Fulham vs Man City: what this result means for Arsenal and the Premier league

This game turned out to be as expected, with everyone predicting that Man City will finally go top of the league ahead of Arsenal and continue their dominance going forward. It only took City 3 minutes to get the party started, as Fulham’s Tim Ream was negligent in his 18 yard box by tripping Julian Alvarez in the penalty box. Erling Haaland took the penalty and scored from the spot kick. 

Once the first blood was drawn, it was City all the way - in control of the majority of the possession and dictating the run of play. City made several attempts to double their lead with multiple attempts from Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker and Julian Alvarez but eventually, it was Fulham that got the equalizer in the 15^th minute of the game. The goal came from Vinicius, assisted by Harry Wilson. With that goal making it stalemate, the game was back on.

Mancity continued dominating possession; Fulham’s Tim Ream was then injured, taken off and was replaced by Issa Diop. There was also the Jack Grealish’s attempt that hit the cross bar. It is still crazy how an attempt hitting the crossbar is not regarded as an attempt on target. After, several attempts, City finally broke the deadlock by retaining their lead once again, through a Julian Alvarez’s shot from outside the box. He was assisted by Riyad Mahrez. The game was now 1 -2 in favour of Man City.

The attempts continued but Leno, Fulham’s goalkeeper kept Fulham in the game by making multiple vital saves. City dominated everything from possession to corners to attempts on target. However, Fulham kept pushing, hoping to get a better of their opponents of the day. There were also a few penalty shouts but they were not given. It however, ended the same way, with all the goals coming in the first half of the game.

How did both teams line up?

FULHAM

Fulham lined up with a 4-2-3-1 formation

The shot stopper, Bernd Leno was in goal; a back four of Kenny Tete, Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream, and Andonee Robinson. Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha played as defensive midfielders. Harry Wilson, Andreas Pereira and Bobby Reid supported Carlos Vinicius in attack.

MAN CITY

Man City lined up with Guardiola’s recent unique formation, 3-2-4-1

Ederson in goal, the back three of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Kyle Wlaker. Rodri and John stones played as defensive midfielders, while Jack Grealish, Ikay Gundogan, Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez played as attacking midfielders, supporting the goal machine, Erling Haaland as the lone striker.

What this victory means for City and the Premier league.

English Premier league table as at 30/4/23

With one less game played than Arsenal, this victory against Fulham officially takes Mancity to first position (on top of the Premier league), a position that Arsenal has occupied for so long this season. Mancity have played 32 games so far and have acquired 76 points, with a goal difference of 54 goals. They also have 4 draws and 4 losses. The only teams to have lost as few games as City thus far, this season are Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Mathematically, Arsenal can still win the league but faith is beginning to dwindle for the Arsenal faithfuls because of the understanding that once City are on top of the league, it is a one way traffic.

Premier League: Arsenal vs Mancity, Top of the league with a low mentality

 

An English Premier league match which everyone wanted to see today was the game between the contenders for the English Premier league title.

The current league leaders, Arsenal came into this game with a few unpleasant results, as they were expected to keep the momentum going in order to maintain the lead against a resilient Mancity team under Pep Guardiola. Rather, they drew their last 3 games against Liverpool, Westham United and Southampton, who are bottom of the league.

Despite all of these, the game with City, although not an easy game, could have changed Arsenal's fortune. What they needed was a proper game plan and most importantly; the right mentality 🧠

The party started early for Mancity, with Erling Haaland switching roles with Kevin DeBruyne by giving him an assist for the first goal, just within the first 7 minutes. 

A one goal lead doesn't mean much generally in football, as it can easily be overturned at anytime. However, anyone who watched that game could see that it was pretty much game over for Arsenal, as City kept on piling attack after attack. The Arsenal team that has been know through out the season to know how to put passes together couldn't even bark, talk more of bite.

And as expected, City scored a second goal from a set piece - Debruyne put in a beautiful cross past the Arsenal backline only for John Stones to head it in for 2 - 0. It was initially ruled out for offside but after the review by the VAR, City were rightly awarded the goal. 

Going into the locker room at this point, Arteta needed to say the right things and use the best strategy if he wanted to overturn this. Besides, both Liverpool and Westham came back from a two goal lead against Arsenal to draw the game. Nothing was stopping Arsenal from doing the same. After all, they were considered as tittle contenders. This was an opportunity to show how serious they were about winning the EPL.

