Nigeria’s re-imaging project: my modest contribution

Rather than the usual practice of assembling or mobilizing “stakeholders”, whichever is applicable, for either a seminar, workshop or concerts and then, promos on CNN, I believe that one of the best ways to go about the exercise is for the current Information Minister, Prof. Akunyili to reach for the most current end of year results of the all the companies listed in the Nigeria Stock Exchange especially the banks, petroleum product marketing firms and the manufacturing firms like the Dangote groups.

These should then be sieved and the best performing ones noted. An article should then been written—the most effective however, is to contract reputable international financial journals to write and publish such articles—contrasting the performances of the firms in Nigeria with all the peculiar challenges confronting them—no attempt should be made to embroidery the truth—with the woeful and abysmal performances and collapse of like firms in the west. Let them read that while their bogus banks are closing shops ours, are aggressively opening shops in all nooks and corners of Africa and beyond. That global economic crisis is here only by association and not design.

As for those peculiar challenges, they should state that “oga” Yaradua is currently working on plans in concerts with his teams—the most significant members of the team should be profiled—on how to erect seven pillars that whenever completed, is bound to increase significantly, the returns on investment in the future and besides, that those challenges are an opportunity for investors and investment.

ilobi austin writes from warri. his articles on national and internation issues are available @