A few weeks ago, we were awakened to not too much of a surprise. South Africa was at it again. If they were not killing Nigerians for coming to their country to invest, they were setting their stores on fire or else, just generally finding ways to frustrate Nigerians to give up their businesses and leave South Africa.
What many of these Xenophobes do not understand is that there’s hardly any other group of people who can do business the way Igbos do business. I say Igbo, because it is a proven fact that they are the Nigerian ambassadors of business all across the African continent.
Let me reveal their secret today for everyone to know. When you see an Igbo man in his tiny shop selling phone accessories in Cape Town, you will be gravely mistaken to think that he is represented only, solely and completely by his tiny shop.
No.
His network is an intricate web of masters, who are products of masters who are products of other masters who in turn are products of masters themselves.
What this means is that his network and ability to deliver is inexhaustible because his “Warehouse” is virtual.
What I mean to say is this:
The Igbo trader is unbeatable in the world of commerce.
South Africans need to embrace and learn from them instead of hating.
A few weeks ago, Chidinma Adetshina, a Nigerian girl born in South Africa was denied her place as Beauty Queen. South Africans went to war against her family for daring to contest. They could not compete against the Igbo girl. I am assuming she’s Igbo from her first name, Chidinma, but her last name spelt Adetshina is a bit curious.
That being said, once the stone was rejected in South Africa, our own much admired King of entertainment, and former Senator, a man who has been at it for over 40 years now, stepped up to the plate. This was his domain. He was not going to sit back and allow South Africa make our girl cry. He intervened by importing her back to Nigeria to compete from the State of Taraba.
Her skin glows. Her face would be the delight of a Michelangelo. How could South Africa not see this and embrace it?
It is exactly this principle that makes America great. You arrive in America with an empty pocket and papers you have arranged. They know. Many years later, when they want to swear you in as a citizen, they ask you if you want to do a change of name. They know that you came in with a fake name. All of their forefathers came in the same way.
It was the Late John Lewis who famously said: “It does not matter what Ship you came on, whether it be the Mayflower or the Slaveship. We are all in the same Boat now. That Boat is called the United States of America”
South Africa’s loss is our gain. All thanks to Ben Murray Bruce, the King of his trade, Chidinma who has now emerged as Miss Universe from Nigeria will be going to the World stage.
Our correspondent who was present at the competition could not miss the expression from an attendee who said in pidgin English, “Nna, dat pikin too fine.”
We at Egogonewshub agree.
We wish Chidinma Adetshina the very best
Thank you, Ben Murray Bruce.
“You sef don try.”
