Unfortunately this morning the power generator kicked in at 3.30am and kept me awake for most of what remained of the night. I woke up with a bad headache, it is time I asked to change room.
It is not particularly hot at this time of the year but as we are nearing the end of the wet season humidity stays between 90 and 100%. It may have been a bit uncomfortable to put on my French cuffs, tie and suit this morning but it turned out to be a great day in the presence of Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of the Cross River State.
The IBM Volunteering – CDS kick off event took place at the Tinapa resort about 20 minutes out of town. Tinapa is a Free Trade Zone that includes a hotel, commercial centre, movie studios (Nollywood), and a host of other facilites under construction or at various stages of planning.
The Governor chaired the high table, surrounded by representatives from IBM and CDS. A specific protocol was followed, starting with a prayer, the Cross River State anthem and Nigerian anthem, then speeches. This must have been a first for a lot of us as meetings preparations don’t tend to be that elaborate in the West. I also discovered it is a unique skill to thank each and every one of the guests before starting a speech, for example with Your Excellency, IBM and CDS representatives, […] members of the press, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen …
For your reference you can find more details on the IBM Corporate Services Corps at www.ibm.com/corporateservicecorps as well as information on CDS at http://www.cdcdevelopmentsolutions.org/
Jenni and I will be working on the same project at the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Development Department, so we then made our way to the office within the Women Development Centre on Marian road. The building wasn’t built for its current purpose, it actually served as a wedding hall amongst other thing! This means the layout isn’t particularly suited for hosting a team of professionals in charge of looking after all IT matters for the government. Nevertheless no one is put down by the lack of infrastructure and everyone moves on with their job with or without desk, computer, let alone Internet access.
The team then drive to South Calabar to enjoy (quite literally) finger-licking-good fish at Aqua Vista, and toast with cold beer, and fresher than fresh coconuts. My coconut must have seem paradise to some, two mosquitoes figured it’s be a nice romantic spot but they ending up drowning themselves. Sad end but made for a terribly good laugh :)
Tummy is happy, time for a good sleep,
- Greg
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