Hollywood gossip: Is Jennifer Aniston getting married?

News have been circulating around the web that popular American actress, producer, film director, and one of Hollywood’s top earners with a string of blockbuster movies, Jennifer Aniston, is getting married (for the second time, if ever) next month. But while the name Jennifer Aniston is known worldwide, not too many people know her fiancé, Justin Theroux, he co-star in a movie called Wanderlust. Theroux, also an American, is a director and a screenwriter in addition to being an actor. The two reportedly met some years back and have been in a relationship since May 2011. Aniston was once married to Hollywood star Brad Pitt. She gained popularity in the 1990s for her wacky portrayal of Rachel Green in the sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. 

Hotels in Abuja - arranged according to district

A room at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Tower

Here's a list of hotels in Abuja - classified according to the following districts: Apo, Asokoro, Central Business District, Garki, Jabi, Maitama, and Wuse. It includes address, website, and contact details.  See the full list by clicking Read more below

APO

Protea Hotel Apo Apartments
Address: 2 Ahmadu Bello Way, Apo, (Opposite Legislative Quarters), Abuja
Phone: +234 9 4801818, 0805 283 5747
E-mail: apoapartments@gmail.com
Website: http://www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-apo-apartments.html

ASOKORO

Medirerranean Hotel, The
Address: 42 Hon. Justice Mamman Nasir Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 803 8146 631, 0807 8349 601
E-mail: info@mediterraneanabuja.com
Website: http://www.mediterraneanabuja.com

Protea Hotel Asokoro
Address: Bola Ige Close, Mohammadu Ribadu Str, off Shehu Shagari Way, Asokoro, Area 11, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 462 0700, 0808 027 7027; Fax: +234 9 462 0702
E-mail: phasokoro.reservations@gmail.com
Website: http://www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-asokoro.html

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

Chelsea Hotel
Address: Plot 123, Cadastral Zone A0, Central Business District, P.O.Box 7069, Abuja.
Phone: +234 9 782 2080, 7822081, 07055016751, 0705 501 6783.
Email: info@newchelseahotel.com
Website: http://www.chelseahotelabuja.com

Reiz Continental Hotel
Address: Plot 779, Cadastral Zone AO,Central Business District, Garki-Abuja.
Phone: +234 9 4619110, 08039676940, 08073190331; Fax: +234 9 4619110
Website: http://www.reizcontinentalhotels.com



GARKI

Agura Hotels
Address: Plot 1090, Moshood Abiola Rd, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
Phone: +234 (0) 7023239590, 08037040155, 08034464081, 08066027939, 08036286695
E-mail: info@agurahotel.com
Website: http://www.agurahotel.com

Angeles Hotels
Address: Plot 661, Yauri Close, Beside FCDA Staff Quarters, Phase ll, Garki ll, Abuja.
Phone: +234 9 4833217, 2341712, 08069766065, 08077159084; Fax: +234 9 2341305
E-mail: info@angeleshotelsabuja.com
Website: http://www.angeleshotelsabuja.com

Bolingo Hotel & Towers
Address: Indepencdence Avenue, Area 10, Garki, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 461 5000/59, 461 5027, 234 4710; Fax: +234 9 4615027
Website: http://www.bolingohotel-tower.com

Bolton White Hotels
Address: Plot 7, Gwandu Street Beside Shahad Stores, Area 11 Garki Abuja
Phone: +234 9 290 7535, 08049167281, 08023453821, 08033216410; Fax: +234 9 3144405
Website: http://www.boltonwhitehotel.com

Dannic Hotels
Address: Plot 93 Oyo Street, Off Moshood Abiola way, Area 2, Garki, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 874-1699, 0807 668-8339
E-mail: abuja@dannichotels.com
Website: http://www.abuja.dannichotels.com
Gloriana Hotel and Suites
Address: 4-6 Okene Street, Area 2 Section 2, Garki. Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 7039618472, 08077579475, 07040559670, 0805 1615 185
E-mail: info@glorianahs.com
Website: http://glorianahs.com

Gracious Hotel
Address: 29, Okemesi Crescent, New Polytechnic Layout (BY FERMA), Garki II Abuja
Phone: +234 9 3144382,08066794002, 08069210056, 08034030271
Website: http://www.gracioushotel.com

Harmonia Hotels
Address: Plot 896, Gimbiya Street (By Rachel Eye Clinic Center) , Area II Garki, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 3143200 – 3, 080-72022490; Fax: +234 9 3143205
E-mail: harmonia_hotels@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.harmoniahotels.net

Hotel Rosebud
Address: 33 Port Harcout Crescent(Off Gimbiya ST.), Garki Area 11, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 7806083, 07031914258
E-mail: reservation@hotelrosebud.com
Website: http://www.hotelrosebud.com

Nicon Luxury Hotel
Address: Plot 903, Tafawa Balewa Way, Area 11, Garki 11, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 4619000, 2342002; Fax: +234 9 491 9009
E-mail: reservations@niconluxury.com

Petrus Hotel
Address: 7, Agatu Street Off Gimbiya Street, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Garki, Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 803 8844 196, 0815 1432 996
E-mail: info@petrushotels.org
Website: http://www.petrushotels.org

Savannah Suites Resorts
Address: 8, Faskari Close, Area 3, Garki, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 2906119, 2342840-3, 07040400117, 0807 606 7626, 0803 579 8006; Fax: +234 9 2341520
Website: http://www.savannahsuitesgroup.com

Sharon Ultimate Hotels
Address: 1710 Tafawa Balewa Way, Area 3, Garki, Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 803 6150852, 07057090731; Fax: +234 9 2345546
Website: http://www.sharonultimatehotels.com


JABI

La'Don Hotel
Address: 2 Mamudu Close, Opp. Police Quarters, Jabi District Abuja.

