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Tuesday, 19 August 2014

Nigerian graduate holds up sign advertising himself at train station and gets a job interview

22 year old Nigerian graduate Alfred Ajani has been inundated with offers of interviews after taking a radical approach to job hunting, Daily Mail reports.

Alfred said he's applied for over 300 positions since getting a degree in marketing in May this year and has been unlucky. Determined to land his dream job, he decided to hand out CVs to company bosses commuting into the City of London through Waterloo Station this morning.

Alfred stood at the entrance to the busy station holding a sign stating: 'Marketing graduate (BA Hons 2:1 Coventry Uni) Ask for CV.' His direct approach received a warm response from commuters, with many stopping to discuss potential positions. Continue...
 

Alfred, who lives not far from the station, said: 'I graduated in May and have been applying for jobs ever since, but it's very difficult at the moment.
'The only ones that have come up have not really been what I wanted, I'm interested in marketing and advertising.
'I realised that there are thousands of students out there using the same old methods of applying for jobs online and through recruitment agencies and so I thought I'd try something different.
'I got up early and went to the station. At first people just looked at me but after about 10 minutes people starting stopping and talking. They said they'd never seen anything like it before and were really impressed.

'One woman worked in advertising and took a CV and another guy ran back from his train and said he'd walked past but had started thinking and might have something for me.'
Alfred added: 'I've already had some phone calls and have got an int erview booked for later today. The support was great, one man even bought me a cup of tea and told me "good luck".'

Alfred has worked as a waiter while studying and has taken positions as an intern in the music industry in a bid to boost his job prospects. 
He asked friends to help him hand out his CVs, but thinks they were put off by the early start.

A photo of him giving his phone number to a passing commuter circulated on Twitter this morning, with website users offering their support.
After seeing the photo, one Twitter user wrote: 'Good on him for putting himself out there!! Time waits for no man!! Love it!!'
Another added: 'It's a good idea. I would've hired him into my business straight away if I saw him.'

Olympic medallist Kelly Sotherton retweeted the photo, and motivational speaker Gavin Ingham wrote: 'He will no doubt get interviews and offers whilst others sit at home moaning. Good on him.'

Culled from UK Daily Mail

161 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. My alumni,shoutout 2 all cov uni students

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    2. Congrats 2 him his not d 1st tho sum1 has done it b4 d same london it was a sign board buh dat wud cost more, d different is dis 1 is 9gerian so Congrats 2 him. Wish dis can work here in 9ja

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    3. Olodo convetry not covenant

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    4. I died . Covenant Wetin ? Who know una for here ?

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    5. Anon morons, cov is short form 4 coventry, odes

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  2. Now that's what the Glory of God can do. Congrats to you buddy..!!

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    1. No, that's what courage and determination does. Be there waiting for dream glory

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  3. Wow
    I will do mine ooooh
    Congrats nigga

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    1. So stand for oshodi with ur cv abeg

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  4. Awww! Nwatakiri choro iba uru....now dats d spirit.....goodluck man.

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  5. WoW! Thumbs up bro,doing it differently isn't always doing it wrongly!!!! #enRoute#

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  6. Nice 1. Naija no dey carry last.

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  7. Lol...good idea

    Pls visit my shoe blog

    www.glowysofiscated.blogspot.com

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  8. Great Innovation, I really applaud this Man's courage, but I don't think such would have worked here

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  9. Awwww! I admire his determination and resilience.
    This could have been possible in Nigeria,but potential employers don't use the train,they drive tinted SUVs.

    ~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA

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    1. Wish I can like your comment

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    2. God bless u mr Bona. U hit the nail right on the heard. It can't wrk here. DQ

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    3. God bless u mr Bona. U hit the nail right on the heard. It can't wrk here. DQ

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  10. That's the spirit!!! Over 300 applications? Shey people say jobs dey dat side? Where the jobs?

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    Replies
    1. He said, the once he got..he did not like..smh

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    2. Where did he say that? He said he has been unlucky.

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  11. God. its with u bro

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  12. Plz find out if nysc batchb stream2 is still on...or has bin shifted for real cos of Ebola..tnkz a lot..

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    Replies
    1. Still on! My sister is in camp

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  13. he should come and try it in Naija...lolz..

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  14. Awwwwwwwww! His marketing/advertising skills just came to play! His parent definitely didn't waste their hard earned money! 2:1 ain't beans ooooooooo! Am sure his type can sell stone! Determination is d key!





