Anyway, you can simply Become a Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria(TAN) and enjoy great membership benefit. Click http://tan.org.ng/onestar/register.php?id=169176

alotofgrace:

tremite?

hmmmm...bg

Speaking of Nigeria image 'problem', here is another perspective:

Does Nigeria have an image problem?
By Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani Abuja

Some years ago, a British filmmaker discovered an exotic site in Nigeria: An entire community of human beings subsisting on mountains of refuse.

And not in some remote state, but in Lagos, the country's commercial nerve centre - a city of fast cars, luxury shops and sleek folk, with women in Brazilian hair weaves and men in Ferragamo shoes.

Shortly after the Welcome to Lagos series aired on the BBC in April 2010, Nigerians around the world went berserk.

"There was this colonialist idea of the noble savage which motivated the programme," Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka said of the documentary.

"It was patronising and condescending," he added.


Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK Dalhatu Tafida described it as "a calculated attempt to bring Nigeria and its hard-working people to international odium and scorn".

Online forums also went ablaze. "They are giving us a bad image," many Nigerians fumed.

Then the Lagos State government submitted a formal complaint to the BBC, calling on the organisation to commission an alternative series to "repair the damage we believe this series has caused to our image".

These patriots were not distressed that their compatriots in the oil giant of Africa were living in such squalor - that development had somehow eluded those Nigerians.

They did not rally with cries of: "There are people in our country living like this? What shall we do? How fast can we act?"

No, no, no.

The majority of voices were harmonised in one tune: Anxiety over their country's image.

Similarly, Nigeria was reluctant to accept desperately needed foreign assistance to fight terrorism, despite the country's armed forces being clearly overwhelmed.

We were more worried about how requesting help might affect Nigeria's image than about forestalling the wanton destruction by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

In October 1960, Nigeria was loosed from the shackles of imperialism when the colonialists packed their bags and left.


But over five decades later, Nigerians remain in captivity: Foreigners control our self-image.

What the West thinks of us often takes manic precedence over who we really are, what we know and feel about ourselves.

The Europeans who first landed in Africa were unconcerned when the people they regarded as monkeys equally assumed that the white interlopers were ghosts.

The Germans can shrug it off when they are stereotyped as humourless; the Russians can dismiss it when they are described as cold.

But the Nigerian just has to kick up a tornado whenever he is perceived unpalatably.

He is touchy because he has no alternative image on which to base his confidence.

Like many Africans in the diaspora, a number of Nigerians abroad have erected careers out of defending their people's image.

With indignant frowns and stern tones, they strut from one global stage to the other like superintendents, dismantling stereotypes and whitewashing sepulchres.

A woman having her hair done at a hair salon in Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria - April 2014 Lagos is home to a burgeoning middle class....
Children playing in the Makoko slum in Lagos, Nigeria (Archive shot) It also has many poor suburbs to accommodate the rapidly expanding population of the city

This passion probably sprouts from a desire to blend into their host communities, to not be perceived as savages from some nihilistic jungle.

Unknowingly, they reinforce the subconscious message that has been passed down to generations of Nigerians and other Africans: That the West's opinion of us is paramount; that enlightening and convincing foreigners matters more than discerning who we are and who we want to be.
Fret and panic

And so, when the West claps for us, we get excited.

When they tell us off, we get upset.

When they applaud one of us, we automatically join in applauding the person.

We frantically monitor foreign opinions and we panic at the slightest hint of a negative perception of us.

Nigerian reading newspaper headlines in Delta State - April 2011 Nigerians are anxious about how they are portrayed in the international media

We fret about the many uncomplimentary stories from our land making the rounds on international media circuits, more than about the actual negative circumstances that birth those narratives.

From politicians to intellectuals to entertainers to terrorists, Nigerians have been socialised to rate themselves in the light of Western perceptions.

And as some of us have discovered first hand, the most effective way to draw the attention of our own people to any issue, is to speak to them through a Western medium.

