• Most of Africa lives in poverty today. Most of the children are born in homes where either money is scarce or if available is solely provided by a man--usually a father in a family. This perhaps is due to the prevailing belief that a man is supposed to be superior in a home.

    When the breadwinner dies or becomes bankrupt, the whole family is usually left in despair. This scenario played during the childhood years of Chief Cosmas Maduka a Nigerian businessman and politician.

    Cosmas Maduka was born on 24th December in 1958, in Jos plateau state, Nigeria.He lost his father at the age of four and thus had nothing to do but take care of himself. Due to lack of tuition, he didn’t get an opportunity to receive a formal education.

    Despite not being born in privilege, Cosmas was determined to achieve his goals. He rose from grass to grace. Cosmas Maduka is described as a fighter, a survivor, a winner, someone who didn’t let the circumstances of birth prevent him from achieving his destiny.

    During hard times, people tend to think it’s the end of the world. They lose hope and start cursing God why he created them. During these times, people tend to forget that every problem has a solution. If there were no problems, there would be no need to create man with an advanced brain.

    At the age of seven, Cosmas Maduka started his mother in hawking a type of bean cake popularly known as Akara in Jos plateau. He later went to serve as a young apprentice under his uncle in Lagos.

    At the age of fourteen, Cosmas had earned his uncle’s trust and was sent to work at the sites in Sokoto and Nnewi.In 1975, his relationship with his uncle fell apart for several reasons; he was terminated with only two hundred Naira.

    Cosmas Maduka decided to partner with his brother in auto spares but this didn’t last long. He then decided to use his small savings to start his own company Cocharis as a sole proprietor. Through this vehicle, he continued working hard towards attaining his success.

    While people were asleep at night, Cosmas Maduka worked hard on his dreams. His reputation spread, people from near and far started wondering about Maduka’s success.

    Chief Cosmas Maduka is now a businessman, chairman and chief executive officer of Chocharis Company. He endured the hard times, now he lives a more comfortable life.

    If every youth in Africa could make their own money below the age of eighteen, then lives of very many people would change from bad to good. Many young people in Africa depend on their parents and elder relatives for a long time and do not endeavor to seek out opportunities for independence and self-determination.

    This is because the education systems in most African countries are highly theoretical and do not impact practical skills amongst students. The education systems in many African countries require students to study longer.

    Young people can learn many lessons from Chief Cosmas Maduka’s journey. For example, we can learn to work hard irrespective of our age as long as conditions allow. To have passion in what we do to earn a living. We also learn to be optimistic, to learn from the best irrespective of the situation. In addition, we learn that we should be creative. All in all, we learn to work hard with determination, dedication, discipline and hope.

    Finally, to the young entrepreneurs, you don’t have to be worried of the capital you have. As long as you have a brain, then success is right in your hands. You just have to believe in yourself and to work smart.