Category: Online Special

Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital City is truly beautiful; a first visit to the city would leave you mesmerised. The city is surrounded by magnificent structures, tourist centres, game reserves, entertainment spots, beautiful and spacious gardens, luxurious hotels, government offices, private companies, beautiful streets, laced with flowers and street lights that would create aesthetic night life and leave you puzzled at night as to whether you are truly in Nigeria. The city may not be as beautiful as Dubai,Oslo or New Jersey, but compared to the conventional Nigerian environment, Abuja is surely a place to be and live in.

The city has been rated as the fastest growing city in Africa owing to the massive perpetual construction that would make you wonder if the city is one big construction site.

Virtually all necessary social amenities that would make habitation easy and pleasurable are in place – good road network, water supply, security, schools, power, shopping malls, transportation, entertainment, tourism, standard businesses, markets, etc. A visit to the city would turn you into an Oliver Twist of some sort by always craving to relive the euphoria of living in the breathtaking ambience of the lovely city of Abuja. However, like most beautiful things, living in Abuja comes with a price, in fact, a big price.

According to a survey of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in 2013, Abuja is the 18th most expensive city in the world and the 2nd in Africa with a total expenditure score of 107.4. This was reached, using cost of items such as food, housing, clothing, transportation as benchmark.

Living in Abuja leaves a hole in the pocket as the prices of conventional commodities in the city are sometimes twice the amount of the same commodities in other locations. Bearing the cost of food, transportation, clothing, entertainment, and other logistic miscellaneous expenditures, some ballsy residents of Abuja sometimes spend more than they earn while others simply take a bow and relocate to less expensive cities.

While the cost of some aforementioned expenditures such as transportation is fair, compared to that of other cities, there are major critical aspects that contribute to the expensive nature of the city – housing/accommodation, education, shopping, clothing, healthcare and remunerations for services rendered, the cost of which are notoriously expensive.

Getting accommodation in Abuja is no joke; if you want to live in Asokoro because of its exclusivity and high brow status, you’ll discover that unless you have very deep pockets, you cannot even rent an apartment let alone own a house. Rents start from N4, 000, 000 (four million naira) for a two bedroom flat and that is not also talking about the few expensive shops around where you may spend some people’s annual salaries on a single spree.

Like Asokoro, living in Maitama is a big deal. Diplomats, Ministers, government big shots, former and serving Governors and their families, Senators etc reside there. If you can cough out N2, 500 000 (two million, five hundred thousand naira) for a two bedroom flat for 12 months then you are welcome to live in Maitama. Remember you’d also be required to shoulder some other bills like security, water supply, power, sanitation and the likes, running into some more millions.

Wuse II is home to Abuja’s most expensive stores, restaurants, hotels, clubs and other high flying places where the big spenders in town love to frequent. Although more of a commercial settlement, living here is as expensive as living in Maitama District.

Gwarimpa accommodates West Africa’s largest Estate; though a fair alternative to Maitama and Wuse II for upper/middle class, houses here are as expensive as between N1, 200 000 (one million, two hundred thousand naira) and N2, 000, 000 (two million naira) for a two bedroom flat annual rental fee.

Living outside the city’s highbrow areas do not guarantee escape from the culture of profligacy associated with living in Abuja. Housing in places like Kubwa, Lugbe, Nyaya, Zuba, Kuje, etc costs between N500,000 (five hundred thousand) and N1, 000 000 (one million naira) for a two bedroom flat as annual rental charges, excluding payment for security, welfare, power and others.

Alternatively, what would have been a less expensive option for the city’s residents in owning a house, has opened another drain pipe through which intending house owners are milked of their hard-earned resources. Building a house in an estate is still not any less expensive. Apart from spending huge amount of money in putting up the structure(s), you are also required to pay huge sums of money called “development levy” before you are allowed to move into your completed house. The levy which also runs into millions of naira is one amongst other fees you will be required to pay either monthly or annually.

