THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY: THE CLOSED ECONOMY DEBATE AND PATRIOTISM

Ajetomobi Feranmi KayodeUNILAG,  200 level

THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY: THE CLOSED ECONOMY DEBATE AND PATRIOTISM

The recent tailspin of the naira has led to a plethora of analyses aimed at providing the government with the best of options on tackling the economic hardships predicated on the currency’s nose-diving. These analyses have constantly hovered around two major points: a closed economy and an enforced rise in demand for local content. 

Unsurprisingly, questions have also evolved alongside these analyses, such as: “How workable is a closed economy?” and “Why are Nigerians not doing enough to boost demand for local content?” The answers to these questions, which this paper would try to provide, would help pave intelligent guides towards policy developments with respect to the nature of the economy and patriotic motivation of Nigerians towards local content.

In the following paragraphs, this paper would be elucidating opinions on these questions in this, with the hope that you can learn more on the benefits of closed and open economies, and consumer psychology as it relates to our present economic dilemma. 

Calls for a closed economy, based on research for this paper, are predicated on the assumption that it would help trigger local production, purchase of local content and boost exports, hence helping to boost the strength of the Naira. The anomaly here; is the expectation that a closed economy would lead to a boost in exports.

To counter this expectation, a report by Cornelius Fleischhaker and Philip Schellekens, using Brazil as a case study, was reviewed. The report shows that a closed economy would affect exports of a nation. This is a resultant effect of country’s decision to import a few components and intermediate goods from other countries.

Consequently, this affects trade relationships with other countries hence reducing the possibility rate of exports. However this leads to a question on how China was able to boost economic growth with a closed economy. It would interest you to know that China didn’t boost its economic growth through a closed economy—it is a general assumption that China’s growth is a result of a closed economy.

To clarify this, Brookings’ study shows that China—a socialist state—was able to lift over 200 million people out of poverty from the 1980s to the early 2000s, through an open economy (with some controls though) and not a closed economy. In fact, a closed economy was no good for China1. For a side-fact, it would also interest you to know that China is the world’s second largest importer. 

Furthermore, on the openness of the Chinese economy, growth was made possible through the development of a leverage that attracted and is still attracting a high inflow of foreign direct investments. . The nation is blessed with large population, this has enabled her to offer labor intensive manufacturing processes at a reduced cost hence attracting foreign direct investments and constructive imports. Parts of various complex systems are imported and coupled—at a cheaper rate when compared to countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan—for exports out of China. Although, there are still a lot of controls in the economy, the Chinese is relatively an open economy.

In light of the points above, the government needs to invest more in the manufacturing and service sectors, so as to catalyze the development of firms that would work closely with multinationals in the development of exportable products and services. 

A good number of luxurious mobile phones like the iPhone by Apple are coupled in China, knowledge gained from the coupling process has led to the emergence of local phone makers that are thriving in China. At the end, the country is gaining both ways. China was able to cut through the ice with the development of SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES.

SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES

“A special economic zone (SEZ) refers to designated areas in countries that possess special economic regulations that are different from other areas in the same country. Moreover, these regulations tend to contain measures that are conducive to foreign direct investment. Conducting business in a SEZ usually means that a company will receive tax incentives and the opportunity to pay lower tariffs.”- Investopedia (investopedia.com)

Special economic zones are usually equipped with infrastructure necessary for production. China built its economy through the creation of economic zones, with attractive features that motivated the influx of foreign investors, this is against the assumption that such was achieved as a result of a closed economy.

When infrastructure is discussed, the epileptic power supply of the nation pops up. The assumption predicated on this anomaly is that the whole of Nigeria needs to have access to steady power supply at the same time to become an industrial nation. The process can be a gradual one that can be achieved through the establishment of special economic zones. 

For this purpose, locations aside Lagos must be considered. This is due to the ever rising population of Lagos. Most importantly, such areas must also have access to constant power supply and ports. Areas with such potential in Nigeria can be found in the Niger-Delta region of the nation. 

