"Dear Tayo....You are a hypocrite"

The above is an excerpt from an amazingly venomous email I got recently from an anonymous "admirer". I have chosen to share it(and my reply to it) on my website.

But just before I do, I offer evidence supplied by TIME magazine way back in 1999 that supports my beliefs about why entrepreneurs who act like me(NOT many do) will get reactions like those expressed in the above mentioned email from many Nigerians.

In order to cure ourselves of the ailments we have as a people, we MUST first KNOW ourselves.

The author of the TIME Magazine article I speak of, going by his/her analysis of the way Nigerians see entrepreneurs/entrepreneuring, could be rightly considered to have a very good understanding of our “psyche” as a people. I invite you to read the adapted version of the article titled “Culture And Enterprise” (see box below), and judge for yourself.

 

CULTURE AND ENTRPEPRISE

Nigeria suffers from a dearth of rapidly growing profitable small private businesses. Such businesses create 80 percent of the new jobs in the United States. This must be disturbing for Nigeria that needs to modernize for the 21st century and bring down persistently high unemployment.

But what really causes this entrepreneurship gap? And what can be done about it? Lack of dynamism is only too well known – bureaucracy, over-regulation and a shortage of risk capital.

Many people are risk-averse with a penchant for a steady, secure job where all the benefits are spelled out. People prefer standard employment to contract. People are scared to take risks even when the rewards are high.

Furthermore, the personal qualities needed to be a successful entrepreneur are often perceived as pushy, and potentially dishonest.

There are other cultural attitudes like the leadership status given in the society to, say, unproven sudden millionaires and overnight football stars who earn a lot of money. And business failure is viewed as entirely negative in many communities, something to be ashamed about. You hardly get new support from banks and you may lose your friends.

In the 21st century, Nigeria may reduce the public sector as it is happening in other continents outside Africa. That may make private business venturing more compelling and prestigious.

Adapted from: TIME MAGAZINE – August 23, 1999

Visit my blog at http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/pblog/index.php (Note by Tayo on 13th Nov. 2006: my upgraded blog is located at http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/cblog/)and learn what Mohammed Ali once said - 3 decades ago - about us(Africans In Africa) in relation to this issue and you will realise how badly we have retrogressed.

There you will also be able to click a link to read the full text of the wonderful email that has made my week!

Tayo K. Solagbade - 3rd March 2006
http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com(Parent site with 5 mini-sites)

PS: My wife had a baby girl last Thurs 23/02/2006 who was named in a VERY small ceremony yesterday p.m. Her arrival has made me proud/happy & MORE determined than ever to achieve my vision.

 

Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist - Tayo Solagbade - devotes his time to exploring new frontiers of Self-Development Education, especially as it relates to showing people
what they can do by themselves for themselves to achieve their set goals at work/in life - despite the limitations of their circumstances.

To Play This Role Effectively, He Functions As A Multipreneur - Using Himself As A Guinea Pig Of Sorts - To Explore, Discover And Document Best Practice Ways Of Successfully Venturing Into Various Areas Of Endeavour.

Visit Tayo's CB Solutions Mini Site (Short URL - http://www.cbsolutions.spontaneousdevelopment.com) To See Examples Of How He “Leverages Technology And The Internet In Ways That Require Little Or No Initial Capital Input” To Generate Income.