Phone: +234 (0) 7066688881 , 08056007520.
E-mail: info@ladonabuja.com
Website: http://www.ladonabuja.com

Nordic Villa, The
No. 52, Mike Akhigbe Way
Jabi, Abuja
Nigeria
Phone: 0703 682 9922 (+234 703 682 9922)
Email: info@thenordicvilla.com

MAITAMA

Transcorp Hilton Abuja
Address: 1 Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 461-3000 ;Fax: +234 9 461-3110
E-mail: hilton.abuja@hilton.com
Website: Abuja Hilton Homepage

Protea Hotel Abuja
Address: 3 Negroe Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 461 2741-3; Fax: +234 (0) 708 630 0440
E-mail: phabuja.reservations@gmail.com
Website: http://www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-abuja.html


UTAKO

Chida International Hotel.
Address: Plot 224, Solomon Lar Way, Utako District, Abuja.
Phone: +234 9 671 3695, 671 3694, 0707 220 6890; Fax: +234 9 523 9743.
Email: info@chidahotelinternational.com
Website: http://www.chidahotelinternational.com
Hotel De Bently Abuja
Address: Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Way, Utako, Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 7084107808, 08037709249, 07052926033
E-mail: info@hoteldebently.com
Website: http://www.hoteldebently.com

Hawthorn Suites
Address: 1 Uke Street, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 460 3900
E-mail: reservation@hawthornabuja.com
Website: http://www.hawthornabuja.com

WUSE

Alexis Hotel and Conference Center
Address: Plot 693 Obafemi Awolowo Way Zone B4, Jabi District, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 6710216, 6718172, 08059135992, 08037093959
E-mail: info@alexishotel.net
Website: http://alexishotel.net

Dayspring Hotels
Address: 4, Juba Street, Zone 6, Wuse District, Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 803 250 9625, 0702 635 0293, 0803 786 2292; Fax: +234 9 523 8817
E-mail: reservationsdayspringhotel@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.dayspringhotel.com

Denis Hotel
Address: Plot 910 Ndjamena Street. Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 4616900 – 29, 08032864888, 0805444223; Fax: +234 9 5230633
E-mail: info@denishotelsabuja.com
Website: http://www.denishotelsabuja.com

Grace Point Resort Hotel
Address: Kanaga close, off Yoounde Street, Zone 6 Wuse, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 7817305, 08033032321
E-mail: info@gracepointresorthotel.com
Website: http://www.gracepointresorthotel.com/

Oxford Hotels
Address: 26, Suez Crescent, Abacha Estate, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 703-1997893, 0807-9962311, 0708-4490770
E-mail: reservation@oxfordhotels.biz
Website: http://oxfordhotels.biz/

Rockview Hotel Royale
Address: Plot 196, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 4612800 - 30, 4136722 - 38, 08039043800 - 30
E-mail: reservationroyale@rockviewhotels.com
Website: http://www.rockviewhotels.com

Rockview Hotel Classic
Address: Plot 194, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 4136722 - 38, 4130168 - 75, 4614600 - 30
E-mail: reservationclassic@rockviewhotels.com
Website: http://www.rockviewhotels.com

Sinoni Lodge
Address: 40 Birao Street, off Yalinga Street, Wuse II, Abuja
Phone: +234 (0) 702 584 8620, 0806 747 3891,0805 914 9857
E-mail: sinonilodge@yahoo.com
Website: http://sinonilodge.com

Sheraton Abuja Hotel & Towers
Address: Ladi Kwali Way, P.M.B. 143, Maitama, Abuja
Phone: +234 9 4612000; Fax: +234 9 4601508
E-mail: reservations.abuja@sheraton.com
Website: http://www.sheratonabuja.com

Today's quotable quote... by Steve Jobs

Want to be your own boss? Two great tips by Martha Stewart

ONE

“Being an entrepreneur is not easy, but it is exciting, fun, and amazingly interesting and challenging... being an entrepreneur requires a person to do more than just “go to work,” much more than just “do a job.” It requires eye’s in the back of one’s head; constant learning; curiosity; unflagging energy; good health, or at least a strong constitution that will ward off illness; and even the strength and desire to put up with sleep deprivation and long hours of intense concentration. To many, these characteristics might sound rather daunting, but among successful entrepreneurs, these are common traits.” 

TWO

“You should never try something that makes you uncomfortable or that you are ill prepared to undertake just because you think you may never get another chance. The chance will come. Prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and intellectually first, and you will be able to differentiate a long shot from a good, well-calculated risk. You will also become more aware that the world is full of interesting opportunities. Taking risks can make anyone feel uneasy, but if you are feeling deeply worried and have strong misgivings about an opportunity, let it go. Another opportunity will come your way.” - Martha Stewart (in her book The Martha Rules)

Quote of the day... by Richard Branson

Tens of thousands attend Pope's final audience

Culled from Yahoo News (Photo by L Osservatore Romano, ho)

One of the hottest news recently was the resignation of Pope Benedict, an event that has not been witnessed in the last 600 years, fuelling conflicting reports and speculations from observers, news reporters, analysts and individuals. The 85-year pontiff has said his resignation was due to advance age, but others say it was due to the scandals pertaining to sex abuse by priests in the Catholic church as well as leaked documents and  rivalry in the Vatican. In spite of all that, tens of thousands of cheering pilgrims attended his last public appearance on Feb 27 in Rome. Yahoo News reports: "Thank you, I am very moved," Benedict told a cheering crowd of more than 150,000 people in St Peter's Square a day before he becomes the first pope to step down in some six centuries."  Follow the story HERE. 