Land acquisition in this city is not a poor man’s venture. When I was told by a land agent that a parcel of land in a valley for sale at Utako was at a cost of N320, 000 000 (three hundred and twenty million naira) in 2012, I thought it was the height until one of Nigeria’s Billionaires who owns a most desired edifice in Maitama, fondly called Abuja Most Beautiful Mansion, stated that he purchased the parcel of land on which the mansion sits in 2005 at a cost of N1, 000, 000, 000 (one billion naira). Each time I see unused pieces of lands littered all over the city centre, I wonder if I save every single kobo from my salary for the next one hundred years, if maybe I would be able to acquire one to my name.

Owning just a piece of land in Abuja central is not what the rich can afford; you must be wealthy, super rich to dare. For the rich however, there are options. A hundred square meters in some of Abuja’s outskirts like Lugbe, Bwari, Kuje and Kubwa would sell for about N10, 000 000 (ten million naira) and that is when the land is in areas that are yet to completely welcome development, otherwise, you may be required to pay double the amount. However, as a second choice, some diehard Abuja fans devised other means to have contact with the city without spending so much on shelter – they would rather reside in neighboring states with reasonable proximity to Abuja. Cost of properties or rental in places like Nyanya, Mararaba (Nasarawa State) and Zuba, Suleja (Niger State) are fairly bearable, but you may have to spend some more on transportation.

Driving through the streets of Abuja, you will feed your eyes with array of exquisitely designed houses, scattered all over the streets of Maitama, Utako, Jabi, Gwarimpa, Wuse, Asokoro, Garki etc. They have one thing in common – they are empty, unoccupied completed buildings and guessing why they are unoccupied is easy.

Housing seems to be the highest mountain to climb on the road to living in Abuja; if shelter does not send you out of the city, you can survive everything else.

The cost of shopping in Abuja is also not friendly to the average or middle class. This owes mainly to the high cost of shop rental. Like residential houses, owning or renting a shop, office space or mall in Abuja is not funny. In most cases, renting business or office spaces are way more expensive than doing same for residential homes. This has aided the very expensive cost of shopping in Abuja. Prices of clothes, shoes, furniture, electronics and other household items are way more expensive than buying same in other Nigerian cities. “This is Abuja” they would quickly interject when you are trying to negotiate cost. Some boutiques and fashion homes sell a pair of shoe for as much as N500, 000; a suit for over a million naira, wrist watch for between N80, 000 and N300, 000; perfume for as much as N70, 000 and other fashion gadgets at outrageous prices. However, the city offers affordable alternatives that suit your purse. In some areas, you can get a pair of new shoes for N1, 500, or less; I only hope you can use it more than once.

Secondary schools in Abuja also possess a reputation for being expensive. The most appealing of these private secondary schools are the British and American International Schools. Some topnotch locally owned private schools are also in this category. These schools cost between N450, 000 and N2 million per term, and yes! Some families have four or more children in these schools at the same time.

Putting up with the cost of healthcare in Abuja is also an uphill task. It is fairly less expensive to patronize government-owned hospitals. However, for the sake of prompt and better professional services which the private hospitals seem to render, the cost of medical consultation is on the high side. To be granted access to a medical doctor for consultation in some of Abuja’s privately-owned hospital may require a deposit of between N20, 000 and N50, 000, and in some cases, even more.

I recently saw a movie in a good standard cinema house in Benin and I paid N600. Well, you would have to put together the cost of three tickets in Benin to see a movie in Abuja. Other forms of entertainment ventures are not cheaply enjoyed in the city; you must earn much to enjoy much.

Remunerations for services rendered in the city are also an avenue for excessive spending. Some barber’s shops in Abuja charge a service fee of between N500 and N5000 for a haircut; ditto hairdressing salon for females. Laundry charges are also as high as twice the amount payable in other Nigerian cities like Benin, Asaba, Oweri and Ibadan.

