Fixing Nigeria:We must STANDARDIZE The Nigerian Brand

It is not enough to just produce products for sale,it is more important to standardize the products and MAINTAIN the standard.This is perhaps why we have The American standards,the German standards, the British standards among other standards.If you ask me,I want to believe that this is the reason why some people would prefer and PAY MORE for the Western products even when the Nigerian version is far superior to them!
Standard and Branding are like 5 & 6

 From the previous post,I made it clear that branding refers to the products and services a person,company or state produces which in turn serves as the logo and an ambassador for that country,company or person.This is why when you hear that a pair of shoes is Italian made,people jump at it and pay ANY amount that's attached to it as its price. On the other hand,when you hear that a product is Aba made or made from any other part of Nigeria for that matter,O'boy come see negotiation,omo, come see SERIOUS bargaining!!!
That's the time you'll see a product that the seller hoped to sell for say N1000 might end up going for just N350.Now,this is not just the consumer thing,it's a big problem that our local producers too are guilty of...we are all involved!
Yes,it began with us the consumers. Over the years,we have cultivated the habit of looking down on local products and advancing the foreign products.In some cases,we tend to rate how rich people are by the number and caliber of foreign products they use or consume.This has been going on for a long,long time.
So,standard started falling because sales and production are not happening at the same rate...the production rate started exceeding the consumption rate,to cut down on losses incurred during production,quality and standards has to be compromised which in turn affected the rate of consumption even further...gradually,things got so bad that Nigeria suddenly became known for fake products,hence,Nigeria's brand and standard became FAKE AND SUBSTANDARD!!!
We Can RE-BRAND Nigeria!

Anyway,I don't know for you but the truth is that we are suffering a great deal from our very own handiwork.Our products are substandard and no one is ready to buy them not even us are willingly ready to consume Nigerian products.We most often consume it because we have no choice.This is why the banning of rice attracted so much drama recently.We are so confused now that the solutions to our economic woes now sound so strange and anti people!

This is a clarion call to the youths of this country.Let's rise up and help ourselves,our only choice here is to pick up Nigeria and make it our own,we got no other country except her.Those that ran to other countries BEGGING for citizenship are SECOND CLASS citizens no matter the hospitality they receive there today.Believing in Nigeria is not just the beginning of wisdom for us but our only way to financial freedom and success.
Let's Set an Enviable Standard 

A standard literally refers to a certain level of accomplishment under which we must not fall.Nigeria can't develop without standards,we,the citizens need to set standards...this does not require an assembly or law...not even an endorsement from government is required to set standards.
All that is needed for standards to be set is our decision to live over board.We must be ready to put in our very best to everything that we do.If you resolve to do that at your work place and I decide to do the same at mine,it's only a matter of time we shall be known for it (i.e. branding) and people begin to expect nothing less than top notch quality from us (i.e. standard).
This is the ULTIMATE solution to our economic problems.When the food stuff seller decides to sell only the best,when the furniture maker decides to produced the most durable furniture, when the cloth weaver refuses to have anything to do with substandard raw materials, everything would improve,patronage would increase,more jobs would be created and we shall be better for it! Don't worry about the price,people will buy so long it's a top quality product.The time to start is now!!!

Fixing Nigeria: We must BRAND Nigeria!

In our previous blog post,we discussed why we must own up to Nigeria and see her as our inheritance from our fore fathers.We also discussed how important it is to defend and develop our inheritance for ourselves,children and generations to come.
Today, insha Allah,we shall be discussing branding Nigeria and why we must brand it and make it an enviable and a source of pride for our children. But first things first,What do we mean by branding???

What is branding???
According to a dictionary at my disposal during this write up, a brand simply means a name, logo, symbol or any other item that's used to distinguish a product,service or its provider.
By this definition,branding is all about a product/service and their providers.As a Nigerian,all your actions and in actions BRANDS Nigeria.It's so funny that we are the architects of our own misfortunes and we know it not.We have been writing our own destinies on the negative side with our non nonchalant attitudes towards our national affairs.We have dumped all that makes us Nigerian,our flag,our logos,our coat of arms our traveling passports among other things.We dissociate ourselves from all that is Nigerian yet we wonder why Nigeria is not respected or ranked among the best economies of the world.

No Country Develops From the Efforts of Foreigners
If you are wondering why Nigeria is not developed,the answer is straight and forward...It takes Nigerians to make Nigeria great and we are not making Nigeria great at the moment.
I don't know about you,but I don't know of any country that became a developed  country without the  SUBSTANTIAL contribution from her citizens.I don't know why we Nigerians hope that it could be different with us.
Every time our political leaders are asked as to how to develop our economy,you'll always hear such thing as attracting direct foreign investors.Why must we always be like that,why don't we try out our own hands in solving our problems and most importantly,why must we wait on the government for every thing???

