A story on my Nysc Journey Part 1

It all started on the 14th of November 2016 when I saw my call up letter.  I was in my house with my mum and checked the call up letter and saw
State of deployment: Adamawa.
Address: Unity grammar school karaye, Kano st. 

I was actually eating when I saw this. Once i saw the address, I dropped my spoon and did not feel like eating anymore.

My mum asked me what happened and I just showed her the letter.  She was shocked as well and she said and I quote "ugwu hausa"(meaning North in Igbo language) .
The reason why she was shocked was because we (my mum and I) thought that I would be getting Abuja since I am a Foreign student and all that.

I have also visualized Abuja in my mind and how I would put on my A game while coming out of the Domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport with my swag and all.

I quickly went to Twitter because Nysc was trending to see if anyone was in the same boat as me. Every tweet was Lagos, Abuja and other states but not one tweet on Adamawa.

I quickly checked the map of Nigeria to find out where Adamawa is on the map because I knew Adamawa was in the north but i dont know its exact location and its neighbouring states. I saw that Adamawa was the last state before you get in to Cameroon.

 I called a flight agent to arrange a ticket for me to Adamawa. Immediately I dropped the phone, I went to Facebook to  see where my friends were posted. As I was about exiting facebook, I saw someone that posted Adamawa but camping in kano.

At first,I did not understand until I went back to my call up letter and saw Kano st. This was when I knew I would be camping in Kano as well. I quickly called  the agent and told her that I don't need a ticket to Adamawa but Kano.

After this. I quickly rushed down to the market to buy some stuff that would be needed in the orientation camp since I need to be in Kano before or on Thursday which is just three days away. I got all my stuff and the next day which is a Tuesday, My agent called and said she has a ticket for Kano on Thursday Morning by 11. I quickly thanked her and patiently waited for Thursday.

Thursday finally came and I got to the Domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed International Airport very early.  After check in and all other necessary procedures, I proceded to the departure area where I waited for my flight.  The flight was delayed until 1:30pm before it left. The route was Kano via Abuja so we left for Abuja. When we got to Abuja, some passengers dropped and then the plane was refilled and also  more passengers boarded from Abuja and we took off for Kano.

While waiting for the plane to be refilled at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja

While I was seated inside the plane, I realised that almost everyone inside were all young and all going to Kano. I quickly concluded that we are all prospective Corp members and since we are all going to Kano, it would be a good idea to start making friends as soon as possible.

After Fifteen minutes, an announcement came from the cockpit and the content of the message was that everyone should be seated that the plane is ready to land. I quickly looked out from the window in the plane and all I could see was just  sand. I was disappointed.There were no skyscrapers, no beautiful houses, just sand. I was perplexed and the next question that came into my mind was "Are there no houses in Kano"?

The plane landed and the next information from the cockpit was "Welcome to Mallam Aminu Kano International airport".  Immediately I alighted  from the plane, A heat wave quickly engulfed me. I looked around and I did not feel as if I was in an airport not to even talk of an International Airport.

The runway was deserted and the buildings in the airport looked so small. I followed the people making their way to a building with the name Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport written in Bold letters.  When we got inside the structure, Our passport was checked and then we made our way to the baggage reclaim area we patiently waited for our luggage at the baggage carousel.

After about thirty minutes of waiting at the baggage carousel, I finally saw my luggage and picked it up and made my way to the arrival area.

On getting to the arrival area, I saw many young people. Some were making calls, probably calling their family and loved ones to tell them they have arrived while the rest gathered around a lady who was putting on the Nysc Uniform. I quickly went to the the lady putting on Nysc Uniform.

I am part of the NCCF(Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship) the lady said and I am here to assist you get to your location. I was relieved. The lady quickly said that there are two camps, one for those that their orientation camp is Kano and those that are Adamawa but camping in kano. She quickly separated us. Those that are Adamawa on my right and those for Kano on my left.

After separating us, the lady went in search of cabs. The cabs  take four passengers. I was in a cab with two other guys and a female.

In the next part, I will be talking about my journey from the airport to the camp and the orientation course. Stay tuned.

Kindly subscribe to my blog so that you will be notified once the next part is out.

Thank you very much for reading.
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The ACPO principles

Good day everyone, As promised in my previous blog, I said I will be listing out some principles that Computer Forensics professionals need to adhere to. Without wasting much time, let's dive right into it.

PRINCIPLE 1- ACPO PRINCIPLES

ACPO stands for the a
Association of Chief Police Officers . This principles of ACPO are guidelines for handling digital  evidence in the UK and it is essential that they are strictly adhered to when investigating computers. There are four ACPO principles.

