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LIFE AND STYLE OF THE COUNTRY
Vol. 09 | Issue 03 | 2018
= £5. €6. $8. Y45. R50. ₦2500 www.cometonigeria.com
Usuma Lake City Beyond Trade Hub
Ambassador Leopoldo Rovayo’s on Equador-Nigeria Relation
SAHEL SPECIAL ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
NIGERIA: A New Generation of Growth REGULARS: SHOPPING TRAVEL & INVESTMENT NEWS FAMOUS FIRSTS INSPIRATIONAL NIGERIANS RESTAURANTS & BARS ADVENTURES
Music of Nigeria
Kunle Paul is a dynamic vocalist that has broken through the glass ceilings of music with many years as professional voice coach cum music consultant.
Adventure
Daniela Chidinma HohlbaumAlachounye - First Trip to Nigeria
Nigeria Fashion
Garneti has been involved in series of craft exhibitions, mostly private events aimed at entertaining foreign guests.
EXPLORE * SHOP * EAT *INVEST *ENJOY
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CONTENTS
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Copyright: Nasir Auwal
18 Travel/Investment News 45 Next Issue 62 The Adventure of Daniela
CONTENTS
Regulars
Transportation - A farmer in returns from his farm with his harvest. The use of Camels is one of the means of transportation in Northern Nigeria
MUSIC OF NIGERIA
Cover photography:
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07 Publisher’s statements
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09 Editorial 10 Postcards
Travel images from Nigeria Akinseye Rex Rotimi, Nasir Auwal and Fatunbi Tolulope Oluwaseyi
16 What you should know
A brief look at what you need to know before you go
24 Hot Issue
The current concern about travelling Fulani Herdsmen
Destination
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Lead Story
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Usuma Lake City- Beyond Trade Hub
Nigeria’s Next Generation of Growth - A Global Trade Ecosystem
50 Book reviews
Review of books by Nigerian writers
52 Inspirational Nigerians Dr. Abayomi Ajayi is the Chief Executive Officer of Nordica Fertility Centre
54 Music of Nigeria Kunle Paul
56 Nigeria Fashion
Etienying Akpanusong the Chief Executive Officer of Garneti Exhibit Limited.
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Lunch Time
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Famous firsts in Nigeria
58 My Nigeria
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Webpreneurs
59 Letters and comments
Spotlight on Adunni and Nerfretiti
Nigeria and Equador -AMBASSADOR LEOPOLDO ROVAYO’S INTERVIEW
My Midwestern Experience Chinyere Okoro’s Adventure
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25 Entertainment
28 Featured Story
Adventure
The making of Nigeria’s ‘Ofe Egusi’
Olabisi Oreofe Ugbebor first female Mathematics Professor in Nigeria
Featuring blogs and websites by Nigerians
Nicolas Georgakis, Niki Tall aka Oyinbo Boy.
64 Football
Russia 2018: The Shock, Shame & Glory,
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Published By:
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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Editor
Associate Editors
Graphics
Oladimeji Adisa
Dayo Adeniran, Gina Lisa Pate, Neil Peacock
Production Manager Adeyemi A. Adisa
Marketing
Dayo Adeniran Abdulhakeem B. Olanigan Yekinni Opeloyeru Morgan Okunnuga
Media & PR
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Distributors in UK
Bayo Jide
Post Scriptum Tel: +44 208 526 7779 davidjones@postscriptum.co.uk
Photography
Stories
Kunle Oladeinde, Tolulope Fatunbi Nasir Auwal Akinseye Rex Rotimi http://agis.fcta.gov.ng
Henrietta C. Ikediashi Salamatu Sule Dr. John Yahaya Osammor Elder Dipo Adegbite Okeson Oche Onu Chinyere Okoro Alade Aderonke
MUSIC OF NIGERIA
Copyright 2017 CometoNigeria Magazine. ISSN 2044-1932
Publisher’s Statement
PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT
LIFE AND STYLE OF THE COUNTRY
I
wholeheartedly welcome you to this new edition. At Come To Nigeria we have decided to shift the focus of the magazine more towards bilateral-Trade, Investment, and Tourism. This is because tourism is after a set of trade. Why will people want to come to Nigeria? it is because of commerce as well. We have to create a new trade route that will enable our commodities to reach the buyers with ease. That is why in this edition we have covered a concept created and developed by GRC MOTORSPORT LIMITED, The Next Generation of Growth that is predominantly on trade. This concept will transform Nigeria to be one of the leading countries in the global trade, achieving her economic miracle and becoming the emerging Economic cornerstone of the World. From our research, we discovered that Nigeria is currently on a rent economy OLADIMEJI ADISA as we solely depended on Oil. It is important for Nigeria to rededicate the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief nation’s resources at and embark solidly on international trade. Trade is essential, and tourism is now seen as commodity export because I have asked several people in the past why Nigeria is not on the tourism belt? And the answer is simple. We are not doing enough trading like other countries. Since the beginning of this year, the Federal Government of Nigeria had commenced the implementation of the 2017 Revised Import2 and Export3 guidelines. The application of the guidelines is in line with the government’s efforts to improve international trade while enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria. The World Bank’s 2018 report on where it is easier to do business around the world, placed Nigeria at 145th of 197 countries assessed. Although still on the low end, it is believed that the ranking shows a considerable advancement from the country’s previous ranking of 169th in the 2017 report. For Nigeria to make the top 25 exporting countries, trade and trade routes must be further developed. But one thing is, the trading opportunity in Nigeria is enormous. We have waited for too long to revive the diversification of the economy. Because the oil boom is no longer there, so everything now has to go back to commodity trading that Nigeria was known for in the past; the cotton pyramid, the groundnut pyramid, the cocoa, palm oil, rubber and the leather industry as well as others like sorghum and cashew etc. We must now be going back into all these areas of diversification promoting more ‘Made in Nigeria’ whereby the economy will pick up, and there will be more people coming to the country. Nigeria economy will change when we refocus more on proper international trade as Investments only flourish when there is a trade. Nigeria’s trade surplus widened to NGN 837.1 billion in March of 2018 from NGN 114.1 billion in 2017. Exports rose 54.5 percent year-on-year to NGB 1441.8 billion, because of higher sales of crude oil (57.3 percent); raw material (105.6 percent) and mineral goods (519.4 percent). Only God knows what Nigeria will become if we are able to focus more on commodity trading.
Correspondents
To achieve a new era of commodity trading, therefore, the Federal Government of Nigeria must collaborate with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Export and Import Bank so that we can achieve immensely development of export trade in the country.
Editorial Board
Many people love the thrill of going to countries where they have to go outside their comfort zone to get by, where there is a language barrier, where they point to something on a menu and have no idea what will be placed in front of them. They love to experience different cultures, nature, transport, lifestyles, etc. That surely why the famous quote: The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.
Dare Alabi -Osun State, Tijjani Shehu Yahaya -Kano State
Dr John Osammor, Ade Arogundade, Fatai Ogunribido, Neil Peacock, Henrietta C. Ikediashi, Bisi Ogunbadejo, Dr. Raphael James and Oladimeji Adisa While the publisher of CometoNigeria Travel Magazine makes every effort to ensure that the content of the magazine is accurate at the time of going to press, it cannot accept responsibility for any error that may appear. The publisher strongly suggests all visitors to Nigeria ensure travel documents and vaccines are up to date before travelling.
Those who travel usually have the best time of their life meeting like-minded travellers and expanding their minds while experiencing different ways of living and that had left them wanting more hence the urge to travel more. Please enjoy this edition. Oladimeji Adisa
The editor of the magazine is happy to receive contributions. However, while every care is taken with materials submitted, neither the editor nor the publisher can accept responsibility for the material. All submitted materials must include the contributor’s name and address. CometoNigeria cannot guarantee the return of submitted material. Copyright 2017 CometoNigeria Magazine. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form or stored in any form on a retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher.
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Adunni and Nefretiti, Olatunde and Kunle Paul’s arresting words on marble in their business of painting the sound of men in songs validate Woodrow Wilson’s saying that you cannot write a good song about a whorehouse unless you have been there. The Muse that inspires them, challenges and stay-power they walk through is fantastic!
Henrietta C. Ikediashi Editor
The misconceived air around the name ‘NIGERIA’ whenever mentioned globally feels like grape gone sour in the mouth. Wait a minute! My personal experience with pudding dates back to the nineties in the North. Seeing my Mother prepare it for the first time was strange, even when I was served, eating it was a war, but then I knew the only option was to go to bed hungry. The moment it got into my mouth, all I can right now remember is how I licked my plate until it shone like the Sun. Then I had a flashback of the saying ‘the taste of the pudding is in its eating.” In other words, there is the need to drop every bias the name ‘Nigeria’ stirs. Come to Nigeria! Relate with Nigerians in Diaspora and learn from them, tap from their fountain of knowledge. Perhaps this bias is what informed the name of our newly launched national carrierNIGERIA AIR. The air around Nigeria must be right, knowing that the price of justice is positive publicity. The world has a trackable ink pen with the CROSS Peerless TrackRutilize’s Bluetooth connectivity and a mobile app to enable owners to keep track of their pen using a Smartphone. This edition of Come to Nigeria Magazine explores this and many more technological inventions. Boast how many books you have read! The real University of these days is a collection of books not the four walls of a citadel of learning. Books of Ahmed Maiwada (We’re Fish), The Lake goddess (Flora Nwapa), Nana Asma’u, daughter of Usman dan Fodiyo and Lois Otse Adams, all Nigerian Authors received lovely reviews. Learn how to prepare mouth watery cuisines, what makes Professor Deborah Ajakaiye one of Nigeria’s famous first, read about Doctor Abayomi Ajayi of Nordica Fertility Centre and his medical breakthrough using IVF, inspirational Nigerians, and stories of hospitalities showered on foreigners and tourists to Nigeria and many more. Make this edition of Come to Nigeria Magazine a must have as we have done it “in the Gbagyi way” by being accurate to you and transparent with you. Enjoy the value of your time and money. Henrietta Chukwufumnanya Ikediashi
This edition Editor’s picks Music of Nigeria KUNLE PAUL
outstanding music skills range from excellent vocal works, instrumentation, sight reading and ability “to see with ears and hear with eyes” (aural perception) ...
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Interview with
LEOPOLDO ROVAYO
the outgoing Ambassador of Ecuador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a career diplomat for twenty eight years. I was previously posted to Peru and Spain
Feature
MY MIDWESTERN EXPERIENCE -one would have expected that I would have an intimate knowledge of Benin City, unfortunately, that was not the case, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to visit during the Salah holiday.
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EDITORIAL
M
uyi shi Gwari’ is a famous Northern Nigerian slogan, which connotes transparency found amongst Gwari people. Come to Nigeria Magazine from inception has openness as one of its mantra and unique selling point. It is exciting that this Magazine is the first so far to unravel Usuma Lake City, a haven for global trade blessed with one of the best breath-taking scenic views of nature in the world. It is not a coincidence that we are the first to unravel this city; instead it is because being in the know puts us in the flow.
MUSIC OF NIGERIA
Editorial
TRAVEL IMAGES
POSTCARDS Travel images from Nigeria
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Marina!
This is Lagos!!! Imaging the positive story of our Lagos. Ilu Ogbon.
This is Ojota This is Ojota, Lagos on a beautiful saturday afternoon
Aerial view of Agbokim Waterfall Situated some 17 kilometres from Ikom, a Local Government Area of Cross River State that’s not far from the Nigeria-Cameroon border. It consists of seven streams, each cascading over steep cliff, which provides seven-faced falls. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery, valleys and steep hills, which are enveloped in a rainbowlike aura. Its freshness is captivating and has an alluring serenity. It is the ideal location for a vacation to getting back into nature and regaining your creative productivity and general well being.
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Tolulope Fatunbi
Sunset of Lekki Port Beautiful Lagos, Nigeria!!! Sunset of Lekki Port. Nigeria’s Deepest Port under construction to be completed in 41 months by Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise, its an investment of $1.6 Billion.
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My Travel images
M
r. Fatunbi Tolulope Oluwaseyi was born on the 7th of June 1986 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. FOLORUNSHO FATUNBI in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he grew up. He’s a native of IJOMU ORO VILLAGE, KWARA STATE. He attended University of Ilorin Primary School for his elementary education and then proceeded to University of Ilorin Secondary School Kwara State, Nigeria for his secondary education. He obtained a Bachelors degree in Building Technology from Covenant University, Nigeria. Mr. Fatunbi Tolulope is the founder of QUADREV LIMITED, NIGERIA, a global technology services and outsourcing company offering full end-toend telecommunications and IT solutions as well as DAVID ELPPA AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPANY, which is focused on imaging the positive story of Africa through aerial photography. His research work is on Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, Design and Installation of Access Control System for Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Katsina Branch; Design, and Installation of 3D Facial Recognition System for time and attendance in Halls of Residence at Covenant University Lagos, Nigeria amongst others. Fatunbi Tolulope supervises the “African Smart Homes for the Future” project (integrating 3D Face Recognition Cameras, RFID /Access Control technology solution into a new state of the art buildings in Nigeria). He specialises in Domotics and Building Automation. Mr. Fatunbi Tolulope enjoys swimming, traveling, reading and playing football in his leisure. His interest centres on cutting-edge technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Internet of Things (IoT), Internet of Drones (IoD) and Robotics.
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TRAVEL IMAGES
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TRAVEL IMAGES
POSTCARDS Travel images from Nigeria
1 Nasir Auwal
Through my lens
I
was born in Kano, Nigeria on 23rd October 1980. I started my education at B.U.K Staff School before we moved to Lagos where I attended Gloryville International School to complete my Primary education. I completed my Secondary School education in Abuja, F.C.T. I am a graduate of Computer Science and also hold a Masters degree in Computing from De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. I love Photography. I have been in love with cameras from a young age; from the moment our family got a canon camera back in the film days. I am a self taught Photographer with interests in Landscape, Travel and Portrait Photography. I have photographed weddings, but mostly for friends and family. I have also photographed a number of sporting events. I see Photography as a powerful tool for story telling and communication, and my philosophy is to take beautiful images to showcase incredible places, vibrant people or objects in good light and any other subject that catches my eye. I currently manage a website (www.pixelynch.com) and social media accounts where I display some of my work.
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Ride into sunset
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A Piece of Nature
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Donkey Fly
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The Island
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A young boy awaits his passengers to ferry them across the river. Zauro, a small town outside Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State has some amazing scenery including the river, which rises to its peak during the raining season. Small canoes are used to carry people, goods and animals to and from their farms.
On a cold morning at the Jabi Lake Park, Abuja. This aerial image was taken to show the beautiful pattern of trees that can be found at the edge of the park. The soft morning light helped illuminate the trees.
As a sunset enthusiast, I positioned myself by the zauro river to take a photo, when this donkey jumped right out of the water and stroke a pose. I grapped this shot, and the donkey trodded off in a matter of seconds. I am glad to have captured this fleeting moment. The image reminds me of the animated movie “Shrek” and the character voiced by Eddie Murphy(Donkey). Just a few minutes outside Abuja, is Usuma Dam. A picturesque body of water, that runs across Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). An aerial shot of this small Island shows the landscape and clear water of this beautiful site. Usuma Dam is one of Abuja’s foremost tourist attraction and a sight to behold.
Early Bird
One of the local fishermen was out at sunrise to fish. Jabi Lake is a man made lake that serves as a tourist attraction in Abuja. I was out at sunrise when he came along, I asked if I could photograph him and www.cometonigeria.com
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POSTCARDS Travel images from Nigeria
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My Travel Photography
kinseye Rex Rotimi a Graduate of Mathematics and Statistics. I got in to Photography in 2017.
Before Photography I was working with Ebony Life TV but I was not getting satisfaction so I followed passion, going into landscape and travel photography.
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The red light of Lagos
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Love
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Canoe transport at Aboye Ketu, Lagos
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The Blue side of Lagos
My dream is to travel around this beautiful country and record amazing stories with my camera.
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ESSENTIALS
BEFORE YOU
GO
Currency
When to visit! Nigeria can be visited all year round but the traveller planning a visit should take the following into consideration: rainfall, particularly in the south, between May and September. Rainfall can be heavy in June and can cause some inconveniences. Temperature ranges from 23–31°C in the south, with high humidity and much higher in the north. A cooler, but dusty harmattan season usually stretches from December to January.
