I was born in Lagos and grew up there for most of my life. Typically, the first question I get asked when I share that fact is how many other places I have been to in Nigeria. I get that disappointing glare when I recount my state of origin Anambra, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo. This year, I really wanted to visit Abuja.
When my sister’s call to bar preparation started, it was the perfect opportunity to tag along. I had lots of questions.
What would it look like?
What is Abuja best known for?
How can I have fun in Abuja?
Thankfully, I got to experience some of these for myself, and because you’re my fave, I would share them with you!
First, the domestic flight. This was my first time flying domestically. For someone who has had the privilege of international flights, I could not understand the “madness” I experienced before boarding. From the rude customer service agents to the sheer lack of organization, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was so bad I almost missed my flight. Thankfully, I made it just in time to hear my name called for boarding and left Lagos for the owners.
The main reason for visiting Abuja was to attend my sister’s call to the Nigerian bar. Watching my sister study like her life depended on it in law school was a whole experience. I have never seen her read like that-ever! Now, being on the other side of enjoying that hard work was a dream come true and a huge sigh of relief.
Attending the event at the Body of Benchers Complex was another work of favour by God. I got a special guest invite and didn’t have to struggle for a good seat, thanks to a kind soul we met at our hotel. See, I totally believe in God’s favour, and that was no coincidence. Fast forward to D-Day. The event was short, and the new wigs (as they are called) took their oath. It was a beautiful sight to behold, especially among proud parents and relatives.
We had a mini reception at Abuja Continental by evening, courtesy of some amazing uncles and aunties. It was a buffet, and the instruction was eat till you drop. I took that assignment seriously, and by 10 pm, my stomach could take no more.
With the call to bar done, it was time to explore.
At the top of our list was Magicland amusement park. I had heard so much about this place, and the videos and pictures looked promising. Magic Land is located at Wuye, Abuja and is the perfect place for an outing with every family member, from old to young.
The entry fee was 1500 naira.. Note that they only take cash and convert it to tickets. Thankfully, there are POS stands outside and even within the park in case you need cash. There are also snack stands and a restaurant if you fancy.
The rides range from 1500 to 3000 naira, which are pretty affordable. If you want an all-inclusive package, you pay 18000 naira, which covers your entry fee and access to all the rides.
My siblings and I tried the car race, pendulum and rollercoaster. That pendulum ride was crazy! I would not advise anyone to try it. But guess what? I had seen a TikTok review where the lady advised us not to, and I still went ahead. It was SCARY! My eyes were closed for most of the ride.
We walked around, took some pictures and had an amazing time in general. They also have an arcade, but it looked like Rufus and Bees, Lagos, and I was over it. Another fun spot in Abuja to try is Galaxxy Pizza. It has a calm cafe vibe, and their pizza is top-notch! Their milkshake was also creamy and thick, and definitely good value for money.
Speaking of good food spots, my aunt took us to Akara Cafe. What do we say about people who stay in a niche and are good at it? These guys have hacked the code because how are you making millions from akara (bean cake)? We saw people coming from the gym, or heading to work, trooping in to have an amazing breakfast. The scenery was chill, and I would recommend this place for a beautiful start to your morning in Abuja on a visit. I had their maxi platter and was full till evening.
We also had a stop at the Transcorp Hilton hotel. I have heard about this hotel, but getting to experience it was bliss. My siblings and I enjoyed the piano night and the sonorous voice of the singer while we explored the ground floor and the activities area. The only questions ringing in my head were:
“What are Abuja people doing for a living? How do people pay for this hotel?”
One regret I have is not going to the Kilishi market, a friend suggested. That would have been a good experience to have. It is located at the Area 1 shopping complex, if you want to check it out. I was bummed I took a short time interval to explore the city, but all in all I’m grateful that i got to experience this and look forward to another time at Abuja.
Have you been to Abuja? Do you plan on visiting soon? Share your thoughts with me in the comments
As an oily and acne-prone babe, finding the best moisturizer can be a hassle, which is why including an article for top moisturizers for oily skin was on my “to-write” list!
