SPECIAL MEALS FOR YOUR MENU THIS CHRISTMAS - UKPANWOGEDE (OVER RIPED PLANYAIN MOI MOI)

Christmas is around and you can agree with me that there will be a lot of gatherings this period; especially among families. Make it memorable by preparing this special meal for your loved ones.

Things you'll need.
4 plantains
Crayfish
150grams of plantain flour
Onions (optional )
2-4 spoons of Palm oil
Knor cube (the normal one)
Mashed fish/minced meat/biscuit bone (optional)
Warm water
Ewe (leaves)/foils/milk tins/disposable bowls
Pepper(scotch bonnet)
Salt to taste

Before you cook
1. Wash and peel the over ripe plantains
2. Dice it into small cubes (if it isn't over soft yet).
3. Wash the pepper and onions.
4. Wash/Rinse your containers/Ewe (leaves)/Milk tins.
5. Oil the containers with palm oil to prevent it from sticking to the containers especially if you are using milk tins or stainless containers.
6. Prepare your biscuit bone/mashed fish or minced meat.

Directions
1. Add diced plantains , pepper, onion (optional) and crayfish into blender.
2. Add little warm water to enable it blend and form a paste.
3. Pour into a bowl.
4. Add a little quantity of water in a pot. Add some leaves or a flat stainless plate or the cover of a smaller pot to form a base .
5. Add 2-4 spoons of oil to the blended plantain depending on the amount of plantain.
6. Add salt to taste.
7. Add mashed fish/minced meatc/ biscuit bones.
8. Scoop the paste into the container of your choice.
9. Gently place the bowls /cups/wraps into the pot of boiling water.
10. It is advisable to cover the pot with Ewe leaves, foil papers of even a sack before the cover of the pot to retain heat.
Depending on the level of heat. ..between  25-30 minutes, it should be ready.
11. Stick a fork into one bowl to check, if it comes out dry, it's done.
Bring out of the pot to let it cool.

You can serve it with akamu,custard, ijebu garri or even with rice or beans.

I can assure you that with this meal you can secure yourself a permanent seat in the hearts of your family members and loved ones.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM 360NAIJATOURISM

FUN THINGS TO DO IN LAGOS THIS CHRISTMAS

It's  Christmas ! And this year there happens to be a lot of Pub hols this season but you are still not sure of what to do......Imma give you tips!!!! These tips will favour you more if you are in Lasgidi! Also, the good thing about places like this is that you'll  not have to break the bank for it to be fun filled.

1. Cinemas: There are lots of movies showing in the cinemas this period ranging from African movies to Hollywood.There's Silverbird Cinema in Ikeja Mall, The Palms even at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island.You can also decide to experience the 5D adventures too.There are other cinemas too.The likes of FilmHouse and Genesis Deluxe.Maximum Price for a movie is 1500naira.

2. Concerts: You can turn up with Nigerian Artists on one of these Concerts that are usually held during this season.....Olamide Live in Concert holding at the Eko Hotels Convention Center on the 27th of December.You can visit oliconline.com for more info.Also,the Wet n Turnt Pool Party holding at the Tickle Bay Event Center Featuring Phyno, CrazeClown and other artists.Visit wet n turnt for more info.

3.Beach: This season is perfect for picnics. You can go to beaches like Elegushi, Oniru, Eleko, Lekki...sooo many to choose from.You can also go to Private beaches like Atican Beach Resort and others.

4. Resorts: There are a lot of Resorts you can have a nice time in especially for couples and Families. La Campagne Tropicana....lacampagnetropicana, Inagbe Resorts...inagbegrandresort and many more.

5.Restaurants; There are also lots of restaurants where you can have a very nice time in. The likes of  Marcopolo Cuisine....marcopolo. Zen Garden Chinese Restaurant in Isaac John Ikeja Lagos...I can testify to these Restaurants.

6. Shopping: Whether you are window shopping or buying,it's all shopping. You can walk into showrooms or even malls and just walk around you may find something you love that is affordable too.

7. Lagos Night Life: If you love to night crawl,then this is for you. I can recommend Sailors Lounge on Admiralty Way Lekki or even Bay Lounge also on Admiralty....there are also lots of places in Ikeja where one can groove at night.

No time for dulling this period....Get yourself busy catching fun!!!

Merry Christmas!!

SAFETY TIPS FOR HARMATTAN

Hi Fam! Today's post is going to be about Safety tips to remember and take note of during this Harmattan Season.

