entrepreneurship

By Uzair Adam

Hope has been reignited in the minds of women entrepreneurs as the Chidoka family, through the Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program, awarded N100,000 grants to ten female small business owners in honor of their late mother, Nneka Chidoka.

The Daily Reality reports that the grants were awarded on what would have been her 76th birthday, continuing her legacy of support for women and small businesses.

Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, announced the initiative in a Facebook post on Friday, September 6.

He invited female entrepreneurs with small teams of 2 to 5 staff, operating home-based or small-shop businesses with a daily turnover of less than N100,000, to signify their interest.

“She would have been 76 years old today,” Osita wrote. “Are you a female entrepreneur? Do you have between 2 and 5 staff? Do you operate from your house or a small shop? Is your daily turnover less than 100k? Are you a Mekaria Mentorship Program Attaché? The first five women to respond and meet these criteria will receive a message from the Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program today.”

The response was overwhelming, with more than 50 women sharing their stories. Ten were selected based on the program’s criteria, receiving N100,000 each to support their businesses. One recipient, Nkechi Eze, a fashion designer, expressed her gratitude: “This support is a dream come true. It’s not just about the money; it’s about knowing someone believes in me and my business.”

The Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program, created in honor of Nneka Chidoka, who passed away in 2023 after a long battle with cancer, continues to promote her values of resilience, compassion, and community support. Led by her children, the foundation focuses on cancer awareness, screening, and treatment, as well as educational support for young people.

Since its inception, the program has screened over 2,000 women for cancer, provided free surgeries for more than 60 women, and supported over 1,000 individuals with various health interventions, including the distribution of corrective eyeglasses.

Additionally, during her memorial service, the program covered school fees for over 500 students in Obosi.

“Our mother’s life inspired us to be positive, considerate, and empathetic. The Outreach Program is a testament to her boundless strength and compassion,” said Osita Chidoka.

He also emphasized that the program is more than charity, reflecting his mother’s core values of community strength, education, and accessible healthcare.

In a similar act of generosity, the Chidoka family last year provided cash grants to over 100 petty traders in Obosi, Ozubulu, and Ohafia, fulfilling their mother’s wish to support female-owned businesses as a way to alleviate family poverty.

By Salihi Adamu Takai

The personal anecdote of Robert T. Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad and Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing is alluring. The author’s insatiable appetite for investment doesn’t reveal excessive love for money. Instead, it’s just a guide for future students’ financial capacity. His voracious appetite for investment started when he was based in Huawei and met his friend and his Rich Dad. 

Robert was, of course, a fortune student who graduated from college and got a job with the Marine Corps as a pilot. He was able to survive on $12,000 annually. However,  in 1973, his mindset changed, and he became reluctant to continue working as a self-employed and government employee.

Robert believed that if he didn’t become an investor,  he would continue to be poor like his Poor Dad, who ended up with a paycheck-to-paycheck life. Eventually, he was guided by his Rich Dad. He became a sophisticated investor as he planned it — learning from his Rich Dad.

Investments vary as the business does. Since Rich Dad refused to let Robert invest in his business due to a lack of funds, it taught him that before investing with people, ensure you are financially and educationally equal to them. Robert didn’t have the minimum amount of $35,000 to invest in Rich Dad’s business, which disqualified him.

Therefore, as a university student, you must be open-minded and never limit your thoughts on becoming a self-employed or government employee (working with the government!). Try to be optimistic about money and believe that it’s simple to invest.

When you think that money is difficult to get, it will be difficult for you to become rich. Save your little income to invest it, starting a business with an open mind.

Salihi Adamu Takai wrote via salihiadamu8888@gmail.com.

By Ammar Muhammad Rajab

On November 1st, 2023, following mobilisation by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, I enrolled with the NYSC at one of the accredited centres in Zaria. I was deployed to Wailo Camp in the Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State shortly after.

I departed Zaria on November 2, 2023, via a commercial bus. Following a six-hour journey, I arrived in Bauchi and spent the night there. On the afternoon of the 3rd of November, a Friday, I boarded another commercial car for a 60-kilometer journey to the camp where I had been deployed.