What happened? City added more pain to the injury by extending their lead to 3 - 0. Some said at this point that it was game over but to be honest, it was pretty much game over from the beginning. The loss obviously didn't come from the score line. Rather, it came from the mentality of the Arsenal players. Arsenal showed no class and too much respect for City to say the least.

The only thing Arsenal could have bragged about at this point of the game was that at least they had restricted Erling Haaland from being on the score sheet.

After a few changes by both managers, Arsenal got a consolation goal, through an unexpected player, Rob Holding from a Trossard assist making it 3 - 1.

Eventually, bad turned to worse for Arsenal as Haaland finally did it. He scored late in the game to make it 4 - 1.

Erling Haaland

The game wasn't as interesting as a lot of football lovers or neutrals would have wanted, as everyone loves an underdog story. It was just sad seeing a team who are top of the table losing not just the game but the mind game as well. City played with class and finesse while Arsenal were just terrible, as their mentality was as clear as broad day light. The mentality of a small club, despite their great history and position on the table.

Despite the loss, Arsenal are still top of the league but Mancity still have 2 games in hand. A team with the right mentality would still keep their focus while hoping that City drop points. Rather, what is expected is that Arsenal go ahead to drop more points rather than turn things around. Perhaps we will have to wait till next season to see the title taken away from Mancity.

Battle of the top 4

On a different note, Newcastle are hoping to return to the Champions league despite being there last about 20 years ago. They made a clear statement after beating Tottenham hospur 6 - 1 in their last outing. 

After the humiliation by Newscastle, Tottenham had to save face by letting their Coach go. A further gesture was made by the club - they returned the money for the match tickets to their fans. Hopefully, this would be enough to turn things around at the Tottenham hospur stadium in their game against Machester United. 

The title race might just be over but the battle for the top 4 is definitely still on. Which clubs from England will progress to the Champions league? We just have to wait and see.

TECHNOLOGY: Twitter blue tick - How to get approved

 

The hottest news right now about one of the most popular social media software (twitter) is that a lot of its users, including celebrities like most popular footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo and popular Nigerian politician, Peter Gregory Obi had previously lost their twitter verification badges otherwise known as blue ticks due to Elon Musk's recent policy that the verification badge must be maintained by subscribing to it financially, contrary to the previous position where it was free for all. 

The subscription ranges from monthly ($8) to yearly subscription. For Nigerians, the yearly subscription is #38,500 (thirty-eight thousand, five hundred naira) at a certain percentage discount. This got the whole twitter community fuming, as it is rather strange to them that they would be paying for their accounts to be verified, as opposed to the earlier position when twitter was under the supervision of Jack Dorsey as the CEO. 

This policy, although may not have sat well with a lot of persons initially, especially those who were already verified and used to not paying for it, it is starting to gain support of persons who now see it as an opportunity to "rub shoulders" with celebrities and elites. With the current situation, a lot of unpopular people are getting verified while celebrities with over 10 million followers who did not pay are unverified. Influencers who lost their blue tick are now predicting that this will bring an end to twitter. Others who paid and just got verified for the first time in their life are calling it a welcome development.

Taka a look at what some verified users are saying:

@AltcoinGlitz is trying to confirm if more persons can see his/her post now 😅

@2MASX is throwing jabs at persons who haven't taken advantage of the blue tick yet.

More comments on the blue tick from @RippleyRippley

Elon Musk has also added another incentive to the verified users that: they will be prioritized. What this means is not clear yet. However, we are guessing that it means that the verified user's post will be ranked above others who are not verified. Meaning that anytime a verified person makes a post, he/she would reach a larger audience than one who is not verified. Another incentive available for verified users is that they now have access to making a post with more words that before. This means that anyone who is not verified is more restricted to making a post with fewer words. Although the fewer words requirement for twitter was meant to be a smart feature, as it requires someone to use few, engaging words to capture the audience, rather than make a post with long epistles. Well, I definitely cannot argue with one of the richest men in the world right now, as to his market strategies.

Although not completely verified as at the time of writing this, it is reported that celebrities who have above 1 million followers are beginning to have their blue tick back even without paying for the subscription. One thing is for sure, newly verified accounts are loving this development as they would love their comments and posts to be prioritized above others. Who wouldn't? As long as you don't see $8 (eight dollars) as a big deal, you would see it as an opportunity to be heard louder than the unverified twitter users. A business person or entrepreneur would see it an an opportunity to market their products.

