Nigeria's Zoos

Cheese
"Do I have to take a picture?"
"I don't like the camel"


The zoos in Jos and Abuja were not what I expected. Both were small and not kept up well. The Zoo in Jos should be taken care by the conservation society. The animals were frail looking. It was very sad.

Assop Falls

Visions of Nigeria

In Jos there were many mountains with rock formations
Entry to the Agriculture Center.
The winding road to Jos.
Prime hill country vision
Assop Falls outside of Jos

Country Life

Feeding the baby goat (cool)

Auntie Justine
Me with a new born goat
13 weeks old chickens
The local cattle

Aunt Justine runs the largest chicken farm in Jos. She started off with only 50 chickens 15 years ago. There are now over 20,000 chickens. It is an organic chicken farm. Auntie makes her own chicken feed that the local farmers purchase because it is such good quality. She also makes soy oil. Nothing goes to waste. The challenge is dealing with the lack of constant electricity to meet the demands of soy oil. There is a generator, but very expensive because of high cost of diesel. Esther Rose enjoyed the farm. We had the chance to feed a baby goat. I could not run a farm because getting too attached to the animals.

Car Collisons

This was a truck carrying paint
Pollution is high in Lagos due to all these motor bikes used as taxi
Lagos car accident

No EMS or tow trucks in sight! In Lagos there are no driving laws being carried out. The people most often become impatient of each other and drive crazier by crossing lanes, making turns in the middle of the road, go over road barriers to make u-turns, etc.

Nigerian Roads

What an eye opening experience being a passenger on the roads of Nigeria. I will no longer take it for granted the blessing of having emergency infrastructures in place. Motor vehicle accidents happens so frequently. An ambulance service may consist of a station wagon ride to a local clinic or hospital system if you're fortunate to live in a community that offers this service. There is no such product as car insurance unless you're talking about the "open hand" policy. When you can pay the police to either slow down the process or not report the accident at all. In Abuja and certain parts of Jos there were paved roads. In Abuja there were actually working signal lights and traffic police directing traffic. The best option to travel through Nigeria is by having a driver. The ultimate driver of choice is a government/military member. Our uncle's driver picked us up from Abuja. His name was Suleman. His position rank allowed us to pass through areas without any problems.

Sunday in Africa

While in Nigeria, we had the opportunity to visit our church home in Lagos and Abuja. It has been so incredible meeting brothers and sisters. The churches were very similar to my home church in San Antonio with the same songs and worship format, except for the big party style of music with drums, piano, African instruments and dance. A great deal of singing and dancing. The church is studying out the book of Romans. The minister wife who had a stroke this past Feb. while visiting in the US was at church for the first time since her return to Nigeria. She is walking and sends her love and thanks for the many prayers. The church in Abuja is in a local school building and the church in Lagos has their own building complex. The Abuja has about 100 members and the Lagos church has over 1000. It has been a joy being able to meet so many brothers and sisters of the same faith.

A Businessman Perspective

Before I start talking about my experience in Nigeria, let me tell you that it has always been a goal of mine to visit Africa. When T.K and Tammy said that I could go with them, I did not hesitate. Plus we had started to talk about doing business in Nigeria, and I wanted to see how business was done and if there were other opportunities. So on May 28th, 2008, we set “sail” for Nigeria, the heart of Africa. It was a long trip. Specially for someone how has never been on a plane for more than 5 hours. We arrived on May 29th, 2008, in Abuja. It was exciting to see the African sky, and to feel its sun burn through my clothes. I was in Africa, and I was looking forward to my 7 day business trip in Lagos.

