A Brief History

The Bank of America is a financial institution that has its tentacles spread across different nations on four continents- Europe, North America, Asia and Africa and has a worldwide staff strength of about 70,000. The bank has its headquarter in North Carolina, U.S.A. According to the Report on Wikipedia; the bank, which was founded on the 17th of October, 1904, was initially called 'Bank of Italy' but later renamed 'Bank of America' in 1930. With a total asset of over $2 trillion, the bank ranks as the second largest holding company in the United States of America- second only to J.P Morgan Chase & Co.

The Bank operates under two divisions: Bank of America Home Loans and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The latter came about with the acquisition of Merrill Lynch [a financial advisory and brokerage firm] at the onset of the financial crisis- one that shook the institution's foundation- which occurred nine (9) years ago.

Bank of America Mission in Nigeria
Though without any established branch/office in Nigeria, the bank [through its investment banking division, Bank of America Merrill Lynch] made its first major foray into the 'Nigerian space' in September, 2013 and has since continued in this stead annually- every September. The objective is to recruit talented undergraduates [who are in the final lap of their tertiary education] in any discipline- but with a passion to crave a niche for themselves in the financial markets.

The programme which is under the auspices of the bank's campus recruiting team [and is being supervised by a Nigerian resource firm, TalentMine Nigeria] is set up as an exposition whereby applicants who must have been successful in an assessment test are invited for an interactive corporate presentation at a chosen venue in Lagos. It is at this presentation that the prospective employees get to meet with the company's representatives who intimate them on the some of the bank's operations and also take them through a brief skill enlightenment session tailored towards preparing the mind of the prospects on the way things work in the financial markets at large. Thereafter, successful candidates are contacted and probably employed as financial analyst on internship or full time basis at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch, London.

On a final and personal note; it is quite commendable that one of the world's leading financial institution casts its 'dragnet' towards the ever bulging reservoir of great talents the nation has got to offer. However, it remains to be seen if the firm will go beyond the restriction of solely considering undergraduates- and give an opportunity to other prospects who are viable for the labour market. Furthermore, it is hoped that the Bank of America will also follow in the footsteps of renowned financial institutions like J.P Morgan Chase in having a foreign representative in Nigeria and/or establishing an operational base in the nation: this would definitely create more employment opportunities for Nigerians and eventually boost the nation's economy.

In my wishfulness; I just hope someone, in the appropriate quota, sees the need to use this avenue- the bank's interest in Nigerian graduates- to woo the bank into the Nigerian financial market...this could serve as a measure of economic sustainability through the creation of job opportunities- although it should not be viewed as an means to an end in itself.

Besides terrorism, another predominant [though maybe not in the aspect of fatalities] criminal activity that has drawn the provocation of well-meaning Nigerians is Kidnapping- this could arguably be adjudged the second most common crime in the nation. The wave of hostage taking has been so perplexing that the Legislature had to propose a death penalty for the perpetrators of this crime.

There appears to have been an advancement or rather a change in the modus operandi of kidnappers as a more direct and professional measure [with the aim of obtaining ransom] is now mainly adopted over the pettiness and/or amateurish nature of 'one chance' and kidnappings geared towards ritualistic purposes. Kidnappings were initially rampant in the Niger Delta region where expatriate workers of multinationals [especially oil companies] were prime targets.

The act has however spread across the nation with many eminent and rich personalities bearing- directly or indirectly- the brunt of the kidnappers: Former Finance minister, Chief Olu Falae; Professor James Adiche (Renowned author, Chimamanda Adiche's father) and the mother of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala (minister of Finance in the past administration), Mrs. Mabel Okonjo just to mention a few [prominent citizens] have all had to spend hours in the den of their captors at one point or the other.

In some instances, this hideous act has dealt the captives [and their loved ones] devastating blows both psychologically and emotionally. However, more heartrending it gets when all that is gotten from the captors' den is the lifeless body of the victim. Two foreign construction workers: Mr. Chris McManus, a Briton and Mr. Franco Limolinara, an Italian were killed in 2012 after they had been held captive for about ten (10) months. Back in April, 2016, the nation was aggrieved upon hearing the news of Reverend Father John Adeyi, a Catholic priest who died while being held hostage somewhere in Benue and this was even after his captors had allegedly parted away with the sum of 2 million naira.

