INTEGRITY

I just got back to my hotel apartment (which is quite exquisite I might add) from a meeting with my boss and some foreign business partners at a hotel of repute in Dubai. The meeting ended about 1am Dubai time. Ofcourse, the meeting went as planned and ended on a bright and promising note, even though the business deal wasn’t sealed yet in writing.

At some point during dinner, I was beginning to get impatient with our hosts and almost wanted to blurt out “Gentlemen, can we please see the papers and sign them so the deal is done?” but my better judgment kept me from goofing. Our hosts were having a nice time chatting and getting slightly tipsy. Note – myself and my boss where the only two Nigerians at the meeting. There were four other nationals present.

After a while, the managing director of the company we were trying to partner with came near and spoke with his hand round my bosses shoulder, assuring him that he should relax and not bother his head about the deal. Once they had shaken hands on it, the deal was as good as sealed and that signing of papers were just a mere formality because if we knew where he came from (which we knew), we’d also know that once a national of that country gives his word, he will fulfill it to the letter. i.e. what has been agreed upon is binding on him and he’ll fulfill his own part to the letter.

Now, please understand that this nation I’m referring to was being represented by the larger percentage of the diners at the table and at some point during the dinner when the MD of the partnering company decided to attend to some other concerns briefly, somebody else on the table pointed out that weakness of such a nation in business is with regards to the fact that they’ll keep their word to the letter even if the other party defaults.

The MD after he had dropped us at the hotel a few hours ago still tendered an apology and reminded us of the fact that we needn’t have to worry in as much as he has given his word, we can be rest assured he’ll fulfill his duties to the letter.

My friends, I couldn’t help but wonder when it will be that a Nigerian will be able to say “Hey, you know I’m a Nigerian, and when a Nigerian man says something, he’ll fulfill his duties and do so excellently so rest assured, my word is good as my signature.” The thought, I know is funny, but think about it deeply. Why can’t it be so? Is it because those who say this about their nationality have two heads. Or is it because they can hypnotise people to believe them? Or they have a sense of values that reward won’t match integrity and that there is much reward in integrity.

I’ll stick to the latter. We need as Nigerians to begin to intentionally take responsibility for overhauling our value system one after the other. It’s time when Nigerians should be able to stand up for the values of the New Nigeria Club. We’ve done a very good job at damaging our corporate image. NOW is the time to build it back. Now is the time to think back to when good names meant more to families than a million dollars.

We can’t have a New Nigeria without New Nigerians. Nigerians must immediately begin to see themselves in the market place as the model of business transactions world over. Nigerians must begin to showcase themselves as the epitome of trustworthiness and INTEGRITY. What are you doing about it?

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