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CLOUD9 - The Nigerian Economy Flipbook PDF
Cloud 9 Online Magazine
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The Nigerian Economy Best summer destinations for Nigerians this season
Dana Air, Fulham FC Restate Commitment...
Dana Air partners Project Pink Blue...
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Editor’s Welcome to the latest issue of Cloud 9 online. Even as the summer break is winding down, stayca on is s ll very much in the offing for many. And if you s ll have a li le me to catch some exci ng moments, then pause a while, as we explore and showcase beau ful 'pocket friendly' des na ons ideal for whatever choice you have made.... In this edi on, we also portray the history and lifestyle of the people of Jos and why it is a 'must visit" for all. Taking a walk back in me, we look at what the economy of our na on was in the past, while keeping hope alive for a be er future. Blood dona on is actually healthy! In our bid to con nue giving back to the society, we partnered with Rotary club Nigeria to ensure that blood is readily available in mes of emergency as we embarked on a blood dona on camp exercise recently. Our fight against cancer is unwavering and we are adding the fire! It's no news that we are sport lovers! Our desire to glamorize the Nigerian football professional league and our staggering sponsorship of 2 NPFL clubs caught the a en on of another English Premier League giant Fulham FC. . We hope you enjoy this edi on! Best regards, Cloud9 team.
PAGE 1
CSR
UPDATE
Dana Air partners Project PINK BLUE, ACT Foundation to conduct free prostate cancer screening for 3,000 men
A
s part of its corporate social responsibility(CSR), Dana Air has announced its partnership with Project PINK BLUE to conduct free prostate cancer screening for 3,000 men across Nigeria. The free screening ini a ve which is tagged- ‘Men on Blue project’’ will commence on the 29th of June 2019 and will hold in Abuja, Niger state, Nassarawa state, River state, and Akwa Ibom state. The Accountable Manager/ COO of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo
while speaking during a visit by the Project PINK BLUE team to the corporate headquarters of Dana Air said, “at some point in 2014, we just felt the need to redirect our CSR drive. We realized that cancer was becoming a big secret killer but the awareness was really low. Then we decided to partner Project PINK BLUE in 2015 to assist survivors, create more awareness and conduct free screening exercise for Nigerians at intervals.’’ Last year, we partnered the Rotary to conduct blood dona on camps in
Lagos and we are planning other lifesaving CSR projects in the coming months. We have a lot of ini a ves ongoing at the moment and we are glad to announce that we have impacted millions of lives in a posi ve way. We can only thank our guests for their support and Nigerians for embracing these ini a ves.’’ “We commend the Project PINK BLUE team and we encourage more corporate bodies to support them because at Dana Air, we are unrelen ng in our humanitarian efforts across Nigeria.’’ PAGE 2
CSR
UPDATE
The Execu ve Director of Project Pinkblue, Runcie C.W. Chidebe while commending Dana Air for suppor ng Project PINK BLUE since 2015, noted “ e v e r y O c t o b e r, s e v e r a l organiza ons create awareness about breast and cervical cancer, however, prostate cancer is always missing; leaving several men to die in silence and p a i n o f d i s co ve r i n g t h e i r prostate cancer at late stages”. “Cancer is responsible for 70,327 deaths annually in Nigeria and prostate cancer has
become a major health concern among men and it is the leading cause of cancer death among men with incident rates of 32.8 per 100,000 men and mortality rates of 16.3 per 100,000 men. Over 15 Nigerian men die every day from prostate cancer” said Chidebe. Commen ng further, Runcie said “Our goal is to use Men on Blue project to close the gap of awareness, educa on, research and screening for prostate cancer at the select loca ons and our plan is to screen at least 3,000 men, reach
30,000 men, 50,000 women and youth directly and 15 million through tradi onal and social media in Nigeria. Those who are interested in the screening can call 08188347020 or mail [email protected]" "We sincerely appreciate Act Founda on for the funds and Dana Air for always suppor ng and we strongly believe that this health interven on ‘’Men on Blue’’ will help phase out late diagnosis of prostate cancer in Nigeria, he added.
