...I do not believe I am a Nigerian by accident, or that I could have been better off anywhere else. I believe and affirm that this is the best ‘seat’ in the planet fashioned by the almighty God for the benefit of all Nigerians, and all true friends of Nigeria.
In 1999, I went to Kenya for a training programme on development media materials design, development and production, with support of the UNFPA.
As part of the programme we (there were participants from eleven African countries) for the component that had to do with electronic media materials, at ACE Communications, a Kenyan company. While there, I noticed a product that there were advertising that interested me. It was indoor advertising display systems, the types that are all over the place now in banking halls and such places. There were not available in Nigeria as at that time. I approached some Ace Communications staff about it, and they said they would set up a meeting for me with their Managing Director, Mr. Raphael Tuju, which they eventually did.
As we sat over tea, at the Country Club in Karen, Nairobi to discuss business, the first thing that Mr. Tuju said was, ‘You Nigerians…’ I said to myself, here we go again! ‘…people either love you or hate you. But no one can afford to ignore you…’
Considering that this was just a few months into our ‘new experimentation’ with democracy, I was encouraged.
This is a proof of endorsement of the value of our ‘seat’ on planet Earth. Mr. Tuju eventually went on to become a Member of Parliament in Kenya...
----BIAFRA: LEST WE FORGET!
3 comments:
Well i think dis has to do wit d impression we as Nigerians give to others-probably dat we're not gud enof,cul it "inferiority complex" if u like.I KNOW we can do beta anyway!
Of course, we have forgotten so soon the war in which many of our fellow country men died and we have forgotten how it is still affecting influencing us as a nation. Someone with a scar from the war would definitely not forget it in a hurry...I myself cannot wait to hear the rest of the story you have to tell Didie about the war!!! A review of our past political life as a nation, and as as a people will help us to look back and make right our past wrongs.
@shanpepe, well said. I guess we need to start showing that we can do better. It starts, or need sto start with us as individuals.
@Dammy, My belief, which is one of the reasons I am writing this book, it that we need to start telling our individula stories of how actions or inactions of those in authority after the lives of 'ordinary' citizens like myself.
But unfortunately, most people like us believe it is useless to talk. I do not agree!!!!!!
Post a Comment