Enterprenuership: The Path To Grace From The Grass

A speech delivered at the Annual Student’s Entrepreneurship Summit for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Development Research, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Topic: Entrepreneurship: The Path To Grace From The Grass

The road to wealth is not paved by gold. Every wealthy entrepreneur labored from scratch before they rose to stardom, except those who are entrepreneurs by inheritance.

I was born into a poor family and my father died when I was 13 years. After his death, the pangs of poverty became unbearable, and being the first child of my parent’s 7 children, the mantle of taking care of the family fell on me. From then, I dedicated my life to doing all sorts of jobs that came my way, to take care of myself and younger ones. Even when a man of God prophesied to my mother that God will send him a helper, I decided to work very hard because I saw myself as that helper.

Hustling started when I was in primary school; I had to climb mango and cashew trees until the trees knew me by name. When I pluck the fruits, I sell them to support the little money my mother gives me.

I was pushed to the wall when after my secondary school; I lost a teaching job I applied for because I didn’t have N2.00 to bribe a messenger for him to allow me to enter the zonal commissioner’s office for my appointment letter. Challenges and humiliations should build us and not destroy us – We ought to see them as a push to prosperity and not an excuse for failure or an excuse to engage in illegal activities.

Afterward, I became a bus conductor and later became an apprentice to an electronics dealer. But after the apprenticeship, I had no money to start my own so I traveled to Kano and joined a construction company as a laborer. Along the line, I had to quit laboring job because they don’t pay me a full salary. Fortunately for me, my mother gave me the N1, 200.00 that the University of Nigeria paid as compensation for our cash crops and I used it to start second-hand clothing business in Kano. With enough savings in my account, I decided to learn motor spare parts trade; afterward, I decided to go back to school.

When I started school in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, I noticed I had plenty of time that shouldn’t go to waste so I went and withdrew the N260, 000.00 in my account and purchased two buses. I gave out one of the buses to someone to drive for me while I drove one myself after classes and on Saturdays. Before my graduation in 1999, I already had 45-second hand buses and I kept nurturing the business until it became a household name. Today, Peace Mass Transit is one of the foremost companies in Nigeria that has given birth to other companies.

I will not fail to share one of my major keys to success which is prayer. My mother taught me and my siblings how to fast and pray when we were little. She helped us to develop faith and trust in the almighty God and I have never left that path, as prayer has been my foundation for success.

Unlike our own time, this generation is blessed with the generosity of information technocrats. Anybody who claims to be in the dark in this age is not saying the truth because even if you don’t have access to information through internet resources, someone around you who have such access must share useful information with you. If I could do it back then, you can do better now but you have to start early.

The solution to unemployment, which is the major problem Nigeria has today, is entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is the act of initiating or financing new commercial enterprise; creating a business idea and nurturing it to reality.

My Entrepreneurial Ladder

I started small – with whatever I can lay my hands on; even in the transport business, I started with just two buses, then it grew into a medium scale enterprise and today it has grown into a large scale business or conglomerate. Start by doing what you can and with what you have. Start small and grow rich.

How I navigated into the World of Entrepreneurship

I started by trying my hands-on different petty businesses before I stumbled on the business that I fit in most. You can start by venturing into petty money-making activities, especially now that you are still in school so that before you graduate, you must have discovered your abilities. The more you engage yourself with petty businesses, the more you also expose yourself to the world of business.

How I managed my Cross Roads

The blame game could not have led me anywhere - When we focus on reasons why we should not do what we are supposed to do, it kills the ability in us. I did not blame my dead father for not living to carter for us, neither did I blame my uncles and aunties for not looking out for us; instead, I made a move and did whatever my hands find to do in order to help my mother with our family financial difficulties.

I saw a need and focused on that - Before I ventured into the transport business, I saw the need to convey people, especially students to their destinations. I also noticed a void in transportation which is the absence of an affordable mini-bus that will save people’s time. For a business to thrive, make sure you are solving a problem.

