The new fear about flying...

Following the news about this missing Malaysian plane, and the Ethiopian plane that was diverted to Geneva a little while ago, it's safe to say that apart from terrorists, plane crashes, and fear of heights, we can now add PILOTS to the list of flying fears.

This pilot looks suspect

So you get on a plane and you're already anxious because somehow you're 30,000 feet above the Earth and you just want to get wasted relax and go to sleep, waking up shortly before you land. But now, the question of whether the pilot has gone psycho and wants to go on a random world tour comes into play.

I think airlines should make sure ALL their pilots go through rigorous background checks once a year. Their mental, emotional, spiritual well-being should be checked periodically too.

As for this plane, I was really hoping it was taken by aliens, but it looks like my mum was right when she said, "I hope some crackhead hasn't decided to recreate 'Lost' (TV show) with this plane."

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ANNOUNCEMENT FOR NIGERIAN READERS!!!

*cue news broadcast music* Tan tan, TAN-TAN *drum roll*

Good morning and you are tuned in to the BRRY News Report. The Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria announced a looooong time ago that all Nigerian licenses have to be renewed by September 30th, 2013. Unfortunately, I was blissfully unaware until 3 weeks ago, when a random policeman wanted to extort money from me on the road...

Policeman: Let me see your license.
Me: *rolls eyes and hands him license*
Policeman: Where's your new license? This not the correct one.
Me: Heh? What new license?
Policeman: Oh! You don't even know that license are expire in September.
Me: Oh, really? No I didn't know. Can I have my license back?
Policeman: Drop sometin. This not correct license.
Me: Didn't you just say licenses expire in September? This is August so my license is still valid.
Policeman: Hmm. All these English you're talking.
Me: My license is valid. It's 9pm and I'm all by myself. Give me my license jo, I'm going home. *took it and zoomed off*

Anyways, so I got home and spoke to my dad about it - he verified the information. And just yesterday, Cakes and I started the process. Here's what you need to do to process your new driving license in Nigeria...

1. Go to the Nigeria Drivers License website (if you go to FRSC's website, you'll be redirected here)
2. Click on Drivers License Renewal and enter your license number. If your current license wasn't obtained by godly means, then you'll have to enter your data (name, date of birth, address, etc). If it was gotten properly, then your data will be automatically drawn up. The validity of your current passport will determine the level of stress you'll have to go through. (I went through the stress #DontJudgeMe)
3. When you're done with the form, you're supposed to pay N6350 online or at any bank stated on the website. I chose to pay at the bank because I didn't want to sign up for the payment portal suggested.
4. Print out the form you filled, and staple it to the bank receipts and forms they print (include 2 passport photographs) and head over to the Licensing Office to register. *NOTE* When you get there, they'll more than likely send you to the Vehicle Inspection Office first. I'm not sure if this is only for shady licenses sha.
5. When you get to the Vehicle Inspection Office, you'll be required to do a Vision Test (costs N600) and Written Road Rules Test (10 to 20 multiple choice questions in 5 minutes). I got 94% on my test - YAY ME!!! 8-) *nerd alert* Once these are done, one passport photograph will be taken from you and they'll sign a few more forms and attach it to your bundle.
6. Take this bundle back to the Licensing Office. They'll ask you to photocopy about 4 pages, then bring the bundle back to them and they'll register you and give you a date for your biometric data capture (fingerprinting and stuff like that). Once you have that date written on your form, I would advise that you photocopy that page in case our policeman and road safety friends stop you on the road for whatever reason. That date proves that you've started the process. 
7. This is as far as I've gone, but the next steps are to (A) Go for your biometric data capture (B) You'll be given a temporary license for 60 days while your license is being prepared (C) Voila, you have a valid license to drive in Nigeria.

I must note that my friend completed his biometric data capture in August 2012 and his license was ready just last week. *blank stare* le sigh for Nigeria sha. 

Cakes and I were able to complete Steps 4 to 6 in about 3 hours. But I must say that Nigerian government agency buildings are disgraceful. I mean there were goats, chickens and dogs lying around AND INSIDE the Licensing Office!!! And don't get me started on the Vehicle Inspection Office that's on one end of a scrap yard. It just made me think and wonder how Nigeria came to this. There was a time when things were orderly, right? When government buildings and staff were efficient... when the toilets worked and they didn't have to put a large container of water and a bucket for you to flush with. NASTYYYYYYYYYYYY!

And that brings me to the end of this broadcast. Thank you for tuning in to BRRY News Broadcast. Have a safe evening.

*side note* I started with 'Good morning' and ended with 'Have a safe evening.' Could this be the longest/slowest news broadcast ever? :p

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The Superbowl Outage, Christiane Amanpour and Nigeria

I'm so tickled! *teeheehee, hahahahaha, hohohoho, hardy har har, giggles, chuckles galore*

Okay, maybe I shouldn't be laughing at Nigeria's electricity woes but I just saw the viral video of Christiane Amanpour's segment comparing the power outage during the Superbowl and Nigeria. The tweets she mentioned were funny to me. But you know what? I don't completely agree with the people interviewed in the video. In Lagos (Ajah, at least), there's been an improvement in power supply, a minute improvement sure, but it's still an improvement. Even last Saturday in our house in Lekki, for a few hours there was power.

HOWEVER, that is not to say that the power issue in Nigeria is anything to smile about. So I'll agree that the government is lying. It's just sad. Nigeria has potential but... too many issues to mention *sighs in exasperation*

Maybe things would have changed in my grandchildren's generation?

P.S. - Can this be considered as Nigerian news? And I saw the video on Linda Ikeji's blog. I'm really terrible at trying to stay current with happenings in Nigeria. What's the best news outlet to get daily, unbiased, concise reports on the Nigerian landscape?