Some of us have already witnessed the cough,catarrh, asthma attacks,Apollo i.e conjunctivits caused by the weather. A lot of flights have also been delayed as a result of dusty fogs.The rate of fire outbreaks have also increased. In Lagos, at least 12 fire incidents have been recorded.

With the tips I'll be sharing below we can safely cope with harmattan.
1. Bush burning should be avoided.
2. Keep the skin moisturized at all times to avoid breaks.
3.Fog lights should be used when driving to avoid accidents.
4.Fireworks should be avoided to prevent fire outbreaks.
5.At least 8 glasses of water should be taken to avoid dehydration.
6.No use of Kerosene stove for room heating.The carbon emmision isn't good for our health.
7.We should cover our bodies well especially at night when the weather is really cold.
8. Airconditioners should be set to minimum especially before going to bed to avoid catching cold when the weather also gets colder in the mid night.
9. Nose masks can be used in really dusty situations.
10.Remember it's Christmas too and there's love in sharing.....share this tips with everyone you love.....Merry Christmas to all of us!

WELCOME HARMATTAN

  I am a hot bath freak not until the emergence of dry season where I feel hot from within and all I yearn for is having chilled water running down from my head to toe.

The routine of switching on the heater some minutes before bath time slowly fades away………I look forward to the coldness of the water from the shower running down my body..Some days I spend minutes that linger to hours under the shower. Some other days, I begin to reminisce; from my wishes, to my achievements, to making decisions, to the activities of my day still under the shower. Sometimes I wander away to the world of thoughts and imaginations and most times I am brought back by my mother’s voice yelling at me for staying in the bathroom for so long and wasting water. During this hot weather that I am not a fan of I have learnt to appreciate every situation especially the ones I cannot change rather than complaining ;like the weather. My cold baths have become a part of my day that I look forward to until this very beautiful morning when I rushed to the bathroom, ran the shower, and hopped into the tub only to rush out because my once cold shower had become too cold for comfort, and this was for no other reason than the grand and rather unannounced entry of Harmattan.

During the harmattan, one feels the cold dry and dusty wind mostly over the West African subcontinents usually between the end of November and Middle March. The Harmattan can be a very interesting season  but it also has adverse effects. The dusty air can make vision blurry. The Harmattan haze is when the dusty air blocks the sun. The weaker the haze, the clearer the sky. This harmattan haze can prevent flights because the Pilot’s vision will be limited. The trunk of trees can also be broken by the dry air.

In my next post, I will be sharing Safety tips for Harmattan…….Happy Harmattan.

FRUITS IN SEASON............EARLY HARMATTAN

So your trip to Nigeria is fully planned but you still aren't sure of what to expect. 

Okay! It's the early harmattan season now and one of the fruits in season is Agbalumo in Yoruba or Udara in Igbo and Cherry in English... It's a fruit with a yellow edible skin, sticky liquid that is sometimes transparent and sometimes milky and seeds that are clothed with some other kind of edible skin. 

PhotoCredit:kemifilani.com

You don't need to do much before eating this fruit. All you need is to wash it properly with salt and then be mindful of the seeds lest it grows in your stomach *as Granny would say back then when we were younger*.....Before I forget some are very sour while others are very sweet.....Feel free to share your Agbalumo experience with us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR HERO

You set a pace that we look forward to following
May God reward you greatly for giving up your want for the needs of your country.
We pray that God keeps you in good health and prosperity.
Happy Birthday to you Sir...........

ADDRESSES OF NYSC ORIENTATION CAMPS IN NIGERIA

Greatest Otondos! Find below the addresses of   various NYSC camps in Nigeria...........

ABIA NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area, Abia State.

ADAMAWA  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Old Gongola Brewery Damare Village Along Lapondo Road, Girei LGA, Adamawa State.

AKWA IBOM NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

ANAMBRA  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Progressive Senior Secondary School, Umunya, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State.   

BAUCHI Adult and Non-Formal Education Institute, kangere, KM 16, Bauchi - Gombe Road, Bauchi

BAYELSA  Kaiama Grammar School , Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma L.G.A Kaiama Grammar School, Kaiama, Kolokoma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

BENUE  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, Kilometer 35 Makurdi Gboko Road, Benue State.

BORNO  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Biu Road, Maiduguri LGA, Maiduguri, Borno State.

CROSS RIVER NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Obubra, Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State.

DELTA  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Former Martins TTC, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North L.G.A. Delta State.

EBONYI NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Macgregor College, Afikpo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

EDO  Okada Grammar School, Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State.

EKITI  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ise-Orun/Emure Local Government Area, Ekiti State.