To clarify this opinion of Niger Delta as the preferred region; it is well known that this region is well endowed with gas deposits that can be easily converted to thermal energy for power generation. Limiting generated power to this areas would maximize the supply of power in these areas. Combining steady power supply with other incentives such as tax reductions, security amongst others, will attract—foreign and local—investment.

Finally, on special economic zones, with increase in production exports can be boosted. Energy generated from such areas can later be boosted to contribute to the national grid, hence fostering a gradual and long-lasting development. Although this might encourage local producers to boost production, does this mean such goods would attract local patronage talk less of international patronage? The next section seeks to provide answers to this questions.

LOCAL CONTENTS AND PATRIOTISM

Without doubt, production will be boosted through special economic zones, but this does not mean such productions would translate to purchase of local content produced in such zones.

Buy made in Nigeria to save the naira is now a popular mantra on the lips of many Nigerians, a campaign one arguably relate to Senator Ben Murray Bruce, whom some have described as populist. Populist or not, the senator has sparked up a campaign that is gaining grounds. 

Senator Ben’s campaign is a persuasive one, appealing to Nigerians to patronize products made in Nigeria out of patriotism and help save the naira by doing so. The issue with this campaign is encapsulated in the question: “how far can patriotism go?”, it is hard to believe that anyone will keep paying for a product or a service out of patriotism at the expense of his (or her) satisfaction.

A popular economic thought states that individuals make decisions at the margin. This means people make decisions that maximize their satisfaction. Mr. A might choose a Toyota car that he isn’t spending much, while Mr. B might prefer a more expensive Benz car because he feels more satisfied with the nature of the seats. Hence, satisfaction is relative, therefore creating a need for proper market research. To illustrate the importance of market strategy, an illustration involving big players in the production of soda drinks will be used.

THE BIG COLA STRATEGY

Competing with established terms can be termed as entrepreneurial suicidal, interestingly Big Cola doesn’t seem to be aware of this fear in the entrepreneurial world. Big Cola is capturing parts of the market share, which has forced the big players—Coca-Cola and Pepsi—to run promotions that would encourage consumers to keep patronizing them. 

There are lessons to be learnt from the entry of Big Cola into the market. No one is buying Big Cola because it is made by a foreign company—Aje Groups—but because it is capitalizing on consumer satisfaction that is related to quantity for lower prices. People love to have more at a reduced price. This was the same strategy Aje used to break into the Mexican market, despite Pepsi and Coca-Cola’s promotions aimed at countering the competition, a large part of the population returned back to Big Cola—due to its consistency in providing more at a reduced price. Can Nigerian companies do this? Rather do they need to do this? Yes. 

Nigerians have been exposed to varied tastes. Lower prices might not attract majority of the market share for a particular product or service, but it would surely help in capturing a good part of the market like it did for Big Cola

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND MARKET ANALYSIS

Furthermore, the variant foreign tastes have created a market that would take more than patriotism to get them to buy products made in Nigeria. Trying to enforce such would only lead to smuggling which would have a further negative effect on our present economic situation.

In fact, it isn’t about bashing Nigerians for not being patriotic but encouraging producers to invest more in consumer psychology. Acts such as imitation of foreign products, overpricing of products, and lack of ingenuity in designs amongst others should be avoided. How about advertisements? Until Senator’s Ben’s recent campaign, a lot did not even a motor vehicle manufacturing company known as Innoson existed. By all means, Nigerian firms must intensify the use of market analysis tools like the PORTER’S FIVE FORCES.

Patriotism should be motivated through accessible quality at a moderate price. To be sure of the quality to be purchased, regulatory organizations must be effective. People will feel more confident if they can constantly and easily hold producers responsible for substandard products. More often than not it is usually a goose chase or tedious when a customer tries to legally take up a producer who creates substandard products.

Finally, an economic system focused on developing itself with no plans of contributing to global economic development, through bilateral trades will most likely fail. It is necessary for the Monetary Policy Committee and the FG to wake up to calls for the naira to float. The government should also work on integrating branding programs in its small and medium scale development programs; boosting production is a flop when such production doesn’t translate to sales. Alongside, stronger regulations shouldn’t be created on limiting imports but on ensuring development of product quality.