Nigeria’s currency is the naira (N) which is divided into 100 kobo. Currency notes are issued in denominations of N5, N10, N20, N50, N100, N500 and N1000. Coins are issued in 10K, 25K, and N1. Except for hotel bills in some hotels, foreigners can do their shopping and other business in the local currency. There are a number of Bureau De Change and banks at each international airport where the visitor can convert from local to foreign currency, and vice versa. Major banks with international branches operate electronic money transfer services, and it is safe to use your credit cards for your hotel bills and at other recognised outlets.
Entry formalities
Visitors from the Commonwealth countries as well as other nations require an entry permit, obtained in advance, and the application should be supported by a letter of invitation and a return ticket for the journey. Processing will take at least two days.
Currency regulations
Language
English is the official language of Nigeria and it is used at all levels of administration, law, commerce and education. It is spoken with varying degrees of fluency by 50% of the population, making Nigeria the largest English speaking country in Africa. However, there are three major ethnic languages: Hausa - mainly spoken in the North; Yoruba - spoken in the West; and Igbo - spoken in the East. Another widely spoken language in Nigeria is the Pidgin English (though with varying regional influences on dialect and slang). Other Languages include Kanuri, Edo etc. 16
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There are no restrictions on importation of foreign currency. A currency declaration is however required both on arrival and departure, for large sums of money in excess of US$5,000.00. Import or export of Nigerian currency is strictly limited to N5.000 (five thousand Naira only). Hotel expenses or bills may be paid for in foreign currency. Personal baggage up to 20 kilograms and belongings such as cameras and laptops for the use of bonafide visitors are admitted free of duty. In addition, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225 grams tobacco are allowed. The importation of illegal drugs is punishable by a jail term.
Vaccination
An international vaccination certificate against yellow fever (10 years) is required. Cholera (six months) is also required if coming from an infected area. Prophylactic anti-malaria and TB inoculation are recommended. Nigeria is a tropical country and therefore, it is necessary to protect yourself against malaria. It is advisable to take recommended medication from your country of departure. The most recommended drug for use in Nigeria is Chloroquine Phosphate taken once a week. To be started two weeks before departure and continued throughout the stay here until two weeks after returning. www.cometonigeria.com
ESSENTIALS To enter Nigeria, a valid passport and visa are both required for nationals of virtually all countries. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the period of intended stay. All visitors to Nigeria must hold passports or ECOWAS travelling documents (for nationals from ECOWAS member countries). Citizens of countries for which Nigeria requires visas must obtain entry information and visas in advance from Nigerian embassies or consulates abroad. Visas cannot be obtained aboard planes or at the airport. Check your nearest Nigerian embassy or consulate for more information on travel requirements.
Jul/Aug 2018
REACHING NIGERIA
By Air: There are international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Domestic flights operate between all the major cities. Some airlines that fly to Nigeria include Arik Air (London, New york - Lagos, Abuja), British Airways (London - Abuja, Lagos), Virgin Atlantic (London Lagos), KLM (Amsterdam - Abuja, Lagos, Kano), Air France (Paris- Lagos and Port Harcourt), Alitalia (Milan -Abuja, Lagos), Turkish Airline (Istanbul -Lagos), Lufthansa (Frankfurt - Abuja, Lagos), Iberia Airlines (Madrid-Lagos), North American Airlines (Baltimore/Washington, New York - Lagos), Delta Airlines (Atlanta - Lagos). Others include China Southern Airlines, Emirates, Middle East Airlines, Qatar Airways etc.
Baggage Examinations International airports in Nigeria are staffed by Customs Officers who conduct normal checks of baggage on all international arrivals. Standard security checks are in operation at all Nigerian entry ports.
Public Transport: The entire country is well connected. Getting around is relatively easy, except that there could be delays owing to traffic jams in some cities. As usual, there are multitudes of coaches and buses that will take you to any part of Nigeria you wish.
By Boat: Transport by boat is not widespread unless you venture into Lagos and other riverine areas of Nigeria. www.cometonigeria.com
1 Jan: New Year’s Day 26 Feb: Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet) 25 Mar: Good Friday 28 Mar: Easter Monday 1 May Workers’ Day 29 May: Democracy Day 1 Oct: Independence Day 06 Jul Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) 10 Sept Eid al-Kabir (Feast of the Sacrifice) 25 Dec: Christmas; 26 Dec: Boxing Day
MUSLIM FESTIVALS
Getting around
Self Drive / Hire Cars: Road conditions in the cities are good. Petrol is very cheap in Nigeria. Driving is on the right hand side and an International Driving Licence is required. Car hire is available in Lagos, Abuja and other major cities.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Airport customs Visitors to Nigeria are allowed 4 litres of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes duty-free. Visitors may export souvenirs, although some articles (e.g. animals skins and antiques) require an export permit. Illegal drugs of any description are not allowed into Nigeria. Please check with a Nigerian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission nearest to you for current information before departure.
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Kabir (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Time Zone Nigeria is 1 hour ahead of GMT, meaning that during daylight savings, it would be 12:00 in London, 1:00pm in Nigeria and 8:00am in New York.
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UPDATES/NEWS
Travel
Tourism: Nigeria’s New Economic Frontier
A
s we gradually move towards the close of the great age of oil, with the newer and brisk strides in the development of alternative energies, this bodes many disconcerting fortunes for mono-cultural economies like Nigeria, whose lifelines have hinged on oil receipts in the past several decades. These proceeds have, traditionally, not only accounted for over 80 percent of total income earnings but also about 95 percent of foreign exchange accretions to the State. Hence, the cliff edge situation signposts the urgency of opening up new revenue frontiers, of which tourism offers huge possibilities. According to Folorunsho Coker, a huge sector of growth, constituting almost 10 percent of the global GDP at $8 trillion in 2016, tourism is responsible for 8.8 percent of the world’s jobs, estimated at over 258 million; 4.5 percent of the world’s investments at $652 billion, and 5.8 percent of the world’s total exports valued at $1.1 trillion. ADVERTISING No less astounding are the numbers spawned across the sector in the over 1.2 billion tourist arrivals in different destinations the world over in 2016, involving year-on-year increases in the past two decades; a projection of 1.4 billion arrivals in 2020, and 1.8 billion in 2030. No less staggering has the phenomenal growth in the global hospitality industry been, with anticipated revenues of about $600 billion in 2018. Closer home, even whilst still evincing so much latitude for growth and comprising less than 5 percent of the regional GDP, the World 18
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Travel, and Tourism Council estimates the tourism industry in Sub-Saharan Africa to pull in as much as 4 million jobs in the next couple of years. The prospects that much of these figures evoke, make Mr. Folorunsho “Folly” Coker – tourism and hospitality entrepreneur and bureaucrat, entertainment impresario, ex-Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, and current Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) – luxuriate excitedly in what signals a bright new day ahead for Nigerian finances, if the “big business of tourism” is carefully harnessed. True, the potentials on the continent, as he sees them, look quite inspiring: In the past year, the international tourist arrivals in Africa were 56 million people, revealing a year-on-year growth of 6 percent in the influx; a tourism revenue of $47 billion between 2011 and 2014, showing a 9 percent yearly increase; and the creation of 21 million jobs within that time frame. Also, in the past year tourism accounted for 7 percent of the continental export revenue, and 46 percent of the services export revenues. Significantly, with Africa, and certainly Nigeria, gradually opening up to increased private sector investments from the United States, Europe, China, and India, etc. – beyond the downturn of extractive industries – and improving social conditions in many localities, Mr. Coker seems particularly hopeful of an upsurge in domestic and inbound tourism on the continent. And, particularly in Nigeria, which received over 1.3 million tourists in 2015 alone. In Folly Coker’s perspective, the possibilities of tourism as Nigeria’s new frontier of
economic development and growth is one primed to generate considerable income for the country, while creating jobs (both of primary and secondary preoccupations), with other levels of spinoff involving activities across the gamut of hospitality and hotel business, restaurant and tour operations, airport services, and cabbing, etc. These would entail opportunities for huge wealth creation along value chains, such as in construction, through the building of infrastructure, multi-modal transportation systems, roads, etc., which would open up and expand various modes of tourism – from the seaside to hinterland, among others. It is equally poised to generate increased demand for telecoms and financial services, furniture and furnishing, food, garments, and handicraft, etc. Moreover, Nigeria’s trove of world-renowned heritage sites, such as the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Groove in Osun State, the Ogba Ukwu Cave/Waterfalls and the Ogbunike Cave in Anambra State, the Kano City Wall and others, would deepen their alluring pull of cumulative parties of visitors, with the capability for leapfrogging the volumes of this traffic. Certainly, as Mr. Coker recently observed, the regime around tourism in Nigeria has, no doubt, been enabled by the recent efforts of the government in improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria, seeing to greater visa access to visitors, the rehabilitation of airports, improvements in national security – as testified to by the great rollback of the Boko Haram insurgency in the NorthEast, the enhancements to the provision of electricity across the country, etc. Also, as one with both private and public sector experiences in the business of tourism – being owner of the La Casa brand, involving beach resorts, spas, cafes, alongside a number of hospitality enclaves – and a crucial actor within the Lagos State administrative system, Mr. Folly Coker certainly understands the logic of tourism in building the wealth of a nation; and the crucial work involved. This was deployed in his role as pioneer driver of the One Lagos Fiesta – the humongous crossover events staged simultaneously across the five divisions of Lagos (Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe) – as Commissioner of Tourism under Governor Ambode. This shapes Coker’s observation that, “Looking at the number of businesses that were engaged in putting those events together and its exponential, it is a viable strategy for a city like Lagos and other places because it is inward-looking, and the multiplier effect of the investment remains within the economy.” Source: Vanguardngr.com
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UPDATES/NEWS
UNWTO and Nigerian tourism message
The Nigerian Airports Record 3.4 million Passengers in First Quarter of 2018 - FAAN
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he report released by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), says about 3.4 million passengers travelled through Nigerian airports during the first quarter of 2018 as against the 2.6 million passengers recorded in 2017 first quarter. According to the First Quarter Report obtained on Wednesday, in Abuja showed a 28.25 percent growth from the same quarter in 2017. The report indicated that 2.4 million passengers travelled within the country (domestic passengers), while a total of 950,292 passengers travelled out of and into Nigeria (international passengers) during the period. It also said that 1.6 million passengers were recorded at arrivals while 1.7 million passengers were recorded at the departures during the period under review. The monthly breakdown showed that 1.1 million passengers comprising 800,609 domestic and 355,176 international passengers were recorded in the month of January. In February, 1.05 million passengers comprising of 790,196 domestic and 267, 222 international passengers were recorded while a total of 1.2 million passengers comprising of 892,087 domestic and 327,894 international passengers were recorded in March. On-airport by airport basis, Murtala www.cometonigeria.com
Muhammed Airport recorded the highest number of passengers during the period with 1.5 million passengers comprising of 890,716 domestic and 678,839 international passengers. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport recorded 1.02 million passengers comprising of 822,109 domestic and 199,875 international passengers during the quarter. The report further revealed that there were 55,031 aircraft movements during the period compared to the 44,997 aircraft movements recorded during the first quarter of 2017, showing a growth by 22.31 percent. The report showed that a total of 44,250 aircraft movements were recorded on the domestic route while a total of 10,781 aircraft movements were recorded on the international route. In January, there were 17,112 aircraft movements, 18,224 in February and 19,694 in March. The report further disclosed that a total of 43.9 million tons of cargo was recorded on international flights comprising 28.4 million tons on arrivals and 15.5 million tons on departures during the period. It also showed a 6.05 percent growth from the 43.9 million tons recorded in the first quarter of 2017. Source: Nigeria Communications Week with original source from NAN
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ake it or leave it, Nigeria has never failed to impress when it comes to hosting world leaders and showing off our famed hospitality and vibrant culture. It did not begin with this government either would this show of cultural diplomacy end with any government in power anytime soon. However, there is a need to give way for some kind of interpretation and understanding of this cultural gesture and hospitable nature of our people and nation. Cultural entertainment and hospitality have over the years become a strong platform to market and inform visitors about some very urgent immediate and future socio-political and economic direction of a people or nation. The Europeans and Americans sold their message of economic and cultural evolution through tea parties and cocktails while the Asian nations of China, Japan and lately the Arabs fronted cultural dances and gastronomic uniqueness to tell their stories. Over the years, this human expression of hospitability and craft has become the face of diplomacy and an important tool for economic re-engineering, exploration, and subjugation. To my understanding and appraisal of the just concluded 61st meeting of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) CAF in Abuja, the fusion to get Nigeria into the global tourism market and into the engine room of its political structure would possibly gain better insight. However, the sustainability of this advantage or process must be addressed or else, the whole effort and sweat to get global tourism attention to better our cultural tourism content may end up in the gallery and Valley of confusion. Source: SunNewsOnline
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Investment
AfDB to invest $12bn in Nigeria’s energy programme
NIGERIA’S LONGEST CONCRETE ROAD TO BE COMPLETE BY DECEMBER
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igeria’s longest concrete road project, the Obajana-Kabba road in Kogi State, will be completed by December 2018 according to the company handling the project, AG Dangote. Olatunbosun O. Kalejaiye, the Project Director of AG-Dangote Construction Company Limited, said so far 29 km had been completed, with commercial activities starting to spring up along the route. The 43 km Obajana-Kabba road project is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) of Dangote Cement Plc. The Project Manager Akhimienho Emmanuel said when completed the road can last more than 50 years. The Bajana of Obajana Land, King Idowu Senibi, described the project as “gigantic and the first of its kind anywhere in Nigeria.” “Our society will be opened as you can see vehicles and commercial activities have started coming up,” he said adding that Obajana was like a village before the coming of Dangote Cement Plc but now “our population is about 70,000 people and is still growing,” said Mr. Emmanuel A commercial driver, Adeniyi Adeniji, 50, from Ogun State said he has been plying the road for several years and that it always took him hours to drive through ObajanaKabba, but now it takes him less than 45 minutes. A community leader and retired policeman 20
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at Kilometre 29 of Ayegunle Igun Bunu Kabba Local Government, Matthew Robinson, expressed optimism that when completed, kidnapping and armed robbery would be wiped out, of the region. Project plan Worried by the huge sum of money used in road repairs, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said plans were afoot to revolutionise Nigerian roads with concrete, stressing that resources used in road repairs and maintenance would be channeled to other more important needs of the nation. “We are going to be building concrete roads in the country so that anytime we build a road, we do not have to go back to repair it after the third raining season, but move on and use the resources to address other pressing needs of Nigeria,” Dangote said. As part of its CRS, Dangote Group had earlier commissioned the 26 km Itori-Ibese concrete road. Source: Construction Review Online
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he African Development Bank has revealed plans to invest $12bn in Nigeria’s energy programme. AfDb President Akinwumi Adesina, confirmed the statement during the inaugural edition of the Africa Energy Market Place saying that there was a need to act speedily to accelerate the plans to light up and power Africa. “The bank has made a US $12bn investment commitment to its new deal on Energy for Africa programme. SubSaharan Africa currently has 14 % of the world’s population and accounts for 4% of global energy investment. Analysts at the bank note that several countries, including Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, and Kenya, are on track to reaching universal electricity access by 2030,” he said. Energy consumption Adesina acknowledged the AEMP as an industry-wide collaborative platform convened by the AfDB to address barriers to mobilising and scaling-up private investment into the energy sector by bringing together key stakeholders in the continent’s energy sector. The Director, Côte d’Ivoire Cabinet of Petrol and Renewable Energy Development Ministry, Jacques Chevalier, also stated that energy held a critical role in Africa’s economic transformation, particularly in improving the living conditions of Africans. He added that the workshop specifically sought to address Africa’s dismal energy and electricity production and consumption, which currently stood at 150kWh per capita. Source: Construction Review Online
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UPDATES/NEWS
Regeneration: Tropicana Mall, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo – Akwa Ibom
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he Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre, which was originally developed in 2011 by the Akwa Ibom State Government, is being regenerated to become ‘Tropicana Mall’, a centre that will provide a modern one-stop shopping experience offering approximately 8,000m² of retail and recreation.