Nigeria Runs A Mixed Economy not Socialist
According to Economics,we have 3 distinct types of economics system.They are the Socialists,Capitalist and Mixed forms of economic systems.
The Socialist economy runs an economy that the people depend solely on the government for everything from education to jobs and basic amenities.The Capitalist economy is the economy where everything is left to the private sector and the government just plays the regulator's role.Lastly but certainly not the least,the Mixed economy,the type which Nigeria runs comprises of the capitalist and socialist characters put together so that the disadvantage of the capitalist is countered by the advantages of the socialist and vice versa. So,why must Nigerians depend so heavily on the government for everything???
Guys, we can try our hands on a lot of things,there's a lot of room for improvement here!I mean why can't we for once try thinking out of the box,for instance, why don't we just assume that we have no government and we need to survive in the Nigerian economic jungle we find ourselves?
It is my believe that we would do a lot better if we act as though we have no government and we are solely responsible for ourselves...I'm talking Entrepreneurship here trade and commerce...buy,selling and marketing our locally made products over any other.This is how we can brand Nigeria positively!
The bottom line...Nigeria is a mixed economy where we too can rise up to the challenge and make good our economic situation.We run a MIXED Economy bro! We NEED to wake up people!!!

Unless We Pick Up Nigeria and Run Her Economy,Nigeria Will Not Develop.
At this point,I would like to do a recap and connect the previous post to this one so that we may make sense of the whole story.
So far so good,Nigeria has a very few Patriots who believe in her and would do what it takes to make her great.Unless we OWN up to our responsibilities as citizens of this great country,unless we OWN up to Nigeria and accept her as our ID it would be very difficult to be proud of her and do things that would make her great.Now, with this post,I'm trying to let us know that the promotion of the image and values as well as our cultural heritage is MUST.Unless we identify with our country and do the needful,we won't grow.We must EAT DRINK,SLEEP,PROUDLY MARKET AND PROMOTE her to the world as a great Nation,otherwise,no one would respect and  think well of Nigeria.This my,friend, is what we call BRANDING!!!
Since branding Nigeria is all about making Nigeria great in her uniqueness,then,we,the youths need to go back to our roots and develop our economy along what we are known for around the world with the latest technologies.
Ladies and gentlemen,WE ARE FARMERS,TRADERS,INDUSTRIALISTS AND ENTREPRENEURS...WE ARE NIGERIANS!!!
God BLESS Naija!

Fixing Nigeria: We Must Accept Nigeria As Our ID

In my opinion,the greatest problem with Nigeria is that Nigerians are yet to accept Nigeria as their country. How,then,do you expect to get anything as a Nigerian when you don't really see yourself as one?
I know for sure that none of us would see our inheritance from our parents or grandparents hijacked and claimed without a struggle. Even if we can't claim it yet,we shall do all we can to make public the fact that we own it. No matter the tyranny of whichever bully that's denying us access to it,we shall continue to struggle and fight until we finally win it over! This is because we know that the property is ours and no one,no matter how powerful should have it. Even when people die in the process,people never relent in fighting for what is theirs...but,what of Nigeria,can we say the same of Nigeria,I doubt it!!!
We must start to see Nigeria as our inheritance!
It's not uncommon to find Nigerians lamenting and telling you how disappointed they are in Nigeria,the government and everything Nigeria. Some even go as far as to question why God made them Nigerians? What a shame!
The BLUNT TRUTH;if you refuse,to accept your fate as a Nigerian,you shall continue to suffer like a homeless stray dog. No matter what you do,no matter the citizenship of whichever country you might currently claim or are planning to claim,it doesn't change the fact that you are a Nigerian! Refusal to accept Nigeria as your country is self denial and a major hindrance to National development.

It's Natural to Care for what We Own
No one leaves his home leaking without rising up to do something about it. If your father's house's roof is leaking and you do nothing about it,then,you are a BASTARD!!!
Most of the problem we encounter as Nigerians are due to our indifference to the Nigerian project. We don't care what become of Nigeria so long we live comfortably. This is why Nigeria is in shambles.
We all shout and protest against corruption whereas,there is hardly anything we do in today's Nigeria without engaging in corrupt practices. Whenever we are confronted and challenged, instead of feeling remorseful, we proudly stand up and say that we are not the only ones that are corrupt. In other words,we find justification for being corrupt,is that right???
 

No One Can Change Nigeria Except Us,Nigerians.
Buhari had only begun the process by leading by example. You may say he has a lot of corrupt guys in his government, but,if I may ask,how many Nigerian politician or VIP that you know that is not corrupt? I'll make it easy on you,just name me 3!
Yes,I agree that some corrupt practices cannot be stopped immediately even if we wish to,but,you'll agree with the fact  that there are a good number that we can stop immediately!
You won't reason along with me unless you see Nigeria,truly as your fatherland...your very home that is in a very sorry state and needs fixing ASAP. Consider Nigeria as your home which you inherited from your dad and its roof is leaking,what are you going to do about it???
 

If You See Nigeria as Your Irreplaceable Home and Identity...
Well,that's the message for the day,the first step to making Nigeria great is for us all to see Nigeria as our ONLY HOME & IDENTITY. Unless,we do,we won't be able to fix Nigeria!
 