Lagos was the place where most of the business that TK and I had talked about was going to take place. It is a coastal state, divide into many small districts (in the US they are called cities). It is a place like no other. Like TK says: “TIA”, this is Africa. If you think you struggle to make a leaving, or to carve your niche, come to Africa. You will immediately fall to your knees and thank the Almighty Jesus Christ for the blessings in your life. (Thank you Jesus for the place where you have placed me. It is a place where you have made me to prosper. A place blessed by God.) You will also think to yourself “how do these people live?”. And you come to realize that it is only by the Grace of God, that this country of over 140 million people has managed to survive. Some say that the devil resides in Nigeria. I say that God rests it feet in Nigeria. Maybe it is my ideology, but if it were not true. Nigerians would not exist. There is a church in every corner. And God promises that if there are pure and righteous people He will save the land. So from this I draw my conclusion that God’s feet rest in Nigeria.
I went to Lagos for business. Business is not the same in the US as in Nigeria. TIA. If you are doing business in Nigeria, you should be prepared to wait, wait, and wait some more. This is somewhat ironic, because Nigerians are very impatient. They want things yesterday, but they do things next week. There are true opportunities in Nigeria. Opportunities to make nice profits, but you must be willing to wait. One advice for anyone that wants to do business in Africa is to have a plan and stick to it. Don’t deviate. Be firm. If it is not what you had agreed upon, don’t be afraid to walk away. This is true for any business transaction but it is more important, I think, in Nigeria
If you are thinking of coming, COME. Don’t hesitate. But have a plan, and a backup plan, and just in case another backup plan. Your trip will not be a waste, because you will have grown as a person and as a businessman or woman. You will leave a different person. As for our trip’s business success, I will tell you next week….TIA..
- Jacobo Rodriguez
June 4th, 2008

Lagos Pictures

"Molue" it is like a San Antonio Via Bus. These are 15 passenger vans, but in Lagos you will see them max to the fullest 25 to 30 people.

More buildings with advertisement. This area is called CMS. Very unsafe area, while driving past this area we needed not to look like a tourist. During traffic time there is high crime. As mention what time of the day is considered traffic time? Pretty much most of the day except around 10-1p unless it rains then there is traffic all day.

More vendors set up, but these had covered roof.




Many of the streets were filled with vendors.





















Picture of Lagos from the airplane




Esther Rose Excited about her trip... Children are so innocent.

Lagos Bound

This is an late entry. Sorry for the delay, but you will understand once you read below adventures.

Day One in Lagos starts off by us missing our plane thanks to my brother in law. We were grateful to make the following flight which was a hour later. The domestic Virgin airlines flight lands at the international airport, and this was what I wanted to avoid. All the stories you heard about this airport are so true. The airport policy is that no pictures taken were allowed. Once we walked out from baggage claim, we were approach by a massive amount of airport porters and people asking to help carry our bags or for money because I looked american. I was happy to see my mother in law and friends waiting for us. We got an airport transportation escort us to the cars and our driver was Isaac an army officer. The first eye opening experience was with the bathrooms. I planned to go to the airport bathroom , but could not find one. We instead had to stop at a near by gas station. Most of the toilets here do not have lids/seats. Why??? I am still trying to get an answer.

The visions going to our friends home consisted of many vendors selling their goods on the streets and in Nigeria you can see vendors all throughout the streets and highways. This reminded of our Laredo boarder, but 20 times more overwhelming. The drive from airport to Lekki outside Victoria Island without traffic should be a 20 minutes drive, but in traffic that we had the drive took 2 ½ hours. Once we past the mainland of Lagos towards Lekki hwy you start to see signs of large business buildings, modern hotels, homes and apartment. It was like day and night throughout the drive because one side of the street you will see large beautiful large homes/ Mansions, the other sides consisted of shacks wood structures.

