By James Abang
It was a special Monday morning for the Mkpa’s family. Mr. Uwe Mkpa was due to receive his gratuity that faithful day. He gathered every member of his nuclear family to seek their opinion on what to do with the money.
His first son suggested the money should be used to buy a used truck and engage it on quarry business at Akamkpa, Cross River State but others said no, giving various reasons including insincerity of truck drivers. Other suggestions were made until his 3rd son, aged 19 made the ultimate suggestion. He suggested the money be invested on “Otongtong”. Don’t consult your dictionary except you have an Oro version.
Otongtong is the nick name for heavy duty musical set. It was unanimously agreed that a set be bought to be put up for hiring for weddings, burials and other ceremonies. The family therefore settled for otongtong business. It should be noted however, that every component of the musical set that was bought was state of the arts – from the mixer, speakers, kaossilator, virtual modular synthesizers, audio signal processor, home theater, amplifiers etc. The most important part is that the aforementioned equipments were all assembled not by Samsung, Sony or any of the electronic giants in South Korea, Japan, USA or China but by NAMOBA Electronics in Akwa Ibom State.
It didn’t take time for the business to boom. Activities ranging from Midweek services of various churches, traditional marriages, burials, Weddings and other church activities all provided patronage. In fact the business boomed to the extent that Mr. Mkpa on one occasion during a traditional marriage was moved to tears of joy as he watched people dancing to the tune Nobody Can Stop Reggae. There he was, watching people dancing in frenzy; as he fiddled with the lump of cash in his side pocket which he was paid in advance for his musical set, he shed tears of gratitude to God and his children for suggesting Otongtong Business. Yes life has improved even better than when he was in teaching service. He was also thankful to government that paid his gratuity which he has invested wisely. He was happy complete with some bottles of Harp lager beer by his side. He took a long sip from his forth bottle and turned to his wife who was beside him and shaking his head happily he told madam “indeed, nobody can stop reggae”. Who would dare when the family business was booming?
But two or so years later, customers could no longer hire “Otongtong” from the Mkpas. They could no longer find them. Otongtong has closed down, reggae stopped. Family members and outsiders alike who were employed by Otongtong ranging from DJ, Electrical Wirer/Generator Operator and Shapiro(now Keke) Driver that ferried the equipment, all now jobless. What went wrong with such a booming service oriented business? Could it be mis-management or lack of support mechanism?
Although Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector is strategically positioned to absorb up to 80% of jobs, improve per capita income, increase value addition to raw materials supply, improve export earnings and step up capacity utilization in key industries most SMEs in Nigeria die within their first five years of existence. A smaller percentage goes into extinction between the sixth and tenth year, while only about five to ten percent survive, thrive and grow to maturity. The reason for this may not be far-fetched. The Musical set hiring business which disappeared shortly after boom is not isolated. Many Small and Medium Enterprises in AKS which dotted our landscape between the 80s and early 2000 are all nowhere to be found. Even the NAMOBA Electronics (A Medium Size) company from which the Mkpa’s bought their world class musical sets has vanished. Most of the locations and warehouses formerly belonging to these companies have been converted to places of worships. No wonder President Buhari approved official exchange rate of 197 naira to the dollar for Hajj to Mecca and Pilgrimage to Jerusalem but over 350naira as exchange rate for businesses.
However, in line with its policy thrust of job creation, the Udom’s administration is intent on growing this most important sector. It is also sharply aware of the problems of SMEs which include but not limited to insufficient capital, inadequate market research, poor market linkage, lack of proper book keeping, poor internal control, poor access to the right tools, plant and machinery among others. It has taken steps to address these issues by putting in place two key agencies to address the problems and support the creation of sustainable jobs.
AKEES – Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme which employs the model of earning while learning mode came into being sometime last year and has created about 1300 self sustaining jobs and still counting. AKMEDA – Akwa Ibom Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency as the name implies would focus on enterprise development when it commences operations.
When Myanmar started its industrialization program a few years back not many took it seriously. But FY 2015 Myanmar’s economic growth was put at 7.2% despite heavy flooding during the period. It is projected to grow to over 8.6% FY 2016 which placed its growth rate among first 10 in Asia. The reason is clear. Like Udom’s administration Myanmar’s Government was quick to recognize the importance of SMEs in industrialization. Key support institutions were established and within a few years SMEs now make up 99.4% of Myanmar’s industries.
Gov Udom’s administration is leaving no stone unturned it its desire to create jobs for its citizens. By establishing these key institutions to develop the SMEs sector, we believe it is on the right track to achieving an enduring success in its industrialization and job creation policies. This writer calls on the people to take advantage of institutions put in place by the government to support businesses development. While preparing their minds to explore opportunities that may be provided by AKMEDA, the people are encouraged to key into the activities of AKEES which is already working hand in hands with a number of enterprises with astounding results.