Why the rise in trend?
Although no crime should be given a mainstay in any nation's configuration but it will be inexcusable to think that these crimes just took an upsurge while we neglect some underlying factors that might have brought about this surge. Firstly, it is apparent that the rise in kidnappings has a direct proportionality with the rise in the rate of unemployment hence it can be deduced that one reason why hostage taking has gained ascendance is unemployment...as the perpetrators envision illicit act as a way of making fast cash. And as it regards the Niger Delta, the incidences of kidnappings had risen owing to a need [as put forward by the militants] to liberate their communities from the overbearing influence of multinationals thus a resort to hostage taking and ransom collection but at the end; the communities remain as they were before the villainous act.

The unsolved riddles of Chibok
If there is an event that shook the nation and also made- and still does- local and international news outlets buzz; it is the incident that occurred in Chibok, Borno State on the night of the 14th day of April, 2014 when 276 teenage school girls were kidnapped by members of the militant group, Boko Haram. The militants reportedly ransacked the school and made away with the girls in trucks. The drive behind this move was the intention to marry the girls and subsequently islamize them. Controversies have however trailed the Chibok event as some see it as a political propaganda to oust the immediate past government and questions have also been raised on some discrepancies that were noticed during the kidnapping operation. Though the dust over the Chibok incident seems to be settling; there remains some unanswered questions brewing in the minds of the probing ones.

The way forward
The call for capital punishment could be seen as a good move but this should not be seen as an outright solution...it is of equal importance that the government champion the cause for an improved/upgraded intelligence and security devices- what is preventing the installations of CCTV on our roads and streets? The earlier the wings of the kidnappers get clipped, the more secured our communities will be.

Again, the issue of unemployment needs to be sternly addressed. Gainfully employing the youths will definitely reduce the onslaught of kidnappings in the nation...an idle mind, they say; is the devil's workshop.

Read: Kidnappers in Lagos State get the death penalty

News outlets, in recent times, have been inundated with reports of brutal attacks perpetrated by those who do not have respect for human lives.

A militant group that readily comes to mind is Boko haram- whose members use Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and suicide bombers to terrorize innocent lives leading to devastating losses [of lives and properties]; the Fulani herdsmen have also been a menace to the security of safe-dwelling citizens in different parts of the nation. However, more pathetic is the fact that some massacres have been instigated by those who ought to protect citizens from these militants: an instance is the shelling of the camp of the internally displaced persons- this led to the loss of hundreds of lives- at Borno state- albeit it has since been adjudged to be an accidental discharge with the Nigerian Air Force tendering its apology.

The motives behind these attacks have varied from communal/ethic disparities, 'human error/incompetence', political agitations and religious intolerance; the latter being the most prominent reason and areas [especially remote villages] around the northern parts are often the most hardly hit. Most of the times, some of the attacks resulting in varying degrees of carnage have been targeted at crowded places like bus parks, churches, markets, mosques and so on.

Brief History of Massacres
A glance at the record of these heinous acts, reminds one of the alarming and quite worrisome rate at which these attacks continue to rise with the 'evil men' devising new methods in dealing deadly blows on their victims. Let us now have a recap of some of the massacres that have brought about great disturbances to the peace of this nation:

The Bloodbath in Baga: Baga, a remote riverine community in Borno, has been brought to the consciousness of the world due to the invidious experience that had been visited upon it by the militants. The area has been under massive attacks on two separate occasions: the first was April, 2013 and January, 2015. The armed forces was also indicted in killings of April, 2013 as they alleged that the locals were acted to shield members of Boko haram. Notwithstanding, the militant group has a strong desire to cease control of this locality and their villainous return [to this area] in 2015 showed their intent as they set properties and even human beings ablaze and casualty level raking up into thousands.

Recurring carnage in Jos and Kaduna: Jos and Kaduna are two states that have constantly been subjected to violence that lead to huge number of losses. The mixed population of Muslims and Christians seem to leave these states poised for violence as the motives behind attacks often borders on religious differences- whereas political disagreements have been pinpointed to have catalyzed the violence in Jos on certain occasions. The latest of the massacres, which left many fatalities and losses in Kaduna [and the nation] took place at Kaninkon in southern Kaduna on the eve of Christmas in 2016. It is worth noting that southern Kaduna is predominantly a Christian community and it has constantly been clobbered by viciousness from both the Fulani herdsmen and Boko haram.

Incessant gunning down of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra: The call for secession might not go down well with the present day administration but it is equally wrong [under this 'democratic' setting] to have ordered that live ammunition be used against those agitating for this cause. It is quite unfortunate that the military is also involved in contributing to the long list of massacres in this nation...it is not a wise choice to go at unarmed agitators with full throttle; we can take a cue from Spain in the way it has dealt with the quest for secession from Catalonia. No matter what view one might hold; two wrongs will never make a right.

