Tag:

Lagos Living

Roller skating, Hoverboarding and falling on my ass || Roller Skating in Lagos

This is the story of how I learned that I was still okay with being completely vulnerable.

But first, here is a short video of my friend and I falling on our asses…

One day, my friend and I were walking around the mall and stumbled on an indoor skating rink. I hadn’t had even the slightest clue of their existence. So you can try to imagine my surprise when while strolling around the mall, waiting for a bank transfer to go through, I stumbled upon it. Thank you Zenith bank for randomly deciding I could no longer use my card for POS payments.

I am a bit of an adventurous person so naturally my first response was excitement. My friend and I walked in, inquired about the cost and immediately decided to give it a shot.

It was only after payments had been made and the roller skates where brought to me that I had my first “oh no baby, what is you doing” moment in my head. My mind flashed to all the funny internet videos of people falling while rollerskating. For a second I thought of just walking out and not looking back. But I knew that I would hate myself for at least not trying, so I did.

Roller skating, Hoverboarding and falling on my ass || Roller Skating in Lagos

I deliberately let myself be vulnerable by doing something I knew I was not good at and ended up having a wonderful time(despite repeatedly falling on my ass)

Roller skating, Hoverboarding and falling on my ass || Roller Skating in Lagos

You are probably asking yourself “What is the point of this post?” Well it is this; we tend to miss out on a lot of wonderful experiences because we have the inability to be deliberately vulnerable.

Dear reader, it is not always easy but try to always remember that sometimes you don’t have to be perfect, you don’t always have to be the best. Sometimes all you have to do is show up(and make a fool of yourself) with a readiness to learn.

And even thought I too didn’t believe it when they fest told me, it’s truly not as hard as it seems. As long as you don’t let the fear of falling control you, it’s quite easy to get the hang of it.

Roller skating, Hoverboarding and falling on my ass || Roller Skating in Lagos

Time is a gift and memories are precious. Please don’t let fear force you into spending all of your life in your comfort zone

A few tips:

The roller rink is called SKATE CITY and its on the first floor at Maryland Mall, Anthony Lagos.

Apart from roller skates they also have hoover boards which is actually a lot easier to master.

As at today the price list is N1000/10mins of hoverboarding and N2000/45mins of roller skating

You will be provided with skates and a helmet. You also wont be allowed to skate with glasses or wristwatches on, incase you fall.

Putting your phone in your back pocket is a big NO, you will most likely be falling on your ass.

Remember to come with a positive attitude and a willing spirit.

Roller skating, Hoverboarding and falling on my ass || Roller Skating in Lagos If you have any questions or comments about the rink, if you are planning a visit and need more information please leave a comment or send an email to hello@sunlightdreamer.com and I will be sure to assist you any way I can…xx

October 16, 2018 12 comments

Adventure

Game Night at The New Arcade || Rufus And Bee, Lekki Lagos

written by Ifunanya

There is a new arcade in town and its called Rufus and Bee in Lekki, Lagos. I recently got a chance to visit the arcade and I am honestly still reeling from the excitement.

I have so much to tell you guys, but first, here’s a short video I made.

Here’s how it happened:

Susan of wakawaka chronicles sent out a newsletter were she talked about a valentine giveaway. The winner was going to get a chance to take their date to Rufus and Bee. I became immediately excited, I had just been speaking to a friend earlier and telling them how Rufus and Bee has been added to my “to go” list. This had to be the universe doing me a solid so I quickly did the needful and coerced my date to do the same. Afterwards, I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

Then(I’m sure you guessed already) we won!!…..my date actually won!! and Susan hooked us up.

So that is the brief and totally unnecessary story of how I got to go to Rufus and Bee.

Let me tell you about how awesome this place is. There are so many different games. I got to shoot hops, drive race cars, ride snow bikes and kill dinosaurs.

There are games from major franchise like Star Wars& Jurassic Park. They have a bowling alley in the corner and a pool table in another corner!! You guys, the place is on fire with the games!

