FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Financial freedom often hides in plain sight. When faced with difficulty, there’s usually a path forward but it requires us to challenge our comfort zone and take bold steps.

True financial independence often lies in the small details we overlook or opportunities we’re too ashamed to seize.

During my university days, I knew a friend who funded his education by selling okrika bags at the market. He ignored the shame some might attach to it and focused relentlessly on building his financial future, while others chased fleeting pleasures. Today, That man is incredibly blessed. Those "fine boys" couldn’t stand beside his achievements. He’s now a successful Air Force personnel with a distinguished career and a beautiful family.

I also recall a brilliant young man who worked as a bus conductor on the Gwagwa-Karimo to Wuse route to pay his way through school. When he visited me with his family last year, he arrived in a Prado Jeep and was developing a plaza in Port Harcourt for his own company.

Opportunities for greatness surround us, often in tiny packages. If you lack access to a "better" job, take charge of the opportunities you do see. Consider one of Lagos’s popular eateries, someone transformed an old molue bus into a charming spot selling akara and they're making millions in sells every week.

Remember, Education doesn’t promise financial freedom; it empowers you to recognize and achieve it. The problem; Many of us with certificates are too ashamed or too proud to engage in what we dismiss as "demeaning" activities.

Yes, times are tough. But begging is not the answer, and blaming others for not giving is counterproductive. Many people you perceive as "super rich" operate on significant debt to finance businesses, projects, or lifestyles.

I’ve told people before, Choosing not to pursue further education isn’t always about lack of parental funds or nonexistent opportunities. Even with a modest salary like ₦50k, you can sponsor yourself through flexible institutions like the National Open University.
I know inspiring young women who financed their degrees by braiding hair on campus no parental support, no compromising their values.

Ultimately, your journey boils down to two powerful forces, your bold determination and your choices.

Oyugbo Osagie Jonah
#tuesday