Akunyili Calls For Attitudinal Change

By Festus Ahamba Kelani , Owerri
Battered Nigerian image is set to undergo a systematic repackaging-process and vital reforms which must usher in positive attitudinal behaviours of Nigerians and reversal of wrong perceptions of Nigerian image in the globe.

The Minister for Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili said this while addressing a cross section of while on a visit to Imo state on the need for Nigerian rebranding at the Multipurpose Hall, Owerri.

She held the opinion that Nigerians in the early days were people known for her reserved and contented cultured manners, and people highly resilient, creative and industrious, which she could account for outrageous slave trade of Nigerians to western nations, most Igbos for production increase on plantain plantations, pineapple orchards and other jobs that required manpower.

Pro Akunyili by this opinion stated that Nigerians are not as bad as they are painted, nothing that the inability of Nigerians to believe in themselves especially in the act of telling their own stories, gave room for world definitions of what Nigerians are not, urging the bad eggs in the nation to retreat.

She disclosed that the Nigeria rebranding programme is a concept structured to change bad attitudes, eliminate those ugly trends and reposition Nigerian image in the world, which she said requires a collective fight for proper actualization.

In an opening remark, the chairman of the rebrand campaign at the occasion and minister for Commerce and Industry, Dr Achike Udenwa noted that Imo state has been in the business of repackaging ever since before the federal government considered it an issue, pointing out that programmes like Imo Re-orientation, Innovative patterns and others which showcased Imo during his administration as former governor of Imo state.

He commended the administration of Chief Ikedi Ohakim for his gaint strides of New Face of Imo which he described as a good repackaging of the state for a better focus.

In his address the governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim expressed joy and appreciation for Information and Communication minister for being a worthy ambassador of the laudable programme of rebranding Nigerian image within the short period she has stayed in office and stated that rebranding Nigeria is a timely programme which points on Nigerians to turn a new leaf for an honest patronage of their motherland which remains theirs for life.

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