Jill Rees: Welcome Press

The boss sacked my driver the other day in a fit of pique, so I had to drive myself home. Got lost of course, then got petrol, then realised I didn’t have the 4,500naira to pay so had to call a friend to bail me out. then I drove up this nice looking avenue before noticing I was the only car there, oh and my car hasn’t been registered yet, so I drove out again. A policeman stopped me and said I’d just driven into the President’s driveway and he’d have to take me to jail. I told him how much I respeect their President and love Nigeria etc etc then quietly showed him my British passport, mentionning my benefactor who is in the House of Representatives, he hesitated while I slipped him some money, then let me go very politely, giving me directions home. Got lost again but luckily I saw the Great Mosque in the distance and headed that way. I like Islam now, my guiding star.

It’s nearly the end of Ramadan, and all the brave souls withering away with hunger are getting ready for Eid. As it is with the moon this might be Thursday or Friday depending which part of Nigeria you’re in, so there are 2 public holidays Hurrah. Really keen on Islam now!!! I’ll try to take the time to upload photos and write my article at the weekend. I finally persuaded my boss to get my lovely driver back.

This evening two fellows turned up at my hotel room saying they had been instructed by my benefactor to take me to a cheaper hotel. Nobody told me, so I sent them away, saying I had to get confirmation. I couldn’t get in touch with the boss so called Chatchei. She thought it very suspicious, and I called my friend at the Embassy and asked him to check on me, then called hotel security. It was my friend Mr Chike who was very concerned and promised to take care of me. Anyway I got scared then and couldn’t eat all my egosi soup. Finally my benefactor called Chatchei to say it was him. He doesn’t call me cos his accent is so strong I don’t understand him and he can’t understand me either.

Don’t worry Mum kidnappings don’t happen here in Abuja, I was being extra cautious though.

Apart from these adventures school life continues to be…………challenging. Gradually it’s getting sorted, the electricity’s on most of the time and we’ve got a computer. I met with the project manager today and I’m beginning to change the culture so that they tell me what’s going on, instead of just telling me not to worry! Today the plumber came to check that we had water without being asked. Of course it’s important to be approachable, they’re so used to being treated badly and rudely that normally they try to stay out of the boss’ way.  There’s a lot to break through here in terms of humanism.

Stephanie just phoned and we discussed how critical thinking and strategic plannang aren’t in the culture here. I think that the corruption at the top is the cause, it’s in their interests to have disorganised and divided workforces, so they can scavenge the cream off the top of the milk for themselves. As I am frustrated by this, so are most of the Nigerians I meet. It’s very hard to put a stop to corruption at the top of society. Most Nigerians I think would pinpoint this as the main problem in Nigeria, which should be a very rich lovely country from its natural resources and calibre of its people. Anyway it’s late now so I’m leaving it. Hope you enjoyed the stories!

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