Thread by @iSERVE2050

#MindsetMatters
#LeadershipMatters
#CognitiveRestructuring

Today, on #PostcardsFromALAIGBO, we shall share a remarkable speech by Dr. Michael Okpara, delivered at the Convocation at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on 17th December, 1962 [He was just 42 years old at the time]

"Dr. Okpara has adopted a statesmanlike attitude and religious zeal to what he considers to be the assignment of the present generation of his country —the economic emancipation of the people.

He sets out in a nutshell, the underlying principles of his economic policy..."

Dr. Okpara's Speech:

PROGRESS WITHOUT TEARS

1/ "The clearest single fact which has emerged since our Independence on the first of October, 1960 is the disparity between our standard of living and that of the more advanced nations..."

2/ "The fight for political autonomy has a way of commanding total attention from nation builders, but as soon as this fight is over, these nationalists begin, if they are capable of making necessary mental, reorientation, to think about the economic welfare of the citizens..."

#MindsetMatters
#LeadershipMatters
#CognitiveRestructuring
3/ "This re-orientation then, is the first major re-thinking that must take place. It's not, however an easy change to make, for modes of thought dictated by decades of colonial tutelage are difficult to modify overnight"

4/ "But there is another reason why it is difficult to make the change: political controversy is far more exciting than the complicated & painful problems of economic development. Up till today, there is not one national daily or weekly devoted to the problems of economic change"

5/ "The stuff of politics is their sole daily material and fills every column.

A new mental attitude is vital to the rapid growth of the nation and must be stimulated by all people in a position to give leadership.." #MindsetMatters #LeadershipMatters #CognitiveRestructuring

6/ "I recall that while I was in India last year, I found out to my astonishment that the average citizen in the street knew basic contents of the Indian 5-year development & his own contribution to it. Many of them would tell you the number of engineers that would be produced.."

7/ "Granted then that this change is possible, and is indeed made, we are confronted with the primary question of our generation: How can we pull level with more advanced nations in the shortest possible time while still retaining our freedom and happiness?"

#LeadershipMatters

8/ "It is my intention to state as concisely as I can what I consider to be the additional effort over & above that envisaged in the Development Plan which this exercise must entail. There can be no doubt that the Six-Year Development Plan is a major step in the right direction."

9/ "It is indeed a source of satisfaction to all who took part in formulating it. Its priorities are unexceptionable —Agriculture, Industrialization & Technical Training.

The sections on the two major basic industries of the plan period– Niger Dam and Iron and Steel Industries."

10/ "Its aim to achieve a capital formation of 15 per cent. of Gross Domestic Product now estimated at £1,183.3 million would, if the calculations are correct and hopes realized lead to a growth rate of 4 per cent. for the economy..."

11/ "Of course we all know that about 50 per cent of the funds required must come from outside Nigeria. Without this most essential help, the rate of growth envisaged cannot possibly be generated.

This constitutes the first major danger to the plan.."

12/ "India found out that outside assistance was not always forthcoming in the volume required, nor were recent word trade conditions favourable for earning much needed foreign currency so necessary for planned development. It is unlikely Nigeria’s experience would be different."

13/ "Under such circumstances we'd have to fend for ourselves as best as we could, to the extent that outside assistance falls short

Short of curtailing the size of the plan, therefore failing in achieving the all important growth rate, we must save as a matter of life & death."

14/ "An attitude of laissez-faire will no longer do. If the anticipated foreign capital does not materialize, then compulsory savings for all Nigerians must be the order of the day.

The next major problem is that of apathy to Agriculture..."

15/ "It is not enough to specify the priorities in the plan, they must be also adhered to. More than that, the average citizen must show a new interest in this vital sector of the economy.

Modern Agriculture development is the foundation on which industrialization can be based."

16/ "It provides raw materials for industry; it is a good consumer of industrial goods like fertilizer, insecticides & power; it provides the food for the growing population; and it also earns, through export of crops, the foreign currency so essential to sustained development.."

17/ "These are self-evident facts, but totally ignored by many citizens especially the elite. How different the picture would be if every educated man had at least five-are modern farm in the village to serve as a demonstration to the villagers."

18/ "There are many spectacular things we can do in this country that would not add to our progress but rapid economic advance would be impossible if this major change did not take place. Our aim must be that every square inch of land must be utilized for some productive purpose"

19/ "It is in field of Industrialization that the greatest vagueness enshrouds all national effort. Here I must say the implication of the European Common Market are far reaching. Now we've unanimously & rightly refused to be associate-members, we must grapple with implications."

20/ "I believe that it is possible to concentrate during this period of the plan on three specific fields covering food, clothing, and shelter. The industries associated with food are salt, sugar, beer, liquors, fisheries and fishing oil seed processing, milk production, etc."

21/ "Unless these MINIMUM targets are set industrialization will LACK THE DIRECTION that it so badly needs today. Nor will there any urgency on part of private enterprise to establish factories here if it can equally import goods into Nigeria from the factories of Common Market."

22/ "There is a basis for a market, not, as developed as the market between Europe and Africa since the produce of one were complementary to the products of the other. However, it will be possible for the primary producers of Africa to insist on better prices for their produce."

23/ "But perhaps the greatest practical value, apart from the psychological one of African Union, is that Africa’s growing industries will have, backing their output, a vast market of about 250,000, 000 people. This will no doubt be a great stimulus to industrial development..."

24/ "If Nigeria were to concentrate on this specific field for a decade, broadening out again later, I believe that the Nation would achieve a major break through in terms of prosperity. I cannot say honestly that the Nigerian Universities are doing anything of the kind."

25/ "Indeed will agree that if the # of lawyers trained by this country already were scientists & technologists, we would have made a more rapid progress. No one is recommending of course that all arts faculties should be closed. Many of these arts graduates would be required.."

26/ "It is said by some experts that under such a system investment can rise up to 30 per cent/ per annum of gross national product. This is the great temptation that is sweeping all over Africa today. Is this the short cut to success?" #LeadershipMatters

27/ "The plan also implies Nigeria will be manufacturing most her needs by end of fifteen years, we all know the weaknesses of an ordinary coalition Government. I have always opposed the suggestion in the past as it was only designed to lessen political bickering & nothing else."

28/ "Implicit in all my suggestions, of course, is maintenance of the nation’s security & stability. Economic dev. is impossible without stability; no pains should be spared in order to guard the nation’s stability jealously. I do not wish to dwell at length on our security."

29/ "I have said so many controversial things today....But I offer no apologies for these views, which I hold as the surest and quickest way to rapid Economic Prosperity without Tears. Ours is a democracy. I therefore do not expect everyone to agree with me.." #LeadershipMatters

30/ The End.
"The implementation will require the highest forms of statesmanship & patriotism if the people are not to gamble away their freedom as in some one-party states. In a nutshell we must all declare war on poverty & prosecute this war as in an emergency." #MindsetMatters