The list is definitely endless- how can one forget the sad events at Odi; the various massacres inflicted upon the residents of Kano and Abuja...the land is soak with the blood of the innocent; children are taken in their prime; individuals are deprived of the companionship of the loved ones just because some groups of persons value their own interests beyond human lives. One can only hope that a lasting solution towards peaceful co-existence is reached by God's enabling grace.

In accentuating some solutions to the economic crisis besieging the nation, I will like to assent to the words of Albert Einstein: "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." It is no longer news that we are in a financial quagmire at the moment but it will be 'suicidal' to keep drifting through the path of negligence [of duty] and blatant folding of hands, thinking recession will flow away with the tides of time. In seeking solutions; all hands must be on deck albeit the government should act as a major player in steering the economic ship of the nation clear the troubled waters of recession.

The way out of Nigeria's Economic Recession
In view of the foregoing, we cannot chart a one-way course out of this 'predicament' as everyone has a role to play and earlier we rise up to certain responsibilities and the better for us all. Some of the solutions to be discussed have immediate effects while some are of futuristic benefits. Hence, the solutions include [but not limited to]:

Reviewing fiscal policy: This is about the very first step that needs urgent attention for desirable results to be achieved as the moribund state of the policy could dwarf all other efforts. The fiscal policy should be reviewed and made effective in order to encourage investments and the utilization of resources. This would help to boost the confidence of [foreign and local] investors in laying up their resources in the Nigerian market and in no time; the economy gets revived.

Reducing the high interest rate: This would have a direct impact on the propagation of Small and Medium scale Enterprises as new startups [with credible feasibility plan] are able to access loan facilities with relative ease. Businesses also grow when this is done and the rate of unemployment is reduced.

Reviving the manufacturing industries: The government of the day has not really helped matters when it comes to making the most of the manufacturing industry and this is down to the foreign exchange restriction that was placed on some items and with the immediate consequences ranging from companies leaving the shores of the nation and downsizing.

Therefore, as a way of fighting off recession, the government needs to create an enabling environment for these industries [to thrive] and some of the measures that should be considered include:

• Good infrastructural development
  Lifting the ban on the items-at least the most needed ones if not all.
  Inviting the top heads of the outgone companies for negotiations in order to work out modalities for their re-establishment.
  Ensuring steady power supply

• Diversification of the economy: Being an oil dependent economy has thus far compounded our woes. So, more than ever before, it is time to give other sectors considerable attention and uplift. There are a whole lot of resources that are not being utilized and well managed. These 'untouched' areas should be vigorously brought to life in order to ease off pressure on the oil sector. Although, the effect of diversification might not be instantaneous but it is one that will have a far-reaching [positive] outcomes in the not-so-distant future.

• Addressing Market imbalances: This very measure might be difficult to execute due to the fact there are varying marketing parameters which are not controlled by a central body. However, should these imbalances be addressed; inflation can be put to check and [consumer's] purchasing power is increased. Furthermore, increased purchasing power will be encourage and/or open up investment opportunities.

• Initiating and maintaining youth empowerment schemes: The strength of a nation is in its labour force [which drives productivity] and this energy is best harnessed from the youths. The N-power program is a laudable feat from the government but it is necessary to have more of this programs as such would have immediate effects on the economy by creating platforms for skills acquisition and subsequently bringing about employment opportunities.
  Endorsing made-in-Nigeria goods: It is high time we looked away from some imported goods and give credence to those [of satisfactory quality] that have been made within our shores. In addition, it is necessary to remind you that we cannot grow our economy by consumerism; it is expedient that production takes an utmost stride.

• Emergence of Entrepreneurs: According to Robert Kiyosaki, the seasons of financial crises have often produced creative entrepreneurs. The very moment we are in, is one that calls for brainstorming- individually and collectively; there is a need to get innovative...bringing up new products and services that are appealing to prospective customers. Though, there is recession in the land but there are business opportunities all around us. Tapping into these opportunities would not only make a man rich but also add value to the society.

The solutions highlighted above will only work in tandem in order to bring us out of this financial crisis. Aside, it is not uncommon to hear [in this season] an 'unintelligible' suggestion which tilts towards calling for the government to monetize an already strained economy...what such an action begets, is [further] devaluation- both of the naira [which is not even and individuals and in the words of Nietzche: "the more we print money, the poorer we get and the more impoverished people get.

There is a word that has come to be synonymous with everyday living in this dispensation; a word that is worst felt [in reality] by the pockets/purses and ruffles the common man who is still struggling for survival amidst financial insecurity. Recession has found its way into the subconscious of the common man; creeping into our economic set-up and consequently leading some financial incapacity...

