Socio-Heritage Tour 2022

l

It started off as a 7 city/town tour to reconnect with the heritage of my youth. I didn't just want to go on a vacation I wanted to go on an exploration and adventure. So I charted the cities I would want to visit, and the people I would want to see. It was tasking trying to figure it all out, so I approached it like a course. I itinerized and colored-coded the days on the calendar, and where I would be. I needed someone to help me with booking flights to various locations, hotel accommodation, transportation, etc. 

There were several people who made this tour a reality. As the planning and conversation went on, it went from being a 7 city/town tour to 13!

This blog post is a highlight of the tour. My talkshow ChatFest with Kenneth will go into my details on it.

Here are my team that made this tour happen:

Tour Manager / Personal Assistant: This tour couldn't have happened without this young man. He booked my local flights, and itinerized my life! Even when I turned into a difficult creature, he somehow made my impromptu changes happen. He made everything such a breeze.

I love you son. Thank you for being the industrious person you are. And I'm excited at the mark you will make on the world! 

Special Advisor / Information Manager:  My older brother by less than a year, I love this man to pieces. And he is like an information box! He always seems to know something about anything, and is always like a hawk silently watching me in my decision-making, ready to step in to advise even when I am obstinate! I love him so much.

Logistics Manager:  My nephew is so full of life! He's like a ball of energy. He knows how to connect and make happen what no one else can. Youthful exuberance in connecting the dots somehow!

Secretary: The gentleman on the left says he's my secretary. He just happens to be my endearing nephew - a pastor and a boxer. He's always taking notes from me, hence his title.

Pilot: Henry was a gift! We connected, and he became essential in navigating us to wherever we needed. And a week later we discover he was married to my cousin! He was family and I didn't even know it!

These were my core team members. They made my life a breeze. There were other people too who helped along the way. Gesi, Bulus, Pastor Emma, to name a few.

PORT-HARCOURT - City 1

I've known Gesi since the late 70s. In college, he was my cheerleader, attempting to chorale me into harnessing my singing abilities, but I was way too chaotic to even focus on that. He's the best cousin one could ask for, and he did help to navigate me around the city to find good food, accommodation, etc.

I would give this hotel a 3 star rating. Ambiance was great, but the AC was a mess. The staff was pretty good in their service.

Location-wise, I think it was in the right spot to get anywhere. 

The food we ate at this spot was banging! Gesi really did it! The wait was horrendous, but it was well worth it. Amala and ewedu soup with assorted meat. This spot in the D-Line area of the city remains in my mind as the #1 spot

Late night goat meat pepper soup adventure. It set my mind on the fact that this was going to be a helluva foodie tour! 

Contrary to popular opinion, I really wasn't trying to do the posh places. On the contrary, I wanted the small roadside spots locally called "Mama Put". That's where the authentically local food is made, not the faux fancy restaurants. If I wanted continental foods, I would have stayed in the US! I was on a Socio-Heritage Tour, reconnecting with my heritage, so I wanted authentic cuisine. 

This native soup with goat meat and some fish I didn't know, with semovita. 

This is literally all we did. Explore authentic places to eat.

Our learned pilot was someone who we adopted as family, only to discover he was family (the husband of my cousin). 

I appreciate you much man.

Bole (roasted ripe plantain) and smoked fish with a stew on it. Sold by the roadside, and this was like eating something so vital and needed! Enjoyed it thoroughly!

Akponwei family reunion. From left to right:

Mitchell - My older brother by less than a year. Feels more like my best buddy and confidant.

Preye - Paternal cousin, and a virile young professional.

Clement - The older brother to Preye, and a very vibrant Christian man with a good heart. I have much respect for him.

Clement and Preye's mom. Her mom is my Dad's sister.

This was the first time I'm meeting these cousins of mine. Thanks to facebook, I had become acquainted with them.

Clement's first son.

At one point I was getting overwhelmed with names and emotions.

Dorye, sibling to the above kinfolk. 

Tekena, a good friend since 1990, is also part of my prayer ministry now. He's a brain tumor survivor, so he has a heart of thanksgiving to God for beating the odds that were set against him.

Kingsley, a Spirit-minded man, and brother to Clement. 

Caleb is such a wild card! My vibrant nephew (my older brother, Mitchell's son). He's so tall and extroverted! Reminds me of a taller version of me when I was in my 20s!

YENAGOA - City 2

More Akponwei cousins!

Pere is his name. Although he's my cousin, I call him my younger brother. Such a spiritual man, yet so naughty!!

Barbercue catfish. Prior to this trip, I hated catfish with a passion. Then I went to Aster's Lounge, a huge open lounge area with a night club feel thanks to the loud music, and throng of young people. I tasted that fish and I was smacked!! Had to go back there a few times!

Assorted meat pepper soup. Spicy and delicious!

De Brass Suites. I stayed there one night and fled the next day! I would rate the room and service 2.5 to 3 star. The location was great, but the service just lacked the comfort needed.

My Team!

I cant remember the soup, but the swallow was fufu. The soup had shrimps and.......you guessed it, goat meat. Yes, I tried to eat as much goat meat as I could. When I get back to the States, I can do all the chicken and beef I want!

