Lagos — Recent unfolding events in international politics, especially regarding the increase of US aid to Africa, and sudden willingness of the rich industrialised nations (G8) to extend olive stick to the wretched African continent, where life remains debilitating and enfeebling, necessitated this piece. Aid to Africa is not only timely, but logically necessary given the prevalent pathetic situation on ground.

To single out Africa, leaving Latin America and many Asia countries, who were in the classifications of third world and ranking parri-passu with Africa in the comity of nations, indicate clearly the retarded state of African continent in terms of development and technology. Indeed, Africa is beset with dependency syndrome. It is generally dependent in trade, finance, technology, military and even social consciousness and scholarship development. Other characteristics which Africa is commonly identified with are high degree of governmental instability, huge external debt burden, corruption and economic mismanagement, low per capita income, high rate of illiteracy, low standard of living and low life expectancy, food crisis - the persistent problem of starvation and malnutrition, high unemployment and under-employment level, multiple-digit inflation, high rate of refugee cases, lack of theoretical and ideological clarity of development. The overall result is that Africa, by every standard, is structurally dependent and disadvantaged in international division of labour. Some leading authorities in the field of Political Economy, have argued that Africa's hands are tied, such that the, cannot freely pursue their path of growth and development, but some others have different opinion.

Mammour Ghadaffi, Libyan Head of State from youth, while expressing his views at the recently concluded Africa Union Summit, stood out clearly, and asserted that Africa does not need to beg for aid. This statement, from the writer's view point is "pregnant". A peep into Ghadaffi's records reveal that his word is his bond. Ghadaffi, who at a tender age saw the need to overturn the table and status quo in Libya. He vigilantly and resiliently realized his dream, after long and protracted warfare. To friends and foe, Ghadaffi does not believe in democracy, nor those who are "hypocritically" practicing it, and so he had pathological hatred for them. (Food for thought for United Kingdom and Washington).

It is gratifying to note that Ghadaffi is now born again. This was especially apparent and manifested after Saddam Hussein was deposed for purportedly possessing Weapons of Mass Destruction. The torchlight was already beaming dangerously on Libya because of its long history of altercation with the Westerners, particularly USA. As the axe was dangling, Ghadaffi saw the hand writing on the wall, and he quickly reconsidered his stance. Interestingly, Ghadaffi has now opened his country to international communities (for milking) for trade and development, the very reason he stuck to subvert the leadership of his country. For now, Libya does not possess "Weapons of Mass Destruction".

Whatever, his shortcomings, religious inclination, personal sentiments, Ghadaffi has done quite well for his country of about five million people. Today, the state of Libya can be compared favourably with other industrialized countries. Their per capita income is second to none in the continent. In a continent known for decadence and the conspicuous consumption of leaders, Ghadaffi presents a credible example of a state where the class of feudal glitters was replaced with a leadership that cares for the welfare of the entire citizenry. Indeed, Ghadaffi's performance in the governance of his people remains an icon and in truth a reference point in the political balance sheet of his country.

Be that as it may, Ghadaffi seems to be right when he said "Africa should not beg for aid". Given the antecedents of African leaders, there is really no need to entreat for aid. How long would Africa continue to go cap in hand asking for alms? Can't something be done to arrest or remedy the situation, at least on the long run? Certainly, this agenda is not on the table of Africa Union. Available indices showed that South Africa and Libya do not really need aid badly.

The administration of aid in Africa in the past raised a lot of dust in the air. Half of the aid to Africa is usually repatriated to the donor countries through various disguises. 50% of the outstanding half goes to the province/states of the countries, which are mismanaged and misappropriated by the local government administrators. Only very few get to the grassroots - the main target. The management of aid in Africa is so worrisome, embarrassing and disturbing; that one concludes it would have been better for Africans to remain as they were. The elite class usually hijacked the whole scenario and made nonsense of the entire gifts. It is hoped history will not repeat itself any more.

As it is, certain facts, need to be made clearer about aid. It is not a function of altruism. Aid, is not as charitable as it appears. In another sense, it is not out of sheer generosity advantaged nations extend aid to needy nations. It is because they are more mindful of certain political, economic, technical and military interests. Foreign aid is more of business than moral. The present aid package to Africa as announced by G8 in their recently concluded summit is peradventure more of military.

It is perhaps to send a warning signal to the terrorists that they cannot just hold the soul of Africa. If Africa becomes a haven for terrorists like the Middle East, truly, the world would be drifting to anarchical and dangerous position where even the security of the superpowers can no longer be fully guaranteed.

Given the conditions that go with aid, how long would Africa continue to be manipulated politically and economically? Can't Africans chart their own course for development? Yes, Africa needs to work hard in the areas of science and technology and development if they are to pick up. Claude Ake and Professor Aja Akpuru-Aja were right when they opined that Africa's attitude tend to suggest that the developed world has an obligation to voluntarily transfer development or technology to it. In this real world, development does not fall from heaven. It cannot be forced on people from outside. Development must be first and foremost, a function of local milieu. Even when Africa is aware of this economic realism, the will and resolve to make the domestic front a primary target base for development are hardly there. It is not surprising that Africa is one of the economic and technology markets of the developed world. African Union should realize this urgently and do something to catch up with the Third World countries. Some respected and leading scholars in the field of Political Economy have persistently argued that it is too gratuitous to classify many African countries as Third World. Africa is no march to Third world countries in Latin America and Asia. Therefore, many African countries fall in the categories of fourth and fifth world, even sixth and seventh world given their pathetic and disheartening statistics.

Africa is bleeding and is drifting dangerously backward. In terms of technology and development, aside South Africa and Libya, though they still have scars and some elements of poverty, every African country seems to be missing in action.