Abimbola Akosile
4 November 2008
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Opinions differ on Nigeria can successfully tackle the problems of growth and development. Some analysts believe government at all levels should lead by example in good governance, which would trickle down to the people at the grassroots.
Others canvass a bottom-to-top approach where the citizenry will play their expected roles and then hold government accountable for any failed promises or bad governance.
The questions: As a concerned citizen, which approach do you prefer for Nigeria? How can this occur? Do you have a separate option?
Concerned Choices
- It is my belief that no single development approach can entirely be sufficient for adoption in Nigeria. There are instances when development needs to be bottom-up and other instances when the top-down approach is most appropriate. The bottom-line is that whatever approach is adopted must be people-driven and citizen-based.
Citizens' contributions to development proposals is a basic ingredient of national growth as regards good governance and popular participation. I will recommend a development approach that encapsulates both vertical and horizontal matrix of governance structures flowing in all directions; depending on the necessities of the sectoral demands.
- Mr. Oseun Egghead Odewale, West African Bar Association (WABA), Abuja
- Development, the world over, starts from bottom-up, and the same principle applies to building. The bottom is simply the foundation. And without a foundation at all, let alone a proper one, no structure can be erected.
Thus, starting top-down is a defective initiative that kills the system. This is common sense and if you ask me, sacrosanct.
- Mr. Olawale Olaleye, THISDAY Sunday, Apapa, Lagos
- For Nigeria to achieve robust national growth and development, it is essential that we achieve results from bottom up. A bottom -up society will bring about great change in human development.
The bottom-up approach will help enhance connectivity by improving links between the people and the government, enhance localised citizen participation in governance.
All of these will help place a huge burden and challenge on our leaders to deliver and be more accountable in governance. It will help us to achieve sustainable growth and development.
- Mr. Rufus Aiyenigba, Executive Director, Momentum Africa & Founder, Youth Empowerment and Enterprise Development Initiative (YEED), Abuja
- The two parties should perform their expected roles effectively. Government must create enabling environment for people and citizens should hold government accountable.
However, government should set up a strategy for ensuring rapid development of the economy and effective management of the country's resources. And people must elect into offices those who have the interest of masses in their hearts.
- Mr. Kunle Olawoyin, Research Officer, Ajegunle Community Project (ACP), Lagos
- The bottom-top approach is better. The vision and aspiration of the people must drive development. The people must be the only reason for development programmes.
- Mr. Dakuku Peterside, Ministry of Environment, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- It (development) has to begin from bottom to top, from the family. Parents should instill in their children good moral values like hardwork, truthfulness, accountability, and to see every Nigerian as their brother irrespective of their socio-cultural background.
The parents should also do what they preach because the children are watching and whatever they do will rub off on their children. It is when these children have good moral values that they grow up and make good leaders that will bring about visible and meaningful development in the country.
- Miss Rasheedat Oladotun, Correspondent, FRCN, Lagos
- As a concerned Nigerian, I realise that most of us are spiritually dead. We must be awake to our responsibility in this country. We should think of what we can do for the good of the country and not what the country can offer us.
The problem is not top-down or bottom-up. What is needed most is for the peoples' heart to be open to the services of the Creator, not religion. There is no option that is good or bad, but we, the operators, are manipulating the system for self-interest, and forgetting others.
- Olorogun Adogbeji Olomu, Delta State
- The major problem in today's Nigeria is simply that of quality and sincere leadership. As long as this remains, the menace we are facing in the area of our growth and development will continue.
A good case study is the Under-17 World Cup that nearly turned into jeopardy for Nigeria due to inflated cost of hosting, where N35 billion has now been cut down to N9 billion. All these are signs of wicked and crooked leaders. The solution is for the leaders to rule with the fear of God.
- Mr. Dawodu Adeyemi, Lagos Island, Lagos State
- From past experience no development in Nigeria goes from the top down because our elite are greedy. You can imagine one person stashing billions in one account while his constituents cannot make ends meet. So I would rather it went from bottom-up. That way, more people should get to benefit.
- Mr. Chris Iwenjora, Architect, Maiduguri, Borno State
- The only method which many countries have used successfully is to be self-reliant and to go into massive production that will earn us more foreign income through export and make our naira gain in value.
We have practised capitalism and it has killed our economy. India today has a good place among world economies. We need to stop importation and go into local production as India did.
- Mr. Gbenga Oshoneye, Insurance consultant, Lagos
- A mix is desirable. Surely, some people at the top set agenda. The agenda must be tested with the people. It is the people's position that counts or should count.
- Mr. Diego Okenyodo, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja
- Past attempts at national development failed because the people were not involved as there was no definitive role for them. That is the result of top-down approach to development. But bottom-up ensures the people are well engaged, involved and galvanised. It leads citizens to buy in.
- Mr. Joel Nwokeoma, Executive Director, Concerned Professionals (CP), Lagos
- For development to be sustainable, it has to be pro-people and pro-poor. The process must originate from the grassroots (bottom) to top. The people must own the process for it to work.
- Mrs. Oby Nwankwo, Executive Director, Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC), Enugu State
- Development should be enforced from the top. It should be in phases. First, it should be regionalised, then spread to the states' level and finally the local government levels. States should share economic policies that will birth equal development.
Efforts should be made to re-develop regional economy. Diversification from oil economy should be encouraged, while corruption should be destroyed sincerely.
- Mr. Femi Ogunniyi, media practitioner, Lagos
- Nigeria's development strategy requires a bottom-up approach. However, government should focus more on industrial and agricultural policies.
- Mr. Boniface Kassam, Senior Programme Officer, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Abuja
- The problem should be tackled from the bottom. Even the Bible says, if the root be destroyed, what can the righteous do? It must be solved from the bottom.
- Miss Busola Babalola, Gender and Development Action (GADA), Lagos
- I think it should be from the top-down because government has to start first. But Nigerians must support government's efforts for things to work out well.
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