Today's tip from millionaire success guru Ali Brown

My #1 Secret to Productivity: Batching

by Ali Brown

One of the most exciting parts of starting and growing a business for most of us is the freedom that comes with being an entrepreneur. No one else dictating our schedule, how we work, or even what we’re working on. I remember those first days after I walked out of my last real job in NYC, practically singing “Born Free”!

But then the following week, I was humming a different tune… something like “Freak Out”… I realized I had jumped from a predictable pool into a vast ocean of freedom, and I had no idea how to structure my time. Each day I’d wake up and go from task to task and not have any organized way to do it, or a way to rank my priorities.

The bottom line: Structure gives you more freedom… when you do it right.

And I desperately needed some structure. But how to set it up? And in what way?

As I committed to learn more about business and success, I was lucky enough to come across many good ideas I use and teach today. But the most powerful one I’ve used is the concept of “batching”.

Basically, batching is ploughing through a bunch of similar tasks at once… looking at all your tasks that you have during a certain week or span of time that are similar in nature and batching them altogether.

Have you ever noticed when you get into the groove with a certain task, you become more efficient as you go? But if you stop and start different things, you lose momentum by switching gears.

Once I learned about batching, I became enamored with it! And here are my five favorite tasks to batch:

1. Email. Instead of jumping like Pavlov’s dog every time your e-mail bell goes off, take care of email in batches. To ensure success with this, please (I beg you)… turn off e-mail notification on your computer and smart phone. You do not need to know instantly when an e-mail comes in. It’s not designed to be urgent communication. The e-mail will still be there later, and you can write back to them at that time.

I will note that while most productivity experts don’t recommend checking email first thing in the morning, I do. Why? I have several team members on the East Coast who, by the time I am out of my pre-coffee brain fog, are waiting for answers on things to allow them to move forward and have a productive day themselves. So I allow about an hour in the a.m. to address the quick answers, and then save emails that require more thought for later on.

2. Phone calls. If you need to schedule or make several calls this week, then set aside some time to do all your calls in one sitting. You may end up leaving a few messages, but as long as you’re in a phone-calling mindset and have all the numbers in front of you, you’ll ultimately save time.

In my Elevate online business training program, I teach members to batch their coaching calls with clients as well – condensing all calls into just two or three days a week frees up your other days for project work.

A few years ago I was managing a lot, so I had to be intense about this. When I was running my $100,000 Diamond group, each member had a monthly private 30-minute call with me, and I scheduled them all on one day a month. At the beginning of the year, we made clear to clients that our 1:1 coaching calls were always on the second Tuesday of the month, and to block it out for the entire year in their calendars.

Handling 8-10 focused calls into one day required some energy, but it freed up so much of my time otherwise, it was wonderful.

3. Out-of-office appointments. If I have to get dressed, do my hair and makeup, and get in my car here in L.A., you can be sure I’m not just going to run out for one appointment! (Ladies, you know how long it can take to get out of the house, especially when we’re more used to rolling out of bed and working at home in our Ugg boots.)

It could be a day of client meetings, a day of various doctor appointments, or a blitz beauty day where you get your hair, nails, and waxing done all over town in one fell swoop. For those of you with kids, this is also a great way to maximize your childcare as you get more done in less time. On a day you have a sitter, you should make the most of that time and get as much done out of the house as you can.

There have also been days where if I’m doing hair and makeup for some videos I’m shooting at home, I’ll also add on a meeting or dinner date after, while I’m looking great! See where I’m going with this? Start thinking this way and it will change your life.

4. Blogging and social media. If you use blogs and social media to promote your business (and I hope you do), then batching can be a huge help. Spend a few hours at the beginning of the week writing up several blog posts at once and schedule them to publish throughout the week. For Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, use apps like Hootsuite to pre-schedule updates to automatically publish for you throughout the week. I have my team do the business updates for me, and then jump in myself when I have time, peppering in personal updates and fun shares.

For maintaining social media, set aside some time to check in on your pages and responses instead of jumping in there every ten minutes. I usually like to do this in the morning, during or after lunch, and at the end of day, if I have time and feel like it. Otherwise I have my team help monitor whenever possible.

(And please stop getting instant Facebook updates on your phone like you’re in high school! You don’t need to know immediately that your colleague just posted a new video, Aunt Myrtle baked a fresh pie, or your old college friend just invited you to play FarmVille2. These stimulating bits of news will still be there later. You’re running a business, remember? Business… )

5. Other admin or housekeeping tasks. Consider batching your invoicing, bill paying, time with colleagues, organizing the office… the possibilities are endless! And don’t discount doing this for your personal life. For instance, if you need to write thank you notes, sit down with everything you need and write several at once. If you don’t have time to cook for your family each night, make a large batch of food on Sunday and reheat it (or re-disguise it ;)) throughout the week. If you miss your friends from back home, schedule a trip to see several at once.

By batching similar tasks together, you’ll be amazed by how much more you can accomplish without working longer hours. And that means more time for the important strategies. Or heck, how about just working less?

QUESTION: Do you already use batching in your business? What about your personal life? Please share your best strategies in the comment section below.

