IN THE PASTOur nation Nigeria having a total population of about 150 million with close to 40 million youths has experienced diverse problems ranging from poverty, human insecurity, environmental crises, governmental torments to real economic instability. According to the world webometric ratings, Nigeria was discovered one of the poorest countries in the world.
The place of youth, a pivotal and prerequisital position has been well underestimated, (I observe) and even the youth themselves have an identity problem to recognise where to intervene. Being oblivious of their inherent unique potential, many Nigerian youths take the spectator stand in the walk of progress.
NOWThere is a change in the air, many thanks to such initiatives as YAIN (Youth Activist Initiative Nigeria), ISSPIN, taking IT global, and many others who have taking the responsibility of waking up the slumbering Nigerian youths.
The internet and other knowledge source have taking us a long way by exposing us to the wonders of the outside world. Self branding consultants, personal effectiveness trainers and motivational speakers are on the increase in our nation today, quite unfortunate, we have very few nation branding coaches and change apostles who will help remove all forms of egocentricm and selfishness that has eating up the glory of our nation all these years.
THE FUTUREAs an addicted believer in the awesome potential of the African youth, I still see a bright light at the end of this long tunnel of struggle. The aged, the fathers, are fading away, they have little strength and time to bring the change we await, the future is lying on the decisions of Nigerian youths to cause a revolution, effect their noble ideas and channel their potential towards the right course. The land is green and so is the future but the condition is a decision to take up responsibility of transparent leadership held on sound platform of serenity and absolute accountability.
THE BRAND IN VIEWA brand is defined from a bi-observant angle, that is the brand maker and the brand purchaser. Nigeria has a vast abundance of both renewable and non-renewable, human, natural, mineral, financial resources and so on. We see a picture of a solid content; a correct perspective will see a highly blessed nation, but one poor in reputation in the committee of nations. The brand of any product represents its image, its impeccable and peculiar characteristics which could depend on its past records and appearances. The beginning of branding any product is having the output brand in view. Every Nigerian youth must start by seeing the Nigeria We all desire, one which can be described with nothing more than a Nation well kept, free of economic struggles, a Nation where things work, one where power is not a problem, one whose currency is valuable in the global market; a nation whose entirely is represented by truth, integrity, whose people’s solidarity and unity in exposed in their decision, on e whose electoral process is totally clean and peaceful, one which is relevant in the global scheme of things.
YOUTH ARISE I have always believed that those who can perform immensely in core of change and development of any nation are the youths of such a nation. Where it starts from is the readiness to learn new things, and the understanding of the potential that lies within. Presently there is a problem of role conflict; everyone seems confused or rather ignorant of where they should come in. Meanwhile solving the problem of role conflict can only be achieved by discovery of purpose, every youth has a place, but there is a need to look within. Adequate knowledge of what you are made of will convince any sane man to take necessary actions to effect change and this presents a good picture of Nigeria to the outside world.
SEVEN PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO RE-BRANDING NIGERIA
Nigeria will experience a renaissance if we can operate on these seven practical approaches to re-branding:
(1) HARNESSING THE KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIETAL STRUCTURE TO FOSTER NATIONAL BRANDING: A proper understanding of societal structure will help youths to set priorities right. The society is built on the bedrock of discipline, established on the platform of dedication and furthered by dogged determination. Well positioned youths can help propagate the knowledge of societal values, standards, morals and practices that is capable of changing the orientation of the entire Nigerian populace. This will go a long way in affecting/influencing all sectors, including the governance terrain. We can be sure of a better branding if we have youths who won’t take no for an answer, who will reject the impossible and embrace the truth which is capable of making free.
(2) EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SOPHISTICATED ENTERPRISE CULTIVATION:
Motivated youths can contribute to rebranding Nigeria both locally and globally by acting in such ways as enterprise cultivation to embrace sustainable development that will make us relevant in the world. Establishment of small & large scale businesses, erection of firms or general enterprise development will present an image of seriousness, and industriousness to the outside world, hence giving us a better standing in the committee of Nations. Records have it that the bulk of China’s enterprise experts are youths. Our nation’s brand will be solid only if these empowered youths will forsake frivolities and take the bull of enterprise cultivation by the horn.
(3) DEVELOPING PERSONAL IDEAS INNOVATIONS: Due to the vast human resource capacity of Nigerian youths, several potent personal ideas and innovations exist in their minds without really coming to manifestation. Such things as NGO establishment, problem solving initiatives and change campaigns have helped countries like America. A good example is the development of a popular social network called Facebook done by a 24 year old ‘Mark’ and a couple of friends in Harvard; today facebook not only has recognition all over the world, but has also added billions of dollars to the cash flow quadrant in the U.S. Other examples of young problem solvers who later brought their national economies to succour are, Bill. Gates, Robert Kiyosaki to mention a few.
(4) LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION Allowing youths to partcipate both, locally and international will give expression to the unique creativity, idea and positive moral values. Giving potentially active youths ambassodorial platforms to participate in global hearings, attend international conferences and present the indefatiguable Nigerian youths in international compettions; a practical example is the Zain African Challenge, young Nigerians from the Federal university of Akure took the bull by the horn won few awards and showed other African nations that igeria is still a Nation to recon with both in academics and in Character.
(5) NATIONAL RENAISSANCE National rebirth and revival can be fronteered and properly propagated by youths, young minds who are fuilled with passion for change. Organising of youths conferences achieved by youthd for youths will inspire the younger generation and prepare them for the challenges of the future. This will go a long way in combating anxiety, low self esteem, future insecurity and the fear of the unknown, hence helping us to build bold, confident and competent future leaders by ourselves for ourselves. When Nigeria experiences this rebirth, the whole world can be sure that Nigeria will be the most important brand, a global comodity every inhabitant of the planet desires to meet.
(6) ACTIVE RESEARCH AND CORRESPONDING IMPLEMENTATION Youths can work in the core of active research which is the fuel of develoment; fully maximisaing the potentials of youths in research and implementation is something our government must facilitate. I look forward to a time, where researches in medicine, infotech, commerce, economics, oil and gas, agriculture and so on will encounter breakthroughs capable of liberating our world from the bondage of endemics and poverty. The after effect of this is that our Nation will forever be remembered for that and our relevance in global ratings will be obvious.
(7) CONFLICT RESOLUTION This is another vital aspect of re bbranding that Nigerian youths can participate in. In places such as the Niger-Delta where crises are prevalent, youths are the causal agents of this strive and conflict. This therefore implies that if youths can contribute immensly to conflict resolution (since yoths inspire youths) this whole lot of strife that has painted Nigeria as an instable country will come to an end. Putting to work Brilliant youths in conflict resolution will sace us of bad reputation we give to foreigners whose families were kidnapped in these regions.
FINAL WORDSI am occupied with a terrific optimism that our youths have a germane role to play in re-branding Nigeria and presenting her as a awesome comodity the whole world will accept. I strongly believe in the GEMSTONE vision 2025 (of which I am an ambassador) a vision which states that ‘by December 31st 2025, Nigeria will be the most desirous nation to live in’, sounds like we are far from it; but the truth remains that if will all will take responsibilties, understand our roles and critically emancipate in the right direction. Our nation will get there, and the responsibility is the youths’.
