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To Be...Or To Seem To Be?

Now, all this hullaballoo (noi) about Nigerian terrorism is really getting on my nerves. Apparently Nigerians have an unintelligent preoccupation with keeping up appearances (explains why consumer loans are so popular among middle-class bankers).

Personally, I am more worried about our reputation as fraudsters (or "419-ers") than as terrorists. Why? Because we ARE 419-ers!

You see, a reputation needs to feed off actual reality to be sustained. I mean, look at the numbers. The probability of running into a Nigerian terrorist, 1 in 140 million. Probability of a Nigerian fraudster? Just check your email for the next "system update" email from "Interswitchng.com"

The problem is not the Nigerian reputation. The problem is the Nigerian. The Nigerian looking to score the next big government contract, or that believes anyone that works in an office from 8-5 is "rich" and should not mind sparing the "boys" some change.

I believe we over-estimate the importance of America to our existence as humans (I remember the annoying uproar over Obama's non-visitation). I mean, I have relatives abroad. US, UK, Saudi Arabia, the works. Honestly? I'd rather stay here. We seem so preoccupied with staring at Big Brother US for guidance that we do not see the plethora of guidance being offered us from countries that, a couple of decades ago, were considered 3rd world like us. Now they are not.

Look at China, Singapore, South Korea, Dubai, India and even South Africa. Why are we so worried about not being issued visa to enter America when we can easily learn from Asia?

I don't get it. I work in a multinational and the interesting bit is, I don't see so many Americans. I mean, who is an American anyway? He's simply an African, Asian, Arab or Jew who has learnt the system of civilization within the borders of the said country. And the system isn't so perfect either.

Look at the ongoing recession. The only reason we feel it's global is because the US and UK were simultaneously affected. There have been economic upheavals all around us for ages. The Nigerian Stock Market has crashed in the past and nobody really noticed (I believe it's the noise of the current crash that's keeping the market down right now but that's the subject of another discussion altogether).

Nigerians should ease off on the international PR and live the talk. Fix your issues. Let there be light and there will be industry. Let there be security and there will be less crime. Get the morons out of political office and we'll create a system that'll beat American so-called democracy.

I'm not anti-US. I just think the belief in "God's own country" has superceded the belief in God. The average Nigerian teen is better equiped to handle life than his American counterpart. We just need the right attitude.

In parting, no one is going to like you just because you "say" you are likeable. Three 2009 Box Office hits mention Nigeria in bad light: X-Men Origins, District 9 and Avatar. These movies were way before any Nigerian tried to blow up a plane. Your reputation is already soiled. Deal with it.

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