Immediately upon my arrival at Wailo camp, I underwent registration with the NYSC officials. Subsequently, I received the necessary items and materials for my three-week stay at the camp. The orientation period blended joy, intensity, lasting memories, education, and valuable information. I vividly recall the rigorous drilling, the monotonous parades, and the enlightening lectures delivered by various professional bodies, including but not limited to the DSS, Army, Police, NHIA, WEMA Bank, Fire Service, NIM, NSE, OIC Foundation, NAFDAC, FRSC, NDLEA, NDE, NGOs, SDGs, NOA, USAID, and YOMA, among others.

The army and Man O’ War were highly professional in their approaches. Despite the unfamiliar circumstances we found ourselves in, I enjoyed the teachings and orientation provided at the camp.

Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), an acronym for a NYSC program established in 2012, was designed to tackle the pervasive issue of unemployment, a significant challenge confronting Nigerian youths and graduates today. This issue has become a national concern as some of our most educated and dynamic individuals are not actively contributing to economic and social development.

The SAED program was charged with raising corps members’ awareness of the realities of the Nigerian job market. Offering foundational entrepreneurship training and practical skills aimed to empower them to consider the possibilities of self-employment or initiating their businesses.

Many corps members harbour disdain for the program, often attributing it to the lengthy duration of both the lectures and practical sessions. During our orientation camp, the program ran daily from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., spanning 5 hours. In the classroom, it was common to observe corps members dozing off, engrossed in their smartphones, displaying signs of fatigue, or engaging in other unserious behaviour.

To me, that period was the highlight of the orientation camp. I gained invaluable knowledge, particularly during the lecture delivered by an official from the National Directorate of Employment following the distribution of the guidebook titled “Starting My Own Small Business: Participant’s Workbook.” This lecture was a pivotal and transformative moment for anyone responsible and attentive.

 We were imparted with comprehensive insights into the intricacies of establishing a formal business in Nigeria and the diverse opportunities available across various sectors. We also learned how one could secure grants or loans from government agencies tasked with that responsibility or from commercial banks to facilitate business expansion.

Many individuals who had successfully leveraged these opportunities were invited to deliver practical lectures, and they did so with professionalism and expertise. Their first-hand experiences served as invaluable lessons for us, providing practical insights and guidance on effectively navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.

I listened attentively, maintained focus, and diligently documented all the necessary information provided during the SAED program. Hajia Jummai Idris Reme, the Head of the SAED program in the camp, often reiterated to us that “the SAED program is a corps members’ pathway to wealth creation,” and I wholeheartedly agreed with her sentiment. With commitment and dedication, one could create wealth using the knowledge acquired during the SAED program.

Before attending the camp, I already had a business idea and was working diligently towards realising it. However, attending the SAED classes further ignited and encouraged my efforts. As a result, I recently took the step to register my business with the Corporate Affairs Commission, spurred on by the confidence and insights gained from the SAED program.

In Wailo Camp, I initially participated in the ICT class under the SAED program, but I eventually discontinued my involvement due to some reservations. Subsequently, I joined the educational class, which I found very engaging. However, the class experienced low participation rates. Although we initially started with around twenty-plus participants, we concluded the class with fewer than ten individuals.

Despite the low turnout, I thoroughly enjoyed the educational class. We were exposed to numerous informative, educative, and innovative ideas about education, which enriched my understanding and perspective on the subject.

Most of the participants in the educational class were educators, except myself and one other individual. During this class, I learned about the legal processes involved in opening a private school. I am grateful to Aishatu Yusuf Saje, the head of the educational class, for imparting such valuable knowledge.

Isa Mohammed Inuwa and I were privileged to represent the educational class on Friday, November 17th, 2023, during the camp’s inter-platoon skills acquisition competition exhibition. Following my presentation, Mrs. Rifkatu Daniel Yakubu, the Bauchi State Coordinator, offered valuable advice. She emphasised the importance of establishing a standard school to contribute to our country’s education development. Mrs Yakubu highlighted the prevalence of substandard schools and stressed the significance of ensuring quality education. Her advice resonated deeply with us and reminded us of our responsibility to shape the educational landscape.

