 Published
February 25th, 2011
The problem of poverty in third world
countries is mostly as a result of poor distribution of
national wealth. Nature has designed life in such a manner
that every nation is appropriated enough resources with
which to service her economy and polity. The major hindrance
to effective distribution of national wealth is poor
political leadership culture. In Nigeria, the nation's
faulty political leadership culture has given birth to high
rate corruption and ethnicity- the two mountains standing
between the most populous black country on earth and the
comity of developed nations.
Effective distribution of national wealth will reduce the
gap between the various social brackets in the country. This
will mean that every Nigerian citizen will live above
poverty line and indirectly discourage the culture of graft.
Most cases of graft have foundation in the inability of
citizens to meet the basic needs of life.
There is no doubt that the deep culture of ethnicity has
robbed Nigeria of quality political leadership. It is almost
a taboo in Nigeria to oppose a fellow kinsman or kinswoman
in government. Everything possible is done to dominate other
ethnic groups. This is done even if it amounts to walking on
the head of justice and fair play.
The issue of zoning that nearly weakened the foundation of
Nigeria's democracy is most unfortunate. For very good
reasons, a greater percentage of Nigerians came out for the
first time in the history of the country to either condemn
or ignore the rantings of the few apostles of ethnicity. The
bold message is that most Nigerians will care less about the
ethnic root of the nation's president provided the aims and
objectives of government is achieved.
President Goodluck Jonathan therefore has a huge opportunity
to prove the apostles of ethnicity wrong by being a national
leader as against that of his native Niger Delta. While he
has demonstrated enough of this, more has to be done in
terms of even distribution of national wealth so as to
reduce the menace of poverty that is ravaging the pockets of
most Nigerian masses. The best ways to evenly distribute
national wealth are through the provision of quality and
affordable housing, transport, education, and health care
services. This cannot be possible in the midst of high level
corruption in the business of government. This is the more
reason why EFCC and ICPC must be reorganized to meet the
challenges that comes with fighting graft. The activities of
these anti-corruption agencies are clearly too shallow and
narrow to face the task before them.
Furthermore, government must cut down on her recurrent
expenditure and stimulate economic growth. Towards this end,
the issue of electricity and access to funding for new
businesses should be given all the attention they deserve.
Government must provide compelling incentives to lure
citizens back to the farm. This are some ways citizens can
be discouraged from depending on government for almost
everything.
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