NIGERIA, NOVEMBER 2009
Now off to Nigeria I have to attend an African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. Abuja is the new capital of Nigeria in fact Lagos is not the capital any more but if you came into Abuja and if this was the only thing you have seen of Nigeria you would get a complete wrong impression that city does not look like Nigeria at all. Had a lot of problems in getting a visa in was in part because I got an invitation from the group in Kenya to attend the meeting but in order to get a visa I had to get an invitation from the group of ATPS in Nigeria so it took me a long time but anyway I am here now the 26th November Abuja. I arrived in the morning at 5.30 via London. I was collected at the airport and delivered to a place called Nicon luxury hotel very luxurious indeed; in fact it is not real when it is a poor organisation should not really be staying in the most luxurious hotel but anyway I were working all day until 8.30 then there was a dinner in this hotel for all and then entertainment and dancing I spoke for a little while today also and also was dancing today also busy a bit disorganised. Kevin is doing well but problem with Internet do not know why. We had dinner today with a very clever Nigerian Magnus and tomorrow Adebowala that I knew from Ibadan near to Lagos came to meet me tonight it was very nice. We went out for dinner in the same restaurant where Magnus and I went the night before. The food portions are so big so based on my expenses we ordered one dinner and split it on two which was even too much. Why they do that in such a poor country I do not know.
28 November 2009
Today relaxation went to an old market I did not like to buy anything the prices were high but negotiable. Late in the afternoon we went to see a chap interested in green economics with Magnus who also work for them. They want me to come to Nigeria next year and they will pay for me so tonight we went to another market just the closing time and bought a few more things and tomorrow morning off again to home. Has this trip been worth it? I am not sure I hope so I met a few people I knew a long time ago but what was my contribution? Was it worth it? I hope so but I am not sure so tomorrow 7.00am a taxi will come to collect me.
29 November 2009
What a crazy airport I wanted to spend the last Nigerian money I had I could not find any shops after check in anyway I have not got too much this trip not sure was it worth it after all the hassle should I have gone I could have gone to India instead where I was invited Nigeria is rich in resources but not very good at using them