The incidence of development arising from globalisation and democratisation has made European States to grow beyond expectation.

Africa, it is commonly said, is the second largest continent in the world after Asia and besides, it is the cradle of civilisation.

This is coupled with its vast natural endowments and land mass that are good for all kinds of agricultural production.

In fact, the rate of oil exploration in Africa and exportation to European markets has facilitated the developmental process of European nations. This is fuelled by the fact that a greater number of the oil exploration firms in Africa are owned by the European countries.

From the early days of colonialisation to the time of independence, the right kind of development expected in Africa has been far from sight. This, in fact, results from incongruous policies that characterise African leadership and governments.

Armchair leadership among African States does not only affect the development of human persons and structures, but also undermine formidable institutions put in place to chart the course of development in Africa.

While European States celebrate economic and political stability, African States are always engrossed in crisis. Where it is not corruption, it is tenure elongation among African States and governments.

Today, as it is, civil disturbances are said to have pinned its root in Darfur, Rwanda, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia among others.

The crises had no doubt resulted in the disruption of policies and programmes intended to move African States forward.It has also resulted in the destruction of lives and properties, thus creating an environment of bloodbath.

While this malfeasance takes the toll, African States and governments are busy celebrating flag independence even when it is glaringly difficult to provide the required environment for economic and political development.

Abuse of human rights and freedom and unemployment seem to be the order of the day in the African continent. These unhealthy situations, no doubt, have remained the lifestyle among African States.

The ugly situation created by poor economic and political development among African states, in fact, led to the inauguration of the New Partnership for Africans Development (NEPAD).

In 2001, for instance, NEPAD with its secretariat in Pretoria, South Africa was formally put in place as a pledge by African leaders with common vision to eradicate poverty and to place their countries, both individually and collectively on the path of sustainable growth and development so as to meet the challenges posed by the world economy.

As a programme of action, it intends to enhance sustainable development in the 21st century and also ensure peace, security, true democracy and political governance.

It is expected that NEPAD should be enhanced by corporate governance in both sub-regional and regional approaches to development.

In fact, years after the establishment of NEPAD in Abuja by the committee of Africa Heads of States chaired by the Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the objectives of the initiative are yet to be achieved.

Sectoral priorities such as infrastructural and human resources development, agriculture, environment, culture, science and technology among African States are yet to be given desired attention.

This apart, capital flow and industrial development of African States is on the low rungs of the economic and political ladder.

Africa, no doubt, has come of age and the need arises for NEPAD to put Africa on the right tract of development basically to save it from its present political and economic woes.

Africa, as a continent needs to be at par with European States arising from the abundance of economic and human resources available to it.

The gross under-development of Africa should spur NEPAD to the challenges by ensuring that African states swim in the same direction with European countries.

Omah is of the Radio Rivers, Port Harcourt.

Obed Omah