The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Cleric urges prayer against insecurity

    Worried by the prevailing insecurity in the country, a cleric, Evangelist Osuala Azubuike John, who escaped death from terrorists attack from Maiduguri, Borno State, has urged religious leaders to pray for the country to end the several killings of ministers of God and destruction of lives and property in various parts of the country.

    He narrated his ordeal in the hands of his assailants at a clergies’ prayer meeting held in Lagos.

    Evangelist John, who was narrating his experience in the hands of those who wanted to kill him in Maiduguri, regretted that most Christians such as Deaconess Eunice Elisha who was murdered in Abuja and other victims in other places in the North have been killed.

    Though he stressed that God’s intervention is needed for the situation in the country to abate, the cleric called for peaceful co-existent among Muslims and Christian.

    He said: “The only solution to the issue of insecurity staring us in the face is for the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle to urge all the churches in Nigeria to pray for God to intervene and end the killings, kidnapping and other societal ills.

  • Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    Experts seek end to female genital mutilation

    There was high euphoria across the country when former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill outlawing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into law on May 5, last year.

    In spite of the widespread optimism that the law will save millions of Nigerian girls and women from the myriad health implications of FGM, concerned observers insist that the age-long practice is still very much in existence.

    According to the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), Osun State has the highest prevalence of FGM in the entire South-West geo-political zone.

    Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, said this at a meeting organised by UNFPA, in collaboration with Shericare Foundation (SCARF), the pet project of the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

    “The prevalence rate of female genital mutilation in Osun State stands at 76.6 per cent,’’ she said.

    She stressed that all hands must be on deck to eradicate the age-long practice.

    Speaking on the high prevalence of FGM, Mrs Aregbesola, who is an ambassador of the anti-FGM campaign, warned perpetrators of tradition to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.

    She decried the prevalent rate of female circumcision, insisting that urgent efforts should be made to stamp out the practice.

    She moaned that Osun State ranked number one on the list of the six states where FGM was most endemic in the country, adding that this compelled her to lead an intensive advocacy against FGM and sensitise the citizens to the dangers of the tradition.

    Mrs. Aregbesola emphasised that the reasons adduced by those engaging in the removal of external female genitalia were not tenable, saying that the perpetrators were only inflicting unwarranted lifelong trauma on the circumcised females and denying them sexual pleasure.

    “Investigations have revealed that none of the reasons adduced by perpetrators has any link to any medical objective, in which case the genitals of a female child or woman is just altered for a reason not aimed at saving her life.

    “The UNFPA, through a study, has confirmed that the practice of FGM in the endemic states in Nigeria was only anchored on various traditional beliefs and social pressures to conform to culture.

    “Documented studies have revealed that the health implications of FGM range from dangerous infections arising from unsanitary conditions, in which the practice is carried out to death through severe bleeding,’’ she said.

    Mrs. Aregbesola, who described FGM as a violation of fundamental human rights, said she would ensure that the practice was completely eradicated.

    Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Kayode Oguniyi, the Director of Primary Health care and Disease Control, said the government would henceforth ensure strict enforcement of the law against FGM.

    He also said it was worrisome that Osun State still had the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest.

    Oguniyi said the law prohibiting FGM in Osun, which was signed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, stipulated two years imprisonment without an option of fine for anyone caught engaging in the practice.

    “Let me agree that Osun is still one of the places where this old tradition is still being practised.

    “As regards the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Southwest, Osun has the highest figure with about 76 per cent.

    “We do not like it and we are working very hard to remove the tradition from our state,’’ he added.

    Oguniyi said as part of the campaigns, the agency was also training some people as anti-female genital mutilation ambassadors.

    He said the ambassadors carried out house-to-house campaigns to sensitise people to the ills of the harmful tradition.

    Medical experts, nonetheless, insist that government at all levels ought to embark on a more aggressive public awareness campaign on the health implications of FGM, while strictly enforcing the law banning the practice.

    Dr Banke Popoola, a gynaecologist, said since there was an extant law criminalising FGM, offenders should be punished accordingly, adding that such punishments should also be publicised to serve as deterrent to others.