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NEWS
Dana Air, Fulham FC Restate Commitment to Grass root Football Development... congratulates Super Eagles, others
N
igerian carrier, Dana Air and English Premier League side, Fulham have restated their commitment to grass root football development across Nigeria. The airline has also congratulated the Bronze-winning Super Eagles of Nigeria for their successful ou ng at the recently concluded Afcon, Akwa United and Heartland football clubs fo r re ta i n i n g t h e i r N i g e r i a n Professional League spot despite the ght league schedule. The Media and Communica ons Manager of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa made this known during a mee ng between the Management of Dana Air and the management of Fulham fc led by Lee Cowling, a former English ex interna onal and Managing Director of Procamp UK and the Soccer stars management officials led by the official PR partner and CEO of Jose ree concept Olugbenga Komolafe, and Ruth Newberry of Top Flight ltd Uk. Kingsley while speaking at the mee ng said, ‘’we thank the Management of Soccer stars project and Fulham FC for taking out me to visit the first and only N i g e r i a n a i r l i n e t o u nv e i l a sponsorship plan for two Nigerian professional League teams : Akwa PAGE 4
NEWS
United and Heartland FC for two years consecu vely. We also wish to thank the teams for retaining their NPFL status. The AFCON 2019 has just ended and we appreciate the Super Eagles for a successful ou ng and at least for bringing home the bronze medal. This visit is a confirma on that the interna onal community sees and appreciates our efforts towards the growth of football in Nigeria.’’ Speaking further Kingsley said, ‘we believe our sponsorship of these clubs will encourage other corporate bodies to emulate us, mo vate the players be er and e v e n t u a l l y m a ke t h e l e a g u e glamorous. That is part of the idea for sponsoring these clubs and this has helped to ease their transporta on to away matches and the players now strive to win the
cash rewards a ached to this sponsorship.’’ ‘’We know you are here at the behest of the soccer stars project and we are proud to have partnered. The soccer stars project is an ini a ve that every talented footballer in the streets of Lagos and other ci es across Nigeria actually needs and we are d e l i g h t e d fo r c o n t r i b u n g posi vely to the lives of these amazing talents. The Team lead of Fulham fc, Mr Lee Cowling while commen ng on their visit to Nigeria said, “this is our first me in Nigeria and we have visited a couple of states. The experience has been amazing and I must confess Nigeria is blessed with talents.”
is to groom these players, review their fitness level and get them to sign professional contracts. We are also considering a lot of other partnership benefits with the sponsors of the soccer stars project and we will be back in August for the final screening exercise in Lagos. Let me also add that our flight with Dana Air was smooth,exci ng and we are loving the experience.’’ The Management of Fulham fc is in Nigeria for the first me to pay a courtesy visit to all the partners of the Soccer Stars ProjectTM with Samson Siasia. The team will visit 6 states in Nigeria before leaving to return in August for the final screening of the selected players across the 13 states of Nigeria.
‘’We have an academy and the idea
PAGE 5
CSR
UPDATE
Dana Air / Rotary Club Set for Another Blood Donation Camp. Airline concludes free prostate and breast cancer screening for over 3,000
A
er the successful conduct of free prostate and breast cancer screening for over 3,000 men and women in partnership with Project Pink Blue and Acts Founda on, Dana Air has announced that it will partner Rotary Club to conduct another blood dona on camp this year. The Media and Communica ons Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa while during the conclusion of the Port Harcourt Cancer walk said, the result of this fight against cancer has been amazing. The awareness of this s c o u rg e i s ve r y l o w a m o n g Nigerians and there is need for urgent reorienta on and increased awareness. Daily, 15 men die of prostate cancer, 25 women of cervical cancer and 30 of breast cancer’’ ‘’We are delighted that Nigerians are taking advantage of this free cancer screening that we are
presently conduc ng in PH and we can only thank our guests for their commitment and support to this fight. We also wish thank the good people of River state for coming out in their numbers for this walk. The Dana Air spokesman also confirmed that the airline will partner Rotary club again this year to conduct a blood dona on camp just a in a bid to save lives and contribute greatly to the healthcare of Nigerians. He noted that blood shortage has reached an unprecedented low in the country owing to the dearth of voluntary blood donors and the misconcep on of blood dona on akin to the stereotypes amongst the people and In line with the commitment of the conglomerate to contribute to the community in a meaningful way, the ini a ve which is in its 2nd year will hold again.
