blank
search-icon
Blog

Another Ghanaian Woman’s Perspective on Nigeria-Part 3

black woman

CLICK HERE TO READ PART 1 & HERE TO READ PART 2

A few weeks ago, whilst driving to work, I turned my dial to 92.30 fm and since then it has remained there. Each morning after devotion, my exercise session and food preparation I am always left feeling exhausted with little enthusiasm for the day. But thanks to inspiration fm, whose morning show between 6.30 and 7.00 always ensures I am revamped for the job ahead. Don’t hesitate to tune in anytime you are in Lagos or even online from anywhere in the world.

Whilst in Ghana, I was so in love with the yoghurt drink, Hollandia, and it is only weight gain that managed to tear us apart. Now that I am based in the country of its production, it is like jumping from frying pan to fire. I didn’t even know they had the pineapple flavour till I got here. To make matters worse La Casera (the apple sparkling drink) is as common as sachet water here and Fayrouz (tastes like Alvaro), the Chivita and Five Alive brands follow suit. I was so grateful when a close friend of mine asked if I wanted to join her in fasting. I decided to abstain from sugar, drinks included and that is how I have managed to control my cravings.

For those females looking to relocate to Nigeria, kindly do a wardrobe sweep to get rid of those scanty pieces you have. Trust me, despite their glamour and deep fashion sense, Nigerians are very conservative. Do not be fooled by what you see on television. You will see a number of them covering their hair when going to church or using shawls to cover their legs when they sit down. There is little tolerance for visible fleshy body parts especially with regards to married women and any daring female is viewed as not coming from a good home. As much as husbi always says I should just be myself, I have reserved a lot of those pieces for his viewing pleasure only. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

This is just a brief point to let you know that you are not alone in the crappy service you sometimes get from Ghanaian telecom companies.Your brothers and sisters here in Nigeria are facing the same situation if not worse. Thank you.

Some of you have requested for Nigerian recipes and since I want to make the experience more exciting for you, I urge you to visit dobbyssignature.com. She uses pictures every step of the way and that just brings the food to live. Be prepared to add crayfish, cameroonian pepper, stock fish, shrimps, prawns to name a few to your list of ingredients.

Note that what we term as stew would be soup in Nigeria. So don’t expect something watery (except for pepper soup I think) but rather a stew-like dish embedded with leaves. For all those ladies looking to adapt a healthy lifestyle, you will love this (minus the palm oil). They eat their soups with swallow (a starchy accompaniment that looks like banku) which could be made from millet, wheat, gari, corn, yam skin powder etc.

Everyone can attest to the fact that Nigerians are very entertaining including being very comical. They are gifted in telling stories and they always have this way of making things sound so amusing. There is never a dull moment around your average Nigerian.

I just discovered ayigbe toffee (baba dudu) in Nigeria today lol. I actually told husbi to stop the car and I almost fell over rushing to buy a few. Ooooo there are just some childhood delights we cannot escape from. I asked about nkaticake (peanut candy), coconut candy and doughnut (puff puff) and they actually have it all. It’s so amazing how many things we share in common.

Despite my love for Nigerian food, I really cannot bring myself to eat “Nigerian rice’ (fat long grain rice like Uncle Bens) though it contains less starch hence a healthier choice. I am a ‘rice person’ and I miss the sticky Ghanaian short grain rice( like jasmine and basmati rice) that mops up the sauce in an embracing manner. My husband and friend did not spare me one day we went out to eat and I was insisting I wanted ‘Ghanaian rice’. I sounded so spoilt but chale I am a big fan of Ghana rice, as I call it.

Lots of people have asked me if Nigeria is that congested. Well, I know for sure Lagos is, at least certain parts with slums speckled here and there.Just like any situation, you have the good, the bad and the ugly. Driving around Lagos where one sees the reality of two different worlds, I am sometimes amazed at how they manage to co-exist.

Back to the Yorubas- they seem to have a greeting for every occasion. Aside the normal morning and evening greetings of “Eka ro” and “Ekale” respectively, I have heard a few others such as “Eku ise” for when you meet someone working and “Eku ijoko” for when you meet people in a group.Of course “E pele ooo” reigns as well.

