NewStats: 3,264,420 , 8,183,685 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 02:25 AM 3o3l4h

ifax:
Gtb monthly limit now $2k

Praise God!!!

I only wish that the exchange rate will drop with the upward revision...
Still the same ngn300/$1, innit?

mulberry:
And God did it for me.... It's a BOY!

@Mulberry
Congrats Mama.

This one is the proverbial "Babatunde".
(I recall you said your dad ed some weeks before you left Naija...?)

It is well with you and LO! More grace and favour!

ionantchica:
So I finally reached my destination- ATL about 7 hours ago.
I was so fagged out when I arrived, thanks to the Isrealite's Arab's waka I did with Qatar. That trip ain't no joke man!

My POE was Miami, will give my full gist in a bit.

@ionantchica
Welcome Chica!

Hmmmm.... my joke about waka-ing Qatar because of looooooooooong journey?
But the bottomline is that you did it nah... And here you are in Yankee without a scratch
Abeg rest well and give your testimony. So that babes can know whether to reconsider.

Chop knuckle jor... Nothing do you!

MiddyO:


A word of advice, pls Do your Circumcision when you get back to Nigeria. My son's own was not done to my satisfaction.

Gbam!!!
Yours will be about the umpteenth i have heard of which was not done properly.
Even my first daughter's ears were not properly pierced after being charged $60!
Lesson learned, i just KIV those for back home... Along with some immunisations.

HMO will even pay for those procedures back home, and they are not even critical to baby's health/survival in the short run or not at all...

shithapuns:
HEllo mommas, apart from spirit airlines and kayak, wch other cheap sites can 1 use......on spirit airline, there is no flight btw Chicago n Detroit,
kayak is giving me a non direct flight, and a lil pricey

Try cheapfareguru.Com
I used it in the past and it was cool. They usually have a smogasbord of airlines flying in different directions within the US.

Good luck!

HouseofMabella:
Hello everyone , my baby BC is out, but d SSN is taking too long to be ready here in Maryland, pls what can I do? I was to told it will be mailed to my address, but it been 2weeks now , I need it for my baby blue port.

@HouseofMabella
Babe,
Keep calm. SSN not really critical for port. Slap some zeros in those damn boxes and put in your application.

But have you explored all possible reasons why the SSN is not yet delivered? Do you stay with family? Can you ask them? Perhaps someone has seen it?
Get your application in then perhaps go to the SSN office to confirm if it can be tracked.
God will work it all out.
All the best.

temmyo:
Hi guys,

Please who should the maternity leave/introduction letter from ones workplace which is to form part of POE burden of proof be addressed to?

To whom it may concern.

TheLeakyTribe:


I honestly don't know

@TheLeakyTribe
Mama,
You don't know? If you didn't withdraw your application there would have been PTA to share with her na?!

Seriously though, I am aware that banks are still giving, but some insider deals are going on. Someone just told me of an "indecent proposal" she received from a bank staff. Azzin... You will be approved if you agree to give up part of the dollars to them. So they can buy off you at 199 and sell for themselves at a profit.
Best bet, go to your usual bank and make your officer Put in your application by providing justification on your behalf.
I'm about to explore that option and hope it works. Will bring soon.

TheLeakyTribe:


I for like this wholesale shopping movement oh. I hereby apply

Dear Applicant,
Kindly attach the following to your application for it to be considered:
1. PTA of $5000 hassle free at any bank where your "konnekshuns" are strong at 199/$1 or alternatively a naira mastercard that can swipe $5000 at one swipe at the CBN rate 199/$1
2. See '1' above

Bisoye82:

Lol.no be small waka
Yes I used Dr Mbag**.

Oh okay.
Me I used the other doc with almost same name. And Centinela.
You Dr Mbag** mamas will soon need to form "old girls assoc" at this rate. Una don dey plenty oh. I know at least 3 others.

Are you a FTM? Don't forget to collect your letter of zero balance/ non-indebtedness from doc and hospital before leaving town oh. Those documents can save lives oh, if you know what I mean.

congratulations again girl!

cutie333:
thanks @ ionantchica its the promo ticket i bought. good price ooo. I will call wakanow or qatar for the hotel reservation and keep you informed. although i looked up on the hotel website yesterday and got the price which is not bad but hope to see if i could get a discount since its just for about 6hrs.

Spoke to them yesterday. Qatar doesn't provide hotel accommodation for promo ticket buyers. Even when you buy normal economy, your ticket has to have layover of 8+ hours to qualify for hotel. In other words if your ticket is normal economy and ing thru another stop before Doha (for instance Dallas-London-Doha-Lagos) the layover on each leg may be like 4 hours for each leg, so they won't give you hotel.
Anyway it's one of the cheapest tickets available today @259k today's price, so I guess one gets what one pays for... Only that the journey is long sha. .. Not for the faint-hearted.

