Why Africa lags in most indicators of development – Prof. Onyishi

A Professor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Ike Onyishi, yesterday, said that Africa lags in most indicators of development due to the inability of its people to transform available resources into economic prosperity.

Prof. Onyishi, who is the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN further said that there is an urgent need for human capital development in African continent in order to exploit and harness abundant resources in the region for sustainable development.

He made the call while delivering the 202nd inaugural lecture of UNN tagged ‘Not-My-Job Syndrome: Getting Workers To Take Charge And Go The Extra Mile In A Challenging Work Environment,’ at the Princess Alexandria Auditorium, UNN.

He equally said that lack of commitment and nonchalant attitude of workforce in most African countries remain the bane of their underdevelopment and a challenge to Nigeria managers and administrators.

“It is no longer news that Africa lags behind among other continents in almost all indicators of developments.

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“Africa is endowed with abundant human and natural resources but lags behind the rest of the world in development.

“The problem of Africa has been attributed to the inability of most countries in the continent to transform the available resources into economic growth.

“This points to the urgent need to develop adequate human resources that will help African countries exploit and harness the abundant natural resources seen in virtually every country of the continent.

“It appears that the common challenge confronting Nigerian managers and administrators is poor work attitude – how to get workers to do their jobs, which appears that no one wants to take responsibility.

“Administrators should go beyond improving work systems that will ensure the happiness of workers and make them more productive.

“The history of industrial and organisational psychology, or what many refer to as work psychology, is characterised by attempts by psychologists to solve human problems in workplaces,” he said.

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He further explained that industrial or work psychology was traceable to the earlier works of industrial engineers at the beginning of the 20th century, noting that for productivity to increase in public and private organizations , workers should take charge and go the extra mile in discharging their duties.

“Many workers do not take charge in their offices as they see Government work as nobody’s business.

“It’s unfortunate that many workers who show less commitment in taking charge of their work still expect their salary at the end of the month,” he said.

Onyishi thanked the UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Igwe for his support and for accepting his request to present this inaugural lecture. He also expressed special appreciation to his wife Mrs. Charity Onyishi, for providing him with the right atmosphere to work.

He also expressed his gratitude to HRH Igwe Linus Obayi, the traditional ruler of Nguru Nsukka community for gracing the occasion with his full cabinet members, as well as thanked his friends, colleagues, staff, and students of the University for finding time to attend the lecture.

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Earlier in a remark, the Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof Igwe said that the inaugural lecture of the University is an avenue to educate the university community and the public on issues that are vital to society with their wealth of knowledge.

The VC who was represented by the Deputy VC Academic, Prof. Johnson Urama, described Onyishi as an intellectual giant who has contributed immensely in his chosen field of specialisation.

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a certificate to Prof. Onyishi as the 202nd Inaugural Lecturer of the University by Prof. Urama.