Very little credit has been given to Africa for the immense growth and development it has recorded especially in the use and adaptation of modern technology, development of enhanced and sustainable financial market for capital investment and resources development, increased political independence and accountability with regards upholding the rule of law, and free market enterprise that has transformed and elevated the economic standards of the continent. Nigeria for example has grown by at a steady and consistent rate compared to its colonial years, recovering slowly from its misfortunes and on pace to become one of the 20 most vibrant economies by 2020 if the Vision 20-2020 is anything to look up to.
The immense growth and development has happened within a short period of time as a result of a renewed resilience by Africans to take responsibility and hold themselves accountable for the change they desire and not relegate that responsibility and duty to foreign influence. Given that the bruises and scars from colonialism and subsequently foreign domination of the development, implementation, and regulation of policy actions that relate to economic, social, and political development remain, the lessons have served as the motivation and impetus to reverse and change what used to be our accepted norm to an enhanced realization and understanding of what our hope and expectation for our future is.
This future is one where every citizen has equal right and access to fair representation in the polity to demonstrate their freedom of choice and participation; has equal and fair access to the opportunity of an education to enhance and develop themselves; has equal right and access to invest and create opportunity for human capacity building through developing innovative ideas and solutions to society's problems and challenges without fear or intimidation; has equal access to services, tools and resources, and opportunities to build and develop for themselves a life that ensures their optimal security, positive livelihood, economic sustainability, and personal enhancement; and above all where knowledge ability is recognized and channeled properly, talent potential and ability revered and respected, creativity and ingenuity is harnessed, challenged and developed, and visionary attitude embraced and enhanced.
In any free society people should be able to actively participate, contribute, and add value to the growth and development of economic principles, ideas, concepts, and opinions on enhancing human capacity development, social responsibility, academic knowledge and understanding, professional development, and political empowerment. To ensure this a proper framework and foundation system is necessary. For any free society, the establishment and existence of institutions that encourage investment, free enterprise, and networks that enhance and encourage private sector development, as well as public sector accountability and responsibility is essential with the enabling environment to support.
Growing up in Nigeria and living through the experience of successive dictatorial regimes that have in many ways plunged our country into the moral and corruptible decay it is gradually coming out now, it is a welcome relief and encouragement to see the hope and opportunity that now exists especially in ensuring that the free market works and benefits all.
Changes and reform in the public and private sector has provided immense opportunities for the common man to participate and contribute in the growth and development of society. By free market, I mean a situation where private enterprise is allowed to establish, work, operate, and develop in a society where the public sector provides the support mechanism in terms of policy framework and security to ensure that investments are safe, exchange of knowledge and ideas freely is encouraged, fear and intimidation in the implementation of services is minimal, competition for goods and services are available, private and public capital are easily tapped into and developed, human capacity are readily available, tools and resources for the growth and development of the economy are continually enhanced through sheer innovation and talent acquisition, and Rule of Law is adhered to and respected. While it seems it is a long way from being reality, it actually isn’t, Nigeria is on a more positive path than before.
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