RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Walmart to open BIG BOX Stores in NIGERIA

From: Oladimeji Aborisade: It is a good move to have WalMart considering sharing Business Experience in Lagos, Abuja and later Johanessburg, South Africa. It will encourage Africans in Business to see that  well organized institutions are needed. If WalMart can take a lead, I think it should be allowed.But going by the foreign business exprience in Nigeria like K Chalaram, Leventist, SCOA, the Lebanese in Clothing Industry particularly in Lagos,  Ibadan, Osogbo etc, WalMart may have to think deeply. Unfortunately, those who  opposed the idea to have WalMart in Africa did say why they have a negative view. I hope they come out more clearly and perhaps we may learn from their experience. I think this Meeting took place on Saturday, June 24, 2011 and not Saturday, July 25, 2011. as reported. I join others to welcome WalMart to open Business in Nigeria.
Thank you,
Oladimeji Aborisade
Email:  olaaborisade@msn.com
 

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To: nigerianid@yahoogroups.ocm; USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; omoodua@yahoogroups.com
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Walmart to open BIG BOX Stores in NIGERIA
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:04:44 -0400
From: olakassimmd@aol.com

 

 

Dear All:

WalMart Inc. is set to open its first two locations in Africa in Lagos and Abuja

followed by a third in Johannessburg SA after the evaluation of the sucess

of the Nigerian oerations. This information was disclosed by Prof. Adefuye,'Nigeria;s Ambassador to the

USA during the cloing gala dinner at the NIDO Americas Inc. AGM held in Chicago on Saturday, July 25, 2011.

 

Even though there was some applause from the audience when the ambassador initially disclosed the initiatives from WalMart,

 during his keynote address some of the attendees later expressed their concerns about this development in private conversations with

the ambassador as he did not take questions from the audience after the conclusion of his address.

.

A few attendees walked up the Ambassador's table to register their objections regarding the proposed WalMart.locations

Their concerns centred mainly on the possible devastating

  impact the WalMart stores would have on neighbourhood businesses especially the small

mama and papa stores. Another attendee was overheard telling the ambassador in a private conversation

that the end result of WalMart Stores might be a situation whereby more foreign made products mostly

from China will now be sold to Nigerians at cheaper prices--to which local Nigerian manufacturers will not be able

to compete. Another attendee, a resident of  the Chicago area, opined that residents in Chicago surburbs are still

fighting to prevent WalMart from moving into their communities.

 

Ambassador Adefuye responded that he is quite willing to take into consideration written comments from

Diaspora Nigerians regarding the proposal to setup WalMart Stores in Nigeria starting with two flagship stores

in Lagos and Abuja.

 

Any one with strong opinions--for and against-- should contact the Nigerian Embassy to the USA

preferably in writing to register their views for and against the propsal form WalMart.

 

We are under democratic governance. The citizenry should theoretically have a voice into what comes into their

neighbourhoods! And that is if the foundations have not already been laid and construction started on the WalMart Stores in Lagos

and Abuja--in which case the complaints will be arriving after the horse has left the barn.

 

Bye,

 

Ola

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