Nigeria: Lagos: Entahkan Kasih Entahkan Tidak[Lanchang Kuning].flv

My late mother loves to sing. Mostly Malay oldies song and some of these songs were downright sad, to me. So sad that I used to cry when she sang the song. Oh my, she would be very happy just to accomplish that... I was a boy at that time, a pre-schooler. 

Fast forward to 1994 it wasn't a good year for me, I was 17. My world came down crumbling. I remembered my mother sang this particular song (Entahkan Kasih, Entahkan Tidak - a heartbroken song) one night whilst holding my youngest brother in her arms. It was night and the electric went out in our area. My youngest brother, Hazim is special. Born with CP and cortical blindness, all attention on him and so mom would hug him to sleep. Listening to her singing and holding my brother to sleep, brought me to tears. But I would never let my siblings see me. I was the man of the house.....

Last weekend, I was having my breakfast and Sunday is always Malay Oldies song day for me in our cosy apartment. I just selected these compilation songs on YouTube when this song came on air. The flood gates opened. I was in tears. A piece of memory which I thought I've forgotten suddenly it felt it had happened yesterday. 

I quickly ran for the laptop and put the next song on....too late! This one, apart from the other song which is Seri Mersing still make me teary eyed. Memory of my mom flooded. Forever will be his boy...

NIGERIA: Lagos: Licky-Licky (fruit)

Let me start the first April posting with something very short but quite interesting.

I was at school waiting for the children, when my friend offered me a plastic bag (nylon - in Nigerian pidgin). Take one, she said...

the fruit

I took a piece of the fruit, tasted it and finally asked the name. 

Licky-licky. That was it, honest. Also called Awin in Yoruba language, and I bet if I Googled; I would also find the name in Hausa and Igbo too.

licky-licky, note the velvety fruit skin

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: Oyo State: Trip to Ibadan

A phone call by a fellow Malaysian, Haji Wan Zamri inviting me to a short trip to Ibadan. The purpose of the trip was to visit a school, a few mosque/masjid and some water well which were donated by the people back in Malaysia. I said 'Yes' and in turn invited Amaludin and Huda to follow us too.

The usual route to take would be the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It seemed that a few areas of the expressway had received a new fresh coat of road pavement. There's a lot going on at the moment on the expressway. Some areas the road are busy with lorries making interstate travel laden with goods, then you have the danfos (passenger van) and all manner of vehicles (US and Japanese made SUVs and sedans). 

Some parts of the expressway we managed to speed up, and some was just a slow paced due to vehicles that broke down in the middle of the road. Broken axle, overheat, puncture etc...take your pick. There were also settlements which would slow down the traffic due to people selling and buying by the roadside. 

The journey took about 3hr plus and behold, the town of Ibadan in Oyo state. Welcome!!! Geographically (size) it is the biggest town in Nigeria and at one time, in the 60's it was 2nd most populous town after Cairo. In terms of size for my readers in Malaysia, you can put 2 states of Malacca in Ibadan town. That is just the town, not Oyo state mind you.

Ibadan town

NIGERIA: Lagos: Small World 2017

Once Upon A Time...

That was the theme for 2017's Small World in Lagos, Nigeria. The grounds of Federal Palace in VI (Victoria Island) once again used for the spectacular event.

This time around, I had a new partner, Khairy of MATRADE. My Madam was away in Netherlands on a business trip. In fact she arrived on the night of the event.

someone is happy

Shathish family

After the usual vow "what happens here, stays here" and sealed with a pinky...we proceed to the entrance gate (hahaha..this part didn't happen). We were on our way to the entrance when we bumped into a group of Malaysians in Lagos. 

FC WAMCO Luncheon and Long Service Award Ceremony - DEC'16

It was time for the company luncheon event! (December 2016)


White was the theme colour for the event and a month before it, we bought ourselves some white fabric at a nearby mall. Madam called our favourite tailor to have us measured and design a set of outfit for the function. We got ours just a week later.


The luncheon was to recognise the long service employees and to bid farewell to Mr. Rahul Colaco, the MD who'll be serving the company elsewhere. We are happy for him, but also sad as we arrived on the same day to Lagos, Nigeria in 2015. My eldest and his are of the same age and went to the same school, same band and played the same sports game.


The luncheon went well. The emcee was quick on jokes and kept the guests entertained. Then the long service award ceremony for staffs that had served 10,15,20 and even 25 years with the company. Mrs. Ore Famurewa, Head of the Corporate Communication had served 20years with the company!


After each long service recognition, they would dance! Yes, dance to the local tune. Oh my...they really love to dance. Any single space available, they would just stand up and dance. One or two I saw "danced" while seated. The WAMCO band performance was admirable and music comes natural to them, I guess.


