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).

NIGERIA: Ogun: Performance Night

Ogun state IMHO is quite amazing. Steep in history and culture and I had the privilege to travel there a few times. First with train...yes, the train and a few times with car. I can see that they're doing their best with the highway between Lagos state and Ogun state. From road riddled with potholes and bumpy ride very so often to newly tarred and smooth surface. 

They're making progress, slow and steady pace. I'm happy to say that 'sitting quite still' is not these both states are doing. They complement each other. Spillover from Lagos (industry and population) goes to Ogun and in return Lagos is still the hub for selling goods and workplace for those in Ogun. The better connection between these two states ensure both hand in hand progress into the future.

NIGERIA: Lagos: Dinner and Birthday Cake (no washing!)

Just after a day our visit to Tarkwa Bay beach, Madam was busy preparing to receive another batch of visitor. Although we can't receive all at once, we will get there to the end (at least for Madam's dept.)

Madam's had been from one company to the other during her career path and I can tell you that, I can recall most of her friends. More so since we were in Nigeria. She invited them home, I've been to some of the functions around Lagos, company dinner etc etc. So you get to know who is the "mak cik" or Aunty in her dept. (knows everyone, can joke with most of them and does emcee duties dutifully....start the dancing and karaoke session). Who does this, that and which area they're responsible with. Thank Allah for the photographic memory. 

oppsss..two Fela Kuti's pix.. should
see his live performance in YouTube

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!!!