society
The Best You Can Have (Or Leave Behind) Is Investing in Humanity
The Best You Can Have (Or Leave Behind) Is Investing in Humanity.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Why building people is the highest-return legacy we can leave.”
There are fortunes you can spend and fortunes you can hoard. There are mansions that crumble and trusts that dissolve. But there is a single kind of investment that never truly depreciates: the investment in people. When we plant knowledge, health, opportunity and dignity in human beings, we fertilize futures for individuals, families, communities and whole nations. Put bluntly: MONEY spent on people compounds into safer streets, healthier economies, stronger democracies and a more humane world.
This is not SENTIMENTALISM. It is economics, ethics and hard evidence braided into one unarguable truth: human-capital investments deliver some of the most consistent (and measurable) returns of any expenditure a society can make. For instance, decades of global data show that each additional year of schooling raises an individual’s hourly earnings by roughly 9-10 percent; a return that lifts households and powers economies.
Education is the foundational example because it proves the principle in plain sight. Nelson Mandela understood this when he declared that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” That sentence is not merely rhetorical; it is a blueprint: equipped with learning, people can imagine alternatives, challenge injustice and build markets; and their children inherit that possibility.
Though education is only one axis of human investment. Health is another. The World Health Organization and allied studies show that well-targeted health spending can produce huge economic benefits and in some analyses returning as much as 40% growth effects over a five-year horizon by increasing productivity, reducing catastrophic household spending and preventing economic disruption. Put differently: vaccinating, treating and preventing disease is an investment that pays in lives saved and incomes protected.
Philosophy and policy converge here. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen framed development not as GDP alone but as expanding people’s capabilities but the real freedoms they need to be the authors of their lives. Economic growth that ignores human development is hollow; real prosperity is built when people’s freedoms, education and health are improved together. Investing in humanity is therefore not a charitable aside to development but it is the engine of sustainable development itself.
That engine runs on choices. Governments choose budgets, donors choose causes, business leaders choose hiring and training policies and citizens choose whether to care for the neighbor’s child as well as their own. When Muhammad Yunus, a pioneer of microfinance, speaks of doing business that serves human needs (not just profit) he is speaking to the same ethic: human-centred investment creates resilience and dignity and also it transforms poverty from a permanent condition into a solvable problem.
Why is the return on human investment so reliable? Because people are both producers and consumers. Educated, healthy people innovate; they create businesses, adopt new technologies, pay taxes and participate in civic life. When a child completes another year of schooling, the entire household’s earning potential shifts upward; when immunization coverage expands, communities avoid medical shocks that can bury families in debt. These ripple effects multiply across generations. The sums are not abstract: they reflect better lives and measurable economic growth.
The moral argument is inseparable from the pragmatic one. Investing in human beings is an investment in justice. When we prioritize education for girls, health for the poorest, vocational training for displaced youth and dignity for the marginalized, we reduce inequality, social fracture and societies that hold together are also safer and more prosperous. That is why development thinkers and frontline practitioners keep returning to the same prescription: spend on people first.
How should societies translate that prescription into practice? Policy must follow evidence. A few high-impact priorities should guide any serious investment in humanity:
Universal basic health coverage and early childhood interventions. Preventive care, maternal and child health, and vaccinations deliver outsized returns by protecting human capital before it is lost. WHO technical and investment analyses show that targeted interventions for mothers and young children produce wide-ranging economic and social benefits.
Universal access to quality schooling and to post-school technical and tertiary opportunities. The lifetime returns to an extra year of schooling are well-documented; tertiary education can return even higher income gains, particularly in regions where advanced skills are scarce. Investment must be matched to quality, relevance and equity so that marginalised students truly benefit.
Support for social enterprises and microfinance that unlock local entrepreneurship. In contexts of extreme poverty, access to small credit and support for social businesses empowers people to transform survival strategies into sustainable livelihoods. Muhammad Yunus’s work illustrates the catalytic effect of enabling entrepreneurial agency rather than merely dispensing charity.
Lifelong learning and labour-market alignment. The economy changes fast; investing in adult reskilling and apprenticeships keeps workers relevant and prevents entire communities from being left behind. This is not charity, it is smart risk management for societies facing technological disruption.
