HOW TO QUIT SMOKING FOR REAL: MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Quitting smoking is not an easy task but with a strong WILL coupled with sheer determination the habit could be forgone and never revisited again. I had cultivated the habit of not smoking at all during the Ramadan fasting periods even before I quit the act indefinitely, there was always the resolution not to go back to the chimney culture after the end of Ramadan fasting but the innate urge and social inclinations takes center stage in that ultimate decision to quit smoking for real .  Even after you stop smoking, there are quite a few physical and neurological symptoms your body goes through. 

Depression is also among the most common negative effects of quitting smoking.

Catchy slogans make people mindful of the need to stop smoking because of its life-threatening consequences on health. There are a number of memories and habits connected with smoking, for instance, some folks start their day in the toilet with a stick of cigarette while answering the nature’s call. I was a victim of this entrapment for some years in the bachelorhood world where freedom to exhibit exuberance is absolute and unlimited.

Now that we've seen the psychological unwanted side effects of stopping smoking, let's also take a look at physical ones. Stopping smoking is the start of the program that may help cleanse the body after many years of toxin development. Smoking causes buildup of toxins within the body particularly in the lungs. Once somebody quits smoking, the body attempts to eradicate the damaging chemicals which might have accumulated overtime. Your lungs begin to clear out mucus and other smoking debris, whilst carbon

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7 Top Revealing Secrets On How Best To Conquer Fear of Business Start-ups

I have encountered many obstacles in the last 7 years when I took a dive in the entrepreneurship pool in order to grow my small business idea to a brand name of my dream. At some point, I have been rejected and my proposal turned down many a times, not because my idea is neither fantastic nor needed but rather, maybe it was not just my luck. However, I have also had cause to secure contracts where I least expected and sometimes those opportunities arrived on a platter of gold. From my personal experiences and research, I have identified some limitations often faced by start-up businesses and entrepreneurs and these are the recipe to overcome such fear:

1.     START ON A SMALL SCALE: To overcome business fear well ahead of time, it is usually more advisable to start your company on a little scale and gradually figure out ways to expand the exact same without wasting more cash on wrong resources. If you don't get to a greater degree, you will lose the chance for further business. In regards to your own business you don't want fear since it will prevent you from stepping from the comfort zone and also you won't have the capacity to grow. When it comes to second example of what the majority of individuals fear in starting an extra business, it's the financial strain of the startup expenses, regardless of your financial status.

2.     BEGIN YOUR BUSINESS WITH A PROFITABLE SMALL BUSINESS: No matter your sort of business, if you're in sales, you may be required to do a little bit of form of `Prospecting' for leads and customers. Be certain to identify a profitable small business model, and then you have limited your exposure to risk or loss. This is sometime applicable if you're into a small business opportunity. Fear begins in your thoughts and you have to employ your mind to conquer fear particularly if you desire to increase sales for your personal business. Selling doesn't have to become a fearful experience!

3.     IDENTIFY YOUR GREATEST FEAR IN BUSINESS: Many small business owners I've related with had one small business fears or the other. Small business success is all about realizing the real fears from the ones which are self-imposed. In truth, it really is subtle and the majority of people don't recognize this is holding them back from having a prosperous business and a great life. If your inner drive is weaker than the physical energy propelling your business, there is bound to be apprehension and this could lead to business failure and eventual shutdown of such business venture. The final move is to consider the objections which are stopping you from closing the company.

4.     BE READY TO TAKE A PLUNGE: When I left Gtbank in 2009, I never wished to go back into the banking job for any reason whatsoever due to so many reasons which are currently manifesting as a result of economic recession, job insecurity, career growth, delusional bankers life, etc. The anxiety about success will allow you to avoid taking action to surely have a thriving business enterprise. Don't forget, small business success isn't about the amount of times you fail but about how many times you have overcome the challenges of being a successful business personality.

