Top Five Tasty Nigerian Soups For Tourists

Soups are very important in Nigeria as they are usually served alongside swallows like Eba, Amala, Fufu, and Semo. In Nigeria, we have an uncountable number of delicious soups. In fact, as a tourist, you are spoilt for choices. As such, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares top 5 tasty Nigerian soups for tourists.

Edikang Ikong

Edikang Ikong soup is native to the people from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. It is prepared with a lot of pumpkin leaves, water leaves and assorted meat as well as beef. It is quite nourishing.

Efo Riro

Efo Riro is a rich vegetable soup that is widely prepared among the Yorubas. The vegetables that can be used to cook this soup is Efo shoko (Green Amaranth). If this is not available you can simply use spinach.

Bitter leaf soup (Ofe Onugbu)

Bitter leaf soup is very popular in Eastern Nigeria. The name bitter leaf soup can discourage you from eating it. This is not the case as the traces of bitterness is removed by squeezing and washing the leaves several times.

Miyan Kuka

This soup is made from baobab leaves. It is mostly eaten in Northern Nigeria. Hence, when you find yourself in that region, make sure you have a plate of Miyan Kuka with Tuwo Shinkafa (mashed rice).

Abak Atama

Abak Atama Soup is a delicious soup popular amongst the Ibibios of Akwa Ibom. The name is derived from the two main ingredients- Palm Fruit Concentrate (Abak) and Atama Leaves.

Five Tips To Prevent Road Rage As A Lagos Driver

Lagos is the centre of excellence. One thing about living in an urban and highly commercialised city like Lagos is how to deal with traffic every day. These types of drives can lead to frustration and road rage.  Road rage can be triggered despite following all the traffic rules. In line with this, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares ways to deal with road rage.

Avoid doing things that will give you road rage
You can probably think of a handful of driving manoeuvres that consistently give you road rage when other motorists perform them. Avoid them.

Abandon your horn

One annoying thing about drivers is that they cannot get there hands off the horn whether it is an emergency or not. Know that a vehicle’s horn is there for emergencies, not just for making noise! If you do this, you are calling road rage.

Drive defensively
If you find yourself in heavy traffic, stop yourself from engaging in any aggressive actions that will get you in trouble. Some of the things include keeping your speed down, making sure you do not overtake indiscriminately and allow people pass when they.

Focus on the traffic instead of drivers
You will know if a motorist wants to activate your road rage. Do not give them that chance at all. If you do,  you may be pushed to react which can make you angry. You begin by expressing various disapproving hand and face gestures! What you should do is to focus on traffic instead of the driver.

Give yourself time
If you’re running late, you will be more likely to suffer road rage at the simplest incidence of annoyance. The pressure of getting to work or school on time can stress us out when behind the wheel. To avoid higher levels of stress on the roads, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

6 Indicators You Are Drinking Too Much Alcohol

There is absolutely nothing wrong with desiring to end the day, especially since it is Friday, by downing several bottles of your preferred drink. The problem here is when you become attached to alcohol. This is called addiction. As such, here are some obvious signs you are drinking too much.

You need alcohol to feel confident 

The truth is the higher the amount of alcohol you drink, the higher your self-confidence. Sadly, this intoxicated courage and confidence can be quickly replaced with the fear of the actions that show that you are under the influence.

You abandon your responsibilities to drink

One sure sign that your drinking is becoming a problem is when you begin to leave your responsibilities at work or home to drink. Additionally, you call in sick repeatedly because of a hangover. You may have a drinking problem.

You self-medicate

Your alcoholic problems can result in self-medication because your life is tied to the bottle. If you find yourself reaching for a drink when you start feeling down, it may be time to take a look at the causes behind your feelings instead of covering them up.

People close to you are concerned 

When your relationship with those close to you gets affected because of your drinking, there is a problem. Those close to you may have commented about your drinking too much to the level that you begin to hide your drinking problems. This is a red flag.

