Nnenna1:

Ritzy restaurants serve the tiniest portions of mediocre food, but reservations are abound. Why? Image.


Yes, Nigeria is "shitty," so to speak, but can the smarties here tell me what good advertising does for a country on the low? That's right, foreign investment. More foreign investment. Because the more money flows in, the more production will take place, and the more infrastructures, jobs, and the good things that follow will occur, making for a less shitty nation. Simple logic.

What about tourism? That's a lot of money for Nigerians who want to milk cash from bedazzled visitors.

I'm not saying that it's the magic pill for our problems, but there it is.

Nemeziz9ja:

Yeah. I wish the logic is that simple. NEPA or is it PHCN now, will complicate the simple logic and thats why Unilever moved production to Ghana and noise pollution has come to stay.

Nnenna1:

Ritzy restaurants serve the tiniest portions of mediocre food, but reservations are abound. Why? Image.

Yes, Nigeria is "shitty," so to speak, but can the smarties here tell me what good advertising does for a country on the low? That's right,  foreign investment. More foreign investment. Because the more money flows in, the more production will take place, and the more infrastructures, jobs, and the good things that follow will occur, making for a less shitty nation. Simple logic.

What about tourism? That's a lot of money for Nigerians who want to milk cash from bedazzled visitors.

I'm not saying that it's the magic pill for our problems, but there it is.

They did not start with a well established negative image.  Nigeria already has negative image, so rebranding will not change that image.  No genuine, honest investor will put his money in Nigeria.  We should stop deceiving ourselves by so called investment attraction.  Upon all the propaganda of an improved economy how many investors did the OBJ administration attract.  Only people dishonest people who like to operate in this kind of our environment will come (e.g. GSM operators milking nigeria).

They did not start with a well established negative image. Nigeria already has negative image, so rebranding will not change that image. No genuine, honest investor will put his money in Nigeria. We should stop deceiving ourselves by so called investment attraction. Upon all the propaganda of an improved economy how many investors did the OBJ administration attract. Only people dishonest people who like to operate in this kind of our environment will come (e.g. GSM operators milking nigeria).

Nnenna1:

That's one company in a bunch. What about MTN, Virgin Nigeria, Indofood, etc? There're many more franchises and international firms at home base. Sure a few will take flight, but campaigning for more investment means there's a chance that more firms will stay even though a few leave. Thus, making way for the benefits I outlined.

I understand what you are saying, and I emphasized that it is not a magic pill that will solve our problems. It is, however, something positive. Won't a positive image inspire diasporan hopefuls to return and make an impact somehow through entrepreneurships and leadership despite numerous challenges? After DECADES of negative image in the media, both foreign and local, who's to say that the opposite won't effect change? How do we know?

Living in America is a testament to the power of the media in shaping the minds of people. When positive images incite respect and loyalty, how do we know that our attitudes towards Nigeria will remain the same - disrespectful, disdainful, having tendencies to be corrupt, etc?

If Nigeria is rebranded for EVERYONE, if it becomes a pig in disguise because it is branded as a country that is not simply there to make money from and plunder, how do we know that the corruption, disregard, and disloyalty common to all parties will not be reduced in real life? Really, how do we know?

Nnenna1:

That's one company in a bunch. What about MTN, Virgin Nigeria, Indofood, etc? There're many more franchises and international firms at home base. Sure a few will take flight, but campaigning for more investment means there's a chance that more firms will stay even though a few leave. Thus, making way for the benefits I outlined.

Nnenna1:

I understand what you are saying, and I emphasized that it is not a magic pill that will solve our problems. It is, however, something positive. Won't a positive image inspire diasporan hopefuls to return and make an impact somehow through entrepreneurships and leadership despite numerous challenges? After DECADES of negative image in the media, both foreign and local, who's to say that the opposite won't effect change? How do we know?

Nnenna1:

Living in America is a testament to the power of the media in shaping the minds of people. When positive images incite respect and loyalty, how do we know that our attitudes towards Nigeria will remain the same - disrespectful, disdainful, having tendencies to be corrupt, etc?

