Nairobi by Sujimoto | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Monday 22 December 2014

Nairobi by Sujimoto

Article written by Sujimoto...
I braced myself for the worst owing to the unpleasant flight experience courtesy of a humid flight induced by the worn out aircraft to Kenya. I have never been in an aeroplane where I feel like I'm in a bakery in Badagry! For a second I thought I was in a flying “danfo” (commercial bus in Lagos), but arriving at the Kenyatta international airport blew my mind. Things started looking up. The efficiency of their immigration officials is truly commendable and I caught myself subconsciously comparing the airport and its services with some other international airports in Africa.
As a critic of architectural mediocrity and a dividend of architectural slavery; believe me when I say that the structural designs of the hotels there will astonish you. The Nigerian real estate industry has a lot to learn when compared to its Kenyan counterparts. Notably present is the large Indian community as a result of an en-masse migration that can be best explained by the fact that Kenya particularly Nairobi attracts top investors. The local Indians there would make you think you are in Mumbai!

My stay at the DusitD2 Hotel was a fabulous experience. I was ready to brag about it later to my colleagues but kept my cool when I paid a visit to the Sankara Hotel. Permit me to say-It is a sanctuary in the jungle”. The service and meticulous decoration would give you the sensation that you are in the Dorchester in London.

Words cannot justify the level of luxury that can be used to describe the TRIBE hotel owned by the iconic architect, Mehraz Ehsani. It is a haven that is cleverly themed with the rich and beautiful heritage of African art positioned within a range of 6sqm. I was able to count more than 920 art pieces. My tour guide; a close ally of the TRIBE is Mr Aram Laloui of ZANA; a company that would become our 'apple' in the nearest future. The leader of this company would tell you where the company is going. The zeal, diligence and passionate quality of this man will never let him down.

My reason for being in Nairobi was for the Forbes Africa Person Of The Year award, which was remarkably put together. The event was attended by over 100 captains of the industry from all over Africa. In attendance was the Managing Editor Forbes Africa; Chris Bishop, former Governor of Ekiti State; Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chairman of CMA Investment Holding; Rakesh Wahi, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Dr Akinwunmi Adesina not forgetting this year’s recipient; the magnate himself Alhaji Aliko Dangote, looking distinguished in his bespoke outfit. I consider him to be the personification of humility accentuated by a very tranquil disposition but not underestimating the commanding aura his presence registers. The room knew that a lion had arrived . Dr. Niyi Adebayo; his best friend, conversed intermittently as I observed showing admirable camaraderie between them. Dangote's speech was designed into one thing and one-thing only; the freedom of African businesses and the need for Africans to rise up to their own potential. He emphasized on today's youths as the leaders tomorrow, but only if we stop the 'feeding-bottle' system of total dependence and start realizing that our future is in our own hands.

The event was amazing and extremely vibrant. I felt exhilarated and overwhelmed not from stress but from the joy of being in the same room and interacting with the biggest names in the African economy. I made a rather bold move to ask Africa’s god of business; Dangote, "How did you turn N500k to $22billion?" He said, "Hard work is the biggest enemy of failure. Success can never ignore you if you are hardworking." My mind would never stop laughing when I remember the quote by Dr Adesina (Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development) about the sustainability of oil and the need to start tapping into the most important part of African growth which is agriculture. He said, "...by the time we realize that we can’t drink petrol and we can’t smoke gas, we would wake up and tap the dividends of agriculture."

After hotel shopping and the Forbes event, I’d by no means allow myself go back to Lagos without getting my view of the local developers. The were young and vibrant but a little laid back. I realized that most of the magnificent buildings were done by International citizens (Indians and South Africans), not local Kenyan workers. This upset me because it gives a negative buzz that Africans are not competent (which is a lie). From prehistoric times, Africans have made their mark when it comes to real estate. If you look at it from the time of Solomon (the first magnum real estate developer), you would appreciate the hard work and creativity of our African brothers. I cannot write this article without mentioning the good property along the Limuru road, which is a mixed material building, with a bridge, a swimming pool and a gym on the 7th floor. I was very impressed by the exterior.


I visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trusts' Orphans' Project. It is a small ranch where orphaned animals are kept and taken care of. The experience was great as I got to see the true nature and beauty of these animals. I even adopted an elephant whilst I was there. They gave me the certification of adoption...guess what I called it..."Motophant".