Let us be reminded of its definition: Recession is typically defined as the decline in economic activity of a nation and this span over two (2) consecutive quarters and eventually resulting in an unfavorable Gross Domestic Product (GDP) obtainable in a fiscal year. This trend usually correlates with indices such as increase in the rate of unemployment, decreased purchasing power and/or lowered consumer confidence, inflation and a 'collapsed' stock market.

What are the actual causes of Recession?
As the saying goes: 'our today is a consequence of our many yesterdays'; recession did not just happen, it can be traced through years of shortsightedness and oversight of functions that had immobilized the formulation of sustainable fiscal and monetary policies- this is on the general scale but there are certain economic cataclysms- some pronounced and some subtle- that have led us to where we find ourselves today. And some of these shall henceforth be highlighted:

Unstable/non-functional fiscal policy: The fiscal policy has been drafted to augment investments in both the private and public sectors and also create a balance between the utilization of resources and the investments outlaid. However, these objectives have been defeated through the inconstant implementation of the policy and the unwillingness to upgrade the policy in order to cater for the sustainability of a dynamic economy.

High Interest rates: The rates charged by Nigerian banks have somewhat been hard on the average businessman and new 'startups' and with Central Bank of Nigeria setting the benchmark [on interest rate] at 14% late last year, the situation is made worse and would encourage steady cash flow as employers will tend to cut back on spending; this will also contribute to the rise in the rate of unemployment. On the long run, the high interest rate has served not only as a harbinger to recession but also acts in the way of tightening the claws of recession on the nation.

Deregulation of the oil sector: Considering the fact that petroleum resources serve a very important purpose in revenue generation in this nation, it is quite logical to conclude that any shaking up in the sector, will sternly reflect in the economic activities of the nation as a whole and it could take some time before the effect is overcome. For a quick mention [though may not be unconnected with deregulation] here: the downward plunge of oil prices in the international market also seem as a 'catalyst' for this situation we have plummeted into economically.

Inflation: 'What goes up, must come down', they say but this does not apply to a strained economy and even in a nation where prices of goods and services hardly come down aftermath a period of price fluctuations amidst high demand and/or temporary market imbalances. This, in turn might bring about lower purchasing power as an offshoot.
Imbalances between Wage and Price increase: Most of the times; when prices of commodities go up, the wage structure remains the same and this could make salary earners hold back or cut back on spending as they look to actualize some financial security. Consequent upon this, there occurs [though maybe negligible] a decline in the economic activities.

Financial misappropriation: How shall one not talk about this? The position we are in today is due [in part] to the inability of past administrations to save for the rainy day as the revenue, which could have sustained the nation to some extent, ended up in the coffers of some bigwigs. At least, what was gotten during boom would have compensated for the ebb in the oil sector.

Depreciation of the Naira: This has not been helped by our disposition as a 'consuming' economy. The naira continually loses strength against other world currencies as our major export commodity takes a downward slide.

The aforementioned are just some of the causes of recession in Nigeria; the list is not limiting in itself and permit me to say this: the government [whether past or present] are not to be solely blamed- the citizenry also has its own blame. I will end with this question: when last did you pay your tax dutifully?bolded text

Job creation has been a 'siren song' commonly used by political office aspirants to gain the nod of the electorates who are ever nursing the hope of a better tomorrow. And these aspirants tend to play their cards well in drafting 'attention-grabbing' and solution-oriented initiatives [in order to gain votes] into their manifestoes only to fail in fulfilling their 'tectonic' promises upon resuming office. Inasmuch as this write-up is not for the purpose of castigating any government, one must state out certain facts as we look towards addressing the unemployment situation in the country

Nigeria's Situation
Before I proceed, I will like to say that it would be unwise to solely blame the government of the day- although the present administration cannot be wholly exempted- for our predicament in this nation. As a nation, we have often been caught in a quagmire of administrative incompetence.

The Nigerian employment situation is simply not a palatable one as the rate of unemployment keep rising. And bringing it down to the government, our situation has not been helped by corruption and under-utilization [of both human and natural resources] and our consumerism ideology has also contributed to our predicament.

Corruption has a direct and indirect link to the rate at which unemployment is growing: gaining employment into government parastatals is not devoid of controversy whereby we have often hear of someone going [i.e assuming an office] through the 'backdoor' thereby denying qualified and more efficient candidates the opportunity. And indirectly, as the government aims to curtail corruption [through stiff-necked policies] and misappropriation, more problems seem to be created with some companies either folding up or downsizing: this certainly does not augur well for the labour force.

