rebranding nigeria

 RE-BRANDING NIGERIA CANNOT WORK

Re-branding of Nigeria is a good step by the government of Nigeria through the information minister Prof Dora akunyili but will not be an easy task because there are so many factors involved towards the re-branding of Nigeria.

Before we begin to rebrand Nigeria, we should first ask ourselves, what is left of our national heritage that we can first sell to ourselves, and the world at large? Is it Corruption, Infrastructural decay, The Niger-Delta crisis, Electoral malpractices, every nation, quite like humans have their peculiar struggles and issues.

The worrisome bad image about Nigeria outside the country is not only caused by internet fraud stars but also the so called political office holders who’s interest is to enrich themselves by  siphoning public funds and transfer to a foreign bank account instead of leadership.

Today we are not just combating the negative perception, but the years of inaction, insensitivity and negligence to our national identity. We have lost potential investors, business opportunities because perception as they say is reality. Branding is not a one run-off campaign, but a continuous evolution.

You cannot rebrand a nation without providing the basic need for common man who works very hard every day of his life in suffering and smile just to make ends means.
A positive mind will think positive, you cannot expect good idea and inspirations from a negative and battered Nigerian man who is not entitled to basic need of life will always think negative in the land of plenty.

 The issue of internet fraud could be traced to the followings;

1. Corruption
2. Unemployment
3. Poor education standard
4. Poverty

A nation where too many are hungry, crisis in some regions, high crime rate, corruption and no security cannot be re-branded.

The re-branding ideally should start from the three arms of the government by making their respective positions uncomfortable such like low salary and low allowances. In America or UK today, a present or past political office holder cannot afford a house worth $10,000,000.00 while serving or after not to think of buying two houses in different countries, why because the seats are not to enrich themselves but to work for their nation and not only that, their allowances/salary are not attractive that people will be fighting to get but in Nigeria the reverse is the case.

While would a state governor after 4-8 years of governing a state in Nigeria will still contest for senate all in the name of power or too much money. There are so many Nigerians that can change the image of this nation but some unscrupulous elements that wish to be in power till death will not give way. What is a former minister or senator 5-10 years back still doing in the present administration, what has he contributed to the development of the nation, what has he done for his community, how has he represented his constituency, how much of his income was sent home for constituency development, is he the best candidate if not, then why? 

If a minister or a senator should earn N300,000.00(three hundred thousand naira ) per a month and one official car with a police attaché only there will be no need for fighting over who should contest or not because the unscrupulous elements that wish to destroy our nation will not find the seats attractive for them.

For instance in Abuja today, so many people are using siren and police attaché just to move around Abuja, they will buy houses worth N500,000,000.00(five hundred million naira) in maitama or asokoro where did the money come from?

The step Prof Dora Akunyili is taking is for the benefit of all Nigerians but should be aware that the journey is a very long one and that some of her colleague ministers and other political office holders may not be happy about the campaign because it will affect all of them if achieved.

NWACHUKWU JUDE (ABUJA)

08063723119

famzy4life20052005@yahoo.com