First we are bringing in doctors to c o m e e n l i g h t e n o u r s t a ff, interested partners, firms and individuals on the health benefits of dona ng blood, a er which the date for the next blood dona on camp will be announced. M r. R a m e s h H a t h i r a m a n i , Chairman, Dana Group while addressing the camp during the conduct of the ini a ve last year said “our partnership with the Rotary Club on the blood dona on program is consequent upon our increasing efforts to posi vely impact the communi es we’re in. We fo ster a f ramewo rk fo r collabora on with both organiza ons and the government to recognize local ini a ves for expanding the involvement in social contribu on ini a ves for the country. The gesture is rooted in the objec ve of Dana Group’s social responsibility to contribute to the development of society as PAGE 6
CSR
UPDATE
an upright corporate ci zen and staying true to the group’s unwavering commitment to s av i n g l i ve s . We f u r t h e r acknowledge the Rotary Club, Lagos Blood Bank and the SSVF for their dedicated efforts towards the care and treatment of local communi es, notably their work to ensure that blood reserves remain ample and lives con nue to be saved.”
Despite medical and technological advances, blood cannot currently be made. The only way of ge ng hold of it is via blood dona ons from donors. A report from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) indicates that in most cases, the demand for blood far outweighs the supply. In Nigeria, about 500,000 units of blood are collected yearly out of the required 1.5 million units of blood. Several studies have shown that
this reluctance to donate blood is fueled by religious, spiritual and supers ous beliefs. Dana Group supports the blood dona on ini a ve via an employee blood donor drive themed ‘Blood Dona on Camp – Save a life, Give Blood’. The conglomerate’s ac ons were aimed at dispelling myths and encouraging other companies to follow suit to save the lives of many in need of blood.
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TRAVELS
Every Adventurer's Dream:
The City of Jos. “The city, called J-Town is the administra ve capital of Plateau State. During Bri sh colonial rule, it was a centre for n mining but now it is a trading hub as commercial ac vi es are steadily on the rise.”
D
o you love adventures and have a flair for visi ng exci ng places? Why not take a trip to the city of Jos and discover several thrilling places that would leave you in awe of Mother Nature and give you memories to cherish for a life me. The city, called J-Town is the administra ve capital of Plateau State. During Bri sh colonial
rule, it was a centre for n mining but now it is a trading hub as commercial ac vi es are steadily on the rise. With a tropical savanna climate, the city of Jos enjoys a more temperate climate than the rest of Nigeria. Average monthly temperatures range from twentyone to twenty-five degree celsius, and from mid-November to late January; night- me temperatures drop as low as eleven degree
celsius. This beau ful climate makes it conducive for co on produc on as well as the plan ng and harves ng of farm produce like gro u n d n u ts, rice, Irish potatoes, maize, and soya beans thus making the city have a strong agriculture poten al. Jos, which has a popula on range of about three million five hundred inhabitants, used to have one of the largest indoor market in West Africa known as the Jos PAGE 8
TRAVELS
Ultra-Modern market. However, it now has a railway terminus, beau ful hills and mountains that naturally created waterfalls, tradi onal architectures, one of the best universi es in Nigeria called the University of Jos, wildlife parks and zoological gardens. When visi ng Jos, ensure you take a long with you a camera to capture moments that you would experience, clothing that you are comfortable in, and a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun during outdoor ac vi es. Get a feel of the Mother Nature as soon as you step into the city and have a firsthand idea of how wild animals act in their natural habitat at the Jos Wildlife Park. The park which is one of the biggest man-made zoological gardens in Nigeria opens from 9 am to 5 pm. There are stories are that you can witness a chimpanzee dancing to a song by Micheal Jackson at the park but don't tell anyone we told you so. Another place to visit is the Jos Na onal Museum and Zoo. The museum which is built in the year 1952 under the supervision of the Bri sh classicist and archaeologist Bernard Fagg. The museum which has one large exhibi on gallery and two smaller ones as well as storerooms, a combined library and a lecture room is perceived as a standout
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TRAVELS
