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Distortions In Development Process

Published

6 years ago

October 11, 2019

There is a common idiom that a chain is as strong as its weakest link. This means that development process does not allow a vacuum, one-sidedness or the existence of gaps that would require some re-visitation in the future. This analysis of the process of development becomes necessary in view of the recent celebration of Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary.
Wise nations never sit and wail their woes, but sit up to prevent the ways to wail. In nation-building, distortion means allowing pretentiousness, meretrciousness, verity and loquaciousness to give a misleading meaning to existing achievement.
It is as bad to disparage and undermine abilities and achievement, as it is to blow one’s own trumpet, or magnify efforts still in the embryonic stage, wise men would remind us that pride goes before a fall.
A common cause of distortion in development process is an expression known as jumping the gun”. This is a process of running before the appropriate time. Experts in development studies would emphasise reaching a state of readiness before embarking on any project. This pitfall of jumping the gun usually goes along with over-ambition, whereby things are done at a magnitude beyond available resources. A wise man advised that our business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.
Every society or nation usually has people who are progressive as well as those who are retrogressive, usually known as conservative people. Thus, there are forces of retrogression, looking back and longing for an illusory condition and advantages which ignore current realities and the good of the wider whole. Conservation in nation-building goes along with influence peddling, lobbying to have or control of power and the polity . The consequence is the emergence of a monstrous power structure which becomes a “Sapiental authority”, cabal, etc.
Emergence of a sapiental authority power structure or a formidable cabal makes it difficult for the popular will of the masses to become the basis of a democratic process. Rather, what comes into play would be internal contradictions which create wide gaps between government and the governed. There would also emerge an unbridgeable gap between the haves and have-nots, bringing about divisions, animosities, instability and crimes in society.
Obviously, there would be members of society who would benefit from and would encourage a continuation of intractable chaos in a policy that puts the interests of the masses in jeopardy. Patriotism in governance involves bridging the dangerous gaps which foster instability, which naïve analysts attribute to corruption. In reality, corruption is a symptom of in-built structural defects. The great pity is that many people rarely recognize the mechanism and intractable nature of the phenomenon of corruption.
The enigma in the Nigerian development process is the existence of in-built distortions which came into being through political shenanigans and the monopoly of power by faceless sapiental authorities.
The armed and security forces were instrumental in the installation of a power-structure which discounts the masses. The situation is more apathetic in the sense that it has become difficult to dismantle the institutions which would hardly allow best leaders’ to make any meaningful change or difference, even with the best intentions and plans. Therein lies the real corruption”
Incorporated into the power-structure which has held the nation to ransom is the element of religion, whereby there is no separation of religion from politics. This enigma brings elements of sacrilege as a clever weapon of the custody of power. Naïve Nigerians may not know the modus operandi of this clever line of distortion in Nigeria’s development process. Let it suffice to say that a nation where the minds of the people are held to ransom by religious dogmas, would have serious distortions in its development process..
An obvious disadvantage in non-separation of religion from politics is the injection of imperialistic culture in a nation’s development process, development is supposed to be indigenous, rooted in people’s culture, world view and mindset. Genuine nation-builders see the necessity of applying the policy of local contents, whereby available indigenous talents and abilities are utilized rather than borrow what is alien to the people.
Thus, one serious distortion in a nation’s development is what can be called “copy cat syndrome”, which can be facilitated by all forms of imperialism, including religion. Therefore, in the process of national development, decision-making with regards to identifying and sing sentiments what we call quota-system” in Nigeria has become so distorted that abilities, expertise and integrity that embrace patriotism can be thrown to the wind in various appointments. The nation suffers!
This pitfall brings along with it the use of people without adequate experiences and wide exposures to man strategic decision-making positions. What arises from placing wrong persons in strategic positions can easily be imagined in a nation’s development process. Much of the in-fighting, inefficiencies and corrupt practices common in public, establishments can be traced to distortions in man power placements and deployments.
Occupational or career misfits often exhibit elements of vanity and vaulting ambitions as self-preservation strategies in public services. The fear of their deficiencies and hollowness being known by their collegues makes them to become tyrants and terror to those who can be intimidated. With the above mentioned distortions existing as fundamental structures, development process in Nigeria would be a pipe-dream until such distortions are resolved. Where anti-democratic conservatism predominates, the masses are discounted and discountenanced.

Bright Amirize

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

11 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

1 week ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.