The look on my face the whole time I was there

This too

Game Night At The New Arcade || Rufus and Bee in Lekki, Lagos

How it works:

There is a N1000 registration fee, upon payment, you’ll be issued a buzz card with which you’ll access the games. The number of points on your buzz card depends on the amount you paid for. Some games – the ones with green neon lights- give you coupons which you can redeem for a price or feed back into your buzz card for more chips.

Game Night At The New Arcade || Rufus and Bee in Lekki, Lagos

There was only one thing left to do after a long night of bike riding, dinosaur fighting and so on. So we retreated to the restaurant for a yummy refill.

Game Night At The New Arcade || Rufus and Bee in Lekki, Lagos

The arcade is located on Remi Oluwode street and is actually quite easy to find. It’s literally a tall building that has a “twin waters” sign on it. Also, it is just before the Lekki leisure lake. You can also check out their website for more information.

Game Night At The New Arcade || Rufus and Bee in Lekki, Lagos

If if you have any questions or comments please reach out to me and I’ll help anyway I can…xxx

February 25, 2018 9 comments

Stories

Hobo Living And Natural Hair Troubles

written by Ifunanya

I tend to move around a lot. In some ways I like to consider myself a hobo.

Okay maybe hobo is a bit too strong, how about nomad then. Is that any better?

Listen, the point is I almost never have any issues with packing my bags and heading out to a new destination. It really isn’t a big deal to me. I have been told that it is a symptom of my deep rooted and not yet properly dealt with fear of rejection and isolation issues from my childhood. Okay Dr. Phil, I think I just like to explore but okay.

I think everyone needs to stop over analyzing everything and just let me see the world. How bouh dah?

You know, it’s funny in a way because in the same breath I am an extreme hoarder with a crucial inability to let go of anything or move on once I get comfortable. I love my familiar zones – places, people, habits, stuff like that.

So you see? Am I really suffering from pent up rejection and isolation issue?

Anyways, I have digressed. I was going to tell you about the trouble with finding a new hairdresser each time I’m in a new place.
As you may or may not know my hair is natural, which means unrelaxed, and in all its 4C glory. Which as you probably already know can be quite a problem.

I can’t wear my hair out in the open for too long without fighting the urge to put a scissors thru it and call it a day.

Why am I telling you all this?

Recently, I had a wedding to attend and it was demanded that I look well…..presentable.
Ignoring my instincts and because my friends swore by all the gods, I went to a new unchattered hairdresser with my weave in hand.
I showed him what I wanted and he nodded in agreement. He seemed like he had actually grasped what I had said so I held my breath and prayed for the best.
About 45 mins later, it became apparent that;

1) He didn’t understand me

2) My prayers didn’t go very far.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror I let out a sigh and smiled in agreement to the fake “the hair fine die” and “E fit you o” that flew across the room.

If I have to be honest the finished product wasn’t that bad. It was quite fine actually but here’s the thing…

….it wasn’t what I wanted.

I had spent most of the day on my feet and moving around so I was exhausted and in no mood to argue.
I paid him, thanked him and left.

Two days after the wedding I took the hair out whilst crying soft, heartfelt tears for my money that will never be recovered.

I have been here before. More times than I care to count and it almost always ends with me angry, and a few bucks poorer.

Solution:
In the spirit of not wasting my time and money I have decided to go in the way of wigs.

Yup.
I have never worn or fancied them. Growing up if I heard the word “wig” I would instantly imagine an elderly woman with thinning hair and no edges. Wearing that horse hair looking cap and always ready to tell on me when I was caught doing something I shouldn’t.

But, times have changed.

And there’s a new trend of beautifully crafted, actually beautiful and actually wearable wigs.

And even tho I probably won’t be able to whip my hair as freely and often as I might. I yearn for the duality of looking fabulous all day and tossing said “fabulousity” at the end of each day.