With the assistance of the SAED program, four corps members were able to secure a total of 2.3 million Naira in grants. Among the 90 corps members who submitted their business plans, seven were selected to present their proposals to WEMA Bank officials, fellow corps members, and other NYSC officials. Ultimately, four corps members emerged as grant recipients, with amounts awarded: 800,000 Naira, 700,000 Naira, 600,000 Naira, and 200,000 Naira, respectively. This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the SAED program in fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating financial empowerment among corps members.

The prevalent laziness among many youths today contributes negatively to their disdain for the SAED program. Several corps members have expressed that they consider it the most “boring” aspect of the orientation camp. However, the parade is the most tedious part of the camp. This is because I lack any passion for becoming an army or paramilitary officer, which diminishes my enthusiasm for the parade activities.

The blame should not be placed on the NYSC SAED program itself. Instead, the laziness and lack of foresight among many of our youth and graduates hinder their appreciation of this valuable opportunity. The SAED program serves as a platform to showcase talents and acquire knowledge that can be instrumental in thriving during and after the NYSC program. We need to seize this opportunity and make the most of it, as it may only come once in a lifetime.

Ammar Muhammad Rajab is a journalist who writes from Kano and can be reached at ammarmuhammad1993@gmail.com.

By Aisha M Auyo

Introduction

With the rise in the cost of living, the removal of fuel subsidies, and other factors affecting the average Nigerian, I thought about how we could do something to augment our income. A business or service that will bring more into our account, known as a side hustle, depends on our skills and capital.

In this write-up, I will start with a business idea that requires ₦10,000 or less, and I plan to progress to a more complex skill and larger capital investment.

So, what’s a side hustle? A side hustle is an additional employment opportunity unrelated to a person’s full-time job that provides supplemental income. In other words, a side hustle is a way to earn extra income in addition to a full-time job. With the extra money, it may be easier to pay bills, contribute to savings, or assist with other expenses.

The additional income could also help turn your side hustle into a growing business. Unlike a part-time job, a side hustle usually offers more freedom and more control over what a person does, when they do it, and how many hours they devote to it.

Individuals can usually pursue a side hustle that involves their passions and talents, and some may eventually make their side hustle their primary career. If you’re interested in making extra money outside of your full-time job or want to explore a new career, consider starting a side hustle.

To pursue one successfully, it is helpful to choose the type that matches your interests, skills, and professional goals. Learning more about side hustles might allow you to earn money while doing something that engages you and gaining professional experience in a new field.

Benefits of having a side hustle

1. Gaining flexibility: Individuals typically manage the time they dedicate to their side hustle, making it easier to integrate into their existing schedule as full-time employees. By controlling their schedule, they can make their side hustle accommodate other events or commitments they have while still earning additional income. This may help them gain flexibility and maintain employment in their existing role while also pursuing their passion.

2. Improving your finances: A side hustle is a way to earn additional income in addition to a full-time job. With the extra money, it may be easier to pay bills, contribute to savings, or assist with other expenses. The additional income could also help turn your side hustle into a growing business.

3. Exploring Your Passions: One advantage of a side hustle is the opportunity to pursue a career you’re passionate about. Pursuing your passions as part of a side hustle may allow you to develop your side hustle into a career. You can also develop specific skills that may help make your side hustle successful.

In this article, I’ll discuss 16 ideas for side hustles you can try with a capital of ₦10,000 or less. They are as follows:

1. Tutor/Lesson Teacher: Many families seek extra help with their children’s schoolwork. Offering tutoring services can be a successful side hustle, and helping students can be rewarding. This side hustle may accommodate a full-time job since many tutors only work before or after school hours. I advise you to find students near your area so you can walk or commute for less than 500.

