This is a piece I wrote in 2007
...that there is still Hope for Nigeria
The past few months have been of a unique experience for me. Not necessarily and entirely pleasant; but various happenings around me have often sent me sometimes into reflective moods and other times to exciting moods. In this note however, I want to share those moments when the happenings around me got me thinking. I got thinking about something that is as large as life...What I cannot be detached from....My nationality...The fact, the pride...that I'M A NIGERIAN and I will always be.
For those that are not aware, I got an internship opportunity through AIESEC with Deloitte Consulting India Pvt. Ltd (a.k.a. Region 10) - the ninth region (offshore office) of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. I work for the Talent Development function- a part of the Talent Management team consisting of one hundred and twenty people all dedicated to managing the 5,500 employees who work for the Region 10 offices in Hyderabad and Mumbai.
India is described as one of the world's fastest growing economies and in about a decade, it is been predicted that India will be the world's second largest economy next to the United States. These facts were undoubtedly motivating factors that aided my decision to go for an internship in India. I could remember the disgust some friends expressed when I intimated them of my decision to go live in India for half-a-year. "India?..why India?"..My reply was simple: "Why not India?...India is one of the world's fastest growing economies. Nigeria is dreaming to be amongst the World's 20 Biggest Economies by 2020. If India has done it, why can't we get curious and ask ourselves how they got where they are today?".
Nigeria has diverse similarities with India. We are the world's most populous black nation- one out of every four persons in the black race is a Nigerian; similarly, India is the world's second most populous countries after China. As typical of populous nations, we've similarities in relation to poverty issues, health issues and crime--[I've got some personal insight on this issue called crime having lived for a couple of years in Lagos where incidence of crime is highly-rated. Surprising enough, I got so used to being conscious of criminals in Lagos--especially pickpockets, that I believed I could never be robbed anywhere in the world. Little did I know that I was so wrong! I only needed to spend less than two weeks in India before my phone was stolen- I still can't comprehend how I was outwitted. My conclusion after a lot of reflection on the comparison between these two great countries: "Criminals in India do the unexpected, Criminals in Nigeria do the impossible"- This discussion is for a later date.]
If we get the opportunity to ask "Mr. India" the question- What is the secret of your success? I am sure we will get answers that are not far from these.
The Indian Advantage:
1. Large Population:
Needless to repeat, but for emphasis sake, India's population is the world's second largest which keep growing fast each-day with a probability of becoming the world's largest population in the near future. From a layman's perspective, a country with a huge population simply has the potential to have a high buying power. If you sell a product in India that is useful for many Indian's you definitely will make loads of sales since you've got many buyers.
2. High Poverty Rate:
This sounds like a negative advantage, notwithstanding in a world being dominated by globalization, a country with a high population coupled with high poverty rate can easily turn the poverty disadvantage to an advantage. Poverty contributes to the low-cost of living, cheap cost of labour and thus foreign investors can spend less to produce more in the currency of the host country- India in this case.
3. Skills Building and Self-dependence:
Having lived in Hyderabad for almost 10 weeks, I sometimes feel like living here forever (if I have to consider this single fact) - things are so cheap here especially food-stuff and other "daily-needed" stuff. Why?..It's a simple reason. India at some point learnt to depend on themselves. They'd rather produce things here than import them from other countries. This gave the people a chance to learn...a chance to try their hands, become creative. Little wonder India produces everything you can think of today- cars, wears, etc. Little wonder India has become a country with one of the world’s largest pools to find IT talents. You walk on the streets of Hyderabad and see loads of IT training schools. People come from Africa to get IT training for much less than 20% of what would be paid for the same training at home. Little wonder, I decided to use this opportunity to get training on SAP-HR- an opportunity to become a Functional SAP Consultant.
My views are not technically inclined, neither are they based on any in-depth research. They are purely layman. Purely from a heart who believes there are lessons to be learnt from others. A heart that simply concludes: If it is possible for India, it is surely possible for Nigeria!...Nigeria can join the League of the World's 20 Largest Economies come 2020! My faith is stirred! IT IS POSSIBLE!...we only need to learn and get our minds open... and perpetually (with action backing) make and commit to the solemn pledge...
