Social media etiquette for Nigerian businessmen

Social media has proven to be an essential tool for numerous businessmen in Nigeria as it is changing the way customers and businesses interact. Some people have even created whole businesses solely over the internet with the help of social media and are very successful.




While most of these businessmen who find themselves in position where they have to network through sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+, do not undergo formal training on how to use the social media, they have come to realize that the way they conduct themselves on the platforms plays a key role in how they and their business if perceived.


Unfortunately, most of these businessmen are still unclear as to the best practices as well as the social media etiquette they need to imbibe to survive in the field. In that regard, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking service offers 5 social media etiquette rules to help that Nigerian businessmen navigate social media with grace.


Pick an appropriate screen name

The name that you pick for your handle must be something that represents you and your company well. The screen name serves as you identity and it is the first thing that most people who connect with you relate to. Ensure that whatever you chose send a clear message, is succinct and most importantly, relatable.  Try to avoid using nicknames, abbreviations or slangs not even remotely related to your business.  

Ensure you compose and proofread posts, updates or tweets before publishing them

As a businessman, you must understand that your activities on the social media directly reflect on your business. Ensure you check every post for grammar and spelling errors before you post them, also, make sure the information you are sending out is genuine and can be verified. Building trust and authenticity are key when relating with customers or connecting with stakeholder online.

When marketing, use a first name



Yes. You are on the social media for business, and you

want to keep it  all professional, but you need to keep in mind that connecting with people on the social media is very different from booking office appointments or making calls. If your intent is to grab the attention of the customers and actually get them respond back to you, you need to make your connection more personable. Doing your research and using the person’s first name is a good way to start.

Connect with people with whom you have a link

The social media is open and allows most users to connect to anyone who uses the same platform, no matter their class, field or location. As a business man, this may seem like a good opportunity to reach out to as many people as possible, especially people who you may not know, but you feel can take your businesses to greater height or make a good purchase from you.. Please fight the temptation.  Do not approach strangers and ask them to be friends with you just so you can then try to sell them on your products or services. Doing so will ensure that you quickly lose credibility and that is not in any way good for business.

Do not be reactive



If you are determined to have your business succeed on the social media, you need to put a pin on your emotions and find a way to check yourself while communication with others, especially when you are locked in an argument and you see yourself getting sucked in. While it is important to address every issues or complaint relating to your product  or service, be careful the words you use as your words and actions can be saved and dredged up down the line. Also ensure that your responses are rational and constructive so that you do not develop a reputation as a hot head.


Ndem Nkem
Travel/Tech Writer

6 airport tips for Nigerians who love to travel

Travel buffs in Nigeria prefer to travel by air; however, they would admit that the airport may not be one of the favorite aspects of their trips. From the intimidating crowd, long lines and delayed flights, getting through the airport can be a struggle!  

Airports do not have to be a complete nightmare though. There are many ways to navigate airports like a pro, saving you a lot of time and money, also, making your journey faster and more comfortable. Here are 6 airport hacks from Jovago.com, for Nigerians who love to travel.

Make your luggage easy to spot

Most luggages come in dark colours and similar designs so it can be extremely difficult to identify at the airport. Aside from causing undue delay, especially when you end up with someone else’s luggage, not being able to identify your luggage can cause a measure of frustration. To avoid all that and ensure a quick getaway at baggage claim, go for an eye-catching suitcase. It could be in manner of design or in colour. You could also just tie a brightly colored fabric or ribbon to the handles too.

Meet friends at departures

The airport, especially arrivals, usually buzzes with a crowd of people and so it can be difficult locating someone or identifying a stranger you are meant to meet. To cut out the stress of roaming the entire airport in search of a friend or contact, ask the person to meet you at the departures. It is so much easier there.

Search for an airport buddy when delayed

If you are travelling alone and your flight has been delayed. Rather than sit on your own and perish in agony, seek out someone else and make friends with them. Unlike other airports around the world, Nigerian airports do not offer free Wi-Fi, so your chances of alternative entertainment may not be high if you do not have data on your phone. To keep things interesting, search for someone who looks roughly your age and go chat them up.