'Wailing amidst waste'
Nigeria, being the blessed nation it is, should not find itself in the position it is at the moment but mismanagement has been one of our bane. Streamlining this to the issue of under-utilization of natural and even human [which, in a way, is connected to consumerism]; many are the natural resources that are yet to be fully harnessed as crude oil continually remains the 'centre of attraction'...with agriculture now gaining some prominence after years of neglect. However, beyond agriculture; with over forty (40) solid minerals scattered across specific places in the country, the onus of establishing industries [where these minerals will be wholesomely utilized] should fall on the government and the vision must be shared by subsequent administration irrespective of their political disposition. Leaving these resources dormant has caused us to plummet, overtime, into the doldrums of consumerism whereby certain things that could have been manufactured here, are being imported. The establishment of manufacturing industries will no doubt, create more opportunities for the unemployed youths who are languishing in the homes and on the streets of our nation and in essence, our economy will be much more developed.

Government moves to curtail unemployment
The N-power initiative formulated by the Federal Government is a laudable one as it would get some unemployed youths engaged. However, how sustainable will it be? And how much ground will it cover; will it have a profounding effect? The latter [question] comes to mind when one considers the fact that there are over 15.2 million unemployed youths- and this is even on the rise- out there and this programme has been setup to cater for the employment need of around three (3) quarters of a million unemployed youths: this means that 1 in every 20 youths gets employed but there is quite a huge gulf- I want to believe that the federal government will not rest on its oars just yet. Furthermore, it is hoped that this program will not go down the drain without creating an indelible mark on the economy of the nation. This concern is informed by the fact that similar programs [initiated by previous administration have not seemed to ever exist since the impact is not felt by the masses. It should not be about starting it up alone but making it work overtime will be very rewarding.

Finding a lasting solution
Although the issue of unemployment is one that seems to take forever to solve, the truth remains that it can be overcome should all hands be on deck. And the government can make a move towards ensuring that the rate of employment is reduced by:
Effecting the steady provision and maintenance of basic amenities and infrastructures; for example: power, good road, etc. This will encourage SMEs and increases production while lowering cost. This would also stimulate foreign investors to do business in the nation.
Inculcating entrepreneurial and vocational skills acquisition into the academic curriculum right from the secondary schools.

Ensuring that manufacturing industries are put in place. The solid minerals in the nation should be utilized for the good of the nation; we should not just trade them to foreigners- we can attain knowledge on how to make the most of what we have. This might take years to actualize but in the end, it is a worthy venture.

Making diversification of the economic a top priority. Every other sector [aside the petroleum sector] should be made functional and productive. It is commendable that the present administration has diversification in mind but moves toward its actualization should be provoked with efficacy and subsequent administration s should follow through on it.

In conclusion, more focus and expectation [as it regards job creation] is often directed toward the central government but if any tangible result is to be achieved, political office holders at the state and local levels must also be involved and held accountable. The government has got to be creative and be service oriented.

There is a seed of a champion that has been deposited in each and everyone of us, before we were born and that champion, which is locked deep within the soul, keeps knocking from the 'inside', yearning to be activated. Few permit the champion some freedom of expression and many, quite unfortunately, keep the champion eternally locked up- could this possibly be one of the reasons for the regression our world is experiencing?

Who is a Champion?
A Champion is a person who develops and utilizes his/her talent in order to promote and sustain life- his and those who he has the opportunity to influence. He nurtures the 'seed of greatness' within him; makes it evolve through the uncertainty of life and then produces a harvest [of fruits] that blesses and/or nourishes the world- a champion makes the world a better place to live and he always have great expectations. Saliently reserved in his subconscious is the fact that the someone out there, anticipates the manifestation of his harvest and so, he is on the move because he would not allow the grave make the most of what he has got on the 'inside'.

A Champion does not ultimately have a roster of planned out events which he unleashes year in, year out but rather he observes, analyzes and map out strategies that generate positive solutions to the challenges he encounters; acclimatizing himself- but not being swayed- to the environment and bringing the best out of situations forthwith. He generates ideas right from the inside to give the outside a new and fresher look; he enlivens hope. A champion is not the 'follow-the-flow' kind of a person and his pace is not determined by the actions of [negative] people.

Maintaining the edge
Being a champion is not just about getting to the top but maintaining a top level performance over and over again- this, however, is a function of positive attitude; it is about staying strong at all times amidst the smooth and rough edges of life. The one who intends to be a champion, will always go through a test and this comes from the difficulties he/she is faced with; difficulties become openings for breaking new grounds. Since, no one becomes a dancer by restraining his/her abilities, treading the route of difficulties (i.e challenges) is delightful to the prospective champion as he/she is given a ground for expression.