2. Babysitting: With many nursing mothers going to work or other engagements daily, the need for a babysitter has risen. Also, the lack of relatives and extended family households has given rise to mothers depending on others to help with their children. You can stay at the person’s home and look after their children, or the baby could be brought to you if you live in a baby-friendly environment.

3. Cleaner: This side hustle offers a variety of options, including cleaning residential homes and commercial businesses. Additional service options could include cleaning the interior, exterior, or both aspects of buildings. You may offer as many or as few of these services as you wish, and you could charge different prices depending on the service.

4. Car wash: Offer to wash cars in your neighborhood or find a local car wash where you can assist the owners when they’re overwhelmed.

5. Technology repairer: If you have an affinity for technology, a potential side hustle could be repairing technology. This could include fixing computers, laptops, smartphones, or tablets. These devices are a big part of many people’s lives for work and leisure, and some pay for repairs on these devices. You may have the option to control how these repairs come to you, such as having them sent through the mail, having clients bring them to you, or picking them up yourself.

6. Rental property manager: If you own a residential or commercial space, renting it out could be a successful side hustle. Whether you rent it out short-term or long-term, and for businesses or vacations, there are many options and potential clients. You can either advertise on your own or use real estate sites or companies that can help you reach potential renters.

7. Personal trainer: Helping others reach their fitness goals can be a very rewarding side hustle. You can maintain a schedule of clients around your availability, and you could work at a public gym or park your facility if you have one. There are certifications and licenses you may be interested in earning as you enter this job field.

8. Tailoring: If you have experience in tailoring and sewing, another side hustle could be doing alterations. This is when a customer visits a tailor to have their garments altered to fit their bodies. A common example is wedding dresses, as many brides order dresses and have tailors alter the dresses to their exact measurements.

9. Plaiting hair: If you have the skill of plaiting hair, you can do this in your free time. If customers aren’t coming, you can offer to do home service in your neighborhood or places not far from your area. Home service also allows you to meet others who might want their hair done.

10. Henna design: In this era of women wanting to look their best, henna design has come to stay. Women want to adorn themselves with this natural product. If you have the skill of either red henna, dye, Rani, or Sajem design, offer to do it at your place or provide home services. These things sell and don’t cost a lot.

11. Manicure and pedicure: Working-class women and men want to pamper themselves and look their best. So, getting their nails, feet, and toes done is something they will need. The tools for this service may not cost up to 5k. Also, home service will work just as well if one doesn’t have space.

12. Roasting corn/plantain/yam: This business is ubiquitous, yet we can’t get enough of it. Try roasting on the roadside along a busy route in your area when you are free. Buying corn, plantain, or yam for a start-up won’t cost more than 2k, then add coal and a rack for roasting.

13. Making snacks: Making small chops or snacks for events or daily for schoolchildren and workers is another way to get a steady income. Parties and social functions are always coming up. You can even offer a home service where the client buys all the ingredients, and you make the snacks for them to refrigerate.

14. Selling drinks/Zobo/kunun aya: Depending on the weather, cold drinks always sell. But with the advent of health awareness and the vices of carbonated drinks, people are opting for natural drinks. Nonetheless, one can combine natural and carbonated drinks in a bucket with ice. This will cost less than 10k.

15. Selling fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are always needed, and not everyone has the luxury of going to the market or store every day. So, bringing these to their location will always be welcome, from cucumbers, bananas, plantains, peppers, carrots, or onions. One can always get a customer needing one of these.

16. Online advertisements: If you are an internet user, you can help with social media posting or managing business accounts. You can take videos or pictures of items and advertise them, then get paid for your efforts. If you have many contacts on WhatsApp, you can advertise products and services on your status and get paid for doing so.

Which of the above businesses sounds appealing or doable to you? Is this feature helpful? In what ways? Please share your thoughts with us.

Aisha Musa Auyo is a doctoral researcher in educational psychology, a wife, a mother of three, a homemaker, a chef, and a parenting/relationship coach. She can be reached via aishamuauyo@live.co.uk.