5.     SEEK MENTORING AND TRAINING: I have lost counts of how many trainings, seminars and business mentoring attended in the last 10years after my National Youth Service scheme (NYSC) and I still attend trainings till this very moment despite offering such to people as well. You need to ask the leaders of your own enterprise whether they have training along with a proven way that will help build your business. You need to master a few techniques to boost your communication skills in order to

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11 Beneficial Things You Should Know About Dangote Refinery

Is Dangote the messiah we've been waiting for in Nigeria to end the recurrent fuel crisis?

Will Dangote Refinery increase the GDP of Nigerian economy?

Can Dangote refinery make Lagos State the Dubai of Africa?

What will happen to FG refineries when Dangote finally commences operation in 2019?

With Dangote’s giant stride and unprecedented investment in the local economy, Nigeria will be taken away from the record of countries that import petroleum chemicals and allied products. Besides, Nigeria will be generating and saving an important quantity of forex that will be earned from the export of petroleum and petro-chemical products in a not too distant a future. From my trend analysis, Dangote will edge Mr Bill Gates or whoever is on the top of the ladder on the forbes list in a very short period after the commencement of operation in the refinery. Here are 10 things you should know about the Dangote refinery:

1.     JOB CREATION OPPORTUNITIES: Dangote refinery will create235,000 Jobs when completed. There would even be a whole lot of indirect employment and empowerment in and around Lagos-State, people who are into real estates, food supplies, commodities, dealers of petrochemical products, Government institutions, foreign investors, oil servicing firms, etc.

2.     FOREX EARNING POTENTIALS: Nigeria would save $17.5 billion in forex earnings from the project.

3.     FIRST OF ITS KIND: The refinery with 650,000 barrels of crude oil refining capacity per day is by all standards the largest in the world.

4.     RECORD BREAKING PROJECT: It is the largest single project anywhere in the world – be it fertilizer, gas pipeline, petrochemical or refinery. This is the largest single refinery in the world.

5.     EXPORT OPPORTUNITY IN GAS RESOURCES: The gas project from Dangote Plant would add Over 3 billion cubic feet of gas per day to the Nigerian market, meaning that with the current requirement of about two billion cubic feet of gas per day, Nigeria’s power sector would improve significantly when the project is finally completed.

6.     ATTRACTION OF FOREIGN PARTNERSHIP/ALLIANCES: The United States Trade and Development Agency has signed has a training pact with Dangote Oil Refining Company.

7.     MULTIBILLION DOLAR PROJECT: The Dangote refinery project is worth an estimated $10b usd, more than the nation yearly budget.

8.     24HOURS STEADY POWER SUPPLY: With Dangote refinery coming on board, Lagos State can have 24hrs steady power and electricity supply and this will boost the economic potentials of the state.

9.     POPULATION EXPLOSION: Human Population in Lagos State is bound explode to a

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https://www.facebook.com/taiwo.osofero/videos/10207416395946418/

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SEASON OF JOB LOSS: HOW TO SURVIVE THE TSUNAMI

The gale of job losses being witnessed in the country due to the current economic hardship has caught up with Ecobank Nigeria, which has sacked over 1,040 of its employees.

The PUNCH reported on Tuesday that Diamond Bank Plc sacked over 200 members of its workforce, while FBN Holdings, the parent company of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, recently said it would prune the number of its employees by 1,000.

Top officials of the pan-African lender confirmed to our correspondents that the initial list of those to be sacked had over 1,400, workers but was later reduced to “a little above 1,000.”

Start your own business while still on paid job here...http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/11/how-to-start-your-own-business-even.html

Ecobank spokespersons declined to comment on the number of workers who were disengaged.

However, the lender said in a statement that it had converted over 200 outsourced personnel to permanent employees as part of its drive to attract and reward talent, while also repositioning for improved efficiency.

In line with the recognition of excellence, the bank also said it had recently implemented a merit-based pay increase for the top performers across all cadres.

The Managing Director, Ecobank, Mr. Charles Kie, was quoted as saying that converting qualified outsourced staff to permanent workers was in line with the bank’s commitment to developing and growing talent by nurturing its people along their career paths and giving them access to higher responsibilities.

He said the bank was resolute that recognizing and rewarding excellence would drive its goal of achieving exceptional performance in the industry.

