Day 9 (September 15, 2017) at Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria

Today is my last day in Nigeria. The school got concluded with an amazing lecture about Research Ethics, it was so informative for the students and in fact for us too. Finally, the two Japanese and I left the campus for Lagos International airport. The airport was initially built during World War II and is now expanded and called Murtala Muhammed International Airport, named after Murtala Muhammed, the 4th military ruler of Nigeria. Our flight is on time.  

On our way to Lagos airport; if you think you've two lane and can only be for two cars in parallel, you're wrong; because you can drive three cars in parallel like this!

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (only for international flights) 

After stranded at Heathrow airport for more than 6hrs, I finally got into my house safely. Overall, my scientific mission to Nigeria was very successful.

Heathrow airport 

Day 8 (September 14, 2017) at Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria

Today is my last lecture day. After I finished my talk, I was asked to go to Vice Chancellor office (with other selected lecturers and two students) to meet him. His office is just across the road in the other building. The protocol procedures to see him was as usual in this continent. We're asked to rise from our sit when he enter into the fancy meeting room. He seems very nice person. Unlike other African officials, who would like to talk more instead of listening, he actually talked almost none but invited each one of us to express our opinions openly about what we observed at the university during our stay. He invited us to give any comments. That is a very good habit in deed. He has a committed vision to make the university one of the top 10 universities in the world in 2025. As I said in my earlier post the university was established in 2002 and become the first top best university of the nation in 2015. 

Finally, he awarded each one of us a university pin and some other souvenir, and he concluded the meeting by reminding us to be a point of contact for his university when we go back home. 

Day 7 (September 13, 2017) at Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria

Today is excursion day. Thus, in the afternoon we went to Abeokuta, about 100km from Legos, where Obasanjo was born raised, to visit Olumo Rock, which looks like a pregnant woman. Olumo Rock is a popular tourist attraction located in the city of Abeokuta (means “Under the rock”), Ogun State, at the south western part of Nigeria. It was used as a stronghold by the Egba people in the early 19th century. Olumo rock,  has a height of 137 metres above sea level. Abeokuta was originally inhabited by the Egba People who found refuge at the Olumo rock during intertribal wars in the 19th century. The rock provided sanctuary to the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance leading to eventual victory in war. The town of Abeokuta eventually grew as these new settlers spread out from this location.  

Climbing to the top of the rock was a very difficult task for any tourist as it did not have any proper way to climb up. Then in 1984 the government of Nigeria build a formal steer and elevator to climb up to the top.  The rock has three levels, and the second level is still serve as praying place, where the followers scarify black cow every year.  This is where we found a 133 yrs old woman, they call her chief. She is a descendent of Olumo. We also climbed up to the top of the third floor, where you can have a magnificent 360 degree view of the entire Abeokuta city. Finally, after we enjoyed the view, we all come down to the small park at the base of the rock; and we had our packed lunch there. It was a good picnic. According to the plan, the next stop would have been President Obasanjo' s presidential library. However, we were told at the last minute that, we couldn't be able to reach there before they close the library. Instead we stopped at the city and look around the market.

This is Olumo Rock, looking from the bottom

At the base of the rock there is a historical and cultural gallery; and I found this little thing (the Ethiopian called it 'Zagol'); well it was used as currency of Nigeria until they introduced there paper bills and coins!

Part of the group, ready to climb up, refused to take stairs. 

These hols were used to grind food items!

According to the poster shown, this lucky lady is 133yrs old!

Partial group picture at the top of the rock!

At the top of the rock with magnificent view of the city!

Typical street market at Abeokuta

360 degree scan of the market

Day 6 (September 12, 2017) at Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria

Nothing different activity; it was just a busy day and had my second lecture. 

Day 5 (September 11, 2017) at Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria

This the campus of Covenant University, which is located in Ota, Ogun State in Nigeria. It is a private Christian university, affiliated with Living Faith Church Worldwide. It was established/inaugurated on 21 October 2002 in Canaanland, Ota by David Oyedepo, the presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, who is now the chancellor of the university. Currently, the university, which has amazingly beautiful campus, is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Association of African Universities and National Universities Commission. In January 2015, it was ranked as the best university in Nigeria according to Webometrics. 

Camp houses, where the students of our school were accommodated! 

The Cafeteria where we're served lunch!

The building where we had our school!

Day 4 (September 10, 2017) in Abuja and at Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria

Woke up early to pack my stuff and ready to rush to the airport. I was pickup at 8:00am and went straight to airport to catch our flight to Lagos. Lucky, I ordered breakfast and had it before I got picked up. For some reason my pickup car came earlier than 8:00am, usually they came late. The summer school, the main reason that brought me to Nigeria, will be held outside Lagos (less than an hour drive if there is no traffic).

