Today we conclude my series as we consider "The positive Effect of religion on the business ecosystem" and the way forward.
It's been 3 awesome days of sharing my thoughts and expressing my opinions on such a sensitive topic.
Such an opportunity to speak freely is very rare therefore I want to thank the Convener of the Gathering of Thinkers, Amb Dr God'sgift.```
His leadership and foresight has made it possible for many highly cerebral minds to find a home of intellectual satisfaction in the Gathering of thinkers.
His passion for excellence has made the Ambassadors show become a fast rising Global brand.
I also want to heartily thank the moderator for this month, my own friend and padi, Amb. Theresa Adomi for her immense contribution to this platform, providing technical support throughout these three days of thinking.
The most valuable person I also want to recognize is YOU.
I am honored to be in such a beautiful international platform where people are not afraid to ask hard questions and question long held traditions.
Thank you Tessy, thank you Dr Gods gift. I am grateful for the privilege
Now to my discuss tonight,
What ways have religion helped the business ecosystem in Nigeria?
These are 7 ways I have found religion to be useful in our Nigerian business ecosystem.
1. Religion has built resilience into us as a country making us resilient and hopeful in dire business circumstances.
If you have ever sold anything in Nigeria before you will agree that the hope of a better future is what makes most persons keep hustling in spite of the numerous challenges that befall us as a country.
Our politics is failing us repeatedly, there are no social institutions to support us, and the only thriving institutions in Nigeria are religious institutions.
And these institutions have filled us with so much strength for a brighter future.
The words of encouragement and motivation we here from our clerics are often the mantra we recite to ourselves when facing business difficulties.
For Christians, "it is well" is always a valid response to any crisis.
The Muslims have theirs too.
Other religions have words they use to calm their selves in crisis.
These conditioning has made us strong and Victors in spite of our numerous business challenges.
It is a globally accepted fact that Nigerians are a resilient set of people.
The tough skin we have developed to weather the ups and downs that business brings can be rightly attributed to the seed of hope for a brighter future planted in us by our fervent devotion to God.
If you vividly recall the economic downturn presented by hike in cost of living,
It was the prayers of Nigerians and hope in God to turn things around that kept most businesses afloat and prevented many business owners from quitting.
Because even the government was helpless
2. Religion has given us some of the most honest persons in business.
No matter how hardworking you are, if you're business environment is filled with dishonest persons, you'll not thrive.
The energy and time that's supposed to be spent building your business will be spent on managing and curtailing fraud.
Religion has made this a lot easier by giving us honest devotees that are altruistic in their approach to life.
7 out of 10 Nigerians who refuse to give bribes, take bribes, cheat in exams, etc state a religious reason as a motivation for maintaining their integrity.
In Northern Nigeria where Islam is a dominant religion, HONESTY is the norm. The Muslims have a strong desire to be fair and just to their business partners. Hence, the average aboki that mends your clothes and shoes is very compassionate in negotiating price, and will be very unlikely to cheat you or give you exorbitant charge for his services.
The Muslims are not the only honest ones.
Many people of other faith in various banking institutions have been used as the human check and balance against fraud because the executives know that these persons are devotees and would rather lose their jobs than falsify records.
More money has been saved and generated because of these honest religious persons in the right offices.
3. Religious teaching on loyalty to authority has made employees to be more productive and committed
I know of some conservative Christian organizations that teach faithfuls to remain loyal to their bosses even to the point of refusing to participate in industrial actions.
These people may not be much in number but they are busy resuming early, putting in their best and making the most of the time they are paid for.
No business can thrive without loyal employees, and most a times these loyal staff learned loyalty from their places of worship.
The religious system of indoctrination makes it easy for people to follow orders, take instructions and be compliant.
This is the exact quality many employers want.
And the religious institutions have built this quality into their followers.
Such that when these followers are in businesses as employees, they remain loyal to their bosses.
4. Religion has popularized the franchise model of business
The multiplicity of different branches of churches have shown big cooperations that the best way to reach plenty customers at a time is to go where the customers are.
To establish independent units of operations in various environments where customers are, just like denominations do.
Hence there is an increase number of small businesses that use this same model of market penetration.
This pattern of market psychology and branding is the reason why coke, and many other big brands and ceaselessly pushing their businesses into the comfort zone of their prospective customers.
Just like JWs will come directly to your home to preach to you, banks have long adopted the same model of marketing, by sending sales representatives directly to the homes and places of interests where customer areare.
5. Religious tourism has brought economic activities to certain communities in Nigeria
The large cathedrals in Italy, and England.
The ancient oriental religious relics in Asia, the huge African traditional artifacts in museums has fetched large amounts of money for the countries that host them respectively.
Similarly, in Nigeria, religious tourism has created opportunities for smart people to earn a living.
For example, the big protestant auditoriums in Nigeria attract millions of people weekly, creating a market for traders to sell needed goods and services to these worshipers as they travel weekly on their journeys to and from these places.
A good example is the Lagos Ibadan express way that hosts a number of big campgrounds, the activities surrounding this campgrounds have generated profitable economic activity for those who are enterprising.
Another niche of business that is thriving because of religion is the the sound equipment section of the Nigerian market.
The greatest patronage of sound and huge video equipments are places of worship.
During August and December, there is a mass exodus of indigenous people from cities to their hometowns.
On the surface it looks like just a holiday trip, but with more diligent search, it becomes clear that a good number of people go "home" to carry out vital oblations and offerings to their ancestors for prosperity.
This cycle of traveling has created a bankable season of profit for livestock rearers, poultry farmers and those that sell sacrifice materials.
6. Religion Has Reduced Unemployment
The statistic of the number of staff on the pay role of all the religious institutions in Nigeria is impressive.
And the numbers are growing. This form of paid labor not only solves the unemployment problem in its own way, but offers a way for people interested in furthering their religious causes to earn a living from it why pile doing it.
With the rate of employment increasing, purchasing power will also increase, cash flow increases and then there is a revival in the economy.
7. Religion made literacy to increase, providing a common language of commerce
The adopting of English language as a primary means of communication in many religious houses is very important in the spread of the language across many cultures in Nigeria.
There's is almost no community in modern Nigeria where some form of English variant is not spoken This has made it easier to do business.
The spread of religion also came with education, and language.
The language barrier most businesses have to bridge to reach customers has been greatly reduced.
Way Forward
Well, just like any other human institutions, religion has had its share of use and abuse.
The effect on business as we have seen is both negative and positive.
A rational approach therefore would be to emphasize the benefits of religion on our businesses, and consciously discouraged and avoid the influence of the negative effects.
If we all allow ourselves to think and believe at the same time, our businesses will not suffer because of religion.
Read that statement again
If we all allow ourselves to think and believe at the same time, our businesses will not suffer because of religion.
It will rather thrive and grow because we use our religion as an advantage in our approach to business.
That my friends will be the end of my three days contribution to the Gathering of Thinkers.
Thank you all for your time and participation.
Thank you Dr Gods gift and Theresa for this golden opportunity.
If there is war and bloodshed how can businesses thrive?
By Amb. Ezra Ehoche
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