Comments on naijablog: To Jos

When u are used to cold weather and you move to a ...

2008-12-23T00:39:00.000+01:00

When u are used to cold weather and you move to a 'warmer' region(though the residents feel it's cold,like Jos is the coldest place in Nigeria,)you may not feel cold at because you are acclimatized to your 'colder' environment..
That is why it seems strange to you that Jos people shouldnt be wearing scarves...But Jos is really cold..at least for those of us who live in Nigeria.I am currently in Jos .I came to Jos this year,in March .The cold season is around November- February.People have actually died of pneumonia due to the adverse weather conditions here.
In summary, cold or 'perception of cold' is subjective.

Goodness gracious me. I thought I was the only dre...

2006-11-23T17:53:00.000+01:00

Goodness gracious me. I thought I was the only dreamer in the camp. I did not realise so many people can see the beauty in this our beautiful land. As someone else said recently you need to get out of Lagos to see the real Naija. When will one of us actually become Minister for Culture and Tourism although I am sure Borishade is doing a fine job.

I had to smile when you described the people in Jo...

2006-11-23T16:54:00.000+01:00

I had to smile when you described the people in Jos wearing scarves and hats. When I stayed there and Bauchi I shivered in my bed as I was so cold. It is really weird how this happens given that most of the time I am in the ice bucket formerly known as the UK!!

I have some gorgeous pics of the Plateau area but I must say that the drive over the border from Benin to Nigeria, about 30km north of Lagos has yet to be beaten! Rolling green hills as far as the eye can see - fantastic.

The Nigerian landscape is beautiful, and your desc...

2006-11-23T15:49:00.000+01:00

The Nigerian landscape is beautiful, and your description of the scenery on the way back from Abuja brings back some good memories. Shame about the check points and the police men though. But they don't always ask for bribes. My sister and I travelled by car from Lagos to Cotonou in 2003 (my sister was driving) and although there were several checkpoints along the way, none of the soldiers/police men/NDLEA/Customs officers/immigration officers, or even the quarantine officers (yes, quarantine officers!) that we encountered on the way asked us for money. A rare experience perhaps.

I did a lot of driving myself around Kaduna, Abuja...

2006-11-23T15:26:00.000+01:00

I did a lot of driving myself around Kaduna, Abuja, Jos (or rather my driver did) when I was in Nigeria. The scenery is beautiful as you say Jeremy, especially in and out of Jos.

Our driver used to have the fog lights on and drive fast through the police check points. He was convinced the fog lights indicated a VIP inside the car and that the police would leave us alone by doing so. Id did actually work and we were usually saluted when we past the police or the army. (We also had a Peugeot 406 which is the same as the army officers drive)

The bribing and the power abuse by both the army and the police is a big part of my memory of Nigeria. It has taught me a big lesson in patience, which I am harvesting in Europe at the moment.

Lastly, allow me to compliment you yet again Jeremy on your blog. I read it every day and am impressed by your brilliant writing, insight and passion. You are an inspiration. Keep it up!