The scenes
and events of Saturday (15/March/2014) shows that there is a need for our
leaders and the formulators of our national polities to reflect and provide
suitable alternatives for Nigeria. It is evident from the scenes and numbers of
deaths recorded from the Immigration aptitude test that there is no plan for
the average Nigerian: especially the
youths. One is left wondering if the President’s numerous advisers actual
provide him with detailed facts and statistics glaring showing how his policies
and plans have had no meaningful impact on the Nigerian youths and it proves
his government lacks foresight and are not in touch with the realities and
issues the Nigerian man lives through daily. My intention is not to ridicule
the ‘good’ president’s initiatives and map plan but to raise awareness to the
issues affecting the young and unemployed people of this country and provide a
useful remedy to the scourge of unemployment and poverty destroying the
unemployed, young and poor people whose mandate he is representing.
Inviting
thousands of people to write a test for a job which only needs two thousand
(2,000) people is not only ludicrous, absurd and wicked, it is the most irresponsible
decision ever taken. Was it really necessary to ask all of these people to
write a test because they all paid a thousand naira which will end up been embezzled
by an ‘Oga at the top’ to fund his/her numerous trivialities and vanities?
Obviously, the human resources (HR)/personnel department (if it even exists) of
the Nigerian Immigration is either incompetent or a lame excuse of a department
created to embezzle and siphon tax payer’s funds. The Nigerian Immigration’s HR
has no HR planning and no clear-cut recruitment and selection process. Therefore,
because of the deaths of innocent Nigerians who are someone else’s children,
mothers, fathers, siblings and spouses and a bitter heart that I ask for the
resignation (as it is done in most advanced countries) of the minister of
interior and the Head of Immigration as it is evident that they cannot lead
this government institution.
Having
explained the issues which act as the prelude for this article, my intention is
to proffer a useful antidote to this cankerworm destroying our society and
turning our future leaders (If they ever get the chance) into jobless and
unemployed people. Entrepreneurship is the solution and the only viable option
to help Nigeria in eradicating this problem affecting its youths. Being and entrepreneur
goes beyond living a hoax life involving allusions of facades. Rather, it is
about dreaming about an idea, building that idea, and turning it into a
business (no matter the amount of trials and obstacles) into a profitable
avenue which provides the means of livelihood for the entrepreneur and his/her staff.
Being an entrepreneur is seeing an
opportunity in what everyone else believes it’s a waste of time and energy. It
is about passion, commitment and dedication to your idea despite numerous challenges
which are permanent fixture of every business idea.
If
entrepreneurship is very stressful and without no straight route to success,
why should anyone aspire to be one and how will this actually change
unemployment in Nigeria? My claim that entrepreneurship is the way forward for
Nigeria is a result of been one and starting from scratch without any funding
from anyone and reaching enviable heights with my idea. Furthermore, the joy of
owning your business goes beyond the pain and guilt of stealing billions of tax
payer’s monies. Therefore, the government needs to do more and dedicate more
resources and funds into skills acquisitions for Nigerian youths and also
making entrepreneurship part of the Nigerian education syllabus or curriculum
from Primary to University education. A country with a high number of
entrepreneurs is a self-sufficient country whose citizens can sustain its
economy and produce its basic needs. A closer look at the economies of most
advanced and developed countries will indicate a high number of entrepreneurs
who financial dealings and investments have been the sustaining elements of
these countries. Why then is Nigeria different and what can be done?
The Nigerian
situation starts from ignoring young people without any plan towards making
their issues a priority of national plans and polity while integrating them
into decision making is a no show. Hence, the things which will make them
prosper and become active and prosperous are diverted for selfish gains and
personal aggrandisement. The government
continues to sponsor different national jamborees which are used as avenues to
loot public funds which could have been used to set up purposeful
entrepreneurship agencies or organizations to boost creativity and independence
amongst Nigerian youths. Rather, the monies are spent on frivolities like the
Sovereign National Convention (SNC) where it is been rumoured that each
delegate will be paid a sum of twelve million (12,000,000) Naira spread into
four Million (4,000,000) naira monthly on accommodation. To digress a little,
the SNC will surely provide employment. However, the employment will be for
those working in the oldest profession in human history who will be strutting
their different endowments on the streets of the hotels/accommodations of these
delegates and their aides.
The funds
budgeted for this unnecessary jamboree and the so called ‘Missing’ NNPC funds
can actually empower millions of youths into successful entrepreneurs. The bane
for most entrepreneurs is capital and funding. Invariably, if the Nigerian
government decides to invest into its abundant human capital, I foresee a
Nigeria where independence, pride in people’s handwork and hard work becomes a
prominent feature of our society.
My plea with
Nigeria youths is that we should move from been dependent on the government and
our families and accept responsibilities for our mistakes and present
situation. We need to face this issue squarely and start something no matter
how little it is. Hard work, perseverance, determination and belief should be
our mantra and driving force. We will make it if we try. The future is now,
decide wisely.
Ojimaojo Achema
Lagos.
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