GHANA: Accra - Hot is an understatement...

Last week, Madam and I went to Accra, Ghana for a short business cum visit. Two weeks before depart, I managed to send an email and set contact with the Malaysian's in Accra. Khairy of Matrade office in Lagos (MATRADE - Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) also provided me with a few numbers of Malaysian residing in Accra. Short trip, 3D/2N only.

Day 1

We departed from Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos (LOS) to Accra's (ACC) Kotoka International Airport (KIA). It was a 40minutes flight on an Embraer ERJ 145LR and may I add, it was a little bit claustrophobic for me.

Aircraft safety card

Landing time! (P.Ramlee fans will get this)

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: Lagos: Conversation on Conservation in Lekki?

If you ask me about Africa, top of my list would be Safari. 

And speaking of Safari, I bet some of us must've watched a TV series about a vet clinic in Africa. It was Daktari! Remember that? Babies of the 70's and early 80's? Need to jog you memory? Just click here for the opening theme. Ahhhhh the 'good ole days'. 

I did browsed for safari in Nigeria but to no avail. It was when my friend, Yunus and family came to visit us last month, he mentioned a name which I've totally forgot about it. It was Lekki Conservation Centre. So off we went with Khairy from MATRADE on a balmy Saturday morning.

toll gate at Lekki bridge

signboard to the conservation

NIGERIA: Lagos: Banana Island Cultural Festival 2016

Counting how many times you've been to a certain festival is a sure way of knowing how long have you been around or in my case, in Nigeria. We didn't miss the Small World earlier this year and last year in October, there was the Banana Island Festival. This year too we celebrated our Eid al Kabir twice in a row (2015) & (2016).

We arrived very much later. We missed most of the performance, even the 'Poco-poco' dance by the Indonesian group. I think we were late for everything! Missed the nice food too! 

NIGERIA: Abuja: Malaysia Day (16 September 2016) - (PART 2)

IMHO, the personnel of the Malaysia High Comm had done their utmost for the Malaysia Day in Abuja last month. I think it was the biggest event so far. Thank you are also in order for the sponsors of the event, IRIS, Edmark and the rest for making it possible for the HC to organise the event.

NIGERIA: Lagos: Eid al-Kabir/Eid ul-Adha 2016 (Part2)

What a difference a year makes, we met Malaysian that had been here for the past 8years, Nigerian house wives (Malaysian ladies married to local men) and new families in Lagos. One family arrived less than a month ago!

As usual, pot luck style. On the list we have:

1. Nasi Beriani and acar timun by Madam
2. Ayam masak merah (chicken in red curry sauce) and dhal by Puspa
3. Chicken curry and dhal by Capt. Gordip
4. Laksa Johor (a coconut-fish base noodle soup) by Huda
5. Nasi Impit (rice cake/rice cube) with kuah kacang (peanut sauce) and Red Velvet cupcakes by Nadia
6. An assortment of cakes brought by Khairy
7. Fruits, tea and air sirap by Ghana

Let's makan!

the food....yummy!!! njammm njammmm

NIGERIA: Lagos: Hello Khairy, Goodbye Saifuddin (MATRADE TC)

At long last, the family and also the replacement officer for the Malaysia Trade Office in Lagos has arrived. Yes, Saifuddin Khalid...the indefatigable Trade Commissioner for MATRADE, his assignment had come to an end. He was here for a while during the Ebola crisis and  later had been instrumental in setting up the the MATRADE office in Lagos. All in all, 3 very colorful years with challenges which are very unique IMHO.

Khairy (l) and Saifuddin (r)

The officer replacing him, Khairy Maidin arrived with his family a few days earlier than the above photograph was taken. We had breakfast at Cactus Cafe, along the Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue. I was happy to meet him after our initial meeting in Malaysia sometime in June.

We invited Khairy and family over to our place and as it happens our High Commissioner was around in Lagos for an official visit. It was great to see Datuk Lim Juay Jin after my last visit in December last year to Abuja with Saifuddin.

H.E Datuk Lim Juay Jin
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Federal Republic of Nigeria

NIGERIA: Ogun: Trip to Abeokuta with LEGACY Group (Part 2)

We drove towards the famous Olumo Rock in Abeokuta and  passed by a textile market in the town. Abeokuta is also famous for its adire textile which is 'tie and dye' technique, in Yoruba language. According to the guide, behind the market which the artisans still live is where the textile is made. 

textile market

We passed along old houses and narrow road, quite hilly actually. There were some houses built on top of boulder or boulders as we approach the rock complex. The whole of Abeokuta seems to be on boulder....granite rock actually.

NIGERIA: Lagos: Lagos Ethnic Heritage Centre

It has been a year and a half since we made Nigeria our home and we realised that not all is what it seems. They phrase about "do not judge a book by its cover" has been again and again proven correct here, especially in Lagos state.

on the bridge towards Victoria Island, Lagos state, Nigeria

Here, looks can be deceiving. Behind a hotel, you'll find a windowless structure is actually a nice Indian restaurant (Sheraton Indian Restaurant). Somewhere between another restaurant (Yellow Chillies in Victoria Island) and a private hospital, is the best Italian restaurant in Nigeria (my new friend, an Indian gentleman now in his 35th year in Nigeria said). 