Anyway, we drove directly to the airport and arrived at the airport early. Passed the security very easily, and have went to the VIP lounge, because Babatunde has access and he took me in as his 'bag'. The flight was on time, and departed on time. It was Nigerian airline (Arik airline).  

Abuja airport

at the checkin counter!

We took Arik (Nigerian airline), the airline that just filed law suit against Ethiopian airline and Nigerian government for unconfirmed statement made about the fate of the airline that was surfaced on major news media recently.  

We arrived in Lagos safely. When we got out of the airport, the car that was supposed to be waiting for us was not there. We tried to call him but not taking our calls. Finally, we took taxi (private cars that serves as taxi) to Covenant University (located in Canaanland, Ota) in the state of Ogun, which is about an hour drive from Lagos airport if there is no traffic. It was a good experience driving across one of the crowded city in the world. A lot of typical stuff are housed in Lagos; straight open markets, extremely messy roads, etc.  

Just outside Lagos airport, domestic terminal

On our way to Covenant University, typical African activities

Bells University of Technology, President Obasanjo's university

We finally arrived at Covenant University compound around 1pm. It is now 4:30pm and haven't got my room yet. Don't ask me the reason because I don't know it either. What I know is sitting in a well maintained guesthouse, and keep informed that they are cleaning the room, not sure what kind of cleaning can possibly took such a long time.

A living faith religion's church, which has linked with Covenant University

I looked like uselessly tired man sitting at the lobby of Covenant University guest house 

Day 3 (September 9, 2017) in Abuja, Nigeria

Today is Saturday, and I did not have any activity, and I stayed inside my room and working the whole day, except I went out for lunch with some of AMBER family in Abuja (Prof Rabiu, Rose and her husband). We went to a Nigerian restaurant.  

This was my lunch (chicken with rice and plantain) at the restaurant! 

Day 2 (September 8, 2017) in Abuja, Nigeria

Today was a bit busy day. I went to NASRDA (they also calls it Obasanjo Space Center), where AMBER is located. I've a tedious work on AMBER instrument, and sensor alignment. It went out good.

The sensor and the nearby power line, which causes the noise that we see in the data!

AMBER family in Abuja, Nigeria

For dinner, one of AMBER family took me out to one of the best western restaurants, where I had the best grilled fish ever. I also got a chance to drink beer for the first time since I arrived in Abuja. The hotel where I'm staying does not serve any alcohol, and it is due to the hotel is owned by a christian organization that forbid alcohol into their premises.   

Since I was hungry, I forgot to take a picture of my fish, but here it after I consumed most of it! 

Day 1 (September 7, 2017) in Abuja, Nigeria

Departed from Boston for Abuja through London, flying with British Airline, early in the morning on Wednesday (September 6, 2017). The entire flight was on time and very smooth. I arrived in Abuja at 4:45AM Nigerian local time. Although the immigration processes took long time (for foreigners), it went out smooth without any hassle. For some reason, foreigners' travel documents checked by two officers, and you've to make a line for both. When I went out from the immigration, I could't find my host in the waiting area that I were familiar with. Unfortunately, because of the terrorist attack the family who're waiting for their loved ones are not allowed to get into the building anymore. Instead they've to wait under the shade across the street outside the building. Unknowingly, I was simply standing inside the building, but Prof Rabiu spotted me from outside and came towards to the building, of course with the permission of the guards standing there. 

Here is the public lecture advertisement! 

Prof Rabiu and his driver dropped me off at my hotel around 6:00am, and reminded me to be ready at 11:00am to be picked up from my hotel to go to NASRDA (National Space Research and Development Agency) of Nigeria or called Obasanjo Space Center, because I was scheduled to give a public lecture at 2:00pm on that day. I got picked up around 11:30am and went strait to AMBER station site, which is located at NASRDA's premises. After checking AMBER instruments and visiting all other co-located instruments deployed by fellow scientist from the US, Japan, and Europe, we went to the conference hall where I gave my lecture. The lecture commenced with few remarks by the director general (DG) representative (because the DG was outside the country during that week) and brief introduction by Prof Rabiu. The lecture, which was live streamed online for wider audience, went out very good. At the end, I went to my hotel and crashed into my bed. I have not had a good sleep for the last 24 hrs. Anyway, see you tomorrow!     

 At the top of the building where AMBER electronics are hosted, with Prof Rabiu right and the head of the lab on my left.