Do not hesitate to ask for free things

Nigerians they tend to shy away from freebie in public lest they be judged as freeloaders. Unfortunately, refusing to ask for free things when you are at the airport can deprive you of very luscious benefits or opportunities to save. Ensure you take advantage of special events like birthdays and honeymoon! Inform the airline staff of your unique situation and ask for the possible privileges attached to it. The worse that can happen is a polite no.

Wear Your Extra Luggage

Sometimes, you find that when you get to the airport and your carry-on weight is over the limit…even if you already weighed it at home. Rather than toss some of the items away or going into a gift shop in the airport and asking for a large shopping bag with which you can carry all the extras, you can simply wear the heaviest items in layers to get past security, and once you are done with security, you then head to the nearest bathroom and switch out of the clothes.

Always use the checkpoints on your left

It almost amazing how most people in the airport always steer to the right when choosing a security checkpoint line, leaving fewer people in line on the left. To save time and reduce stress, just head toward the left rather than the right.

Ndem Nkem

Travel/Tech Writer Jovago Nigeria

Top 4 content tools for Nigerian Bloggers

With millions of blog posts published every day, there is the need for bloggers to be conscientious in planning and developing engaging content for their unique audiences and business needs. Every blogger in Nigeria understands how difficult it can be to create original, interesting content as unlike it is with ordinary information, content is specifically targeted and the emphasis is usually placed on quality over quantity. Luckily, there are certain tools available for bloggers to sweep their content before publishing it, helping to maintain the quality of their posts and reduce chances of plagiarism. Jovago.com, Africa’s largest hotel booking portal lists 5 of these tools below:

Grammarly:

Perfect for beginner bloggers, Grammarly is a browser and application extension tool that helps check content for grammar and spelling to a far further extent than the default program on your computer or word processor. It can also check your content against 8 billion websites for plagiarism. All you need to do is Copy and paste your article into Grammarly’s online grammar checker to how it performs against checks for spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, style, and more. While the full version of this tool is not free at $11.66/month for a yearly contract and go up to $29.95 for just one month, it is very handy as it can be used in Chrome, Outlook or Word.

Hemingway

Although a grammar checker continuously compared to the Grammarly tool, Hemingway is slightly different as it creates a way to check content for readability : it checks your content structure, analyzes your text for readability, highlighting sentences that are a bit too complex or dense. The Hemingway tool is easy to use, all you need to do is simply copy and paste your content into its window. It is normally free and can be used on its website, however, you can also download the desktop application for Windows or Mac, at a cost of $9.99.

Headline Analyzer

Most bloggers focus a lot on the body of the blog post, failing to pay attention to the headline. However, the headline is actually what attracts readers to your post and while you spend time on article content checking and correcting grammar, spelling, and overall structure, you need to optimize that headline as well. The CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer tool, a free handy online tool helps you analyze your tentative headline, giving you a detailed, graded report on it withing seconds. It scores your headline quality and rates its ability to drive social shares, traffic, and SEO value.  The report, gives you many practical tips on how you can make your headline the best possible.

Portent’s Content Idea Generator

One of the difficult stages of writing a blog post is the idea generation stage. For most bloggers, coming up with fresh ideas can be an arduous task, especially when they do not have access to external sources. The Portent’s Content Idea Generator tool comes in very handy as it helps the user to generate ideas for blog posts. It is easy-to-use and require no training whatsoever, all the user has to do is enter the keyword of choice, then hit the “arrow” sign. The tool then come up with as many titles or topics to blog about as possible.

Ndem Nkem

Travel/Tech Writer Jovago Nigeria

VISIT JERUSALEM AND TOUR ISRAEL FROM LAGOS NIGERIA, THIS YEAR

A pilgrimage experience it is said can be one of the most spiritually uplifting experiences a human being can experience. Something about seeing the historical sites you’ve only read about in your bible, walking along the streets along which the Lord Jesus walked and along which he was scourged that uplifts the spirit and brings nourishment to the soul. It is a trip that everyone should take at least once in a life time. Preferably twice.



Have you always planned to visit Jerusalem or tour Israel from Lagos, Nigeria? Have you been overwhelmed by the seeming complexity of the logistics? What hotels to visit? What sights to see? A friendly face that will guide and advice you throughout your stay, explaining to you the customs of the people, where and what to eat and taking care of all the general logistics of such a journey? 



