I remain optimistic about the ..Good People …Great Nation campaign. However since no campaign is perfect here are a few things I would have done (do) differently?
1. I would have recognized the limits of main stream media. The days of massive campaigns through mainstream media is coming to an end.
Why? The web shapes peoples perspective these days. Online campaigns are cheap and a mix of Internet and MSM campaigns are even more effective. I would have held a national competition on the web. This would have generated free press and a sense of ownership. Fancy media consultants would have been relegated to the background.
2. I would have a web address tacked on to the slogan.
Why? It last longer than an ad campaign on CNN. The motives and goals of the efforts could be outlined with greater detail.
3. I would have tied the campaign to Nigeria’s infrastructure play.
Why? The opportunity funds that invest in commodities and finance trade in Nigeria already have their minds made up. They possess more sophisticated tools for assessing risk. They would not be my focus. I would have focused on more stable investment vehicles such as those that focuses on the diaspora and partnerships with Chinese firm who seem to have more detailed long term plans these days. I would do this by acknowledging the dearth of public infrastructure and re-brand this as opportunities available to smart investors.
4. The Government would not have been the main driver of this initiative.
Why? I would create a social enterprise, with a few successful multinationals as stake holders. Their incentive would have been tied to taxes and access. Maybe, throw in Ngozi Iweala to announce this initiative.
5. Lastly, if my cell phone was stolen minutes before announceing this re-branding efforts I would not have granted an interview or mentioned the loss of a mere mobile phone.
Unlike Rush Limbaugh I do not care who takes ownership of the plan I am still rooting for the present efforts.
What would you have handled differently?
Posts Tagged: Government
18
Mar 09
Re-Branding Nigeria: 5 Things I Would Do Differently.
6
Jan 09
A Boost For Ghana’s Success Story
Bad news about Africa travels fast and very pervasive. I am dissatisfied with the level of airplay that the successful conclusion of a legitmate democratic election in Ghana is getting. I just read the FT article; Election boosts Ghana’s success story.
A lot of people remember the excesses of the 20 years before 1992,” said David “Kojo” Awuah-Darko, chief executive of IC Securities Holdings, an Africa-focused investment bank, in Accra, the capital. “There’s absolutely no way, with all the investment that people have put into this country, that we want to go back.” Continue reading →
30
Dec 08
The Corruption Switch
Three weeks ago Nigeria’s President Umaru Yaradua declared that corruption was and is Nigeria’s biggest stumbling block preventing her from achieving her potential.
VOA - ”Corruption is Nigeria is a major national problem,” he said. “Corruption is endemic in this country, and there is absolutely no way this nation can achieve its potential until and unless this evil, this challenge, is confronted frontally by all Nigerians. We need to declare a national war on corruption that involves everybody in this country.” Continue reading →
3
Oct 08
Nigeria: Unintended Consequences Of Recovered Monies
In 2005 I worked with a health care NGO, tasked with providing advanced surgical procedures in Ghana. Their service was geared to patients who would not normally stand a chance in the free market. Though my time with this organization was limited, I quickly realized that this organization was over funded. At the end of each quarter the staff had to come up with creative means to push programs through the pipeline. Otherwise we would be stuck with leftover funds on our books. What is wrong with extra cash you may ask? in the case of these NGO a whole lot. Continue reading →
9
Aug 08
Stolen Funds Fact Of The Day
The theft of public assets from bribery, kick-backs, and other corrupt acts is huge and what is worse, most of these assets are spirited out of the country where the corruption took place, leaving everyone worse off. According to one estimate, corrupt money flowing abroad from developing countries is now $40 billion per year which amounts to 40% of annual official development assistance funds. Governance Matters
Correct me if I am wrong, Nigeria’s share of the total looted funds in foreign accounts have been on a downward trend in the last two years. I have no data to back up this claim, it is just a hunch. What do you think?
Have a great weekend.
20
Jun 08
Anti-Corruption Waxing Lyrically Strong
As part of efforts geared toward achieving zero tolerance to corruption in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its crime prevention and public education unit – the Fix Nigeria Initiative (FNI) is mainstreaming the anti-corruption crusade into popular culture of which music is a critical aspect. Continue reading →
