Dickson Igwe. Photo: VINO/File

A national vision rests upon the long term aspirations of the people of a country. Ideally, a national vision directs the social economy. A national vision is not a Utopia. It is an achievable dream. It is a moving picture of a better place that also builds a social and cultural model. This vision of a model society of tomorrow becomes the basis for governing, and planning for the country’s future.

Ironically, the roots of a national vision lie in a country’s past: its culture and history. And many a time the vision exists in the hearts and minds of a country’s citizenry: a gift passed on from one generation to another. The vision may rest in tradition, the words of a national anthem, a national song, the colors of a national dress, folklore; even the unique taste of cuisine that is peculiar to a country.

Frequently, the vision is locked into a constitution and into the rule of law; or it may nestle within national customs, conventions, and traditions.

It is the job of the national leadership to identify the vision, and then put it into words that are clear and unambiguous. There is a clear task, of unlocking the vision from the national fabric, in order to pursue that vision in practical terms. The vision is that rare and extremely valuable lump of gold, lodged in the remotest corner of a vast mine.

For example, the territorial song, “Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands,” is priceless in terms of its visionary content. The song states, “to preserve our beauty we devised a plan to retain ownership of our precious lands, educating our people is the golden key, to maintain the success of this territory.’’ The song further alludes to pristine geography which, “replenish our hopes and pride.”

Virgin Islands pride is an aspect of the national vision that is found in the national song. However, the vision becomes more defined when linked with the history of the country. The song describes how present day prosperity rests on the shoulders of forebears who suffered greatly under slavery and the plantation culture.

“Out of the huts of history’s pain our ancestors bled and died, but with strength and will power we overcame, to restore beautiful Virgin Island’s pride.”

Now, party manifestoes frequently do not fit into an overarching national vision. They are not adequate milestones pointing to a grand mural of national hopes and aspirations. Party manifestoes are good intentions. However they are drowned by politics and the requisite SOUND BITE. They are also documents that tend to be short or medium term one to five year affairs. And they are too often destroyed by the hubris of the individual politician, with his or her own personal agenda.

A national development plan is of much more importance to effective governance, than a party manifesto. This is because a national development plan is a national document that is multi term, and bipartisan. In other words a national development plan rises above politics. It is a better idea to start with a national vision, before delving into policy that could bring that vision about. The national vision sits at the top of the pyramid. Everything underneath is derived from that vision.

Alternately, it could be the bottom of the pyramid carrying with it, everything above.

A national development plan is a type of national milestone. It is a document that gives national direction towards the national vision.

A national development plan states that A must happen before B is achieved. And B is integral to C, C being part of the national vision. So the national development plan is derived from the national vision. A national development plan that does not factor in the national vision is useless. It will feature white elephants, and unsuited projects: in essence, money goes down the proverbial drain.

A national vision comes into existence when a country’s leaders possess a visionary mindset. That visionary mindset appears to be a great rarity in modern politics. Today’s politicians are mainly concerned with the acquisition of power. The visionary politician is a rare animal indeed.

That visionary mindset is buttressed by a philosophy of governance that is further acceptable to the wider population. The governing philosophy comes from the national vision. The purpose of the guiding philosophy, like the development plan, is to lead the country to EL DORADO. The philosophy of governance is guided by a constitution and laws; but also history, convention and custom.

Now, a national development plan can be compared with a global positioning system of sorts. The plan points the country in the direction of the national vision. It must also fit with the national vision. The development plan is the flute. The music the flute plays is the national vision.

That is why it is essential that the national vision is acceptable to all groups within a society. There is no point drafting a national development plan without this general acceptance, and the draftees understanding what the national vision is.

A national development plan could be the result of a national conference, public debate, and public discussion. However, a national development plan can only be effective when the national vision has been established in the hearts and minds of the people of the country.

To be continued

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