Kie said, “The bank, in its renewed drive for optimal performance, has in addition realigned certain roles bank wide to ensure improved efficiency. This necessitates the exits of some staff that were adequately compensated.

“This is in furtherance of a market repositioning exercise designed to strengthen the bank’s business across all markets where it operates.”

He emphasised that the ETI was on a trajectory to achieve leadership and that the Nigerian subsidiary remained one of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated’s major

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7 MOST IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR FIRST TIME ENTREPRENEURS: PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR STARTING CORRECTLY

 The current economic reality is a Tonic to being a good entrepreneur because technology has created a global business platform as well as propelled a great entrepreneurial trend. As a business owner, you now convey more access to info that enables you to definitely make smart decisions more quickly. You might have an advantage over the established companies because you are lighter, way more versatile, and quicker in your preferences. You can focus on new marketplaces more quickly, and you may turn on out of pocket.

By looking at the main issues and complying with plans from starting to the end is a condition to being a successful entrepreneur. Here are some useful guidelines that will help you as a beginner in the business world:

1.      AVOID JUMPING THE SHIP:  Don’t stop your salary work abruptly, Consider beginning your business part-time, especially if it can be transacted online while you’re operating and have a stable income. This usually takes 6 months to 12 months to get a company going and you do not want your own ability to pay your house rent rest upon your new business being an instant success. Begin with what you can manage, monetarily and time-wise, and range up as your company grows.

2.     DISCOVER AND IDENTIFY YOUR AREA OF SPECIALIZATION: It is better to identify a particular niche market where you have a competitive edge in terms of skill, expertise and knowledge, most especially if the business will start online; people are always looking for companies that focus on their needs or problems. You have to look for a need or something a particular group of people would like, but cannot get from what your bigger firms offers and fill this need. Since you cannot compete with the top guys, it therefore, means you have to discover where the established companies are not and go into such market. A friend of mine Adebiyi OLanrewaju who owns Fadeex Express and Logistics started his courier and logistic business 3years ago by identifying areas where top firms such as FEDEX, DHL, UPS, EMS SPEEDPOST, EPS, ERRANDEX, etc fails to ply their trade, his company is already growing in leaps and bounds  

3.     BEGIN SMALL TO GROW LARGE: It is always better to start a new entrepreneurship project in a small way and learn the ropes, watch the trends and build on the experience you have gathered in order to make your business a successful enterprise. The stories of Dangote, Eleganza, Facebook, Microsoft, Apples, etc are just few of the many big brand names that have become a phenomenon in the business world today. Instead of building castles in the sky with your tall dreams, it is better to start small and grow big.

4.      BUILD AN ONLINE BRAND WITH FOR EASY ACCESS: Even if you are not going to start an online retail enterprise, consider that this internet can play a very important marketing role for your company. Getting an online presence removes the limitations associated with physical area and broadens your consumer bottom by millions. It is also a useful thingy for marketing yourself and also letting individuals, even in your own personal area, realize that you’re generally there.

5.     BUILD TRUST AND BE CONSISTENT: For new entrepreneurs to succeed in the volatile business environment of the 21^st century dominated by the market leaders, you need to build a long lasting trust of your brand in the hearts of your target audiences. And trust alone will not achieve the overall objective but one also needs to be consistent in your dealings with new and existing clients. Once your business is built on utmost good faith accompanied with consistency, the sky is the starting point to greatness.

6.     DO NOT QUIT. Effective entrepreneurship needs creativity, power, and the zeal to keep moving when you fall short of your initial plan.  “Arm yourself along with optimism to obtain beyond the actual ‘No’ as well as trouble. There is nothing

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HOW TO SECURE LOAN CAPITAL FROM N220BN CBN INTERVENTION FUNDS

In President Buhari’s democracy day speech to Nigerians was a mention and emphasis on the special intervention funds that will create job opportunities and lift many people out of penury.

