Africa a huge market for RI
My last letter to The Jakarta Post, titled Goodbye Indonesia, was published on Feb. 22, 1998. Thanks to God that two years later I am still able to write, which I think bears testimony to my sweet memory of the Post. But I am quite aware that many of the Post's readers have missed me as well as my regular letters.
Physically, I disappeared. Spiritually, I am still with the Post, the readers, and my fellow writers, especially, D. Chandramouli, Piero Ronci and Farid Baskoro. Chandramouli's letter on March 3, 1999, made me remember him because he described me as "a good writer, excellent communicator and a goodwill ambassador of Africa".
Baskoro in his letter on Aug. 22, 1997, said: "Africa is a misunderstood continent and is often presented in an unfair, distorted way." In his Aug. 21, 1996, letter, Piero Ronci was able to effectively condemn racial abuse against African sportsmen/sportswomen within the context of Nigeria's soccer victory in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
If you come to Abuja, Nigeria's new administrative capital, "How can I believe my eyes?" is the question you will probably ask yourself. You will then regret the wicked media deception that discourages people from knowing the good of Africa.
Mr. Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, spent two lively days here from Aug. 26, 2000, to Aug. 28, 2000. I took the time to follow his speeches here and I immediately recall one of his statements: " ... Americans look upon Africa not simply as a continent with problems, but also a continent which presents the world's next great opportunity to advance the cause of peace, justice and prosperity."
There is a huge market in Africa but the international media discourage Asian businesspeople from doing business here, probably assuming all Nigerians are members of an international scam. Never! This is too far from the truth.
Now take a very simple example of Indonesia and Nigeria. You will certainly find that since Indonesia's currency turmoil more than two years ago, industries have become more desperate for markets where their products can be purchased. The market in Nigeria, with over a hundred million consumers, definitely needs Indonesian industrial products, but most Nigerian importers are handcuffed for lack of business information on Indonesia. The Indonesian industrialists, I am so sorry to say, are afraid of doing business with Nigerians due to false media information that Nigerians are members of an international scam.
When I arrived back in Nigeria two years ago, different businesspeople asked me for import information on Indonesia. I sent more than one inquiry but there was no reply. Even at the moment, building materials and batik are still marketable in Nigeria.
Please, beware of the media bias against Africa. Most of us here at home are innocent. To the Muslims in Indonesia, I say Happy Ramadhan.
BUHARI ABDU
Kano, Nigeria