Don’t you think it’s time?

What is the hope for our youth after spending so many years to educate themselves without a clue as to how to reap the fruit of their labour or the parents who have spent so much only to watch their children waste away at home all day or the nation that have failed to tap into such an army of young, talented and enterprising individuals?

 The recent Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment cataclysm that happened recently is a clear indication of the chaos and decay in our economy and the degradation that our leaders of tomorrow are made to go through.

The various selection criterion being used by organizations and recruitment agencies such as minimum years of experience, dichotomy between B.Sc. and HND holders, the love for foreign qualifications over local degrees, etc. have made it even more difficult for young graduates and graduating students to at least acquire means of livelihood. The level of crime and violence will continue to increase significantly except there is a complete change of our mindset and change the result of the equation from primary + secondary + tertiary =employment to entrepreneur.

The continuous down or right sizing by companies to reduce cost of operation has further helped in populating the employment market and more are and will still join as more companies fold-up, merge or are acquired (banking, insurance and now the BDCs). Graduates are forced to face the reality after the 1 (one) year NYSC when the “allowee” stops coming.

The recent pronouncement of entrepreneurial training in the NYSC scheme and various schemes being organized by private and non-government organizations gives some level of hope that all is not lost. For example, one of the schemes for business initiatives which I was part of the facilitators showed that our youth are quite talented and brilliant if only they can be given a chance and empowered.    

Giving the almost hopelessness of the labour market and the lack of enthusiasm on the part of Government in tackling this monster that has helped in creating restlessness among the youth, increased cases of armed robbery, terrorism, etc., we need to ask ourselves the following questions and try to provide honest/realistic answers:

·     How long do we continue to depend on others/parents/siblings for our livelihood or keep hoping for a miracle to get you that job?

·        How long do you want to keep writing CVs or applications for jobs that do not exist?

·      How long do you want to keep roaming the streets hoping for that opportunity and wasting the little reserve on transportation?

·      How long do want to keep depending on your parents, family and friends for stipends and the insults that come with it?

·   Can the government live up to its responsibilities in creating more jobs or create the conducive environment in the nearest future?

·        Are you even guaranteed job security in your present employment or sure of when you will be shown the door?

·      Are you fulfilled doing what you are doing or how many can rise to become the Managing Director or Director General before you are kicked out?

·      Do you have “Option B” when the expected eventually occurs or enough savings to cover your expenses for the next 6 months to 1 year?

·        When will you start preparing for your home or life after the exit?

·        How long will you allow other to plan your life for you?

Don’t you think it’s time to take action and take your destiny into your own hands? Don’t you think it’s time to let go of your comfort zone and start planning for your desired future? If you fail to plan your life; other people will help you plan it.

Be creative! Someone started the plantain chip business, packaging of garri, palp, melon, etc. What value can you add? What need/challenge can you help solve? What innovation can you come up with? What talent or skill can you commercialize? What experience can you bring to bear to benefit others?

It’s time to break the norm and the status quo. I know it won’t be easy and will require some level of courage but the bright future that you have created and can picture should be the driving force. Henry Ford summarized it that “"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you are right" but "at any moment, you have the ability to dramatically change any area of your life, or follow your heart's deepest desires. It's yours to create, any way you want it" Craig Townsend.

"Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not" George Bernard Shaw. Also note that "Your mind can just as easily show you an ocean of abundant opportunities, as it can the opposite. It’s just depends what you focus upon". Craig Townsend

Expressing ones desire to be an entrepreneur few years ago would have created hilarity and believe that you’re crazy. The tables have and are turning. Entrepreneurship has become the only way out and means of developing and growing the economy. It’s the only means of saving our economy and moves our culture forward. Dream ‘jobs’ are disappearing fast. Creating your ideal opportunity is the new norm. 

Don’t you think it’s time? 

Check out www.bizadvisory.tk for more insight and advise to help you achieve your vision and achieve your dreams.