Maverick repairing Nigeria’s image

Repairing a country’s image can be a difficult task especially if that country is Nigeria. Known more for its social ills like grand corruption and embezzlement as well as civil strife Nigeria has very often been the poster-child for what is bad about Africa and what can happen if greed were allowed to thrive. This bad image has been branded in the hearts and minds of many around the world over the years through accounts of colossal moral, social and economic disasters seen and heard through the media and through personal accounts. Nigeria definitely needs an image boost and one man has made this his steadfast aim. His methodology and style may be questionable in the eyes of those who are more conservative but there is no doubt that Nduka Obaigbena, the eccentric Nigerian media mogul, is showing the country in a much better light. Described by the New York Times as “part Bono part P. Diddy”, Nduka has used his considerable wealth and fame to highlight what is good about Nigeria –awarding those on the frontline against the scourge of corruption and poverty (with a lot of fanfare I might add!) and winning over the rich, the famous and the influential into a positive mindset about the country. His big parties and celebrity lobbying may not be conventional ways of cleaning the image of a nation but he in his own unique way is undoubtedly changing perceptions. Whether this will translate to greater investment in Nigeria remains to be seen though.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/business/worldbusiness/10nigeria.html?ref=africa