He said “So, today, I am happy to formally launch, by far the most ambitious social protection programme in our history. A programme that both seeks to start the process of lifting many from poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunity for people to fend for themselves. In this regard, Five Hundred Billion Naira has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas. We are committed to providing job creation opportunities for five hundred thousand teachers and one hundred thousand artisans across the nation”  

The CBN has a provision for N220b Micro and Small Medium Enterprises Fund

60% of the fund is earmarked for women owned businesses at 9% interest rate.

Most women are not aware of this and have not even applied for it.

All of us should check it up on Google, especially ladies. Further note that it is an intervention fund, so you don’t pay market interest rates for the loan.

Finally the Central Bank of Nigeria has published the procedure for accessing the fund.

See list of HOT PROFITABLE 40 SMALL BUSINESSES YOU CAN START WITH LITTLE OR NO CAPITAL IN 2016 here… http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2014/12/details-of-40-small-businesses-you-can.html

Is your business in any of the following areas?

Ø Agriculture

Ø Manufacturing

Ø Cottage Industries

Ø Artisanship

Ø Services

Ø Trade and general Commerce

Ø Renewable energy/energy efficient products and technologies

Ø Other income generating projects as may be prescribed by the CBN

If “Yes” then congratulations!

With a detailed business plan or statement on how much you want for your business, you can get loan of up to:

(a) N500,000.00 for your micro-business; and

(b.) N50 million for Small & Medium Enterprise (SME)

See sample of a Nylon Business Plan here… http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2014/04/a-business-plan-for-set-up-of-nylon-and.html

Go to your bank or any of the following institutions to access the Fund:

ü Microfinance Banks

ü Commercial Banks

ü Cooperatives

ü Finance Companies

ü NGO-Microfinance Institutions

ü Development Finance Institutions, i.e. Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture

Tell your bank how much you need and your bank will discuss your request and provide you the money.

The max interest rate of 9.0%/p.a (charges inclusive) is applicable

Repayment Period:

a) For micro business, it is a maximum of 1 year

(b.) For small and medium enterprises, it is a max of 3 years

NOTE: 60% of the Fund is reserved for enterprises owned by women; 2% for persons living with disability and 10% for start-up businesses.

ü If you don't have collateral try out some financial institutions that you can deposit 20% of the loan to be borrowed as equity to access fund?

ü The loan is also easier to get through a recognized national associations like cooperative

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Nigeria’s unemployment crisis worsens; rate jumps by 518,000 in 3 months - NBS - Premium Times Nigeria

Nigeria’s unemployment crisis worsens; rate jumps by 518,000 in 3 months - NBS - Premium Times Nigeria: Women and youth were the most affected in the labour force age bracket, the report says.

Self Employment Remain The Best Solution To Unemployment

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THE SIMPLEST DEFINITION OF DEREGULATION TO A LAYMAN

So many people got their SIM cards for a whooping sum of N25,000 in year 2000 when telecom operators birthed in Nigeria for the very first time. I actually got mine later for N15,000 during one of MTN’s promo sales in 2001 or 2002 after hard labour work on construction sites with my father who happens to be a builder. Even after buying the sim card it took me another episode of labour to buy my first fairly used phone to enjoy the MTN service. I would not want to bother you with the story of how I recharge my phone thereafter because network in my school then was like looking for SALVATION. For those of us who can afford NITEL cards, we were able to make calls after queuing up for hours in the old compound of NITEL office where only two phone box is available for use by the lecturers, students, civil-servants and indigenes of the town called ILARO.

Fast forward to this day, virtually all the sim cards are sold for FREE in the market and they even come with FREE airtimes and other combo packages. How was this feat achieved if not for the deregulation of those Telecom sectors that was once accessible and enjoyed by the privileged few in the society. I could also recollect vividly, an aunt I lived with at Omole estate phase 1 was using CELLULAR phone at the time and it was like a tall dream for me owning such gadget but today I have bought phones worth more than MINIMUM WAGE so many a time. The crash in tariffs of telecom service providers actually started with GLO network owned by Mike Adenuga, GLO opened our eyes to many infractions from MTN, ECONET and other telecom service providers

, they made us realized that call rate could be billed per SECONDS, oops!. They also made us realized that SIM Cards could be sold for lesser price because it is still their property, also calls/sms within the same network was further slashed and there were better and improved customer service giving rise to CALL CENTERS job openings here and there. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the arrival of ETISALAT network provider whose presence made me to love them till today, they accord us the opportunity to earn rewards upon rewards from recharging your lines, earn rewards from making calls, and earn rewards from referrals and many other goody bags.

