fbpx
Connect with us

Opinion

Why Nigerian Students, Others Should Embrace Entrepreneurship

Published

1 year ago

on

Abdurraheem Saad Dembo

 

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

Entrepreneurship is the real deal in the 21st century; any nation where the youths jettison or pay less attention to it will romance in a long time with pressure, agony, stagnantion, and poverty.This is not far- fetched because Governments cannot employ everyone but can create a flourishing environment for business to blossom, so as to employ many. This assertion is almost becoming a cliche in the media space. Many scholars have said it over and over again.

Having said this, one should not be deterred from engaging and reminding our young ones, in the Yoruba tone, that the sun that is still shinning can dry clothes in relation to their aspirations for a better and sustainable living. As a youth, you cannot go far if you are still expecting that only the government will make you earn a good living after your university education. That is an absolute deceit; we live in a world today where many governments all over the world cannot even meet their fiscal obligations. Many live on borrowings. Economic stagnantion is the order of the day in the third world countries. It may interest you to know that even the developed worlds also borrow to meet their financial demands.

As an undergraduate in the university I never had the opportunity to understand that self employment or entrepreneurship is the key to tap on the availability, indomitability, formidability and sustainability of wealth. As a student if you come across this piece please don’t just read it and go, begin to regurgitate and find what you can do so that you won’t wait for government to employ you. In fact, if you are lucky, you can as well become an employer of labour. Those who are in private world of businesses are doing far better than those in government’s establishments. Let it sink now that salary cannot make you rich, except you cut corners. Remember EFCC and ICPC won’t allow you to go scot-free if you are found wanting. We must focus on legitimate and sustainable earnings, which can be guaranteed through entrepreneurship.

Yes, it is as good as saying that youth should embrace entrepreneurship but what about funding? Because an idea without finance will bereave take off and subsequently retrogression. I am aware of MSME and Anchor Borrower initiatives of the government. How have the youths benefitted from them? To those who were lucky to access them under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, what was the outcome?Did they use the opportunity judiciously? I have read reports that in some states some people abused it as they had diverted the loans to buy cars, add more wives and even reluctant to repay the loan. All of these are susceptible to rumour or hearsay. The Central Bank of Nigeria and other credit facilitators are in the best positions to tell us about the impacts of the loans.

#

A Facebook user Adejare Ibrahim posted on his page on 15th November,2023 as saying
“Success occurs when adequate preparations meet opportunities. Some people, when you ask them ,”what is hampering your business growth”?
They will say”I need more fund”. Ask them to submit a proposal. You won’t see them again. They make no preparation for the impending opportunities.

This is where many businessmen belong. Give them 10 million naira, all they will buy are personal cars, expensive clothes and other luxuries.
We all need to change”.

Essentially, it is delightful to hear that in most tertiary institutions in Nigeria Entrepreneurship has been introduced as general studies and even as main course to prepare the students for self employment and others.

Those who came from business background whom their parents had never worked under the government have edges over others.Their parents must have prepared their minds for the private world where business is akin to growth and progress of individuals and the society. It is likened to when you watch your mother doing some cooking as a child; because the activities had become daily so even if you are ask to come and do it, one would do it successfully and even better. I know how to prepare luru, i.e. minyan kuka, ewedu and others by just watching my mum doing it as a child. So also in the business world, those with business backgrounds may likely do better. They can build on the already existing ideas and make their products and services much more unique.

In affirming the imperatives of Entrepreneurship in the 21st century, this is what the Vice President Kashim Shettima said at the University of Maiduguri to the graduating students on the 24th combined convocation ceremony: “Every success in life brings with it challenges. You are graduating today, our nation is faced with myriads of problems. I believe the university has adequately prepared you to contribute to proferring solutions to these problems. The era when graduates look up to the government for answers to all problems is fast fading. I encourage you to specifically utilise your entrepreneurial training in the university to decide your employability”.

The VP said the era where graduates rely solely on the government for employment was over, adding that they must use their education and Entrepreneurial skills to make positive impacts on the society. This is in tandem with my earlier assertion that government alone cannot provide jobs for all citizens.

More importantly, the prominent business magnate and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Rabiu Abdulsamad recently donated entrepreneurship centre to the University of Maiduguri on the same occasion of 24th combined convocation. This is in line with the global standard and self employment drives in order to encourage our youths. I personally thank the business magnate for his consistent generosity; Nigeria has never had it so good in this kind of BUA’s way of giving back to the society. We pray to Allah protect him against adversaries.

It is of monumental significance to appeal to BUA Chairman and other wealthy Nigerians to please have a special funds that would avail
young Nigerians to access loans in order to achieve robust self employment in our country.

Our government should also, through the Central Bank, make loans transparently accessible to ordinary Nigerians. I am aware the government has done so in the past, but they should ensure that the process gets better and stronger; that is the only way to prosperity in reducing unemployment in Nigeria. Moreover, policy should be put in place in ensuring that we move away from the old ways of doing things.

It is often said that one should make hays while the sun is shining. Hence, to our dear youths, please embrace entrepreneurship for timely reduction of poverty in our country.

Related Topics:

Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

4 days ago

on

December 18, 2024

By

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

 

 

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

#

Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

Continue Reading

Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

on

December 16, 2024

By

 

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

#
Continue Reading

Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

7 days ago

on

December 15, 2024

By

“

As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

#

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.

Continue Reading

Trending