It should be noted that not all champions get celebrated with worldwide acclaim but this should not make one to subject him-/her-self to mediocrity; you, being the champion you are, must see to it that you give your best shot in all you do...think of a world whereby everyone says to himself: "if it's ever going to be bad, it won't be from my end": that's the world of champions.

Final note
The quest to unleash your champion stuff would sometimes stretch you beyond your ordinary limit. However, you must always be mentally alert to stay in- even when you are physically weak; you must not allow your mind to get exasperated. For the 'tough to get going when the going get tough' is beyond physical proficiency...the champion is tough and must be sagacious.

The world, amidst the many problems it is encumbered with, earnestly awaits the revealing of the champions- YOU...the CHAMPION in you is seeking expression. Awaken that champion and make your world; our orb a better place.

This article is intended to be the first in a series that tend to look into the employment situation in the nation.The focal point of the series is to delve into the possible ways the three (3) major stakeholders- the employer; the government and the 'prospective' employees [which, for the purpose of this write-up, include the unemployed and the underemployed]- have influenced the state of employment in the nation today.

The nation is definitely faced with many challenges and aside corruption, unemployment is another profound challenge that the nation is currently battling as there have been a surge in the rate of unemployment over the years- based on the data made available by the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate among youths, is over 40% and generally over 14% when the entire labour force is put in perspective. It is really a huge problem to have such high percentage of youths lounging around- the nation loses its productive energy and the economy is subsequently adversely affected.

The reality before Us
I will like to paint the reality facing us as a 3-level adjoining band: at the base, which is ever expanding, have an army of prospects yearning to enter into the labour market; in the middle [which is very much constricted] we have the employees (underemployed and adequately employed) and at the top, we have the 'retired', 'retrenched' and those who resigned in order to seek greener pastures hence falling into the category of the 'prospective' employees once again. So, one will see that so much weight and/or pressure is exerted upon the middle band (the labour market) from the top and the bottom of the adjoining band. It needs no brainstorming to see that something is wrong and thus it is necessary to make a move. But the question is: who should make the move [at this very moment]? -My answer: the prospective employees...why?

Where we find ourselves today is a function of our actions and inactions in the past and it is foolhardy to think that we can continue to do things the way we used to and expect things to get better. Rephrasing Albert Einstein quote, Mensa Ottabil, once said: "we cannot solve a problem by using the same level of thinking we used when they were created". First and foremost, one area of concern is the fact that we have been made to believe that good grades and/or going to school guarantee and secure a good placement in the labour market but this is not always the case. Hence, to break free, the mentality of solely limiting ourselves to the scope of our credentials should be extirpated.

Another thinking of ours, especially the youths of this generation, is to leave things to others- placing their destinies in the hands of external factors like budget, government actions and such likes- and failing to utilize their inborn abilities. This act has often left the prospective employees with series of complaints with no way forward...according to Jim Rohn: ..."learn to be self-reliant so that you will never complain and never explain." However, being 'self-reliant' does not necessarily equate to being 'a tree in a forest" but rather that you stand up and do something- adding value- for yourself and surely, you cannot leave people if you are setting up your enterprise.

The youths of the day
Fortunately, the youths of the day form the core of prospective employees of today but unfortunately, they are not gainfully employed and are even in immense competitions [whether directly or indirectly] with the older ones for job placements. The unsavoury conditions are not helped by the fact these youths now engage in activities that add little or no value to them or the society in which they live: cultism; addiction to drugs and even entertainment and social media [whereby they give so much attention to pleasures and forget that they have a life of purpose to live], etc. These things tend to efface creativity thereby make them and the society 'poor' and irrelevant.

Furthermore, while interviewing job seekers, I have to notice some trends which boil down to:
Failure to plan: Most often than not prospective employees tend to wait until the end of their school years before making tangible plans on life after...they seem to be absorbed in the saying: 'when we get to the bridge, we will cross' without pausing to ask: 'what do I do should the bridge be non-existing?
Lack of Confidence: Here is another noticeable in my conversation with job seekers. Quite a few of them have some things they do but they find it difficult to talk about their innovations. This, I believe, is in part due to the revenue generated from such business...and here is one reason one should not make money one's greatest motivation. Should they exercise some degree of confidence [and persistence], they will be able to push their products and services and subsequently ease off the pressure on the labour market.

