Following the hardship currently ravaging the nation as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, a senior lecturer at the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr Vincent Paul, has urged Nigerians to consider setting up businesses to reduce their sufferings.
The lecturer was a guest speaker at a programme organised by the Catholic Men Organisation of St. Micheal The Archangel Catholic Chaplaincy in the university’s premises on Sunday in the Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Owning and Operating Businesses For Survival In The Current Economic Hardship’, Paul said it was important for Nigerians to embark on entrepreneurship to generate steady income which would help them in addressing their needs.
He further emphasised the need for youths to be committed to the development of their skills and talents to improve their livelihoods, adding that their efforts in that direction would add to the growth and development of society.
He, therefore, stressed the need for political leaders to be selfless, and transparent and uphold good governance to avoid agitations among the citizens.
“To start a business, you need capital. Most people will tell you that they do not have the money to start a business, particularly in this era, but I want to say that it is possible to get money and start up a business through personal savings.
“It may take time to save money for a business but it is possible. There is no other way of getting money unless through hard work. I want to encourage Nigerians to look towards establishing businesses, whether small or large, in order to tackle the current hardship,” he added.
On his part, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Lafia, Rev Fr Godwin Apesuu, called on President Bola Tinubu- led Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, look into the current prices of Premium Motor Spirit to reduce it to tackle the hardship being faced by the citizens.
He also emphasised the need for the political class and the elite to take positive lessons from the ongoing calls across the country for a nationwide protest, and adopt a new thinking towards a better Nigeria full of prospects for the younger generation, adding that solutions to challenges are not necessarily solved through confrontation.
He added, “Every well-meaning Nigerian will be angry with what is happening because we all wanted a better country. What has orchestrated the hardship is the removal of the fuel subsidy, and it has made every other thing expensive.
“As long as nothing is done about the fuel subsidy that was removed, there is nothing that can be done to address the hardship because everyone uses transportation for one reason or the other.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chairman of the Catholic Men Organisation, Alex Epu, while expressing his gratitude to all the dignitaries who attended the programme, said it was aimed at enlightening members of the church and Nigerians in general on ways of establishing new businesses and also to give counsel to those operating existing businesses.