16 hours in the air for one of the legs (in my case)
I commot hand quick like person wey put hand for hot soup!
This hustle must end in praise IJN!!!

ozycy:


I cannot come and waste my $1200 cos of epidural, . you know wetin $1200 go fit buy for me . infact it was not even an option cos I didn't even include it in my budget. it's either you make up your mind from the onset so you don't end up requesting for it at the dying minute.
I know someone that requested for it at the later stage of labour and immediately after istration before the epidural started working, her baby popped out
that is wat they call #wasteddollar#

You can start exercising and taking long walk, cos it sure helps to hasten up labour God willing.
Cc Veka

ROTFL
Na real wasted dollar dot com... Dat pickin suppose chop cane on arrival...
If na me, anytime the pickin misbehave, I will always be saying "that is how you wasted my $1200 on the day you were born! You want to do it again abi??!!! Mtchewww! "

Bisoye82:

To type this days na work #life of a twin mama
Gave birth at St Francis in Lynwood.
Paid $15 at hospital to expedite the BC.
Thursday:Filled forms online for naija ports.
Friday: Picked 2 copies each of BC from Vital Stat Office
Bought money order($77 and $30) @ the post office.sent the $77 money order to Innovate1 services.
Saturday:bought infant tickets for the babies at the airport.called the US port agency line to book an appointment for Monday.
Took the babies to Walgreens to take port photos(2 set-1 set for US,2nd for naija)
Monday:Innovate1 confirmed the money order,printed the receipt and acknowledgement page.
Went to US port appointment (infant ticket is a complusory requirement o)their office at Wilshire Blvd,paid for expedited and was told to pickup 2 days later.
**Booked a red eye flight to Washington(depart on Wednesday night by 10pm,arrived DC 8am on Thursday,head straight to the embassy,paid extra $85 for each baby for same day collection.finished by 1pm.travelled back to LA by 5pm.got home 10pm Thursday evening.
Note:Hubby is not interested in mailing US port for visa and ETC is almost $1000 for 2 babies with postage(and just for 7 days).
LA is far from all the embassies because when you take normal morning flight you will arrive from 3pm and you won't be able to do anything that day that's the reason for red eye flight.

@Bisoye82
Chai!
Gangster momma! On top twins??
I talk am say some babes here dey superhuman... una dey doubt me.
These long haul flights from california na im you do twice in 24 hours with twins
Nne, I commot cap for you oh.
In fact, I commot my Brazilian wig ...
Make I jejely bow out oh. My liver never cook reach this level of gangsterism... The only plane rides wey I sign up for na to arrive Yankee and commot Yankee oh... but collect hailing sha. You try!!!

Hmmm... St Francis? Did you use Dr Mbag**?

Ajujuju2:



I hope yu grabd d AF/KLM deal with bith arms, your kidney and even ur lungs?

@Ajujuju2
in fact ehnnn. I bin suppose pay by today but then I logged onto klm and found something cheaper sef so I saved a further 14k naira.
This one I grabbed with all my might... even the kids sef posed like goalkeepers to help apprehend this deal...

merrymum:


No I didn't, the ETC is the the travel document I got instead of the visa.

@merrymum
Thanks for the . The Nigeria immigration guys don't give problems at Lagos POE? Any special processing when you bring baby in using ETC? I'd like to consider the option on this journey if only it's Faster And won't give me hassles. I don't have patience for the antics of some immigration workers...
Pls help with info if you don't mind.

Cc everyone

merrymum:
Hi everyone. Thanks to God for a most successful 1st missionary journey.

Used Texas Health Harris Methodist DFW. Hospital was great, wonderful nurses, the attention was great. Felt like people actually cared how I felt, not the shout shout one gets from naija nurses. Lol

My fees were:
Hospital 4200 VD, doc 2300, labs/one sonogram 350, epi 1000 (I didn't use this but called them to get the price), pediatrician 145, hearing test/pedia at birth 793 (this one pain me die cos I wasn't informed I would pay for the hospital ped separately).

Got BC after one week, applied for US port, went for the appointment with LO waited and collected same day.

That na my tori o... Leaving in a few days... Chilling and doing last min shopping....

@merrymum
Thank God for a great experience. Naija visa nko? Did you get that too? And how was your experience and timing? Thanks for a .

ozycy:

Thanks, all these ones na missionary journey, will see if I can make it.

@ozycy

Na so we dey roll o. We go all the way from Lekki axis to Oyingbo and Ajegunle markets to buy wholesale foodstuffs, fruits and vegetables...

Even on NatGeo channel, I see the lions and elephants and etc going far on foot to find the food, not to talk of me wey get car... Its my Ajekpako Aploko extra mile runs...

