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Recognising Indices of Development
Physiologically, there are diversities of humanistic concept of development in a given society. Human development in a wider scope would be extended to human capital growth and conscientisation of an individual beyond the ethnographic norms of socio-economic, political, cultural and welfare development.
In a book “An Introduction to Educational Journalism” Dr. Bright Amirize, an educationist, philosopher, anthropologist and author from humanistic perspective described human development “as a process of recognizing and identifying areas of felt-needs and deficiencies in the individual, community or nation and the ability to address, and correct them effectively.” The author further asserts that development is not· confined to upward mobility of individuals and the improvement of the standard of living of the masses p.31.
Human development is not the provision of social amenities, either by the government or the multinational oil companies operating in an area, neither the organisations of the Community Development Committee (alias CDCs) and or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) per se.
Take for instance, when some social amenities such as potable drinking water, road networks, health facilities, educational institutions, libraries and so on are provided for the rural communities, the minds of the people are buoyed up in ignorance as if much has been provided for them.
In fact, a good percentage of developmental ventures have been carted away by these agencies without challenges. The reason behind these ugly situation is because a lot of people are wallowing in abject poverty and ignorance as a result of mass illiteracy that has led to low mental, physical and moral development, hence the rise of restiveness, notable amongst the society.
Ironically, even those social amenities so provided for the sustainability of the community, if not properly taken care of by the developed minds, could be destroyed over a mild misunderstanding or rivalries within the rank and file of leadership and contending factors. Obviously, the destruction of the infrastructural facilities may not have any bearing with the dispute, but because of undeveloped and unregenerated conscience of the individual. However, a lot of educational opportunities were made available for the individual to enroll and enlightened, but they would rather choose labour transaction in order to make quick economic gains thereby bemoaning the intellectual development required.
Of course, gone are the days when literacy could be found only in the domain of the wealthy in the society. Education has been so simplified even up to adult education as a long-life programme according to the popular adage “that the sky is the limit for attainment of literary education.” Because of the importance of education, the Federal Government has been been propagating the War Against Mass illiteracy that has ravaged the economy for decades and has equally poised for the eradication of illiteracy come 2015 based on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Truly, human development would primarily mirror on the intellectuality and socio-political awareness for the enlightenment and total emancipation of mankind from the shackles of ignorance, shame, inferiority complex, social retardation, and ethnographic and racial or regional discrimination. Evidently, there are a lot of setbacks in the society because of narrow mindedness and underdevelopment of the psychological, socio-economic, political, cultural and moral attitudinal approaches to issues that border in the existence of human environment.
In the light of these, and in order to enhance adequate and appropriate socio-economic and political standard of development in a given society, the need for human capital development in all ramifications cannot be over emphasised.
Really, when the human psychological, physiological, sociological, moral and mental developments are harnessed, it would definitely boost the economy of the society due to the right understanding, awareness and self actualisation realised which would equally enhance effective change of approach to issues of life. Therefore, adequate economic growth cannot be achieved in the absence of non-development of the individual mind.
G. N. Ominyanwa
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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