This speech is from the heart, and demonstrates grasp of current issues, ills, and pains of the people. He is just one man, i hope Anambrarians will take this opportunity with both hands by supporting him. Wishing him and his people all the best

NIGERIAN TRAVELLERS DECRY EXTORTION AT KENYA AIRPORT

The short message app twitter was on Sunday agog with Nigerians recounting their extortion and ill treatment at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport by the country’s immigration and police.

Many Nigerians lamented the unfair profiling and exhibition of xenophobia by the Kenya authorities, sharing many horror stories of detainment for endless hours for refusal to part with hundred dollar bribes.

Deportation, loss of connecting flight, and daily hounding of Nigerians especially in Nairobi are said to standard routine.

‘I was held for close to three hours before one of them (immigration) asked me to pay fifty dollars, so I won’t miss my flight’ says Godfrey Nwannekah
Another Nigerian Micheal Enema also recounted his ordeal ‘Yes, they brazenly ask for money at the point of entry in their airport in the name of money for tea.’

Instances of planting drugs on Nigerians also came up, so they could be extorted.

Labeling authentic document like the yellow card as fake was recounted as another means of extortion. Nigerians living in Nairobi are not also spared, with frequent burst and arrest going on every time.

Whilst some Kenyans apologize for the conducts of their authorities, many supported the practice, saying many Nigerians living in Kenya are known to be in the illicit businesses, and are flamboyant.

‘…My colleague and I were singled out to be searched by their security operatives, they later apologize after sighting our ID card and reasons for coming to Kenya’ Segun Ojo says.

Arising from the frequent embarrassment at the Kenya airport, Nigerians on the short message app called on the government to help restore the dignity of Nigerian passport and to interface to stop the frequent occurrence.

https://thegomagazine.com/2022/03/13/nigerian-travellers-decry-extortion-at-kenya-airport/

THE MAN ON THE MAMBILLA

Award winning Nigerian Tour guide - Bethel Moseglad arrived the Mambilla Plateau in 2015 for his National Youth Service Corp as a tourism novice, but he never returned to his native Ekiti state.

He was bewitched with the intense beauty of the Mambilla , the same reason many Nigerian leaders now have homes at the top of the captivating mountain.

Before 2015, Bethel had never heard of Gembu or the Mambilla plateau. Now he is the go-to tour operator on the Mambilla , a renowned tour guide, and the founder of NATURECONNECT, an inbound tourism promotion company based at the top of the mountain.
Bethel Moseglad, born originally Oladimeji Olusegun, is THE MAN ON THE MAMBILLA.

In this interview with The Go Magazine, he speaks passionately about tourism on the Mambila and the immense beauty of the destination with a land mass possibly bigger than Lagos. He says there are so many unique things about Mambilla, one of which is the possibility of many exciting activities which cannot be finished in months.

Personally, Bethel says he has discovered about thirty water falls on the Mambilla- he added seven days is not enough to go through some of the major activities. Whatever you want, you can find on the Mambilla.

From lush greeneries, to lowered precipitate laden clouds, rugged terrains for hiking, and agro tourism- a novelty which allows visitors see foreign apples, straw berries, black berries, avocados, tea and lots more grow on the rich soil of the plateau. The mambilla is full of wonders.
‘I have hosted people from Germany, Denmark, India, United Kingdom and Nigerians from diverse background’ Bethel says.

It takes an average of eight hours drive to arrive at Gembu from the airport at Jalingo, you will be welcome by dancing monkeys, who will thank you for offering them banana rewards.

‘Even though I don’t speak Fulfulde which is the language of commerce on the Mambilla, I was able to draw the first detailed road map and interconnectivity covering over two hundred settlements, by climbing bikes and almost using up my NYSC allowance’ he says passionately. He presented a large road network map to the local government on completion of his service year.

Mambilla tick all the boxes- accessibility, comfort and activities, yet it is not one of the most sorts after destinations in Nigeria. Publicity is minimal and almost non existence, reason many Nigerians don’t know about this magical destination. It has however been a secret destinations amongst many Nigerians and foreigners who want something different from the everyday destination.

So he says to Nigerians about the unexplored plateau, come for hiking on the highest peak in West Africa, come for food tourism, come for the wonders of nature, and get enmeshed in culture, and for wellness tourism, he says he will love to welcome you.

"I led a team of hikers led by Funmi Oyatogun of TVP Adventures up Chappal Waddi, the feat was covered and aired on CNN."
It was remarkable bringing the Honourable Minister of information and culture to Taraba state and Mambilla Plateau; ably represented by a team led by Permanent Secretary (FMIC) and the Director of Domestic Tourism (FMIC).

Leading on tour the Honourable Minister of State for environment (Hon. Sharon Ikeazor) to Ngel Yaki on the Mambilla Plateau was part of memory we cherish.

We also led the president of Association of Tourism Practitioner of Nigeria (the person of Hassan Zakkari) on tour to the mountain of death. We are glad to give him and his entourage the feeling and lifetime experience.

Bethel is currently the best tour guide in Nigeria, an award given to him by the …… He has also been recognized by the Africa Travel Quarterly as one of the top promoters of domestic tourism in Nigeria and belongs to the tourism 100 club, amongst others.

Like many other Nigerian destinations, Bethel says, lack of knowledge and misinformation is a major challenge for Mambilla.
‘The whole of the North is viewed from the lenses of western media – daily blood bath with Boko haram and herds men, this is not the situation on ground’ he lamented.

