In Abuja: 4 things to do when it rains

I lived in Lagos from 1996 to 2006, a decade of working as Personal Assistant to the Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the chancery of which was located on Idejo Street, Victoria Island. Although I enjoyed much of my stay in the city, I used to hate the coming of the rains, especially in the mornings when going to work or in the evenings when everyone else would be scrambling to go home. At the time, home for me was in Ajah, and to get there from Victoria Island took me just about 15 to 20 minutes drive along the Lekki Expressway. Lekki, however, became more and more congested as the years passed by, such that I began spending longer hours on the road instead of the normal 15 minutes - which had me freaking out for all the wasted time. Fortunately for me, from early 2004 to 2006, I was given free accommodation inside the embassy premises, thanks to the kindness of both the Ambassador and Administrative Officer at that time, saving me from the ordeal of driving to and from work, which had become really bad by then especially during the rainy season because once it rains in Lagos (Victoria Island in particular), you could be sure that many roads get flooded and virtually impassable.

Moving to Abuja in 2006 and having lived here since then, I actually enjoy the rainy season. I talk about this now because it’s been raining and cloudy in Abuja almost every day since the middle of July. I personally like this type of weather (at least for a couple of months per year) because the rains in Abuja are not the obtrusive type – no heavy downpour (rarely if ever) or strong winds, only gentle drops of water that usually stop after 20 to 30 minutes, giving you that peaceful, happy, floating feeling as you listenbecause you know that what comes after the rains – freshness in the surroundings, green leaves, clean roads – is pure bliss.

Aside from watching the raindrops from your veranda, what can you really do on a rainy day? The normal

thing would be (if it happens during a weekend) to watch TV, read a book, blog (if you have one), stalk

people on Facebook, and then sleeeeeeep under a thick blanket because after all, bad weather is also known as bed weather. While a rainy day is a great excuse to just laze around the house, I would say this is now the time to get more creative while staying indoors. Here are some great things you can do: 

1. Try a new recipe
Learning how to cook or bake or make just about anything these days is so easy and fun. Want to make your own bread? Cookies? Brownies? Mix a certain type of drink? Toss some salads? No problem. All you have to do is go to Youtube and search for a particular recipe, watch how it is done, and voila you are ready to set your kitchen on fire.

2. Learn a craft
Sewing, knitting, cross-stitching, painting, beading.... Step-by-step guides are all over the internet

3. De-clutter the house
You don’t have to clean the whole house in one day. Start with the kitchen and throw away all the empty bottles, check the expired stuffs, arrange the plates and glasses, clean the drawers. After the kitchen, clean the cabinets and drawers in the sitting room, then move over to the wardrobes in the bedroom. Create space in your wardrobes by getting rid of things you have not used or worn in the past one year.

4. Have a warm bath
After all is said and done, put off all the lights, fill the bathtub with warm water, light some scented candles, ignore the mobile phone, put some soft music on the background... and feel all the tension go as you submerge your body inside the water and stay there for the next two hours.

HOUSE FOR RENT – The Abuja Experience

HOUSE FOR RENT – The Abuja Experience

By Araceli Aipoh

Finding a suitable accommodation to rent can be exciting and frustrating at the same time, most particularly when you are new to a place. While the trend in many parts of the world is to pay a month’s rent and a deposit equal to 2 months’ rent (for a total of 3 months), this is not the case in Nigeria where rents are calculated not per month but per year and, in most cases, the prospective tenant is required to pay for a minimum of two years in advance. This is to say that it’s almost near impossible to rent a house or flat or office space in Nigeria that requires you to pay less than a year’s rent advance. On top of the rent are the agency fee and lawyer’s fee equal to 10% of the total rent. And just when you think that this is all you need to pay, you find out that there are other bills to consider such as the salary of the security guard (also known as gateman) and disposal of garbage or cleaning of the premises.

Monthly versus annual rents

While paying rent for two years in advance has some advantages in favour of the tenant (you don’t have to worry about rent for the next one or two years), the disadvantages clearly outweigh the advantages, such as getting stuck to a place that may not be suitable to you, or not being able to get a refund in case of premature termination of the contract for emergency reasons such as moving to a new city or country. Finding someone to take over the unused rent is not as easy as it sounds, so unless a new tenant is found, getting a refund is nearly impossible even if you have given enough notice or you have vacated the property. 

