An Industrial Revolution in Nigeria

When I was a kid I fantasied about a strong Black country.Something out of a science fiction movie.I must have come from watching Japanese and Hong Kong made films inwhich I saw other parts of the world modern which were people of color.I often said where is the futuristic Africa?Why cant an African country produce robots,trains,spacecraft.Well that idea may be answered.Africa is changing and we as African Americans have a chance to be in on it.Nigeria with its ultra modern Lekki free trade zone and Eko Atlantic a Dubai type Island made from reclaimed sand from eroding coastline.The following is an article about the spectacular growth in Nigeria.

An industrial revolution is gradually coming about in Nigeria, with more than 140 million inhabitants Africa's most populous country. Despite the credit crisis the country's economic growth looks set to continue in the coming years. 'After Asia it's now the turn of the African economic tigers'.

Ten gleaming motorcycles adorn the Innoson showroom in the city of Nnewi in the southeast of Nigeria. Most were made in China. 'But we are making more and more parts ourselves, like petrol tanks, brake parts and plastic covers' says company manager Onusogo Nnamdi. He's optimistic about the future. 'We will shortly be starting the manufacture of tyres,' he says. 'Within five years we will be the first company that markets a motorcycle manufactured entirely in Africa'.

The sale of lightweight motorcycles is booming business in Africa. The demand is being met mainly by Chinese companies, with motorcycles straight off the production line costing less than three thousand euro. Nigerian cities are abuzz with them. They are also used as taxis. Anybody who wants to get from one side of town to the other for a few cents simply jumps on to the back seat.

'The problem with Chinese motorcycles is that their quality is not very good,' says Nnamdi. 'The parts that we make are better and barely more expensive.' Innoson is not the only Nigerian manufacturer getting in on the act. 'Over the past years countless new industrial companies have been started up. Nigeria is on the eve of an industrial revolution'. The city of Nnewi, home to many manufacturers, is nicknamed 'the Taiwan of Africa'. Nnamdi: 'After Asia it's now the turn of the African economic tigers. We can do anything that they can do Taiwan'. Africa is rich in raw materials, but they are seldom used locally. Nigeria, with a population of 140 million the continentç—´ most populous country, is one of the countries where this is beginning to change. The dominance of the oil sector - Nigeria ranks among the world's ten largest oil exporters - is gradually declining. The contribution of non-oil industry to Gross Domestic Product now stands at four percent, which although small is nevertheless a start.

Despite the credit crisis the Nigerian economy is expected to continue growing in the coming years. In its most recent forecast, the Economist Intelligence Unit predicted growth of approximately three percent in the coming year. While this is less than in previous years, it is substantially more than the recent growth rates of western countries. Foreign investment funds, like Orbis of America and Intereffekt of the Netherlands, hold ample interests in listed Nigerian companies.

Naira

British economist Paul Collier is delivering a speech in Lagos, Nigeria's economic capital. Collier, author of the widely acclaimed book The Bottom Billion, specialises in developing countries. 'I'm moderately optimistic about Nigeria,' he says. 'While there are problems, like the rampant corruption and poor infrastructure, the government of President Yar但dua seems genuinely to want to do something about it. Financial policy has improved in recent years. It's easier for companies to get loans than it was a few years ago'. The Nigerian Central Bank's recent assault on fraudulent banks confirms that the government is seriously endeavouring to reform the economy.

Collier believes that the billions of dollars that Nigeria earns each year from exporting oil and gas has obstructed rather than stimulated the emergence of industrial companies. 'The value of the Nigerian currency, the naira, was very high for many years. It prevented local companies from competing. When the government finally devalued the naira many Nigerians complained about the increased prices of imports. But local industry benefited'.

The rampant corruption during the military dictatorship from 1983 to 1999 also slowed things down. The situation has now improved. 'The central government includes good leaders,' says Collier. 'But locally there are still major problems. Government funding often fails to reach the right place.'