It is unhealthy for a people's self-image to be hinged almost entirely on outside forces.

Nigeria expends too much valuable energy on sweeping dirt under carpets and stuffing skeletons inside closets.

Consequently, we deny ourselves the opportunity of frank dialogue, cultural criticism and self-examination—processes that are vital for a society to advance, by which the imperious West itself has developed thus far.

Nigeria can lead the rest of Africa in freeing our people from this image bondage.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28015962

We Nigerians love living in self-denial,

Remind me of what happened at the immigration recruitment exercise? How many people died? What does it say about unemployment I'm Nigeria?

How many Nigerians have access to pipe borne water?

We all talking about BOKO HARAM in the aspect of security because they have overshadowed armed robbers and have stolen the headlines. Armed robbers still maim and kill Nigerians everyday!

What of the Nigerian police force? Stray bullets anyone?illegal arrests? Torture?

Mr. Op you can deceive foreigners all you want but that doesn't mean you will lie to yourself.

Nigeria is a fvcked up country

Naija is synonymous with such 'things'. We can change it individually. Start on a small scale. I may be wrong anyway

iconize: Nothing but the truth! Nigerians are always exaggerating things.

Imagine some peeps peddling lies that boko haram hoisted their flags in some areas in Borno
, without any pictures to corroborate the claim.

Sagamite should be taken to Aluu and burnt alive.

He's always saying Nigerian footballers lie about their age, he has even started accusing the females also.

Sagamite is a dullarrd and a retarrrd.

I agree with this writer. The number one culprit is the media. Most of the print media only hides under legal protection they do more damage through sensational reporting. Few of them do thorough investigation before reporting issues. They are always competing for breaking news without proper checks. The online media is worse; half truth half lies is their common features.

The problem with Nigeria is Nigerians! Most of us are loudmouths. We all want to be heard! Whether communicating ignorantly, or with halftruths, or from a personally biased view, we all want to be heard, and fortunately social media helps our laughable cause. We do not try to be objective, neither do we take the pains, most times, to seek the root cause of things. We are driven by sentiments, our leaders only reflect the kind of people we are, yet we complain abput them without realising we also have to change ourselves from within. Despite all theae i know it is well with Nigeria but we must take steps to becoming better people in the true sense of the word!

Number 3 is a big fuckinggggggg lie. Hahaaaaaa mumugerians love to brag. One of the strongest in the world and you couldnt take Bakassi from Cameroun or find the missing girls

PointB: Speaking of Nigeria image 'problem', here is another perspective:




http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28015962

Excellent post.

iconize: Nothing but the truth! Nigerians are always exaggerating things.

Imagine some peeps peddling lies that boko haram hoisted their flags in some areas in Borno
, without any pictures to corroborate the claim.

Sagamite should be taken to Aluu and burnt alive.

He's always saying Nigerian footballers lie about their age, he has even started accusing the females also.

Dude stop saying crap about your god Sagamite. You will provoke him to come own you again . Besides why would you think foreigners don't know more about what is going on in your country than you do?

It doesnt take a minute to figure out a mumugerian from other Africans. A bunch of loud mouth madafuckersssss, bragging with nothing to show for apart from their usual giant of Africa and exhibiting their numerous talent such as fraud, ritual murders, arm robberies,

I don't actually think the 'op' is wrong..we nigerians backstab ourselves.. I was watching a comedy by a nigerian abroad and you needed to see how he was castigating dx nation...they may think its fun but the whole audience is also taking note of it. Now come to think of it...how many commedians make fun of their nations on stage..I mean..its actually not called for.

Justcash:

No documentary can be filmed in Nigeria without the help of Nigerians. After all said and done, the TERRORISTS are NIGERIANS, the MILITARY MEN are NIGERIANS, the GOVERNMENT is made up of NIGERIANS and the VICTIMS are NIGERIANS. No foreigner can get anything in Nigeria without collaborating with Nigerians. Nigerians are the authors of their own misfortune.

