Macmillan chief urges all Nigerians to contribute their quota to nation's development

Mr Tope Babayemi, CEO, Different Aesthetics, Arts and Culture Management and Mr Yinka Olaniyan, Executive Director, Macmillian Publishers Ltd at the media briefing, of 11th annual Literary Night in Lagos. 

 

 

 

Mr Tope Babayemi, CEO, Different Aesthetics, Arts and Culture Management; Dr Iyiola Adelekan, Managing Director, and Mr Yinka Olaniyan, Executive Director, Macmillan Publishers Ltd at the media briefing of the annual Literary Night in Lagos. 

 

Change

Lagos, Nov. 8, 2013, Mrs Francesca Emanuel, the Deputy Chairman, Macmillan Publishers Company Limited, on Friday, said every Nigerian had a role to play in making the country a better place.

Emanuel made the call at a media briefing, on the organisation’s forthcoming 11^th Literary Night entitled: ``Fix it, the Nigerian character” in Lagos.

According to her, Nigerians need to work towards achieving the desired change in the country, urging them to be proactive.

``We cannot continue to handle things with a fire brigade approach both as leaders and people.

``The change demands that the average citizen of Nigeria plays a prominent role of being responsible in order to move the country forward,” she said.

Mrs Emanuel was represented by Mr Yinka Olaniyan, an Executive Director, he urged Nigerians not to be complacent, lackadaisical and nonchalant to happenings in the country.

She noted that any responsible citizen would be worried about the negative perception of Nigerians internationally.

 ``A country that was conceived as the giant of Africa has descended far down the ladder due to character deficiencies in some of her citizens.

``The Nigeria green passport is always derided at entry points of other nations of the world,” she said.

According to Emanuel, Macmillan has resolved to pay closer attention to the solutions instead of focusing on the problems through its literary night.

``It is a way of tell people what they are not getting right and ways to correct them.

``We are aware that the factors like endemic corruption, violence, collapse of the family values and institutions are partly responsible for the present bad image of the country.

``We will not bemoan our fate any further; rather we would call out Nigerians through this event to bring about the desired change,” she said.

The yearly programme is scheduled to hold on Nov. 14, in Lagos.

It will feature dance drama, songs and poetry among others, with notable actors including Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and Norbert Young performing.