Google and the City

When technology meets travel, seamless travel experience happens. This is something Google has consistently done in the past four years. This year, the maiden Lagos edition wasn’t any different, navigating Lagos with Google tools. I learnt the art of home-made-party jollof rice with Chef Eros, explored the waterways of Lagos and paid homage to Fela’s dynasty with #GidiwithGoogle. Whether it’s a Google map helping you with directions or Google photos creating your own GIFs and video, Google is your best travel partner. Omolola Itayemi   writes

Technology company, Google, is using the growing need for information on the go to showcase some of its applications and how they come in handy during travel. An interesting crop of media personnel including journalists from all over Africa, bloggers and influencers explored Lagos, the city of aquatic splendour using the apps on Google; Stephen Musyoka and Lyra Aoko from Kenya, Karabo Mokgoko and Anje Rautenbach from South Africa and Chuks Nwane of the Guardian. The trip is to engage major media personalities to share their experience using these tools available on Google and where better to do this than Lagos, the only city in the world that has a personal residence turned museum dedicated to the late Fela Anikulapokuti -Kalakuta Museum.

Arriving

The George Lagos opened its doors to the public in October 2015 with a legacy that is now the benchmark for luxury hospitality in Nigeria. It is a Nigerian-owned, Luxury Business Hotel located in the heart of Ikoyi, Lagos, known for its opulent suites, indulgent hotel facilities, bespoke features, personalized business and hotel services offering an unsurpassed luxury business experience.Got to the George hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos (our abode for the next three days) late on Wednesday, October 4th and met the most exciting welcome gift in my room. I could not meet up with the rest of the team for dinner at 6.00 pm at the Backyard, Lagos, a bar and grill restaurant located in Victoria Island but from the cool photos that emerged, Google could not have started on a better vibe especially with those Google customised menus and dining accessories.

Day 1 – Explore Lagos Island

Following a quick briefing on various Google apps we will be exploring throughout the trip at the hotel restaurant whilst having breakfast, we started on a very early note. Most of us are not strangers to Google apps but how much of it do we apply in our everyday lives and also on trips. Google Maps is every tourist’s essential guide. You can check out the distance to wherever you’re going, the traffic situation and how long it will take for you to get there. Dorothy Oko, Communications and Public Affairs manager, East and Francophile Africa, gave a background to the brand, took us through the apps with illustrations before we hit the road.

You know how people say Google is your best friend? Google is actually your best friend! For travelling, you convert currencies, learn more about the history of the country and more. Personally, Google Voice Search is the star attraction for me with its new accent-friendly edge, you don’t even have to type anything. I must have said ‘ok google’ more than a thousand times.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google Communications & Public Affairs Manager, West Africa, spoke about GoogleMaps being every tourist’s essential guide. You can check out the distance to wherever you’re going, the traffic situation and how long it will take for you to get there. One cool thing is that you can create lists and share with friends.

As a frequent traveller, beyond giving direction, I have found this feature very useful. It is for travellers who want to know what to expect from a destination, or want to see if the 5-star Hotel you are booked into is indeed that and not a rundown motel purporting to have star rating. It also allows you to see some famous tourist sites that you may want to visit in various countries, oh yes I can attest to that.

Interestingly, my Google feed gets automatically curated to my interests and previous searches, creating lists I can share with friends and directions to such places.  Capturing special moments and interesting locations are easy with Google Photos. You can create your own GIFs and movie clips (with your selected song in the background). No extra app or struggle involved. Just a few clicks on the Google Photos app and it is done. More so, there’s a sharing feature on the app that sends to loved ones and friends. Just create a new sharing link, add everybody’s email addresses and you can all upload pictures and have access to them automatically.

Out and about we headed to the serene yet rich in fauna Lekki Conservation Centre, Lekki Lagos where we explored the nature trail walk for about 300 metres before climbing the tree house, the view from the top of the tree house was awesome.

Next stop was Chef Eros Studio 1 at Lekki where we learnt the art of home-made-party-jollof rice. Thanks to the famous conversation between Richard Quest of CNN and Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism on the origins of jollof rice, it has become our holy grail, so gidiwithgoogle cannot happen without Naija jollof rice. Chef Eros left no one in doubt about the amazing delicacy Naija jollof rice which left our fellow African influencers asking for more and the recipe too. We finished with a crash course on table etiquette and food party with a twist on traditional Nigeria food.

