"Change is the only constant thing in life" - Anonymous
The concept of change goes beyond terms and definitions. Its a driving force that is embedded in our very DNA's. Whether we like it or not, from the time we are born, the change effect kicks in. We cry, eat, excrete, stretch and grow.
This force governs everything we come in contact with. From our education, politics and even business. Our very syllabus is evolving. Previously established educational concepts and propounded theories et al are being changed. The worlds very socio-political landscapes are changing.
The rise of the middle class and the freedom of speech and association started the "arab spring" that culminated in the famous #Occupy movement.
I hear people in Nigeria complain that "talk" on the social media has no effect but I disagree. We did not have this level of freedom in the time of IBB and of course Abacha. Imagine the likes of Omojuwa & El Rufai talking this much and replicate the events of missing journalists and Saro Wiwa. Get my point?
The level of freedom to speak and associate has indeed changed. We saw it gradually ease off from the civil tenure of President Obasanjo all through to the advent of President Goodluck Jonathan. Remember the stand-off of the #OccupyNigeria campaign? Who would have thought that it was possible for the people of Nigeria to bring the economy of Nigeria to a standstill and stand up to its President at the same time?
Change has hit the Nigerian business scene. From the reduced prices of GSM telecommunication, to competitive internet services. Now, we can see a rise in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) firms. People can now search the web, get new ideas for their businesses, advertise through facebook and other social media channels and even work from home.
Even the banks are not left out of change. The CBN's initiative under Gov Lamido Sanusi has reduced the excess cash flow in the economy and helped drive the use of cashless alternatives. The international economic community have even accepted our payment cards for cross border trade.
What this means is that, I can sit in the comfort of my home, login to my internet, purchase items from far away, US, London or even China, pay with my bank's Master or Visa card and have my items delivered to my home.
Now, to refuse to accept change will be our greatest undoing. Not to embrace the freedom of the social media to air our views will be to do ourselves a great evil.
Refuse to be left behind. That phone (Black Berry, Samsung, Apple, Techno etc) is not just for talking. You can connect to the world, air your views and even trade. So don't just stay there. "Get cracking". Get internet access and hit the world wide web (www).
Search the web, find out new ways of doing business. Get an education and above all, add value.
I look forward from hearing your views after reading this piece.
Till we meet again, keep winning.
Twitter: @MrChiaka
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