Akwa Ibom Medical University Will Tackle Medical Tourism - Group

By Patrick Odey

Uyo — The proposed medical university in Afaha Obong community in Akwa Ibom State will help stop many Nigerians from travelling abroad for treatment, an investment group, Thompson and Grace, has said.

Managing Director, of the group, Dr. Isaac Thompson Amos, stated this at the weekend at Abak Local Government during the ground breaking ceremony for the proposed medical university, and Parental Infusion and Dialysis Concentrate Plant.

Amos, said the justification for the university and its sister projects became necessary to deliberately ensure the promotion and enhancement of clinical education, research and delivery of healthcare which is grossly lacking in Sub-Saharan region.

He expressed dismay that new and chronic diseases are emerging on daily basis in Africa and the world without a corresponding increase in quantity and quality of health care workers to tackle such diseases.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, said his administration would continue to partner the private sector towards boosting the economy of the state.

Represented by the deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, the governor praised the Group Managing Director of Thompson & Grace, Dr. Isaac Amos for establishing the project in Akwa Ibom State.

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Annoying habits every Nigerian traveler should drop

A majority of Nigerians love to travel whether within the country or around the world. While a number of them have good travel habits which keep them alert and prepared for possible setbacks including losing their luggage, getting sick or having something stolen, there are some who often exhibit behaviours that not only put them at risk and set them up for dire challenges while travelling, but also upsets other passengers unlucky to be on the same path as they are.

The thing is, most of the travelers who exhibit these habits do not even know that they do and so have no clue that they need to tackle them. Nigerian travelers need to drop to ensure they enjoy a continuously smooth experience.

Arriving late

Arriving late to the airport or terminal is a common habit for most people. They fail to consider the possibility of traffic or car failure when estimating time needed to get to the airport. Some do not pack at least a day before the trip but leave it for the morning of the journey and as a result, arrive late and miss their flight or bus, creating difficulties for not just themselves, but also the officers who help them cancel or re-book their flight. In some cases, people who have to stop over at multiple locations while traveling to a country abroad, arrive late to the plane, causing delays for others or in dire cases, facing the horrible challenge or re-routing or re-booking their flight. While travelling, it pays to keep to time.

Over packing

Many women are known for extra luggage. They like to travel with a lot of bags even if it just a short trip, and this habit can be very annoying as they end up taking most of the cabin luggage space, forcing other passengers to squeeze their luggage in tiny corners. Hotel staff get discouraged, escorting them to their rooms as they worry about carrying a lot of luggage.To save yourself the stress, stick to taking the essentials and do not pack anything you can get at your travel destination.

Asking for favours

Some people make a habit of asking for favours while travelling. Some of the popular favours they ask include: ‘Please, do you mind if we switch seats, I really do not like seating next to the window, I find it super scary’, ‘Do you mind if I put my things under your seat? I can’t fit these extra bags that I smuggled onto the plane under my own seat’, Or “Can I please use your phone to call my friend so she can know that I am close to the airport, I have run out of minutes.” Most passengers who give in to these request hold a level or resentment inside or get irritated. To keep the a cordial atmosphere with people they meet, they should ensure they make proper arrangements and do not bother others by asking for favours on the road.

Ignoring Seat Etiquette

Some air passengers are the worst when it comes to observing seat etiquette. They find it hard to keep to their own space while on their seat. They fail to understand the need for the armrest between two seats and they ignore the tray tables when eating, sometimes spilling food on other passengers as a result. The worst is when they sleep on the shoulder of the neighbor sitting next to them, possibly drooling on them. When travelling, ensure you keep to your seat and observe all etiquette, that way you are not a burden to your neighbor.

Flashing money

When traveling, it is important that you hide your valuables and only use them when necessary. This is to avoid attracting the wrong set of people, and is instrumental to ensuring you do not become an easy target for thieves and marauders.  Nigerians however, like to flash their money and even dress up in their expensive clothes and jewelry when travelling, especially abroad. They do this mostly to create the impression of affluence as most believe that affluence commands recognition and respect. However, unless you have body guards or some kind of immunity, it is important to drop the habit.

