A European quest to secure a foothold in Africa’s vast energy resource supply has created an unfortunate English-language translation:

Russia’s energy giant Gazprom has signed a $2.5bn deal with Nigeria’s state operated NNPC, to invest in a new joint venture.

The new firm, to be called Nigaz, is set to build refineries, pipelines and gas power stations in Nigeria.

That’s right, “Nigaz”. It’s missing a “g”, and no doubt the accepted pronunciation will be “nigh-gahz” or even “nee-gahz”; but basically, for American English speakers, we’re in NWA territory.

For further consideration of the branding shortfall, I couldn’t have said it better myself:

Apparently Gazprom, a Global 500 company with nearly 400,000 employees (no exaggeration) doesn’t have a single marketing person who speaks ENGLISH or is even remotely familiar with American slang. YO! Gazprom! I don’t mean to be dissin’ ya’ll, but Shizzle! What the hizzle??? Nigaz??? I might just have to shoot the five witcha, or at least sick the naming po-pos on ya. Again: Nigaz???? Have you NO skrilla to do some of that linguistic or cultural screenin’?? Were you guys crunked up when you thought of that name???

Represent, Russkies.