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Sanusi and Western Economic Theories
Kali Gwegwe
Publicado en February 25, 2011
The problem of poverty in third world countries is mostly as a
result of poor distribution of national wealth. Nature has designed
life in such a manner that every nation is appropriated enough
resources with which to service her economy and polity. The major
hindrance to effective distribution of national wealth is poor
political leadership culture. In Nigeria, the nation's faulty
political leadership culture has given birth to high rate corruption
and ethnicity- the two mountains standing between the most populous
black country on earth and the comity of developed nations.
Effective distribution of national wealth will reduce the gap
between the various social brackets in the country. This will mean
that every Nigerian citizen will live above poverty line and
indirectly discourage the culture of graft. Most cases of graft have
foundation in the inability of citizens to meet the basic needs of
life.
There is no doubt that the deep culture of ethnicity has robbed
Nigeria of quality political leadership. It is almost a taboo in
Nigeria to oppose a fellow kinsman or kinswoman in government.
Everything possible is done to dominate other ethnic groups. This is
done even if it amounts to walking on the head of justice and fair
play.
The issue of zoning that nearly weakened the foundation of Nigeria's
democracy is most unfortunate. For very good reasons, a greater
percentage of Nigerians came out for the first time in the history
of the country to either condemn or ignore the rantings of the few
apostles of ethnicity. The bold message is that most Nigerians will
care less about the ethnic root of the nation's president provided
the aims and objectives of government is achieved.
President Goodluck Jonathan therefore has a huge opportunity to
prove the apostles of ethnicity wrong by being a national leader as
against that of his native Niger Delta. While he has demonstrated
enough of this, more has to be done in terms of even distribution of
national wealth so as to reduce the menace of poverty that is
ravaging the pockets of most Nigerian masses. The best ways to
evenly distribute national wealth are through the provision of
quality and affordable housing, transport, education, and health
care services. This cannot be possible in the midst of high level
corruption in the business of government. This is the more reason
why EFCC and ICPC must be reorganized to meet the challenges that
comes with fighting graft. The activities of these anti-corruption
agencies are clearly too shallow and narrow to face the task before
them.
Furthermore, government must cut down on her recurrent expenditure
and stimulate economic growth. Towards this end, the issue of
electricity and access to funding for new businesses should be given
all the attention they deserve. Government must provide compelling
incentives to lure citizens back to the farm. This are some ways
citizens can be discouraged from depending on government for almost
everything.
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