By Dada Ahmed
No doubt, Northern Nigeria is supposed to be the envy of other regions in the country in terms of real development in the scheme of things, all things being equal.
This is because the area has all it takes to develop its human index to enviable pedestrial and reduce the high level of poverty ravaging jurisdiction presently. This is in spite of its large and arable land and its fertility for aggressive and meaningful agricultural activities. The region is also endowed with rich minerals, not to talk of abundant human resources.
However, the narrative emanating from geo-political assessment of the region, from credible sources, shows that the Northern Nigeria has more battle to fight in conquering increasing poverty.
For instance, the North West has 77.7% of its population living in relative poverty, the North East, which has been under verocious attack by the insurgents came second with 76.3% of its population living in relative poverty. The North Central States has 67.5% of its population living in relative poverty according to (Dodo, 2012).
This frightening statistics must have spurred four young graduates of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,forward looking and armed with technical and entrepreneurial dexterity, to put up their thinking cap in their avowed determination to change the uncheering narrative of the region for the better.
These patrotic Northern Nigerians,three of who are engineers and have designed a called:website:halal.ng, are: the Director of technical services of the site, Engr. I B Mukhtar, Dr Al-Amin D.Bello, Ibrahim H.Suleiman and Engr.Kabiru Shuaibu.
The noble intention of these enterprising citizens of the north, whose office is based in Zaria, Kaduna state, is to help youths, particularly the unemployed and other segments of the population engage in e-economic ventures, to boost economic development of the 19 northern states.
Murkthar said that members of the group created the platform based on a survey and research they conducted in the North West, comprising Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kano States.
He dwels more on the idea behind the project this way. “We found out that many small scale businesses have huge decrease of sales as result of insecurity, COVID-19 and related social and/or economic norms. There is also huge increase in number of startup businesses, using WhatsApp status as marketing avenue.
“This is more common among the women in the region who are mostly house wives with limited opportunities to venture into physical markets for commercial activities.
“The trend is also common among many aspiring small businesses with limited opportunities to showcase their products to larger markets beyond their local communities.
“Looking at these problems facing the northern entrepreneurs, we felt it is utmost important to create a platform that will provide equal opportunities to everyone across the region and beyond without having any presence in the physical Market Places. So, we came up with the idea of establishing halal.ng.
“Similarly, over 150 million sales of products and services occur online according to the National
Bureau of Statistics(NBS) with increase in population, especially in the north and increase in acceptance of technology, this number is going to increase with this e-commerce.”
According to the technical director,Northern Nigeria with its rich trade and commerce has not fully taken its pride of place in the Nigerian online market,hence the creation of the platform, halal.ng, to provide the region with simple avenue for wholesale and retail businesses.
Murthar said the move was also to take advantage of the unique growth in the online market place to sell unique products and services to Nigerians and beyond the shores of the country.
“Our mission is to provide wider avenue for many existing and startup businesses in Nigeria to reach out to a larger audience nationwide and beyond.
“We are determined to showcase the unique fashion, culture, and lifestyle of Northern Nigeria through e-commerce, to promote the identity of the region as a geo-political expression with huge commercial prowess rather than a region of backwardness and illiteracy.
“To promote healthy competition in the online market place by showcasing unique products and services for Nigeria and beyond,” he added.
He further stated that the platform was registered with CAC as ‘Halal Business District‘, adding that with mobile application awaiting approval by Google Play Store.adding that the App download link would be made available to the public on the website (halal.ng) as soon as it is approved by Google.
According to him, in addition to the e-commerce store, the young developers also include a business blog ‘Halal Business Blog‘ to the platform to showcase the stories of hidden entrepreneurs and inspiring business stories, to motivate aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.
The totality of the efforts of these young graduates of the first generation of the indegenous University in Northern Nigeria finds genuine expression and optimism to change the worrisome trend in the north.
It is also a commendable stride aimed at returning northern Nigeria to its enviable position reminiscence of its role in trans Sahara era of the 18th century which saw the region holding sway in commerce and international trade.
The efforts of these youths, coming at a point youths in the north are terms as lazy, must be commended as it will go along way in spurring young Nigerians to utilise their brain, energy and other resources in profitable ventures,for self reliance and the glory of their father land rather than going the way of crime and criminality.
Dada Ahmed is a product of ABU, Zaria, a journalist and a media consultant.