Refunds and contracts

In many cases there are provisions in the contract that states what happens to the unused rent in case you have to vacate a house or flat after say just a few months. This becomes a big problem if you have paid for two years, therefore it is important that you to read the contract word for word, so that you can add a clause pertaining to it if it’s not clearly stated. In many cases, you don’t get a refund unless: a) you find another person to take over from you, or b) the landlord or agent immediately finds another tenant. It is a practice that new tenants (who intend to take over from you) are required by the landlord or agent to pay the whole amount (equal to one year or two years) from which you get a refund for the unused period of your contract. No new tenant often means no refund because the owner either has no intention of returning the money you have paid him or he has already spent it.

Cost of rent

As in most places, the cost of renting an apartment in Nigeria depends on the location, the size, the amenities provided, the security, the accessibility, etc. In Abuja houses for rent are most expensive in places such as Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse, Utako, Gwarinpa and Jabi. Of course, the farther you go from these major areas, the cheaper the rent. Also, it is not a secret that water and power supply anywhere in Nigeria are not constant. Expect hours of power interruption during the day that could last for days or even weeks and therefore you have to add these expenses (buying, fuelling and maintain a generator or digging your own well) to the cost. And finally, at the expiration of a two-year contract, the rent is often raised by the landlord by 30 to 50%, so tenants have to prepare for this in case they have intentions of renewing the contract for another two years.

Furnished or unfurnished

Fortunately for prospective tenants in Abuja, there is a choice whether you want to rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment. In my opinion there are more unfurnished apartments available in Abuja than the furnished ones. Furnished apartments are usually those rented by embassies, international NGOs, multi-national corporations and the likes for their staff. More often than not, they are the only ones who can afford furnished apartments anyway because the annual rent could be from $40,000 upwards for a two-bedroom flat. The furnished flats are usually located in housing estates where other amenities are provided such as a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, formidable fences, 24-hour security guards, and a general function area or a clubhouse. Unfurnished accommodations are those rented out to individual tenants. Everything you need to furnish and decorate a house is available in Abuja, so renting an unfurnished apartment is a good option if your budget is limited. 

Satellite Towns

Satellite towns are settlements in the outskirts of Abuja where people who cannot afford rent in the city centre live, or where they have built their own houses or set up their own business. While many people in Abuja have their workplaces in the city centre, their residences are located in the satellite towns such as Kubwa, Kuje, Karu, Suleja, Nyanya, Keffi, etc. These towns are almost always self-sustaining in the sense that they have their own schools, markets, shopping centres, clinics, hotels and other small business establishments. The state of infrastructures in the satellite towns could be deplorable in some areas. Overcrowding of houses and illegal structures could pose a problem. Although the major roads from the city centre to the satellite towns may be fully developed, inner roads and streets could be the opposite, plus there are traffic jams to consider when going and coming, so one has to put all these into consideration.

Agency services

Finding a place to rent in Abuja or any place in Nigeria does not have to be difficult. Your first points of call are referrals from your friends, colleagues, and relatives who may introduce you to their landlords or inform you of available properties in their neighbourhood. They can also introduce you to an agent they have worked with and who can be trusted. Why it is important to go through an agent is that they are the ones who can show you the availability of properties almost anywhere in Abuja. Having hired the services of an agent a couple of times, I have realised that they all have a connection one way or another, meaning that they share information among themselves. For example, if you are looking for a three-bedroom apartment, an agent you are working with can ask his colleagues not only where the available properties are located but also the price and how many years’ rent is being asked by the owner. Informants later share the agent’s fee if and when a successful deal is made. When it comes to dealing with agents (either those who work for a company or freelancers), the general rule is to be wary at all times. INSIDETRACK has compiled a list of useful and practical tips when dealing with agents in Nigeria.

Quick and easy way to find properties to rent or buy

As in most marketplaces these days, going online has become the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable way to find what you are looking for, if only to give you an idea of the current prices and availability. One example of such service provider is Vamido, a real estate marketplace for buying and renting properties (houses, flats, commercial properties, land) all around Nigeria. Vamido works with some of the top real estate agencies and the online process makes it much easier for real estate seekers to compare and find their dream house. You can sort your search according to your preferences in terms of location or type of property. Vamido is a subsidiary of the German startup incubator Rocket Internet (www.rocket-internet.de) which has launched several successful ventures in Nigeria (including Jumia, Kaymu and Carmido). As Nigeria’s online penetration is evolving incredibly quickly, Vamido may stand out as one of the best options for those interested in buying or renting properties in the country. These kind of websites are making it easier for Nigerians to find their services quicker and more efficiently.

Specific information

If you have any specific question related to this topic or about Nigeria in general, please do not hesitate to email me: araceli.aipoh@yahoo.com. Originally from the Philippines, I have lived and worked in Nigeria for more than 25 years, the last 5 years in Abuja. For more of life in Abuja, visit www.insidetrack-abuja.blogspot.com.

