Introduction: It is a good day. Welcome yet again to our Q & A online rendezvous. I hope you are gleaning courage and wisdom from our servings. I want to make this episode of ASK THE BOSS as straight to the point as possible!
It is an honour to lead this commission. We are forever in charge and on top. Just today, I received a mail that pushed me into gear three. Please, come with me, so we check out the anonymous entry:
1.0 ‘My One & Only Boss’, the guy opens. ‘I have followed you for a long time. I regret that ASK THE BOSS has not been as consistent as everything related to you. I understand, though.
2.0 ‘However, I am sure you won’t mind taking time off your break-for-politics to guide me through my current dilemma. The Boss, I am 32 years old. I hail from … State. I hold a first degree in Mass Communication from Nigeria’s Number One University, UNN.
3.0 ‘Seven years after my NYSC, I hooked up with some of my childhood friends to set up a printing press in Port Harcourt. Two years into the business, things got so bad that my partners wanted out. I borrowed to pay them off. So, the last five years, it had been just the business and me; no partners, no help!
4.0 ‘Frustrated, I joined politics three years ago. I have been going home intermittently just to show up at events of my party. I am now rooting for one of those looking to take over governorship. I am very known within my Principal’s as well as outgoing governor’s circles.
5.0 The trouble though, so far, is that even this political escapism and well, political popularity, have not worked for me. I am yet to make any money, even in terms of patronage of the professional me at home and nationally where a man from my State is … . The worst part of this whole thing is that I am the leading foot soldier of this Abuja topshot!
6.0 ‘Then, three days back, something happened that has given me sleepless nights and days. The confidant of one of the frontline national opponents of the top Abuja politician of mine, contacted me with a proposal that they’d use my printing press all through their electioneering. The money involved is good, very good; with a proviso that they will pay me more should I contribute to their party. To be honest, Sir, I want to go the whole hog with this godsent breakthrough.
7.0 ‘Now, The Wise Boss, do you think I should flow along? Or, should I keep waiting? As is you always say, many thanks, Sir. God bless Nigeria!’
8.0 Wow. Great entry, my dear Anony. Let’s get this straight. Go for what you want.
9.0 That’s my take and I mean it. And I should know. This may not be about me but your story dovetails fittingly with mine. So, I am appropriately, if not best, positioned to advise you. With the benefit of hindsight and personal experience, I tell you today: GO FOR THE MONEY.
10.0 I have written that in caps so that you don’t miss it. GO FOR THE MONEY, I say. Run now to those people before they change their mind. You are in business.
11.0 Leave all that eye-service morality or fear of what those who know you in politics would say. Those guys don’t really care about us. Plus, more importantly, eye-service morality cannot pay your bills. Neither can you preach the benefits of this morality to your staff members every month end when they expect to be paid their salaries.
12.0 Alas, I don’t understand your dilemma. If the man from your state who sits high up there and your political party have never availed themselves of your business and professional capacity, why do you bother whether they would misconstrue this one patronage that is clearly a godsend? Which brings me to one point I can never tire of making. Business men and women (those with real bias for business) must never ever want anything to do with politics.
13.0 Politics and business are like oil and water: they never mix, ever. The Dangotes, the Elumelus, the Adenugas (name them) belong to no political party, stricto senso; but you and I know that anyone who succeeds in getting into power in this country looks for them. My point? Leave politics.
14.0 Grow your business into a mega-brand. Once you reach that height, every political advantage shall be added on to you. It might sound selfish but that’s how these things work, in this clime.QUE
Conclusion: Mixing business with politics can hurt your life, terminally. Ask MKO Abiola. Learn from him. Always play the game with sense and self-love.
My last word? Don’t be a guinea pig. Face your business. Successful business execs dine with kings they didn’t make or know before their kingdom came.
There’s also the flip side of the coin, I must remind you: the hard choice; the one I have made, in my own case. Let me warn that if you decide against all odds to damn everything and stay with politics, you must also prepare for the consequences, which I can confirm are no child’s play. Voila, the power of life and death is in your hands. Even as I wish you well, please choose life that you may live.
God bless Nigeria!
Editor’s note: This piece was written in the year 2014. It has been edited slightly!
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