BY BLESSING EGUTU
What is Development?
Development, as a concept, has been associated with diverse meanings, interpretations and theories from various scholars. Development is defined as ‘an evolutionary process in which the human capacity increases in terms of initiating new structures, coping with problems, adapting to continuous change, and striving purposefully and creatively to attain new goals
It is a social condition within a nation, in which the needs of its population are satisfied by the rational and sustainable use of natural resources and systems.
It is a multi-dimensional process that involves major changes in social structures, attitudes, and institutions, as well as economic growth, reduction of inequality, and eradication of absolute poverty
Development is a process that activates the right conditions for man to better his life and his environment.It is a widely participatory process aimed at bringing about social and material advancement for the majority of the people.. This ensures that they gain control over the running of the happenings in their environment.
Effective development ensures the harmonization of the human and material resources of a given people and environment in promoting qualitative life among the people of any nation.That is why every government in any nation gives the development of that nation priority attention in policy formulation and implementation.One of the foremost priorities of most developing nations is the formulation of strategies with which to effectively and successfully implement national development policies.
Development is not basically targeted at achieving only economic and or infrastructural goals.It is a process that seeks to better the life and environment of man.It is a change process that seeks to better the life and environment of man largely through his efforts and at his own pace.
Development, simply put involves the creation of opportunities for the realisation of human potentials.In developing countries of Africa, the definition of development is not complete without reference to the rural areas.This is because the greatest number of the citizens live in the rural areas.Therefore, national development in such developing nations like Nigeria is better pursued from the rural development perspectives.
Any development in the developing countries of Africa that does not take into account fundamental change for the better,in the lifestyle of the peasant farmers, the petty traders, the fisherman, the herdsman,or the labourer is grossly inadequate. This implies that development plans and programs must be designed to have their greatest beneficial impacts in the rural areas. Such development should involve labour intensive projects that must provide a capacity for the neglected and down trodden to continue to better their lives largely through their own efforts.
For any development, be it rural or national development to impact on the citizens it must be sustained This is called sustainable development.
Sustainable Development would simply mean “development that can be continued either indefinitely or for the given time period.
Brundtland Commission Report (Schaefer & Crane, 2005). The Report defines Sustainable Development as development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meets their own needs. It refers to the totality of development plans, projects, programs and policies being able to endure for a long for the benefit of the present and future generations.
The interest of development oriented government, group or organisation to national development should be premised on how to ensure that development efforts enhance both current and future potentials to meet human needs and sustainable development is simply development that stands the test of time. It is a process that ensures that today's development efforts will also be favourable for the future generations.
Among the basic objectives of sustainable development are:
a. increase in per capita income
b. increase in employment
C consideration of the fate of the younger generation
d. Equity between rich and poor
E. Citizens engagement in policy development and decision making
Development is also defined as a process of improvement with respect to a set of values.Values here refer to desired conditions in the society. Those desired development conditions include;
1.Increased capacity to produce needed goods and services
2.Reduction in the level of unemployment
3.Reduction in economic inequalities
4.Reduction in level of abject poverty
5.Economic growth
6.Improvement literacy
7.Increase in citizens level of social and political consciousness and participation
8.Improvement in the quality of life,as measured by access to clean and safe water, adequate health services,
9.Good road.
10. Provision of constant power supply and decent accommodation