7 Factors to Consider Before You Attend a Lagos Event by Akpo Uyeh

I have been a Lagosian all my life. Eko oni baje oo! The city is ever bubbling with new opportunities everyday. I learnt that about 3000 immigrants troop into Lagos on daily basis. For what exactly? Your guess is as good as mine. They are in search of greener pasture. No wonder it has been tagged the commercial centre of the country.  There is also a saying that if you can make it Lagos, you can make anywhere. True or False?

Normally, every weekend is spiced up with events, shows and “owambes“. Personally, I am much of an indoors person, but somehow I got an invite for a Lagos show. Going there for the first time, I was quick to pick up certain trends and they are:

1. Never go early
I’m sure you are not new to ”Nigerian time”.  This is when you go later than expected, because you know the event would not start on time.  You know it could be painful going to an event only to discover that you are the first to arrive.  Being the first guest to arrive,you start waiting for others to ”turn up”.  You also start observing the arrangement going on at the venue and others guests strolling in dressed in their different attires. In this part of the world, Nigerian time is fast becoming a culture. Well…that would form another discussion for another day.

As a newbie, I got to the event pretty earlier than usual, I noticed they were yet to start even at the take- off time.I had thought it best to leave home earlier than usual so as to beat traffic because you never can tell. Only for me to arrive at the venue and everywhere was still deserted.  Can you imagine? To my utmost surprise, the event started started three hours later. Don’t ask me what I was doing as I waited for the event to kick off officially. I was somewhat bored.

2. Change your name
I actually went there to interview guests. Do you know that virtually all the guests I spoke had English names like Tataina, Lerato, Sandra, Meagan, Carolina, Jeffrey, Clinton, Moissa and the likes. I didn’t hear name local names  like Akpo, Nkechi, Mayowa, Biliki, Livinus, Chikodiri, Mutiu, Bala e.t.c. Sorry, no offense but everyone basically seemed to embrace foreign names.

3.Speak with phony accent
Some people spoke with phony accent. I think it was embarrassing to speak pidgin or “be real”. You might just be considered socially awkward or unrefined. It was more or less a show-off of a particular kind of attitude. Spreeing to the fullest less you be tagged a misfit.

4. Dress street style
This one is a personal thing. I know it might sound cliche that fashion is what you wear, style is how you wear it. Nevertheless, going for a Lagos event, you must have it the back of your mind to slay. Most times, people never go for Lagos event without having the intention to slay and make heads turn. Not bad if you ask me. However, if it appears that you made so much effort to make a statement then wahala dey! Particularly after making  an entrance and  nobody including the paparazzis do not ja you face. *sighing*. Just go with a  healthy self -esteem and confidence as you rock your outfit.

5. Go with power bank
Unless you have two fully charged batteries, then you might not necessarily bother about this. At event, you would most likely get involved in taking selfies, making calls, videos and all and if care is not taken your phone battery might just get totally drained. Just have a back up plan. Having a power bank, or going with your charger might just save the day… unless you want to get stranded.

6. Never go solo
No man is an island. If you really want to have fun and don’t want to feel left out, it’s best to have a buddy around. Seriously, it is more fun to be in the company of your friends or family. That way you would not feel so lonely or left out at a Lagos event.

7. Don’t dull
If the DJ plays a particular song, sing along  or dance. It is not bad if you want to show that you are very current and know how to groove well. Besides, you don’t want to appear like you carrying the whole world on your shoulders. Body languages also pass a lot of messages. If you are a lady, you might consider sitting with your legs crossed;  and if you are a guy, you could strike a manly pose.

That being said, I hope with these few points of mine, I have been able to tell you how to attend a Lagos event.

Photo Credit: Alberto Jorrin Rodriguez | Dreamstime

About Akpo Uyeh

Akpo Uyeh is a witty Blogger| Freelance writer| Geographical researcher.  A Sunshine lover. Music  enthusiast. She blogs via Òmòté Rò Dhé

Blogger Austin Okai, arraigned in court over story he wrote claiming Kogi Governor bought cars worth $12m for traditional rulers

A Kogi state based blogger, Austin Okai, has been arrested and arraigned before a Magistrate court in the state for allegedly publishing defamatory reports about the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

Okai who was arrested on Monday April 10th and transferred to Lokoja, the state capital, was yesterday arraigned in court on charges of circulating reports accusing the state governor of buying cars worth $12m for traditional rulers and commissioners, orchestrating rumors of the governor's death, and inciting the public against the stae governor.

