Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 15: Navigating Life In Our Homeland

Source

Good day everyone from my homeland Nigeria, today, in this Accelerator Contest, I want to share with you all how I have been able to navigate through the economic setback of my country home, stay with me on this journey.

Source

Firstly, talking about the economy situation of Nigeria currently, things are getting hard and hard everyday, naira is loosing value to Dollar in the international market, prices of goods are nothing to write home about and the rate at which businesses are closing up because of high cost of transportation and raw materials are on the highest point on the chart.

In terms of financial condition, Nigeria is loosing it as a country, the minimum wage promised by our political leaders before they ascend the seats is slowly becoming a fallacy, we are experiencing high rise of price of commodities without a corresponding increase in salaries. This is a very sad condition the country has seen itself.

In terms of social aspect, the rate at which insurgency is operating in the country has caused for a total panic especially the northern part of the country. No insurance of items and all that. People are now living in total fear as of when or who will die next.

Coming down to the southern part of the country, the exploration of crude oil has misplaced a lot of people, killing wildlife and aquatic animals, making the soil inadequate for cultivation of crops, yet our government has done nothing to compensate the victims. A tragic situation that has been over different decades now.

Source

They're alot of challenging situations I have faced here and still facing some but then, I will be listing some for the purpose of time;

• The issue of transportation as a result of high rise in fuel price, sometimes, I just have to trek far distance before seeing a taxi that will collect little amount from me. Other times, I just have to spend above my budget for a day because of transportation.

• High rise in price of commodities/foodstuffs in the market has really hit not just me but a good number of people in the country, there are days and weeks we wouldn't have to eat three times a day just to save up for the next day and sometimes if we decide to, that means, it won't be a balanced diet.

• Insecurity has been the order of the day, most part of the country has been terrorized by hoodlums and nothing has been done by the government, now people are scared going out at night or even very early in the morning so they wont be stolen from or kidnapped, this is just too much for a developing country.

• Unemployment has really been one of the core challenge I am facing even my siblings and the nation at large, alot of graduate has been home, some doing menial jobs just to keep their body and soul together, some like me have taken the job the pay is far below our certificate and qualifications just not to go hungry or go abegging.
These and many more are the issues I am currently facing in my dear country Nigeria.

Source

As the saying goes Tough Time Don't Last, Tough People Do, I have developed a thick skin for all the challenges. As for transportation issue, I do trek distant before I decide to take a taxi so I can save transport for the next day.

Secondly, in terms of food, I have reduced the way I eat and somehow and sometimes, I skip some afternoon and eat twice a day so I can have what to eat the next day.

As for the insecurity, I make sure I close early and return back home as early as I can so I won't be a victim of any circumstance.

Also, for the unemployment, I taken a job that I can be earning from monthly so I don't have to beg anyone or be a burden to someone while expecting a good job that suits my certificate.

Firstly, as an independent person, footing all my bills, I have been able to understand that the only way to conquer hard times is through putting extra work. Tough times like this doesn't want a faint hearted but a strong minded person with a strong will to live through.

Early last year, even with my paid job, I was able to open a mini company specializing on processing affordable foodstuffs for the masses and we are growing till date, this has added to my financial advantage. Inorder to survive, one has to have multiple source of income.

The willingness to get through every stage of life involves being cautious of our steps, this will help keep us away from what other are facing. The way we place our lives is how we want others to treat us, being careful and keeping your financial situation to yourself will save you from unnecessary attention.

I invite you @emily08 , @yakspace and @etette to participate in this contest if they have not done that yet.