..."AND UPHOLD HER HONOUR AND GLORY...SO HELP ME GOD!"
For those that are not aware, I got an internship opportunity through AIESEC with Deloitte Consulting India Pvt. Ltd (a.k.a. Region 10) - the ninth region (offshore office) of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. I work for the Talent Development function- a part of the Talent Management team consisting of one hundred and twenty people all dedicated to managing the 5,500 employees who work for the Region 10 offices in Hyderabad and Mumbai.
India is described as one of the world's fastest growing economies and in about a decade, it is been predicted that India will be the world's second largest economy next to the United States. These facts were undoubtedly motivating factors that aided my decision to go for an internship in India. I could remember the disgust some friends expressed when I intimated them of my decision to go live in India for half-a-year. "India?..why India?"..My reply was simple: "Why not India?...India is one of the world's fastest growing economies. Nigeria is dreaming to be amongst the World's 20 Biggest Economies by 2020. If India has done it, why can't we get curious and ask ourselves how they got where they are today?".
Nigeria has diverse similarities with India. We are the world's most populous black nation- one out of every four persons in the black race is a Nigerian; similarly, India is the world's second most populous countries after China. As typical of populous nations, we've similarities in relation to poverty issues, health issues and crime--[I've got some personal insight on this issue called crime having lived for a couple of years in Lagos where incidence of crime is highly-rated. Surprising enough, I got so used to being conscious of criminals in Lagos--especially pickpockets, that I believed I could never be robbed anywhere in the world. Little did I know that I was so wrong! I only needed to spend less than two weeks in India before my phone was stolen- I still can't comprehend how I was outwitted. My conclusion after a lot of reflection on the comparison between these two great countries: "Criminals in India do the unexpected, Criminals in Nigeria do the impossible"- This discussion is for a later date.]
If we get the opportunity to ask "Mr. India" the question- What is the secret of your success? I am sure we will get answers that are not far from these.
The Indian Advantage:
1. Large Population:
Needless to repeat, but for emphasis sake, India's population is the world's second largest which keep growing fast each-day with a probability of becoming the world's largest population in the near future. From a layman's perspective, a country with a huge population simply has the potential to have a high buying power. If you sell a product in India that is useful for many Indian's you definitely will make loads of sales since you've got many buyers.
2. High Poverty Rate:
This sounds like a negative advantage, notwithstanding in a world being dominated by globalization, a country with a high population coupled with high poverty rate can easily turn the poverty disadvantage to an advantage. Poverty contributes to the low-cost of living, cheap cost of labour and thus foreign investors can spend less to produce more in the currency of the host country- India in this case.
3. Skills Building and Self-dependence:
Having lived in Hyderabad for almost 10 weeks, I sometimes feel like living here forever (if I have to consider this single fact) - things are so cheap here especially food-stuff and other "daily-needed" stuff. Why?..It's a simple reason. India at some point learnt to depend on themselves. They'd rather produce things here than import them from other countries. This gave the people a chance to learn...a chance to try their hands, become creative. Little wonder India produces everything you can think of today- cars, wears, etc. Little wonder India has become a country with one of the world’s largest pools to find IT talents. You walk on the streets of Hyderabad and see loads of IT training schools. People come from Africa to get IT training for much less than 20% of what would be paid for the same training at home. Little wonder, I decided to use this opportunity to get training on SAP-HR- an opportunity to become a Functional SAP Consultant.
My views are not technically inclined, neither are they based on any in-depth research. They are purely layman. Purely from a heart who believes there are lessons to be learnt from others. A heart that simply concludes: If it is possible for India, it is surely possible for Nigeria!...Nigeria can join the League of the World's 20 Largest Economies come 2020! My faith is stirred! IT IS POSSIBLE!...we only need to learn and get our minds open... and perpetually (with action backing) make and commit to the solemn pledge...
..."AND UPHOLD HER HONOUR AND GLORY...SO HELP ME GOD!"
