Italians do not really like the French and France, that is because that Italian player gravely insulted Zizou. Nevertheless, France "won" for me. Italy "lost". I will never go to that country for a visit.

Moreover, comparing Italy with France is like as if you tried to compare a deluxe meal at a swanky restaurant (=France) with a simple burger you get at any fast food joint (=Italy)! That is my way to console myself a bit

Italiands do not really like the French and France, that is because that Italian payer gravely insulted Zizou. Nertheless, France won for me. Italy "lost". I will never go to that country for a visit.

Moreover, comparing Italy with France is like as if you tried to compare a deluxe meal at a swanky restaurant (=France) with a simple burger you get at any fast food joint (=Italy)! That is my way to console myself a bit

Yesterday I had a long dispute with some of guys and girls because we were debating what the best city in West Africa is? In terms of developed infrastructure I said it is undoubtedly Lagos, some of them vehemently denied that and said that only the airport is nice and that´s it, most agreed that Abidjan is by far more modern, and better developed than Lagos with better infrastructure and more rich people than Lagos. I was . I asked them if they are talking of Abidjan in the 80´s or of Abidjan today? Because today Abidjan is pretty run down and no longer the "Paris of Africa" Ivoirians bragged about in the past. They said that Abidjan has the highest densities of flyovers and highways in West Africa. I don´t belive that. Lagos must have more flyovers. They futhermore said that Abidjan has an urban middle class whereas Lagos only has rich and poor people. Moreover, they said that shopping facities and entretainment and leisure facities are better in Abidjan than in Lagos and the sytem of public transport, too. They even said that Abidjan had a large Olympic size ice-skating rink. I only doubt it.

Do you agree that Abidjan is more devloped and better than Lagos? Or what is the best city (in terms of entertainment facilities, highways, hotels, shopping, leisure, eating out and so on) in West africa for you?

Reverend,

But I didn´t understand why some francophone African countries (not all) do not support a French national team which is composed of "Afro-French" players. Sorry, it leaves me speechless. On the one hand, you are saying that this would be rascits if one does it, on the other hand you are saying that it is normal that one has to support a national team which is composed of players of African origin please hlep me to untwist that , some contradiction in it

I do not want to give the names of the francophone countries which supported Italy against France but it is a hard slap in the face of the African players. They also would have won in the name of Africa, somehow, but some Africans do not realisze it and are overjoyed that Italy won.

Well, we are free to make choices of our own as we live in a free world, unfortunately, but it startles me nevertheless. How can you bite off the hand that shows you "the fame to glory and fame"

I am still one the side of France, sorry:
first, because many Africans played for them
second, because they played fair
third, because France is a beautiful country (great food, nice scenery, great wine, brilliant cities etc.)


Peace to all

I was on the side of France , but France lost I am soooo sad now

What happened to Zidane

One thing I do not understand is that some countries in francophone Africa celebrated wildly when France lost (I read it in the papers this morning) and that they were on the side of Italy!! I cannot understand it, there were good players in the French team and a lot of players with African and Afro-Carrebean origin! Why did they rejoice when France lost?

Do you think that Lagos International airport needs an expansion or is it ok for the current traffic?

Considering the fact that many new airlines are coming to Lagos or increasing their frequencies , I personally think that our international airport is too small in order to catch up with the growing traffic. The CEO of Virgin Nigeria said that the carrier will have around 45 planes from its current 8 by 2010. where should they all park? US airlines want to come to Nigeria, too. Our international aiport has just got 14 aprons in Lagos. There is a new domestic terminal that will open soon, but don´t you agree that Virgin Nigeria needs its own terminal (6-7 additional aprons to the existing 14 will be Ok.)

Moreover, I think that Abuja and Port Harcourt airport should also be upgraded.

Lagos — chaos and hope that befits Babylon

RON DERBY

THE city of Lagos is big and its people are as big, if not bigger, their laughter towering over an expanse of land that about 15-million people call home.

The Bible’s description of the city of Babylon fits Lagos well. It has a chaos that somehow makes sense to its inhabitants and not to anyone else who disembarks from the surprisingly small international airport.

But God is very big business in Lagos, evident from the number of billboards advertising prayer meetings or religious conferences.

Stepping out of the airport is much like being pulled back on a sling shot and released into the unknown, and at a speed that allows little time for comprehension of what is happening all around.

I arrived on the day before Nigeria celebrated seven years of democracy. It is a democracy that seems to be maturing, given that former military ruler and now democratically elected President Olusegun Obasanjo’s bid for a third term was rejected by the senate in a session televised on the state broadcaster.

