Photo Credit - Ayaka

September 1st, 2010 was a turning point for Lagos commuting as we know it. Commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘okadas,’ were banned from major thoroughfares in the Lagos metropolis.

The Lagos State government officially issued a new commuting regulation to bikers within the state, in order to significantly reduce the rates of traffic, accidents and deaths caused by this means of transport. However, despite the good intentions of the state government, diverse reactions have been expressed from varying sections of the populace.

An overwhelming amount of people welcomed the new regulation on okadas. Chioma Osei, a bank sales representative said “they have been a dangerous nuisance for far too long. They drive recklessly, damage your cars and worse endanger our lives and those of their own passengers. My driver was killed in an okada accident on his way to work.” Another Lagosian expressed relief, “yet again, I commend Governor Fashola for taking this stance. Lagos will be a much safer city now for motorists and pedestrians. Okadas should be banned completely if you ask me. Look at Abuja and how motorable it is since they banned them.”

On the flip side, many people have described the regulation as an inhumane decision by the government; taken under the guise of serving and protecting the lives and property of its citizens. Many Lagosians condemn the rapid decision and implementation process the government took. However, discrediting this was the statement from the Special Adviser on Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa who explained that, “the sensitization period was about nine months and we rubbed minds with both the leaders and members of the various motorcycle owners and riders associations.” He further elaborated that they “did not ban okada operations; all we want is to ensure the safety of lives and property, by restricting them from plying the highways. A lot of fatal accidents involving okadas had been recorded in the past.”

Photo Credit - Ayaka

There is a definite sigh of relief from motorists, pedestrians and a large percentage of the population who have until recently had to battle for ownership of the roads with daredevil okada riders. In line with the new regulation set forth by the state government, the following roads are now restricted from okada operations. For Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi – the entire Central Business District Area, Ozumba Mbadiwe (from Bonny Camp to first roundabout), Awolowo Road, Bourdillon Road, Gerald Avenue to name a few. For the mainland, the entire stretch of Funso Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Murtala Muhammed Way to Jibowu, Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo and Idumota are off limits for okada drivers. They are also prohibited from motoring Jibowu to Ikorodu Town Roundabout, Third Mainland Bridge, Apapa – Oshodi Expressway and a range of network of roads around the Lagos metropolis.

To get a comprehensive understanding of the effects of this new regulation, Ayaka sought out okada riders to ascertain their own perspective. The affected commercial bikers complained of a significant reduction in their daily income in comparison to what they made before the regulation.  According to some, it is like indirectly banning them from working because many of their high return operating routes have been included in the list of restricted areas. To add “insult to injury” as one dissatisfied okada driver explained, they have now been prohibited from carrying pregnant women, underage children and passengers who refuse to wear the mandatory crash helmet. Other bikers expressed sympathy for pregnant women and school children who would now be stranded in Lagos during rush hour and faced with challenges paying expensive taxi fares and hustling for overcrowded public BRT buses.

Ayaka discovered that not all motorcyclists have been banned. Courier service dispatchers and private motorcycle owners are allowed to operate, however, provided they stay on service lanes, wear crash helmets and carry no more than one passenger. They, too, are prohibited from carrying pregnant women or minors and must have all the proper documentation.

So far, there appears to be total compliance on the island. According to statistics provided by Lagos State, Comrade Opeifa stated that the compliance percentages within the first three days of enforcement were as follows: helmet wearing – 90% compliance, transporting only one passenger – 90% compliance, tranporting of minors – 95% compliance and a 99% compliance of not transporting pregnant women.

The above statistics will spearhead a major improvement in the accident rates as stated by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Marvel Akpoyibo. At a forum, he stated “okada-related accidents accounted for an average of 70% of road accidents in Lagos between January and May of this year. And 14% of these accidents were fatal.”

According to government sources, the okada operators at a recent stakeholders meeting beseeched the State government to endorse a quarterly meeting with them, in order to deliberate on the regulation, review where success has been recorded and what necessary changes should be effected. Comrade Opeifa confirms this and notes that a stakeholders meeting on the regulation will be held in December later this year, ”where we will dialogue on the way forward.”

