Power of propaganda

For the first time ever in my overseas life I found it necessary to criticize my own country, Nigeria. But first of all, the following information is important to assist readers in properly understanding the background of this criticism. Here is an example. Nigeria is one of the world's 10 most populous nations, one of the world's largest oil producers and has some of the world's best soccer-players. As a matter of fact, the present secretary-general of the oil organization OPEC, Mr. Ridwan Luqman, is Nigerian.

Despite all the above, my people have little knowledge of the propaganda that could make their image so formidable internationally. I have been advising my people, saying we are in a "world of games", a "propaganda world", where we see well- respected nations whose incalculable propaganda is much greater than their actual progress. At one time, I checked a number of dictionaries accredited worldwide and was shocked to realize that they were almost similar in defining this word i.e. publicity or information which is intended to spread ideas which persuade and convince people.

Since my early childhood, I have been hearing a statement in Northern Nigeria: Dokin Mai-baki yafi gudu. This means roughly "propaganda makes him bigger". If my people are serious why don't they apply it to their contemporary political and economic activities, as do their counterparts in the Americas, Europe, Asia etc.? Take the example of Western movies that portray a very luxurious, prestigious life in those countries. But when you go there in person, you maybe shocked to discover that the Western world, is after all, not the paradise many have for years been made to believe through these propaganda movies.

Even in the developing world I particularly admire some Asian countries' propaganda skills. One of them at least made the world believe it has successfully developed nuclear weapons, so it will attract international attention that will upgrade its image. The other, a small country but a good propagandist is so developed that according to their prime minister they will soon start sending rockets to space. We don't know if they will hire Russians to do this, in the name of their country, so that the international community will be convinced of their high tech achievement. Recently, an unnamed Asian country has been hit by a currency crisis and is just trying to find a way out, yet, for propaganda purposes, it pretends to help other victims of currency crisis.

In Europe, other countries have gone as far as exaggerating the literacy rate saying that their respective national literacy rates reach 99 percent, and that only one percent of their citizens live below the poverty line.

Personally , I find it difficult to trust newspaper figures, particularly those relating to economic growth, unemployment rates, increase in AIDS victims etc. Really, I now believe the popular saying "money makes money". Imagine, if African countries would spend 50 percent of their national budgets for propaganda purposes, they would also, just like the others convince the world they are giants.

BUHARI ABDU

Jakarta