amongst other exhibi on halls in the na on. The historical center is also home to some fine examples of Nok earthenware heads and ancient rari es da ng from between 500 BC and 200 AD. The po ery hall in the museum has an excep onal collec on of finely cra ed po ery from all over Nigeria. Also, the zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Nigeria. It was established in the year 1957 and accommodates about one hundred and thirty different species of animals; including birds, porcupine, lions, donkeys and rep les. When you get there, ensure you see the two famous female chimpanzees whose 50th birthday celebra on was marked as the pioneer animals of the zoo. Experience one of the best outdoor events at the Solomon Lar Amusement Park. Named a er the former governor of the state; Chief (Dr.) Solomon Daushep Lar, who is also the first Na onal Chairman of People’s Democra c Party in the year 1998, the amusement park is the perfect place for picnics, recrea onal ac vi es and relaxa on. The park which combines the beauty of nature with manmade facili es has beau ful swimming pools,
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playgrounds for children, and ar ficial lakes. If you an extrovert who loves to make friends, you can meet filmmakers who have come to shoot a movie, party guest who have come to celebrate with newlyweds or nature lovers who have comes to relax and have fun just like you. You can also have a picnic on site, but do not forget to go along with some cash; just in case the POS service there is unavailable. Another exci ng place to have a picnic with the sound of nature serenading you is the Shere Hills. Situated 10 kilometres east of the Jos metropolis, the hill's highest peak reaches a height of about one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine metres of six thousand and one feet above sea level. The hills also make up the highest point of the Jos Plateau and form the third highest point in Nigeria a er Chappal Waddi on the Mambilla Plateau. If you decide to take on the challenge of climbing, do ensure you climb to the top of the rock. Shrills of excitement will run through your spine when you see the gushing crystal clear waterfall at the Assop Falls. The fun sightseeing center is situated in Guinea Savanna on the slopes and top of a mid-al tude ridge in the city of Jos and is usually opened by 8:00 am. The center is also a nice
place to meditate as it is ghastly silent with only frequent interrup ons from the twee ng birds that hang around. A similar place to visit is the Kurra Falls which has lopes and lakes and is perfect for sculling, boa ng, camping and rock climbing. It is also the loca on of the state's first hydroelectric power sta on. Get awed by the majes c wonders of nature when you see the Riyom Rock in Jos. Commonly referred to as 'Three Rock', it has mighty boulders arranged on top of one another in a delicate posi on and h a s re m a i n e d t h at way fo r thousands of years. The rock is also not too high so it is very easy to climb. You can also go hiking at this place. The gate fee is usually between N1,000 to N1,500. Another impressive sight is Wase Rock. It is a massive dome-shaped inselberg and has an outstanding height of about three hundred and fi y metres above the surface of the neighbouring surroundings. Located in Wase town, available records indicate that this beau ful massive dome-shaped rock is one out of only five in the world. You will be very pleased when you visit Pandam Wildlife Park. Home to lots of animals and exo c birds such as antelopes, shy duikers, warthogs, monkeys, parrots and tauracos, it is established in the year 1972 and covers a land mass
of about two hundred and twenty-four square kilometers. It is also a very safe place to visit. Learn the secrets of how animal skin and hides are transformed into usable leather for leatherworks, at Naraguta village for Leatherworks and Po ery in Jos. When you get there, you will witness first-hand how leatherworks like shoes, slippers, souvenirs, carpets, cushions are made. Also, feel free to buy any of the products that catches your fancy as they are usually sold at affordable prices. If you are a lover of sports with interest in Golf, then you should consider joining the Rayfield Golf Club. The club established in the year 1913 was ini ated by Angus Butler with a six hole course. To join the club, one has to be introduced by a member of the club a er which one would have to go through a ve ng and registra on process before being accepted. The cost of r e g i s t ra o n i s s a i d t o b e N61,000. However, if one is accepted as a member, one could easily meet high profile people like the Re red General John Shagaya, a renowned golf legend in the country and the former Military administrator of Eki and Gombe States, Col. Inuwa Bawa.
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Before leaving the City of Jos, take a trip to the University of Jos. The university commonly referred to as Unijos is a nonprofit public higher educa on ins tu on founded in the year
1975. It is accredited and recognized by the Na onal Universi es Commission, Nigeria and offers courses and programs such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, and doctorate degrees in
several areas of study. A er your visit to this adventurous city, do ensure you pass along the tale of your experiences to your loved ones and share some of your best pictures with them too.