You have accepted your alcoholism

If you have a problem with alcohol, you will become very comfortable with it, You no longer feel embarrassed with your drinking. As this tolerance increases, you will soon see alcohol as your solution for everything.

Your life is all about alcohol

If you always have the feeling that any activity you engage in must include alcohol, this could be a sign that you’have become dependent on alcohol. The more you drink, the more your blood pressure rises.

Five Smart Ways To Track Your Expenses

The question that many people ask themselves is where do their money go. Truthfully, you are the only one who can answer that question. But, we know that a reason why you are losing your money is because you are not tracking it. Well, it is time to stop losing your money and start tracking your cash. As such, we highlight some of the ways you can do this.

Use online management software

You do not need to go to the bank because you want to check your account. There are now online management tools and applications that allow you track your spending from your computer or smartphone real-time. In addition to this, you can also see your recent transactions.

Use online budgeting software

There are certain websites, apps, and software that you can directly link to your financial accounts. They automatically organise and categorise your spending by letting you compare your projected spending against your actual spending. It will even alert you when you are overspending.

Use ATMs

ATMs are connected with banks and it lets you check your balance, deposit and even transfer funds between accounts. Ultimately, ATMs are available anytime you need them. Hence, it is easily accessible to help you track your finance.

Activate account alerts

If you want to know about all your bank account transactions or activities as well as track how you spend your money, you should activate alerts. It will allow you get new alerts and let you know when your account is low. You will just be charged a token for this service.

Pay a visit to your local bank 

Banks in Nigeria can offer you financial advice if you have challenges keeping track of your spending. They can help you with a solution.

7 Benefits of Speaking Nigeria’s Three Major Languages

Nigerian has three major languages namely Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. The thing is not a large number of people can communicate in these three languages. This is perhaps because English is our main lingua franca. There are so many benefits of speaking these three languages. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares these benefits. It is, noteworthy, to say that even though we are encouraging Nigerians to speak these three languages, more and more citizens are moving away from even communicating in their own mother tongue.

You will have more job opportunities

There are certain jobs you cannot apply for if you cannot speak these three languages. And you know that these jobs come with fantastic salaries and bonuses. For example, you cannot work for BBC Hausa, if you cannot speak Hausa whether you are a veteran broadcaster or not.

Improve your competitiveness 

Speaking a second or third traditional language makes your curriculum vitae stand out and can boost you to the top of the interview list with potential employers. You are very competitive.

Can earn more money.

The financial returns of learning an extra Nigerian language can help you earn more money. You can freelance as a translator thus making more quids on the side.

Get to try on different personalities

You cannot be pigeonholed if you speak these languages. Hence, You can easily shift from one personality to another depending on which language you and your friends are speaking. You will have an all-rounded personality.

Opens up social and cultural opportunities

Speaking another language allows you to interact with different people and understand the perks of other cultures. This means that you have better chances to make friends, explore different ways of life and be able to blend with different lifestyles.

 Improves problem-solving

Being multilingual in traditional languages can improve your brain functions like the ability to focus attention and perform mental tasks. Thus, people who speak more than one Nigerian language can process information more efficiently.

Help keeps you safe

Have you been in a dangerous situation in which you do not speak the same language with the people involved? Well, persons who are multilingual do not need to worry because their ability to speak and understand whatever they are saying can save you. However, do not be too hasty to respond because this can also be fatal.

6 Things You Should Never Do In Your Hotel Room

A hotel stay should be a smooth and exciting experience. You do not want anyone harassing you. This said, there are some people who call for embarrassment by the things they do in their hotel rooms. So, whether you are a hotel room regular or save your stays for special occasions, there are few things you should never do in a hotel room, particularly, if you want to keep yourself safe or return to lodge at the hotel again. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares some of these things.