Fried yam chips with peppered goat meat.

Nkwobi - Its a mound of diced oxtail in a soupy sauce. First time of trying this, and i looooved it so much. I visited a few more time 

Hanging at Aster's Lounge living it up

For those who dont know, in Nigeria there are two forms of currency exchange - at the bank, and black market. The bank rate is usually of less value, so we all do the black market change rate. These Mallams were the ones I was constantly trading my dollars for naira.

Communal eating is a way of staying bonded. We use our hands and eat from the same bowl. The concept is, you become one with who you eat with. Kind of hard to dip your hand in the same bowl, and not be loyal to the person.

African Culture 101.

Ayalla Hotel. It is supposed to be one of the most expensive hotels in Yenagoa. That's where top political leaders amd celebrities stay. So I went to stay a night there. I so wasnt impressed. The staff were rude (you cant give horrible service and expect a tip). My impression, it was a glossed up pig. Looked all fancy on the outside, but it was simply a relic! 

And it was crowded with social climbers trying to be noticed. I checked out the next day! I got better ways to spend my dough and enjoy it!

She wanted to go to Aster's Lounge. So we brought her in with her walker and all. Loud thumping music with scantilly clothed youth, and grandma showed up, ordered for a guiness stout!! So I ordered for one too! 😆😆😆

We ordered good food, had a few laughs and fun, and we left!

That's my Pilot demolishing the catfish head. Tradition has it that the head of the table eats the fish head. I obviously was not gonna touch that, so he was too glad to handle it well!

My Uncle/Dad's home. My inheritance! 😆

My son and brother whom folks are saying is my twin brother, so I'll accept it. Hahaha.

Rude boyz in tha hizouse!

Fried curried chicken and fried snails (escargot).

Delish!!!

My aunt and niece

Timipre Sylva, a Nollywood actor invited me to his home. And I interviewed him for ChatFest with Kenneth........stay tuned.

He asked what I wanted. I said Native soup with lots of periwinkle, snail, goat meat and fish. And he delivered! It was delish!

That was the spread he laid out for me at his family home.

Honored.

After leaving Ayalla Hotel for being overrated, I went to Matho Crystal. The staff most certainly were more what I'm confortable with in terms of service.

Stewed assorted meat, salad and egg rolls. 

Yes, I do love good food (and good is a relative term)

Teddie B, my cousin and a TV broadcaster. And yes, I interviewed him for CFK

Duke was very helpful in giving me customer service at Matho Crystal hotel

Basmati fried rice. It was delish! Periodtt!

This young man's birth name is Commissioner! That's right. Visionary parents named him Commissioner.

JOS - City 3

First thing I did as I arrived in Jos was to buy roasted corn by the roadside.

And yes, we found our way to an eating spot that was good!

Anthony, one of the executives of the nonprofit organizations I formed for my high school that I graduated from - SMOBA Saints. 

Another executive of SMOBA Saints, who happened to be my good buddy and neighbor at the age of 10.

He also was the first person to walk from Jos to Lagos (google the distance). It took him 2 weeks to complete.

Steffans hotel in Rayfield area. It wasnt bad. And it had a nice night life activity of folks hanging around

My team members.

We woke up in the morning and hit the street in search of a local spot to get our eat on. I didnt want no hotel continental food. I found one. Akamu and akara (pap and bean cakes). 

Memories of eating this as a chid.

Bulus, my pilot in Jos.

Federal Dept of Agriculture (FDA) where my mother worked while we grew up

One of the houses we stayed in

 

This was the biggest house we lived in (1984 if I'm correct). It was a 4 or 5 bedroom house, and each room had its own bathroom. I was 13 then.

Now, its been changed into a motel.

First house we moved into at Jos in Dadin Kowa area. I was 10 years old and had my own room. 

The house has been converted into a hospital now.

This supermarket existed when I was 9 / 10 years old. 40 years later, it is still thriving

During Covid, I formed an alumni of my class from my high school (SMOBA '87), and I decided we should make an oil painting of our principal. We donate one to him (he's retired now), and we donate one to the school (it is in the principal's office)

The first car in Jos, 1960.

Protection is always important

Stewed roasted chicken

Jollof rice, fried plantain, goat meat and plantain

As usual, my team and I hunted out a local joint to get our eat on

My Jos team - PA / Tour Manager, Logistics Manager and Pilot

BENIN CITY - City 4

The first thing I did after landed was to find a joint to eat pounded yam, soup and bushmeat! I have been craving bushmeat for years! Now I had the chance to indulge in it!

My buddy since 1988. He was tearing into it

Of course I had to do takeaway of my bushmeat and egusi soup

I was so jetlagged, I passed out all morning and all day. I finally came to at 2AM, and reached out to the restaurant at the hotel for club sandwich and fried eggs and malt. At taht hour!!

