NGO Advocates Entrepreneurship for Self-sustenance Among Nigerian Youths
Moses Nwite, Abakaliki.
A non-governmental organization (NGO) has advocated self- sustenance and self-actualization through entrepreneurship as one of the ways by which Nigerian youths can gain financial freedom.
Arc. Edward Nkwegu, founder of the NGO known as Regina Pacis Foundation, disclosed this during the 19th anniversary of the foundation held in Okpoduma village in Izzi local government area of the state.
“Self-sustenance is one of the most difficult projects to undertake and a difficult topic to discuss. One of the reasons that make it so tricky to discuss is that self-sustenance is directly related to money, and when it comes to money, most people are ‘insane’.
“Insanity is defined by Albert Einstein as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
“When it comes to money, most people repeat their mistakes over and over again. This error in reasoning manifests as the mistake of spending more than they earn, hoping to reap without sowing, etc.
“The cause and effect, the means and ends, the seed and fruit relationship cannot be severed; for the effect already blooms in the cause, the end pre-exists in the means, and the fruit exists in the seed.
“Most humans think that to be great is to possess one side of nature, that is the sweet without the other side: the bitter. Unfortunately, just like you cannot get an inside without an outside or light without a shadow, so it is that you cannot have self-sustenance without the rendition of useful service to your neighbour or the next person. In nature, nothing can be given; all things are sold.
“People go to school for a better life and after the completion of their studies; they have succeeded in learning little or nothing at all about money and self-sustenance. This is because the teachers cannot give what they don’t have.
“Here at Regina Pacis Foundation, we share the belief that poverty, which is the absence of self-sustenance, is caused by ignorance and lack of financial education.
“People of all races and walks of life struggle for money. Most of the rich people of yesterday are the new poor of today. Meanwhile, many of the middle class of yesterday are now the poorest of the poor today whilst the poorest of yesterday are already in their early graves.
“There is a new group described now as the lost generation. They are well educated men and women in their late 30’s and 40’s with first, second and some third degrees but have not worked for a single day.
“Some are married with children and still living with their parents. They have no hope of ever working,” he lamented.
Economic Emergency
Arc. Edward Nkwegu said that the Regina Pacis Foundation is all about giving people a second chance at money and life through the teaching of financial education in order to instill self-reliance.
According to Nkwegu, the new money is knowledge, and knowledge begins with words.
“The best news of all is that words are free. Money alone can never end poverty. Many people give poor people money out of kindness. Often times, giving money to the poor keeps them poor longer.
“If we want to end poverty, we must start by upgrading the words poor people use through financial education”
“The need for curricula reformation in our school system cannot be overemphasized.
“Give a man fish and you will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you will feed him for life,” he said.
Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSME’s)
The founder of the NGO said there is an urgent need for the incubation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME’s) in the society to create sustainable and inclusive jobs for the youths, women and vulnerable people.
According to him, MSME’s remain the engine room of every economy and the greatest employer of labour across the globe.
The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Eze Emmanuel, encouraged the Nigerian youths to become entrepreneurs and also employers of labour.
Also, the former Minister of Power and Steel for State, Chief Godwin Ogbaga, encouraged the youths to be resilient in order to surmount the economic situation in Nigeria.
The event started with Holy mass officiated by the Bishop of Abakaliki Catholic Diocese, His Lordship, Dr. Peter Chukwu.