Ibom connection popularly known as Ibom Plaza, the prestigious Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, and Discovery Park, a green recreational park known as Love Garden etc. Uyo is a fast-growing city, as it has witnessed some infrastructural growth in the past nine years.
This project, backed by the Tropicana Mall Development Company Limited, is scheduled to open for trade in the second Quarter of 2019. It includes Shoprite as its anchor tenant, Silverbird Cinemas which is currently operational along with other line shops catering for fashion, health, and beauty, food court, restaurant, cafes as well as specialist retailing and children’s entertainment for the family.
Tropicana Mall, Uyo is available for letting inquiries from potential tenants/retailers. Available spaces range between 29m²– 300m². Source: estateintel.com
Akwa Ibom state is located in the South-South geopolitical zone and is bordered on the east by Cross River State, on the west by Rivers State and Abia State, and on the south by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of over five million people, the state was created in 1987 from the former Cross River State and is said to be the highest oil and gas producing state in the country. The state’s capital is Uyo, with over 500,000 inhabitants. Akwa Ibom has an airport and two major seaports on the Atlantic Ocean with a proposed construction of a world-class seaport, Ibaka Seaport at Oron. The state also boasts of a 30,000-seat sports complex shaped like the Allianz Arena stadium. Akwa Ibom state is also home to the Ibom E-Library, a worldclass information centre. The city boasts several recreational areas including Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre now Tropicana Mall,
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UPDATES/NEWS
Rehabilitation work on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in good progress
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ehabilitation works on the LagosIbadan Expressway in good progress and is almost hitting the 60% mark complete. This is according to the two construction companies handling the rehabilitation work on the Expressway. Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) and Julius Berger revealed the project status during a nationwide tour visit on the nationwide federal government’s infrastructural projects. The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, conducted the tour. The rehabilitation cost for the 132km long expressway road hits $642.4m. However, the reconstruction of the expressway is divided into two sections in order to cut short the project completion duration. Project sections Julius Berger is working on section one of the project, which is from Lagos to Sagamu. The 48 km project section is at 53% complete, entailing the laying of asphalt and construction of drainages. On the other hand, RCC is handling Section 2 from Sagamu to Ibadan, which is now at 58.27% complete. Naor Narkisi of RCC revealed that the firm is extending two bridges at the 71 and 74km of the road section, which is at Fidiwo and Foursquare. The bridges will be completed shortly. According to Narkisi, the total length of asphalt laid on the road section is at 28.3km for Ibadan bound track, while another asphalt is laid towards Lagos at the 29.7km mark. The total road length awarded to RCC is 84km and 23,347. 86 tonnes of bitumen has been used while the quantity of cement 22
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used is 18,730.14 tonnes. RCC has four years to complete the awarded 84 km road section. The company will as well install pedestrian bridges, streetlights, and underpasses in some parts of the road. Additional Layers However, it is expected that sections 1 and 2 will be completed substantially before the end of 2018 and that every improvement made on the road, makes traffic to become more pleasant and enjoyable. Security is also enhanced while the economy grows. According to Loesser Wolfgang, the Julius Berger Divisional Manager of West and Lagos, the company has already rehabilitated 53% of the road. Wolfgang added that there would be a large interchange at the Redeemed Church to tackle the huge traffic caused by a large number of people who gather every week to worship. Nonetheless, an additional layer of 15cm of top asphalt coating has been made on the road while the asphalt admixture is modified to prevent the road from corroding. Besides, the road is designed to be durable for 20 years from the effect of rotting. Source: Construction Review Online
Construction of 1,727 housing units in Nigeria flagged off
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he Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has flagged off the construction of 1,727 housing units in Edo state, which have been christened as the “Emotan Garden Estate” in line with the pledge to revive the state of Edo’s economy. The Edo Development and Property Agency, EDPA and MIXTA Africa are working together and are expected to intensify work on the development of the housing units, which will be located in Egba, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, of the Edo State. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was on his twoday visit to the state, mentioned that the project is the realisation of his campaign to develop the state into an economic hub and also praised the governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for his various initiatives since he took office. Job opportunities The Edo Garden project, according to Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is expected to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs in agriculture, construction and manufacturing sectors, among others where else 80% of the materials to be used for the construction of the houses will be acquired from the local area. Yemi Osibanjo also stated that the government was starting a new paradigm in the provision of an affordable housing for the citizens of the state. The houses will sell from about $8,340 to no more than $33,360. This is a landmark project given that it holds a lot of history for the state of Edo, as it is the first state government housing project in the state after 16 years. Source: Construction Review Online
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UPDATES/NEWS
Nigeria signs a US $6.7bn contract agreement for the Ibadan-Kaduna Rail
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he federal government of Nigeria has signed a US $6.7bn contract agreement for the Ibadan-Kaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano rail line with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Commenting on the signed agreement, Yetunde Sonaike, Press Director, Federal Ministry of Transportation stated that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, signed the contract and said the agreement was for the implementation of Addendum no. 4, indicating the IbadanKaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano rail line. “This agreement is for the Ibadan-Kaduna rail line, which is part of the Lagos-Kano rail line, the completion time of the contract
should be between two to three years, depending on availability of funds,” said Rotimi Amaechi. However, Amaechi assured that the ministry would be able to provide its counterpart funding between 2018 and 2019 budget provision. He added that the contract is a fulfilment of the Federal Government’s plan to complete the Lagos-Kano rail modernisation project. “The Ibadan-Kaduna standard gauge line will pass through Oshogbo-Ilorin-Minna to Kaduna, with a single track branch line from Oshogbo to Ado-Ekiti,” he added. Completion plan The project contract is in fulfilment of the federal government’s plan to complete the Lagos-Kano rail modernisation project
Lagos Blue line rail at 95% Complete
Construction work at the Blue line rail in Lagos State, is at 95% complete. According to Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson, the rail line project spans on the mainland to Marina on the island. Mr. Lawanson further revealed that currently, the State government is also focusing on National Theatre-Marina segment, which is at 65% complete. The on-going construction work on the National Theatre-Marina segment include construction of pile caps, boring of piles, pre-inspection of pier positions to determine underground utilities as well as boring of piles across the Lagoon. www.cometonigeria.com
Nonetheless, fabrication of steel cages and casing, painting of reinforcement with antirust, seawall strengthening and the removal of shipwrecks in the lagoon are on course while the bailey beams have been completed at Marina. According to the commissioner through the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transportation Agency (LAMATA), the State has procured a Single Electric Unit (EMU) rolling stick of 2T+2M, in line with the current environmental considerations as the EMU is already on site awaiting final testing and certification.
which started in 2006 and broken into segments for implementation. Moreover, the segmentation phase commenced from Abuja-Kaduna rail line in 2011, which was completed and commissioned into commercial operation by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016. The federal government in March 2017 commenced the second leg of the LagosKano line that is currently on going and planned to be completed by the end of 2018. The signing of the Ibadan-Kaduna segment contract agreement concludes all outstanding segments of the Lagos-Kano rail line. Source: Construction Review Online
Lawanson confirmed that the state government has already received the Right of Way approval from the Federal Government for the 37km Agbado-Marina rail routes. Meanwhile, discussions are on going with Marina Express Train Services Ltd for its development, though the project development agreement of the company is currently being reviewed before the project kick starts. Lagos Rail Mass Transit also known as Blue Line rail is an urban rail system being developed and is currently under construction in Lagos State. Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is managing the rail project. LAMATA is also responsible for regulation, policy direction, and infrastructure for the network. Phase I of the Blue Line project network was originally scheduled to be completed in 2011. After many delays caused by funding shortfalls, the opening date was re-scheduled to 2018. Source: Construction Review Online
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HOT ISSUE
The current concern about travelling
Fulani Herdsmen A position – by Dr. John Yahaya Osammor
The Herdsmen, traditionally, would walk their cattle from town to town, through old footpaths, whilst at the same time grazing and making water available for the cattle to drink. This longheld tradition is no longer fit for purpose in the current Nigerian reality.
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igeria is a blessed land, a fact known throughout the whole world. That our brothers, who are engaged in Cattle rearing, are being understandably perceived different is very unfortunate. We need to see the opportunity that this problem presents and try and manage it dispassionately and wisely. THE REALITIES: The Herdsmen, traditionally, would walk their cattle from town to town, through old footpaths, whilst at the same time grazing and making water available for the cattle to drink. This long-held tradition is no longer fit for purpose in the current Nigerian reality. Firstly, the breeders have become so successful in their business, what with increased yield and improved animal health and husbandry. Secondly, the population of Nigeria had quadrupled since independence; Nigeria of our time is more populous than Russia! Thirdly, urbanisation means that more Cities are mushrooming all over the country, such that old footpaths are now within urban centres and are now motorable. Lastly, the demand for beef or cow meat has increased tremendously. All the above must be seen as the success and a blessing, but only 24
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wise counsel will ensure that this real success does not become a curse, should the country be mistakenly plunged into civil war! CONTENTIONS AND INSECURITIES: The Herdsmen – these men see it as a duty to travel with their herd to distant markets and to understandably protect their cattle and source of revenue or livelihood. They do so conscientiously, even to the extent of carrying automatic guns, oblivious of the collateral damage to land and property that arises in the process. The ‘Victims’ of the trespass – these are angered by the response from the Herdsmen, whose prime focus is the protection of their flock. Again, many unsavoury sentiments and comments arise, heightening emotions and politicising their experiences. There often is a language barrier, such that no sensible dialogue, bereft of anger and emotions, can take place between the herds’ men and those, whose lands are rampaged. INHERENT CONCERN ABOUT CURRENTLY PROPOSED SOLUTIONS: It is being suggested that all States or major cities or towns should make available land for ranches, as a Public or Private Partnership Venture. As is already noticed, this suggestion has not only been met with suspicion or even outright resistance, bringing the Government in direct conflict with those who are to provide the land for such purpose. It would not be farfetched for those in the South of Nigeria www.cometonigeria.com
HOT ISSUE
and the Institute of Agriculture in Samaru, Zaria. I believe much information has trickled down to these farmers. On the Downstream aspect, I am not sure if much attention has been paid here. Cattle can be bread for meat, dairy and young animals that can be sold to other farmers. The processing and sale of cows Hide and Skin have been an age-old revenue stream, from which the UAC (United Africa Company) made a lot of money in the Colonial era. We now have the advantage in that we Nigerians are now in charge. With the right leadership and education of the farmers, modern abattoirs or slaughterhouses can be built locally, with money coming in either from governments or from many of our ‘rich’ men and women. Whole or halved animals can be transported in chilled trucks to different parts of the country. Allied processing factories: • processing meat into parts and packed for distribution to different markets and supermarkets; • processors and treatment of the hides and skins both for local
Furthermore, the Herdsmen will still need to travel to these ranches, wherever they may be located. The country needs peace to prosper, as she should and could and needs peace and prosperity for stability, sanity, prosperity, and development. THE OPPORTUNITIES: It is very good news that we are blessed with a species or stock of Cattle (Zebu and Maturi) that is so healthy, prolific and hardy, not susceptible to diseases, resistant to Tsetse fly and above all, of very good flavour. There is so much information on the upstream part of Cattle rearing in our long-established Research Institutes in Vom, Jos www.cometonigeria.com
often “isThaerelanguage barrier, such that no sensible dialogue
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to even perceive this suggestion as a covert attempt to spread Islam or islamise the country, even if there is no such agenda. Sooner or later the Herdsmen would want a place of worship and Mosques would mushroom that could become targets for Agent provocateurs. God forbid that a situation would arise where there will be in the news, that mosques are been burnt in the South of the country, as has been the case with Churches been burnt in the North of the country, for fear of the spread of Christianity.
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continued from page 23 and export markets; • processors the long bones and the horns for new local industries (e.g manufacture of glues and buttons) and for export market; Such factories can be opened, either as the primary export commodity of even further processed for consumption within Nigeria, thus creating local businesses. The legs of the cows can also be treated or processed in bespoke factories and sold as delicacies (Kafar-Kano) to the South of Nigeria, where it is loved; a huge income stream. Other bones and hoofs can be processed to produce gums. Large cattle farms, with specifically cultivated grass fields, can be established or the example of the Rosedale Farm in Ilorin, Kwara State, can be replicated in several places in Northern Nigeria, where dairy is produced in abundance and processed for quality, organic butter, rarefied butter (Mai n’shanu or ghee), chukwui (Cheese), different varieties of Yogurt. I cannot begin to imagine the number of jobs and revenue that would accrue to the resident population and businesses. The making of Suya and Kilishi can also assume a new dimension and even become an export commodity if rightly developed.
I do submit that the above will take some time to achieve, but surely, we need such vision. TACKLING THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS OF THE TRAVELLING HERDSMEN: 1. I would suggest that purpose-built, tropicalised, trucks be made available to transport animals to different parts of the country. Such design, must • allow space for a driver and four herdsmen, • take account of the welfare of the animals 26
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(ventilation, troughs to access feeds and water). This will drastically reduce the number of Herdsmen needing to travel across the country and thus reduce the existing tensions. Such trucks can deliver to markets, abattoirs, private or local or regional government-owned ranches. 2. Trains can also be used similarly. It is therefore good news that the Federal Government announced her plan to build new rail lines across the country. 3. There is the urgent need to develop the sale of Cows as a modern business opportunity for Entrepreneurs. Animals can be paid for www.cometonigeria.com
can also assume a new dimension and even become an export commodity if rightly developed
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in Daura, for example, and then delivered directly to the Wholesale Purchaser in Ibadan or Awka, for example, either as live animals or slaughtered carcasses.
5. The Banks or Bank of Industry and Agriculture should be made to play a supporting and enabling role, making possible secure and transparent transactions. 6. Insurance Companies should also be stimulated to provide insurance to the Farmers or Sellers, as well as to the Wholesale Purchasers. Sirs/Madams, the above all look daunting, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. We are so blessed, that we fail to see the wealth before our eyes. No doubt power supply would be crucial and essential. This, therefore, creates the opportunity to develop large Solar Power Stations that will provide the needful energy. Such parallel development would also support the development of other aspects of economic activity that I will not go into here. THE BENEFITS OR IMPACTS: The success of such a proposition would – • Create huge revenue streams for the Peoples and Governments of Northern Nigeria. • Create employment for the Northern Youths. • Boost confidence and respect from other parts of Nigeria. • Lead to thriving business relationships that would contribute to nation building and mutual trust and respect. • It also brings us closer to becoming the ‘Super Power’ that we are destined to be. www.cometonigeria.com
Picture Credit @ www.mytasteng.com
4. State Chambers of Commerce should engage with each other and encourage Business to Business relationships, thus creating local Cattle Markets and Traders, who receive their supplies as agreed and paid for.
My brothers and sisters, we live in that land ‘flowing with milk and honey’! Let’s go for it – it can be done, with the right, honourable and committed leadership and partnerships. GOD HAS BLESSED NIGERIA ALREADY, LETS US BRING THE BLESSINGS FORTH! Thank you for this privilege.
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HOTNIGERIA ISSUE THEATRE
‘‘Suya and Kilishi
EQUADOR-NIGERIA RELATION NIGERIA THEATRE
Ambassador
Leopoldo Rovayo’s Interview -By Henrietta Ikediashi
YOUR EXCELLENCY, KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS.