The principles are

Principle 1: An officer must never change data held on a device

Principle 2: In a situation when an officer has to change data held on a device, the officer must be competent to do so and also give evidence explaining the relevance and implication of his/her actions.

Principle 3: An audit trail of all the processes followed must be listed out such that when a third party follows it,  he/she must come out with the same results.

Principle 4: The case officer must make sure that all laws are adhered to.

Explanation of this principle
To explain this, what this simply means is that before investigation is been conducted on a media device, it is very important that a chain of custody is created for the digital evidence. I have explained what a chain of custody is and why it is important. You can find more about coc(chain of custody) here.

While investigating, it is also important to use a write blocker. A write blocker is a device that
allows acquisition of information on a drive the without creating the possibility of accidentally damaging the drive contents. 

Img src(https://bounga.id/content/tableau-t8u-usb30-forensic-bridge-write-blocker)

During investigations, Globally approved forensic tools should be used and all investigations are to be completed on a cloned copy of the media and not the original to avoid contamination such as changing of time stamps.

In a minority of cases, it may not be possible to obtain an image using a recognised imaging device. In these circumstances, it may become necessary for the original machine to be accessed to recover the evidence. With this in mind, it is essential that a witness, who is competent to give evidence to a court of law, makes any such access.

There are many other guidelines out there and the one listed above is a generally accepted one in the UK.

Many thanks for reading

Introducing my Family Business

Good day everyone, I am using this medium to advertise a Business that has been in existence for over twenty years.

The business I am introducing today is a Family run business that has been in existence for over twenty years.

Located in Benin Republic, We deal in high quality mattresses and pillows. We have single mattress(unplace), mattress for two people(Deuxplace), and even mattresses for three people(troisplace) all at an affordable rate.

Do contact us if you will be requiring our services.

We can be reached via the following ways
Phone: +22997862629, +22962637917, +22960739648.

To reach us via WhatsApp, message us with the first number above or use this one +2348159035246

Thanks in advance for your patronage

How to mine Bitcoins

Bitcoins is a cryptocurrency created by someone/something called Satoshi Nakomoto in the year 2008. Recently, Bitcoins has experienced an increase in its value. Because of this increase, Many people are now looking for ways to get Bitcoins. As of the time I am writing this blog, The price of Bitcoins is currently at $16,000 for 1 Bitcoin.

WHAT IS BITCOINS MINING?

One of the ways of getting Bitcoins for free is mining. Mining is the extraction of valuable mineral resources from the earth. So Bitcoins mining can be defined as the extraction of Bitcoins from a computer in a lay man term. In a more advanced term, Bitcoin mining can be defined as the process by which transactions are verified and added to the public ledger, known as the block chain, and also the means through which new bitcoin are released.(Investopedia, 2018). In order to mine for Bitcoins, one needs access to the Internet and also a good hardware device.The mining process involves compiling recent transactions into blocks and trying to solve a computationally difficult puzzle.  The participant who first solves the puzzle gets to place the next block on the block chain and claim the rewards.  The rewards, which incentivize mining, are both the transaction fees associated with the transactions compiled in the block as well as newly released bitcoin.

IS BITCOINS MINING PROFITABLE?

When Bitcoins was released, it was very easy to mine them. One could mine them at the comfort of his own home and using his/her  PC.  Presently, if you don't
own a specialized high powered machinery, it might be impossible to profitably  mine for Bitcoins. While mining is still technically possible for anyone, those with under powered setups will find more money is spent on electricity than is generated through mining.

In other words, mining won’t be profitable at a small scale unless you have access to free or really cheap electricity.

CLOUD MINING

Cloud Mining is the process of bitcoin mining utilizing a remote datacenter with shared processing power.This type of cloud mining enables users to mine bitcoins or alternative cryptocurrencies without managing the hardware. This is very useful for those who are not technically minded and those that do not want to run their own software or Hardware. If the cost of electricity is high in your country, it is advisable to outsource your mining to where electricity is cheaper.

