Guidelines on making good investment decisions

Running a successful business means having to make tough financial decisions. ADEMOLA ALAWIYE highlights some guidelines to be considered in making such decisions. Sometimes it’s hard to predict the outcome of your decisions, more so if you don’t have a great deal of experience in that particular area. Although it is practically impossible for one to be 100 per cent infallible in predicting a good or bad investment, it is possible to narrow down the playing field by following basic principles while investing. Experts note that this will help beginning or advanced investors to ensure a margin of error when investing their funds for a good return earning. It is therefore important for an investor to adopt the basic principles of making good investment decisions if he wishes to trim his risks and make considerable progress in his venture. Business professionals say whether it is cheap insurance, good insurance or just plain savings bonds, in today’s unstable economy, one cannot ever be 100 per cent certain in investing. They, however, note that choosing wisely will definitely be an asset in achieving success or avoiding financial disaster and cutting risks. Below are simple tips to making excellent investment decisions in an unstable economy. Take enough time to think At the moment, Nigeria’s economy is unstable and harsh to businesses. Businessmen, in separate interviews, often complain of the unfriendly economic policies which they have to contend with in order to survive. As a result, they note that whoever wishes to invest in Nigeria must take enough time to think through what venture he plans to dabble into. Investing in one’s future is definitely not something to just plunge into without a careful thought and consideration. Experts say the lightening-fast nature of the Internet is conducive and geared towards convincing surfers to make quick and impetuous decisions. Consequently, this fact needs to be on one’s mind continuously before making any investment decision as any error might be regretted. Of course, no one loves to regret in business. How much risk can you take? You should know how much risk you are willing to tolerate in whatever business you do. Knowing the difference between an average savings/money market account and investment vehicles which form part of a portfolio is vitally important when making successful investment decisions, experts say. So, as an investor, are you ready to take risks? The Managing Director, Silex Limited, Mr. Steve Obong, says that calculated risks should be taken in business to succeed. According to him, every form of investment has its associated risks, and any investor should be ready to undertake such risks, but shrewdly. Never give up easily Do not succumb to pressure in business. You must understand that every business has its own pressure and it is not wise to give up easily after encountering some challenges. Generally, families, friends and the shoe-shine boy on the street will all offer financial advice. Most of it will not be qualified, expert advice. Most of them will know of a cheap insurance policy, promising stock or a well-performing company that has good future potential. Whatever they may advise or try to push, in order to avoid bad investments, it is crucial for a person not to succumb to outside pressure. Put in your best and be wise. Undertake detailed research before investing Experts advise that in today’s highly volatile economic environment, it is necessary to carefully research into a particular financial vehicle which carries out one’s financial goals the most. Meticulously checking out the specific investment offers, competitive offers from other sources and how well the investment is performing is a crucial prerequisite. You should ensure a detailed research before investing in any form of venture. Also important is to painstakingly research the reputation, integrity and track record of the financial institution offering the investment. Experts say this is just as important as the investment itself. Some of the basic tips for this include taking the time to implement a savings and/or an investment plan with a diversified portfolio; determining how much risk one is willing to assume: research which investments are insured, non-secured and/or low-risk; and never bow to friendly advice if it does not adhere to your short, medium or long-range goals. Are you adventurous? The Managing Consultant, Beatrex Consultants, Mrs. Beatrice Okolie, says many of our entrepreneurs want to sit in a place and expect things to work out fine. She notes that you must have a dream and that dream must influence your entrepreneurial vision. She says, “The moment you have that dream, you should understand that it doesn’t come easy, you must drive it. What do I mean by driving it? It is not going to be easy. So, how do you as an entrepreneur identify your priority? Even in the face of making it, when the returns begin to come in, how do you determine your priority? Do you forget where you are coming from? What informs your taste? You have to be adventurous. When people talk of lack of funds, I laugh. You see, when you talk of lack of funds, I see it as the least of all your problems. The idea that you want to develop as an entrepreneur is key and paramount.” She explains that one needs to diagnose the efficacy, relevance, workability and feasibility of one’s idea. She states that these are the issues that many entrepreneurs tend to push aside and they begin to talk about the issue of funds. “People talk about issues of policy and infrastructure, but these are only essential and secondary, they are not primary,” she adds. She notes that as an entrepreneur, one must have the drive and understand one’s dream and idea. She says, “Why are you in this business? Can you explain or is it because your brother, sister, or uncle is doing it? No! If you go into business because of that, you have messed up everything and your problem starts from there. So, when you have gotten your idea right, you can now talk of money or funding." Please leave a comment.

