THE FURNACE SERIES: EPISODE 5

In this episode, we have Eriba Jude-Bela a content creator on YouTube and an aspiring journalist. 

It's a great pleasure having you share your story with us on this platform

I'm happy doing this

How did you get here?

I started out as just a random YouTuber, making whatever videos I wanted but my experience has sort of changed my focus.

Before YouTube, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, freedom is everything to me and I love the idea of finding solutions and making money off it. I'm not so much a seller but I love to make money with opportunities.

I made good friends in my University, and we did pretty much everything together. There was this night one of my friends had returned to our lodge in school with exciting news, He had just received a payment from Google. None of us had an idea what it was for, but we knew it had to be something legit because the boy was a good kid and always researching for opportunities to earn money online. Well, we didn't believe him when he told us the amount. We told him to take us to an ATM to prove he wasn't lying, and he obliged.

When we got there, he checked his account balance and it was there. The biggest amount I had ever seen in my entire life. Wow... this was it. I thought to myself. "We are going to start a business" I proposed almost immediately. He withdrew some of the money to make sure it was real and we spent it.

 

The Nigerian in him, I get 

Yea, right? 

This was like the most exciting night of our lives.

 

Well, when we got back to our lodge he told us how he had been trying YouTube for months, Unknown to us he had been secretly making videos on the platform and he got monetized and this was the result. His channel was doing well. He offered to teach all of us and we agreed. He opened channels for us and taught us how to upload videos.

It was very basic knowledge and we were happy because we believed there was money there. Well, my mind was fixed on the business ideas I and my friend had been talking about for weeks now. So I didn't really take the YouTube seriously

A friend like that is hard to find, we all need one like him

Certainly.

 However, a few months down the line, my restaurant business which was fully funded by my friend was now in operation, but it was going to be a while before it could break even. I kept putting more and more effort into running the business but the frustration of not making any money was killing me. So I decided to give YouTube a shot. A few months after taking it seriously, my channel too was beginning to gain traction. This time I was already done with my final exams and out of school.

So you had more time to focus

My channel had grown so big that it began to fund my life and I also invested into a mini-supermarket along with other investments. It was like a dream come true for me. Just a year after school I was basically earning more than I could ever imagine. I started different projects in this period and I believe that was how I attracted the attention of the authorities. It all came crashing when I got a call in the early hours of the day on March 8th 2019.

My account officer had called to inform me of a PND action on my accounts, Up until this point I had maintained like 5 different accounts with UBA. Including my domiciliary and even my company's account. All of them were reported to be frozen. My first instinct was to go to the bank to ask why but I was informed of the implications, that I would be arrested on sight. Instead, I placed a call through to my lawyer and told him to expect me.

Catch the full story here

https://youtu.be/MOLrhoMTEsk

How were you surviving, Were there other sources of income?

Well, retail business generally needs money to function, so with my accounts on PND I couldn't fund the supermarket and it eventually folded. My other investments were not mature so I couldn't get anything from there.

So what did you do? What options were left?

I had stocks which I sold and financial support from friends.

Do you have any financial advice for the person reading?

Well, for starters, have multiple sources of income, don't leave your money in banks

I still believe my banks had something to do with the whole set up. Yea, Investments are not so safe now, mostly because of the economy but I think only emergency funds should be in banks.

How did you cope emotionally?

Well, till this day I think it was my most traumatising experience. I don't know if I've just recovered. I don't talk about it. Maybe it's for the best.

Evidently, not so many people can go through such and come out like you did

I'd advise you seek professional help

Okay, maybe I'll try that someday

Were you suicidal at any point?

No. The thing is, I knew I would come out of it somehow. I just wasn't used to waiting this long.

Kudos to you for putting up a fight

Having to worry about the same issue for over 3 years wasn't easy, especially that I have a family and all. Most of the time I had to act like I was fine cos they needed me to be.

Yea, you had to be strong and be THE MAN

Yea

What lesson(s) have you learnt from the whole experience?

Well, it's hard to forgive. Also, I'm still trying to learn patience because the ripple effect of that case is still felt today, I don't wish anyone harm, but I still find it difficult to come to terms with the fact that my own government thought it wise to treat me like that just because I was young and the people that gave the order faced no penalty even though they were wrong.

It showed me how power works. It always favors the rich and affluent and the ordinary person doesn't really matter. If we don't speak up or do something about it now, there won't be any change, even in a thousand years.

That was why I started my recent channel and decided to take the risk to go against the powerful. This is how we win. Talk back. Ask questions. And maybe, just maybe, we can right this wrong.

 Any final remarks?

My story is that of resilience. I'm not sure I got the justice I fought so hard for. At the same time, I don't want to continue fighting the battle their way. That is why I feel more people need to speak out against corruption, injustice, and poor governance

I believe anyone, no matter their age has the right to earn a living with their skill and not be penalised for it.

More importantly, the youth need to stay resilient and try to make money to be able to fight this old system keeping us out of government.

Vital to our survival as a people, I can say the furnace was really hot for you, but here you are... I believe you've grown and become better. It's been an awesome experience having you.

Thanks for sharing.

My pleasure. Thanks for telling my story

Catch up on all contents on his YouTube channel at 

https://youtube.com/@JudeBela

Many thanks to our readers, you've been incredible, Happy Holidays!