The Nation Newspaper

Tag: empowerment

  • ‘Upcoming artists need more empowerment’

    What is the theme or message of the exhibition?

    The exhibition focuses on women and the role they play in our society. The theme of the exhibition therefore is WOMAN: FILLING THE BROKEN SPACES.

    What excites and motivates your works?

    My motivation comes from the fact that over the years I have actually studied The Woman and have drawn the conclusion that indeed, she is very strong, resilient and resourceful and will hold her own in the face of situations, even very difficult ones.

    Let’s talk about some memorable moments in your career?

    I would say that the memorable moments for me are the times that people study the work and want to know how I come up with the concepts that I have developed. It also includes moments when people  ask for explanations and the incredible thing is that I get the same reaction from art lovers over the years; they are always amazed at my explanations .

    What are some of the challenges encountered?

    For this exhibition, the main challenge was that I had to put together all the materials I have been using for decades and even added some new ones. Most of them cannot be bought off the shelves so I had to drive to different places just to pick up materials.

    At the end of the day, the job always gets done and knowing the end result helps me cope with it.

    Who or what do you consider as the greatest influence in your life and career?

    My greatest influences are God, my wife who is my biggest fan and critic, and honest people with integrity who mean what they say at all times.

    What are some of the other things that occupy your time?

    I play the clarinet and saxophone and sing too, so when I am not working, I relax by playing an instrument.

    Let’s compare when you started and now, what has changed?

    Not much has changed but like everything else, due to higher cost of materials, the price for the works has changed. The materials I use have not really changed just that I have added some more because I like to use as many different materials as possible on a painting.

    What are some of the changes that you would like to see in the sector?

    I will like upcoming artists to be more empowered, and involvement of artists in aesthetics and beautification of different parts of the country is long overdue. There is a level of ‘art’ in every sector, unfortunately artists are not remembered when it comes to such work.

    What are some of the principles that you hold onto in life?

    I am hardworking and very optimistic about life, therefore I do not believe that there are no solutions to any problem and I hate procrastination, because I believe that leaving what you can do now for later, will delay any benefits that may come to you, so why wait?

    If you have to advise young people, what would you tell them?

    My advice to young people is that they should develop the will power to work hard, no matter what their hands find to do, they should work hard at it because successful people started from somewhere. There are no free lunches anywhere. If you do not work, you cannot put food on your table or expect someone else to do it. For those who have studied one course or the other, they should still learn a skill,  that is the future.

  • OVL Foundation calls for empowerment of African women, youths 

    The OVL Foundation has called upon stakeholders in Civil Society Organisations, corporate organisations and  world leaders to provide empowerment, mentoring and guidance opportunities to women and youths in Nigeria and Africa.

    This according to the Foundation will enable them lead economically productive lives and break free from the shackles of poverty, stagnation and retrogression.

    The call was made on Thursday, August 17, 2017 by the Director of the Foundation, Mr. Victor Laniyan during a vision sharing session with stakeholders, including  CSOs, CBOs, international NGOs, donor organizations, representatives of corporate organisations and media organisations in Lagos.

    He explained that women and youths in Nigeria and Africa are vulnerable, faced with unique issues and challenges specific to their gender and stage of life which makes it necessary for them to be empowered, mentored and guided in all spheres of life and learning. 

    While narrating the focus and objectives of the OVL Foundation, the Ag. Executive Secretary of the OVL Foundation, Mrs. Oyinlola Scott-Igbene, noted that the foundation is guided by the belief that every human being irrespective of socio-economic status should be entitled to and not alienated from equal opportunities, economic justice, accessible and prompt healthcare as well as the tools to carve and work out their economic freedom and independence. 

    “Hosting this vision-sharing session with stakeholders and the media is a demonstration of our commitment to providing lasting solutions to pressing health issues in the nation especially among the vulnerable and underserved communities. For us at OVL Foundation, we visualize a nation in which all individuals and communities have the opportunity to achieve their goals. Our goal is to complement the effort of government organizations, nonprofits and private sector institutions to advance education, technology and health opportunities for those who need them most,” Laniyan stated.

    “We have been able to identify with the core of our work which is: creativity, innovation and collaboration to accelerate the impact of our interventions focused on education, health and economic empowerment.” 

    The OVL Foundation was established in 2013 and is duly registered with the corporate affairs commission as a movement to empower women and young people in Africa.

    The mission of the organization is to support and facilitate access to training, business development and healthcare for women and youths through programmatic interventions, partnerships and advocacy to relevant stakeholders.

    According to the Ag. Executive Secretary of the OVL Foundation, the organisation  is committed to supporting women, children and young people in order for them to attain their fullest potentials and contribute to the development of Africa.