Team work will Give Eagles Edge - Lawal.

Super Eagles Ex-international Garba Lawal maintains teamwork will be key to the Super Eagles’ chances of beating Ethiopia to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Ethiopia host Nigeria in the first leg World Cup qualifying playoff in Addis Ababa on October 13 with the return match in Calabar on November 16. The aggregate winners qualify for the world showpiece. And Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medallist Lawal fears the high altitude in Ethiopia could deny Nigeria a chance to beat the North-East Africans in Addis Ababa on Sunday to go into the return fixture with an advantage if the Eagles resort to individual play. The Ghana/Nigeria 2000 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist insists the Eagles must play for 90 minutes if they are to leave Ethiopia with points. He warned the Eagles that the Walya Antelopes could adopt tactics that would suit their weather to pick up victory and opt for a defensive game in Calabar, urging them not to lose focus. “The Eagles must be very careful about the Ethiopians because the high altitude favours them,” the utility former Eagles midfielder said. “We must play as a team in Addis Ababa because the Ethiopians will attack us with power and pace in an attempt to score an early goal to disorganise us. “Our players must concentrate throughout the encounter. They mustn’t lose focus but fight for the ball because it’s the only way we can stop them from taking advantage of their weather. “The Ethiopians will do everything possible to win the first leg at home and frustrate us in the second leg. “We must play for 90 minutes and avoid mistakes in the defence. And we mustn’t underestimate them because in football anything is possible.” The well-travelled ex-Roda star backed Stephen Keshi’s squad for the two-legged playoff, saying he should not be put under pressure for not inviting the likes of Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Joseph Yobo. Lawal said, “Keshi is the coach and his decision should be respected. We don’t have to dictate to him because if anything goes wrong, he’s the one to blame. “If he believes that the players he has invited are good enough to give the country a ticket to the World Cup, we should respect his decision. “Keshi has been winning matches with the players he has invited and we shouldn’t criticise him for not inviting a particular player. “The players we are talking about could hit form and Keshi will have no choice but to invite them to the national team.” More Stories in Sports Play Ethiopia hard, Hamilton tells

Play Ethiopia hard, Hamilton Tells Eagles

Former Super Eagles coach, Paul Hamilton Former Nigeria coach, Paul Hamilton, has advised the Super Eagles to play the East Africans hard in their first leg fixture of the World Cup qualifying playoff in Addis Ababa on October 13. Hamilton, who backed Nigeria’s plan to arrive in Ethiopia on the eve of the match, told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday that the Eagles were not likely to suffer from altitude problem in the game. He said, “The Ethiopians are not the team we used to know; they have got over their problems and are now a team to be reckoned with. We must play them hard and not underrate them. “It is important to win the World Cup ticket in Addis Ababa so that our players will not be under pressure in the return leg fixture in Calabar (on November 16).” The last time Nigeria played in Addis Ababa, they forced the Ethiopians to a 2-2 in the qualifier for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The Eagles beat the Walya Wolves 2-0 in their group game at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Hamilton said the Walya Antelopes’ resurgence was based on the development of their domestic league and good home support. “They always try to make Addis Ababa a fortress when they host other teams. We’ve known this fact for a long time. And we also know that to beat them, you must overwhelm them from the start,” he said. “I appreciate the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to convey our team to Ethiopia a day before the game on a chattered flight. This will eliminate the fears of altitude among our players. “I don’t think there’s a need for a friendly game before going to Ethiopia. Our players have club engagements in Europe and in Nigeria. By now, Stephen Keshi must have adopted his tactics ahead of the game.” The ex-Super Falcons coach urged Nigerians to respect Keshi’s decision regarding the players he has invited for the encounter. “Whether Joseph Yobo, or any other player, is coming back or not should be a decision left for the coach. Nobody should influence him in that aspect,” Hamilton said.