I chose the right location for my business - My headquarters is located in Enugu and I first established in South East before spreading to other states because I discovered that south easterners travel more than others. The wrong location can cripple your entrepreneurial zeal. Before setting up a business, you need to know those that will benefit most, and then start in the area where your customers are most likely to be found.

I targeted a particular audience and focused to meet their needs - Every business venture is competitive but if you come up with something unique and of value to a certain category of people, and continue to develop technologically, you will never lose their patronage and trust.

I focused on the glory and not the challenges - Economic climate of Nigeria is harsh for start-ups, but remember that some people still worked hard and succeeded. I have always focused on what I stand to gain and not the numerous economic pitfalls, and today I have nothing to regret.

I looked within and started from somewhere - Insufficient capital should not be the reason why you cannot go into the business of your choice. If you have parents, siblings, uncles or aunties who are willing to give you capital, you can approach and discuss with them but if not, start with what you have. If you don’t have at all, there are petty businesses that require no funding to start, like hair making, home laundry services, etc. – you can raise money from them and go into a business of your choice. You can as well opt for borrowing from the bank but I will advise, it is not a good option because I never borrowed to finance any of my businesses.

The Secrets that Kept me Climbing

I don’t joke with budget and I buy the things I need and not all that I want. I didn’t just discipline myself on how to make money; I disciplined myself to manage it.

I don’t waste my time fooling around because I understood that time is money.

I don’t gamble into any business without proper study and consultations.

I didn’t do a big boy by wasting my money in expensive restaurants; Okpa and the likes were my best food when I was starting because those were what I could afford.

I am passion driven when it comes to running my business.

I didn’t answer CEO in the early years of my business; I was then a driver, then a loader, a manager, etc. and my wife was the cashier. I started answering CEO when my business grew.

I learned to save and I made sure I disciplined myself to save.

I made mistakes along the line and I learned from them.

I focused on the businesses that I can do best.

I don’t just stumble into any business; I draw my plans before I make a move. No matter how small the business is, it requires planning. You need to strategize.

I followed God’s guidance and never failed to pray – prayer has been my secret code.

In conclusion, I didn’t waste my mina, I hope you will not waste yours

In Jesus' parable of the ten minas, a master gave his servants some minas and told them to occupy until he comes; then, he left to a faraway land. ‘Occupy Till I Come’ is translated ‘Do business till I come’ in New King James Version.  That means we are here for a very serious business delegated to us by someone higher than us. Occupy means take charge, inhabit, take possession of, take care of, live in, make use of, put something to work. As in Luke chapter 19, two out of the three servants traded their minas or money or talents, etc and raised extra income for their master, while the servant who received one mina hid it and when his master returned, he brought it out as it is and gave him. Jesus is telling us today to occupy until He comes. We shouldn’t waste our mina, gift, talent, etc., like the stingy servant in Jesus parable, because those minas are God’s investments that shouldn’t go to waste – if they are not important to God, he wouldn’t give them to us. God has endowed us to serve Him and man and we need to make Him proud of us.

Don’t be a doubting Thomas. Think Smart, Think Entrepreneurship. If you are bent on getting a job to make a start from there, then train yourself in such a way that employees will find you employable. It doesn’t matter if you are on salary – who says you cannot work for salary and still manage a small business that you can fall back on if in any case, something goes wrong with your paid Job.

Remember! God said He will bless the works of our hands, not our fasting and praying. Prayer controls the spiritual, but the works of our hands control the physical. Pray more but work harder.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

For: Sam Maduka Onyishi

July 25, 2019

All Saint’s Church Celebration of Praise 2019

All Saint’s Anglican Church GRA Auditorium felt an air of divinity the night of June 22, 2019, on the arrival of Victoria Orenze, Eben, Mr. M & Revelation to the 2019 All Saints Church Celebration of Praise, with the theme: Revealing Jesus.

Victoria Orenze was awesome; she ministered with great grace that everyone in the church auditorium experienced the definition of worship. Her ministration was music and message combined, and she is worship personified - a great facilitator of worship, her aura of spirituality ignited passion and zeal for God in the heart of almost all the attendees. Even when I dozed off for a while in the middle of the night, her ministration continued as a trance in my subconscious. I went wow after her ministration, as well as the ministration of other guest artists; I had to conclude that aside from water and food, praise and worship are sine qua non to our survival.

