They say reputation is the hardest thing to build and the easiest to lose. for years, our nation’s image has been buried under layers of doubt, stereotypes, and missed opportunities. But I, Celestine Achi, am watching closely, and I see the dust finally settling.
I see a new Nigeria emerging — not from the shadows of emotional outbursts, but from the solid ground of strategic intent. We are transitioning from a country of ‘potential’ to a country of performance.
Is the process uncomfortable? Yes. Does it look messy to the untrained eye? Absolutely. But as a builder, I know that you cannot renovate a foundation without raising some dust. The noise we hear is not the sound of collapse; it is the sound of correction.
I don’t speak this from the comfort of the diaspora. I live here. I build platforms here. I pay salaries here. My children are being educated in this system. I have no government contracts shielding me, nor do I have a ‘cousin in the Villa’ smoothing my path. My optimism is born from the reality of the market and the boldness of the current leadership.
We are shedding the old narratives. We are commanding new respect through difficult, necessary decisions.
To every proud Nigerian: walk with your head high. The global perception is shifting because the internal reality is changing. The work is hard, but the future is bright. We are moving forward.
Dr. Achi is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
