Research
has shown that majority of youths between the ages 18 – 30 years are very
nonchalant about work. We all want to be ballers and big spenders, but not many
are truly willing to work. Very few want to toil and go through the
technicalities of making money. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing or
judging anybody. I am only concerned about what the future will be like for the
millennials.
Most
of my previous posts talk about hard-work, motivation, successful young people
and so on. Today I will be highlighting a means of escape that many people know
nothing about. Many times we blame the government for all our problems and
issues. We say they have not provided the right environment; they don’t care about
the youths and a lot of other allegations. But my argument always is; true they
are guilty of some of these things but imagine if there was no government who
will you blame? Must we always blame someone else for our laziness, self-doubt,
fears and our capital problems?
Well,
it is definitely time to take matters in your hands and make something of your
life. In the same environment that it seems like you cannot make a headway in
business, some other people are making millions a week. Nigerians o! not white
people. While your legs are crossed on the couch in your house, some people are
working towards creating a better future for themselves.
That’s
what the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) fosters.
This NGO was founded in 1978 and it helps to create an atmosphere for
industrial self-reliance.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
INCLUDES;
1.
Access to low interest funding/loan
through the cooperative and other sources.
2.
Access to micro finance.
3.
Capacity building through training,
seminars and workshops within and outside the country.
4.
Participation at trade
fairs/exhibitions.
5.
Promoting access to real and virtual
markets.
6.
Access to business information.
7.
Collaborations and partnerships for
business growth.
8. Promoting linkages and a platform
for business networking within and outside country.
9.
Interactions within your sectoral
grouping and corporate organizations.
1. Advocacy
with government at all levels for SMEs friendly policies.
1. Promoting
clustering and clusters development.
1. NAFDAC
Registration fast track.
1. Resolution
of issues on taxes and multiple taxations.
This
association was created to establish contact with the government, its
institutions and other non-governmental organizations for the advancement and
promotion of the small industries. Earlier this week I attended the fair
organized by the Lagos state government for micro, small and medium scale
enterprises.
Truly
I was amazed at the vastness of ideas and creativity in this country. There is
so much space in the sky for all of us to fly. You just have to want it. I saw
ideas ranging from Nigerian made polo Tees mixed with Ankara and lace to
recyclers of nylons and bottles. Businesses ranging from farmers of raw crops
to food processors and skin therapists.
If
the government isn’t ready to create work for us, we might as well create
opportunities and work for ourselves. Which is better than doing illegal
businesses which many of us are so ready and eager to delve into.
In my next
post I will be sharing more information about NASSI and I will also share their
contact details. For as many of you that need the extra push and environment,
this is it.
