What comes to mind when you hear the words Nigerian or Nigeria?
An ambitious quest to find the positives in one of the world’s most maligned nations. London, UK -  Potter & Clay Ltd, a UK-based multimedia enterprise, has embarked on an ambitious documentary project aimed at challenging perceptions of Nigerians, and about Nigeria.

The 419Positive Project revolves around a nationwide tour in search of 419 positive attributes of Nigerians & Nigeria. This project is unusual, in that it is interactive. Nigerians and friends of Nigeria are invited to participate by submitting positive attributes of Nigerians and Nigeria at www.419Positive.org. In addition, the team is working alongside local volunteers and organisations across Nigeria to maximise participation amongst rural and remote communities. The people’s voices will serve as a compass as the team journeys across the beautiful landscape of Nigeria documenting attributes and meeting ordinary Nigerians. The nationwide tour is scheduled to take off from SW Nigeria in July 2010.
The project consists of a number of components including a film, a book, photography, educational aids. We aim to engage Nigerian and non-Nigerian audiences; to enlighten through screenings, exhibitions and discussions; and to empower and equip ordinary Nigerians to tell their own stories through a programme of storytelling workshops and competitions.

The project director, Rosemary A. Ajayi, says: “This isn’t a ploy to whitewash the Nigerian image or pretend that Nigeria is without serious problems. However, I do believe that there needs to be a re-orientation of hearts and minds for sustainable change to thrive; the secret to changing people’s mindsets is to change how they see themselves. I also believe that the foundation to elevating Nigeria is to energise the spirit of her people; awaken hopes; and create an ambience to feel good about being Nigerian. I hope that this project will, in some small way, contribute towards this.”
Author, Helon Habila says: “If we are to make a change, each of us must act, contribute in whatever little way he or she can. Very good initiative.”

For more information, e-mail info@419Positive.org

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Some Nigerian Voices…

Chude Jideonwo, The Future Nigeria Project

Nigerians like to talk about ʻthe way forwardʼ. We fall into a logjam or dig ourselves into a hole and the next minute, weʼre talking about the way forward! But we always find a way forward!You push a Nigerian to the wall, heʼll break through that wall and find a way. It is a positive trait. It is the trait that will eventually redeem us, if only we can channel it right.

Okey Ndibe, Nigerian Writer, Essayist & Political Columnist

Joy, thatʼs the one word I associate with Nigerians.

Not happiness, joy (for happiness is a tad different). Life in Nigeria could be bleak, challenging but Nigerians never surrender their sense of joy, their resonant laughter, and that boisterous spirit that announces: Tomorrow is pregnant, better than today.

419 Positive, four hundred and nineteen positive attributes of nigerians and nigeria, rosemary ajayi