Okai is also alleged to have planned to burn down the newly-built Revenue House in Lokoja. The court remanded Okai in police custody and adjourned his trial to Thursday, April 13th.

Pastor Ibiyeomie vs Kemi Olunloyo: Federal high court grants blogger, Kemi Olunloyo N1m bail

Following the bail application of her counsel, Fatai. O. Lawal, online journalist and blogger, Kemi Olunloyo has today been granted bail by a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt. The court also granted Samuel Walson, publisher of a local tabloid in Port Harcourt, Rivers State bail.


Olunloyo, who had been remanded in Port Harcourt prison for the past one month, was granted bail in the sum of N1 million.


The trial Judge, Justice H.I.O Shamah, who delivered ruling, on Tuesday, said the Court exercised discretionary power and, also, because the offence for which she was arraigned was bailable. The court also struck out one of the charges on cyber crime against Kemi Omolulu Olonloyo for lack of jurisdiction to try the matter.

Reading the long list of bail conditions, Justice Shamah said the accused must produce a surety in like sum, adding that the surety must be resident in Port Harcourt metropolis and the person’s address must be verifiable.

Also, the surety, if a civil servant, should not be below Level 12 and must submit his or her letter of employment, as well as staff identity card.The surety would also sign an undertaking to ensure the accused person did not jump bail and to bring her to court on adjourned dates.
He added that the accused person must submit her international passport to the court and sign an undertaking never to influence the court proceedings and to appear in court any day the matter is adjourned.

It will be recalled that the journalist/blogger was arrested by security operatives in Ibadan over a material published online and believed to have offended a frontline Port Harcourt-based cleric.

The matter has been adjourned to May 4 for hearing.

Beautiful Pre-wedding pictures of Blogger,Kemi Filani as she is set to wed.

Blogger Kemisola Filani is set to wed her fiancè Adeyemi Emmanuel, who is an accountant and Online publisher. The duo who got engaged late last year will be tying the knot in March. Check out the photos below: 

Guest Blogger | Nkem Ndem: Valentine’s Day Is Not A Do-Or-Die Matter

I am going to be completely honest: I am a huge romantic. I love love…and as such, I certainly adore the idea of a specific day being set aside to celebrate love. Unfortunately, though, I haven’t had much luck with Valentine’s Day!

My earliest memory of the holiday is of my bubble literally bursting after a package I found in my schoolbag (and had been so excited about) revealed a rusty GL neck-chain which my secret crush -who sadly, wasn’t the guy I fancied at the time- had obtained from his grandmother’s box of rejected pieces of jewelry and placed in a card designed with the picture of a half-eaten apple and a mouth that said “You are so delicious”.

Even worse was Valentine’s Day 2008, My 3rd year at Covenant University, when a porter at Deborah Hall, one of school hostels, seized the bag of provisions my mother had sent to me through a family friend, Obinna, with claims that Valentine gifts were not allowed from males at the female hostels. The thought of that day still brings tears to my eyes. It was the worst experience ever. Not only did I have to deal with the pain of realizing that I would have to survive the next 4 weeks without Milk, Milo, Rice Krispies, Titus Sardines and other school-life necessities, I also had to sit through hours of watching other girls gush over the Val gifts their boyfriends managed to smuggle into the hall and silently wonder when “amoshine”.

Over the years, I have come to realize that contrary to what romantic comedies had me believing since I was about 6, Valentine’s Day actually isn’t all that great. In reality, it is more like a number of the fancy clubs on Lagos Island- the idea of the club is way better than the actual club in itself. The music is so loud you are in a constant state of stress; the people suck; you spend so much money but never have any fun really; yet, you keep coming back, telling yourself that will it get better.

Let’s face it, Nigerians are submerged in the cultural hypnosis that nudges them to associate true love and commitment with Valentine’s Day. I consider this a form of “conditioning” as the Valentine’s Day of today so obviously has nothing to do with real love. It is now a highly commercialized day of forced love with the main beneficiaries being brands that get to sell you anything from red flowers and chocolates to exorbitant destination getaways. Even worse, having a date on this day, also, has become a status symbol more than anything else, and for some God-knows-why reason, being able to celebrate Valentine’s Day means that you are somehow better or more successful than your single friends.