Living in Abuja is money consuming; it seems the presence of most government officials resident in the city has obliterated traces of clemency from the heart of service providers and business owners. Maybe the city was designed for a few as a top politician once said. So before you think of migrating to Nigeria’s capital city, take the baby step and decide if you are willing to put up with the financial obligations associated with residing in Abuja.

Onofua, writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

Twitter: @e_onofua

Website: www.thespotzone.wordpress.com

In Africa, being left-handed is considered weird, and lefties as they are often called, have a lot to deal with.

Africans look at left-handers with disdain, and quite often reject left-handed handshakes, receiving money from a left hand and collecting things from an outstretched left hand.

Left-handers are usually considered as evil people who are up to no good. As a leftie myself, I had to learn how to shake with my right, and I have been told that a left-handed slap is usually painful (don’t know about that).

More issues include; left-handed uppercuts dislocate jaws(that’s true), and a girl in secondary school once told me that people who wear their watch on their right (as a leftie) are proud people (shaking my head).

Lots and lots of negative stuff are attributed to lefties; the truth of the matter is that left-handed people have I.Qs of over 140 than right-handed people, which is in the genius bracket. I was lucky to have parents who didn’t stop my sister and I from using our left hands and changing us to the right.

Lefties are intelligent people who can solve problems in a matter of seconds, thinking on their feet. I’m proud of being a leftie and I leave you with a few famous lefties.

1. Babatunde Fashola – An alumnus of the University of Benin, Edo state, Fashola is a notable lawyer cum governor who turned Lagos state around.

2. Oprah Winfrey – Known for her philantrophic nature, she hosted her show on TV for years and eventually got her own TV station.

3. Prince William – Late Princess’ Diana’s first son who married a commoner, Kate Middleton, is a perfect gentleman.

4. Julia Roberts – Renowned actress who has an Oscar is well known for her ability to interpret any role.

5. Chiwetel Ejiofor – Nigerian actor based in London who recently starred in 12 Years a Slave and Half of A Yellow Sun.

6. Marie Curie – She was a physicist who discovered radium and won a Noble Prize in Science.

7. Tim Tebow – A religious American football player who prays before and after every game.

8. Angelina Jolie – A UN Peace ambassador who is also a phenomenal actress, married to Brad Pitt.

9. Ray Liotta – He is an American actor who usually plays dark roles and interpretes his roles well.

10. Kate Hudson – A daughter to Goldie Hawn, she is an actress and your girl-next-door.

11. Barack Obama – He is the President of the United States of America.

12. Adams Oshiomhole – Edo state governor and former president Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

Francis Egwuatu, final year student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, spoke to Tolu George on how he won the recent Mr. Universe Nigeria Pageant amongst others.

What inspired you to enter for the Mr. Universe Nigeria Pageant?

I used to be a very slim person and I wanted to add a little flesh because people complaining of my stature. I started visiting the gym regularly and then in 2012, people started asking me, ‘Why don’t you model?’ They said I had the height, and that my physique was not bad. So I went for Mr. Tourism Nigeria, in 2012, but it didn’t work out for me. So I had to just lean back and hope for a better tomorrow and then I heard about Mr. Universe Anambra holding at Awka. I was doing my industrial Training (IT) in Anambra, and I decided to apply for it, and I was among the chosen few. We were 16 guys in number and I won the contest. Then I decided to go for Mr. Universe Nigeria which I also won.

How did you emerge winner?

During the auditions, I think the judges saw the prospects in me, what they wanted to do was to find somebody that could take the brand higher and they saw that in me. As Mr. Universe Anambra, I took the brand far and the judges must have been like, ‘if this guy could do things this little way with such a position (as Mr. Universe Anambra) then he could do it better if given a bigger opportunity’. Asides, in the camp I was seen as one of the top threats because of my experience in pageants. I think those are the things that stood me out. God was also a factor because there were other guys that were outstanding, good and very handsome, but the judges knew what they were looking for.

