The Federal Government has condemned in strong terms the use of “Naija” in place of Nigeria, saying that such usage is “very uncharitable and unpatriotic”.

Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, made the remarks while receiving the participants of Heir Apparent Reality Show in her office in Abuja yesterday.

Akunyili, who frowned on the continuous misrepresentation of the country's official name in place of a “corrupt” version, said: "It is very offensive to call Nigeria ‘Naija’. We are making plans to write companies to stop using the word Naija. I have heard that name Naija in adverts. I want them to go back and remove that word.

"If anybody says this is Naija, ask the person, 'Where is Naija?' We have to stop this word because it is catching up with the young. If we don't put a stop to its usage now, it will continue to project us wrongly.”

The minister's condemnation was prompted by a sentence in the presentation of the visiting group where “our world is Naija” was inserted.

Akunyili, who fervently spoke against the use of the word, ordered that the sentence be removed from the programme and changed to “our world is Nigeria”.

“Naija” is obviously a Nigerianised form of Niger, from where Nigeria derived its name.

The word is popularly used by musicians, artistes, advert managers and corporate companies and it could be positive or negative, although it is being used more positively in recent times.

It is believed to be trendier and is used by the younger generation.

Though no official condemnation of the word has been made, several reports have warned of the consequence of the usage of such words among the youths.

tlo:

really 'is that our biggest problem now.  Has madam minister heard of the term colloquialism'.
Glo ''Naija'' sings will have to completely rebrand the show and Etisalat can say goodbye to 0809ja for life.
I used to get irritated by the excessive use of the word but can't belive our government's new focus  is the slangs we use.
We still do not have electricity madam and its 2010, speak about that!!!!!!!!!!!

oseiwe:

after she don chop belleful for NAIJA@50. Good Name Great Naija

edoyad:

Dora i like you but i think you've outlived your use.
Look at the following:

1. USA -    Yankee
2. Australia - Aussie or Oz.
3. South Africa- S. A.
 etc.

I guess we should stop start using, THE NIGERIAN SENIOR FEMALE FOOTBALL TEAM in place of the Super Falcons then.

chizillar:

[size=20pt]Personally, I don't like that word " Naija", It evokes a vulgar and uneducated feeling on us. Just reflect back to the adverts it was used on., "POWER OF NAIJA" .Combining good English with a Vulgar one. We can rebrand better.[/size]