Arise O'Compatriots...

Nigeria Needs You to be PRO-ACTIVE!!!

If you are a Nigerian and you are not proud of being a Nigerian,then,I tell you that you are a BASTARD!!!
No,let's be very sincere here!Why are you not proud of Nigeria,what has Nigeria done to deserve your hatred,have you ever done anything for Naija???
By the time you are done answering these questions,you'll realize that you are very wrong not to be proud of Nigeria,coz,to tell the truth,Nigeria sef no dey proud to host your type inside her!

It's Not the Land that's Faulty but the People living in it!
If you are part of Nigeria today and not happy about what's happening in the country,you should do something about it.Stop complaining!!!
All the corruption and looting going on in this country has been successful and ongoing due to your action and inaction as a citizen of the country.I know that you might be asking as to what you could have done to stop the corrupt practices around you.You can do a lot my brother!

It doesn't End With Elections,it Begins with It!
The only thing Nigerians know about democracy is election.Whereas,there are much more to a democracy than mere elections.I hope to enlighten my readers on the other aspects of democracy and governance in general.So please,do watch out for next posts,they promise to be educating and entertaining!

Catch ya later!

Nigeria's Insecurity: Boko Haram

Unfortunately, the madness rages on,despite the colossal losses suffered by the Boko Haram insurgency,as expected,they have proved a die hard plague and menace of Nigeria's North Eastern region.
Personally, I think the insurgency is no longer a big deal and it's possible to wipe them out TOTALLY.
The blunt truth is that the insurgency has been given a respite,they have been given enough time to rest,recover,regroup and recruit new members. It's still a misery to me how our security operatives couldn't see what I could see and sense as 'bloody civilian'.
Ordinarily, when an insurgency is crushed and chased out of its location the next logical thing to do is to follow up with 'reorientation'. This is obviously needed considering the fact that insurgencies such as Boko Haram feeds heavily on local people's sympathy. They simply mix into the general public and conduct a big time brainwash program in their bid to recruit members and connect strongly with the people who ignorantly continue to shield them against the security agencies.
I'm seriously appealing to those in authority to look into this matter and see how a reorientation exercise,special anti insurgency programs can be aired rigorously on the local and mass media to which the locals of the North East are tuned to...the insurgents are still able to strike coz,they still get to recruit new members and enjoy local people's sympathy.
Please don't just read this SHARE if you are concerned and care about the loss of lives we suffer daily!

Open Letter to the Kwara state Government

In response to the notice of Tenement rate and land use charges you served my humble domain,I deemed it fit ask some very simple questions.
We all know that the primary duty of any government to her people is the insurance of the security of their lives and properties.To cut the long story short,it's the duty of the government to ensure the well being of the general populace that's domicile within her territory.It's in return,that the citizens too have to pay certain dues,charges and taxes as the case may be.
On bringing this definition to play in Kwara state has proved to be a daunting task,because,personally,I can categorically tell you that I haven't enjoyed anything tangible from the state government despite the fact that I pay my monthly tax through my employers.
Nothing seem to be working in today's Kwara,water from the Water Corporation is now history,nothing is done about the lack of jobs,security is now being handled by communities as well as the installation of power infrastructures.So ask then,why should I pay the new charges which is well over N8 000 as tenement rate?
You haven't been able to show anything for the taxes I pay as of today,why should I trust that I would see any now???
Don't get me wrong,I'm willing and ready to pay this and many more so long I get to see what you do with my money.Of the over N17 billion you raised in 2016,I'm yet to see any tangible thing you've done with it.
I therefore,wish to inform you that I shan't be paying a dime more than I already until I begin to see the dividends of government through meaningful project developments and provision of top quality product and services from the state government.
We continue to wait and please,remember that we travel to other states and know what's obtainable in other parts of the country.It's our hope and lofty desire that the state government would wake up to her duties and not just think about generating revenues.I rest my case for now!
Yours faithfully,
Naija Patriot

 

Sambisa has fallen,aren't we supposed to celebrate?

Nawa o!
The Federal Government and the Military announced their conquest of the much dreaded Sambisa forest and no one is celebrating this major break through security wise.Why?!
It is so,so disheartening that the general public.nor our NGO's,bloggers and mainstream media is at least congratulating the military for the huge success achieved.I'm beginning to fear big time for the country's future just as I wonder if the citizenry really care about the country's progress!
I mean we are talking about a terror group that held the whole country to ransom for years in absolute terror.Our gallant soldiers have risked and sacrificed their lives to help rid our beloved country of such terror and embarrassment and NO NONE is celebrating,are we Nigerians ingrates???God forbid!

If the U.S. Army is to achieve such a fit,the whole country would go agog in celebration of the Military's prowess,Hollywood could even crown the success with a grand performance and production of a movie to celebrate their warriors.Now, my question is this;what have we done to celebrate our gallant soldiers????