He once had a group coming from America cancelled because few hours to entering their flight because of the massive misinformation on the internet. Bethel wants government to be more proactive with information and to see tour operators as partners in the tourism industry.

Bethel has a Mambilla package for June, you can reach him on

cued from www.thegomagazine.com

When a woman has children things are different. Been married for 17 years and have experienced this . House chores and the kids, plus her own job is enough to kill her, sex is the least on the agenda, and easily see the husband as selfish. He does not go through same thing. She has lost her mojo, threatening her with side chick is not the answer, she does not care.

Man should help her with the kids - home work, bathing, getting them to bed, cooking, washing etc. Create the atmosphere for her to want to, give her free time, rest time, me time, take her out, let her rest whilst you and the kids cook during weekend, massage her leg, tell her kids words, show appreciation- it is toasting her all over again. This thing can be really frustrating for women, and make them intolerant, untop, if you dont have money and she is the one working her ass off to take care of the family!

Little by little, she will change. Call her before you come home, buy food istead make she cook, tell her there will be show tonight, rest o, no give me story, bring her gifts, sebi thats what we do for side chicks, who dont do all the laborious things, so they always ready.

I have done this and she came around, i get it more regular now. Side chikcs is not the answer, safe money for old age income o

Pre-departure testing will no longer be required for travellers returning to England and arrivals will not have to isolate until they get a negative PCR test.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons the pre-departure measure, introduced a month ago, will be removed as the Omicron variant is now so prevalent the measure is “having limited impact”.

From 4am on Friday, people returning to the England will not have to take pre-departure tests, the PM said.

He also announced that people arriving in England will no longer have to isolate until they get a negative PCR test, but will instead have to take a lateral flow test at the end of day two after arriving.

If that is positive they will then have to take a confirmatory PCR test to help identify any new variants.

The changes come after trade body Airlines UK and Manchester Airports Group called for the removal of all COVID testing restrictions, saying it would have no real impact on Omicron numbers.

Karen Dee, head of the Airport Operators Association, said removing the restrictions “is a welcome recognition that they no longer serve a purpose, now Omicron is well-established in the UK”.

She said the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments should follow suit and added that airports are still facing difficulties as other countries have imposed restrictions on UK arrivals, while consumer confidence “has been knocked during the crucial Christmas booking period”.

Recent figures showed one in 25 people in England had COVID-19 just before Christmas.

Currently, fully vaccinated travellers into the UK must take a pre-departure test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result from a post-arrival test.

Those who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days after they arrive.

Last month, the government removed all 11 countries on its travel “red list”, partly reversing the tightening of restrictions in order to contain the spread of Omicron from abroad.

Airlines UK said at the time that costly testing and isolation measures imposed on travellers ought to be removed too for the same reason and has now reiterated that plea.

The trade body and MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stanstead and East Midlands airports – cited research they had commissioned from consultancy Oxera and analytics firm Edge Health to make the latest call.

British Airways
Image:Shares in the owner of British Airways rose at the start of this week
They said the research showed the removal of all testing requirements on international travel this month would not impact the spread of Omicron in the UK.

It also found that the introduction of pre-departure and day two PCR testing in late November and early December respectively had little impact on the spread of Omicron in the UK, compared to a scenario where the policy of a single, day two antigen test remained the same.

The companies said the tightening of travel restrictions hurt the sector last month, with MAG estimating a 30% hit to its recovery in passenger numbers.

Fears over the Omicron variant and tighter restrictions imposed before Christmas have already been revealed to have had an impact on demand for Tui and Ryanair.

But hopes that conditions will ease – in the light of suggestions that Omicron will be cause less serious illness than other variants – have in recent days created a more optimistic outlook for the aviation sector.

Shares in British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) and other airlines rose sharply on Tuesday, helping London stock indices enjoy a strong bounce on the first day of new year trading

www.thegomagazine.com

What is your business with what anyone is wearing? you will commit a crime that can lead you to up to twenty years in prison because of what a woman is wearing? e be like you dey mental. Even if she de waka naked, none of your freaking business, just look and pass. No let evil spirit lead to your destruction

Continue your relationship.

Tell your mum if she cant give you a reason within a period of time she should forget it.

Is the girl from another tribe, or another village your people normally won t marry from /

It is your life, if you make mistake, it is yours, dont suffer mistake or decision of somebody else

Loads of baby comments here.

So once you have feelings for a girl, na by force to like or love you back. Its simple she has no feelings for you. IT DOESNT MAKE HER A BAD PERSON

In this case she told she wanted frienship only, no relationship, yet you no hear. You are very selfish, you want her to date person wey she no like? Abi because you de help her, she must open leg, una de mad? Just imagine say na your sister, na so she go date and Bleep every guy wey toast / help am

Dont key into all this immature guys simps nonsense, you go do for woman wey you love, woman wey love go do for you, nothing strange, na person wey no send you go chop you.

If you cant help her on the project because of un returned feelings wey no be her fault, tell her ow much you go collect.

Forget all this immature hard guys on naira land. Person wey fall in love de mugu, so nothing strange

You dont have to help

Op is a bloody lier, that picture is somewhere in the Caribbean.

And for the goats and slaves who think everything from Nigeria and Africa is bad, SHAME ON YOU.

It is a common practice.

About 3,800 flights were canceled around the globe on Friday and Saturday, as the fast-spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus infected or quarantined crews and prompted some travelers to change their Christmas plans.More than 3,500 flights have been cancelled and thousands delayed around the world as the highly infectious Omicron variant disrupts holiday travel.