REFERENCES:

 Cornelius Fleischhaker and Philip Schellekens, (2015). The Cost of Brazil’s Closed Economy. http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/opinion/2015/02/05/the-cost-of-brazils-closed-economy

Nicholas R. Lardy, (February 24, 2000). Is China a ""Closed"" Economy? http://www.brookings.edu/research/testimony/2000/02/24china-lardy

Damilare Opeyemi, (October 7, 2015). Is the New Aje Group’s Big Cola Drink a Worthy Opponent for Coca-Cola in Nigeria?

http://venturesafrica.com/is-the-new-aje-groups-big-cola-drink-a-worthy-opponent-for-coca-cola-in-nigeria/

Wikipedia (March, 2014). Special Economic Zones of China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Economic_Zones_of_China

0

BENEATH THE BEAUTIFUL

Smile - fake.
Eyes - sad.

But you don't know that.

It’s always easier to wear the smile and look pretty than tell what's really wrong, huh?

I mean, who will understand anyways?? I've told other people. Didn't seem to bother them much. Why keep talking about it?

“It'll get better”, they say.
“You just need to have faith and trust God”, they say.

But these things?
These words?? Well, they're just words and really, they're easier said than done.

People expect a lot from me. My parents, my friends and everyone... Do you really want me to tell you how I flopped? What happened in that corner? Those thoughts... Those thoughts considered "abominable" and things I enjoyed initially but later regretted... Those things... things, I regret deeply...

You really really want me to relive these experiences, these things I took a while to run away from and some that I'm still running away from??

"You don't have to live in the past," they say. But, it all comes back, doesn't it? That little voice that wouldn't stop reminding you... And the things around you just seem to be pointing fingers.


"Take a walk.
Clear your head."

But my heart keeps twirling. My head, banging. People and things irritate me and sometimes, I really actually just want to disappear...

Peace...
...
Positivity.
That's the theme, yes?

It's the subject matter of the discussion with a hurt friend, a heartbroken sibling. It's the easiest way to encourage the girl with a problem, the boy with the addiction.
But, how real can it get anyways?

Truth?

It gets real with Jesus.
It gets real by giving Him all your burdens and taking His yoke that's easy to bear. It's real by letting go of all the hurt and the pain and the tears...
It gets real by leaving it all at the feet of the master and holding on to that flicker of hope that He's in control, that's He's done it. That, you need not worry because He's right beside you...

It gets real.
It gets so real.
When you no longer try on your own...

When you do the craziest thing ever
Trusting someone you can not see...
Giving Him everything...

And, honey
You know it's real
You know it's so real because right after that, you get... you get the peace...

- Blessing Mukorho
IG @blessingmukorho 
Twitter @bbellam 
Snapchat @blessingmukorho

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HERE - STUDENTS FEATURE

#Purplenigmers

HERE

So I was looking for you,
was waiting for you
Here. Just here.
People like me find options easy,
But people like me don’t want easy.
I found you, want you.
So I’m here, just here.

Over and over
I mean it when I say I’m here;
Over and over
You never have to do anything alone;
Over and over
You always have someone to talk to;
Over and over
You never worry alone, rejoice alone;
Over and over
I support you with all of my heart;
Over and over
I stay with you again and again;
Over and over
You disbelieve I could be real;
But I still remain here.

People love to see us together
We form relationships by staying together
We make love affairs
when you look straight into my eyes, my soul
we define amorous synonyms.
I’d say you are in love with me,
And I, you; so I’m right here.

We fight, we make up
We laugh, we cry
We run, we hide
We love, we dance
We mourn and we party.
You are the perfect match for me;
So I’m here.

I’m the kinda girl
Your friends call ‘a keeper’;
I’ve sworn-as much as my age would allow-
My allegiance to you
But somehow,
I still come off as a tease to you
Albeit, I have still remained here.
Well, not for long.

