Nigeria’s image in the international community is terribly bad and scary. Stories about Nigeria related from abroad are often about vices, such as corruption, looting, financial scams, fraudulent deals, crimes, kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgency, militancy in the oil-producing areas, negative politicking, mass hunger, mass illiteracy, and poor hygiene, among others.
In spite of these vices, there are millions of very brilliant Nigerians such as medical doctors, healthcare personnel, engineers and IT gurus, who are today in foreign countries making waves and positively contributing to the development of those countries. Yet, the foreign media do not see this positive side of Nigeria. Instead, they have continued to harp on the negative sides of Nigeria. Unfortunately, the Nigerian government has not found it necessary to marshal out the way forward to change the bad image of the country in the international arena.
If this must happen, the Federal Government must also put machineries in motion to make Nigerians really proud to be linked to their beloved country. Citizens of other countries, who do not joke with their flags, thrive on the solid foundation of social and economic welfare put in place over the years by successive governments
Foreigners who come to Nigeria are amazed by what they see. They come across energetic, dynamic and very creative Nigerians, especially the youths, a spectre that contrasts sharply with what they have learnt about Nigeria as a land of many vices. They also see the rich and alluring flora and fauna of Nigeria, as opposed to a scorched desert land that they had been told of, by the Western media.
Only recently, the American ambassador to Nigeria lauded the diversity, resilience, wisdom and energy of Nigerians, describing those qualities as extraordinary, and urged educational institutions in the country to continue to produce the greatest products for the improvement of the nation.
Also recently, Miss Laure Beaufils, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, who was on a courtesy visit to the management of a private radio station in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, described Nigeria as a wonderful country, whose citizens are creative and dynamic.
The British envoy noted that Nigeria is not as bad as it is being portrayed across the globe. She pointed out that more efforts should be made to change the general perception. According to her, there are positive stories to tell about
Nigeria, rather than corruption and Boko Haram, which attract local and foreign media attention.
Whether at home or abroad, it is a well-known fact that Nigerians keep their heads high and believe that they just must succeed in whatever they do. As the British envoy rightly observed, Nigerians at home and abroad must take their fate in their hands by telling the world the positive stories about Nigeria. Time has come for Nigerians to rebuild the country’s image and let the world know that Nigeria is not as bad as it is being painted by the jaundiced western press and other enemies of Nigeria.
Going forward, rebuilding the battered image of Nigeria in the international community is not an easy task. The government must be in the forefront, charting the way forward, while the citizens must follow. For instance, it is time to enlighten the staff in the country’s embassies across the world on their new duty about the image of Nigeria and how they should present the country’s image before their variegated audiences.
In the new dispensation, all Nigerians must be proud of Nigeria, everywhere and every time. In addition, every Nigerian must be patriotic and nationalistic and be ready to defend their country, Nigeria. Also, Nigerians in the Diaspora must do more than they are currently doing to let their host countries know more about the positive side of their fatherland.
For all Nigerians, they must now think of what they can do for Nigeria and not what Nigeria can do for them. They must actively think of what they can do to make Nigeria greater as a country. But if this must happen, the Federal Government must also put machineries in motion to make Nigerians really proud to be linked to their beloved country. Citizens of other countries, who do not joke with their flags, thrive on the solid foundation of social and economic welfare put in place over the years by successive governments.
With quality education, comprehensive healthcare system and good infrastructure, Nigerians can oil the wheels of sustainable growth, while paving the way for a greater Nigeria, loved dearly by its citizens. Let’s start the process
now.
Long live Nigeria.