    #GozManuel Says#

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  15. Aww..this touched me! Bravo Alfred! I wish you all the best.Inspiring!

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  16. he should come and try it in Naija...lolz

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  17. I know am going to sEe this comments 2moro morning. Coz it seems they is no correction in ur dictionary. Linda go they claim don jazzy

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  18. That's the spirit. best of luck man." determination, I love that word.

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  19. God will bless ur hussling.better than corruption

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  20. This is advert and marketing

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  21. Cheiii I'm so touched, how many of us can do it here? He knows what he really wants. I love his boldness.

    queenreigneth@gmail.com

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  22. I really feel touched. Very unique idea indeed.

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  23. Finally a positive article on Nigerians from the Daily mail. This paper steady bashes foreigners

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  24. He has d Zeal to succeed, that's a bold step can't wait to hear abt his new mouth watering job.

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  25. Wonderful!!
    Tho it can only work in some part of the world.. Cannot work in Nigeria.

    *My R1.50c comment*

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  26. Realy a radical approach... Wat a funny, unusual but bold step. Congrats to him

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  27. Naija no dey carry last. Highest na draw. Lol. That's determination. Kudos 2 him.

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  28. wonderful move....naija no dey carry last...laialai

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  29. Wow! Crazy things are happening


    Your comment will be visible after approval

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  30. How much you want something determines how you get it or not. Alfred wants a jobbbbbbbbbbbbb!!! He's sure going to get one!

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  31. He got the idea from America. Lots of graduates have been doing this for years, especially on Wall street.

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  32. Lol but dis is very courageous

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  33. wow very good. marketing strategy for a marketing graduate. Nice one sha.

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  34. I admire his courage. Wish to be employed immediately. LIB Princess!

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  35. THAT WAS A LAUDABLE STEP.NAIJA NO DEY CARRY LAST.

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  36. Replies
    1. Na 42nd avenue sure pass,ayilara enter with ur change o!

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  37. Will adopt his strategy ASAP.

    www.mudility.blogspot.com

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  38. well its a good idea.....but you cant do this in nigeria ,they will think you are a mad man.....lolz

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  39. a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said…
    .
    What kills a man is pride, if this dude was proud will he have been blessed… Am really happy for him and i pray God give others seeking for job other means to reach there dreamz…..
    .
    .
    ***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

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  40. Oh well....he got appreciated over dere....do u know what will happen to you if you do dis here....u will pay for your standing position

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  41. wooooow..its all about thinking outside d box n taking that bold step.kudos dear

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  42. Nice one. Good idea. Linda, kindly do us a follow up coverage of this story maybe in a week or two. I am sure he would be overwhelmed with strong offers. A closure story would help others who may still be uncomfortable with trying. In the end, everyone doesnt have to try this strategy. Folks would need to think out of the box for something that could work for them.

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  43. Wow,funny enough I have been thinking of taking dis bold step, but our naija pple will jst humiliate you by taking ur pictures and spread to the whole world.

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  44. Yeah I can totally relate to this!! While I was a corps member,I worked for a private organization and had to go for endless meetings, bidding processes and presentations, I took the opportunity to meet and collect million cards. My boss was sometimes annoyed saying I was been too forward but I knew i didn't want to continue working with him and i needed to secure myself with jobs before the end of my service. I kept calling and forwarding my CVs to all emails on the card 4 months before end of service, I updated my Linkedin page and kept my FACEBOOK page appropriate, i connected with all of them on Linkedin. Some were rude on phone, some said i should never send them mails again, I was blocked from their phones, some said i was stalking them, others made sexual advances! Truth is when you want something...put your best to getting it, expect disappointment and loads of INSULTS, but most importantly trust God! After my service I had 3 job offers waiting for me. I currently work for the Presidency and about 2 weeks ago I got another offer from a big firm! Never limit yourself! My last resort would have been going to Transcorp to distribute my CV...thank goodness it never got to that! Leave your comfort zone....leave ordinary...leave the norm. Just do SOMETHING that isn't the usual!

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  45. Love 9gerians ! Always creative !!!
    Wish him d bery best!

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  46. NICE ONE.....WISH HIM LUCK !!!

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  47. Iyaa I love his courage all the best dear

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  48. Nice Strategy!!! Can it work in Nigeria?