    She also said the cruel practice of cutting the clitoris of young females should be discouraged by everyone, particularly those in the rural communities.

    Nevertheless, Dr Grace Adanri, the Research Director, Better Life Africa, called on the government to enforce all laws prohibiting violence against persons, as part of efforts to secure a better future for the Nigerian girl-child.

    She said FGM, in some cases, could lead to the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, thereby triggering Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition more commonly associated with obstetrics complications such as obstructed labour in teenage pregnancy.

    Besides, Adanri said there was a possibility of the failure of the wound to heal, leading to excessive growth of scar.

    “This could also lead to hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, reproductive tract infections, infertility, obstructive labour, painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse, among several other health issues,’’ she said.

    Adanri also said FGM could, as well, lead to Recto-Vaginal Fistula (RVF) particularly when “the pelvis and birth canal of the pregnant woman are not fully developed’’.

    She, however, underscored the need to stage intensive awareness campaigns on the ills of FGM.

    Observers insist that since the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared FGM as a violation of human rights, government should enforce the extant laws on FGM to the letter.

    • Victor Adeoti writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

     

  • Lawmaker presents score card

    Lawmaker presents score card

    The lawmaker representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ayo Omidiran has said that quality representation laced with focus, dedication, spirit of service and positive ideas engender human, infrastructural, economic and political development. These are, she said, very critical to the overall well-being of the people.

    Hon. Omidiran stated this while giving account of her stewardship in the National Assembly in the last six months during a Town Hall Meeting held in Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.

    The Town Hall Meeting, which is the second in the series since she won the election last year, gave the constituents the opportunity of having first-hand information about the goings on in the House of Representatives and to interface with their representative and suggest the way forward for the constituency’s development.

    Addressing the gathering, Omidiran said: “My topmost priorities as representative of the constituency include sponsoring life-changing bills as well as pursuing agenda that will attract development to the people.

    “My constituency projects as constitutionally and legitimately captured in this year’s budget will focus on provision of potable water in every nook and cranny of the constituency as well as renovation of major markets in the three local government areas that make up the constituency.”

    Hon. Omidiran, who sought the co-operation and support of the people at all times, promised to evolve policies and programmes that will bring succour to the people. She further called for their support for the Mohammadu Buhari-led administration as it has good intentions to take the country out of the present economic quagmire.

    The lawmaker also encouraged the youth to always enunciate ideas capable of securing their future, adding that she would always be ready to support such ideas in any capacity. She also encouraged them to take advantage of the N-POWER scheme of the Federal Government as it is part of plans by the government to fight poverty and hunger.

    Speakers at the event commended Hon. Omidiran for not letting them down. They, however, encouraged her not to relent in her commitment to take the constituency to an enviable height.

    They equally urged her to inform the Federal Government to accelerate actions that would ameliorate the suffering of the masses.

  • Ado-Ekiti… rituals, rituals everywhere

    Ado-Ekiti… rituals, rituals everywhere

    Residents of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital and nearby Ikere Ekiti, are alarmed by the increasing trend of rituals that dot strategic junctions in the two communities. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA examines the trend and its health implications 

    Although nobody knew the time they were placed, they are gradually becoming a regular feature in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital where they now dot the major junctions and public places.

    Residents of the city are concerned about the preponderance of rituals and fetish objects in the city, many of which are affecting the city’s beauty.

    The scary ritual objects include  animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, cats, monkeys, tortoise and various species of fish complemented with kola nuts, bitter kola, garden eggs and walnuts.

    Parts of animals such as heads, legs and intestines are common sights at those ritual spots where  eggs, palm oil; alligator pepper, cooked soup and salt, among others, are kept in the pots.

    Also birds of various sizes are killed as objects of sacrifice and placed at various junctions. Such birds include doves, pigeons, fowls, guinea fowls, bats and partridge, among others.

    Favourable spots for rituals in Ado-Ekiti are roundabouts, junctions, bus stops, markets, school gates, garbage dumps, mountain side and drainage.