After lurching from one military coup to another, civilian rule returned to the country in 1999, and while militants from religious and ethnic groups run amok in certain parts of the country, the country’s economic hub, Lagos, has remained peaceful.

Before embarking on this trip, a colleague warned me that Lagos is no tourist destination.

Lagos is New York before Giuliani or, as a colleague put it to me, “New York on acid". There are no museums or photogenic suburbs to visit.

After meeting up with an aide outside the airport, I was whisked by taxi to Victoria Island, a journey that would take us across the longest bridge in Africa, a “gift" to Lagos by former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida.

If the road to hell is taken by car, I am sure Lucifer’s inspiration would be the Lagos expressway. Here, road rules simply do not apply. Cars, buses and trucks weave past each other, and crater-sized potholes, with reckless abandon. The hooter is an indicator here and the noise is terrific.

There are hordes of people everywhere, on the streets, in cars and hanging out of taxis kilometres away from the grave.

There are people gesticulating, shouting in the streets, trying to sell everything from African jewellery to mats and mops to gigantic snails. The daily commute from the mainland to the island can take up to three hours in peak traffic, our driver says.

Transfixed, spellbound and speechless, we arrive at the hotel, whose charm is difficult to see through prison-like walls and gigantic palm trees.

Almost every business or residence here has huge, barbed wire-draped walls, much like Gauteng.

Lagos city is a textbook example of urban decay, of huge and uneven gaps in wealth. Towering skyscrapers nestle among overcrowded shantytowns.

Pinstripe-suited people in German sedans cruise along the roads, next to their brethren — most of whom live on less than a $1 a day.

Victoria Island has a host of beaches where Nigerians come to relax on public holidays such as Democracy Day. Alpha beach is very popular and is crowded during the festive period.

The journey to the beach took me past some of the relatively wealthier suburbs on the island. There is some major residential development in this part of town, South African-style estate living.

At a makeshift boom gate a fee of 100 Naira (R5,21) is charged to enter Alpha beach. The money collected is ostensibly used for cleaning up the beach.

But the beaches are littered with rubbish that the Atlantic Ocean has spewed out.

If you manage to overlook that, the beaches are fantastic. Along them is a long strip of local restaurants and taverns, just metres off the shore.

Under a thatch-and-bamboo tavern, the music of one of Nigeria’s most famous sons, Fela Kuti, blares out of boom boxes.

Kuti sang about the military rule in his country, the poor state of its infrastructure, and the political and economic corruption of those in power.

He was a saxophonist and political activist, and is credited as the inventor of the Afro-beat that embodies the spirit of Lagos.

There is a charm about this oil- rich former British colony, whose tongue is spoken throughout the country’s 923768km². It’s a bit difficult to put a finger on why it is so.

There is a vibe in Lagos unmatched by any other African city. The people I met during my three-day stay exude a sense of purpose, an inventive spirit and a belief that it will be fine someday.
RON DERBY

Funloving, my repsonse to you: you really made me laugh loudly.

Go out and travel a bit around. The world doesn ´t end in Enugu and Calabar and learn to read my postings with more care and stop to take thinsg at their faces value. MOREOVER MEET MORE NATIONALITIES AND TALK TO THEM IN ORDER TO BROADEN YOUR HORIZON INSTEAD OF INSULTING ME >
You have absolutely no idea about marketing, branding, (consumer) psychology, market priciples and its impact: Go to any well-stocked public library and enlarge your knowledge on those quintessential topics(

PS: I am not condeming Nigerian food, I eat it here in the uK regularly and very much love , too (I would never ever want to miss our beloved naija food!!!) , but I am also very (as most other Nigerians are) brand-conscious, modern, dynamic and cosmopolitan, and brands count in this world. "Have them or just leave the stage"! Mc Do will be a hit in Naija.

I got this article for the sceptics out of businessdayonline, serious paper


Harrods, Wal-Mart, others head for Tinapa City

Businessday April 3rd, 2006

World famous department stores, Mac-Donalds, Wal-Mart, Harrods, and Marks and Spencer, among many others, have indicated very strong interest in the N43 billion Tinapa project in Calabar, regarded as Africa's premier business resort.


The foray by these world retail market players into the Nigerian market is in response to the commitment of the Cross River State government to the completion and commissioning of the first phase of the project by December, 2006.

