I am writing a novel based on the years I worked as an expat in Lagos and Port Harcourt, (1969 to 1971), and I am looking for anyone who was there during that time and may have memories, or even photographs of that period.
At the moment I am trying to recall the name of a club on Lagos Island where I used to spend many evenings. It was owned by a rotund Lebanese man who we all knew as ‘Tiger'. From my research, I believe the club may have been called the Phoenicia club on Martin Street, but the name doesn't ring a bell and I am not sure. I think we all referred to it as ‘Tiger's', but it is so long ago, my memory may be playing tricks with me.
The club had a good food menu and had a live band every night. It was very popular with expats and Nigerians alike. There was also a very generous sprinkling of single young ladies. The club had a very good resident band and Tiger also brought in ‘name' bands for special one night stands. I'm sure that I saw Fella Kuti more than once - amongst others. We all used to call him as Fela Ransome-Kuti in those days, although it seems he dropped the ‘Ransome' part of his name quite early on.
Immediately after the cessation of hostilities, I moved down to work in Port Harcourt. Tiger also followed me down there and obtained the catering contract for re-opened Port Harcourt Club, but he continued to run his club in Lagos.
When I was in Lagos I also used to occasionally go to Bobby Benson's ‘Caban Bamboo' club out on the mainland, and in fact it was there that I met and married my first wife.
Is there anyone out there in expat-forum land who remembers those years, or can direct me to someone who does? I would love to see some old pics of those times - I have no plans to publish them - just to see them and get some inspiration….
Thanks for any replies.
Mobi