    Neighbourhoods of Ado-Ekiti that have turned ritual havens include Odo Ado Main Roundabout near St. Paul’s Anglican Church; Moferere Junction very close to Oba Adejugbe Hospital; Oke Oke Oriomi Junction near Old Governor’s Office; Ijigbo Roundabout; NTA Road-House of Assembly interchange; Oke Ila-Afao Road Roundabout and Irona Junction.

    Southwest Report investigation also revealed that smaller road junctions in new sites and developing areas such as Ajebamidele, Fabian, Olujoda, Olorunda, Olorunsogo, Omisanjana, Egbewa, Ilawe Road are also being used as ritual sites.

    The situation is the same in nearby Ikere Ekiti where some locations in the community are also used to display rituals. Such locations include Odo Oja Roundabout and Moshood Road/Ise Road Junction near State Hospital.

    The ritual spots in the two communities already constitute health hazards to residents as the environment becomes malodorous as a result of  putrid smell oozing from the sacrifices.

    In places not located in the centre of the town such as Moferere Junction, strange birds such as vultures do feed on the sacrifices while dogs and pigs feast on the rituals in places located in the city centre.

    In the run-up to the 2014 governorship election and last year’s general elections, rituals in Ado-Ekiti were common place as residents believed that ‘desperate’ politicians and their supporters were those who carried out the rituals.

    A resident who would not want to be named for security reasons said: “You know our politicians are desperate. They are suspected to be the ones who carry out the rituals in Ado during the election period because they want to win at all costs.

    “Many of them believe that for them to win; they must carry out sacrifices to appease the gods in their favour. I know what I am saying; some politicians do it personally by themselves while others carry out sacrifices by proxies.”

    Apart from politicians, suspects in the Ekiti ritual bazaar include civil servants seeking promotion and favour, contractors  who are desperate to win contracts, Internet fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Boys and barren couples looking for children, among others.

    Apparently concerned on the development, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, sometime last year, summoned some stakeholders to a meeting in his palace to express his concern on the way and manner rituals are carried out in his domain.

    A resident of Odo Ado, Lekan Ajimuda said residents of the area have become accustomed to sights of sacrifices dropped by anonymous individuals for various reasons.

    He said: “We are used to seeing fetish objects in our area; they are usually dropped at odd hours when people are asleep by people who seek one favour or the other. The irony of it all is that you see fresh sacrifices placed beside the ones seen at a spot the previous day.

    “But it will surprise you to discover that people behind this profess one religion or the other and they also participate actively in their religions and are also involved in voodoo practise.”

    Another resident, Femi Olofinniyi, is surprised that people still believe in sacrifices in the 21st Century despite the advances made in science and technology. He added that  hard work and divine favour can earn one what one wants.

    Olofinniyi said: “It is very unfortunate that our people are still hooked to these ancient beliefs despite that we are in the era of modernity.

    “They should know that all those things belong to the ancient era and are exercises in futility. This is so because I have never seen the positive effect of rituals on our society.”

    Tunde Dada  called on security agents, especially policemen on night patrols, to arrest residents who deface Ado-Ekiti with rituals, which he described as “the ugly side of an otherwise beautiful town.”

    He said: “Ado-Ekiti has become a big city that has witnessed rapid expansion; playing host to people from all parts of the country and beyond. The aesthetic beauty of the city must be maintained.

    “The previous government performed well in the area of urban renewal even as the current administration is also trying within the limit of resources available to it. Something drastic must be done to prevent people from defacing the city with fetish objects.

    “I call on security agencies, especially the police and local hunters who usually carry out night patrols, to arrest anybody seen carrying out rituals in the night because their action is having adverse effect on the environment.

    “The rituals are fouling our environment, thereby constituting health hazards. Government must arrest the situation because the lives of the people are at stake.”

    Commissioner for Environment, Bisi Kolawole, who expressed concern on the development, said the action is having a negative impact on the environment, saying anybody caught would be prosecuted.

