A Day at the National Museum in Lagos

Visiting the museum has always been on my bucket list of things to do. It was even more exciting because it was the opportunity for me to spend quality time with my nieces and little nephew. My neighbors' children were not left out. In all, we were nine that visited the National Museum.

The National Museum, Lagos is one of the oldest museums in Nigeria, located at Onikan. The museum has other exciting places surrounding it, such as the City Mall, Governor's office, Blue Line Rail amongst others.

The location of the museum is a good choice for a tourist attraction due to its proximities to other  places. Prior to the visit, I had earlier sent an email and some Whatsapp messages to inquire about the necessary details, such as fee, what can be brought in and so on. However, I only got a reply to my email about three weeks later, where I was instructed to write a letter to the Curator of the museum, the number of children I am bring and would pay 500 naira per child- the amount an adult would pay was not stated.
I wrote the letter for the visit to be fixed for that weekend, but never got a reply back. But I went with my crew all the same.

Saturday came, and in a flourishing and exciting mood, we trooped out in a cab to the National Museum. The children were all excited to be out, while I was silently pondering over the cost of entertaining toddlers, children, two others on the cusp of teenage hood, a teenager and two adults (including myself). We arrived late to the museum because the rain had earlier seized the day. After assuring ourselves that the weather would weathered down and not to kill the enthusiasm of the children lest, they label me as an adult that does not keep to her words.

Arriving at the museum, we were directed to the reception, where they were already expecting us. It was at that point, I was informed that adults are expected to pay a fee of 1,000 naira. I paid for all nine of us and thus our tour began.

Following the letter I wrote to the curator, we had the opportunity of getting a personalized tour of the museum and learnt of its history. My little nephew of one year was so excited to be out and was walking about "learning" alongside others. There was another tour group and together, we learnt about the artefacts and history and culture of a few tribes. We also saw the car former military head of states, General Muritala Muhammed was in when he was assassinated in 1976- they do not make those kind of cars anymore or maybe we just do not have it here. The curator also took us to the see how tie and dye and adire were being made. It was wonderful to see the fascination in the children's faces.

After the tour, we all trooped to the playground for the children to play on the swing and slides. And when it was closing time, the children were gathered again by the curator, who asked them a few questions about the tour he gave them. Earlier on, he had instructed them to take note of some important information which might be useful for them in the future.

It is important to note that if you want a personalized guide of the museum, you will making a booking via email inquiry and also pay the curator a separate fee, aside the one you are expected to pay to gain entry into the museum. Otherwise, you can visit the museum anytime within working hours.

To round up our visit to the museum, we strolled to the City Mall which was adjacent the National Museum. After some walkabout the mall, we book a ride back to the mainland to relish our visit to the museum and a week after, one of the toddlers, the children, the other two on the cusp of teenage hood, the teenager and one of the adults prepared to return back to school. The sponsor continued on with her life as an aunt, a beloved neighbor (I hope), a post-graduate student and a worker.

The visit to the museum was one of the activities I set out for my nephew and nieces to enjoy during the long holiday-just us. Before then, we had done a visit to the cinema and took a stroll in the mall. We also went to the park- the University of Lagos Lagoon Front where we had a picnic and finally, the visit to the museum.

The visit to the museum was suppose to be for my niblings and I. But I decided to include my neighbour's two children. The number increased because my neighbour's youngest in her wisdom told her two friends- boys - who were former neighbours by the way. And that was how I ended up taking seven children to the museum.

I hope you enjoy reading about our visit to the museum, and hope it serves as a reminder to do things for the most vulnerable in our families and within our community.

Finally, if you have visited any other museum, say in Europe, the US and some developed Asian countries, please do not use those to make comparison with the National Museum in Lagos and maybe Nigeria.

Thank you. Xoxo

Raising Money Masters: How to Teach Children Financial Literacy

As a parent or guardian - including aunt, uncle, and neighbour, we know the responsibilities and commitment that comes with caring for children, especially the financial aspect of it. How then do we ensure children -in their child-like state- are trained to be financially aware?

Children, by nature, are spenders. And that is why adults should be there to guide them to reduce such spending habits. While we would want for our young ones to enjoy the finer things of life, we need to guide them on being financially responsible. Nobody would like to hear about their child using his or her tuition fee to buy a new pair of shoes or wig instead.