Opportunities

The poor infrastructure is another problem. Virtually every day there is no electricity for hours on end, and sometimes for days at a time. Companies have to purchase expensive diesel generators to continue manufacturing their goods.
The government is attempting to solve the problems in ways including giving independent entrepreneurs an opportunity to build electricity stations. Bart Nnaji is one of the independent entrepreneurs in the electricity market. His company Geometrics is building a 188 MW power station in the city of Aba. 'Nigerians rightly complain about the government but in many cases the solution is right there. If the government fails, you take things into your own hands as an entrepreneur'. Geometrics received a loan from the World Bank to build the power station which will cost almost three hundred million euro. Nigerian banks also provided help in financing the station.

Lorries loaded with concrete drive in and out of an industrial site on the northern tip of Aba. In front of the gates there four gas turbines that Nnaji purchased in the United States. Men wearing blue helmets are busy laying the foundations on which the turbines will stand. The new station will increase Nigeria's total electricity capacity by five percent. 'Depending on demand we might increase capacity to 500 MW in due course', says Nnaji.
Until 2002 Nnaji was a professor of robot technology at the University of Pittsburgh in United States. He is one of thousands of Nigerians who have returned to their homeland in recent years in search of a job. Many are well educated and have experience of working at large Western companies. 'Nigeria has very many opportunities,' says Nnaji. 'Unfortunately they have not been used so far. I want to help change that situation.'

Factories

Foreigners are also investing robustly in industrial companies in Nigeria. Over the past few years Indian entrepreneurs have established textile companies in Nigeria, while the Chinese have commissioned the construction of plastics factories, for example. White farmers who fled Zimbabwe have established agricultural farms and dairy factories in the west of the country at the invitation of the Nigerian government.

Dutch industrial companies have also discovered Nigeria. Heineken built a brand new brewery just outside the city of Enugu. With more than eight million hectolitres per year, the Dutch brewer sells more beer in Nigeria than it does in the Netherlands. Friesland Campina has set up in Lagos a factory that makes tinned concentrated milk. Products of Peak and Three Crowns, the two brands under which Friesland Campina operates in Nigeria, are on sale even in the country's smallest villages. An interesting fact about companies launched by Nigerians is that many are managed by entrepreneurs from the southeast of the country dominated by the 20 million strong Ibo tribe. 'The Ibos are more enterprising than other sections of the Nigerian population,' claims Charles Aniekwilo, secretary of the Nnewi Chamber of Commerce.

Aniekwilo, himself an Ibo, mentions various reasons for this situation. 'The southeast of Nigeria is relatively densely populated. Agriculture, the traditional source of income, did not provide enough to supply everybody with food'. Another explanation is that from the 19th century a relatively large number of Christian missionaries and evangelists were active in Ibo land where they set up schools everywhere. 'That is why Ibos are traditionally better educated than Nigerians from other parts of the country.'

'We believe in our own strength,' emphasises Aniekwilo. 'If you have a problem it's up to you to solve it. We're not keen about development aid'. The motto of the Ibos is reflected in slogans often painted on the side of commercial vehicles. One of the most popular is 'No food for lazy man'.

Exports

Nigerian industrial products are being exported on an increasingly larger scale. The value of non-oil exports from Nigeria recently smashed the ceiling of one billion euro. Car parts from Nigeria are on sale everywhere in the neighbouring countries of Niger and Cameroon - brake blocks, oil filters, batteries. Fruit juices and pasta are other goods sold to other countries. Nigerian shoes are another highly promising export product. The centre of this industry is the Ariaria market in the city of Aba. Thousands of craftsmen can be seen at work in small box-like workshops. Some work manually, others use machines. Most shoemakers work in clusters of four to six people. 'I cut the soles,' explains shoemaker Samuel Ugwu. 'A colleague does the uppers. A third person glues the two parts together after which somebody else does the stitching'.