    He said: “We are aware of the development. We are worried about it because it affects the environment and anybody that contravenes our environmental laws will be punished, no matter how highly placed; because nobody is above the law.”

  • ‘I’ll provide purposeful leadership

    Residents of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have been assured of purposeful and responsible leadership, if a former supervisor for market and revenue generation, Mr. Peter Ajayi, is voted into power as chairman during the forthcoming local council election.

    This was contained in a press release from the Peter Ajayi Campaign Organisation (PACO). According to the release, which was signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Okunade Adekunle, the former supervisor gave the assurance during his recent interaction with the residents.

    Ajayi, who is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to the release, said the residents of the local government deserve more than they have benefitted from successive governments in the council, saying he would carry along all stakeholders in his government, if given a chance.

    Adekunle stated: “Grassroots development is the bedrock of national development. With Ajayi’s experience in revenue generation, he is in a better position to mobilise resources for the implementation of projects that will impact on the lives of the people.

    “Our government would make sure that the projects to be executed within the LCDA are executed by professional contractors who are residents of the council, thereby boosting the economy of the area, including creation of job opportunities for the teeming youths of the LCDA.

  • NGO gives out cars at promotion

    A multi-level marketing company, Touching Lives International (TLI), which was inaugurated this year in Lagos, has begun to touch the lives of the less-privileged persons in a positive manner.

    The organisation is a platform through which public-spirited individuals offer humanitarian services to the less-privileged. A token of members’ registration fees is used to cater for the needs of the poor.

    The company, which was founded in the Philippines and was inaugurated in Nigeria on July 8 this year, operates as a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    Recently, two star prize winners emerged after attaining a certain promotional level. They received SUV cars each as their prizes. They also received cheque of three thousand dollars each.

    Narrating how they achieved the feat with N7, 000, Eleogo Adejoh said she qualified for the car eight days after enrollment. She was able to meet her target with the help of her team and down lines.

    The down lines are those who were introduced to the marketing plan. A total of 115 items were given them, such as washing machines, television sets, laptops, iPad and generating sets.

    Miss Adejoh added that the one- off token of N7, 000 donated to charity fetched her car and an opportunity to nominate and empower two widows each, with one thousand dollars in Naira equivalent. If she gets to the next stage, she will nominate two children for scholarships which TLI will shoulder the responsibility on her behalf.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Agatha Ekpo, a graduate of Accountancy, who resigned from her banking profession to take up career with TLI full time, recalled how she began multi-level marketing in 2009. She also qualified for the SUV seven days after the product was launched.

    She said: “I encourage Nigerians to embrace multi-level marketing, because it is the fastest way to break out of poverty.”

    Other programmes by the company include free skill acquisition to learn soap and bead making for its members.

    Country Manager of TLI, Mr. Moses Durolola said the company achieved the great number of recipients due to its compensation plan that can’t be compared to any other in the industry.

    “We have a user-friendly matrix that allows members to realise their dreams; because it is a life that is empowered that can touch the lives of the less-privileged. Our prices are competitive because as they bring more members, they are making more money,” he said.

    He revealed that at the end of this month, another set of awards would come up, where beneficiaries will triple the number of July recipients.

  • New market for Ondo community, 10 years after

    New market for Ondo community, 10 years after

    Commercial activities will soon begin to boom in Ifara community in Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State after the construction of a new market 10 years after their market collapsed and killed a 12-year-old boy. The construction of the market was at the instance of the member representing the area, Mr Babatunde Kolawole. The new market comprises 14 open stores.

    The people, who are mainly farmers and traders, had been transacting their businesses under the sun and in the rain for the past 10 years when the only market in the town and which was constructed by the community, collapsed and killed

    Since then, they had hoped that successive administrations at the local and state levels would help in reconstructing the collapsed market which had been a death trap. Their hopes were dashed.

    Any wonder the people were ecstatic during the inauguration of the new market, during which 78 aged people from the three wards in Ile-labo zone which comprises ward 3 Ifira, ward 6 Ipesi and ward 11 Sosan Akoko were empowered.