Hobo Living And Natural Hair Troubles

January 18, 2018 13 comments

Stories

When in Rome or Dealing With A Creative Block

written by Ifunanya

I recently changed my environment. Which means I started living somewhere completely different, with people completely different from what I am used to.

That’s not all. You see, for reasons I would rather save for later, I was forced to “throw myself out there”. You know, socialize, mingle and “act like the Romans” Which honestly has taken a lot more energy than I would’ve ever thought.
In hindsight I must not have thrown myself far enough because I have so far not done a great job.

But that’s not why we are here. So, why are we here?

The change of environment (and basically everything else) has affected me in more ways that I would have imagined. And one of the horrible side effects of my recent move has been an enormous and unflinching creative block.

As you may or may not know, I tend to write every now and then. There are not enough words for me to express how fulfilling storytelling is for me. But that not all I love to do, I love to design too. Over the course of my life I have dabbled in many forms of design; fashion, interior designs and much recently graphic design.
But recently, since my aforementioned move, I have become empty. I cant even muster the will. Things got so bad to the point of nausea and fever just at the thought of writing or designing.

Basically I have been floating through the days and doing everything to avoid facing my reality. The only good thing that has come out of my pretentious ways is that I have learnt that I make an awesome moi moi(please don’t ask)

Anyway, if you ever read my medium post here then you will know that in as much as I don’t think I am really any good at this writing thing, I have to do it anyway. I am(for lack of better words/explanation) compelled by the powers that be, and in the event that I ignore said powers for too long they start to haunt me.

In subtle yet persuasive ways. Nightmares are the most common, usually followed by a slight shift in reality. Forgetting which people were dreamed up and which people are actually real and from my past. Then there is the constant gnawing at the back of my head. The one where you can’t quite remember a thing but said thing won’t let you forget it either.

“What or who am I trying to remember and why can’t I just completely forget it then?” I hear me ask myself on many occasions.

It gets worse, the horrible mood swings, the constant soliloquy and the horrid insomnia. Do you see how limited my choices are; write or suffer

Sometimes when I start to write, I get comfortable and forget all the horrors associated with not writing and how unforgiving they are. So here we(I)are. I have made my choice, I don’t want to suffer. I just hope I don’t forget again.

December 12, 2017 5 comments

Health And Lifestyle

6 Keys To Living Life Intentionally

written by Ifunanya

We live in a fast-paced world and it is becoming increasingly easier to get lost in the hobble. One minute you know exactly who you are and where you are going, next thing you know, 7 months has gone by and you are not even entirely sure where you are with your life.

Okay I may or may not have just given an excerpt from my life…..

Anyway, most times we don’t even realize what is happening, the changes are often subtle and easy to overlook. Until enough time has passed and everything becomes impossible to ignore. Now you are sitting down feeling sad and wondering where all the time went.

Studies have shown that people are happier and healthier when they live more intentionally, regardless of their economic or social stand. They also tend to be twice more successful. The importance of living intentionally and deliberately cannot be overstated.

I struggle with being intentional on a day to day basis but the good news is; every day I get better at it.

6 Keys To Living Life Intentionally

So, I am sharing a couple hard truths I had to tell myself. I find they make it easier to be more deliberate and intentional with my life.

Realizing that life is a conundrum of the choices we make: This is something I – and I think we all – hear very often but sometimes goes over my head. The message gets lost because of how often I hear it. But it is as simple and clear now as it was always meant to be. The life we have is a product of all the choices we make. Finally digesting this and allowing it to become part of my being, was a major key and forward step to being deliberate and intentional with my life.

Understanding the concept of cause and effect: Which was really the logical next step once I had grasped the concept of life as a product of the choices I make. I have to make choices, I have to take steps, I have to get the ball rolling. While at it, it is paramount that I never forget that my actions – and inaction – all have consequences. It helps me prepare accordingly.

Examining your surrounding and yourself: No man is an island and life can not be lived in a vacuum. I am learning the importance of taking a step back to properly examine the people I let into my life. The people you surround yourself with form a current and determine the direction the river that is your life flows. It is quite simple, you will have a difficult time “flowing” upstream if the people in your life are pulling you in a different direction.