Have you been put off by the seemingly high cost of such an experience?
Not to worry. The Dynax Travel Team has stepped in to help you visit Israel from Lagos Nigeria while taking away all the complexities. At Dynax Travel Agency, we have put together a yearly trip to tour Jerusalem and visit Israel from Lagos Nigeria for you and your family. Our plan takes away all the burden, all in a neat little package that includes;
1. Flight Booking
2. Visa Acquisition
3. Hotel reservation and booking
4. Tour guide 
5. Visit to important sites such as Mount Olives, The Wailing Wall, Mount Camel, Boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee and the empty tomb of Jesus, Visit Jerusalem and many more.
6. Chaperone services
7. On-destination logistics such as eating arrangements, cultural exposition, bus and city transport systems
8. Many more.



All at a very affordable price. 

Going for a holiday this year?

Take the opportunity to treat the family to an uplifting spiritual experience even while enjoying the perks of a regular holiday. Hear some of our past clients testimonies


“I went to Israel in 2015 on a trip packaged by Dynax Travels. It was my first time there but I never felt I was away from home or in a strange place. The Dynax team took care of every little detail of the trip which included feeding, transportation, hotel reservation, room selection, and more. They obviously had a good rapport with the tour guide. The whole trip was so smooth and refreshing. The Dynax travel team are truly professionals with travels and tours.” …Omotee


“Visiting Israel for me was a great encounter. I had heard several stories and read a lot about Jerusalem, so I looked forward to a visit that will change my whole Christian experience.We were 58 women in total lead by Rev Mrs Funke Felix Adejumo. We had one person join us from Australia, three persons from the US and two from the UK. We flew into Israel from Tel Aviv.
Our tour guide was simply fantastic. We visited a lot of places which included the western wall also known as the Wailing Wall. Had the opportunity of visiting the house of Simon the tanner, the mount of olives, mount camel, the empty tomb of Jesus to mention but a few.
The boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee was an unforgettable experience. The Dead Sea was also a beautiful encounter.
We had opportunity to gather every evening to pray although we prayed at every site visited.
Israel indeed is a really a place to visit as the bible comes alive. 
I also remember the baptism experience at the river Jordan. The crown of it all is the JP ceremony where everyone was decorated with lapel pins as Jerusalem pilgrims .The food also was fantastic” …Rachel Kayode-Adele.


“My trip to Israel was indeed a dream come true for I had always wanted to visit the holy land. It brought the bible alive to me as I could easily relate to the stories since I am kinesthetic in nature (a feeler ). I came to understand why the fig tree was cursed and much more. The visit to every site was awesome especially at Simon the tanner's house... oh! I can't forget it was awesome. 
The food and hospitality of the people was splendid! Especially on Sabbath (friday). It was like a big wedding or feast with all kinds of delicacies and drinks(you don't want to miss it).
I loved the language and picked some words like boker tov (good morning ) toda raba (thank you very much) and not to forget the famous shalom that means hello, welcome and goodbye. I can't forget the song that we were taught by our tour guide. My son even sings it now (the peace song) wow! I could go on and on but one needs to..... how do they say a taste of the pudding is in the eating LOL. 
All of these experiences were made possible by Dynax travels n tours the organization was par excellence indeed I had a great time and would recommend it to anyone. Still smiling from the experience” …Joan Kpandei.

For more user testimonies and pictures about our last trip, please click here to see our facebook page.


This year the trip to tour Israel is slated for July 29 to August the 7th. Reach us on the following numbers to make your booking now. Remember spaces are limited on each tour, so hurry and do your booking now.

Contact:
Rachel on 08023050778
Esther on 07069370693

Office Address:

52 Ogudu Road, 
Ojota, Lagos State.

Click Here to See Us on Facebook 

Come on board join Dynax travels for another encounter with the God of Israel as we depart from Lagos to Jerusalem, Israel and the rest of the Holy land together.

Introducing who wants to be a millionaire? Nigeria mobile app

Ultima Limited in partnership with Sony Pictures Television and MTN Nigeria present the official mobile app for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Nigeria. The App, which is scheduled to be released on all mobile platforms is now available on Google Play store.



This new WWTBAM App is developed in Nigeria to deliver the T.V experience of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire game show on mobile phones. The introduction of #WWTBAMApp is a welcome change, and an exciting one at that, capable of enriching more lives. Lovers of the game should expect the Facebook version published in the coming weeks.



