Nigeria: Rendezvous in Chinatown

7 February 2014

Like elsewhere, Chinatown has become a brand name in Nigeria, but the complex known for its Chinese goods and services in Lagos has kept a low profile for some time. In an account of his recent visit to the sprawling Chinese business hub Maduabuchi Ubani writes about its changing environment and how the place is gradually assuming a life of its own

Clad in his white singlet and jeans short to cover just some part of his already tanned skin, it was obvious the day had started quite like every other one for him. Defying the deafening noise from the nearby power generator, he struggled with his handset for a moment. He later gave up on the phone call and concentrated more on fanning himself. Obviously, there was no response from the other end. It was the usual scorching afternoon, one that could virtually darken and milk the living juice out of anyone under its shine without remorse or apology. While it was difficult to decipher what he was trying to say from a distance, his vibrant sales girls sprang to action at any instruction with active implementation. In what seemed like a reflex action, he courteously flashed a smile to some customers that seemed to inspect some of his wares, pointing at some others goods that might interest them and returned back to his swivel seat once they stepped inside to make some payments.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.