The last-minute airline disruptions complicated the holiday hopes of tens of thousands travelers who had planned to gather with family or friends at the end of a second pandemic year. Others appeared to be reconsidering future travel as the highly contagious virus spreads, causing airlines to pare back flights for the coming months.

https://thegomagazine.com/2021/12/25/omicron-xmas-eve-3800-flights-canceled-worldwide/

Despite stringent measures supposed to keep ocean cruises COVID-free, operator Royal Caribbean says at least 48 people on board one of its ships that docked in Miami at the weekend have tested positive for the virus. The Symphony of the Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship, was carrying more than 6000 passengers and crew on a week-long journey around the Caribbean when a guest tested positive, prompting wider contact tracing, according to Royal Caribbean.Cruise ships had been touted as one of the “safest” vacations available back in summer 2021 when the cruise industry restarted in the US with new COVID protocols, following an extensive pandemic shutdown.

Despite stringent measures supposed to keep ocean cruises COVID-free, operator Royal Caribbean says at least 48 people on board one of its ships that docked in Miami at the weekend have tested positive for the virus.
Despite stringent measures supposed to keep ocean cruises COVID-free, operator Royal Caribbean says at least 48 people on board one of its ships that docked in Miami at the weekend have tested positive for the virus. (Getty)
The Symphony of the Seas was carrying 6091 passengers and crew members.In a statement, Royal Caribbean said that a guest tested positive during the voyage, and subsequent cases were detected following contact tracing.It said 95 per cent on board were fully vaccinated.

Of the people who’ve since tested positive, 98 per cent were fully vaccinated.The total number of cases amounted to 0.78 per cent of the on board population.It’s not yet known whether the highly infectious Omicron variant of coronavirus, currently spreading rapidly around the world, was responsible for the cases detected.


Royal Caribbean rules dictate that all travellers on board a ship aged 12 and above must be fully vaccinated, and test negative before departure.The cruise line says it “strongly recommends” guests receive a booster dose prior to sailing, but this is not currently mandated.Crew members are also required to be fully vaccinated and test “at least once a week.”Unvaccinated children on board Symphony of the Seas were required to show a negative PCR, and also test negative at the terminal pre-departure.

‘Mild symptoms’
Royal Caribbean says it also implements additional health and safety measures, such as enhanced cleaning.On US-based cruises, masks are now required to be worn in indoor public areas – this policy was recently updated to extend mask-wearing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers.

“Each person quickly went into quarantine,” reads a Royal Caribbean statement on the Symphony of the Seas outbreak.”Everyone who tested positive were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, and we continuously monitored their health.

“Symphony of the Seas departed from Miami, Florida on December 11, stopping at Caribbean ports St Maarten and St Thomas, as well as Royal Caribbean’s private island, called CocoCay.The cruise line says in its statement that it disembarked six positive cases earlier in the cruise, while the other positive travellers disembarked on December 18, when the voyage came to an end.


The cruise line added that Symphony of the Seas’ future voyages weren’t impacted. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry body that represents the world’s major cruise lines, said in a statement provided to CNN Travel that it was “monitoring developments related to the Omicron variant and remain closely engaged with local and national authorities in the places where cruises sail...

www.thegomagazine.com

your travel mag

Eromo Egbejule in Lagos (The Guardian UK)

Concerts, parties and weddings booked to coincide with annual homecoming of overseas Nigerians

For several weeks this summer, Agnes Olowogboye was simultaneously monitoring flight tickets to Lagos from her home in London and checking the news for updates on Nigeria’s coronavirus restrictions. Unable to visit Nigeria last year because of the pandemic, she was giddy with excitement at the prospect of being reuniting with family and friends – and partying.


“Ticket prices were going up every single day and within a few minutes of checking, the cost went up by another £100,” says the 27-year-old financial regulations consultant, who finally booked her flight in early September. “This is my chance to do Detty December, enjoy the nightlife and go for parties with all of my friends.”


In Birmingham, the digital media strategist Bolu Ayeye was doing a similarly rigorous flight search. “It’s almost the same way English people love their summers,” says Ayeye. “December in Nigeria is a compressed festival period. Being around Nigerian food, Nigerian entertainment and friends … I’ve discovered that I like my family much more than I realise.”

Thousands of Nigerians from around the globe make a triumphant return home every December not just to reunite with relatives and friends, but also to participate in one of the world’s biggest Christmas extravaganzas. They have been nicknamed IJGBs – a reference to the phrase “I Just Got Back”, which peppers conversations. In recent years, this seasonal hedonism has been christened “Detty [a corruption of dirty] December”.

Beyond the cities and towns, some Nigerians also reunite in their villages. But the effect is felt most in Lagos, the lifeblood of an entertainment industry projected to be worth $10.5bn (£7.9bn) by 2023, and a hub of the Yoruba ethnic group, for whom the art of partying or faaji is a cardinal element of life. According to the World Bank, remittance inflows accounted for 4% of Nigeria’s GDP last year; that purchasing power comes to the fore when the diaspora arrives.


All of these factors combine to turbo-charge the already frenetic pace in this megacity of an estimated 18 million people with more than enough energy to overshadow its infamous power cuts and security concerns. Traffic jams intensify, obliging drivers and their passengers to take in the flamboyant decor and lighting that pops up at roundabouts and along main roads.

