Of course, political scientists have a role to play in Nigeria's transformation. However, that role should involve putting ideas (articulated by the country's relevant stakeholders--the real principals) in language accessible to investors (and in a limited way, donors). Political scientists and other intellectuals should not be the ones to articulate and make suggestions on what ails Nigeria--the various groups that inhabit Nigeria (i.e., the country's relevant stakeholders) know what the problems are, better than urban-based elites. Thus, full and effective consultation with relevant stakeholders, in the Delta, for example, can help a group of social scientists put in accessible language (i.e., language accessible to investors and government planners) a comprehensive development plan for the Delta. This, of course, is not a theoretical exercise but a project that must begin from the bottom-up, with all stakeholders, regardless of their level of education, social status or class, or so-called "sophistication," provided the facilities to participate fully and effectively in the process of developing the principles that undergird development in their communities. Here, the political scientist can serve as an important instrument through which these peoples can make visible and accessible to the government, as well as prospective investors, the path to development in their communities.
I am also worried that Nigerian social scientists, as is true of their counterparts in other African countries, have failed to use their skills and talents in ways that enhance poverty alleviation and eventual eradication in their communities. Any intellectual who is interested in promoting genuine development must understand that such development must be based on a bottom-up and people-driven process, with the values to be maximized being those of the relevant stakeholders, not those of some external actors (such as the IMF, World Bank, or donors) or even those of urban-based indigenous elites.
Revolution? Well, may be, but not a violent one! Perhaps, a revolution in the way in which we think about economic, social and political transformation. We must allow the people whose lives we want to improve to be the ones to determine how such transformation should be undertaken. Thus, participation is critical and process is as important as, or even more important, than the outcome. The question we must continuously ask is: Whose values are we trying to maximize?
Stay well. John
JOHN MUKUM MBAKU, ESQ.
J.D. (Law), Ph.D. (Economics)
Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law
Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
Attorney & Counselor at Law (Licensed in Utah)
Presidential Distinguished Professor of Economics & Willard L. Eccles Professor of Economics and John S. Hinckley Fellow
Department of Economics
Weber State University
3807 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-3807, USA
(801) 626-7442 Phone
(801) 626-7423 Fax
J.D. (Law), Ph.D. (Economics)
Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law
Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
Attorney & Counselor at Law (Licensed in Utah)
Presidential Distinguished Professor of Economics & Willard L. Eccles Professor of Economics and John S. Hinckley Fellow
Department of Economics
Weber State University
3807 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-3807, USA
(801) 626-7442 Phone
(801) 626-7423 Fax
>>> godwin onu
| Prof, I hope you are not calling for a revolution. I think Peter is seeking for homegrown solution to the current challenges facing Nigeria. Perhaps, Social and Political scientists might be the starting point for purpose of articulation and suggestions on the way forward. He appeared worried that Nigerian Social Scientists have kept quite for too long and appear to be in doldrums. Godwin Onu (Ph.D) Rector Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria Former Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Board Member Publish What You Pay (PWYP)Nigeria --- On Tue, 1/8/13, John MBAKU <jmbaku@weber.edu> wrote:
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