According to the executive governor of the state, Donald Duke, whose administration is providing the infrastructure for the project, largely funded by private sector players, Tinapa will be ready by December, 2006. The final kitting by the major shop owners and operators will however, be completed by March 2007.

When phase one of the project is completed, the specific components that will form the foundation of the development of a leisure tourism market in Nigeria would have also been firmly rooted. Some of these components that would be visible in the first phase of the project will include a shopping complex comprising four wholesale emporiums, 300 retail outlets, a food court with take - away outlets, an administrative centre, a commercial sitting area, and a parking lot for approximately 3, 000 cars and coaches.

According to information from the project site, there will also be an "entertainment strip" leading out of the shopping complex.

This, BUSINESSDAY learnt, would feature a casino of international standard, five restaurants, a cinema complex with cinemas ranging from 104 to 340 seats each, a games arcade and ten-pin bowling alley, a children's play area and a fisherman's village with themed bars, night club and an arts and crafts village.

Duke confirmed in Calabar, weekend that the phase one aspect of the Tinapa project would be home to a 300-room budget hotel, leisure land and waterworld facility, wave pool, lazy river ride, picnic area, tennis courts, life guard tower, kiosks, change room facilities, volley ball courts, management offices, among other numerous facilities.

According to the project scheme, the second phase of the world-class business resort is envisaged to include a hotel and conference complex with a 200- room branded international four star hotel, a conference centre with a main ballroom seating up to 2,000 delegates, business and fitness centres. Also, it is designed to feature three boutique stores, expansion of leisure and entertainment facilities fitted with a quad biking track, an archery range and a fisherman's wharf, among other features.

Duke said the third phase of the mega project will cover the construction of a 150-room branded international four-star hotel, a luxury beach lodge with 30 -units, a luxury bush lodge, agritourism and ecotourism. When the Tinapa project becomes functional there would be a mutual driving and sustenance of tourism which the Cross River state government has taken with Agriculture as major footwalk in the effort to power growth and development in the state.

Here is the link http://www.businessdayonline.com/?c=55&a=6761

Arik Air seeks to fly with best hands


Arik Air, a new Nigerian airline, has launched a dedicated job website in order to attract talent from all areas of aviation to join the company in readiness for its operations scheduled to commence in summer 2006.

The job website is an on-line portal that enable the airline receive applications real time from interested professionals seeking to join the airline.

Arik airline seeks to re_define standard of fright safety and professionalism in the country’s Aviation industry and is seeking to bring on board the most competent professionals within and outside Nigeria to achieve this objective.

The airline is also taking delivery of two new build CRJ900 aircraft on 14

th June followed by three CRJ200’s and two Boeing 737-322’s which will fly domestic routes throughout Nigeria and West Africa.

Arik will extend routes to include intercontinental destinations in due course. Arik Air will be the first airline to introduce new commercial aircraft into Nigeria for over twenty years.

"Arik Air is committed to introducing new levels of safety and quality standards to the Nigerian aviation industry, and we are looking for talented and experienced people to join us at this crucial time. Our team will immediately reflect the image of the company, and therefore only the best need apply" commented Stella Kiwanuka, Director, Human Resources at Arik Air.

It would be recalled that on April 3, 2006, Arik Air took occupation of the facilities of the former Nigerian Airways in Lagos; three years after the former national carrier went into liquidation.

The deal came as part of the privatization process of the Federal government.

In a ceremony at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises Irene Chigbue noted that the facilities into a world class aircraft maintenance facility that would satisfy the needs of aircraft operators in the sub region.

German company to build plant in Nigeria

Nigeria may soon join the league of manufacturers of customised cylinders and other precision equipment in the near future.
CHIDI NDUKA AJA
This hint was dropped by Peter Sengpiel, managing director of Festo, a German-based automation and process technology company at the Institute of Directors of Nigeria National Industry Forum/Exhibition Tuesday in Lagos.
Speaking exclusively to BUSINESSDAY at his company's stand, Sengpiel said it is a matter of company policy to establish plants in high potential countries after return on investment, adding that Nigeria is the headquarters to service the West African sub-region.
He observed that Nigeria is the biggest market in sub-Saharan Africa which is a major attraction to many companies such as Festo [/b]and expressed happiness at the number of companies investing in the country which he said meant more business for his company.
He urged the Federal government to urgently address the [b]problem of poor infrastructure because the economy has the potentials of growing faster than any economy in the world.
Sengpiel explained that Festo is a market leader in Europe with 55 years experience, operating in 250 locations around the world and product offering covering all sectors of the economy, including biotech, processing, oil and gas and food packaging.
He commended the level of patronage of the company's products since it opened shop two years ago, saying that customers are happy to have the original manufacturers of their parts in Nigeria. According to him, the company not only sells spare parts but also does broad checks, plant modernisation and suggests what clients can do to save cost.
The managing director pointed out that though there is little product variation these days, Festo products are preferred by clients because they company knows what they need and when they need it.
"We discuss with our customers and cooperate with them in designing products that meet their need. That is why our clients prefer to have Festo products," he stated.

