|
|
Furthermore, the coupling of defective institutional structures and the absence of a comprehensive data bank has impaired proper and effective planning strategies. Of course, these deficiencies would have serious consequences on the growth of any economy; in spite of government’s determination to encourage foreign investments into the country, and, at the same time, support local industries in their effort to rise to the challenges of economic growth within a liberalized global economy. Adequate checks and balances should be put in place to monitor and encourage the inflow of venture capital investment which, particularly, has high yielding capacity to quicken economic development. Alongside this, the imperative for public-private partnership for the development of a profound ICT-base economy must be encouraged and supported by government.It is worrisome to note that in spite of the vast natural and human resources which Africa possesses internally, there exists an unbelievable quanta of intellectual wealth trapped in the collective personalities of her peoples in diaspora. These intellectual assets have in one way or the other contributed immensely to the development of advanced economies where they reside. Recently, it has been discovered that no fewer than 25,000 Nigerian medical doctors are resident in the United States of America alone. NASA, and other scientific institutions scattered over the globe also have at least two or more Nigerians at the top echelon of these important bodies. According to the United States Census Bureau, Nigerians are the most educated ethnic groups in America. On the whole, one out of every three African university graduates lives and works outside of Africa. This community of intelligentsia can assist in the training and capacity-building of their people and assist government in formulating vibrant technological policies. It is equally disturbing to note that Africa spends about $4 billion yearly to pay salaries for at least one hundred thousand foreign experts. Half of these monies could be used to build supporting structures that would be headed by African professional minds.
However, government must be mindful that even within its own domain, the likelihood of creating a ‘knowledge divide’ exist. This may be accentuated by income inequality, unequal access to education, and other economic constraints that may hamper the acquisition of knowledge tools; like a personal computer or access to the Internet.
Today, information and communication technologies have increased the prospects of business and other interpersonal interactions through e-commerce, tele-medicine, distance education and even governance. Contemporary democracy is driven by access to information, knowledge and capacity for effective communication and participation.
To these and other emerging challenges, Nigeria must rise if we must leave the valley of ignorance and enter into the new age of knowledge enterprise.
‘Femi Johnson [NEPAD Youth]
E-mail: oluwafemi7@yahoo.com
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
Femi Johnson
This user has not written anything in his panorama profile yet.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
