FG Flays Use of Naija in Place of Nigeria
•Set for showdown with entertainment, advertising and corporate worlds
From Paul Obi in Abuja, 11.15.2010
This Day newspaper, November 15, 2010.

The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja condemned in strong terms the use of Naija in place of Nigeria, saying  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.

Akunyili, who frowned at 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," she said.

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 change to 'our world is Nigeria'.

The word, popularly used by musicians, artistes, advert managers and corporate companies, is believed to be the short form of Nigeria and more trendy to be 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 youth.

Earlier, the Minister commended the group for what she called patriotic creativity in their new jingos, saying: "This is the greatest success we have recorded in the rebranding Nigeria project".
She further assured the participants that the ministry will ensure that its jingos on rebranding project are replaced with Heir Apparent jingos on rebranding once the correction on the Naija word is effected.

Also speaking, Bonat Tagwi, who represented the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Idi Farouk, sponsors of the reality show, said  the programme is to replicate government's effort towards the young, whereby the ideals of leadership will be inculcated on them.

dora!!



oya arrest all those musicians for their crimes against naija

chei - she has really lost the plot

shame

Where does our government find this misguided indignation? Is there a warm or cold spring of dumb ideas somewhere in Abuja?
Naija is the equivalent of UK or USA. They really need to find real jobs for all that money they receive!

What exactly goes on in Dora's head. Does she always have to pick fights?

Dora bizzy body too much. Is she the 1st Min of Inf that has noticed that? Naija is more trendy to be used in jingles. Naija 4 life

Naija kai !   we can like to dwell on mundane things

why should someone from somewhere impose her personal views on us as a policy just because the name "naija" doesnt sound right in her mouth  

The term is not in anyway derogatory or offensive so I dont see why it should be pinching mrs Dora's bum. . . and if dat is wat she is spending all the

rebranding project money on. . All i can say is "some rebranding project she is getting up to" .

Hic
Hic
Hic

*Hiccups*

Don't mind them, they ve noticed that the use of that word "naija" is painting a clear picture of what Nigeria government is like. They should make here a better place and lets see what makes that word "naija" unpatriotic.

it is obvious this jonathan and his group has nothing to offer. if u call yankees today, everyone will know that u are talking united states of america and when u talk naija, we all know that nigeria is involved.
how does this affect the use of our oil money? how does this affect the number of armunitions imported into this country by our politicians? how does this name affect our facebook president? what is the relationship between this name and our criminal minded INEC?
that day dora left nafdac for politics, i know she is finished.
joanthan and co have left the objects for shadows and this is a very big SHAME.
God will catch all of u one day.
dora my foot, na naija we dey.
unfortunately, a whole ship will miss in nigeria without trace and bola ige killers are yet to be found so how can someone face a crime of calling nigeria naija?
SHAME TO NIGERIA! SHAME TO JOE! SHAME TO DORA! AND UP NAIJA

A square peg can never fit in a round hole.

I actually thought naija would be elevated to same level as anglo, dutch, sino-naija relationship

bloody anarchists and traitors on this thread

can you not read?
naija is 'offensive' and 'projects Nigeria wrongly'

if you lot do not stop mutilating nigeria into 'naija' dora will be forced to post officially on NL and gej's facebook page condemning this abuse which is even greater than the criminalised abuse of the naira

is naija being used in official documents?

that's definitely wrong but in ordinary everyday slang it shouldnt be a problem.

london is called jand nah.

and didnt one musician release a song saying "naija la wa yi" or something like that.

abagoro:

A square peg can never fit in a round hole.

That square-peg excuse is worn-out at this point, don't you think?

If she didn't understand what rebranding means she shu then shut up. We are rebranding the new Naija from old for nothing Nigeria and she is complaining. Soonest all d old thifin politicians will run down and NAIJA will excel.