Co-operative Society/Network for the Unemployed

Now let me ask you this question: just tell me the truth, what can N1000 do as per starting a business in Nigeria today?

Not really much, if any at all, you say, right?

Good.

So I was going through one thread on Nairaland where some guy was asking for ideas on how to turn his N40,000 into millions and most people who responded gave that same verdict of not really much.

But let’s look at it closely.

But what can N1000 from 1000 people do?

A lot.

Do you see what I’m really driving at now? Now you see how everything suddenly starts changing...?

Oh yes!

I’m actually proposing a situation where a group of majorly unemployed citizens of our country come together with the view of everyone pulling in their little resources together and thus, create that multiplier effect.

So think about it.

Assuming these persons with common goals and aims come together and create a forum, a group, an avenue, an organization, where many of our unemployed persons in the country bring their, say N1000 together, don’t you think they can be able to pull off so many businesses that way?

Basically, that’s how most companies start off.

Oh yes!

Alright, I see two challenges right now, even as I speak.

One, how do we source for more funds assuming we decide to form such a group right now?

Alright. The way I’m already looking at it, first and foremost, we can just start off by organizing ourselves and making our own personal contributions. Then as the organization grows and starts to expand, we can then start talking about declaring our shares for sale just to raise more capital.

And again, that’s exactly how most companies source for funds.

Together, we rise!

Like Steve Afolabi the CEO of AfricaBusinessClassroom.com suggested, one of the ways in which companies raise capital for their business is by offering their shares for sale. But in essence, what is really happening is that while so many people buy these shares, this company is actually taking this money to run even bigger businesses to earn more profit!

So think about it.

I believe there are some rich men and women in this country who are seriously looking for prospective businesses where they can safely invest. It’s your time—our time—now to seize this opportunity and give them what they are looking for.

We can even source for more funds by throwing out membership to other unemployed persons scattered all over the country.

Look at this scenario. If perchance, the so called 40 million unemployed people in the country agree to join and we all contribute a membership fee of N1000 each to form the proposed company, wouldn’t that be N40 billion naira?!

What if this amount is raised to say, N10, 000 each, wouldn’t that amount to N400 BILLION naira?! What about if we make it N20, 000, or N50000, or even N100, 000 from each member?!

Oh my God! How much are we looking at? Something tells me the figure is even going to be bigger than the monthly budget of some states in the country and even the total annual budget of some neighboring African countries!

You don’t even have to invite all the unemployed persons in the country to join your network. Of course, you don’t expect everyone to comply or buy into the idea but then anyone is free to dream big besides the fact that there’s no stopping you if you really want to make something happen!

Okay.

The second challenge I see now is this: what types of businesses are we even planning to go into?

Good.

Apart from engaging in businesses like food and transportation which are always in constant and daily demand, other businesses one can go into are abound.

I was browsing through another thread on Nairaland where someone was posting the types of SMALL SCALE BUSINESS IDEAS  in Nigeria. You really need to see that thread because he mentioned lots and lots of interesting businesses.

I was equally interested in the reactions of those who responded on that thread because they didn’t fail to point out to the OP who started that very thread that most of, if not all the business ideas he posted are by no means small scale business because almost all of them require a lot of money to get started.

I think they are right. Who in his right sense will call something like setting up a refinery, a small scale business?

But all the same…

When someone is really empowered and has quite a sizable amount of capital, you will agree with me that the person can easily go into any of those businesses mentioned on that thread and even expect to make more profits because there will certainly be lots and lots of prospects and opportunities made available to him because of his huge capital base!

So get it off first. Start creating the public awareness and start making arrangements and getting your own group of persons that will make up your network.

Another challenge I’m looking at is the issue of credibility and accountability. In other words, how can we beat scams and avoid falling into the trap of those get-rich-quick individuals who wouldn't even think a second time before collecting the whole money and taking off with people’s money?

Yes, sadly, ours is a society where corruption is deep-rooted. So you have to be ready to tackle this problem from the onset as you set out to form your network.

One of the easiest ways to overcome this challenge is by putting individuals who are very trustworthy in charge. Another way is by making sure that each and every member of your network goes through a serious form of identification verification process.

Another way is by making sure that the business is conducted or run with openness such that there will be zero tolerance for underhand or shady deals. Another way is to make sure you can always deliver on your promises because it makes people to gain even more trust about you and your business.

Good.

So finally, what about those who will run business?

Of course, I believe we have so many entrepreneurs and business-minded persons who have got lots of interesting ideas on how to run a successful business in our midst, right? So where are all those people who read Banking and Finance in the school? Where are those Marketing students? Even our Economics, Accounting, Business Management, and Statistics graduates?

Oya, make una come becos time don reach make una show us say una sabi sometin.

Oh yes!

We need the recruit the best amongst us. We need the experts. We need the specialists. We need those who have the zeal for entrepreneurial spirit. Yes, we need anyone and everyone who thinks or knows he’s got something to offer!

Yes, instead of whiling away at home, instead of writing and submitting job applications and aimlessly waiting and hoping for ‘something’ to turn up, let them come out now and show us the stuff they are really made of!

Let’s come together and pull our resources together. Let's take our destiny in our own hands! Let’s bring our knowledge together so that we can think, formulate and fashion out the best ways to forge ahead and make things to start happening! It’s high time we end that ‘every man for himself’ mentality in this country which has brought us to this terrible situation!

Let’s stop depending on the pittance or handouts the government will like throw to our way and take control of our lives and see what we can do for ourselves. Let’s start taking the pleasure in running and working in our own business and even becoming CEOs and Board of Directors in our own companies!

Always bear in mind that all the big companies and businesses we see around us, all these companies we are always sending our CVs to and applying to work for were actually started by someone! And I’m telling you now that you can do a similar thing because I believe what I’ve just shown you is the way some of them started.

So now it’s your turn—our turn—to copy them and do the same thing!

I think we can do it.

Yes, we can do it.

I know we can do it because we as Nigerians, we are remarkably tough all thanks to our tough economy which has toughened us and has already given us that undaunted spirit and unbeatable doggedness so many people all over the world have actually come to admire in us!

So, c'mon, let’s do it!