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am Leopoldo Rovayo, the outgoing Ambassador of Ecuador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a career diplomat for twenty eight years. I was previously posted to Peru and Spain
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NIGERIA AND HER PEOPLE, AND WOULD YOU ADVISE ANYONE TO VISIT? I have been here for almost two and a half years. I recommend people to visit Nigeria and recommend Nigerian authorities to improve their facilities to visit the Country. Getting Nigerian visa could be difficult at times. Nigeria has wonderful nature; it is a great place for business to thrive. You have a lot of raw materials, oil and gas, metal, precious stones and a very nice hand craft in wood, textiles, bronze, like the famous Benin bronze. I have one in my salon at home and the most interesting experience for me is how beautiful Nigerians are. Though every country has people doing wrong but you know how to avoid them. Nigeria is worth visiting speaking from my experience. I have also been opportuned to travel by road to Kano, Lagos (on three occasions), Akwa Ibom Anaang Festival and to Kaduna State. If we improve on our roads, tourism will boost and one more thing to be done to boost tourism in Nigeria is to promote internal tourism because a country that has 180 million people has enough to be learnt and internal tourism helps people know more about their country. FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE OF SERVING YOUR COUNTRY HERE, IS NIGERIA READY FOR TOURISM? Nigeria has the natural resources to be ready for tourism but some infrastructure must be improved on. We have very nice hotels. I live in a suite that is 5 Star and can stand the ones in any part of the world with magnificent services. Nigeria has the potential but the key to improve tourism industry is to boost internal tourism; with that, people will like to travel by road from Asaba to Kano, knowledge will also be improved because if you don’t know your country how would you be interested in visiting places and events like carnival Calabar. It is not all the time you have foreigners but you could have people from your country visit such places. In Ecuador we have annual calendar prepared ahead and enables us plan. It makes tourism easy and yields a lot of financial returns to sustain the industry. Internal tourism is very important. “Internal tourism is like planting a seed and improving its growth. We have tourism conventions, investors that manage hotels can be convinced to invest, improve airline facilities and services as you don’t go to a place to have problems but to relax. Nigeria is worth it speaking from my beautiful experience. Internal tourism attracts a 28
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lot of investors. Market your tourist attractions, Ecuador succeeded in doing that and the gain is mind blowing”. Understudy other countries and how they make money. Learn how things are controlled and organised. Tell the hoteliers and service industry not to exploit tourists. Nigerians are hospitable and nice and her people are beautiful. The beauty and neatness of Calabar is amazing. There is this awareness of not littering the city and it is amazing. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NIGERIA AS THE GIANT OF AFRICA? Nigeria deserves the title and it will be bigger because the Federal and State Governments have improved on the country’s outlook and economy. Ecuador has no Federal structure. It is very interesting how federalism works because the Federal Government makes the main policies but also the Governors have to improve more on their own States and the idea is that all these policies will push the nation up. The resources the nation has is amazing! Nigeria is the first seven places of oil and gas. You have resources that you are not using but the Government and Governors are now understanding the essence of solar power. If you check the geography of solar you will see that Nigeria could use solar. You could have solar that can work round the clock. Things are www.cometonigeria.com
EQUADOR-NIGERIA RELATION NIGERIA THEATRE
moving and moving well and things will improve. Nigerians have to invest in Nigeria just like the way it is done in my country. Convince rich people to invest in your country and things will improve because that will create more employment and attract more investors. With Dapchi schoolgirls rescue, it shows that things are improving and security is getting better. The Governors and some well meaning groups are working to provide better environment for their people. If you improve education, boost some industries, improve on energy, people will invest and thing will move. You know Kano used to export a lot of leather to Europe. The other day I was talking to my colleague; Netherland Ambassador to Nigeria and he said there used to be flight from Kano to Europe because of leather export but right now they cannot make more as a result of the instability in power supply thereby making cost of production high so they send part of the processing to Europe to finish the processing, but previously it was done in Kano. Things have to improve through education and putting the right infrastructure in place and the result thereby will be giving people chance to improve their lives. I don’t want to go against the beliefs of people but family planning policy should be taken seriously. In 2050 Nigeria will have a population of 450 million people so we have to grow the economy. Which economy can support a family with 10 boys and girls? Although one of the things that could help is to make visa to Nigeria less difficult. There has to be a more friendly approach to enter the country and you www.cometonigeria.com
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know there is already free movement agreement in West Africa but if you want to attract people that are not West Africans you have to make it easier. Nigerian consulates should instruct carefully. Lagos is very cosmopolitan with nice sites to visit, great food, good songs like that of Fela Kuti, nice entertainment, serene tourist sites but visa must be made easy. State clearly the rules. Visa on arrival should be considered and made easy and airlines given directives before they board anyone so if anything goes wrong the airlines will be fined. If you are around Africa, visit Nigeria. Lagos is nice, with clever people we call economical engineers who are specialised in commerce. THEY OFTEN SAY THAT NIGERIA IS NOT ON THE TOURISM BELT, WHAT DO YOU THINK NIGERIA CAN DO TO CHANGE THIS? In one sentence, put the rules and apply the rules by making visa easy for people to come to Nigeria and explore her beauty. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROJECT COMETONIGERIA MAGAZINE AND THE WEBSITE? This magazine has to be supported by all Nigerians especially her tourism industry. You are making a great job because if you don’t know the place you can never go there. I hope Nigeria can boost the industry and part of boosting the industry is by having updated website with information and with the internet, there is no excuse because you have to check the internet and its authenticity. Having electronic version of come to Nigeria which I understand you do makes it more accessible. I must commend you for that. HOW OFTEN WILL YOU BE VISITING NIGERIA FROM NOW ON? I will like to come again on tourism visit since I could not visit so many places especially Benin city with her rich stories and stories of Benin kingdom. Calabar too. There are things I left because I was busy working-administrative and political works. Nigerian authorities are getting interested in Ecuador so we are trying to improve political and economic relations. We launched a photography booked called 30
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‘At the beginning everything was water’ and the concept is to sell Nigeria to Ecuador and Ecuador to Nigeria. There is no problem in reading the book in twenty minutes because people don’t have time these days to read. This is digital age! In that way people will understand more the reality of Nigeria and Ecuador and will be able to engage in bi-lateral investment. We have done that in literature with three writers from Nigeria and three from Ecuador through short stories. How can you fall in love with someone you don’t know? A lot of Nigerians will like to support ComeToNigeria magazine. When I was posted to Nigeria, I didn’t know much about Nigeria but I had to learn about Nigeria. You are doing a great job by projecting the image of Nigeria both locally and internationally. WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU WILL MISS WHEN YOU LEAVE NIGERIA? The kindness of the people from all social level and Nigerians are very educated people. YOUR INTERESTS INCLUDE FOOTBALL, TRAVEL, FOOD, PHOTOGRAPHY AND ALSO ARCHITECTURE. HOW DO YOU RELATE ALL OF THESE TO NIGERIA THAT YOU LIVED AND WORKED IN FOR FEW YEARS? Ecuador will not make the Soccer Cup but we are proud of Nigeria’s full representation regardless. It will be a very good opportunity for Nigeria to spread about what Nigeria is all about there. When we went to Germany, we did that. We promoted Ecuador to Germans and we had some positive results; people got interested in Ecuador and visited Ecuador. The food is lovely but I will suggest we put aside pepper because people are sometimes not used to it but if you put it aside, people will have a choice and will make Nigerian food more internationally accepted. I get amazed with the construction at the Palace of the Emir of Kano. www.cometonigeria.com
EQUADOR-NIGERIA RELATION NIGERIA THEATRE
The architectural design is amazing. Lest I forget to mention that Nigeria’s landscape is great too. DESCRIBE EXTENSIVELY AROUND THREE BEST DESTINATIONS/ATTRACTIONS YOU EVER VISITED WHILE IN NIGERIA AND ENJOYED AND COULD SUGGEST TO OTHERS TO VISIT? Lagos is a big city with a lot of attractions, food, night life and the sea is near and accessible. Quite cosmopolitan in nature! Kano should be visited for those interested in Muslim culture because it is very different. It has been Northern Nigerian and North African’s commercial hub Akwa Ibom is nice too. I visited the Anaang Festival and it was a very nice place as well. I get surprised how clean it is and the kindness of the people. For me the main thing is the kindness of the people and I cannot complain about it. Nigerians are very friendly people, always interested in talking to you and finding out more about your country to add to their knowledge base. They also love to know why you are here. They find out common points and things to interchange and that is why inter-marriages work because Nigerians always find out how to relate with other people. I will tell positive things about Nigerians to my country and positive things about Ecuador to Nigerians. DO YOU THINK NIGERIA POLICIES COULD ACTUALLY MOVE US TO THE LEVEL OF MAKING TOURISM REPLACE OIL AS A FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNER FOR THE COUNTRY? I am not here to give advice but to share Ecuadorian experience. We began to export petroleum in 1974 but we realised it will finish some day so we started boosting agriculture and right now Ecuador is the first world exporter of Banana, first exporter of Shrimps, the second or third of canned Tuna, the seventh exporter of Palm Oil, one of the main exporters of Cocoa, and we are trying to move up with Chocolate, one of the main exporters of Roses and Flowers because we have discovered that one day we might not have oil and that might happen to Nigeria.
don’t have oil, they promote tourism and it thrives. In Ecuador, we improve tourism and find associations to make technological exchange with state and private sectors. All the countries are trying to move away from depending on petroleum. We have a very intelligent Nigerian ruling the OPIC as Secretary General; my friend Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and if you check the OPIC website, you will see a very interesting book that says how the industry will be in 2050 and find out that dependency on petrol will be just around 55% and the rest will be renewal of energy and that will happen in the next 25 years and 25 years is a fleeting moment. The world is moving to other types of energy so if you are selling just one type of energy, move to others. YOU HAVE MANY FRIENDS IN NIGERIA AND ALSO VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THE NIGERIA COURSE. WHAT DO YOU THINK NIGERIA CAN DO TO ATTRACT MORE INVESTORS THAT WILL ENHANCE THE COMMON PEOPLE ON THE STREET? The energy has been improved but if it is made sustainable, it will get better. The national grid should be improved and it will help small businesses. Payment of one year rent advance should be looked into to help businesses improve. Let it be regulated. If you have a law that works that if you don’t pay you get fired by a judge within 24hrs, if the person does not pay, as long as the landlord is a taxpayer, you file a case and the tenant gets fired. We have so many raw materials in Nigeria and a lot of industries can be boosted especially with ECOWAS free trade market. Close the market between Africans and improve the trade between African countries as a way of attracting foreign investors. AS A PHOTO LOVER, WHICH ARE THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHS YOU EVER TOOK WHILE IN NIGERIA? One of my defects is that I love the sea. I always say that when I retire I will move close to the sea three months of each year. The photo of me in Lagos at the sea, Kano photo and Anaang Festival culture photos.
You have to put some seeds to flourish and boost other industries just like some Arab Nations are doing already. They made friendship with Togo and have a local museum there so people can go as tourist even to the beaches. You see work of arts there and masterpiece. Some works of arts are in the storage because they have too much and they agree with local authorities to boost tourism. Because they www.cometonigeria.com
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ADVENTURE NIGERIA THEATRE
MY MIDWESTERN EXPERIENCE By Chinyere Okoro
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s a graduate of the University of Benin and someone who attended Secondary School there one would have expected that I would have an intimate knowledge of Benin City, unfortunately, that was not the case, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to visit during the Salah holiday. We arrived in Benin -City on Friday and on the itinerary for the day was a visit to the Palace to meet with the Oba of Benin. We were to dress up in traditional Bini regalia for this visit. Unfortunately, the visit to the Oba was canceled because the Vice-President was on an official visit to Benin. We dressed up in the traditional attire though. 32
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Day 2, started with a visit to the National Museum. The Museum is located right in the City center at the Kings Square (or the Ring Road as it is popularly known). The Museum contains artifacts from early Benin Empire, before the invasion of the Europeans till modern day. It also has the photographs of Chief S.O. Alonge who was a renowned photographer of the Royal Court. The Curators of the Museum are very knowledgeable and made the story of the Bini people come alive. Pictures are however not allowed inside the Museum. Next stop was a walk around the square. Anyone who has ever been to Benin
City would have noticed that there are statues erected around the Kings Square. We were told that a few of the statues represented warriors who fought to protect the Empire from the British. We also learned that the first street lights in the City were lit on Akakpava Street. Akpapava Street is also where you will find the popular Igun Street. Igun Street is where you will find the Bini bronze casters and wood carvers. The tradition of bronze casting is a family tradition that is passed on from generation to generation; these people have lived on this street for generations. Further down Akpakpava Street is the www.cometonigeria.com
The tree house is located on a silk cotton tree that is 140 feet high. I am proud to say that despite my phobia for heights, I climbed up to the tree house. The view from the top is breathtaking. Next stop on this adventure was a road trip to McCarthy Beach located in Abraka, Delta State, for a relaxing day at the beach. Where we swam and took a canoe ride on the River Ethiope. The waters of the River Ethiope is so amazing, its so blue and clear one can literally see the river bed and the fishes swimming in the river.
Holy Aruosa Cathedral. This Cathedral was originally a Catholic church built by the Portuguese in the 15th Century during the reign of Oba Esigie. Today the Holy Aruosa Church is known as the traditional version of the Church of England as it is the official Church of the Oba of Benin. The Oba worships here with his family and Chiefs.
The adventure to the Midwest was an amazing and informative adventure.
After lunch, our next stop was to Sir Victor Uwaifo’s Revelation Palazzo. This Palazzo is Benin City’s first privately owned Museum. We were totally blown away by the artifacts in this Museum. The exhibits deal with Bini culture, Music, the history of Nigeria pre and post-independence. We also got to see Sir Victor Uwaifo’s studio. The highlight of this visit was meeting Sir Victor Uwaifo himself. We got to take pictures with him and receive a souvenir from him. From the Revelation Palazzo, we headed to the Okomu National Park where we would spend the Night. The Okomu National Park is located within the Okomu Forest Reserve about 50km from Benin City. www.cometonigeria.com
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ADVENTURE NIGERIA THEATRE
Our accommodation at the Park was not as rustic as expected; we stayed in Chalets built on stilts. The Chalets were relatively clean and we spent a restful night. Next morning, was the nature into the forest. Our destination was a tree house located less than 5km from the Chalets. The hike into the forest was relatively easy, we hoped to see some of the animals that are inhabit to the forest, unfortunate we didn’t, but we did see ant hills shaped in the form of mud huts and tree trunks that are works of art.
ADVENTURES ENTERTAINMENT NIGERIA THEATRE
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Spotlight on Adunni & Nefre
roudly Nigerian”, a niche coined to express profound pride in describing Nigeria’s best in every facet of life will be incomplete if Adunni and Nefretiti group is not given the appellation. Their performance at the high profile ceremony of the World Food Prize Foundation in honour of Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and many more in Des Moines, USA redefined the Nation’s music and further heightened the demand of the brand. Adunni and Nefretiti, an outstanding and award winning all female singing brand, was birthed in 2006 by Orobiyi Motunrayo Abiodun aka ‘Adunni’. She had a very rough journey and being the first child in a family of five siblings did not make it easy either. From grass, Ayo kept pushing legitimately until she became an international brand. “I had my primary and secondary school education at Ayetoro, Ogun State, worked before I was admitted into the University of Lagos to study Theatre Arts at the Department of Creative Arts. While in the university system, I still worked to support my family. My profession has given me the privilege to work with a lot of noble, humble and experienced music and theatre Directors home and abroad”. Her choice of Nefretiti was conceived after her one-year compulsory programme by the Nigerian Government to serve one’s nation upon graduation (N.Y.S.C). She went online in search of a unique name that carries the characteristics and attributes of women who portray African culture after her first debut album failed to yield the satisfaction projected and came across the name
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‘Queen Nefertari of Egypt’. ‘Adunni’ in Yoruba parlance means pleasant to have while ‘Nefretiti’ means the beautiful one has come. “The combination of these two powerful names serves as a driving force which brings out the aesthetic and artistic value of talented women in us through music”. Adunni and Nefretiti’s genre of music is Folklore and the brand is one of the very few that still promote, sustain and revive Nigeria’s fast eroding culture as their song is detribalized, thereby cutting across languages. In her words: “It is spiritual. Irrespective of tribe and language, it is about morals in all forms especially to heal the ills in society. A few years back, my type of music was perceived as primitive but lately, it has come to stay with a wide range of acceptability. What makes my genre of music unique and classy is the fact that we maintain the original lyrics and tone of the music, which is known as characterisation. I do my music on a more traditional identity. Even when it has some Western influence which cannot be totally avoided, I ensure that the African identity in my tone of delivery and in my appearance is strictly adhered to”. The costume they use is an infusion of the local and contemporary idea to reflect their unique personality, using fabric with colours that blended with the skin tone of each member and pick a very simple style that was easy to sew and wear. And sometimes their clients, determines the choice of outfit for events they get are invited to. Adunni re-packaged folk songs that women of virtue like late Comfort Omoge, Onyeka Onwenu, Stella Monye, Lijadu Sisters, Late Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo and even late Pa Hubert Ogunde and many more have created. She realised those songs were fading out gradually all in the name of sophistication. If not quickly tapped into, it may take an eternity and extra hard work to bring back. Today, she is glad and bold to say that her work is now highly appreciated as real, original, traditional, cultural and the only recognised folk song ambassador that is appealing to everybody in the society without language or ethnic barrier. In the country and the diaspora, fans and well-wishers, have been remarkable as they get appraisals, advice, and suggestions from all.