The host choir, House of David Choir, All Saint’s Church was amazing in the gorgeous evening wear that made them unique. They were like angels floating on stage during their ministration and I was like oh-oh! This band will go far.

A piece of advice for Victoria Orenze and other gospel artistes – stay glued to your source and don’t be a victim of cheap blackmail and irresistible offers from the imposters parading themselves as the gods of this world.

What should we do in the place of praise and worship? - Absolutely nothing. All Saint’s 2019 Celebration of Praise has come and gone but praise and worship shall never cease. Let everything that hath breathe Praise, and keep praising the Lord.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

Recall that Ideal Olive reported the All Saint's Church Celebration of Praise 2018 with Frank Edwards and Mercy Chinwo. Click ideal olive to revisit. 

Fatherhood:The Child is the Father of a Man

All Saint's Anglican Church GRA Fathers Day

While growing up, I listened to mothers tell their female children: Don’t you know you are a woman, you need to be in the kitchen learning how to cook, you have to sit properly, you need to dress properly and look neat, you need to respect the boys because they are the men, etc and they end it by saying: so that you will marry a good husband.

On the other hand, when they talk to their female children about male children, I hear things like: Don’t you know that they are men; let them be. They can handle themselves; they can marry whoever they chose, etc. Even in churches and fellowships, years back and up till now, we have women's fellowships, Mothering Sunday, and sister's fellowships for young women or girls, with the mission of grooming and raising women to be the best homemakers. But then, men, as usual, were left out because they are the men or maybe they were left to be trained by God in their dreams. I thank God that we are beginning to have men's fellowships and fathers day.

So there, today, most boys go to football fields on Sunday mornings instead of attending church, 80% of prison inmates are men, 70% of divorce cases and marital problems are caused by men, Men have above 70% representation in Nigeria leadership circle and they are the ones polluting the polity, violent cults in and out of Nigerian schools are men dominated, bars and clubhouses are filled with men drinking and getting drunk; the bitter truth is that most of the well trained and morally sound girls or ladies will still end up with most of these men who eventually gives them a different training - hope you are getting the logic.

The question now is: Are boys made of stone? Don’t they deserve moral training as well as the girls, so as to create a balanced society that is with minimal crime and problems? Were they exempted from 'Train up a child in the way he should go so that when he is old, he will not depart from it' command from God? This is a big issue that shouldn’t be taken for granted. I am happy that concerned poets have thought about this and came up with ‘Boys Are Not Stone’ Anthology – Please watch out for it.

Elders and parents should please start doing the needful because according to William Wordsworth in his poem: The Rainbow, “The child is the father of a man”.  Fathers and grand fathers were once children. A well trained son can make a great nation but a useless son can pull down a continent. Thank God for its father’s month. Happy father’s month to all men out there.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

Recall that by this time last year, ideal olive wrote on the topic: Fatherhood: A Heritage that must be Recovered. Click on Ideal Olive to read again. 

AN OPEN LETTER TO NIGERIAN LEADERS

Photo Credit: nairaland.com

To Mr. President, VP, Governors, Senators and other elected officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

AN OPEN LETTER TO NIGERIAN LEADERS

Your Excellencies,

Congratulations on your swearing in as the President, Vice President, Governor, Senator, etc.  Your victory, just like others before you brought hope to Nigerians – the hope of true democracy and good governance, devoid of selfishness, discrimination and exploitation of citizens – hope that is yet to be realized.

Pause and sniff the Stench, it's horrible!

Nigerians have suffered for many years and are still suffering due to bad governance. We have been nicknamed ‘shithole’ because any form of rubbish is allowed here without complaint or putting up a fight; ‘burial ground’ is another adjective that qualifies Nigeria – Most of you loot our money and help in developing other countries. When you or your loved ones get sick, you travel to those countries you have helped to develop because you failed to maintain and equip the hospitals in our land, but when your loved ones die, the ‘burial ground’ will receive their dead body. You send your children to foreign schools because you have helped to mess up the standard of education in our land. I can go on and on.