This was our last function for 2016 and may 2017 brings prosperity to the company and country.

2017! Ramblings of a 40 y.o man...

Another year passed and onwards into 2017!

Been away too long that to come up with a simple posting for the blog for 2017 proved to be very difficult. Too difficult that for this particular posting, I've been writing, deleting, rewriting and deleting many times that I told myself that on this nite, Wednesday 15th, I should have an article posted on the blog....a welcoming article of sorts. 

Big 4-0 this year. Another milestone, certainly a lifetime achievement. A few of my friends didn't make it. I remembered on my mum's 40th birthday, there was none. That year, my maternal grandmother passed on at the age of 63. Dad's mom left in 1977,  a few months before I was born, and she was 63 too. Mum was slightly better, at 64. From 40 to 63 is not long, 23 years to be exact. Not that I'm troubled by it, on the contrary, but am thankful that the sessions I had with my dad on being better muslim finally made perfect sense. Nothing new about his advice...more of a reminder actually, but now it really sank in. 

It has nothing to do with the age old adage "life begins at 40" but it was motivated by the passing of my mom. I laid her to rest on that fateful day and somehow I would have flashbacks. Back to that moment. I held her head and tilted it towards Kaabah in Mecca, the direction of our solah and apologised if it hurts her. I took the last glimpse of her before we covered her with earth. I had dreams of her and I swear to Allah that sometimes I hear her voice, but I keep it to myself. There were instances when suddenly I said "mama"... and recited the longest surah (Quranic verses) I can remember for her. 

Deep down, I will always be her little boy. Dad's advice really sank in and hit home because I really want to see her again. 

Welcome 2017...there you have it.

Mum with Ben and Fay

FC WAMCO Games 2016 (Football Part 2 - Final)

Last week we made another trip to Agege Stadium. But before that, Madam broke the news about the MD's move. My family and his arrived in Lagos on the same day, 1st January 2015. Our children went to the same school, and  many times I seek  assistance from his Madam. To see them leave, it's sad but happy for them since the move is to a more important and definitely bigger role.

So, the finals were...finally here and I was happy as I can be. I get to practise using the DSLR and somehow the crowds are quite relax to see an 'oyinbo' (white man, foreigner) walking here and there taking pictures. I'm still learning. Trust me. Taking landscape photos are much different that taking portraiture or sports photos and I don't belong to any of those group. Worse, I do not edit most of my photos. 

Anyway, we arrived during the 3rd and 4th placing match which ended in penalty shoot out. Peak Team won! Next was a novelty match and our neighbour, Manwel scored the only goal of the match. Rahul, the outgoing MD arrived with his family by then (arrived from their look see trip to China). 

While waiting for the final match between Peak 456 and Three Crowns, there was a cheerleading routine followed by a free style football show and a singing performance. The MD gave his speech and were presented with a medal, mini trophy, a custom made shirt with all the brand from the company and....... a mock Green card (PR card) as souvenir.

The final game between Peak 456 and Three Crowns were ruthless. It was no time for half measure and went all out tackling and a few injured. At one time, I counted not 2 but 3 players injured at the same time!

But, we did not watch the game till finish. Madam wanted to bring the children back home. But I knew Peak 456 would win and they win eventually for a simple reason......before they start the match, all of the team member would gather at their goalpost and pray. Oh yes they prayed. Ask and thou shall receive. Congrats Peak 456! 

p/s: newspaper man, can use my picture..but please give credit oooo...... 

FC WAMCO Games 2016 (Football Part 1)

The company recently held their sports day over a period  of a few months. There were indoor games like Table Tennis, Scrabble, Play Station (Football) and Chess. Outdoor game was Football. 

The football games were held at Agege Stadium not far from the office/factory. Four teams vied for the coveted Champion Trophy and each teams were named after the company's product, Peak, Peak Choco, Three Crowns and Peak 456. 

Football is considered the national sport. No, it's more than that. It's an obsession. "Super Eagles" they're known world wide. They had been to the World Cup, won gold medal in Olympics  in 1996 Atlanta games and 2nd runner up during the 2016 edition in Brazil. 5th in FIFA ranking was their highest so far (now 50th tie with Burkina Faso). 

Legends like Nwakwo Kanu made way for the likes of John Obi Mikel, Umar Sadiq and Peter Etebo. The country stood still when they play and went berserk if the result were....tie or worse, a defeat. 

Back to the event at Agege Stadium, it started with the march pass by all the teams and opening speech by the HR Director. Dance troupe and a freestyle football show was next. I think there was a singer performed right before the match started. FIFA sanctioned referee and lines man/woman were the games officials. 

Frankly, I enjoyed the games...and taking pictures as well. I just want to see if I can upload 100++ pics in a post. Enjoy! 

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