By Ayo Oyoze Baje
As millions of Nigerians groan under the current economic hardship, foisted on us by the sudden, rash removal of fuel subsidy back in May 2023 with the spin – off effects of high inflation rate, spiralling into the escalating costs of transportation, food items, sundry consumables and services, there are a few young entrepreneurs defying the odds to succeed as problem – solvers. We need to glean a lesson or two from them.
One of such is the 29 year-old Paul Godswill Jeremiah.In a recent encounter he revealed some facts about his professional background, what he currently does and his vision for the future. As the wise ones say, it is always good to hear from the horse’s mouth. He has therefore, responded to related questions. The taste of the pudding is really savoured in its eating. So, enjoy the conversation, in his own words:
On his background he stated that: “I’m from Akwa Ibom, but based in Lagos. I’m a student running a part – time programme at the University of Lagos, Distance Learning Institute (DLI).currently at the 300-Level studying Public Administration. My professions include photography, solar power gadgets installation, poultry farming as well as a marketer.
With specific regards to poultry farming he stated that: “My experience at the training was that I learnt to be a problem – solver as an entrepreneur, based on what to produce, how to produce it and who to produce them for.
“I learnt on how to become a successful poultry farmer, how to take care of the birds such as broilers, layers and cockerels. I also learnt of how the pen – house must be kept clean, which is going to be a daily routine. In the course of this training the platform became an eye- opener of what I did not know. But now I know and I understand what it takes to be an agribusiness poultry farmer. “
Furthermore , he shed more light of what he gained during the period of his IITA training program. Said he: “In the course of the training we were asked to write down our weaknesses and our fears, so as to face them, of which I did. I penned it down saying that ‘I can’t stand the smell of the faeces. But working on it helped me to overcome that challenge.”
Giving insight into what the IITA Training Program is all about he explained that: ” It is a youth empowerment program where we have department which is classified into three. We have the *Poultry class, the Aquaculture* and the Horticulture.”
When it comes to some relevant lessons he learnt, not just for production but that of sales he explained that: ” The number one key weapon to be a successful farmer is that one must have a good customer relationship which would lead to very fast and reliable services. Also, one must treat the customer as king. In fact, customers are very important to me because I place my client as the top priority.”
He decided during the training to focus on just poultry farming for now. But he needs government ‘s financial support to push his vision forward. As he stated : ” I need capital to expand the poultry business so I can put to use on what I have learnt “
On what the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, means to him, he has this to say: “IITA is more than an institution to me. It is a beacon of hope and progress. To me, it represents a place where knowledge, innovation, and passion for agriculture come together to create real impact. My time with IITA has opened doors to new perspectives, inspired a deep appreciation for research-based solutions, and strengthened my commitment to transforming agriculture in Africa.
” It is a community that nurtures growth, encourages collaboration, and empowers individuals to be part of something bigger than themselves. IITA has not only shaped my career path but has also instilled in me a sense of purpose and pride that is in contributing to sustainable development.”
On his piece of candid advice to the younger generation he highlighted that: “My advice to the Nigerian youth is this: First, discover your purpose and don’t wait for opportunities to come over to you. Try and create them by yourself. It is also important to learn a skill and mix wit the right people.”
On his plans for the future, he stated that: “Looking ahead, my goal is to grow both personally and professionally. I aim to continue developing my skills, embrace new learning opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to my community and country. I plan to pursue a career that aligns with my passions, whether in agriculture, entrepreneurship, or social impact, and use that platform to create solutions and empower others.
“In the long term, I hope to be a role model for the next generation—someone who not only achieves success but also uplifts others along the way. My future is driven by purpose, guided by values, and fueled by a deep desire to make a lasting difference.”
All said, it has become necessary for young Nigerians to reshape their vision away from fraudulent and frivolous lifestyles of yahoo yahoo, engaging in ritual murders for come-quick naira or getting involved in drug trafficking, to that of full focus, learning skills, resilience to succeed against all manner of challenges and standing tall to achieve success, as Jeremiah is currently doing. A word should be enough for the wise.