I’m going to be off the air for a few days as I’m travelling around Nigeria conducting my training sessions. Tomorrow morning we leave for Kano, come back to Abuja on Friday night, leave for Lagos on Sunday and then return to Abuja on Wednesday for wrapup on Thursday and Friday.
Just got done with the first full day of training. What an experience. I had 20 trainees and 9 computers among them. Not at all ideal, but we made it work. There’s a bit of a cultural barrier to get over here, too, as people are not prone to asking questions. I really had to coax some life out of the bunch.
It went okay. More than a few people showed glimmers of understanding by the time the day was done, but there were some poor souls who just didn’t get it. That can be frustrating.
I’m looking forward to yet another night in the hotel. I’ve been told very clearly that it isn’t wise to be out and about. So I’m catching up on my CNN, BBC World and Discovery Channel. Blah.
Well, the first half day is done. Everyone was drinking from a firehose, but the point was to give this bunch a good complete overview of what the computer system can and can’t do. A LOT of discussion was sparked over some points — this is very good. It really suggested that people were paying attention and buying into what I was showing them.
I’m pooped. Only a week more of this to go! 
The training I’m conducting starts in earnest today. Tomorrow is the first all-day session with people here in Abuja. Starting Thursday I’m on the road to Lagos and Kano and then back to Abuja for a wrapup before a getaway early next Saturday morning.
Making it more interesting is the fact that I’m training people on a brand new database system. It is the second generation of something I’ve used for years and am very used to, but the training pattern that I’ve internalized won’t work anymore. Every time I’m in the field like this I have to change things a bit, so I’m not winging it at all, but I am having to make more adjustments on the fly than usual.
Dang I’m going to be busy! Just have to find time to get everything done…
Well, I made it in a couple days ago and things are totally status quo. By that, I mean that the hotel is a fort, not near anything really, and charging through the snoot for everything. Ah well. What can you do. I’ve seen literally nothing so far except CNN, BBC World, and the Discovery Channel, but on Thursday we start to travel a bit.
It gets hot here. The day usually starts at about 24C and ends up in the low 40s by noon.
The food’s okay, but not what I’m used to of course. All this says very little, but its a start!
I’m gaining an appreciation of this whole malaria thing. I’ve got my pills and start taking them tomorrow. The course of medication I’m taking is such that I only have to continue taking it a week after I return, rather than the 4 weeks required in the past. The article below describes a drug that successfully kills malaria in two days — quite an improvement for those who have contracted the disease.
Breakthrough on malaria vaccine study
As I’m getting ready for this trip, I find it disappointing that the only information I can find out about Nigeria is the bad news.
Nigeria aside for a moment, I have to register a small rant about the quadrennial ice skating event that’s been going on this past week. There are other sports out there, NBC! I’m sick to death of watching the 13th rated skater in the world warm up and then only see the number 1 or 2 lougers or biathalons. I haven’t been able to catch a single curling event this year. No, I’m not from Canada, and yes that was intended to have a little element of humor. Enough of the skating already. Don’t even get me started on the foreigners who train in US facilties with our coaches and then compete for their home countries…
I do a lot of work with USAID.
Text: Natsios Outlines USAID’s Strategy for Battling HIV/AIDS
On U.S. Department of State: Washington Files/Africa Issues via NewsIsFree
More exciting times in Nigeria. Cleanup from the ammo dump explosions, promises that the government will hear claims, and finally, a man with 103 passports stopped in the airport.
Nigeria: Bomb Explosion: 60 American Experts Coming
“Sixty American team of experts are expected to arrive Nigeria in the next few weeks to assist with the disposal of unexposed ordinance as a result of the January 27 bomb explosion in the Ikeja Cantonment area of Lagos and its environ.”
On AllAfrica.com: Top News via NewsIsFree
Nigeria: We’ll Process Your Claims With FG Free of Charge – Tinubu Tells Victims
“Governor of Lagos State, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured all the victims of the January 27 bomb explosions that his government would process all their claims for damages suffered with the Federal Government, “free of charge.””
On AllAfrica.com: Top News via NewsIsFree
Nigeria: Ige: Police Arrest 2 Journalists
“As efforts to track down the killers of late Justice Minister Chief Bola Ige continues, the police in Lagos have arrested two journalists believed to have haboured one of the suspects.”
On AllAfrica.com: Top News via NewsIsFree
Nigeria: Federal Government Bans Importation of Rice, Auto Parts
“The Federal Govern-ment has announced an outright ban on importation of rice, a handful of other food items and some auto spare parts into the country.”
On AllAfrica.com: Top News via NewsIsFree
Nigeria: Hajj: Egyptian Nabbed With 103 Passports
“Men of the State Security Service (SSS) Kano have nabbed an Egyptian national with alleged forgery of 103 traveling documents.”
The fun just keeps happening
“The main market in the central Nigerian city of Jos has been gutted by fire. Officials from the Plateau State Fire Service say 90% of the covered market was destroyed in the inferno which started late on Monday.”
On Africa Online – Top News via NewsIsFree
Nigeria: Lagos Moves to Sue CNN
“THE Lagos State Government threatened yesterday to sue U. S.-based Cable News Network (CNN) over losses of actual and potential foreign investments estimated at $2 billion allegedly suffered on account of the station s “negative” reports on the recent communal clashes at Idi-Araba in Lagos.”