As improved as the motorways are with the new regulation, there are undoubtedly adverse consequences. First, the number of motorcycles that were spread across a larger area are now confined to selected areas. This has begun creating congestion, traffic and a struggle for limited passengers and parking. With the congestion comes the increased risk of crime and deviance in these highly concentrated areas. Many “disgruntled” bikers will resort to other deviant ways of recouping lost income. Many fear crime will certainly increase.

Photo Credit - Ayaka

That said, even though Lagos State has provided additional BRT commercial buses to counter the vacuum created by the absence of the okadas, is it enough? At major intersections at rush hour, long lines of pedestrians waiting for buses well into late hours of the night.  What other additional measures are being taken to counter the increased presence of unlicensed “danfo” buses who are also trying to cash in on the increased demand. Why isn’t there a visible increased police presence on the roads to enforce these new regulations as well as deter those inclined to turn to crime?

Ayaka will continue to access the situation and will be doing a follow up article with more updates and information. Stay tuned!

Rom Isichei (Photo Credit - Ayaka)

Rom Isichei was born on September 8^th, 1966 and is from Asaba in Delta State, Nigeria. He attended the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos where he studied fine arts with a specialization in painting.

In 1997, with seven years corporate experience in advertising, he decided to return to his initial passion – painting.

Rom has had six solo exhibitions and over nine selected group exhibitions within and outside of Nigeria. He is listed in the “Who’s Who” of contemporary Nigerian art, the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, DC and the Alfred Spinler’s Collection/Publication of Contemporary Art in Nigeria and Ghana.

He describes his artwork has “metaphoric” and draws his inspiration from human and everyday experiences in society. In many pieces, he creates a shroud of mystery that becomes evident when viewed from a certain distance. His artistic style pulls his audience out of an armchair analysis to active participation in the creative process and as a result forcing them to make their interpretations.

Click here to view his exhibition.

Rom Isichei can be contacted at romisichei@gmail.com

Okay, nasuya‘sha’ and this is my homemade version of the wonderful Nigerian street food that we all crave for both at home and abroad; Suya with tomatoes and onions.

Home made Suya (Photo Credit - Ifeyinwa Nzeka)

I happen to be in the centre ‘location wise’ from the two suya spots I frequent and will have to travel about 30 minutes either way, with no traffic, to get to anyone of them. Well, there is a ‘suya man’ at my junction, about seven houses away but that is not even an option for so many reasons, you know what I mean! As a result, I ate suya only once in a while even though I wished I could have it more often.

So on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, when it’s hot and sunny outside and you’ll rather not leave the comfort and coolness of your home to satisfy that suya craving, what do you do? Here is what I did; I made some peanut and chilli coated beef skewers with a tomato, onions and mint salad! It’s still the same old-but-quick to make with readily available ingredients, more flavorful and ‘delish’!

Someone once told me that, if I saw how and where the meat and ingredients for street suya was prepared and kept, I would never stop at a suya spot ever again! This being homemade was really refreshing and I ate it with sweet relief without hesitating to think whether or not it had been prepared ‘hygienically’! That felt gooooood! And to think that it was tastier, made it even more worth my while!

Suya in the grill (Photo Credit - Ifeyinwa Nzeka)

When making suya, my most important kitchen tool is a really sharp (as in, almost ‘blade’ sharp) knife because you want to get really thin slices of beef. If you don’t have a sharp knife, please don’t start because you won’t enjoy the suya making process.  It would take a longer time to prep the beef, meaning you would spend a longer time in the kitchen . Besides, you would  end up having thick beef slices which will in effect, make your suya tough and unpalatable. I’m sure you wouldn’t want that! So, if you’ve armed yourself with a sharp knife, let’s get cooking!

Ingredients for Suya: (Makes 20 Skewers)

In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, dry pepper and stock cubes. Add enough water to make a thick paste with a slightly thick consistency.

