Am loving Abuja right now, capital city of Nigeria; It seems like everything we (Nigerians) want our country to be (with the exception of cost of living).
The bright lights and broad roads, all too uncommon in many other parts of this great country of ours.
I needed motivation to get to the city and i got a boost from an old friend. He called me a week before to tell me he would be having an interview in Abuja.
I agreed to see him in Abuja but had no idea how to even get there or who i would stay with.
Coincidentally, a family friend came over for to finish off a course was returning back to Abuja. I asked him if i could go and stay with him and he agreed.
The journey was brief with several stops and road block. (After several terrorist bomb blast security have been tightened)and as my friend said "they are looking for Boko haram as though it is written on their foreheads". One and a half hour later behold the city of Abuja.
That night, family friend took me on a tour of the city, Grand Mall, Cedi Plaza and all the high rises on the way, I wish i took a camera to capture the elegance and flash that the city had. It's a shame that the reality of how fast this city is growing, and yet some parts of my nation lack even an iota of development.
The next day, I called my favorite cousin to see what he was up to, he invited me to a program that he and his wife were hosting.
with little knowledge of Abuja street signs and map, my family friend drove me to the program.
I was late, I got there just as they were finishing the program, we met outside. Sanya man !!!! he called, Guy you are getting bigger i replied.
He admitted with his smile. You missed the program, he said. I could not the right excuse to defend myself so i just shrugged off.
The hall was still buzzing with after program activity. The program had been a sucess.
I congratulated him, helped him packup some of the stuff, we joked a little about not being able to spell some words (Seriously, there are some words in the spelling bee compitition that i could not believe sixth graders spelt) I said hello to his wife and inlaws. The reality of having someone close to you get married never really strikes you until he or she can't really done somethings he used to do before.
After the venue had been cleared out, we went for a walk, I told him about my plans and my lack of plans or ideas. I wish I had more time to talk he has been a role model to me.
we (That's my cousin and I), drove some of the organisers to their homes, and then he took me to his place. A big house, with even a bigger rent to pay
You can't stay in Abuja if you don't have a job, it's too expensive man.
The best part of my day with him came that evening, he drove some of the program organizers to the car park, and when he left the car his son started to cry his mom tried to pet him but he refused to stop, his dad came back and picked him up, and that was it; That was all he wanted. My cousin had strong bond with his son. His son slept in his arms. Thats something i want my sons and daughters to have with me.
The next day was a sunday, I was to meet up with a coulege and friend at church, as usual i was clueless about how to get to the church so i decided to meet him after
church. We settled some issues at hand, talked about what we were up to, gossiped (a bit, yes even guys do so).
That night, i went to SilverBird Cinema to see a movie with my sister and her date (I hated being the third wheel) i guess i have to get used to being that for now.
Once the movie was over (11.00 pm) he drove me back home, through wide but lonely roads. Fear of bomb blasts and terrorists attack has turned this great night city
into a ghost night town. Maybe I am wrong about that, in defence of the city hey, its sunday not friday.
I spent my monday, going around the city with my family friend. I went to his site to see what he was up to, found a cool unsecured WIFI spot to browse and update my
status.
Later that night, I went to meet up with Tim, the guy that brought me to Abuja in the first place, it was a shame that i could not see him on tuesday because i would
be leaving early. We had a few laughs but time was not on our side and traffic was building up. We said our goodbyes and that was it.
Tuesday was a very short day in Abuja, I packed by bag, and left.
On the road home, I reviewed the City i was leaving, the opportunities are high, the cost of living is also high but all in all i love the city and would not mind living there if the Job and Situation pushed for it.
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