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FEATURE HISTORICAL REPORT
History, a part of CULTURE By Alade Aderonke
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Zungeru is a town in Niger State, Nigeria. It was the capital of the British protectorate of Northern Nigeria from 1902 until 1916.
the name Nigeria was created, used to stand in all its beauty.
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ne thing I find most fascinating about Nigerian culture is how there are three main ethnic groups and over three hundred others still existing. Through the lens of a camera, I was able to see Nigeria and how beautiful her children and culture are.
I have just begun my journey in exploring her norms and ways when I came across Niger state while volunteering for an NGO. I was introduced to the North for the second time and unintentionally I came across her (Nigeria’s) very beginning, her defining moment, her history, ‘the ruins of Zungeru’. It is said to be a place where the quest for independence began. The place called Zungeru is a town in Niger State, Nigeria. It was the capital of the British protectorate of Northern Nigeria from 1902 until 1916. The historical town of Zungeru, was chosen by, Lord Fredrick Lugard in 1902 as the capital of Northern Nigeria due to its central location. The town functioned for many years as Northern Nigeria’s capital city but slumped into oblivion and neglect over the years that its name and repute now sound as if it never assumed the prominent role it played less than 100 years ago. Picture 1 What’s left of this beautiful history is the ruins of a gate in the form of a single pillar indicating the entrance of the town. A few kilometers down to the right is where the splendid amalgamation hall where 36
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Quite a distance, yet close to one of the very first railway stations built in the area is where Lord Lugard and his wife lived. The trail there is that of old stones and stunning views of nature alongside the ruins of the home of the Lugard family. Passed down by tales of old is the first ever and still the largest swimming pool in Nigeria owned by Lord Lugard. It was built close to a dam and directly behind his house. It was said that after his long hours of work he would take time out at night to prep himself for a swim. Picture 4 & 7 Ahead of time, he sends word to his personal doctor informing him that he would be taking a dip in the pool. His doctor sees to ensure that the swimming pool is in the right condition for Lord Lugard to take a dip in, if not it is drained and refilled. Picture 5 While History, was in the process of being defined. A few miles from Zungeru, still in the same Niger state was a place discovered by indigenes called Gwari people. A place called ‘Gurara’. Gurara Waterfalls is located in Gurara, a local government area of Niger State, Northcentral of Nigeria. The Gurara waterfalls was discovered by the Gwari people. Gwari is a Nupoid language spoken by over a million people in Nigeria. There are two main groups, which are the Gbari (West Gwari) and Gbagyi (East Gwari), due to how distinct their languages are they www.cometonigeria.com
FEATURE REPORT HISTORICAL
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2 had communication challenges. Right in the middle of their settlements, a waterfall was discovered, both sides felt they had a claim to the waterfall. Due to how different their languages were, it took several meetings from both sides to come to a conclusion of sharing the access and the task of naming the waterfall between themselves.
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They had a challenge in deciding what name to bestow on the natural wonder, so the group heads came up with the idea of naming it from the gods both sides worshipped, it was said that one side worshiped Gura and the other Rara. They took a piece of both names and called the waterfalls Gurara. And to this day, the name remains the same. It has become one of the famous locations for tourist view in the country. Picture 6
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Amongst its kind, it is one of the most accessible.
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FEATURE DESTINATION
USUMA LAKE CITYBEYOND TRADE HUB
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suma Lake City is one of the five proposed trading hubs and the final destination stop on Nigeria side of Sahel Special Economic Corridor SAHELSEC. Usuma Lake City is a new city of 220 sq. Km (about 8 times bigger than Macau and one-third of Singapore) of a demarcated area in the Bwari Kingdom, the suburb of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja, in central Nigeria.
Usuma Lake City Economic Zone will feature an International Rail Port with Cargo Terminals; Cargo Airport; Industrial Parks and Commodity Markets, such as Chinatown, Silk, Leather and Shea Markets. Usuma Lake City is also going to house the SAHELSEC Commodity Exchange. Usuma Lake City location; a hinterland at the Centre of Nigeria and the World, with close proximity to all parts of Nigeria and potential connectivity to the rest of the world. It is also located in the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, The seat of the Nigeria three arms of Government, Regional Headquarters of many International Organisations including United Nations and ECOWAS and host to all Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria, makes Usuma Lake City an ideal location for Trading Hub, Transhipment Centre and International Destination for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. THE HIDDEN GEM OF NIGERIA Nature: Aside the geographical location asset of Usuma Lake City for global trade, Usuma Lake City is also blessed with one of the best breath-taking scenic views of nature in the world, with its arrays of Mountainous Plateau, Mountain Rivers, Usuma Dam (The ninth largest dam in the world) and home to numerous exotic animals and plants. History: The land has also been home to one of the earliest civilisation to be recorded in history – The NOK Civilisation, an 38
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FEATURE DESTINATION
picture credit:@agis.com
initial iron-age population who once lived the Central/Northern Nigeria around 3,000BC vanished under unknown circumstances around 500 AD. The NOK people were known for the ironworking culture, known as the Nok culture, whose remains, of remarkable artistic value have been discovered across the region. In one of the villages of Usuma Lake City called Dnako Village, there are numerous clusters of excavation sites of NOK culture and Dnako Village is being proposed, to be recognised and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. People: In the mid-age, the Gbagyi ethnic group, migrating from Northern Nigeria is the first settler in the region, which is now known as the Bwari Kingdom. The Gbagyi tribe has a rich heritage, which is still preserved till now and are known for farming, hunting, and pottery making, and one of the most exceptional qualities of the Gbagyi tribe is being peace-loving, transparent and accommodating people. Northerners are fond of saying in Hausa language, muyi shi Gwari, “let’s do it transparently” or “in the Gbagyi way.” Culture: Ushafa Village, a village within Usuma Lake City, (another proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site) is known for its beautiful pottery and mat weaving and a dedicated centre where the ancient methods of craft dating over 300 years are on display is located there. The village already exists on the global tourism map, as it is one of the main tourist attractions in the Nigeria FCT and numerous world dignitaries including the former American President, President Clinton, and his daughter Chelsea Clinton have visited the village.
it into a global tourist destination. USUMA LAKE RESORT TOWN – A GLOBAL DESTINATION Usuma Lake City is set to become a global destination for Nigeria and Sub Saharan Africa, set to become the destination for Business, Sports, and Leisure tourism. Usuma Lake Resort Town, which is being infused into the city, is divided into nine Destination Districts and to feature over 200 attractions including City of Dreams, Safari Adventure Park, Agro Resort, and Shopping Malls to cater for both trade and tourism visitors to the city. The city is to provide over 50,000 hotel rooms from BnB Apartments to Five Star Hotels to accommodate the projected 10 million visitors every year. NEW AFRICA CITY FOR GLOBAL SPORTING AND BUSINESS EVENTS Usuma Lake City is set to become the home of Major Global Sporting and Business events in Africa, which alongside hosting of International Meetings, Conventions and Exhibitions will be used as catalyst activations to open up the city to become a genuinely International destination. The City will open its bids to become the candidate city for various events, including International Motorsports, Tennis, Watersports, and Horseracing. The proposed horseracing event named Usuma Cup Classic will be in the TopTen richest horseracing in the world with a prize winning of USD$5 Million. COMMONWEALTH GAMES ABUJA 2030 Usuma Lake City will be joining the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to launch its candidacy bid to hosting 24th Commonwealth Games in the year 2030.
Usuma Lake City is taking advantage of the further assets of the Bwari Kingdom to go beyond a trading hub for the city and develop www.cometonigeria.com
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FEATURE
NIGERIA’s NEXT GENERATION OF GROWTH -
Creating a Symbiotic Global Trade Ecosystem
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he Next Generation of Growth is a concept created and developed by GRC MOTORSPORT LIMITED to enhance the synergy of sustainable commodity supply, economic growth, and profitability in global trade.
The Next Generation of Growth focuses on creating a symbiotic ecosystem of global trade, with the provision of structured and sustainable Commodity; Commodity Supply Source; Commodity Trading Hubs and efficient Global Trade Routes. The pioneer implementation of the Next Generation of Growth is to link Nigeria to the International Trade Network. The foundation of ‘Nigeria’s Next Generation of Growth’ is built on Tourism, Human Development, Agriculture, and Mining (THAM), also referred to as ‘The 4 Pillars of Growth’ and to be supported by Rural Urbanisation, Industry, Technology and Digital Science. ‘The Next Generation of Growth’ is to be initiated through the establishment of dedicated and integrated master-planned self-reliant 21st-century cities – U-City, with structured commodity-export sectors to drive independent economies across Rural Nigeria, thereby creating a network of commodity cities and trade posts throughout Nigeria. Nigeria’s Next Generation of Growth will be labour intensive, co-active, co-living, people-oriented policies and entrepreneur development.
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This concept will transform Nigeria to be one of the leading countries in the global trade, achieving her economic miracle and becoming the emerging Economic cornerstone of the World. GLOBAL TRADE IN HISTORY: Trade refers to a worldwide pattern of exchange in which goods and services produced in one geopolitical jurisdiction are consumed in another. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have engaged in formal models of exchange for longer than five thousand years. Informal patterns of trade based upon infrequent contact, have linked small human groups since the Palaeolithic period of history. Trade connections in the ancient world were rooted in regional tribute systems and augmented by long-distance overland and seaborne trade. The Sumerian civilisation, often considered the world’s oldest, developed an operation of a political and economic organisation predicated upon a city-state model. Cities exacted tribute payments from the surrounding rural areas in the form of food. The towns Ur, Uruk, and Lagash, traded resources and finished goods amongst each other. Similarly, the Harappan civilisation located in North-western India developed trade ties with cities in Mesopotamia. The distinctive square seals created at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro have been found far to the west in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys. By the time of the Roman Republic (509 BCE – 27 BCE), trade connections stretched from Carthaginian North Africa, through the Phoenician trading www.cometonigeria.com
FEATURE
cities of Tyre and Sidon, across the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, through the Persian Empire, India and on to Han China in the Far East. The Silk Road connected Asia with the Mediterranean world. Numerous sea routes connected the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea. Indian Ocean traders profited by sailing on the seasonal monsoon winds, and large quantities of eastern goods, such as bronze ware and lacquer ware came from China. Gold, silver, horses, and wines travelled east from the Roman world along the Silk Road. Ships bearing pepper, spices, cotton, and gems from the Indian subcontinent sailed around Arabia and up the Red Sea, to the Mediterranean world. THE EARLY MODERN CONTEXT Modern patterns of global trade developed as European states began to venture across the Atlantic searching for reliable sea-routes to the Indian Ocean that would allow European traders to bypass Muslim traders and therefore increase profits. Voyages down the western African coast financed by Prince Henry, the Navigator of Portugal (1394-1460), touched off four centuries of sustained European oceanographic exploration that inexorably linked the Americas, Europe, India and Southeast Asia into distinct, yet overlapping circuits of production and consumption. The dominant intellectual tradition that goes back as the 18th century holds that at least in theory, trade can benefit all parties involved if it is appropriately organised, on a transparent and equitable basis. It is on this premise that GRC MOTORSPORT LIMITED have based the design and development of the organized and well-structured “Next Generation of Growth” concept. Africa in the current trend of Global Trade: Despite popular opinion, Africa has been very active on the international trading stage, though results have been disappointing. At the ministerial conference in Bali, Indonesia in 2013, African countries failed to push for their needs. There has been more than enough criticism suggesting that Africa is not making sufficient effort to take part in international trade. On the contrary, African countries merit a spotlight on their significant progress to open up to trade. The issue at hand is rather the continent’s capacity to benefit from the opportunities created by international trade while minimizing the adverse effects that go hand in hand with liberalisation. Africa’s inability to benefit from opening up to transactions that can be explained by its integral position in international trade that offers little in the way of returns and produces little value addition and wealth. Its status is that of a supplier of essential commodities and raw materials in limited quantities, which restricts it to the bottom of the international value chains. Also, due to the rushed liberalisation policies that African countries have experienced in the
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FEATURE past, their efforts towards industrialisation, valorisation and transformation of raw materials and towards diversification were thwarted by the sudden, forceful competition of imported goods. Many African countries continue to suffer from the narrowing of their opportunities for economic growth as well as their loss of sovereignty and control of their own economic and trade policy instruments created during this period. SAHEL SPECIAL ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (SAHELSEC) In the effort to launch Africa to a more cohesive, sustainable economic growth and profitability from Global Trade, GRC MOTORSPORT LIMITED has proposed the establishment of 21st century modern and seamless connectivity of significant regions of Africa to Global Trade Routes Network. The pioneer seamless link is tagged “Sahel Special Economic Corridor (SAHELSEC). Sahel Special Economic Corridor (SAHELSEC) is a trade route corridor connecting West Africa (From Nigeria) to North Africa (Egypt) via the Sahara Desert. SAHELSEC is conceived out of the need to create an efficient Symbiotic Global Trade Ecosystem for Africa, to enhance the continent global and regional trade. This trade route of about 3,000 kilometres via rail system is to be constructed, through five Sovereign countries in the Sahel region, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan and Egypt, to create a seamless movement of goods and commodities between the region and the world. Why SAHELSEC trade route: Since the existence of humanity, efficient and prompt delivery of commodities has been the core of trade and these have led to continuous innovations in finding better ways and routes to transport products across the world. Such changes are the invention of various trade routes, including Silk Road and Trans-Sahara Trade routes with the use of camel caravans in the early and mid-age; The long voyage navigational ships and locomotive trains in the late centuries; The revolutionised creation of man-made Suez and Panama canals, significantly reduced the distance and time of transporting commodities, thereby reducing the cost of goods.
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The Nigeria Component of SAHELSEC: The Nigeria component of the Sahel Special Economic Corridor comprises of the following cities: City of Usuma, Kaduna, Zazzau, Kano, and Daura. These cities constitute the major commodity hubs for the Corridor in Nigeria, with the main Commodity Exchange in the City of Usuma in the Federal Capital Territory. Each of these cities will be designated Economic Zones in Nigeria. City of Usuma: Also known as Usuma Lake Resort Town is a proposed trading hub and integrated resort town of new mixed-use luxury resorts and township destinations within the Bwari Kingdom of the Federal Capital Territory. It is the seat of the Commodity Exchange for the Sahel Special Economic Corridor. The city of Usuma is the final destination stop of the Sahel Trade Route on Nigeria side. Kaduna: The state capital of Kaduna State in northwestern Nigeria, on the Kaduna River, is a trade centre and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas with its rail and road junction. The population of Kaduna was at 760,084 as of the 2006 Nigerian census. Rapid urbanisation over the past decade has created an increasingly large population, now estimated to be around 1.3 million. Zazzau: Zaria, initially known as Zazzau, was the capital of the Hausa kingdom of Zazzau. Zazzau is thought to have been founded, in 1536 and later was renamed after Queen Zaria. Zaria’s economy is primarily, based on agriculture. Staples are guinea corn and millet. Cash crops include cotton, groundnuts, and tobacco. Not only is Zaria a market town for the surrounding area, but it is also the home of artisans from traditional crafts like leatherwork, dyeing and cap making, to tinkers, print shops and furniture makers. Zaria is also the centre of a textile industry that for over 200 years has made elaborately hand-embroidered robes that are worn by men throughout Nigeria and West Africa.
