Encomium
As the year glides to second half, Nigerian entrepreneurs have reviewed their business with the verdict that it has not been really smooth and profitable. We spoke with a few of them…
SAIDI BALOGUN
Since the beginning of this year, businesses generally have been on the down side and entertainment sector was worse hit because of the nefarious activities of pirates. Also, the fact that it was a period of elections, and every attention of the government was on how to come back, not about the country itself. So, things were extremely difficult for business to grow except those that were directly or indirectly attached to the elections or electioneering campaigns.
Many businesses have suffered but now that a new government has taken over, I personally know there is going to be something new to encourage businesses at all levels. I think we still need to give the government sometime to stabilize. I am preparing hard to ensure I level up in the next quarter by God’s grace.
SUNNY EZE
The only challenge so far in my business was the period of fuel scarcity and inadequate power supply, business was very dull. But I thank God now that everything is okay, we can manage our businesses. All I need now for the months ahead is change in every ramification and constant power supply.
LAWRENCE ONWUKWEM, Lawrence and Lawrence Ltd.
It is obvious that the business climate has not been favourable, especially in the first quarter because of the elections. And we expected things to get better, the fuel scarcity crept in. So, business has been turbulent.
We however hope that the remaining months would be better with all the major threats under control and a new administration in place.
SHIRLEY IGWE, Shirlz Mega Concepts Ltd
The first five months have been quite challenging because of the elections. We expected it. Now that all levels of government have been successfully inaugurated, we expect business to get better.
BUNMI OSHOBU, Shai Skincare and Beauty Palour
We cannot say business has been bad and we cannot say it has been very good. My kind of business is what women like to do, something in vogue for women. I guess because I have not been around, that is why things were like that. I travelled out for four months but things started picking up when I came back, so I can say, business has been okay.
We are branding and rebranding. We are also introducing new products, varieties of all kinds of skin tone. We are also repositioned to meet everybody’s need, the rich, middle class and average. Anybody can walk up to us, they will be well attended to.
LAWRENCE ONUZULIKE
I will say that due to the sorry state of the country, business in the first part of the year wasn’t that commendable. It has suddenly become stressful and very expensive to run a company here.
There’s not much we can do to change the situation. We have done our own part, the rest depends on those in charge of the affairs of the country. It will spell doom for Nigeria if lack of fuel and epileptic power supply persist.
OLAJIDE GREAT MCDEDE
Things have been down in the past few months but we thank God we were able to cope. Business has been very hectic and at times okay. We thank God we’re still in business and we’re putting in our best to ensure we sustain the business while we hope for the better in the next half of this year. We’re working so hard to make sure we turn around the business.
We also believe in the present government that its policies are going to be favourable to our business and every other legitimate business in the country. We always pray for God’s direction in everything we do in our company.
PRECIOUS KALU, Precious Boutique
Business has been really slow this year with the elections fever and the whole handing over plus the fuel scarcity. It’s been really difficult. I didn’t really set goals for the first six months due to all the elections and from history, I know it is never stable. At least, this year was violence free largely due to Jonathan conceding defeat early.
It calmed everything except our pockets. Customers have been giving excuses, they have not really been spending much and they all blamed the elections and handing over. Now that everything is in the past, we are hoping to make more sales and do more business.