Deciding to live for yourself: I know sometimes it is easier to just give in and do what others want; give in. Especially when the things you want are so far off from what everyone else wants. But here’s the thing, everyone gets just one shot. So I try to live life for myself, there is no point wasting my only shot trying to live on the terms that other people have laid down. Especially considering the fact that everyone is really just doing the best they can.

Set your goals and remain focused on them: Setting goals is one of the best ways I have introduced intentional living into my life. They help move us forward when they are in line with our purpose. It is also one of the best ways I remind myself of what is most important and stay on track.

Never stop learning: No one person knows it all, no one person has all the answers. Successful people are those with a constant curiosity and the humility to ask questions and to learn. So never stop learning; from others and from previous versions of yourself.

Here’s the truth; There truly isn’t any cut and dry method to anything in life but it is imperative that we don’t just drift thru life. Live intentionally and on purpose.

6 Keys To Living Life Intentionally

I hope this message helps you and I hope you remember always remember that change is inevitable but growth is intentional.

November 27, 2017 2 comments

Adventure

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

written by Ifunanya

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Badagry is such a beautiful and calm place, it is easy to forget that you are still in Lagos. The old town is known for its beautiful coastline beach and historical significance. Last weekend I got a chance to take walk through history.

Armed with a very knowledgeable tour guide, we got to explore The Chief Mobee Royal Family Original Slave Relic Museum, Seriki Faremi Williams Slave Museum and the Badagary Slave Route. I also got a chance to see the first storey building in Nigeria

I got to learn a lot about the history and the role of the town during the slave trade. Especially the oral history that has been passed down over the years by the people of Badagry. I have a put together a short narrative video of my trip and you can find it here.

The Visuals….

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Our first stop was The Chief Mobee Family Museum

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route A display of some of the chains and bounds the slaves where forced to wear for 18 hours everyday while the worked.

The chains that go around the neck is so heavy, I couldn’t lift it with one hand

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Water container the slaves had to drink out of.
Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

A painting of the famous Asisoe tin, where Christianity was preached for the first time

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

During the slave trade era, a canon of this size was exchanged for up to 100 slaves

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route Outside Seriki Faremi Williams Abass’ compound

The entrance walls of Seriki Abass” compounds are lined with slave trade era memorabilia

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route Outside the first storey building in Nigeria, built in 1845. Originally built as a mission house for the first missionaries.

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Photo of Bishop Crowther from inside the house. The mission house is where he translated the English bible to Yoruba language Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route Heading to the point of no return

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

The halfway mark. Also the well from which the slaves were forced to drink. It is said that the well contained concoctions which caused the slaves short term memory loss and made them docile. Making it easier for them to be shipped off.

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Point of no return….for the slaves Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

This is a walking distance of about 20-30 mins.
Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

And from here the slaves would be shipped off, never to be seen again.

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

The beach at badagry is amazing. I took a minute to splash around in the clean salt water Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, our tour guide was super friendly and patient. He waited while we took unending photos and made videos. The only real problem I had was DISTANCE.

Y’all, badagry is far. I am talking about 67Km from Ikeja (according to Google map) and the roads leading up to the town are not in the best condition. My advice is; leave home as early as possible.

The journey was long and tiring and all the way I swore I would never go back. But now that I am calm, I honestly cant wait to go back there. Plus I just learnt that there is a whispering palms and other attractions.

Now about cost, I must say it was a bit more expensive than I had originally budgeted. Entrance fee for each site was N500/ person. The cost of the boat ride and tour of the point of no return was N2000/person.

Meaning it cost a total of N3500/person for all tours

A few tips:

I didn’t know this at the time but I have been told that the costs for all tour sites are actually negotiable, make sure to bargain accordingly

Please remember there is a bit of walking involved, there were no other means of transporting for tourist to get to the point of no return. Prepare accordingly.

