NIGERIA: Be safe

I am currently living in a country where there's only a handful of Malaysian here. There are 5 families in Lagos plus some blokes who are on various assignments with some of the multi-national companies based in Lagos. In the mix, we have Shiela Madu who married a local man many many years ago. 

In Abuja, there's about the same number of us, but from time to time; Khairy from Matrade office in Lagos would announce there are Malaysian currently in Nigeria on attachment as consultants to some other international or reputable local companies in other locale (e.g Port Harcourt, Calabar etc). 

Since there's only several of us here, we know each other quite well and always within contact; just to be on the safe side. 3 years in Nigeria had thought us a lot on being constant contact within the group. Like I mentioned to prospective business group back in Malaysia, it's generally safe but like everywhere else; things can go wrong. So, it's best in to be in contact with the rest of Malaysian here, staff of the High Comm included. 

NIGERIA: Lagos: Spring Break

Since February, I was tasked by Madam to look for a place to  go to during the school Spring break. There were requests by the children, visit toy store, dinosaur museum etc...all except "I want to play snow" requested by the little angel.

Travelling with children and Madam, I really have to lower my expectation bar. Not much adventure, just a straight forward travelling together in relative comfort and hassle free. 

I have this ritual where I would open the Google Map of the world and write down a list of potential places to go. Next go to www.visitacity.com to see if there's a ready made itinerary of the city you're visiting. People travelling with children share their itinerary and some places to visit clearly marked as "kids attraction" which makes your decision easier.  You can even adjust accordingly to your preference. Lastly...of course the accommodation which you can trawl over various site in the net.

All set and done, I was happy and just wait for the Spring break to arrive. A few days before travel, trouble struck! We had chosen Brussels as our destination and now....with the bombing...it seemed not possible due to safety reasons. The Malaysian government thru the Embassy in Brussels replied my email regarding travel ban to Belgium if any. So far, most of the country did not impose any, only reminded their citizen to remain vigilant while in Brussels. The best thing I could do was to give as much info (flight, train, accom., date of arrival and departure and phone number) to the Embassy.

Now thinking about it...oh no! I forgot to say thanks since we came back! Thanks also in order for the H.E Datuk Lim  Juay Jin (Malaysia High Commission to Federal Republic of Nigeria) with his diplomatic skill and reasoning put us at ease to continue our trip to Brussels, Belgium.

P/s: Datuk Lim had given an interview to the magazine, Leadership which you can view it here (click please)

NIGERIA: Lagos: Indonesia Trade Fair (April 2016)

At the grounds of Federal Palace hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos; the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia through its Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (IPTC Lagos - Nigeria) put up the "Indonesia Solo Exhibition" from 6-8th April 2016.

In the pamphlet given to visitors, it read:

"...Nigeria's GDP income of US $1.05 trillion (2014)... and imports in 2013 amounting to US $ 61.5 billion and is the largest import in West Africa"

"In addition, the huge market size is also become a strength of the Nigerian market. Nigeria's total population of 181,562,056 people of 58.8% of the total population in West Africa amounted to 310,587,669 people makes Nigeria the largest market in West Africa, especially for consumer goods"

The Chinese are here building railway and airports...Indian population are also high and there are shops and restaurants they own, so does the countless Syrians and Lebanese entrepreneurs. In Abuja, I heard that the Turkish are also venturing into Nigeria and West African market. I met an Egyptian man selling premium furnitures in Lagos and I bet looking at the numbers of population and purchasing power (OK, we can debate this later)....Indonesia had been here quite long to make sure Nigerians had acquired the taste of their instant noodle...clever!

booths at the exhibition