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Is Google’s GNBO Trying To Kill Nigerian Web Businesses?
Here’s a little background.
Google is launching an initiative called Getting Nigerian Businesses Online (GNBO). This scheme will provide one year of free hosting, domain registration, email and a website for participants.
Loy raises an alarm saying this would kill Nigerian web hosting, registration and design businesses in an instant. ‘Bosun rightly counters and raises a number of valid points.
Before responding, I would like to declare that I participated in the British version of this scheme called (GBBO).
In simple terms, GNBO would not kill Nigerian web hosting and co because of the following reasons.
The only new thing Google is doing is giving one year of free domain name registration, the other offerings have always been free (Google Sites, Google Apps and the the hosting that comes with both of them). So if the only website you can design is similar to a Google site template, then you might be in trouble… for one year. The domain names in question are only .com.ng domains too. We should also remember that Google does not offer any personal support therefore it can be rightly argued that Google is essentially developing the market for others to harness.
However there is a bigger question Loy should be trying to raise. What are Google’s intentions with this initiative? Is it as charitable like they market it? Nope.
Therein lies my problem with Google. They market pure capitalist strategies as charitable initiatives.
For instance, Google is presently sponsoring broadband in a number of Nigerian universities. Their aim is simple, get as many people online. The more people on the Internet, the greater reach for their on line advertizing inventory. Yup, while getting them online, get them using gmail and other Google properties. Same as with the free domain name/website/rs to hosting initiative, they get an awesome local directory listing while getting local businesses online
So you see, these ‘freebies’ are purely intelligent capitalist initiatives. I get offended when they are pitched otherwise. These investments will not pay off now however in a few years they will. It is obvious Africa is the next frontier for growth and in a competitive world, he who wins Africa, tips the scale. In the marathon of world web domination, Google is essentially breaking out from the pack that is still milking whats left in the west, while they Google sprint towards the finish line which is Africa and other ‘developing’ countries.
Do not get me wrong, I do not believe the deal Google offers is unfair in both the broadband and domain name cases, they are. All I ask is that Google stops pitching them as charity.
I am Oo, founder of GBEDU.FM where I hope to make sense of this business of music. I once tried to kill the business card with OnePage.#LightUpNigeria vs. Dimeji Bankole. Between What is and What Should Be.
A quick overview:Inadequate Power/Electricity is one of the reasons Nigeria is still underdeveloped. When the Presidential task force on power submitted its proposal for the solution to this evil problem, the speaker of the house of representatives Mr. Demeji Bankole said the proposal did not cater for the multibillion dollar generator importing businesses in Nigeria and a little bit of hell is breaking loose. read more here.
Based on what I have read, I painfully have to say that I support Dimeji Bankole’s point of view. I say painfully because if the 150 million Nigerians stand according to how much they admire him, I will be the 150 millionth person. However, my opinion of him should not cloud my objectivity.
Lets look at this way, if you are earning a living from the status quo, why would you want it to change if it will affect your living? the status quo in power is deplorable, but the reality is, people benefitting from the bad situation will do anything to avoid it changing. To me that has been the challenge of progress in Nigeria.
Lets look at two more examples.
In transportation: It is rumoured (I believe the rumour) that Ekene dili Chukwu and co are the reason that Onitsha does not have an airport. There is no reason why Onitsha does not have an Airport! But their reasoning is that having an Airport will kill their businesses.
There is also no way that the Nigerian Railway will succeed without the support of the long distance haulers!
Road Construction: The reason why these wicked politicians keep constructing bad roads is the mentality that if the road does not spoil on time, how dem go take chop moni again?*
What these groups of people do not understand is that participating in the better alternatives is more profitable for them and much better from the larger society.
With this in mind, I believe Mr Bankole is right, the generator importers must be included in the plans. It should not but it is the reality.
I also think our greater challenge in moving forward is convincing this guys benefiting from the bad status quo that they can be more successful if they move to the other side.
With this in mind, I hope Barth Nnaji and the Presidential taskforce has plans for those who import generators and sell diesel to transition into the new power economy of Nigeria so we can successfully #LightUpNigeria
*Just in case you read this, hear are a few ideas.
1. Construct more roads, not reconstruct
2. Road maintenance has better margins.
I am Oo, founder of GBEDU.FM where I hope to make sense of this business of music. I once tried to kill the business card with OnePage.So you want to school in Jand eh?
I had previously posted this on UKnaWAH, the forum for Nigerians in the UK, to talk about their experiences to help each and every one of us in this land. Unfortunately, it did not take off. This post is targeted at those coming down for the first time and might be useful to those that have visited but not schooled in the UK. The suggestions are from my own perspective i.e Male, Warwick University MSc JJC. DO NOT take it as authoritative.
So you have made it to JD, congrats! Well, this list is a combination of what I would do if I am coming again, (in no order) and some things you should just know.
- I would buy all my clothes in Yaba! Not necessarily Yaba but in Nigeria. Clothes are cheaper in Nigeria because they come from China directly. Don’t worry about buying clothes that are good but mass supplied in Nigeria because they will not be here. e.g. I have not seen one Hackett shirt (which was in vogue when I left) since I arrived a year ago.
- I would attend orientation: coming late did not help when trying to integrate. JJC no good. It is better to be ‘jambiteish’ when everyone around is.
- I would learn how to cook: Believe me, the sweet sound of sausage, ham, baked beans e.t.c is highly overrated. In one week, you will long for your home food and you have to cook it.
- I would learn how to cut hair: Spending 12 pounds to cut your hair every week is not the best use of money. Believe me, cutting your hair is not that hard.
- I would plan my December holiday immediately I arrive: I waited till December to attempt planning my holiday for December. Unfortunately, having a Nigerian passport is not the best if you want to travel at shortest notice. In December, it is virtually impossible to get a visa appointment and it is about 4 weeks to process a visa.
- I would learn how to write an academic document: Believe me, if you want to survive here, you better learn how to reference and write academic documents. PLAGIARISM of any sort (you will be amazed what is termed plagiarism here) is not accepted. Don’t worry there is no other way but to learn how to reference. It will save you a lot of time.
- I would attend all social events in the early days (with flat and class mates), it is important to mix early…after bonds have been formed, it is difficult to break in.
- I would NEVER buy any winter/long term attire from PRIMARK…I swear, I did not know better, my men Emma and Uche mislead me. It is best to buy all your long term things from quality places
- I would join as many club and societies. The amount of skills to learn are enamous. For Warwick students, I would recommend PhotoSoc, Warwick Entrepreneurs and Warwick sports.
- I would apply for jobs early! Entries for the next year vacancies close by October.
- I would buy a Lebara or Lyca mobile line. Most of your early calls will be to home (Nigeria). It is the most economical and smart decision to make. Take you time and choose a contract that appeals to you later on.
- I would get my international driver’s lisence from home. You can drive for a year with it.
- I would stay off campus (if i do not get Tocil). You can save as much as 40 percent of on Campus rent.
- I would ensure I forget the conversion rate from pounds to Naira. I almost did not eat for the first week cos two slices of bread (you might call it sandwich) cost at least 2 p0unds i.e N500
- I would buy all the software I need from the good old computer village. Believe me, just do it.
This is an article in progress. I will update it as I receive comments and I remember more things.
Oo, KCOB, MSc (Warwick)