International broadcaster,
the Cable News Network
(CNN), has angered Nigerians
for omitting the country’s
name in the headline of a
report announcing the visit
of Facebook founder, Mark
Zuckerberg, to Africa’s most
populous country.
The headline mentioned Sub-
Saharan Africa as Mr.
Zuckerberg’s destination.
The Facebook founder visited
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial
capital, on Tuesday, and
interacted with Nigerian tech
entrepreneurs at Yaba,
regarded as the Silicon Valley
of Nigeria.
“Mark Zuckerberg makes
first-ever visit to Sub-Saharan
Africa,” read the headline,
published by CNN Africa and
shared on its Facebook page
and Twitter late Tuesday.
That headline promptly
sparked anger in one of the
world’s largest oil producers,
with citizens taking to
Facebook and Twitter to
attack the broadcaster for
omitting ‘Nigeria’ and
creating the impression that
Africa was a country.
Nigerians who commented on
the matter expressed strong
views, and sought to salvage
their national pride.
“CNN it’s NIGERIA!!!”
Facebook user, Iloh Andrew,
said. “I know you are shy to
say it is Nigeria…safe, sound
and happy to be here…not
the Nigeria you propagate as
a drop bomb zone.”
Another
Facebook
user, Bola
Aduwo,
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said, “CNN please what is Sub-Saharan
Africa? An area of over 20 countries.
Why can’t you be specific? What will it
cost to say Nigeria?”
Mr. Aduwo said Nigeria had the largest
Facebook community in Africa with over
16 million users, and, therefore,
deserved respect.
“We can no longer be ignored,” he
added. “Receive sense please.”
“If Mr. Mark had gone to a European
country, will you tweet this way: ‘Mark
makes first ever visit to Europe’ — CNN
Africa?”Twitter user @oluwatimilehino
asked.
“Ewo ni Sub-Saharan Africa (which one
is Sub-Saharan Africa)?” Twitter user
@fireofola queried. “Nigeria is too much
to mention?”
And again on Facebook, there was one
user questioning the news organisation’s
understanding of maps.
“Just say he came to Nigeria. If you don’t
know where that one is, check your map,
don’t be shy,” said a user, Winnie Coco.”
There were also blatantly insulting
comments, as were ones just expressing
delight at the visit.
In a statement, Andela’s director, Seni
Sulyman, said, “Mark’s visit
demonstrates to all Nigerian developers
and entrepreneurs that they ‘ve caught
the attention of the tech world and
thatvthey are capable of succeeding on a
truly global level.”
Andela, with headquarters in Nairobi,
Kenya, and Lagos, trains software
developers across Africa.
Mr. Zuckerberg was at its Lagos office.
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