maasflan:

You are welcome , here if you are a professional, lets discuss how we gonna develop africa.

can african professionals compete with american professionals ?
say the truth

netotse:

@ladi
we need more than access to credit, we need to re-orient ourselves totally. We've turned rent-seeking into a culture in nigeria particularly.

AjanleKoko:


African professionals can definitely change Africa. They just need to find the desire to do so.
Right now, most are more concerned with survival, even the ones in the diaspora. We're still a bit far down the maturity continuum. Most have not achieved independence, talk less of interdependence, in their mindset and thinking, not their financial status mind you.

I think South African professionals are a bit further along, as their elites seem to be more progressive than ours. In Nigeria, our entrenched culture is a major issue.

AjanleKoko:


African professionals can definitely change Africa. They just need to find the desire to do so.
Right now, most are more concerned with survival, even the ones in the diaspora. We're still a bit far down the maturity continuum. Most have not achieved independence, talk less of interdependence, in their mindset and thinking, not their financial status mind you.

I think South African professionals are a bit further along, as their elites seem to be more progressive than ours. In Nigeria, our entrenched culture is a major issue.

oyb:

someone has been reading the 7 habits 

AjanleKoko:

In my 2nd job, it was a must-read. Our Spaniard CEO (he was one of the movers behind LBS sef) made it compulsory reading for all staff.
In my opinion, it's one of the most impactful pieces of nonfiction literature written in the 20th century, and a excellent personal guide/roadmap. I think in the 7 habits sef.

oyb:

someone has been reading the 7 habits 

iice:

Not unless people themselves change.

lekside44:

sure this is the greatest problem facing our development. a lot of people do not reason that with you, or dimmed it unnecessary since it can easily be imported from other countries

AjanleKoko:

Our Spaniard CEO (he was one of the movers behind LBS sef) made it compulsory reading for all staff.

Sagamite:

LBS: London or Lagos?

Na Spaniard dey involved in the set up of Lagos Biz School?

AjanleKoko:

Lagos.
3 Spaniards in fact. Before they got the license to operate as Pan-African Uni, they were awarding MBAs from IESE Narravo to LBS grads.

aniffy4eva:

Great topic!
I really believe that African professionals CAN change Africa but we have get involved in one area that we don't like to talk about, POLITICS,

For change to happen at the macro-level, we need to have the POWER to do so, in a way that will have more impact on a greater % of the population. To cause the change we seek, to enhance the effectiveness of our systems and processes, we need to be able to make good laws and policies, and also ensure that the rule of law is enforced effectively.

Charity and a few businesses here and there has never led to a Nation's change, at least not in a country with over 140m people. We need to have the right professionals, making the right policies and ensuring that they are executed by the right people. That, i believe, is the first step in the right direction.

oyb:

someone has been reading the 7 habits

iice:

What can easily be imported?

AjanleKoko:

Agreed.
The greatest crime we are all committing against our continent is refusing to get involved. We stand aside and watch while a host of other strange people repeatedly reap all the good of the continent. And we do nothing except complain.
We all have supposedly good reasons for this; but it doesn't change a thing - we still have to get involved. No matter what our peculiar bias is, we need to get off our backsides and find a way to do something.

AjanleKoko:


[b]African professionals can definitely change Africa. They just need to find the desire to do so.[/b]Right now, most are more concerned with survival, even the ones in the diaspora. We're still a bit far down the maturity continuum. Most have not achieved independence, talk less of interdependence, in their mindset and thinking, not their financial status mind you.

I think South African professionals are a bit further along, as their elites seem to be more progressive than ours. In Nigeria, our entrenched culture is a major issue.

cecegorz:

Anyways, i think our professionals attitude are no less selfish than that of our politicians. Every body is just in for the moneeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!
Africans as a people generally are yet to think beyond parochial interests

aniffy4eva:

Please permit me to beam the spotlight on Nigeria.

Although this may sound a little "hard-to-believe", but i think change is gradually happening in Nigeria. Probably not at the speed i'd like for it to happen. However, certain indicators are pointing in the right direction:-

1. Nigerians desire change and the "fire" is also catching on this generation, through leverage on social media and the internet. We have different groups advocating for change, better nigeria, zero corruption etc.
2. I anticipate that there will be a high influx of skilled graduates in diaspora, in the near future,(it's already happening now tho') cos one way or the other, everyone is beginning to believe in Nigeria's future. We must understand that this group of people are likely to form part of the elite of this country in the next decade.
3. If democracy continues, violence in Niger-Delta & religious riots cease in Nigeria, more multinationals will likely invest as more opportunities are being made available.
4. If Oshodi (in Lagos) can change to what it is today, if motorists can use their seat-belts and stop when traffic lights are RED (not 100% yet tho') while driving in Nigeria, who says Nigeria's issues (and Africa at large) can't be solved? Change can have a "snowball" effect. All it takes is for someone to start and for others to study and replicate in their fields.

Not everyone is in for the money, It is human nature to think of selfish interests, but a system is supposed to coordinate these individual activities in such a way that would create value for the populace.