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Because Zaria is north of the rail junction at Kaduna, it has equal rail access to the seaports at Lagos and Port Harcourt. However, only the railway between Lagos and Kano is functional, as the eastern line of Nigeria’s rail network is not operational. It then means that Zaria currently has rail access to Lagos and Kano to the north but not Port Harcourt. From 1914 to 1927, Zaria was the break-of-gauge junction station for the Bauchi Light Railway to the tin mines at Jos. Kano: Kano is the state capital of Kano State in North West, Nigeria. It is situated in the Sahelian geographic region, south of the Sahara. The economic significance of Kano dates back to the pre-colonial Africa when Kano city served as the southernmost point of the famous transSahara trade routes. Kano was well connected, with many towns in North Africa and some cities in southern Europe. Formerly walled, most of the gates to the Old City survive. The Old City houses the vast Kurmi Market, known for its crafts, while old dye pits — still in use — lie nearby. In the Old City are the Emir’s Palace, the Great Mosque, and the Gidan Makama Museum. The products exported from Kano to North Africa include textile materials, leather, and grains. Kano was connected with trans-Atlantic trade in 1911 when a railway line reached Kano. Kano is a major centre for the production and export of agricultural products like hides and skins, peanuts, and cotton. www.cometonigeria.com
Daura: Daura is a town and Local Government Area in Katsina State, northern Nigeria. It is the spiritual home of the Hausa people. Trade in Daura is primarily in sorghum, millet, onions, peanuts (groundnuts), cotton, and hides and skins; its Hausa and Fulani inhabitants keep cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and donkeys. Cotton weaving and peanut collecting (for export) are significant economic activities. Daura town became a caravan centre for salt and potash from the Sahara Desert and cloth, slaves, leather, and agricultural produce from the south. Daura is one among the few where crops are grown all the year round. Apart from Government’s encouragement and general incentives to both large and small scale as well as peasant farming over the year, has been quite commendable. Daura town is notably the Gateway of the SAHELSEC to Nigeria, as it is the first port of call into Nigeria and the last port of call out of Nigeria to the North.
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The making of Nigeria’s
FEATURE LUNCH TIME
‘Ofe Egusi’
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n preparing ‘Egusi’ Soup, which is a traditional delicacy of ‘Ndi Igbo’ from the Eastern part of Nigeria, ‘Ofe Achara’ with ‘Akpuruakpu Egusi’ (moulded Egusi) is the most traditional ingredients for it. The ‘akpuruakpu’ is prepared in such a way that that it can be chewed like meat. The word ‘akpuruakpu’ is a dialect from Abia and Imo while it is called ‘Egusi Ógbalóti’ in Anambra State. INGREDIENTS FOR ‘OFE EGUSI’ The following are ingredients needed to prepare it: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
300g Egusi (melon) seeds 40g ósú 1 handful sliced okazi leaves 1 cup broken pieces of Achara 2 cooking spoons of red palm oil 3 pieces stockfish 1 dry catfish 1 ogiri okpei 3 small stock cubes Habanero pepper (atarodo, ose oyibo, atarugu) 1 handful crayfish ½ teaspoon dry pepper Salt (to taste)
PREPARATION: 1 Soak the stockfish and dry fish with cool or lukewarm water to soften them, clean thoroughly to avoid sand and debone properly. 2. Grind the egusi seeds and the ósú. 3. Grind the crayfish with the ogiri okpei made from locust beans. 4. Remove the coarse outer husk of the Achara by peeling it till you get to the soft part. Break it into 1 cm long piece and discard any part of it that is not easily broken. Rinse the pieces of Achara and set aside 5. Pound the habanero pepper with a mortar or grind with a hand blender. COOKING DIRECTIONS: 1. Cook the stockfish with seasoning cubes until soft and pour 44
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some of the stock into a bowl. Pour most of the ground Egusi (about 70%) into a clean dry bowl. 2. Season the egusi with dry pepper and some of the crayfish and ogiri okpei blend. Add some of the fish stock to the egusi and mix till it forms thick dough. 3.
Mould the egusi dough like a coin and set aside.
4. Boil some water and throw the moulded Egusi into the pot of boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. 5. Set the pot of stockfish on the cooking gas containing some stock from cooking the stockfish. 6. Add the deboned dry fish, habanero pepper and the remaining crayfish and ogiri okpei blend and boil. 7. Set aside the fish once it boils. 8. Add the remaining ground Egusi to the stock, stir and cook till you see some clear Egusi oil surface for 20 minutes. Constantly stir the soup to avoid burning. Add the water you used in boiling the moulded Egusi when needed. 9. The moment you notice visible oil at the top, add palm oil and cook for 10 minutes. 10. Add the boiled akpuruakpu Egusi, Achara, okazi and the fish taken out earlier. 11. Add salt to your taste, cover your pot of soup and once it boils again, it is done! Serve with any Nigerian swallow like ‘Akpu’ otherwise known as ‘Fufu’ (Cassava flour) or any other one so desired. www.cometonigeria.com
The edition that will be the 4th quarterly issue of CometoNigeria in 2018 will be available from end of December and we will be covering the following topics and many more: Hot Issue: The eect of Global Trade war on Nigeria My Nigeria: Oluwatofunmilola Claire Ifedayo aka Oyinbo Tomato Books! Books!! Books!!! Books By Nigerian Writers
NEXT ISSUE
NEXT ISSUE ? gger o l b el Trav yoculer to d n Se /arti y : stor ria@
ige n o t e m com mail.co g
Top 10 Favourite Budget and Tourists Hotels Nigerian Adventure Plus States/City in focus: Sounds and Beats of Aba Highlighting tourist sites, hotels, restaurants and nightclubs Other Top Restaurants and Hotels in the country, Featured Sites, Festivals and Resorts Striking photos and many more! For advert placement in the next issue of CometoNigeria Magazine, please contact: Henrietta Ikediashi, Ekundayo Adeniran, Abdulhakeem Olanigan or Morgan Okunnuga on +44 (0) 151 922 2911, Email: info@cometonigeria.com If you would like to contribute stories and images, please send your materials to info@cometonigeria.com.
Some of the Previous editions
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FAMOUS FISRT
Famous firsts in Nigeria
OLABISI OREOFE UGBEBOR
S
FIRST FEMALE MATHEMATICS PROFESSOR
he is the first female Mathematics Professor in Nigeria. Born in Lagos State, studied mathematics at the prestigious University of Ibadan where she obtained her first degree.
Olabisi Oreofe Ugbebor was born on the 29th of January, 1951. “My primary schooling started in Lagos, and as my father was being transferred by the Firm of his employer, we followed him to Ibadan and then to Ilesha our hometown again on transfer. It was in Ilesha that I passed the Common Entrance Exam to Queen’s College Yaba Lagos. From Primary One to Secondary school and University up to 46
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Ph.D. in London, my parents did not pay any school fees. I was on Scholarship after free primary education” She had a Post Graduate Diploma in statistics at University College London and in 1976 got her Ph.D. in Mathematics from University of London. While Olabisi was running her first degree, she was the only female in her class and was also the first Nigerian to obtain a Ph.D. in Mathematics. Professor Olabisi is a woman of many firsts. In her words, “I am very fulfilled because I am using all the talents and gifts God has given me. Although I did not plan to be outstanding, I was www.cometonigeria.com
FAMOUS FIRST
determined by using my talents maximally. It was the Church that taught me many good things that helped me to discover my talents. If you are well taught in Mathematics, it does not matter what your family background is. I was fortunate that I was well taught at home and all my teachers from primary school to the university level helped me to develop my talents”. She believes that teachers play vital roles in the formation of a child and encourages them not to scare children from any subject whatsoever because if scared, the child may be lost forever. According to her, “It wasn’t that I said I must be a mathematician, I only said I would utilise my talents. When I embarked on the programme, the British Professor who interviewed me happened to be the son of a missionary in Igbo land. As a young boy, he lived in Nigeria. It was easy for him to accept me. He was not embarrassed that I was a Nigerian”.
Women Engineers and Scientists held in Rouen, France in 1978, Laboratoire de Calcul des Probabilités, University of Paris VI, Paris, France, Visiting Fellow, Department of Mathematics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 USA August 1981 and many more. She was also the invited Speaker at the International Workshop on Mathematics for Development in Africa South of the Sahara. Jointly organised by the International Science Programme, Uppsala University, Sweden; Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy; Third World Academy of Science et al. held at Arusha, The United Republic of Tanzania and “Transfer of Financial Assets via Markov Chains Model.” A paper presented at the Centre for Economic and Allied Research (CEAR) Workshop on November 28, 2013.
Professor Ugbebor is the Chair of Pastor Enoch Adeboye Professorial Chair in the Department of Mathematics, University of Ibadan as well as the First Professor to hold the Chair in U.I. She is the First President of Nigerian Women in Mathematics and the first Female Chair of the Board of Deacons in Oritamefa Baptist Church Ibadan. “My husband and I were ordained Deacon and Deaconess on 26th July 1981”. And just recently, our delectable Professor was made the First Female Fellow of the Nigerian Mathematical Society in May 2018., the latest and greatest achievement of This woman of substance who immensely contributed to global development all as a female Mathematician. through her Mathematical and analytical prowess attended numerous conferences where she presented papers such as ‘From the transfer of We are only remembered for what we do as mortals. Professor Olabisi Technology, to Industrial Cooperation: How to meet the expectations of the Oreofe Ugbebor has done well even for generations unborn and deserves receiving country.’ A paper presented at the International Conference of a standing ovation of our famous first. Olabisi is a polyglot and fluently speaks Yoruba, Igbo, English and French languages. A member of London Mathematical Society, Nigerian Mathematical Society, Mathematics Association of Nigeria, African Economic Society, Bernoulli Society for Mathematical Statistics and Probability (stopped as a result of foreign exchange problems in 1992), Third World Organisation of Women in Science, Italy and many more.
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WEBPRENEURSHIP
nigerian Webpreneurs
st Sugge an i r a Nigeor send e t i webs urs to yo igeria@ on comet .com gmail
A few years ago, some writers said Nigeria was lost in Cyberspace, because no worthy websites were found in the country. But today, Nigeria’s presence on the Internet is overwhelming. Not for the wrong reason though, the majority of today Nigerians are setting up websites that are not only appealing to a Nigeria audience but to global traffic.
www.NaijaVibe.net
www.omogemura.com Deola Adebiyi is the CEO and the blogger behind Omoge MuRa. She is also an editor, media consultant, fashion and beauty blogger. She was a former Senior Features Writer at Hello Nigeria, former Head of Content and Social Media at LSF PR, former Online Editor at Guardian Newspaper Ltd, Nigeria, former Senior Project Manager at Anozim – Digital Marketing Consultants and former Editorial Operations Manager at Ventra Media Group. Deola went to The Bells School and later American University of Nigeria where she studied Communications and Multimedia. She also studied at SI Newhouse School of Public Communication. Join her as she share her outfits, beauty tutorials and take you on adventures around Lagos and the rest of the world. OmogeMuRa started 6 years ago as a journalism school portfolio but now it has evolved into her little personal space where she could express herself and her thoughts on everything lifestyle related. Here on OmogeMuRa, ‘I let you into my wardrobe with my weekly style posts, share my thoughts on the latest beauty product releases, share beauty tips and looks with my weekly videos and take you along as I explore Lagos and all the hidden wonders it has to offer’
Owned by Stephen Nzurum, Chief operating officer of SFI Africa Brands Ltd and a director of NaijaMP3s.com Stephen went to Command Day School, Ojo and later studied Customer Service Relationship & Management at The Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. NaijaVibe.Net feeds You Press Updates, News, Opportunities, Profiling, Fashion, Beauty, Features, Shows. This Media/Online Promotional Site highlights the achievements in Nigeria, Africa and the World at Large. NaijaVibe.Net also offers Online/Media Marketing/Promotion (PR) services for people who need to get the word out about their Brands, Events and Services optimising Social Media/ Online Platforms… We are one of Nigeria’s most visited Music website. NaijaVibe gives a platform for you, your product or services to be heard and noticed, we welcome advertisers to use the opportunity to reach our large music and technology audience. With over 1.5 million pageviews per month (almost 100,000 page views daily) and almost 400,000 unique visitors per month (About 10,000 unique visitors daily).
www.eightsandweights.com Suzanne Brume is Management Consultant with a passion for growth strategy. She attended Budapest University of Technology and Economics between 2001 and 2005 and later attended University of Florida – Warrington College of Business in 2006. Suzanne is the mind and body behind Eights & Weights online. Eights & Weights is a website and social media brand, founded in 2010, that focuses on health and wellbeing, with a goal to promote health and fitness awareness, and provide resources, videos and advice to allow readers to understand the steps they need to take to achieve a fitness lifestyle. Suzanne shares her fitness tips and experiences and her exercise and nutrition regimen on the website, Instagram and Twitter (@eightsnweights) for free, especially for Africans. As an avid traveller, she promotes the idea that you can live a fit life anywhere with minimal equipment and lots of dedication and discipline. Her journey has taken her all around the world, and she has shown how she works out everywhere from Nigeria to Brazil to Australia. With limited representation in the world of fitness, Africans can feel like our food and our lifestyles are left out of consideration, and so Eights & Weights is set up to help bring that focus with an African that lives and breathes fitness.
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WEBPRENEURSHIP For more information please contact:
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BOOKS
BOOKS by Nigerian Writers
Most of the books here are selections from the Literary Hub Bookshelf known for smart, engaged, entertaining writing about all things books. One thing that I know now is the greatness of Nigerian writers. The unique approach of Nigerians attitude to whatever they do. In every profession, writing included, we are good and special and the whole world is testifying to that. We have moved a bit ahead with this quarter’s Books by Nigerian Writers. - compiled by SALAMATU
SULE
Author: Ahmed Maiwada’s Title: We’re Fish We’re Fish published in 2017 by Image Books, an imprint of Image Heritage Enterprise, is one of Ahmed Maiwada’s beautiful collection of epic poem. It is “Fish” personified and a fusion of hip hop music creatively weaved into poetry. When you pick up this bluish cover designed book, what you see is deep- Deep like the blue sea. It tells you just like the wholesome earth that we are everything surrounded by water hence the poet’s shocking comparison of man and fish as one animal. This is true when you weigh in components that makes up the earth system whether environmental or you chose to look at is as solid earth, you are likely to find water on and beyond the earth’s surface, while man’s breath is orchestrated by water for sustainability. Inspired by the quote of Sylvia Earle, the poet captures his introduction of We’re Fish this way: Save Our Sea…” (Introductory Page V, We’re Fish) Structurally, the poems are woven into number stanzas from beginning to end with mostly the written in the fish style that is surreal. The collection makes reading delightful because of the aesthetic rendition and musicality as one of the blub capture vividly by Professor Remi Raji “…a deliberate aesthete in the conclave worth celebrating. About the Poet: Ahmed Maiwada is a Nigeria Novelist and Poet. Amongst his celebrated works are: Saint of a Woman, Fossils, Muzdoki and We’re Fish. The Poet lives in Abuja where he runs his private law firm.
Author: Flora Nwapa Title: The Lake Goddess After her death in 1993, Flora Nwapa’s manuscript was to be later dusted and published in 2017 by Tana Press. The first female novelist had the opportunity of speaking to the society yet again through the novel, The Lake Goddess. In this posthumous novel, The Lake Goddess, the author weaves her feminist ideology together, elucidating on the different perspective of the understanding of the real African woman and her society. One can say that chronologically, Flora Nwapa through her first novel Efuru (1966), Idu (1970), One is Enough(1981), Women Are Different 1986), Conversation (Play, 1993) all seem to tie their bearings to the thematic values of the Lake Goddess. The novel is set in the tranquil ambiance of the Oguta Lake as the abode of the goddess. Ogbuide, also the Uhamiri is an independent deity and possess several powers. It is a patriarchal society, but she possess this independence beauty and majesty. Ogbuide is the author’s mouthpiece and answers the multifaceted woman question in Africa. In the Lake Goddess, Nwapa’s women triumphs even in the eyes of the storm. So what has happen to that natural disposition? A reader may want to find out in the Lake Goddess. The Lake Goddess is published by the Tana Printing Press, a printing outfit founded by the author and now revived and managed by her son, Uzoma Nwakuche dedicated to promoting works of the author, women and children’s literature.
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Author: Nana Asma’u
The Collected Works of Nana Asma’u, Daughter of Usman dan Fodiyo
BOOKS
Title:
Nana Asma’u Bint Usman ‘dan Fodio, a nineteenth-century Muslim scholar, lived in the region now known as northern Nigeria and was an eyewitness to battles of the largest of the WestAfrican jihads of the era. The preparation and conduct of the jihad provide the topics for Nana Asma’u’s poetry. Her work also includes treatises on history, law, mysticism, theology, and politics, and was heavily influenced by the Arabic poetic tradition. This volume contains annotated translations of works by the 19th-century intellectual giant, Nana Asma’u, including 54 poems and prose texts. Asma’u rallied public opinion behind a movement devoted to the revival of Islam in West Africa, and organized a public education system for women. Her poetry collection is worth finding and reading as it gives us an entry into a world and time that we often do not have access to. In the wake of Boko Haram’s anti-education policy, it is worth reminding ourselves that the daughter of the man that founded the Sokoto Caliphate was not only a poet but a scholar.