The latest DEREGULATION effects happens to be in the area of DATA service, as data junkie myself, I have been looking forward to a day when the prices of the data bundles of different telecom operators in Nigeria would eventually crash just like call tarrifs and the D-DAY has finally arrived. It started with Glo, thereafter MTN joined and subsequently Etisalat followed suit by joining the league of those offering 1.5GB data at N1000. Other plans have been reviewed as well making 3.5gb data now to cost

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How to Start a Business With (Almost) No Money

How to Start a Business With (Almost) No Money

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With Akwa Ibom hospital, no govt-sponsored foreign treatment for Nigerians from 2017 - Minister - Premium Times Nigeria

With Akwa Ibom hospital, no govt-sponsored foreign treatment for Nigerians from 2017 - Minister - Premium Times Nigeria: The minister of health says there is no such hospital complex anywhere else in Nigeria.

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10 Most Noticeable Errors Of Start-up Business AND Ways To Overcome Them

Work load and Time factor has been a major challenge to sizeable number of people who start their own business. They become quickly overwhelmed due to their failure to conduct a careful feasibility study and detailed research on the line of business they intend to float. I have been lucky enough to have delivered at least 7 feasibility reports to different clients since the beginning of 2016. The latest request from a client in USA is a feasibility report on the EXPORT OF NIGERIAN CHARCOAL AND AGRO PRODUCTS.

Related article http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/08/5-questions-to-ask-before-starting-your.html

Ø Let us begin with the first set of questions for an aspiring entrepreneur:

Ø Am I ready to start my own business?

Ø Do I possess the mindset of an entrepreneur? 

Ø Am I dedicated to spend all the time needed to be successful?

Ø Perhaps, are you ready to take enormous risks?

Ø And lastly, do I have a Plan B?

In the early days, the overall task of running the business lies on your shoulder as you are the overall boss, the General-Manager/Admin, the accountant, the salesperson, the computer technician, the secretary, the receptionist. It is imperative to get ready for challenges as there will be days when you are disenchanted, down in the dumps, or discouraged. To achieve your anticipated results may take some time as real entrepreneurial success doesn’t come suddenly.

In order to circumvent these frustrations, I have highlighted ‘The 10 Most Noticeable Errors Of Start-up Business & How to Overcome Them’:

Error Number 1 - Failure to conduct extensive feasibility, viability and profitability study of proposed business idea.

It has been reported oftentimes that new business or start-ups failed in the first few year of take offs because most entrepreneurs were not truly interested in the business; they were more interested in making money. For the fact that you will be spending a lot of time and resources on your new business it is advisable to venture into a business driven by passion.

Therefore, expend all the time you need working on your feasibility study and business plan, which should include: your mission statement, your business strategy, research on your target market (demographics), your marketing plan, your financial projections and sales, industry analysis (size, economics, trends, success factors, challenges, etc.)

See also http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/10/9-sure-steps-to-set-up-your-own.html

Error Number 2 - Failure to establish whether the business truly adds value.

If your business can provide value by offering a service or products that people need it is most likely going to stand the test of time and become sustainable over a period of time. To overcome this blunder, ensure your products or services provide value and benefit to your target audience. Always provide pre-sale and after sale services to your clients.

See related http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2016/03/how-to-start-your-own-profitable.html

Error Number 3 – Shortsightedness in the area of understanding the business dynamics.

Inability to identify the tools essential for every business is an error that must be avoided when starting a new business. Numerous business leaders, business consultants and management executives are of the opinion that paying attention to detail is a panacea for business success. The magic potion here is to recognize all the aspects of your business that are germane to the vision and mission of your corporate existence.

http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2014/12/details-of-40-small-businesses-you-can.html

Error Number 4 – Being Jack Of All Trade And Master Of None

Any startup business which failed to describe its business in only one or two sentences will seriously make it complex for prospective clients to comprehend the purpose of the business and identify the value or benefits your business offer. To overcome this barrier, you must have a spontaneous brand statement and identity that instantly introduces your business, its mission and values that will make it unforgettable.