Smoke

In some hotels, the no smoke sign is clear. However, some persons feel that since they are in the comfort of their room, there is no need to observe the no-smoke rule. You are wrong. If smoking is not allowed, just do not smoke. Remember, you are not the only one that will use the room.

Give out your room number

A rule of thumb is to never reveal your hotel room number to a stranger or even someone you have just spoken with you for a few minutes or hours. Also, if you are meeting someone for the first time, do so outside your room or even outside your hotel. You do not want your room burgled.

Sneak in animals

You love your dog and chances are that you may bring him or her with you when you travel as a companion. Some hotels will not allow animals in the room. As a result, some lodgers will sneak these animals in. If you are discovered, you may be thrown out of the hotel or you may be fined.

Turn your room to a minibar

You may not have enough money to go to a minibar to down some bottles. As such, you have loaded your bag with bottles of alcoholic drinks that your room becomes a sort of minibar. You may do one of the following-go to the minibar, visit a nearby store if you feel the drinks at the hotel are expensive or just completely avoid alcohol.

Steal

You will be shocked that some hotel customers are just thieves. They take the opportunity to steal. Items like towels, drapes and even bed sheets. If you are caught, you will simply be arrested.

Keep your music low

You may want to entertain yourself in your hotel room. However, you should not do so at the detriment of others. If the music becomes too loud, you may just get a knock or call that you should lower the music. This can be shameful.

Four Simple Tips For A Healthy Tour

The question of distance does not arise when it comes to touring or traveling. The fact is you can never be too prepared for healthy travel. This is because traveling can disrupt your routine as you don’t have access to everything you want. Hence, it is highly probable that you will be ill. But it should be this way. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares ways are some tips to stay healthy while you travel.

Take a reusable water bottle

Water is important for keeping you energised and removing waste from your body. The consequences of lack of water is that you will be dehydrated and traveling can be dehydrating. So, don’t forget to drink up even on long travel days and carry a reusable water bottle in which you can preserve water for drinking.

Wear durable walking shoes

You do not need to wear fancy shoes when you travel because you are exploring on foot. Your shoes must be durable and rugged that it will be able to withstand anything. Your legs may be infected by germs if you walk barefooted.

Buy or pack fruits

Fruit is your best travel snacks. Hence, rather than eating junk while on tour, you should consume more of fruits. Fruit contains nutrients that are good for the body to keep it healthy.

Don’t be afraid to try new food

Vacation is not a time to be restrictive when it comes to trying new foods. One of the best parts of traveling is visiting new restaurants. You should just make sure that the restaurant is neat and clean.

5 Reasons Nigerians Love to Fly First Class

First-class as the name implies is luxury treatment at its best. And clearly, we know that Nigerians love luxury. As such, do not be surprised if you find a handful of them in the first class cabin. So, the curious question is why do Nigerians love first class when they can save money on buying business or economy class tickets? Jumia Travel,the leading online travel agency, provide answers to these question.

It is less stressful

For Nigerians who cannot stand the stress of long security queues and crowds at the airport, they prefer to fly first class. They can check in faster, and at some airports, they can speed through priority screening lanes. You will also get on the plane faster.

Ability to work

First class seats are more spacious which means that if you are planning to work on anything, you can do so during your flight. In fact, for certain airlines, they provide real offices, complete with charging points and Wi-Fi.

Excessive amenities

Like earlier mentioned, Nigerians love luxury because of the perks it comes with. For certain airlines, the first class passengers will enjoy an en-suite shower, a personal in-flight chef, small private apartments and even complimentary driving service. The truth is they get the commensurate value for flying first class.

Opportunity to network

It is not just anybody who can afford a first class ticket. Your pocket must be very deep. As such, you will meet people who are willing and ready to network and do business with you.

Show their ‘bigmanism’

This will be incomplete without adding this point. The admiration, respect, and envy that comes with you telling others that you flew first class is self-satisfying. It rubs and oils your ego that you are among those that can afford first class. Well…it is just first class some will even add!