By Jovago team

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5 flight booking mistakes

Flying in Nigeria is expensive and booking airfares can become a nail-biting experience especially if you are yet to master the trick of take advantage of discount bookings offered by airlines.

While there is nothing you can do to avoid paying more than you’d like for airfare in Nigeria, there are a few things you can avoid to keep from paying more than you should. 

Booking too early

When it comes to flying, the super early bird really does catch the worm. While booking early for travel to popular destinations, as well as travels on high-traffic days and peak seasons may seem like a good rule of thumb, getting your flight ticket more than three months before the trip will most likely not yield the best price as you will be charged a higher fare.

You stand the greatest chance for the lowest possible fare 45 days out for domestic travel and 60 days for international because outside that time window, most airline computers are not programmed to give you any kind of a deal.

Also, airlines are still confident they will find a maximum amount of passengers to fill the seats, so they keep the fare high enough for extra benefits. It seems like a very tricky thing to do but booking at the right time can save you money.

Booking too late

Neither too early, nor too late! Do not hold off too long to book your tickets especially when it is for an international trip.

Apart from business trips which very often tend to be impromptu, you can plan your honeymoon, vacations and retreats in advance. If you have already marked out the probable flying date on the calendar, why not book a flight ahead to get rebates on airfare?

In Nigeria, the difference between today and tomorrow’s airfare depending on the available seats on flight is staggering.

Some airlines still offer low-cost, last-minute flights, especially when they are running a promo, but the likelihood is slim.

The only other exception to this is the bargain shopping found at the counter of these airlines on the morning of departure. In a mad scramble to fill the plane, some airlines reduce the cost of tickets and giving you the option of saving thousands of Naira on a choice flight. This, however, is usually an option reserved for those who know how to hustle.

Booking during business hours

If you are a savvy Nigerian traveller, you will know that airline ticket prices fluctuate throughout the day and you have a chance of making substantial savings just by booking at the right hour or time of the day.

Many people who do not know this trick end up paying more for their flights.

Business hours (9 am – 5 pm) are the worst times to book your airfare as there are a large number of others trying to book a flight ticket and the rush in traffic inevitably ups the ticket rates.

Travel experts say that the best time to book a flight is actually Wednesday at 1 a.m (in the time zone the airline is based) as all of the super-low fares that were not purchased come back onto the airline’s system, providing a prime opportunity to take advantage of a glut of discounted ticket prices. Good thing is that you can do this online in Nigeria too.

Not booking with the airline

In Nigeria, there are so many platforms that assist with airfare comparison and flight bookings.

While this seems like a good option to take, especially as it makes booking super easy and convenient, it can cost you much more than you are willing to deal with. Apart from the charge they tack on to book through them, sometimes these  websites get your information wrong or give you incorrect details on the airline you are booking on.

For instance, they can charge you normal flight rates when the airline is running a seasonal promo. So once you have done research and found the lowest available flight, get on the airline’s website or call them directly to book the flight yourself.

Not clearing your cookies

This might a little too tech for some travellers, but it is a huge mistake most people who book their flights online make. Every savvy traveller is well aware of the fact that most airlines track online behaviour of their users, that way they identify which flights that are searched frequently per time and up the airfare for such flights.

It is therefore important to clear your cookies or book on another computer altogether after shopping for fares on one computer, as that is the best way to counter the trend. You can even take it a step further by changing your location or simply asking someone in another location to make the booking for you.  Again, you can beat the IP issue by using your mobile device as long as you it is not also using your home Wi-Fi connection.

By Adeniyi

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THE TRUTH ABOUT NIGERIA YOU MUST KNOW.

The country referred to as Giant of Africa is one of the most prominent countries in the world. However, over the years, certain incidents have led to birth and sustenance of certain negative stereotypes that seemingly hang over the country today.

Although most of these stereotypes are mere generalizations, they give a false impression of the country as well as its people, and tend to form the basis on which others her people. If you are visiting Nigeria, it is important to clear your mind of these stereotypes and hold on to the truth.

1. Nigeria is loved by its citizens.

The country is rich in natural resources and quite a number of its citizens not only remain within the country to harness the possibilities on offer, they love and remain patriotic to the country’s cause.

