Some say that for certain countries to get out of the rut they are in, there needs to be a wholesale uprooting and discarding of the current status quo, and the adoption of a new mentality. I see things a bit differently. Instead of a fundamental change in who we are and how we do things, we need to shift our focus on understanding our value and, more so, understanding what it is we value. Let's take Nigeria, for example. Nigeria is a force when it comes to African artistic talent, especially in music and film. In Africa, you hear Nigerian music everywhere! Yet never prior to the 21st century was Nigerian music more dominant than other African oeuvres. For every Fela Kuti and Prince Nico Mbarga gem, you also had an Osibisa and Miriam Makeba masterpiece. Nowadays you cannot go to a club anywhere on the continent or in hotspots in the African diaspora and beyond without hearing Wizkid, Davido or Burna Boy blaring through speakers. And, the Nigerian movie industry - Nollywood - has revolutionized the way Africans produce, tell, and promote their stories. So what's so special about Nigeria? From 1999, with the end of military rule and a stronger focus on democratization, I believe that Nigerians came to better appreciate their exceptional artistic abilities. They came to recognize the value of arts and culture to their society, harnessed it to add more value, branded it, and marketed it around the world to rave reviews. Some may say that it's easy enough to push your brand when you have a proud population of 200 million people worldwide ready to promote their culture, but let's remember that The Netherlands (population: 6 million) and Jamaica (population: 3 million) regularly punch above their weight when it comes to global cultural influence. What is important is the value that's put into the branding. I desire to become a leader and ambassador dedicated to value - to understand the value of cultural experiences, of resources, of effort, of will, of education, of experience - and cultivate and share them with the world. If you catch my drift, let's talk. Interests: Culture, Travel, International Trade, Business Development, Agribusiness, Logistics, Real Estates, Sports, and Uno.