Nigeria, the land of plenty

satellite view, Ikeja Stay where you are In Lagos people tend to stick around where they live. Traffic may be one reason, the expanse of the city another and the fact that there is no key attraction able to draw crowds in the evening or on week-ends from one end of the city to the other. Very few parks, no square where people would feel happy to spend some time hanging around. The only big migration is work or religion related. Security also plays a role. Today streets are safe on the islands and increasingly in mainland's neighbourhoods during the day. At night, it is a matter of bad luck but stories of attacks are still in the news in some areas; the area boys are still alive and potentially dangerous. As a result, streets are not considered as an area one should expect to spend too much time on, except of course, for those running a business there: plenty of activity takes place on the streets, from water carriers, gas and airtime sellers, hairdresser...

  white brass band swan at the regatta Aquatic Splendor of Lagos 2015 This morning, on the occasion of a Sunday morning walk, I saw two small boats colorfully decorated, one covered by a golden cloth and the other one white with pink garlands, navigating on the lagoon between Victoria Island and Ikoyi. They felt kind of lonely on the empty water, though joyful with their irregular progression. Finally, they landed on a piece of land belonging to the local government on Oyinkan Abayomi street, next to my favorite beach bar . The pink boat was displaying a welcome message to the newly elected Lagos governor. The boat was setup by its support committee. There, tents had been erected to provide some welcome shade to hundreds of white plastic chairs facing the water. The setup was very promising for what could be lengthy speeches by important people. A large banner facing the street offered an explanation with : "let's celebrate the aquatic splendor of Lagos "; ...

 a wooden candidate  Gubernatorial elections (for States governors) Today is the day to elect States governors. Same movement restriction as during the presidential elections two weeks ago between 8am and 5pm or so. The difference is that people are much more relaxed this time round. I therefore went for a walk on Lekki bridge  before it was too late to be on the street. Joggers and bicycle riders were about the only occupants of the bridge, it was serene unlike the roaring of fancy cars whose drivers are either very much in a hurry (no time to waste) or want to use the clear stretch to feel vibrations of their engines ;-) and perhaps impress the side passenger(s). Right before the bridge, one was greeted by a temporary wooden statue of one of the candidates to Lagos governate. I suspect from the shape that he was gracefully elongated to gum his roundness and appear more towering. It was Kinwunmi Ambode, APC candidate, who was declaring " vote for me I will treasure ...

let's do the right thing again, happy easter   after pioneering happy valentines, the polish remains for easter   Happy Easter Easter happens just in between of two rounds of elections: between national presidential and local governorates which is scheduled to take place on April 11th. This was, as in the past New Year and Valentine's day, used by inspired candidates. Thanks God, the presidential election turned out peacefully... ... as the president Jonathan gracefully accepted the results announced by INEC (independent body managing the election) which gave victory to Mahummadu Buhari. Tensions disappeared and the next day things were business as usual in the city - no need to hide or fear - some of my colleagues excelled in the precautionary zeal to be at home before the afternoon had really started. Results were announced painfully slowly over 48 hours, giving everyone plenty of time to get accustomed with the shaping of n...