Features of the App include:

• Subscription at N50 by MTN Subscribers only
. 45 Additional questions purchase at N50 by SMS PIN or Credit/Debit card
• Play your way up the virtual Money Tree & use your classic life-lines (Ask the Audience, Ask a Friend, 50/50) to win the virtual 10million Naira.
• Stand a chance of getting on the Hot seat by subscribing and playing your way up the Leaderboard. 10 top players win N5, 000 every week and Top player for the month wins N50, 000 every month.



• Share scores with friends on Social media.
To get started, click http://bit.ly/1WhTZwi to download the app on Google Play store and subscribe for just 50 Naira/month by sending PIN to 165.



Click http://bit.ly/1T3wIeF to learn more about the App.



For further enquiries, send email to
info@millionairenigeria.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbUM4QFyqfY


So start playing, learning, and winning!

Kachikwu says Nigeria needs USD700m to upgrade refineries

Minister Kachikwu re-inaugurated the supply line at the Port Harcourt Refining Company on Saturday, April 23. He said Nigeria is looking for investors, as $700 million are required for upgrading the national refineries in order to ensure they maximise their output. Nowadays the refineries are working at 60% capacity.


The minister reminded explained that the federal government recovered the two critical crude supply pipelines: Escravos-Warri and Port Harcourt/Bonny.

Kachikwu said that the pipelines were down for six to seven years. Now they have resumed operation and are supplying crude to the refineries.


“Port Harcourt is back in production, Warri is back in production; Kaduna today is receiving and will soon be back in production. It is something of joy,” the minister said, as quoted by the NAN.


“Lagos is easing off now from fuel scarcity and Abuja is doing the same thing; once Kaduna begins to produce, the North will see a lot of improvement.”


Kachikwu apologised to Nigerians for their suffering due to the fuel scarcity and thanked them for their patience:
“We owe Nigerians the duty to ensure that the refineries are working. We owe Nigerians that, we can’t give up.”

He urged the compatriots to support what the Buhari administration is doing because, in his opinion, “this is the only way to change the system”.


It would be recalled that the minister has recently recommisioned Warri refinery and pipelines with daily output of two million litres of petrol.



Nigerians are consuming about 45 million litres of petrol per day. The estimated current output of refineries is 12 million litres daily. Once upgraded refineries reach the production level of 90%, about 20 million litres would be produced and delivered to consumers every day.

However, with such production, it would only meet up with about half of the country’s demand.

Best bookstores in Lagos

Thanks to online shops and digital retailers, independent bookstores in Lagos are suffering a significant demise. Luckily, there are some stores that are yet to succumb to the online competition and still have a robust selection of books to offer buyers who wander into their shops.

If you are visiting Lagos and searching for places to get books – whether for school, leisure or personal development,  Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking website, highlight 5 bookstores in Lagos that offer bestsellers in every category.

Terrakulture

This gorgeous store has a solid reputation, rightfully earned by its well-rounded selection of bestsellers and favorite fiction from the near and distant past. There are also generous sections for mainstream titles and children’s literature. Art exhibitions here are frequent, as are readings and other literary events. They also sell CDs and the staff is always helpful with first-timers who have no clue as to where to find what they are looking for.

The Hub

Located inside The Palms shopping mall, Lekki, The Hub is so deeply woven into the fabric of Lagos that it is routinely listed as one of the city’s essential book stores.  From Novels –African and foreign fiction- to classics, kid’s books, cookbooks, rare titles, art books and even signed first editions, this spot offers a lot of choices for the ardent reader. Again, a lot of the books available here are suitable for both the old, young and the young at heart.

CSS Book shop

Opened since 1869, CSS Bookshop has been around longer than most of the neighborhood’s residents and is the oldest bookstore in the city. Located in theBookshop House,  Broad Street, Lagos, expect to find a mix of educational books, academic textbooks, contemporary fiction, classics, magazines, and children’s books. The bookstore’s reputation often attracts tourists, and once inside, it is easy to understand the attraction as the building alone is huge landmark in the city.

