ROLLERBLADING AND SKATEBOARDING GAINING POPULARITY IN NIGERIA

First ever skate jam recently took place in Nigeria’s Lagos. A pioneering group of young people are getting their skates on in a bid to kick off skateboarding in Nigeria’s sprawling city. The WafflesNCream company plan to attract interest from Nigerians who are unfamiliar with the sports. 

Youngsters stormed the Freedom Park venue to exhibit their love for rollerblading, skateboarding among other interesting sports gaining popularity in the commercial city. It was all fun. Everyone had a blast. It was interesting seeing another side to Lagos. 

PHOTO EXHIBITION SHINES LIGHT ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

I got an unexpected call on a weekend few weeks ago. At the end of the call, two things were certain, I would be working on a Sunday. Secondly, I would get to interview queer people. I was excited. These stories that take me to interesting places, meeting interesting people..... Immediately I contacted my senior producer in Nairobi and it was a yes. The next day, I got ready. Not knowing what to do with the kids, I was forced to take them with me to work. I figured they would enjoy being out. 

The Initiative for Equal Rights and Stand to End Rape advocacy groups organised a photo exhibition about sexual violence in Nigeria that partly looked at experiences of the LGBT community and featured photographs of four gay subjects who had experienced sexual violence; a daring feat in a country that has the same sex marriage prohibition act. I spoke to some of them about their challenges and their stories were horrific. Some had been set up and gang raped. There were stories of family rejection, community alienation, rape, arrests, suicidal thoughts and isolation. One of them who embraced his sexuality 6 years ago said he was permanently on lock down at home because his parents banned him from going out for his own protection as he had been arrested once. He was only able to come out cos they had travelled. 

The photographs show queer people dressed in long robes, a reflection of the fact that they have to constantly be in hiding. In May 2014, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill that criminalises same-sex relationships, despite pressure from Western governments to respect gay and lesbian rights. The bill contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex "amorous relationships" and membership of gay rights groups. Olumide Makanjuola, executive director of The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERS), a charity working to protect the rights of sexual minorities in Nigeria says what the law has done, is to actually validate and then give power to violence either sexual violence, physical violence against LGBT persons.
Dozens of Nigerians turned up to show support for these persons who have had to endure violence as a result of their gender identity and sexuality. Last week, 54 people went on trial on charges connected to allegations that they were celebrating a gay wedding. Acts of gay sex are illegal in 32 countries across Africa and persecution of gay people is rife across the continent.

 

Soaps come in the shape of yummy desserts in Nigeria

Soaps that look so yummy! Looking at the pictures from this fantastic story idea by one of my colleagues, I was blown away. BathKandy founder Blondie Okpuzor makes bath and body products inspired by desserts from organic and locally sourced ingredients in Nigeria. The Nigerian entrepreneur, Blondie Okpuzor is creating a name for herself with her unique way of making soaps in the shape of cupcakes.
Years ago, Blondie realised her skin always reacted to other soaps and felt compelled to experiment with natural and organic ingredients to create a unique blend suitable for her skin.
The experience inspired her to set up shop in Lagos. In December 2014, BathKandy was established to deal with skin care issues.
Blondie started her soap business with an initial investment of about three million naira.
BathKandy is the first handcrafted, food inspired, bath and body store in Nigeria.
Blondie's products which are sold from a store in her home include scrubs, polishes, candles, and oils with prices ranging from 2,000 naira (6.6 U.S dollars) to 10,000 naira (32.7 U.S Dollars).
Blondie also has a store in Abuja.

Pictures courtesy Achoba Joanna.
Link to the video: In Nigeria, soaps come in the shape of cupcakes

