NEOLIFE/FHG: What you need to know

 

Oguntade Adedoyin

Neolife which can also be referred to as Golden Neolife Diamite (GNLD)  was established by Jerry Brassfield in 1958 who as a young boy suffered form severe asthma and allergies. Eventually, through the addition of nutritional products to Jerry's diet by his mother, he began to project towards good health. As a result of Jerry's experience, he began to tell others around him who needed good nutrition about his own breakthrough.

Through sharing the products and working with people, a financially rewarding business was created. On the long run, Jerry's small network marketing business grew into a global company and this was made possible because of his belief in his products and desire to change lives. Neolife is in operation in over 50 countries across the continents. Neolife came into Nigeria in 2001.

Faith Heroic Generation (FHG) is a freelancing organization that focus on connecting businesses and individuals to the ideal freelancer that can handle their projects professionally. They provide access to diverse digital skills which includes; writing, digital marketing, website and app development, 2d and 3d animation, programming amongst other things.

Overtime, a group of people in Nigeria sought to merge the network marketing skill with digital skills so that it will be possible to meet their point value without necessarily having to go about to sell the products. 

They started utilizing Fiverr with the digital skills they were able to harness and they were making profit off it. As a result, more people were introduced into the business. The newbies in FHG are always trained and taught some digital skills and after some time they begin to make money off the business.

Mostly, there are always verbal agreements that the money made from the digital skills will be used in purchasing products in order to meet the point value, while the remaining amount goes to the person who worked. New members are always helped mostly with gadgets, set-up of the digital accounts to mention but a few.

 As the business model began to spread, it started becoming a strenuous task to make money on the digital platform, Fiverr. There are cases whereby the exact money made by a person could be the exact amount needed for his/her point value. The sponsors(Uplines) have since been able to get device an edge over their downlines because most new members have the money receiving accounts (paypal/payoneer) of their sponsors connected to their digital skill account. As such, the money made can only be withdrawn through the leaders.

In a survey carried out on four OAU students who are or were previously involved in the business, a couple of points were noted.

Adenike,  a part 2 student of Mass communication department stated that she joined the organization last year but eventually had to leave. She made it clear that there were some experiences she had that can best be termed as "crazy".

She said, "This so called FHG's are crazy aswear. E get one day wey this w*rey Manager wey be say na drop out say make I do 5000 frog jump. Omor I dey sweat like goat that day, I dey smell self..." The punishment turned out to have some health wise effect on her. She went further to state that there are cases whereby the sponsors abuse people whose parents are against the organization by stating that they'll all die in poverty. 

The benefit she derived from the organization, according to her was learning a digital skill which is something that can be useful in the nearest future.  Her advice to those willing to join the organization was, "They should join if they wish too sha but if they are not making money a month after they should quit. If they make money after a month, they should quit after getting maybe phone or PC. Dem fit only brag, dem no fit do anything if you self be tough person."

The second person is Juwon, a part 2 student of Biochemistry department. He made it known that all of these things are based on personal opinions and interest. He explained that some of the rules that have been posted on the social space as the rules of Neolife are not true. He stated that most of the times, the rules are just placed there to ensure discipline and they are not always meted out as people think.

He stated that, "To most people, this business is their way of life. It's a part of them. It has saved so many people from an average lifestyle. They are proof that this business is good so they don't have any time to explain anything".

He claimed that he has been able to learn some digital skills and he has been guided on how to make money from the skill on a platform like Fiverr/upwork. He further stated that people shouldn't rubbish the organization with their limited view of things, because the Organization works.

Speaking to Timileyin, a part 2 student of Building department, he stated that some of the recent information he has seen on the Social media about Neolife are actually true which is something saddening to him. He stated further that Neolife/FHG has been a great source of help for him in diverse areas. 

He  explained that those people who witness any form of poor treatment, do so because of the sponsors and leaders they have. He said, " I know that my Academics has dropped but it is not because of the business, it is because of my unseriousness..."

 

The fourth person, Akindele Deborah, a newly admitted student of the department of Philosophy made it known that Neolife has been a great source of help for her. She said she hesitated in joining Neolife at first but she eventually did, and through it, she has been able to learn some digital skills, connect with more people and even enjoy moments of bliss and happiness. 

She said, "If the first thing in your head is money then you would not think about school. I know what I want for myself, I'm going to gather money and chase my dreams."  Deborah also stated that the business has its own downsides. According to her, "It is your hard work that determines your success in the business." 

One common opinion they all had was that, anyone willing to join the business should be properly sensitized and informed about all that the business entails.