The Jazz hole

A popular location on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, this small store offers a sanctuary from the usual commotion that pervades the area..If you think you are well-read, you you are bound to have fun time being challenged by not just the staff in this store but by others who visit the place. The Jazz Hole certainly is the best place for readers interested in picking the brains or other avid readers. A perk is the music that resounds in the location and occasional literary events.

Glendora

A great place for book lovers to browse and look around, Glendora offers a wide range of books, from modern paperbacks to forgotten classics. Located at Ikeja City Mall, It is a great place to buy a one-off present, including collectibles like limited editions and signed copies.  Prices are reasonable, and it is a lovely place to stand around browsing for an hour, before carrying on with your shopping or rendezvous at other stores in the mall.

4 emojis every happy Nigerian should use

Thanks to smartphones and several apps, Emojis have become a huge part of the Nigerian culture over the last few years. They have become one of the most popular forms of self-expression and there is something thrilling about communicating without them. Truth be told, they are not only cute, funny and are better for conveying feelings than a text does.


Emojis are changing Nigeria’s social media landscape in a big way. From those with ‘heart-shaped eyes’ or ‘thumbs up’, there is basically an icon for every occasion. Nigerians are naturally happy people who can be light-hearted about any situation and so for those who are still green as regards using these trends Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site has compiled a list of the top 4 Emojis that will appeal to anyone wishing to express feelings of happiness.

1. The Smiley-emoji

This is possibly the very first emoji introduced to Nigerians. Easily achieved by typing a combination of ‘:” and “)”, the emoji is the universal ambassador of good will. It is used to not only soften certain comments and instructions that otherwise would seem dry or sarcastic, to show that it a message sent from a good place or just used to show that happy agreement. Basically, this is an icon no one can go wrong with.


2. The Heart-emoji

Happy people are always sharing love and affection and the heart Emoji is a good way to express those feelings. Love makes the world go round and so, this Emojis has been known to solve a lot of quarrels and has saved a lot of relationships romantic or otherwise.


3. Face with Stuck-out Tongue

There really is no real happiness without a bit of kidding and fun. While this Emoji cannot be used in serious situations at all, it is useful for silly moments of glee where you want to share good feelings with a bit of mischief. This icon can be used to enhance or add extra meanings to other icons.


4. Face with Tears Of joy

This icon is perfect for showing that you find a comment extra funny or hilarious. Most people like to think that they are funny and it gives them a measure of happiness when they feel that they have put a smile on another person’s face or made them laugh. This icon is also used to draw attention to a post that could give a few laughs and brighten someone else’s day.


Ndem Nkem

4 Reasons why Nigerians Prefer Online Dating

With the proven statistics that there are more women than men in Nigeria, it is ironic that some men visit online dating site in search of love despite the sheer number of beautiful women on the streets of Lagos and other states. Today, there are hundreds of Nigerian dating sites. You just need to Google Nigerian dating sites and the rest is left to you. The question is why do some Nigerians visit these sites? Jovago.com, Africa's No 1 hotel booking portal shares 4 reasons.  

Easily intimidated by women

Some men freak out when it comes to interacting with women, let alone a woman they are interested in. For them to woo her is wahala. She is expecting and anxious to hear what you have to say because she is willing to give you a chance but you shy away with your tails in between your legs. For this type of men, dating sites is an easy way out of this anomaly. You will find men and women on these sites to select from.

Indulge  

Some Nigerians do not believe in online dating but they are tempted to join the bandwagon because they can give a false impression of themselves. They source pictures of others and use it as their display picture, cut their ages, and say they are single while dating. Even if they meet someone charming online, they are never serious because they are just there for fun!  



You are single

A dating site is a hub for meeting supposed singles. If you are single, you can check these sites out and if you are lucky, you will meet another single. Before you know it, you are already dating!

To heal Heartbreak

If you just broke up with your long-term partner and want to get over the heartbreak as quickly as possible, some people venture into the world of online dating. Often times than not, they are not interested in any online interactions or relationship because they want to purge themselves of the heartbreak.



Ogunfowoke Adeniyi
Travel/Technology Writer

4 Reasons to Drink Palm Wine From Igboland

Palm wine is a local beverage which is dear to many Nigerians. Some people even believe that it is better than factory brewed drinks due to its many health benefits and those who have gulped several gourds with plates of hot pepper soup or peppered goat meat, can testify to its delightful taste. However, if you are yet to savour the sap from southeast Nigeria which doubles as the birthplace of the local drink, you need to put ordering several kegs of the sweet liquid on your bucket list.

If you are in doubt about Igbo palm wine, Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 hotel booking portal points out several reasons that will bolster or embolden you to drink this beer a beverage.



It is undiluted

You cannot compare the palm wine sold or tapped in Anambra State to the one sold in Lagos or other parts of Nigeria. Many of these palm wine drinks are already fermented, diluted and adulterated, and this has serious side effects. To a large extent, you can trust that palm wine from this Igboland because it is undiluted and from a credible source.  



Tapped from the source  

The natural taste of palm wine can only be enjoyed if you get it directly from the source. Palm wine is produced by splicing horizontal strips at the top of a palm tree and drilling a hole into the trunk. Afterwards, you attach a container held by a raffia so that the palm wine can drop into the container. It has to be collected daily. Very few people are willing to go through the stress of climbing a tree as tall as 20 metres in a city. But visit the rural areas in the South-East, you will find cheap and quality palm wine direct from the trees.  

A gourd can intoxicate you   

For persons who boasts that they are experts in bingeing, a cup of undiluted palmy, as it is popularly called, will definitely overrule this belief. You can consume liters of alcoholic drinks but you should not attempt this with palm wine as a gourd can get you tipsy while several gourds will get you completely drunk. You have to be disciplined to consume such a natural intoxicant.



It is healthy  

It is quite risky to drink diluted palm wine because many are unaware of the condiments which have been added to pep up the taste. But for the ones directly tapped from the tree, it is very healthy. Some of the health benefits include control of  cardiovascular diseases, slows aging, good eyesight, increased in sperm count and aid milk production in lactating mothers.



Ogunfowoke AdeniyiTravel/Technology Writer

No going back on fuel subsidy removal – PPPRA

The Federal Government says it has not reversed its decision to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol. In a statement released by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Sotonye Iyoyo, the agency stated that contrary to media reports, what still exists is Price Modulation Policy, through which it considers and reviews pump price of PMS quarterly.

"The Agency also wishes to assure Nigerians that the funds from Over-Recovery in the first quarter (Q1) shall be duly utilized for whatever noticeable imbalance in April 2016 in line with the Price Modulation Principle". While appreciating the patience of Nigerians, the PPPRA reiterated its commitment to ensuring seamless supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide.

6 things to know before touring West Africa by road

The idea of going on a road trip out of Nigeria to other West African countries can be exciting for adventurous people but, while people travel every day to other west African cities such as Cotonou, Togo, Accra and Douala, either by public buses or private cars, very few of them are prepared for the experience they eventually face on the road. They leave excited and return discouraged, determined never to go on another road trip.

The truth is, travelling to other West African countries from Nigeria by road can actually be rewarding as long as you keep these things listed below in mind and prepare yourself for them. To help you prepare appropriately, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 onlinehotel booking portal suggests 6 things every traveler must know before setting out on this journey.

Your Nigerian Passport and Yellow fever Card are essential

Most people assume that they can just freely travel from Nigeria to neighboring West African countries without their International passport as they are all members of ECOWAS nations and have their visa waived, but that is not the case.

Every traveler is expected to provide their passports for stamping, as well as the Yellow card for proof of health before they are allowed to pass the border. Travelling without these documents can ruin your trip with border delays and denied entry.

Adult diapers will not work

Most cross-country trips can take from as long as 5 to 24 hours, depending on where you are going to and where you take off from.

A lot of travellers are skeptical about using the toilet on the bus, stopping by the roadside to ease themselves or using public toilets along the way, so they resort to wearing adult diapers. Unfortunately, adult diapers are of no help when travelling outside the country to West African countries. Not only will it be utterly uncomfortable, thanks to the long distance and bumps on the way, it could arouse undue suspicion from the officers at the border or even the NDLEA staff.

It is cheaper to change currencies before setting out

The Naira is only relevant for buying and selling within the country, and so, you will need to use the currency of whatever country you are visiting to be able to make purchases there. As a result, you have to ensure you visit any bank of choice or ‘bureau de change’ to trade the money you need for the trip before you set out. Some would advise that you wait till you get to the border before you change your money, but the truth is that the exchange rate at the border is always higher and less beneficial. You best bet is the bank. Alternatively, you can decide to use your ATM card if your bank allows that, but the charges for such transaction are also usually very high.