Civic and moral education that binds communities. Human investment must produce citizens capable of empathy, critical thought and cooperation. Without social cohesion, the material returns on education and health can be eroded by corruption, conflict or mistrust.
There are myths to dispel. Investing in people is not merely an expense that drains public coffers; it is a productive capital allocation. It does not require an either/or choice between infrastructure and people: real infrastructure (roads, energy, internet) amplifies the payoff of human investments. Nor is investment in humanity naively idealistic; it is the clearest route to durable economic gain.
The practical finance follows. Budgets should be rebalanced to reflect these long-term returns. Donors and private investors should treat education, health and human-centred enterprises as assets, not subsidies. Businesses should internalize social returns by training workers and sourcing locally. And civil society must hold institutions accountable when short-term politics underfunds long-term human capital.
Finally, legacy matters. Wealth that dies with a person but leaves no change in other lives is fragile. The best estate is one that seeds scholarships, hospitals, schools and enterprises; structures that outlast any single lifespan. The greatest tribute we can make to our children is not a house full of consumer goods but a world where those children can live healthy, educated, capable lives.
If you want a tidy summation to hang above a lifetime of action: invest in a human and you invest in a future; invest in many humans and you change history. The evidence, the ethics and the experience of giants is from Mandela’s insistence on education to Amartya Sen’s capability framework and Yunus’s social business model and all point to the same verdict. When we place our capital and our conscience on human beings, the returns are measured not only in currency but in lives realized, dignity restored and futures unlocked.
Let every policy, donation and personal choice be weighed by this standard: WILL THIS INVESTMENT MAKE PEOPLE FREER, HEALTHIER, WISER OR MORE CAPABLE? If the answer is YES, then you are not merely spending, You are building. And that, in the ledger of human history, is wealth that never depreciates.
George Omagbemi Sylvester is the author. Published by saharaweeklyng.com.
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
GENERAL BULAMA BIU MOURNS VICTIMS OF BORNO ATTACKS, CALLS FOR UNITY AND VIGILANCE**
In a solemn and heartfelt message, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu (Rtd), mni, the Sarkin Yakin Biu, has expressed profound grief over the recent tragic incidents of bomb explosions in Maiduguri and renewed violent attacks in several communities across Borno State.
This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to the press.
The retired senior military officer described the assaults which affected areas including Ngoshe, Mandiragirau, Ajiri, and Buratai as “cruel and most barbaric,” particularly as they occurred during a period of deep religious observance for many residents. General Biu extended his condolences to His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno State, the people of the state, and especially the immediate families of the victims.
“These unfortunate attacks have painfully led to the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties, a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face as a people,” he stated.
General Biu prayed that Almighty Allah grants the deceased eternal rest (Jannatul Firdaus) and grants the injured a speedy recovery. He also commended the bravery and swift response of security agencies and emergency responders, acknowledging their tireless efforts to protect lives and restore peace in the state.
Addressing the resilient people of Borno, including elders, community leaders, associations, and the vibrant youth, General Biu urged steadfastness, unity, and increased vigilance. “Let us once again rejig our commitment and ensure we overcome this development. We have done it in time past, we can still do it now together,” he emphasized.
He further called on citizens not to allow “these cowardly acts to break our spirit or weaken our collective resolve to achieve lasting peace and stability.”
In strong terms, General Biu declared his solidarity with Governor Zulum, the state government, stakeholders, and all well-meaning citizens in condemning the attacks. He concluded his message with a prayer: “May Allah (SWT) bring lasting peace to Borno State and the entire nation.”
-
society6 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news3 months agoWHO REALLY OWNS MONIEPOINT? The $290 Million Deal That Sold Nigeria’s Top Fintech to Foreign Interests
-
society6 months ago“You Are Never Without Help” – Pastor Gebhardt Berndt Inspires Hope Through Empower Church (Video)
-
society7 months agoWho is Chief Kestin Pondi? Niger Delta’s “People’s Chief” Winning Hearts With Hundreds of Millions in Generosity