Lagos is so large eish .Once husbi and I had to go visit family and it took us over two hours. It is like having two states in one. I have a number of friends living here but they live so far off I have not seen them yet. Weird huh but that’s just how it is. Waiting for my birthday celebration to have them all over…

Side note to police personnel and other road safety stakeholders in Nigeria – kindly invest in looking more appealing whilst doing your job. It does make a difference to road users. I miss my Ghanaian police; smart-looking and friendly.

Hmmm so I have been asked if it is true that Nigerian men are romantic and very good in bed. I beg you it will be hard for me to confirm this as I have not experimented with enough of them to come to a solid conclusion. All I can say is to each his own. Lol.

Despite good road-networking, one has to deal with reckless drivers who seem to create their own driving rules. Thank God I have had a lot of experience driving at Kaneshie, Circle and Accra-Central in Ghana thus making it easier to maneuver around here.

With the stiff competition and numerous cyber altercations between Ghanaians and Nigerians, one would think we were sworn enemies but this is not the case. Anytime people find out I am a Ghanaian they embrace me like one of their own and are always eager to learn more about our culture. The relationship between the two countries is like that of siblings who live apart from each other.

So far so good and I am thankful for all the well wishes and hope you share with others. It would be great for people to know that Nigeria is not as bad as it is painted to be to the outsiders…



READ ALSO: Refused A UK Visa? CLICK HERE FOR HELP

CLICK HERE to subscribe to our daily up-to-date news!!

POPULAR POSTS

LATEST NEWS

MORE FROM Blog

48 thoughts on “Another Ghanaian Woman’s Perspective on Nigeria-Part 3”

  1. Well, thanks for creating something fair about Nigeria. I need to comment on two major points. One is Lagos being so big and you said it’s like bringing two States in one. Actually, Lagos State is one of the smallest States in Nigeria after Imo. I wouldn’t know what you will say if you have to visit other 35 States like Delta, Edo, Rivers State. or Borno where Boko Haram are based. 15 Lagos will fit into Borno State.

    Secondly, about the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana. It’s actually sad that I have to say it’s only in Ghana you see the competition and seeing each country as enemies. I never knew about it until I came to Ghana. While in Nigeria, 3 Ghanians lived in my street in Delta. They were contractors and it took me more than a year before finding out they are Ghanians. A friend of mine worked with a Ghanian in a Lagos hotel. He was a chef and this friend of mine got to know the man’s identity as Ghanian after 2 years of working together. The bottom line is, we don’t care were you come from. We are blacks and as long as the country accommodates us all, you’re always welcome. I learnt something different when I arrived Ghana.

    Reply
  2. Well, thanks for creating something fair about Nigeria. I need to comment on two major points. One is Lagos being so big and you said it’s like bringing two States in one. Actually, Lagos State is one of the smallest States in Nigeria after Imo. I wouldn’t know what you will say if you have to visit other 35 States like Delta, Edo, Rivers State. or Borno where Boko Haram are based. 15 Lagos will fit into Borno State.

    Secondly, about the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana. It’s actually sad that I have to say it’s only in Ghana you see the competition and seeing each country as enemies. I never knew about it until I came to Ghana. While in Nigeria, 3 Ghanians lived in my street in Delta. They were contractors and it took me more than a year before finding out they are Ghanians. A friend of mine worked with a Ghanian in a Lagos hotel. He was a chef and this friend of mine got to know the man’s identity as Ghanian after 2 years of working together. The bottom line is, we don’t care were you come from. We are blacks and as long as the country accommodates us all, you’re always welcome. I learnt something different when I arrived Ghana.

    Reply
  3. I’m always excited to read your piece, it reminds me too much of my Oga. He met me and a few of my friends, says we’ve totally turned his perspective on Nigerians around; we’ve come to realize that we are from different countries but we share quite a few things. Even when it comes to people who substitute the letter “L” for “R”. The rice bit made me laugh cuz he’s exactly the same way, says our rice is fat. It’s how Ghanaians by default have basmati rice in their homes, some of us have both but your average Nigerian has the default fat grain rice :D. Have you tried the chicken? I haven’t been to Ghana, but Oga says you guys eat soft chicken, and Naija’s own is too hard. Lool. For our swallows, it could be Eba (Garri) , Semovita, Pounded yam, AMALA( it’s black, but my goodness it is yum! That’s the one made with yam flour) also if you’re looking for koose, we call it Akara, you may wanna try it with that bread you were looking for, we call it Agege bread. The combo is YUM!