If over and over I’ve been here
And I cherish you with all my heart;
If we do everything together
And we make ‘love’ pale beside us;
If we fuel the love of other people
And you are too awestruck to believe I’m real
-the only thing left for our forever-
Then I’m gone.

-Timilehin Sadiku

IG : timmi_as

Afe Babalola University 

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THANK YOU - ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

As I  sang the hymn, "COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS"  in church yesterday,  I realized how much of an ingrate I've been.

You know many at times,  we are so focused on the things God has not done that we forget the countless things he has given us free of charge without us even asking.

We focus on the things we lack that we don't know how to appreciate and enjoy the ones we do.

We admire people we don't know from afar because of their fame, fashion sense or style that we forget to appreciate and cherish the people in our lives.

We think we are so entitled to this life we are living on earth that we often forget that the breath you just took is a gift,  it's not automatic.

We complain that we don't have much money while there are beggars on the street ready to eat your left-overs so they can survive.

We complain about not having the latest clothes while there are some in rags and they don't even realize it.

We complain about the little shortcomings in our schools and forget that there are hundreds of kids on the highways, hawking and risking their lives because their parents cannot afford school fees.

We complain about the multifarious problems of Nigeria but at least, you and I can still walk up and down without fear of tornado or earthquake like in other countries. We still have a roof over our heads. We are still entitled to our fundamental human rights.

Stop it! Focus on your haves,  not your haves-not. Count your blessings not your problems.

Develop an attitude of consistent gratitude.  Never get so overwhelmed with your little problems that you don't know how to enjoy and appreciate life anymore.

Be happy no matter the situation and just believe that things will fall in place in due time.
Most times we worry way too much when all we need is a simple "THANK YOU".
To God for the life you are living,  say THANK YOU
To your parents for their care, support and affection,  say THANK YOU
To your friends for always having your back,  say THANK YOU.
To that stranger that did something nice for you,  say THANK YOU.
For everything you are, all that you own,  say THANK YOU.

1

CoLAWful

I wake up to the sunrise at dawn, 

I behold the beautiful sun at noon, 

Then the stars in the cloud at night, 

And I say to myself, "this is colorful". 

I watch the flowers as I walk to class, 

So splendid in their numbers, 

They spark up the streets of the city, 

The true definition of alluring beauty, 

Yes I say,  this is colorful. 

I study the people around me, 

Male and female, young and old, 

People of color united by purpose, 

The birds of the air, the fowls of the sea, 

Oh yeah, very colorful indeed. 

Then alas! I'm drawn aback, 

My attention raped by these group of guys, 

They seem unique yet I dunno why, 

I can't seem to wrap my head or place my hands on what exactly, 

Talk about dexterity mixed with integrity,

People of honor in the same fraternity, 

A stroke of fashion glazed with legality, 

Talk about talents flavored with intellects, 

Oh wow! This is definitely CoLAWful... 

            - Jesunifemi Grace

0

LOVE LIKE POISON

#Purplenigmers

Love like Poison

It wasn’t love at first sight
When together we took the first bite
Clinging to each other
With nothing to bother

We savored each moment
Survived each torment.
Or was it I who survived
Then let us divide?

Soft, kind, gentle, sweet
Crafty, blind and incomplete.
Whatever it was
I felt the buzz,
The razzmatazz,
The blind beauty of love.

It was a euphoric feeling
Sensual prescription for my healing
I took it all in
And let it engulf my being

Like a shot of heroine
It burned through my veins
It gave me a high
That wasn’t genuine

In a blink of an eye
They came rolling by.
The stories I ignored,
The rumors I barred.

But your words
Oh!
Those words
From your two edged sword
That glazed my injuries with nothing but mud


Sweet, soothing, sharp and cold.
Each day you opened my sore
With your sword of gold.
I grew numb and senseless
Each cut became painless

I felt nothing
Not pain, not gain
Not the bounce in my mane.
This was it,
I was going insane!

But like a friend I stood by
Listening to the lies,
Watching you swear to the sky and
Knowing in my heart it was all but a guise.

It was time now to let go
I was at the end of the line.
As that love once divine
Was never truly mine.