     

  • Empowerment: 1,000 Kogi youth trainees, others for fish farming  

    1,000 unemployed youths in Kogi State are set to be trained in fish farming, under a collaborative empowerment programme.

    To also benefit are 2,000 established farmers from across the three senatorial districts of the state. Each senatorial district will host an agricultural farm settlement as part of the programme.

    The Federal Government backed initiative is a collaboration effort of the Kogi State government and a firm, Fedgro, and is part of efforts to tackle the unemployment problem in the state and elsewhere in the country.

    Unveiling the programme in Lokoja on Thursday, the Regional Coordinator (South West and parts of the North Central States), Amalgamated Association of Fish Farmers and Aquaculture of Nigeria (AAFFAN), Otunba Eniola Ogunsanya, explained that fish farm settlements to be established in the senatorial districts of the state will accommodate 1,000 trainee youth fish farmers and 2,000 others.

    The programme coordinator for Kogi, Mr. Ajubola Augustine stayed that the target is to empower 1,000. And, while the state government dig the fish ponds, the private Fed agro will provide the juveniles  (fish) and their feed.

    He added: “We equally give the trainees N15,000 monthly stipends. When we harvest, we share the profit; 50 percent to the participants and 50 percent to the company.

    “The first instalment is for two years and those that comport themselves will feel our impact. The state too will feel our inoact, through tax payment and payment in rentage of the ponds”.

     

  • Activist urges govt on empowerment

    An activist, Mr. Sara-Igbe Sukubo, has urged Rivers State government to prioritise youth empowerment.

    Sara-Igbe, chairman, Rivers State National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that youth empowerment would curb restiveness.

    He said no society would enjoy peace when youths are not involved in productive ventures to make them self-reliant.

    “It is only when youths are mobilised to engage in things that will be useful to them and their environment that the society can be free from vices.

    “NYCN at the national level empowered 6,000 youths across the country with N100,000  each through Bank of Industry to start small scale business.

    “We have made multinational oil companies to engage about 400 youths in vocations and surveillance jobs,” Sara-Igbe said.

    According to him, the government is yet to carry out any programme aimed at making youths self-employed.

    “The government should come up with programmes to make vices unattractive to youths.

    “The government can collaborate with multinationals to engage youths in rural communities through skill development and empowerment.

  • Lafarge’s CPTP: a boost to youth empowerment

    Lafarge’s CPTP: a boost to youth empowerment

    Youth unemployment is a major issue in the country. But experts say the solution to the problem, which hampers productivity and social harmony, ranges from entrepreneurship to technical apprenticeship. MUYIWA LUCAS writes on the Cement Professionals Training Programme (CPTP) by Lafarge Africa, which trains youths to acquire employable skills.

    The need to increase local content, especially in  multinationals, is one way to develop backward integration which the country  craves for.  Besides, such initiative has provided a safety net for operations of firms domiciled in hot areas in the country.

    It was for this that Lafarge Africa Plc, established the Cement Professionals Training Programme (CPTP), which began on June 8, to assist youths in its catchment areas.

    Under the scheme, over the next three years, 15 youths from Ogun, Gombe and Cross River states will be trained in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, automation technology, cement manufacturing process and entrepreneurship at Lafarge’s facilities in Ashaka, Ewekoro, Mfamosing (in Calabar) and Sagamu.

    With this, stakeholders are convinced that the firm has repositioned its flagship technical training programme for young Nigerians as part of its corporate social responsibility, as well as adding value to the development of the country, especially its host communities in Southwest, Southsouth and Northeast.

    The CPTP Manager, Mr. Michael Shokunbi, said while its objective remains the same as previous programmes’,  the coverage  has expanded to include science-based young school leavers from the Northeast and Southsouth.

    He said to make the CPTP effective, Lafarge was partnering the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Nigeria Employers Consultative Assembly (NECA) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The certificate awarded after the programme is accredited by NBTE and valid for admission into  universities.

    The Country Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa, Michel Puchercos, said the CPTP was a national programme aimed at bringing about change in the society.

    He said: “Skills acquired through this programme will not only make these young men employable, but impact positively on our host communities,” adding that with more companies towing his firm’s example, host communities of companies will see a steep decline in youth restiveness.’’

    Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development Director  Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem said the 15 youths in the CPTP would be trained to imbibe the culture of “safety first”.

    “We want to conduct business at zero harm to people and at zero cost to life. If we’re good in safety, then we’re good in business,” she said.

    In his message to the trainees, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Modupe Mujota, challenged them to ensure they put the training to good use for the benefit of their community.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected. You are not here by chance; you have a specific and important role to play in ensuring that the three-year intensive multi-skilling vocational training will bring about improved standard of living in our communities,” she said.

