In an attempt to explore the very differences between nations (rich or poor) the world over for the desired development or otherwise, ‘attitude’ stands big. All other differences may well revolve around it. This is why, good or bad attitude towards virtually everything in the life of nations counts so much towards making them rich or poor.
If the assertion above stands, it now becomes imperative or a must for poor nations to have a rethink about the attitude of their people in their quest to becoming rich nations; that will be proud of their people and existence, and be an example or a model of development to other nations still struggling with the menace. No doubt, positive change in attitude has been known and proven to have dramatic effect in transforming poor nations into rich, vibrant, developed and prosperous ones. In the light of these however, this analysis comes:
Age, availability of natural resources and sound education are by far not the catalysts for transforming poor nations into rich, but the attitude of their people moulded for many years by EDUCATION and CULTURE. When we analyse the conduct of the people from the rich and developed countries: Australia, China, India, USA etc., we would observe that a majority of the people, if not all, strictly follow and abide by the basic principles of life namely; ethics, integrity, responsibility, respect for laws and regulations, respects from majority of citizens by right, commitment and love for work, effort to save and invest, will to be productive and punctuality.
Now, reversing the analysis. In poor nations, only small minorities follow and emphasize the basic principles of life in their daily lives. The majority turns otherwise; which makes it extremely difficult for such nations (Nigeria inclusive) to register any meaningful progresses and leverage on them for the quest to be attained. Nations all over the world are not poor simply because they lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to them. No. They are poor simply because they lack the attitude, will to follow and teach the aforementioned basic principles of life. Nations are in this state (poor state) not because they desire to be, but because they want to take advantage over everything and everyone, see things done wrong and say ‘let them be’.
On the whole, the quest and the daunting task for nations to become rich and develop cannot be divorced from the need to have a spirited memory and attitude. Only then, nations (particularly our beloved country, Nigeria) will be able to change the current unfortunate state of affairs, and henceforth channel a new course to remake their world to be a better place for man – who delibrately but perhaps ignorantly masterminds and implements his woes.
Mustapha Garba Jama’a, Makarfi, Kaduna State.