Natinal Conference: NMA, there should be no restrictions

NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele | credits: www.channelstv.com The Nigerian Medical Association, on Sunday, said it would back President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed national dialogue. It however advised that there should not be restrictions as to areas of discussion, adding that Nigerians from all walks of life should be given opportunity to freely participate in the discussions. NMA National President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said this in Benin, Edo State, shortly after he led the leadership of the association on a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Sunday. He said, “We cannot afford to bungle this opportunity especially as Nigeria prepares to celebrate her centenary anniversary. Nigerians, irrespective of their political, ethnic or cultural persuasions must be allowed to make input.” The national leadership of the Trade Union Congress has demanded the discussion of the unity of the country and its existence by the proposed national conference. However, the National President of the TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, and the Secretary of the congress, Mr. Musa Lawal, said in an electronics mail on Sunday that the outcome of the conference must represent the interest of the Nigerian citizenry and move the nation forward. The TUC leadership also demanded the inclusion of a representative each from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the TUC in the confab committee led by Senator Femi Okurounmu. According to the labour leaders, critical issues such as the revenue allocation, the system of governance and cost, power sharing formula, corruption and other issues considered inseparable from the nation’s existence must be dealt with at the confab. The duo also called on delegates to give due attention to the state of the nation’s economy, the scourge of poverty, important sectors including power, health and education. Kaigama and Lawal urged the prospective delegates at the expected conference to display the virtues of statesmanship and maturity in discussing the issues of critical importance to the well being of the nation. They also appealed to Nigerians to be considerate in articulating the interest of their constituents with due consideration to those of others without endangering the unity of the country. “The congress anticipates that issues to be discussed at the conference to include the basis of our unity and existence as a nation, the system of government and the power-sharing formula, our geopolitical and fiscal federalism, citizenship, the electoral and representative system, the cost of governance, security, corruption, boundary adjustment and foreign policy, freedom of faith and other fundamental human rights. “Similarly, we charge the delegates to conscientiously consider and take unequivocal resolutions on our economy and the poverty index, our roads and other means of transport, as well as power, education and health sectors. “Nigerians expect the delegates to be mindful to display requisite broadmindedness and statesmanship in their dealings at the conference. They said that the TUC was not against the National Dialogue proposed by the President considering the challenges confronting the nation. Also, the outgoing Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Makinde, has called on the Federal Government not to postpone the planned national conference. He said this during the investiture of Most Reverend Samuel Uche as the new prelate of the church on Sunday in Lagos. He described the conference as a key factor for peace and unity of Nigeria. Makinde said, “Convergence of national conference is imperative for the country. If we do not hold it, we are postponing the evil day.” He, however, called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the ongoing strike embarked on by lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. however, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties has called on the President of the Senate, David Mark, to come to President Jonathan’s rescue stopping the proposed national conference. It made this call on Sunday in a statement where it argued that the proposed conference, from all intents and purposes, “is diversionary, a bridge to no-where and which might be hijacked by ethnic merchants.” In the statement signed by the CNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the group said that the desires of Nigerians would not be achieved by the proposed conference, “as ethnic merchants dominate the 13-man Prep-Committee and its intention is not sovereign.” The statement read in parts, “For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria has never since after the civil war been as divided as it is now; we are in no doubt at a tipping-point of frustration and rudderless leadership. “However, the solution to pervasive corruption, crass inequality, gross unemployment and mass poverty is not a conference bridge to no-where. “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Prof. Awalu Yadudu and other patriots had decried this unnecessary building of bridge to no-where.” “It is not only going to split discussion into tribal jargons, but will not achieve critical legislations which Senator Mark promised Nigerians on June 6, 2011, during his inaugural speech as the second term President of the Senate and chairman of the National Assembly. “The charter he reeled out then, like the Magna Charter of 1225, remains relevant today and can be legislated by the national and state assemblies to strengthen our federation, strengthen our economy, strengthen our institutions, reduce the cost of governance and fight corruption etc. The CNPP, therefore, called on Mark to bail out President Jonathan and Nigerians by honouring the covenant he made to Nigerians, “instead of supporting a conference bridge to no-where.”