Spoon the peanut butter mixture into a bowl containing the sliced beef and gently work in the peanut butter mix into the beef with your hands, add a little salt as needed.

Thread the beef onto the bamboo skewers, arrange on an oven rack and place on top of an oven tray (the oven tray will catch the liquid dropping from the beef as it cooks). Place under a hot oven grill (or on a grill or barbecue). Cook the beef for about 10-15 minutes on both sides (depending on how dry you prefer your suya), basting with oil. Once cooked, turn off grill and serve beef skewers with tomato, onion and mint salad and some bread.

All set for grilling….

Ingredients for Salad: (Makes 4 potions)

Halve and slice onions and tomatoes.

Thinly slice mint leaves.

Combine tomatoes, onions and mint leaves. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and drizzle with olive oil.

Serve with suya.

Ifeyinwa Nzeka is a cordon bleu trained chef working in the catering/hospitality sect in Lagos, Nigeria. With greater inspiration working from her kitchen at home, she’s a very passionate home cook with a love for good food, shopping for the best ingredients/produce, cooking and entertaining. Visit her blog at www.homesweethomefood.blogspot.com

IBB - Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida - (Photo Credit Ayaka)

Joining the presidential race was the wisest and probably the only option left for the Maradona.

Former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) is reputed as one of Nigeria’s greatest political strategists. His moniker, Maradona, is for his deft political dribbles in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when he led Nigeria through a never-ending political transition.Since relinquishing the presidency, he has danced around another run for political office but has never actually jumped into the race until August 16^th, 2010, when he announced his bid for the 2011 presidential elections.

Since the announcement, political analysts (both in our citadels and on street corners) have been busy with postulations on what informed his decision to run (this time) and the probability of his victory.  He has enjoyed acclaim from his teeming band of supporters and an overwhelming about of disdain from his ardent adversaries.  However, this is probably the only move left on IBB’s political chessboard and it boils down to simple self-preservation and survival.

IBB, being a strategist, knows that a run for the presidency is very risky.  He has survived so far, despite all the allegations against him, because of the larger than life mystic he has created for himself.  An unsuccessful presidential race will reveal the colossus to have clay feet and will reduce him to the ranks of other retired generals who had unsuccessful electoral campaigns.  Buhari and Gowon readily come to mind.  IBB knows this fact and that is why in the past he would dance close to the fire and then back away at the last minute.

So why now?  IBB knows that Nigeria is at a strategic inflection point and the strategies of the past will not work in 2011.  For the first time, Nigeria has a president who is not overtly beholden to any identifiable power bloc, godfathers, or benefactors.  As a result, President Jonathan may be serious about fighting corruption.  Or better still; if he is forced to fight corruption, he may not be inclined to protect any persons or groups.  Therefore, it is imperative that anyone who may have skeletons in their cupboards make their move now.

Although IBB has never been convicted for corruption anywhere in the world, general perception is that corruption became pervasive during his eight years as president.  What this means is that unless IBB is proactive, he runs a risk of prosecution under a new administration that assumes an anti-corruption posture.  With James Ibori on his hind legs, IBB may be the next target.

As a result, IBB must run!  He must run to show Nigerians (especially politicians who may wish to make a move against him) that he still has political reach and influence.  What is most important to IBB in this race is not that he wins.  Instead, it is that he signals that he could win.  Once he exhibits this ability, no politician will have the guts to go against him because one can tell what will happen.  You don’t want one of the richest men in Nigeria, with political influence, as an enemy.

Babangida - (Photo Credit - Ayaka)

So win or lose, IBB will win.  If he puts up a strong race for the 2011 elections and loses, the politicians will be put on notice that he is still an influential political player.  Even if he loses in 2011, a strong campaign will buy him insurance against prosecution for another four years or so.  If by 2015, he chooses not to run, no problem.  By that time, he would be 74 years old.  Nigerians are known to be very forgiving people.  It is unlikely that they will be interested in seeing an octogenarian go to jail especially when we have a myriad of new generation politicians who are aiming to achieve Olympian heights in corruption.

