Ogechukwu Eneh, a Nigerian who has been contesting since 2008 to get into the Finnish Municipal Council, speaks to Special Correspondent, NNANNA OKERE, on business prospects between Nigeria and Finland and other issues concerning both countries.
Finnish Export Promoters
The Finnish Export Promoters is a small and medium enterprises (SME’s) trusted partner in the export markets.
The Finnish Export Promoters association (FEP) was founded 2014 to support Finnish SMEs to succeed in exports. FEP is an independent, non-profit organisation that is financed through membership fees.
FEP was created to help Finnish companies get support, guidance, and contacts that enable success on global markets.
FEP’s network includes the services and contacts needed to start your export business, to grow on new markets and to develop existing markets.
The membership begins with a discussion about your company’s goals and the needs related to those goals.
FEP is a match-maker that helps you connect with suitable resources based on your needs.
Benefits for Nigeria and Nigerians in Finland
Nigerians can benefit by finding for a Finnish company a Nigerian representative/suitable partner (distributor/agent) for its product in Nigeria.
They can help the development and aiding of the company to get started with its business in Nigeria.
A Harvard Business School study shows that American companies that employ lots of ethnic Chinese people find it much easier to set up in China without a joint venture with a local firm.
Nigeria benefits because Finnish products are durable, good quality, and genuine.
How Nigerians in the Diaspora can contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth
Diaspora is a potent economic force. There are millions of Nigerians living in Europe, the United States, Australia, Singapore, and China. The network of language makes it easy to do business across borders.
Cross-cultural skills and trust matter in emerging markets, foreign direct investment in Nigeria should pass through Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Modern communications make these networks a more powerful tool of business. Diasporas help spread ideas.
Many of the emerging world’s brightest minds are educated at Western universities. An increasing number go home, taking with them both knowledge and contacts.
Diasporas spread money. Migrants in rich countries not only send cash to their families; they also help companies in their host country operate in their home country.
Diasporas help rich countries to plug into fast-growing economies. The prospect of working abroad spurs more people to acquire valuable skills.
So, the Nigerian government can attract distinguished Nigerians in the Diaspora to contribute to national development through a kind of synergy and also through political appointment.
This will help them bring their wealth of experience to Nigeria.
Advice to Nigerians in Finland
Learn Finnish language as soon as you arrive, integrate into the society by learning the culture.
Seek for a job, keep your dream alive and maintain a consistent step. Move forward and keep a focus on your dream.
Running an NGO to help Nigerians in Finland
I have lived for 31 years in Finland. I speak Finnish language and have studied at one of the best universities in Finland.
I noticed that a lot of Finns do not have correct information about Nigeria. I wanted to represent Nigeria as a good citizen and at the same time build a good relationship between Nigerians and Finns.
My passion to work for humanity and to disseminate all the information and experiences I have acquired over the years of living in Finland spur me into doing so.
Running for Helsinki City Council
I will be running for a position in the coming municipal election in Helsinki City this year. This will be the fourth time I will be participating as a candidate in the Finnish election since 2008 when I joined Finnish politics.
My message is clear: I am the long awaited candidate to build the bridge of integration in Helsinki City. I work with passion because I believe in participation and accountability.
The segment population I will reach with my message will be women, and men, single parents, students, young men and women who support globalisation, migrants, and second generation.
The challenges are many. For instance, some people may think that I am not qualified, the media will make me a representative for Africa, and some Nigerians have expectation of me as a woman.
Campaign takes a lot of time and finances; you have to work twice as hard to be considered to be “half as good.”
The media focus on what you wear and how you make your hair.
Finnish, Nigerian educational systems
Teachers in Finland have a Master’s degree, their Nigerian counterparts have Bachelor’s degree.
Teachers in Finland spend fewer hours at school each day and spend less time in the classroom. They use the extra time to build curriculums and assess their students.
Teachers in Nigeria spend more time doing a second job to meet their financial obligations, and less time in teaching and assessment.
In Finland, students are encouraged to do exploratory learning. Students do rote learning. Children spend far more time playing outside, supervised by adults, even in the depths of winter. Homework is minimal.
In Nigeria, lots of homework are given by the teacher. The books used for instruction are outdated in many situations.
In Finland, compulsory schooling does not begin until age seven. There is no hurry. Children learn better when they are ready.
What to learn from Finland generally
Finland is a good model for democracy and transparency. There is so much people coming from Nigeria can gain by learning this.
Truth is the foundation of a society. Equal opportunity and a minimal decent level of living for all.
Opportunities in Finland versus other Western countries
Finland has cheaper medical care, smarter children, happier moms, better working conditions, less-anxious unemployed people, and lower student loan rates than we do. And that probably will never change.
The United States, Britain, and Canada have competition, minimal governmental intervention, more insurance services, profit, survival of the fittest, and playing down the effect of climate change.
Who is Oge Eneh?
Ogechukwu Eneh has a Master’s degree in education from the University of Helsinki, where she has lived with her family for 31 years.
She is a curriculum planner for Intercultural Education at the Helsinki Culture office, a politician, a consultant for the Finnish Export Promoters for the West African market. A mother and grandmother.