Marketing of Nigeria in US: Nigerians expect quick ‘proceeds’
After the three-day marketing of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari in the United States last week, Nigerians are hoping for quick ‘proceeds’ from the marketing activity.
Nigerians who are keenly waiting on President Muhammadu Buhari for economic drive on the path of rebirth believed that the marketing effort to American government, business community and Nigerians in Diaspora was a right step but are expecting the international community especially US to key in to Nigeria’s efforts to tackle its challenges.
Nigeria is looking forward to receiving assistance to prosecute the war against insurgency in terms of logistics and weapons, Fassy Adetokunbo Olore Yusuf, a legal practitioner told BusinessDay.
With America promising to trace stolen wealth, Yusuf said this will likely curb corruption in the system as it will send immediate signals to government officials especially political office holders that stealing is no longer fashionable. This means that “no matter where you put the money, if Nigeria is not able to track it, other countries will track it”
The lawyer is also expecting a rise on Nigeria’s image profile following the peaceful election and Buhari’s popular acceptance on corruption zero tolerance. He dispelled the toga ‘Baba Go Slow’ on Buhari due to what is perceived as his slow approach to economic direction arguing that the coined word is not in tandem with Buhari’s strategic economic approach.
He said that the president perhaps wants to approach issues systematically to avoid regrettable errors.
Charles Igbinidu, a public relations consultant said the Buhari visit to United States has given Nigeria more visibility and this has made the world to know that democracy is working in Nigeria but he doubted further military or economic gains from the marketing of Nigeria in US.
According to him, the major objective of the visit was perhaps to lobby US to partner Nigeria against terrorism but wondered if US will be willing to do that on the accusation that Nigerian forces are violating human rights.
In his comment, Ken Egbas, another public relations expert described the US visit by Muhammadu Buhari as good public relations, new positioning. According to him, every time Nigeria appears at international forum, the issue has always been corruption, mis-governance and so on but he said it is heartening to hear US president describe Buhari as a man of integrity. “That is the biggest PR gain I think we can draw and this message will travel around the world and perhaps attract international investment”
President Muhammadu Buhari had last week met with American stakeholders when he made official visit to that country where he urged American entrepreneurs to use the opportunities offered by the liberal trade and investment climate in Nigeria to do profitable business.
In marketing Nigeria, Buhari said the country has huge economic potential that required heavy funding. He told the business community that the privatisation exercise will be expanded to include aviation, telecommunication, energy, gas, solid minerals, health, and infrastructure development sectors.
Seeking foreign investments, Buhari said “There is more to Nigeria than oil. This is why I will continue to stress the need for increased United States investments in our non-oil sector.
“It is my intention to create the necessary environment for future investment in Nigeria.We are the most populous nation and largest market in Africa with vast human and natural resources and blessed with abundant young skilled workforce. We are, therefore, proud candidates to become the destination of choice for United States investments in Africa. I will work assiduously to welcome new investors to our country”.
DANIEL OBI