Financial literacy is a key lesson all parents should give their children, as this will likely impact their well-being (in adulthood).

Getting Your Child Started on Financial Literacy

Once you have helped your child to identify money -cash, receipt, card or electronic transfer- help them understand the need for saving. Usually, when children see their parents with money, they tend to believe it is for spending. Make them see that money is for saving, as well. That way, you are instilling discipline and delayed gratification in them. Every child should have a piggy bank (or kolo if you like. LOL). And when they put in money, encourage them with words.

Help your child understand that they have to live within their means. Let your child understand that they may not have all they want anytime, some may require planning and savings and others are out rightly unnecessary or extravagant.

Teach your child financial literacy through giving. Involve your children in charity projects, by encouraging them to use a part of their savings towards a noble cause. As they grow older, it helps them to understand that money can be used to make the world a better place.

Image credit: todaysparent.com 

Make opportunities for your children to earn more. I remember when I was in primary school, I helped my older siblings to wash their socks, and they paid me afterwards. Parents can encourage their children to do more house chores and pay them (Nigerian mothers left the group chat). It does not have to be every time, it is just a way to encourage and appreciate your children.

Credit: Punch newspaper

While it is good to save, also teach your child about investing. Through their savings, children can contribute towards their trust fund (educational). Please open a bank account for them, and depending on your agreement on when the piggy bank should be opened (quarterly, annually), let your child accompany you to a bank to deposit their savings- I am sure they would also find some investing ads in the banking hall. Get them child-friendly financial books to get them started on investment.

Image credit: istockphoto

Finally, while you are teaching your child good financial behaviour, be a financial model yourself. Your children watch you, even while you are advising them. If you complain about how the economy is affecting your finances, but still decide to go on a shopping spree (YOLO), you would be confusing your child.

Additionally, while encouraging your children to do more chores, join them and engage them in conversations. They also learn teamwork in their knowledge of financial literacy.

Your children can make good money decisions when they see you doing the same. Mean what you say, and say what you mean- be consistent.

Beyond Trophies: Marrying Sports & Education for a Brighter Future

 In a matter of weeks, students in primary and secondary school would be resuming a new session in September. I can imagine the excitement to move higher in classes and a bit of uncertainty, especially for those going to a new school.

When I was going to secondary school, I remember feeling nervous and how new students in my new class would treat me. Although, I was hoping to do more physical activities like running and football. Personally, tennis would have been it for me, given my background- my brothers play tennis and I have the opportunity to play alongside them if I want to.

Alas, that would not be the case. If I choose to focus on tennis, then I believe my education would suffer. Plus I was more for education than sports anyway. So, I was not bothered when my school lacked sporting facilities.

Then another thing happened. I am becoming more aware of myself- puberty is happening to me. I remember a classmate talking loudly when she discovered I have started wearing a bra in JSS one- I was mortified. 

Back home, my friends and I understood the dynamics of our bodies, and we still engaged in sports and games without feeling overtly conscious of our bodies. I played football, I like running, and I enjoyed skipping and climbing trees.

I would later discover that my classmates were not opportune to grow up in the kind of environment I grew up in. I grew up in Railway Compound- spacious, with trees, fields, diverse people, flowers, plants and many other things. I used to imagine Railway Compound to be the Garden of Eden whenever I read my little children's bible then.

Source: etsy.com

Having realised the difference in background and development (puberty), I knew the problem was not from me, but I was still shy. A day came when the school decided they wanted to start students up on athletics. I was not interested. But I was compelled to take part in it.

I did but did not perform well. The games master somehow got to find out I was a good runner in primary school and he reported me to the vice-principal who decided I was stubborn and must ensure I take part and win. LOL. I still performed subpar. They eventually gave up on me.

Later on in life, I came to some realisation about my not taking part in games:

1. I am very aware of the changes in my body

2. In primary school, our games masters included male and female teachers who motivated us and gave us incentives -sweets and biscuits- that gingered us to want to do well

3. My primary school games masters advised us on what to wear for practice.

4. Our parents were informed and encouraged us to participate

5. Even as children, we were involved in planning activities. We were involved in marking the perimeter of the field and carrying kits

Many other factors encouraged me to take part in activities back in primary school. Those were lacking in secondary school.

