Nigeria’s Hotels.ng Just Got Bigger!!

Hotels.ng founder Mark Essien

Hotels.ng, which claims to be the largest hotel booking site in Nigeria, has raised $1.2 million to expand across Africa. Investors include EchoVC Pan-Africa Fund and Omidyar Network, a venture capital firm launched by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

The site will launch new operations in Ghana first, says founder Mark Essien, and then move on to all of West Africa before tackling the rest of the continent. It also plans to focus on its mobile platform, since many consumers in Africa access the Internet exclusively through their smartphones.

Users performed more than a million hotel searches on the site last year, while 70,000 new customers signed up. Hotels.ng’s growth in its home market hinges on two factors: Nigeria’sInternet penetration rate, which is the highest in Africa and still increasing rapidly, and the government’s investment in its tourism industry, which is expected to contribute 5.8 percent of its gross domestic product by 2024.

This means that other hotel booking companies have set their sights on the country, includingJovago, which was launched by Rocket Internet in 2013, as well as international platformsAgoda and Bookings.com.

Essien says that by focusing exclusively on Africa, Hotels.ng is able to offer more inventory than its competitors. The site is also able to adapt to the needs of consumers in regions where there are few stable Internet or phone connections, with phone-based and messaging-based reservations accounting for more than 30 percent of Hotels.ng’s entire bookings.

“The hotel booking space in particular—even though it was a big market abroad—did not exist in the entire Sub-Saharan African market. After looking into the market, I understood the operational challenges that prevented it from existing, and then set about to solve them,” says Essien.

“We were able to solve them, and the day the site went live, we were dealing with a 100 calls a day. Since then, the business has kept growing—down to us raising one of the biggest Nigerian tech rounds in recent times.”

New and Improved Lagos!

Under the government of Gov. Babatunde Fashola, Lagos has changed a whole lot, i didn't get to experience the harsh side owing to the fact that i just moved to Lagos almost a year ago,but back then we would hear stories of the almighty Lagos o ;). So it's with great joy i present to everyone the new LASGIDI!!

Revamping the transport system has been the focus of bringing an element of order to the chaotic city, and much of the credit lies with outgoing Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola.

These photos of Oshodi market show how the gridlocked traffic has been eased over the last seven years. Environment ministry officers showed no mercy...

They demolished all the illegal structures in just a few days in 2009. Roads have since been rebuilt and separate sections allocated for buses collecting passengers.

Providing fast lanes for buses has also been a priority, as crossing the city in rush hour can take three hours. Red buses, part of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), are now more common...

However, commuters are sometimes left stranded by nationwide fuel shortages. The new routes and bus stations are expected to have digital displays with up-to-date travel information.

With a population of 21m and growing, the vision is to have seven overground railway links. The first of these - the Blue Line - is expected to open this year...

But the project, which has sections of the track raised above ground, has been hit by financial problems and disputes with the federal government - as the state has been run by a rival party.

It is a brave cyclist who takes to the roads as dangerous driving in the city is often to blame for accidents and hold ups. This is the toll on the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, which opened in 2013...

It links the booming suburb of Lekki with affluent Ikoyi but there have been disputes over the 250 naira ($1.25, £0.85) toll. Some residents feel the publicly funded bridge should be free.

Three bridges link the mainland to Lagos Island, the heart of the city. Makoko lagoon slum can be seen from Third Mainland Bridge. In recent years, some slums have been demolished...

But no provision is being made for new housing for the poor. This is the Eko Atlantic City project.

It is being built on reclaimed land and developers hope it will become the financial centre of Nigeria - and home to at least 400,000 residents.

The state government is building some housing and has launched a mortgage scheme aimed at the middle class. This estate will be made up of two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Part of the Lagos facelift has focused on removing rubbish from underneath flyovers and bridges and the gangs, known as "areas boys", who used to hang around there.

Lagos produces 12,000 tonnes of waste a day. Households pay for rubbish collections. One scheme is trying to encourage recycling by awarding points that can be exchanged for prizes.