So basically, all atrocities by the Nigeria Army and corruption by the ruling elites should be buried by the concerned and worried citizens in order not tarnish the good image of Nigeria? One day, your entire family will be wiped out by Nigeria Army just like what happened in Baga or what happened in Channel 4 video and the rubbish you are posting here will come back to haunt you. How can a sane person be advocating press gag, saying people shouldn't report extreme human rights abuses, atrocities committed on a large scale? In your confused little mind, you think this is the meaning of patriotism? You are not sane man.

authority2006: So basically, all atrocities by the Nigeria Army and corruption by the ruling elites should be buried by the concerned and worried citizens in order not tarnish the good image of Nigeria? One day, your entire family will be wiped out by Nigeria Army just like what happened in Baga or what happened in Channel 4 video and the rubbish you are posting here will come back to haunt you. How can a sane person be advocating press gag, saying people shouldn't report extreme human rights abuses, atrocities committed on a large scale? In your confused little mind, you think this is the meaning of patriotism? You are not sane man.

What else can one expect from a typical specimen of a nation of halfwits?

In other words,the OP is saying that when we see the truth,we should refuse to speak it out even if it helps us...Wow!!!
in other words,you are saying to kids,know what truth you say for if its not beneficial to you,better lie


WOW!!!!! what kind of person comes on a forum and asks people to lie even if its so clear to the naked eye....wow

chukwueloka: I don't actually think the 'op' is wrong..we nigerians backstab ourselves.. I was watching a comedy by a nigerian abroad and you needed to see how he was castigating dx nation...they may think its fun but the whole audience is also taking note of it. Now come to think of it...how many commedians make fun of their nations on stage..I mean..its actually not called for.

you think you speak bad against Nigeria come and see what Americans speak about America and no one has asked them to watch what they speak or write and guess what!!! the freedom of speech and your rights is one of the factors that makes USA the greatest nation since mankind
The ability of anyone to say anything is what makes the nation great...have you seen American public officers being harassed by speeches in public?yes I have seen and guess what!!! they were not arrested or told to shut up,they were allowed the rights to free speech and it ended there..Obama has been heckled countless times at rallies,can you say same of any Nigerian leader and the heckler does not die immediately?Obama allows them to talk and politely tries to answer the critics but in Nigeria,they will tell you to shut up and follow the line...wow
heck even Obama's former pastor was a super American critic of American policies

Kweenliz007: Is caused by those Nigerians dat feels govt are supposed to be doing everything for it citizens! Y do we pledge to be patriotic? rhetorical question. I hate the average man mentality

Nigerians are among the hard working people on this planet, suffering and smiling set of people. How can you you say Nigerians want government to provide everything for them when in reality, Nigeria government has never provided anything for her citizens.

oduastates: In my opinion ,that logic is twisted .
In order words ,we should all be singing kunbaya .
Next time you meet a foreigner(even better when it is abroad),press them about their Nigerian experience.if you press them enough ,they will tell you about Nigeria and Nigerians. Most of what they will tell you are things,even Nigerians themselves,are too blind to see.An expatriate wrote about his Nigerian experience last year.it was posted on nairaland .he made many observations which most Nigerians hardly notice.he mentioned the fact that unions in Nigeria are basically criminal gangs who care not about the society they were suppose to serve.A gang master is at the head of the socalled union ,he collects dues and is unanswerable to no one on how he spend union money or conducts union activities.Dues are forcefully collected whether you want to associate or not.
He mentioned the fact that NUPENG members are paid too much when compared to the work they do.most especially when international standards are used.
I travelled to a remote continental EU country where the immigration officer who stamped my passport ,was specifically sent to Nigeria to live amongst Nigerians.he engaged me in a conversation but I cannot fail to notice that despite his jovial mien,the guy was actually sizing me up.
I was the only person on the non- EU line .
I will not bother to tell you the details of his opinion but it goes along the lines of Nigerians being a bunch of loud and criminal fools.the leaders are criminals and the followers are fools.you wake up in the morning to see lawbreaking considered as being normal.
You could tell that he actually felt a pity for the people of the country but his main point of frustration were Nigerian leaders.
The guy speaks passable youruba and Hausa but only stayed a few months in the SE /SShe was in Nigeria for 5 yrs learning our ways.
Lastly,the type of people who come to Nigeria do read books.They are also very sensitive and they see things .
They go back home and tell stuffs.
Nigeria herself is the worst advert for the country.
Starting from Abuja .

But ask yourself a very simple question.

Are ALL Nigerians truly like that?

authority2006: Nigerians are among the hard working people on this planet, suffering and smiling set of people. How can you you say Nigerians want government to provide everything for them when in reality, Nigeria government has never provided anything for her citizens.

Lol. Irony of life

ogaju007:
Good stuff bro, let the truth be told.... Even to me, Nigeria is almost a no go if not for the ties and hmmm the lovely ladies.... A young man has been blocking nierians to come work in nigeria as expatriates claiming they are not suited for the job thereby getting low level Indians and South Africans on the project *lol( here is an account of what they will say about Nigeria). I read this blog and was utterly left speechless. A British expat has come to work in Nigeria and this are his accounts of Nigeria.

http://www.desertsun.co.uk/blog/?p=1734&cpage=1#comments

I didn't see the page. Where is it?

OP is quite sentimental.
Truth is, we do say a lot of bad things about Nigeria. We Nigerians, that is.
But we also do a lot of terrible things as Nigerians. From plebeian to aristocrat, the Nigerian psyche is a catalogue for bad behaviour across board, ranging from total ignorance to absolute insidiousness.

Yeah, our words speak loud, but our acts speak louder.

oduastates: In my opinion ,that logic is twisted .
In order words ,we should all be singing kunbaya .
Next time you meet a foreigner(even better when it is abroad),press them about their Nigerian experience.if you press them enough ,they will tell you about Nigeria and Nigerians. Most of what they will tell you are things,even Nigerians themselves,are too blind to see.An expatriate wrote about his Nigerian experience last year.it was posted on nairaland .he made many observations which most Nigerians hardly notice.he mentioned the fact that unions in Nigeria are basically criminal gangs who care not about the society they were suppose to serve.A gang master is at the head of the socalled union ,he collects dues and is unanswerable to no one on how he spend union money or conducts union activities.Dues are forcefully collected whether you want to associate or not.
He mentioned the fact that NUPENG members are paid too much when compared to the work they do.most especially when international standards are used.

Please show me the thread you are talking about.

OP, is this a typical Nigerian mentality or something? I want to think not.

So we should not discuss our issues because of foreigners perceptions about us right? You must be kidding me. Who cares what foreigners think? We just want a country that works, period. If our leaders tackle issues as soon as they come up, would we be discussing them endlessly? If you have a headache or toothache and you don't take medication, are you not going to be complaining about the ache endlessly? Is it not when you finally get relief that the issue becomes a forgotten matter that you may never mention again?

If Boko Haram had been quashed at its infancy, would it continue to be a news worthy issue? If the Nigerian military was well equipped to tackle insurgency and any external threats to our nationhood, would we be here discussing their failings? If we are honest enough to ensure that no age cheats play for our age grade competitions and constantly expose anybody who tries to cheat the system, would we still be talking about age cheats since 1983 when we attended our first global age-grade tournament?

If we had constant power, would we still be talking endlessly about it?

If workers were paid as at when due and we didn't have these incessant strikes, would they still be topics of discussion?

If majority of our citizens had access to quality education, jobs, a better standard of living would we be talking about these issues till today?

Oh, you think foreign nations don't have their own issues and their citizens don't complain? Do you follow global issues at all? Gun-related violence, racial profiling, immigrant laws, Obamacare, foreign policies; are all of these not issues Americans discuss passionately? Doesn't that give other nations an image of America being a violent and bossy country. Aren't the British usually believed to be stuck-up and racist by people who haven't even been there? Do they give a rat's a$$ what we think about them?

