NIGERIA: Wedding and another wedding. Thank you! (part 1)

Thanks to Madam, I've attended a fair share of weddings here in Nigeria. Mostly in Lagos so far.

Once, we arrived early and managed to witness the traditional part of the ceremony. The elders of both families would meet and sat in front of each other, especially both bride's and groom's parents were present. During Fadamewa's and Richard's wedding, there were two ladies as the MCs (emcees or Master of ceremony) and every few minutes they will break into sing song about the ceremony.

Also with sing song and jest, they invited the groom to meet his future in-law. The groom and his entourage would enter the hall dancing...all happy and smiling before the MCs dropped the heavy end on them.... Ah! Some Naira (money) is needed to proceed... Both MCs would bully/pester him to deposit some money into the waiting container. Of course the groom and his entourage would comply... Eyes on the  asking for some money...of course he complied. Eyes on the prize broda (brother).

Random Photos from NANTA (National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies) Annual General Meeting

Date: 21st March 2017
Location: Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja

Event: NANTA AGM

MARTADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation), attended there event on behalf of the Malaysia High Comm in Abuja. 

NIGERIA: OGUN: Trip to Ijoko with the Legacy Group (June 2016)

When we first arrived, our friends recommend that we join the Nigerian Field Society (NFS). A society that devotes itself to the study of West Africa's fauna and flora, history, culture and its people. 

These sort of society has vast network and work hand in hand with other societies and NGO that shares the same value and one of them is Legacy 1995 or LEGACY. Established in 1995, set up by a small group of Nigerian and foreign members with the aim of promoting historical sites all over Nigeria to the attention of the public and younger generation. They have train trips to Ogun state just north of Lagos and this time we are visiting the town of Ijoko.

Btw, this trip was in June, 2016 and I wasn't alone. MJ was present. In fact, it was his idea to join this trip. A note about LEGACY, with the Nigerian Railway joint committee had restored the GM's house for the railway which was built circa 1890s and now functions as a rail museum and HQ of the group. The rail trip organized by LEGACY is the highlights among the activities they have.

Jaekel House

MJ in action

NIGERIA: Lagos: 10th Annual Nutrition Seminar (FC WAMCO Nigeria PLC)

Friday, August 21st..apart form our anniversary..there was also the 10th Annual Nutrition Seminar by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC. "Physical Growth and Brain Development of the Nigerian Child: The Challenge of Our Time" was the title of the seminar.

Madam invited me to attend as it would give me the chance to practise on my photography technique. OK, not so much of  my technique but to meet and mix around with her colleagues. 

The key speakers were Professor of Paediatrics and President Paediatrics Association of Nigeria Prof. Adebiyi Olowu; and Dr Anne Schafsma from FrieslandCampina Innovation Centre, The Netherlands. 

A day before the function, I could see Madam was already on high gear. They had similar functions in Ibadan and Abuja, but Lagos is the biggest so far. In the morning...she was already poring over the emails on her laptop...looking quite stress...chillax Madam!!!

NIGERIA: Ikeja, Lagos: Ikeja City Mall

Saturday once more (August 22nd, 2015) and Madam decided we should go to Ikeja City Mall, this time. They have Shoprite  too! Over here, Shoprite is comparable to...maybe a mid size Giant supermarket, Tesco... or Walmart. You get the idea...it's big, but not that huge. 

We liked the one in Ikeja because apart from Shoprite, obviously..there were other outlets as well. Adidas, Nike, Apple (or was it Machine), Hawes and Curtis, Levis, DaViva and Woodin. A number of PC stores are here, a dedicated shop selling gaming console and a Samsung outlet. I almost forgot, like the Palm Mall in Victoria Island; there's also a small Lego shop, furniture, bookstore and countless food outlets at the main entrance. A game arcade and Silverbird cinema are on the first floor. 

We did our weekly food supply (Madam is leaving for Enugu and Port Harcourt next week, yeay!!) and we took note of the other things that we should buy elsewhere. 

Later, we went to Woodin and bought myself..I mean Madam forced me to buy a blue shirt (for her office function, if there's any in the future)...The shop specialises in local motive textiles. They also have ready made shirts for men. Madam chooses one and I can say she has nice taste. She is a black, white and grey kind of lady. She's either going to office or attending a funeral outfit...She dresses like an old lady. I am totally opposite of her, the clothes I wear exudes the kind of mood on that day. Bright is good...cheerful.

Anyway, this was the one she asked me to try and I bought it. Can you believe it? Must be her marketing side did the talking that day...

Ok..it was 1 sz smaller...

(top and bottom) Woodin Ikeja City Mall (google image)

Why on earth I bought 1 sz smaller? Well, it was Madam's idea actually. She's hoping that I would loose some, I mean a lot of weight so I can fit into it later...very much later. Hope is a very powerful thing indeed...hahahaha

FUEL CRISIS!!!

Actually the problem starts way back. I mean way back. For the sake of argument,  and since it is my blog...I can pretty much say what I want. Nothing I say will bring down the (stock) market or appreciates the Naira (currency) anyway...But the problem begins when the fuel price in international market simply...drop.

The fuel price has been hanging around the region of USD100 since 2010. Higher consumption of the black gold around the globe and high demand in China, coupled with uncertainty in some oil producing countries like Iran and Libya (both are OPEC members) pushes the prices. Production can't keep up, so the price soar...a case of supply and demand. 

note the Demand and Supply line (source: Int. Energy Agency)

Fast forward to 2014, the demand became lax and supply overtook. Unused oil was being stockpiled for later use. Supply outstrip demand, the price went down.