It is disturbing that Nigeria imports all the matches being used in the country at present, when all the facilities required for smooth production are locally available. Nigerian investors can exploit the opportunity of investing on this project.

Nigeria is the leading producer of Gum Arabic in West Africa. As well, it is the second largest world producer/exporter of Gum Arabic after Sudan. Gum Arabic (acacia senegalis) is a perennial tree found growing wild in large commercial quantity in the northern parts of Nigeria.

What a year! For many, it marked the end of the road but for others, it was a year in which they discovered new areas of strength and new survival strategies. Many flourished despite all the gloom. How one fared was largely determined by his perception and interpretation of the harsh business environment. Those who felt overwhelmed sank out of sight very fast while others who saw new opportunities in the year kept above water.

WHEN President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the bill establishing the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (Amcon), many stakeholders in the Nigerian economy heaved a sigh of relief that despite the delay, the much needed and much awaited Amcon would eventually take off.

AVAILABLE statistics of the United Nations show that 72% of Africans live under the most appalling conditions; in slums and squatter settlements without adequate shelter or basic services. Nigeria, according to world economic assessment, was rated 95th in terms of global competitiveness out of 128 countries involved in a survey, and global competitiveness is notably dependent on infrastructure.

THE number one reason that businesses fail is lack of cash. Period. End of story.
Strategy: Watch your cash flow and do whatever you can to protect it. You wouldn’t grow too fast if you didn’t have the cash, if you knew to watch the cash. You’d have good financial statements and review these on a regular basis. You would practice good control and make sure you weren’t overspending when you couldn’t afford it. And, you’d make sure you first had the cash flow automatically working before you took on any more projects or expansion. Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business.

UNDERSTANDING the price fluctuation of bonds is probably most confusing. In fact, many new investors are surprised to learn that a bond’s price changes on a daily basis, just like that of any other publicly-traded security. Up to this point, we’ve talked about bonds as if every investor holds them to maturity. It’s true that if you do this you’re guaranteed to get your principal back; however, a bond does not have to be held to maturity.

A lot of the things one gets told in this field sound contradictory. Just consider these: Work very hard and be serious with your business. Don’t take yourself too serious. Get fully enmeshed in what you are doing. This business is not your whole life, run it like a business and detach yourself. The problem is you need to do all these and then you wonder how to go about that.  How can you possibly work as hard as advised without the business taking over your entire life? How do you detach yourself from a business that takes almost all your waking hours especially at the early stages?