N is for New Ideas

The concept of Change is based on two fundamental principles:

1. Something is not working, we need to explore a new way of making it to work

2. Something is working, but are there other ways we can make it work better.

The key strategy to implement these two principles is for us to be open to embrace new ideas, new ways of doing things, new strategies to get desired results, new mentality, new values, new norms and a new society. Change will keep each of us constantly seeking new ideas to improve ourselves, improve the processes and practices we use to get things done and improve our values. Albert Einstein said, "It is insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." He also stated, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."

If Bill Gates did not explore an improved way to computing, he will not have developed Microsoft that has impacted the way of life worldwide today. Steve Jobs believed he could improve on what Bill Gates achieved, he gave the world Apple with its diverse product range that has transformed both the computing world and our way of life. Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, a tool that has allowed billions of people worldwide to communicate via the internet. Unfortunately I searched but couldn't identify a single Nigerian that has brought about a similar impact on the way of life worldwide (I stand to be corrected). Of course, some Nigerians have done their bit in providing exemplary service for our nation, however this has not translated to impact the lives of Nigerians not to talk of the world.

An average Nigerian is familiar with these brands – Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia – with most homes having products from at least two of these brands. However, I doubt it if an average Nigerian is aware that all these brands are owned by South Korean multinational companies. South Korea has an estimated population of 50.6million (Wikipedia), it is a country that is technically still at war with it's neighbour – North Korea and has had its own experience of political and socio-economic crisis; nevertheless, the country pulled their common purpose together to actualise an economic turnaround that ensured South Korea was transformed into a developed and prosperous nation. Together with Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan they formed the Four Asian Tigers that have transformed to become high income economies in the 21st century and they were able to do this without oil.

In Nigeria, as we count towards marking 100 years of independence in 2060, we can set a target for ourselves to achieve becoming an African Eagle by transforming our nation into a prosperous, peaceful and patriotic country. To do that we need to lay the foundation for change by exploring new ideas.

Continued in "Be the C.H.A.N.G.E you want to see in the World - Focus on Nigeria. Change Digest Volume 1"