Nobody looked forward to the Lekki Arts and Crafts Market more than the visiting influencers and were slightly disappointed when we found out the market was shut down for the day. We opted for the boat ride from BayLounge, navigating Lagos waterways with Naija music, food and good company.

DAY 2 – Mainland Fun 

After breakfast, we went to the Quintessence Store, Ikoyi, the arts and crafts on sale there were a collectors’ item and I picked a few with amazing books. Next door is Polly Alakija, (the artist that painted under Falomo Bridge, Ikoyi) art studio where I saw the best murals in Lagos and took pictures with the iconic hand painted volkswagen bug in front of her studio

Next stop was Freedom Park, formerly a colonial prison called Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prison. Although most of the former structures have been demolished, they have built new ones ones with pictures and relics of the old prison. We met, Theo Lawson, the architect that designed Freedom Park and Kalakuta Museum.

We moved on to Kalakuta Museum. What can I say it’s a whole three-floors dedicated to the memory of Fela, the music legend. With a tour guide/former student of Fela, we practically went through his lifetime in two hours. No information or keepsake was spared from pictures, rooms, clothes, musical instruments and even the wrapper of the last chocolate candy he had before passing away. 

After a sumptuous meal at Jevenik restaurant, GRA, Ikeja, we were prepped up for a glamorous night. Face beat by Priye, one of Nigeria’s top make-up artist, off we went to Bogobiri for another amazing party, Google style. A lovely evening with excellent food, wine and Naija music and dance. What a top ending to a brilliant day.

Usual Google style, each person forms a group with tasks at the beginning and the winning group gets gifts.

 I’m proud to say my group won one of the competitions. With Google photos, I know my unlimited amazing pictures I took will be stored and organized, however, much more than the pictures were the daily gifts I got on return to my hotel room each night. Not just any other gifts but gifts that resonate with me. Thanks, Google!

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Adama Indimi’s Achilles’ Heel

Without a doubt, Adama, one of the daughters of billionaire businessman and Chairman of Oriental Petroleum Oil, Mohammed Indimi, is strikingly beautiful. She is one of the few ladies  whose beauty would make any full-blooded man drool. So many features, including her curvature, come-hither-looks, and infectious smile can make any man weak at his knees.  No one sees her without taking a pause to appreciate her God-given endowment. Besides, she has a good sense of fashion.

However, what Adama, a graduate of the Lynn University, Florida, US, gains in physical attributes, she allegedl five y lack in character. This, it was gathered, is the only reason she is not hooked to date.

Interestingly, Adama, who runs a travel agency, Kauna Solutions, is not in short supply of men who want her as a partner. But most of the dashing and successful men whose paths had crossed hers had reportedly parted ways with her on account of her alleged haughtiness.

When  the beautiful model was jilted last year by sensational singer, D’ Banj, many had attributed the break-up to her “bad attitude”, which made the Koko Master to seek love in another woman , Didi Kilgrow. Before then, the duo were an item. In fact, it was revealed that both families were aware of their affair, as Indimi was always visiting D’banj’s mother in Lagos, while he was also a regular guest at her family’s house in Abuja.It will be recalled that her wedding introduction with a son of a Niger State top politician was reportedly cancelled at the last minute when the young man could no longer cope with her.  Though she was distraught over the development, she soon came over it and moved on.

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Buhari Offers to Host D8 Ministers in Abuja Next Month

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Istanbul, Turkey pledged Nigeria’s preparedness to host the meeting of D8 Ministers of Industry between November 14 and 17, this year in Abuja.

The President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to international trade and development and urged D-8 leaders to prioritise incentives and measures aimed at increasing trade and investments among member countries.

‘‘As the D-8, we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures and incentives introduced to promote trade and assist the business communities from Member States to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation.Shehu said Buhari who made the appeal at the ninth summit of the D-8, observed that the private sector and business communities in the economic organisation must be assisted with incentives to widen economic cooperation among member-states.