Error Number 5 - Failure to get in touch with experts who can help you get started.

The problem with new entrepreneurs starting a business is that they seldom ask experts on how to go about it, instead, they solicit advice from people mostly family and friends who have never started a business; so in reality, these people are not in a position to offer sound advice.

In order to avoid such pitfall, look for a mentor or surround yourself with experts who possess dexterity and proficiency that you may be deficient in. Team up with professionals who can harmonize your strengths and cover for your limitations.

http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2014/04/a-business-plan-for-set-up-of-nylon-and.html

Error Number 6 – Underestimating Your financial requirements.

How much capital do you need to start your business? Do you know the market well enough, have you calculated your cost, what is your sales projection, do you know the number of customers you need? Do you know how long it will take before you get your first benefits or before you will run out of money? Failure to invest your time to work on all financial aspects, especially the major ones, of your business before you start could spell doom for new startups.

http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/06/no-capital-or-fund-7-ways-to-earn-money.html

Error Number 7 - Failure to make marketing of utmost importance

A lot of new businesses have failed to attract any clients because entrepreneurs start

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A FREE BUSINESS PLAN/FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR THE SET-UP OF NYLON AND POLYTHENE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

A BUSINESS PLAN FOR THE SET-UP OF A NYLON AND POLYTHENE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

1. INTRODUCTION

Nylon printing business is one of the most commonly known businesses and it has stood the test of time as a result of the growing demand for nylon bags for a wide range of domestic purposes such as shopping, bagging, and covering, manufacturing businesses require nylon in large quantities for wrapping and packaging their products.As the world is going corporate, the need for packaging is increasing every day. 

Packaging improves image and branding of a product, hence the need for shopping bags. Almost every business uses shopping bags these days ranging from supermarkets, eateries, banks (cash bags), boutique, and bookshop to road side shops thereby creating large demand for the product. Polyethylene products enjoy both national and international patronage. In fact, it is one of the fasted selling consumer goods in the country today. This is because its demand has a relationship with the level of demand for other goods. The product is demanded all year round and not affected by season; nevertheless, it has a greater demand during the raining season.

2. SUCCESS FACTOR OF THE BUSINESS

Polyethylene products enjoy both national and international patronage. In fact, it is one of the fasted selling consumer goods in the country today. This is because its demand has a relationship with the level of demand for other goods. The product is demanded all year round and not affected by season; nevertheless, it has a greater demand during the raining season.

3. CAPITAL AND RAW MATERIALS REQUIRED

Basically there are two types of nylon namely the low and high density nylons. The low density nylon is the nylon used for wrapping bread. It is also used by dry cleaners and in pure water production. Generally, low density nylon because of their thickness does not make noise when squeezed. It varies in thickness depending on the purpose for which it is being used and what the customer wants.

As a matter of fact the capital involved depends largely on the financial capability of the investor. If you have small capital, you can start with the locally fabricated machines, semi-automatic machinery or better still you can start with buying the raw materials while the extrusion/blowing of the raw material, cutting, punching and printing aspect of the production process would be taken care of by other companies. The only thing to be done is marketing of the finished goods and a significant mark-up will still be achieved. On the other hand, if you can afford the cost, it is best to acquire a fully-automatic machine, which is much more efficient and profitable because aside your own productions, you can as well get jobs from outside.

The machines required to start nylon processing plant includes but not limited to:-

1. EXTRUDER FILM BLOWING MACHINE: - This is the machine which turns the raw materials (Master Berg, Escorene, DOW, B.A.S.F, etc) into a liquid form and later to polythene sheets in whatever color or thickness desired.
   

   
2. CUTTING  AND SEALING MACHINE:- This is the machine which cut the polythene into various sizes, it also seal the nylon according to specifications.
   

