Happy Eid Mubarak, Happy Independence and how are you doing? Staying strong and healthy I suppose….usually when I leave my blog for long, I feel bad and I seriously feel bad and right now, I pray that the Lord of bloggers will forgive me, strengthen me…..and of course my hustle and make me a better blogger….did I hear an Amen! Amen!
It is October, the 10th month of the year and guess what? I haven’t achieved all what I had set out to achieve this year but I am getting there. Its been a workaholic year for me and as a monitoring and evaluation officer, my job is very demanding. My present 8-5 job takes me to three northern states; Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna which are ‘just’ kilometres from Abuja but I tell you the journey to these states are not interesting at all…..dem bad roads plenty and after such trip, body pains all over, the hotels are also not too fantastic……I mean the ones that are priced according to the project’s rate for accommodation so it is usually overwhelming for me to leave the comfort of my home, my kitchen and my bed to travel……but anyhow woman must keep moving. So, in September, I did a lot of travelling I only wished I had more interesting photos to show, it rained most of the time and I could not take photos at all.
Also, September was a sad month month for me, I lost a very good friend and colleague of mine Fatimah Tumsah. She lost her life in a car accident along with 3 other very important colleagues (includes the Reproductive Health Coordinator for Kaduna state). I was in a shock mood all through the Sallah holidays. it was my first time of loosing someone so close. May their souls rest in peace. Amen!
I took this photograph on my way to Minna, Niger state. It is the famous Zuma rock and it is such a lovely site. I remember years ago when my father took me there for the first time. It is such a huge rock! I could not really see the ‘human face’ they say it has but I hope to find time and visit the site again.
This is just one of the so many farm lands on the road to Minna. You can see the clouds turning grey, ready for another rainfall. Nigeria is so blessed with fertile lands and land space….going back to Agriculture would not be a bad idea at all.
And so, we passed by this building in a very busy area in Minna. I noticed that a whole lot of buying and selling takes place there. I would have loved to look around . Maybe next time.
Thats how I roll when I travel to the very northern states. Apart from my accent, I am always ready to mingle. the ‘small’ Hausa language I have learnt over years, has helped me to interact freely and communicate……I know I won’t get sold…..easily.
Have you seen this colourful umbrella anywhere or the words ‘Get it together’? Those words should remind of NURHI and well, if you don’t know NURHI, scroll down and I’ll explain
NURHI which means Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative implemented a five year project and recently held a end of project dissemination meeting which I excited to be part of. The NURHI project was focused on making modern family planning contraceptives available to the urban poor and increasing its use among the target populations, particularly the youth, women and men of reproductive age.
The event was a lot fun, very educative and very inspiring for me as I am very vocal on family planning especially for young people and other development issues.
That’s me and my million dollar smile! And that souvenir bag contained a whole lot of information that I couldn’t refuse despite the weight of the bag…..I consider myself lucky and blessed to attend and to have met wonderful people at the event.
Moms who are looking for new recipes for kids should try this. This is plantain porridge with spinach. I find it really boring when kids eat rice, pasta, bread….rice, pasta, bread……rice, past, bread….like their whole lives depend on them. Lets be creative! Dice ripe and unripe plantain, put in a clean pot with some water and put to boil, cut some onions, blend crayfish and pepper (optional) and pour into the pot, add a cooking spoon of palm oil, pinch of salt and allow to cook for about 30 minutes. Add your chopped spinach and BOOM! Food is ready. A little bit of diced chicken can also be added to the porridge. Nutritious, delicious and easy to prepare.
Another smart idea. Boiled Irish potatoes with tomato and spinach sauce.Boil or bake the potatoes, using left over stew add tinned fish and chopped spinach. Love love….love!
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