Bill Gates, at a recent meeting of the National Economic Council last week, revived an old debate about funding and investments in the social sector, notably, Nigeria’s investments in education and health care. The issue he raised was about balancing investments in physical infrastructure and human development so as to achieve optimum societal development.
Gates stated that “the Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies investing in the people as one of three strategic objectives. But the execution priorities don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritizing physical capital over human capital. People without roads, ports and factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports and factories without skilled workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.”
My take on this
Our nation has been corrected yet again on the need to strike the balance between investment in human capital development and physical infrastructure. What seems to get the attention of most observers on this burning issue is the fact that Nigerians at different times have drawn the attention of Government to the lopsidedness on this issue, but they didn’t listen. Now that one of the richest men in the world and a friend of Nigeria, Bill Gates has thrown his support on the side of the debate that favors a balanced investment in our physical infrastructure and human development so as to achieve optimum societal development.
It gives me great concern that our elites will rather send their children to quality schools abroad and seek medical attention abroad than patronize our low quality systems put in place by them. The obvious is that our public schools curriculum have little or no functional links with industry, agriculture, technology, etc.
I urge our political stakeholders to ensure that funding is geared towards policy positions that will make education functional, acceptable and adaptable to Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
When it comes to leadership and management Nigeria is far behind. We will keep sounding d bell.
I am so happy that Bill Gate helped us sound the bell.
But also after sounding the bell, it should be followed by action.
Corruption is what is affecting the nation, the level of corruption is to high and this will not allow the country to progess.
Let us remove money from politics or de-emphasize money politics and you have reduced corruption by 75%.
corrruption does not only deal with money
I agreed, we have de-emphasize in our politics.
thank you Grace.
I agree with you. the emphasis on money-politics in our political processes is at its extreme
Investment in social sector cannot be achieved without investment in the political system by creating a political ideology that is development in nature. When you bring money and sink into a political system that is investment oriented, the politicians will fetter the money away for personal and parochial gains and interest because that is what they are in power for. They are not there to development but to make gains and profits. So the development partners should look into this critically.
it can be achieved when the system is corrupt free government. money must be sink in the communties, build school, build hosptials and things that will be useful.
Yes, I agree with you.
Sadly enough, those in power are already abusing the man for saying the obvious. Calls to question how long our leaders will keep dodging responsibility and keep blaming anybody but themselves for bad days.
we have bad rulers,
It is so unfortunate that our leaders rather invest in their own selfish empires and children rather than the populace, Bill Gate said all he said not because he likes to say but talking from the perspective of an expert and all some people will say is he has been cajoled by some certain people to say what he said. so pathetic
exactly
It’s a sign of a failed state. Instead of them to see what they can take home from the message, they are busy trying to defend undefended. This vice President is such a disappointment, honestly.
God help Nigeria
Hmm.. It’s well. I suggest we stop waiting for the government and start finding ways of improving our country’s as an individual. And keep on improving ourselves, so that when we get to the decision making table we will do what they couldn’t do.
hmmm, no matter what we need government support and until when our government is corrupt free government, things will fine.
if individuals can do, then dangote will not collabo with government… and even bill gate will have just come into nigeria without meeting the governments and his delegations.
Uwara Ekanem You are right, we all have a part to play, and self development is key.
yes, self development is the key, with partnership with the government .
If only our leaders can be more passionate about leading us rather than their own selfish desires, Nigeria would become better.