For those who are are wondering; "what exactly is this Twitter blue tick?"

The Twitter blue tick, also known as the verification badge, is a symbol that appears next to a Twitter account's name, indicating that the account has been confirmed as authentic by Twitter. The blue tick is a status symbol on the platform, and it is highly sought after by individuals and brands alike.

Twitter first introduced the blue tick in 2009 as a way to verify the authenticity of high-profile accounts, such as those of celebrities, politicians, and journalists. Initially, the process of obtaining the blue tick was opaque and only available to a select few individuals deemed worthy by Twitter's staff. However, in 2016, Twitter opened up the verification process to all users, with the aim of making it easier for people to identify trustworthy accounts on the platform.

Procedure for applying

To apply for the blue tick, users must fill out a verification request form on Twitter's website. The form requires users to provide their name, birth date, a government-issued ID, and links to relevant websites that confirm their identity. Twitter states that accounts must meet certain criteria to be eligible for verification, including having a complete profile, a confirmed email address and phone number, and a profile picture and header image, and most importantly, your $8.

Despite the application process being open to all users, Twitter notes that receiving the blue tick is not guaranteed. Twitter states that verification is granted on a case-by-case basis and that not all requests will be approved. However, Twitter does provide a way for users to appeal a denied verification request.

Why get verified?

So why do people want the blue tick so badly? For one, it provides a sense of legitimacy to one's account. In a platform where anyone can create an account and pretend to be someone else, the blue tick offers a way to stand out as a verified and trusted source. This is particularly important for individuals and brands who rely on their Twitter accounts for business or personal branding purposes.

In addition, having a blue tick also comes with some practical benefits. Verified accounts receive higher priority in search results, making them more discoverable to other Twitter users. Verified accounts also have access to exclusive features, such as the ability to filter notifications and the ability to report impersonation of their account.

Despite the benefits of having a blue tick, the verification process has not been without controversy. In the past, Twitter has been criticized for its opaque and inconsistent approach to verifying accounts. In 2017, Twitter briefly suspended its verification program after receiving backlash for verifying the accounts of white supremacists and other controversial figures. Twitter later resumed the program with a new set of guidelines aimed at ensuring that the blue tick is only granted to accounts that are "of public interest."

More recently, Twitter has come under fire for its handling of verification requests from marginalized groups, such as transgender individuals and people of color. Critics have accused Twitter of having a bias towards verifying accounts that align with mainstream viewpoints and ignoring requests from marginalized communities.

To address these concerns, Twitter has made some changes to its verification process. In 2021, Twitter introduced new criteria for the blue tick that take into account a user's impact on their field, community, or culture. Twitter has also announced that it will be expanding the verification program to include more types of accounts, such as scientists, academics, and religious leaders.

To further add to the criticism, as mentioned earlier, it currently requires you to pay for it, despite fulfilling other requirements. 

Overall, the Twitter blue tick is a symbol of legitimacy and trust on the platform. While the verification process has had its share of controversies, Twitter has taken steps to make it more transparent and inclusive. As Twitter continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how the blue tick evolves with it and it's current CEO, Elon Musk.

The Benefits of the Start-Up Act for Start-Ups and Investors

 

Are you a start-up or investor looking for ways to boost your success? The Start-Up Act offers a range of benefits that can help you achieve your goals. Here are a few of them.

The Start-Up Act is a proposed bill that aims to support the growth of start-ups and small businesses in the United States. It was first introduced in 2011 by a bipartisan group of senators and has since been reintroduced several times. The latest version of the bill was introduced in March 2021 by Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Tim Scott.

The Start-Up Act proposes a number of measures that would benefit both start-ups and investors. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of the Start-Up Act for both groups.

Benefits for Start-Ups

1. Tax Credits for R&D: The Start-Up Act proposes to extend and expand the R&D tax credit for start-ups, allowing them to deduct up to $250,000 in R&D expenses from their federal taxes. This will encourage start-ups to invest in research and development, which is critical for their growth and success.

2. Immigration Reform: The Start-Up Act proposes to create a new visa category for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the United States. This will make it easier for start-ups to attract and retain talented individuals from around the world.

3. Access to Capital: The Start-Up Act proposes to increase access to capital for start-ups by allowing them to raise up to $20 million in crowdfunding without having to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This will make it easier and less expensive for start-ups to raise funds.

