“We are currently undertaking reforms in several spheres in the Lagos State Government. The Korean development experience as elucidated by this training program has given me new momentum to further drive the reform.”

These were the critical thoughts running through the mind of Mr. Adebayo Olukayode Sodade, who heads the Economic Planning and Budget Department of the Lagos State Government as its Permanent Secretary, prior to his return to Nigeria after attending a three-week KOICA-sponsored program “Economic Development Strategy for Nigeria” held on May 6-26 at the KDI School.

The training program, participated by 18 policy-making representatives ranging from director-level government officials, scholars and researchers from 16 states, provided the participants with the knowledge and lessons on the Korean development experience that can be adopted for Nigeria’s national development.

One of the objectives of the program is to contribute to Nigeria’s government efforts in diversifying its economic programs through the various lectures by distinguished professors and academics, who shared Korea’s development policies and the different approaches in implementation.

Aside from the in-house classroom training, the participants also visited various industrial sites, trade organizations and major corporations: Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, Korea International Trade Association, Sang-am Digital Media City, Kum Oh Technical High School, Gangnam-gu Community Health Center, The National Computing & Information Agency, Pohang Iron and Steel Company, Hyundai Motors Jeonju Plant and the UN Governance Center.

“The program covered diverse aspects required in economic planning such as Vision, Sincere Leadership, Discipline, Effective Policy Formulation, Human Resources Development, Infrastructure Development and Nationalism. I would like to see a similar scenario realized in my country,” shared Mr. Joseph Olatunde Akinteye, Chief Engineer from the Federal Capital Territory Administration in Abuja.

Ms. Arit Nsikanabasi Ibanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and one of the only two female participants, also remarked that she found the program very rewarding. “The topics were apt, the lecturers were extremely knowledgeable and the study tours well chosen and very informative. I am truly grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Mr. Sodade further added, “I was impressed that despite acquiring the socio-economic sophistication of the Western world, the Korean people have been able to jealously guard their traditions and cultural heritage.”

All the participants also got the chance to experience Korean society, lifestyle, and traditional and modern culture with visits to Gyeongbok Palace, Korean traditional houses, N-Seoul Tower, Insa-dong and Namdaemun Market.

By Maria Charmaine D. GUEVARA (2012 MDP, Philippines)