THE NIGERIAN VISION

THE NIGERIAN VISION

Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and the 11^th in the world. As already stated above, she is endowed with the vast human and natural resources, including oil and gas. Yet after 42 years of independence, Nigerians are unanimous in their conviction that the economic and political performance with the aspirations of her people and their determination that the country should occupy its right place in the comity of nations. This led the Late Head of State, General Sani Abacha to set up the vision 2010 committee on 27^th November 1996. this committee which comprised of 248 drawn from all spheres of life and 25 foreign stated holders was required to develop blue print will transform the country and place it on the route Of becoming a developed nation by the year 2010.

At the inauguration of this committee the late Head of State General Sani Abacha spelt of the philosophical under pining of the vision 2010 which among others include:

1.     I postulate that nations live in perpetuity and given the demands of fluid and dynamic world, the countries that succeed are those that seek to control their destiny by grafting a clear and a coherent long range vision. Long range planning is thus, a necessary pre­condition for social and economics programmes.

2.     We have to accept that many countries in South Asia, which were at the same level of development as Nigeria in 1960, have surpassed us and miracles within a period of 30 years. They were largely successful because the deeply embraced the concept of visioning planning. If we can demonstrate the same will, commitment and discipline, we can also succeed in Nigeria.

3.     Most importantly, we have to admit the fact that the world is changing. New trading patterns are evolving, resulting in the formation of various bloods, the economy of West Africa and beyond. So we carry on our own shoulders not only the burden of doing well for the sake of our own people, but also the burden of doing well for the of our sub-region and continent. To be able to shoulder this burden Nigeria must be successful economically which cannot happen without discipline, tremulous long range planning and implication.

We went further to state the terms of reference for the committee which among others is:

        i.            To define, for our country its correct bearing and sense of economic, political, social and cultural direction. In doing so, to specifically examine all aspect of our national life which should be developed and forfeited?

      ii.            To set appropriate goals targets and time frame for achieving our economic, political and cultural objectives and to propose the strategies and the institutional ar4rangements required attaining the set goals and targets.

    iii.            To forget a plan which will ensure that Nigeria is enrooted, by the year 2010, to becoming a developed Nation in terms of economic prosperity political stability and social harmony?