Today, history was made. We successfully closed a business deal that will become the biggest business in a particular industry in Africa. I have, by God’s grace been able to close a business deal to be an exclusive business partner for a high profile business for the entirety of Africa. About two months ago, the same deal was closed for almost all of West Africa, but in the course of the last two days in the UAE, we have the whole Africa covered. I’m still steaming from the movie of the secret that I watched, but I can understand the dynamics of our chemistry working, somehow I believe that things have worked so easily because the laws of the universe were in alignment, and God was in control.
In the course of the meeting however, something stood out for me, and made me feel bad about my homeland. I had a meeting with two German guys, we had to move to a number of places so I could see their factory and their sales offices. We moved in between my apartment and their offices and back, so they could drop me off, while they attended another meeting and later come back to pick me. It took almost two hours to come back in their Ford Explorer to pick me up. When they came, we chatted and laughed as we had somehow gotten our chemistry and flowed well together. In the course of our chit chat, they relayed to me an incident that happened in their last meeting. They wanted to close the meeting quickly so they told the person ( a Dubai Citizen), that they had to go back to the hotel to meet with their partners from Nigeria. The person they were meeting, blurted out almost instinctively – “Nigerians? – Be Very Careful!” That’s painful, and really heart renting.
The general word and sentence hanging over the head of every Nigerian out there today is “be very careful”. For how long will the world be careful in dealing with us? For how long will we cope with this image? For how long will we wait as a nation to understand that we need to invest in the brand perception and development of our country? For how long will we be seen as dangerous, toxic, corrosive or repugnant? For how long, will we stomach being perceived and treated like people with no modicum of integrity? I don’t know how long you want to wait, but I am tired of waiting, I’m in favour of doing! I am in favour of taking responsibility, I am in favor of being different and redefining the right standards.
It sounds bad, but can you really blame them? Have we not brought these perceptions upon ourselves? Do you have an idea how much our economy is losing by not having the right brand perception? Do you know what will happen if people for any reason perceive that they need to be very careful drinking coke? It will adversely affect the economy of coca cola company Ltd. We are losing a lot, and yet all that fuel our perception as a nation, are the handy work of few.
Here are some of the rankings we have received as a nation. They are saddening, but at least good enough to give us an idea of what we are up against and the actions we need to take.
N0 3 Worst Abuses of Diplomatic Immunity in Britain based on unpaid traffic fines. UNESCO report 2002
No 5 Most Active Drug trades operations in the world. CIA Factbook.
No 7 World Worst Explosions – Ikeja Cantonment – Jan 27, 2002.
No 3 In Nations living with HIV/AIDS. CIA Factbook 2002
No 2 Most corrupt Nation in the world. Transparency International, 2007
No 9 Highest Kidnapping Rate. Between 1992-1999
No 2 Countries with greatest percentage earning less than $1. World Bank 2001
No 1-3 Country in Online Scamming
We don’t need a cosmetic approach to the revamping of the image of Nigeria and Nigerians. We need serious body work and thorough facials. We need to help the miscreants amongst us to change. We need to make ourselves available as positive role models, we need to be vocal about our values and the things that we stand for. We need to show the world that we are ethical, principled and good. We also need to show the world that we are many like this.
Another thought that ranked highest in our further conversation into the night, is the perception of the German about him/herself. The Germans believe that their word is their bond and that when they say yes, the must live up to it, even at their own risk or hurt. A lady in this meeting complained bitterly about how she had committed herself to work somewhere and she could not not go there, because she has said yes. She also said that it was German to stay with what you have said yes to.
It is true that it is bad people that mess up good people. The way we are perceived as a nation regularly kills opportunities for sincere Nigerians at home and abroad. You can almost hear an audible alarm go up in foreigners hears when you answer the question, “where are you from?” Thankfully, this has not affected us in any way, we had demonstrated that we can be trusted and we were seen on our own merit, not as typical people from any nation. While all this is going on however, it is imperative that we tackle this national menace and work with the right agencies to drive the Nigerian Brand. We need to take responsibility for how our country is perceived, and it starts from us, from you, yes, you.
I long for the day, when we will advertise the New Nigeria Club on CNN. I can see the caption already – “If you want to do business with Nigeria, ask your partner, “are you a member of the New Nigeria Club? Together we will get there!