4. Streamlined Regulations: The Start-Up Act proposes to streamline regulations for start-ups, making it easier and less costly for them to comply with federal regulations. This will reduce the burden on start-ups, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses.

Benefits for Investors

1. Capital Gains Tax Exemption: The Start-Up Act proposes to exempt capital gains on investments in start-ups held for at least five years. This will encourage more investors to invest in start-ups, as they will be able to realize their returns without having to pay capital gains taxes.

2. Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS): The Start-Up Act proposes to make permanent the temporary 100% exclusion from capital gains taxes on QSBS. This will encourage more investors to invest in start-ups, as they will be able to realize their returns without having to pay capital gains taxes.

3. Investor Visa: The Start-Up Act proposes to create a new visa category for foreign investors who want to invest in start-ups in the United States. This will make it easier for start-ups to attract and retain foreign investors, who can provide much-needed capital and expertise.

4. Crowdfunding: The Start-Up Act proposes to increase the cap on crowdfunding from $1.07 million to $5 million. This will allow investors to invest more in start-ups through crowdfunding platforms, which will benefit both start-ups and investors.

Conclusion

The Start-Up Act is an important piece of legislation that has the potential to benefit both start-ups and investors. By providing tax credits for R&D, creating a new visa category for foreign entrepreneurs, increasing access to capital, and streamlining regulations for start-ups, the Start-Up Act will help start-ups grow and succeed. By providing capital gains tax exemptions, making the QSBS exclusion permanent, creating a new investor visa category, and increasing the cap on crowdfunding, the Start-Up Act will encourage more investors to invest in start-ups. Overall, the Start-Up Act has the potential to create a more supportive environment for start-ups and investors, which will help drive innovation and economic growth in the United States.

One vital question I feel should be asked and answered is: why does any country need a start-up act in the first place?

Having a startup act or a supportive legal framework for startups is important for several reasons:

1. Encourages entrepreneurship: A startup act can encourage and support entrepreneurship by providing a legal framework that makes it easier for startups to start and grow. This can lead to more innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

2. Provides clarity and certainty: A startup act can provide clarity and certainty for startups and investors by defining the legal requirements for starting and operating a startup. This can reduce legal and regulatory barriers and make it easier for startups to access funding and other resources.

3. Facilitates access to funding: A startup act can create tax incentives, grants, and other funding mechanisms that encourage investment in startups. This can help startups access the capital they need to grow and succeed.

4. Protects intellectual property: A startup act can provide legal protection for intellectual property, such as patents and trademarks, which can help startups protect their innovations and ideas.

5. Fosters international competitiveness: A supportive legal framework for startups can attract foreign investment and talent, making the country more competitive on the global stage.

6. Supports job creation: Startups are known for creating new jobs and driving economic growth. A startup act can provide a legal framework that encourages startups to hire and train employees, leading to job creation and economic development.

7. Encourages innovation: Startups are often at the forefront of innovation, developing new products, services, and technologies. A startup act can support this innovation by providing a legal framework that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and collaboration.

8. Promotes diversity and inclusion: A startup act can promote diversity and inclusion by creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship, such as women and minorities. This can help create a more inclusive and equitable startup ecosystem.

9.  Enhancesgovernment support: A startup act can enhance government support for startups by creating policies and programs that provide funding, mentorship, and other resources. This can help startups overcome the challenges they face in the early stages of development.

10. Drives economic growth: Ultimately, a supportive legal framework for startups can drive economic growth by encouraging innovation, job creation, and investment. This can benefit the country as a whole and contribute to its long-term prosperity.

In summary, having a startup act is essential for any country that wants to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. By providing a supportive legal framework, a startup act can encourage investment, job creation, and innovation, leading to long-term economic prosperity. Overall, a startup act can help create a more conducive environment for startups to thrive and contribute to the economy.

LOAN APPS: CBN and Google to limit access to their customers' contact list from 31st May, 2023

by Opubo Nengia

Navigating life hasn't been easy for a lot of persons. Some might say life isn't easy for anyone but we can at least agree that it is more difficult for some than others. In order to ameliorate their difficult situation like access to funds to either take care of a pressing problem or pay school fees or start a business, some persons decide to make use of loan apps which normally promises access to quick funds without any formal application process or collateral. What they fail to tell customers however is their mode of redeeming the loan.