Its infectious, our Youths have been Infected

The worst is that our leaders, past and present have corrupted the minds of Nigerian youths – the future leaders. It’s no longer about the reward for hard work, quality service, accountability, etc, but about greed, selfishness, popularity, power, etc. Frustration and disappointment have eaten up many destinies. Tell me, if these things don't bother you, then what? Are you not bothered about what will become of this nation when you are gone? Please don’t add to the problems already created, come up with solutions, even if that solution is to stop creating more problems.

Live and Let Live

Members of a family have their differences and so with members of the society and nation. Serve your own God and leave others to serve theirs. You have your value systems, culture, norms and traditions and so do others, so live and let live. “A brave man acknowledges the strength of others” - Veronica Roth. It is your responsibility to stop the killing of human beings by their fellow human beings and not to promote or pretend not to notice it. Nigerians cannot be fooled so please stop taking advantage of their lack of courage. “Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too – If one says no to the other, let his wing break.” – From Chinua Achebe’s collection of proverbs.

Give Nigerians a Push and Watch us Fly

You are not in that position to manipulate, humiliate and exploit others, or see those who voted for you as useful idiots – we cannot all be in a position of power, that’s why you are there, so take your position as a responsibility and privilege, and not your right. You are in that position to create an enabling environment for Nigerians to thrive; to stop multi taxation system so that youths in entrepreneurship can thrive; to develop this nation with the abundant resources God has given us, etc. You are there to encourage productivity by reducing middlemen involved in the production/distribution chain. How can a product pass through SON, MAN, CPC, NAFDAC, etc with all their demands?  In the end, a product of N100 will be valued at N2, 000. At least help the producers and consumers by assigning a group of product to one agency, so that manufacturers/producers can make enough profit after their hard work. I’m sure there are a lot of Nigerians who have something to produce but are afraid of the many hands that will squeeze them dry from inception.

If it’s not Easy, then you are not Qualified

It is not easy to lead but you can make it easy for yourself by choosing the right people to work with – not those that only sing your praises, but those that applaud and also criticize you – those that tell you what you know is the truth. I know that in every twelve, there is always a Judas but the peace of mind which only you can seek out will help you coordinate yourself enough to identify and handle the Judases the way they should be handled. God has placed Nigerians, its states and zones in your care and what you do with them will define you, not only in Nigeria but the entire world.

Why Program our Reasoning for Perfect Crimes? 

No one is perfect. Yes. Why is it easy to say that no one is perfect, yet, we commit crime and perpetuate injustice perfectly? Instead of wasting your intelligence on crime and injustice – oppressing people, siphoning public funds for your selfish gains, etc, I advise you to channel that wisdom and intelligence to meet the needs of the public, which is the reason why you are in power.

A Good Name is Better; Not so?

The wounds inflicted on Nigerians by the past and present administrations will take time to heal and even when it heals, the deeds, acts of irresponsibility and grave misconducts of the past and present leaders will remain in the records as history - even the power of oratory and favour buying will not be able to rewrite the ugly history of most of you that parade as leaders.

Was it not said that a good name is better than silver and gold? Does it cost much to have a good name? What will it profit you to gain the whole of Nigeria and have your name and image rubbished in the eyes of the majority?

Heroes do what others have not done. Why not be a hero and write your name in the hearts of Nigerians, then watch them willingly decorate Nigeria choice places with your image. Is that too much to wish for?

What’s Happy about Democracy Day?

I cannot pretend to say happy democracy day when in the actual sense there is cold war and many people are dying in silence. May God give you the needed wisdom and intelligence to govern Nigerians!

Respectfully yours,

Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

Idealolive.blogspot.com.ng      

Obedience is Better than Sacrifice (1Sam. 15:22b)

Photo Credit: freebibleimages.org

This is a familiar topic, and as most of us know, it originated as a result of Saul’s disobedience to God. Some of us know the story; and also know the meaning of obedience, and sacrifice based on the story. But I must admit that in our activities, we tend to sacrifice this truth on the altar of pretense and ignorance.

