“I can't count how many doors my Nigerian accent has opened for me.” – Reno Omokiri

Reno Omokri, former presidential spokesperson to Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has a piece of advice for Nigerians who flaunt fake British or American accent after spending a few years in Britain, America or both countries.

 In his words:

This is me in Disneyland on August 26, 1983. I first became resident in California at the age of 9. Yet, I still speak publicly and deliberately in my Nigerian accent. For the over 36 years that I have been crisscrossing the world, I can't count how many doors my Nigerian accent has opened for me. It stands me out from the crowd and turns heads. Why would an American consider an American accent as something interesting? They have 300 million people already using it. Ditto for the United Kingdom. No. Those guys want to hear another accent. Don't succumb to inferiority complex and change your accent to fit in. What is wrong with standing out? Be yourself. Your Nigerian accent is cooler than ice! And while you are it, don't change your Kayode to Kay or your Ikechukwu to Iyke. Teach them how to pronounce Kayode and Ikechukwu. I assure you that your uniqueness will open more doors than your feeble attempts to conform #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets