150 Companies To Attend Made-In-Nigeria Exhibition

The public relations officer in charge of the forthcoming made-in-Nigeria products exhibition, Mrs Ngozi Okwuogu, has urged manufacturers in the country to use the exhibition to showcase their products.

Okwuogu made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said the Federal Ministry of Information had allocated space to no fewer than 150 exhibitors to showcase their products at the two-day event.

The spokesperson urged manufacturers to take advantage of the 2014 exhibition to showcase their products.

She said that this would be of great benefit to them and the country given the cosmopolitan nature of the nation’s capital.

A Nigerian inventor of a made-in-Nigeria food dehydrating machine and traffic light, Mr Reuben Sani, was at the location of the event at radio house,

Sani expressed the hope to come in contact with entrepreneurs, who could partner with him in marketing his product.

“If I get marketers, I will have to train them on how to maintain the products,

“It’s actually a very good thing that the ministry is doing by bringing us out here to showcase Nigerian made product.

“I strongly believe that if it’s well organised, it will be a good platform for us and this will help Nigerians to see talents that abounds in our country and get to appreciate our hand made products,’’ Sani said.

An artist, Mrs Esther Doukia, who also spoke to NAN at the radio house, said she had been exploring opportunities for partnership.

Doukia, a researcher and an entrepreneur, said she had also been looking for partnership to harness the large deposits of clay available in the country.

“I have been able to make clay beads, and I am working on refractory stone, because I have seen that the metal `charcoal stone’ which we have in abundance can be refined.

“I am looking out for partners, looking at how to develop and sharpen my products to make them much better for marketing to the public. I see this as part of my effort to add value to the products.

“Very well I think it’s a well thought out idea, that the ministry is asking us to come out and showcase our product, it’s not new, it’s an exhibition that has been ongoing annual event.

“I think this one comes with a renewed vigour, and for me it’s interesting because this coincides with 100 years of Nigeria’s existence as the nation marks its centenary.

“As a person I felt within myself that if there is a made-in-Nigeria exhibition in this centenary year I’d like to participate, and I will want to see many people come out to see what we have as a nation to motivate our people, especially the youth.’’ (NAN)

Entrepreneurship Can Be A Lonely Game.

The road to business success, both online and offline, is a long and bumpy one, often littered with pitfalls before success comes knocking.
You need to be willing to spend long hours learning and applying new information when you’d rather be spending time having fun with family and friends. It can take several attempts and wrong turns before you hit on the right business model that not only works but also fits in with your life plan, vision and goals.
The truth is, once you decide to leave the safety net of your day job to build your own business, you are stepping onto a crazy rollercoaster ride.

Amongst all the fun and excitement of being your own boss, there will be days when you feel scared, alone and confused.
Deals you were banking on fall through. People you thought you could trust let you down. Products you thought would be home-runs, flop embarrassingly.
During tough times like these there isn’t much you can do, other than keep the faith and keep going.
I’m a great believer that being in business involves mastering the inner game of self and the outer game of business.
Having a success mindset is essential, possibly even more important than business acumen alone.
That’s why I am such a fan of motivational and inspirational quotes. They keep me focused and positive, even when things are not going to plan.

Two Years in The Trenches Building Hotels.ng

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Two Years in The Trenches Building Hotels.ng

Mark Essien is the Founder of the multi-million dollars Hotels.ng. In this narrative, he wrote on how his business started. This narrative is culled with permission of the author.

Hotels.ng is about two years old now. In the first year, it was just a website - no business built around it. It started off by me purchasing lists of hotels. The entirety of hotels that were available in any known dataset that was available in public or in any government archive was about 1500 in Nigeria. I listed them all on the site and put the site up. Only 100 of those hotels had pictures. The pictures were scraped from the hotel websites.

In October 2012 I moved to Nigeria to try to build a business out of this hotel booking website. I landed, rented a flat in Calabar and convinced a friend of mine, Charles, to join the project. I and Charles hit the streets of Calabar and started snapping photos of the hotels in Calabar. Soon we had the largest online list of hotels in Calabar. But none was yet bookable.

We coded a booking form one day and bought a company phone. We turned on the booking form and put the phone number on the site. We received 20 bookings for hotels in various parts of Nigeria that day, and had 100 missed calls on the phone. We could not book the hotels yet and we barely had time to address all the queries we received, so we took the number back off. We kept the booking form, but nothing would happen when people booked.

Some time later, Jason Njoku wrote me a message on Facebook that he was starting an investment company called Spark and that he wanted to invest in Hotels.ng. I went to Lagos, we had a 30 minute meeting on a hot balcony together with Bastian, then I returned to Calabar. The next day, they made an offer. A bit of negotiation and in January 2013 Hotels.ng received funds from Spark.