PAGE 14
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The Nigerian Economy The Nigerian Economy in the '70s: A Period of Hope
D
u r i n g t h e s e ve n e s , Nigeria was evolving every day in the glory of its growing industries, earning the world's respect while also giving several Nigerians a glimpse of hope for the future. This was the moment when several architectural masterpieces were constructed, lots of markets were built, buildings were erected, monuments were maintained and historical moments were made. One of the instances, when history was made, was when the Soviet IIyushin II-62 airliner tookoff from Lagos. The Soviet longrange narrow-body jet airliner which was conceived in the year 1960 was the world's largest when first flown in the year 1963. It was designed by the Ilyushin to be the successor to the popular turboprop Il-18, big enough to contain almost two hundred passengers and crew. It was also
the first Soviet pressurized aircra with non-circular crosssec on fuselage and ergonomic passenger doors, and the first Soviet jet with six-abreast sea ng a n d i nte r n a o n a l - sta n d a rd posi on lights. Over thirty na ons operated the Il-62 with over eighty examples exported and others having been leased by S o v i e t- s p h e r e a n d s e v e ra l Western airlines. The Il-62M variant became the longestserving model in its airliner -class. One of the architectural pieces constructed at that me was the Na onal Arts Theatre at Iganmu, in Surulere, Lagos. The m o n u m e n t w a s s i g n e d fo r construc on on April 24th in the year 1973, during the General Gowon's regime with a Bulgarian company called the Techno Exporstroy. The company designed and constructed the theater to be similar to the palace of culture
and sports in Varana, Bulgaria. With its exterior shaped like a military hat, it has an auditorium that has the capacity to seat around three thousand persons and a conference hall that can accommodate around eight hundred people. The building also houses two cinema halls with a collapsible stage, a restaurant, and a bar all of which are equipped with facili es for simultaneous transla on of 8 languages. When the theatre was completed in the year 1976, five months before the Second World Black and African Fes val of Arts and Culture known as FESTAC, it was opened by Olusegun Obasanjo who was then the Head of State of the country. The architectural masterpiece— The Na onal Arts Theatre which was built in the 1970s to preserve and promote the Nigerian Arts and Culture con nues to add to the industrial growth of Nigeria's economy and is now one of the
Cap on: A picture of the construc on of the Na onal Theatre by the Bulgarian Building Associa on. Photo taken in the year 1975. PAGE 16
NEWS
A merchant vessel being discharged in the Lagos port. Photo taken in the year 1975.
A picture of a main street in Lagos called Marina. Photo taken in the year 1979.
A market in Lagos. Photo taken in the year 1970
A picture of a Soviet Il-62 Airliner at the Lagos Airport before take-off. Photo taken in the year 1971.
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major a rac on focal points for tourists in Nigeria as well as the center of performing arts for concerts, film shows, exhibi ons, symposium, workshops and dramas by both local and interna onal ar sts. Lagos with over two thousand years of history bordering the Atlan c Ocean was like a small London in the 1970s. This is because of the well planned and beau ful buildings in places like the Marina Street. The city was also a major economic focal point in the country, genera ng around 10% of the country's GDP due to the Lagos Port expor ng tons of crude oil, the Nigeria economy flourishes like never before. The shipping industry also enjoyed an evolu on during the 1970s. Before, most general cargoes used to be shipped in loose form, each item packed and stowed into the Ocean Liner. This method was highly labour-intensive, slow, expensive and difficult to execute. It also exposed cargo to the risk of damage or pilferage. As a result, ships spend twothirds trading life in ports and cargo handling costs had escalated to more than one –thirds of the total costs of the ships-owner. During the mid- 1970's the containeriza on method was introduced and was
“In the 1970s, several architectural masterpieces were constructed, lots of markets were built, buildings were erected, monuments were maintained and historical moments were made.”
“The Na onal Arts Theatre which was built in the 1970s to preserve and promote the Nigerian Arts and is now one of the major a rac on focal points for tourists in Nigeria”
“Although, the Nigerian Economy is currently in a revol ng state, the recent openings of large supermarkets give a glimpse of hope to residents of the country that Nigeria's economy will rise once again.”