STEPS IN MINING BITCOINS
The following are steps to take in order to mine Bitcoins
Step 1: Purchase custom mining hardware
Step 2: Obtain a Bitcoin wallet
Step 3: Secure your wallet
Step 4: Decide between joining a pool or going alone
Step 5: Download a mining program
Step 6: Run your miner
Step 7: Keep an eye on Temperatures
Step 8: Check your profitablility

Thanks for reading

Procedures in getting a UK student Visa

      Most people prefer studying abroad than in their own Country. Some of the popular Destinations people prefer to study in are The US, Canada, The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany e.t.c
       Studying abroad has many advantages such as experiencing diverse Culture, networking with fellow student's all over the world, Usage of state of the art Facilities, and many more.
       In our discussion Today, I will be listing out the steps/ procedures in getting a UK student Visa. Everything posted would be from my own personal experience that is to say that I will be listing out the procedures I used to secure a UK Student Visa.
       The United Kingdom is a Fantastic place to study for those considering it as a place for study. British Universities are considered among the best in the world and their degree is accepted and respected all over the world. The only problem I have with studying in the UK is that you only get four months after studying to get a Job and also the company must be willing to sponsor you as an International student. Failure to get a sponsor(which is very hard) will result in you been kicked out of the country.
Student Visas are awarded on a point based system. So you get points for having the required documents. You also need to have an International passport  that has more than six months before it expires.

The procedures in getting a UK student Visa are below
STEP 1: Write and pass either the TOEFL or IELTS exam with good marks. The purpose of this exam is to show that you can understand , write and speak English to an appropriate level. This is very mandatory even if English is your first language, with an exception to the US.

STEP 2: Apply for one of the UK universities.If successful, you will be offered an unconditional offer. This simply shows that you have been partially accepted. In this letter you will see the amount you have to pay for Tuition.

STEP 3: If you are buoyant enough, you can go ahead and pay the Tuition fees that was stated on your unconditional offer. If you are not, you are allowed to pay 50% of the Tuition.

STEP 4: If you will be studying outside  London, you need to have $1230 per month multiplied by your first nine months that you will stay in the country. That is
1230 ×9= $11,070 plus the remaining 50% of your Tuition fees if you did not pay all as mentioned in Step 3
If you will be studying in London, you need to have $1540 multiplied by your first nine months that you will stay in the country. That is
1540 ×9=$13,860 plus the remaining 50% of your Tuition fees if you did not pay all as mentioned in Step 3
Note: The cost of London is higher because the Cost of things and  standard of living is high in London compared to all other Cities.
The amount above should be kept in your account for 28working days. This will show that you can cover your Tuition fees, accommodation and any other living cost for the duration of your studies. After 28days, you can collect the statement from your bank and then you can remove the money if you want. The statement would be submitted along with the application.

STEP 5: After paying for Tuition,  tyou get a conditional offer and also a CAS number from the school. What this simply means is that the school is going to be sponsoring you and you are to include this CAS number when you making your application. This is very important and it is worth 30 points.

STEP 5: Apply for halls of Residence (accommodation from school) if you have no place to stay. Pay for the deposit for the halls and keep the receipt with you. It will be needed when going for the visa application.

STEP 7: Check that you have all required documents
Checklist of documents
✔ International Passport
✔Conditional offer
✔CAS letter
✔Four passport photographs with white background
✔Bank statement
✔Accommodation deposit receipt
✔IELTS/TOEFL result
✔Prayer

STEP 8: Print out the application documents and fill or fill them online. While filling, you will be required to pay 150 pounds for NHS as an inter national student and also so that the NHS will be able to treat you if you fall sick during your time in the UK.

STEP 9: Submit your application with all required documents and wait for an Interview.  Interview is quite easy, just research on your school and research on your course. You should be ready to answer questions such as
✅ Why did you choose the UK?
✅Why did you choose this Course?
✅What is the course all about?

If you require more information about the visa procedures, do visit the UKBA website.
Thanks for reading, Pls share and comment.

       
  

How Nysc has helped me

I came back to Nigeria on the 1st of October 2016. Funny date because that was the date that Nigeria gained her Independence from the British. After coming back to Nigeria, I stayed for a month and some few days and was among those that went for the compulsory NYSC scheme. I will be listing how this scheme has been beneficial to me.
1 Travelling
Thanks to this Scheme, I have been able to go to states that I would not have been to if not for Nysc. I have been opportuned to visit Kano, Kaduna(passed through), Abuja(passed through), Edo.
2 Culture
Nysc has made me learn different cultures from different tribes of Nigeria. I will be listing out one of them and that is in Ekiti state (Yoruba land), when marrying a girl, you have to sit on your /your wife' s father and mother lap to show that you are now their Child. I can't remember if that is the reason why but I think so.
I have also learnt and seen physically the rich cultural heritage of the Benin kingdom.
3 Skills
Prior to NYSC, I never had any teaching experience and would get tense whenever I am speaking to a crowd. But thanks to NYSC, I can now fully say that I now know how to get a crowd 's attention, communicate fluently without any fear of intimidation or shyness.
4 Contacts
Nysc has made me meet like minded individuals from all part of the federation and this would be very beneficial to me.( That I am sure of)

It has not been all fun, it has been stressful, annoying, demanding but if you should look at It from a different angle, you will realize that the aim is to serve and that is why it is called Youth service.  You have to serve your fatherland and I am happy I have done it. Am also greatful to God because many started the journey but could not make it. I am not better than them, it is just God 's grace and his love upon my life. Now Nysc is done, the question that still remains is this what next to conquer?