    The earlier version of CPTP—developed in partnership with the ITF and the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA)—was launched in 2012 with 12 youths and increased to 21 in 2014. Its graduates were trained in automation, electrical and mechanical skills and awarded a diploma after the 18-month programme.

    The skills addressed the dearth of professional artisans and technicians, allowed the youth to be self-sufficient and support their local economy, and thus, reinforced bonds between Lafarge and the community.

    Three-quarters of the first set got jobs with Lafarge while others were engaged by Lafarge contractors.

  • Traders get empowerment

    NO fewer than 17 market men and women in Gbagada, Lagos have benefited from the micro credit scheme of the Rotary Club of Gbagada South.

    They received cash worth N600,000. Three widows got free pepper grinders.

    President of the club Ademola Olutusin recalled that the micro credit scheme was launched 10 years ago to minister to the needs of small scale business men and women and that since then it had waxed strong with high repayment rate.

    The addition, this year, he said, were the free grinder. He urged the traders to make judicious use of the cash, adding that there were plans to increase it to N1million in subsequent editions of the programme.

    He advised the widows to not sell the machines or rent them out but to use them to generate income.

    District 9110 Governor Rotary International Dr Adewale Ogunbadejo said one of the objectives of the association is to help the less-privileged. He expressed satisfaction with the club, saying they were on the right track in their work.

    He advised the traders to live to the expectations of the club by paying back so that the programme could continue.

    The Baba Oloja (Male Leader) of Akerele and Diya market, Rev. Matthew Akerele, thanked the club for the gesture, noting that since the scheme started, it floaters had not disappointed them in cash distribution.

    He added that they would not let the members of the club down.

  • LSETF partners lawmaker on women empowerment scheme 

    The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) has signed a partnership agreement with Hon. Wale Raji Women Empowerment Scheme, a brain child of the lawmaker representing Epe Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Wale Raji.

    The Memorandum of Understanding on the partnership agreement was signed at the weekend in Epe, Lagos.

    As part of the partnership arrangement, the lawmaker will provide N10,000,000, which will be matched by the LSETF with another N10,000,000 to fund the Hon. Wale Raji Women Empowerment Scheme. The LSETF will act as the administrator of the scheme and the Ibile Microfinance Bank will be the custodian of the pool of funds.

    Under the partnership arrangement, business owners and promoters specifically women operating within Epe Constitency can get loans from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to invest in their businesses at interest free rates. With this agreement, the 5% interest rate originally meant to be paid per annum on loans serviced to the LSETF will be paid by Hon. Wale Raji to ease the burden on applicants of the loans.

    Speaking on the development, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akintunde Oyebode said the project is a step in the right direction as it answers the LSETF’s call for funding partnership from in dividuals,  private  organisations,  donor agencies,  not-for-profit  organisation for its various programmes aimed at combating unemployment.

    “Today we are signing an agreement between the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Hon. Wale Raji’s Foundation. Under that agreement, we will offer loans of up to Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) to constituents in Epe with Hon. Wale Raji paying the interest on behalf of the beneficiaries. As a result of this arrangement, the loans will be available to the beneficiaries at no interest rate.

    “We are very excited at what we are doing with Hon. Wale Raji and this indicates a step in the right direction. Hon. Wale Raji indicated his desire to help businesses in Epe grow and for people in his constituents to do well.

    ”This is a great model for proper representation and we also ask well meaning Nigerians in Lagos State who wants to run similar programmes in their communities to please contact us at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF),” Mr. Oyebode said.

    Raji said the partnership was necessary to improve small and medium scale businesses in Epe and Lagos State.

  • UNICEF makes case for girl education, empowerment

    UNICEF makes case for girl education, empowerment

    As Africa celebrated this year’s Day of the African Child, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said girl education is key to empowerment and equal opportunity.

    To mark this year’s day, UNICEF has partnered with Federal Ministry of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards in Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, to launch the Girls for Girls (G4G) initiative.  The initiative seeks to empower girls with information and knowledge to help build their capacity to stand up for themselves. It aims at creating equal opportunities for girls to access education.

    With this year’s commemoration of the day focusing on empowerment and equal opportunity for the African child, the launch seeks improve the life of the girl child .

    The primary goal of G4G, according to UNICEF, is to empower girls with knowledge, skills and confidence needed to enroll and remain in school, completing the full course of education so they can be role model to other girls in their communities.  Working with members of the Mothers Association as mentors, girls are expected to initiate and lead a range of activities to identify barriers to the education of girls in their communities and work to remove such barriers so girls will enroll and remain in school.

    Mohammed Fall UNICEF Representative in Nigeria said: “The G4G initiative is a commitment to improve the quality of girls’ and ultimately women’s lives by empowering girls through education.  By educating girls, practices such as early marriage will be uprooted and girls will be empowered to contribute to the development of their communities, states and Nigeria.”

