NIGERIA: GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION

Everyone has an inherent brand. A personal brand is a name or an entity that reflects the perception of how a group of people, market, or industry thinks of the name or identifier.

Brands can either be positive or negative. We all have our perception about a product or service that we see or get. When a brand is negative, it is important to re-brand, so as to make the negative brand a positive brand.

In this context, re-branding Nigeria is about changing the negative serotypes or perception about Nigeria, which had been perpetuated by a few Nigerians who are involved in cyber crime, drug trafficking across the border, corruption at the political level, and the list goes on.

Perception may be stronger than reality. When you have not gone to a place, you may rely on your perception about it. For instance, someone who has not gone to a fast food joint before, will bank on his/her perception about how it looks like. He may depend on a television advertisement or what a friend told him. That’s how our perception is shaped.

Re-branding Nigeria has to be action oriented. Now, we have the slogan-Nigeria: Good People, Great Nation, and the logo, but has that changed our image in the international marketplace? Every Nigeria has to contribute his/her quota to re-branding Nigeria.

Leadership determines everything. Our leaders have to lead by examples. Dear reader, you are a leader in that organization, and you have your own sphere of influence. You have to motivate your team to make a difference in their environment.

You have a civic responsibility to make your environment a better place. Recently, I organized a seminar tagged “Dream it, Dare it, and Do it.” The chairman of my local government was there, as well as youngsters. We encouraged the participants to dream big, and pursue their dreams. Do not ask what your community can do for you. Ask what you can do for your community.

Government has to play her role. Government should endeavour to provide an environment where businesses can thrive. Farmers should be encouraged. There should be a provision for start-up entrepreneurs. Job creation should be a priority, if we want to alleviate poverty in the Nigeria especially, and other African countries.

Furthermore, government should endeavour to provide every Nigerian with the basic human needs. We cannot sing the ‘re-brand Nigeria’ song, when some of us don’t have food and shelter. The unanswered question is this: How does re-branding Nigeria benefit Nigerians at the grass roots? 

Brands balance perception and reality. If I tell you that ‘Omo detergent’ removes stains, a perception is created by the potential consumer. It will be validated when I use ‘Omo’ detergents on my clothes, and it remove it stains. All brands are tested at the point of contact. Therefore, it is important to carry the Nigerians in Diaspora along in the ‘rebranding’ program. They represent Nigeria to foreigners.

Reality validates a brand. We can re-brand Nigeria, and come up with campaign, and all that, but if there is no security, foreign investors will be discouraged. In this light, the Niger Delta militants may threaten the realization of re-branding Nigeria.

There is need to address the basics. We need good roads and infrastructure. We need constant electric power supply. Government need to invest in education. A nation may not grow above the education of her citizens.

Every Nigerian is a brand. While re-branding Nigeria defines our image, re-branding Nigerians defines the people. Who is an average Nigerian? Is an average Nigerian hunger-stricken, fraudulent, and undisciplined?

Develop yourself. You have to define your personal brand. What’s your mission on planet earth? Who are you? Are you the person you are supposed to be? What are your goals? What motivates you? What do you think about all day long? What can you do to make Nigeria a better country?
Take action. There is something you can do for Nigeria. You can make a difference. You can fill in the gap somewhere. The future of Nigeria is dependent on you, so take charge.

Agbolade OmowoleAgbolade Omowole runs Interpersonal Skills Trainings for corporate organizations. He trains for Terry E. Gillen, Institute of Personnel and Development UK. He is also a financial adviser at Aims Asset Management Limited.

Contact:
E-mail: nigeriaslifecoach@gmail.com
Mobile phone: 08020777803 (+248020777803)
Blog: http://www.101youngentrepreneurs.blogspot.com/

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