And its quite a happy thing for me buying a big basket of mangoes for instance, and the kids can eat as much as they like... For same price as i would buy just half a dozen on my axis!!

But i recognise that some may not see my point and thats okay too!

Try it, you just might get hooked on it too... You never know!

ozycy:

OK waiting, tnx

Hello @ozycy.
So i asked around...
The most consistent answer i get on regarding a "Mile 12-like" market where one can buy foodstuffs wholesale is a place called DIKKO MARKET, ALONG SULEJA ROAD.

Dont ask me for directions o... No idea...

Some also say Karu market too...

Dunno where these are, but Good luck!

Bisoye82:

Am in California and I have all babies documents in less than 3 weeks.

Sister,
Pls share pointers pls o!
For my 2 babies born in Calif, i didnt get my papers in 3 weeks! Fastest was 5 weeks. (After using express birth cert and express port and express visa at Naija embassy NY). I'm having another one soon and i really could use the tip! I have to be back home ASAP.

Thanks in advance.

ozycy:

You haff kiiiid me, nice tips dou. Any mkt in Abj to buy it cheap?

@ozycy
Oh sorry dear,I don't know Abuja that well (except for where I can buy wholesale Killishi ) . But I have a retinue of friends and a cousin there. I can ask around and see what obtains there... That's assuming they go the "Ajekpako aploko extra mile" like I do. My cousin can buy iru in shoprite sef( anything to avoid outdoor market!)

happytbaby:
My sister, you don dey rival some people here for comedy o. Thanks for making me smile though.

I am likely going to Chicago as I stated earlier on the thread. Apart from the money, the fact that its direct is one major reason I booked the flight. I don't equally mind the 30kg bags (2) per person luggage allowance either. I am also considering El paso but there are no direct flights on any airline from NY and this is a great minus for me.

For internal flights, I have flown Jetair and Southwest within America, both of them have excellent customer service! Shame go catch you when you compare to our local airlines. I only prefer Southwest because the first two check-in luggage (50pounds each) fly free, every other airline charges for it one way or the other.

If you are afraid of missing flights, put a day or two between your two flights, book one of those hotels close to Heathrow that have airport shuttle, there is a complimentary phone somewhere (they will give you directions) where you call them upon arrival and they usually pick you within 10 to 15 minutes. They will also drop you back at the airport. That way you won't miss any flight.

Also, for Southwest, if you cancel your flights, you do not lose your money, the money only stays in your to be utilized for future trips...anyway things can't be that bad, we be naija we go sha find a way sha ni.

Tip: if you are going in Summer, you need to book the hotel long in advance because the price will skyrocket closer to the travel date.

Sista,
Tank u, tank u.
Abi make i consider that Arik option. Thanks for the inspiration on Southwest. Can one pay with Naija cards? I got AF/KLM today for $390k... I come dey think i got a good deal... I just have to take the plunge and lock in a ticket so i can the PTA hustle... Before all the banks will close shop...

I bin dey for dat yanga crew too o (as in i'm too posh for Arik). This one is eat your words dot com... With all this wahala, person go humble by force!

happytbaby:
Well, with all my 'iyanga in the past; 'I can never fly Arik outside Nigeria', I carried my two left legs to Arik office today to go and buy ticket.

The thing no gree work online, na so your sister enter moto go ikoyi go buy Arik. The ticketing guy confirmed that there is no telemisan on board o and that na my safety matter, the guy even said 'madam you are supposed to be sleeping on the flight not watching TV', emi Tbaby, mo ka sara. They were quite nice but looking at the 'unposhness' of the office, I can only cringe thinking of what to expect on the flight but God dey, I no be ajebo by birth. My ajebo is acquired, make I drop am here.

The closest European airline flight to the Arik I bought was about 550k more for 3 people. I cannot come and be drinking gari abi take loan to born for obodo oyinbo jare. I pray all goes well.

@Nnystc: additional tip for Oyingbo market is to go early morning like 6am to 6.30 that's when your scarf-tying firends come to market.People that run restaurants and co do early morning shopping directly from people that bring stuff from farms and all. Things are still more expensive later in the day. Happytbaby likes her morning sleep o and has never been there that early but thats what people around do.

@Happytbaby
That is tip number one o. Appear by 6 to 6.30am. And blend into the crowd of restaurant owners, especially if you want fresh oha and ugu leaves!

Are you going to Newyork? Or further?
Fear no gree me try Arik o. I usually go far... LA! Make i no go miss flight. I always wondered how to manage the internal flights... Both timing wise and booking wise...

ionantchica:
I'm flying qatar and I don't really have issues with it though. About 36 hours total travel time but with
stopovers. I actually chose the 8 hour layover in Doha option(instead of the 2 hour options), with plans to stretch out my legs and sleep
in the Airport hotel.