Ugwu makes women's shoes under the brand name of Sunshine. Various models hang from the wall. Most of the shoes are made of imported artificial leather. 'Nigerian women want a good price,' says Ugwu. 'I also use real leather but they often find it too expensive'. The shoemaker is considering expanding his business. Thanks to the new electricity station under construction he hopes to be able to get a 24-hour supply of electricity. 'I will then be able to mechanise. At present the four of us together make twenty pairs of shoes per day. With the right machines we can increase the number to eighty.'
A sizeable group of shoemakers in Aba specialises in copying Western brands, just as the Chinese and others do. Teen slippers of Puma and Adidas are openly on sale. Ugwu does not participate in the copying of Western brands. 'We must rely on our own strength,' he says. 'Most Nigerian shoes are of excellent quality. Let us be proud of that.'

About Gerbert van der Aa
Gerbert van der Aa is a historian and journalist who specialises in north and west Africa. He is the writer of 'Khaddafi's woestijn', a book about Libyan leader Colonel Qaddafi published by Nieuw Amsterdam Uitgevers. Also see http://www.gerbertvanderaa.nl/. Gerbert van der Aa wrote this article for the December 2009 issue of ZAM Africa Magazine, a quarterly on Africa (in Dutch).


This item was submitted on 30 Mar - 13:12 by Team Club Africa

Still Sleeping on Africa?Africa number one in investor destination!

Do you still think of Africa as a charity basket case?A place you thank God your ancestors were delivered from?Well that once great empire is now rising and there seems to be no turning back.From South Africa with its massive investments in transportation ahead of the 2010 World cup,Nigeria with it's Eko Atlantic a new city on the coast built from reclaimed coastline or Kenya's investment in renewable energy.Africa is experiencing growth faster than any other part of the world.And this means opportunity for smart ambitious young people in the US.Now is the time,as China is looking to move in and take over the continent for its own ends.We here in America have to be the vanguard of transparency and democracy on the continent.-Kalagenesis
The following is an article about the impact Africa is going to have on the world:

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Investing in Africa with ETFs
Globe-leading Growth Stuns Even the IMF
By Sam Hopkins
Monday, March 8th, 2010

Are you still sleeping on Africa?

International Monetary Fund Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is there this week to say he underestimated the continent's resilience.

The IMF is revising its full-year 2010 economic growth estimate for Africa from 4.3% to 4.5%, making it the leading region in the global economic recovery.

Africa's resurgence is largely the result of help from the Washington-based institution, but Strauss-Kahn warned an audience in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that vigilance is key to turning recovery into stability: "Africa will continue to face large, persistent and costly shocks. Without a secure standard of living, people might turn to unproductive or even violent activities, possibly leading to instability, a breakdown of democracy, or war—all compounding the initial suffering."


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As IMF Managing Director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a French economist, speaks for a large lender that has been the target of developing-world ire, even as it bailed out the weakest nations. IMF help usually comes with structural adjustment conditions that mean in order to get money, national governments have to make big cuts.

When the global recession rolled toward Africa like a tidal wave in late 2008, Strauss-Kahn and the macroeconomic maestros he leads took a different approach: they allowed African countries to expand their budget deficits and encouraged loose monetary policy to keep cash flowing. Inflation has been kept in check by zero-interest IMF loans that helped bolster currencies like Ghana's cedi against the dollar.

The Fund's Africa director now says 2009 growth doubled IMF expectations, so the IMF is now saying Africa grew by 2% instead of 1% last year.

Everyone there hopes that the momentum created by international lending can carry Africa into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and that greater visibility for maturing African markets will draw more investors like you.

So let's look at what Africa has to offer U.S.-based shareholders.

Africa Plays Leading the Way

It is true, if a bit trite, to say that children are the future. On the poorest continent, kids can either grow up swinging AK-47s or they can leapfrog schoolchildren in wealthier places with emerging technology like mobile phone payments.

In Kenya, 21 million people out of the 36 million population are expected to have mobile phones by the end of 2010. Of those new telecommunication customers, 6 million already use a system called M-PESA — m from mobile and the Swahili word for money — to exchange money and manage their bank accounts with just their handsets.

More than 4 of every 5 businesses in sub-Saharan Africa use mobile phones as their primary line of communication, since fixed-line infrastructure is weak or non-existent.

In Somalia, which hasn't even had a stable government since the early 90s, mobile money transfers through networks named Sahal and Zaad mean you don't have to carry cash or race to find a phone when violence breaks out and you want to reach loved ones.

