Nigaz
Appearance
Nigaz is a joint venture between the Russian gas company Gazprom EP International B.V. (100% affiliate of OAO Gazprom) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.[1] Nigas was established in 2009. It plans to invest US$2.5 billion to build oil and gas refineries, pipelines and gas power stations in Nigeria.[2][3] Launching the company, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev announced his intention to form a major energy partnership with Nigeria at a meeting in Abuja with Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua.[4]
The company's name, a portmanteau of "Nigeria" and "Gazprom", attracted media attention because of its potentially offensive similarity to the word "nigga" and slang derivative "niggaz" in African American Vernacular English.[2][5]
References
- ^ "Medvedev Discusses OPEC in Angola". The Moscow Times. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b "Gazprom stirs racism talk with new gig". Upstream Online. NHST Media Group. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ "Racism debate after Russian and Nigerian gas companies combine to form 'Nigaz'". Mail Online. 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ Harding, Luke (2009-06-30). "Branding blunder gives Russia-Nigeria energy linkup a bad name". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ Whitehead, Jennifer (2009-06-29). "Gazprom accused of branding fail over Nigerian joint venture 'Nigaz'". Brand Republic. Retrieved 2009-07-03.