Introduction
In
this digital era, information technology is described as any technology
that powers the processing, storage, transfer, and enables information flow
within an organization. Anything involved with computers, websites, databases,
internet, software, telecommunications, networks, servers and intranets falls
under this sector. Information technology has helped millions of people around
the world and created millions of jobs opportunities. Information technology
has also helped in making this world a global village –voices are heard from
far away, information is spread virtually, businesses are done simply and
knowledge is acquired with ease.
Examples
of information technology companies that provide software and services include
PayPal, Payoneer, Facebook, Stripe, Google, Adobe and Microsoft. In Facebook
alone, thousands of employees are striving every day to fulfil the promise of
making the world more connected and updated. However, according to Visual
Capitalist (2020), as of 2019, the world’s biggest information technology
companies such as Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon have
generated total revenue of 899 billion US dollars.
It
is also reported by Career Voyages (2020), four of the ten most in-demand jobs in
the United States are information technology-based. So, professionals in this
sector are in high demand everywhere in the world. They play a pivotal role in
keeping the world in touch with modern techniques and make enormous endeavours in
creating job opportunities across the globe.
The
existence and the rise of these modern technologies are key points of
implementing businesses, acquiring knowledge, creating modern healthcare
facilities, inventing industrial techniques, and even partake in military
services as well as economic growth and improvement of inter-connectivity. An
environment that adopts the 21st-century technologies for their own benefit
would result in rational and intelligible ideas, not only for themselves but
even to their neighbours. Example of the biggest technopreneurs countries
includes the United States, China, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, India and
others. A critical point here is how these developed countries started the
development of their economy through modern technologies –revenue is high
demand. All the ways in which they improve their economy is by adopting modern
technologies in all their infrastructure.
The Imperatives for Information Technology
in Job Creation in Yobe State
An
environment is safe if its technological means of empowering people works.
These technological methods could earn the best recognizing award of
entrepreneurship as its role in pinpointing some of the essential ideas in
creating jobs in any community. In many countries, information technology has
contributed a lot in developing the national economy to reduce poverty, create
job opportunities as well as empower youths.
Many
argued that reasons advanced for rapid economic development in western
countries include technological advancement by earning revenue; the invention
of electronics, mobile devices and telecommunications services; the invention
of automobiles; and the use of the internet and mobile computing. So, to
empower youths and create job opportunities in Yobe state, information
technology should be given a high demand in almost all fields to make it
possible for posterity to enjoy its fruit.
The Practicable Entrepreneurship
Ideas That Could Create Jobs in Yobe State
The
modern, best, legitimate and the most lucrative entrepreneurship idea that could
create jobs in Yobe state is information technology. The opportunity has to do
with the sector’s most demanded options in the modern world. It also has many
sub-fields that can be implemented and used to be beneficial in society. So, implementing
the foregoing methods under the information technology sector will give rise to
the development of a modern state. For instance, Yobe state in its steps to be
modernized and digitalized needs to adopt the methods of creating jobs under
the auspices of information technology thus:
i.
Creating Internet Startups
In
today’s world, internet startup has become a great opportunity in creating jobs
everywhere around the globe. In Yobe state, a rising enclave in Northeastern
Nigeria, creating these internet startups will be an essential idea in
entrepreneurship that will help in creating job opportunities. Nevertheless, in
the southern part of Nigeria, Lagos is already a modernized state where these
opportunities are adopted. So, the state is ranked first in the list of the
regions that bring huge revenue to the Nigerian government.
According
to a document published by a young author, Mohiddeen Ahmad, in 2019, entitled:
eBillions Mastery, on online business, which explains the legitimacy of
internet marketing and even highlights some methods to adopt for self-reliance.
The book has earned recognition from many public figures, more especially for
motivating fellow youths to participate in the system.
Furthermore,
in October 2020, TechCrunch newspaper reveals how a Lagos-based internet
startup, Paystack, was acquired by the United States-based company, Stripe, for
₦76 billion Naira. This acquisition has attracted the attention of many
individuals and even governments in Nigeria. The startup was launched in 2016.