The proliferation of loan apps in recent years has revolutionized how people access credit. These apps offer a quick and easy solution to obtaining funds, often without stringent credit checks or collateral requirements. But a clear understanding of how these platforms generate revenue is important. Also, prior to borrowing, it is crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions as these charges may accumulate rapidly, causing potential financial burden.

One vital question though is: how do these financial tech companies that offer loans operate? What is their primary source of income? 

Income of loan apps stems from collecting interest and levying fees. Consequently, after requesting a loan through a lending app platform, you can expect to pay back more than the borrowed amount in terms of interest. Most times, this might depend on several factors such as your credit score level or borrowing limits placed by that mobile app, it's policies and strategies. Usually, in comparison with conventional banks, loan apps impose high-interest rates alongside additional fees designed for circumstances like delayed payments or advanced repayment options. I guess this is what they use in replacing the formality that conventional banks require.

Data and Analytics

Another way that loan apps make money is through data and analytics. When you apply for a loan through an app, you'll be asked to provide a variety of personal and financial information. This information is then used by the app to assess your creditworthiness and determine whether or not to approve your loan.

But loan apps can also use this data for other purposes. For example, they may sell your data to third-party companies for marketing or advertising purposes. They may also use the data to develop new financial products or services.

Referral Programs

Some loan apps also make money through referral programs. These programs encourage users to refer their friends and family members to the app in exchange for a reward. This reward may be a cash bonus, a discount on fees, or some other type of incentive. By incentivizing users to refer others to the app, loan apps can quickly grow their user base without spending a lot of money on marketing.

How Loan Apps Recover Funds

Of course, loan apps don't just make money - they also need to recover funds from borrowers who don't pay back their loans. Here are some of the ways that loan apps do this:

Automatic Repayment

Many loan apps require borrowers to set up automatic repayment through their bank account or credit card. This ensures that the loan app receives payment on time, without the borrower having to remember to make a manual payment. If a borrower misses a payment or their payment is declined, the loan app will typically try to collect the funds again. They may also charge a late fee or penalty for missed payments.

Debt Collection Agencies

If a borrower consistently fails to make payments on their loan, the loan app may turn to a debt collection agency for help. Debt collection agencies specialize in recovering funds from delinquent borrowers, and they may use a variety of tactics to do so. These tactics can include calling the borrower, sending letters or emails, or even taking legal action. It's important to note that debt collection agencies are subject to strict regulations and cannot use harassment or intimidation to recover funds.

Loan Restructuring

In some cases, loan apps may offer to restructure a borrower's loan if they're struggling to make payments. This may involve extending the loan term, reducing the interest rate, or adjusting the payment schedule. By restructuring the loan, the loan app can help the borrower avoid defaulting on their loan and recover the funds they're owed.

Loan apps have become a popular way for people to access credit, but they're not without risks. It's important to carefully read the terms and It's important to carefully read the terms and conditions before borrowing from a loan app and to ensure that you can afford to repay the loan. It's also worth considering alternative options, such as credit unions or peer-to-peer lending platforms, which may offer lower interest rates and fees.

As we've seen, loan apps make money through interest and fees, data and analytics, and referral programs. To recover funds from borrowers who don't pay back their loans, loan apps use tactics such as automatic repayment, debt collection agencies, and loan restructuring.

While loan apps can be a convenient way to access credit, it's important to use them responsibly and to fully understand the costs involved. By doing so, you can avoid falling into debt and ensure that you're able to manage your finances effectively.

The sad thing however is that so many persons have faced embarrassment from a lot of these loan apps operating in Nigeria by contacting the persons on the contact list of the debtor, informing them of the person's debt and telling them to inform the customer so he/ she can pay their debt. This practice has however been frowned at by both the primary regulatory agency in Nigeria, Central Bank of Nigeria and also Google themselves, as these institutions have also been given further instruction that they will no longer be able to access the contacts of their customers from the 31st of May, 2023.

This obviously is an attempt to curb the privacy violations by these financial institutions that operate through loan apps. Whereas it may be good news for some of the customers, some of these institutions are saying that it would be difficult for a lot of persons to get access to loans because they have not yet found a solid way to recover their money in situations of failure to pay on time or at all. One wonders whether this is good news at all for both parties.

What you can take home from this post is that it's important to understand how these apps make their money and how they recover funds from delinquent borrowers. By being informed and responsible, borrowers can use loan apps to their advantage and achieve their financial goals.