June 16th, 2006
Dreamworld: Where excitement will never stop


The Nigerian entertainment industry is taking a new turn with the emergence of recreation centres.

In this interview, JUDE ATOH, chief executive of DreamWorld Leisures, speaks on the project with ENAM OBIOSIO

The project DreamWorld

is constructed with facilities of world class standard; we know the key words and everything has been carefully chosen to reflect international and global standard, to give the ultimate dynamo platform for key dynamo people.

When we talk about ultimate dynamo platform, It is to provide a place for fun of the ultimate trail in fun and excitement, to be a choice spot for family evening outing, for fun, entertainment and relaxation in a friendly and natural atmosphere.

Ultimately, DreamWorld was aimed to be Nigeria’s largest resort chain with presence in key Nigerian cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, and in terms of Public Relations line for those of us in marketing, we have been working to provide Life is fun, leave your dream two of our key pay off lines.

The purpose of DreamWorld is to dedicatedly provide world class entertainment facilities and fun, in a natural atmosphere for Nigerians in the local community particularly and Nigeria at large. It is very important for us because Nigerians are our primary market and the young people are our constituent, although we will attract global attention, predominantly, as we aim to fully satisfy Nigerians in terms of entertainment and excitement.

DreamWorld

is in the leisure and entertainment industry with a major focus on world class standards. Our key slogan is ‘DreamWorld, Africa the Excitement Never Ends’ because we mean to provide continuous excitement, and people will never get tired of being in an African environment. Globally, the leisure industry is one of the largest in the world and greatest margin that returns investment. It is next to oil and gas in the global economy. Leisure and hotel is the highest earning industry in the market.

Another thing is that the leisure industry tends to grow as the economy. As people earn more money, the need for leisure increases. We know that Nigeria is currently caught up for major changes in the course of globalization, the democratization of the nation’s state, the privatization and liberalisation of hitherto government controlled industries such as banking, oil and gas, infrastructure, power and steel to mention a few. The drive to attain world class standard is pushing across major industries including the leisure and entertainment industry in Nigeria. Having said that, the leisure industry in Nigeria is very attractive, and there is a gap between markets. We looked at Lagos which is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria and ask ourselves where in Lagos should we really focus on? We decided to look at Lekki because it is one of the fastest growing provinces in the Lagos area, with a population that is predominantly young, and is a blend of the well meaning and average income groups.

There is a trend of quality entertainment facility within easy reach for the local Lekki community. In the last couple of years, there have been some changes taking place in Lekki. We started this project in 2004 precisely, then we did not have the likes of Silverbird, the Palms, Shoprite and so on. So in the last couple of years, all these changes have taken place, which is in line with our dream that led to the DreamWorld. While Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, Lekki will certainly become the entertainment centre of Lagos.

If you look at the leisure industry in Nigeria which is predominantly underdeveloped because of the kind of people we called the Nigerian Opportunistic Entrepreneurs, we only have people who are out to make a living, with quick drive good cars and want to live in a good house, and that is why we are still here. In terms of entertainment, music, art and drama, Nigerians are very good at that, but in terms of providing international standard facility, we don’t have such a facility in Nigeria. We know that there has been growing awareness in this industry. It is a potentially big industry and a money spinner, and also serious investors are becoming attracted. You can talk about the Silverbird, the Palms, Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross river state and so on, these are the kind of entertainment spots that serious minded people are counting on now, and DreamWorld will aim to be the icing on the cake for everybody.

Products

In terms of the products that we have, we are going to have what we call the water parks, which will comprise of water slides and pool. These are going to be of international standard as I said. When we talk about international standard facilities, we know that with places like Waterparks it is mainly a kid n play facility. But we are going to have a play ground, gym, bumpers cars, Mary go round, the giant well, the side stimulator which I don’t think is any where in Africa. There is going to be the ultimate diamond park fun place for kids and young people. When we talk about diamond park fun place, it will provide fun and excitement. We also have the external and adventure series, train ride where you get to go through vallies and mountains tops, Rolla coaster and so many of them, the list is end less.

