Maku blames Nigeria’s image problems on politicians

The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has blamed the attitude and activities of some political leaders for Nigeria’s image problems on the international scene.

Maku made the observation in Abuja yesterday at a public hearing organised by the National Conference Committee on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters.

The minister, who made a detailed presentation to the committee on government’s image management efforts abroad, said the attitude of some political elites had compounded the situation.

“One of the major problems we have had in projecting our country as a ministry of information has been how to unite the divided political elites who always seek to run down this country before the international community.

“Each time an opportunity presents itself, you find our political leaders going abroad to speak bad about our country and this has compounded the work that we do in the ministry. Until this trend changes, our efforts to manage Nigeria’s image in the international community remains undermined,” he said.

Maku said the conduct of the local media had also made the task of laundering Nigeria’s image more difficult for government officials. (NAN)