    Kolawole said market women are the backbone of any family and should not be subjected to hardship.

    He reiterated his commitment to provide environment conducive to buying and selling for market men and women.

    The lawmaker, who frowned at the attitude of the chairman of Akoko South East, Mr. Sola Agunloye for playing politics with developmental projects meant to enhance people’s well-being, alleged that he (the chairman) attempted to stop the market project.

    He said: “I don’t know why a local council chairman should be working against the progress of a community under his domain. He should be appreciative that someone is coming to his rescue since he has failed in his primary assignment.

    “The Chairman should stop playing politics with progress of the community. They are afraid of the November 26, governorship election and that is why he has been sent to stop the market project because when the campaign starts, they may not have anything to campaign with.

    “We intended to also reconstruct the dilapidated market because we have budgeted N5 million for that but they preferred to send security operatives to stop the job; claiming they have this in their budget. We have given them sometime to start the reconstruction or we return to the site”.

    On the N5, 000 monthly stipends for the aged people, Kolawole said: “I do promise them that. As long as I am at the National Assembly, they will not go hungry again.

    “This is going to be a continuous empowerment programme because what we did was to take care of three wards and other wards will soon benefit from the programme.”

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council, Mr. Oluwasannu Ogunbi praised the lawmaker for coming to the rescue of the people, whom he said had been subjected to hardship due to non-availability of decent market.

    He, however, urged the lawmaker not to be distracted by the activities of his opponents, saying the community is behind him and appreciates his developmental projects.

    Meanwhile, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Joshua Orepo joined the APC.

    Dignitaries that attended the event were the state Chairman, Isaack Kekemeke, Secretary, Raman Rotimi, Financial Secretary, Moshood Ishola, Administrative Secretary and Smart Omodunbi, among others

  • Rotary installs first woman president

    Rotary installs first woman president

    Eminent Nigerians such as the Special Adviser to the President on Women Affairs, and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and other top officials of Lagos State government, joined the leadership of the Rotary Club District 9110 at the installation of Rotarian Titilayo Sunmonu as the 13th President of Rotary Club of Omole Golden.

    The two-part event, which took place at Anchor Event Centre, Ikeja, was a showcase for N20 million funds to finance the club’s projects.

    Sunmonu, who said she had kicked off her activities with a cervical/breast cancer screening and vaccination for poor women in Iju-Ifako community, said about 1,000 school bags are on ground to be distributed free to pupils of public primary schools.

    She said her greatest challenge remained retaining the award of overall best club of the district, knowing that the drive to emerge the winner this year has become more rigorous.

    An Insurance broker and winner of multiple Rotary International Gold Medal Awards on Membership, the new President said she was attracted to the club by her desire to help the needy.

    Describing her elevation as a call to more hard work, she noted that she hoped to leave the stage satisfied that she has been able to impact on the lives of the vulnerable groups in the society.

    Sunmonu listed her projects in the year to include donation of an ICT laboratory to Ajuwon Senior Secondary School, in Ogun State, donation of reflective and other security gadgets to men of the Nigerian Police Force and several others. She called on well-meaning Nigerians to

    partner with the club in the actualisation of the projects.

    She thanked all who have volunteered to take up some projects, adding that the club would need more in making life meaningful for the less privileged persons.

    Chairman of the event, Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale (MFR), had earlier said the challenge to help bring development to the grassroots is more germane today than before because “we are living in a world where man is becoming increasingly selfish and greedy.”

    He said the society will be a better place to live in, if one focuses on others rather than oneself and where everyone assists one another.

    Aderinwale also said the exit of Nigeria from the global list of Wild Polio virus endemic nations would have been impossible without the contributions of Rotary International. He added that many schools have continued to benefit from water and sanitation interventions, literacy and education as well as conflict eradication and peace initiatives of the club.

    Aderinwale, who is the Chairman of Justrite Superstores Limited, described Rotarian Sunmonu as a committed, dedicated and resourceful woman with a passion to help the less privileged in the society. He congratulated Rotary Club of Omole Golden on “putting a round peg in a round hole.”