There are resorts, leisure gardens, reception, open estate and a multi-purpose complex. There are two cinema halls, show rooms, shops, offices and the games arcade. Other facilites are guest houses where people can reside. Most of all these faculties are of international standard.

To give a unique perspective, DreamWorld is going to be a team park, and globally, all team parks have an underlining story. So that, when you visit the place you leave with something unique. For us, DreamWorld is going to be an experience that people would not have any where in Africa. We are going to take people to the great pyramid of the world and we are also going to take people to the Zulu battle field, and tell people of what Victoria force is all about. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in West Africa, we are also going to tell people what Kilimanjaro is all about. These are some of the exciting things we have packaged in DreamWorld, and every thing has been programmed to make life meaningful at the right time. The first phase would come up in 2007 while the second phase will go on in 2009. So, it is an aggressive plan that we are going into and, as I speak, we are already working at the site, and just giving you an idea of what this will look like.

The facilities are going to be supplied by companies who manufacture them in Italy and negotiations are going on for the purchase. If you go to some parts in Nigeria the facilities you will see are locally made.

Background

I started out as an electrical engineer from the University of Ibadan; I worked for barely one year with Rank Xerox as their Electrical Engineer. I left and joined Anderson Consulting for eight years where I left as a Senior Manager. Then, I went on to start ValueCard in Nigeria together and I left ValueCard in 2004 as the acting Managing Director. In the same 2004, I decided to do something more interesting in terms of management skills. I have reached the peak, and I also want to do something that would add value to Nigeria and Nigerians. Because of my training in Anderson Consulting, and you know how the economy works, I was one of the pioneer members of the Nigerian Economic Summit. So, I wanted to do something different, something that would add value and something in which I would be a major stakeholder. That is how I initiated the plan and concept of DreamWorld.

When I was doing my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), there was one of my colleagues, who incidentally, also joined Sharp while I was working for Xerox. When we were discussing, we realized that Engineering, back in 1987, was not really developed. I was the best graduating student from my set, but having to work as an Engineer did not look very interesting to me. In fact, the only place we were going to work was either National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) or Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL). So, I decided to go and do Business Management, and the driving force then was the only way to improve Engineering in Nigeria. I needed to go in from the management angle. It was for this reason that I applied to Anderson Consulting when was doing my NYSC.

So, I learnt everything about Management, Economy, Business Management in Anderson Consulting. I have also worked for major banks and companies in Nigeria.

I was also into strategy consulting for sometime. In the days of Abacha, the vision 2010 was pioneered by Anderson Consulting to try and get Abacha agree in the bid to see if we can turn around the Nigerian economy. I was asked to join Vision 2010 alongside Ifueko Omoigue who is now the chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Joint Tax Board. I was the manager while she was a partner, and it was through her work in the vision 2010 that she was appointed the chairman of the board.

Inspiration

My inspiration for the project? I think it was the grace of God, and I was convinced with myself that I could run and develop a company to the highest standard. Everything we did in Vision 2010 was to see how we could make Nigeria a global player. So I was convinced that anything I want to do must be of a world standard and based on my qualifications and experience, everything was very easy. I put together the business plan by myself. Every time I present it, the reaction I get is that it is good. It was easy to convince the investors in 2004. Then, I left ValueCard in 2004 and by August the business plan was ready. And the first investor has already put down his money. So I have 100 percent confidence in the ability of Nigerians to do anything that any other person can do in the world. All I am talking about is driven by Nigerians, and we are going to provide the world class entertainment centre that would attract people all over the world.


Source: http://www.businessdayonline.com/?c=55&a=7093

Ka, South Africa had their own local brands too and MC Do and others came in later and it was a success. The same is with Asian countries, they had their local brands before foreigners entered,

How can we remain satisfied with just three brands which are "only" local brands? Principles of market economy will never bear fruit in our motherland.


Just let me ask you something apart from Mc Do is their any fast food joint (Pizza hut, burger King, Dunkin Dougnuts, Baskin Robbins, seattles Best, Costa Coffee, Starucks, Magic Corn, Gloria Jean Coffee etcc, ) that you would advise people to consider for franchise in Nigeria or would you say dump them all?

Kazey, yes that is true, if a country does not have a MC Do it is "underdeveloped" in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of some renowned economists, too, it is as if you refuse to have Coca Cola or you have money and would prefer driving a car from TATA instead of a flashy BMW or sporty Porsche or Ferrari. It is as if you prefer living in your flimsy hut in the deep forest instead of moving to your fancy villa with swimming pool, Yacuzzi, tennis court and cool Plasma TV from Bang and Olufsen.