23 thoughts on “Nigerians? – Be Very Careful”
As we know deolu and as you have always said a lot needs to be done and we are the ones that can effect the change, we just have to be ready and stay committed that’s all, but know this people will always talk bad of things they cant conquer ,we are a grate Nations “NIGERIA” and we have had problems like many other nations we cant dispute that and a lot has happened which has resulted in some many wrongs which has affected us in so many ways, but come on we are not the only nation with problems are we? We are grate a nation and they see the greatness in us which makes them afraid of us and they say all sorts to bring us down.
Lets live the words that are spoken alone and forge ahead let our ideas and creativity tell them who we are, we are a force that cant be stopped, we make up majority of the best brains in the world deolu you know this, we just have to find a common ground and continue doing grate things…..and believe me the time is now, the Germans will not because of stories be reluctant to do business with you believe me, when they hear you out they will know what you have to offer we are an AMAZING KIND deolu there is no other like the back race. I am and always will be PROUDLY NIGERIAN
Congratulations on successfully closing the business deal.
It’s another opportunity to re-brand Nigeria, inculcate the values, ideals and principles of the New Nigeria into the system.
N.B- you didn’t tell us what sector or the nature of business… someone might be looking for placement opportunities on your team…
May your strength be replenished and renewed daily. Amen
As usual you always use things around you to point us the right way. I wish everyone could see it your way. I know that we will get there.
The perception of the outside world would change soon..we are the mascot of the greater and BETTER Nigeria……. we would do it.
BRAVO…..Deolu……..Thumbs up.
Great work Deolu, i’m proud of your leadership spirit, very very soon, the wprld will change their minds about Nigerians for the better as we march forward in our quest of New Nigeria dream. NNC is great force and a medium to ignite the revolution, weldone on the deal closed, we are waiting to hear the full gist and partake of it, cheers.
Congratulation Chairman,
Once again we are proud of you.Thanks for being a good role model. We should start thinking of all the good things we have achieved as a country or individuals and focus on them, if there are none lets start by telling of the evolution of New Nigeria Club.
I Know that the dream of having a new the New Nigeria has been birthed ,we have moved from talking about it to doing something about it ,by starting the New Nigeria Club…
Am a proud member Of the New Nigeria Club ho share the bounding Values PATRIOTIC….
Long Live Nigeria
Yessssssssssssssss!
That day is very near. NNC will be the yardstick to branding Nigeria’s image to the world.
Thanks so much deolu.
We will get there.
It is a process and its already on – lets continue to be the excellent examples, the desired role models and the STANDARDS for others to follow. An end is in sight for all this negative criticisms, we are getting there soon.
Wheresoever we are placed now, let is be the man/woman to emulate, let us be the Standard for excellence, let us be the brand to imitate, lets be our very best. It will surely become contagious and it like a chain reaction, it will spread to the nation eventually and Nigeria will be what will ALL desire it to be.
God Bless Nigeria
It is a process and its already on – lets continue to be the excellent examples, the desired role models and the STANDARDS for others to follow. An end is in sight for all these negative criticisms, we are getting there soon.
Wheresoever we are placed now, let us be the man/woman to emulate, let us be the Standard for excellence, let us be the brand to imitate, lets be our very best. It will surely become contagious and its like a chain reaction, it will spread to the nation eventually and Nigeria will be what will ALL desire it to be.
God Bless Nigeria
We are use to so much talk and nothing beening done. But am happy i know some one who is trying to make a difference by acting.God help us we are there already, am happy i met you.
OK .Why am i not surpised ? well its simple, the time for change is neigh!!!!What can we do but to thank God for the likes of you.
We are gradually going to have the rating turn around.
Clarion Call!!!!!!…..Nigerians wake up it’s time for us to be united to make thing happen and work.
For me i don tire to see my GREAT COUNTRY being dealt all these severe blows
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
i have no doubt that we will restore the dignity of our great nation.I’m grateful that God has raised men like you for such a time as this.keep up the great job.together, we will make it happen!
Congratulations Deolu, fill us in on the emerging fronts pls. Thank God your voice was opened b4 sealing the deal, b4 them go come think say all naija don dey form bebebe.
The future of the NIGERIA we seek is here already.. . . .
It’s a brand new day! It’s a NEW NIGERIA.
Congratulations sir! and well done!!!
the growth of a nation lies in the people while the direction in which it goes lies in the leadership…the nation is a reflection of its citizens…we really need a huge national rebranding…to change the nation we need a change of mindset and that begins with you,you and you,and me!!
spot on deolu.
congrats on the biz deal.when the time is right fill us in on what sector the biz deal is on,some of us may be interested..
thumbs up.
