Fellow Nigerians,

It is official now that our country is in recession. Nothing really functioned in this country even without the recession so things are going to get ‘totaled’ now that our country is broke! Most of us however do not understand what the situation really means and we use something as serious as this to ‘politik’ and promote all kinds of agendas on the internet.

Recession is defined by the dictionary as a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activities is reduced. It is generally characterized by a fall in a country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Generally speaking, recession is the reduction of our country’s ability to earn.

Now with 70% of the workforce employed by the government, a reduction in the country’s ability to earn will almost certainly translate into irregularities in salaries since our politicians are world renowned for being self-centered and corrupt. In view of the high inflation and the rising cost of getting by, unemployment, bankruptcies etc we can see that an economic disaster is not far off.

Now, The issue at Hand…

Nigeria is a very diverse country and in such diversity, it is normal to find misunderstandings and agitations. For the purpose of progress, let us put all those aside till when we emerge victorious from this mess. Our diversity for the now will be limited to financial diversity. Luckily, the internet can bring together the rural poor, the urban poor, the working class, the middle class, the rich and the super rich. (I hear Dangote’s daughter is on nairaland)

So, irrespective of which social stratification you belong, the list below is going to help you find a role to play in getting our beloved country’s honor back and increasing her earning ability. Find a part to play and play it well and you never can tell where doing what you do well will take you.

Stop your import business:
There are so many threads and blogs that promote the importation business because it is profitable. Right now, your country is in recession. Arouse your patriotism and stop or transform your importation business (See point 4 on this list). How about exporting charcoal, art work, Ankara and many more things that western countries are beginning to adopt from us?

Produce your own food:
For the rural poor or the unemployed, producing your own food maybe a good way to help our country out of its import bound habits. Do you know that we still import fish, chicken, rice, tomato paste, pepper etc? If you producing these locally, you may help our naira become stronger.

Educate your rural relatives:
‘Let nobody hear you idly saying there is nothing I can do’. If you lack the capital or know-how to do anything on this list, educate your rural relatives that the country is waiting on them to improve their farming skills. Help them with information on how to do what they do better. Are they rearing animals, help them with information on preventive and other measures to rear super-healthy animals. Teach them about hygiene and personal health. Just improve them and they will improve their outputs.

Purchase Inputs and Capital:
If you cannot stop your importation business because it is the only thing you do to earn, you can import inputs. The problem is most times, we import consumables like headphones, ear piece, watches etc. How about importing things that can serve as capital to businesses in your country or even importing improved inputs? We all know that the Nigerian maize cannot be exported due to high presence of aflatoxin. You can import treated maize and sell them for planting. You can buy licenses to software that simplifies some routine office task and market them. There is no shortage of proper inputs to import.

Learn skills for the global audience:
One of the simplest ways to help this country out of recession is to become employed. Since the country will be down-sizing its workforce, you may not find it easy to find a job. However, the internet has made it possible to earn from countries that are doing well irrespective of your countries recession. Why not browse jobs sites and see what skills they are looking for in ‘casual’ or ‘work-from-home’ sections. If you have a knack for understanding, you could learn those skills in 2 weeks and start working on something. Freelancing is becoming a way of life, get involved!

Innovate:
Nigeria is full of so much talent. Now that the country is in recession, let your talent so shine before men that they may see your good work and be saved! Many things are not going well in this country. Look at our housing system. There must be a better way to house people that will be cheap, efficient and human. Is there a better way to learn and educate? Is there a better way to do community development, how can universal health coverage be achieved quicker. Find solutions a man’s basic problems and that man will appreciate you with his wallet. If you have great idea but lack funds to pursue them, we may be of help!

Lend to start-ups:
Despite the recession, some Nigerians have millions stashed away in banks. Why not lend to people with great ideas? Why don’t you let your money work for you? Lending to start-up is a very good way to take this country out of recession and quick. It will start companies, provide employments and increase internal revenue.

Increase your productivity:
If you are working for the government, you may be guilty of working less than you are paid for. That way, you are costing the country money. Increase your productivity! Do what you are paid for and do even more because it is by becoming bigger than your place that species evolve and succeed.

Pay your taxes:
Need I expatiate? Paying your takes help government to embark on more capital projects that will provide more employment and increase the standard of living. Besides, it will increase government’s earning power. Do you see how it can end the recession? Bet you do!

Start Believing in this country:
From the Islamic republic of north-eastern Nigeria to the people’s republic of Biafra and untold agitations in the Oduduwa republic, you see people that have lost all faith in humanity and in their country. Its time you begin to see Nigeria as home, no matter how dysfunctional the home is. We can only end the recession if we do right by believing in Nigeria again. Believe she is still great and she will be great again. Believe she will fail and she will only become worse. As a man thinketh so he becomes!

What a long read!

It is your time to share your thoughts using the comments sections below.


Source: www.esther.ng