In the last one year, I used the investment money to build Hotels.ng into a company. We have 15 full-time staff, five contract staff and more than 70 ad-hoc staff. Those 70 people went everywhere in Nigeria and got hotels on our site. We now have 5080 hotels on the site. We have full pictures for 4000+ of all those hotels. We have addresses and driving instructions for all these hotels - we have massively accelerated the move of an African industry online.

The total value of the bookings that we have done for hotels in Nigeria on our website alone is currently 2.3 million USD. That value was generated without spending any money marketing the site. By its very existence, it is useful and people patronize it without us needing to tell them to use it.

By the end of the year 2013 we hit $40k in monthly revenue. I will follow up this post with other posts detailing how the process has been.

For more of this story, click on www.entrepreneurshipmag.blogspot.com

Entrepreneurs Among The Happiest People in The World

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Entrepreneurs Among The Happiest People in The World

A global report has said that entrepreneurs are among the happiest individuals across the globe when it comes to individual well-being and satisfaction with their work conditions.

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2013 Global Report, two months ago reported that women entrepreneurs from innovation-driven economies showed, on average, higher degrees of personal well-being than their male counterparts.

The report, which was unveiled at the GEM Annual Meeting in Santiago, Chile, is the 15th annual survey of entrepreneurship worldwide and is the largest single study of its kind, according to the GEM website.

The report was also coauthored by José Ernesto Amorós, Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile and Global Entrepreneurship Research Association (GERA); and Niels Bosma, Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

According to GEM, entrepreneurs worldwide – at both the established and early-stage phases – exhibited higher ratings on subjective well-being compared to populations not involved in entrepreneurship activities, suggesting that entrepreneurship could be a good career choice for most.

“Our idea”, said José Ernesto Amorós, report co-author, “is to contribute to a better understanding about what influences a population’s perceptions about well-being and how that consequently shapes entrepreneurship indicators.

One interesting finding is that in all regions, entrepreneurs exhibit relatively higher rates of subjective well-being in comparison to individuals who are not involved in the process of starting a business or owning-managing a business.  Another relevant result is that female entrepreneurs in innovation-driven economies exhibit on average a higher degree of subjective well-being than males. This initial assessment opens up possibilities for exploring the role of women and men entrepreneurs beyond the traditional notion of development generally associated with economic indicators”, Amorós said.

GEM added that in 2013, more than 197,000 individuals were surveyed and approximately 3,800 national experts on entrepreneurship participated in the GEM study across 70 economies, collectively representing all global regions of the world and a broad range of economic development levels (GEM groups the economies into three development levels based primarily on GDP/capita: factor-driven, efficiency-driven, and innovation-driven).

“The samples in the GEM 2013 Global report represent an estimated 75 percent of the world’s population and 90 percent of the world’s total GDP,” the website added.

For more of this story, click on www.entrepreneurshipmag.blogspot.com

‘SMEs Key To Driving Regional, Global Trade’

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‘SMEs Key To Driving Regional, Global Trade’

FOR Nigeria and other African nations to boost their low global trade which currently is about three per cent, they need to pay serious attention to entrepreneurship growth and development.

  The Managing Director, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Wieber Boer has said, adding that he reason the continent’s global trade was still low was due to the fact that most of what Africa sold to the global market was non value added raw materials.

  Boer during a visit to celebrate its advisory board members across the world stressed the urgent need to key in entrepreneurs in areas of value addition of raw materials and manufacturing.

  “We are targeting about 700 entrepreneurs this year. All we need to do is start processing those raw materials and produce manufactured goods and we will significantly increase Africa’s three per cent global trade immediately with almost no effort,” he said.

  He pointed out that TEF was engineered to spur African economy through promoting competitiveness and growth in the private sector with the aim to promote excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurship across Africa.

  Also speaking at the event, the Founder, TEF, Tony Elumelu said that TEF was consistently initiating policies, providing directions and guidance on how best to realise its strategic intent to showcase entrepreneurs to the world but stressed that for this to happen, there is a need for Africa to have the right enabling environment in place; polices that are consistent and supporting entrepreneurship; provide access to finance and also provide leadership and mentoring to drive entrepreneurship growth.

  “We are happy to announce that some of the beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation are here and they would share their experiences with us. I am very optimistic about the future of Africa and I am also worried about the challenges that is beginning to show its ugly face and we must do something about it,” he said.

  According to him, the worst of all is the issue of unemployment and maintained that for Africa to meet its job requirement, it needed to provide about 200 million jobs.

  “We only have the capacity to create only about 53 million jobs in five years from now. So the challenge is what is going to happen to the rest if we do not do something about it. 

  This brings to the fore about the significance of what we are trying to achieve at TEF. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in every economy is the engine of growth and if we succeed in providing the necessary support for SMEs, they will do well and if they do well, there is a direct correlation of SMEs doing well and also creating employment for Africa.