My oga
great work sir and more power to your elbow. In our time Nigeria shall become the most desirable nation globally
congrats o
Dear Deolu,
Thank you and welldone.
History is repleted with stories of change and it is all and usually about one man. When one man stand for a cause, others rally round the cause and it takes a life of its own.
Thank God for your life.
Otolorin
People’s reaction when they hear you are from Nigeria is quite heart breaking.
Some don’t believe that anybody is honest in Nigeria.I hope that things will change for the better,the kidnapping in Port Harcourt is becoming worst.
Well written post.
on one hand, you cannot blame the foreigners for their perception about Nigeria. Our fellow country men have wreaked a lot of havoc on these people and their businesses. They have no reason to be biased against us, but it’s all our fault. you need to hear or read the stories of innocent people and firms that have lost huge amounts to Nigerians and their scams. For instance, I read a comment on http://www.alanprince.wordpress.com, a Nigerian scam site in which a woman said she lost US $80,000 to a scammer frm Naija. Now, how would each one of us all feel if we were in that woman’s shoes, with all her life’s savings gone?
It’s sad that we are the only country where you are required to pay for goods upfront ,along with insurance before you can do business with foreign firms. Other countries are allowed to order goods on credit, but no one will take that risk with us.
And our case has not been helped by the bad political leadership we have had so far.
all is not lost, however. there is still hope.
and the only hope is what Mr Deolu has just noted.
If people from other parts of the world meet and do business with honest men and women, people they can trust, then you will discover that this negative perception of Nigeria will change.
Everyone goes into business in order to make a profit. And trust is a foundational building block of business. No one wants to do business with a person he doesn’t trust.
Before we even talk about how foreigners perceive us or whatever, let us start from home–do we trust each other even here in Nigeria? Can you do business wholeheartedly with a fellow Nigerian even in the same town?Why? I’m sure there would be lots of reasons why.
Let us stop blaming the foreigners for how they see us.
We are the cause.
If more people prove to be honest, transparent and trustworthy in business, then you will discover that this negative perception of us will change for the better.
God bless.
This perception issue can be very irritating sometimes. One out of every four South African is HIV positive. Will it be fair to meet a South African and immediately proclaim she/he has HIV? I think now. Looking at it critically, what is the percentage of Nigerians involved in scam? We know there are a lot of them but is it fair to be bundled in the same rack with those nonentities who do not understand the harm they are doing us collectively as a nation. I had a personal dose of the perception thing on Saturday. I was driving home from work and was stopped by a policeman on my way home. He spoke the local language to me and I said I did not understand. He asked where I came from and I told him I am proudly Nigerian – – – his next statement was a stab — All Nigerians are dangerous. My first impulse was to answer that all his country men are HIV positive but I checked myself and instead told him it is wrong to do hasty generalization and should have a personal encounter with Nigerians to discover our big heart. He asked what I was doing in the country and after telling him I am a consultant to one of d biggest companies in their country – he became very respectful and said I can go. I was really pissed off and though I am a big fighter in the war against corruption and online scam – I believe the outside world is unfair to us. Look at the Xenophobia situation in SA – did Nigerians kill Ghanaian when they flooded Nigeria? We need to continue fighting the ills in our country but we should also resist attempts at the overzealous negative branding.
Congrats on the deal. Wish you more of it soon..
We all know we have a bad image, and it wont take so soon to erase in the minds of foreigners.
But the good thing is that some Nigerians have put it on themselves to reverse the misfortunes a few had put (is putting) us into. We must not relax but move and press forward.
I remember attending a similar conference organised by DayStar Christian Ministry about 3 years ago where we were charged to resolve to be part of the solutions and not a problem to our nation. I never forget that charge and the ideals of NewNigeriaClub conforms well into that as well.
Advertising NNC on CNN is today a dream, but SOON it will be a reality.
All Hail!
if i look at the facts, it will so blind my mind with sadness and will make me think no solution is obtainable but i believe just like Luther King said”a country where my children will not be jugded by the name of their country but by the contents of their character” (emphasis mine). sir, i believe it is p;ossible and it can happen all we just need are men and women of integrity who will not sleep until their values are transfered to the next generation and altogether making our country the best place to live on the earth!GOD BLESS NAIJA!