Last week I was discussing with a good friend of mine.
What was our topic?
You can guess that. Two topics I love to discuss are Jesus and business.
I don`t have much interest in politics but I discuss it whenever it is related to business.
I and my friend were talking about how some states in Nigeria have not paid salaries for their workers in the last 3-6 months. I explained some deep things to my friend about economic situations of our dear country Nigeria and concluded with him by saying, there is a fire on the mountain.
I mean it. There is a problem on the way.
This morning as I was reading news, I read what Nigerian finance minister said. You won`t believe it. Federal Government of Nigeria had to borrow #473 billion before it workers could be paid their salaries.
By the time a father had to borrow money before he could feed his children, we can be sure there is a problem somewhere.
Some people have blamed this crisis on mismanagement of our resources, others have given the drop in the price of oil as the reason. Both may be true to an extent, but let`s look at it from this angle.
What is the solution? To vote out corrupt leaders? Okay, that`s a good point. We have solved problem number one. What can we do about problem number two (the price of oil)?
Can we control the price of oil? As business persons, you and I know that no seller can control the price of what he/she sells.
Price is being influenced by market forces which are usually beyond the power of sellers. The force of demand and supply, the force of time, the force of competition etc., cannot be influenced by us (the sellers), so what can we do?
Build and take care of our refineries, etc, etc, etc are still going to fail us at the long run (because more competitors are coming in to the market of the crude oil)
While turning our face to agricultural sector will help us, most of our youths are not trained to see agriculture as business. If we don`t see agriculture as business, we cannot invest our life on it as a career, instead, we`ll think bank hall is better.
Serious, there is a very serious problem ahead and nobody seems to see it. Asa (a Nigerian musician) is correct when she sang, “there is fire on the mountain and nobody seems to be on the run”
Many people usually think that government is very rich, with the source of money that is enough for all to share. I have even heard some ignorant fellow saying, “why can`t they print money”.
We usually want to believe that government is very rich, but it`s not so. Politicians may be rich because of the money they steal, but government is poor, very poor.
That`s is an irony, isn`t it?
Yet it`s the truth.
A friend of mine was trying to argue with me that Lagos state government (in Nigeria) if very rich, so I asked him, what is the debt profile of Lagos state? He said, truly Lagos has borrowed so much money in recent time. I then asked him, how come you want to tell me that someone who owns so much debt is rich?
If you think any government is rich (state or country) try and know its debts profile.
If by now, it is becoming difficult for governments of many states and countries to pay the salaries of their workers, what do you think will happen in the next 10 years?
We really have to run for our lives. We really have to be rugged now. We really have to pursue that our entrepreneurial vision… though it`s not easy.
Job, either from private sector or government is no more attractive.
Bankers are complaining that they are being used like slaves, engineers are murmuring, government workers are not paid for 3, 4, even 6 months.
If we think a miracle is coming from somewhere, we are probably sleeping.
He who has ear, let him hear what Stephen has to tell Africans… your business is your only financial hope.
You`re afraid? You don`t know where or how to start?
I know what causes that.
It`s because you have not acquired enough business skills. If you work hard to acquire enough knowledge about snake, you will not be afraid of snake. If you have acquired enough knowledge about flying, you won`t be afraid of being a pilot.
If you have been well trained as a soldier, you won`t be afraid of war (even if some doubts come to your mind, you will remember your war skills and encourage yourself)
Business skills is what will give you courage to venture into the business world. I remember reading a testimony of one of our followers. He said something like, “after going through your business training, I now realized that I can become a successful business owner. I know it will not be easy, but I will do it”.
That man has discovered some hidden truths about his strengths and the business world. This knowledge has turned him to a courageous man. Though he understands that it may not be very easy (because nothing in the world is easy), he believes he can become a successful business owner.
To acquire business skills and start a business of your own, you may check any of our business trainings and books here
We love you!