By Haruna Chiroma, PhD

Internationally, nations across the globe are actively exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address real-world societal challenges spanning diverse sectors of their economies. Nigeria, too, is actively addressing its economic challenges by seeking solutions from various perspectives. In light of the significant role played by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in propelling the real sector of the economy, a dedicated agency, the SMEs Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), was established. SMEDAN aims to promote, regulate, and implement measures to sustain and enhance the performance of SMEs. In today’s dynamic business landscape, integrating AI tools has become essential for SMEs looking to achieve sustainable growth and gain a competitive edge.

This article provides a guide exploring how strategically employing AI tools can enhance various aspects of SME operations, considering the specific economic context and challenges SMEs face in Nigeria. The success and growth of SMEs have been demonstrated to hinge significantly on the innovations they introduce to enhance their products, services, or marketing strategies.

Research has consistently revealed that SMEs incorporating new innovations tend to achieve higher success levels than those that do not. SMEs can use cutting-edge AI tools to infuse innovation into their products, services, and marketing approaches. AI is replacing traditional roles and transforming the conventional methods of performing tasks, thereby creating novel opportunities within the economic landscape.

From a marketing perspective, entrepreneurs now have access to AI tools that streamline the process of creating compelling jingles for advertising products or services. This innovative AI tool simplifies the user experience by prompting them to input the text of the advertisement. Once initiated, the tool automatically generates a captivating and engaging video. Users can choose from various ready-made templates, voices, and gestures to customize the video to their preferences.

Additionally, the tool comes equipped with video editing features, enabling users to fine-tune the video to match their requirements precisely. To overcome language barriers and reach a broader audience, another valuable AI tool for video translation is available. This tool allows users to translate their videos into different languages, expanding their reach to a larger and more diverse pool of potential customers. Together, these AI tools empower entrepreneurs in the marketing realm, providing them with efficient solutions for creating and translating engaging promotional content.

Seamless, an AI-powered platform, caters to the sales and marketing needs of both business-to-business and business-to-customer interactions, facilitating a broader reach for businesses. This innovative platform ensures the acquisition of precise customer email addresses, phone numbers, and direct dials, thereby enhancing the promotion of products and services for SMEs. By enabling businesses to connect with a diverse customer base, Seamless contributes to increased sales and fosters collaborations among various entities in the business landscape. 

In product design, AI brings innovation by offering tools that streamline the design process, enhance creativity, and optimize product performance. From the perspective of design, a new design of a product or packaging can be generated using an AI tool. An AI tool for generating design from the textual description is available; a user will write the text description of the design and prompt the AI tool, and a new design based on the description will automatically be generated. On the other hand, an existing design can be uploaded to the AI tool, and then, automatically, it will be redesigned.

Users can generate as many designs as possible for the best-redesigned item or product. Generative design AI aids in product design by generating multiple iterations based on specified parameters. This enables SMEs to explore diverse design possibilities, optimizing for factors such as cost, materials, and performance. A business logo is significant in business as it gives the first impression to the customers when interacting with the products or services of the SMEs. An appealing business logo can be designed with the AI tool for generating design.    

Many excellent products and services offered by SMEs and startups in Nigeria often lack online visibility, relying primarily on WhatsApp status updates to reach their contacts. This limited visibility poses a challenge, with many SMEs hesitating to invest in costly website or e-commerce development because of restricted funds. Fortunately, a solution has emerged for such SME owners in the form of an AI tool that automatically generates e-commerce sites. This tool provides a variety of pre-designed templates for e-commerce sites, simplifying the process for users. By selecting a desired template and filling in essential information such as product details, business location, and payment methods, users can proceed through the steps until the final page.

Upon clicking “generate,” the e-commerce site is automatically created. Following this, users can download and host the site, making it live online. This straightforward process allows SMEs to easily establish an online presence, overcoming the challenges associated with traditional website development costs.

Chatbots like Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT) can seamlessly integrate into SMEs’ e-commerce websites or social media platforms specifically designed for business promotion. The incorporation of GPT enhances interaction with potential customers by providing virtual assistance.