Tribalism, the biggest threat to Nigeria s greatness

  My country Nigeria, The biggest black nation in the face of the earth,  member of OPEC(organization of petroleum exporting countries) and also one of the richest African countries. Quite an achievement one would said and I agree with it.
      There is a major problem affecting Nigeria and every Nigerian and those that have had the oppurtunity to stay with Nigerians from different tribes would understand. This problem is the issue of Tribalism.
       This issue has eaten very deep into the Nigerian system that it is ranked on the same level as corruption or even greater. It is quite sad that after fifty-six years of independence, we still have not gotten  over this issue.
      Expressions like and I quote "Na Igbo people, they too like money,  Na Yoruba people, they too dey smell" and so on and so forth are quite common words you hear from the mouth of Nigerians. Let me share a personal experience of what I witnessed in Nigeria.
        Sometime last week, I was travelling from Benin to Lagos and I boarded one of those inter state travelling buses and I had this guy sitting behind me who had a low battery so he asked me to pass his phone to another guy that was sitting in the front close to the driver so that the guy can help him charge his phone using the  in car charger. I did as I was told but the guy at the front told me that he was using the charger to charge his phone. I passed the information back to the guy and what happened next surprised me.
       The next thing I heard was " Na Igbo people, they too greedy, even if him battery don full, e no go still allow me charge"  The guy was saying that the man sitting at the front is Igbo and   that Igbo people are  greedy and even if his phone was full, he still won't allow him charge. This guy said this to me and was waiting for me to say something to support him or contradict him which is quite common in Nigeria when you having a discussion or argument but I kept quiet because I have learnt from past experience that you don't respond to everything.
        Throughout the rest of the Journey, I could not stop thinking of what the guy said. How did he know that the guy sitting at the front was Igbo? Have they met before for him to know he was Igbo or was he judging from physical appearance?  How certain was he that the guy s battery was full and he did not want him to charge? All this and many more was all I could think about throughout the duration of my Journey.
       The example above is a classical example of what is wrong in Nigeria. Most times in Nigeria, you are not judged as an individual rather you are judged based on your tribe especially if you do something wrong and this is so wrong. People in Nigeria loose contracts, help and all other stuff just because they are not of the same ethnic group as the person awarding the contract. If a Nigerian finds himself in a public office, Most times, he only helps those that are from the same ethnic group as him. This does not happen all the time but most times .
       Another way of breaking the barriers of tribalism  is by Marriage but there are some people that have sworn that none of the Children must get married  to someone that is not of the same ethnic group and any of their Child that goes against  their wishes will be disowned.  And we claim we are one Nigeria?? Frankly speaking, I think we are deceiving ourselves because we are just like a pastor that preaches but don't practice what he preaches.
         The Igbo s which is my tribe have a strong hatred for the Hausa s and they don't consider the Yoruba s as people which is not right. I have been in a gathering with Igbo people where they say things like " I can never associate myself with Yoruba people". This is quite sad because these people are youths that are well enlightened and educated. In Nigeria we are taught by our parents that "United we stand and divided we fall".
       Nigeria as a country is very influenced by the western countries. Nigerians love emulating the western countries.We dress like them,  Some of us even speak like them, Hollywood  has a big audience in Nigeria,  Almost all Nigerian men watch the English primer league and so on and so forth.            
          Even the western countries know the Importance of Diversity because there is strength in Diversity. I have been opportuned to have studied in the United kingdom and I can happily say that my time there was one of the most enjoyable moments of my life and I really enjoyed my student experience. The reason for this was because of the diversity of the country. I had the opportunity to meet with people from all part of the world and also learnt about the cultures of other people. In the UK, you see people from all part of the world peacefully co-habiting together. I have also been to a marriage ceremony between a black guy and an Asian lady.  Things like this strengthens ties among countries and also makes the world a better place.  The USA conducts a scheme known as the Visa lottery whereby certain individuals from most countries in the world are randomly  selected to come and work and stay in the US permanently. This reason for all of this is because these countries believe in the strength of Diversity.
      If Nigeria wants to be great, then Tribalism needs to go. This is the most important thing to do to make this country great like the people we emulate.

Thanks for reading, pls share