INTERVIEWS

                                                Diane Lemiuex

A freelance Editor and Writer, in this rather entertaining interview shares with us what Lagos means to her... Enjoy it!

How long have you lived in Lagos?

Diane: About 9 months

Have you been able to clear any Lagos‘myths’?

Diane: I cleared up the BIG myth about Lagos - no, it is not a huge cesspool of violence where people get kidnapped or robbed every minute. When I told people 'back home' I was moving to Lagos they would gasp and look at me with pity - I hope you know what you're doing/keep safe, blabla. I've sent pictures of me walking in the streets to prove that it is not violent and that I feel really safe here. (I spent my teenage years in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil - Lagos is a walk in the park in comparison!)

What is the one thing about Lagos that truly ticks you off?

Diane: When they dig holes in the street- to make gutters? - and then seem to abandon the project.

Apart from Lagos, what other states have you visited in Nigeria?

Diane: I've only been to Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode in Ogun state, and to Abuja so far. Now that I'm settled in, I plan to do a lot more tourism after the summer holidays. 

…Out of these places visited, where would rather live?

Diane: At this moment there is nowhere in Africa I would rather live than in Lagos. This is where it happens.

Tell us a secret about Lagos you had to discover yourself

Diane:  I think the Lagos secret for me is that what you see is not what you get - there is beauty, strength, creativity and even tranquility all over the city - you just have to know how to see it. Luckily I haven't had to discover much of this all by myself as I've met some terrific people who have shown me the way.

They say there’s a ‘Lagos attitude’, have you observed it?

Diane:  Are you kidding me? You'd have to blind not to. I've lived in many places in the world and there is nothing like the drive, hard work and can-do attitude here. It's like laid-back and get-out-of-my-way at the same time.

With all the hustle and raucous, is Lagos is okay to bring up kids in?

Diane: My kids are teenagers and their lives center around the school. Yes, I think you can raise kids well here because they like the school they're at, they have a good social life and there are safe places for them to go out. The only thing they miss is that they can't go anywhere independently - they always have to be taken everywhere. For Dutch kids used to being on their bikes, this is a bit of an adjustment. In a sense, they are more protected here than they would be in The Hague.

What’s your fave local meal, and where do you go to get it?

Diane: Actually I have a cook who makes the best meals from everywhere in the world. I love those things made with the beans and steamed in leaves - what's that called? [I’m Laughing ‘cos I know she means moin-moin] And I know it isn't Nigerian but I am very, very fond of groundnut stew.

What experience won’t you be forgetting in a hurry [The best and the worst?]

Diane: The best isn't an experience, it's the people I've met here and the friendships I've made in a very short time. I know that because of them Nigeria will stay with me for the rest of my life. I haven't had a worst experience yet - just a funniest. It was spending 1 hour in the car to navigate a 200 meter stretch of road. It was like going to a really funny movie as I watched everyone yell at everyone else to get out of the way, back up... No one got really angry or violent. It was like spending an hour trying to untie a bowl of noodles.

Her Fave Hangouts

After a hard day’s work - My balcony with a glass of cold white wine

For a getaway - The Jazzhole

When there’s a newbie [family or friends] she wants to impress - The African Artist Foundation [AAF]

For the best local/traditional experience - Anything outside my front gate but if I have to choose one, I'd go to Bogobiri

For a tranquil ambience – A brisk walk on Banana Island - nothing better to clear my head!

Diane was born in Canada, in the French-speaking province of Quebec. Her father was a Diplomat and when she was three, they moved to Hong Kong; Dallas, Texas; Ottawa, Canada; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She got her BA in Ottawa, then got a job with a Canadian NGO and moved to Beijing, China. Got an MA in development studies in the UK then worked for the UN in Mozambique where she met my husband and moved with him to Holland before moving to Pointe Noire in Congo Brazaville, and then to Hanoi, Vietnam. She later did a diploma in journalism from Bath University then moved to The Hague where she started working freelance as a journalist. She has published two non-fiction books and lives in Lagos where she is currently working on another two books.