What looked like a bungalow, is actually a restaurant. Come to think about it...that's how the setup of a some of the restaurants here in Lagos. Huge gate with a gate man (honk to enter, please). Some, you don't actually see the restaurants inside...it's almost like...secret! The Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos fits the description....beyond the gate, is the hippest place to be..but from the main road...just another grey building with big car park.

Entrance to the Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos... who would imagine. This is on a 4x4, imagine on a car...you would miss the sign on top of the building.

Anyway it reminds me of the area Bangsar, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where old bungalows around the area are converted to exclusive restaurants. 

Lagos Ethnic Heritage Centre (click here) 

But today (Tuesday, 12th April 2016) was a little different. We were looking for something else, but instead we found another. 

the resident model of this blog...Saifuddin of MATRADE

Throwback: ABUJA: Excursion with MATRADE TC of West Africa

About three dozen of us here, scattered all over Nigeria. Three locations where you can find us, Lagos..Abuja and Port Harcourt.  We do receive guests from Malaysia from time to time. Had the privilege to receive Dato' Hazimah Zainuddin and entourage of Hyrax Oil came to Lagos and visited other Africa countries few weeks back.  

Dato' Hazimah Zainuddin

I've met most of the Malaysians here and I enjoy their company vice versa, I hope. We organised lunches, tea time and the occasional breakfast. In Lagos, my 'sparring partner' would be the MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) officer in charge of West African region. MATRADE is the National Trade Promotion Agency of Malaysia.

The Old City Gate

Saifuddin Khalid (Dean) is the Trade Commissioner based in Lagos, Nigeria and covers 24 countries in West Africa. From Mauritania all the way to Chad....and from there, turn south all the way to Democratic Republic of Congo, that longitude. He is very busy and usually I see him during breakfast. Meeting business owners, Chiefs and Oga (big man, boss) on almost daily basis. 

NIGERIA: Lagos: Lagos International Trade Fair

Every year, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised a huge trade fair. Malaysia thru its MATRADE (Malaysia  External Trade Development Corporation), has an office in Lagos. Since there aren't many of us here in Nigeria (the rest are in Abuja and Port Harcourt) we are pretty close. All in all, there are about 20 of us (Malaysian) in Lagos. 

The man in charge....Saifuddin

Saifuddin is the officers's in charge of the office in Nigeria. He is also overseeing another 20 over countries in West African Region. So far, I can tell you he is indefatigable promoting Malaysia's products and technology to Nigerian business people (women here are very much enterprising too!). This year, the fair is at TBS or Tarawa Balewa Square. A big ceremonial ground that has seating capacity for 50,000 people. 

A historical place, named after the only Prime Minister of Nigeria back in the 60's. Sir (Knighted by the current Queen Elizabeth II) Alhaji (means he already went to Mecca to perform Hajj) Abubakar (his name) Tafawa Balewa (his origin, an area in Bauchi State). I found this video in youtube...take a look. He speaks very well, accent included... without looking, one might mistook him for an English gentleman rather than a very simple man, a leader of a new independent Nigeria. He is now immortalised on the 5 Naira note.

NIGERIA: Lagos: Eid al-Kabir (Part 1)

We celebrated Eid ul-Fitr (Aidil Fitri) in Malaysia and that was during the school summer holiday, but Eid al-Kabir, Aidil Adha, Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji (Hajj) in Nigeria for a change. It's a two day public holiday, so going back to Malaysia is not an option. 

certainly a one way ticket for the ram

This year's Hajj season was marred with tragedy. First was the crane accident at Masjidil Haram in Mecca and the stampede in Mina (May Allah grant them Jannah). In my mind, the previous Friday's khutbah (sermon) by Imam Sulaiman Ibrahim urging Muslims to do the Qurban (slaughtering of livestock). 

If you've met or have Nigerian friends, they can be very animated during conversation, so does this particular Imam. 
He told the story of Allah's prophet Abraham and his son, Ismael in a very out of ordinary manner....but in a nice way, actually (all the hand gestures and slaughter was a hand across the neck). He mentioned about the livestock, the age, the condition, price and the dividing of the meat. Regarding price, he was talking about the need to strive for the best livestock...but within budget. Do not abandon your niat (intention) and focus on the reward in hereafter....and that is faith. He reminded the verse from the Holy Koran which we recite at least 5 times a day...

"Say. Indeed My prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, The Lord of The Worlds"

- Surah Al An'am/The Cattle (6:162)

I put off the idea of doing the Qurban this year until the moment we were on our way back to Lagos from Abeokuta, Ogun state (story here) where we passed the Kara Market which was full with goats and cattle. 

Kara livestock market, Lagos