‘‘We need to work hard to establish integrated manufacturing structures and markets. I will like to reiterate the importance of increasing trade and investment among our Member States,’’ Buhari was quoted as saying.

Highlighting the attractive business and investment opportunities in the country, the statement added that the President stressed the need for prospective investors to take advantage of the federal government’s new policies on trade facilitation.

‘‘Nigeria is committed to, and is actively pursuing a policy of trade and investment facilitation for growth.  The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, improved productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity.

‘‘Economies that grow fastest and at more sustainable rates are those that actively promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment,’’ the President said.

Shehu said the President also urged D-8 member countries to support the efforts of the African Union (AU) to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on the continent and described the AU-backed Continental Free Trade Area for Africa as a ‘’win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.’’

Buhari added: “I am pleased to inform you of positive market developments currently in Africa, that will support our efforts as members of the D-8 to enlarge our markets, facilitate our trade and investments, and develop our economies.

‘‘In Africa, we are on the threshold of finalising negotiations to establish the first ever Single Market for Trade in Goods and Services on our Continent, in the Continental Free Trade Area for Africa.  This will be a win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.

‘‘As partners, I urge that we work together to support this effort of the African Union that will have a positive effect on global economic development and integration.’’

Earlier, Buhari had congratulated the outgoing Chairman of D8, Pakistani government, and Dr. Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, the outgoing Secretary-General, on their commitment and strong resolve to forge the organization ahead even in the face of serious challenges.

He also congratulated Turkey on assuming the new leadership of the economic organization.

He assured D-8 leaders that Nigeria would continue to support the secretariat in its assignments to achieve the visions and objectives of the organization.

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NFF Set to Resolve World Cup Bonuses with Eagles

• Budgets N6.4bn for next year 
• Stops bonus payments to age-grade teams

Femi Solaja

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to ensure that World Cup 2018 bonuses are concluded with the Super Eagles before the end of this year to avoid repetition of what transpired in Brazil three years ago.
At the Mundial in the South American country three years ago, Super Eagles players abandoned training ahead of a crucial second round clash with France as a result of disagreement over bonuses.

It took the intervention of then President Goodluck Jonathan who directed Senate President, Senator David Mark to fly into Brazil with the cash from Abuja to pay the players at their Campina camp before they returned to training. Nigeria eventually lost the match 1-0 to France.

But thursday, NFF decided at its executive committee meeting that held at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Jos that bonuses agreements with the players must be concluded before the end of the year.Football aficionados attributed the loss in Brasilia to the dispute and the fact that Eagles stayed awake almost all the night leading to the match to pick up the cash.

“World Cup bonuses must be firmly concluded and agreement signed before the end of this year, for the sake of stable preparations and credible participation at the World Cup finals without any distractions,” observed the communique released after the meeting.

The committee also resolved that adequate and intensive preparation of the Super Eagles for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, including the arrangement of quality friendly matches for the team, is non –negotiable.

“To this end, a comprehensive plan of action would be released after the World Cup Draw in Moscow on 1st December 2017, which would encompass training camps, friendly matches, marketing and funds drive to ensure a great outing at the World Cup finals.”

In line with global best practices, the NFF has also decided to stop payment of bonuses for all age grade national teams. Also, it stopped bonus payment to coaches and backroom staff of the senior teams.

“The committee reiterated that henceforth, only the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons will be entitled to bonus payments per match. Players, coaches and backroom staff of other teams will earn daily allowances, approved bonuses at the end of successful qualifying campaigns and approved allowances (including daily allowances) at championships.”

Meanwhile, the General Assembly approved the NFF Financial Statement for the year 2016 and the 2018 Budget as proposed.

The Federation’s total budget for year 2018 activities is the sum of N6,382,500,310.00. The guaranteed revenues from sponsors and government subvention is the sum of N3,062,500,310.00, leaving a shortfall of the sum of N3,320,000,000.00, which the Federation has to work to augment through sponsorships and special interventions.
Another far reaching decision at the Congress also includes the adoption of the motion to the effect that future Elective Congresses be moved away from the FIFA World Cup year. Katsina has been selected to host the next Elective Congress.

“This is to guarantee stability in the system to prepare the national team for credible participation at the finals, and to avoid the distractions and crises usually associated with the World Cup year.

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