ADEREMI'S NOTEBOOK

— The photos from my trip to Lagos are finally online on flickr. I attended a big wedding plus other interesting engagements. I lost my camera bag briefly (which I later found), this however dampened my euthusiasm for taking pictures towards the end of my stay. #

The Real Nigerian (1)

What does it mean to be a Nigerian? (thanks, via) I thought about it all weekend. The best I could do;

“Spends summer in London and Christmas in Nigeria. Thinks he/she can do a better job at managing the country. Probably supported Arsenal when Kanu played for them”

Poor effort, I agree. What do you think? Comments please. This might be helpful.

— The pidgin edition of Psalms 23 is now available. You don prepare Egusi and Pounded yam make I chop. All mai enemies dey look waa waa. You rub me for head wit vaseline intensive lotion. mai cup na River Niger wey overflow hin bank. #

— Teju Cole has a blog about his trip to Nigeria along with some great photos. This should compensate for my boring notes from agidigbi (1)

Viewlab (2)

When you see photos like these from the professionals, you feel inspired to pick a camera and starting shooting. I did just that.

Enter viewlab, my photoblog.

Manage your expectation. Still trying to understand how my Sony digital camera (S80) works.

Consider saying no (0)

It is about 1am and I tired. The house is upside down. The playstation2 is gone. The Sky remote control is gone. The Sky card was found on the floor. At least 3mobile phones have simply gone. I found a pocket knife on the floor. Someone tried to steal my phone. My house keys are missing. I needed the 6 police officers to get people out of my house. I can’t believe my house keys are gone. I don’t feel safe.

If friends of your 17year old sister asks to organise a surprise party for your sister in your house, consider saying no. Book a hall instead.

Notes from Agidigbi (3)

I made a few observations during my trip to Lagos.

At Heathrow, a British guy holding naira notes in a transparent bag approached me. He wanted to sell me naira notes. I politely refused. It just looked wrong. I am probably making a fuss out of something that is probably common to other frequent Nigerian travellers. Nigerians do carry a lot of stuff. Did you know that only flights to Nigeria and America have a 32kg weight limit per bag, other countries have a mere 20kg limit.

First guy I spoke said to, “dude I thought you said you were based in London” It seemed my sessions with Ben TV had paid off.

The only form of transport that guarantees your arrival to a destination on time is the okada. It is not the safest I might add.

National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) has changed its name to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). As the name suggests, it is holding power. It can choose to take or release the power as it wishes. The smart way to outmanoeuvre the PHCN is have both diesel and petroleum generators.

A nice house in Ikoyi will cost you 80 million naira (£0.32 million). If you are after some capital gain, I suggest you get a few plots near Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Lagos is expanding outward.

All the fun is on the Island (Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi). If you go to Silverbird Galleria in December/January, you will definitely find someone you know regardless of where you have been in last 7years.

I think most Expatriates in Lagos hang out at Saipan. If you are visiting Nigeria, at least you know where to find your people.

Takeaway is big business in Nigeria, so many of joints now (Big treat, Mr Biggs etc). Even Ogun state has a Mr Biggs. A nice meal (pounded yam with efo and assorted meat) will cost you 700 naira (£3) compared with £14 in Nigerian restaurants in London.

Remember Video clubs? Well those clubs have disappeared. Pushed out of business by VCD and DVD technologies, which are extremely cheap to purchase.

There are more local TV stations (AIT, Mbi, MiTV, Silverbird TV) in Lagos. I noticed DBN has ceased to exist. Nollywood movies have replaced the 10pm slot for Hollywood movies at most stations.

I can now do the electric slide.

I think Glo has the coolest brand in the Nigerian telecoms sector. I still can’t believe that MTN is making that much money, someone send me the company’s financial statement.