News
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
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
?
?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
?
?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
?
?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
?
?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
?
?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
?
?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
?
?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
?
Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
-
Sports5 days agoNigeria, Egypt friendly Hold Dec 16
-
Sports5 days agoNSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong
-
Sports5 days agoFRSC Wins 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League
-
Sports5 days agoMakinde becomes Nigeria’s youngest Karate black belt
-
Sports5 days agoIkoyi Club Tennis Tourney, Winner Takes N4m
-
Sports5 days agoKWARA GOV HOSTS NYG HEROES, HEROINES
-
Sports5 days agoRangers Coach Dismisses sack Rumour
-
Rivers5 days ago
Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election