The Maradona’s run for the presidency is a perfect dribble.  If you were in his shoes, you will probably run; I mean, run for the presidency.

Photo Credit - www.mexico-city.mfa.gov.il

We had been sitting in the town square for long,
Driven there by our confusion.
Crouched in a circle, dressed all in black
We mourned the deaths of too many things;
We ground our teeth and rocked back and forth
Waiting for a sign.

We were waiting for a sign
The day a meteor unzipped the sky
Two weeks before the Ramadan.

We were speechless
All of us who beheld the secret
That floated gently to the earth.
“There is much sorrow in knowledge”,
Still our curiousity pushed us forward
Who had searched the sky for fifty years, for a star in the East.
As one, we pressed forward
Past the public square, across the desert, and through the eye of the needle,
Through the iridescent glass of the translucent prism
Into the awesome dimension of the Secret.
It was Akogun who broke the egg’s shell;
Yes, it was he who tore open the fragile inner fabric
And revealed what uncoiled within the egg.
What did we do, hands over our gaping mouths,
At this cusp between one world closing and another opening?
What did we do, waiting with bated breath,
When the varied-limbed pulsing grotesquely-grinning dextrous alien-like humanoid smiled,
Extended its arms from the slimy filth of the shell-littered egg-floor
And announced in a voice as old as thunder:
“This time it will not be a do- or-die affair
This time it will be Free and Fair
We are evolving beyond the abracadabra of electronic voting machines
The paradox of ‘The more you look the less you…’
Do not be shy, though you have been severally bitten.
Are we not walking now, and from walking soon we will be running and from running eventually we will fly
Like Owens, like Lewis, Like Bolt
Past the finish line
Our names will be branded on History’s pages
For clearing the stage for our humanity to speak for once
With a common voice
And say,
This is what it will say:
‘May the best man win and rule as president!’
I salute you, fellow Nigerians

I turned to look at my fellows.
So enthralled were they
They did not observe the smile did not reach the eyes of the egg’s apparition.

Could you be speaking the truth, O secret of the egg from the sky?
If this is just another green and white lie
In what then do we hope for a legitimate Republic
Before we die?

David Emeka Kalu is a features writer for the periodical, Metro News. He resides in Lagos where he divides his time between screenplays, painting and completing his novel. David is also a regular contributor to Ayaka.

Photo Credit - www.news.bbc.co.uk

“A family that has people to care for them in old age claim that their linage will never grow old” – Ibo proverb

In African culture, our elders have historically been respected and revered for their experience, their wealth of knowledge and their role as significant stakeholders in society.

Historically in African society, the norm is to have your aging parents live with you or a relative when they are no longer fit to care for themselves. This accounts for the minimal numbers of homes for the elderly in Nigeria. Most seniors in Nigeria invariably live with their children or relatives where all their financial, medical and emotional needs are met. Unlike in the West, it is perceived as a thing of shame for one’s aged parents to be taken to a home for the elderly while their children are still alive.  It is indeed a taboo.  It continues to be considered “un-African.”  In more developed societies, you find senior citizen communities and medical centres where it is the norm for a old couple to live out the rest of their days in the care of non-family members or even on their own. In these societies, it is the government and private sector’s responsibility to provide services and facilities that care to their older members of society.

Things are beginning to change, at least, in Nigeria. With industrialization, growing cities and people leaving their rural communities for the cities, the societal landscape has changed.  Daughters who stayed home to care for children and aged parents are now working professionals with little time to care for a sick parent. Those less adventurous relatives who stayed behind in the rural communities that were entrusted to care for aging relatives have abandoned rural life and headed to the city to seek their future.  There is a growing concern of there not being an adequate support system for aging individuals. Typically, aging parents retire back to the village and are taken care of by their own. What about those who don’t have children or any relatives to take care of them? What about those who have been abandoned by relatives and larger society for some reason or another? And those who live in the cities with no desire, means or support systems to live in the rural areas?