Nigeria’s Amalgamation Expires In 2014

The amalgamation of southern and

northern Nigeria by the British was to be experimented for 100 YEARS to know

if it’s going to work or not, according to the secret government document the

British left after independence.

Although the document is kept secret,

this fact is generally known to the ruling class, most dons of political

science and law as well as the government of UK. However, there has been

consistent efforts by Nigerian government to keep this knowledge out of

public as it may lead to agitation for breaking the country into two i.e.

pre-1914 status especially by those in the south.

The awareness of this document and

the closeness of 2014 has been causing panic among the Northern elites; this

panic was behind the recent comment by the senate president that Nigeria will

not break up.

It was also behind the warning by NBA

president when he said in Benin this week that Nigeria may break-up. Even

pres. Jonathan is nervous about this fact; remember that he kept on saying

that Nigeria will not break-up. Also, it was the real reason behind the

northern governors recent security meeting in Kaduna, according to some

sources.

All these sudden talks about Nigeria

breaking or not breaking up by the political leaders including the president

show how anxious they are about the implications of the document and the

closeness of almighty 2014. On the international scene, the knowledge of this

document was behind the prediction by American diplomats that Nigeria will

break-up in 2015. The US army is also preparing on how to respond to the

possible break up of Nigeria.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE DOCUMENT

1. BY 2014, NIGERIA WILL NO LONGER LEGALLY EXIST

2. NIGERIA WILL BE BACK TO PRE-1914 STATUS OF TWO STATES OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

AND NORTHERN NIGERIA BOTH LEGALLY AND TECHNICALLY, ALTHOUGH THE RULING ELITES

MAY IGNORE THIS REALITY EXCEPT THERE IS REVOLUTION FROM THE PEOPLE.

3. PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN AND NORTHER NIGERIA MUST COME TOGETHER TO ENTER A NEW

AGREEMENT UNDER THEIR OWN TERMS.

4. JOIN THE REVOLUTION, SHARE THIS ON *****

Governor Wada Urges Jonathan To Resurrect Ajaokuta Steel Company

GOVERNOR Idris Wada of kogi State has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to resurrect the ailing Ajaokuta steel company in order to serve as the bedrock of the industrialization policy of his transformation agenda.

Governor Wada disclosed this while speaking during the official commissioning of the NIPP 434 MW Geregu phase 11 Power Station in Ajaokuta local government area of the state by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the timely completion of the Ajaokuta steel company would be of great assistance to the newly commissioned Geregu power station in terms of stable power to the company in carrying out of his main function of producing steel and Iron ore needed in the steel sub-sector of the nation economy.

According to the governor, “the Geregu power station is unique because the project is jointly owned by the three tiers of government of which Kogi state is a partner and I want to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for picking Kogi state to host one of the ten power stations of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited [NDPHC].

Wada urged the president to approve the establishment of free enterprise zone in the state in order to encourage investors to take full advantage of the power station by establishing small-scale industries in the state as they would be assured of constant power supply in the discharged of their duties.

Governor Wada Urges Jonathan To Resurrect Ajaokuta Steel Company

GOVERNOR Idris Wada of kogi State has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to resurrect the ailing Ajaokuta steel company in order to serve as the bedrock of the industrialization policy of his transformation agenda.

Governor Wada disclosed this while speaking during the official commissioning of the NIPP 434 MW Geregu phase 11 Power Station in Ajaokuta local government area of the state by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the timely completion of the Ajaokuta steel company would be of great assistance to the newly commissioned Geregu power station in terms of stable power to the company in carrying out of his main function of producing steel and Iron ore needed in the steel sub-sector of the nation economy.