    The G4G initiative is a component of the Girls’ Education Project Phase 3 being implemented in northern Nigeria through collaboration between UNICEF Nigeria and the Federal Government of Nigeria with funding from the United Kingdom (UK) Department of International Development (DFID), UNICEF said.

    This phase of the Girls Education Project seeks to help put 1million girls in school, support them to remain in school and improve their learning achievement. The focus states have the highest number of girls who do not attend school in Nigeria.

    According to UNICEF, despite important education gains in recent decades, Nigeria still has the largest number of girls not in school, adding that when girls enter school, a vast majority of them do not complete primary school education. “The average girl stays in school only through age nine. Less than one-third of girls in Nigeria enrol in the lower secondary school, and, in northern Nigeria, less than one in 10 girls generally complete secondary education.”

    G4G groups will be established in more than 8,000 Primary and Qur’anic schools by 2019.

  • DEEPEN seeks empowerment for low cost private schools

    DEEPEN seeks empowerment for low cost private schools

    One of the problems faced by private schools, especially low cost schools, is limited access to finance, which often militates against quality education delivery.

    This was the thrust of presentations at a finance forum organised by Developing Effective Private Education Nigeria (DEEPEN), a programme funded by UKaid, which focuses on improving the quality of education in private schools, with special attention on low cost private schools.

    The event titled “Schools as SMEs: Leveraging the market opportunities”, was held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja.

    The team leader, Gboyega Ilusanya, said  researches conducted by DEEPEN showed that over 70 per cent, amounting to  1.4m children in Lagos State, attend private schools, with 118,000 teachers being employed by these schools. Also, about 9,000 schools are unapproved, educating over a million children.

    He said it is pertinent to look at education support for these schools within the business environment in different perspectives; the rules and standard within which they operate, the policy framework which positively or negatively affects  them as a business, as well as whether those frameworks have negative impacts on them.

    He noted that if accessibility of funds was made easier, especially to low cost schools, they would in turn have a significant improvement in service delivery.

    “The challenges faced by the schools go beyond seeking government support. The issue of quality education has been a challenge, but the quantum of resources the government can provide is not enough for schools to get out of the vicious cycle of low-cost, and low quality that has been alleged, which often is not totally the case, and then moving forward to improving quality of learning among schools.

    “So, it is about getting a consensus, getting the private sector, the financial institutions to have insight into the thinking of the government around how to improve access to finance and loans for schools than leveraging the market opportunities,” he said.

    He continued: “There is a need to involve the private sector so that at the end, we are not just throwing money at the problem, but looking at the problems and solving them together, so that we will have a  long term stability.”

    The Special Adviser to Lagos State on education Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, explained that private schools represent a larger number in the state, with only 4,000 registered and 8,098 unapproved.

    He said the 60 per cent of unregistered schools pose a challenge to the state in ascertaining the quality of education being delivered as well as maintaining standards.

    Bank-Olemoh said the state Public Trust Funds can only be accessible by registered schools, which many have applied for, adding that  the state was doing its best to address school deficit by locating those areas that are in need of schools.

    National Secretary, Association For Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Mr Kalu Orji, noted that many low cost schools are faced with government’s draconian policy such as registration and getting approval, adding that the scenario is further worsened by the perception of low cost schools by financial institutions as ‘highly risky’, and making the latter to be unwilling in giving out loans to them.

    Orji urged the government to review the policy framework to accommodate these schools to operate effectively, as against the general framework for all levels of private schools.

  • First lady seeks support for empowerment programme

    First lady seeks support for empowerment programme

    Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has urged lawmakers, politicians and wealthy Nigerians to complement her efforts in empowering the Nigerian woman, through her Future Assured programme, by start-up capitals that can enable them establish and practise their acquired skills.

    The First Lady, who spoke at the Kano State Government House during the graduation ceremony of 2,200 women trained in different skills under the Future Assured programme, witnessed the induction of the second phase of beneficiaries.

    She said: “Let me also call on all privileged, well-meaning individuals in Kano State, to emulate this effort, as the turn-out of this training has revealed the interest of women to get involved in income generating activities. I call on leaders, both political and corporate, to assist these graduating women with startup funds, so they can start work immediately. “These women have already started making money from these skills. They are now empowered to augment the family purse, solve their immediate financial problems, marital and family issues with more confidence.

    “I will not get tired of restating the age old adage that training a woman translates to training the whole community. I believe that these skills you have learnt will be transferred to your children, your sisters, your friends and even your neighbours, either directly or by subsidising your charges to them.

    “I, therefore, congratulate you on this achievement and hope it will translate to a better, more productive and fruitful lives. I hope that in the long run, the economy of Kano State will benefit from these skills.”