It is a payment processing gateway that helps individuals and companies in
making payments online. The very good news is how a team of 113 or thereabout
employees manage the company which is founded by young men mostly in their twenties.
Another
internet startup that empowers youths and creates jobs in Nigeria is
Naijaloaded, a Lagos-based startup; where a number of 15 or more staff receive
a monthly salary of not less than thirty-thousand Naira. In northern Nigeria,
Startup Kano takes part in giving youths an opportunity to learn computer and
modern technology techniques and rewards them for their profitable ideas. In
the same state also, Di-Hub is a tech hub that earns not less than ten million
Naira per month, where a team of some 20 staff work in the outfit.
So,
this clearly shows that if these practicable and lucrative ideas are
implemented in Yobe state, a rise of change between youths will begin where the
creation of multiple job opportunities will triumph.
ii.
Computer Services
Internet
and computer services cafés are built for the purpose of information technology.
This has to do with the solutions of the internet and computer activities.
Today, almost all towns everywhere in the world enjoy the creation of café and
computer centres that help people ease their computer and internet-related
activities. Moreover, learning professional skills to depend on oneself is also
a great opportunity to empower others to move together.
Secondly,
the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and wireless communications technologies
are key benefits for youths to rely on themselves. One of the great benefits of
IoT technology is providing long-distance interaction with things such as
electronic affiances for security purposes. Learning how these machines are
installed such as a CCTV camera and car/house security tools will give youths
the opportunity to learn all those skills to earn livings and reduce poverty
and joblessness. These are meant for software and hardware installations.
The
telecommunications sector is also a sub-field of information technology that
helps millions of youth on self-reliance. The companies have helped millions of
small businesses and empower youths everywhere in the world. In Nigeria for
instance, MTN alone has employed more than one thousand jobless youths. Henceforth,
Globacom, a Nigeria-based Telecoms Company has empowered thousands of youths
and still counting.
iii.
Electronic Commerce
Electronic
Commerce, or simply e-commerce, is an easy interaction with buyers and sellers
online to swap products and services with the help of a unique medium as an
interface. Taking part in creating those kinds of platforms is a great idea. For
example, Sim Shagaya launched Konga, an e-commerce network, in 2012,
immediately after coming back from the United States, to help individuals and
small businesses purchase products online. Today, the company has a total
revenue of about 35 million US dollars where a team of 700 employees run it. Same
way, Dr Bello Galadanchi launched Kasuwar Bello e-commerce in Kano state, and
within a year the company gained up to 30 million Naira as proceeds.
This
idea is, of course, an essential method of creating jobs in society. In
some countries and states, governments take part in creating these
opportunities just to create jobs and empower youths, as well as to reduce the
rate of poverty in a community.
Furthermore,
the emerging of blockchain technology gives rise to cryptocurrency –also known
as digital currency, where millions of people around the world are investing in
the system. Many youths have become millionaires in buying and selling
cryptocurrencies. This modern means of banking that does not need any
third-party anticipation really suits the world in currency exchange in this
technology age.
Some
other ways of creating job opportunities through the best and modern
entrepreneurship idea, information technology, includes learning new computer
skills for self-reliance such as freelance development –web applications,
software and mobile applications; software designing and simulation, management
information system as well as internet activities and commercial services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this essay has aptly described the importance of information technology in creating job opportunities and why it should be regarded as the best entrepreneurship idea to empower youths in rural communities like Yobe state. A recommendable point here is, if governments across the Federation should partake in bringing a medium of such ideas to be implemented, it will be easier to digitalize settlements, in which thousands of job opportunities will be created and amplified.
NB: This essay was
written by Muhammad Auwal Ahmad (Mohiddeen Ahmad) and was published by Yobe
State Scholarships Board in its 2021 Compendium of Selected Essays. It is
located on page 54 in the compendium.
1 Comments