“Entrepreneurship is the cure to joblessness”

Discouraging unemployment rates are a reality in Nigeria, but Aïdêè Amba, 20, a Correspondent from Calabar in Nigeria, argues there is a better solution than waiting for government to tackle the problem. She encourages educated youth to become entrepreneurs and chart their own course. 

If there’s any outstanding problem in our country, Nigeria, it is the joblessness that youths encounter. Every year, smart youths graduate with a BSc or BA, yet there is no job for them. Instead, they join the millions of educated but unemployed youths.

Truth be told, government is not capable of creating jobs for these youths. Even those employed as government workers are battling to be paid their wages. It’s clear that most Nigerian youths depending on the government might never get jobs.

It’s extremely sad to contemplate what some youths venture into due to joblessness. Being unemployed allows poverty to sink in. A typical phrase for a Nigerian man is “Man must survive!”, and indeed to stay alive and have the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter, one needs money. In a bid to survive, some take the wrong road and use the wrong method. They venture into the cruelty of stealing and kidnapping, they terrorise people’s lives and properties, become fraudsters and criminals. When they are caught and convicted of a capital offence, a life is wasted. If they are imprisoned, they waste years in incarceration and when they are released time, time has passed. A lot of changes have occurred around them and most times, they have little or nothing to start a new life

As we all know, the blame for this lamentable situation freequently goes to the government. There is whining and gnashing of teeth as the public tells the story of how the government has explicitly failed in its responsibility for the people by not providing jobs. But is the government really to blame for joblessness? Particularly, is the government really to blame for the joblessness of an educated youth?

If you think so, I don’t understand why you got an education. Because as an educated youth, you are fully equipped with knowledge to start up a business or career in your line of study.

Instead of blaming the government continuously, have you ever asked yourself “how can I be of help to my country?”

If the government cannot create jobs, why can’t  I create one for myself? Everyone has a talent and something they’re passionate about. What is yours?  Have you found a way to monetise it?  Do you know you can earn money from whatever you are passionate about?  Have you found out how to? People don’t make the Forbes list by working for government or waiting for their government to create jobs for them. They work hard to turn their creative talent into something exceptional. Entrepreneurs make the Forbes List.

Who knows?  As you take a decision to stop waiting for the government and start doing something for yourself, you might be building the next big thing the world is yet to see. You might be Number One on the next list of exceptional achievers. All of this won’t happen with you nagging and not taking responsibility for your life. Take responsibility for your joblessness and create a job for yourself.

Nigerians are certainly smart, creative and highly talented. The resilience and hard work of a Nigerian is outstanding: it’s like lamp light that cannot be hidden.

You have to start something. You can become an entrepreneur, think of creative ways to make a difference in your field or find solutions to the problems people face. The government might not help you, but entrepreneurship would. Entrepreneurship is the basic cure to joblessness in Nigeria.

photo credit: https://perzonseo.com/new-york/ via photopin (license)

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About me: My name is Aïdêè Amba. I am a writer, podcaster and fashion designer. I’m a highly ambitious individual who is into a little bit of everything. I love media, fashion and advanced technology. I am an extremely creative individual with the ideology that the world can be much better. I am passionate about media and fashion. I’m a self-lover and believe in myself so much. Besides if you don’t love yourself, who will ?For me,focus is major key.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/

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