A store manager in one of the shops at the Ikeja Mall has stated that Shoprite Nigeria is not shutting down, rather it is being acquired by a local retail company.
Many Nigerians woke up to the news that Shoprite Nigeria was shutting down following an official communication by the supermarket giant that it is closing its Nigeria branch.
Many took to social media to blame President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for Shoprite’s failing. The South African supermarket chain is leaving Nigeria after 15 years.
In reaction to a question that Shoprite was shutting down, the store manager, Adeyinka Saka offered clarification on the issue.
“Don’t get it twisted Sir, I am currently working as a store manager in one of the stores at Ikeja City Mall.
“It is being taken over by an indigenous retail company. Nobody is losing his or her job however, there will be a change in management.
Why is Shoprite selling Nigeria stake?
According to Koshiek Karan, a business adviser, Shoprite is leaving Nigeria because of a number of reasons including local culture and consumer preferences.
It would be recalled that Nigerians targeted and attacked South African businesses following xenophobia attacks that in South Africa.
“Shoprite is pulling out of Nigeria and is launching a formal process to sell their stake. South African listed companies have found it challenging to do business in Nigeria. MTN, Tiger Brands and now Shoprite,” Karan said.
“Sharp reminder the sheer arrogance of thinking Africa is “all the same” will burn you. Having advised on cross border African M&A deals, there’s very little emphasis at a senior exec level to really understand local cultures, consumer preferences and ways of doing business.
“It is never as simple as just setting up shop & expecting profits to roll in.”
Nigerians! “You can eat your cake and have it”.
After your retaliatory attacks on South African brands
In Lagos, Shoprite stores were looted while MTN properties were vandalized.Did Buhari/Osinbajo order you on that act?https://t.co/Z1WPVslUw9
— Liverpool Mama (@ngoamazing2009) August 3, 2020
Some Nigerians however say that supermarket giant’s decision to leave Nigeria is because its management failed to manage its operations in Nigeria properly.
Adewunmi Collins, a journalist and political analyst urged Nigerians not to fret about Shoprite leaving. “The undue tension about Shoprite leaving our country should be doused with the fact that the management of Shoprite has failed.
“It has nothing to to do with the government. Spar, Justrite, Next Cash and Carry are all functioning and performing well. Our jobs secured,” she wrote on Twitter.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