   

   
   

   
3. PUNCHING MACHINE:- This machine is used to create holes, handles and specific carrier shapes of the polythene.
   

   
4. A Generating set (40-60kva).

The major raw materials are petroleum products and master Berg. Master-Berg is the color matter added to the polyethylene by products to give its various colors. The production process of polyethylene sheet is simple but technical. The raw material (either B.A.S.F or Escorene or DOW) is poured into the heating and melting unit of the extruder machine. This is heated, melted and converted to a liquid substance, which is blown under pressure through a passage and simultaneously cooled in the process by an air generating apparatus. Producing polyethylene sheets directed by a series of rollers converting it into bales in the output unit of the extruder. The sheets are now taken to cutting and sealing machine and subsequently to the handle-cutting machine.

4. MARKET FEASIBILTY

The demand for polythene shopping bags has been identified to continue to expand as the standard of living of the over 160 million population growing at the rate of 5.7% per annum continues to surge. The supply gap situation in Nigeria has created a market gap estimated at N 2.7 Billion annually in revenue. A growing market exists for the production of polythene in Nigeria because of the relative high demand for other goods. The product

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10 Things You Must Do to Grow Your Online Business in the First Year

1. Carefully target the online audience. 

E-commerce depends largely on a reputable, accessible online presence. To be recognized as such, businesses must make themselves available to those who are most likely to notice. Identify the demographic characteristics of consumers who will benefit from relevant products and services, and base marketing strategies on these details.

Read More here............10 Things You Must Do to Grow Your Online Business in the First Year

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3 VITAL TRAITS OF SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS

I woke up this morning with a very high spirit and in anticipation of calls from prospects from within and outside the country. I have been lucky these days to receive service request from people outside the country, at least I receive more than ten calls on daily basis for one service or the other, a client came in from India on Monday and he was impressed meeting me after long chats and conversation online. Some other clients from abroad have paid me for business plan on Nylon/Polythene set-up in Nigeria even though they have not met me in person. Likewise, my lawyer partner called from Abuja that some of our client’s names we put in for search at Corporate Affairs Commission had been approved for registration, all these are affirmations that ‘’winners never quit and quitters never win’’. In all of these, I found certain traits helpful in keeping afloat if you are a business entrepreneur and these traits are:

1. CONFIDENCE IN SELF

This is that supernatural control of having confidence in oneself and in one's powers and abilities.

2. SUCCESS ORIENTED

Achievements are gained by focused and sustained effort. They concentrate on achieving a specific goal, not just accomplishing a string of unrelated tasks.

3. RISK TAKING

Successful business entrepreneurs realize that there is a possibility of loss inherent in achieving their goals; nonetheless they have the confidence necessary to take calculated risks to achieve their goals.

Business entrepreneurs are individuals who will make decisions, take action, and think that they can control their own destinies. They are often inspired by a spirit of self-determination which leads them to believe that their success depends on rare effort and uphill struggle, not luck.

Hence, which of these three traits is the most significant? Trust me, it has to be self-confidence. With no self-confidence, nothing else is possible. If you don't believe in your capability, then the first hurdle that arises may knock you off the passageway to achieving your goals.

You can maintain a higher level of self-confidence if you keep these two things in mind:

POSITIVE THINKING

Well, it all starts with a optimistic attitude, doesn't it? Believing that something good will surely happens is the first step. Pessimistic thinking simply is not allowed. You must truly believe that there are no conditions strong enough to deter you from

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10 JUSTIFIABLE REASONS TO DISCHARGE AND ACQUITS LEKKI GARDENS AND RICHARD NYONG

1.    FALLIBILITY: The Owners of Lekki Gardens are Human being like you and I, the ONLY one devoid of imperfection will be the Almighty God. Why not temper mercy with justice in this unforeseen calamity? I can bet my life on this, Lekki Gardens or Richard Nyong will never wish to experience such an unseemly publicity stunts with human lives, it is an error that could happen to the best of engineers anywhere in the world. The memory of crane collapse at mecca which killed at least 107 people and injured almost 400 during a severe thunderstorm accompanied by violent winds is still fresh in our minds, this is a sacred place where projects are handled by the best in Engineering and real estate development skills, unfortunately the accident happened and ONLY God knows why it does at that important period during the pilgrimage.

