NIGERIA AND THE WORLD OF WORK
“There is benefit in every kind of hard work . . . ” –Proverbs 14:23.
‘WHATshall I do with the rest of my life?’ We often find ourselves confronted with this challenging question in our youth. A confusing array of choices present themselves – Should I go into Agriculture/Farming? Should I become an Author? Should I become a Banker? Should I go into Business? Should I become a Computer Specialist? a Doctor? an Educator/Teacher? an Engineer? A Journalist? A Lawyer? A Nurse? A Tailor? and so forth. And you may feel like the youth who said: “What I consider to be successful . . . is maintaining the comfort level that you grew up with.” Or like other youths, you may dream of improving your financial lot in life.
God’s Word, the Bible, in Ecclesiastes Chapter 9, Verse 10 recommends: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do
with all your might . . . .” Work – whether paid or unpaid, is good for our health and well-being. It contributes to our happiness, helps us to build confidence and self-esteem, and can reward us financially. Work is an essential tool through which individuals can achieve their goals, flourish, and live happy, meaningful lives.
Work has different dimensions, such as work for making a living and work for developing one’s talent and potential. Thus, based on the age, circumstances, needs and desires of individuals, work, or labour, takes different shapes. Work is a virtue and necessity, which requires the utilization of time and energy. Man is in control of his time and energy when he voluntarily and constructively works. The Bible emphasizes the importance of work when it says, among other things, at 2 Thessalonians, chapter 3, verses 10 to 12 that: “ . . . if anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat . . .” This scripture condemns laziness. We need to work to make a living and provide for our families. Work provides the individual with the ability to be independent, to flourish, to develop, and most importantly, to find a meaning to life.
However, there are many problems seriously affecting work and workers in Nigeria today. These include: unemployment, poor remuneration/wages, poor working environment and conditions, casualization of workers, among others. Many people experience poverty and unemployment through no fault of their own. Many who are able to work, willing to work hard, and even actively searching for work, are still unable to find work – they are unemployed!
Unemployment and poverty are two of the major problems currently plaguing Nigeria’s economy and its society. Nevertheless, despite the high rate of unemployment and poverty, the situation is not necessarily hopeless. People can still find some meaningful work to engage in, even though it may be small. And, as one talented Nigerian musician, Sonnie Smyth, sang in his music video entitled: ‘NO WAHALA’: “No wahala, e go better, after today, I go see tomorrow o!”
If you are unemployed, or cannot find a job in your area of particular interest, it is wise to consider looking for a job in other areas, even if the job is considered ‘menial’. Do not allow false pride to let you look down on a job – as beneath your dignity. Any legitimate service that can benefit others, and that people are willing to pay for, can be considered as an alternative job opportunity when jobs are scarce.
Daniel Ighakpe, Farmer, Teacher and Health Worker,
FESTAC Town, Lagos