According to the governor, “the Geregu power station is unique because the project is jointly owned by the three tiers of government of which Kogi state is a partner and I want to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for picking Kogi state to host one of the ten power stations of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited [NDPHC].

Wada urged the president to approve the establishment of free enterprise zone in the state in order to encourage investors to take full advantage of the power station by establishing small-scale industries in the state as they would be assured of constant power supply in the discharged of their duties.

Obama Asks Republican to "Stop This Farce".

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama called on Republicans Saturday to “stop this farce” as the US government shutdown entered a fifth day with no signs of an end to the impasse. With public discontent building, the House of Representatives voted 407 to 0 to pass a measure to retroactively pay the hundreds of thousands of government workers furloughed during the crisis. But there were no overt movements by Republicans and Democrats to negotiate a way out of the first federal government shutdown in 17 years, as both sides blamed each other. “Take that vote. Stop this farce. End this shutdown now,” Obama exhorted the Republican-controlled House in his weekly radio and video address. Eric Cantor, the number two Republican in the House, said the impasse could be worked out but Obama “seems to be unwilling to sit down and talk with us.” “It doesn’t make any sense if the president has an ax to grind with the opposing party, why he would want to put the American people in the middle of that,” he said. The US government closed all but its essential operations earlier in the week when Republican lawmakers refused to approve money for government operations without first delaying or defunding the new health care law, commonly known as Obamacare. The US Senate has already approved a budget, and “there are enough Republican and Democratic votes in the House of Representatives willing to do the same, and end this shutdown immediately,” Obama said. “But the far right of the Republican Party won’t let Speaker John Boehner give that bill a yes-or-no vote.” Obama said he “won’t pay a ransom in exchange for reopening the government. And I certainly won’t pay a ransom in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.” Obama is refusing to negotiate with Republicans over the budget issues until they pass a temporary bill to open the government and agree to raise the $16.7 trillion US statutory borrowing limit - without which Washington could default on its debts for the first time ever starting on October 17. “For as reckless as a government shutdown is, an economic shutdown that comes with default would be dramatically worse,” Obama said. But some Republican pragmatists who have signaled they would vote to pass a fresh spending bill worried that such a resolution is no longer achievable. “I think that ship has sailed,” Congressman Michael Grimm said Friday. “We’re getting too close to the debt ceiling vote. It looks like the only thing that’s going to work right now is a dialogue.” Boehner on Friday appeared to be equally frustrated. “This isn’t some damn game,” he said after a news report cited an unnamed official saying that the White House is benefiting from the shutdown. “All we’re asking for is to sit down and have a discussion, reopen the government and bring fairness to the American people under ‘Obamacare,’” Boehner said. Secretary of State John Kerry, travelling in Indonesia, warned Saturday that the political standoff was “reckless” and threatened to weaken the US standing abroad. “If it were prolonged, or repeated, people would begin to question the willingness of the United States to stay the course and its ability to,” Kerry told reporters at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum on the Indonesian island of Bali. “But that’s not the case and I don’t think it will be the case.” Obama had been due to travel to Bali for an APEC leaders’ summit starting Monday, but canceled the trip - which would also have taken him to Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines - to deal with the government shutdown. Kerry, who is filling in for Obama, made it clear he believed that the Republicans blocking government spending were playing a dangerous game. “I think it is reckless, personally, to even provide those moments where you have these risks that are exposed,” Kerry said, referring to areas of spending on global security hotspots that have been suspended because of the shutdown. Kerry also insisted that Obama’s so-called strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific had not been weakened by the president canceling his trip. Meanwhile Kerry’s predecessor, former secretary of state and possible 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, decried the “scorched earth” tactics in the government shutdown. “We watch what happens in Washington with a certain amount of bewilderment, even disgust,” she said late Friday in a speech at Hamilton College in the town of Clinton, in upstate New York. “The rest of the world watches it closely. When we let partisanship override citizenship, when we fail to make progress on the challenges facing our country, our standing in the world suffers,” Clinton said.