Nigeria still dey grapple with old propaganda as the country’s image problem continue to plague her. Recently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio call on Nigerians to prioritize loving their country over migrating abroad for greener pastures. But many see dis as just another empty talk from politicians who no dey practice what dem dey preach.
This issue of rebranding Nigeria no be new thing. Since 2009, under President Umaru Yar’Adua, Nigeria launch ‘Rebrand Nigeria’ campaign, which follow the earlier ‘Nigeria Image Project’ initiated by Olusegun Obasanjo. The goal be to change the negative perception of Nigeria as a nation of fraudsters and cheats. However, all these efforts no yield much result because the root causes of the problem no be addressed.
Information Minister Dora Akunyili during that time say the campaign aim to correct the “faulty perception and assault” on the reputation of ordinary Nigerians. But critics argue say the government dey more focused on painting a good image rather than solving the real problems facing the country.
Wole Soyinka, the renowned Nigerian writer and activist, once pen songs that criticize the government’s attempt to rebrand Nigeria without addressing the underlying issues. He emphasize say the real solution lie in tackling corruption, electoral fraud, and other forms of malfeasance that dey tarnish the country’s image.
Till today, Nigerians still dey face the same challenges, and the call to love the country more than financial gains sound hollow when the system no work for the people. The need for genuine change and leadership by example remain the only way to truly rebrand Nigeria.
