A few weeks ago, marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy. This event gained even more attention due to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s political misstep of leaving the commemoration early to attend an election interview. This incident sparked numerous discussions, and a friend of mine, Osamede, shared a YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjcHtVEs8lNhWnqm0TPgUig5Askj0saPW to a documentary series on World War II and the events leading up to D-Day and after. The playlist consists of 26 videos, each about an hour long, which I have been diligently watching over the past ten days.
The documentaries vividly portray the hunger, starvation, and widespread destruction caused by Allied bombings, tanks, and the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed over 100,000 people, including many women and children. World War II was the deadliest conflict in history, with an estimated 70-85 million people perishing, accounting for about 3% of the global population in 1940. These staggering numbers highlight the massive scale of human loss and the devastating impact of the war.
Several pivotal battles changed the course of the war. The Battle of Midway in June 1942 marked a turning point in the Pacific, crippling Japan’s offensive capabilities. Similarly, the Soviet victory at the Battle of Stalingrad in February 1943 marked the beginning of the end for the Third Reich, with over a million Soviet troops and countless civilians sacrificing their lives for victory. More than half of the total number of casualties are accounted for by the dead of the Republic of China and of the Soviet Union”, this might explain the current mutual love and respect by both nations
Watching these documentaries made me reflect on Africa, particularly Nigeria. As a proud Nigerian, I believe in our nation’s potential, but recent times have left me disillusioned by what I call “Missed Opportunities for Greatness” due to directionless leadership since our independence, which came a mere decade and a half after World War II ended in 1945.
Nigeria’s path to growth and development has been fraught with challenges like poverty, underdevelopment, and socio-political instability. However, history offers a unique perspective on overcoming these challenges: the concept of a “war stance.” This approach involves mobilizing resources, fostering unity, and implementing rapid industrial development strategies akin to those used during wartime. By adopting a war stance, Nigeria can unite against common adversaries—poverty and underdevelopment—to achieve remarkable progress. If you watch Nigerian movies, there is a popular saying by an actor “Sacrifices Must be Made” this is the whole idea behind “A War Stance”
Mobilizing Resources
Wartime economies are known for rapid industrialization, innovation, and increased productivity. The urgency of war necessitates swift decision-making, efficient resource allocation, and collective effort. These principles can be applied to Nigeria’s development, driven by the urgency to eradicate poverty and stimulate economic growth.
- Investing in Infrastructure, Education, and Healthcare: Nigeria can channel its resources—both natural and human—towards development projects. Building robust infrastructure, improving education, and enhancing healthcare are foundational to sustainable growth.
- Prioritizing Technological Innovation: Just as war accelerates technological advancements, Nigeria can leapfrog traditional development stages by prioritizing technology and innovation. Fostering a culture of research and development and investing in existing technology hubs can create environments conducive to rapid industrial growth.
- Streamlining Governance: During war, governments streamline processes to ensure quick and effective decision-making. Nigeria can adopt similar governance reforms to reduce bureaucratic red tape and improve public institutions’ efficiency. Transparent and accountable governance will attract foreign investment and enhance public trust in government initiatives.
Unity Against Common Enemies
A war stance fosters unity among diverse groups to combat a common enemy. In Nigeria, the enemies are poverty and underdevelopment, not tribal or ethnic differences.
- Regional Cooperation: Different regions in Nigeria can achieve more together than individually. By sharing resources, knowledge, and expertise, regions can tackle large-scale projects such as transnational infrastructure and energy networks.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Engaging the private sector is essential for development. Governments can form strategic partnerships with private enterprises to drive industrial projects, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. This collaboration should be done with integrity to ensure it benefits the public.
- Community Engagement: At the grassroots level, community involvement is vital. Development initiatives are more successful when local communities are actively engaged and have a stake in the outcomes. Participatory planning processes can ensure that development projects address the specific needs and priorities of the people they are intended to benefit.
Achieving a Common Goal
The ultimate goal of adopting a war stance for growth and development is to create a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity.
- Education and Skill Development: Investing in human capital is crucial. Quality education and vocational training programs will equip the workforce with the skills needed for a modern economy, boosting productivity and empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
- Sustainable Practices: Development must be sustainable to be effective in the long term. This includes adopting environmentally friendly practices, promoting renewable energy, and ensuring that industrial growth does not harm the environment. Sustainable development ensures that future generations benefit from today’s progress.
- Inclusivity and Equity: Growth must be inclusive, benefiting all segments of society. Policies should aim to reduce inequalities and ensure marginalized groups have access to opportunities. Gender equality, in particular, is crucial for comprehensive development, as empowering women leads to broader societal benefits.
- Leveraging the Diaspora: The Nigerian diaspora community is strong and should be leveraged. Investments should focus on enhancing the diaspora network to increase the nation’s capacity to solve its problems.