  “The future for Africa is bright, but we have to start doing something to address these challenges. Africa needs a lot in terms of infrastructure, right polices and leadership for sustainable development but if security is lacking or not present, we cannot do so much,” he said.

  He also said that security was a threat in some parts of Africa and some parts in Nigeria, calling for the need to engage private sector solution to solving security challenges in Africa.

  “As they say, threat to mankind anywhere is threat to mankind everywhere. If we engage private sector solution to solve security challenges in Africa and Nigeria, we would have gone a long way in propelling the growth of the African continent and the economy. I want to thank our advisory board members who all have the mind of Africa. They have being extremely supportive from across the globe. The main objective of the TEF would not have been achieved without their support, “ he said.

  Lady Lynn de Rothschild, a member of the advisory board, TEF said that there was an equal amount of dream, hard work and talent across every income bracket and gender in the country but stressed that what is lacking is the opportunity to showcase these attributes.

  She commended the foundation for creating opportunities for the youth to showcase their talent saying that Nigeria ranked 120th among 128 countries for global competitive index is not good for the economy.

  “It does not have to be like that. The people here can change that and it is the business people like Tony and entrepreneurs who believe in the sheer responsibility we all have to make our economy and capitalism work everyone. 

  The idea of Afro-capitalism will be a profound idea that would travel around the world and Africa really has the opportunity to show the rest of the world how it can do it,” she added.

I’d Rather Choose Business Than Anything Else —20-Year-Old Aba Oil Founder, Zaria Mimano

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I’d Rather Choose Business Than Anything Else —20-Year-Old Aba Oil Founder, Zaria Mimano

 British born business strategist Zaria Mimano is the Founder of Aba Oil LLC, based in New York with visible presence in Abuja. Only in her 20’s Mimano has excelled tremendously. During her recent trip to Nigeria she spoke with our reporter about her business, adventures and values.

Does your name Zaria have anything to do with the city in Kaduna State, Nigeria?
Yes. My father went to school in Ghana and during his time there he was always coming to Nigeria. I guess he came to Nigeria and went to Zaria, in Kaduna State. Perhaps he was impressed with something there that made him name me after the place when I was born. My dad, is very random but in a special way he also named my brother after the Emperor of Ethiopia.

You are half Kenyan and half Ghanaian yet born in the UK is this correct?
Yes it is. My Dad is Kenyan and my Mum is Ghanaian.

Are you related to the man himself, President B. H. Obama?
Hahaha. No, I highly doubt it.

You have an impressive portfolio as a business strategist despite being young, how have you managed this feat?
In everything we give thanks. Taking it from scratch, I went to a private school in London. Although we did not pay tuition due to the fact one of our old boys was paying our tuition fees. As such, a lot of people within the private school world looked down on us, but we were really smart. However, during my time in school, I was involved in a lot of business competitions, where I was made the managing director and as a team we achieved many highs. My early years also saw me having wise mentors, who exposed me to a lot business wise, life wise even now.

How did the big times start?
The big times. Is there any such thing? Business has always been there for me. But think if I am to rephrase your question to the good times or fruitful times then it would have to have been when I started to develop understanding. When I started to see God’s will in my life. That is when things started to make sense and I began to feel fulfilment. I started my own business during university buying and selling cars, which I did eventually have to suspend for awhile in order to concentrate on finishing at the university. During and after university, I had an office in London, where we also dealt in all the latest electronics. Then, before the latest Blackberrys, iPhones became available in the UK we would already have it. Our Middle Eastern customers and the bankers in London at the time gave us great business. But the big ideas, exposure came through travel.

There is a saying that humans are the most difficult to manage, as a young entrepreneur, how have you been able to handle those working for you?
If not human beings who do you want to manage (laughs). Definitely, people can know of what they are working towards but actually understanding why exactly they are working towards something is of the utmost importance. We need clarity. We all need direction and order to be able to excel.
 
Why do you think young entrepreneurs are finding it difficult to excel in this part of the world?
Everywhere in the world. Not just Africa. Can go really deep to answer this but just to keep it simple, as the saying goes the only thing that is constant in life is change. Think it to be unwise to think what worked for the previous generation will work in the same way for us. We can only build on, adapt to suit, enhance, add value to our current environment in which we find ourselves. The same goes even for the generation before us, they constantly have to adapt too. So adapting is key and the willingness to do so, assume formlessness.
 
As an entrepreneur when was your most trying period and what really happened?
Everyday! Seriously, it’s true. Self-inflicted but it’s true. But that is when I can see God really working ahead of me each day. The harder the situation I find myself, the more fun I have overcoming it and thankfully most times the end result is better than expected, sometimes takes time to see it that way though! Never would I want a bland day.