    Earlier, the immediate past President of the club, Mr. Idowu Afelogun said the club has distinguished itself in the delivery of world-class projects to its adopted communities, schools and other institutions.

    He reeled of such projects to include the rehabilitation of a block of four classrooms to Ajuwon Senior Secondary School, Ajuwon, Ogun State, reclamation of 10-year-old dumpsite in the school, presentation of a Rotary Four-Way signpost to the same school, donation of one incubator to General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye, donation of 300 school bags to Iju Primary School, Fagba, Lagos, polio eradication street awareness campaign and the presentation of a Kick Polio Away signboard at the Ifako-Ijaiye Primary Health Care Centre, among others.

    He urged philanthropists and other corporate organisations to partner with the club in its efforts to enhance the living condition of the downtrodden.

    Among other dignitaries present at the event were the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Chief Mrs. Lola Akande, who was represented by Mrs. Lola Fowler, former Commissioner for Education Mrs. Oladunjoye, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa and former Chief of Staff in the state Mr. Olakunle Ojo.

    Also at the event were captains of industries such as the National President of Association of Women Insurance Brokers Mrs. Laide Osijo, the Managing Director of Sahara Group, Mr. Kola Adesina and Managing Director of Abelinis Limited Mr. Abiodun Oshinibosi, among others.

  • Provide parking space, NURTW chief urges Ambode

    The Deputy Chairman, Ojota branch ‘C’ of Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Rasheed Oyebola has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to provide parking space for transporters under his union who were ordered to vacate the Ojodu/Berger Motor Park. He said the seven-days notice given to them was inadequate.

    The union chief urged the government to provide enough parking spaces that will be accessible to passengers.

    He, however, stated that non-availability of Motor Parks at Ojodu/Berger has continually caused hardship to their drivers, union members and passengers who resort to parking by the roadside in order to load their passengers.

  • Foundation grooms youths for leadership

    Foundation grooms youths for leadership

    In his desire to make youths in his constituency be relevant in national and international leadership, the member representing Epe 2 State Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olusegun Olulade, has organised special empowerment programme that aims at unlocking their potential. Oziegbe Okoeki reports.

    The people had expected the usual form of empowerment which philanthropists and lawmakers hand out to the needy or members of their constituencies. That explains the huge crowd that converged on Bishop Abiodun Adetiloye Comprehensive College, Igboye in Epe for the Eleniyan Youth Empowerment summit.

    As early as noon that day, youths from all the communities  had begun to throng the arena. There was spontaneous jubilation as Hon. Olusegun Olulade, popularly known as Eleniyan and his entourage made their way into the venue.

    The roomy venue was largely suffused with traditional dancers who entertained the people. It was, indeed, an empowerment programme with a difference.

    The lawmaker, who represents Epe 2 State Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, introduced new vista in empowering his people. Those who are familiar with empowerment programmes organised by politicians or lawmakers, looked forward to gifts such as tricycles, motorcycles, sewing and grinding machines and other items to assist them start one form of business or the other or expand existing ones.

    However, they were disappointed as the lawmaker introduced a new dimension to rendering help to his people. He did not want to give them fish. Rather, he decided to teach them how to fish in order to be self-reliant and contribute their quota to societal development. He decided to   empower them in a different, more enduring and impactful way. He was interested in their mental development.

    In the circumstances, over 1, 000 youths across the state gathered at the Eleniyan Youth Empowerment Summit under the auspices of Eleniyancares Leadership Foundation organised by Hon. Olusegun Olulade, popularly known as Eleniyan.

    The summit with the theme, ‘’Unlocking the Potential Within: Making Your Ideas Work”, was aimed at making the youth become conscious of their innate talents and work towards realising them in order to enhance their socio-economic well-being as well as contribute to the development of the their environment.