The effective solution
Firstly, the prospective employees have got to realize the fact that the industrial age is waning out gradually and technology has already replaced [and will still replace] human in the workspace to some extent. The era we are in now is that of entrepreneurship and maybe information age, as some will say. Each and everyone of us has a potential that is lying latent on the inside and this is the era of implementing your inner resources...like I will always say: "It is not greener on the other side, it is greener on the inside". The solution [from the part of the prospective employees] is evolve from the old age and key into the era we are in at the moment- they have got to start making up plans on how to become employers of labour in the next few years.

FINANCIAL MISAPPROPRIATION IN NGOs AND THE TACIT ABUSE OF POWER
Corruption has been a 'cankerworm' that has eaten deep in the fabric of the nation and measures taken towards curbing the menace, has always been greeted with a great sense of gratification on the part of everyone who assuage to building and/or restructuring the nation both economically and morally. The fight against corruption [especially financial misappropriation] seems to be an 'eternal' one that is not often without its controversies: there had always been claims that the bodies leading the fight, are usually biased in their operations. The controversies that are inherent with such fight however took a different dimension when it was discovered that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God had resigned due to an edict that was instigated by a certain Mr. Obazee, the erstwhile secretary of the Financial Reporting Council. The edict was said to have been targeted at the administration of non-governmental organizations with the stipulation that no executive head of any NGO should exceed the span of twenty (20) years. Nigerians react to this with missed feelings: some reeling at the 'absurdity' of this edict while others counted it as a good way of cleansing the putridity caused by the financial misappropriation [which is speculative- rather than justified most of the times] in NGOs. Inasmuch as the audit of the financial activities of NGOs by an authorized body might be a welcome development, attempting to directly influence the administrative formation of a body that is outside- though not above the law- the ambit of the government functionary, is one step too audacious and one that culminates into an abuse of power. Although Nigerians have always witnessed the abuse of power on our roads on daily basis and the decree [which has thus far been suspended] could be viewed as a microcosm of what is obtained in some quarters of authority. The business of whoever heads any NGO need not be undertaken by any federal body; this is even supported by the coinage of the umbrella name (NGO). The body (FRC) should have worked in consonance with its objectives and avoid dabbling into the administrative affairs of bodies that have their ownFINANCIAL MISAPPROPRIATION IN NGOs AND THE TACIT ABUSE OF POWER
Corruption has been a 'cankerworm' that has eaten deep in the fabric of the nation and measures taken towards curbing the menace, has always been greeted with a great sense of gratification on the part of everyone who assuage to building and/or restructuring the nation both economically and morally. The fight against corruption [especially financial misappropriation] seems to be an 'eternal' one that is not often without its controversies: there had always been claims that the bodies leading the fight, are usually biased in their operations. The controversies that are inherent with such fight however took a different dimension when it was discovered that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God had resigned due to an edict that was instigated by a certain Mr. Obazee, the erstwhile secretary of the Financial Reporting Council. The edict was said to have been targeted at the administration of non-governmental organizations with the stipulation that no executive head of any NGO should exceed the span of twenty (20) years. Nigerians react to this with missed feelings: some reeling at the 'absurdity' of this edict while others counted it as a good way of cleansing the putridity caused by the financial misappropriation [which is speculative- rather than justified most of the times] in NGOs. Inasmuch as the audit of the financial activities of NGOs by an authorized body might be a welcome development, attempting to directly influence the administrative formation of a body that is outside- though not above the law- the ambit of the government functionary, is one step too audacious and one that culminates into an abuse of power. Although Nigerians have always witnessed the abuse of power on our roads on daily basis and the decree [which has thus far been suspended] could be viewed as a microcosm of what is obtained in some quarters of authority. The business of whoever heads any NGO need not be undertaken by any federal body; this is even supported by the coinage of the umbrella name (NGO). The body (FRC) should have worked in consonance with its objectives and avoid dabbling into the administrative affairs of bodies that have their constitution in place...could they have forgotten that the agency was established in order to look into issues that border around financial spectrum and it is not incumbent on anyone therein to solely take it upon himself to determine how long the leadership of non-governmental organizations should last and also influence the choice of successor thereafter?
The consequences
The issuance of the edict did made the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian God step down as the one in charge of national administrative affairs, however, the greatest casualty of the decree is the man who was behind the formulation of the edict.
Furthermore, prior to the media, especially social media, being awashed with the name, Obazee; some Christian folks- though they failed or neglected the fact that Muslims and Charity organizations are also affected- had held the Federal Government responsible for the passing of the law which tends to put the church under its control. Thus, the dust of islamizing the nation arose again until news emerged that Mr. Obazee, a supposed christian was behind it all. Though, the news of sack calmed some fray nerves; some persons still hold their initial speculation dear. Certainly issues like this readily appeals to the fragility of religious discourse among the citizenry- but we need not draw conclusions hastily- and in this wise, those in position of authority should not throw caution to the wind when they are on the verge of implementing certain regulations. This whole drama that has unfolded could be a way of curtailing future events that could mar the already 'imbalance' state of the nation.
constitution in place...could they have forgotten that the agency was established in order to look into issues that border around financial spectrum and it is not incumbent on anyone therein to solely take it upon himself to determine how long the leadership of non-governmental organizations should last and also influence the choice of successor thereafter?