The night life in Kenya is one of the most attractive in Africa filled with vibrant young people who have obviously taken charge of their destiny. The athletic looking men and of course the 'coca-cola bottle' shaped ladies. If I wasn't married to SUJIMOTO CONSTRUCTION, Nairobi might be my next hunt destination. Ah! the taste of the local beer TUSKER reminds me of what Gulder tasted like in the 90s.
Nairobi is a boisterous city with its great offers in hospitality and as the Kenyans say in their Kiswahili dialect ”Kaka sawa sawa” (brother all is well). I dare say I fell in love with the country on this initial visit and will never stop promoting and believing in them. This wouldn’t be complete without a shout out and best wishes to my driver Mr. Nelson who’s wife coincidentally gave birth the same day I left Nairobi. They decided to call their baby boy Suji. I asked him why?? He replied, "because a stranger gave me hope"

70 comments:

Chidinma Grace said...

Nice structures n setting. I like d pix

Anonymous said...

Good one




Amakadarlyn@yahoo.com

www.glowyshoe.com said...

The summary is dat he had a great time.

Visit my blog

www.glowysofiscated.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I ll one day visit there cos traveling to a place have never been to is my best hubby.




Amakadarlyn@yahoo.com

BONARIO NNAGS said...

Even if you were the one that paid for my subscription.
I apologise to the Bonario in me for attempting to read this.

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA LUMIA

Unknown said...

OK, heard. Long story

Unknown said...

In summary Kenya is a very good place compared to Nigeria?...issokay we've heard

#Omoh

Helena said...

Lol@ bonario

Unknown said...

Why are u telling us all this mtcheeewwww. I blame myself for reading this

Anonymous said...

Nice one
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Unknown said...

Lol! Bonario funny, didn't even read it either SUPERSLIMC4

Unknown said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
.
I will not read this....
*GLO BRING 3G TO KONTAGORA*
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Unknown said...

That's none of my business.

Ekiti Boy say so.

Unknown said...

well written article.. Already starting to love the country.. Maybe i will have my honeymoon there


IG:@kachiezy

Unknown said...

Nice write-up

Anonymous said...

Good for him

Pics: Married NYSC lady caught In group sex with 5 male corpers (BBM only)... Click this link now from your phone's native browser, join the BBM channel, msg us for the exclusive pics & get it instantly

Unknown said...

Ok we've heard.

Unknown said...

Hmmmmmm... Very lengthy! Nice diction all the same..
~Adadioramma~
Anaekweadaeze@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Yea u right..buh Kenya us quite a lively and peaceful country..theur ladies sure know how to treat a man..seriously speaking

Ify said...

Nice one..





















Ashton Kutcher And Mila Kunis Flaunts Their Love Publicly ....See Photos

Easy-E said...

Bonario no kill person wit him comment lols

Daralohi said...

Lol@bonario.

Miss indomie says so.

Unknown said...

Seen

Unknown said...

Sweet country

One and Only Ada David Omobabalanu

Unknown said...

Nice article
The Hotels have a nice architecture


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Anonymous said...

Funny comment Bonario NNags. I had to read this article. I love articulated piece like this. Nice one Sujimoto. The Nigerian Youths needs not to be bottle feed again, read good books and surf relevant things.

Unknown said...

There is no doubt we r bless as a continent. Our p has always been bad governance, corruption among other menace... We just need good and visionary leaders and for real we will get there in no time.

Juleslouis said...

Exactly.

Vivian Gills said...

he said his mind regardless of the long statement...alright suji

DEBBYKURU said...

cool story bro,next story pls!!! @bonario lmao nice one

ary said...

A travelogue, kept waiting for him to land, till I realized what it was.

Unknown said...

Why are u telling us all this mtcheeewwww. I blame myself for reading this
JC

yawanow said...

well written piece.

Chukydyk said...

So all ds long note 4 only a trip 2 Nairaobi..when u com go Barhamas, na novel u go write then..

...proof that u're not a robot...

Unknown said...

What's wrong with bonario and others,is it that you can't read?write your own let's see as for you bona am so dissappointed in you

Anonymous said...

I doubt if this guy really visited Nairobi, kenya. If he did, i guess he was bribed to paint kenya better than Nigeria. Firstly, jomo kenyatta airport is like 1/4 MMA lagos and it is the only airport in the world ωнєяє immigration officers collect bribe openly to stamp your passport once Ɣ☺ΰ αяє a Nigerian passport holder. After immigration, the plain uniform police guys corner Ɣ☺ΰ to also gєт α̲̅ bite of your Nigerian money. They still build old skool structures there and Ɣ☺ΰ will hardly find α̲̅ hotel in Nairobi with AC, they use fans everywhere including in their banks! Their road network is zero, and harassment the guys there αяє hostile to foreigners its just their ladies that show hospitality because they love Nigerian men.

