How do i start this blog entry? My last post was in October and well, brief is not how it can be described. I’ve thought about making a post a number of times, but just wasn’ t ready. Well, now i am.
In the last few months, i have had the hunger to read up on Nigeria’s history to really understand who we are, why we are and how we got here. My study so far has been interesting and i’ve enjoyed reconnecting with past heroes i learnt about in primary and secondary school; Herbert Macauley, Ajayi Crowther (did you know his father was Freetown?) and other fathers of our nation. I just ordered a book called “The History of Nigeria” and i’m still waiting on Amazon to deliver.
THE PATH TO OUR FUTURE
In thinking of our immediate post independence economy, i remember that Nigeria was the number one exporter of Cocoa, Rubber, Palm Oil and Groundnuts. The developed nations bought our raw material, processed them and sold us finished products at mch higher prices. It’s amazing how this phenomenon has been used on a number of developing nations. Hey, we were a young country and i guess we needed some experience in international trade. I accept that.
Along comes the discovery of oil in 1958 (see http://www.nnpcgroup.com/history.htm) and the wealth that followed after. What was meant to be a blessing became a curse. Not the fault of the produce but the leadership. They did not understand the purpose of our new found wealth. Hint: check out Dubai and check out the history of oil producing nations.
Think about it, we were the worlds top producer and exporter of rubber, cocoa, palm oil and groundnuts (as raw material for developed nations to build their industry) and then we found oil. Is it possible that we were meant to use our new found wealth to develop our INDUSTRY? The answer is obvious.
Some may say we missed our opportunity, but i beg to differ. If we had taken the opportunity at that time though, it would have cost us less. Can it still be done today? Yes, but at a much higher price. Does that make it not worth pursuing? NO.
My fellow Nigerians, we can still transform our economy from its almost 90% dependence on oil to an economy that is built on industry, agriculture, tourism and TECHNOLOGY. Yes i said Technology. We are a smart people, why should we not be one of the major technology players in the world? We have Nigerians in the Diaspora that are building devices and helping develop technology for developed nations; if we are all committed to transforming our country and we rebuild our foundation, our children will come home.
Oil prices have dropped, but we still have our natural resources. Nigeria still has the potential to become part of the leading nations in the world and the most advanced black nation. We have a lot of issues to work through, but it can be done.
You want to know how? You’ll have to read my next post.
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