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  49. Sharp Boi (Li×”da's Ma×”)

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  50. BIG expo for Naija Graduates..I wouldnt be surprise if I walk pass Eko Hotel tomoro morning and see 100s of Graduates with placards sayin "BA in Inglish Langauge..1st Class Upper..Ask for my Curryculum Vitae..in shot CV"...lol

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  51. Am impress. Thinking out of the box. Good luck.

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  52. Am impress.Thinking out of the box. Good luck.

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  53. I just love my country, We just have this "never say die" in us. Good for you guy!

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  54. D guy z cute sha...em crushing already

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  55. I knew it was coventry the moment i saw it hehe. Congrats bruv!





































































    ~BADOO OF COVENTRY

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  56. They will not comment ooo, assuming it Kimye and bey & jay, the comments will be 100+ by now… I’m so encouraged by the guy’s bold move, though it might not work in Nigeria, where the CEOs and MDs ride in black maria called tinted cars… but he knew what would work for his environment and went for it. I think it’s a wakeup call for un-employed youths all over

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  57. The young man has shown courage and determination . He will truly succeed in finding his dream job. And if not, he has the makings of a born entrepreneur. Learn how to make a success of your current situation Here>>>> www.odeshi.com

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  58. Oh wow! I feel so challenged! That dude is so inspiring...but trust Naija,if you try it here,who would agree to help...he just inspired me right now....wow! that's all I can say... may God bless our hustle.....

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  59. He graduated just may here and he's complaining some of us graduated years ago and we are still @ home. Good for him though.

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  60. Nice One....lol What a Move.....

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  61. Can you help me connect with this guy? We would like to explore a partnership with him for our new start-up within the UK. Thanks Linda.

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  62. very proactive...he is really a marketer, he began by marketing himself. very impressive. this is what true Nigerians are...Proactive not bombers!

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  63. If it were to be an African scenario,he would have probably been harrassed.If every nigerian could act just the way those passersby acted,Nigeria would definitely be a pleasurable place to dwell in...#Linda'sCrush :)

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  64. Can you help us connect with this guy. He has got some good stuff in him. We would like to explore a partnership with him for our new start-up. Thanks Linda.

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  65. Time indeed waits for no one indeed, smart move kinda giving me some ideas hehehe.

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  66. If it were to be an African scenario,the young man would have probably been harrassed.If every Nigerian could act just the way those passersby acted,Nigeria would definitely be a pleasurable place to dwell in...#Linda'sCrush :)

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  67. Wow nice move am impressed... c a befitting job cumin 2 u bro.

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  68. Funny, very funny..! Buh ii respect his hussle, such a bright chap...... Imagine if a 2:1 holder is findin it hard to score some decent jobs overseas, wht den is d fate of 3rd class and 2:2 holders... #cheEzyjayne

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  69. Nice one..may God bless ur endeavour.............................#KingOfKings

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  70. i love his spirit
    fashionitazbybuiti.blogspot.com

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  71. Hello Linda. Can you help make contact with this guys? We would like to explore a partnership with him for our new start-up. Thanks.

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  72. I think de guy has a gr8 ambitions for taking bold steps and d system itself also contributed immensely. Wish him best of luck

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  73. A good way to market himself....best of luck to him.

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  74. Am really impressed at that guy's guts. That's an encouragement for me you know. After all, "the violent taketh it by force!"

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  75. True innovation, am impressed, intrigued and motivated.... i love this guy.*firstpostever*

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  76. Wow! Great Alfred. I wish u all the best.

    #GoodGOD

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  77. wow, that was a bold step he took

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  78. That's a go getter, I love that! Great tecnique, I'm sure a lot of people will follow suit,
    Hard work pays off#bravo

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  79. I am really impressed at the guy's guts. That's a step up for me you know. After all, "...the violent taketh it by force!"

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  80. Trust a Nigerian to do that!
    Anyways kudos to him for doing that. If he can do that then he deserves to get the job.

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  81. Good one Alfred......Nigeria unemployed graduates will follow soothes......

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  82. Radical approach.........

    **RedDyamond**

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  83. I GIVE IT TO U BRO U ARE SURE GONNA MAKE A GOOD MARKETER ...YOU JUST MARKETED YOURSELF.JAMIN

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  84. really a good one....good luck dude

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  85. Omo Mehn ..Like his Guts ...If U really want smfing ...U go for it !