If I can't dole out the 600 grand for a direct flight, I'll just make the best of what is available jare.
Hoping I don't regret my decision. lol.

Nne, I feel you biko.
Ngwa nu. Go well, and bring back field report and testimony. It will help mamas-to-be decide if its doable. It will even help us more if you are a real Ajebota (Are you? ). Then we can say, if Ajebota like ionantchica can do it, then so can we!!!

Msp:
Hello mamas, pls anybody going to El paso in July for VBAC? Pls can we rub minds together. Also, please how do we go about this plane ticket wahala.i was considering United but with this new development .... pls can someone suggest/advice best possible way to get to elpaso without sleeping in the air for hours and breaking ya bank.

Ese

Tips to avoid sleeping in the air:
1. Waka Qatar (up to 36 hrs travel time which can include 8-13hr layover in Doha); Emirates Etihad, Ethiopian (same problem with Qatar and if you by mstake the one that has 2 stops ehn... I sorry oh!)
2. Waka any flght that has more than 1 stop... Or you will hear nwii
3. If you see any american or european airline (Ua, delta, Luft, AF, klm, etc ) with only one stop selling under 400k, bros/ sis pls grab it and run. Ticket prices don tie double george wrapper now o.

Tips to avoid breaking ya bank:
1. Voicemail... ( oh, you bin dey wait make i type sometin here? Ahhh... Okay, make i consult my atlas. Watch this space)

Ajujuju2:


Nne yu are sure my kinda girl. Lwkmd. Live bargain!
I do all dat too ooo plus im fluent in oda languages so i use whch eva i thnk would sway d seller.

But dollar done affect evryth o! Dy now sell d same 1500 painter for 2500 o. God help naija.
No fuel, no light, no water, now pricey foodstuff.

This Naija-China deal had better pull through FAST!

Nne,
Oburo only fuel and light and water and foodstuff these days o. Dollar nko? Ticket... PTA...
The hustle list is getting longer by the day.

Was at Firstbank today to enquire about PTA, they said the PTA slots have been bought up till July... I had to ask them if its land they are now selling? Slots ko... Plots ni!

"Arrant rubbaish"

Ajujuju2:


I bought 2k a paint at oyingbo in Lagos. And dat was after haggling o. Plus onyingbo is supposed to b a cheapmarket.

I usually approach Oyingbo market with the craftiness of a tortoise.
Step 1. Wear boubou and tie scarf well well. Hide your weave. Natural hair. Brazillian. Crochet. Etc...If your brow is on fleek or your make up is on point, those women are adding money to your crayfish o. Wear jewelry but very simple. Leave your Marc Jacobs watch at home.
Step 2. Go right inside. Far far inside. No buying on the pavement or in a shop on the street o. Those sellers are at the tail end of the supply chain o.
Step 3. Ask for price of a bag. After pricing well ( check more than one seller) decide on half or quarter bag depending on your pocket.
Never fails me.. whether beans or garri or crayfish.
Good luck!

Abefeokin:



Lmao! Hahaha but @bigfido why are u like dis?well now I tink I have the strength to type small. I gave birth to my twin girls 3days ago @JPS tru CS but I've been too tired and emotionally down to come give my story and eerm thanks to Apple19 and MiddyO for the info on JPS cos I had paid texas Harris though they refunded my money. BS coming later. Bigfido made my day and hello Lady Guinevere.

@Abefeokin
Congratulations Mama!! No mean feat o! Even with one not to talk of with two. May God bless and keep you and the LOs. And your oga-ATT too oh.
What's the plan for bringing them home to Naija? Are moms allowed to travel with more than one now? Perhaps you check it out so as to avoid unpleasant surprises when time comes.

Please o. I hope I will not be labelled as an agent or hovering spirit ooh.
I am a newbie here but I have had 2 kids in the US between 2010 and 2015.
I only got to know about this forum last year from one NL mum I met in US when having my baby last year.
Excellent info coming out of this thread. I have been giving advice to folks on this matter but didnt know there was such an excellent forum like this for the purpose.

May God bless all of you that are giving back by:
1. Paying your bills and being honest in your dealings abroad so as to keep the road open and free for others.
2. Sharing pertinent info to be a guiding light for those wanting to key in.
God bless us all!

kemmytino:


Try and get a hosp asap. Even if u neva see doc, u enta hosp u go born. 911? U will pay oo for diaa services and heavily sef

@kemmytino. Youre right about 911: Use 911 only when in a sticky situation. I tried it in 2010 in Las Vegas when having my daughter... I had a seafood alergy while waiting for my EDD and called them. Bill estimate was about $1200-1300 for the ride alone! Main hospital bill for actual treatment not included o! I thank God for the paramedics who broke it down for me. I ended up taking a cab to the hospital and was charged circa $700 for one hour on a hospital bed and an injection... Lesson learned!