Most news items and advertisements on the radio and television these days are about the urgent quest to rebrand Nigeria.

The question is: how do we rebrand this country in the face of our self-made adversities?The closest we ever came to rebranding Nigeria was when Generals Buhari and Idiagbon genuinely attempted to redirect the future of Nigeria through the introduction of War Against Indiscipline (WAI).

For nearly nine months, Nigerians, for once, had a focus on where their country was meant to be heading to. Everyone living in Nigeria at the time was compelled to adjust to a more positive outlook of this country. Corruption was forced to its lowest ebb with corrupt public officers returning their loot and those who could not stand the newly emerged pressure running far away from the scene.

That was the absolute key moment for change and for rebranding Nigeria. As soon as that momentum was quashed by a more liberal, corrupt and nonchalant regime, which was at the same time accepted by the same Nigerians, the battered future of this great country was left in dire straits. The result is where we are today-a nation without notion. Any concept of change must have to deal with attitude before a corresponding behaviour alteration or change. Former president Obasanjo's slogan called "reform" was, in itself, another attempt at rebranding Nigeria. In that programme, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was introduced. Ribadu, in all logical sense, worked for this country.

Today, he is on self- imposed exile to salvage his life, because the same people who are creating the euphoria of rebranding want him dead. Every attempt at redirecting Nigeria by the last administration fell short of time. Abuja city, which was becoming a modern and modest city, has once again become a shell of its past image when el-Rufai was a minister. Poverty alleviation that was also another test of how this country could manage and redistribute resources by being altruistic to Nigerians derailed as soon as billions of naira meant for the project was released.

No one, not even the most prudent person in the last government, could attest to the whereabouts of the funds. Every positive initiative of the Obasanjo government has now become another story.

Corruption is the root and stem of our existence; it is endemic and pandemic and we believe that through rhetoric we can rebrand Nigeria? The first shot at rebranding Nigeria by the Yar'Adua government was the introduction of the "rule of law". This is now raped and rejected by the same people who initiated it. The fundamental principle of rebranding Nigeria should be the reintroduction, reinforcement and, ultimately, acceptance of the principle of law as the pillar of this slogan.

The second shot at rebranding by this government was the seven-point agenda. What has happened to the programme? We cannot keep introducing various slogans or jargons as eloquent talks to sway the country.

With unemployment standing at nearly 50 million capable workforce, no rhetoric can change the attitudes of Nigerians who feel the pain of despondence as days go by.

Our leaders have failed us, and, no matter the imaginary institutional names they create, the fact that we do not believe in the system which keeps sucking the blood of Nigerians, rebranding or reenactment of national name cannot change anything. Rebranding is another facade that will never change the minds, beliefs and assumptions of Nigerians; the real change can only come from attitudes. But, can we have attitude change when everyone who finds an opportunity to hold public office steals the same property he or she is endowed to look after?

The study of attitudes is close to the heart of social psychology and, historically, was one of its first concerns. Researchers wondered: how much do our attitudes affect our actions? Asking whether attitudes determine behaviour shows a basic question about human nature. What is the relationship between what we are (on the inside) and what we do (on the outside)?

Philosophers, theologians, and educators have long speculated about the connection between thought and action, character and conduct, private word and public deed. The prevailing assumption, which underlies most teaching, counseling, and child rearing, has been that our private beliefs and feelings determine our public behaviour. So, if we want to alter the way people act, we need to change their hearts and minds. But how possible is that in this country where no one has the country at heart? When can the electorate determine the outcome of any election in Nigeria?

When will our public officers stop stealing from the people? When will personal interest become second fiddle to collective national growth? When will there be an effective rule of law? These questions must be answered correctly before any logical rebranding can take place.Although an ideology offers a theory of human nature and thereby of human potentiality and of the need for particular modes of social control, making ideological statements can never change people's values and beliefs, especially when the leaders are engulfed in corrupt practices.We must, at this stage of our nationhood, endeavour to face the reality on ground. The majority of Nigerians are suffering!

To spend millions of naira on efforts to promote yet another ideological slogan is more or less creating another avenue for looting. Let us try to rebrand by providing employment for our youths who have graduated from various institutions of higher learning. This will be the first step to rebranding Nigeria. The second, and the most efficient way to handle the issue of creating a new Nigeria, is to effectively punish those who loot public funds. Unfortunately, 99.99% of public officeholders in this country are guilty; therefore, I cannot see how rebranding Nigeria can ever take place without addressing the core issues facing us.Nigerians are being robbed of their future and the future of their children by the same people looking for imaginary ways to rebrand the country.

The main issue is not about rebranding but changing the minds and souls of Nigerians who, by all accounts, are relatively deprived as compared to other countries.Rebranding must be a systemic revolution, which should start from the top downward. It must carry with it a great force of change. Change that is not only transparent but enduring and endearing to the people.

Nigerians must see sincerity of purpose in our leaders, not advertised slogans of hopelessness.The world has seen how Obama is rebranding America. His vision for his country is constantly on the view and he has basically carried his people along with him on every programme or project. By talking regularly and directly to Americans, his approval rating is always on the rise. This is what we need in Nigeria.

We need leaders that can tell us exactly what their view, vision, objective and or goals are. Our leaders must carry us along by constantly reassuring this great nation that all is not lost in these hard times.

This is the form of rebranding necessary to effect any change of attitudes and, possibly, behaviours. Most of us are lost in this wilderness and we are in demand of leaders that can show or lead us out of this mess, because corruption has not in any way subsided; instead, it is on the increase.

It is actually nice to know that our government is worried about the ills of the name "Nigeria", but those responsible for this sickness are the same people in power. They created the indiscipline in our society. If they are genuine about rebranding Nigeria, the change must first come from the higher quarters or the exercise will be another "rhetorical façade", which we are already used to.