Contributing to Global Prosperity, Electrification, and Good Governance

By Echezona Ononukwe (+2348068540913 or echezonaononukwe@gmail.com)

The world – individuals, families, communities, corporate organisations, nations, and

continents – is in dire need of help. Global issues such as abject poverty and hardships,
hunger and starvation, idleness and unemployment, insurgency and political instability,
famine and drought, desert encroachment, global warming and their attendant effects are
contributing mechanisms within societal strata that perhaps stem from bribery and
corruption and natural forces – the phenomena that are not uncommon since the beginning
of human political existence, and if unchecked could upset global peace and order.

One of the best ways to remedy all these ugly trends which are parasiting on the very
existence of human society is by forming the habit of giving. Giving one's limited resources
to serve God and humanity in different capacities is a virtue which is rare in most
individuals. Most people's belief is that one gives out what one has when one has surplus.
This error worsens off when one has to give only to his family and friends, thereby blocking
out others that are not related in one way or the other to oneself. In other words, not
reaching out to family members in need for fear of being surpassed is a 'parochial complex'
one must kick against.

Undoubtedly, the world all over needs the urgent assistance of us all. Communities – rural
and urban – need sustainable development in terms of functional, accessible infrastructure
and social investments which come from both individual and collective efforts. Though
many successive governments have failed, private individual's mindset must be progressive
enough to understand that our societal make-up yearns for good governance from selfless
and willing individuals. 'Givers never lack' is a divine statement which every person must
understand. Resources are never enough to render help. So, one should not wait until one
has enough before reaching out to the needy. What about healthcare? A ray of hope
resuscitates on the face of humanity when the sick's medical bills, when the indigent's school
fees, and generally when the debtors' emergence needs are paid. It is without doubt that
affordable and accessible medical services kill psychological crises like depression,
frustration, and hopelessness which afflict mankind.

Another remedy is to fight looting and money laundering holistically, regardless of religious,
ethnic, geographical, and party affiliations. That is, looted funds recovered must be invested
and re-invested in variegated infrastructural and social developmental projects capable of
creating massive and gainful employment. To achieve this feat, leaders adopt a systemic
approach in the fight against corruption, especially looting and re-looting. Thus,
governments of the developing countries should show more transparency, accountability,
integrity, and prudence in financial management in this regard.

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It is also a fact that environmental degradation is a threat to world's corporate existence. To
curb this menace, governments must adopt the green revolution policy to prevent de-
afforestation and its aftermath. Good legislation can help regulate the impacts of pollution on
our ecosystem. Petroleum Companies must do enough in corporate social responsibility.
They must also be seen as apparatuses of clean environment as well as prosperity, not just
for profit making and business expansion.

Global prosperity is never an illusion. It comes by way of good governance through strategic
legislation, policy making and implementation, and justice and fairness in all sectors of
countries' economy. While oil and gas wealth should be used to develop rural and urban
communities equitably, Africa, especially Nigeria and other oil-producing states must begin
to look inwards for food surplus and security. Hence, agriculture sector should be made
more attractive not only for the youths. Everyone would be proud of owning a farmland –
rather everyone will go back to agriculture – if the place is seen to be attractive. Relentless
efforts of the IMF and World Bank towards sustainable development in Africa and beyond
are commendable. In contrast, banks of industry and of agriculture should do more by
reaching out to many more willing people in terms of non-collateral loans with little or no
interest. In the meantime, government should also ensure that fertilizer and other agriculture
produce reach out to the remote areas to reduce influx of people to the cities and towns.

Related to the above is the epileptic issue of electric power supply bewitching developing
countries. Not much is done by some African leaders in Public-Private Partnership Initiative
(PPPI) as regards electricity. High tariffs are paid by consumers without corresponding
services from power companies. More so, many of the cables and other electrical equipment
are getting moribund or obsolete because of lack of maintenance and replacement. Yet many
governments claim to have enough budgetary appropriations for power sector. While it is
advisable to exploit conventional energy potentials, solar, hydro- and geo-thermal energy
should also be explored to the fullness to light up the third world countries. There should be
more funds for research in science and technology to eliminate this mess.

Governments of the developing countries should also exploit the expertise of their
manpower, especially those in diaspora. The services of this set of people in all walks of life
are still needed if their fatherlands must grow and develop. But, first, enabling environment
through job security, good working conditions and what a view should be created.
Governments all over the globe must rise to this occasion via good governance which – as a
watchword – they must promote and adopt. They should also be willing to match their
words with good deeds. African and other developing worlds must consider the
fundamental objectives and principles of state policy as enshrined in their democratic
constitutions.

So, it is high time the third world countries, especially in Africa and Asia established
sustainable and robust reforms in the polity. It is about time we stopped 'the rich get richer

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whilst the poor get poorer' syndrome by striking a balance through global prosperity to wipe
out crimes. There is also an urgent need for entrepreneurial and leadership training and re-
training to meet emerging trends. As the world is growing older, the youths should be
empowered meaningfully even in politics. Developing countries must not only make laws
that will encourage the youths to be voted for, they must also empower the independent
electoral bodies and political parties to sell nominations form at a reduced fee affordable to
the ordinary young aspirants. Similarly, the role of vocational and technical training is
already established. It is maybe doubtful if many youths in the developing countries want
entrepreneurial training. A large number of them are willing but for lack of motivations --
possibly through monetary mobilization. Thus, apart from paper qualifications, individuals
should be encouraged to learn, acquire, develop and/or practise a skill by providing
sufficient funding (i.e. stipends, and start-up and sustainability funds). By this, global
prosperity will be guaranteed among the teeming population of the youths.

The world must be out of illiteracy and economic recession that lead to poverty, under-
development, and suffering. Contributing to global prosperity, electrification, and good
governance encourages commerce, industrialization, and hospitality. Consequently, all
hands must be on deck to ensure that this positive behaviour brings the needed change to
light up the world and put smiles on the faces of the people.