Tag: development

What is the root of Nigeria’s (and Africa’s) problem?

Addressing the root of Nigeria’s problem.

I watched a video discussing a root of Nigeria’s developmental problem to be inaccurate census data, whereby the government cannot accurately plan and provide support for those it cannot count. Think infrastructure capacity as an example. In response to this video, someone rejected the premise and instead blamed Nigeria’s developmental woes on the familiar villain “corruption”.

I have long since deeply reflected on this topic. So, stirred by the video and the reaction, I penned my reflections. May the inscribed words open new paths of contemplation for Nigerian’s and Africans to progress toward the ideal!

The lady’s points are valid. However, inaccurate census data is not the root problem, but a factor. Corruption too is not and has never been the root problem, but rather only a symptom of the problem. Let me explain. There are three layers of problem analysis: cause, symptom, and factor.

A root cause is the origin; a symptom is the direct effect of the cause; and a factor is the secondary effect of the cause and a direct effect of the symptom. 

So what is the root cause? Simple but fundamental: a lack of genuine love for the people. Most officials in government and the citizens themselves lack a genuine love for the people and country. The burning love that is consuming, infectious, and is directed toward all, and not limited to little family, kin, and tribe! The consequence of this lack of love is the symptom we experience in government as corruption.

Love wants to service and give, lack of love wants to be served and take! Public service turns into the public being at one’s service. Take a simple example:

If a mother has 3 starving children that she loves and you give her $100, what will she do? She will spend every penny to feed them! Because she loves them and wishes only for their welfare. But if she takes it and goes partying, or buys shoes while her children starves, then she lacks real love for them. So the corruption of her extravagance is only because she lacks real love! Then her not keeping up with what the children need (inaccurate data) is only an outgrowth of her extravagance (factor of her corruption). Do you see?

Nigerians have been allowing people (through election or force selection via rigging) in office who do not love the people and are committed to their welfare! The outcome from that is bound to be corruption.

We should not chase factors or symptoms, but go to the root: genuine love! Nigerians should find and support people who have this genuine love that burns within them like a surging ocean of flames 🔥. A love that only desires to serve with whole heart, for the welfare of that which is loved (the people). In love is light and development, just like the rays of the Sun brings to Nature. In love are the creative visions for collective progress, and the victorious strength for their implementation!

(For a few of many good examples of strong nation-building leaders who governed with a firm love for their people, research the details of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Sir Seretse Khama of Botswana, and Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore!)

Then there is a separate conversation of the needed fashioning of institutions and systems that separate and check powers once the right person who loves is governing. Essay for another day! 

Jesus is written to have said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the Father but by Me.”

How does this apply here? Jesus is the Love of God, so the way to genuine progress and ascent inwardly and outwardly is through love. For Nigerians to find the way to positive development, they therefore must seek ye first “genuine love”. In love is the way, truth, and the light of progress. This is not an opinion or religious thought, but an explanation of Holy Law governing the Universe and every aspect of human existence for eternity!

So the main thing for Nigerians and Africans to progress is to inwardly turn to God in love, awaken love for their neighbor and country, and support those with a genuine love for the people for leadership. Then the Rays of development, like the luminous rays of the Sun, will shine on Nigeria and Africa, dissolving the impurity of corruption, and leading to a new beginning of robust growth for the welfare of the people.

Then the faces of Nigerians will radiate pride and joy, as a consequence of their own love that is reflected in the deeds of love in leadership. May God grant it!

Onward & Upward!💫

~Dr. Ikenna A. Ezealah, PhD, MBA

Builder of the African Future

JD….loading.

What is African Development?

Today, the word “development” in relation to Africa is so frequently used to justify any endeavor that its essential meaning, and the strict standard of assessment inherit therein, is lost. To obtain clarity about any human activity, we must always first seek to recognize the principles of the Laws of Nature. Only then do we build a firm foundation for conceptual clarity in human activity.

Development in Nature occurs when the basic qualities of a life-form are nourished, unfolded in a continuous growth, and matured to outward form. Inherent characteristics are externally expressed and built-out in logical sequence into a more complex form that manifest the basic essential qualities. When a seed develops into a fruit-bearing tree, the basic qualities of the seed is what is nourished, unfolded into roots, continuously grows into a trunk. In logical sequence branches are built out from the trunk, and fruits are externally expressed as the more complex and final ramification of the seeds qualities.

African development then presupposes that the institutions, systems, programs, endeavors, cultural activities and all facets of human life in Africa…are the products (fruits) of the people’s indigenous characteristics, i.e., the creative expression and continous build-out of the inherent qualities of the people. But this is not so! Most forms in Africa today, whether education, governance, system of justice, etc are adopted. They are not the matured expression of the indigenous qualities of the people.

Thus today, I dare say Africa is window-dressing at best and stagnating at worse. But not really developing in the true concept of the word according to the Natural Law! We are continuing and slight modifying what we inherited, but have not transformed it in our indigenous image. Just like mankind was created in the likeness of the Divine, so also must all social forms and institutions among the different races and peoples on Earth, be created in the image of their inherent qualities!

The transformation of every institution and component of social life into an external image of the indigenous qualities of the African people, is thus the starting point of real development in Africa today.

May the builders of the African future and those who hear and understand this call come together. So that, through harmonious cooperation, we may join hands and lay the foundation stone for real African development.

~Dr. Ikenna Ezealah

True African Development

The one who frames the meaning and sets the vision, frames the mind.
The one who frames the mind, directs the thoughts.
The one who directs the thoughts, guides the actions.
And the one who guides the actions, determines the destiny.

For this reason, the first step for Africa’s long-term progress is to redefine everything for itself, and to set its own vision in a way that reflects its own indigenous nature and qualities. Then, through earnest efforts, build out these meanings into processes, policies, institutions, and initiatives…until they become the fabric of society. Only then will Africa be developing, because its societal progress and destiny would be guided by its own indigenous meaning and vision.

Many developmental initiatives today are well-meaning and appear to be bringing progress, but most are simply building out the concepts and ideas imposed on the people during colonialism. They do not encourage the “breaking through” of indigenous intuitions and capabilities, so these become the defining element of initiatives and upbuilding.

Take a simple example: Education. In Africa, have we asked the questions: what is our unique educational philosophy? What values are we trying to cultivate in our people? What type of identity should our education develop? What cultural knowledge should we document, transfer, and develop through our education institutions? And what methods can help us achieve this?

Instead of these questions, you have a plethora of education institutions throughout Africa today. But many were established during or after colonialism, and do not promote genuine indigenous development and progress. Consequently, they do not cultivate a sense of pride, genuine ethnic identity, and indigenous knowledge development. Instead, despite some benefits they give, they mold the mind to idealize foreign people, ideas, and countries. Are we then surprised when people who mature to adulthood in these institutions desire to go abroad? And others who stay in their countries subconsciously regard everything foreign as better.

Is this development or retrogression?

Outward progress should never occur at the expense of self-sufficiency and indigenous development, but should be a marked expression of it. The call for builders of the African future is to help the people bring their unique ethnic qualities and abilities to the fullest blossom in all forms of society. Everything that develops on African soil in the future should express the natural intuitions of the people, and should support the vision and meanings they establish for themselves.

For this reason, all efforts for African development must ensure the fundamental philosophy is African.

The call for pioneers of the new African upbuilding goes forth. May those who are motivated by the desire to truly help and serve the people hear the call and come together. So that, joining hands in humility and fixed determination, we will diligently work to empower and uplift the people. In that way, through a new meaning and vision, a new destiny will develop for the Africa.

~Dr. Ikenna Q. Ezealah