Diaspora Empowerment: Harnessing Nigerian Potential at Home and Abroad
The Nigerian diaspora community is an invaluable asset that can be harnessed for the nation’s development. Nigerians abroad have gained diverse skills, knowledge, and networks that can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s growth. Leveraging this diaspora potential involves creating a conducive environment for their engagement and investment. Examining successful diaspora communities can provide a roadmap for Nigeria.
A. Learning from Asian Diaspora Communities
Asian communities in the UK and other countries exhibit a cohesive approach that can be likened to a war stance in peacetime. They work together towards common goals, practice delayed gratification, and invest in their collective future. Here are some key practices from Asian diaspora communities that Nigerians can emulate both abroad and at home:
- Collective Living and Savings:
o Example: In many Asian communities, it is common for multiple families to live together in a single home. This practice significantly reduces living expenses, allowing them to save more money.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Encouraging collective savings schemes and communal living arrangements can help Nigerians pool resources for investment in businesses and properties in their host countries. - Community Patronage:
o Example: Asian communities often prefer to patronize businesses owned by fellow Asians. This includes hiring Asian handymen, using Asian taxi services, and shopping at Asian-owned stores.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Promoting Nigerian-owned businesses within diaspora communities can keep wealth within the community, fostering economic growth and creating jobs. - Information Sharing:
o Example: Asians are known for their efficient information-sharing networks. Once a member discovers beneficial opportunities or resources, they quickly disseminate this information to others in the community.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Establishing robust information-sharing platforms can help Nigerians access valuable insights and opportunities for personal and professional growth. - Strategic Investments and Business Ventures:
o Example: Many Asians in the diaspora invest in businesses within their host countries. They often start small, family-run businesses, which gradually expand into larger enterprises.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Nigerian migrants can be encouraged to invest in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their host countries. Creating favorable conditions for these investments, such as tax incentives and streamlined business registration processes, can attract more diaspora investments.
B. Leveraging the Ndigbo Apprenticeship Model
The Ndigbo of Nigeria practice an apprenticeship system that helps them dominate various industries. This model involves experienced business owners mentoring young apprentices, who eventually start their own businesses. Here are some ways to strengthen and expand this model for Nigerians both abroad and at home:
- Structured Intergenerational Wealth Transfer:
o Example: The Ndigbo apprenticeship system effectively passes knowledge and skills to new generations, but it lacks a formal structure for wealth transfer.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Creating legal frameworks and financial instruments that facilitate intergenerational wealth transfer can ensure that accumulated wealth and knowledge are preserved and expanded within the diaspora community. - Formalizing the Apprenticeship System:
o Example: The current system is largely informal, relying on personal relationships and trust.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Establishing formal apprenticeship programs with standardized training, certification, and mentorship components can enhance the effectiveness and reach of this model within the diaspora.
C. Addressing the Professional Focus of Nigerian Migrants
Nigerian migrants often focus on securing professional jobs and acquiring more degrees, sometimes neglecting entrepreneurial opportunities. Shifting this focus can unlock greater potential for personal and national growth.
- Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation:
o Example: Asians in the UK, such as those in the healthcare and driving instruction sectors, quickly move from employment to entrepreneurship, starting their own businesses and employing others.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Encouraging Nigerian migrants to pursue entrepreneurial ventures can create jobs and stimulate economic activity in their host countries. Providing access to business training, mentorship programs, and startup funding can support this shift. - Investing in Skill Certification and Business Development:
o Example: Many Asian migrants invest in certifications and skills that enable them to start and manage businesses effectively.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Encouraging Nigerian migrants to invest in certifications and skills relevant to high-demand industries can position them for entrepreneurial success abroad. - Creating Diaspora Investment Platforms:
o Example: Diaspora bonds and investment funds have been used successfully by countries like India and Israel to attract diaspora investments.
o Application for Nigerians Abroad: Establishing diaspora investment platforms, such as diaspora bonds, mutual funds, and real estate investment opportunities, can attract significant capital from Nigerians abroad.
The Nigerian diaspora represents a significant untapped resource for the nation’s growth and development. By learning from successful diaspora communities and leveraging traditional models like the Ndigbo apprenticeship system, Nigerians both abroad and at home can harness their skills, knowledge, and resources. This requires creating a conducive environment for diaspora engagement, promoting entrepreneurship, and establishing robust information-sharing networks. Adopting these strategies will not only empower Nigerians globally but also contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable development and prosperity.
Conclusion
Adopting a war stance towards African growth and development offers a powerful framework for overcoming the continent’s challenges. By mobilizing resources, fostering unity, and prioritizing rapid industrialization, Nigeria and other African nations can achieve significant progress. This approach addresses immediate issues of poverty and underdevelopment and lays the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future. In this collective effort, the spirit of unity and determination will drive our transformation