 More pics after the cut

Road trip to Nigeria's rocky city

Abeokuta - Pic taken from Olumo Rock

I love adventure so when the opportunity came to do a road trip to Abeokuta for the launch of former president Olusegun Obasanjo's library, I jumped at it. I was excited at the opportunity and could not wait. After a three hour journey we finally arrived and settled into the hotel. I took a quick look at the swimming pool and decided instantly after seeing a sea of bodies in the pool that I wasn't going to even dare it. Some kind of party was on and I cringed at the thought of going into the pool. Looked like there were more bodies than water. Too shocked to look further, I busied myself watching news on television. An hour later it was time to chase that interview with the former president and off we went to the gigantic complex. The complex has a museum, a resort with dozens of rooms, a tennis court, a modern gym, amusement park, sauna, auditorium, amphitheatre, Adire and African Fabrics Centre, a lake among other facilities. We were too caught up trying to ensure we secure the interview all evening we were unable to embark on a full tour of the sprawling site.
Next day of the launch, we got up early cos we wanted to visit Olumo Rock before the event started. Seeing the view of the city from that height was everything. It was such a breathtaking site to behold.
On the way to the venue, it was interesting to see the queues at ATM points. A journalist from another media house told us how he had spent an hour the night before waiting for his turn. I was glad they had a working POS at the hotel. We drove through a festival parade. It was their Lisabi day.
As we got close to the venue, there was slight traffic so we alighted.... tags on, equipment in place, we walked into the complex.
Various African dignitaries joined former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as he made history by launching Africa's first presidential library.
The event was attended by leaders including, Nigeria's vice president Yemi Osinbajo, Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan among others. I tried to take pictures as the dignitaries walked to the entrance of the building. My goodness! It was quite dramatic as journalists were pushing and shoving. My amazing colleague was able to film that sequence. At some point after the ribbon to the building was cut, it all went crazy as some dignitaries struggled to get into the building.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library houses books and personal effects including his military uniforms, documents, cultural artefacts, his first car, a well-kept Volkswagen Beetle car, one official car, a jeep, helicopter, a miniature warship, among other interesting materials. It was quite impressive to see the video section where one could watch documentaries and the umbrellas that had audio being played with OBJ as the narrator. The space also has a picture section which I found quite innovative as it provides an opportunity for kids to play dress up and take pictures reflecting their future career.
The library houses a replica of Obasanjo's prison cell. The former president was convicted of plotting to overthrow dictator Sani Abacha, on what were widely seen as trumped-up charges, and jailed in 1995.
After Abacha's death in 1998, Obasanjo was released and was elected as civilian president in 1999.
He helped restore Nigeria's status as a major African power after years of isolation under Abacha, sending peacekeepers into several war zones and being feted at international summits.
This library is not only about his life, it is also about Nigeria's history and I look forward to re-visiting. I would love to take a full tour of the place with my family. Though we did not get the interview because OBJ fell ill and had to rest, I'm grateful we still got a story out of it.

Breakfast time

People queue at an ATM point

Stairs leading to Olumo Rock

See more pictures after the cut

Nigerian entrepreneur launches country's first innovative and social oriented footwear brand

Pic courtesy Babajide Ipaye

From the moment he spoke I was hooked. I could see he had so much passion for his business. His deep voice filled the room. I knew at that moment, I wanted to tell the story of Nigerian entrepreneur Babajide Ipaye; the man behind the first innovative and social oriented footwear brand in Nigeria. Here I was seated at an event meant for Nigerian professionals to connect and exchange entrepreneurial ideas with professionals living in the diaspora. A friend had invited me to the event organised by Think Africa during the festive season and I told myself, I'm not an entrepreneur but there are lots to be gained from other fields so just go and listen to other people talk. Although they started three hours late, I forgave them as soon as the event commenced. It was well worth my time. As I listened to Babajide speak about how he started the sneakers brand and how far they have come, I was proud.
At the age of 8, Babajide had started wearing his father's shoes. At a young age of 18 he realised he could not find his shoe size in the market. Babajide Ipaye is now the founder of Keexs, an up and coming social and innovative footwear company. Nigeria's current economic growth is prompting young creative entrepreneurs to seek alternative ways of creating employment for themselves. For entrepreneurs like Babajide, a better economy would mean ensuring the manufacturing industry in Nigeria thrives, giving opportunity to many Nigerians who are unemployed.
Over 20,000 U.S. dollars was raised through crowd funding in 2015 to establish the start-up company while he was studying shoe making in the Netherlands.
With its bold colours of red, green, black and white; and a Fela inspired design on one of the collections, the sneakers have become an instant eye-catcher for many. The company has a technical partnership in the Netherlands where the shoes are produced.
In eight months, they have been able to sell 1,500 pairs. Babajide is optimistic that with the right funding and support from Nigerians, the brand will grow to the point of manufacturing the sneakers locally. The sneakers are currently priced at 59 U.S. dollars(18,000 naira) and are being sold at some stores across Nigeria's Lagos. Babajide currently produces 1,000 pairs of sneakers on a quarterly basis. The young entrepreneur is looking to attract more investors to expand his business.
I sure learnt a lot of things that day.

Also, producing the story was a reminder that sometimes some stories are not just out there for one to see. We search tirelessly on social media for stories but some are hidden. 

Nigerian shoe brand entrepreneur moves to create jobs

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