The desire for communication in emergencies is something that has driven mobile telecoms growth all around the world, from volatile regions like Africa and the Middle East to peaceful places like the U.S., where a quick roadside 911 call can save your life.

Now, international mobile phone giant Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) has chosen Kenya and seven other African markets to debut its Vodafone 150, which it calls the world's cheapest cell phone. Vodafone, which was established in the UK 26 years ago, has been eager to tap African mobile phone trends and expand them into other emerging markets like China and India.

With mobile payment systems like M-PESA, Africa is leading rather than following... and using its traditional weakness in infrastructure to its advantage in wireless telecoms.

Computer companies are also eager to make their mark in Africa, starting with kids in the One Laptop Per Child campaign. Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) was an early partner with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop rugged, portable computers, and its chips are featured in the motherboards of OLPC's XO series laptops.

During his March trip, Dominique Strauss-Kahn is speaking at universities in South Africa, Kenya, and copper giant Zambia, stressing the importance of turning Africa from a dependent continent into one where capital markets can lead development. With IMF money, Kenya and its neighbors have increased budgets for health care and education, rather than tightening such social spending as the IMF has demanded with past loans. The new model seems to be that quality of life comes first, then economic health will follow.

Sweet, but not Sugar-Coated Opportunities

Over several years, I've seen major financial news organizations like Bloomberg go from ignoring Africa to featuring it as a key growth market. There's also been a proliferation of exchange-traded funds linked to Africa broadly and to some countries specifically.

For example, the Market Vectors Africa ETF (NYSE: AFK) taps growth in Nigeria and Morocco with a price-to-earnings ratio of 10. The S&P 500 is currently trading at about 14 times earnings.

AFK isn't doing very well over the past year, showing that all Africa plays aren't created equal. By investing in companies like Attijawarifa Bank (I hadn't heard of it either), that index fund's planners have gone a little too obscure to draw big volume, and that could trap buyers when AFK drops in trading.

Market Vectors also recently launched its Egypt Index ETF (NYSE: EGPT), which amounts to a play on both Africa and the Middle East at the same time.

The winner among Africa ETFs and pure-play stocks remains the iShares MCSI South Africa Index (NYSE: EZA). Though nearly 1/4 of the working-age South African population is jobless, investors have reaped 96% gains in EZA since last March. That beats the S&P, and what might surprise you is that South Africa's iShares has outpaced its Hong Kong counterpart (NYSE: EWH). That China-oriented ETF has climbed by 78% dating back to this time in 2009.

Nevertheless, Africa is vulnerable. Commodities drive index funds like EZA, which means that major drops in gold, oil, or copper can hit national markets and government coffers hard. Hundreds of people have been killed in ethnic rioting in Nigeria in recent days, and similar violence came after a disputed election in Kenya in late 2007.

For a balanced, pan-African economy to take its place next to the Asian Tigers and other emerging markets in the Southern Hemisphere, hard assets and international aid can't be the only sources of big revenue. The United Nations says agricultural business is critical to Africa's success, and Kenya is making major moves in renewable energy that could draw millions more dollars for local development.

To sum up: Africa has problems as well as potential. If fear is the main emotion driving your investment choices, you will miss big returns in favor of prevailing wisdom that carries its own huge risks.

Africa's risk outlook is changing by the year — and largely for the better. Make it a part of your portfolio today with some of the options I've mentioned here.

And in April I'll be updating you with more up-to-date news and plays from Africa itself, where