Anonymous said...

I doubt if this guy really visited Nairobi, kenya. If he did, i guess he was bribed to paint kenya better than Nigeria. Firstly, jomo kenyatta airport is like 1/4 MMA lagos and it is the only airport in the world ωнєяє immigration officers collect bribe openly to stamp your passport once Ɣ☺ΰ αяє a Nigerian passport holder. After immigration, the plain uniform police guys corner Ɣ☺ΰ to also gєт α̲̅ bite of your Nigerian money. They still build old skool structures there and Ɣ☺ΰ will hardly find α̲̅ hotel in Nairobi with AC, they use fans everywhere including in their banks! Their road network is zero, and harassment the guys there αяє hostile to foreigners its just their ladies that show hospitality because they love Nigerian men.

Anonymous said...

Dont mind mr suji i guess he visited only the good part of nairobi...lagos is better not to even mention abj nd jkia is so small compared to mmia...nd kenyan houses cannot compare to nigerian houses in architectural design.the only thing thats better than nigeria in kenya is the electricity ,currency and united states international uni....i live in nairobi so i know what am saying

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 4:55. You must look like a scammer for them to come at you for a bribe. I have been to Jomo Kenyatta airport and MMA is no way near its standard. What do they need AC for in their hotels when the weather is always cool? You sound like one of the bad guys soiling the name of Nigeria in foreign country.

Richard said...

This's good

destinysweet said...

Nice place to visit


Auntylindagoddaughter

Unknown said...

CONGRAT FOR YOUR TRIP...AKA....LOVING NIJA

becckyd said...

U are very funny

becckyd said...

True talk

becckyd said...

Is a nice write up but is too long.

Unknown said...

Good write up

Black Anchor 2 said...

Well , i actually took my time to read it and it was quite interesting.. Siju my man well done..

J Wilson said...

Off topic! It has come to my attention dat someone here has chosen to use my name 'duchess'. I hereby state dat, I am DacDuchess, d owner of a fitness blog (duchessfitness.blogspot.com) and business known as duchess fitness. I am a fitness consultant and personal trainer.

So, if u choose to use my identity (since u don't have ur own), u should be able to prove urself, silly! Why u would want to assume anoda person's identity is beyond me!

Linda pls post dis comment cos, I dey para wella!


Sincerely,

DacDuchess

duchessfitness.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Ok! Hard

Unknown said...

Guess it's a nice place

Mischievous said...

Follow the General on Twitter:@ThisisBuhari.

Anonymous said...

Your PR consultant is worth whatever you are paying him/her.

Anonymous said...

Hobby not hubby

Anonymous said...

And how far has that taken you, no wonder you hide under anonymous. Mtcheew

Anonymous said...

FYI The Indians you refer to are as Kenyan as the black Kenyans this is the only home they know their great-great-great-great grandparents came from India many years ago and helped build this beautiful country. a little research into the demographics in Kenya is clearly needed here. you would have been more shocked to see Arabs who can trace their grandparents hundreds of years to Kenya if you had gone to Mombasa do some more research please

Unknown said...

Lovely piece

Unknown said...

At least he/she is trying

Unknown said...

Your writing leaves a lot to be desired. It is stiff, with winding sentences, poor punctuation and tons of verbiage. Like you pored over a dictionary and thesaurus to find the most difficult words when simple ones would do.

Unknown said...

Nice on

Unknown said...

Nice on

Unknown said...

Na so brother ... You go fear....
Nigeria is Abia.

Subomi said...

looks cool, never been there.

anayo said...

Bros you summed it up by bringing to light that less can never stop been more. beautiful architectural master piece of article.

Plato said...

So long

Odi78 said...

Well nice article but it needs a little polishing.

Unknown said...

I don't know how many Kenyans can write so beautifully about Nigeria. they are so hostile and racist for my liking. The writer lost me when he said that Kenyans are hospitable, this is very far from the truth, especially to Nigerians

snowflix said...

K #onelovefromSnow#

Unknown said...

My thots exactly! I gave up after the first paragraph

Unknown said...


get the best hotels in nairobi via jovago

Unknown said...

nice

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