NOTE: This is by no means, a form of financial advice. For financial advice, consult a professional

Any hope for startups in Nigeria? With focus on Fintech companies

 

by Opubo Nengia

Nigeria is a country with a rapidly growing tech ecosystem, making it an attractive destination for tech startups. Despite various challenges, the Nigerian tech scene has continued to grow over the years, and the future looks even brighter. The hope for tech startups in Nigeria is evident in various ways. One of these ways is the increasing support from the government, especially with the introduction of the Nigeria Startup Act 2022. In recent years, the Nigerian government has recognized the potential of the tech industry in creating job opportunities and driving economic growth. As a result, they have taken several measures to support tech startups, including the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

Another factor contributing to the hope for tech startups in Nigeria is the country’s young population. With over 60% of the population below the age of 25, Nigeria has a significant pool of young, tech-savvy individuals who are eager to make a difference in the tech industry. These young people are eager to innovate and develop new technologies that can solve some of the country’s pressing problems.

Furthermore, the Nigerian tech scene is attracting more investments from foreign investors, which is another reason for the hope of tech startups. In recent years, several international venture capital firms have invested in Nigerian startups, including Y Combinator, 500 Startups, and EchoVC. This influx of foreign investment is a clear indication of the potential of the Nigerian tech scene. There are also many success stories of Nigerian startups that have thrived in recent years. 

To discuss some specific examples of successful tech startups in Nigeria and their impact on the economy. One of the most successful tech startups in Nigeria is Interswitch, a payment processing company that was founded in 2002. Interswitch has grown to become one of Africa’s leading payment platforms, providing payment solutions to individuals and businesses across the continent. The company’s success has had a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy, as it has created job opportunities and contributed to the growth of the country’s financial sector.

Another successful Nigerian tech startup is Paystack, a payment processing company that was founded in 2015. Paystack provides payment solutions to businesses across Africa, and the company has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2020, Paystack was acquired by Stripe, a US-based payment processing company, for $200 million. This acquisition is a clear indication of the value that Nigerian tech startups can offer and the potential of the Nigerian tech scene.

Flutterwave is another successful Nigerian fintech startup that has had a significant impact on the country’s economy. The company provides payment solutions to individuals and businesses across Africa, and it has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2016. Flutterwave’s success has had a positive impact on Nigeria’s economy, as it has created job opportunities and contributed to the growth of the country’s financial sector.

Andela is another Nigerian tech startup that has had a significant impact on the country’s economy. The company provides remote software engineering talent to companies worldwide, and it has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2014. Andela has created job opportunities for thousands of young Nigerians, and it has contributed to the growth of the country’s tech industry.

As seen from the multiple examples, Nigerian tech startups have the potential to drive economic growth and create job opportunities in the country. The success of companies like Interswitch, Paystack, Flutterwave, and Andela is a clear indication of the potential of the Nigerian tech scene. However, addressing the challenges facing tech startups in Nigeria, such as the lack of adequate infrastructure and access to funding, will be crucial in ensuring that the industry continues to grow and contribute to the country’s economy. If these challenges can be addressed, the Nigerian tech scene has a bright future ahead.

Despite these reasons for hope, the Nigerian tech scene still faces several challenges. One of the most significant challenges is the lack of adequate infrastructure. Nigeria’s power supply, for instance, is unreliable, and this can be a significant problem for tech startups that require a stable power supply to operate. The country’s internet connectivity is also not up to par with that of other countries, which can make it challenging for startups to scale their operations. Another significant challenge facing tech startups in Nigeria is the lack of access to funding. Although there are now more venture capital firms investing in Nigerian startups, the funding gap is still significant. Many startups struggle to secure funding, which can limit their ability to innovate and scale. As a result of this challenge, a few tech companies who have not been able to get sufficient access to funding are shutting down. Eg. Lazerpay, a tech company founded by a 20 year old Nigerian, Njoku Emmanuel 2 years ago. The tech company was focused on crypto currency, by accepting stable coins like USDT or USDC (a stable coin representing the actual financial value of the United States dollar) and then permit its merchant to convert them to fiat currency. After a collective effort to keep the flag of the company flying, they have decided to seize operations.

Furthermore, the regulatory environment in Nigeria can be challenging for tech startups to navigate, as the regulatory framework for Nigeria which was freshly introduced is still being studied in order to take full advantage of its opportunities. The government has taken measures to support the industry, but there are still many regulations that can be cumbersome for startups. 

