BY LAJA THOMAS
NIGERIA journalists have been urged to use their prime age and resources to prepare for life after active practice through investment in income-yielding ventures.

The charge came from a renowned journalist and Chief Executive of Verity Communications Limited, Lagos, Mr. Clem Baiye last Friday during a training programme organised by Tom Associates, a consultancy company for journalists drawn from various media houses.

Baiye described as erroneous the perception in certain quarters or even among journalists that media practitioners are not good at resource management.

He also asked journalists not to continue to subscribe to the wrong notion that they must retire to the beer parlour after a very hectic day.

Baiye, a former managing editor of New Nigeria, Director_General of Donald Duke Campaign Organisation in 2006, and Vice Chairman of the 2011 NN24 Television Presidential Debate Series, told the participants that he prefers to be taught how to fish than being handed out doles.

He said: “There is a right way and wrong way to making money. I don’t’ believe that receiving envelopes is a proper way of making money.”

I want to make money through my contribution because I want to impact my family, society and the nation.”

The guest speaker alerted the audience of the danger of not planning for the future, stressing that whether “we like it or not, a day is coming when our services would no longer be needed by our employers. When that happens, what will be your fate? Do you have self_starting capacity? Some people are good at staying in a structured organisation. But the pervading economic uncertainty can make today’s structured outfit to unstructured tomorrow.”

Pointing the way forward, Mbaiye urged journalists to invest in shares, especially in manufacturing companies, noting that the crisis in the capital market had not adversely affected the real sector.

He also advised media practitioners to embrace the principle of starting small and growing big by identifying areas where they have special skills through self_examination, adding that “the business of taking care of yourself is a personal responsibility. There is an extent to which people can help you.”

The host and Chief Executive of Tom Associates Training, Mr. Abiodun Toki, also appealed to journalists to look beyond the present by thinking of what they can do in the future. According to him, “Nigeria needs more people to do small things to employ a few people. As an employee, you should not be eating everything that comes to you.

There is a certain stage that you will attain that you will not be able to do what you are doing now. It is the income from the investment you make now that you will live on after your active service.” Toki asserted that the journey from paid job to self-employment begins with investment, listing discipline, preparation of business plan, understanding of the legal requirements, marketing strategies and selling skills as well as managing the financial health of the business as an entrepreneur’s guideposts. On considerations for a business plan, Toki cited product/service, legal readiness, structure/systems, customer communications, and capital as key variables.