Nearing 3rd weekend in Abuja

Today is Friday and it is a special day for Nigerians. Most of the offices close by 2:00 PM in Abuja, as the Islamic community would like to go to prayers.

Had a nice breakfast in the morning and got ready to go to office. One more special thing about today is that - Brad is in Nigerian attire today!!! Yes... True.... See below :)

Brad in local Nigerian attire!

Brad with our Driver Johnny

Asha with our driver Johnny

Yesterday was even more interesting. Our Chinese team mate Xe Xing (prounced as Ke Shing) gave all of us our Chinese names. All of us were honored and delighted to have a Chinese name.... Every day is a new experience and I am enjoying every moment of my days in Abuja.

Anick Fortin-Cousens : 安妮珂(an ni ke)
Asha Lakshman : 阿莎 (a sha)
Brajesh Charan : 布拉吉斯 (bu la ji si)
Kim M. McCarthy : 金 凯希( jin kai xi)
Pradip Roychowdhury : 普拉迪普(pu la di pu)
Malabika Debnath : 马兰(ma lan)
Niki J. Glassmire : 妮可(ni ke)
Sumit K. Sinha : 苏米特( su mi te)
Bradley T. Murphy : 布拉德( bu la de)
Gerald Tomkins : 格林 (ge lin)
Katherine G. Bossange : 凯瑟琳 (kai se lin)
Iti Rawat : 伊蒂 (yi di)

Also, in one of the local news paper - The Guardian, there was an article about the health improvements in Nigeria. It mentioned about the Data Bank concept paper that happened in NPHCDA and my name has been mentioned in the news paper. Also, our hotel manager Tony told us that me and Brad were in a telecast in the news channel. I am happy about these :)

I have been learning words in Hausa, the local language in Nigeria.

Ina kwana - good morning
Mu kwana lafiya - Good night
Sai an jima- goodbye
na gode - thank u

Happy Learning to all of you and have a great weekend.

--- Asha Lakshman, Abuja 

#IBMCSC Nigeria