Self-Reliance by Eguriase S. M. Okaka

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SELF-RELIANCE
By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Meaning of Self-Reliance Self-reliance is the ability to do things and make decisions by yourself without needing other people to help you. Self-reliance is also defined as the ability to depend on one’s own efforts and abilities to get things done, achieve set goals and objectives. A self reliant person does not depend on anybody for survival and take full responsibility for what or she does. When people are reliant, they are independent and autonomous which in other words, implies that they take care of themselves. We exhibit the virtue of self-reliance as children when we go back home from school alone, doing your home work alone without parent’s assistance; and entering bus or taxi cabs back home alone. Some other examples of self-reliance are the ability to think independently, grow one’s agricultural crop for food, and lot more. Attributes of Self-reliance The following are the attributes of self-reliance:  Self-belief  Hard work  Determination  Commitment  Dedication  Adaptability  Passion  Contentment  Courage Self-belief: To be self-reliant, an individual must have self belief or self confidence that he/she will be able to achieve desire results from the set goals without assistance from other people. Self belief serves as the push or the motivating drive to confronting problems and getting good results. Hard work: A self-reliant person must not be lazy in planning and executing ideals and projects. He or she must put all efforts in achieving his/her set goals and objectives. As individual, community or country, we should imbibe the spirit of hard work which will move us to achieving progress, success and development. All students must work hard to be able to pass their examinations. Adaptability: A self-reliant person must have the ability to adapt to any situation, no matter how bad it may be. He must have the patience to wait and change bad or negative situations to good or positive ones. The more adaptable you are to a change, the more likely you succeed in all endeavors. Courage and Determination: A self-reliant person must be fearless, willing resolute to execute his or her ideas, plans and projects, solve problems which he/she encounters with determination, and above all, achieve positive results at the end of the process. Contentment: A self-reliant person must not be greedy. He/she must be ready to be fair in his/her dealings with his/her own self and also others, especially when the person is an employer of labor. Commitment: A self-reliant person must be absolutely committed to the set goals and objectives until they are achieved. As an employer of labor, he/she must do everything possible to be focused; encourage and motivate his/her employees to be committed to their jobs and ultimately, achieving the desired results. A student that is self-reliant will be committed to reading his books always so that he can pass his examinations with flying colors. Passion: A self-reliant person must have a very strong feeling, love and interest in whatever work, job and project he or she is doing. The passion for the job makes him or her to succeed in achieving success in his or her set goals. Steps to Self-Reliance  Self-Awareness: For a person to be self-reliant, he or she must be well informed. Information is power and also a tool in self-awareness. It gives you the power to make your own decisions and assert your independence. So for a person to take the steps to become self-reliant, he/she must be very well informed of what he/she intends to do, and know very well about the environment to operate. The person must know where he/she is going and must have a sense of direction. He must be realistic in deciding what to do and how to meet the set goals.  Assume Responsibility for your Life: To be self-reliant, you must undertake certain responsibilities that enable you to have independence. Doing some simple things such as paying your bill on time can help you feel more responsible and self-reliant, feeding yourself and your family, etc.  Adapting to Change: Adapting to change is one of the steps a person must take to be self-reliant. The person must be prepared to adapt to changes that might crop up when trying to achieve success in your set goals.  Simplicity: Live a simple lifestyle as well as keep and buy only what you need at a given time. Do away with luxury things in order to acquire the needed space for necessities. Getting out of debt is a way of living a simplified life and become self-reliant.  Acquiring and Sharing of Knowledge: Self education and self reliance go hand in hand. A person can be self-reliant by acquiring education and sharing his/her knowledge with other persons who are knowledgeable in the subject, area, job, etc., he/she intends to embark on. Benefit of self-reliance to the family • It enables the family to take decision independently without consulting with others. • It makes the family to be self-sufficient. • Being self-reliant enables the family to set good examples for the children to emulate. • Being self-reliant gives family members self-confidence and in the process eliminates laziness and redundancy. • It helps to emancipate family from slavery, intimidation and exploitation. • It helps to bring out the talents and skills of various members of the family. • It improves the standards of living of the family. Benefits of self-reliance to the society • Self-reliance enables the society to take decision independently. • It makes the society to be self-sufficient e.g., having a enough food for the family. • It eliminates slavery and exploitation of its resources e.g., raw material (crude oil) by other developed nations. • It enables society to live a legacy for the youths to emulate. • It helps the society to create employment and increase productivity. • It helps society to have good image and good relationship with other society. Consequences of not being self-reliance • Lack of self-esteem. • Brings underdevelopment. • Brings laziness, redundancy and poverty. • It prevents one from discovery his/her actual talent. • It makes one not to be creative and not to achieve self-actualization. • It makes one to depend on others for survival etc. Natural and Human Resources as the Wealth of a Nation All nations of the world are endowed with resources by nature. Resources may be may defined as something or supplies which a person or a country has at his/her disposal to improve or increase his/her wealth. Resources are gifts of nature which are grouped into natural and human resources. Natural Resources The natural resources of a nation are the resources that are available in man’s natural environment. They include: water, land, plants and minerals. These resources are utilized by nations to increase their wealth. For example, plants like rubber tree produce rubber latex which is used in making products such as tubes, tires, balloons etc., earns the nation foreign exchange for development. The mineral resources are natural substances obtained from the soil which include: iron, gold, petroleum, etc. Nigeria earns huge revenue from the sales of crude oil to the outside world. Human resources are the people who make up the workforce needed for the production of goods and services for the country. Nigeria is blessed with numerous talented and skilled persons who are professional in different fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Arts, etc. with these abundant human resources properly harnessed; Nigeria will be one of the greatest among the Commonwealth of Nations in the nearest future. Questions • Define self-reliance. • List five attribute of self-reliance. • Write short notes on two of the attributes of self-reliance. • Discuss benefits of self-reliance. • List five consequences of being dependent on others or society. • What are the benefits of self-reliance to the family? • What are the benefits of self-reliance to the society? • What are the consequences of not being self-reliance? • Discuss how natural and human resources enhances the wealth of a nation. Eguria.blogspot.com

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