The celebrations take place at house parties, street carnivals, beach hangouts and nightclubs spanning the mainland and island districts of Lagos. It is soundtracked by Afro-pop, which donated at least two of the world’s most popular anthems this summer – WizKid’s Essence and CKay’s Love Nwantiti – and other genres from fuji to highlife and the alté sound.

Jokes resurface about relationships being invaded by free-spending, accent-toting dating prospects. Multinationals and the state government struggle to outdo each other with boisterous end-of-year concerts graced by superstars, laid on for free. From mid-December, promoters also make a killing from concerts that are pricey by local standards but relatively affordable compared with shows by the same artists in Europe and the US.

Fireboy DML, one of the breakout artists of the last couple of years, says these homecoming gigs allow performers to engage with their fans and spread positive energy. “I wanted something totally intimate and chill, but with the energy I’m getting since I announced the show, it’s gonna be a rave,” says the musician, whose first headline show in Lagos this December will be sandwiched between tours of the US.


“It’s the time when the city fully comes to life and everyone’s in high spirits. The hustle continues, but we also love to have fun so, despite the restraints of Covid-19, we still find ways to enjoy ourselves.”

The Afrobeats star Davido told CNN in a recent interview that playing Lagos in December was like performing at “our own Super Bowl”.

The party season is also a boon for the city’s hospitality and tourism sector.

Oluwatoyosi Adegunle, a representative for Xenia Lifestyle, a Lagos hospitality brand which launched a flat-rental service last March, says that December has been the busiest month for reservations.

“We have noticed a 55% increase in extended-stay bookings (four nights or more),” she says. “The recent happenings around Covid-19 and the Omicron variant seemed like a major blocker, but with the restrictions being lifted we are primed to be fully booked for the rest of the year.”

Returnees are also lured by weddings, which are often scheduled to coincide with friends and families converging for Christmas, and are routinely all-day affairs with after-parties.

Some have had to cancel their trips this year due to unforeseen challenges, such as the recent decision by Emirates to suspend flights to Lagos against the backdrop of a quiet diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE. Others, optimistic about travel restrictions lifting and the health situation improving, have jetted in or are preparing to do so.

For returnees like Olowogboye, early preparation was worth the stress, and she cannot wait to – among other things – dance uninhibited to biripo, the folk music of her home town, Ondo, in south-western Nigeria. “When I was planning this trip, I actually checked YouTube because lots of people vlog their Detty December journey, concerts to go to, hotspots, what to avoid,” she says.

www.thegomagazine.com

The travel red list is set to be scrapped as soon as this week.

The emergence of Omicron forced thousands of travellers into hotel quarantine at a cost of £2,285 per person for ten days.

But just a fortnight after the list was introduced, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is said to have convinced colleagues it should be replaced with testing for the fully vaccinated.

The move is expected to be approved this week, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Data suggests that with Omicron spreading rapidly worldwide, there will be limited differences in countries’ infection rates.

The return of the red list was met with fury from officials in affected African countries, while travellers complained of six-hour journeys to their hotel and ‘grim’ food.

At Wednesday’s Covid briefing, Boris Johnson promised to re-examine the policy amid claims it was unfair and ineffective.

https://thegomagazine.com/2021/12/13/red-list-to-be-scrapped-after-just-a-fortnight-and-replaced-with-testing-for-the-fully-vaccinated/

The diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a new dimension as the Middle East country has reportedly barred other airlines from conveying Nigerian passengers to the country.

Ever since the row with Emirates Airline started nine months ago, Nigerians heading for Dubai have used other airlines.

Emirates fights back, suspends Nigerian flights indefinitely
Passengers stranded over fresh Nigeria-UAE row
Among these airlines are Egypt Air, Air France, KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, Rwanda Air, Etihad.

But on Monday, Daily Trust gathered that many Nigerian passengers who boarded Ethiopian Airlines heading for Dubai were sent off the plane.

This happened hours after the restrictions imposed on Emirates by the Federal Government took effect.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had withdrawn the winter schedule earlier approved for Emirates to operate 21 weekly flights to Nigeria.

The government instead gave Emirates one weekly slot in Abuja, the nation’s capital, in a tit-for-tat measure after the Sharjah Airport Authorities reportedly denied Air Peace the three slots it requested.

Following the development, Emirates had suspended all its flights to Nigeria pending the resolution of the issues between Nigeria and the UAE.

But things worsened after Dubai-bound passengers using other airlines were reportedly barred.
https://thegomagazine.com/2021/12/13/uae-bars-airlines-from-flying-nigerians-to-dubai-as-row-deepens/

Why is it so hard for Africans to visit other African countries?
By Larry Madowo
BBC Africa Business EditorAfrica's richest man Aliko Dangote has said he needs 38 visas to travel within the continent on his Nigerian passport. Many European nationals, meanwhile, waltz into most Africans countries visa-free.

African nations were supposed to scrap visa requirements for all African citizens by 2018.

It was a key part of the African Union (AU) "vision and roadmap for the next 50 years" that was adopted by all members states in 2013.

But to date, the Seychelles is the only nation where visa-free travel is open to all Africans - as well as to citizens of every nation - as it always has been.

A recent AU report found that Africans can travel without a visa to just 22% of other African countries.

It is a sensitive topic, provoking xenophobic attitudes in some of Africa's wealthier nations despite policymakers from Cape to Cairo insisting that the free movement of people is key for economic transformation.


media captionKatchie Nzama travelled solo to 30 African countries
"Our leaders seem to go to ridiculous lengths to preserve and protect the colonial borders," says South African travel blogger Katchie Nzama, who has visited 35 of Africa's 55 countries.