Mc Do is a global brand and everybody loves it. When Mc Donald´s is there it will send a signal to others that Nigeria is a vast consumers paradise crying to be exploited. Moreover, it doesn ´t stop us from creating our own (food) brands but the more competitition the better.

Someone said that Nigerians needn´t follow Asian examples, I agree with that partly , but as said a Mc Do in Nigeria will have Nigerian "flavours". It will be a Nigerian Mc Do and not an American one.

Moreover, if Nigerians don´t like MC Do , why do a lot of our countrymen joyfully spare their time at the various fast food joints in the UK?

Either you have Mc Do or you are out in this world!

Nigeria still lives in the 50´s in terms of retail sector and so on.


Moreover, who says that if we have MC Do or other fast food joints that nobody would continue to eat Nigerian food? Local food and Nigerian food have to exist side by side, , if we don´t want to have foreign things we could throw our Levi´s jeans into the dustbin and throw a bomb into Shoprite and burn down the palms forget about Tinapa project because all this is not Nigerian.

Hi Quidig and the rest

, just one single question why are foreign brands having such great success in Asia then to your mind?? I told you that Mc Do opened their 500th outlet there, Starbucks entered, KFC is there, Burger King, Pizza Hut and many other local brands are also there, all is there in Asia

Don´t tell me that Asian people are more liberal! No, Indian people wear almost all Indian dresses and eat Indian food, same for China and Thailand and so on and so forth, but you have glitzy malls, ice-skating rinks, theme parks and fast food joints, too.


it has to be due to bureaucracy and corruption that these things close down so quickly in Naija. Is is true that Churches´s Chicken left Nigeria What a pity

How can it be that Nigerians are still stuck in time We sometimes still behave like "bush people". a burger, even it is a Nigerian made one, oooo no not for me, I prefer my food next to the open smelly gutter with tons of nerve-wreaking flies around it because this was/is/will ever be Nigeria"!

Everybody likes Western fast food, theme parks, highways and cool malls the world over. Why not Nigerians? Are we aliens

Also look at other brands like KFC or Burger King or Pizza Hut

, and I repeat it: MC DONALDS THE WORLD OVER IS DIFFERENT. THEY ADD LOCAL AND REGIONAL "FLAVOURS" TO THEIR MENU, and combined with good branding their restaurants are the hit, Moreover, one can even consider to add low-fat dishes to the menu. Asian people love their local food - and they can very conservative - but Mc Donalds is absolutely everywhere from China to Japan, from Thailand to Malaysia, from Indonesia to the Philiipines, from Pakistan to Vietnam ,from South Korea to India and from Hong Kong to Taiwan.

I feel ashamed that Nigeria is again left out in the retail race for global brands, and I was even confronted with the same question (like "T2" on the forum said) here in the UK when people asked me: "by the way, how much is a big mac in nigeria?" Uhmmmmm I went,too!

For tantalizers visit their website:
'
http://tantalizersnig.com/


, :::it is good that Nigeria has local fast food (the case for Asian and arab countrie, too) but in order to be positioned globally THERE HAS TO BE A MAC DONALD´S OR BURGER KING OR KFC

people laugh at you whe you tell them that there is no Mc Donald in your country,


Moreover, in India Mc Donals also offers Indian Burgers and dishes and they already opened their [b]500 th outlet [/b]there within 6 years of existence (Mc Donald´s in India is different from Mc Donal´s in USA)

Gold Star and the rest

Thank you very much for your kind words , but sometimes I think that we Nigerians don´t show a lot of interest of what is happening elsewhere, just look how few people left a comment on my "Gallery Threads".

I do not know if it is worth continuing,

I am soooo happy that someone touches this interesting topic. Mc Donald´s in Nigeria would be ' DA BOMB

THE WORLD OVER PEOPLE ARE MC DONALD CRAZY and wherever you go to in India, Latin America, Eastern Europe, all Asian and Arab countries, South Africa EVERYWHERE THERE IS A MC DONALD

IT IS A SHHHAAAAAMMMMMEEEE THAT NIGERIA WITH MORE THAN 150 MILLION PEOPLE HAS NOT GOT ANY Single MC DONALDS NO FROEIGN FRANCHISE ABSOLUTELY N-O-T-H-I-N-G. We still live like in the 1950´s in terms of retail business.

