Nigeria: Poor Turnout Cripples Centenary Trade Fair

The Centenary Trade Fair, one among a string of events lined up to commemorate the amalgamation of Nigeria's Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, kicked-off on a slow note on March 20 at the Abuja International Trade Fair Complex and ended on April 2 without fanfare. For the nearly two weeks the exhibitions lasted, traders continually complained of low patronage, which they partly blamed on the lack of awareness about the jamboree.

At the trade fair ground, wooden structures, tents and umbrellas were erected in various locations. In the first few days, men worked in the scorching sun to set up some of them. So, a good number of the stands were still under construction as customers trickled in; but as the days crawled by more stands and pavilions sprung up with customers increasing slightly in number. Still, till the end of the event, the turnout remained abysmally low. The stands held businesses of various kinds with countries from across the world and states within Nigeria, government ministries and other such bodies, showcasing their products for the public.

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