Nigerian Forces crack down on Islamic extremist

The enemies of Africa in the Arab world and the West are on notice.There is still one African country dispite all of the great challenges is going to be the next superpower.A country that will represent the hopes and dreams of millions of Africa's children who suffered and still suffer under an unjust world order.This world order has Africa who once was the center of trade,science and learning while Europe was backward and fuedal,now has Africa at the bottom.The reason is the importation of alien religions and Anti African ideologies that leads to stagnation and idleness.For example African countries have a long history of indigenous industries,trade,and communication.Instead of many African states spending millions training people to run industries why not modernize the traditional craftsmen and tradesmen like Japan did during the mejii period?That would produce automatic economic growth.The reason many in Africa rely on foreigners to run farms and it businesses is because the lact of confidence in things African.One country is bucking this trend.That country is Nigeria.Long villified by traitors and enemies Nigeria's influence in Africa and the world is threatening people who have other plans for Africa.Nigeria has all the means plus dynamic new leaders dedicated to building the country and making us proud.Nigeria has enemies in the American oil sector who only want oil.Also Nigeria has a new enemy Islamic extremist who would love to destablize the great Empire State and make it and Al Queada safe haven.The traitors under the guise of Islamic Fundamentalism want to destroy schools,hospitals,niteclubs,churches,beauty salons ect.Anything that is not strictly Sharia law.Not content with the strict Sharia codes in Northern Nigerian states they want to spread this to the rest of Nigeria and beyond.The extremist groups Boco Haram and Kala-Kato have made a fatal mistake.Nigeria is a strong military styled Pan African country,and not one to give in to what the so called international community says.Nigeria is determined to crush the insurgency in its country.Kalagenesis
The Following is an article along with a video about the growing extremism in Nigeria,and the governments fight to stop them.Could Sharia becoming to Black America?

BAUCHI, Nigeria — Dozens more bodies were recovered Wednesday after violent clashes between security forces and Islamists in northern Nigeria, bringing the death toll to around 70, a count at a hospital morgue showed.

An AFP reporter listed 42 bodies on the floor of the morgue in the city of Bauchi, all with bullet or machete wounds. Another 25 bodies, mostly young people including minors, had been placed in cold storage rooms.

"The bodies were brought in on Monday after the violence," a morgue employee told AFP.

Police late Monday said 38 people died in the fighting, including three members of the security forces.

The clashes erupted Monday between suspected members of a radical Islamist sect and security forces.

The Kala-Kato sect, also known as Maitatsine, has been present in several Muslim-dominated states in northern Nigeria for decades.

It led religious uprisings in 1980 and 1992 which claimed thousands of lives in the northern cities of Kano and Yola.

The number of its followers is not known but estimated to run into several thousands.

Sect leader Badamasi Saleh Alkaleri was among those killed by security forces, the police said.

Police forces across Africa's most populous country have been placed on high alert in the aftermath of the clashes as part of a bid to forestall further violence.

Life was returning to normal Wednesday in Bauchi where the Red Cross was organising burials of the victims. Soldiers and police deployed across the city had withdrawn by early Wednesday.

"So far we have 40 dead bodies and we have secured a warrant from the justice commissioner for the burial," Adamu Abubakar, the head of the Red Cross office in Bauchi told AFP.

"With the heat, these bodies need to be buried quickly as they will decompose rapidly," said the worker at the morgue, where the room was being cooled by a single fan.

Houses, cars and motorcycles were burnt during the clashes.

The Kala-Kato sect abhors modernity, including Western-style education and medicine. It bans television and radio in its members' homes and rejects any literature except the Koran.

A sect with similar inclinations, known as Boko Haram, led an insurrection in July. At least 800 people were killed then when security forces crushed the uprising in nearby Borno State. It's name means "Western Education is a Sin" in the local Hausa language.

The fighting in Bauchi began when sect leader Alkaleri delivered a fiery sermon to his followers, calling for the destruction of a breakaway faction, according to Bauchi state police chief Atiku Kafur.

The sect leader had called for the death of his enemies and of anyone who rejected his dogma, prompting residents to call for police help.

Copyright © 2009 AFP

To the Misinformed:Barack Obama is promoting Pan Africanism and Fighting European domination of Africa.