James Abang Writes
From Atte-Village Urueoffong/Oruko LGA
(08068222243 SMS)
It was a special Monday morning for the Mkpa’s family. Mr. Uwe Mkpa was due to receive his gratuity that faithful day. He gathered every member of his nuclear family to seek their opinion on what to do with the money.
His first son suggested the money should be used to buy a used truck and engage it on quarry business at Akamkpa, Cross River State but others said no, giving various reasons including insincerity of truck drivers. Other suggestions were made until his 3rd son, aged 19 made the ultimate suggestion. He suggested the money be invested on “Otongtong”. Don’t consult your dictionary except you have an Oro version.
Otongtong is the nick name for heavy duty musical set. It was unanimously agreed that a set be bought to be put up for hiring for weddings, burials and other ceremonies. The family therefore settled for otongtong business. It should be noted however, that every component of the musical set that was bought was state of the arts – from the mixer, speakers, kaossilator, virtual modular synthesizers, audio signal processor, home theater, amplifiers etc. The most important part is that the aforementioned equipments were all assembled not by Samsung, Sony or any of the electronic giants in South Korea, Japan, USA or China but by NAMOBA Electronics in Akwa Ibom State.
 |
| Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State |
It didn’t take time for the business to boom. Activities ranging from Midweek services of various churches, traditional marriages, burials, Weddings and other church activities all provided patronage. In fact the business boomed to the extent that Mr. Mkpa on one occasion during a traditional marriage was moved to tears of joy as he watched people dancing to the tune Nobody Can Stop Reggae. There he was, watching people dancing in frenzy; as he fiddled with the lump of cash in his side pocket which he was paid in advance for his musical set, he shed tears of gratitude to God and his children for suggesting Otongtong Business. Yes life has improved even better than when he was in teaching service. He was also thankful to government that paid his gratuity which he has invested wisely. He was happy complete with some bottles of Harp lager beer by his side. He took a long sip from his forth bottle and turned to his wife who was beside him and shaking his head happily he told madam “indeed, nobody can stop reggae”. Who would dare when the family business was booming?
But two or so years later, customers could no longer hire “Otongtong” from the Mkpas. They could no longer find them. Otongtong has closed down, reggae stopped. Family members and outsiders alike who were employed by Otongtong ranging from DJ, Electrical Wirer/Generator Operator and Shapiro(now Keke) Driver that ferried the equipment, all now jobless. What went wrong with such a booming service oriented business? Could it be mis-management or lack of support mechanism?
Although Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector is strategically positioned to absorb up to 80% of jobs, improve per capita income, increase value addition to raw materials supply, improve export earnings and step up capacity utilization in key industries most SMEs in Nigeria die within their first five years of existence. A smaller percentage goes into extinction between the sixth and tenth year, while only about five to ten percent survive, thrive and grow to maturity. The reason for this may not be far-fetched. The Musical set hiring business which disappeared shortly after boom is not isolated. Many Small and Medium Enterprises in AKS which dotted our landscape between the 80s and early 2000 are all nowhere to be found. Even the NAMOBA Electronics (A Medium Size) company from which the Mkpa’s bought their world class musical sets has vanished. Most of the locations and warehouses formerly belonging to these companies have been converted to places of worships. No wonder President Buhari approved official exchange rate of 197 naira to the dollar for Hajj to Mecca and Pilgrimage to Jerusalem but over 350naira as exchange rate for businesses.
However, in line with its policy thrust of job creation, the Udom’s administration is intent on growing this most important sector. It is also sharply aware of the problems of SMEs which include but not limited to insufficient capital, inadequate market research, poor market linkage, lack of proper book keeping, poor internal control, poor access to the right tools, plant and machinery among others. It has taken steps to address these issues by putting in place two key agencies to address the problems and support the creation of sustainable jobs.
AKEES – Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme which employs the model of earning while learning mode came into being sometime last year and has created about 1300 self sustaining jobs and still counting. AKMEDA – Akwa Ibom Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency as the name implies would focus on enterprise development when it commences operations.
When Myanmar started its industrialization program a few years back not many took it seriously. But FY 2015 Myanmar’s economic growth was put at 7.2% despite heavy flooding during the period. It is projected to grow to over 8.6% FY 2016 which placed its growth rate among first 10 in Asia. The reason is clear. Like Udom’s administration Myanmar’s Government was quick to recognize the importance of SMEs in industrialization. Key support institutions were established and within a few years SMEs now make up 99.4% of Myanmar’s industries.
Gov Udom’s administration is leaving no stone unturned it its desire to create jobs for its citizens. By establishing these key institutions to develop the SMEs sector, we believe it is on the right track to achieving an enduring success in its industrialization and job creation policies. This writer calls on the people to take advantage of institutions put in place by the government to support businesses development. While preparing their minds to explore opportunities that may be provided by AKMEDA, the people are encouraged to key into the activities of AKEES which is already working hand in hands with a number of enterprises with astounding results.
James Abang Writes
From Atte-Village Urueoffong/Oruko LGA
(08068222243 SMS)
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