Author: Lois Otse Adams Title:
Udukh: The Surrogate Daughter
Udukh: The Sorogate Daughter is a gripping and mind bugging faction novel on Child Trafficking and Immigration issues written by Lois Otse Adams. The book is set in South East Nigeria, Libya, and Italy. It gave us a vivid reality of the harsh conditions of having to leave the country for greener pastures. Luciana, the protagonist mother, tries to protect her daughter from the cruel hands of the surrogate who would do anything to steal her baby. In other to achieve this dream she has for her unborn child, she must continue to work hard at De –Matriot Hotel, as a cook to avoid prying eyes on her unborn child. Death did not give her the opportunity to see Udukh become the beautiful famous woman that she had dreamt of. In a twist, Otse deploys horrific imagery about life in the hands of Madams and aunties who come home with sugar coated promises to assist helpless girls like Udukh and Adizatu who are thirsty for the search of knowledge and greener pastures. Their eyes are later open to the realities on the ground after they have been shipped like packs of sardines to the ‘promised land’. The author in this moving novella tells us these girls never will have the opportunity of a happy life and may suffer severe damages and even death in their ordeal with sexual encounters and enslavement in the hands of their host. Udukh and Adizetu suffer from all sort of abuses until her mother’s prophesies came to pass. Lois Adams Otse through Udukh as her mouth piece exposes the heinous traditional practices, child mutilation and other forms of abuses and rituals. She also puts her advocacy prowess into action as she uses her protagonist to drive home her advocacy. This book was inspired by the author’s participation at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) which saw her through documenting first hand account of trafficked persons and victims of abuses. One can say Lois has produced a fictional work with fictitious characters. About The Author: Lois Otse Adams has qualifications in Mass Communication, Journalism, Theology, Media, Arts and Creative Writing. She is a member of several creative bodies which include the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Abuja chapter where she is the current Treasurer. Lois has also authored several works like Olaitan Oyerinde, His Struggles for A Better Nigeria and Fly Five Flags. She is an advocate of the Girl Child to the core.
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INSPIRATIONAL
Inspirational Nigerians
Inspirational Nigerians showcases Nigerians home and abroad who have been a source of inspiration to Nigerians in their respective professions and careers. It is an avenue to celebrate their achievements and showcase their success stories to inspire other people.
Dr. Abayomi Ajayi Chief Executive Officer of Nordica Fertility Centre
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INSPIRATIONAL
Meet Dr. Abayomi Ajayi
D
r. Abayomi Ajayi is the Chief Executive Officer of Nordica Fertility Centre with branches in Lagos, Asaba and Asokoro, Abuja. He has built a successful 30-year career in the medical profession, which spawned from a single minded vision to save lives and change destinies; a dream he has nursed since his childhood. His career began in 1984, when he graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. He completed his postgraduate training at the University College Hospital, Ibadan in 1994 where he bagged the award of Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He joined Lagoon Hospital, Apapa in 1995 as an Obstetrics & Gynaecology Consultant and held the post for 7 years. During his stay, Dr. Ajayi was appointed the coordinator of the out-patient services of the Hospital. In 2003, he started Nordica Fertility Centre in Lagos, pioneering a wide range of assisted reproduction services across the nation. The clinic specializes in In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and treatment of infertility for couples facing fertility challenges in marriages and has since inception expanded into 2 other major cities in Nigeria – Abuja and Asaba. It is also an affiliate of Nordica, Denmark. Driven by passion to help enhance the quality of medical service in his country, Dr. Ajayi went further to train at the Iscare Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Bratislava, Slovak Republic; The Institute of Human Reproduction Symbion, Fruebjerguej and The Fertility Clinic of Copenhagen University, Herlev Hospital, both in Copenhagen, Denmark. He also established a platform called the ‘Physicians Roundtable’ where doctors can network and stay abreast of latest breakthroughs in fertility management and reproductive technology. He presently collaborates with the Fertility Treatment Support Foundation (FTSF) where he gives out free fertility screening to couples. He is a strong advocate for Endometriosis awareness which is one of the major causes of infertility in women through the Endometriosis Support Foundation, Nigeria. Recently, the Foundation crowned Mistura Olabisis Bello as her maiden face of E.S.G.N. 2018 Dr. Ajayi has authored many medical publications and delivered numerous lectures in various conferences both home and abroad. He is a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Society of Obstetrics and Gyneacology (SOGON), American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), America Association for Gyneacological Laparoscopy (AAGL), International Society for Gyneacological Endoscopy (ISGE), American Society of Liposuction Surgery (ASLS) and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). Dr Abayomi Ajayi is also an Alumnus of the Stanford University’s SEED institute for innovation in developing economies and a board member in the International Society for In-Vitro Fertilization (ISIVF).
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MUSIC OF NIGERIA
Kunle Paul Kunle’s outstanding music skills range from excellent vocal works, instrumentation, sight reading and ability “to see with ears and hear with eyes” (aural perception) 54
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MUSIC OF NIGERIA
K
unle Paul is a dynamic vocalist that has broken through the glass ceilings of music with many years as a professional voice coach cum music consultant.
He is a live music specialist who uses music as an appeal to God. With his strong voice that gives hope to many troubled hearts, from different parts of the world, not minding their social status, Paul’s music is a builder of broken lives and a restorer of happiness. Kunle studied Music Technology at, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he graduated with an Upper Credit Division. His dedication and outstanding prowess in the art of music earned him a scholarship courtesy, MTN Foundation. He progressed to study Voice Major at Music Society of Nigeria, MUSON, under the tutelage of Princess Banke Ademola and he is a certified holder of an Associate Diploma. The songbird was decorated with an award of excellence and diligence at his graduation from MUSON. Princess Ademola’s Masters Class sets Kunle on the quest for excellence in music where she skillfully brought out the classical touch out of his voice. A distinction grade in the ABRSM grade 8 singing exams was, in fact, a consolation for the painstaking drills during Princess Ademola’s Masters www.cometonigeria.com
Class. Kunle’s outstanding music skills range from excellent vocal works, instrumentation, sight reading and ability “to see with ears and hear with eyes” (aural perception) - he is indebted to his first vocal coach and mentor, the legendary Matthew Olugbemi, for the next skill. He is always there to encourage and motivate him. A product of mentorship under some of the best names in live music, he has worked as a background singer with Victor Olayeni, a foreign-based gospel artiste. His experience, working with Victor Olayeni, exposed him to “music beyond the sheet.” The passion for teaching music andhave it delivered excellently led to the creation of Belleza Music Concept, He also acts as vocal coach at Bellezza Vocal Studio, a project birthed out of a vision to make stars out of shy and rejected singers and occupational voice actors like Poets, Orators, Pastors, Teachers, among others. The studio ultimately aims at establishing a world-class standard vocal laboratory in West Africa and reaching the world beyond.
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NIGERIAN FASHION
Garneti Fashion
Garneti is a patriotic brand and as such, I make bold to ask international fashion brands to come to Nigeria and tap from our unlimited natural and human resources. Nigeria is the right place to invest in without regrets on a return of investment.
E
tienying Akpanusong is the Chief Executive Officer of Garneti Exhibit Limited. My choice of Garneti as a Brand name was birthed from an abstract word that was coined from two words, Garnet, which is my birthstone and Eti as most people would rather call me, derived from my name. Our childhood experiences either make or mar us depending on what our present perception of life is. Eti is a creator and an in-depth designer. My major influence I will say dates back to my childhood days when I loved creating fashion styles from sketches to hand-made dresses for both dolls and myself. This served as a rolling stone to becoming a professional and was an eye opener to my choice of Engineering as a profession.
come and go”. It is one of the philosophies that I have held firm since my College days, therefore when it looks like everything is falling apart, I realize it’s time for re-assessment / re-strategising and before I say ‘Jack Robinson’, I am back on track. I am Garneti’s first Ambassador; so it’s only natural to sell the brand at every given opportunity. Moreover, I make what I love and love to wear what I make to any function graced and it is deliberately designed to be so. Its purpose has never been lost; instead it opens more doors because people walk up to ask me who made what I am wearing.
The passion for fashion took a break only to fully re-awaken sometime in my 4th year in the University in 2009 when I thought of what I could do to make extra descent money for myself. I then recalled how I enjoyed making jewelry with beads and wires and decided to start with jewelry crafting. Then came Garneti Exhibit and just last two years, as a brand I decided to expand my range of products to include having my clothing line.
Garneti has been involved in a series of craft exhibitions, mostly private events aimed at entertaining foreign guests. In the past, we had also costumed a couple of cultural festivals and carnivals in the South-South. We are hoping to do even more with our recent collaborations with some Embassies. It is the dream of every designer to costume Ambassadors, the joy is unquantifiable and seeing them wear your designs makes one think it is ‘Uhuru’ already but I try not to get carried away. That alone births new ideas in me and keeps me going. It is my contribution to the growth of tourism in my Country Nigeria. The feeling of being appreciated beyond the borders of a person’s country is priceless.
Many a time, I hear people say they got to the point of what I call “attempted suicidal career”. This has never occurred to me knowing how tough it took me to sail through my present berthing port. I am a determined woman who understands the parlance “Hard times
People often ask me if fashion and style can be differentiated. I say yes! Fashion is a popular style or practice. When it’s said, “that’s the fashion”, it means that’s the trend or that’s the popular practice. While style is a person’s way of doing things, be it dressing, walking, living,
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Life is full of ups and downs and to survive, one must have principles and philosophies that serve as navigators. Give what you will love to receive in multiple tons. That is my philosophy. If we are served a taste of our medicine, this world will be a better place. In giving back to society, Nation development through youth empowerment is something I am very passionate about. Long before I even had a clothing line, I have carried out a great number of skills acquisition training. I always combine it with etiquette coaching because that’s something I hold dear, and I am currently running etiquette classes across secondary schools in FCT as I did during my
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National Youth Service year. I was mentored, and as a matter of fact, I am also a mentor to so many youths. Mai Atafo is someone I look up to in my Industry. Suffice it to say he is my mentor. His works are unique and distinct. I love the drama he brings to play with his designs. At 30, I am grateful for life and all the beautiful experiences I have had. I am convinced that I have much more to offer than hitherto and will give it my best shot. At 50 I will love to see myself as that woman that has given humanity the best of herself through her endeavours and in her pursuit of noble womanhood. Garneti is a patriotic brand and as such, I make bold to ask international fashion brands to come to Nigeria and tap from our unlimited natural and human resources. Nigeria is the right place to invest in without regrets on a return of investment. In Garneti Exhibit, Grace defines our style and grace is embodied with decency, elegance, and poise. You can’t help but wear these virtues when in Garneti clothing, be it casual, formal or ceremonial.
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NIGERIAN FASHION
e.t.c. In other words, style is personal to every individual as a person’s style may not be popular. As a woman of style, the desire to see elegantly dressed people drives my consistency and fuels my passion. There is grace in elegance. Elegance makes a woman stand tall, commands respect and opens doors of opportunities for her. Dressing does not always have to be complicated; it could be very simple, yet very elegant. One thing we should always remember is that fashion and style can also attract investors to Nigeria if only we become more patriotic and love ourselves enough to attract others.
MY NIGERIA
My Nigeria
My Nigeria showcases friends of Nigeria who have either been to the country or have interest in Nigeria. It is an avenue for them to tell the world their thoughts and views about Nigeria and her people. This edition of My Nigeria features
NICOLAS GEORGAKIS Stage Name Niki Tall aka Oyinbo Boy
Can you please introduce yourself to our readers? My name is Nicolas Georgakis and I go with the stage name Niki Tall aka Oyinbo Boy. My dad is Greek and my mom is German. I was born and raised in Germany.
What do you think about Nigeria and her people:
For me, I only make the positive experience about Nigeria, to be honest. I can only speak for the people that are coming from Europe, Germany to be precise, because I know that the picture that the media is painting about Africa especially Nigeria is indeed not really how it is when you are there. Negative news is the one that makes more impact than the actual happenings over there. What I can say on what I think about Nigeria, her people to foreigners who travel to Nigeria is simple-“Nigeria is a beautiful country”.
Is Nigeria ready for tourism?
I am somebody that has travelled a lot in the world going for holidays in different places around the world and if I compare like all-inclusive 58 |
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,
holiday offer to Turkey or Greece or Egypt or Morocco, I don’t really know if Nigeria has that at the moment and this is what the mainstream of people are looking for when they want to go on holidays. An all-inclusive holiday offer, like: flights arrangement, shuttle service from the airport, pick up to the hotel, plus side attractions they would want to visit there are not presently freely available. Though, I was not interested in going to Nigeria for tourist offer or holiday offer.
What do you think about Nigeria as a giant of Africa?
I can only talk about the music industry and there I can say it is true. Nigeria was not called a giant by accident. Nigeria is a youth country with a huge youth population. A lot of things are going on very well over there.
They often say that Nigeria is not on the tourism belt, what do you think Nigeria can do to change this?
Let us make it general. If you are in the position of a tourist, what would you think and how would you pick your next trip? I think it is the price, the comfortability to go there and how accessible it is. I know for example, for a German citizen, it takes a lot to get to Nigeria like, you have to go through a massive visa issue process, getting invitation letter, it is just not easy and even not cheap like you can book for £500 holiday trip to go to a country like Morocco or Egypt and you would be totally fine. I don’t know what could therefore be done to make Nigeria attractive on the tourism market that it will become a must go destination. I think it is transparency, showing the clients what you are offering, getting people to share their experiences that they have been there to attract others. www.cometonigeria.com
LETTERS
Your Letters, Comments & Photos Dear Editor, TWISTED KNOWLEDGE Ever since I set my eyes on your Magazine, I have always looked forward to many more editions. Up until I became a fan, my knowledge of Nigeria was twisted but the beauty I read here has heightened my curiosity and someday, I look forward to visiting Nigeria. When the time is right, you will guide me on tourist destinations and hotels to lodge. Paul Brown T. Texas Editor’s Response: We are impressed with the mileage our readership has achieved so far. More so, our spirit of patriotism has served and is still serving as an educational tool in the hands of so many people with bias about Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigeria is a beautiful tourist destination with friendly people. Feel free to contact me as said when the time is right. I assure you that it will be a journey you will live to tell the positive side of to all you come across.
ENTERTAINMENT IN NIGERIA I read with interest entertainers like Kenny Blaq and Dtone Martins and began to wonder when the oustanding Nigerian government will focus attention on the Industry we all know that if well invested in, will generate revenue for the country like Bollywood and Hollywood. -Ahmed Idowu Elephant and Castle, London Editor’s Response: Many thanks for this and kudos to all the independent entertainers in Nigeria. Plans have been on-going by the government to strengthen and support the entertainment sector and it is looking hopeful.
NIGERIAN CUISINE I want to thank Come to Nigeria Magazine for taking time out to enlighten me on preparing ‘Miyan Taushe’. I bought the ingredients and followed the procedure for making it the day my husband had a Northern visitor, you needed to see the way our guest ate with relish. I confessed it was my first time of preparing the cuisine and the incredible look on his face gave me some sense of pride.
LOVE OF BIRDS All I want to do is come to Nigeria to watch birds and probably find the best way to export some. Thank you. -Rob Vincent, Kingston Jamaica Editor’s Response: This is good to know. With proper procedure followed, I am sure exporting some will not be an issue. Thank you for reading ‘Bird watching for bird lovers’.
HOW THRIVING IS FASHION BUSINESS IN NIGERIA? I am a fashion designer and own a fashion school where I train people interested in the business. With all the beautiful stories I read in Come to Nigeria Magazine I want to know if it will be worth investing in as I will be elated coming to set up a school in Nigeria and also organise fashion shows.
send your comments to cometonigeria@googlemail.com
Editor’s Response: Dear Miracle, Many thanks for being a fan of Come to Nigeria Magazine. The fashion industry in Nigeria thrives, and a lot of people in the industry are making it big time. Again, local and international fashion shows happen weekly, and Nigeria has professional runway models who elegantly interpreted every designer’s thought. We can’t wait to have you invest in Nigeria.