ENUGU NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Awgu Local Government Area, Enugu State.

FCT  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, FCT.

GOMBE  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kilometer 27, Mallam Sidi, Kwame Local Government Area, Gombe State. 

 

IMO  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umudi Nkwerre Local Government Area, Imo State.

JIGAWA NYSC Permanent Camp, opposite Army Barrack, Fanisua Dutse Local Government Area, Jigawa State.

KADUNA  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kaduna – Abuja Road, Kaduna State.

KANO  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kusala Dam, Karaye, Karaye Local Government, Kano State.

KATSINA Youth Multi-purpose Centre/ NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Mani Road, Katsina State.

KEBBI NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Government Science College, Dakingari Local Government Area, Kebbi State.

KOGI  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Asaya, Kabba Local Government Area, Kogi State.

KWARA  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State.

LAGOS  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Iyana Ipaja, Agege, Lagos State.

NASSARAWA  Magaji Dan-Yamusa Permanent Orientation Camp, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

NIGER NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, (Former Abubakar, Dada Senior Secondary School), Paiko, Niger State.

OGUN  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikenne Road, Sagamu Local Government Area, Sagamu, Ogun State.

ONDO  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko Local Government Area, Ondo State.

OSUN  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Aisu College Hospital Road, Ede North Local Government Area, Ede, Osun State.

OYO  Government Technical College, Iseyin Local Government Area, Iseyin, Oyo State.

PLATEAU  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Mangu, Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State. 

RIVERS  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State.

SOKOTO   Government Technical College Farfaru, Farfaru Local Government Area, Sokoto State.

TARABA  Government College, Jalingo, Jalingo Local Government Area Taraba State.

YOBE NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Fika, Fika Local Government Area, Yobe State.

ZAMFARA  NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Beside FRSC Office, Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State. 

 

I wish y'all a safe trip to your various destinations. 

TRAVEL TIPS 101 : PREPARING FOR A TRIP

Whether you are traveling for pleasure,for work or for an event you need these tips. Before now,preparing for a trip took days,weeks or even months but if these tips are well mastered,it can take a very short time. With the increase in luggage theft and extra luggage costs,one needs these skills badly.With proper calculation,you can  take everything you'll need and still have a normal luggage except in some cases.One can avoid the extra luggage costs and avoid luggage misplacement with the tips I'll be sharing below shortly.

TIP 1:  KNOW WHAT YOU NEED

I am guilty of this; taking more clothes than needed for a trip. A lot of us do not know what to bring on a trip.We end up packing more or less than we need.On my last trip to Akure,I took about 5 gowns,2pairs of Jeans and few blouses but I ended up not wearing any of the gowns because it just didn't suit the weather or any of the occasions I attended. So how do we know what we need?
There are a few things we need to put into consideration when packing our luggage for a trip
a. The weather of where we intend to visit.
b.Toiletries
c.Leisure
d.Travel Documents
e.Everyday Clothing

The weather plays a vital role in choosing what you need for a trip. Then the toiletries are important too so you don't spend extra cash purchasing new ones while you still have. The Leisure plans you have for the journey also plays a crucial role too in determining what you need.Will you be going for a mountain climbing or for an opera? these determine the things you should pick when traveling. Your travel documents are very important too.One should never embark on a journey without a valid means of Identification...... Imma give you more tips in my next post....Stay tuned

World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

27 September is World Tourism Day, the day set aside in the United nations calendar to celebrate tourism - a sector driving economic growth and development worldwide.

This year's theme, One Billion Tourists One Billion Opportunities, highlights the tourism sector´s potential to make a real difference in the lives of people and communities.

Find more personal accounts like Josefina Klinger Zúñiga´s at http://wtd.unwto.org/ and join the conversation by using ‪ ‪#‎1billiontourists‬  and  ‪ #‎WTD2015‬

 culled from World Tourism Organization Facebook page

  

 Even as we mark the World Tourism Day,Nigeria isn't left out. We have a    lot of monuments and tourist sites that are UNESCO recognised. We celebrate this places today. We celebrate our diverse cultures and traditons. Lets endevour to put up pictures we took on any of our tours around Nigeria to celebrate our gifts.......Happy World Tourism Day

ADAMAWA STATE.............Land of beauty

Welcome to the Land of beauty.In the Northeastern part of Nigeria lies a state called Adamawa.The state is part of the old Gongola State with the Capital in Yola. Surrounded by mountains and river valleys of Yesarem, Gongola and Benue. The beautiful Adamawa landscape will not be complete without the Cameroun, Mandara and Adamawa mountains. 

