Museums and Development in Africa

The theme of this paper is centred on museums as veritable tools fornational unity and development in Africa. It argued ratherdispassionately that after several decades of economic development inAfrica, it is clear that cultural parameters and processes are as important aseconomic aspects of the evolution of African societies. Besides appraising the objectives of museums in Nigeria, it also critically looked at museums and scientific/ technological development in Africa. The paper which reliedoverwhelmingly on secondary methods of data collection, revealed thatmuseums are avenues through which the cultural and natural resources ofa nation as well as its people's abilities and attitudes, in the presence of this institution, can be mobilized to achieve the desired development goals. It however, recommended that African peoples should utilize the resourcesand methods of science and technology critically and intelligently, if they areto overcome their backwardness in these areas

Poverty, Access to Health Care Services and Human Capital Development in Nigeria

The paper is aimed at examining the poverty profile of Nigeria and its consequences on access to health care services and human capital development in the country. It is a startling paradox that about two – thirdsof Nigerians are poor despite living in a country with vast potential wealth. Apart from looking at the theoretical milieu, the paper also examined the nature and dimensions of poverty in Nigeria. The paper which employed secondary methods of data collection revealed that the achievement of eventhe modest goal of stopping the traumatic march of poverty has so far eluded Nigeria. It further revealed that health is a major component of a nation’s socio-economic development because it is essential for a virile labour forcefor the creation and maintenance of its wealth. The paper however, recommended comprehensive health sector reform, aimed at strengtheningthe national health system and enhancing the delivery of effective and affordable health services

Culture and the Challenges of Development in Africa: Towards A Hybridization of Traditional and Modern Values

Development is a multi-dimensional process involving changes in structures, altitudes and institutions as well as the acceleration of economic growth, reduction of inequality and eradication of absolute poverty. However, the paper argues that the cultural dimension is a long-neglected aspect of development; the challenge, therefore, lies in fostering a synergistic development between science and technology and cultural values. What is essential is how to take culture into account both scientifically (methods and data) and practically. Because people do not commit themselves to a development undertaking unless that undertaking corresponds to their deeply felt needs, people should be able to derive the means and motivation for their development; the paper further stressed. This paper recommends a renaissance of applied cultural studies through the consolidation and generation of knowledge about (1) how cultural diversity affects what people do and want; (2) how cultural factor interact with other variables in the “production” of development, good or bad; and (3) how culture itself is affected by various kinds of development and other factors.Keywords: development, culture, modernity, traditional, challenge,compatibility, process etc