PAGE 17
NEWS adopted at the Lagos Port. This basically changed everything— it launched the liner shipping into a revolu on that con nues to shape the industry by saving lots of merchants shipping costs. The Independence House with its staggering size tells a tale of how Nigeria was able to maintain its real estate then. The building is built of reinforced concrete, and has housed major corpora ons including the Defense headquarters under the Babangida administra on which was commonly referred to as the Defense House. The building which contains twenty-five storey
offices and it is three hundred feet from the ground is located at the heart of Lagos Island in Onikan in Lagos. Several markets such as the Balogun market were also built in the 1970s. At the markets, there are an abundance of vegetables, fo o d st u ffs , fa b r i c s , s n a c ks , provisions, livestock, shoes and fruits that anyone could buy. Price was not a major concern when ge ng an item in the market, because there was a healthy circula on of money at that me and robbery was not as rampant as it is now. People from all over the country usually visit markets in Lagos, because of the abundance
of food and commodi es they could buy, the beau ful buildings in the city they could see as well as the exci ng cinemas and other exci ng loca ons they could visit. Although, the Nigerian Economy is currently in a revol ng state and poli cal leaders seem to be pushing blames to one another as the reason for the degrada on, the recent openings of large s u p e r m a r ke t s s u c h a s t h e Maryland Mall, as well as the revitaliza on of the fourteen moribund blending plants give a glimpse of hope to residents of the country that the Nigeria's economy will rise once again
A picture of the Independence House, Lagos. Photo taken in the year 1970. PAGE 18
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11
Best summer
for Destinations Nigerians this Season
By Samson Echenim
T
here is something ngly about this summer down here in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are quick to note how hard it has become to be Nigerian living in a Nigerian city, but the talk in the air about summer holidaying this season is swallowing the recent ones. Travel agencies have been recently on a very ac ve mode devising travel packages for the s u m m e r, w h i l e i n s u r a n c e companies have been shou ng on all media about their cover policies for summer travelers.
Unlike the insurance firms who would buy your travel risks and charge you and the travel agent who charges for making your choice des na on and prepara on cooler, we will not be charging you helping you find the best places in the world to spend your summer vaca on. We have found you 11 ci es and places best for your summer holidaying, working through competent sources, including TraveTriangle and the CNN travel desk. We are beginning with
des na ons in Africa, yes, charity they say, begins at home. We couldn't get you a place in West A f r i ca , w h e re yo u a re n o t hindered with any form of visa, but never worry. Our choice places in Africa will wow you and you do not have to be pressed about ge ng a visa, as you would be given as you arrive the airport. We are not giving considera on to our chronological arrangement of the des na ons, so, the last on our list is not the least of the places.
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Rwanda
Mauritius
A
A
t a me like this, when ethnic concerns have gone so high in Nigeria, Rwanda is a sister to learn from. So, in addi on to leisure, every Nigerian ought to have a taste of Rwanda's history. This country has become the world's most intraethnic tolerant place a er surviving a genocide. Now the two ethnic groups, the Hutu and the Tutsi have learnt to live in love. Rwanda is a country for wildlife. Men on safari and Rwanda, and gorilla trekking is probably the first thing that springs to mind.
nother African country, but you will barely know you are in Africa. Much famed amidst the honeymooners, the tropical gem of Mauri us also serves as one of the top summer holiday des na ons for all kind of travellers alike. Famous for its crystal clear reefs, lagoons, and beaches, Mauri us enjoys a cool climate in summers that makes it one of the apt and best holiday des na ons. For many Africans migra ng to Australia, Mauri us is a transit country, so, you will be seeing many people from Nigeria trying to make it to Australia. Authori es here are aware of this and it has become a reason to reject Nigerians on arrival. But don't worry, Mauri us immigra on are smart to know a genuine tourist and you will readily be handed a three-month visa and taken to your hotel by a smiling smart cab man.
The brand-new Magashi Camp from Wilderness Safaris helps to challenge that no on, since it provides another opportunity to visit the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, African elephant and Cape buffalo) in Akagera Na onal Park.
India
It's not the first, but Magashi Camp, opened in May, is the most high-end op on, ou i ed with just six large tents that accommodate a king-sized bed, comfy sea ng and locally made decor. Separate tents house a communal lounge, dining area and bar, and there's also a pool on-site. As the camp overlooks Lake Rwanyakazinga, guests can spot a plethora of hippos and crocodiles without leaving the premises. Game drives afford the chance to spy not just the biggies, but giraffes, zebras and about 500 bird species. It's important to note that Akagera Na onal Park has been restocked a er years of poaching: lions were reintroduced in 2015, and black rhinos followed in 2017.
