Nigeria in another re-branding effort … to launch re-orientation campaign

A new national orientation campaign is underway aimed at achieving attitutidinal change among Nigerians in different facets of live.

Already, the ministry of Information and Culture, the initiator of the campaign tagged ‘Change Begins With Me’ is meeting with marketing sectoral groups to solicit their support in driving the campaign when launched.

In one of such meetings last weekend in Lagos with Advertising Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, Information minister, Lai Mohammed said Nigerians cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different result. “Indiscipline and corruption are not restricted to people at the top. Each Nigerian has a role to play to change things and that is why we are launching the campaign”.

“The kind of campaign we want to run will touch every Nigerian. It will start with the President who will say my name is Mohammadu Buhari and I don’t expect kick back from any of my ministers, change begins with me. It goes to professions, students etc. It will be comprehensive and in phases and that is why we need the advertisers”

Lai told ADVAN members to support the campaign the way they have been supporting football matches. “You are the biggest advertisers and we need you to partner us in this campaign. Give us some space, help us fight corruption and at the same time advertise your product. What we are asking you is not strange as you have done it in World Cups”.

He reminded the advertisers that if Nigeria succeeds in reducing corruption and indiscipline, businesses will thrive to their advantage. The minister had also met with Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, (NPAN) and Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN.

Responding, the President of ADVAN, David Okeme promised to partner with government to deliver on its programmes.

He said ADVAN took this step because businesses need a country to thrive and it is in business interest that security is in place, corruption is reduced and other economic indices are looking up.

Soliciting for more engagement with the government, Okeme said the association members are not only holders of budget for advertising but among them are bright Nigerians who can contribute more to building the nation given the opportunity.

Daniel Obi