To the uneducated barely literate big mouths running around trying to undermined President Barack Obama listen up.Now I am not talking about inbred White trash tea baggers protesting.I am referring to so called Black community spokes mouths who cant seem to get enough hatred of Obama out of their filthy mouths.I want to understand Obama's haters in the African community who number about 2% of our community but they are the most vocal doing more damage than the KKK Aryan Nations ever could.When I listen to conservative talk radio all I hear is how Obama is ruining the country.Or how they feel Obama is bringing slavery and bondage to White people.Although Obama inherited the mess this country is in they are trying to blame him for the weak world economy.White people who are racist want Obama to fail.They call Michelle Obama a gorilla his beautiful little children street whores and ghetto trash.Now that is coming from people who hate the first Black President.I call all of this excitement around Obama,"The Obama Shuffle"Weather you are for or against him you shuffle your feet and get emotional at the mention of his name.I for one don't agree with many positions the President has taken notably his support for the gay community as parallel to the Black struggle in this country.But I can respectfully disagree just like many Pan Africanist did not agree with Nelson Mandela's rainbow water under the bridge theme in his government of national unity.You see this is what separates great men from the selfish, angry,shortsighted,men who will be forgotten in history and men like Obama,Nelson Mandela,and Abraham Lincoln will be remembered forever.For example Lincoln had a fierce rival at the time named Douglas.Although he was well read during the time he was wrong and he appeal to the baseness that lies beneath all men.He was a staunch supporter of slavery as a right.Lincoln countered by appealing to the better angles in all man not their base savage lust that all men have.This is what is happening in the Black community with Obama.Their are some who even before he was sworn in our community went on the attack accusing him of not giving appointments and enough positions to Blacks.Now there were some even before he took office who went around talking about holding Obama"accountable"This is funny siting at a venue where racist corporations like Exxon Mobil,Mc Donald,Walmart are the sponsors but how many gas stations are in Black area are owned by Black businessmen.How many dealerships?How many Black vendors supply big business?Does Tavis Smiley and any of these coons plan to hold them"accountable"?What about President Bill Clinton?He had 8 years to change the relationship between America and Africa but what did he do in 1994?He convened an all White panel on Africa and discussed the growing interest African Americans had in their homeland.This happened right after the first multi racial election in South Africa.At the time there was a noticeable amount of African American activities in Africa.Bill Clinton stood by and let Rawanda happen and did nothing.

The real reason President Obama snubbed Nigeria
The following is an article about what is wrong with Africa's Empire State:Nigeria is still controlled by imperialist and its people are not part of its wealth and prosperity.Why does Nigeria rely on foreign countries to control or manage its industries?Why does it not see the value in its own people?This is what President Obama is fighting against the old slave/master relationship.He wants 100 million Obamas on the African continent.This is what Africa needs not more handouts but tough love and democracy.-Kalagenesis
Nigeria signs big oil deal with Russia,urges militants in Delta to accept amnesty.

Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua is to state the details of an appeal of amnesty to militants of the Niger Delta in an on-going effort to bring calm to the unstable oil-rich region. The announcement comes a day after a visit by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and an entourage of delegates from Russia’s top energy firms, which saw the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar deal between Russian energy giant Gazprom and the Nigerian state-run NNPC- A joint venture, which will see the construction of oil refineries and gas power stations in Nigeria.

The new deal, which comes into existence as a company under the name of Nigaz, is part of Russia’s efforts to expand its hold over resources and markets in the African continent amid a period of growing competition posed by other global players in the area. China especially, seems to be largely ahead of Russia with regard to its holdings in the area. On Thursday, Chinese oil-refiner Sinopec made a 7.2 billion dollar bid to acquire oil exploration and producing firm Addax, which focuses on exploration in the Middle East and Africa. A deal on this would be the biggest foreign takeover by a Chinese firm.

Russia has also expressed the idea of developing a trans-African pipeline to transport Nigerian gas to Europe- A move that would reinforce Gazprom’s already significant influence over European energy supplies.

But investment by Russian firms in the country means that Nigeria has to ensure stability is reached in the volatile region and an end to militant attacks of vandalism on oil pipelines and pumping stations is achieved. The latest appeal for amnesty offers an official pardon to current militants if they lay down their arms. Part of the deal promises a rehabilitation programme, education and training.

Although the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement has agreed to lay down its arms to partake in the proposed resolution, the largest militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation for the Niger Delta (MEND) has demanded a guarantee that its activists would not be targeted by state authorities if they agree to end attacks on vandalism on the oil pipelines and pumping stations.

