In realisation of negative perceptions about Nigeria, a group concerned about the situation launched a campaign to promote the country. Ada Stella Apiafi is the National Coordinator of I-Nigerian Campaign under an initiative called The Nigerian Renaissance Project. She speaks, in this interview, on the need for Nigerians to project the nation in good light.

Excerpts:
What is the I-Nigerian project all about?
I-Nigerian is a privately initiated perception transformation initiative set up to drive what we have chosen to call The Nigerian Renaissance Project (TNRP) into the consciousness of Nigerians at home and abroad, and to the global community, with special emphasis on the positives. It is both a process, and a series of programmes designed to recapture the heart, soul and concept of being Nigerian, by showcasing, in every sphere, the good in Nigeria, and Nigerians, by Nigerians themselves.

What are the reasons behind this initiative?
Nigerians are by nature very vocal about everything, especially about their country – for good or for bad. Therefore, it is necessary to transpose our minds, such that the stories that we tell of Nigeria, and the image we present of our country, give the country a ‘new’ name that reflects some ‘new order’ among Nigerians themselves.
The truth is most times what we see is the negative. How can that be addressed?
It is not what we see but what is being reported. There are many good and positives that could, and should be reported as well. When Nigeria recently made it into the list of the 50 Most Reputable Countries in the World, not many media outfits celebrated it! Before now, the country was not even considered for ranking. A 24-year-old Nigerian, Uwa Osamede Imafidon, just graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in the US with a master’s degree in microbiology, with a 4.0 CGPA out of maximum 4.0 CGPA.
Before her sojourn abroad, she had made First Class in crop science from University of Benin, as the best graduating student in her department. A few years ago, Jelani Aliyu from Sokoto State, who schooled in Kebbi, won a global design competition organised by General Motors. Sadly, the good attention that we should be basking in is being tainted by the news of insurgency, challenges to our national security, and a myriad of issues that spark more and more negative news about Nigerians as a people.
* Ada Stella Apiafi....Nigerians are by nature very vocal

Nigerians – individually and collectively – are left with a battered trust and confidence in their Nigerianness.

But how do you see these achievements compared to the internal crises and challenges that we are faced with daily?
We have challenges…that is true! But you will agree that our country is at a very critical stage of growth and development. We have evolved as a new ‘democratic’ country, and a fast-growing economy. Global attention on Nigeria, today, is at an all-time high, something that should easily bring pride to the heart of every Nigerian wherever we are across the world.
Today, there is a deep dent on the collective psyche of the average Nigerian, as he finds it increasingly difficult to speak positively or confidently about our dearly beloved county – the psyche of the nation is plummeting more and more, with all the negative stories coming out of, and about Nigeria, many being told by Nigerians themselves.

What is the solution, or what is the good news?
The good news is that there are lots of positives! Nigeria is about to emerge as the largest economy in Africa. GDP is a powerful political tool as the most important global governance institutions, from the G8 to the G20, are based on GDP credentials. So far, South Africa has been the only African country represented in the G20 on the grounds of the scale of its economy.

Is this initiative intended to promote the government?
Whether in government or out of government, we are all Nigerians that should promote Nigeria. There are commendable initiatives from the government and the private sector. For instance, there is this Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin), the entrepreneurship development scheme of the Federal Government launched just over a year ago, and has become so successful that each of the 1,200 first set of beneficiaries are now employing an average of eight staff! The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has just announced that Nigeria has successfully halved the number of hungry people in line with the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals. Very cheering news is emanating from our land, and should be commended and celebrated.

But doesn’t it mean your group will be focusing more only the activities of government?
I-Nigerian is a privately initiated perception transformation initiative. Therefore, most of the inspiration for promoting this initiative will be coming from private individuals who have made positive impact locally and internationally. The richest black man today, Aliko Dangote, is a story of grass to grace. Forbes recently rated him 25th richest man in the world.
He has within a single generation translated a medium scale business into a multinational conglomerate! He has a Foundation that addresses youth unemployment and women empowerment. There is also the Elumelu Foundation that promotes entrepreneurship development and other collaborative efforts between the government and the private sectors under Public-Private Partnership. This is good news that should be widely related. But we don’t get to celebrate these.

Do we now say your inspiration will centre on public service and players in the business sector?
Like I said, this is a private initiative to promote the positives on Nigeria and Nigerians. Let me give you more examples from the social or entertainment industry. Mosunmola ‘Mo’ Abudu recently launched EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first Global Black Multi-Broadcast Entertainment Network, with programmes showcasing Nigeria’s burgeoning middle class. Home girl Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde recently emerged one of TIME’s top 100 most influential personalities. Nigeria’s Ice Prince Zamani won the 2013 Best International Act (Africa) Award. These are just a few inspiring stories coming from within Nigeria and they are all extraordinary! Some of our stories don’t get to make news headlines. These are everyday Nigerians doing noble deeds, surviving against all odds, and who just believe in maintaining the dignity of being Nigerians.
How do you address the negative perceptions of Nigerians abroad who are into criminal activities?
There are many Nigerians doing great outside the country. Of the 541 athletes employed by Great Britain for the 2012 Olympics, 16 reportedly are Nigerians including some that are world champions. None of them was referred to them as Nigerian-born British athletes. BUT, when two miscreants, born and bred in Britain, killed a soldier, the British press was so quick to dub them Nigerians.

What do you then expect from Nigerians?
Our ‘mandate’ to Nigerians is very simple: We must speak about positives and be proud of them rather than insist on the negativities. Negatives are present, and even more prevalent in other climes, but are not often screamed on the front pages. There is a saying that ‘nobody can make you inferior without your consent!’ Over the years, a subtle inferiority has crept into the consciousness of the average Nigerian, especially in the way we talk about ourselves – we tend to spend more time talking about the bad than the good.
Nigerians should begin to resist negative labelling of our country, even amongst ourselves. It is also a charge to retune our minds to being dignifying in our thinking, speech, and deeds (our work) about Nigeria and being Nigerians as a whole.

Do we foresee your NGO being influenced politically?
This is a different kind of NGO, we have chosen to call this The Nigerian Renaissance Project (TNRP). Renaissance means rebirth, reawakening, re-energizing. So it is a different thing entirely. Most of our activities will centre on awareness creation through all the major media channels: Print, electronic and online.

http://www.theamebo.com/2013/08/nigerians-should-resist-negative.html

I do not care to know what it is all about,the hatrade among us so deed that there is no such thing called one Nigeria.