Remember you are going to the seaside, the sun is going to be really scorching. If you have a sensitivity to the sun please carry a sunscreen or dress accordingly.

You will also need to stay hydrated be sure to bring drinks with you there are limited options for drinks.

Exploring Badagry || The Slave Trade Route Badagry town

If you have any questions or comments about the arena, if you are planning a visit and need more information please leave a comment or send an email to hello@sunlightdreamer.com and I will be sure to assist you any way I can.

October 4, 2017 9 comments

Adventure

A Visit To The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

written by Ifunanya

Hi guys, a while ago I visited the Nigerian National Museum Onikan and I had a blast. The weird thing is my friend and I stumbled on it by accident. A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

Well, I wouldn’t quite say stumbled, I mean its a whole building by the road right? But we had passed by it countless times and never bothered or registered the building. Then one day, we found ourselves with free time and nowhere to go.

We decided to peruse the Museum, but ended up not going in that day cause we got there shortly before 3pm and apparently that’s their official closing time. But the gentleman at the gate was so nice, I knew we would be going back.

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

Okay so question, what’s up with the no picture thing practically everywhere in this Lagos? I can not keep count of the number of places I have been to and was told I wasn’t allowed to take photos.

When we were told we couldn’t take pictures at the Museum I couldn’t believe it, I mean, its a museum. Pictures are supposed to be welcomed. Right? Am I wrong? I mean its not like I was in a top secret lab in the Pentagon or Langley, so I whipped out my phone.

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

Sadly the pictures aren’t all that because I had to be stealth and all.

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

Wait, I cant get arrested right? Listen I am doing a great service. I feel like this place is under the radar because people don’t really know about it. And if folks were allowed to take photos, proper photos, more people would know and visit the museum. I am the good guy here.

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

As you can tell the horribleness of some of the photos, it was a stealth mission. I feel like I am ready to join the CIA now.

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

I thought it was gonna be a breeze in, breeze out thing because quite frankly my expectation bar was hitting the ground. But ended up spending all afternoon there.

We ended up spending a lot more time than originally planned and the curators (that’s what they are called right?) were so patient and took their time to explain everything.

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

I wish there was more photos so you could get a feel of how nice the place is cause it really is nice but hopefully these will be enough to convince you to pay them a visit. Tickets are quite affordable at N300 per person. Quick tip: go as early as you can so you can take your time and explore every corner of the place before 3pm. There is a really cozy outdoorsy space and you can have a picnic afterwards.

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

We headed outside and I whipped out my camera. I feel like I ended up taking so many photos outside to compensate

A Visit to The Nigerian National Museum Onikan

If you have visited or a planning to visit the museum, feel free to share your thoughts and questions with me in the comments….xxx

September 23, 2017 7 comments

Health And Lifestyle

4 ways to be productive in traffic

written by Ifunanya

Those of us who are unfortunate enough to live in Lagos – or any other metropolitan city for that matter – can understand how learning to maneuver traffic can become a very essential part of our life.

Sometimes we are successful in finding ways around it, leaving home a bit earlier, avoiding certain routes and so on. But traffic is often very unpredictable and as such sometimes we end up stuck on the road, and staring at the sea of vehicles in front of you.

Fight the urge to cry, here are some things to do while in a jam…

(you see what I did there?)

Read: Personally, this is my all time favorite means of dealing with traffic and passing time generally, especially when I am in an uncomfortable spot – like a danfo, ugh! I just whip out my current read and disappear into another reality.

This is also a great time for me to catch up on the latest posts from my favorite bloggers. Right now Kachi and Grace are giving me life and keep me occupied when I don’t feel like reading a book.

Listen: My next favorite thing to do is listen to my favorite podcast or spiritually uplifting audio messages. This comes in handy when there’s a bit of noise or I am too distracted to focus on the reading.

I never have to look past TED Talks intriguing and inspiring messages are never in short supply.