A warning attack on an oil pipeline owned by Royal-Dutch Shell was carried out by MEND today, with a media statement from the militants addressing Russian President Medvedev. “This is the fate that awaits the gas pipelines you plan to invest in [in] Nigeria if justice is not factored in the whole process”.

MEND and other militant groups have been carrying out attacks against oil companies as a form of protesting what they regard as an unfair exploitation of the country’s resources by the large companies and the government that have not given a fair share of benefit to the people of the region.

Kala Nation warning to the traitors and posers
It seems that in the last few months many have been misrepresenting the Red Black and Green banner to self promote and cause division in the community.It seems thugs and vermin have misread what those colors mean or are trying to turn the community against us but misstating what an African Nationalist is.An African Nationalist is someone who wants to see an African culture rise and unite all Africa's children under one destiny.Africa's soil belongs to Africa's children not Russia,China,Europe ect.The current crop of governments serve the interest of big corporations.There is nothing wrong with big corporations except we DON'T HAVE ANY BLACK ONES!!!!!!!!!!NIGERIA I HOPE M.E.N.D.BRINGS BLOOD TO YOUR STREETS YOU BUNCH OF TRAITORS FOR SELLING NIGERIA OUT LIKE A CHEAP PROSTITUTE.DAMN YOU PRESIDENT AMARU!!THERE ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS PEOPLE WHO COULD HAVE PARTNERED WITH THEIR NIGERIAN BROTHERS TO RUN THE OIL.PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS ON POINT HE SEES THE WRITING ON THE WALL!!!!!!!!!!AFRICA'S HOUR IS HERE SO TO YOU TRAITORS AND UNCLE TOMS GO TO HELL WILL THE SLAVE MASTER BASTARDS!

Nigeria!Africa's Empire State

When I was about 13 years old I learned about a place that had buildings,hotels,cars,highways,airplanes,tv sets,zoos.I heard this place was where only Black people lived and controlled things.Every Black male in America wonders at one time or another what it would be like living in a Black world.Many fantasies since days of Marcus Garvey dared us to dream the impossible,fantasies about a modern Black metropolis free from racist,poverty,division,self hate.A brotherhood of Black men building their own world like every other people's have done.Japan is the Japanese dream,China is becoming a Chinese dream,India is becoming an Indian dream.It is as though the Black man of African origin is destined to live under White domination forever.Although I grew up with every thing every other American kid had I often wondered when I used to pick up books on Africa and I was particularly fascinated by one place in particular.It was Nigeria,I used to see strong Black men in military gear,tall buildings,cars,finely dressed African women with their hair in cornrows.They looked like people I know around my family but in their own country!No one telling them what to do.They had the basics to free themselves but this sadly has not materialized because of the political situation in that great country.

Nigeria.Africa's Empire State
Nigeria is moving ahead to become a super power in Africa as everyone knows.But what many people don't realize is that Nigeria has the potential to be a super power in the world.With over 155 million people the largest Black nation on earth.More wealthy,educated Black people in her borders than anywhere in the world even the United States where Black people are falling behind in employment,HIV infections,wealth creation,education ect.Nigeria is improving on all fronts including science and technology.Nigeria now dominates the Black film world producing tons films a year.Only US and India produce more.Affectionately called Nollywood after Hollywood we see the culture shift in the Pan African world.Every since 1977 FESTAC events in Lagos Nigeria where the largest contingents of participants came from the African American community in the US,The African American culture dominated the African world.Now that all has changed.With hip hop becoming more and more commercialized,Black music,art and culture becoming more mainstream,the African American culture has lost relevancy in much of Africa.Now in Nigeria or Niaja black culture lives along with a modernizing progressive nation making Nigeria an exciting place to be right about now for people especially young Black males.
Lagos.The Black Metropolis
With a bright young visionary leader Barashunde Fashola Lago's new state governor he is building a new city outside Victoria Island.This will use sand dredged up to form artificial islands like the ones in Dubai and build futuristic cities rivaling Manhattan,London,Tokyo,Paris.Lago's population is expected to hit 25 million in 5 years making it the third largest in the world.Governor Fashola is also building a light rail network the first in West Africa that will connect with the new high speed rail system linking the whole country.Nigeria has all the means to solve its problems and be the capital of the black world.The question is will the African American community be apart of this revolution?Or will they miss another opportunity

Dragon meets Elephant.Chinese firm partners with Nigeria to build an African kingdoms and Empires theme park in Abuja.

