Development in Africa and Nigeria: The Missing Pieces – Our Security, Our Peace By Prof. O.E Bassey

Not even politics is being spared of the retardation on the continent of Africa with no less than seven coups staged within three years to upset the balance of power play and project conspicuously the cracks within.

Amid efforts to resolving the coup that had ravaged democracy in Niger were we struck by a fresher coup in Gabon that deposed President Ali Bongo and saw the military take over power in the Central African country.

These events are not unconnected from deep-seated, underlying gaps we have constantly refused to plug into, only taking momentary solace from the attempt to paper them over till they pull out, and haunt us yet again only for us to repeat the cycle.

Almost in every facet, Africa struggles with sustainable development. If we manage to get things right, it is only for a matter of time before the cracks we deliberately ignored come off, and then we start running around, looking for quick-fixes till we are back where we started.

Everyone points to bad leadership as the cornerstone of the plights in Africa. It helps, at least, we know the source of the impasse, but it is equally important that the source understands that the fire does not only have smokes it needs to get rid of, there are embers disguised as ethnic rivalry, societal marginalization and power imbalances that need to be addressed.

Unity and peace are two distant realities on the continent of Africa with countries having to deal with a disgruntled citizenry within their smaller and larger cells alike. Most times, these issues don’t get deep treatment that they leave rooms for inevitable chaos that could lead to the breakdown of law and order as evident in Gabon and Niger recently. There is a need as a continent and bringing this home to Nigeria, that we are deliberate about peace building that not only seek to unite the country but goes a long way to protect and invites efforts at development within.

We should quit thinking about getting saved by the Western world when in reality we only have ourselves to ourselves to work together and ensure that our respective territory pervades and projects peace in every facet to forestall political travesties like coups and societal debacles like inter-ethnic conflicts.

For we to continue to perpetuate efforts at development goes beyond having ingenious ideas that will take the world by storm: is the your environment where the ideas will glow secured? Are the inhabitants of  the environment content? Is the idea reserved for the very few or the many all within the environment? These are pertinent questions that we need to start asking ourselves if truly we seek long lasting development that the people will throw in everything to protect, else we keep self-sabotaging to the watch of the outside world.

Again, there is no one coming to save us and our problems are peculiar to the our race. With love, unity, honesty, equality and fairness; right from the top to the bottom, a lot in Africa will change. It is really not beyond us, we only need to be deliberate about fixing the missing piece: peace building and collaborative development.

2 Corinthians 13:11: Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Professor. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He is an advocate of Peace Leadership and Child Protection.

He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

A professor of Peace Advocacy and Conflict Resolution, Dr. O.E Bassey is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa. Currently, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.

Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:

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Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com