Nnenna1:

If Nigeria is rebranded for EVERYONE, if it becomes a pig in disguise because it is branded as a country that is not simply there to make money from and plunder, how do we know that the corruption, disregard, and disloyalty common to all parties will not be reduced in real life? Really, how do we know?

Nnenna1:

Again, I emphasize that this is not a magic pill that will solve our problems.

Let me state that this is not a magic pill that will solve our problems.

It will be to our advantage to know that there is no such thing as a magic pill.

We're so enamored by the elusive magic pill that we fail to see the little strides that each action makes. They add up you know.

Nnenna1:

So, what I gather from everyone then is that rebranding Nigeria's image, or at least emphasizing positives and reducing negatives for foreigners and LOCALS, is of no use. Revving up spirits for citizens as well as foreigners will do ABSOLUTELY nothing. There's NO aim, NO advantage versus loss, NO incentive. Zilch, zero, none, 0. Nigeria has NOTHING positive to promote.

Nnenna1:

Seun, the originator of nairaland (where we all gather to heap negativity, ironically), is no indicator is there isn't a light of hope in Nigeria. A positive for youths to look up to emulate in the face of negativity, right? Past attempts by leaders who didn't do right with "rebranding," means that failure is paramount? It is not a matter of checking and correcting their methods, but throwing rebranding to the gutter, right? (I know someone will want to mention the negatives of Nigeria again being reasons for this, but now I'm only talking about media relations). Let me ask, aren't we all about solving problems?

Nnenna1:

I'm not saying that Nigeria does not need to be fixed (hence my magic pill analogy. You know, magic pill? Magic pill, anyone?).

Nnenna1:

Of course there are lots wrong with Nigeria. But making the country magically perfect will not do much without relaying to the people in and out that there is reason to. Who even said that rebranding Nigeria's image was only for the government? Why not us? Why can't it be hear-say? Friend to friend? A night-club? A website from a random person? A magazine? Market-women rallies?

Why are we so rigid with our thinking?

must_a_far:

her brand of rebranding isnt geared at fixing the problem swiss cheese method but geared at directing attention away from the problem only for the problem to resurface somewhere further down stream.

Nnenna1:

Kobojunkie,

In essence, highlighting hope and positives for ALL Nigerian citizens by showcasing success stories like Seun to others, by showing 1 in 100,000 to prove that it is possible,

Nnenna1:

so that maybe the numbers change via the methods I outlined (not just through the government), and advertizing our manpower for investors, will yield absolutely nothing.

Nnenna1:

In addition, it is within the realm of possibility that without this, Nigeria can change overnight. Is this the summation of your argument?

Nnenna1:

If so, what would you suggest that our information minister, Dora Akunliyi, do instead, since positive media messages have been proven to be utterly useless in her line of duties? Care to tell me what she should be doing to show profitable margins in her field?

Kobojunkie:

You say this as if we have not tried this before. Showcasing success stories does not
1) bring electricity to the people
2) does not fix the educational system
3) Does not bring clean water to the people
4) Provide roads and services to the public

I mean it does help boost endorphins, but what good does that do when at the end of the day the same have to deal with realities? If you have not noticed, there are actually so many Nigerian forum sites out there. So many of them but Seun happens to be lucky that he was able to get traffic to his site, and no, you can not say he is doing something no one else is doing out there in Nigeria. So, again, his case is unique in a field filled with so many others like his. So, telling people of success stories is one thing; development is another.

Now you are selling it as some magic pill solution. How can telling people of the likes of seun help change the numbers? We already have so many of those stories all through the schools. At best what it would do is get more people to create more online forums, trying to get people to come over to their sites at all cost. But does that help alleviate the problems in the country outlined above?


Let us stick to reality. Nigeria can change over night if it wants to, and that will only happen when we focus on solving the real problems rather than prescribing solutions that only aim to paint the main problems with beautiful colors and nothing else. RE-Branding is not to be used for MASKING our problems.