                               BILL UKO

                                      

How long were you in Lagos before you moved to Abuja?

Bill: I lived in Lagos for a year and a half before moving to Abuja.

What do you miss about Lagos?

Bill: I miss my friends, the variety of activities available for the taking and the sheer energy of the city which has a way of creeping up on you and becoming an intimate friend.

What is the one thing about Lagos that pisses you off so much, you're glad you left?

Bill: The traffic situation in Lagos can be unbearable and while I didn't run into traffic often because of my work/living proximity every once in a while I ran into the traffic and I'm not famous for patience so, it was sweet relief to be rid of the traffic situation.

If you had to complete this sentence - 'There no place like ...', would you say Lagos or Abuja?

 Bill: Frankly I wouldn't say either if it were completely open ended question, but if I had to choose one of the two, I'd be more inclined to say Lagos.

How do you get your groove on in Abuja - we hear the place is quiet and boring?

Bill: Abuja is neither quiet nor boring; it's just a different feel than Lagos. I have good friends with whom I can have an awesome time with up in my apartment or any of their homes, we have an adequate entertainment center, lounges, bars, gardens, hotels etc.

Tell us a secret about Lagos you had to discover yourself

Bill: I discovered the folly of changing money outside of Ikeja Airport Hotel on Awolowo Rd (or is it way) Ikeja; those men there will rob you blind mark my words. I don't know how they do it, but somehow they never give you the right amount of money. I have thoughts on this, but that's a topic for another day.

… and a secret about Abuja you had to discover yourself?

 Bill: That the best places to conduct business in Abuja, if you don't have an office, is in the lobby of big hotels - The Hilton, The Sheraton etc.

Lagos Vs. Abuja [The Bill way]

After a hard day’s work-

Lagos: Elomaz Hotel, Maryland was my favorite because it was 5 minutes from work and had a nice bar and attentive staff.
Abuja: The Sheraton Lobby Bar because my office is in The Sheraton and I do like Cafe 24 and the Hilton Piano Lounge when I want a bit of variety.

When there’s a new girl I want to impress-

Lagos & Abuja: I'm going to do that one thing you aren't supposed to do during interviews and say, "it largely depends on my observation of the girls tastes...for some girls, it could be a home-cooked meal, for others it could be a something else."

For the best local/traditional experience-

Lagos: I particularly liked food from Ghana High; fresh, delicious and very hygienically prepared.
Abuja: Jevnik has really good, local fare and the portions are enormous in addition to great service and cleanliness.

For a tranquil ambiance
Lagos: I don't know what Page on Opebi Link Road is like now, but it was tranquil and had great music, perfect for a quiet evening with the special someone or friends.

Abuja: I like Salamander Cafe and I also like Wakkis. The decor in both places soothes frazzled nerves and the music is low enough for proper conversations or reading a book quietly.

Memories

Best Experience

In Lagos: I can't isolate any one experience as my very best experience in Lagos, beating traffic in Lagos can be exhilarating, just as a good and productive day at work can be. The nightlife also agreed with me.

Abuja: I'd have to say exactly the same thing for Abuja, each day is fresh, a different challenge, making it through the day everyday for me has to be the best experience, regardless of geography.

Worst Experience

In Lagos: my worst experience in Lagos would have to be having my car impounded the night before a big Saturday morning meeting. I had a new driver who chose to park illegally in the air port to save a few cents. His cutting corners cost me time, money and energy. I was of course less than stellar at the meeting the next day.

In Abuja: my worst experience in Abuja was having a splendid proposal turned down by an undiscerning politician who had committed to the project then backed out at the very last minute. It took a very lengthy phone conversation with my mom (who's an absolute gem) to calm me down.

Bill Uko is a Broadcast Journalist, Fashion writer, Stylist, blogger, jewelry designer, Model Manager, and Socialite
who lives in Abuja