Many people think oily skin doesn’t need moisture, but skipping moisturizer can actually lead to even more oil production. Are you tired of moisturizers that leave your skin feeling greasy or cause breakouts?
In this video, I’m breaking down the five best moisturisers for oily skin that provide hydration without feeling overwhelming. Whether you have acne-prone skin, combination skin, or want a fresh, matte finish, I’ve tested and reviewed some of the most popular and dermatologist-recommended options just for you!
What’s in this video?
In-depth reviews of five top-rated moisturizers for oily skin
Texture, absorption, and finish breakdown
Honest pros & cons for each product.
PS- Part two is also up on the blog, so check it out for more options.
Have you tried any of these moisturizers? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear what works for your skin type—and if I missed any of your faves, drop them below.
Please subscribe and leave a thumbs up if you enjoyed this video.
Are you struggling with oily skin and can’t find the right moisturizer?
In this video, I share 5 of the best moisturizers for oily skin (part 2) — breaking down the pros and cons of each so you know exactly which one will work for your skin type. From lightweight gels to hydrating creams, these moisturizers are non-greasy, oil-free, and perfect for anyone battling shine, breakouts, or clogged pores.
Products mentioned:
1. Purito Panthenol Cream – soothing and barrier-strengthening
2. Neutrogena Grapefruit Moisturizer – fresh and oil-controlling
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream – lightweight hydration with hyaluronic acid
4. Isntree Green Tea Emulsion – antioxidant-rich and calming
5. AC Oil Free Gel –not overwhelming and breakout-friendly
Whether you have acne-prone skin, combo skin, or want a moisturizer that won’t make you greasy by noon, these picks will help keep your skin balanced and healthy.
Nothing makes me happier than my friends sharing their skincare wins with me. Okay cake and icecream tops the list but you get my point.
Recently I casually mentioned “mineral sunscreen” when my friend showed me a recent buy and she called my attention to not knowing what it meant.
That’s the inspiration behind today’s post! The mineral vs chemical sunscreen debate is still common and it’s good to know what they are so it informs your decision making.
Mineral vs chemical sunscreen
There are two main types of sunscreens- minberal/ physical and chemical/organic. Before I explain more, there are some things your sunscreen needs to have.
☀️What you need in a sunscreen
SPF 30 and above
Shows broad-spectrum protection (PA +++) as that shows it shields against both UVA and UVB rays.
Water-resistant
Now let’s get into the real thing, shall we?
Mineral susncreens
These sunscreens work by reflecting the UV rays away from your face. They act like a physical shield.
Check my take on the mineral vs chemical sunscreen debate and which is better for you.
☀️Ingredients
Mineral sunscreens contain physical filters like:
Titanium dioxide & Zinc oxide.
One example is the Gavia sunblock I reviewed here (ADD LINK).
My current mineral sunscreen is the Nivea****
Picture of Me and the sunscreen
☀️Pros of Mineral sunscreen
Thjeyre a safer optin for sensitive skin since theyre not absorbed anc are less likely to cause irritation.
Naturally offers a broad spectrum protection
Non-comedogenic meaning it’s less likely to clog your pores (aka won’t cause break outs)
NB~ definition of broad spectrum*
☀️Cons of Minerak Sunscreen
Easily rubbed off from sweating hence needs to be reapplied more often.
The risk of a white cast is higher
Takes more effort to rub in as it is usually thicker than chemical sunscreen
NB~ Whatvis a white cast?
Picture of Nivea texture
Chemical sunscreens
This sunscreen act by forming a thin film that absorbs UV rays before penetrating the skin.
Needs to be applied 15-20 minutes before sun exposure as it’s effect is not immediate.
More likely to irritate the skin due to iys ingredients
Requires more frequent application.
More likely to clog the pores so could causes frequent breakouts.
Could sting the eyes
Picture of bondi sands texture
“So Iruoma, which is better?”, you might ask.
