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Nigerians are good people: hospitable, friendly, kind and warm-hearted, bold, lion-confident, positively aggressive, ambitious and hardworking. There are numerous adjectives and metaphors to use in describing Nigerians. Nigerians are indeed good people and have a great nation, Nigeria. Millions of people worldwide wish they are Nigerians, Presidents and government of even developing countries envy Nigeria for its human and natural resources. They wish they have just a tip of the iceberg of the colossal and even untapped wealth of Nigeria to turn their countries around! The crude reality is that an average African suffers from an inferiority complex toward a Nigerian. One African once remarked that his countrymen hate their Nigerian counterparts; simply because they compete for their women and gain the upper hand. He said the Nigerian, not just because of his wealth, exudes an aura of authority, aggression, boldness and self-confidence.

There are several other Africans who have similar observations about Nigerians and this is quite obvious in our dealings with fellow Africans as regards issues like the African Union. Nigeria has spent billions of Naira in championing and spearheading African causes and unity, yet some decisions are taken against Nigeria, there are conspiracies and jealousies. Many countries that have benefited from Nigeria turn out to be the ones spreading this cancer of hatred, envy and resentment. For instance, Nigeria lent its voice in fighting apartheid and in the struggle for Namibian independence. Nigeria has been involved in peace-keeping activities in Africa. Yet many of its efforts and initiatives are not appreciated, acknowledged or adequately-recognised. African countries are hostile, unfair and unjust toward Nigeria and its citizens.

That Nigeria is naturally-endowed, materially-wealthy; the largest oil producer in Africa and most populous African nation is not paying lip-service. Yet smaller and less wealthy African countries like Tanzania, Ghana, Republic of Benin, Kenya, Mozambique and Malawi have reasonably steady power supply than Nigeria the ‘Giant of Africa’. What is the difference between these Africans and Nigerians? Good governance, responsible leaderships, high level or standard of education, affluence, functional social amenities and the rule of law? No, the difference is in the people! These sterling qualities, core values or dividends of good governance are people driven. The stable and uninterrupted power supply that Ghana enjoys is people driven, the turbines, the grids are not robots, man; people remain the power behind the wonders of technological advancement, labour-saving devices and globally-accepted telecommunication trends. Responding to duty calls, accountability, responsibility, efficiency and effectiveness are the some of the underlying attributes of people that bring about a functional, organised, just, orderly, and disciplined society.

The rebranding of Nigeria has met a lot of oppositions from Nigerians themselves. They feel it will not work which means they are comfortable with all the national problems we face from unstable power supply, corruption, election fraud to examination malpractices just to mention a few. It means Nigerians do not like good governance, accountability, responsibility, efficiency and justice. That is why see it as a white elephant, a waste of resources, energy and time, they see it like reading a book you already know the end. There is no harm and halting and taking stock of our national inadequacies. It is not only Nigeria that has called for rebranding so to say, countries embark on such national programmes that are evident in Asian countries; South Korea, China and Japan which have in turn yielded national, positive and economic feats. Besides individually, socially, industrially and religiously in Nigeria we have often embarked on such strategies.

The family meetings, (nuclear and extended) community meetings (annual mass returns), church retreats, crusades, strategic business and management meetings,(business no longer as usual), reengineering and downsizing exercises are integral parts of rebranding.

The rebranding of Nigeria is not about government nor is it a gimmick or ploy to rubbish Professor Dora Akunyili’s good reputation - it is about Nigerians themselves. The lyrics of rebranding Nigeria should be the breath in our homes, streets, offices, local communities and society at large. It is not a matter of haphazard recitation like the National Anthem during school assembly sessions or national day celebrations as a means of observing protocol but should be instilled and imparted as norms and values of the people of Nigeria. It should be part and parcel of our culture - a way of life of a people.

‘Good People, Great Nation’ is not about campaigns, distribution of corporate gift items; exotic face caps or t-shirts, long speeches and jingles. It is not about high connections in Abuja, public figures, imposing personality, magnitude in society or long titles - it about doing the right thing, at the right time and in the right place. All Nigerians must choose to do the right things so that Nigeria can move forward as a Great Nation of Good People. The simple onus of the strategy is doing the right things even when nobody is watching. In essence, it is about integrity, honesty, diligence, discipline, drive for excellence, teamwork and patriotism. It is also about equity and justice and allowing the rule of law to reign. It is about shunning corruption and bribery and all its ramifications. It is never too late to try, so the song enjoins. All Nigerians must heed to the clarion call – go back to the basis; do the right thing! Nigerian children, the people of our future must learn the right values for national development from the home; parents, teachers and society (inclusive of other family and extended family members, religious leaders, superiors, counsellors and mentors) and no words conclude this summary better than those of James Baldwin; “our children do not follow our words but our actions.”