Good morning.

Harnessing the Technical and Vocational Skills to Increase the Quality of Life of Citizens in Nigeria, using the template from Nepal.

No country on earth has enough technical and vocational skilled manpower to meet local demand, let alone export this to other countries. However, some countries have leveraged the skills gap across the planet to create programmes that enabled them to export these skills while meeting the local demand. This is because, beyond local demand for these skills, the world is constantly looking for these expert technicians to work in projects across the world. Countries now export skills to boost foreign reserves.

We can look at India to understand how a deliberate policy can make the export of intellect boost, not just a country’s foreign reserve and quality of life, but also its image among nations. The establishment of the India Institute of Technology in May 1950 (in Kharagpur at the site of the Hijli Detention Camp, where the British had incarcerated political prisoners) and formal inauguration on August 18, 1951, heralded India’s notice to the world that it would lead in technology across businesses and institutions. Today, nearly all major tech firms are headed by an Indian, and most schools in Africa had science teachers from India in the 60’s and 80’s.
Nepal is another country that has leapfrogged other smaller nations in growth, scale and quality of life using the export of labour. Nepal has a rich history of exporting labor, dating back to the early 19th century. In the early days, Nepalese workers were primarily exported to India, where they worked as soldiers (mercenaries). This continued into the 20th century where the average soldier/labourer earned $80 a month for such a dangerous source of income. Despite the economic benefits of labor exports, this approach was not sustainable in the long run. The work was often difficult and dangerous, and Nepalese workers faced exploitation and abuse by their employers (you could almost replace Nepal with Nigeria here). In addition, the reliance on labor exports led to a brain drain in Nepal, as skilled workers left the country to seek better opportunities abroad.
To address these issues, the Nepalese government started to focus on developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a crucial element in Nepal's economic development strategy, contributing to the country's increase in GDP. Nepalese government started exporting expert labor – plumbers, electricians, machine tools operators, mechanics, joiners, HVaC professionals, heavy equipment operators and others (all certified) to other countries, such as the Middle East, to work in the construction and oil industries. These workers were now remitting $1800/month as against the previous $80/month as mercenaries. The government of Nepal has recognized the importance of skilled human resources for the country's economic development and has invested heavily in TVET programs to build a skilled workforce. They created TVET centers across Nepal. The following are some of the ways that Nepal has used TVET to increase its GDP: Addressing the skills gap: Nepal has been facing a significant skills gap, with a large portion of the population lacking the necessary skills and knowledge to participate in the country's economic development. To address this issue, the government has implemented TVET programs to provide training in various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and industry. Promotion of entrepreneurship: TVET programs in Nepal are designed to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. This approach helps to create new opportunities for individuals to become self-sufficient and contribute to the country's economic growth. By fostering entrepreneurship, TVET programs encourage innovation and new business ideas that can drive economic development. Industry-Academia collaboration: The government has also promoted collaboration between academia and industry to ensure that TVET programs are relevant and aligned with the needs of the labor market. This collaboration has helped to ensure that graduates of TVET programs have the necessary skills and knowledge required by the industry, reducing the skills gap and promoting economic growth. International recognition: Nepal has been successful in attracting international recognition for its TVET programs, which has helped to create new opportunities for Nepalese skilled workers in the international job market. This has contributed to the country's GDP by increasing the income of Nepalese workers and promoting the export of skilled labor. Foreign investment: The availability of a skilled workforce through TVET programs has also attracted foreign investment to Nepal. Companies operating in Nepal are looking for a skilled workforce that can help them operate efficiently and grow their businesses. The government has encouraged foreign investment by promoting Nepal's TVET programs, which have helped to attract foreign companies to invest in the country. In conclusion, Nepal has used TVET programs to address the skills gap, promote entrepreneurship, and foster collaboration between academia and industry. These initiatives have helped to build a skilled workforce, attract foreign investment, and increase the country's GDP. TVET programs in Nepal have played a critical role in the country's economic development strategy, promoting human resource development, and helping to build a sustainable and resilient economy.

Las Las, Nigeria has no excuse.