There is the impression that every person from the oil-rich nation is looking for an avenue to travel abroad for greener pastures. Admittedly, there are quite a number of Nigerians in diaspora, however, even those who live outside country visit regularly and eventually return to set up business or retire in the country.

2. The people of Nigeria work hard to earn their living.

Quite a large number of people in this country actually work hard to earn a living. They work decent jobs per day and start business which even grow into big companies. Some of the top richest men in the world are from Nigeria, with their net worth are backed by actual stocks in market.

As is with every other countries in the world, there are bound to be con artistes who swindle wealth off others; a practise most Nigerians frown upon.

3. Education is valued.

They appreciate education so much that a parent is willing to sell his land and property to ensure his or her child is properly educated. Almost every state in the country has at least two tertiary institutions and a myriad of nursery, primary and secondary schools. While many struggle to afford schooling, quite a number are still educated at even to the Masters level.

4. Nigeria is safe.  

With the Civil war of 1967, minor tribal riots and most recently, the rampage of the Boko Haram sect, Nigeria has been labelled by most foreigners as a volatile country.

With the break of any issue, the news media as well as independent columnists seek opportunities to highlight possible conflict or outbreak of war in the country. The nation is represented is such a way that public opinion is classified to reflect discord between local tribes and an advancement in terrorism within the country.

The truth however is that so far, there have been no genocides or war. The country is as safe as most other nations and the government is making fruitful efforts towards containing terrorism.

By Blessing

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Five (5) historical facts about Nok City

Nok is a city in Kaduna state where mysterious and unique cultural statuettes were found as early as 500 BC. This incredible discovery brought global attention to the city as curious archaeologists, wanderlust tourists and fun-seeking travelers paid visits to have a first-hand encounter with one of Nigeria’s best kept secrets.

A tour of Nok offers travelers a pleasant, fun-filled and enthralling journey through a once flourishing ancient enclave. It is the perfect place for an adventurous holiday this Christmas.

Figurines discovered in Nok in 1929

The figurines were discovered in 1929 when it was accidentally unearthed by tin miners. After several lab tests, the figurines were presumably dated 500 BC by archaeologists. Since, its discovery, people from different parts of the world have flooded the city to see this rare find. Despite this, the tourism potentials of the city are yet to be harnessed even with the establishment of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Had an advanced social system

Nok people had an organized social system, a well-ordered economy and a functional form of governance that promoted peace, equality and justice in the society. This clearly reflects a structured society way before the emergence of modernity and technology.

Evidence of a rich artistic past

The terracotta heads are an unquestionable proof of the artistic prowess of the Nok people. The deft skills exhibited by the sculptors through their carvings was exceptional. The various heads represented human beings, animals and plants captured in positions sitting, kneeling or standing; a rarity in modern art.

At risk of being looted

It is worrisome that many of the terracotta heads have been carted away to foreign museums on display for exhibition or auction. Unless efforts are coordinated towards recovering these heads and preventing the looting of others, the Nok culture and statues, which are invaluable assets to Nigeria, will be lost in the near future.

Nok culture is extinct

The only reminder of Nok culture are the figurines excavated by archeologists. However, Bernard Fagg, who uncovered various Nok sites in 1944 observed that the Ham people of Southern Kaduna was an offshoot of the Nok people. Fagg hinged his decision on the similarities between the cultural practices, dressing and figures represented in the Nok art. A visit to Nok is guaranteed to take you down memory lane of ancient Nigerian heritage.

By Jovago team

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Four (4) Expert Travel Advice you Never Thought of.

Travelling should be fun especially when you have the perfect nuggets at your fingertips. While there may be unexpected situations that may arise whenever you go on vacation to Calabar or on a business trip to Port Harcourt , there are a few important tips every seasoned traveller takes to heart. To help you with a smoother journey, here are some expert tips;

Pack and Unpack
When some persons travel, it is compulsory that they forget something. Perhaps it until they forget their wallet or travel documents before they begin to consciously pack. Packing is supposed to be effortless. To prevent you from leaving any important stuff behind, unpack one-third of your things after packing, you will have a difficult time forgetting anything.