SMEs can implement virtual assistants on their websites or social media platforms to actively engage customers, respond to product or service inquiries, guide customers through the sales process, provide support, and ultimately enhance overall customer satisfaction. By embedding chatbots within SMEs’ e-commerce sites, these tools can efficiently process orders and offer real-time assistance. This integration ensures a seamless and responsive e-commerce experience for customers, contributing to the overall effectiveness of SMEs’ online presence.

I trust that this article serves as a source of inspiration for many SMEs and startup owners. I hope that it encourages them to explore these strategies to enhance their business ventures and, in turn, expand their operations. By doing so, these entrepreneurs can create additional employment opportunities, fostering increased business activity within the real sector of Nigeria’s economy.   

Haruna Chiroma is a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. He can be reached via freedonchi@yahoo.com.

By Mohammed Usman (Noble-pen)

I often see people confidently saying the above statement, especially to sway someone’s mind and make him subscribe to their opinion. And most of them don’t care to take the time to think about it thoroughly. 

On the surface, the statement is true and leaves susceptible minds with no option but to agree. But suppose we subject it to close examination, broaden our lens of thinking horizon, and look at it from a different angle. In that case, we realise that the statement is not as accurate as it is often considered. 

Most people quickly make this statement; they merely take the case study of low-level salary earners working for a government or at a government ministry and then confidently make this sweeping statement: “No one ever makes rich with salary.” 

Suppose we hover our thinking over those low-level salary earners at government ministries and those holding miniature academic certificates. In that case, we cannot deny that no one among them, or hardly one among them, becomes rich with salary because the amount most of them receive as salary can only keep them breath and save them from dying of absolute starvation. They are mere slaves. 

Worst still, some people have very little or no savings and investment power. The rate of their disposal out of the salary outweighs that of their savings by a large percentage. They are living hand to mouth. 

However, no one can tell me that those holding advanced academic certificates and working in top levels of government, national and multinational corporations, and organisations (nongovernmental) that they are not making rich with their salary. Even the low-level workers in such organisations and corporations are getting rich! 

Therefore, the above statement is false whenever we look at it from this angle. And so we advise those people making the statement to reframe it accordingly because they are not right. 

In any case, the word “Richness” is subjective. Different people perceive and interpret it differently depending on their different life orientations. Some perceive and interpret being rich as only when you garner, in large profusion, materialistic things. Some interpret being rich as being able to manage scarce resources to attain satisfaction. Therefore, in this class, a poor person is greedy, always looking for more and more, and never gets satisfied with what he has. I belong to this class of people. 

If a person wants to work to earn a salary and sustain a living, let him do it. And that makes him no less reasonable than someone aspiring to enter a business venture. It is called “Individual and personal opinion”. By the way, it would not be brilliant to expect everyone to become a business owner or own a business venture or enterprise for a living.

But of course, business is worth it, especially in this current global economy. It offers numerous benefits to individuals, society, and the economy, such as : (1) Job Creation: Businesses create jobs which help people earn a living and improve their standard of living. They provide employment opportunities for workers of all levels of education and experience ; (2) Economic Growth: Businesses contribute to economic growth by generating revenue, investing in research and development, and creating new markets and industries. This, in turn, stimulates economic activity and raises the standard of living for everyone…. You can mention the others! 

So whether business or salary earning, the end is the same: “to earn a living”, and being rich, as I said above, is a subjective case. 

Thank you 

Mohammed Usman (Noble-pen) wrote via mohammedusman5706@gmail.com.

By Tijjani Ahmad, FCA

Many complain about lack of capital as the major barrier to their dream venture. This is not always true. It is just an excuse. While capital is an essential factor, it is not the only factor. Because it is relative, you will find out the complainer is referring to financial capital in the form of large amounts of capital when you ask further.

In business, many things can give you the advantage that capital “alone” can’t give. But if you have them, they can jointly stimulate your journey more than capital.

Skills: Ensure you have the know-how of any venture you are interested in. The know-how will make you be considered an expert, and people want to see expertise in whatever they want to relate with. For example, if you are interested in carpentry or the fashion industry, here is how you can start:

Know the theoretical skill: There are thousands of free courses, videos, and tips for beginners. All you need is the smartphone you use to read this. If you consistently commit 2 hours to attend the right courses and watch YouTube videos for a month or two, you will master the trade.