The gas prices are about the same in America. To fill up our Jeep Cherokee cost about 6000 naira = $50 US. We arrived at our destination. The 20 minutes drive took about 2 hours due to traffic. As you can see in the picture, the house was a two story home. Very modern with gated entrance with security. Very close to the chevron corporation and located on chevron drive go figure. Every home and business are dependent on a generator or their source of electricity. Yes, there is electricity, but goes out daily. The black outs are frequent in every neighborhood. The electric company NEPA can not provide for all due to selling it to surrounding states and poor outdated technology. Esther Rose adapted well and I am giving all thanks to God and the three year old little girl name Tori who played the entire Lagos trip. We wanted to go to the beach, but time did not allow due to many meetings. We did go swimming at a club house called VGC (Victoria Gardens Clubhouse). Very nice!!! It has guest gym, pool, local stores, park, eating establishments and yes cleaned bathrooms with toilets and lids. and the houses in this gated community where ridiculous imagine the dominion in san antonio, then multiply the luxury and sizes by 3. The houses all rival Kimora simmons house, and every home could be featured on cribs. On the Island there is Lekki, Takwa Bay (private resort beach), and Victoria. The locals roads were paved, but mainly dirt roads. Lets talk about driving in Lagos. In a word CHAOTIC! Two lanes will turn into 4 lanes. There are no traffic lights, but traffic cops that should be directing the traffic, but instead standing around causing more problems. The car accidents are numerous. There is really not an EMT/Ambulance structure. The towing service is also limited. Here are a couple of pictures. Once a car accident occurs you can anticipate traffic to be very long. The most common form of transportation is the motorcycle ( called Okada) and from afar they look like locust decending on you. They are known as okada and are one of the reasons there are a lot of traffic.
The police role: We got stopped a couple of times by police they did not asked for money, but I also think because we had a military driver and Jacob our hispanic friend here doing business with my brother in law. It was the same experience landing in the airport. Watching the police in action with their own people was very opposite. During one car accident, the police was there, but you can see exchange of money. My brother in law says, this is may be to prevent court actions to happen.

Airport Experiences

Traveling has been smooth and interesting. We landed in Abuja at 8:30p (3pm central). I am glad we came through Abuja airport versus going to Lagos International airport. It was less overwhelming compared to the stories I usually hear about Lagos. Yes, at customs they do ask for open hand to get through the line without many problems. The cart boys who carry our the luggage will also do the same. They take it to the next level and tell you sad stories hoping you will increase the tip. It was night time, so I could not really take pictures. We reached our hotel the Valencia Hotel. Not too bad of cost $100 per night. We ate dinner at the local restaurant called Mama Cass. The spaghetti reminded me of my grandmother's. It was good. I might actually gain weight on this trip.

Interesting travel stories:
1. On the plane, TK had to provide medical care with a passenger who had apnea. Passenger is fine, but it made the airline nervous.

2. In the Amsterdam airport when a passenger is missing the plane the airport will announce " Passenger _________you're delaying flight and bags will be off loaded. Please return to the gate.

3. In Amsterdam airport in the woman's bathroom, we had the encounter of men also using the bathroom. Not sure if they could not understand the signage.

4. In Amsterdam airport when asking for assistance for an employee about gate connections who was obviously guiding other passengers to proper area, we get the reply " I am working you need to look at the TV terminals for your gate connections."

and finally, NO MORE FREE PEANUTS
5. On domestic airlines there is now a fee for snacks $3 for a snickers.

Things that make you go hummmm. I will post pictures tomorrow. We will be traveling to Lagos tomorrow.

The City of Jos

Hello Everyone,
We are now in Jos at the Crest Hotel visiting our family Uncle Matt and Aunt Justine. They own the largest chicken farm. Esther Rose is liking the baby chicks. Many pictures to share and hopefully will be able to post once we return to Abuja. The internet has been very unreliable at our past hotels. The drive to Jos was about 3 hours.

Jos is one of the nicest places to visit in Nigeria. It's the capital of the Plateau State and is located at an elevation of 1300 metres above sea level, which means that it is cooler here than anywhere else in the country most of the time.

The main attraction of the town is the Jos Museum Complex, which consists of four separate museums and a zoo. Skip the Railroad and the Tin Mining Museum and head for the Jos National Museum and the Traditional Nigerian Architecture Museum.

If you are spending a few days here you might consider paying a visit to the Rock Brewery. They have guided tours with an all you can drink buffet for reasonable prices.