Standing under the frozen sun and
Gaping at the icy moon.
I realized I was reborn
As light as a balloon

I had dropped the weight
Outside the gate
And under the sun
Saw I the damage done

Then it hit me
That love I thought rosy
Wasn’t even a daisy
It never felt cozy

A burning desire
Led me to that fire
That burns so hot
Without you knowing

That love like poison
Slowly took away reason
And nearly left me frozen

Alas!
Everything has a season
And sometimes love begets treason
But this love, like poison
Which might have no medicine
Remains everlasting
Yes! Without season.



-SAW      
Afe Babalola University
Law,  400 level                         

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ECHOES OF THE PAST

ECHOES OF THE PAST

Stricken by fear, 

Stripped of love, 

Gasping for air, 

Like never before. 

I seem alright on the outside, 

But am choked up within me, 

By noises, 

Strange sounds I must say, 

Unfamiliar I might have called them,

But for the syllables that seem striking. 

Now where is all these coming from? 

I thought I was over all that, 

I thought  I scaled through, 

I thought I  prevailed! 

Was it all a facade? 

But no, it can't be... NO!!! 

It felt too real to be untrue, 

Even an illusion will eventually unfold, 

But here,  there was never a reason to doubt,

There wasnt... 

Not until NOW! 

The echoes of my horrid past, 

Leaving a sudden trail in my heart, 

Causing me to quiver when i sleep at night, 

Making me doubt all i thought was right, 

How did I find myself in this hot pot of dilemma, 

Leaving me closed up like a bottle of cocacola, 

But no this is wrong altogether, 

My reality should not be submerged by shadows, 

My happiness should not be rubbished by mere echoes, 

My now should not be affected by my then, 

My past should not mess with my present, 

Because my past has been wiped off by the greatest stain eraser, 

The blood of One who was without blemish, 

That same One has been residing within me, 

The only One  who does not judge me by my past,  

He wiped off my past and gave me a fresh start, 

Thus, even my past has no right over my life. 

Yes I said it! I feel much better now on the inside, 

He who did this for me can do same for you, 

His name is Jesus,  have you met Him? 

                  - Jesunifemi Grace 

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RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT DRAMA (exclusively for guys and any lady who wants to change before the strike-back)

My perception about relationships has always been the same with how I saw cake and ice cream.
I never knew how it was made or the stress involved in making one. Thanks to technology, things are easier on the cake side of life, but I was left wondering what could be done to make relationships work better. Well if ladies thought like men, there would be less of the issue that results to fight in every real relationship. Anyway, I won't be making wishes  here now that I have solutions.

It didn't take me long to understand that women had a different way of communicating in relationships other than
 the usual oral communication technique. Maybe it did take me long. I always thought my first girlfriend was way too opinionated. The second one was too emotional. I still
couldn't put the pieces together when the third one who was quite normal seemed unstable. She loved me and thought I was
amazing one day and few days later I might not know how to find her. Moving on to the fourth, you might fall under the  impression that my self-perceived awesomeness gives me liberty to move on from relationships whenever I want. Don't hate the guy, not yet. The fourth was more of a fan than an admirer at first. From the first time we talked, she didn't stay a day without seeing me and I felt cool in one way, frustrated in another. She asked me out and even though I didn't feel the way she felt at that time, we got things rolling.
As time went on, seeds became plants and plants became trees,
  I became more emotional with her. Just like chelsea waiting for a prolonged arsenal attack only to start a counter attack, she started to withdraw hoping that I'll follow.
Knowing I was getting to like her more, she wanted to win the game. A game I didn't know I was playing. However uncharacteristic of me, I did follow for a while. Then I called myself to order when it seemed to me like she didn't love me anymore. I tried to breakup, and she had no hiccup about it, only for her to come after about two months accusing me of cheating on her when obviously I had moved on.
I don't like to look back, I never did and now wasn't going to be an anomaly. You'll figure that by now I should understand the pattern, summarize my comprehension and give the story a name. Drama queens.
 
But I was just a guy that thought like a guy and acted  accordingly. It took me one more girlfriend to think like a woman and act like a man. Now I understood that life wasn't what I wished it was. Life is what I can make out of my reality.
 
If my previous girlfriends were drama queens, the fifth one... Well I don't have a name for her yet, but I know she was ten times whatever all my previous girlfriends were.  She's a baby today when you need her to understand you and she's not willing to. Tomorrow she's yo mama when you can't understand her 'simple' needs. Then slowly and surely, I got to understand that ladies can't be separated from drama but I was already with the most dramatic one the world has seen.
 
I attempted breakup many times when I couldn't cope, until I stumbled upon the breakthrough idea.
 
This idea which has worked for the worst of them would have worked for anyone of them if my information was prior to my  experience. I would call it "getting even".
 To the guys out there reading this piece, I have an advice or two.
 
Don't hate your lady for her dramas. Just learn how her system works and play the game with her. To win a battle, you must first engage in it.
 
No relationship does not have drama tendencies. It is how the drama is managed that determines how well you'll cope or if
you will at all.
 
Learn the game. Like football, for every Barcelona there is a Chelsea, understand the pattern and use it to your advantage.
 
I came to understand that ladies want to win a battle that started in their minds due to mostly unnecessary ambition  like manipulation and dudes although not interested in such domestic war will have to adapt.
 In my subsequent post, I would talk about crisis control, understanding the game, creating a pattern, breaking thatpattern and choosing the right partner among some other easy techniques we could use depending on the type of lady we are
involved with and the situation on ground. I'm just a guy who has not seen it all, but has seen enough and had just enough.
 
  Till then.
 

     Victoria Concordia Crescit
 
      - Abe Oluwatomiwa Ayodeji

#purplenigmers #positiveworld #positivevibes #positivechange #errythingpositive

Follow us on IG @officialpurplenigmers. You can also submit your entries at officialpurplenigmers@gmail.com to get featured on the blog. 

1

WHAT LOVE IS AND WHAT LOVE ISN'T

"The Way of Love

¹If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. ²If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.^3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end. "

 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Have you been searching for the true meaning of love? Well what you see above is the true definition of love. 

The above extract is directly from the MESSAGE BIBLE with no modifications. 

It clearly points out what love is and what love isn't. 

To live is to love and to love is to live. 

Love is pure. Love is kind. Love is rich. Love doesn't cost a thing. Love unconditionally! Not the love of this world that is selfish,puffed up and expects something in return but the kind that is genuine and sincere. 

Today,  determine to show some more love to your family,  friends,  colleagues,  strangers and even your  enemies. Yes! The Bible says Love your enemies because by so doing,  you heap a coal of fire upon their heads. 

If you allow hate to grow in your heart because someone hurt you or disappointed you or caused you harm in anyway, that passion of hate will end up consuming you,  not the person that offended you. 

Know this today, when someone hurts you and you harbor hate for that person,  you bring yourself down to the level of that person but when you forgive, you are the bigger,  stronger and happier  person. One who forgives quickly is not a fool, infact, it takes a lot of courage and strength to forgive a friend who stabs you in the back or a lover who broke your heart or someone who betrayed your trust but if you can look beyond the pain,  very difficult I must say but possible, if you can, you will be happy and proud of yourself. 

When love hurts,  you can look up to God as your source of strength. He will help you refine your broken heart and renew the love that had been buried by pain. 

Don't sacrifice your happiness and inner peace because of someone else's shortcoming. You deserve to be happy. You deserve love. Everyone deserves a second chance at love. It's not easy at all especially when the hurt is buried in your heart and the pain runs deep in your soul but with the help of God,  you can overcome anything and come out stronger and better. 

Love just a little more today. Love your neighbors  as yourself. If your love has been the fake type, pray to God to teach you how to genuinely and sincerely love and he will definitely help you out. 

Have a blessed week ahead and remember, LIFE IS LOVE! you stop living the moment you stop loving. 

0

NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE

Nigeria my beloveth country,
Oh the giant of Africa!
Why art thou fallen?
The alarming depreciation of the Naira currency is heartbreaking. The tremendous increase in the exchange rate is nothing to write home about, from 199 to 400 naira per USD in a matter of weeks is shocking.
What exactly is going on? What could be the reason for this sudden increase? Never in the history of Nigeria have we had it like this.
Now to buy common sachet water,  they will say dollar has gone high so it's #10. I recently went to the market and I wanted to purchase a product and the seller was claiming the product is now expensive because of the high dollar rate and am like but this is a Nigerian product. To my amazement, this guy told me that the content of the product is Nigerian made but the container is foreign... Whattttt!
The height was when a bikeman told me that his charges have increased because of dollar... Joker!
While things may still seem a bit normal for now,  it won't be for long if this increase should continue. There is already inflation of prices of goods due to the ridiculous exchange rate and before you know it,  there will be scarcity of goods and even money will be hard to come by. When all these happens,  it only boils down to one thing - Increased crime rates.
By the time youths and men cannot make ends meet,  they will take to the streets and do whatever it takes to put food on their table for themselves and the family. Before you know it,  it will become "survival of the fittest" and Nigeria will be thrown back into the perverted state of nature where life is "brutish,  nasty and short"
I want to believe our government will not let this unbecoming situation deteriorate to that stage by God's grace. Now the pertinent question is what is being done? Scratch that... What can be done?
It is common knowledge that we cannot solely rely on Petroleum as our major source of revenue anymore and as a result, the focus has shifted to agriculture and other sectors  to diversify our source of revenue,  but is this enough?
While the government is making conscious deliberate efforts to booost up economic development in Nigeria, I  still feel there is so much more they can do.
Aside exporting goods and local products, we can sell out our services also. There are so many bundles of extra ordinary talents sitting at home, searching for employment. Nigeria is filled with so many gifted minds that have a lot to offer if they are given proper orientation and training.
We talk about adulterated goods,  our famous "Abba made products"  but do you know it takes a lot of intelligence, skill amd hardwork to make a duplicate of a product that looks so much like the original? I mean some of these so called Abba made products, you can't even tell the difference between the original and the fake,  because those guys are that good. Also,  the quality of these Abba products are gradually improving. I won't deny the fact that I patronize them sometimes and I can tell you that I have some Abba shoes that have lasted longer than the so called UK made. Who can relate?
If these guys are encouraged, trained,  given the right facilities and infrastructure,  do you think they would not be able to make quality superior products? They would 100% but then again,  even if the government makes an attempt to rebrand these products by investing in them to make the products better and superior,  the 'foreign factor'  will still be there. The foreign factor simply means "if it is not made in Italy or UK or US, then I can't buy it" please my sister,  if you don't buy it, who will?
It's our Nigeria. You want change,  be the change you want to see. We cannot keep investing in the American economy or other foreign countries and expect Naira value to increase. Let's erase the "foreign factor"  mentality. Not all nigerian goods are substandard and inferior,  the few that are good, patronize them and by so doing,  you raise more funds for the manufacturers to improve on the quality of the products.
The government has the major role to play. The government should establish a n effective regulatory body to ensure that there is a set standard for the goods produced in Nigeria and that no one goes below that standard because no one wants to eat poison all in the name of patriotism. If the goods are standardized,  more people will buy.
Also,  most of the youths with innovative concepts and brilliant ideas are  in the U. S or U. K because they stand better chances there with the right facilities and the U. S government welcomes them with open hands because they know they will advance their economic development but what do the government do in Nigeria? They watch them go.
We cannot rely on goods and products alone while allowing intellectual property go to the drain. Our economy should be diversified.  The government should invest in this area of intellectual property,  encourage inventions and innovations, put adequate capital in place to bring brilliant ideas and concepts to life.
Until we take that bold step towards developing our own industry and economy, our economy will continue to be a slave to other economies. The government cannot do it alone. It is a team work, a concerted effort.
Let's begin to look around and help ourselves build the Nigeria we desire. It's our country. We are freaking Nigerians! We are smart,  brave and creative. Let's work together and do the best we can. The government should try out new technologies and techniques, invest in manpower development. lf there is no manpower development, we will keep experiencing economic growth but no economic development. They are two different things.
We are Nigerians! We are more talented than this present  ridiculous  value of the Naira currency.

WAIVER : I am not an economic expert so this is no expert opinion, just the thoughts of a concerned Nigerian citizen with Secondary school Economics knowledge, who is passionate about change in Nigeria. 

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FROM BREADSELLER TO BREADWINNER : THE JUMOKE STORY

The story of the young lady who went from being a breadseller to being a model in a matter of minutes is  definitely the talk of the town right now. The life changing story has got heads rolling and tongues waggling.
Olajumoke Orisaguna hit her jackpot as some would call it when she photobombed a celebrity, Tinietempah's shoot with Ty Bello, a famous photographer in Nigeria.
Ty Bello who claimed to have noticed some distunct features in her included Jumoke  in the shoot and ever since then  the ex breadseller 's life has transformed totally.
Now while some may say it's mere luck or "good head",  many have agreed that it is purely divine,  it's no coincidence.
The 27 year old mother of 2 kids went from a simple bread hawker to being the most popular girl in Nigeria right now. She was featured on the cover page of Thisday Magazine and that was just the beginning of her stardom.

Tv stations have featured the amazing story of this young lady,  including CNN! Various fashion blogs and websites across the world have also posted about the story,  including U.K and even India. Talk about worldwide recognition... 

Even the celebrity,  Tinietempah @tiniegramon IG made her his WCW(Woman crush Wednesday) last week. 

Jumoke is obviously sorted for life as she has been signed for various modelling contracts already. Just recently,  PayPorte,  an online shopping brand signed up Jumoke as its official campaign face for 2016.

This story is definitely a moral lesson to all of us. Keep doing what you know how to do best,  be in the right place at the right time because you never know when God will decide to elevate you and change your story for good. Don't give up when you are just at the point of your breakthrough. What would have happened to Jumoke if she had decided not to hawk bread that day and stayed home or if she had taken another route? 

Also,  Jumoke's story serves as a wake-up call for all Nigerians. Like Ty Bello said,  there are many Jumokes around you. You might not be able to land that pepper selling a modelling contract,  but render some help in your own little way. If she says her pepper is #1000, don't price it to #250.

Photo courtesy : Instagram @tybello. 

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DATING COLUMN : WHO SHOULD YOU MARRY, YOUR BOYFRIEND OR BESTFRIEND?

Who should you  marry,  your boyfriend or your best friend?
Hmmm this is a very sensational issue and should be answered with careful consideration.
It is a question that has raised a lot of controversy and arguments over the years.
If your boyfriend and best friend should propose to you,  who would you choose? Confusing isn't it?
So I went round and gathered some interesting  views on this stimulating subject  matter.

1st view :
Your Bestfriend
Your bestfriend understands you better,  knows when you are sad and happy. There is no pretence with your best friend.

2nd view :
Your Boyfriend.
You have never been romantically involved with your best friend .  Marriage is a whole new level. 10 years friendship cannot be compared with a 1 year dating relationship.

3rd view :
Your Boyfriend.
Marriage is extreme. Your best friend should not just come out of the blues and propose. Some people are better off as friends than lovers.

4th view :
Your Boyfriend.
Because there is a reason why one is called boyfriend and the other is a friend.

5th view :
Anybody the Lord ministers to you to pick.

Okay this next view is quite hilarious.

6th view : Test both of them in bed.

Do not think the guys are left out as I also gathered opinions from the men,  who should you marry,  your girlfriend or bestfriend?

1st view :
Your girlfriend should be your best friend. I may not allow my girlfriend to have a male bestie.

2nd view :
In my opinion, I think I would go with my girlfriend. Girlfriends are closer companions than best friends in terms of companionship.Both of them have fun, comfort and friendship so to say. But girlfriend spices it up by throwing some add-ons into the mix.

Enlightening right? But we are not still satisfied with the views. We want someone to throw more light, add a little twist and explain from a different angle entirely. What do you think?  Who should you marry? Drop your comments below,  let's gist!

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