There is are different time zones

We may all be West African countries, but different countries operate in different time zones. For instance, Nigeria is 1hour ahead of Ghana and Benin Republic. Ensure you research to note the time difference between Nigeria and the country you are visiting, that way it is easy for you to keep track of time.

Also, some people are affected when they migrate into different time zones. If you are one of those, you may want to prepare yourself and pack whatever remedy you need to keep your body in check.

You will cross most borders by foot

Before setting out on your trip, ensure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes as aside from several stops that the bus will have to make for you to stretch your legs and buy food, you will have to cross most borders by foot.  

For most of these borders, especially the Ghana border, it is a long trek which will be very difficult if you are not prepared for it. It is advisable to carry a small handbag where you can keep your valuables, so that when you are crossing the border, you only need to hold it and leave the other entire luggage in the vehicle.

Prepare to stay offline for most of the trip

The beauty of a road trip is taking random pictures and posting them online on making instant videos for Snapchat and Instagram.

If you are travelling out of Nigeria to West African countries, you may not be able to do these as the roaming rates are very high. Sending a text from Togo alone is as high as N300 per text message and the data rates are outrageous.  Also, unless you are an MTN subscriber you may not even have access to any of the mobile networks. The only way out may be to buy a new SIM card that works in the country you are visiting at the border and insert it on your phone.

Ndem Nkem

Travel/Tech Writer
Jovago Nigeria

4 reasons to buy ‘previously-used’ gadgets in Nigeria

With the dawn of the 21st century, consumer technology has moved at the speed of lightning with new inventions constantly flooding the market, leaving a lot of people with old devices and hardware to sell. Although tech companies advertise these new products in such a way that the previous models are made to look obsolete, the ‘previously-used’ market for gadgets is still booming.

A large number of Nigerian markets are filled with fairly-used goods such as electronics, home appliances, computer gadgets, and the locals patronize them well. Apparently, these local buyers have not been scared away from a used gadget purchase, as they know the value of  these seemingly  imperfect machines.

Looking to buy a fairly used gadget but need some convincing? Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking website reveals 4 reasons to this trend is big in Nigeria.

You get an amazing deal

Fairly used gadgets, which most times include old stock in large stores, returned gadgets, and pawned gadgets are always cheaper than originals and give same value, if not more. You can often buy a two or three-year-old device for one-half to one-quarter of its original price. You probably may have to do some extra cleaning or deal with fixing a minor factory defect. The secret is to always test the product before you make the purchase, that way you know what you are getting yourself into. Some markets offer gadgets at ridiculously low prices without prior testing, for those gadgets, there is a chance that you will end up getting screwed, as they may be outrightly destroyed.

They have better quality

It is hard to believe but most of the fairly used gadgets actually have better quality that the sparkling new ones you find in Nigerian stores. The thing about these products is that some of them are strong brands from companies in countries such as Germany, England, Korea e.t.c and they have better quality than the new ones you find built either locally or imported from china.

Fairly used gadgets are much more durable

The gadgets no doubt are usually older versions and may not have certain perks of the new versions, but these older products are much more durable than the new ones…even though they are old and have already been used. Prior to this time, things were made with more natural materials – steel, glass, ceramics, and wood. The items may not have been as convenient or as stylish, but they were functional and made to last. In current times, however, people are more interested in flashy and so they get flashy products made with cheap materials.

Opportunities for resell

It is actually easier to resell these fairly used gadgets than the new ones. For instance, most buyers would rather buy a 2nd hand Kenwood blender that has been used for 6 years than a brand new Saisho blender. Buying fairly used gadgets ensure that you are able to make your money back or even make some profit while reselling.

Ndem Nkem

Travel/Tech Writer Jovago Nigeria

Photos: Legendary Hausa musician Sani Aliyu Dandawo is dead

Alhaji Sani Aliyu Dandawo has died at the age of 72 after a protracted illness.  He died at his home in Yauri, Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Sunday. He is survived by two wives, 22 children, 25 grand children and an aged mother.

He was buried this evening according to Islamic rites.

The late musician is known for songs like Shehu Shagari, Kuzo Muga Madaki, Dan Iyan Kano, among others.