Jos is surrounded by beautiful hills, the most welknown being the Shere Hills (1800m). Also the Jarawa hills, the Vom Hills and the Gana Wuri. Many tourists choose Jos for trekking and hiking.

None of them rival the world's highest ranges, but you can work up a hearty appetite climbing up them. Factor in their natural beauty and the various streams and dams around, the area makes a perfect picnic spot.

I hope to send more information within the next couple days.

Best Regards

Abuja City

Nicknamed, "Second London", Abuja is Nigeria's new capital. It is a beautiful city with clean roads, The idea was conceived in 1975 and the seat of government formally moved to Abuja from Lagos in 1992. It was intended to be developed in four phases. The first phase had so far been completed. In a few years the city will have a few million inhabitants, but right now there are only a few hundred thousand. This means that the city is pretty spread out and there are a lot of half empty spaces. There aren't a whole lot of sights in Abuja (yet), the main Mosque is pretty enough, but muslims are not allowed in and the guards are not always very welcoming. Close to Abuja you find Zuma Rock, which looks like a pale version of Ayers Rock. The local population used to attribute magical power to the rock. You can see it on the way from Abuja to Kaduna - the same road brings you to Zaria and Kano. Abuja has an ultra modern Airport - Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport named after the first president of Nigeria. The first phase of the international wing had been commissioned and is now operational while the smaller domestic terminals have been in operation since the early 80s. Abuja is located at the center of Nigeria and is bounded by Kogi, Niger, Kaduna and Nassarawa States. Its indeed a beautiful place to be. Abuja is known as the center for unity as a result of its rich culture based on the lifestyles and people from different tribes.

Final Packing

We will be leaving next week for Lagos. Many last minute items that need to take place before we depart. I am thrilled to say that our visas arrived on time. I love our travel agent! Afrique Travel located in Dallas. Yes, I am shamefully giving them an advertisement seal of approval. The latest challenge has been with the airline luggage policy. As of May 5th, passengers are allowed one free check in luggage at 50lbs and two carry on bags. Extra luggage will now have the fee of $150. Crazy!!! Because we purchased our tickets before April 2nd, we will be allowed two free 50 lbs bags. International flights will now count a child's stroller as a carry on, so now I am debating not taking one because we need to use the carry on luggage. Every inch of luggage space will be utilized to the fullest.

Visa and travel shots anxiety

This past week has been finalizing all shots for everyone. Word to the wise when preparing a four year old for shots, 24 hours is enough advanced notice. Anymore time will cause mental anguish. Thank GOD my daughter was current on immunizations and just needed two. It was sad to watch my child for the first time run underneath a chair when the {three} nurses came into the room. You think they would have forseen my daughter's reactions . She recovered quickly, but then again I had to spend two hours at the McDonald's play area as a token for surviving. As for myself, I needed only three shots and one oral medication in place of a shot (Yeah)! The travel clinic was very helpful and informative. There is a shortage with several international shots such as the "yellow fever". Our guest was very close to not getting one and these shots are not cheap.

VISA DRAMA!!!! It's cutting it very close being 22 days away from the trip to apply for a visa. Since 9-11 there has been numerous changes when going abroad, and the Embassy of Nigeria has now gone on-line (yeah Nigeria, Drama for me). Our travel agent guranteed visa in five days, but the cost $215 which was $65 more then doing it ourself. I would strongly suggest to purchase tickets at least 2 months ahead and apply for visa one month ahead. Now it is just the waiting game for the visa and I hope the travel agent comes through on their word.

Trip to Nigeria

Hello to my family, friends and to whom ever decide to take this journey with me to Nigeria. This is my travel journal of my trip with my family. It is my goal to write in phases. "Phase One" will be a weekly entry describing the preparation needed until departure. "Second Phase" will be a daily entry of our trip with pictures. "Final Phase" will end with us returning back home. I do hope you decide to join me on this adventure. I look forward to your comments.