I
ndia may not be among the developed worlds, but the country is breathtaking, yes, India is indeed, incredible. A fellow journalist-friend, who now lives in the US, once told me, a er his first visit to India that everyone needs to go to India at least once in his life me. He claimed that you can't say you're a traveler unless you've been to India, and he's not wrong. India is a place meant to be experienced, and its rich culture will engulf you in fes vals, religion or spiritualism and spicy foods. Of course, there's so much more to India, but you'll have to find that out for yourself. PAGE 21
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London
A
Nigerian needn't be told about holidaying in London in summer, but we will be unfair not to men on it. London at summer spells royalty. Between Wimbledon, the Royal Baby and new hotels, there are a lot of reasons to visit London this summer. For starters, tennis fans would have likely had July 1-14 blocked out on their calendars for Wimbledon, while royal baby fans can revel in the local zeitgeist while visi ng royal hangouts like Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. Now, Wimbledon is over, but we are not too late. On royals, 2019 also happens to mark Queen Victoria's 200th birthday. Two new exhibits will open at Kensington Palace: “Victoria: Woman and Crown” explores the Queen's private life, while “Victoria: A Royal Childhood” is a new permanent exhibit with never-before-seen items, such as a scrapbook created by her governess.
Nova Scotia in Canada
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f course, there are many beau ful places and ci es in Canada for the summer, but we picked Nova Sco a a er it almost all of our searches! Since June, new direct flights make the Canadian Mari me province of Nova Sco a more accessible than ever. Nova Sco a o en gets overlooked for popular provinces like Bri sh Columbia and Quebec, but its quiet charms are worth exploring. Cape Breton Island takes a bit of work to reach, but it's here that you'll find challenging hiking trails, a scenic driving route minus the traffic and real-deal Cel c culture. The Halifax Jazz Fes val, held in the province's capital, is considered Nova Sco a's largest music fes val and goes down on the waterfront. For something you don't experience every day, “Dining on the Ocean Floor in the Bay of Fundy” is a wildly popular event that involves just that. Guests feast on renowned local seafood while seated at a communal table on the ocean floor — during low de, of course. 2019 is already sold out, so make plans for 2020. We're sorry.
Australia– Tasmania
On the hotel front, The Langley is a pala al new hotel opened in June opening. Located in Buckinghamshire, the one- me country estate of the third Duke of Marlborough, the hotel is less than an hour from London, yet feels more remote. Balance this with an East London stay at The Stra ord, a new design-forward hotel occupying the first seven floors of the Manha an Lo Gardens skyscraper. Access to outdoor spaces, 24-hour gym and trendy dining are part of the appeal.
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f you want to avoid hot, crowded des na ons, take advantage of Australia's winter and head to Tasmania, a scenic island just south of Melbourne. Of course, we feel you would like some coldness out of our hot sun in Nigeria. PAGE 22
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Road tripping is one of the best ways to experience it, and while the route, known as the Lap of Tasmania, isn't new. It now has a dedicated online presence. The new Lap of Tasmania resources now makes it easier than ever to plan a leisurely road trip. The en re route is just over 900 miles and takes about a week to complete; even be er, it's designed to incorporate 12 of the best points of interest. While the capital of Hobart is the most well-known des na on, the trip introduces road-trippers to Tamar Valley's wine region; Tasmanian devils on the Tasman Peninsula; and the East Coast's famed beaches. Among them is Bay of Fires, famed for its orange- nged rocks, and Binalong Bay, a pris ne curve of white sand that's worth visi ng even if it's too chilly to take a dip.
New York City
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e feel our list would be mocked if you don't get you a place in God's own country. Yes, there are always new reasons for visi ng New York City, but this summer is shaping up to be especially busy. First, there's the brand-new Hudson Yards neighbourhood along the High Line, sandwiched between 30th and 34th Streets on one end and 10th and 11th Avenues on the other. It debuted in March, bringing with it a mall's worth of high-end restaurants (Kāwi from Momofuku Group, TAK Room from French Laundry's Thomas Keller) and chain stores (Neiman Marcus, Louis Vui on) interspersed with more affordable op ons in those categories (Shake Shack, Athleta). Oh, and let's not forget Mercado Li le Spain, a 35,000-square-foot food hall dedicated to all things Spain. New York will also give your shopping self a spell. Have you got some money? There are also cultural a rac ons, from art galleries to The Shed, a vast performance space. You can even base yourself right in the ac on at the new Equinox Hotel, a first for the brand that is just as upscale as its gyms.