Call home: or any other place/person I have been putting off for a while. We know that time tends to go a bit faster when you live in a fast paced city like Lagos. Then suddenly traffic grinds everything to a halt, now you can make all the phone calls you have been putting off forever. This works best when I’m a in a private car or atleast at liberty to talk freely.

Meditate/reflect: There’s something about being stuck at a spot against my will that both humbles and infuriates me at the same time. I try to channel all that mixed energy and vibe into mediating or reflecting, depending on the time of day. It usually helps me with my perspective and leaves me charged and prepared for events to come.

My Abide Christian Mediation app always comes in very handy and helps me get into it really quickly.

These are my very useful tips to staying productive while stuck in a traffic. Because time is really of the essence.

Now if all else fails, there’s social media, thanks to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, passing time has never been easier.

This is my last resort “go-to” for those days when I am totally unmotivated and exhausted.

And when all else’s else fails? I just sleep. I am one of those people that have mastered the art of sleeping through the ride and waking up just before their stop.

LooL

Lagos does that to you.

How do you stay productive in traffic? Do you use the same tips or have something different to add? Let me know in the comment session.

September 11, 2017 4 comments

Adventure

A quick Visit To The Lekki Conservation Center

written by Ifunanya

So, I paid a quick visit to the Lekki Conservation center a while ago and I must say I had a lot more fun than thought I would be. It was very last minute. I had planned to go hiking that day but sadly we didn’t leave early enough but waka waka was already in my spirit so my friend and I decided to come here instead.

Lekki Conservation Center

Okay fine. Let’s go see what all the fuss is about

Lekki Conservation Center

Because what is fear?

Lekki Conservation Center

Well, except when rouge monkeys start giving you the look

Lekki Conservation Center

Got to the highest point in one piece. Success!!

Lekki Conservation Center

victory pose

Lekki Conservation Center

I suppose we were supposed to start from here but this is where we ended. So consider this my victory pose.

Lekki Conservation Center

….and the awkward hand pose

Then we climbed to the top of the freakishly high tree house

Lekki Conservation center

Looking down on the tiny humans like a celestial

Lekki Conservation Center

Looking down from on top the tree house

Lekki Conservation Center

Going thru the videos I made while taking a breather

Lekki Conservation Centre

Chess anyone?

Lekki Conservation Centre

The time I though I was in a music video

Lekki Conservation Centre

Then there was suya

Lekki Conservation Centre

Refuel and refill.

Lekki Conservation Centre

Here’s a short video I made. …..

I know that quite a number of people have visited the LCC, feel free to share your experience in the comment section.

If you have any questions or comments about the trip, if you are planning a visit and need more information please send an email to hello@sunlightdreamer.com and I will be sure to assist you any way I can.

September 3, 2017 8 comments

Features

How to survive the Nigerian Police

written by Ifunanya

My name is “B” and I don’t write. I would rather enjoy what some else has written because writing takes a lot of time and mental strength, at least to me.

But I have decided to write a funny and sad experience with my friends on the Nigerian Police Force, and give tips on how not to get bullied by them ever. This is a caveat of some sort regarding the way and manner to behave when you have an encounter with the Nigerian police.

Let me tell you a story:

A few years ago, I wanted to get office shirts and pants because I needed them badly, so I told a friend of mine and he suggested I go to Suntan, I can’t remember the name, but it is located somewhere around Allen avenue. So, the next day, I wore shorts, put some money in my pocket, called a cab man and headed to Ikeja. I was seated in the front seat, chatting on my phone when I noticed that the car had slowed down considerably, I looked up and saw the driver clearing to the side, an officer in front of us, armed with a rifle, beckoning us to ‘clear’ to the side.

I put my head back down and continued chatting on my phone, because I thought “na normal thing”, they just want his license and papers, If he doesn’t have it and they hold him, I will come down and look for another cab.

LOL. I was so wrong.

No sooner had the driver, than the man with the rifle knocked on my window and asked me to wind down.

Officer Rifle: Good day, We wan know you.

