Lagos:Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, also known as RMD, has called on Nigerians to shift away from negative perceptions of their country and instead work towards enhancing its reputation through responsible behavior, credible storytelling, and cooperative action.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mofe-Damijo delivered this message at the Pivot Nigeria Conference, held in Lagos. He emphasized the importance for Nigerians to move beyond mere criticism and to actively seek solutions to the nation’s challenges, urging them to hold leaders accountable and engage in governance.
Mofe-Damijo highlighted the role of every Nigerian as an ambassador for the country, noting that individual actions can influence Nigeria’s international image. He described Nigeria as a young nation and encouraged citizens to be patient and contribute to its growth.
Victoria Uwadoka, the convener of Pivot Nigeria, explained that the platform aims to help Nigerians reflect on their self-perception and the impact of their actions on the national image. She emphasized the government’s responsibility to foster an enabling environment through effective policies and infrastructure, and she encouraged Nigerians to tell balanced stories that recognize both challenges and achievements.
President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, represented by Adetokunbo Modupe, stated that national reputation is a shared duty. He cited sectors such as Afrobeats, Nollywood, and technology as important reputational assets for Nigeria and stressed the need to highlight positive stories while addressing reputation-damaging factors. He also called for the documentation of positive contributions by Nigerians across various sectors, noting that the upcoming World Public Relations Forum in Abuja would be a chance for Nigeria to present its narrative to global PR practitioners.