BRANDNIGERIA 2021 Editorual.
Growing up as a little boy, I always hear the news of bombing and killings at the then war turned Vietnam, Bosnia, etc. I had a bit understanding of its effects from American movie war scenes. So, I always wondered if the killers are actually human with any emotion and blood flowing in their veins. My heart always goes out to the victims when I see them on TV news or in newsprint back then. All of a sudden, bombing, killing, kidnapping for ransom (now a big business), and other vices became our normal here too, really? How about the terror from herdsmen, unreasonable killings in the South East, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, etc. Even Bokoharam terrorists would be shocked at the spate of some of these killings. What is going on, what is wrong with us, what about our good values? Ironically, we are about the most religious people on earth, what really do we want? Sigh!
In my confusion and self-musing, I remembered the words of the late American tele-evangelist, Robert Schuler, “Tough times never last, but tough people do” I also remember my elder brother used to encourage himself whenever things aren’t working the way he expected them back then that ‘Its darkest when it’s about dawning’
Truth be told, we are a blessed people. Blessed in human and natural resources, good arable land for almost all year farming, access to the sea for international trades, no major natural disasters as they have in many places. Look at the Coronavirus that is ravaging the entire world, contrary to the expectation of the so-called scientist who said we will so die, that bodies will literarily littered the street with no one to bury them, even though we are feeling it, the extent has been quite mild, unlike what’s happening in many developed economies with first-class medical facilities. But here we are, to the glory of God. And to crown it, the resilient Naija spirit, that is the unusually strong drive to achieve success against all odds.
We are a youthful and vibrant, we have large market because of our population and resources. We are like a virgin economy with lots of potentials. A survey by Broad Street Journal, a few years ago shows that Nigeria is number one among the frontier markets where major businesses in Europe and America are looking into investment opportunities. We have the major elements for a better socio-economic situation, except for one thing, good, competent, and purposeful leadership, devoid of ethnic and religious sentiments.
This editorial believes that as a nation of various federating units that merged to be one, we have our different value systems, cultural and religious sentiments. We also have a difference in other developmental ideologies, hence the need for each unit to be allowed to develop at their own pace as it’s obtainable in most of the developed democracies we copied. We believe this will also solve a lot of the security situation that bedevil our states that has made us appeared rudderless.
So, chin up, let’s keep hope alive and keep moving. Good times are coming. Amen!
Without too much digression, Akalamago kii podun je lai soro ile. In this edition of the BRANDNIGERIA, we present the much-anticipated report of the annual top brand’s evaluation. It is the full report of the perceived value (non-monetary) of top corporate brands in the country for the year. It has now become like a report card with which corporate brands have an idea of how there are rated among the consumers. The good thing is, it is done from the consumers’ points of view.
So, in this edition, we have a breakdown of the evaluation process of top corporate brands in Nigeria for the year and how they emerged. We also have a report of the Most Popular Brands in Nigeria for the year. It was an outcome of a Top of the Mind Survey.
As usual our dearest Dr Priya Sabaprakan, Ph.D. contributed on Corporate branding Know-how, which I consider a must-read for business executives.
I like to sincerely appreciate every Chief Marketing Officer, GM Marketing, Chief Communication Officer, Director of corporate communications, and the likes that participated in the Top of the Mind (TOM) survey earlier in the year. Your response helped us to get the opinion of the mass market in a few people. It really helped, and I can’t thank you enough.
I also like to sincerely appreciate our Advisory Board members, men, and women who had stood by us all these while, Mr Foluso Philips, Mr joseph Okonmah, Mrs Bunmi Oke, Dr Priya Sabaprakan, Professor Charles Ogbulogo, Mr Olufemi Awoyemi, Mr Victor Oluwadare, Mrs Josephine Aligwekwe.
Special appreciation to the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) and our dear Hon. Goddie Ofose.
I also like to thank every contributor and supporter in the form of adverts in the publication and media supports in our events.
Let me just hint you here, the Jollof+ Music festival, a Guinness World Record attempt where we are cooking 6 tons of rice in a single pot, feeding over 10,000 in Lagos in a single day is happening finally. It’s now a State-wide Festival with the full support of the Lagos State Government. You aren’t seeing anything yet.
I’m still Brand Nigeria.
Taiwo Oluboyede