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You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:: “Araceli Aipoh is an expat who has lived in Nigeria for more than 25 years.  Follow her at www.insidetrack-abuja.blogspot.com."

Abuja youths to show off dancing skills this weekend

The Krump Dance Studios, an Abuja-based dance studio that specializes in dance fitness, training, theatre and entertainment, has initiated a dance theatre project – tagged The Speaking Feet Project – that aims to provide jobs for young and talented dance/theatre performers as they showcase their talents.

The maiden production for this project is GREASE: The NAIJA MIX. Based on the 1970s classic musical GREASE starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, the productions aims to recreate fond memories of the late 70s and early 80s. Below are all the essential details:

Date: 24^th of August, 2013

Proposed Venue: NUC Viewing Hall, 26, Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja

Tickets: 2500 (regular), 5,000 (VIP)

Grease Tees:  3,500

 

For more details:

Twitter: @krumpstudios   , @isysdrain

Official hash tag - (#Grease:The Naija Mix)

Facebook:  facebook/the krump dance studios

Website: www.thekrumpdancestudios.org  

Enquiries call: 07035686227,  08064388746

 

9 House hunting tips in Abuja

One of the most challenging tasks newcomers face when relocating to Abuja is finding the right accommodation. It’s difficult because of 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:

1. 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.
2. If noise is an issue, avoid houses near heavy traffic flows, but for security reasons, do not select a house that is too isolated.
3. 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.
4. Make sure the doors and windows close without a gap, otherwise rain will enter during the rainy season and dust during the dry season.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 anydomestic workers.
8. 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.
9. 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 generatorand fuel. ● (Source: Around and About Abuja by Francine Rodd, Jewel Kidd, Willie Cohen, and Taniko Noda)

OTHER HOUSE HUNTING TIPS FROM INSIDE TRACK –
Dealing with landlords and agents

Don't pay in cash if possible. 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 in paper.

Are your friends making you fat?

Photo culled from www.rd.com

"A New England Journal of Medicine study declared that people can actually ''catch'' obesity from close friends. When researchers followed 12,067 people over 32 years, they concluded that those of us with very close friends who are obese have a 171 per cent higher chance of becoming obese too. The theory goes: you're influenced by your friends, and if they overeat, you may unwittingly follow their lead. Surprisingly, spouses have less sway over the belly than close friends of the same sex. The good news is that it may also work in reverse. Hang out with thin people and you might lose weight."

Read more: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/8-things-that-are-making-you-fat/#ixzz2c6StL3jg

IN LAGOS: A workshop for fiction and non-fiction writers

Writers’ Studio is organising a workshop for fiction and non-fiction writers on 29th to 31st of August 2013, featuring top Nigerian writers Toni Kan and Igoni Barrett. Taking place at Litcaf, 1st Floor, E Centre. Commercial Avenue, Yaba, the Writers’ Studio Workshop aims to encourage writers to hone their skills with the guidance of seasoned writers in the country. Toni Kan and A. Igonni Barrett who are both award-winners will be joined by Afi Ogosi of Perresia Publishers and Ayodele Morroco-Clarke of Critical Literature Review.

For more details about the Writers’ Workshop Series, please call 08034766250 and 08079774009. Or visit them at www.writersstudionigeria.blogspot.com.

ANA Abuja reading and critique session at Lapour Hotel on August 15

Photos from www. lapourhotels.com

The Abuja branch of the Association of Nigerian Authors are having their monthly reading and critique session on Thursday, 15th August 2013 at 5 pm.  Venue is at Lapour Hotel, Okonjo-Iweala Street, Utako, Abuja (adjacent to Hotel De Bently.) 

Meet fellow writers, rub minds, get free help with your writing. If you want some positive critique, send your works ahead to anaabujacritiquesessions@gmail.com or anaabujacritiquesessions@yahoo.com, and then show up on the day to hear what the experts think.

Spencer Okoroafor will be anchoring.

Kentucky Fried Chicken opens in Abuja

A newly opened outlet of KFC in Abuja is located at SHOPRITE shopping mall. I went to have a look (and a taste of it) on Sunday, 4th of August 2013. It was not a place where I wanted to stay for a long time. The music was loud (definitely not good for the eardrums) and children were screaming left and right, so all I did was to quickly get a bucket of the fried thing (N3200 for 8 pieces, which I think is quite reasonable enough) and left. There were queues, but the service was fast at least.