I had to start traveling with this because most of the hotels had tea but not coffee. Coffee is an American thing. They do lipton tea over there

Had to visit Church of God Mission Int, Faith Arena. This church was formative in the structuring of my visions and dreams to relocate back to America as a youth. The life I am living now I dreamed and prayed for back then

I had to go to my favorite bushmeat spot and get amala and ewedu soup

I asked the gentleman to slice my bushmeat for me please. Lol

My friend in ministry. I remember in our youth he already was on the path he is now. He always was a music minister with his now wife Franca.

As Nosa and Franca, they always sang and ministered. Fast forward 30 years later, they have their own minnistry, and have toured Africa, Europe and America.

And I did an interview of them on CFK....... stay tuned.

Pastor Emma is my covenant brother and prayer coordinator for my ministry, Iron Sharpens Iron. 

Princess Alice Hotel is where I stayed, mainly for the location. It used to be such a convenient hotel with all the amenities. Now, it looked like something screaming for basic maintenance and care.

Peter aka Rockstone, was my bad boy friend in my youth.We had a bond back then, and he was my best buddy. Fast forward to 30 years later, he still was the same silly boy i could crack jokes with and talk.

And he is now the owner of Lakeside. More conversation to come on this.......

Valentine, Rockstone's older brother, was the person I knew first. Cant even remember how we became friends, but we used to have long philosophical conversations and debates. Then Rockstone became my homeboy

African Magic TV became my favorite channel to watch. All this bouncing from hotel to hotel, it became so easy to get caught up in this channel.

OMOKU - Town 5

My main reason for visiting this town was to see my older brother's home base.

Below is his business info

Friends of my bro.

TORU-ANGIAMA - Town 6

My first visit to my village of origin. Meeting my kinsfolks, immediate and extended cousins was overwhelming. This was when the tour shifted to becoming a pilgrimage.

My oldest uncle in the village. He laid hands on me and pronounced a blessing on me. By the time he was done, I was crying, he was crying, and I knew I could never be the same again. I knew I had a heritage I was a part of, and a generation of people to influence and impact for posterity.

By the way, he speaks 9 languages.

These 2 gentlemen are the health practitioners in the village, and they provide free healthcare services to the locals. A nurse comes in weekly to work with them at the health center to help them treat ailments like malaria, typhoid fever, and other illnesses. Their services also include child birth, and basic health education and information.

Their income is based on the philantropy of people. We have to get involved to do better. Stay tuned for more of this on CFK.

The great late Professor Akponwei. He had multiple post graduate degrees, and was such a creative and forerunner. I went to his grave and t felt like a portal to him. My connection to him was rekindled, and I knew I was standing on his shoulders, commissioned to take the baton he gave me, and run my best race ever! I remembered his pronouncing his blessings on my destiny to be the most successful me ever.

I was no longer afraid to stand in his shadows, own it fully, and step out of it in my own right and declare who I am - Prof Akponwei Jr.

My pilot for this trip

UGHELLI - City 7

I just realized I was having so much fun in Ughelli, I didnt really take much pictures.

WARRI - City 8

My Warri crew!!!

My niece is a phenomenal cook. And I am going to present her genius to you..... stay tuned

I chickened out on trying these kabob style grilled maggots! Barf! I am adventurous, but not that adventurous!! Screw roadside cuisine

OBIAROKO - Town 9

My older brother, Chief Benedict Bowei Akponwei.

Enough said!

Rugged men bonding and talking.

I tried plantain and catfish pepper soup, and I LOVED it! Whoever made it, made it real good!!!!

IKOYI & LEKKI - Cities 10

My paternal cousin, Nana.

Nana and her husband at his turbination as a traditional chief in Auchi. Yes, he is part of the royal heritage.

My beloved cousins 😁

Akponwei crew

Maternal cousin who happens to be an international barrister.

Maternal cousin, who happens to be a real estate mogul

At some point I have to do somewhere swanky. So my crew and I were hosted at Kingfisher by my mogul cousin. We had an awesome time

My little family. Wife and son.

We have gone through our ups and downs, and yet we are still hanging there. I have been a block head and made mistakes. Yet in my seasoned phase of living, I know I have been awesomely blessed with a friend, bestie, lover, confidant, secret place companion, intimater, and comforter.

Nobody else can be these to me.

Loving you is so beautiful!!

AJEGUNLE (Jungle City) - City 11

My beautiful cousin, Omo.

My Aunt (Mummy).

IKORODU - City 12

Akponwei boiz in da house!

He's actually my younger first cousin. I call him my younger brother because of our friendship. He's the gray bearded man in the above pictures. Looks older than me. 

Stewed sea snails. It was delicious! We devoured them all!

IKEJA - City 13

Chicken Republic became one of my easiest places to eat because the chicken tasted much different than the chicken in America. It was more textured, and less "melty".

It was weird though to order for a burger and get jollof or fried rice as a side order 😲

One of the executives of my intended NGOs in Lagos, King's Men.

Our typical hotel room. Because we hopped from city to city flying around, we often had takeaway foods so no one woke up hungry. lol.

And that was a brief recap of my Socio-Heritage Tour which eventually morphed into a Pilgrimage.

I would talk more on this on forthcoming episodes of my talk show, ChatFest with Kenneth (CFK), along with interviews on interesting people, causes or phenomenom.