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  86. Okay am off to d bus stop to see what I get

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  87. WOW! Happy 4 ds dude. Don't try this @ home (9ja)

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  88. hw many pple fit do dz for naija? Go oshodi go stand wf ur cardboard ehn,na hunger go kill u der.hw i wish nigerians can b xo nice to help lyk dz.... Gud for im

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  89. Smart kid. I'd hire him for his ability to think outside the box.

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  90. My heart almost burst seeing and reading this.this guy is going straight to the top IJN.amen

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  91. NICE MOVE...... BOLD MOVE.....
    .
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    .ZB

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  92. Awwww,that was a bold move.Great outcome.

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  93. Brain at work, if opportunity fails to come ,go meet the opportunity# he must hav read an inspirational book to be able to hv dah kinda faith and exhibit such courage and belief.

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  94. coventry uni we no dey ever carry last. always innovating.

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  95. That is the bravest thing av ever seen i wish him luck folashade70@gmail.com

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  96. He really learnt how to make himself in uni

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  97. Brave guy!So proud of you. I'm glad you put yourself out there. Wish you the best!

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  98. Dare to be different! I must admit, that was really an out of the box way of thinking and quite craetive and to think that he has only just graduated three months ago, yet there are some people who have been out of job for over a year and there are sitting on their asses waiting for many to come from heaven. Truly as Newton@s first law states- "Every object continues in the state of rest or uniform motion, unless compelled by a force which makes it to act otherwise. Bottom line(until you move, nothing moves around you). Congrats to Him.

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  99. Good!


    Now call for your private piano lessons! Adult and children 07034327618

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  100. Bold step and a clever strategy
    Fortune smiles on d bold

    ....SƖεεkz

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  101. boldness,i got mine almost the same in ikoyi.

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  102. Wow what an idea!!! He will in no time get a wonderful job as recruiters will see him as someone who has a can-do mentality and will stop at nothing to achieve something. The not so wow part is thousands of other jobless youths that will follow his footsteps and start advertising themselves on the streets

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  103. Bravo John!!! Late Prof Jenks, once said, " the evidence of going to school is not in the going but in the proving". You have proven that you are a true graduate of marketing and advertisement. 1love

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  104. Luv his courage and boldness

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  105. am so inspired,its not abt doing what he did,its abt doing things differently, determination\the will to succeed against all odds

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  106. The emergence of the Nigerian indigene in the rearmost position of a competitive undertaking is intrinsically and fundamentally inconceivable!!!

    (Naija no dey carry last!)

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  107. But then again dat dosnt also mean it wld work for other pple

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  108. ...all of us saying...it can't work in Naija...d moral of d lesson is creativity & originality in everything...not just job searches...go create something, guys.

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  109. 3pnaija.blogspot.com19 August 2014 at 20:30

    Naija boy toh sure, the hustle is real mehn.

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  110. Naija boy toh sure, the hustle is real mehn.

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  111. I hope you have a good heart,May God continue to bless you,I know your parents will be proud of you, ha yes your girlfriend will proud of you too.Smile

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  112. This brought tears to my eyes. I'm soooooo touched. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Goes a long way to prove how great a marketer he'll be.

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  113. First class girl19 August 2014 at 22:11

    Economics graduate (Bsc First class honors madonna University) Ask for a CV..ifunayau2@gmail.com

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  114. What can faith not do?...
    I'm so happy for him.

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  115. Desperate things calls for desperate measures. Love his guts but can't do same Waterloo is one of the busiest station esp during peak time.congrats to him

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  116. I did dis in 2011, at d palms shopping mall, Lagos... Not a biggie!

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  117. Try paste yours on trash cans,people. It just might work.

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  118. wow, am so so proud of you son...lol

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  119. it only takes a nigerian to do such...hes gat balls men nyc 1ayo lesson learned brace up and stand for wat u beleive in...#OLENU BI PONPONPON

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  120. nice courage. WIsh him goodluck buh not Jonathan. lol

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  121. wonderful, God is good, congrat

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  122. D guy must have Waffi blood in him to be able to do that. cos - Warri no dey carry last. - O.I.O.

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  123. This Is To Inspire The The Jobless Youth..
    We're all learning so we can create. Don't go through life acquiring knowledge without using it to make some positive impact. Do something right today.


    Regardless of your circumstance, always choose non-violent ways to move forward in life....

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  124. Inci can, u r so funny, lol. Well kudos to guy, he jus demonstrated that he knows what marketing is all about,

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  125. Promote your Business here for free : www.myhoardings.com

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Linda Ikeji.

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