Me: *confused*

Officer Rifle: I say we wan know you, come down!.

I stayed in my position, not moving, then I said,

Me: Good day, Mr ****** (I read the name on his badge). My name is *****, I work at ***** in ph.

Officer Rifle: Come down first, we are for stop and search.

I came down.

I promptly removed my second phone from my pocket, and the cash, and held it in my hand.

Me: You can search me now.

Officer Rifle: We wan search your phone. Na your phone we wan search.

LOL. Whet?!? Is he joking? This one is mad. And then I remembered that my younger brother mentioned something about how Lagos police now search people’s phones asking them to call all the international numbers on it. They even buy you credit and charge your phones if you say it’s dead!. So, I put everything back in my pocket and said.

Me: Oga, I’m sorry you cannot.

Officer Rifle: Eh?!, Wetin you talk?

Me: I said you cannot search my phone, what are you looking for on my phone?

Officer Rifle: We dey use am get yahoo boys.

Me: Well, I’m not a yahoo boy, I have a real job, I work in ph, I told you already. I can’t give you my phone to search because it is not proper, it doesn’t even sound normal. Infact it’s not in the law, to stop random people and ask them to bring out their phone for searching.

Officer Rifle: You dey argue with me? You go go station today, you musto prove that law today inside cell.

*At this point another officer comes, much older, and asks what’s going on as if he doesn’t know. I tell him, that I cannot give them my phone to search.

Older Officer: Why?

Me: Because, it cannot be right.

Older Officer: We fit arrest you.

Me: See, the only way I can give you this phone, is if you stop the first 10 cars on this road and ask the occupants to give you their phone for searching, when the 9th person is about to give you his phone, I will bring my own out and give you OR you carry me to that your station.

He leaves and another one, comes and asks me the same question, by this time, I went to sit on one the seats they kept in the roundabout. The guy came there and..

Third Officer: See, we dey try but una no know. We dey do this work for una. We no dey even see thank you. Big boy like you suppose see us for duty, tell us take, manage this one.

LOL. I just overheard the older police calling me bad market. LOL.

Me: If una stop me ask me for money and I get, wetin dey there? I go give you, nothing dey inside.

Third Officer: Oya find us something. Where you say you dey go?

I give 5 of them, some money.

Me: Suntan. I wan buy shirt.

Third Officer: *Raises his gun* You see that thing wey I dey talk? See suntan for your back. This driver just wan use you make money today. Thief! Heys! driver! Come here!.

I turned around and truly there was Suntan behind me, I just crossed the road and walked in admist shouts of “buy me shirt if you dey comot”.

Now, while this experience was funny and didn’t end badly, yours might be different. Here are some of the tips I can give.

– Always let them speak first : So, you can know what they want and why they want it.

– Greet and address the person by his name tag : This one is for formality and lets them know immediately that you are aware and that they are not just ‘police’ now. Its now ‘Mr ABC of the Nigerian Police’.

– Do not start your sentence with ‘Abeg’ and NEVER EVER speak pidgin English to them: See, this one is very important. Speaking pidgin puts you on the same ‘na we we’ level with them. Saying ‘abeg’ puts you below them. Note that Please and abeg are NOT the same thing when you are talking to the police.

– Don’t offer bribe: I think this one is self-explanatory. Apart from being illegal, you are automatically guilty.

– Don’t insult them: While they may be asking you for money, the Nigerian police is one of the most underpaid in the world, and they do actual work sometimes.

– Don’t argue recklessly with any man/woman whether police or army or navy or civilian who has a gun especially at night. Please, for obvious reasons. You don’t know what is going through in his head, one BOOM and that’s it, It’s all over. When you sense it is becoming heated, please do as they say.

I hope this helps you get out of unnecessary trouble and saves you some money especially this weekend. Remember, the police is your friend and not all police are bad police.