The AU may want a borderless continent where its 1.2 billion people can move freely between nations, similar to the European Union, but it seems there is no shortage of obstacles.

Whether it is immigration officials in Burkina Faso charging an arbitrary $200 (£155) for a visa on arrival, or Tanzania arresting and deporting other East Africans who enter illegally, or Tunisia refusing visas to stranded African passengers after a cancelled flight, intra-African travel is fraught with suspicion.

Double standards?
South Africa appears to be the most visible representative of the continent's visa double standard, remaining largely closed to other Africans but more welcoming to the wider world.

Citizens of only 15 African nations can travel to South Africa without a visa, yet holders of 28 different European passports can enter the country freely.

A graph showing the percentages of African nationalities which require visas in order to enter South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya and the Seychelles.
The country's Department of Home Affairs spokesman Thabo Mokgola defends its policy.

"This is an unfair assertion - visa-waiver agreements are premised on reciprocity and we are finalising such with a number of African countries," he told the BBC.

Just how that reciprocity is applied is unclear.

Kenya, for example, gives South African citizens a visa on arrival for free. But Kenyans must apply for a visa, then pay a service fee and wait for at least five working days before travelling to South Africa.

In 2015, two years after the African Union asked members to commit to abolishing visa requirements for all Africans by 2018, South Africa did the opposite and announced stricter regulations that were widely criticised.

Hit by a recession and a drop in tourist numbers, the country caved in and recently announced that it was relaxing travel rules in the hope of reviving its struggling economy.

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African passport
Namibia, Mauritius, Ghana, Rwanda, Benin and Kenya have all loosened travel restrictions for other African nationals, and now either grant a visa on arrival or allow for visits of up to 90 days with just a passport.

But citizens of African countries still need a visa to travel to more than half of the continent's 54 countries, protecting borders drawn up by European colonisers more than a century ago.

"Somebody like me, despite the size of our group, I need 38 visas to move around Africa," complained Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in an interview in 2016.

He is reportedly one of the first in line to receive the African passport which was launched in 2016. The travel document is supposed to eventually replace individual nations' passports, but is currently only available to some heads of state, senior diplomats and top AU officials.

A composite image of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and former African Union Chairman Idriss Déby, and a close shot of an AU passport
IMAGE COPYRIGHTAFP/BBC
image captionRwanda's President Paul Kagame and former African Union Chairman Idriss Déby were given the first AU passports in 2016
It is easy enough to travel within regional blocs such as the East African Community, the Economic Community of West African States, the Southern African Development Community, the Maghreb, as well as the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. But it is rarely possible to travel from one region to another without restrictions.

Extortionate prices
Another impediment to African travel is that there are very few commercial flights from one region to another and when they do exist, they are prohibitively expensive.

"Flying from Kenya to Namibia is the same price as flying to Thailand, and the cost to Dubai from Nairobi is way cheaper than flying to Morocco," says Kenyan travel blogger Winnie Rioba.

And this is on top of the visa fees.

Ms Rioba was charged $90 for a visa for Djibouti, more than the $75 she paid for a Schengen visa, which gave her access to 26 European states.

"I've spent more money applying for visas than transport costs in my travels across the continent," agrees Ms Nzama.

"This is not just money paid to embassies. It's the time and money wasted going back and forth to embassies, and preparing the required documents, which in most cases I felt were not necessary," the South African travel blogger says.

To help her fellow Nigerians find their way through the maze of requirements, entrepreneur Funmi Oyatogun created a colour-coded map outlining which African countries were easiest to travel to:


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
View original tweet on Twitter
"Our focus is to simplify travel for Africans across Africa," she says of her start-up TVP Adventures.

She believes these efforts are a necessary part of what she calls the "African travel spring".

"We are breaking through the barriers that made it difficult in the past - lack of information, poor flight connections, and incorrect perceptions of other African countries."

There is widespread support for scrapping the visa requirements for Africans travelling within the continent.

But as the 2018 deadline slips by, few believe it is likely to happen soon.

And while we wait, it might remain more attractive to leave the continent.

"How will I convince an African traveller to go with me to Angola if the trip will cost as much as travel to five countries in Europe?" asks Ms Rioba.

Even a dollar billionaire like Mr Dangote has problems visiting his many investments across his home continent.

"They give you visas as if it is a favour," he says.

EXPERT TRICKS TO BUDGET TRAVEL FOR NIGERIANS

By Hafees Keshinro (The Czar of Travel)

You do not need to be a millionaire to enjoy travelling or to go on a vacation.

There are many ways to be part of the travelling population, whatever your status is. You actually need to purge some believes and blocks out of your system: that vacation is for the rich or middle class only, it is not a necessity or its almost a waste of money, it is expensive, it must be Paris, Milan, or other popular sounding destination, it must be luxurious, it deeps huge hole in your finances, I won die if I don’t do vacation, and loads of other thoughts that are inhibitive. Never forget this popular saying: work hard, play harder! This is a bit of a long read, but I promise it won’t be boring!
You also need to agree first that vacation is for your own good- better health, clear head, rejuvenation, education, meeting new people and networking (great for business), better quality job on return, bonding for couples, family and friends, re unions for old school boys and girls. The list is endless.
On a cruise holiday or water destination like Zanzibar, do you know how much clean air (no fumes, no dust, no industrial waste etc) that you get into your system? That adds to your number of years on earth, and helps your mental health as well. Come to think of it when you are eighty, what are those things you want to look back to with your partner and smile- the wild holiday, getting lost in a new city that you don’t speak their language, tasting a new delicacy or that adrenalin vacation? There is that special excitement and happy hormone that your body pumps into your blood stream, they are great for you.

