Experts urge FG to keep promises, boost small, medium enterprises

FOR Nigeria to move forward and for Nigerians to feel a sense of belonging, as well as identify with government’s programmes and policies, political leaders should always strive to keep their promises.

Nigerians at all levels should also not lose hope in the country in spite of the several challenges confronting the nation.

This was the submission of an International Labour Organisation (ILO) Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) Certified Master Trainer, Noruwa Edokpolo during the launch of his book titled: Onyourmarks: Abusinessstart-up Handbook at the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association house in Alausa, Ikeja.

At the event which coincid- ed with the author’s 50th birthday celebration, he said he was motivated to write the book based on his experiences as an entrepreneur since 1992.

“The answer to Nigeria’s greatness is not in seeking non-existent white collar jobs or placements in multinational organisations but in the individual quest to rise to the occasion by daring to venture into their own businesses.

“Starting up may not be easy, as several experiences have shown but people should learn to start and learn from their mistakes. Failure to start or fear of failure must be overcome,” he stated.

Speaking to Theguardian, he advised prospective business start-ups not to lose hope when their first attempts failed but rather brace for the challenges and explore other viable areas like renewable energy, information and communication technology (ICT), power solutions and agriculture, among others.

Lamenting that successive Nigerian governments have consistently failed to create the enabling environment for investors and entrepreneurs to thrive, he advised government at all levels to create the friendly atmosphere for small and medium businesses (SMES) to flourish, as they hold the ace to a better economy.

Citing the United States of America, he pointed out that America was not standing on the Microsoft and Apples of this world but on the small businesses that employ between five and 15 staff, adding that for Nigeria to experience the expected economic boom, it must strive to encourage more small businesses. Speaking, Professor Vincent Anigbogu, who gave the keynote speech at the event, said it was high time Nigeria and indeed Africa moved away from mere rhetoric to a true transformation of the continent in terms of how its governments and peoples do things.

Also speaking, Pastor Tunji Adeyinka, who reviewed the book, enjoined Nigerians to follow the author’s admonition that dissatisfaction breeds restlessness and as restlessness breeds innovation.

Nigeria and Africa, he said, was full of big opportunities for entrepreneurship and small businesses but without a proper structure, investors and entrepreneurs could not succeed, adding that passion, competence, marketability, motivation, business model canvass and critical work place balance were necessary for business success.