    Reply
    • Thanks a lot. Bami. Hmm I wonder if I can ever get used to the rice but God dey. @ chicken, I have not really realised any difference but will take note. I love amala and ewedu, yum yum indeed. Hahaha eish I must look for this Agege bread and try that combo. You rock girl! Xx

      Reply
  4. I’m always excited to read your piece, it reminds me too much of my Oga. He met me and a few of my friends, says we’ve totally turned his perspective on Nigerians around; we’ve come to realize that we are from different countries but we share quite a few things. Even when it comes to people who substitute the letter “L” for “R”. The rice bit made me laugh cuz he’s exactly the same way, says our rice is fat. It’s how Ghanaians by default have basmati rice in their homes, some of us have both but your average Nigerian has the default fat grain rice :D. Have you tried the chicken? I haven’t been to Ghana, but Oga says you guys eat soft chicken, and Naija’s own is too hard. Lool. For our swallows, it could be Eba (Garri) , Semovita, Pounded yam, AMALA( it’s black, but my goodness it is yum! That’s the one made with yam flour) also if you’re looking for koose, we call it Akara, you may wanna try it with that bread you were looking for, we call it Agege bread. The combo is YUM!

    Reply
    • Thanks a lot. Bami. Hmm I wonder if I can ever get used to the rice but God dey. @ chicken, I have not really realised any difference but will take note. I love amala and ewedu, yum yum indeed. Hahaha eish I must look for this Agege bread and try that combo. You rock girl! Xx

      Reply
  5. Niaija can’t outshine us. Ghana girls are a 8, Nigerian girls are a 6. If Nigerian girls learn how to make real jollof, they’ll get their two points. As for the romantic I believe Gh men are better

    Reply
  6. Niaija can’t outshine us. Ghana girls are a 8, Nigerian girls are a 6. If Nigerian girls learn how to make real jollof, they’ll get their two points. As for the romantic I believe Gh men are better

    Reply
  7. Chris, why was my comment deleted? You’re really biased. I didn’t say anything bad about both countries. You’ve always welcomed views, I layed mine and it was not welcomed? You’re a joke.

    Reply
  8. Chris, why was my comment deleted? You’re really biased. I didn’t say anything bad about both countries. You’ve always welcomed views, I layed mine and it was not welcomed? You’re a joke.

    Reply
  9. I’m half nigerian, half ghanaian, have lived in both countries.. They both have their strengths, but i think nigerians are friendlier.. I love the order in ghana however and miss it alot:-)

    Reply
  10. I’m half nigerian, half ghanaian, have lived in both countries.. They both have their strengths, but i think nigerians are friendlier.. I love the order in ghana however and miss it alot:-)

    Reply
  11. Wow….I haven’t been to Nigeria and I just want to go there just by reading this piece….I’ve got some Nigerian friends and they are soooo funny….I would say more funny and outgoing than my Ghanaian (male) friends…. I think Nigerian women are really beautiful (no lesbo) and the guyscarevquite good looking too…they have rich culture….butikkselger know I can’t generalize but their 419 scares me oh….all the same I’d love to experience naija some day

    Reply
    • Missy, your contribution makes interesting reading but you at the end exhibited the usual Ghanaian “fear factor” for everything Nigeria, fear factor that had over the years become so embarrassing and gradually developed into inferiority complex of sort. The fraudulent tagged name 419 may have originated from Nigeria but 419 fraudulent activities did not start from Nigeria. Nigeria was only bold enough to face the reality and enacted law “419” to eradicate it, 419 today is a global phenominon that include Ghana also at the center of it as Ghanaian economy today is being undermind by massive corruption from politicians and government officials in all sphere of government activities.

      It is however wrong to conclude you fear to travel to Nigeria for the reasons of 419, while you contemplate travelling to Nigeria; thousands of Ghanaians live off doing business in Nigeria unrestrained and without complains because they have become products of a system that works and that rewards hardwork, have also come to realise that in a cosmopolitan city as Lagos or even in New York; you couldn’t but require to think at all time off your feet. A medium size country of Ghana has its fair share of 419 fraudulent activities reported daily in the news media. Remember the most violent military coup ever in Ghana and probably in Africa by Rawlings was hinged on unprecidended corruptions by Ghanaians.