Quite honestly, the level of pressure this holiday brings is worse than that of a shaken bottle of Coke. The singles who dream of being coupled up, face the pressure of finding a date at all costs; those who are dating feel the pressure to find the ultimate gift or pull off the most original and meaningful romantic gesture ever; and Nigerian girls who like to show off their Val gifts certainly do not want to be at the bottom of the totem pole, so, they weary their men and literally everyone else with their demands. In fact, even the men -especially the stingy and weak ones- who do not want to deal with all the pressure, say and do all they can to get away with not celebrating it. You find them making such silly statements as “every day is Valentine’s day”, “Can’t you see it’s quarter to Buhari O’clock?”, or “Love should be spontaneous and not contrived, Valentine’s day defeats that purpose”. Some even go as far as breaking up with their girlfriends days before February 14th.

The truth is, Valentine’s Day celebrations is not a do-or-die affair. The choice to go ahead with the celebration is up to you and if you decide you don’t want it or that the day is not for you, no one will kill you (hopefully). Of course, the sentiment behind the day is probably worth celebrating but…whether you choose to abstain from the celebrations, or whether you go along with the commercialized way we presently celebrate the holiday, note that your grand gestures will not be able to replace emotional intimacy if the security of your bond is already in question. Also, for those who are single and filled with resentment for people with partners to celebrate the holiday with…please, "Stop it. Stop jealous". The day is not just for those who have partners, and as such, you are not required to have a “bae” to enjoy it. Make the most of the day. And if not for anything, take full advantage of this day because it is a day in your life.

I am hoping this February 14th will be pleasant for everyone really. Surely, every Nigerian can use a bit of love at this time as we keep standing together #IstandwithNigeria

Happy Valentine’s Day!


Vivienne Ndem
Editor, Urban Royale Magazine
www.urbanroyalemagazine.com
+234(0)7033853356

"I am unable to find the appropriate words to express my Gratitude towards my award @Women On Fire event last night in Makurdi.Mimi Atedze (Blogger)..

I am unable to find the appropriate words to properly express the immense feeling of gratitude to NFOB Global for bestowing upon me the honor of "Power Of 30 award.
Last year I made the list of 60 Women On Fire ,this year I was elevated to Power of 30,for consistency and perseverance.

Eventhough I was absent ,my spirit was allover the venue of the event.Thank you NFOB Global for all finding me worthy of this prestigious award.
There is nothing like been appreciated for what you are doing. For me its time to do even more.
I appreciate you all.Thank you.

Thank you Cherry and Stepho,my personal people,I missed you guys.

Cancer Blogger Anna Swabey Dies Just One Day Before Her Wedding!

When Anna Swabey took to her blog, Inside My Head, on December 8, 2015, it was to share exciting news: Her boyfriend of 10 months, Andy Bell, had proposed.“He knew from day one that I was battling a terminal illness, and yet did not let this, in any way, shape or form cloud any of our time together,” Swabey wrote. “The most beautiful thing for me, is that Andy sees me, just for me, not ‘Anna with a brain tumor.’”read more

Cool Or Isssh| All In One Grill & Cooler.

A new grill and cooler in one.What do you think of this concept?

Hi Readers, Sorry For The Absence.

Hi Readers

I was absent from blog world for the past 3 days. I thought it was going to be a short break but it turned out to be a long one,i lost someone very dear to me,the last days were terrible but am ok now.will resume Blogging tomorrow.

thanks for all your messages.

Fabmimi

Blogger Commits Suicide On His 60th Birthday ,Pays For His Website To Run For The Next 5 Years.

Kansas City sports writer Martin Manley ended his life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound early Thursday morning, but thanks to a website that went live the same day, his motivations for doing so are sure to live on for years to come.On the site, Manley referred to owning thousands of dollars worth of gold  and silver coins. Immediately following that reference were GPScoordinates for a spot inside the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.Police say they believe that statement is a hoax. They say his family told them that Manley had “gotten rid of” the coins prior to his suicide.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/08/16/4414929/former-star-sports-statistics.html#storylink=cpy

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/sports-writer-commits-suicide-leaves-website-explanation-article-1.1429286#ixzz2d6Q67WMM