No one foresaw the economic state of the
country today after the change we so desperately sought in the country was
handed down to us. We were quick to forget that our value system has become so
warped and clung to a wishful clandestine plot of the government to transform
our economy miraculously.
We believed the rigour with which the
new government fought the state of corruption in the state would also cause drastic
developments in all areas, choosing to believe that price of fuel will drop to
a mere 10 naira per litre, trusting that there will be uninterrupted power
supply and that graduates no longer had to wait several years to get a suitable
job.
We chose to believe things couldn’t be
so bad, since we were considered the largest economy in Africa, an oil rich
country, the purported giant of Africa, but alas, the cost of living has
skyrocketed in recent times, the fuel queues wouldn’t disappear, there was no hope
in getting PHCN to turn on power for at least 20 mins in a week, the heat
emanating from the sun rays has become unbearable, well-paying jobs have become
scarce and the foreign exchange rate has become heartbreakingly high.
Rather than rely solely on the
government for the change we so need, I believe healthy scepticism is very
necessary for survival.
Hence, our survival instinct has to
kick in. Here are a few tips on how to survive in the face of the economic
instability plaguing our beloved country:
1.
Minimize or stop foreign purchase for
now:
I
know this is no easy feat, but you have to buy Nigerian to grow the naira. The
consolation here though is that our indigenous fashion designer for instance
are doing a tremendous job right now. You can get your fashion apparels from
stores like ShopMaju or the 5k store. Get your household items, appliances or
accessories from online stores in Nigeria. Stick to Jumia online store right
now, to avoid the overbearing cost of importation.
2. Start a business to address unemployment:
If you already have a job, please do
everything you can to keep it, as times are hard. However, if you are currently
unemployed, the best way to tackle unemployment is through personal
empowerment. Entrepreneurship is key, start something today. Even if it’s a
small trading business, monetizing your writing, event coordination or
planning, get something done.
Tap
into the various industries at your disposal, Lagosian love
to party, get into a catering business, start small but who knows, you could
probably end up catering to bigger events or even be hired as an interior
decorator in the homes of some affluent people living in the upscale
residential areas of Lekki or Victoria
Island.
3. Use cheap hotels only:
If
you have to travel round the country, avoid staying in luxury hotels in Nigeria for now. If you need a place to stay close to the
airport, stick to cheap hotels in Ikeja.
The
hotels in Lagos and Abuja are
considered to be on the high end of the cost spectrum but you can get affordable
accommodations online through Jumia Travel, Africa’s no 1 hotel booking
portal. You are assured of great deals and amazing discounts on all hotel
across the country.
4.
Fight the heat:
To protect yourself from the health
consequences of the heat wave, stick to wearing light and loosely fitted
clothing, drink plenty of water, use a deodorant spray and wear sunglasses.
5.
Maintain the Nigerian sense of humor:
While we continue to struggle with the
seemingly unabating economic hardship, our will to survive should be the
greatest resolve. We must ensure that we retain the Nigerian sense of humor,
for which we are well known. Humour is a sure way to cope with all the hassle
and it lifts all the pressure off us.
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