If you can’t run marathon, then start with hundred meters or less. Start with domestic tourism and do baecations, daycations or groupations. Nigeria is blessed with so much places to visit whichever city you are, so my friend you have no reason not to do anything. This means that your vacation can start from two thousand or five thousand naira! I know the beach is clichéd but go! Get that good air into your system, get your feet on the wet sand, immerse yourself in the water, and for God sake wear something appropriate for the beach. If you are based in Lagos- from Olumo rock, Lekki conservation, Ado awaye, Idanre, Nationa Museum, usually entrance fees is not more than a thousand naira, and Nike art gallery is free for individuals.

If you have a group and you would like to explore more to other parts of the country like Yankari game reserve for Safari, Obudu cattle ranch etc, or the world in form of Paris, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Dubai,www.butterflytourismng.com will put the magic wand for your group and make it a lingering experience.

So you are thinking cruises, vacation in Paris, Milan, FIFA or UEFA Champions league final hospitality, Bali, and other pristine sounding destination, if you do not have a fat account, you need to get your acts together on time. In other parts of the world, people save up for their holiday, similarly you do not have to wait for a windfall or manna from heaven!
One of the first rules for affordable or cheap travel is ‘BOOKNG AHEAD’. If you book eight months to one year ahead or where possible way more than that, you are like to get almost half of the cost, so your flight, hotel, tours, cruises should be booked ahead. For cruises, booking ahead does huge wonders, spouse free, children free, upgrade and loads more. So never forget that you can start planning your vacation more than a year ahead.
It helps a lot if you have a capable agency like Butterfly Tourism handling your travel. You will get loads of advice on where your budget can go, discount availability, prime hotels but medium budget, new exciting destinations, what you should do on your vacations and most importantly many cost cutting advice to make it all worthwhile.

A lot of Nigerians mistake vacations for luxury travel, they are not the same, luxury travel is luxury travel, a five thousand dollars suite per night, limousine pick up at the airport, front seat at the games expensive resort, and first class flight is luxury. For affordable travel two or three star hotel is great, economy class flight ticket, tours that are non-expensive, and keep looking out for best places for shopping, malls are not always cheap. For example in Dubai, you may just want to do the desert safari, dhow cruise, and city tours. Inclusions of the likes of IMG, Sky Dubai, Water parks, dining in the sky, helicopter rides, Burj Khalifa prime tickets cost a lot. There are loads of things you can do on a holiday all by yourself!

Depending on your personality, if you are spending from seven days upward on a vacation, and you are on a tight budget, I will advise you stay in a self-catering apartment (Airbnb preferably) so you can cook. It runs down cost for you, and allow you eat what you want. Eating out can be expensive! Accept it, those lobster, fine wine and caviar serving restaurants are not for budget travel, be happy with what you can afford and create a unique experience for yourself, even if you have to use hostel. Not many Nigerians love the idea of hostel, but it is perfect for people who don’t mind, and with sole aim of ticking off bucket list, and having the fun of their life regardless of low budget.
Beware of taxis, especially metered taxis, the accumulated cost will kill you! Keep to public transportation, except you are in group of three to four upwards, and you can all split the cost. The same reason you should share hotel rooms, splitting the cost help your budget travel a lot. You will probably need to get a map, and must ask lots of questions from locals, and make new friends, they come in handy. They will take you to the best places to buy great souvenirs but at cheap costs.

If you have a large group (sizeable groups starts from ten persons), try to use a travel agency. The stress of travel planning is under estimated and may cost frictions between you and friends, especially with mistakes. A group gets you discounts, and all manners of cost reduction, only an agent will know this tricks. Do you know that before now, some airline offer one ticket free for every ten?
Once you agree within yourself or with your friends and family on a vacation, and destination is agreed, it is time to start planning. Possibly the longer you start booking, the less expensive your booking is. Agencies like ours also allow instalment payment to make things easy. It takes huge loads off your neck.

Anyone open to road trips through West Africa? I mean sleeping, cooking, eating, and doing it all inside a travelling van! Just pulling your legs, I know it is not a Nigerian thing, but if you are up for it, let me know
Now that you know some of the tricks, when are you going for your vacation?

Hafees Keshinro is the Founder of Butterfly Tourism Nigeria, and you can follow him on twitter @hafeeskeshinro
www,butterflytourismng.com

Hotel | Apartment | Flight | Tours | Visa | Vacations & Honeymoon| Group Tours | Int'n Education | Training abroad | Wellness | Team building | Conferences, Meetings, Incentives, Exhibition

I think there was Sisi Clara and some catch words like 'sme sme' just hoping I am not mixing things up. I was very young. Started watching from the 80s

WaywardSon:
lol it's funny you guys think US allies are against the US. You don't have knowledge about the decades long alliance between America and Europe. Forget this talks in the end what Iran wants is Economic sanctions to be lifted and the weight of USA sanctions can NEVER be remedied even by a host of Nations like EU. They can keep buying arms from Russia and China lol by the time they hit economic rock bottom the people may revolt and enact regime change which is something the US is happy with.

what deal? You mean the worst deal of all time lol. Obama gave these guys hundreds of billions of dollars through executive privilege. No Congress. And after all that money and lifting of sanctions they weren't any guarantees that Iran wasn't gonna stop enriching uranium and also stop their sponsorships of chaos and militias in the middle east! These guys have been sponsoring Hezbollah and Houthi rebels in Yemen for decades now. Trump's impulsiveness is what made him order the killing of Soleimani who has been on Bush and Obama's watchlist since but it was only gonna take a man with guts to pull the trigger. Iran is not yet ready to breathe, its so fucccing easy, stop being a fucccing nuisance!!

