About 5 years ago I had the opportunity to buy a plot of land at a very low price in a partially developed area and I immediately finished the block molding with which I intend to start building. However, the Covid 19 that hit the world in 2020 seriously affected my business, I have to postpone the work on the building. Human survival becomes the main priority.
With a family of five, I knew it would be difficult to survive financially if I continued with the project. Covid 19 truly humbled so many of us by teaching us what really matters in life – human survival and the act of giving for a better society. Due to the effects of the pandemic on my business finance, I literally lost hope of starting the building project due to low business capital.
After four years without visiting the construction site, I finally decided to start working on the construction project again this year. A success that I consider to be my biggest achievement this year.
Myself and a laborer clearing the building site
In Nigeria today, building materials are very expensive. A bag of cement now costs up to NGN 7,400 to NGN 8,000, about $5 depending on the local exchange rate. With the high cost of living in Nigeria today, few would have the courage to embark on a construction project and it would take many years of money saved to begin with.
Even though things are tough and building material costs are through the roof, I'm glad I was able to take another small step in adding block upon block to the building project. One thing I've discovered in life is that projecting something into the future only serves to make the problem bigger. Anything we couldn't do financially today will cost triple in the near future. So the best time to do something is now. No matter how small it may be, it's better to start now than to keep waiting for a big break that may never come. If things are so expensive today, how do we imagine they will be in the near future?
The first phase of the project, which is the laying of the foundation of the building, cost an estimated NGN 480,000, or almost US$300. With this amount, I was able to finish laying the foundation without much stress. It was only an estimate of construction materials such as cement, sand, granite, water and other necessary construction materials, including the cost of labor. In addition, I managed to build the building almost at the level of the lintel.
Although I am in no rush to start living in the building due to the ministry's commitment, I must make sure to complete the construction project as soon as possible. Even if the building was completed today, I might not have a chance to live in it in the next 10 years. I am still on a mission and my mission organization decides where we will live wherever I am sent. But I have to prepare for a rainy day.
No one gets younger twice in life, after traveling around the world for my mission assignment, I have to return home. I will be very happy to return to my own house. They say opportunity come, but once, even if that statement is not true, I have to seize every moment and add block to block that will continue. When it comes to opportunity, it doesn't come once. It comes again and again, but only those who learn to seize the moment and take the necessary steps benefit from each opportunity. I decided to be among those who want to do something.
My wife has been saving a little for the building construction for a long time. She was the one who motivated me to start working on the building project now. My original plan was to delay it due to the high inflation currently in Nigeria, but my wife convinced me to take on the project now and I took the advice.
Even if I don't involve her financially yet, she'll be on hand when the chips are down. I love her for supporting me in everything I do. She feels my heartbeat and always reacts accordingly. I know how proud she would be if God helped us finish the building project. Not only she but I would be proud because the joy of having your own house in society is beyond words today. This is my biggest achievement this year, and I am happy to share with you guys.
All pictures are mine and were taken with my Infinix Hot 8 Lite android phone.