Saul’s Disobedience

The entire chapter 15 of 1 Samuel that explains this topic points out that:

1.      God told Saul through Prophet Samuel to go and destroy the Amalekites and all that they own.

2.    Paul went and destroyed the Amalekites but spared their King and the best of their animals (an act of disobedience to God)

3.     When Samuel confronted King Saul, his reason for disobedience was that the plunder are to be sacrificed to God at Gilgal

4.     When Samuel told King Saul a piece of God’s mind, King Saul confessed the real reason for his disobedience – he was afraid of the people and so he gave in to what they want, he wanted the approval of people rather than the approval of God.

King Saul had heard the word of the Lord but thought he had a better idea. He was aware of what he was doing yet he went ahead to disobey God and wanted to use sacrifice as a defense mechanism. But the question is: Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

We cannot buy God

When we make sacrifices to God, we kind of see it as a way of buying whatever we want to get from God according to our needs which could be child, husband, wealth, etc. This makes us think that He owes us, so we sit and wait for what we ordered from God to arrive.

Then, before the birth of Jesus Christ, they used Peace offering, Burnt offering, the Sin-offering, Tithes, Duties, etc to appease God.  But in the present, it is First fruit, Thanksgiving, Vow, Tithes, etc. There is nothing wrong with offerings but they are not God’s priority. To God, obedience is better than sacrifice. God's salvation is freely given to us by our obedience to the lordship of Jesus Christ, not through our sacrifice.

We are as guilty as King Saul

We have many King Saul today in our worship centers. People who engage in fetish activities to destroy their fellow human beings, yet go to church with fat offerings, People who steal public funds, yet donate for church buildings, people who bear grudges and work against their fellow human beings as an act of jealousy, yet they sing cheering praises, serve in the prayer group or other church activities, people who refuse to work hard for God to bless the works of their hands but pray away their time, expecting God to release magical money, car, house, etc. Such people are all King Saul who thinks they can bribe God and cut corners to receive salvation and blessings. God is not a merchandise, He cannot be bought and He cannot be sold.

God is not interested and cannot be appeased by the magnificent cathedrals and churches we build; he is interested in the souls of men. Those cathedrals and church buildings shall be useless to Him if the worshippers are headed to hell. There is no short cut to total submission/obedience to God; we cannot bribe Him.

Just like King Saul, some men of God pretend to be interested in the souls of politicians and wealthy men; they become diplomatic in administering the Word of salvation to them when they are present; with the excuse that they may chase them away from the house of God if they try to use the gospel of salvation to appeal to their conscience; But in the actual sense, they don’t want them to go with their money. 

The Sacrifice of Obedience

The best sacrifice we can offer God is the sacrifice of our body and soul - to live a holy and righteous life; such a sacrifice is an act of worship to the Lord.  In 1 Peter 2:9, it is written, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; It is also written in Romans 12: 1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

We are worthless before God when we try to appease Him with material things knowing that he owns the world and everything in it. It is written in Mathew 5: 23 and 24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift". Sacrifice flows out of obedience. A sacrifice that does not flow out of obedience is disobedience and is not pleasing to the Lord. God will appreciate our offerings and tithe when we come to Him with a clean heart.

Religion is not Obedience to God

Some of us are so religious that most times, we tend to confuse obedience to God with our religious rituals like attending all church activities, serving in the church, following the order of service, observing the holy days, etc. It is written in Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace, you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” We can’t earn or work our way into Heaven.

Conclusion

This is a challenging topic and I hope that after reading, not only ourselves but people around us will feel the impact and learn to choose obedience to God rather than empty sacrifices.                                                             

Regina Daniels Alleged Marriage to Ned Nwoko

Photo Credit: withinnigeria.com

A lot has been rumored and said about Regina Daniels, a 19 years old Nollywood actress since her intentions to marry a 59 years old billionaire Ned Nwoko was made public until their alleged marriage. So many things have been going on in my mind since it became clear that she has made up her mind to marry a man forty years older. What does she really want? If she were an older lady the gossip would have been that age is no longer on her side and that is why she chose to become a sixth wife to a 59 years old man; people will like: eyaah! She has no choice than be the sixth wife – only a few people will think otherwise. In Regina Daniel’s case, all rumors point to her desire for wealth and material things – human desires really differ; and I can say that some of those desires are really complicated and unbelievable.

