Every year, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised a huge trade fair. Malaysia thru its MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation), has an office in Lagos. Since there aren't many of us here in Nigeria (the rest are in Abuja and Port Harcourt) we are pretty close. All in all, there are about 20 of us (Malaysian) in Lagos.
The man in charge....Saifuddin
Saifuddin is the officers's in charge of the office in Nigeria. He is also overseeing another 20 over countries in West African Region. So far, I can tell you he is indefatigable promoting Malaysia's products and technology to Nigerian business people (women here are very much enterprising too!). This year, the fair is at TBS or Tarawa Balewa Square. A big ceremonial ground that has seating capacity for 50,000 people. A historical place, named after the only Prime Minister of Nigeria back in the 60's. Sir (Knighted by the current Queen Elizabeth II) Alhaji (means he already went to Mecca to perform Hajj) Abubakar (his name) Tafawa Balewa (his origin, an area in Bauchi State). I found this video in youtube...take a look. He speaks very well, accent included... without looking, one might mistook him for an English gentleman rather than a very simple man, a leader of a new independent Nigeria. He is now immortalised on the 5 Naira note.
Back to the trade fair, it was a riot! I mean in a good way. Lots of stalls selling and promoting products from other states in Nigeria and also around the world.
plastic products..
'samurai curry'
The biggest pavilion belongs to JETRO or Japan External Trade Organisation. They brought in automotive products, generator sets, vehicles, electrical items, stationaries and food products. Patriotic as always, we were at the KDK booth when we noticed that the standing fan were labeled 'Made in...' instead of the usual 'Made in M......'..hahaha...Saifuddin was nice enough to point out the error.
Yokohama tyres
Toyota
Yamaha motorcycles and scooters
the said KDK booth
We went around the square and noticed that some of the big booths has dance floor and they compete with each other. Everyone vying for attention. I am amazed how swiftly and fast they can dance. As if it comes naturally to them...or I am just too old to dance like that...
Saifuddin giving his approval..aheh!
We went around the square and pay a visit to some booths of interest. Oh ya, Indonesia opened a booth too! Batik and some arts and crafts stuffs were on display. Maybe next year, there will be a booth from Malaysia. Potential to do business here are abundant, either in Nigeria or other parts of Africa.
We left the place after an hour or so...the weather was hot! But it didn't stop people from coming to this trade fair.
the large stallion statues at the exit...you can see another 4 as you enter too!
The only sour note to this visit was when a 'security officer' which I doubt he was came and grabbed my camera. Luckily Saifuddin was around to defuse the situation. Apparently, I was not allowed to photograph the event. In my defence, I did asked the organiser but...anything can happen here. The funny thing was, there was a Nigerian taking pictures but was not harassed...then it struck me....hmmmmmm.
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