Life in Makurdi

It’s possible many of you readers have not visited a city, a fairly large city at that, in the middle of Nigeria. Maybe you would be interested in a glimpse of what life is like here.

Makurdi is a good city. By that I mean the roads are laid out well, traffic is ordered and orderly, people are cheerful, and city services seem to be adequate. In the terms they use, they would say that it is well developed. Well, with the exception of electricity. That is on and off and irregular, mostly off due to vandalism in another part of the state. The hospital is fairly large and seems to meet the needs of the area.

On the very local level, the streets are lined with shops and stalls. A shop is a step up from a stall but may be right next to a series of stalls. The people with the stalls are all outside, chatting, sitting, just hanging out. The people in the shops are exactly that – inside. Folk just seem to prefer being on the streets. I can’t say they are on the sidewalk since there aren’t any, just dusty dirt where we might expect cement. But along these borders of the roads are lots and lots of people. Some are fixing tires on motorcycles, some sitting at tables and talking, some walking with bowls on their heads, some just standing.

I have found them not shy, easy to chat with, helpful, and just a bit curious about me, for I am the only white person in evidence. The Benue River is down at the bottom of the hill below the cathedral, but the riverfront here looks like – no, not riverfront property as in Northumberland County – looks like the streets up the hill, crowded with stalls, shops, dirty sidewalks, and lots of people just hanging.

People are busier than in years past, I am told. Long hours at their businesses take up most days. Sundays are for washing and ironing, visiting, and resting. Church yes, but maybe drop in for the 9:00 service at 10 and stay for the next two hours, then back to the chores or visiting.

All in all, a fine place to be