On getting to secondary school, there was no community engagement nor monitoring and evaluation. The decision was made for everyone already. I mean this thing was not really in place before, but you decided to bring it up anyway and expect people to participate without taking some things into consideration. And when people do not participate- good ill as it is- it does not come to fruition, then beneficiaries seem as ungrateful for something that should benefit them.

Sports and games most recently are being celebrated around the world, particularly in Nigeria, following the performances of the Super Falcons at AFCON and athletes at the Commonwealth Games. It shows that with the right support, people would take part in sports and excel for themselves and their country.

However, with the current realities in Nigeria, most people would rather choose education over sports. Who says sports and education cannot be done side-by-side? 

Serena Williams recently announced her retirement and plan after the US Open and was met with much applause for record-breaking performances in her lawn tennis career. What is appealing about her announcement is her gradual transition to venture capital. Despite her stellar tennis career, the record breaker is already looking into something different. Another career footballer Wilfred Ndidi also announced he bagged a degree at De Monfort University while playing for Leicester. Yet again, former Super Falcon Ini-Abasi  Umotong also announced her retirement from football. Umotong is a graduate of Economics and has an MBA. We have also seen many players succeeding in sports and other fields, using skills and experience gained from participating in sports.

These people were able to succeed in their quest for education and sports. Given, not everyone might excel in school or sports at the same time, people should be allowed to know that they can actually do well in school and creative activities simultaneously. We can also take advantage of the fitness craze among adults to key into sports and games.

As school resumes in September, government, policymakers, sports officials, social entrepreneurs in the sports sector, counsellors, health practitioners, parents, beneficiaries, teachers and relevant stakeholders should look into how schooling and games can be married together to create more opportunities for children and students in the future; while taking into cognizance diversity, representation and inclusion. Sports and play have been touted to prompt quality education, Australia is a good example. As such, we must localise our sports policy to conform with the international standard which must not only be formulated but implemented and possibly backed by legislation for posterity's sake.

Source: shapeamerica.org

Our children should go back to school to see more innovation and hope for the future. And the creative sector promises a bright future for all if we decide to start now.

LBS July 2022 Breakfast Session: How Inflation is Forcing Us to Rethink Everything

In light of the high cost of living vis-a-vis inflation affecting virtually every country of the world, people are being forced to make lifestyle changes to reflect this new reality.

Citizens are now paying more attention to the economic or fiscal policies of the government. And experts in economics have given their opinions on how to slow down inflation. Nigeria, which is almost solely dependent on crude oil is faced with one of the worst inflation in Africa.

At the Lagos Business School (LBS) Breakfast Session, the economic outlook for July 2022 was analysed, and I outlined them below:

• Inflation keeps rising and the cost of production is passed on to the consumer through increased prices of goods/services. Hence, CBN tries to control inflation by increasing the interest rate to 14% in July 2022

• The multiple exchange rates of the naira, it has made the naira quite volatile to the dollar. Eliminating multiple exchange rates and increasing fx inflow would strengthen the naira

• Telecoms and FMCGs are likely to gain by August end. Banking and financial institutions are not so likely

• Transportation has reduced somewhat-the Kaduna-Abuja rail bombing and kidnappings on roads have affected the industry. Aviation is also grappling with safety issues (Dana), temporary closure, etc. In global aviation, Africa recorded 135% despite the surge in aviation. This does not portend well for Nigeria, as it likely means that investors are not coming. Europe tops the continents with 477%.

• Elections would play a big role in 2023. Nigerians need to ensure the next president has extensive knowledge of economics. Since 1999, the present administration has had the worst economic outcomes-reserve without debt is at-0.82

• With a fiscal deficit at 3.09trn and an unsustainable debt, Nigeria is approaching a fiscal cliff

• Apapa Port is still the busiest in Nigeria but quite slow due to the ongoing railroad construction in Apapa. Other ports are underutilised, and as such, these are affecting ship berthing

• NIP transfer has the highest record of transaction value at 29.2bn in July (June was 31.7bn, even though there was a sharp decline in transaction value. POS transaction was the only one that gained in July at 724bn as against 666bn in June. Cheque continues losing its value at 244bn in July as against 277bn in June 2022

Really, no one wants to hear the story of Cheques bouncing back. Haha!

Find the full report here

So, what life-changing decision have you made in the course of this inflation?

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