Adamawa is rich in abundant deposits of iron,lead,zinc and limestone. Crops such as sesame seeds, cotton, groundnut, guinea corn, tea, maize, rice, millet, sugar cane, tea and kola nuts are all successfully grown in the state. Appetizers like kulikuli, donkwa, ofio, aki awusa can also be found in abundance in Adamawa.

Reflected in its craftmanship, music, dance,past history. dress patterns and hospitality is the rich cultural heritage of Adamawa.


ATTRACTIONS

LAMURDE HOT SPRING

                                                             Lamurde Hot Spring photo credit:northernnigeriatourism.com

Marked as one of UNESCO's World Heritage site in 1999 has become one of the most visited tourist sites in Nigeria.Located in Sukur Cultural Landscape.There is also a palace,a village and the remains of the iron industry. The Lamurde spring is significant for producing clean hot water.


MANDARA MOUNTAINS
Do you crave to climb mountains? this is an ideal place. 

The Mandara Mountains lie in the northeastern part of the state along the Cameroon border, and the Shebshi Mountains rise to Mount Dimlang (6,699 feet [2,042 m]) in the state’s southeastern portion.


GASHAKA GUMTI NATIONAL PARK
 
Located close to the Cameroon border, is the Gashaka Gumti National Park; I think its the largest national park in Nigeria. The park is said to divided into five distinct ecological zones. These varieties of ecosystems support a vast array of both plantlife and wildlife.

                                                                             photocredit:businessdayonline.com
This national park is habitat to a variety of animals including rare and distinct leopards, endangered elephants, lions, wild dogs, antelope, forest hogs, golden cats, as well as species of apes, including the chimpanzee, and many more. The park also has bird life, insects, aquatic life and reptiles.


Other tourist attractions include The three sister rocks, Modibbo Adams Tomb Monuments,Kiri Dam,Koma Dam.

I will update you with pictures and information soon..... 

In Adamawa there are festivals like Njuwa fishing festival which holds at Lake Njuwa in Yola town and the Yinagu fishing festival at the Michika attracts people within and outside state from the month of March through May each year.


See you in Adamawa...............

  

THINGS TO DO IN NIGERIA THIS SUMMER

There are other things you can do in Nigeria this summer.They  include the following:

BADAGRY FESTIVAL IN LAGOS STATE

 The motive behind this festival is to celebrate the eras of slave trade in Badagry .It tends to reconnect the indigenes to their roots and to recognize the significance of the place during the slavery period. This festival is usually held on the 3^rd week of  August annually. Its  agendas include ,The Oba Akran Football Competition, Arts and Crafts Competition, Masquerade Carnival, Nature and Water sports and many more. The International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and Its Abolition is also celebrated during this festival. The 2015 Badagry Festival is slated to hold from the 16^th to 30^th of August 2015. Tourists can visit the ancient monuments in Badagry during this time too.

 

Source: www.exclusivetourservices.com

         
                                                                                        Source:www.lipstickalley.com

THINGS TO DO IN NIGERIA THIS SUMMER

                                         The grass so green,the sun so bright,
                                         Life seems a dream,no worries in sight

                                         The grass soon fades,leaves begin to fall,
                                         School replaces sleepovers,oh I'll miss it all.

                                                                                             Source: www.familyfriendpoems.com 

Everyone just talks about summer like it doesn’t exist in Nigeria. People often think Summer is and must be spent abroad.For those who are carried  away by the Summer Craze and those who feel that it must be spent abroad cos it doesn’t exist in Nigeria,it does exist just that we don’t call it Summer.We call it Rainy Season. There are activities that could make your Summer beautiful….Lets ride!!!!!!!!

                                                                 Ina Olojumerindinlogun                            

                                                                                                  Source; www.royaltimes.net

The Osun Oshogbo Festival (10^th-22^nd August 2015);

 This festival lasts for 2weeks,usually in the month of August.It is done yearly.The indigenes see it as a time to spiritually cleanse the land and also an avenue to reunite with family members.

 It begins with the traditional cleansing of Iwopopo;the ancient town.Then 3days after, the lighting of the 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp called 'Ina Olojumerindinlogun' takes place, then an assemblage of the crowns of the past rulers which is led by the Yeye Osun,the sitting Ataoja of Osogbo and the Arugba, and a committee of priestesses. 

The participants usually wear white and it takes place in the famous Osun Grove a sacred forest along the banks of the Osun River. Tourists all over the world. and non-indigenes are allowed to partake in this festival.......More activities coming.