Learn the practical skill: You can learn this through apprenticeship. It will take time, but it will surely pay. Just prepare yourself and be ready to learn. Many people are there looking for people like you who are ready to learn. 

With basic skills earned through courses and commitment to your apprenticeship, what is between you and becoming your own boss is tools and the right attitude. 

Tools: Own the tools. I know some will ask how I can get the tools without capital. Here are the ways:

Your skills will land you your first work; with this first work, your first tools are secured. And then your second job and second tools, and the cycle will continue. 

Two years ago, I had a plumbing problem. I reached out to a plumbers shop in our neighbourhood. Unfortunately, the boss wasn’t around, but his apprentices were. I asked one of them to come and fix my tap; it could be done in less than 15 minutes. But he said I should wait for his boss. He went for another work with the tools.

To my surprise, the cost of the tools needed to come and fix my tap was not more than N2,000, and his fee was not less than N1,000. Meaning two works like mine will earn him his first tools.

Attitude: “A strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” —Patricia Neal.

Attitude influences your action, response to challenges, incentives, and rewards. Attitude is not just about being positive or negative but also about being adaptable and willing to learn and grow. It will shape how you relate with yourself, your trainers, partners and customers.

Therefore, depending on your passion, expertise, location and resources available. Here are some of the businesses you can start with zero or negligible capital:

1. Farming and animal rearing 

2. Content creation, copywriting, coaching and vlogging

3. Consultancy service and remote jobs

4. Cleaning and laundry services 

5. Gardening and landscaping 

6. Event planning and management 

7. Sports centre facilitation 

8. Mini processing, packaging, printing services, 

9. Web design and development, marketing, commission agent 

10. Fashion design, makeup art

I wish you all the best.

By Mujahid Ibrahim

As I sat in the conference hall at the Kano Social Influencer’s Summit (KANSIS) of 2021 and 2022, organised by the Centre of Information Technology and Development (CITAD), I couldn’t help but wonder about the immense power of social media. The conference brought together a diverse group of social media influencers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts who shared their experiences and perspectives on how social media can be leveraged to drive social and economic growth.

However, amidst all the exciting stories and success tales shared at the conference, one thing was clear: the effects of mismanaging social media can be disastrous. From cyberbullying to misinformation and hate speech, social media has the potential to be a double-edged sword. While it can be used to amplify positive messages and drive change, it can also be a breeding ground for negative and destructive forces.

One instance of the adverse effects of social media mismanagement is the infamous #EndSARS protest in Nigeria, which was initially launched on social media platforms. The protest started as a peaceful campaign to end police brutality but eventually turned violent due to the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media. The consequences were dire, with many lives lost and properties destroyed.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Social media platforms provide endless opportunities for individuals and businesses to connect, engage, and grow their brands. From advertising to influencer marketing, social media has become indispensable for businesses looking to reach new audiences and drive revenue.

Numerous success stories exist of individuals and businesses leveraging social media to achieve their goals. For instance, the fashion brand Fashion Nova has grown from a small online store to a multi-million-dollar brand by utilising social media platforms to drive brand awareness and engagement. Similarly, entrepreneurs like Jeffree Star and Kylie Jenner have built successful cosmetic brands by leveraging their massive social media followings.

Other examples of social media success stories include:

Salt Bae: The Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe went viral on social media after a video of him sprinkling salt on a steak went viral. Since then, he has built a global empire of restaurants and has over 20 million followers on Instagram.

Wendy’s, the fast-food chain, has become famous on social media for its witty and engaging responses to customers. Wendy’s Twitter account has amassed over 3 million followers and has been hailed as a masterclass in social media marketing.

Glossier, the skincare and beauty brand, has built a cult following on Instagram, with over 2 million followers. Glossier has used social media to build a strong community of loyal customers who engage with the brand and share their experiences online.

