Very little credit has been given to Africa for the immense growth and development that has taken place especially in the area of use and adaptation of modern technology in development, enhanced and sustainable financial market in capital investment and development opportunity, increased political independence and responsibility with regards the rule of law, and flow of free market enterprise that has transformed and elavated the economic system and standards of the continent. Nigeria for example has grown by tremendous leaps and bounds from its colonial years to date, recovering slowly from the misfortunes of it and on pace to become one of the 20 most vibrant economies by 2020. This immense growth and development has happened in 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, 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. A future where every citizen has equal right and access to fair representation in the polity; has equal and fair access to the opportunity of an education; 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; and above all knowledge ability is recognized and channeled properly, talent potential and ability revered and respected, creativity and ingenuity challenged and developed, and visionary attitude embraced and enhanced.
In a free society where people are 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, a strong public policy agenda that supports these issues is critical. 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.
Coming from a country that is widely considered a developing country but has made great strides in adjusting and shifting to a free market enterprise, changes in the public and private sector has provided immense opportunities for the common man to participate and contribute to the growth and development of the free market. By free market, I mean a situation where private enterprise is allowed to be established, work and operate, and develop in a society where the public sector provides the support mechanism in terms of policy framework and security to assure 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 most of all the Rule of Law is adhered to and respected.
Based on my experience, it is a long way from there in Nigeria but it on a more positive path as of before. With the growth and development in the Telecommunications Industry which is essential for any developing country to advance and move from poverty to prosperity, to the modernization and rapid advancement in the banking sector that has recorded the biggest investments by private citizens both foreign and home as assets, to the growth in the technology and methodology for agricultural harvesting, to development of natural resources and manufacturing of commodity goods for import and general consumption by the people at market competitive prices, among others. These opportunities have provided professional employment for people, personal security for the future, and a knowledge database to develop and build on the understanding of what works, how it works, and how best to optimize it for great efficiency and productive performance.
I visited Nigeria in 2002, it had been 5 years prior since I left to further my studies in the United States. I was surprised at the level of growth and development, ingenuity, and courage and determination of the average Nigerian to use common sense motivated with a vision of the knowledge and understanding of solving a problem or overcoming a limitation that presents itself in society using their passion to succeed for themselves. It reminds me that these is no shortage of talent or ideas or solutions to solve our problems in Nigeria just an ignorant and incorrect admission to the limitation we place on ourselves or we allow others to place on us. I was surprised to see...
Written December 2008
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