Let's fix our problems and stop chasing shadows like "foreigners perceptions" or "our Image". A good product needs very little and only targeted publicity.

My two and a half kobo.

milehigh06:


you think you speak bad against Nigeria come and see what Americans speak about America and no one has asked them to watch what they speak or write and guess what!!! the freedom of speech and your rights is one of the factors that makes USA the greatest nation since mankind
The ability of anyone to say anything is what makes the nation great...have you seen American public officers being harassed by speeches in public?yes I have seen and guess what!!! they were not arrested or told to shut up,they were allowed the rights to free speech and it ended there..Obama has been heckled countless times at rallies,can you say same of any Nigerian leader and the heckler does not die immediately?Obama allows them to talk and politely tries to answer the critics but in Nigeria,they will tell you to shut up and follow the line...wow
heck even Obama's former pastor was a super American critic of American policies

. Am nt tryna deny d governments hands in our bad image..buh aw many american guest speakers in nigeria talk agnst dem..

Allohrandy: Nigerian image was destroyed by GEJ and his pdp members. our army which used to be the strongest in Africa are now bunch of lazy girls who run from boko haram due to bad leadership. we need a strong leader in Nigeria

just be MUMUING yourself in Public.

princefunmi:

But ask yourself a very simple question.

Are ALL Nigerians truly like that?

Most of us are. Very few are not. Unless you want to be deceitful.
Though of course if you're swimming in shyt, and so is everyone else, you tend to think it's all normal after a while.

AjanleKoko:

Most of us are. Very few are not. Unless you want to be deceitful.
Though of course if you're swimming in shyt, and so is everyone else, you tend to think it's all normal after a while.

Lol

princefunmi:

But ask yourself a very simple question.

Are ALL Nigerians truly like that?

Not ALL, but MOST.

The level of moral decadence in this country is alarming, trust me. Indiscipline is the order of the day. Things as simple as obeying traffic laws, respecting the rights of others, doing what is logically and morally right are no longer taken seriously. What should be an oddity is now the norm. That is a big problem bro.

chukwueloka: . Am nt tryna deny d governments hands in our bad image..buh aw many american guest speakers in nigeria talk agnst dem..

how do you expect an American guest speaker who works for the govt speak bad against America...how do you expect a Nigerian who probably works for the govt to speak bad about Nigeria...they wont,its the citizens who do such things and either wrong or right,it is a right which should not be turned into a privileged which the author seems to the advocating for..."when you get to speak about Nigeria,better make sure it is good because...."...that's hogwash

[quote author=Justcash]
U ARE DAM RYT 2 D END!DID NBODY READ D FRONT PAGE OF D NATION NEWSPAPER DIS MORNING?HERE IT IS>cameroon soldiers kils 27 boko haram 2 save 480 NIGERIA SOLDIERS!HOW DID DAT SOUND?IT MEAN 480 NIGERIA SOLDIER CANNOT BATTLE JST 28 BH

@ OP...do ypou know that the internet that you are using today and the freedom you have in Nigeria today was made possible by Nigerian media men who spoke up against the ills under the military junta...and such led to the death of people like Dele Giwa,Ken Saro Wiwa,MKO Abiola,Kudirat Abiola and co and you have the nerve to cpme and insult their spirits with this BS you typed..how do you think Nigeria got to where it is today if not for the fight of those people...do you know how many times Gani went to jail for speaking up against different military Govt.? what of Fela(though to some he was a druggy but he spoke more truth than people like the OP) wow...do you realize what you are saying?

Imagine if none of these people spoke against the ills of the nation then,where do you sincerely think Nigeria would be? try and be honest with yourself....People fought for this nation through the might of the pen...Media houses were bombed,closed and their editors and directors locked up or assassinated for speaking the truth and you lily-livered Nigerian is saying hell no!!! they should have kept quiet too...wow