Pls stop pretending you understand this, all what you typed here is BS

THIS IS A BRAINLESS POST.
by the way I am from the South West

I have been married for 14+ years and would like to share the following without long epistel. I am very happy in my marriage, the danger is your response during the low season.

- Listen to your spouse, it's not about you alone, even if they sound unreasonable. Negotiate with fun

- During fights or disagreement watch what you say, it is never forgotten. Avoid roforofo fight, you are family

- Temperament and communication is key. I am tired, sorry I don't feel like talking, do you mind if I sleep early? Show care. Bad day at work, remove it before you get home and communicate it to your partner so he leaves you alone or can understand if you snap.

- Always ask yourself will I like this?

- Turn arguments to joke: If my wife say something's I just say, I be your mate? I no get power for fight this night, I don declare you winner, I no you sturbborn pass me, ok no vex my wife, e be like your eye de shook this night make I leave you.

- Accept changes. wife may not be very experimental again, negotiate once in a while make extra effort to get her aroused. She probably have peaked and the man is still peaking.
A certain day I went to a concert with my wife (2 face, davido, asa, KSA, etc) middle of it she says, what am I doing here, mother of 3, out by past 11pm thinking about her children instead of fun.
Outing like bar etc, does not enjoy it again, the younger girls in skimpgy get disapproving looks and caution my spending infront my friends, so I try to find a reason to go with my friends n bring her package home.

Bottom line, respect, care, patience, help tour wife (kitchen, career etc) , apologies even when wrong for peace n peace of mind, listen, be truthful, earn her trust, angry? call her inside n tell her your mind, no de shout, you de yeye yourself, remove third parties, you are both adults, manage your affairs. Finance, no hide, show her and this is what you want to spend. And pray. Even the maddest woman go calm, if you no wan fight.

Nigerians are funny, you complain every seconds of the day and make noise inside your bed rooms, you think that would change anything? The thiefing politician who have tasted free billions will not leave easily, he can't hear you, you are like mosquitoes making noises. You have to force him out. We will complain on naira land from now till eternity, nothing will change, you will just raise your blood pressure. Sebi Gani and Sowore, that wants to try by force small, did you people vote for them? Una go cry tire. And pls leave God out of this, hypocrites!

WeneWali:
Lie mohammed- yoruba muslim
Rotimi Jolayemi- yoruba christian.
yoruba muslim vs yoruba christian Round 1......

Wasted generation!

UdechiHD:
Former Senate President under Shagari!
His enthronement to the number 3 position was one of the exploits of the Igbo when in authority. An Ogoja minority got the number 3 seat in government position.

VP Alex Ekwueme and others ensured that the whole south got their due. But the reverse is the case under Yoruba headship. If it doesn’t go to Fulani, the remaining crumbs is thrown to the SW.

Southerners should compare and contrast.

South under Igbo leadership

Below were the positions the south got under Igbo leadership (1979 - 1983)

No. 2,3,4 and 5


1. President - NW - Shehu Shagari
2. VP - SE - Alex Ekwueme
3. Senate President - SS - Joseph Wayas
4. Speaker - SE - Edwin Umezuoke (NPN/NPP Alliance)
5. CJN - SW - Justice Atanda Fatai William

South under Yoruba leadership - (2015 - 2023)

1. President - NW - Muhammadu Buhari
2. VP - SW - Osibanjo
3. Senate President - NC/NE - Saraki/Lawan
4. Speaker - NE/SW - Dogara/Gbajabiamila
5. CJN - SS/NW - Onnoghen/Muhammed

NB: Under the Igbo headship, the south took part in government decisions and the country were united and prospered. No official among the top 5 were undemocratically removed as Buhari did to Onnoghen etc. However, under the Yoruba’s the south are treated like second class citizens.

Cry cry baby

Amotolongbo:
Can they find a way of importing them to Africa instead of destroying them?

Shameless goat, is like the hunger is blocking your comprehension. THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE IN THEIR COUNTRY, DUE TO RESTRICTIONS, HOW WOULD THEY FLY IT DOWN HERE.

Why are you people always looking for free things, 'the poor neigbour' , nothing is free. Everything they give you, they get back in hundred folds. Face your Africa and let's find ways to develop it. Only the youths can make changes, maybe when you are hungry enough, your brain will reset

Some people can't read even if their life depended on it. If you know how much Dangote have to read and data he needs to see to be on top of his business, you will not be shamelessly at every opportunity shouting epistle.

Feed your mind, nourish it with reading different things. Essence white people say, if you want to hide info from black people, hide it inside a book, they hate reading.

I thoroughly enjoy this piece.

