“We need to tell our own positive stories, we need to put out our national identity in a way that leaves the world in no doubt as to who we really are and how blessed our country is, in spite of our challenges”
By Nudoiba Ojen
The Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has hailed singer David Adeleke aka Davido for his patriotic stance and projecting the positive sides of Nigeria.
Issa-Onilu, in a letter personally signed dated May 27 and addressed to Davido, lauded the Grammy nominated singer
and many awards winner for encouraging visitors to experience Lagos firsthand, rather than rely on assumptions and negative portrayals.
The letter by The NOA DG reads, “I write to first convey our congratulations for the several feats of accomplishments you have recorded in your musical career and for making our country proud on the global stage.
“News of your patriotic stand during your recent interview on the French speaking CKO Channel, where you encouraged visitors to experience Lagos firsthand, rather than rely on assumption and stated truthfully that “Everywhere is dangerous! the Congo is dangerous, Benin is dangerous, Paris is dangerous, everywhere is dangerous. Even in Atlanta, you could go somewhere and get shot, so that makes it dangerous” reached us at NOA with great delight.
“It is true that we need to tell our own positive stories, we need to put out our national identity in a way that leaves the world in no doubt as to who we really are and how blessed our country is, in spite of our challenges.
“It is for this very reason that NOA has designed a “National Identity Project” with its overarching National Values Charter, a reciprocal commitment that should define how Nigerians are perceived globally and how we perceive one another locally.
“We count on you to continue to project the best of us, while we work to redress the negativities in our public and social life, ” Issa-Onilu stated.