7 Sure Ways To Attract Investors To Your Travel Startup

Finance has always been a problem for many businesses and startups. A large number of them have folded up due to lack of funding. However, we hear in the news almost on a daily basis that a Nigerian startup has won thousands of dollars from investors and Venture Capitalists. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, discloses ways to attract investors to your travel startup.

Show results first

It may be a bit difficult for a relatively new startup to secure funding because it cannot show any business results. So, before seeking investors, you should work on getting customers and results. Do not manipulate the results because the investor will always audit.

Enroll in a startup accelerator

Unlike in the past, there are now so many startup labs in Nigeria. The pioneer is CCHub. There are others. You can join these startup accelerators so that they can offer you everything you need to run a successful business. They can also expose your business to investors.

Have co-founder (s)

Your chances of attracting funding or investors are higher if you have co-founders. They are much more confident because all business decision is not invested in the hands of one person or individual! So no matter what, look for two serious, talented, committed and reliable business partners.

A clear path to making money

Investors love their money and they will never allow anyone to throw it away. Hence, one of the first question you will be asked is how to I get a return on investment? If you cannot define or state that clearly, sorry you will never get any investment.

Ask for advice

Seeking advice from a potential investor is one of the creative and strategic ways to attract them. Through this, you will build a relationship with them. As the relationship grows, you can begin to let them know what you really need. Never ambush or cold-call an investor. It usually comes off as desperate!

Get an investor that is also a partner, not just a check

Granted, you need the cash to boost your business. The is not everything. The investor should also be able to offer something beyond money. It is better. This is good because they can make corrections when you are going the wrong way.

Try to market your business at networking functions

Networking allows you to informally pitch your startup ideas to potential business partners and investors. If your idea is clear and unambiguous, you may find someone that is interested in working with you. So, when you have a networking opportunity, arm yourself with all the information you need to effectively sell you business.

5 Ways To Deal With Social Media Backlash

You do not have to be a celebrity before tantrums are thrown at you on social media. Very few people care whether you are right or wrong, they just criticise. Before you know it, you are at the top of the trends on Twitter. Ironically, what you said may not be as a result of a tweet or Instagram post but an interview. A good example of this is the backlash Falz faced after he chastised some musicians for glorifying Yahoo Yahoo (Internet Fraud) in their songs. Another example is the case of Kemen in Big Brother Nigeria who trended for days because of the encounter he had with Tboss. The impact of these backlashes can be between mild or severe depending on the individual. Hence, if poorly handled, it can escalate into something you never imagined. In line with this, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency shares ways to deal with social media backlash.

Delete offending materials

If you tweeted or shared a post that is causing quite a controversy, you should delete it immediately. Do not try to be defensive or justify it unless you want it to spiral out of control. Even when it does, you should still delete it. Regardless, trust social media trolls, they would screen grabbed it. Do not mind this. The important thing is that the post should not be found on your handle or page.

Have friends around you

For individuals who face social media criticisms, they should have their friends and family members around them. The fact is they cannot go through this on their own. When the backlash gets to them, all sorts of thoughts begin to get into their head including committing suicide. That is the extent it can push some people. With trusted friends around, you will feel loved despite the shots you are getting on social media.

Leave social media for a few days

There are uncountable trolls on social media who just want to make you feel bad. They reign abuses and curses on you. If you are still with your phone, you may be tempted to reply. You do not need to. Just abandon your social media for a few days and return when everything has died down.

Apologise if you are wrong

To err is human to forgive is divine. In this case, you should not concern yourself about whether you will be forgiven or not, just apologise and move on. Some will even come at you for your apologising.

Ignore

You can give it the silent treatment and continue with your life. You are getting attention notwithstanding if it is negative or positive. This is easier for celebrities.

See a psychologist

You can also see a psychologist especially if the person’s self-esteem has been battered and shattered.