2.    BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE: Lekki Gardens is a service provider in one of the 3 basic necessities of life i.e; food, clothing and shelter. They belong to the real sector of the economy whose demand is high and government has never been able to meet up with their socio-economic responsibilities to the teeming masses. An entity like Lekki Gardens and its owners needs be encouraged to do more through our support when things go awry unexpectedly.

3.    NIGERIA’S GDP CONTRIBUTOR: According to a report in 2015 by Accounting and Auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), “the Nigerian real estate sector is growing at a rate of 8.7 percent, which is faster than the average GDP growth rate of 7.4 percent”

Lekki Gardens and Richard Nyong are among the biggest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP and the more reason prosecutor needs to be careful by not “throwing away the baby with the bath water”. Government at all levels are looking for ways to enhance the operations and production capacity of critical sectors of the economy such as real estate in order to boost the GDP of Nigeria’s economy, so why not re-evaluate the events that led to this unfortunate incident and come up with corrective cum preventive measures to avert future occurrence instead of “killing mosquito with a sledge hammer”.  

4.    EMPLOYMENT CREATION: Real Estate business is the one of the biggest employer of labour and provides employment to large number of the populace. I can boldly reveal to all who cares that I became a graduate, paying for my school fees from real estate jobs, I was a maison, Tile and interlocking paving stone installer, House painting and decorations. While In the service of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, I usually take up project management jobs during my leave/vacation, I happen to supervise the first Multi-links base station in Enugu. Even after I left Gtbank, I was a project manager on several real estate projects in Abraka, Makurdi, Badagry and Ikorodu. The last was an access road project in 2014 at Sangotedo beside LEKKI GARDENS ESTATE, Lekki.  Lekki Gardens and Richard Nyong employs over 500 persons directly and 100,000 indirectly, can we afford to make life miserable for such families benefiting from his economic contribution?

5.    INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES: A lot of investment opportunities abound in real estate development sector of the economy. When you buy or build a house, and lease out to tenants, that property starts to earn you rental revenue (monthly or yearly depending on the treaties with your tenants). With increasing yearnings for affordable housing units and ever growing inflation rate, rental values are always on the increase. Higher rental prices mean more profits for you, the owner. Compared to other investment options, the revenue from real estate is the most consistent. Lekki Gardens and Richard Nyong has created a wide range of investment opportunities for banks, Surveyors and valuers, corporate organizations, Insurance brokers, etc.

6.    TAX BENEFITS TO GOVERNMENT: Property tax plays a critical role in state and national development, property tax is a levy on immovable property, such as land and buildings, usually paid by the owner to the state. This form of taxation is closely associated with financing government projects because of the immediate connection between property values and services funded at the local level. These services may include the provision of potable water, street lighting, waste management, security, and the maintenance of public parks, schools and roads. Lekki Gardens and Richard Nyong must have contributed a sizeable value in property tax to states where their real estate projects are sited. Why not give this indigenous firm and this young man a chance to contribute to the taxation drive of the economy.

7.    SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: Real Estate developments usually contribute to the communities their projects are located at, by providing infrastructure, employment, Skills Training and Development. Most of the host communities have attested to the fact that the presence of Lekki Gardens in their area has opened up their access roads neglected by the government. Most communities whose lands are acquired for real estate developments have found solace in firms such as Lekki Gardens and the likes. Directly or indirectly, real estate companies have provided more social infrastructures than any known philanthropist in Nigeria today.

8.    CREATING HOME OWNERS THROUGH MORTGAGE: Mortgage Home Ownership is an arrangement that is offered through acquisition of property with intending owners making an equity contribution of about 20-30% of the total cost of the property and deferring the mortgage loan amount for periods between 5-30yrs. Many people have benefited from this mortgage arrangements from real estate companies such as Lekki Gardens, the dream of becoming a landlord would have just been illusions save for the magnanimity and patriotic zeal for human developments of private estate development firms. It is a known fact that governments alone could

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