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Distortions In Development Process
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
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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JUNE 12: Democracy Remains Nigeria’s Strongest Path To Unity, Progress, Says Fubara ….Extols Abiola, Wife
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed that democracy remains the most effective system of government for Nigeria, given the country’s rich diversity of ethnic, religious, and cultural identities.
In a goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, Governor Fubara said June 12 represents far more than a historic date; as it embodies the enduring struggle, sacrifice, and collective aspiration of Nigerians for freedom, justice, and representative governance.
The Governor extended warm felicitations to Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, paying tribute to the heroes and heroines of the democratic struggle, particularly Chief MKO Abiola, his wife, Kudirat Abiola, and countless others whose courage and sacrifices helped secure the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
According to him, “June 12 is a reminder of the price paid for the democracy we enjoy today. The sacrifices made by Chief MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, and many other patriots who laid the foundation for the democratic journey we continue to enjoy today. Their commitment to the principle that power must ultimately reside with the people remains a source of inspiration for every generation of Nigerians.”
Governor Fubara noted that thirty-three years after the historic June 12, 1993 election, Nigeria’s democratic experiment has continued to evolve despite challenges and setbacks.
“Our democratic journey has not been without difficulties, but the resilience of our institutions and the determination of our people have kept the nation moving forward. The ability to express differing opinions, engage in constructive debate, and peacefully choose leaders through the ballot remains one of the greatest achievements of our nation,” he said.
Governor Fubara stressed that democracy provides the best framework for managing Nigeria’s diversity and transforming it into a source of national strength.
“Nigeria’s diversity should never be seen as a weakness. Properly harnessed, it is our greatest asset. Democracy offers us the opportunity to build consensus, promote inclusion, strengthen national unity, and create the conditions for sustainable development and shared prosperity,” he said.
Governor Fubara commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts aimed at economic revitalization, strengthening security, and deepening democratic institutions across the country.
He reiterated the readiness of Rivers State to continue partnering with the Federal Government in advancing policies and programmes that improve the lives of citizens through infrastructure development, job creation, enhanced security, quality education, healthcare delivery, and good governance.
The Governor further called on Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, ethnic background, or religious belief, to use the occasion of Democracy Day to renew their commitment to the Nigerian project and the ideals that underpin democratic governance.
“Democracy must not be viewed merely as a periodic electoral exercise. It must be reflected in our daily commitment to accountability, transparency, tolerance, justice, respect for the rule of law, and responsible leadership. As citizens and leaders, we all share a collective responsibility to strengthen our democracy and build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to remain united, hopeful, and committed to the values of peace, dialogue, and national development.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous Nigeria where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national progress,” he said.