Ufot Tasks Political Leaders to Be Committed to Nigeria’s Transformation

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Group Managing Director of SO&U, Mr. Udeme Ufot, has stated that no amount of strategic image making campaign would be effective to change foreigners’ perception of Nigeria more than purposeful political leadership that is committed to change the country’s narratives in both intent and deeds.
Ufot said this statement yesterday, as the guest speaker at the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce’s (NBCC) August Sharing Experience Series with the theme “The Power of Storytelling in Marketing.”

Speaking during the event, Ufot said changing the country’s perception, “must begin with having the right political leadership that is committed to changing the country and galvanising the people, which must start by forming an elite consensus to go on a new direction.”
He added that Nigerians, who supported the implementation of the “War Against Indiscipline” in 1984 and 1985, would also align themselves today to the demands of changing the country’s narrative when they see the right set of leadership in the management of the country’s affairs.
Ufot said: “Nigerians will align when they see the right leadership. And on the back of that new direction, you can begin to craft narratives that will reinforce those values.”

The advertising guru noted that until these set of leaders would arrive, those mounting advertising campaign to change the prevailing negative perception of the country would be going in one direction while those in political leadership would be following another direction.
He asked: “What is the point of a dialogue with the deaf?  I do not believe in head butting a brick wall. And I do not believe in talking for talking sake. There are fundamentals.

“This may sound like democratic heresy; I have said that what we perceived as western styled democracy have not worked in Nigeria. Because the countries that have made progress in recent years are countries that have been run by benevolent dictators. Even in the United Arab Emirate.
“Now, nothing we will do in trying to change the narrative of Nigeria without a leadership that believes that the country is to be changed; that find ways to change it and that there are elites’ consensus that no matter which political party that takes over this country that consensus must remain as the path to the growth of our country.

Ufot pointed out that countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia and Rwanda that have made progress, did so under benevolent dictators.

“In China, it was Mao Tse Tung who stepped out and set out certain principles and values that drove the country and his successors continued. Despite all the attacks by the West, painting negative images consistently, but where is China today?

“In Africa, we have President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, who has stepped forward as a strong leader that is focused and determined to transform his country. The West described Kagame as a dictator but his country is making progress. Is it Singapore? Is it Malaysia?

“So, let me go back to where we started. I have volunteered that I want to change my country and I have skills to put on the table to change my country. And I am talking and going this way but the actions of the political leaders are communicating different thing entirely and the citizens are watching and reacting or responding in kind.

“If we behave as if Nigeria belongs to no one then who ever that thinks he can take it, let him take it. The country is a free for all, when your turn comes you take. If it is not yet your turn shut up and wait. I am sorry, but I said that I will be brutal.  

He, however, harped on the need of telling the stories of Nigerians who are doing some great things. “But we take those things for granted. We assume that people know what we are doing but they may not. Let us be strategic in selling ourselves and in crafting those stories that will help to project us in good light.”  

In his welcome address, the President of NBCC, Mr. Ray Atelly, said the sharing experience series was a signature event of the chamber that started in December 2019, and designed to provide a platform for accomplished leaders in the organised private sector to share their experience in the areas of entrepreneurship and professional career fueled by passion, audacity, and Innovation.  

 Atelly, said storytelling was one of the oldest, yet most powerful communication tools we have as humans.

“They help to share, engage and comprehend in ways few other mechanisms can. Stories have always fascinated people and are more easily remembered.

“Well-told stories regarding a brand appear to have the potential to influence consumers’ brand experience, which consists of all the sensations, feelings, cognitions, and behavioral responses evoked by brand-related stimuli that are part of brand’s design and identity.

“At its core, storytelling marketing is about defining your values; what does your brand stand for? For example, Apple stands for innovation and user experience, not necessarily computers and phones.

“Even though your value statement should be short, it does not mean that creating it is a short process. Therefore, if you want to succeed in today’s competitive marketing world, you have to be a great storyteller,” he said.