Photo Credit - Ayaka

In a bid to fill this vacuum, homes for the elderly are slowly cropping up in many cities in Nigeria.  Ayaka sought to investigate this growing trend by visiting an old people’s home in Lagos.  We interviewed Sister Antonia Adebowale, the Matron of Holy Family Home for the Elderly in Mushin. We discussed the various issues concerning her centre, her wards and the overall shift in elder care.  In her opinion, Nigerians now patronize these homes more than they did in the past. She explains that, “…because of the changing trends in our economy and culture, that African thought that we keep our old ones with us at home and take care of them is no longer held with high values like before.  Because I see so many people coming in.”

She clarifies that, “the nuclear and extended family structure is no longer what it used to be. People are outside their villages looking for a means of livelihood, some children don’t have the means to cater for their parents. Even when they do have the means, it’s not the money these folks really need; they keep them in the village with nobody or often times, a nanny, who gets feed up and leaves them.” These are factors which have contributed to the increasing patronage of homes for the elderly.

In addition, there are stigmas attached to these organized homes for the old. They are thought to be confinement homes for old people who are mentally disabled, physically challenged, or branded as “wizards and witches.” Addressing these presumptions, Sister Antonia clarifies, “here, in this home we don’t accommodate anyone with mental disabilities, because you need to be sane to stay here. You’re old, an elder, and should still have your wisdom. And again, they are very healthy. It’s just because most of them have worked all their lives, are childless or never married, grew old and fragile with nobody to cater for them; and they end up here. The mentality that they are witches is old-fashioned.”

Front view- Holy Family Home for the Elderly Photo Credit: Ayaka

Taking a tour of the facility and seeing some of its charges, one wonders if they have any communication or contact with their immediate, extended family members or friends.  According to Sister Antonia, “some do and some do not. Most people are looking for where to dump and forget their old ones. So, when they come, we try to discourage them from bringing their parents and grandparents. Especially, when they are infirmed by stroke and other medical problems.  Those are the kind of people you see bringing their aged.  And it takes a lot of money, energy, time, patience and love to deal with people like that. We don’t have the resources for that; I go out to source for funds and things for them.”

She goes on to explain how challenging it is to cater to her wards. Many of whom are set in their ways and have differences like everyone else. “But, because it’s a phase of life, one just needs to be patient with them. They need love and understanding and a sense of belonging that their presence and wisdom on earth is still needed.”

“Some of them have a good sense of humour and have stories to tell,” she said. She continues that their “major challenge is to keep these adults healthy – we need lots of funds to keep them going. At the moment, we’re looking for a bus to take them out often; because we can’t confine them in a place; it’s not good for them.”

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Development organizes regular workshops for the staff in these homes to ensure they get the proper training and orientation to care for their patients. According to Sister Antonia, “…this is the mind of the government with regards to what is going to happen in future. Not that they’re going to demolish this home; because, in the villages, people can cater for their old, but in a peculiar place like Lagos, we are still relevant. You always find people wanting to have these kinds of homes around, to take care of the destitute, who whether dead or alive, don’t have anyone to take responsibility of their corpse and give them befitting burials. So, the trend is changing. We may not have organized homes like this in the future. The system may evolve another kind of institution, as it originally isn’t part of African or Nigerian culture.”

‘Seun Johnson is an Editorial Assistant at Ayaka. As a graduate of Sociology, his understanding of social structures and patterns of relationship shape his perspectives to life and how he defines them.

Photo Credit - www.nairaland.com

I’m at the stage in which I’m flirting with many different brands, checking out all their specifications and unnecessary applications, to see which ones best suit my lifestyle and needs.

However, the voice of the Patriot in my head keeps emotionally blackmailing me to shut my eyes and ears to all the catcalls and winks from the international brands, and go for a homegrown laptop instead.

