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Beyond 2015 Elections: The Impediment To Economic Growth & Development In Nigeria By Gboyega Adedeji Mar 30, 2015
The common yearning and aspiration of every Nigerian is not just #Change or #Forward a most politicians may want us to believe; neither is it just good leadership or kind-hearted statesman. I believe that the foundation of every society is not change, nor progress; and it is not any man: for every nation is built on the foundation of its guiding principles and general norm. In short, I believe that every nation stands or falls by its guiding laws, statutes, principles, precepts and culture.
Change and progress in my opinion are mere results of the guiding norms of any nation. Little wonder the Scripture says that, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." If you ponder deeply on those words, you would realize that every nation rises and falls on its prevailing culture, norms or principles. A nation with a compromising attitude will hardly compete with a nation with a solid and strong principles. A nation where anything goes, cannot be expected to stand among the committee of prosperous nations. Most leadership experts believe that everything rises and falls on leadership; but it is becoming more clearer that every nation rises and falls on its principles, norms and general attitude. Do you remember, attitude determines altitude; hence, every nation can only move high to the degree of the attitude of its citizenry.
Nigeria is a nation of great potentials; talented and educated citizens; endowed land and peaceful atmosphere. However, the economic growth and development of Nigeria is not just dependent on the political party in government; neither is it just dependent on the person at the helm of affairs of the country - Mr President; but on the general attitude, guiding principle and the aggregated culture of Nigerians. Let us quickly look at a Scripture and discover the impediment of economic development, which every Nigerian must do something about from wherever he or she may be at the moment.
"Your princes are rebellious,And companions of thieves;Everyone loves bribes,And follow after rewards,They do not defend the fatherless,Nor does the cause of the widow come before them."Isaiah 1:23If you consider the words of that Scripture, you would know that a nation where everyone loves bribes and follow after rewards; at the expense of true nation-building, honesty, community development projects, fairness and justice; can hardly become great. Therefore, the impediment to the growth and development of Nigeria, is not just a change of leadership; but a reorientation of Nigerians. Everyone must embrace excellence and value; not following rewards; but following value. In Nigeria today, hardly can anyone do anything for another person without asking, "what is in it for him or her". A young man told me on Saturday after the Presidential elections in Nigeria that he was given N500 to vote for a particular candidate on the polling unit queue. In short, it has no become a norm in Nigeria for everyone t be induced before anything can be done - hardly will you see volunteers in projects in Nigeria; as many people expect to make money from every opportunity. Growth and development are quite difficult under such conditions. Hence, we must undergo a season of national transformation for our attitudes as a people to bee adjusted for selfless service and excellence for our common growth and development among committee of nations. I rest my case!
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