GoPro, the action camera company, has used social media to create a platform for user-generated content. By encouraging users to share their GoPro footage on social media, the company has created a vast library of high-quality content that promotes the brand and inspires others to purchase their products.

Old Spice, the men’s grooming brand, revitalised its image through viral videos that parodied traditional male grooming advertisements. The videos were hugely popular on social media and helped to reposition the brand as edgy and irreverent.

These success stories, however, demonstrate the power of social media in building brand awareness, engaging customers, and driving revenue. By leveraging the unique features of each social media platform, businesses can create targeted and effective marketing campaigns that resonate with their target audience. Social media also provides opportunities for individuals to build personal brands, connect with like-minded people, and share their passions with the world.

To sum it up, social media has the potential to be a powerful force for good or bad, depending on how it’s managed. By understanding the power of social media and leveraging its unique features, individuals and businesses can drive social and economic growth. However, it’s important to use social media responsibly and to be mindful of the potential adverse effects of mismanaging it.

As social media continues to evolve and shape our world, we must use it to build a better, more connected, and more inclusive society. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, an influencer, or just a casual user, remember to use social media to spread positive messages, connect with others, and make a meaningful impact.

Mujahid Ibrahim, Program Officer, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), can be contacted via littlemujahid4@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Over two thousand people, including university lecturers and students, graduated from the Engausa Global Technology Hub.

The graduates were trained in various skills ranging from science and technology.

The founder and chairman of the technology hub, Engr. Mustapha Habu Ringim, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Wednesday to mark this year’s United Nations World Teachers Day.

Engausa was founded in 2019 and registered in 2022 and recorded numerous successes in teaching people various scientific and technological skills to depend on themselves and become employers of labour.

Engineer Habu said English and other languages inhibit learning progress, especially in northern Nigeria.

He stated, “It doesn’t mean that we are not developed when we teach in our mother tongue. Knowledge can be taught using any language.

“Later, one can learn any other language he feels interested in, like English, Arabic or French.

“But it is not wrong to learn in your mother tongue, as many people perceive. For this reason, we, among others, admit even almajiri, who have no background in western education and are school dropouts, into Engausa Global Technology Hub and teach them in Hausa.

“Today, many such dropouts and almajiri have become teachers in Engausa. They even teach university graduates, MSc and PhD holders as well.”

We give emphasis on the practical aspect

Unlike in tertiary schools and other institutions of learning, the Engausa Global Technology Hub gives emphasis on practical aspects than theories.

This, however, enables the students to fully understand the subject matter rather than mastering theories and definitions of concepts.

Ringim added, “More than 90 per cent of what we do in Engausa is practical. The theoretical aspects do not exceed 10 per cent.”

Unemployment worsens insecurity in Nigeria

Ringim also argued that the rising insecurity in Nigeria is not unconnected with the high unemployment rate in the country.

Insecurity has been one of the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria, especially in the northern part, over the years.

He stated, “We need to know that teaching our youths some skills is one of the panaceas to the lingering security challenge in Nigeria. Therefore, society needs to welcome inventions of this sort.

Engausa is gaining global recognition and support from Federal Government and academics like Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu, Prof. Hafizu Miko Yakasai, and Engr. Isa Musa Gumel, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, Dr Binta Usman, Dr Hauwa Muhammad Bagaje, among others.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

A Northern Nigerian digital skills learning centre, Engausa Global Tech Hub, will admit students and commence its September classes next week Monday.

This is contained in a short announcement posted on its official Facebook page Sunday.

“New Engausa Global Tech Hub classes will begin on Monday 12th November 2022 Insha Allah,” the post reads.

The classes, largely delivered in the Hausa language, focus on teaching skills like video editing, blogging, graphics design, web design and Android dev., social media literacy, and digital marketing.

Others are installations (CCTV, solar panels, electric fencing, and Intercom) and smartphone repair skills.

The training costs twenty-five thousand naira (N25,000) and lasts for a period of five weeks.

In order to register, interested applicants are advised to click www.EngausaHub.com or call any their phone numbers.