At first, in my desire to boost my ego by claiming to be a proud Nigerian, I immediately agreed with the manipulative voice and declared that I will get myself a spanking new, Nigerian made laptop.

After a while though, I began to play some little cheating games with the Voice, especially after my Techie-Geek friend made me salivate by telling me about the specifications of a particular international brand which he believes was made just for me.

Needless to say, I was already having sweet moments in my head, with my made-just-for-me laptop, thinking up baby names to give him/her and projecting all the fun times we could share together.

Trust Patriot voice to spoil my fantasy with some more emotional blackmailing.

So I decided to get some advice on the matter, from none other than the Techie-Geek:

“What do you think about me getting a made in Nigeria laptop instead?”

The answer was quick and to the point:

“Ah you’re on your own ooo!!”

As if I expected him to say anything different.

“Why? What’s wrong with them?”

“It’s Naija…I don’t trust those guys!! No quality control.”

Case closed.

With this new information, you’d think the Patriot voice would shamefully withdraw his case and allow me to satisfy my tech-hedonistic urges; but NO he decided to intensify his torment on me.

Patriot Voice: “But how would you ever know if you’ve never even given them a chance.”

Me: “Why do I have to be the one to try? I serve a global audience, what Rule Book states that I have to work for them with a Nigerian laptop?”

Patriot Voice: “But how can anyone ever have faith in our products when Nigerians themselves are the first to downgrade them by our expectation?”

Me: “Look can you take this argument somewhere else, all I want is a new laptop…when I wish to make a political statement I will summon you; but for now please just let me be!!”

Patriot Voice: (quietly) “Well, just think about how YOU will feel when someone looks condescendingly on your work as a writer, just because you are Nigerian.”

Ok, he finally hit the nail on the head. My silence empowered him…

Patriot Voice: Imagine if just as they saw your name, and identified it as Nigerian, they immediately dismissed you as ‘being of poor quality’ and then went ahead to tell others the same thing about you, without even taking time out to read your work.”

He was enjoying this; I was determined not to back down without the fight of a true Nigerian.

Me: “That’s not a good enough argument; yes, I will feel bad about that, but how can I blame them, when they have probably had negative experiences with Nigerian products. So instead of blaming them, I’d rather blame the Specialists in Mediocrity who give us a bad name.”

Let’s see him beat that, Mr. I-Know-It-All Patriot…

Patriot Voice: Well said; but as right as THEY may be, THEY will not be affected by your Poor Economy. THEY will not be affected by the Brain-Drain that exists as a result of all your brilliant minds believing that life only begins for them in the West. THEY will never experience the scorn and disdain that comes with owning a Green Passport. THEY do not share in the destiny you’ve been given as a Nigerian.”

Oh my gosh…why can’t THEY come and get this damn Voice out of my head!!!

As much as I hate to admit it, Patriot Voice is right.

Photo Credit - www.zazzle.com

Nigerians are the first to show contempt for all things Nigerian, just as we readily embrace and celebrate all things not Nigerian. We engage all things Nigerian with a preconceived notion of Inferiority. We express our lack of faith in our nation, in every action or choice which places Nigeria as our Opportunity Cost. How did this happen, I wonder? From where did this poor image of all things Nigerian, by Nigerians emanate? A friend of mine believes it has its roots in Religion. In his opinion, if your very Faith was given to you by an outside influence, there is no way on earth you will not view that influence as being superior to you. As convincing as this is, it raises yet another question in my mind. If the origin of our Inferiority Complex can be traced to the advent of Christianity and Islam as our major religions, then what exactly is it that made those ancient Nigerians so readily throw away their indigenous faiths for an imported one? Has this lack of pride and steadfastness in who we are been something that was present even in our forefathers? Maybe at this point, we do need to confront an uncomfortable question about African existence.

ARE WE INFERIOR?