You were also in the world of banking at one stage, is this correct?
During part of my gap year I did work for both Morgan Stanley and UBS Investment Bank in London. Yes.
 
Please tell us about Aba Oil?
We at Aba Oil are an African oil and gas company that specialises exclusively in accessing and securing the most efficient and advantageous exploration rights, leasing and servicing for oil and gas block acquisition both offshore and onshore across Africa. Our mission is to continue to do this whilst ensuring that the people are also securing the correct value for their assets to support future development in all aspects of their daily lives.

I hear exclusivity is what you are known for?
Haha. We try. On a serious note I believe it is very important to extend the law of scarcity to our own skills. Offer the world something rare. Something unique. Yet simple. Ultimately something that will make a special difference to each and every one of us and those that come behind us also. Whatever it is, being able to deliver is utmost important to me.

What would you say is unique about you?
Like with everyone; my mind. My thought process.

Constantly coming up with fresh unique ideas, strategies is not easy, how do you do it?
That is my job. The fact that it is not always so easy is what makes it fun. Though the best ideas always come once I consult God first.

I heard you get bored very easily is this true?
Unfortunately yes, it is true. I am still working on it though.

How are you working on it?
If I find something getting very mundane and I haven’t finished it. I simply add some excitement to it. Try and think out of my box.

I hear you are a very avid philanthropist, what kind of philanthropy lies close to your heart?
I try. Health and education. Health and education definitely.

You studied Law for four years but have not practised, was it not a waste of time?
It was not. The four years I invested into studying the subject has helped me a great deal in life and in business. It helps me to get into the mind of people I work with and try and look at things from all angles, being as positive as possible with the aim of finishing anything that I start. That is always my goal in life. I don’t start something I cannot finish.

You are young and beautiful, have you ever thought of modelling?
I am more interested in being challenged intellectually. For me at this stage modelling is not mentally challenging enough, business is.

What are your thoughts on our country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
As with many places around the world, I think the need to learn to give more before we take in every aspect is paramount. Nigeria is special. The country has an amazing amount of potential and the people here are incredibly smart.

I hear you love our continent Africa is this true?
Very much so. More than you can imagine. Opportunities are endless here.

How did you get the nickname The Oil Empress?
Not serious. That was a joke started by an Armenian friend of mine in London.

What do you pray for most?
Good health, humility, wisdom, patience, grace, knowledge and happiness. To be a good steward of what I have always and to always focus my life on serving others. God willing.
 
Tell me about your relationship with your parents because you appear rather too independent?
I won’t say too independent. I learn a lot from those around me. I am very close to my dad. He is very intelligent as with my Mum. My dad is all about book knowledge, while my mum is more of a common sense person. So, I am influenced by both of them. Best of both worlds.

Your grandmother was the one that introduced you to the world of business, are you happy she did?
100 per cent yes. She is with me everyday and to her, I will be forever grateful. I wish she was here to see me, guide me through sometimes but I trust that she is doing the best she can with God always.

What are the key skills or ideals you would say are needed in business?
Confidence and courage. Every challenge is an opportunity. Basically always seeing the treasure in adversity. Spontaneity, taking risks. Learning to labour and learning to wait. The ability to be able to put things in the pipeline. Patience and self-control. The thought process. Educating oneself. Most are still work in progress for myself even but the aim is kaizen (continuous improvement), learning with each day that passes.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Wow! I have never thought that far ahead. In fact I can not. Destiny has presented itself in my life so much that I don’t even try and plan anymore. I just do the best I can do whilst remembering to put God first as much as I can always. I am currently in the process of learning to let go. Makes it all even more exciting. Thank God.
 
How do you relax?
It depends. My mode of relaxation differs with the country I find myself. But it’s really bad, I really enjoy my own company. When I am in London, I love to do casual shopping. I also go to the spa. In Nigeria, it is the simple things I do. I often like taking long baths. When I am in Nigeria, I always find it hard to read because I have to plan for the next day and when I am reading I feel I could be doing something better. So, I just think of new ideas, ways of doing things to keep things moving as best as possible. Relaxation is difficult in Nigeria, but at times I just lie in bed and think. It can be relaxing you know.

Aside from family members, which one of your mentors has influenced you the most?
Many. Really can not say one.

You are wearing a dress made from Ankara, is this to blend into the Nigerian business atmosphere?
It is not strategic. It is just a dress I wore quickly. About blending, I am not sure if I want to blend. I just want to be myself. I do wear other fabrics too.

What excites you the most?
Oh wow! Don’t know whether I should answer this one! So many things but overall living on the edge is one of them. I hate playing safe. So, okay taking risks excites me. Always taking the leap of faith excites me, life excites me. Stretching my brain to its absolute limits excites me. As my Grandma used to say, if you can... Do it.

For more of this story, click on www.entrepreneurshipmag.blogspot.com