The Perilous Erosion: How Dishonesty and Cheating Can Destroy a Society.
“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.” ― William Faulkner
Introduction:
Societies are built upon principles of trust, integrity, and moral values. However, when dishonesty and cheating permeate the social fabric, the very foundation of a society is compromised. Dishonesty corrodes trust, undermines institutions, and breeds a culture of deceit. It erodes the moral fiber that binds individuals together, leading to far-reaching consequences that can ultimately dismantle a society. We examine the detrimental effects of dishonesty and cheating, examining how these vices can lead to the destruction of a society.
I. The Erosion of Trust:
Trust serves as the cornerstone of any cohesive society. It is the glue that holds relationships, communities, and institutions together. Dishonesty and cheating dismantle trust, making it fragile and vulnerable. When individuals are dishonest or engage in cheating practices, they betray the trust of others, be it in personal relationships or professional settings. The erosion of trust weakens social bonds, creating a climate of suspicion and skepticism. People become reluctant to rely on one another, causing cooperation and collaboration to wither away.
In the absence of trust, social interactions become strained, affecting every aspect of society. Economic transactions become uncertain, hindering business growth and investment. Political systems suffer as citizens lose faith in their leaders and institutions. The breakdown of trust jeopardizes the functioning of essential societal structures, leading to social fragmentation and a loss of collective identity.
II. Undermining Justice and Equality:
Dishonesty and cheating undermine the principles of justice and equality within a society. Fairness and impartiality are vital for the maintenance of societal order. When dishonest practices such as bribery, corruption, or fraud infiltrate the justice system, the very idea of justice is compromised. In a society where the rule of law is undermined by dishonesty, individuals lose confidence in the legal system, leading to a breakdown of social order.
Moreover, cheating perpetuates social inequalities. When some individuals gain unfair advantages through dishonest means, it widens the gap between the haves and have-nots. This creates resentment, animosity, and an atmosphere of injustice within society. The resulting disparity erodes social cohesion and can breed social unrest, threatening the stability of the entire community.
III. Moral Decay and Cultural Erosion:
Dishonesty and cheating corrode the moral fabric of a society. Ethical values serve as guiding principles that shape human behavior and foster a sense of shared morality. However, when dishonesty becomes prevalent and is not met with consequences, societal norms and moral standards are undermined.
Cheating, in various forms, seeps into educational institutions, workplaces, and even sports. When dishonest practices are rewarded or overlooked, it sends a message that integrity and hard work are not valued. As a result, individuals lose motivation to act ethically, and society's collective moral compass becomes distorted.
Cultural erosion follows as a consequence of moral decay. Dishonesty erodes the values, traditions, and customs that define a society. When truthfulness and integrity are no longer prized, the fabric of shared cultural heritage begins to unravel. This erosion weakens social bonds, fosters individualism over collective well-being, and can lead to a fragmented and disoriented society.
IV. Distrust and Polarization:
Dishonesty and cheating breed distrust and exacerbate social divisions. When individuals and institutions are perceived as dishonest, it fuels skepticism and polarization within society. People become suspicious of one another's intentions, leading to heightened tensions and strained relationships.
In the public sphere, dishonesty in political discourse and media manipulation further deepens these divisions. Disinformation and fake news undermine the foundations of democracy, making it difficult for citizens to make informed decisions. This not only weakens the democratic process but also sows seeds of discord and social instability.
Conclusion:
Dishonesty and cheating pose grave dangers to the stability, trust, and well-being of a society. The erosion of trust, undermining of justice and equality, moral decay, and the subsequent cultural erosion all contribute to the potential destruction of a society. It is imperative that individuals, communities, and institutions take proactive measures to combat dishonesty and cheating.
Fostering a culture of integrity, promoting transparency, and holding individuals accountable for their actions are crucial steps towards rebuilding trust and preserving societal cohesion. Emphasizing moral education, reinforcing ethical standards, and promoting fair practices in all domains of life are essential to counter the corrosive effects of dishonesty. Only through collective efforts to uphold honesty and discourage cheating can societies thrive and avoid the perilous path of destruction.

What has Africa, in government and business, failed to learn from the Information Age? A random thought.

“It is a rule in paleontology that ornamentation and complication precede extinction. And our mutation, of which the assembly line, the collective farm, the mechanized army, and the mass production of food are evidence or even symptoms, might well correspond to the thickening armor of the great reptiles—a tendency that can end only in extinction. If this should happen to be true, nothing stemming from thought can interfere with it or bend it. Conscious thought seems to have little effect on the action or direction of our species.” ― John Steinbeck, The Log from the Sea of Cortez
“The baby lizard was praised for its beauty. The mother retorted that the people should hold their praise until she finished beautifying the baby lizard. In the process, she broke the baby lizard’s neck. This is why the lizard keeps shaking its head” – Igbo Proverb.

The great ornamented reptiles became extinct, but the Ostrich, a wingless bird, and the tortoise, a shelled bald creature, survived! Why? Why do widespread irrational and spurious theories survive and thrive, and to some extent become the norm in some cultures, but not in others?

The CEOs in Silicon Valley and top Tech driven enterprises on the planet are perhaps the most famously un-ornamented business leaders on the planet: one wretched black round-necked tee shirt or top and a faded jeans, that's all they care to wear! What can we learn from them?


What happened to the thickly ornamented African empires of old? Why do monarchies and the third world people believe in bogus ornamentation, even in the face of pervading poverty and want? Why did the poor borrow shoes and pay tax to cross the Curacao bridge in 1888 while the rich removed their shoes to avoid taxation? How come the countries of Scandinavia, and bus stop countries like, Singapore and Belgium have the best GDP per Capita, while the so-called largest economies suffer destitution?

What do I know sef?