Quality20:
in Islam parents are highly responsible for their children and wards under them. Pls allow the man do as he please, he isn't going to hurt his daughter. she is under his care and will account for her on judgement day. Pls don't spoil another man's family, u are only a random boyfriend who might eventually use,dump n spoil d innocent girls life.
I'm myself dating a Hausa lady and I know n accept that the father can chose to marry her out to any man he wish and I can't question that. Even though I love her, I'm not going to tell her to rebel against her parents. I repeat, don't spoil things for other ppl, u r not responsible for this girl and u can't change that. Cultures vary a lot, u can't impose ur cultural views on others

My friend shut up, you don't understand Islam. It is the likes of illitrates like you that paints everyone black. Your culture is not Islam, pls separate the two entities. In Islam, it is compulsory that the girl agree to the marriage, and she must not be forced. Without her agreement the solemnization is zero. Pls go and ask knowledgeable ustaz, read more, and stop dropping stupid archaic and violent cultures in the name of Islam

Spatta:
The Nigerian reply is one reason being a Nigerian under an illiterate is regurgitating, Actually, I detest the name Nigeria because it is according to myth a combination of Nigga and Area, a name imposed by the Colonial masters just like Yoruba, which was imposed on the Yoruba by the Hausa, meaning Bastard
You can tell that the government of Nigeria is clueless and unashamedly vision-less especially under this regime of a tyrant
Look at how Ghana responded intellectually
Compare it with how illiterates in the Despot's government responded to a serious economic advantage

Nothing cerebral in what you typed here. Your hatred and ignorance will consume you. What have your fore father's been teaching you?

R Kelly is now in prison because of similar, don't let your prick control you

My Father's Tenants: Case Study of How to kill your landlord
By Hafees Keshinro

My father is a retiree and above eighty years.

He was a civil servant who meritoriously did the 'thirty five years' in service for his country, and one of the lucky few who does not solely depend on the 'ogbanje' monthly pension. He toiled hard during his service years and with his emolument of almost four decades he built some few flats to cater for his old age. A good father, if you ask me, who refused to disturb or depend on his children, in spite of making sure we all went through higher institutions. He has no ounce of parent entitlement syndrome.

Increasingly, it is becoming impossible for the old man to meet up with his responsibilities. His real estate is bedeviled with recalcitrant tenants who have simply keyed into ‘a not well thought out housing legal system’ that seemingly gives all rights to tenants and leaves the landlord high and dry. The old man has to go to court many times and every time, he stubbornly beliefs in due process, but it is taking toll on him.

How do you explain the frequent scenario of when quitting a non paying tenant turns to a journey of two to three years of visiting the court with endless adjournment and with the tenant not appearing in court and not paying rents. Eventually, they go away with two years rent, and many utility bills, and jeering at you for your silliness in believing in the rule of law. Even the lawyer said ‘ Daddy, why did you go to court!’

Before many will jump into conclusions, especially those who have had very bad experience with shylock land lords, please I crave your indulgence, to please read on first. I am sorry if this irritates you, the seemingly bad land lord you see today, I think, is a process of many agonizing years with bad tenants. This is not to say we have not had some fantastic tenants in my father's house, beautiful souls, with who we still exchange visits and frequent phone calls, till today. They are like family.

And there those who will run away with 'NEPA bills' months and years of rents, and all manners of bills. They would be garrulous, and in most cases tell you there is nothing you can do to them. Of course you cannot throw them out at will, there is a sufferable process for the landlord to take. He goes to court, spends endless months, and finally the judgment is additional months for the tenant to prepare to leave. One year is not enough for this process, and the tenant stay on a free apartment spree once you serve the letter. Some tenant will move to another rented apartment, lock your door, refuse to show at the endless court date postponement- who is losing?

It must be said that a cross generation of hard working men and women have involved themselves in building for income, helping to reduce the lack of accommodation in Lagos. While it is important to protect tenants, the land lord who is helping the government to shore up the housing space, and a partner for the government must not be forgotten. The case between a landlord and a tenant should be wrapped up within a month. It is noteworthy that huge percentage of the land Lords in Lagos are over the 65 years old age mark. These senior citizens are greatly affected and their income greatly threatened, and coupled with no constant payment of pensions, the State Government will be sending them to early graves

It is easy to identify that these laws were hurriedly made solely to curb the bad landlords from throwing out tenants at will, done at the height of the screaming of notorious Lagos landlord that increases rent arbitrarily, and maltreat the tenants more than a decade ago. I must be frank, the makers of the law played to the gallery, and forgot to protect the land lords. They simply wanted to be seen as protecting the ‘poor citizens’. A robust law must take care of both parties. It is time to look at this process once again. The government needs to rethink the present process which allows the tenant becomes the boss immediately he gets into the house.

We are a peaceful family, with respect for rule of law, and I must confirm that most time one feels foolish and helpless watching people trample on your rights because the law gives legitimacy to it. A lot of the tenants most times will not venture into such behaviors when they know the landlord’s children or the landlord himself are either members of the NURTW, political thugs or even politicians, because they can be evicted with force and nothing will happen afterwards. For law abiding citizens, it is a punishment for doing the right things

Being law abiding has only increased my father woes.

I will not fall for this lie. Her station in Ogudu is notorious and she is doing this media circus to safe face.

There is no way an hospital will demand money from a DPO before they will treat a bullet injury. Hospitals are afraid of the Police who will robe them them in for treating such I juries.

This lie stinks to high heavens.

Please don't be deceived.

It is a lie, I have flown economy with him and his crew before on African Air to Ghana for a show they were going (Nigeria meets Ghana or something like that), part sponsored by the airline, I was going for a meeting. All for the media sha! He has a good heart, that's all that matters to me