usual offering slang;

'your money dia!!!

And we started taking out and giving him our monies line by line. I gave a #500 note even tho I had a #100 note with me

I needed the change for the rest of my trip home.

Before I brought out my #500 out, the auntie seated beside me was just poking her eyes inside my pouch as I was going through it. She thought I was bringing out a smaller denomination.

Pipu cannor have small privacy again

Well, to her disappointment I brought out the same denomination as she was holding.

We die here

We all sent our monies to the conductor who collected them and assumed his seat without making any move to start giving out any change to those who deserved them. I didn't bother to stress since we were barely halfway the destination.

Why would I? When my new phone was shacking my head like kilode. Since I picked up the phone after the training, I was so engrossed in it that I didn't pay much attention to what was happening around me. And the 'Creed II OST' album I was listening to made it more fun for me.

*Listen to J Cole x Ari Lennox's song and another by NAS x Rick Ross' too in the (creed) album

Back to the bus story,

An argument ensued between two passengers, which slowly involved more passengers and it turned into a heated argument. I don't really know the origin of the argument but when I saw people arguing, I reduced the volume of the song playing to hear small.

Abi who no like live drama?

The few things I could pick up from their argument was centred around the following topics;

-The Lagos marathon (which was today) and the problems it created

-How much service is enough service. (These pipu went as far as using nysc as an example. And I was seated at the back on my khaki)

-PMB, Atiku, Jagaban, elections

-bla bla bla

Before it was getting too heated for my listening comfort, we were approaching my bus stop.

Finally, I get to get off this bus of non stop talking

The thing about Lagos danfo arguments is that even those with 'not so good' odour will join. And when they do, you sef would suddenly lose consciousness and concede to their own side .


I got down and asked conductor for my #400 change and this uncle said vehemently (as if we were quarreling);

'I no dey owe you any change!!!

Then I went

I was still trying to process what this guy said and before I knew what was happening, he has hopped back on the bus and tapped it (in their usual fashion) as cue for the driver to move on.

Since he was asking for it today.............

I held a sizeable amount of his Jean waistband and forced him down from the bus, as it was about to move. He kept ranting and threatening that my change is #100 not #400, that I gave him #200 not #500. Then a bystander asked him;

'no be you say you no dey owe am change ni

I turned to the bystander's direction and noticed a little crowd was already behind. And it had started drizzling at the same time but I didn't lose my grip on his trousers. Then the conductor started again by saying that my trip charge was even #150 and not #100. A passenger quickly countered him by reminding him that others who stepped down at this same bus stop paid #100 and we all boarded the bus from the same take off point.

The rain was getting serious and the crowd was dispersing. Meanwhile, the driver and the rest of the passengers who were arguing a shitstorm earlier in the bus were all mute during this exchange.


Did I care


Hell noooo!

I was bent on getting my change in full and not even the thought of landing on instablog was going to stop that. Then the passengers started yelling at the driver to move on. The conductor took that opportunity and tried losing my grip to hop back on the bus. Then I did the first thing that came to my head.

I kicked him while he was mid air and he fell down immediately!

In my head;

'Did I just kick down a bus conductor?!

I don kee myself today eh

I was scared I might have hurt him. I was more scared for what he'll do when he stands up, so I braced myself for a retaliation when it comes.


He stood up.


Reached for his pocket and counted out #400 and handed it over to me. Then he hopped back in the bus and they left. He didn't say anything to me, not a word. The remaining crowd behind left, disappointed that the fight ended just before it got interesting.

Still shocked about the whole incident, I quickly crossed to the other side of the road and took another bus to my last bus stop.

This sounds fictitious but it all happened and I'm more worried it happened to me. Why is because I've never had an exchange with a conductor or driver before this day. Things escalated quickly even before I knew what was happening. And I wouldn't have narrated this here but I decided to when I remembered a couple of onlookers recorded part of the the incident. Incase it gets out, you've already heard my own side of what happened. Gossip tabloids would spice it up for a good argument to sprout in the comment's section. Trust outlets like instablog9ja with headlines like :

"Corper beats down a poor conductor because he learnt martial arts in camp"

Linda Ikeji would dig deep to find out who I am and make nysc catch me faster :

"Corp member, Nonye with code LA/18B/0000 beats a conductor at Festac gate"

Our dear NL and lalasticlala wee kukuma nail the coffin with their own caption

"Nairalander, nonye6194 is an agbero, beats up fellow agbero today"


I know what I did wasn't right and I truly am sorry for how it happened. But I needed to get my money back and in full. If not, I would've trekked from Festac first gate to 6th avenue and that wouldn't have been funny in this rain. When I got home, I called MAY to tell her what happened and she was full of regret she left earlier than me. If she didn't, she would've witnessed it herself because we usually board same bus to our destinations.


Thank heavens she didn't. And y'all won't see me anywhere on any blog for this

After the first job offer I rejected, I kept on applying for more openings that fit my qualifications. A week or so after the 'conductor' incident, I got a mail inviting me for a test on a job I applied for. The job was a 'technical officer' role in an industrial gas manufacturing company somewhere in Ikeja. I had already started researching and looking forward to the interview. But I remembered the mail stated 'test' and not 'interview'. They even stated the subjects they'll test on :

-Critical reasoning
-Quantitative reasoning and
-Writing skills (essay)

It's GMAT again

Last time I went through this type of subjects was few years ago when I sat for ExxonMobil/Chevron, Agbami, etc scholarships. And it's not always funny. These subjects (especially critical reasoning) has a way to Bleep up one's thinking real good. If you've prepared for all those dragnet, workforce tests, you'd understand how brain cracking these subjects and their questions are. And preparing for such subjects in this noisy Lagos

But since na gas company, we go read am








Election day drew closer and I had already made up my mind to take part in it. I mean, after spending so much to acquire another phone, fixing my PC, etc I needed to start replenishing the monies I spent back. I even contemplated selling off my other phone. I weighed it's pros and cons and the pros far outweighed the other so I kept it. MAY pulled out of the elections after taking part in the training.

Just imagine

She saw my new device and grew interest in getting a device. I connected her to my guy and she ordered hers.

Twinning

The Lekki Conservation Centre we planned to go to this February had to be postponed till next month because of the plenty money we shelled out on expenses. Even our CDS group haven't met nor planned any trip so far because of the elections.