Your Phone Camera Isn’t Just For Selfies

Phones today have been pigeonholed as devices for taking only selfies. But there is much more your phone can do for you aside selfies. Before you leave for the airport, take pictures of emergency contact information, passport, Travel documents, ATM cards, and health insurance cards. This will come handy in case of any travel eventually. In addition, to be safe, you can attach the snapped documents to your email. This to prevent double jeopardy of stolen phone and stolen documents.

Always carry a pen
A ball point pen is inexpensive. Therefore, it doesn’t take you anything to take one along whenever you travel because you will be asked to fill out forms. It will a bit embarrassing for you to form the habit of always requesting a pen.

Staying Safe Has Different Meanings
Staying safe on the road is more about your demeanor and character than about taking extra precautions. The best thing is to be positive and have a confident attitude while traveling local or international in order to make sure you don’t become a target.

If there are any times that you are unsure or get stressed out, that is when you will get into trouble. Stay calm, stay confident, and always walk like you know where you are going, even if you’re lost.



Source: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/205211/4-expert-travel-advice-you-never-thought-of.html

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Five (5) Ways To Have Fun At Jabi Lake

 

Nothing beats a day at Jabi Lake . A major tourist attraction in Abuja for visitors from around the country, including Minna and Kaduna, the lake offers an inexpensive, fun day for the family, a great place to hang out with a lover or friends and someplace to go by yourself, enjoy the sun and read a good book.

Encircled in a sea of water and gorgeous scenery, it offers the closest to beach experience within the city. If you happen to be traveling to the area from out of town, Jovago.com offers a list of things to do at the lake that will keep you on your toes and offer you great opportunities to encounter something new and different.

Window shop at Jabi Lake mall
The Jabi Lake mall is the most recent addition to the Jabi Lake environs. Situated on 5 hectares of land on the eastern shore of the Jabi Lake, ten minutes away from the Abuja Central Business District, and flanked by Shehu Yar’Adua expressway and the Jabi and Utako districts, overlooking Jabi Lake, the spot attracts a large number of visitors per day. While visiting Jabi Lake, stroll into the magnificent mall and feed your eyes to a feast of products available in stores all located within the mall. Have fun checking out the fashion trends and latest brands…and if you have some money to spare, you can make a purchase or two.

Shake your hips in a dancing competition
Dance competitions are a common occurrence at the Jabi lake. If you are not able to register and secure a chance at any of the dance competition, kick up your adventure genes, crash one of the competition and give yourself a chance to compete with skill dancers, and for a prize too. You might end up discovering a talent you did not know you had within you while having fun all the way.

Take a boat ride
The Jabi Lake offers amenities like speed boat rides, canoe rides as well as other water sports. Shake off your aquaphobia and go on a speedboat ride. Usually, you can go on a ride with an expert who charges a token or you can drive the boat on your own. The canoe rides are slower but as much fun as well. In a city where there is a dearth of seas side, an opportunity that offer sea breeze and adrenalin pumping speed on water can be quite exhilarating.

Picnic with a boo at Jabi Park
Jabi Park Abuja is a cool garden beside the Jabi lake. You get a chance to relax on a mat with friends and feast on whatever goodies you decide to bring, while observing the environs. The good this about Jabi Lake is that you do not need to stress yourself over cooking and packing food. Just come with a mat and a basket and you can fill up the basket with food items from stores and restaurants around. Good thing is, you can take a stroll after the picnic and enjoy the cool evening breeze.

Ride a horse
Most Nigerians are not huge on riding horses at the various beaches as they tend to automatically assume the horses are dirty and disease ridden. The case is however different at Jabi lake. The horses are not only well groomed; they have trainers who escort them round in search of patronizers. Have fun galloping around areas of the Jabi Lake and park…and do not forget to take pictures as they help preserve the fun memory.

  source: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/205234/5-ways-to-have-fun-at-jabi-lake.html

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Six (6) Forbidden Mistakes To Avoid In Warri

Warri, a city in South-South Nigeria , is the commercial capital hub of Delta State and one of the major pivots of petroleum activities in the region. The city offers business opportunities as well as wonderful sights such as the Delta Ports, Nana Living History Museum and Red Mangrove swamp, to visitors.