AN ARDENT READER I took time out to Google the history of your Magazine as a passionate reader of it and came across a write up that says “Come to Nigeria surprisingly has been in existence since 2010”. Is the statement true? If yes, how do I get past copies? -Gbenga Alao Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Editor’s Response: Editor’s Response Dear Gbenga, I love the “ardent reader” description of you. As a team, we won’t relent in putting more effort in Come to Nigeria Magazine as your letter sounds like the voice of a lot of our fans. It is true that this quarterly Magazine debuted in 2010 and as a show of our appreciation to our readers, we shall have events that will bring us closer to them soon. You did not state the year you came in contact with Come to Nigeria Magazine; this will make the past copies you requested easy to deliver to your doorstep.
Disclaimer: Images/letters featured on this page are not the properties of CometoNigeria; they were posted on our forum by users and visitors.
-Miracle Andrew Dublin Ireland
NIGERIA UNVEILED A NEW NATIONAL CARRIER
-Jamela Usman Dubai Editor’s Response: Waoh! I am elated by reading this. We shall continue to teach diverse food preparation because Nigeria is rich in her cuisine and a lot of these cuisines have alarming health benefits. Thank you for acknowledging Come to Nigeria as the source of your mouth watery ‘Miyan Taushe’.
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MY NIGERIA
Therefore, it is a question of time, and it is a lot of work. Nigeria must do a lot to change the mindset of the people because Nigeria does have nice things to offer and right now it is time to work for those travelling companies to expose Nigeria to the world market to make it an attractive place to visit.
What do you think about Cometonigeria.com?
It is a nice website with the right intention. You guys know what you are doing and I can just wish you all the best. It is the crowd that opens the market for Nigeria becoming tourist attractive place I would love to see that with you guys honestly because I can only say good and positive experiences about Nigeria and I would love the population of the world to get that in their mind as well.
How long do you normally stay when you are in Nigeria?
the system, I like the insurance and security that you feel over there and it’s quite straightforward. Let me put it this way; everything is so organised over there. And it is really a comfortable lifestyle but with limited opportunities because those rules and regulations, things you have to do can easily put you off the radar, you start to function the way the government expects from you and you become part of the whole big system and you can get lost as an individual. All these, you cannot expose to if you are in Nigeria. That is, what is good and what is bad there but generally, I love Germany because it is a wonderful country as well.
Normally, I stay between two to three weeks. That is mostly what my normal job allows me to go for but I am looking forward to going more and to see more because Nigeria is a youth country and it takes a lot of time to really touch other different areas.
What are the most important things you miss when you are away from Nigeria?
What I miss… In Nigeria, there is always movement, there is always something happening, something going on, you never feel alone, you hardly feel lonely, there are always people around you and they are so much life, unlike people over here in Europe. You know in Europe, they live a very isolated life, no matter what you do, no matter how much you can organise with your friends, if you have a full-time job over here in Germany, you will easily get caught up into that circle but once you are in Nigeria there is much happiness. That is basically the key to what makes the difference in what I miss in Nigeria because there is happiness that make life tick.
What do you miss when you travel away from your country of origin?
I really like living in Germany because I grow up there. I like the organisation of 60 |
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GADGETS ADVENTURE
A.K.A. WHITE NAIJA GIRL
Daniela Chidinma Hohlbaum-Alachounye - First Trip to Nigeria
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y Name is Daniela Chidinma Hohlbaum-Alachounye. I am from Austria/Europe. Most people know me under E.L.A. (Everybody Loves Africa). First of all, I want to say thank you to Come to Nigeria Magazine for having me. I really appreciate your team!
I am 25 years old and I attend a working-school program in the capital of Austria, Vienna. I work in a gallery where we sell handcrafts made by people with disabilities and professional artists (www.unik. at). Once a week I go to school where I study interior consulting with a great possibility to work also once a week as an intern in a beautiful shop called Habari (www.habari.at) where the owners, a lovely Austrian and German couple who travel to different African countries every year sell various different products directly bought from the producers in Africa. For almost a year now I am married to a lovely Igbo man. But already, before then I caught interest in Africa and especially Nigeria. A few years ago, I discovered that my heart beats for Africa. More and more I see my purpose in telling people about the beauty of Africa and changing their images of what they have gotten through the media. The world is just waking up to start spreading the richness of Africa and I want to make you a part of it! That is why I am even happier to be able to say that I just came back from my first trip to Nigeria. A life dream came true! Let me start with some thoughts I had before travelling. Austria is a country of the European Union so we are free to travel to all countries within the EU without a Visa. Applying for my Nigerian Tourist Visa was exciting, in comparison to Africans getting a Visa for Europe or 62
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ADVENTURE GADGETS
America it was pretty easy (which I see as very unfair, but that´s a story for another day). I just had to fill in the online form on the website of the Nigerian embassy, pay the Visa fee in Dollars, only possible with my own credit card which I didn’t have. Good that my bank approved me having a credit card due to the fact that I am not earning the full salary of a worker in Austria yet. Four days later my Visa was ready. Part of the preparation for my travel was medical treatment. To get a protection against yellow fever is a must before entering Nigeria, which I see as a plus. This injection alone was 60 Euro, but that´s not the biggest deal about the medical treatment. Before you get any injection you have the doctor advice you on what other protection you should get. That´s where they get to scare you because at the end of the appointment I was given prescription of over 900 Euros and of course, if I don’t do it, I will die in Nigeria, so the tale goes. I decided to go for a few of it; for instance, to protect myself from bacteria being transmitted by water and food. I still paid almost 300 Euros. Why I mentioned all of this is because before I travelled, I was not sure which injection to get and which one not to. My advice is to be careful, but don´t let doctors scare you about getting sick or dying just for them to earn money. Death from Malaria was way exaggerated too. Malaria is treated in Nigeria daily, but in Europe, you are almost declared dead. Another thing that scared me the most was stories about the Nigerian Police. These stories are read online. In Austria, the Police don´t carry big guns about like they do in Nigeria, and I wasn´t sure what they would be able to do when they stop you on the road. Nigerians should do themselves the good of redeeming their badly painted image; I have started my own advocacy as a Nigerian by marriage. I spent two intense weeks travelling the country. And I finally got to know a part of my Nigerian family – as you might know, African families are mostly huge. LIGHT/GENERATOR-The day after my arrival we went to an aunt’s house in Lagos. Everyone welcomed me very nicely and we entered the house. As I stepped into the living room it was dark. We all sat down. One aunt was still running around and I waited till she would put on the light, but that never happened. We spent the whole time eating, playing, even making hair in a dark room. The hospitality from them was awesome! Later in the evening, somebody turned on the light and the Television. So there was light! But obviously, people are used to sitting without light. At my husband´s flat we also only on the generator when it was dark for hours to have light for cooking or to plug our phones. WATER/HYGIENE-The flat we rented is on the third floor of a building, in a newly built house. It was finished months ago or even longer, but the water pipes weren´t ready yet. So my brother in-law had to joyfully go downstairs to fetch water every day, some days, just once, sometimes twice. That meant for me we have to use the water carefully. If you never experienced that before it can be a little challenging in the beginning. Initially, for me, it was. We stored our water in the corridor where everybody could reach it easily. Every time I wanted to take shower I would walk into the bathroom getting ready to pour water on my body and remember I forgot to bring water in a small container from the corridor. Getting dressed again or at least cover my body, get a bucket from the flat because we just moved in and we shared most of the few things we had. When the container was still full, I couldn’t lift it to pour water into my bucket so I had to call for help – the struggle is real but fun! ARCHITECTURE-Staircases do not have to be straight and stairs don´t have to have the same height – don´t try this in Austria ha-ha. The light switch in hotel rooms was often hidden at places where we couldn´t find it until we called the hotel workers. In Nigeria, everyone is independent and it is almost a do-it-yourself culture. HAPPINESS/MOTIVATION-I talked to many young people and most are University graduates who didn’t find work after graduation, www.cometonigeria.com
but they are still happy and still motivated to find work any work. In Austria, many people should take Nigerians as role models when it comes to self-motivation! WHAT I LEARNED • To every problem, there is a solution – Nigerians have sharper brains because almost every problem needs an individual solution found by themselves. People are also free to find individual ways because they don’t have to stick to many rules as in Austria for example (which isn´t always the best). • Because Nigeria is a rich country, the struggles are too many. Concerning electricity issue, the infrastructure, the public transport including the condition of the roads, all these things could be solved with a proper working government. Many things could be made simpler and easier to have and people must allow time for the government to improve so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of this country even more! • I sincerely appreciate all the people living in Nigeria. The country is great and the people do more than trying to survive. Keep your hearts open and let´s show the world how amazing Nigeria is! cometonigeria Third
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STORY NIGERIA ATFEATURE THE WORLD CUP
Russia 2018: The Shocks, The Shame, and The Glory
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By Okeson Oche Onu
igeria FIFA World Cup appearance has reached six times, with the first in 1994 where they got to the second round. Their sixth and most recent appearance at the finals was the just concluded tournament in Russia. One of the significant problems for Nigeria that led to the poor outing at the tournament was injuries to some first team players, that led to a tactical reassessment of the 4-23-1 used all through qualifying to a 3-5-2 formation. Football is about pace, Eagles take too much time to pick up the pace playing under Gernot Rohr. They struggle early into a match, probably score in the first 30 minutes, and later come on stronger afterward, mostly in the second half. This style came back to haunt them in Russia. Since it has become a common occurrence, one would expect the coach to address making the team more, hungry to win right from the start of every match to finish. It reflected during Nigeria opening match. They did not perform at all in the first half against Croatia and bowed to a 2-0 loss. Then followed a similar underperformance first half against Iceland and yet another against Argentina. On the biggest stage like the world cup, Nigeria needs no only increase the tempo of their playing but be hungrier to win. The world cup fever started with the fan 64
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frenzy to buy the Nigeria Nike-designed World Cup kit, that sold out globally on the day it was released, with long queues outside the Nike stores, especially in London’s Regent Street. The Nike’s kit for the Super Eagles features a bold neon green pattern that reflects the design of eagle wings feathers. The style of the team’s outfits as they arrived in Russia also kept the fans attraction and interest to everything Nigeria alive before, during, and after the tournament. It symbolically promoted the country globally ahead of others as echoed by CNN, BBC and several world television channels. Football fans love their stunning white and green ensemble set off with a matching hat, worn at a jaunty angle. The Super Eagles, arrived in Russia looking crisp in starched white traditional attire, known locally as the kaftan. If the Russia World Cup were all about fashion, Nigeria would have lifted the trophy before even kicking the ball. They are the most stylish team in Russia. Alas, that number only saw action once in Russia. Instead, it was the gloomier dark green kit that was worn in both defeats to Croatia and Argentina. Incidentally, in the much fawned over home kit, the Super Eagles looked something approaching their vibrant selves, downing Iceland with ease. Ahmed Musa scored both goals against www.cometonigeria.com
Iceland. What the coach liked in his young team were humility, solidarity, and fighting spirit. He insisted that they came to the 2018 World Cup learn to learn. He thinks the present team will be ready in 2022. The World football governing body, FIFA, paid the Nigeria team and other nations that failed to go beyond the 2018 World Cup tournament group stages £6.1m each. It was indeed a tournament of amazement beginning from the first day when the host country, Russia, trashed their opponent Saudi Arabia to a 5:0 win and going ahead to humiliate the Egyptian squad with a 3:1 win over the Pharaohs at the group stage. Yet, with these impressive performances from the host nation, they could not go past the ambitious Croatians in the quarter-finals as they crumbled before The Fiery Ones in penalties.
It was shocking indeed when Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal crashed out in the penalty against The Charrúas of Uruguay; Lionel Messi could not mop his men, The Albiceleste of Argentina beyond the knockout stage after struggling to emerge runners-up from the group lead by Croatia. Nigeria and Iceland were eliminated from the same group. Germany, one of the nations most favoured to lift the trophy, woefully exited at the group stage having lost its two group games. So disappointing was their outing that Mesut Ozil, one of the team’s primary playmaker resigned from the national team after several feuds with the German FA. The shame and glory notwithstanding, it was an excellent tournament for nations like France and the underdog Croatia that shocked the world with impressive performances. France lifted the trophy after beating The Fiery Ones of Croatia by 4:2 in the final as Belgium ousted England in their third-place contest. Both Croatia and Belgium were underdogs in the competition. Some individuals also went home smiling as the Golden Ball (Best player of the tournament) went to Luka Modric of Croatia; the Silver Ball (Second best player) went to Eden Hazard of Belgium while the Bronze Ball (Third best player of the tournament) went to Antoine Griezmann of France. Thibaut Courtois of Belgium won the Golden Glove (Best goalkeeper while England’s Harry Kane was crowned with the Golden Boot with 6 goals. The Kylian Mbappé of France was Best Young Player, and the Spanish national team got Fair Play Award. 2018 FIFA World Cup ended gloriously with thrilling intrigues and performances. Improved technology made officiating fairer than previous world cups. And by the close of the tournament on Sunday, July 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin handed over the mantle of the World Cup host to the Emir of Qatar whose country will stage the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Russia 2018 was adjudged the most unpredictable of World Cups, but that also made it one of the most thrilling as we see the worlds soccer heavyweights made early exits. It was, of course, a disastrous www.cometonigeria.com
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tournament for Africa as none of the representatives from the continent made it out of the group stage. It wasn’t much better for the South American nations either; for the first time since 1982, not a single South American team reached semi-finals.
GADGETS
Gadgets this QUARTER
1. DJI Mavic Air Drone A small drone with huge ambitions, the DJI Mavic Air packs 4K video recording, a three-axis gimbal, an upgraded obstacle avoidance system and on board storage into a compact and foldable form factor that easily slips into a jacket pocket. You’d be hard pressed to find a better drone that packs up so neatly and has as many smarts as this one. Incredibly portability, 4K video at up to 100Mbps, 12MP HDR stills, Near-perfect obstacle avoidance and 8GB internal storage.
2. Cross Peerless TrackR Ballpoint Pen
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.T. Cross Company, the business behind the CROSS writing instrument brand, has teamed up with TrackR to launch what it says is the world’s first trackable ink pen. The CROSS Peerless TrackR utilize’s Bluetooth connectivity and a mobile app to enable owners to keep track of their pen using a smartphone. The system include’s TrackR’s Crowd Locate tech to help search for the pen if it is lost, among other things. For those unfamiliar, TrackR makes products that enable users to keep track of their items, including its small round tracking device that emits an audible alarm and works with the company’s tracking app. Anyone familiar with that product will find the Peerless TrackR ballpoint pen works in a very similar manner. The pen has a 100ft Bluetooth range and pairs with the owner’s smartphone.
3. TECNO Spark 2
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ECNO Spark 2 is the latest and second addition to the Spark series, which debut last year to provide affordable and quality smartphones for the increasing smartphone demand in emerging markets where the purchasing power is low The TECNO spark 2 falls within the new generation of affordable $100 smartphone that works faster, help reduce data consumption and provide more storage. The device was launched in Nigeria in partnership with Google, in line with Google’s plan of bringing more people online by delivering affordable smartphones in their hands. The new TECNO Spark 2 runs on Android Go which is also known as Android (Oreos Go edition). Spark 2 comes with: 6-inch HD display, 3GHz Quad-core processor, Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition), 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage with an option to expand up to 64GB with an SD card, 13MP rear Camera with ring flash / 8MP front Camera with Mix flash 2.0, Fingerprint Sensor, Face ID and 3,500mAh Battery.
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4. Sony Bravia KD65XF9005 LED HDR
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njoy your viewing in the finest detail with the breathtaking image quality of Sony’s XF90. It combines the exceptional clarity of 4K resolution with the brilliant brightness and colour of HDR to give an amazingly lifelike picture. Powered by Sony’s X1 Extreme 4K HDR processor, depth of field is startling and pin-sharp, while its TRILUMINOS display is beautifully colourrich and realistic. Sony’s suite of smart features on the Android platform opens up a wealth of extraordinary online content, and its sleek design makes it a supremely elegant addition to the home. Stunning HDR Visuals Sony company is one of the forerunners of contrast and colour-boosting High Dynamic Range (HDR). www.cometonigeria.com