Disclaimer: I assumed that the people reading this post are law-abiding citizens of Nigeria, If you are not, don’t try this thing, it wont work, because karma. Also, all these things I narrated here doesn’t apply to the Nigerian Army. Take note! Because of slap and frog jump.

Have a lovely weekend.

Cheers.

August 30, 2017 6 comments

Adventure

Rush: Zip lining in Lekki

written by Ifunanya

I wouldn’t consider myself an adrenaline junkie, although I thoroughly enjoy that feeling of fearlessness that overcomes you the minute you step off the edge. Nothing like a good rush of blood to the head, but I am still very much afraid and as we all know, fear is crippling. This crippling fear still manipulates some parts of my life but in the spirit of desecrating the unholy temple of fear, some friends and I decided to go bungee jumping and zip-lining at the Lekki Leisure Lake.

If you have read any of my previous post here and here then you already know what we are about. If you haven’t, well we are about chasing away fear thru adventures and exploring,I try to jump on every opportunity I get to move me closer to “fearlessness”

So naturally when the opportunity showed itself, I grabbed on.

The beach was nice this day, the weather was kinda dull at first because it had rained all morning. But if you know me then you probably know I consider every day by the beach a nice day. Nothing like the breeze and seaside air.

I eventually took off my shoes because, beach. LoL Don’t you just love when you can feel the fine sand under your feet?

The rest of the gang eventually showed up- remember my fellow adventure seekers from naidrenalin– I put my shoes back on and got ready to go off(literally)

Yeah…

The face you make when the attendant hands you your ticket and everything suddenly gets really real.

I’d like to say it wasn’t so hard to actually do it and that it was a breeze, but that wouldn’t be a lie. If I’m really being honest, I almost changed my mind last minute. Going up those stairs, my mind kept wondering off to all the possible ways thing could go wrong.

Which I suppose is both right and wrong, I absolutely didn’t have to do it, there was no compulsion. But I had to do it because the thought had already been formed and well, I’m trying to be fearless. And I was because when the time came I walked off the ramp and it was a blast.

I made a short video on my way down, find it here.

Once again, I’m glad I was able to look fear in the eye quite literally go off the ledge.

As you can already probably tell, the photos aren’t really superb. I apologize for that, the good people of Lekki leisure lake wouldn’t let me go in with my camera. We had to make use of our phones, and this is the result.

August 5, 2017 4 comments

Adventure

Pumped: Go-karting at The Get Arena, Lagos

written by Ifunanya

Personally I hate to drive. You can say that I am one of those people who would rather be driven everywhere I have to be, then there’s driving in Lagos. But thankfully, Go-karting in Lagos is one of the best ways to blow off steam without being a typical Lagos driver.

Driving in Lagos State requires a super power that sadly I do not posses. But I love speed, I love going fast, I love feeling pumped and I thoroughly enjoy a good adrenaline rush. So naturally I really wasn’t certain of the outcome when I found myself on the go-kart arena.

I am happy to tell you, it did not disappoint.

Pumped: Go-karting In Lagos | Sunlight Dreamer

The first time behind the wheel was a bit scary for a lot of reasons. Mostly because there were so many people on the course that day and everyone was watching(or so I thought anyways)

I was shaky and certain that I was gonna crash immediately. But I was determined to have fun with it so I swallowed hard and stepped on the gas

Pumped: Go-karting In Lagos | Sunlight Dreamer

Pumped: Go-karting In Lagos | Sunlight Dreamer At this point I had become comfortable enough to take one hand off the wheel. Basically I was feeling like a rock star. LoL

Being able to go fast without fear of getting bashed by a danfo or pulverized by a trailer was certainly an added bonus.

In the end I fad a fantastic time and can’t wait till I can go back for more. I’m glad that I once again got out of my own way and did something I wouldn’t naturally do.

Pumped: Go-karting In Lagos | Sunlight Dreamer

If you have any questions or comments about the arena, if you are planning a visit and need more information please send an email to hello@sunlightdreamer.com and I will be sure to assist you any way I can.

June 23, 2017 1 comment

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