 

However, thanks to the myriad jokes about the city by Nigerian comedians and celebrities, some visitors are a bit reluctant to visit the city as they have the impression that Warri is an aggressive place and its inhabitants, belligerent. Although there is no city without drawbacks, these stereotypes are largely untrue. You can have a marvelous time in this metropolis if you steer certain mistakes and Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking portal shares a list of things to avoid doing while visiting Warri.

Prolonged Haggling

Every traveler and visitors to a city likes to leave with a souvenir and most times, the best souvenirs are gotten straight from the rural markets or local vendors. Warri certainly boast of various markets an d local vendors abound, however, it is important that you set a budget, have at least a vague idea of what you are looking to buy and you maintain proper decorum while making the purchase in the city’s markets. While the locals do not expect that you would buy their item or product without haggling, they strongly detest prolonged haggling and even worse customers who take too long to decide on a purchase. Most times, you hear vendors make comments like : “ if u wan buy, buy; an if you no wan buy, abeg, dey go” when they are utterly irritated by a tourist buyer.

Responding to pidgin with English

Warri is famed for its unique brand of Pidgin. While they are not very kind to people who try to mock the language or people who speak it wrongly, they are even much more irritated by visitors who respond to them in English (especially polished English or what Nigerian refer to as “Phonee English”) when they originally started the conversation pidgin. “who you dey follow speak spri spri” is a common retort the culprit would get. This mostly applies to visitors from around the country, they tend to make exceptions for foreigners. If you are visiting the city and you know your pidgin is not as fluent and quick as that of the locals, take time to rehearse what you want to say before you utter it, however, if you cannot, try to speak the normal Nigerian English at least, or at most, go with a local. Speaking ‘Queen’s English’ usually gives off a haughty vibe, which they mostly are averse to.

Flashing money and expensive jewelry

This mistake actually should not be made anywhere in the world, no matter how safe you feel the location is. Unless you have able-bodied guards or you are moving in an armored car, flashing money and expensive jewelry makes you a target and is a sure way to attract petty thieves and robbers. In Warri, the pickpockets and marauders are very sharp and quick, and so you may not even know when your possessions are taken from you. If you must carry large sums of money, ensure you have a waist bag or very deep pockets. If you have in a handbag, stay alert and watch the movements around you. Again, if you are commuting by public transport, ensure you hold your wallet and other valuables in your hands where you can keep a good eye on them.

Joining in a conversation without facts

The people in Warri are generally jolly fellows and will welcome anyone’s opinion at any time, especially when its offered in a friendly manner, however, they are not very kind to strays who try to join in on a conversation without knowing the facts. They would usually turn on the person and possibly haul insults at them. If you would like to befriend the locals, especially while visiting a local pub, restrict yourself to asking questions which would require them educating you, this will endear you to them. In the case where you feel you must add your opinion, ensure you are sure of it and can defend it with facts.

Issuing threats

Sometimes, you find yourself issuing threats out of exasperation and frustration; however, while visiting Warri, you may want to put a pin on your emotions. Weigh situations carefully before making any utterances, and also, ensure that you only utter words that you are ready to fulfill. While the Warri locals are not necessarily belligerent, they do not back down on a challenge, and so a simply altercation could turn into a dire situation at any moment. These people think very highly of themselves and would rather get physical than be put down for no just cause.

Ignorant running

The normal reaction when you hear an alarm in a public space or see a group of people run is to join in on the race and flee. While most times, the adrenalin kicks in and you cannot help yourself, you may want to think twice before leaping into action while in Warri. Rather than just run blindly, pause, consider the environment, ask questions to find out what is going on, before setting off, that way you know if there is even need for you to run, and if you do, what direction to take. There have been cases where an innocent run has been mistaken for a thief and thoroughly beaten before the truth was revealed. Keep your ear to the ground in chaotic situation and only run when you are sure you have cause to. If there are gunshots or you see people with arms, it is better to lie on the floor and surrender than run, unless of course, you are as good as Usian Bolt.

source: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/205269/6-forbidden-mistakes-to-avoid-in-warri.html

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