The one you would actually wear according to byrdie. Mineral sunscreens are better off due to being less irritating but, don’t let the mineral vs chemical sunscreen debate rob you off trying whichever type you want and actually using it.
What sunscreen do you use currently? Is it a mineral or chemical sunscreen? Let me know in the comments.
As I count down to my 8th week out of 12 weeks In Paediatric posting, I can’t believe how much time has passed. Hey beauty, the last time I wrote on the blog was the anniversary giveaway. By the way, if you missed that, more would come okay?Let’s get into the new phase of my life or what I like to call an update.I’m also having jitters about writing. I haven’t done so since I resumed work and I feel so rusty. The first one is the tough transition from medical student to medical doctor. Why doesn’t anyone talk about this? I went from being able to schedule my time and having routines to my time not being my own. Also the responsibility is wild. Now people really listen to me and I have to be sure of the information o give people. I still shudder when I rmenebe how a patients mother really called me “doctor” and I was consider for a moment because I’ve been so used to being a student. Another thing I’ve noticed is the tendency to focus on things ahead. One thing I’ve seen is that prayer points don’t finish. As long as we live, there will always be stuff to pray about. Same here- when I got my job, the next prayer was an Accomodation. Now that’s sorted, I’m thinking about schedules. Nect up is looking forward to the end of this posting and so on and so forth. When does it end!! Anyways; to paediatrics. I don’t see myself specialising in this field for a number of reasons. One I don’t like attending to sick babies. It’s not a pleasant sight. Second getting their Intravenous (iv) access is tough. The only reason I’m happy I started from here is because I can atleast get 75% of my lines in premies (babies born prematurely)up to toddlers. That’s a big win by the way. Thirdly, it’s so stressful and the mortality rate can be as high as anything. One moment you’re rejoicing a baby is stable. The next moment, that child decides to leave this world. Excuse me? All these to say, paediatrics is not the specialty for me and this housejob has shown that. I’ve had good moments here nonetheless. But I’ll ascribe that to my colleagues. 9 out of 10 times, our jokes and moments brighten the day. Somebody jokingly commented that I’m chilling because I always take pictures of my colleagues when we’re at a seminar or event. That’s not entirely true but I think we’re al on the same page of enjoying our days because the profession itself is STRESSFUL!Also, who decided to make 24 hours call a normal thing? How do you expect people to finavyoon iptuymllu and still go on to carry their usual sctovitsies? That’s by the way. The only thing I regret not doing earlier was taking lots of pictures but hey, we’ve got a long time to go so it’s not late. How are you doing? What’s one life update you’re happy about? Share with me!
All you need to start and maintain your skincare journey are skincare basics. You will set up your skin for success with a cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen.
Skin types are essential to avoid mistakes when creating a good skincare routine.
It took several typing and deletions to come up with this sentence. How long has it been on the blog? I have missed writing every week and sharing some life updates, so the new year seemed a perfect opportunity to start.
This article is probably my shortest blog post, but I did not want “perfection” or keeping a certain standard to prevent me from getting this out today.
First, Happy New Year! Nothing has humbled me more than the past year. I have always been a planner. Think of the girl with journals and yearly planners—that’s me. Last year, I utilized Notion for the fancy annual templates. To be fair, I ticked off some things and even accomplished goals I never thought of. But my point is that most of the time, not everything goes as planned, but God is always in perfect control, vision board or not.
New Year’s resolutions don’t always have to be new goals. They could be continuations of goals set before that were not completed. Resolve to keep going. Every new week is a fresh start; every day is another opportunity to make small decisions that add to that big goal.
This year, I intend on being. I want to explore and enjoy the beauty of living. I am no longer micromanaging my time, experiences or life.
I pray you have a fantastic year ahead, filled with joy in the chaos, peace in the storm, love, hope, and peace. Don’t be afraid to start in sight of everyone (this is my sub), and don’t fear rejection. Fear not starting at all.
Cheers to a beautiful chapter- happy new year, friend!