Is there something in the Negroid genetic make-up that makes him grossly inferior to his peers from other races? Could it be some form of Natural Selection (the same way some people are born in affluent homes and others dumped in refuse sites) that has placed Africans in a low position on the World Scale of Importance? How do we judge if one man is better than another? Is it not by the collection of his values? Judging by the values he upholds, is the man ‘Nigeria’ of a lesser character or substance than other Men (nations)? What the world, and ironically Nigerians, has come to recognize as the ‘Nigerian Factor’, has sadly become a Statement of our Values. On the platform of our values up against the Value Statements of other nations (hypocritical or not), are we a lesser Man? Where does the change begin? Is it in me having faith, against all better judgment, that buying a homegrown laptop is an investment into the possibility of better quality Nigerian products? Is it in changing my expectation toward all things Nigerian, and engaging everything Nigerian with a positive approach and a newfound appreciation? Can it be in the trashing of that toxic idea which we have embraced into our collective consciousness as ‘The Nigerian Factor’? One way or the other, something’s gotta give. Let’s not silence the Voice of the Patriot.

The author, Tari Ekiyor Photo credit: Tari Ekiyor

Tari Ekiyor takes great pride in her very-important sounding roles as a Writer, Blogger, Columnist, Screenwriter and Media Content Developer, while also striving to maintain the most important of them all – Lover. She is in a deeply satisfying relationship with Life and is in love with the beautiful city of Lagos, where she lives.

Check out Tari’s blog on www.tariere.blogspot.com and follow TariEkiyor on Twitter.

Photo Credit - Ayaka

Night life in Lagos switched gears on July 29, 2010, when Life House hosted Brazilian Por-Ai, a musical troupe from Rio de Janeiro consisting of six male musicians and two female dancers.

Por-Ai concerts in Nigeria was an initiative from the Brazilian Consulate in their bid to promote Brazilian culture globally.

The Brazilian musical emissaries included Jaqueline Xavier, an accomplished dancer with an international profile; Deiseane de Jesus, a member of the famous Samba school called Imperio Serrano; Tiago Bernardes, a composer and percussionist with expertise with different instruments; Daniel Filho (Uncle Chico), an accomplished percussionist; Renan Junior, who specialises in string instruments; Diego Garcia, the lead vocalist; Alcides Pereira, who supports the troupe with his flair for percussion; and Mario Jorge, a talented guitarist.

Performing in their official language, Portuguese, Por-Ai stunned their Lagos audience with their seductive selections of samba – a traditional Brazilian dance and music genre that has become a symbol of Brazilian national identity. The audience was treated to live entertainment as well as titillating dance performances. Dressed in bright revealing costumes, Jaqueline and Deiseane danced to cheers from the thrilled guests. After engaging the audience to a showdown of samba routines, some members of the audience were coaxed to join them in the Bahian Samba de Roda (dancing in circles) – a traditional Samba routine.

Basking in the excitement of the night, several revellers shared their views with Ayaka on the cultural and entertaining event.

“It’s been fun so far, I must confess! The songs and the instruments, together with the dancing all made sense and made me bother less on the language barrier…(laughing).” - Anonymous

“From the onset I was almost getting discouraged on what the outcome of the night would be. The whole thing kicked off late… But, as you can see, even from the reactions of the audience; It’s been worth more than the fee” – Demeji.

“I’ve been having fun. The environment has been very relaxing, entertaining and natural – the trees, flowers, art work, music, the Samba girls…everything worked for me!” – Chinma

“For me, I’m happy I’m getting to see something different from what Lagos hangouts always have to offer” – Emeka

Ayaka went a step further and didn’t leave without photographs to share on the night one of Brazil’s finest Samba group, Por-Ai, infiltrated Lagos.

Photo Credit - www.successsuitsu.com

Here are key points for the exquisite look you desire:

Here are some simple tests to getting that perfect fit:

Photo Credit - www.made-in-china.com

Margaret Doris Alabi (Meg) is a designer, fashion consultant, ex-model, and owns a clothing outfit, MD’S Clothing, in Lagos. With years of experience in the fashion corporate and media industry, she also freelances as a fashion writer. Visit her website at www.mdsclothing.com