Why we should emulate Singapore

Singapore is the astounding story of a baby nation. A few weeks back, I read the book, From third world to first’, the story of Asian economic boom 1965- 2000, by Lee kuan yew. The book highlights the achievements and selfless service by public officials, as well as politicians produced by the Singapore’s ruling class. […]

Singapore is the astounding story of a baby nation. A few weeks back, I read the book, From third world to first’, the story of Asian economic boom 1965- 2000, by Lee kuan yew. The book highlights the achievements and selfless service by public officials, as well as politicians produced by the Singapore’s ruling class. And with enormous lessons for African leaders on how a nation can grow, transform and succeed without natural resources.

Mr. Lee kuan yew was the pacesetter and was also known as the father of modern Singapore.  He led his Singapore to the promise land, and his primary preoccupation was to give every citizen a stake in the country and it’s future.

Leaders are supposed to take decisions quickly and firmly and that’s the major reason they are leaders.  So the Singaporean leader acted quickly by embracing every opportunity that would bring about development to its, then newest nation after independence in August, 1965.

Mr. Lee conceived the idea of a modern Singapore, he formulated a plan for the transformation of his ideas into physical and financial reality.

 It is said, nothing is impossible to the person who backs desire with enduring faith!

Therefore, Singapore had alliance and cooperation with Western world and Japan in order to move the nation forward; this cooperation helped to turn around its economy and they gained stupendous wealth and achievements.

While the Singaporeans were conscious of the poverty of their resources, they continue to make that extra effort to achieve the unachievable.

Furthermore, the government of Singapore realised the need to help its citizens and it was aware of the responsibility of the state to ensure that all its citizens were provided the basic necessities of life. Mr. Lee ensured the redistribution of the national income through subsidies on things that improved the earning power of citizens, such as education, housing, and public health.

They attracted investors from America and Europe and the American multinational companies created thousands of jobs in electrical and electronic factories. The Germans, also established factories to train Singaporean engineers, and by extension transfer German technology to its people.

The story of Singapore’s progress is a reflection of the advances of the industrial countries- their inventions, technology, enterprise, and drive.

Singapore benefitted from factories set up by foreign investors, as a result of their policies of open free market, infrastructural development and a focused leadership in less than two decades.

It’s noteworthy, the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA) by the African Union, in Kigali, Rwanda, an  agreement cast in the mould of the European Union’s version, signed by 44 African countries aimed at paving the way for liberalized market for goods and services across the continent.

African leaders should look into the agreement and see how it can assist manufacturers and industries on the continent and to protect businesses. The African Union can learn from this tiny island country, the effective use of human resource development and management, because the millions of youths in Africa can be utilized to the advantage of our country, rather than be left as tools for causing violence!

Few years back, when Singapore celebrated its 50th  anniversary, Aljazeera English news reported that in every ten Singaporeans, there’s a millionaire.

It’s time for the African ruling class to harness our human resources into physical development.

Abdullateef Tanko A, can be reached via email: [email protected]