Earlier last week, Mrs. Dora Akinyuli, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, complained bitterly about the use of Naija in place on Nigeria. She promised to ensure that corporate bodies desist from the use of ‘Naija’, and I could not help but shake my head in amusement. So, of all the problems Nigerians are battling with, it is the use of Naija in place of Nigeria that is most important? I just imagine ‘Glo Naija Sings’ becoming ‘Glo Nigeria Sings’, and laughed even harder!
Then on Wednesday, FIFA handed a 3-year suspension of Dr. Amos Adamu. Dr. Adamu was found guilty of requesting for bribe in order to support a particular country in their World Cup bid. Until his suspension, he was Nigeria’s representative in the FIFA Technical Committee, and I am sure he never referred to Nigeria as Naija. So, does a change of name really make any difference about how people see us?
A change of name does not translate to a change of attitude. Corruption has become Nigeria’s second name all over the world, and that’s what madam Dora should concern herself with. The world Naija was coined to commercialize the country’s art, and frankly speaking, it has been successful. Nigeria is not the only country with a nickname, and I don’t think that has anything to do with the citizens’ attitude. Banky W may not have used the word ‘Nigeria’ in any of his songs, but he is a Naija musician who is doing Nigeria proud. Can the same be said of Dr. Adamu? No! Dr. Adamu is a card carrying Nigerian who has dragged the country’s name in the mud.
Corruption has brought loads of shame to the country, and made life very challenging for Nigerians in diaspora. I think the Federal Government should be more concerned about redeeming the country’s image rather than worry about how the country’s name is spelt. Let them provide the basic amenities, and strengthen the platform that will discourage corruption home and abroad.
What the country needs is a character change. We call every white man ‘oyinbo’, but we know the difference when they speak. No matter what we are called, our current identity is corruption- and that should be Madam Dora’s major concern for now.
By the way, what happened to her ‘Good People..... Great Nation’ project? Hmmm..... God dey!
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