Shobanjo, Biakolo Reflect on Nigeria’s Image at BrandiQ’s Public Presentation

The quest to revamp Nigeria’s image using the country’s cultural and tourism potentials was given a boost at an intellectual feast organised concomitantly with the public presentation of fast-rising marketing Magazine, BrandiQ.

(L-R) Chairman Troyka Holdings, Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman of the Occassion, Apostle Hayford Alile, Secretary to the Government of the State of Osun, Alhaji (Hon) Moshood Adeoti and the Editor-in-Chief BrandiQ Magazine, Desmond Ekeh at the public presentation of BrandiQ Magazine and Symposium on Brand Nigeria at 53 in Lagos.

The event which created another opportunity for fruitful and eye-opening discussions on Nigeria brought together renowned marketing authorities, Communication experts and brand professionals to brainstorm on opportunities available for the country in the global market space. In a symposium tagged: Brand Nigeria @ 53, Opportunities, Challenges and Prospects held at Federal Palace last weekend, Mr Biodun Shobanjo, Professor Emevwo and other speakers repeatedly demonstrated that all hope is not lost in attempts to salvage Nigeria from its attendant challenges.

Speaking at the Public Presentation, the Editor-in-chief of BrandiQ Magazine and CEO of Synthesis communication, Desmond Ekeh informed the gathering which had in attendance some dignitaries like Hon Moshood Adeotu, representative of the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; Apostle Hayford I Alile, Former DG, Nigeria Stock Exchange; Prof Lanre Fagbohun,;Mr Idorenyen Enang; Dr. Austin Tam-George and others that BrandiQ is poised to give Nigeria a global presence among internationally renowned marketing communications magazines like Harvard Business Review and the Economist.

According to Desmond, ‘‘ the vision of BrandiQ magazine is driven by the passion to be the authoritative voice in reporting Nigeria’s marketing communications activities in the global space. The BrandiQ team is also motivated to take ownership of branding in Nigeria and beyond. Apart from our style of brand reporting, our differentiating value proposition lies in the marcomm tutorial and Journal which seeks to assist students and researcher in  the fields marketing and communication’’ He submitted.

In his presentation, Mr Biodun Shobanjo hinged the opportunities and prospects of Nigeria’s economy on tourism. In his words, ‘‘Tourism is big business; in fact, the 3rd biggest industry in the world, after banking and the automotive industries. Tourism is a window to overall destination engineering-generating income and creating economic activity. By providing 1 out of 12 direct jobs in the world and 9.1% of global GDP, we can see why it inspires national competitiveness, with the attendant national pride that accrues to nations that are performing well on this score’’.

Professor, Biakolo, Dean of Communications, Pan-Atlantic University raised concerns about issues ranging from identity crises and ethnic polarities which seem to alienate Nigerians from their country.  In his words, ‘It is very vital for us to ask ourselves some serious questions: Is there a product to be branded as far as Nigeria is concerned? What is the nature and attributes of the brand? We also need to assure ourselves of, first having a product and corporate unanimity. In the light of these very germane concerns, I make bold to say that Nigeria is not a nation yet. The identification of Nigeria has been problematic over the years. A country where one feel alienated in a state which he has contributed in no small measure calls for introspective awareness plan’’