      Reply
      • Well well well, Omobolanle you are very right. Ghanaians seems to have forgotten their route through corruption days when Rawlings struck and how they started trooping to Nigeria for redemption. Now they claim to be saints without 419 criminal records, not mindful of the global biggest fraudulent rape of New York Stock Exchange syphoning of $6.0 billion dollars into private accounts by a Ghanaian called Adoboli resident in New York. Ghanaians should thread more cautiously and point less fingers when fraudulent issues are pronounced. Ghanaians are as criminal minded as any other Africans living anywhere.

        Reply
      • When it comes to corruption we (GH) are the kings….over here on Scandinavia Nigetia really has bad reputation….it doesn’t help with all this Boko Haram either….but I inderstand perfectly well that I shouldn’t generalize…all the same I would still love to experience nigerian culture…it’s a huge country with so much to offer…as my naija people say it “here you will find the good the bad and the ugly”..,.

        Reply
  12. Wow….I haven’t been to Nigeria and I just want to go there just by reading this piece….I’ve got some Nigerian friends and they are soooo funny….I would say more funny and outgoing than my Ghanaian (male) friends…. I think Nigerian women are really beautiful (no lesbo) and the guyscarevquite good looking too…they have rich culture….butikkselger know I can’t generalize but their 419 scares me oh….all the same I’d love to experience naija some day

    Reply
    • Missy, your contribution makes interesting reading but you at the end exhibited the usual Ghanaian “fear factor” for everything Nigeria, fear factor that had over the years become so embarrassing and gradually developed into inferiority complex of sort. The fraudulent tagged name 419 may have originated from Nigeria but 419 fraudulent activities did not start from Nigeria. Nigeria was only bold enough to face the reality and enacted law “419” to eradicate it, 419 today is a global phenominon that include Ghana also at the center of it as Ghanaian economy today is being undermind by massive corruption from politicians and government officials in all sphere of government activities.

      It is however wrong to conclude you fear to travel to Nigeria for the reasons of 419, while you contemplate travelling to Nigeria; thousands of Ghanaians live off doing business in Nigeria unrestrained and without complains because they have become products of a system that works and that rewards hardwork, have also come to realise that in a cosmopolitan city as Lagos or even in New York; you couldn’t but require to think at all time off your feet. A medium size country of Ghana has its fair share of 419 fraudulent activities reported daily in the news media. Remember the most violent military coup ever in Ghana and probably in Africa by Rawlings was hinged on unprecidended corruptions by Ghanaians.

      Reply
      • Well well well, Omobolanle you are very right. Ghanaians seems to have forgotten their route through corruption days when Rawlings struck and how they started trooping to Nigeria for redemption. Now they claim to be saints without 419 criminal records, not mindful of the global biggest fraudulent rape of New York Stock Exchange syphoning of $6.0 billion dollars into private accounts by a Ghanaian called Adoboli resident in New York. Ghanaians should thread more cautiously and point less fingers when fraudulent issues are pronounced. Ghanaians are as criminal minded as any other Africans living anywhere.

        Reply
      • When it comes to corruption we (GH) are the kings….over here on Scandinavia Nigetia really has bad reputation….it doesn’t help with all this Boko Haram either….but I inderstand perfectly well that I shouldn’t generalize…all the same I would still love to experience nigerian culture…it’s a huge country with so much to offer…as my naija people say it “here you will find the good the bad and the ugly”..,.

        Reply
  13. Always good to read your articles. I have to agree on the rice tho…Naija rice is hmmm…but I have tasted a couple of their soups and it was really good! Nice one.

    Reply
  14. Always good to read your articles. I have to agree on the rice tho…Naija rice is hmmm…but I have tasted a couple of their soups and it was really good! Nice one.

    Reply
  15. In Nigeria there is never a dull moment.People are instilled with the fear and wrong notions that Nigeria is a bad place to live but they re all propaganda of western media.

    Reply
  16. In Nigeria there is never a dull moment.People are instilled with the fear and wrong notions that Nigeria is a bad place to live but they re all propaganda of western media.

    Reply

Leave a Reply