When Professor Dora Akunyili was reassigned from the
position of Director-General of the NAFDAC to the
minister of Communications and Information by this
administration, many Nigerians questioned the sense
and rationale in that redeployment which these
critics saw as a move to return the country to it’s
former horrible state of illegal and fake drugs
business/trafficking which the energetic, erudite,
courageous and honest academia fought to a halt. It
was the indisputable success registere at NASDAC by
this great lady of proven integrity as even
acknowledged by the frontline nations of the world,
that convinced President Yar’Adua that here was one
Nigerian who possessed the wherewithal for the
enhancement of good image for the country through
securement of the co-operation of majority of
Nigerians home and abroad. In her usual style of
approach to stubborn issues, Professor Akunyili no
sooner than than the ministers were sworn in
launched her first project which she named
“Rebranding Nigeria”. Aware of the paramount human
factor that was bound to determine the fate of this
all important project the minister in her launching
address repeatedly emphasized the need for all and
sundry to get involved if it must succeed.
But to my utter dismay and disappointment the first
persons to confront disagree and question the wisdom
and vision of this noble idea was a legislator Dino
Melae from Kogi state. It will be recalled that the
day Prof. Akunyili met with house committee on
Information and Communications, Dino Melae made very
silly and senseless remarks like “No single
minister/person can rebrand Nigeria”. “How is she
going to do it; by changing the colors of the flag
or by changing the cote of alms”? Ayogu Eze from
Enugu North also chipped in that rebranding Nigeria
must first be presented to the floor of the house in
order to move forward. Were all these necessary?
Ofcourse not. If the nation’s law-makers who
obviously consume more than their fair share of the
national cake could attempt to frustrate and
embarrass the minister, what would we expect of the
unfortunate common man who struggles to have one
good meal a day? Deeply engulfed by untold poverty,
how does such a person get convinced to present the
country as good if Dino Melae and Ayogu Eze could be
so naive, unforthcoming and unsupportive of the
minister's efforts? Or how could people who never
have enjoyed steady power supply for twenty four
uninterrupted hours or tasted good portable drinking
water be proud of that country? Equitable
distribution of amenities to all parts to ensure the
happiness of all and not some must be enforced to
eschew all forms of bitterness and disgruntlement. A
disgruntled person is hardly law abiding and may end
up an outlaw who never does what the norms demand.
The other problems which this programme faces can be
lumped under one name “External Front”. The
broadcast media external service of a nation is put
in place purely to boost the image of that country
in foreign lands thereby attracting big foreign
investors who would in turn contribute in the
boosting of the economy. Whilst Voice of Nigeria
radio was last received here in Washington DC area
of USA about eight years ago, the NTA International
on it’s part has nothing to justify it’s claim to
being the biggest television network in Africa. It
is not even a match to the South African
Broadcasting Corporation TV. Well yes if biggest
refers to the several number of program
interruptions in a day, yes if determined by how
many “Off Air” in a week, yes if the numerous
repetitions of local NTA jingles and boring us
viewers with several repeats of the very same films
and programmes plus many other showdy unprofessional
things the station beams out to the world. I know
that Dora Akunyili will soon take care of all that
as they all fall under her direct jurisdiction.
Another cankerworm that need be pulled out of the
country’s fabric is indiscipline in our youth which
later in their lives would translate into
uncontrollable corruption. This does not even
exclude the so-called educated ones amongst them.
They show no respect to seniors and elders,
disobedient and sometimes abusive to constituted
authorities and intolerant of others ideas. These
qualities in future leaders and ambassadors of our
nation do not attract/enhance good image for
Nigeria.
Since the success of the exercise
is hugely dependent on the goodwill of the entire
citizenry home and abroad and how well the sponsors
of the program "the government" plays it’s part then
it behoves the government which anyway must provide
the funds too, to ensure the success of the
campaign. Professor Dora Akunyili nonetheless as
ever committed and determined to succeed in her
assignments as she is now known for still has her
limitations as a human beign. Consequently let it be
clearly known that the dependence of the success of
this exercise on mainly appealing to human
conscience makes the job very difficult and the
result very unpredictable. Dora has never failed and
will not fail this time if we all say and act so.
With the prayers and co-operation of all our peoples
at home first then abroad follows because charity
begins at home and besides we Nigerians abroad base
our decisions and actions as regards developments in
the country on the stand of the home-based
compatriots. However with better leadership now in
place Nigeria must be rebranded to a model whose
socio-economic cum political modernity and glamour
would attract love, dignity and respect rather than
disdain, name calling and disrespect with which
other countries have treated us. All hands must be
on deck now.
Erasmus Uche Ikedilo
Maryland, USA