The hope for tech startups in Nigeria is evident in various ways. The country’s young population, government support, and increasing foreign investment are all reasons to be optimistic about the future of the Nigerian tech scene. However, there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed, such as the lack of adequate infrastructure and access to funding. Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort from the government, investors, and entrepreneurs. If these challenges are addressed, the future of tech startups in Nigeria is undoubtedly bright.

What do you understand by mental health?

The thoughts and imagination of an innocent child could be to become Wonder woman, Flash or Super girl when she/he grows up. These thoughts are the engine room of man, irrespective of age.  She goes to school the following day with her flash backpack believing that she can outrun anything and anyone only to be told that she cannot participate in the race because it’s only meant for male children. Her heart is broken, her dreams shattered and her once powerful wings clipped.

“Am I not as fast?” She thought to herself. “How can I prove my worth if I am not given a shot?”. As a result, she goes home and decided never to wear the flash backpack anymore because: “after all, they told me that it’s not meant for female children.”

She goes into a mental state that convinces her that she is not as powerful as she thought therefore, she is nothing. She decided from that day that she will never run again. As a matter of fact, she lost interest in a lot of things and never wanted to be around people anymore. This also affected her academics as she wasn’t getting excellent grades anymore. No one (including her parents) really cared to know the root of the problem. Most persons had concluded that she just decided to perform poorly at school. “It’s just a phase", they concluded.

As a young adult growing up with so many dreams about graduating at a certain age, getting the dream job and moving out, getting your own comfortable home and getting married after meeting the love of your life, with life all planned out.  You never planned for the traps, challenges or setbacks along the way – losing your Dad while trying to navigate through school, struggling through school only to graduate and you say to yourself “finally, I’m out so I can breathe properly”. You start applying for your dream job and then you get it. Finally!! Only to get into an accident that prevents you from starting work for a while so the company replaces you. At the hospital, in tears and anguish, you say to yourself “where did I go wrong?”, “Who did I offend?” Only then did you start to realise that those who were excited with you on social media about that your great job were the first ones to say that you deliberately got into an accident because you knew you weren’t good enough. Another set of gossips were of the opinion that you had it coming because you thought you were better than everyone else by daring to dream too big at an early age. Where have we seen this story before? Oh yes! Joseph (one of the sons of Jacob) in the Bible who got a similar reaction when he told his brothers about his dream of other stars bowing down to his own star. So the brothers decided to dispose of him and lie to their father that he was devoured by a beast.  Life starts hitting so fast that you go into a mental state that convinces you that you are not good enough. Your mind starts outlining all the things that are wrong that would take ages to get fixed. And even if they get fixed, you would definitely have grow older than the age you had in your dreams. Your health is now in danger – your mental health especially.

Mental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, and it plays a crucial role in our daily life.

It is important to have a good understanding of what it entails in order to know how to tackle mental illnesses like depression.

Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is an essential component of our overall health and affects how we think, feel, and act. Our mental health influences our relationships with others, our ability to handle stress, and our overall quality of life.

When our mental health is compromised, it can lead to several complications. Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses can affect our ability to function in our daily life. They can also lead to physical health problems, such as heart disease, chronic pain, and other conditions.

Having known all these, the vital question is, what can we do in order to improve our mental health?

Fortunately, there are several ways to improve our mental health and maintain our overall well-being. Here are a few things you can do:

Practice self-care by consuming mentally stimulating materials like books, audio and video on things that boost your confidence, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

Learn to manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises.

Connect with others by cultivating healthy relationships with family and friends.

Seek professional help if you are struggling with mental health challenges.

Breaking the Stigma

Despite the importance of mental health, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness. Many people feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek help, which can prevent them from getting the care they need. Especially in Nigeria where people can laugh at you when you tell them that you may be feeling depressed. We tend to belittle people’s challenges by making statements like: “is it because of that reason that you’re feeling depressed?”, “Alright then, kill yourself na but tell me where you kept all your money first”

It is essential to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage people to seek help when needed. This means creating a safe and supportive environment where people can talk openly about their mental health challenges without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Conclusion

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, and it requires our attention and care. By practicing self-care, seeking professional help when needed, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness, we can improve our mental health and maintain a healthy and fulfilling life.

Thank you for reading this and I hope you found this information helpful. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges,  please seek professional help.

If you have any comments about this post or have any advice on mental health, please feel free to comment in the section below.