IN ASIA THERE ARE NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAINS AND FOREIGN FAST FOOD IS THERE;TOO. THEY EXIST SIDE BY SIDE

Read and talk to the expats and most Nigerians (who have travelled), tell them what the miss most: they all say a good AND JUICY Burger


I am fed up with Nigeria having only open unhygenic sewers, dirty roads, stinky open air markets, messy "moi moi" shops and half empty UTC or Kingsway stores where marketing methods are not even in its infancy.

Nigeria needs to open up to the world, even most of the Asian I know here in the UK laugh at us when i tell them that there are no franchise stores in Naija.

Layi, it is a good idea, but also think of KFC or Burger King or just Subway. They have Subways in Zambia, Tnazania and Kenya and South africa, of course!

even if Nigeria became a second Singapore foreign media would continue to bash Nigeria constantly


Foreigners don´t want to see africa rise, it gives them heavy stomach ache


They enjoy trhowing shit on any African country for the next 2000 years to come

1.
NELSON MANDELA

2.
RAWLINGS

3.
HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY (FIRST PRESIDENT OF CÔTE D´IVOIRE)

4.
Nkrumah

5.
Julius Nyere


6.
John Kufuor


7.
Yomo Kenyatta


8.
Patrice Lumbumba


9.
Senghor


10.
Thabo Mbéki

June 16th, 2006



The Federal Government has re-affirmed its commitment to r[b]epairing all federal roads in Lagos State.
Lauretta Onyemesili[/b]

The minister of works, Obafemi Anibaba, gave the assurance during an inspection tour of federal roads and the Federal Highways Maintenance Training School at Badagry.

Anibaba disclosed that President Olusegun Obasanjo had expressed the view that any infrastructure problem in Lagos must be treated as a national problem which must be resolved as such.

According to him, Lagos remains the commercial hub of the country and the gateway to the nation’s economy.

Accordingly, the minister said, the President Olusegun Obasanjo has given approval for the total reconstruction and construction of some major roads in Lagos, to reputable construction companies to ensure durable works.

T[b]he roads to be rehabilitated include the Lagos – Badagry expressway, Tin Can Port/ Mile 2 road, the construction of a Tanker Terminal along the route to stop the parking of tankers on the expressway and the construction of the Lagos – Shagamu interchange.[/b]

Others are the r[b]econstruction of a dual carriageway on the Ipakodo from the Lighter Port Terminal to Shagamu roundabout, extension of the dual carriageway of the Otta – Abeokuta road to Lagos, the Ikorodu roundabout as well as Lekki – Coastal road.[/b]

At the Federal Highways Maintenance Training School in Badagry, Works Minister, Obafemi Anibaba, deplored the dereliction of facilities in the institution and promised to address the non-funding of the school within two weeks.


SOURCE:http://www.businessdayonline.com/?c=132&a=7081

This is all about Durban I have found






























[img]http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/ess_info/690-0-0-0_216422.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.southafrica.info/cm_pics/ess_info/690-0-0-0_216416.jpg[/img]







































oooo, why can´t shops in Nigeria just look so orderly?







































inside a shopping mall


















N[b]ew Durban highrise projects:[/b]

here we go.

http://www.emergingminds.org/magazine/content/index.php?itemid=3593


http://ethnicloft.com/?p=275

try to google for more info

I have found a conversation on a South African forum, they were talking on Africa´s economic propects. Here is what a South African said:" I am a South Africa. I actually live and work in the africa for a US investment bank dealing with investments in africa and who deals with african governments every day as part of the job!!!Sorry but Africa (outside of SA) has some oppertunities to make money but none of it is well run by normal standards and as for living in it it is pretty miserable outside of SA and Botswana and Namibia. Sorry but whilst there is some good economic growth in parts of the continent it is still very badly run and things are not getting any better even worse. You go on about Angola and other african countries but i bet you would not at any cost like to bring up your kids in them!!! And I doubt in 50 years you would want to either. Sorry (, ) but that´s the reality. Corruption/incompetance/stupidity/skills shortages etc are NOT getting better here and in many places they are getting much much worse. Even with angola 20% is 20% of basically nothing and with all that oil it would be quite remarkable if they were not achieving such growth with current oil prices!!!"

I AM REALLY SHOCKED. Is this how they view the rest of Africa? Maybe someone can comment on it!No living outside SA and Namibia, perhaps beacause they are dominated by whites, ?