A former colonial prison on Lagos Island has been turned into a leisure and arts centre. With many live performances at Freedom Park Lagos, it has become the cultural hub of the city.

But there are fears some of Lagos' old architecture - like the Brazilian quarter of Lagos Island - will be lost, as demolition is often preferred to make way for new buildings and shopping malls.

original work by: Ayo Bello

Newly Married:Reality Vs Expectation:

This Is The Reality Of Most Couples’ Wedding Night...Enjoy :)
Expectation: Crossing the threshold like in the movies.


Reality: Drunkenly forgetting any traditions and stumbling through the doors in a post-wedding daze.


Expectation: First magical conversation alone in the room.


Reality: Slurring mess about either love or hunger from not eating — impossible to tell which.


This is when 40% of couples will pass out.

Expectation: Making love immediately.


Reality: Ordering pizza immediately.

Expectation: Getting undressed.


Reality: The event of getting undressed.


Expectation: Consummating with ease.


Reality: Powering through drunkenness and pizza bloat to make it happen.


Must....Consummate. ....Marriage.
This is when the remaining 50% of couples will give up and pass out.


Expectation: Orgasming (only 10% of couples will make it this far).


Reality: Orgasming with some extra effort.


Expectation: Falling asleep in each other’s arms after one of the best days of your life.


Reality: Drunkenly passing out in each other’s arms after one of the best days of your life.

originally from Loryn Brantz 

Surviving The Clarion Call

First, I must say a big congratulations to you. It wasn't no easy step to reach this very stage of your life. By Tuesday, 5th of May, you would be entering the all famous NYSC Camp. For three weeks you would live, eat, sleep and even dream inside that camp. Now, these are the five top things I want you to know.

1). My brothers and sisters, please if you truly still love your life and that of your stomach too, I beg you with all the love I possess! Please do not, I repeat, DO NOT, eat the beans they will share during dining hours. Please do not try to eat it. Some of us that mistakenly ate it had some stories that touch to tell. Even if hunger is killing you, do not eat the camp beans. It was specially prepared to purge away the sins and sorrows inside your stomach.

2). Men and brethren, its no longer news that they steal even boxers inside NYSC camp. Truth is, someone's toothbrush was even stolen. Therefore, ensure that you sleep with your waist bag, also go to camp with an extra ghana must go bag that is empty. Use it and lock your buckets, soap, sponge, slippers etc. If not, you will end up buying uncountable number of buckets. When you are charging your phone, ensure that you STAY THERE. Don't beg another person to look after it for you... otherwise, you definitely love stories that touch.

3). I have already started pitying those posted to delta state lol. Truth is? That state has no toilet oo.. the early you prepare yourself physically on "advanced bush method," the better for you. Once you get to the camp ground, after your accreditation, please go and clear a land inside the bush as soon as possible. For the next 3 weeks, that is where you will be depositing manure. Most NYSC toilets are disastrous. For those that will be clearing their land in delta state, please don't match the manure some of us deposited years back lol.

4). My dear,while filling your registration form, there is a section where you will be 

asked to fill in your hobbies. During our time, the rumor was that if you fill 'drilling oil', they will post you to oil company. If you fill 'counting money,' they will post you to a bank. Men and brethren I filled 'drilling oil' and I was sent to the remotest village to probably discover oil. Truth is? that thing doesn't work one bit. Prepare your mind to teach. If you are finally sent to drill oil? Cool. If not? Teach Responsibly lol.

5). For the guys? If you are not careful, your first allawi will finish inside the camp! Any girl you say "hiii" to will reply "hello" without wasting much time. She will lead you graciously to the mami market, morning, afternoon and night! If your name is Mr. Charity? continue! If your name isn't, my bro run for your life. Moreover, harp, star, origin and other beer brands will not be happy seeing you leave that camp with 1naira. They will host promos like drink 2 and get 1 free... in all, just be wise. Drink, eat, and act responsibly. Cheers! Happy camping!

intellectual property of Mr. Chukwuebuka