RECENTLY, economic experts have been insistent in their views that Nigeria ’s future looks bleak, unless something is urgently done about industrialisation. But then, a Professor of Economics at Stern School of Business, Nouriel Roubini, has predicted hope. For him, Nigeria is only one of the very few African nations showing signs of economic growth.

So, what are there to give such hope? Today, many are worried at the obvious unsavory situation of increasing unemployment? Perhaps to buttress the message of hope, investors are said to be eyeing Nigeria from Israel , Switzerland , Australia and the United Kingdom. Reports emerging from a recent business summit in Australia indicated that certain encouraging stories from some states in Nigeria raised the hope of the world economists and investors.

Evidently, at a meeting attended by President Goodluck Jonathan and some state governors, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria was reportedly singled out as a model of a government planning for tomorrow. Here, Governor Godswill Akpabio was reportedly asked to take a bow for his vision, determination and focus in providing the dividends of good governance for his people. In fact, even before the private session, Professor Roubini was said to have repeatedly mentioned that as leaked by Wikileaks, Akwa Ibom was indeed a state to watch in human and economic development. It was based on such conviction, therefore, that he reportedly said there was hope for economic growth in Nigeria, provided the right things were done as exemplified in Akwa Ibom State.

Beyond his globally acknowledged infrastructural renaissance, Governor Akpabio was recommended for emulation in planning. For instance, the recent target of 31 cottage industries in the 31 local government areas, was described as the elixir needed for the chronic joblessness. Although President Jonathan mentioned the Federal Government’s desire to create jobs and expand the economy, experts said it may remain a mere wish unless the Akwa Ibom model was copied. In this respect, they talk about laying of the basic foundation of infrastructure, maintaining focus and adopting the public-private partnership method.

Here, the nation is reminded that nothing good comes without planning and a deliberate and sincere execution. It is worthy of note that Akpabio did not just wake one day to achieve all his programmes for the state. Consciously, he monitors the progress of his programmes and injects life where things tend to go weak. Recently, he told a group of journalists how he conducts surreptitious project monitoring of projects till as late as 3am. Today, even as the world celebrates his efforts, he still formulates and implements more ideas into reality.

It is a truism that the increasing rate of unemployment in the country lies in the dearth of industries and factories. The result has been social dislocation, youth disenchantment and disharmony. In simple terms: restiveness and insecurity! How we got here spans decades of insincerity and general neglect. Put another way, the nation has not been lucky with leaders who are eager and sincere in leaving their indelible prints in the national sands of time.

It is commendable, therefore, that Akpabio, with the courage to reverse the trend, constantly engages experts in various disciplines on how to find the way forward for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria economically. From the world of banking, tourism, journalism, telecommunications, law, engineering, etc, he meticulously brews an eclectic mix of knowledge to move his state ahead of others.

Nigeria’s primary challenge has been the absence of industries, factories, skill development establishments, etc. The situation has worsened that in the few existing public and private industries, bold inscriptions of ‘no vacancies’ scare job seekers. Due to an army of job seekers at interviews, stringent measures are applied to determine suitably qualified personnel.

Yet, management of firms still manipulate to engage persons on tribal basis. Available jobs are sold to the highest bidders who in turn dig graves for the industries and factories. The result has been the gradual burial of industries, institutions and firms.

Ms. UDUAK EDWARD, a journalist, wrote from Lagos.