On second thought, some people are selfish, beasts without conscience, shameless, and what you can think of. I keep wondering why a 59 years old man will have the heart to waste the life of a teenager by going ahead to marry her as a sixth wife just because he can offer her all that she craves for. Regina Daniels is well exposed to know what is right and wrong, yes. At her age, I don’t even know half of what she knows now because of her exposure. But Ned Nwoko knows better what damage he is doing to Regina Daniels, yet, he is bent on satisfying his selfish desires.

Whatever her reason is, it is no one’s business because she is already in and enjoying the moments, in her right mind or not. What should really be our business is to fight immorality, corruption, and evil laws in Nigeria that enslave us instead of enriching us. I love this post from a local source by Georgina Onuoha about Regina Daniels and her choice in marriage.

“No one has made you nor I a judge over her or her decisions even though my name is Georgina and not Regina. The last time I checked, I did not go to a law school neither was I appointed a judge.  It’s her life, her business and her propagative.

When those before her are busy flaunting private jet and fake plastic ass, most of you did not cry wolf.

She has made her choice with the endorsement of her mother behind her to be a teen bride or adult bride, so let her be.

Most of her senior colleagues are busy sleeping with old politicians, pastors , fly to Dubai to sleep with old wrinkled Arabic men and married men and you all go hail them as slay queens. You endorse bad behavior as hard work.

Islam permits more wives and she has made her choice. While I don’t and will never endorse teen marriage as a parent and mother, I wish her the best of luck in all her endeavors.

In my days, some followed yahoo and 419 boys for extra stretch limousines, where are they today? Some teen brides have gone on to make something out of themselves by pursuing academics.

What is morally corrupt is the Nigerian society that celebrates immorality and goes agog with it with impunity.  So please, don’t DM me or tag me on such nonsense. Her life and choice.

I don’t pay her bills and will encourage her to equally pursue education regardless. So please people address the problems facing our nation and let Regina deal with her private life”.

If you dm me again I will block you. I am neither her mother nor judge. Let her Be. Let’s encourage education, empowerment of our youths.  Books not boobs, Pens and not penis for young girls and boys. So before you tear her down, go tear down all the slay queens you hail and criminal politicians you revere and shameless pastors you worship. Regina is not your problem. Your corrupt politicians are your problems.

Mothering Sunday – Celebration of Motherhood

Mothering Sunday at All Saints Anglican Church, GRA, Enugu

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” —Lin Yutang

“[Motherhood is] the biggest gamble in the world. It is the glorious life force. It’s huge and scary—it’s an act of infinite optimism.” —Gilda Radner

“I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is.” —Oprah Winfrey

We can go on and on to dish out quotes on motherhood; that’s how unique mothers are.

Many years ago, women limit themselves to staying at home, doing house chores and attending to their gardens, just to make sure they are around to take care of their children. Those that worked then embraced the job of teachers and nurses; jobs that give them time to be with their children and train them properly. This explained the reason why there are more intelligent and responsible children those days.

Mothering Sunday at All Saints Anglican Church, GRA, Enugu

Today, we have career women; women who have seen that they have potentials that shouldn’t go to waste; women who have seen that the economy is too tight and that their husbands alone cannot provide all that the family needs. Rather than watch this hard life mess up their children, these career women had to sacrifice the precious time with their children to take up all manner of jobs to make ends meet. The result of that sacrifice as we can see today are children that sniff or take all manner of hard drugs, children with sagging trousers and bra, etc.

I wish that mothers with little children will be allowed to dismiss earlier enough from their workplaces so that they can spend time with their children and train them properly; this will go a long way to reducing many ills of the society. It's just so unfortunate that wishes were not horses that beggars will ride easily. Mothers deserve to be celebrated; this is not to discredit fathers but mothers have all it takes to give the society a better face.

Ideal Olive celebrates mothers all over the world.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi