We saw this quote on billboards in the city of Cotonou in Benin Republic. It means ‘Only Happiness’ in Fon language.
Benin Republic is a small country with a rich history. It borders Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. People travel from all over the world to Benin for business, culture and tourism. It was formerly known as Dahomey and has had ties with Nigeria for centuries through wars, trade and marriage. It is sometimes called the 37th state as more than half of their population comes from Nigeria.
HOW IT ALL STARTED…
It started with a few calls ‘ear and dear’, Google searches and a new WhatsApp group.
Two of us took off from Mile 2, picked up another person at Iyana-Iba and headed for Seme border. Before arriving Seme, the driver had arranged three bike men to pick us up in front of First bank, Seme to cross us into Benin Republic.
First bank, Seme.
Seme border
Entry point into Benin republic
At the immigration check, we had our passports stamped by Nigerian and Beninois officials but not without a minor challenge. The Nigerian officer asked for our professions, my friends said I.T and business, I said I am a media personnel. The ID card I showed was not accepted and that delayed us. Someone pleaded on my behalf and we were let go. No yellow card so we had to pay N1k each.
Now there is Seme in Nigeria and Seme in Benin Republic, so the bike men who picked us up from Seme in Nigeria dropped us off at Seme-Krake motor park in Benin.
One of the bike men gave me a Moov Africa SIM card to use during our stay. Being at the Seme Krake motor park was just like being in Nigeria. Even though many of them don’t understand English, they understood Yoruba and accepted naira for the things we bought. We changed our Naira to CFA (Francs). My advice is that try not to take high denominations because you would need change to buy stuff. We got a car to take us to our hotel in Cotonou. Unlike Nigeria where drivers branch at filling station to refuel, the Beninois buy fuel at the park before setting off (Nigeria supplies Benin with fuel).
BIENVENUE A COTONOU
(WELCOME TO COTONOU)
The drive was about an hour thereabouts. So we arrived, dropped our bags and relaxed. In the evening, we took a walk round the city.
Cotonou is the economic hub and is the most popular city in the country. Most people think Cotonou is the capital of Benin Republic but Porto Novo is. It has great night life too. The streets were full of food vendors selling all sorts; suya (meat kebab) spot, kenke, baguette (French bread), Indomie, in fact the foods we eat in Nigeria are there.
We bought rice and fried fish in a local restaurant. The language barrier was a big problem for us but we tried our best to communicate with patch patch French. Thanks to those who understood Yorùbá. I bought credit and data in the SIM card I was given. I observed that there were no paper recharge cards as we have in Nigeria. The recharge was done via transfer (VTU).
Worthy to note is that Cotonou is a clean city. Bikes, popularly known as Zems, have their own lane and wearing helmets is a must. Motorists obey traffic lights (smh for Nigeria).
They also use a different type of electrical outlet (Type C and E) and we had to ask to ask for extension box from the hotel.
They speak Yoruba, Fon and French interchangeably. We needed extra cash and we were lucky to find a money exchange shop. They don’t spend Naira in Cotonou. I transferred N10000 to her UBA account in exchange for 4000 CFAs.
We saw two Voodoo temples. It’s also worthy to note that Benin Republic was a major place from where voodoo was exported to the West during the slave trade era. There was an Ògbóni temple (linked to Nigeria) and Thron Kpeto Deka Alafia (a popular deity originally associated with Togo but worshipped by different countries).
After walking about, we went back to our hotel and crashed. Here are some pictures we took of the town.
L’Oueme river
So from the pictures you can see experienced ‘only happiness’. 
The following day, we left for Ouidah.
To be continued…
