Making the Most of Nigeria
Here are tips on how you can make the best of your trip to Nigeria:
Safety
As with any foreign country, you need not be paranoid, but don't take stupid risks either. Never drive in unknown or unsafe neighborhoods solo or at awkward hours. Don't plan to impress by driving your new 4x4 or hot item luxury cars in unsafe neighborhoods at awkward hours either, or your car may hire a new owner. If you left your leather jacket or camera in your car in most neighborhoods in America or any other country, chances are pretty high those items and/or even your car may develop legs there also. Never flaunt your finances in public either. Whatever you wouldn't take chances with abroad please don't do.
Electricity
What has really changed in the past 20 yrs is not the availability of electricity, but your attitude to the creativity of NEPA. Even California experienced shortages in the past 3 years, and there are some neighbourhoods where they still can't put on outside lights at night so as to conserve electricity. New York, and 4 other Northeastern States all the way to Canada also just experienced massive blackouts recently.
Unlike strange countries where you've never visited, you know ahead what to expect, so let your motto be "Be Prepared". Take your mini torchlights which you can flick on before your generator, candles, and/or lanterns are turned on. You can always carry these about and they always come in handy. Always have sufficient working batteries for your torch also.
Water
It's not news that tap water in over half the world is not fit for direct consumption. You buy water abroad, so what's new about buying water or flavored water at the equivalence of 3 cents a bottle. Where there's shortage, most houses have tanks or bore holes anyway. Besides, you can always fill up on water ahead of time, if those luxuries don't exist in your neighborhood.
Traffic
Before you start complaining, remember the 405 freeway in California and some others in various states and cities abroad have worse (and I mean WORSE) traffic jams, so be prepared to exercise patience and endurance (2 great gifts from God), should you encounter traffic anywhere during rush hours. Besides it's a chance to do your window shopping, give alms and be entertained. You can always listen to your own music or the radio, meditate, eat, sleep (unless you're the driver).
Health
Make sure you're in good health and take all the necessary shots before your departure. Drinking tonic water can also help decrease the chances of malaria should you be exposed to mosquitoes. Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Diet
Eat and drink only what your stomach can handle. Give yourself time to adjust to the diet especially if you haven't eaten Nigerian food in a while. Don't rush to the Bukas (streetside restaurants) just because you ate there 20 yrs ago. Sudden changes in diets without adequate preparation can lead to running stomach, etc.
Transportation
Make arrangements ahead of time and have sufficient funds for car hire and taxis if need be, so you won't run into disappointments, when your promised rides are delayed or don't show up. This way you can dictate your own itinerary.
Family
Never promise what you can't deliver. Be very honest and factual about what you can and cannot do. Pretending to be more than you are financially or otherwise, or trying to oppress those back home will only breed enemies and run you into DEBT.
Visitors
Planning is the key. Don't encourage unexpected visitors, or else they'll end up dictating your schedule and you'll accomplish much less. Be honest about your life abroad and never promise to put anyone up, if and when they travel abroad UNLESS you actually can.
Appointments
Always allow ample time as you would in any other country, especially in the tropical ones. Government offices worldwide are the same, so plan ahead and take reading materials especially if you stopped by unexpectedly.
Communication
Cyber cafes are open everywhere for easy and affordable internet access; and internet-connection telephone calls worldwide are available at rock-bottom prices and could be a source of major savings especially when calling abroad. Don't run up your cell phone bills calling abroad. "Nitel", the main telephone company is still being overhauled, and digital phone service is mostly available, but you can also use GSM and other cell phones which are quite easy to acquire and use with chargeable cards, also available in most places for your domestic calls. Don't leave your cell phones around carelessly, as in any other country they just might disappear.
Conveniences
Always take sufficient funds, batteries, rolls of films, extra camcorder tapes, etc. as you would on any vacation. If you love music, then take your Walkman, CD player and adaptor for the car lighter. Also, take international adaptors for voltage changes if you're taking your pluggable players, shaving gadgets, hair dryers, etc. Everything else, including films and batteries, you can always find available.
Fun
Whatever you consider fun will be fun, only if you allow yourself to have fun. Never misbehave in public or get drunk and act wild, you just might get featured in the gossip magazines. American citizens who get drunk and misbehave in Mexico usually get locked up in jail, you're lucky rules aren't that stiff in Nigeria, except you commit murder or beat someone up.
Plan ahead for whatever you want to do. Depending on how long or short your vacation period is except you're home to mourn someone, and even then, always plan sufficient time to spend with your family, then dedicate the rest of your holidays to running your errands and having ample fun. Go to the beaches, restaurants, clubs, weddings and other parties, and always try to visit at least one other state.