    At hand to motivate and galvanise the youth to action was a motivational speaker, career/business coach and a social reformer, Mr. Muyiwa Afolabi, who was the Guest Lecturer. There was also a seminar session featuring publisher of Ovation Magazine, Chief Dele Momodu, member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot. Other Nollywood actors such as Chioma Chukwuma and Kate Henshaw were present. Agriculture expert, Samuel Damola Andre, ICT expert, Victor Diali and another motivational speaker, Dayo Israel were also present.

    In his address to welcome the participants, Mr. Olulade urged the youth to identify their various potential, unlock them and use them to better themselves and their communities.

    He said: “I am inspired by my humble background to start a youth-based foundation to bridge the gap between the youth and their aspirations to be part of our country’s journey to glory. Youths should be seen as assets and not liabilities. This programme is one of the focal points of my foundation.

    Olulade stated that if the youth could realise their talents, they would discover that they have something to offer the world. He said: “Keep your dreams alive. Understand that to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”

    According to the Project Co-ordinator, Mr. Abiola Hamid, the vision of the foundation “is to see a pool of credible, ethical, responsible and accountable leaders who can promote economic and socio-political status of Nigeria and Africa. Therefore, we are all out to discover young people who have leadership potential, provide them with needed supports and encouragement through training programmes, scholarships, exchange and mentorship opportunities and then immerse them into a networking system that gives them power to influence their communities and the nation.”

    The Eleniyancares Leadership Foundation, he said, was aimed at raising credible African young leaders through capacity building and training.

    The guest speaker defined potential as the ability or the capacity to do or become something. According to him, one’s potential is one’s ability to do something, adding that the youth should be greater and better than they currently are.

    He noted that everyone is born with blank minds but that people’s minds are shaped by their environment.

    “The people around you make impressions on your mind; then your mind begins to develop and grow. Your mind now becomes a mind-set. The people that set your minds are your parents and siblings,” Afolabi said.

    He informed them that God did not create and put them in Nigeria by mistake, but that He put them there to make a difference.

    “You must stop the blame game and accept responsibilities. The greatest kind of hard work is the work you do on yourself. It is working very hard on your character, emotions and skills. Find the right association. Don’t get emotional about your mistakes. Never give up on your skills, life would test and challenge you. You also need to fear God so that you would do the right thing when nobody is watching you,” he stated.

    Publisher of Ovation Magazine advised them not to be afraid of challenges, saying that he was able to achieve success in life based on his tenacity of purpose. He said he studied Yoruba as first degree and later pursued a Master’s degree in Literature in English.

    “I joined Concord Newspaper against my wish in 1988 when I couldn’t get a job. I later got several promotions in the media house before I left for Classique Magazine. I also sold bread for some time.”

    He informed them that it is better to try something and fail rather than not trying at all, saying that “something must shake you in life, but if you stay focussed, you would get there.”

    Other discussants shared their experiences and how they achieved successes in their various careers, even as they urged them to believe in themselves and be determined to be successful in life.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, congratulated Mr  Olulade on his ability to put the programme together for the youth, saying, “it is timely because it falls in line with my passion and enthusiasm to ensure that both the youth and the state are developed.”

    Represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosimi-Etti, Governor Ambode said: “The programme falls in line with the strategic youth plan being developed in the state.”

    In his goodwill message, Senator Olorunmibe Mamora commended Mr. Olulade for being a man of the people and for his passion for the youth.

    “You have done well because you have taken the concept of effective and efficient representation which is the most important role of legislators very serious,” he said.

    Mamora, who urged the youth to be positive-minded, said every destiny was a product of thinking.

    “Be positive in your thinking; ideas rule the world. When you come up with big ideas, you can make a lot of money. Take maximum advantage of this summit,” he said.

    One of the participants, Taiwo Yusuf said though the expectation of most of the participants was different from what they experienced and different from their idea of empowerment, they received something useful from the event as they were empowered in a different way.

    “We needed something tangible such as capital that can enhance or better our living condition because it is not easy to start up a business as banks are not forthcoming with assistance.”

    He, however, thanked the lawmaker for exposing them to the programme and giving them the necessary motivation to believe in themselves and forge ahead in life.