She could focus on upgrading government communication for one and opening the lines to the people so we can better communicate with those we have in government and actually have a democracy. That is just one thing I see she can do to help better that country.

Nemeziz9ja:

And because she has been competent before does not mean we should swallow the age-old sham.

Nnenna1:

I never said there was a magic pill. I never said Nigeria doesn't have problems. I never said that we should ignore these problems. I only mentioned that change IS possible, even in miniscule amounts, and that showing success stories might be a catalyst for a little change in the positive direction.

Nnenna1:
I don't think I remember such an image being aggresively shown to younger ones in school, at home, and adults about. You do know that success stories always have a model. What's wrong with showing our model, what works for a few in the face of adversity for others to emulate?

Nnenna1:
You still haven't answered my first question. Will these attempts, showing that there is a positive to inspire people (including government workers those who participate in the corruption rife in Nigeria, even the poor masses) to be better citizens despite the negatives and empower themselves with their brain and(or brawn, depending on their station in life) despite the enormous challenges, yield absolutely nothing?

Nnenna1:
How could this be better received if she doesn't convey this method through positive media, by showing that these communication lines aren't a sham and that some results (NO overnight change, no magic pill, just a few results) will result? In fact, isn't bringing this to light in public part of a rebranding process?

Nnenna1:
I read that article, and given Dora Akunyili's competence in the past (depite a few controversies), we shouldn't be so shortsighted as to piss on her suggestions when she's in charge. Maybe there's more to come?

Kobojunkie:

Huh? Now I am confused. What has a success story to do with change being possible in Nigeria? Is it the government’s job to show our models? Nigerians are not fools. We know change is possible; We know of the vast majority of opportunities available to us, untapped resources abound aplenty, so why does selling us the story of a few who have succeeded, most by luck, to do with Change?

We were sold stories of persons like Awolowo, Abiola and co. Successful Nigerians back then who according to social studios overcame all odds; that did not change the fact that we still had to go home to dark houses and bad roads. Those who emulated those role models still deal with bad roads, no water, and no electricity. How is that change?

I still am confused here; why do you believe it is the minister’s place to sell us stories of role models we have in society? How can a corrupt government choose to sell us role models instead of fixing the problems that we continue to complain about? Problems that we pay tax to fix and what not? Why did we elect them as leaders in the first place?

I did answer your question. I asked you to look at the effects of WAI, SAP, MAMSA and all and what those accomplished in the same country in the area of changing minds the way you envision. Now I have to confess, I am confused again. Why are we empowering people here despite the enormous challenges? What enormous challenges are these? Why not put energy to removing the ENORMOUS challenges first and then push to empower the people with success stories?


Ever heard the saying “Action speaks louder than words”? She won’t need to sell us on the idea much if she has already implemented the changes. If the lines are open, trust me, most of those on Nairaland will be on those lines ASAP, trying to get their ideas to be heard by those in government. I am not sure how you do not see this. It is only re-branding if she has already implemented the change or currently is working on it and then out there trying to tell us about what is going on and how soon we can start connecting. Else, it will be all the usual Bull Crap we are used to and want no more of.

Even the most competent amongst us make mistakes. It is up to us, the people, to ensure that we do not embark on more white elephant projects that only end up wasting our time and money, and never really accomplish much. If she has more to come, then fine, but I will critic solutions such as these that only push to painting and not solving actual problems.

Nemeziz9ja:

I am not inferring that she will do a sham but I am sure that the system is a sham and things cannot be different until the realities are different.
Don't brand a bad road, no power and sick Nigeria. Thats utter folly.
Read my posts too.

Nnenna1:

I will take your answer to mean that positive media images, as you expertly deduced, will yield absolutely no change for Nigerians in the face of adversity, and that Nigerians, without the aid of the government, don't need to do a thing regarding this image (via the methods I mentioned) for others until things magically go perfect overnight.