What have you been up to since winning the pageants?

At the moment I have a routine. First of all, I attend to the media, grant interviews and all, that’s what I am up to for now. After which, school takes first place as I am currently a final year student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and in a month’s time, I should be done with school. When I’m done with my school, I can push the pet project and other things further.

What pet projects do you have in mind?

I actually started a pet project while I was Mr. Universe Anambra; the project was called Room to Read. The project is about setting up libraries for primary school students, basically providing a place for them to read, because while I was Mr. Universe Anambra, I went to about 15 schools in Anambra state and then I found out that most of these schools have been neglected. Although some philanthropists are really trying to erect buildings in the schools, but it is still not enough. So I just want to do something as well, because these kids really need a room to read. It’s going to kick off from Anambra state, but will spread to other states, with the help of others like Mr. Universe Abia, Mr. Universe Imo, Mr. Universe Delta, Mr. Universe Ebonyi and all the other pageant kings. That’s my primary pet project but other things will come in place as I intend starting a fashion show, where I will give models as well as designers the platform to showcase themselves, which should be coming up next year. I would also be working closely with the government.

How have you been coping with the fame since winning the pageant?

I just try to be myself and try to be friendly as much as possible.

How have you been coping with attractions from your female fans?

I have said to myself that I don’t want to go into relationships, because most females that come around have this mindset of intimacy. I believe if I am in a relationship I won’t be focused, you know it’s going to take away my time and money. I want to give my time and money to building a better brand for the future. For my female fans out there, I see them as my sisters and good friends.

Tell us a bit about your background?

I am from a family of five. I am the third child, and I have four sisters. I hail from Nnewi in Anambra state, but grew up in Lagos. I studied in Lagos for my primary and secondary school and I’m currently a final year student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

How did you feel when you got into the house for the competition?

Well, when I got into the house, for the first few days I was really observant, observing attitudes and characters of people and also their movement and how things are done. I am this quiet person, I didn’t talk too much, I didn’t really show myself, but I guess I was noticed.

Some people believe Mr. Universe Nigeria is a pageant for gays. What is your view on this assertion?

I am not gay, and it is very annoying when people make such comments. There was this girl that added me on twitter. She was like; ‘Tell me the truth, are you gay?’ It was so annoying. Some people think that for you to win the pageant you must be gay and men must sleep with you and all, but that’s not true. I just wish I could do a story and the heading will just be ‘I am not gay’. People have concluded in their mind that we are gays. Even when I was profiled on Linda Ikeji’s blog, there were comments like, gay alert; the guy is gay and all that. People feel if you are a male pageant contestant, the only hard work you need to do is to sleep in the room. That’s a negative thought, but I believe a person with a positive thought won’t think like that. For me, you just have to be positive; you just have to believe in yourself. I have gone for pageants that I lost (Mr. Tourism Nigeria), but that didn’t stop me from going for more.

What do you think about gays?

Actually, it’s bad in our country. It’s not right; God has made it a man to woman, not a man to man or woman to woman. It’s very wrong, just like its meant to be a negative to positive not positive to positive or a negative to negative, it’s quite bad, I don’t think it’s cool.

How did you balance school life with the Mr. Universe pageant?

When I won Mr. Universe Anambra, I was doing my Industrial Training in Anambra, so I had ample time. But currently with this Mr. Universe Nigeria, I’m in my final year. School is in session as we speak and I have not been to school for like a month now, so it’s really affecting my academics, but I expected it though, I can’t serve two masters at a time. One has to suffer for the other one to excel, I just finished my media visits and this week I’m doing my photo shoots. Once I’m done with my photo shoots, I will be going back to school, then Mr. Universe Nigeria will suffer and my academic work will take priority. Luckily for me there has been no test, my examinations are coming up next month so I still have time to read.