Portray Nigeria In Good Light, Please

Once again, comments made by President
Muhammadu Buhari, while on foreign
trip, about the character of the average Nigerian has generated public discourse. Once again, the Presidency has had to volunteer an explanation.
On a number of occasions, Nigerians have observed that the President makes damning comments about Nigerians, while on foreign trips. That the trend has continued and that the Presidency had to explain shows that there is a problem in that area that needs to be addressed.
The latest that stirred the hornet’s nest was the interview the President granted a London-based newspaper, The Telegraph, last Friday. President Buhari, while responding to a question about the abuse of migrant rules by some Nigerians said some of those who make asylum claims have reputation for criminality and therefore make things difficult for some foreign countries.
Some Nigerians have, taken serious exception to the President’s bluntness and candour, most especially his choice of words. Rightly or wrongly, many understood him to be labeling all Nigerians as criminals. They have every reason to be angry, especially against the backdrop of the image deficit Nigeria suffers around the world.
It is good that the Presidency has denied ever making such a damning generalisation. The Tide wants to believe that President Buhari, did not intend to cast aspersions on his countrymen, but it is clear that the President needs to be more circumspect.
As the number one citizen, President Buhari’s comments are not just ordinary words. His words, more than any other’s are taken more seriously and have far-reaching effects on the country. As it is expected of every patriotic leader, the President owes the country an onerous duty of defending and protecting her integrity and reputation at all times.
The Tide is not unaware that Nigeria’s image abroad is not too pleasant. We are also very much aware that some Nigerians living outside the country have given the rest of us a bad reputation, but there is no country that is crime-free. In fact, there are many countries whose crime ratings are far higher than Nigeria’s; yet, their leaders do not go out to celebrate the odium.
For no reason should the President lend credence to any aversion that is capable of making other nationals thumb their noses at Nigerians. As President and former Head of State, President Buhari ought to have acquired the requisite statecraft needed to build and project the nation positively.
Perhaps, the President has not been able to deal with the temptation and inquisitiveness of the foreign press. We expect that his media aides would prepare him to face some hostile journalists, at least to be patriotic and diplomatic at all times no matter what.
While he may be credited with being truthful and upright, as our President, he cannot afford not to be politically correct, diplomatically sound and socially sensitive. He must take control of the correct imaging of Nigeria.
As a matter of fact, all persons in positions of authority should begin to speak with the picture of the Nigeria they want to see. In fact, talking down Nigeria does not improve the rating of any Nigerian, but such uncalculated words shame all Nigerians and scare away foreign investors.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria, like all other countries of the world, has her own share of deviants, but we believe that there are millions of Nigerians within and outside the country who are overtly good, sociable, productive and God-fearing. Let no one therefore give Nigeria a name she does not deserve in the comity of nations.
Although Nigeria is currently facing some economic challenges, which may have forced some Nigerians fleeing the country in search of greener pastures, we expect that the Federal Government will create the atmosphere needed to make Nigerians eke out a living without having to die first.
A situation where Nigerians cannot use financial instruments outside the country simply convicts everybody of corruption charge and makes the economy unsafe for some persons who have learnt to live on the benefit of a robust participation on the international scene.
As Nigerians, we have no other country than Nigeria. Therefore, the duty of making it politically stable, economically viable and socially relevant remains a burden every Nigerian must carry with redemptive candour.