PHOTO OF THE DAY - SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CAN SAVE A NATION

It might be funny for some and informing for many. This is not intended for criticism rather to inform. There is always a struggle with budget and economy in most developing nations and most of that could be linked to the lifestyle of their political leaders.  The picture below provides a comparison of a president and A PRESIDENT (right)  both going out on their daily actvity (funny pics i must say but beyond funny).This is a serious economically degrading issue happening in most developing nation and they wonder why they are still ranked "DEVELOPING" and not DEVELOPED. Just saying.

#BUYNAIJATOCHANGENAIJA -- A COMMON SENSE

I came across this post (by Ben Murray-Bruce) that tried to compare the basic habit of a Nigerian and believe me its worth sharing. It is not just about corruption alleviation rather a little if not an entirely change of consumption choices of most Nigerians that will drive us to a sustainable economy. This is not just an eye opener but a reason and a means to an end. Patronise NAIJA MADE PRODUCTS and follow the trend in naira valuation and you will be amazed. I have seen it happen elsewhere (China for instance) and i think it can work for Nigeria oo.

Read below:

FALL OF NAIRA TO THE DOLLAR, DON'T BLAME BUHARI :- Sen. Ben Murray Bruce.

Many Nigerians are complaining about the constant fall in the value of the Naira and they blame the Government. But is the government really to blame? In truth, our insatiable appetite for all things foreign is to blame.

I always fly Arik Business Class whenever I am traveling abroad except Arik does not fly on that route. Not only is an Arik ticket a fraction of the cost of a British Airways ticket, but the money I pay to Arik circulates in Nigeria and helps firm up the Naira’s value. As I speak to you today, a British Airways Business to London is ₦2,103,666 while Arik Business is ₦551,545 yet our elite still fly BA. But though Arik offers an affordable alternative to British Airways and other foreign airlines, our big men prefer to pay double what Arik charges to BA and other foreign airlines for the same services and yet they complain about the value of the Naira.

I have Nasco cornflakes and I have eaten Kellogs cornflakes. In terms of nutrition and taste they are almost indistinguishable. Yet our elite who will rather eat Kellogs than Nasco cornflakes, wonder why the Naira is falling! Even something like Quaker Oats can be substituted with corn meal known locally as pap.

Obasanjo Farms of Nigeria and other large scale poultry farms have the capacity to provide chicken for the entire nation. Since that is the case, why are we even buying imported chicken? In fact what is wrong if every family in Nigeria has a poultry in their backyard to give them eggs and meat? My steward went to Makoko, which is one of the largest fishing communities in Lagos. He wanted to buy fish and they were selling imported frozen fish!

Yet in the very waters in front of them, there exist fresh fish that is more nutritious than the cheap frozen fish they were selling.

We keep spending over 1 Billion Naira importing rice when our own farmers are capable of meeting our national demand for rice. But for some reason, Nigerians just prefer to buy imported rice. The imported rice we buy in Nigeria is not as good as our local rice because it has been stored for years in silos and treated with chemicals. Moreover, every time you buy it, your money is going out of Nigeria to service an economy in Asia. The end result is that their currency gains value while ours loses value.

Have you ever wondered why European Premiership Clubs are so interested in Nigeria? It is because Nigerians spend billions traveling to Europe to watch their games, buy their merchandise and promote their leagues. Yet, back at home, we would not be caught dead watching our own local league.

If we will not spend money on made in Nigeria goods and services, how can we expect our Naira to hold its value and appreciate? Obviously we can not cut ourselves off from the world. No nation is an island, but at least we can fly Nigerian airlines, eat locally produced food and patronize our football league.

If we do this, not only will our economy grow and produce jobs for Nigerians, it will also make our goods and services improve in value such that they will be attractive enough to be imported.

I bought Innoson vehicles as official cars for my staff. I have never lived to regret it one day. They are comfortable and durable. But most of all, I know that my purchase helps to keep jobs in Nigeria and improve the value of the Naira.

I urge you to do the same. We have no other country but Nigeria and it is you and I that will make it what it is.

If we buy Naija We Will Grow Naira

My name is Ben Murray-Bruce and I just want to make Commonsense!

 

 

URGENT: Application Process for WASCAL Doctoral and Master's Fellowships at the Graduate Studies Program has been extended

Please note: The call for application has been extended to January 22, 2016.

 

WASCAL (West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use) is a large-scale research-focused Climate Service Center designed to help tackle severe challenges posed by climate change and thereby enhance the resilience of human and environmental systems to climate change and increased variability. It does so by strengthening the research infrastructure and capacity in West Africa related to climate change and by pooling the expertise of ten West African countries and Germany. Through the Graduate Studies Program WASCAL’s Capacity Building Program helps educate the next generation of scientists to attain an intimate knowledge of different climate related issues in order to help the region develop suitable management strategies. 

 

The WASCAL Graduate Studies Program supports four Master’s and six Doctoral Programs implemented at ten lead Universities across West African countries. WASCAL provides full scholarships to the Doctoral and Master’s students in all the ten lead Universities with comprehensive training and research support. Doctoral students may spend up to six months at a host institution in Germany. The language of instruction is English. English and French language training programs are provided for all graduate students. Graduate students have access to the research facilities set up through WASCAL funding and located at various watersheds in West Africa. German partner universities collaborate with the Doctoral and Master’s Programs in the areas of curriculum development, visiting professorships and co-supervision of graduate students. 

 

The WASCAL Graduate Studies Program offers its students: 

• High quality research and education on climate change and its impact on human environmental systems.

• Up to six months at a host institution in Germany (Doctoral Programs only!)

• Interdisciplinary working approach

• International lecturers and supervisors

• English language classes

• Scholarship and research budget, including a personal laptop computer 

PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR APPLICATION PROCESS OF EACH PROGRAMMES (DOCTORAL/MASTERS).

EU CALLS FOR BIAFRA REFERENDUM WITHIN 90 DAYS

This is a repost from AFRICAN BUSINESS WORLD news. please click the photo for full gist. The European Union has supported a Referendum for Biafra, and has called for such referendum to be carried out within 90 Days. EU says it will only recognize Biafra born out of international Law through the Referendum and not armed rebellion. They also called on Nigeria to release all political prisoners, and for Nigeria to respect Human Rights of all citizens and to withdraw from using the military to crack down on demonstrators. The EU said that while it has strong ties with Nigeria, “protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms remains a priority for the EU and we encourage the authorities [Nigeria] in every occasion to respect such rights.”

TODAY'S BUSINESS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE - TEAM WORK IS THE WAY TO GO

This is a repost from Richard Branson's twitter page. Permit me, i love his motivations and they inspire me to great everyday and i hope they do inspire your business dealings and moneymaking activities. The quote speaks for itself.