Nigeria’s image project: Professor Dora Akunyili first major loss in government

One defining characteristic amongst Nigeria’s Information Ministers since the re-establishment of democratic rule, has been their abiding beliefs in jingles, concerts and a profiling of a handful of internationally acclaimed achievers like Profs. Chinua Achebe, Philip Emeagwali and Wole Soyinka—all frustrated and abandoned at one time or the other by the country--as a means of convincing the leaders and peoples of the outside world, that we are not exactly as we have been portrayed---a nation of heavy weight crooks.

This marketing method is not just a victory for failure but also, injurious to the very image it seeks to redeem in addition to been an avoidable waste of public fund—considering the amount that would be poured into organising—logistics---and sourcing of “resource persons”, both locally and internationally. Remember, federally or state sponsored functions in Nigeria don’t come cheap.

The truth is that, the world as it is today, is no longer a global village—it was so, when internet penetration in many regions of the world was still abysmally low---but a “face me, I face you” circular complex. So, whatever you reckon to be doing secretly in your corner is, without your consent, immediately known to the occupant of the apartment directly opposite yours, who in turn, gossips about it with the other neighbours.

The world out there knows us more than we want to admit and this is manifested in the way and manner they treat our citizens in and out of the country-with little or no regard—especially, when they are arrested for even the most minor of offences. They are too aware that our government will not respond for as long as it does not affect those with the power to cause them any discomfort in the form sanctions.

They know the details of how we, very recently, threw away a whooping $16b on a power degenerating exercise----an amount that is enough to create new cities complete with modern facilities in more challenging environment somewhere in the Middle East. And that those responsible are not just free but reigning kings and king makers. They know that it is a rarity for a month to go by without a financial scandal breaking out in a government ministry or agency or that an official in charge of a billion naira project can be trusted not to device means of seeking self gratification from such.

Prof. Akunyili ought to know that when the outside world needs information about us, that do not turn to our government for such. No. they simply consult their citizens who have been around, working and interacting with our government functionaries. These are the people who will tell them that the place is administered more by rule of thumb than laws and that they are at liberty to pick the aspects of our business rules and regulations to obey and quickly cite the ever shifting gas flaring deadline and compulsory ownership of refinery by major oil marketers as examples of rules they have ignored.

For the manufacturing companies that might be thinking of making the country their destination based on our market size which we never fail to add in our image promotions, they will simply ask them to consult the tyre manufacturing firms or Cadbury in Ghana for more information on the cost of doing business here.

Our image as nation is what it is because of what we are--a nation with largely irresponsible and dishonest leadership and this cannot be changed through propagandas; otherwise, the government of Palestine and Afghanistan would arrange to promote their countries as tourist havens on CNN. All we need to do is to be more self-respecting as a people and leaders; to be more selfless in our service to the nation and its people. Fashola has demonstrated this well enough in Lagos state through personal example and very recently out side Nigeria, the people of Ghana.

It is not about throwing money at some artist to prepare jingles some where in Calabar, nor about organizing concerts and inviting an Obama to mouth some platitudes. No. It is about implementing the budget to the letter and refusing to allow those who have impoverished the people of the country to continue to mount the rostrum and pontificate on sacrifice and nation building even if they are your maker.

Ilobi Austin writes from Warri. his other articles can be down loaded free @ Newsroom