Indian PM Gives Economic Lessons To Nigeria...
My Sino-Indian fascination is no secret, I am intrigued by the idea that countries can make plans and stick to those plans. I am even more fascinated when developng economies pull this feat off.
Singh talked to Nigeria's Economic Management Team which has been set up with the task of putting the country's finances in shape. According to minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma, the PM focused on human resource and infrastructure development, stressing that the two needed to be aligned.
Singh who also loves teaching, gave a lecture to our planners. Many studies involving Nigeria have however shown that our issues aren't necessarily that of poor planning or a dearth of sound ideas. Our problems have been closely linked to poor implementation of theoretically sound ideas. Really Nigerian economists developed what was ailed as one of the world's best development plan in the late 70's. I recall this same plan deprived me of precious bonding time with Charlie. Now I can officially lay the blame of my mal-adjustements at Nigeria 's feet.
Back to the gist, can the present crop of planners in Nigeria truly bang out a workable Nigerian National Development Plan? I dare to say Nope. Structure, Structure, structure. A round table of Keynes, Smith with a sprinkle of Solow can not save our country given its present state. In summary, Nigeria can not be saved by sound economic theory, in my opinion one Sociologist or one psychologist or one law enforcement officer is worth more than a team of economist, given the present state of decay in home country. I also dare to extend this further by saying a -esque intervention has no place in Nigeria.
In a totally unrelated gist, I just learned that Lucky Dube, the South African Raggae star was shot dead. Totally disheartening. I feel like I know Lucky. We bonded in 1995 (when I first dabbled into college life, need I say it did not go well), those were hard days, no water no electricity and buying hand-out(s) and for some folks outright purchase of grades. Lucky and I bonded you know what I mean wink wink. Bonded. R. I.P Lucky.
3Comment(s):
I will read this later, duely bookmarked.
I am glad that the Big Boys could reach out to India in this way. I am excited that we could work with them. However, I understand that there is a military pact between Nigeria and India. Have you heard anything of the details?
This is an interesting read indeed.