These Things I Feel - Niran (Keeping it Legit)

Keeping it Legit

Hello.

2016 has kicked off with a lot of goodies so far; the falling oil prices, the missing budget saga, the Lassa fever epidemic and other fun stuff. Now that crude oil prices are diving like C.
Ronaldo (apologies to Real Madrid fans but truth is true), that does not bode too well for an economy that is predominantly dependent on oil revenue. Just like dominoes, whatever happens in the Petroleum sector affects every other facet of our society especially with regards to the fact that the yearly budget is drawn based on expected revenue from the oil sector.

But I am not an economist or a financial analyst. In fact, I almost did not pass Economics in Secondary School; I was more interested in writing poetry for my seniors in return for reduced chores and a little something in my pocket. Can I hear someone say, “Oshey Entrepreneur?!” Thank you...lols.

And that brings me to the focal point of this piece; Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is basically a “take charge, take initiative” attitude. The Nigerian spirit is born of hustle. There is something you can do; something you have to offer, a talent or gift inside of you that you can make money with. In the words of that once popular song, “maga no need pay for you to ride big motor”. You just have to open your eyes, see the opportunities around and adapt your skill to the situation.

There was a woman (true story!) who used to be a teacher in one of the prestigious schools in Lagos. I for tell una her name but I don’t want to be sued for copyright infringement. She lost her job and while she pondered on the way forward, she got the idea to sell moinmoin (oyinbo will call it bean pudding). She sat at the gate of that school she formerly taught at and sold her well-packaged moinmoin. That was how she started till moinmoin took her to The White House, Washington D.C. Common, ordinary but well-packaged moinmoin. ww.datzall-it-took-dot-com and she became a brand, all from moinmoin.

There are lots of ideas in that mind of yours; great ideas that just need you to believe in yourself and take that first small step. And I am also talking to myself right now. God knows how many times I have imagined myself a writer in the mould of John Grisham/James Patterson but it usually ended at the imagination stage. Take that leap. Write a business plan. Carry out thorough research and never stop learning what’s new.

2016 is a year for takers. Take it! Receive it and keep it legit!

Niran, @NiranNoni