==========

Entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow a profitable business that make a positive impact. Get her FREE CD “Top 10 Secrets for Entrepreneurial Women” atwww.AliBrown.com“

Your health: 10 signs that you have colon cancer

Family Virtue says "colon cancer is one of the least common forms of cancer in the United States, but it's much more common in other parts of the world. This form of cancer develops in the colon, which is responsible for numerous functions in the body such as filtering toxins from the blood, metabolizing fats and managing the balance of water in the body. Once colon cancer develops, all kinds of health complications can set in. Treating colon cancer is very difficult, considering how much can go wrong if the colon is damaged further." Here are ten signs to watch out for:

1. Rectal pain
2. Stomach sickness
3. Abdominal swelling
4. Jaundice (yellow skin)
5. Chalk-colored stools
6. Loss of appetite
7. Unexplained Constipation
8. Rectal bleeding
9. Anal Pain
10. Runny Stool and Diarrhea

Quote of the day... by Bill Clinton

Former US President Bill Clinton was in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Tuesday, February26,  as a participant in an awards ceremony organised by Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of This Day newspaper who has invited the former president several times to Nigeria, along with other celebrities. (AP Photo by Sunday Alamba)

Hiring domestic help in Abuja – a guide for newcomers

Hiring domestic help in Abuja – 5 Tips for newcomers
(Culled from Around and About Abuja)

Most foreigners employ two or three domestic staff on a full-time basis (five or six days a week.) A full time-cook/cleaner, driver, gardener and 24 hour watchman are the most common domestic staff. Some need a separate cook from the cleaner/maid and a nanny. The quarters provided for the domestic staff – called “Boys Quarters” – usually have two rooms. The employer decides which staff will occupy those rooms, but it is customarily the cook/cleaner and the nanny (if needed). Some ideas for hiring domestic staff are included below:

Finding Staff
Check the grapevine. There are always people coming and going – leaving staff behind. Let as many people know as possible that you are looking for someone and they will appear. There is always somebody’s “junior brother” or “junior sister” available. (Be a member of at least one group with expat membership and ask for recommendations from the members.- Araceli)

Salary
Ask friends and colleagues to see what a fair salary is for the services being provided. Transportation is quite expensive in Abuja. So the person will need to travel to work, a transport allowance will need to be added to their salary. Be sure to clearly state the basic salary – separate from the transportation – as transportation costs will likely to increase more rapidly than the basis salary.

Employer Responsibility

All terms and condition should be clearly spelled out prior to employment. Items that are the responsibility of the employer are: 1. Provide money for medical report (you may want to make sure they are vaccinated – especially nannies; test for TB and HIV are not uncommon); 2. Transportation allowance; 3 Uniform (if desired); 4) Food or food allowance (subject to negotiation); 5. Overtime (depends upon work hour agreement); 6. Seventeen days leave per year or one day off per week (depending on the agreement); 7. Thirteenth month bonus; and 8. Severance fee.

Contract

It is a good idea to draw up a contract with your domestic employees to ensure that the term and conditions are clearly spelled out. Check with the Human Rights Commission for the latest labor laws.

Job Vacancy in Abuja - deadline March 11

Recruitment: Enhancing Nigerian Capacity for AIDS Prevention Project (ENCAP Project)

Project Summary:

Enhancing Nigerian Capacity for AIDS Prevention (ENCAP) Project is a five-year (2010 – 2015) USAID-funded project implemented by Deloitte Consulting, LLP - Prime partner, in collaboration with FHI 360. The project is implemented in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and five states – Bayelsa, Rivers, Benue, Taraba, and Ebonyi. The ENCAP Project aims to build both organizational and technical capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs) delivering HIV prevention services in communities within the target states. ENCAP project is currently in its third year of implementation.

Position: Grants and Finance Associate
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Supervisors: Finance & Admin Manager (Deloitte Consulting LLP) and HIV Prevention Advisor (FHI 360)

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee grant awards to an assigned portfolio of local partner organizations, and ensure efficient financial administration of the ENCAP service delivery grant program
• Maintain a grants tracker for all subgrants
• Work closely with the Regional Coordinators and Finance and Grants team on development and review of grants, specifically grantee budgets, financial documentation, and financial management systems
• Within assigned portfolio, review all grantee financial reports and reimbursement requests for appropriateness and ensure grantees are in compliance with administrative and financial policies, procurement requirements, procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles
• Conduct routine verification of expenses claimed and ensure compliance with USG cost principles
• Collate and prepare documentation for disbursement of funds to grantees; assist in disbursement of funds as required
• Assist in developing budget, provide support in procurement, remitting payments and reconciling advances for ENCAP trainings
• As assigned by the Grants and Finance Officer, assist with financial backstopping for FHI 360’s activities on the ENCAP project; including funds transfers (local and international); monthly imprest, processing consultant fee payments, preparing financial reports and pipelines for submissions to FHI 360 HQ; administration of payroll for FHI 360-hired staff on the project; and maintenance of computer-based financial tracking system for project transactions

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelors' Degree in Finance and/or Accounting
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience, including at least 1year professional experience in financial and grants management
• Experience in grants management and financial monitoring
• Experience with financial and managerial accounting, budgeting, payroll and procurement process preferred
• Excellent organizational and negotiation skills
• Experience in providing financial technical assistance to grantees preferred
• Strong financial, audit and computer skills: proficiency in MS Office, database and
• QuickBooks software
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate with a diverse group of external partners and staff
• Ability to travel at least 35% of the time

All applications should be sent to Tarchibong@encapnigeria.com not later than March 11, 2013. Please note that only shortlisted applicants would be contacted.

Success tip of the day... Do you really need a back-up plan?

Had quite a big surprise the other day when I learned from Jeff Haden, a writer who knows and works with a number of remarkably successful people, that one habit of people who are highly successful is that they don’t have back-up plans. “Back-up plans,” according to him, “create an easy way out when times get rough.” 

The explanation why you shouldn’t have a back-up plan, Jeff says, is that “You'll work a lot harder and a lot longer if your primary plan simply has to work because there is no other option. Total commitment--without a safety net--will spur you to work harder than you ever imagined possible. If somehow the worst does happen (and the "worst" is never as bad as you think) trust that you will find a way to rebound. As long as you keep working hard and keep learning from your mistakes, you always will.” Read more of Jeff Haden’s 8 habits of successful people HERE.

In the meantime, here are 2 articles that may interest you:

Our exclusive interview with Libby McCutchan, wife of the Ambassador of Australia to Nigeria

Our exclusive interview with H.E., Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria

RECENT POSTS
9 House-hunting tips in Abuja that could prevent you from falling into the hands of illegal agents 
35 Hotels in Abuja that you can check online, all in one list 
8 Types of accommodation in Abuja to make you decide what’s best for you
INSIDE TRACK list of Upcoming events in Abuja

Exclusive Pics: Mime show at the French Institute, Abuja

The French Institute in Abuja organised a mime show featuring the international mime master Philippe Bizot on 9th February 2013, at 5.30pm, at the institute's premises. Invitation to the show, tagged "40 years of silence", was announced here on INSIDE TRACK ABUJA on 5 Feb 2013. The standing-room only show was watched by both adults and children, men and women.  
Continue reading and view more photos here

RECENT POSTS

9 House-hunting tips in Abuja that could prevent you from falling into the hands of illegal agents 

35 Hotels in Abuja that you can check online, all in one list 

8 Types of accommodation in Abuja to make you decide what’s best for you

INSIDE TRACK list of Upcoming events in Abuja

Shopping in Abuja: 9 Supermarkets to suit your needs

Various supermarkets in Abuja

In Nigerian language supermarkets usually mean a department store or a grocery store, with household items, meat and frozen foods, electronics, bakery products, fruits and vegetables etc. all under one roof. While Abuja is relatively a new city, almost anything you need (or a reasonable substitute) can be found here. The only challenge is that, at times, you may have to do a little supermarket-hopping to get all what you need or want, meaning that Supermarket A may have cheaper prices, but their bakery products are not as fresh or good as Supermarket B. Or Supermarket D may be easily accessible, but parking space could be a challenge, so people do not mind driving all the way to Supermarket F, which is not within the city centre but has practically everything you need under one roof.

In the past, Abuja residents did not have many choices, therefore business monopoly was the enemy of many consumers, but nowadays, thanks to the recent openings of big supermarkets such as Exclusive Superstore or Shoprite or Next Cash and Carry and Spar, in addition to the hundreds of medium-sized shops scattered around the city, shopping has become a bit more convenient.

One thing I can say is that if there are more supermarkets, then monopoly is eliminated and hopefully prices become lower. Wishful thinking?

Here’s a list of major supermarkets in Abuja, arranged alphabetically:

Amigo Supermarket (Wuse)
Dunes Restaurant (Maitama)
Exclusive Superstore (Maitama)
Grand Square Supermarket (Central Business District)
Next Cash and Carry (Kado)
Park and Shop (Wuse)
Sahad Supermarket (Garki)
Shoprite (Apo)
Spar Supermarket (Central Business District)

RECENT POSTS

9 House-hunting tips in Abuja that could prevent you from falling into the hands of illegal agents 

35 Hotels in Abuja that you can check online, all in one list 

8 Types of accommodation in Abuja to make you decide what’s best for you

INSIDE TRACK list of Upcoming events in Abuja

8 Types of accommodation in Abuja

8 Types of Accommodation in Abuja

-by Araceli Aipoh

When moving to Abuja, either on a permanent or temporary basis (between 1 to 3 years), finding a place to stay is one of the most challenging obstacles newcomers have to face, especially those who are total strangers to the city and have no one to put them through or to answer their questions. It helps therefore to be familiar with at least some of the basic terms when it comes to the types of accommodation available in the city.

VIEW THE 8 TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION IN ABUJA HERE

35 HOTELS IN ABUJA WITH WEBSITES

Photo exhibition at the Goethe Institute Lagos opens on March 2 - Free entry

If you will be in Lagos or if you live in Lagos, you may be interested in going to the opening of a photo exhibition at the Goethe Institute on March 2. Details below:

A Photo Exhibition by Students of The Silent Majority Project in Makoko
Opening Reception: Saturday, 2. March 2013 at 5 PM
Venue: Makoko - Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

In 2010, Adolphus Opara and Olusola Otori started a project titled ‘’Silent Majority’’ the aim of the project is to positively affect the lives of people in their own environment through photography. Workshops were held in Makoko and the outcome of the workshops would be showcased to  the public for the first time in an exhibition.

Sucessful Participants: Monday Asokoro, Mary Awajinumi, Peter Onge.

For more information please visit; www.thesilentmajorityproject.blogspot.com.

Remembering Whitney Houston - legendary singer, actress, model, movie producer

At one time or another, we hummed and danced to her songs. And then we watched in horror as one story after the other about her brush with the law concerning alleged drug use were reported on the evening news, culminating with her death in a hotel room at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles at the age of 48, submerged in a bathtub. At the time of her death,  ruled by a coroner as "accidental drowning", reports say she was plagued by personal trouble. 

Read her complete biography HERE.

Michelle Obama's new portrait unveiled

CNN reports:

(CNN) - First lady Michelle Obama's new official portrait was unveiled Wednesday - one which shows what she termed her "mid-life crisis."

In a talk show interview with Rachel Ray scheduled to air Wednesday, Obama discussed her much-talked-about bangs, saying they are her alternative to buying a sports car or bungee jumping.

The photo was taken in the Green Room of the White House just over a week ago. At left is her official portrait taken during her husband's first term in 2009.

3 simple steps to make your own Chinese style mixed vegetables...

We all enjoy Chinese food, but it can be very expensive here in Nigeria especially if your favourite restaurant has to import  not only the ingredients but also the cooks all the way from Asia.

Not to worry. Here's a simple Oriental (or Asian) style recipe that you can prepare without sweat, using 100% ingredients that you can get locally anywhere here in Nigeria. And you can cook this dish well within half an hour or less. (It took me longer than that because I had to take photos while cooking. L.O.L.) Click here for the 3 SIMPLE STEPS...

35 Hotels in Abuja that you can check online

Based on information available on the internet, I have come up with a list of 35 cheap and expensive hotels in Abuja that you can check online. And yes, I did check each one of them to make sure that the websites are indeed up and functioning.  If you know of any other hotel, don't hesitate send me an email so I can update the list. Click Read more to view the list

3J’s Hotel 

www.3jshotels.com 

Agura Hotels 

www.agurahotel.com 

Alexis Hotel Center 

www.alexishotel.net 

Angeles Hotels 

www.angeleshotelsabuja.com 

Beacon Suites, The 

www.thebeaconsuites.com 

Bolingo Hotel & Towers 

www.bolingohotel-tower.com 

Bolton White Hotels

www.boltonwhitehotel.com

Chelsea Hotel 

www.chelseahotelabuja.com 

Chida International Hotel 

www.chidahotelinternational.com 

Dannic Hotels 

www.abuja.dannichotels.com 

Dayspring Hotels 

www.dayspringhotel.com 

Denis Hotel 

www.denishotelsabuja.com 

Gloriana Hotel and Suites

www.glorianahs.com

Grace Point Resort Hotel 

www.gracepointresorthotel.com 

Gracious Hotel 

www.gracioushotel.com 

Hawthorn Suites 

www.hawthornabuja.com 

Hotel De Bently Abuja 

www.hoteldebently.com 

Hotel Rosebud 

www.hotelrosebud.com 

La'Don Hotel 

www.ladonabuja.com 

Medirerranean Hotel, The 

www.mediterraneanabuja.com 

Nicon Luxury Hotel 

www.niconluxury.com 

Nordic Villa, The 

www.thenordicvilla.com 

Oxford Hotels

www.oxfordhotels.biz 

Petrus Hotel 

www.petrushotels.org 

Protea Hotel Apo Apartments 

www.proteahotels.com 

Protea Hotel Asokoro 

www.proteahotels.com 

Protea Hotel Abuja Maitama 

www.proteahotels.com 

Reiz Continental Hotel 

www.reizcontinentalhotels.com 

Rockview Hotel Classic 

www.rockviewhotels.com 

Rockview Hotel Royale 

www.rockviewhotels.com 

Savannah Suites Resort 

www.savannahsuitesgroup.com 

Sharon Ultimate Hotels

www.sharonultimatehotels.com

Sheraton Abuja Hotel & Towers 

www.sheratonabuja.com 

Sinoni Lodge 

www.sinonilodge.com 

Transcorp Hilton Abuja 

www.hilton.com 

9 House-hunting tips in Abuja

9 House-hunting tips in Abuja
by Araceli Aipoh

One of the most challenging tasks newcomers face when relocating to Abuja is finding the right accommodation. This is partly due to the fact that demand for housing clearly outweighs the supply. With patience, however, and with the right budget, one will eventually find a place suitable for residence. To guide those who are trying to find accommodation in Abuja for the first time, a book Around and About Abuja has compiled a list of house-hunting tips you might find useful: 

• Be sure that crime prevention measures (grills/iron rods, security doors, locks, walls, gates) do not prevent an easy and quick escape for your family in case of fire.
• If noise is an issue, avoid houses near heavy traffic flows, but for security reasons, do not select a house that is too isolated.
• Keep in mind that Abuja is situated between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, so all parts of the house will receive strong sunshine at some point during the day. Therefore. Facilities for cooling (fans, air conditioners) are important. Fans are good even if there’s air conditioning as power can often be too low to run the air conditioning.
• Make sure the doors and windows close without a gap, otherwise rain will enter during the rainy season and dust during the dry season.
• Check the wood and the lawn for termite infestation. Certain parts of Abuja have terrible termite problems. Take a close look at the doors and closets.
• Test the water in each room to make sure that hot water heaters are working and the water is indeed flowing. Some houses are not hooked up to the city water source and have their water delivered. Be sure to ask the landlord and the neighbors about the reliability of the source. Even houses that have supposedly have reliable city water should have an underground, ground-level, tower or rooftop water storage tank to ensure water storage and constant water flow.
• If an apartment is preferred, ask the neighbors about the condition of the apartment and the reliability of the landlord. Also make sure that there is enough rooms for any domestic workers.
• Make sure the previous tenant of the house did not leave any unpaid bills as you may be held responsible for phone, electricity, water, etc. Ask for the payment receipts in order to prove past payment. It is also a good idea to save the old payments slips to prove payment and to pass them on to the next tenant.
• Ask about the presence and the functioning of a generator. Make sure it is clear who is responsible for the purchase, maintenance and functioning of the generator and fuel. (Source: Around and About Abuja by Francine Rodd, Jewel Kidd, Willie Cohen, and Taniko Noda)

OTHER HOUSE HUNTING TIPS FROM 

INSIDE TRACK ABUJA – Dealing with landlords and agents

Never pay cash. To keep a record of all payments made, it is best to pay with a bank draft or a cheque. If the landlord/agent insists on getting paid with cash, do so in the presence of a witness.

Deal only with known agents. Receipts and letterheads are not proof of genuine business. Find time to verify addresses as there are those that don’t actually exist.

Check the agreement before making payment. Ask for a copy of the agreement either from the landlord or the agent. This will give you an idea on your responsibilities as well as the landlord’s. If you intend to make repairs or renovations, be sure there is a provision for it in the agreement.

Hold on to your money until all is clear and understood. Some landlords and agents often make verbal promises about doing repairs or renovations, but forget such promises after they have received your payment. If possible, let everything be on paper.

Fourteen things successful people do on weekends?

6 Habits of Remarkably Likeable People
They're charming. They're genuine. And they can make an entire room full of people smile.
Click here to read more

Before You Launch Your Business Idea
How do you get a company started? Take these tips from Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council, and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, founder of Gilt Groupe.
Click here to know more

Retire Rich: The Forbes 2013 Antiretirement Guide
Conventional retirement is rapidly going the way of the Oldsmobile and Saturday mail delivery. Hardly anyone working today envisions themselves eking out their final years living on a fixed pension in a sunshine state. Indeed, the coming generation isn’t really planning on retiring at all–they expect to keep traveling, saving and giving back well into their eighth and ninth decades. Call it antiretirement....
Click here to read more

14 Things Successful People Do On Weekends
Spencer Rascoff is only 37. Yet, the Harvard grad and father of three has already accomplished so much.
Click here to read more

Musical at the American International School on Feb 28, March 1 and 2

The American International School of Abuja is staging a musical called GREASE. All details are on the poster above.

.

EXCLUSIVE PICS: Indonesian community in Abuja welcomes Indonesian President and First Lady

Bubbling with excitement (and the women wearing their most colourful and elegant Indonesian traditional wears), members of the Indonesian community in Abuja converged at the lobby of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Saturday afternoon, the 2nd of February 2013, to welcome their President, H. E. Susilo Bambang-Yudhoyono and his wife, Ani Susilo, who were in Nigeria for a state visit along with Indonesian businessmen to further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries.

Before the arrival of the President, a group of Indonesian businessmen, both those who are operating in Nigeria and in Indonesia, participated in the Nigerian-Indonesian Business Forum and Luncheon, also held at the Transcorp Hilton. The trade delegation from Indonesia was headed by no less than the Indonesian Minister of Trade, H.E. Gita Wirjawan, who was also at the hotel lobby to welcome the President and the First Lady, who landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The son and daughter of the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Sudirman Haseng, presented the First Lady with a bouquet of flowers.

The following day, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, President Susilo Bambang-Yudhoyono and the First Lady were received by President Goodluck Jonathan and First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan. On arrival at the Presidential Villa, President Yudhoyono inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Brigade of Guards, who honoured him with a 21 gun-salute, after which the two leaders, members of the delegation, ministers and Nigerian top businessmen held aclosed-door bilateral talks. Yudhoyono was in Nigeria as part of state visit to three African countries, namely Liberia, Nigeria and Egypt, and some Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia.

These photos were taken by INSIDE TRACK ABUJA during the arrival of the Indonesian President and First Lady at the hotel.

Read Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani's piece about Lagos in The Guardian... says Nigerians defending their country's image is "one thing that unites us"

Nigeria's anger at the BBC's Welcome to Lagos film
- by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

Once again, the Lion of Africa is upset. This time, with the BBC. From Nobel Laureate to hoi polloi, Nigerians have, over the past many days, roared a range of emotions in reaction to the BBC documentary,Welcome to Lagos, which showed a side of our beloved city that some of us have never seen – real, live Lagosians subsisting on refuse dumps.

"There was this colonialist idea of the noble savage which motivated the programme," Wole Soyinka said about the documentary. "It was patronising and condescending." Dalhatu Tafida, Nigeria's high commissioner to the UK, described the documentary as, "a calculated attempt to bring Nigeria and its hardworking people to international odium and scorn". Facebook pages and blogs have also been ablaze. "They are giving us a bad image," many Nigerians fume. Meanwhile, the Lagos state government has submitted a formal complaint to the BBC, calling on the corporation to commission an alternative series to "repair the damage we believe this series has caused to our image". Continue reading

Julius Berger donates books to school library

 Culled from www.julius-berger.com

As part of Julius Berger’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the company donated over one thousand books to the LEA Primary School library in Jabi, Abuja FCT.

The books were collected as part of a community book drive, which was concluded in late 2012.

The community book drive was one component to the company’s CSR driven Literacy Campaign, which was launched in 2012 and included the initiation of a Julius Berger Book Clubs and the distribution of over 5,000 copies of the book “The Great Fall” by Nigerian author Chinyere Obi-Obasi, to chosen schools in Abuja, Lagos and Uyo. The Literacy Campaign was established with the goal of reinvigorating the reading culture in Nigeria’s youth, and further included writing workshops, tailored to improve the reading and writing skills of participating students.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is a Nigerian company offering integrated construction solutions. An employer of 18,000 people, it is a company unique in its long standing delivery of quality, capacity and excellent performance, all at internationally recognized standards. Julius Berger is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen. The company actively seeks out opportunities to make a measurable difference in the future of people and communities. Key areas of focus include Health, Education and Sports. Since its 46 years of operation in Nigeria, integrity, reliability, safety and sustainability continue to be the pillars of Julius Berger’s structures and behaviours.

Learn something new by enrolling in an interior decoration and design course

Time to step up your creative game! A new session resumes on the 4th and 9th of March 2013 for full time (3 months) and part time (4 mnths) respectively at our H.Q Plot 228, Lola Holloway street, Omole phase 1 estate Ikeja and at our other branches in Yaba, Ikorodu, Abuja, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Akure, Jos, Uyo and Port-Harcourt, pls call 08068878501, 08023260887, BB Pin 2768810B or visit www.mavensidd.com for details.

About Maven School of Interior Decoration and Design
Reputation is everything and that is why at the Maven School of Interior Decoration and Design (formerly G.O.A SIDD), we have worked hard to create one of the finest and one of the few interior design and decoration schools in the country.

Mission...to be the best Interior Design School in the World...to empower individuals who are passionate about Interior Design and give them the necessary skills for success...

General Informationwe teach residential, corporate and retail interior design plus events management in one package...

ABUJA OFFICE: 

Suite D201, Garki Mall, opp new Garki ultra-modern model market, beside CBN quarters, Damaturu crescent, off Kabo street, off Ahmadu Bello way, Garki II, Abuja.

Job opportunity for a country deputy director to be based in Abuja; advanced degree required

A vacancy has been announced at ABUJA EXPATS, but no deadline of submission was mentioned.  You may want to give it a try.

Job Title: Deputy Director – Axios Nigeria 

Reports to: Country Director – Axios Nigeria 

Job Location: Abuja, Nigeria 

To Apply: Send email to: rachel.hampshire@axiosfoundation.org 

1. Position Purpose

The Deputy Country Director will represent Axios’ corporate vision and strategic objectives in Nigeria together with the Country Director and act as the head of the Axios Foundaation in Nigeria in the Country Director’s absence. He/she will oversee members of a senior management team that may include Project Director(s) for part of the overall Axios/Nigeria portfolio. Through this team, the Deputy Country Director will be responsible for Axios performance in implementing a number of projects within budget, to the satisfaction of clients, and to a high standard of technical quality and compliance with donor requirements. 

The Deputy Country Director will also develop and maintain strong ties with Axios clients in Nigeria, the Government of Nigeria, other USG Implementing Partners (IPs) and stakeholders, and other potential clients in the public and private sectors, both to assure that current client needs are being met, to collaboratively develop and improve existing projects, and to develop new project opportunities. He/she will also represent Axios in national fora and meetings with government and other stakeholders particularly where these relate to cross-cutting or policy issues.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

Capture Management: 

• Identify new business opportunities in AF’s areas of strategic interest and strength. The key elements will be 
• Market analysis –understand and forecast market trends and competitive landscape 
• Positioning – develop, define and ensure recognition of AF service offerings
• Intelligence – identify and track upcoming funding opportunities, and define 
• AF response tactics (e.g. identify and develop partnerships with primes / subs). 

Relationships Building: 

• Leverage an extensive network of contacts and relationships across the global health community to identify and develop business opportunities. 
• Define and exploit existing AF clients’ needs and opportunities with responsive proposals which generate additional funding
• Develop relationships with governmental client officials, especially USAID/USG, CDC and GFATM, to understand their priorities, plans and funding mechanisms and the means to realize new funding 
• Develop relationships with potential partners - major international NGOs working in the health arena to achieve new funding 
• Proposal Development: 
• Contribute to proposal development effort: 
• Drafting responsive text 
• Review and editing to improve contextual responsiveness to project objectives 

Project Management: 

• Coordinate with the Nigeria Country Director on project management needs
• Support project management as needed
• Incorporate country project managers in business development efforts as appropriate 

3. Relationships

• Direct reporting to Country Director
• Close working relationship with President, Axios Foundation
• Key relationship with Axios Foundation Director of Business Development 
• Key relationship with Axios Foundation Director of Program Support 

4. Educational Background and Experience 

• Advanced degree such as an MBA, MPH, MHA, MD or PhD preferred
• Competent program and budget management skills for international, multi-year development projects 
• Minimum of 5 years of public health experience, including HIV&AIDS, and including work with international implementing organizations
• Experience working and networking with international donors (e.g. USAID, CDC, GFATM), major international NGOs working in the health arena; and other bilateral and multi-lateral development agencies operating in the international public health sector
• Experience in leading and working with multi-lingual and multi-cultural staff
• Knowledge of government contracting and proposal budget development
• Relevant work experience in sub-Saharan Africa or similar context
• Proven track record in business development in the international health arena including program design, proposal management, networking, partnership cultivation, and marketing an asset
• Experience in cultivating and stewardship of clients, partners and donors an asset
• Fluency in a second language (Arabic or French preferred) an asset 

5. Special Skills and Knowledge 

1. Exceptional oral and written communication, representational and presentation skills 
2. Excellent skills in facilitation, team building and coordination 
3. Comprehensive understanding of international public health issues, particularly related to chronic diseases, health systems strengthening and laboratory strengthening 
4. Experience living and working in the developing and emerging countries, particularly Africa 
5. Willingness and ability to travel up to 20%, locally and/or internationally 
6. Fluency in English and ability to work in an international environment 
7. Computer literate 
8. Results driven 

6. Competency profile 

• Political savvy 
• Strategic agility 
• Ethics and values 
• Business acumen 
• Cross–cultural agility 
• Command skills 
• Interpersonal savvy 
• Dealing with ambiguity
• Integrity and trust
• Leadership skills

7. Job Circumstances 

• Although the position is based in Abuja, it does entail substantial in country and international travel 
• Flexibility in working hours is essential