Girls And Guys, We´ll Have Our Own: Massive African-style Theme Park In Abuja

Africa-style Theme Park under construction in Abuja
released on 05/23/06 at 22:10:39

Abuja, Nigeria (emergingminds.org) - Tourism in Africa and particularly in Nigeria is about to get a boost with the construction of an African History Theme Park in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Heritage City otherwise known as the African Kingdoms and Empires Theme Parks and Resorts is designed to showcase Africa's rich history, enhanced with modern technology to produce a total experience in learning, entertainment and relaxation for tourists and visitors.

[b]According to project planners--U.S.-Africa Technology Council, Inc based in Washington DC--the Heritage City Theme Park Project represents the best initiative to date to present all of Africa's diverse culture and history to tourists and visitors in one spot. That spot is a 25,000 acre site on the outskirts of Nigeria's Federal Capital City, Abuja, which has been earmarked by Nigerian authorities for the project and for other tourism related developments such as a wildlife park and safari, hotels, vacation homes, retail and movie theaters.

The park will feature the normal rides plus re-creations of ancient African Kingdoms and Empires such as Oyo, Egypt, Songhai, Nubia, Ashanti, Kanem Borno and the Kings and Queens who presided over them such as Queen Nefertiti, King Jaja of Opobo, Queen Amina, the great Zulu warrior, Shaka Zulu among others.

The project will also bring to life themes from African movies, festivals, legends and folklore. A preview of the master plan reveals for example, the Yemaya Water Park named after the ancient Yoruba legendary figure and the Iri-Ji Amphitheater whose design incorporates themes based on the New Yam Festival celebrated by the Igbos of eastern Nigeria.

There will be monuments honoring the heroes of the African Independence struggle and a showcase featuring scientific discoveries of the origins of human life in Africa.
[/b]
The project is being financed jointly by Heritage City Parks Ltd, a Nigerian-based development company, and a consortium of international investors. The first phase of the theme park is expected to be complete in 2007. Well-known sources familiar with the project master plan describe it as bold and imaginative and could further impact the growth of tourism in the West-African sub-region.

For more details, visit the site, you will be AMAZED

CLICK ON "PROJECT OVERVIEW" IN ORDER TO SEE THE MASTERPLAN

www.africanheritagecity.com

Kia, Korean auto giant to establish assembly plant in Nigeria

By Moses Ebosele, Transport Reporter

February 2, 2006

AFTER over a decade in the woods, a fresh breath air may offer elixir to the nation’s troubled automobile producing sector with Kia Motor Corporation of South Korea concluding plans to commence local ‘trial production’ in the country.


Already, Kia, which won several local and international awards for its technology and marketing initiatives, in the last five years, has secured a parcel of land in Lagos for its plant, with 2007 as the target full production date.

The development is coming on the heels of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Ogun State Government and COMIL a Brazilian auto firm for the establishment of an assembly plant in the state.

Kia has confirmed its intention to the Federal Ministry of Industry and National Automotive Council (NAC) on the local production scheme expected to also bolster allied industries in the automotive sector.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists, national co-ordinator of Dana Motors sole representatives of Kia Motors in Nigeria, Dinesh Tanwani disclosed that the firm recently imported completely knocked down (CKD) components for the ‘trial production’ of four Rio at the location situated in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.

Accompanied by Ben Chukwurah and Bedford Bokromo, corporate affairs manager of Dana and managing director of Eagle Eye Company respectively, Tanwani said that Kia Motor Corporation was particularly motivated to embark on the project because of the interest, which the products generated in Nigeria, especially in the last two years.

He added that all necessary structures were being put in place to ensure a hitch free ‘trial production,’ adding that the development was expected to promote affordability of Kia cars.

He expressed optimism that the aim of Kia was to be one of the first five auto firms in the world, adding that information received around the world indicated that Kia products were doing ‘tremendously well’ in the market.

He disclosed that necessary structures were being put in place to kick-start the ‘trial production’ by end of 2007.

For example, Kia announced at the weekend that its exports to the United States market in 2004 increased to 301,586, 31 per cent increase over last year.

The Carnival multi purpose vehicle (called the Sedona in the U.S. market) and Sorento accounted for the highest increase to the United States with 72,016 and 57,631 units respectively.

“In 2004, we saw the positive effect of a more upscale product mix, moving Kia brand appeal to a broader audience.

“The optimal mid-size Sedan, Sedona minivan and Sorento mid size continued to drive sales, with record gains for the year,” says Peter M. Butterfield, president and CEO, Kia Motors America in a statement.