Nigeria takes re-branding campaign to African Union
From Collins Olayinka, Abuja
THERE are plans to take the re-branding campaign of the Federal Government to the African Union (AU) in a renewed effort at re-positioning the country to take its prime place on the continent.
The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili disclosed this in Abuja at the weekend at a reception organised in honour of the Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Ethiopia, Mrs. Nkoyo Toyo.
Akunyili, who went down memory lane to itemise various contributions of Nigeria to the emancipation of some African countries said there had not been reciprocal gesture from the rest of the Africa to appreciate these gigantic contributions.
This, she said, was no longer acceptable to Nigeria hence the new resolve for the country to tell its own story to the rest of the world.
As a starting point, she urged the ambassador-designate to use her multiple roles as the envoy to Ethiopia, Djibouti as well as the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa to tell Nigeria's story the way it is.
She said: "I want to urge you (Toyo) to use your roles as the Ambassador to Ethiopia and AU to tell our story to the rest of the African continent. We have reaped commensurate gains from our contributions to the emancipation of other African countries. I remember in the 70s, certain percentages of Nigerian workers' salaries were deducted to fund anti-apartheid struggles in the Republic of South Africa which culminated into their gaining independence in the late 1980s. But how are the South Africans treating Nigerians today? Our contributions in quelling the troubles in Sierra Leone which brought back democracy to the country is not acknowledged instead when names of those that contributed to the peace in that country are mentioned, Nigeria is always conspicuously missing. Ditto for Liberia.
Through ECOMOG, Nigeria lost many lives and committed enormous resources to bring lasting peace to that country. But what do we get from these massive contributions? So, Madam Ambassador, as you resume very soon in Ethiopia, I urge you to tell our story to the rest of the continent."
The minister who frowned at corruption emblem with which Nigerians are tagged, said the country is about the only nation in the world that has come out to challenge the menace and followed it with establishing two agencies to tame the ugly practice. The steps, she noted, should show the international community of the willingness of government to punish corrupt tendencies aimed at polishing the image of Nigeria and therefore, called on the international community to encourage Nigeria to do more instead of labelling every Nigerian a corrupt individual.
Akunyili who paid glowing tribute to Toyo who is well known in the circle of civil society group, added that the ambassador-designate was a shining example to other Nigerian women who are breaking away from archetypal belief that the place of women is in the kitchen.
Toyo said she was going to embark on what she termed 'image substitute' and that will form the fulcrum of her policy direction as she heads to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She hinted that she would use the Nigeria's numerical strength and influence on the continent to push the Nigerian agenda.
While soliciting the involvement of more women in the Nigeria politics, Toyo observed such involvement could change the temperament and colour of politics in Nigeria.
"The terrain of politics in Nigeria is still very slippery and difficult. The culture of politics by politicians irrespective of what the government does, the culture of politics is very difficult irrespective of whether it is a man or woman. But in spite of that, the Nigerian women have risen to the occasion because more and more of us are getting into the political fray and are getting our hands meshed up as men. On the overall, I think as more women come into politics, the culture of politics will change in one way or the other and that is why we are very concerned about more women coming on board. I won't say it is any easier for women at all", Toyo submitted.
