By Chioma Iruke
Nigerians have been urged to embrace online entrepreneurship to boost the nation’s economy even as economies of the world are gradually recuperating from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The call was made by the CEO and GMD of Bricks to Cribs & Bar (BTCBARS) Akarah Ebenezer Ulochukwu during a virtual interview with journalists in Lagos.
“Online entrepreneurship will definitely be a plus to Nigeria’s economy. This is because everyone can do it. It is not secluded to the elites or enlightened anymore,” he emphasised.
If this path was towed, the CEO said, it would be a soothing relief for the nation, seeing that so many youths are out of jobs, a situation orchestrated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He further implored the government to consider such new age ventures, create more opportunities for people to learn, and enact policies that would aid people to give room for more entrepreneurs to emerge.
As the founder of the Royal Niger Green Farms foundation, Akarah, described online entrepreneurship as every other kind of business opportunity.
“It is time-taking, risky, requires dedication and hard work. It is definitely not a get-rich quick scheme as some people have been made to believe,” he emphasised.
For the CEO, today’s world is different. Hence, with a new age comes a new way of doing things. “The internet has taken over, and it’s only right that we exploit opportunities that it offers us.
“The world is now connected globally, giving you access to the other parts of the continents in just a click,” continuing that this globalisation is one of the main ingredients in this sort of entrepreneurship. “You can buy, sell, trade, discuss, and sign deals almost immediately.”
In a swift switch, he shared an insight into BTCBARS, which is a group of companies invested in making impacts in various sectors including real estate, agriculture, entertainment, logistics, finance, and a few other industries.
With an aim to create a stable market that offers high-quality and reliable services and products, he enthused, “Our main goal is to be a pathway to financial freedom in Africa.”
Its group of companies include BTCBARS, a real estate firm; Afri D Ltd, a courier and logistics company; ZL Empire Ltd, our entertainment arm of the group; Afri Festival Ltd, African Financial Revolutionary Innovators (AFRI); and Royal Niger Green Farms, an agricultural investment firm.
“We also have ZILLYBRAIN — this is a branding for my stocks business they nicknamed me the Blackwolf of Wall Street. ZEE AUTOS LTD- we do car mortgaging. ZL SOUNDS is a record label,” he highlighted.
In what he termed a wake up call to the youth, the GMD suggested, “You should be willing to take your time, experiment, see what works for you, and everyone you choose to work with.”
According to this youth business guru, in the end, it is a transaction, and that can’t be done alone. Hence, he chipped in, “Take your time, learn, adapt, and innovate.”
