[SPECIAL REPORT]
By AMBASSADOR ANIL TRIGUNAYAT*
I
n 2005, before arriving in Lagos, I had heard several
unfl attering stories of crime and conning in Nigeria.
Hence, I was a little apprehensive even though my
training and knowledge dictated otherwise. However, I was
relived to be vindicated of any doubts I had with the beauty
and simplicity of ordinary Nigerians who welcomed me with
great aplomb and genuine aff ection.
I was put strait to work as the Acting High Commissioner
of our diplomatic mission in Nigeria. Our bilateral trade and
investment with the African nation have intensifi ed over the
years. As soon as I stepped into offi ce I received a message
from Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), which had a joint
venture with Nigeria Machine Tools (NMT), that the local
authorities had diluted HMT’s equity substantially, and rather
arbitrarily so. I tried reaching the top Ministers and concerned
offi cials but in vain. I was convinced that the decision could
only be overturned at the highest level. I was fortunate for
a Nigerian partner to arrange a call on President Obasanjo
within a few days of my deputation.
14 • Nigeria-India• 2018
I had heard so much of him and his regards for India
during his military training in the country. I was excited and
quickly got the HMT delegation from Bangalore. There were
several Ministers present in the meeting; President Obasanjo
looked at me and said, “I know India better than you. I was
the one who got all Indian companies to Nigeria.” I couldn’t
agree more, since it was quite true given his penchant
for India-Nigeria partnership for mutual development. I
expressed my gratitude to him for receiving us and pleaded
his intervention in the matter concern. He immediately
overturned the decision, asking the company to work in a
more professional and effi cient manner. I was impressed with
his swift decision making and I found myself more and more
taken by his persona every time I met him. It was during his
time that OVL-Mittal (OML) secured important oil blocks,
and another local company was involved in reviving The
Delta Steel project — the largest steel plant in Africa.
President Obasanjo later off ered us the Nigerian Rail
renovation contract since India had originally set it up decades