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: Lagos: Ata Rodo (Scotch Bonnet Pepper)

Where I come from, cili padi or Birds eye chilli is the hottest of them all. We have it here in Lagos, Nigeria. It's labeled as 'Green Chilli' and it is RM14 per kilo. The ones we got were sold in SPAR Supermarket in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The 'Green Chilli' size comparison

My first encounter with Ata Rodo was when the stewardess (yes, it's steward or stewardess here) asked me if I want to try their soup (or was it prorridge) which she had just prepared. I said 'ok' and she returned with a bowl of which looked like a very thick, orange coloured mashed potato and it was spicy. She gave me a bowl to try, I only ate half of it. My tongue was numb after a few scoop of the porridge. I think it was called Asaro. It was bad experience for me..which I literally stay away from local dishes until the trip to Yellow Chilli Restaurant. That was in February...

NIGERIA: Ikeja, Lagos: Yellow Chilli Restaurant - Nigeria cuisine

I was ecstatic when most of the family members read my last posting about my uncle and our big family. But attention has to be given about Nigeria..our here and now...

So let us begin...

After we bought our groceries, as usual between the two children...Fay would be feeling hungry first. Madam came to the rescue!!! She mentioned, there's a restaurant not far from our location (btw, her office is in Ikeja..so it's her turf) that serve local and international dishes. It was.....Yellow Chilli Restaurant, you can google them at www.yellowchilling.com

the facade of the restaurant, from the website

The location

NIGERIA: Enugu: N10 (Ten Naira)

This morning, while preparing the children to go to school (yes, it's me not madam btw) I received a message in my WhatsApp. It was from Madam (she's outstation) in Enugu. The company organised a nutrition seminar there...

She sent me a N10 (Ten Naira) note!

How I could missed it. It goes to show that, even when you think you have the read a lot and the best knowledge about something...someone as ignorant as Madam would suprise you from time to time..hahahaha.. 

SO..Lo and behold the N10 note...

Alvin Ikoku (1900-1971), educator, activist, politician and a statesman born in Arochukwu in Abia state ( ). Established one of the earliest private school in Nigeria. Nominated to Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly and was assigned to Ministry of Education. His recommendation to Nigerian Union of Teachers paved way for the education policy in the newly independent nation. 

Picture of the Fulani milk maids adorned the back of the N10 note.

Spoke to Aminu, asked him if he has some Kobo. Hope I can  get some and show to all of you. Keep in touch!!! Aheh...

MALAYSIA: Muar, JOHORE: About an uncle...

After I bought my first ever camera, the advised given to me by the pros was...practise, practise and practise. Train your eye and the thing between your ears...your brain. 

So I began experimenting with the camera. The end result was a very trigger-happy camera noob. 

One of the best chance I had was when my dad's family organized a break fast kenduri (feast) at my late grandfather's school in Muar, Johor. My grandfather, Allahyarham Tuan Guru (it means teacher) Haji Mohammad Yassin bin Muhammad (I will check the spelling..it is quite confusing actually). 

My late grandfather

Allahyarham Tuan Guru Haji Mohd. Yassin bin Muhammad

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

NIGERIA: Let's talk about Naira (their currency..)

Dollar, Yen, Pound, Euro, Schilling, Riyal, Dinar, Ruble, Krona, Rand, Taka, Rupiah, Rupee, Franc, Baht, Ringgit, Dong, Schlong....theirs is Naira (N, Nigerian Naira, NGN).

A 1/100 Naira is called Kobo, but I haven't seen it myself except in websites. You can google it, but for the sake of this posting...I will only show you the denomination which is generally very much in used.

Naira was introduced on January 1st, 1973 and over the years, some of the denomination remain and of course the design changed too. Currently, they have notes for N5, N20, N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1000. In the Central Bank of Nigeria's website mentioned about N10, but I don't have it. 

On XE Currency App, which I use daily just to take a peek how's Malaysian Ringgit fares against the USD, Sing Dollar and Euro. So, according the app:

USD 1 = N 199

RM 1 = N 48

N 1 = RM 0.02  

Five Naira (N5) 

NIGERIA: Lagos: Friday!

Friday is here again!!! 

The best day of the week!!!

It's just not the best, but also the grandest among all of the days. So grand that, Allah Almighty bestowed a surah about it (Surah Jumu'ah):

“O you who believe! When the call to prayer is proclaimed on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of God, and leave aside business.  That is best for you if you but knew.” (Quran 62:9)

Apart from the surah, countless Hadith (collection of tradition containing the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), with accounts of his daily practise (sunnah) constitutes the major source of guidance to Muslim apart from the Qur'an.

Abu Huraira reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created. on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it. And the last hour will take place on no day other than Friday (Qur'an 62:9)

MALAYSIA: Bitten by the Photo bug....Oh SNAP!!!!

Most of us nowadays have FB and IG... Depends on how you use it. It can be a tool for you to achieve greatness, get information, be inspired, acquainted and connected to most or maybe some of the influental individual in so many field. 

