WARNINGS ABOUT NIGERIA

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It was with much interest that i read Jack White's article on Nigerians' blighted hopes ((NIGERIA, Sept. 6)). In particular the reference to the U.S. government's ''quietly warning businessmen to beware of scams in which executives are lured to Nigeria . . . only to be kidnapped and held for ransom'' caught my attention. In fact, we would like our warnings to be much more public. Too many U.S. businesses and individuals have lost tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars, and at least one businessman has lost his life. Yet the volume and variety of these scams remain overwhelming, and the victims continue to add up. Please help us get the word out. One source of information on fraudulent schemes emanating from Nigeria is the Department of State's ''Tips for Business Travelers to Nigeria.'' This brochure can be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4800, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818. Despite the high level of corruption, Nigeria remains our largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, and there are many legitimate opportunities for the savvy international business traveler who goes in with eyes open to the many pitfalls along the way. Sally K. Miller, Director Office of Africa Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Washington