The consequences
The issuance of the edict did made the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian God step down as the one in charge of national administrative affairs, however, the greatest casualty of the decree is the man who was behind the formulation of the edict.
Furthermore, prior to the media, especially social media, being awashed with the name, Obazee; some Christian folks- though they failed or neglected the fact that Muslims and Charity organizations are also affected- had held the Federal Government responsible for the passing of the law which tends to put the church under its control. Thus, the dust of islamizing the nation arose again until news emerged that Mr. Obazee, a supposed christian was behind it all. Though, the news of sack calmed some fraying nerves; some persons still hold their initial speculation dear. Certainly issues like this readily appeals to the fragility of religious discourse among the citizenry- but we need not draw conclusions hastily- and in this wise, those in position of authority should not cast caution to the wind when they are on the verge of implementing certain regulations. This whole drama that has unfolded could be a way of curtailing future events that could mar the already 'imbalance' state of the nation.

Food is one essential substance that attracts rapid purchasing order in the commodity markets and this is quite understandable. Yet the source (i.e manufacturer or retailer) we get our food items from and how we get to cook our food determine what we get from the food we eat. Food security issues should not be treated with levity for sole reason that, as food could improve the state of one's health, it could also constitute a menace should we fail to eat right and/or consume contaminated substance.

So, what is Food Security? - According to the United Nations' committee on World Food Security, Food security is defined as 'the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.'

From the definition, it could be said that food security is influenced by agricultural practices, economic and transportation parameters and individual perception and conduct towards food. The World Health Organization posited that there are three pillars upon which food security is set: 'food availability, food accessibility and food utilization': with these in mind, one could surmise that the food security issues cannot be accomplished by just a set of individuals- it should be given great emphasis right from the manufacturer down to the end-user.

Farming and food security
Due to the fact food is key to man's survive, it's scarcity is often greeted with huge disapproval and anxiety. This scarcity has often been complicated by the soil mismanagement and soil nutrients depletion. However, in order to address the problem of nutrients depletion, farmers often introduce fertilizers into the soil. Concerns over food security is brought to the fore because the chemical composition of the fertilizer is picked up by the plants and food crop is then consumed by the end-user [whereby the chemical substance bio-accumulates].

The use of preservatives is yet another cause for concern.
Another major aspect that is worthy of note, is the method of storage and transportation. The nutritional value of food crops is adversely affected through prolonged and/or poor storage and shoddy means of transportation and thus what one ought to get from a meal serving is not attainable.

Culinary techniques and food security
Culinary techniques entail the mode of cooking and the cooking utensils used and these have an impact on the food we eat.
The reaction of heat on certain materials could bring about the emission of residues into our food as it being cooked. For instance; the application of heat on aluminium pot or pan can trigger the release of hydroxide into the food cooking therein and consuming such food can result in stomach discomfort or gastrointestinal disturbance arising from the neutralizing effect of aluminium has on digestive juices.
Furthermore, since the purpose of eating is to get the nutrients- although we are often overwhelmed by the sensation to get filled- one should ensure that food does not get overheated as the active ingredient in some foods get denatured...but since we are eating to get healthy, we have got to work at preserving the nutrient.

Self-discipline is needed
It is not strange to see some persons who love to consume certain vegetables raw without considering washing or cooking it. The truth is that some vegetables, irrespective of the freshness, can still harbour bacterial organisms. Hence, when you get fruits like cabbage, broccoli, asparagus and such like, make sure you do not eat them raw; subjecting them to heat of about 60°c or slightly washing them in salted water would help to advance the safety of the fruit before it is ingested. From the foregoing, it becomes obvious that watchfulness [in area of scrutinizing where he/she buys from and also how he/she prepares and eats the food] on the part of the consumer cannot be overlooked. If no one else [along the supply chain] should consider or care about food security, the consumer should invariably do.