One of them advertised a rarecation (yes, it is rare...) in his FB page. I commented and sent him an email, reminding him how we met and told him that I am interested to join this rarecation he is organizing. Left my Lagos phone number for him to contact and the very next day, I got a reply from via WhatsApp. It was great to recieve the message from Saiful and I sign up on the spot. 

the advert for rarecation..this one is to Guilin in China organized by Saiful Nang

MALAYSIA: Throwback 2004: August 21st, The Anniversary

Thanks to FB, I managed to contact a friend of mine who is one of the best portraiture photographer in Malaysia - Saiful Nang (http://blog.saifulnang.net)

Our friendship went as far as 2004, August. It was also the month and year I was conned into settling down with Madam and he was our cameraman for our ceremony. My Uncle Ian arranged Saiful Nang to be our photographer. Where he found him (SN), I have no idea. 

Pak Su (Uncle Ian - Ian Davies) and Mak Su (Mak Pati -
Fatimah Yassin), were the people who introduced
Saiful Nang to us

NIGERIA: Lagos: The best Suya in town...(only for the brave)

Looking at my draft file, I have lots to complete. Most I put on hold as I try not to .....BS (bull shit) my way to get it done, lest I irritate my dear Nigerian readers. But if I got it wrong, I kid you not that the info was from a local or readily available info online.... 

Back to the topic, today (Tuesday, August 18th) I decided to do some shopping. Hahhaaaaa.... Usually I leave it to Madam to do it but since she is in Abuja (again, to host some meeting..), I've got to woman up and do it for her. 

I passed Mega Plaza food court which is quite famous among others, for its Suya.

Clover Court sign...

Yes, Suya.. a spicy..no let me rephrase that, VERY spicy thinly sliced meat on skewer, barbecued and some would fried for a short while before cutting into small pieces and serve with fresh cut onions. Traditionally prepared by Hausa people of Northern Nigeria which can also be found in Cameroon and Niger.

Where the magic happens (on daily basis)

So off I go to Clover Court, off Glover Road in Ikoyi to get the best Suya around. There's no signage at the stall, just 2 or 3 men hard at work each with specific task.

NIGERIA: Kaduna-Abuja: Malaysians in Abuja...and the High Comm

It was already late in the evening when we left Kaduna. Entering the interchange into the freeway to Abuja, when were saw this..

a small plot of corn field

NIGERIA: Kaduna State: Madam's Birthday Celebration (The Orphanage)

At long last, we are in Kaduna State!

Kaduna State is to the North of Abuja, but belongs to the North West of the geopolitical zone in Nigeria. 

Map of Nigeria and its states (source:wikipedia)

A huge river, Kaduna River gave rise to the name of the state. But according to Zaharan, our guide for this trip...it has a more sinister meaning. Kaduna, derived from the root word Kada means crocodile in Hausa language. Honest! Google it...But according to another source..it's from another language, Gbagyi which means river. Anyway, right now just accept the simple fact that we are in Kaduna.

the mighty Kaduna River

NIGERIA: Kaduna State: Madam's Birthday Celebration (The Journey)

It's Madam's B'day +1 day today (August 15th) and we had booked a flight ticket to Kaduna to celebrate the occasion with an orphanage. She had requested her colleague, Zaharan  to help out with the event. 

that far ek? (google map)

MADMAN's I MEAN MADAM's BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Today, August 14 is Madam's birthday!!!

Since it was not disclosed in her FB the year of birth, I cannot tell you. But with certain amount of "donation" (another topic, altogether)..I could tell you how old she is this year. Chances are, she would say 19. Trust me.

Met her in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur campus in 1997 and stuck with her ever since. 

I think this picture is nice... I mean no relation to this posting or Madam
being fierce etc etc in office..hahahahahah

Today is her day..luckily got her present just before Eid in Malaysia (her first Pandora). So no problem there....phew!!!

Anyway, to her office colleagues... lucky you to have her as  your boss, manager, mentor or whatever you fancy calling her. Well, I MARRIED HER. Just imagine the stress!!! hahahahahahaha.... 

Again, Happy Birthday Madam!!!!!

MALAYSIA: Hazim....(Jim Boy)

I have a brother with CP (cerebral palsy, since 3 m.o)...and how things are in the house, he is the MAN! 

So when he "decided" to have a short RnR at the hospital...we pack everything to be with him. 

Muhammad Hazim or Ajim Boy

28y.o this year, May 24th actually....he is truly a testament to us that even how slim it was in the beginning for him..he is still with us (28 years and counting) and for that we are thankful to Allah.

The Long Trek Home..... LOS-DOH-KUL

Some pictures before we leave Lagos and on board the aircraft on our way back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.....

16 hours total flight.

7hours LOS - DOH (Lagos-Doha)

about 2hours transit

7hours DOH-KUL (Doha-Kuala Lumpur)

It was the first time travelling on Qatar Airways. First time in Doha's Hamad International Airport etc..etc..First time in Qatar, actually.

Thankfully, managed to steer the children away from the toy shop at the airport....they just need to stretch their legs and waited for the connecting flight at the next gate. 

As usual, arrival in KL was with fanfare. Grandparents, uncle and aunts were happy. Home at last.....

Without Madam.....oh no!