UAE –Dubai
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ubai is hot for many Nigerians for summer vaca on for two reasons: first, many Nigerians think business and Dubai is that des na on that combines tourism and business. Many would shop to sell at a good profit in Nigeria. The second reason for loving Dubai is the ease of the travel process. Many Nigerian travel outlets offer easy travel packages for Dubai. Even now, one of the big commercial banks is helping Nigerians, especially its customers access Dubai this summer so easily by registering and obtaining a visa through its banking app! How cooler can it be? Dubai is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. It is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the country. Dubai is a global city and business hub of the Middle East.[9] It is also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo. Here, you would find the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa and many breathtaking sky scrapers that would make you scream out if you're a first- mer.
Switzerland
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t's mainly oenophiles who are in on the secret of Swiss wine, simply because the country doesn't export it. Well, unless you count the two percent that it does export. One can visit the Ticino wine region in Switzerland's Italian-speaking region, or head to Fête des Vignerons, a major wine fes val held once every 20 years in Vevey. From July 18 to August 11, the small town of about 20,000 villagers will expect about 400,000 visitors, kicking off the fes vi es with an elaborate show performed by more than 5,000 locals telling the story PAGE 23
TRAVELS
of the wine-growing process. The following weeks are filled with wine tas ngs, concerts, performances and nightly processions. The largest procession, the Corona on Parade, happens opening day on July 18, with more than 8,000 costumed par cipants making their way through town. In addi on to local restaurants, 50 food and beverage stands will be readily accessible throughout, offering fresh-baked bread, sausage and cheese.
Grand Canyon
Singapore
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ingapore is one of Asia's most dynamic ci es. Here, the people are diverse, the culture is rich and the things to do are endless. Admire the city's skyline from atop the Gardens by the Bay nature park, the Singapore Flyer or at Marina Bay, then explore the famous Merlion Park. For dinner, grab grub in Chinatown or Li le India or head to the famous Newton Food Centre for delicious street food. In addi on to offering great op ons for food and a bevvy of outdoor a rac ons, the des na on hosts the Great Singapore Sale every summer, meaning shoppers will find deals on a variety of retail items, from technology to designer duds Singapore is s ll enjoying increased a en on thanks to the “Crazy Rich Asians” book and movie franchise, but that isn't the only reason to visit the island na on. 2019 just also happens to be the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles crea ng a Bri sh trading post here. Staying at the iconic Raffles Singapore is one way to mark the occasion. The hotel plans on reopening August 1 following an extensive restora on begun in 2017. But that's not all. For the past seven years Singapore's Changi Airport has been named the best in the world by Skytrax, and for good reason — it's a wonderland with arcade games, gardens and art installa ons.
ike Nova Sco a, Grand Canyon appears through all our searches!
The Grand Canyon is a popular place to travel during the summer because the North Rim, which closes during the winter months, is open for business. This makes way for double the amount of adventures. First- me visitors should hit up the South Rim first, where they'll find popular lookouts, trailheads and ameni es, including Grand Canyon Village and the Rim Trail. Keep in mind that because school is out during this me, families flock to the Grand Canyon for vaca on. As such, it's best to book accommoda ons several months to a year in advance It's a fine me to visit the Grand Canyon. This year is its 100th anniversary as a na onal park. It's the Grand Canyon's 100th anniversary as a na onal park, and there are mul ple ways to celebrate this notable occasion. Stargazers can join amateur astronomers for free at the park's North and South Rims for the Star Party. Telescopes will be on hand to find planets (Jupiter and Saturn among them), star clusters and nebulae. There will also be slide show programs with a different focus each night, from protec ng dark skies to learning how planets form. Constella on talks and night sky photography workshops are among the free offerings, just allow yourself enough me since you won't be the only one with this idea. Also be sure to wear layers since temps drop quickly once the sunsets. While the event is free, the park charges $35 per car — but at least that fee covers the en re week of star-filled events.
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