ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Like an African child, it has taken a village and quite a few years to write this book.

The journey began in Lagos, naturally, then we traipsed across Europe and the US before settling back home and in that yawn of time, this novel has encountered Nigerians, Kenyans, South Africans, Americans, Italians and Britons.

The story of my life is linked inextricably with that of Lagos and this is my first full album, as it were, of love songs to the city I love.

Special thanks to Cassava Republic for pushing the boundaries for Nigerian writers, to my editor, Lauren Smith, Chika Unigwe and Maik Nwosu for Civitella, Dana Prescott for hospitality, MaryBeth Hughes for Yadoo and friendship.

And for Awele and Chuka and Ify for all the times this book took precedence.