Chinese Firm Partners with Nigeria for African Kingdoms and Empires Theme Park Project



Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - Tourism development in Africa is getting another boost with the construction of a multi-million dollar African history theme park in Abuja, Nigeria.

Hytechnology Inc of China-owners and operators of the Fantawild resorts in China and Nigeria's Heritage City Parks Limited recently signed an agreement towards the development of the first phase of Heritage City-the African Kingdoms and Empires Theme Park Resort in Abuja-capital city of Nigeria.

Officials of Heritage City and Hytechnology Inc signed the deal in January 2008 that could transform the 17,000 acre site for Heritage City on the outskirts of Abuja into Africa's newest and hottest tourist destination with themed attractions, hotels, residences, sports and conferencing facilities


The main attraction is the African Heritage Park which will showcase the ancient Kingdoms and Empires of Africa and the Kings and Queens that ruled them.

Heritage City is a private initiative of Nigerian-based Heritage City Parks Limited with the Nigerian Federal Government providing site infrastructure and a consortium of Nigerian banks providing counterpart funding with China's Hytechnology Inc.

Already the development of site infrastructure is in progress and the first phase of the project will be ready in 2010.

Heritage City received much of its initial planning, coordination and support from U.S. based companies such as Leisure and Recreation Concepts, Inc based in Dallas, Texas and Washington, DC based consulting groups- U.S Africa Technology Council, Inc and New Earth Urban Systems, Inc.

The Project Coordinator, Mr. Ekwo Omakwu said that Nigeria's current macro-economic stability and recent reforms in the banking sector has increased investor confidence in the economic prospects of projects such as Heritage City.

That is also all the more reason why Shanda Washington of the U.S. Africa Technology Council is encouraging investors in the United States to engage Africa and tap into opportunities in the tourism sector which is currently experiencing rapid growth. According to her, "the Chinese have seen it and they are quick at seizing the opportunities presented by Heritage City. We in America can, and we should. A new Africa is emerging. The time to get involved is now."

Africa's Biggest Rapper calls out 50 cent.50 cent gets an A- on Kala Nation's Pan -African report card.

As we all have suspected for the last five years this man 50cent is incredible.It seems as though he knows just what to do when to do it what to say and when to say it.A very clever move on his part was to go outside the US and build his fan base global.There is only one Black man in the world that is more revered on the African continent than 50 cent it is not the famous Nigerian rapper who is trying to compete with 50 for African dominance.It is Nelson Mandela.In fact more youth in Africa see 50 cent as their leader than Mandela.Do you hear this?This is alarming!A gangster rapper from NYC more important than Nelson Mandela?We Pan Africanist are in serious trouble.We only can hope 50 does the right thing with this influence and help build bridges with the Black community in America and the Black population in Africa.Recently the African Union just green lighted his concert in Abuja Nigeria the rival city of Johannesburg South Africa,to host a Pan African event.This will probably be the most significant event since FESTAC held thirty years ago in Lagos Nigeria.A few years ago 50 did a concert in Nigeria and drew 100,000 people.Rapper Eedris Abdul Kareem may be just jealous of 50 cent's popularity on the African Continent.Jay Z got a B on his Pan African report card for helping build a water system for school children in South Africa.We gave Reakwon of the Wu Tang Clan a b+ for his work in exposing the blood diamond trade in Sierra Leone a year ago.Well at least it seems that one rappers knows where the future is and I doubt very much if the Africans care about who is more gangster.It is just seeing who seems to be a muscled African superhero who has the world in a gaze it makes them and most of us proud.
Kala Nation of God