Human development: The people, opportunities, choices

Being an acceptance speech by Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu at the presentation of an award by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Oyo State chapter for outstanding contribution to human development in Nigeria at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

Protocols

Let me start by thanking the members of NAWOJ (Oyo State Chapter), most sincerely, for bestowing on me this singular honour of an award for outstanding contribution to the development of human development in Nigeria.

What is human development? The UNDP defines it as follows:

“Human development – or the human development approach – is about expanding the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live. It is an approach that is focused on people and their opportunities and choices.”

It is about, people, opportunities and choices.

Human development focuses on improving the lives people lead rather than assuming that economic growth will lead, automatically, to greater well-being for all. Income growth is seen as a means to development, rather than an end in itself.

Human development is about giving people more freedom to live lives they value. In effect this means developing people’s abilities and giving them a chance to use them. For example, educating a girl would build her skills, but it is of little use if she is denied access to jobs, or does not have the right skills for the local labour market. Three foundations for human development are to live a long, healthy and creative life, to be knowledgeable, and to have access to resources needed for a decent standard of living.

Human development is, fundamentally, about choice. It is about providing people with opportunities… the process should at least create an environment for people, individually and collectively, to develop to their full potential and to have a reasonable chance of leading productive and creative lives that they value.’

The development process must be driven by the state. And the state must be autonomous in the sense of being independent of any entrenched classes or interest groups, and thus be able to act, always, in the interest of its citizens.  The state must also be able to receive clear messages from all sections of the community and have linkages that are sufficiently strong to ensure the co-ordination and implementation of policies.

There are several keys to the success of any development agenda. The following are some of them:

• We have to agree, regardless of social status or party affiliation, on the fundamental imperative of rapid national development;
• We have to develop an appropriate leadership structure and identify committed leaders who possess qualities that are equal to the task of rapid development i.e. leadership capacity building;
• We must empower institutions of state for democratic consolidation and effective governance i.e. institutional capacity building;
• Leadership at all levels of government must be prepared to restructure/reprioritise current, unsustainable patterns of expenditure in order to divert much-needed funding to areas that would be more beneficial to national development;
• We need to restore synergy between government, business and grassroots community organisations, for effective mobilisation to achieve development objectives;
• We must create a bureaucracy that has the capacity and the dedication to plan and implement the vision of development; and, in the particular case of Nigeria,
• A return to true federalism, with the attendant possibility of what Pat Utomi described as ‘competitive communalism’.

If we are able to implement the necessary strategies for development, the rewards of success are many. They include social and economic advancement for the citizenry, which serve to develop patriotism and national pride; political and social stability; great pride in, and inspiration to younger generations, and their resolve to achieve even more.

Permit me to end this segment of my remarks with a quote by Chief Awolowo:

“A man (who) is developed never fears anything; he cringes not, and never feels inferior to anyone…; he is self-reliant, and will resist any form of enslavement…; he may be an employee …, but he is a self-confident and courageous (employee) who does his work with efficiency and probity, but with no thought of servitude. His breadth of mind enables him to exercise his freedom in such a manner as not to endanger the interests and freedom of others. He is a citizen of the world, free from narrow prejudices.” (AWO, 1960).

I must not take my seat without offering a few words of inspiration to the members of NAWOJ – brave women in a male-dominated profession! The following is an excerpt from a paper which I wrote in June 1999:

“Make learning a continuous, lifetime pursuit…Above all, believe in yourself. You are made in the image of God, with your own unique potential and abilities, so never allow anyone to convince you that you are inferior to any other human being…refuse to be intimidated by competition. A woman who strives for success in our male-dominated world is often misunderstood, cruelly maligned and deliberately obstructed. The stresses on the path to success are many and formidable. Nevertheless, always strive to maintain your femininity… (but) beware of timidity – it is a false definition of femininity. Learn to make a clear distinction between the two. Always remember that in this world, (in spite of everything), “women (still) have to do twice as well as men to be thought half as good.”

Still, never mind the challenges. After all, life itself is a challenge. So, set your goals, hold tight to your vision, march forth elegantly and courageously to conquer new frontiers.

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face(s); the rains fall soft upon your fields and …may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Finally, I dedicate this award to my parents through whom God gave me life and the opportunities that made me who I am today. I also dedicate it to the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, the institutional vehicle through which I have been able to give a very modest expression to my passion for a truly developed Nigeria.