The Nation Newspaper

Tag: youth empowerment

  • ‘Youth empowerment critical to development’

    Paradigm shift in education is vital to youth development, Professor Yemi Akegbejo-Samsons of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, has said.

    He said youths, who could manage and evaluate developmental opportunities, should be the focus for the country to move at par with the global world.

    Akegbejo-Samsons, who spoke at a lecture titled: Knowledge economy and career choices for the Nigerian youth, at the Annual General Meeting/Diamond Jubillee of St Patrick’s College, Oka-Akoko, Ondo State, stressed the importance of paradigm shift in secondary schools teaching models as the foundation for producing efficient youths.

    “More modern frameworks can better reflect the aspirations of 21st Century students and the requirements for success as next-generation college students, workers, and citizens. Effective curriculum frameworks encompass subject-matter requirements as well as 21st Century or transversal skills such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Assessment needs to change to reflect the new curriculum,” he said.

    According to him, the youth has a significant role to play in the development of any nation. He lamented that they are marginalised and excluded from governance and other developmental processes.

    A new approach to learning in secondary schools, he said, empowers students to learn anywhere. Such approach should provide innovative ways for students to demonstrate what they have learnt and inspire students to synthesise what they have learned and use higher-order thinking and creativity skills to build new contents, he added.  Akegbejo-Samsons is hopeful that the model would greatly help the youths.

    The varsity don noted that secondary schools should focus on building the capacity of students by analysing and understanding each student’s progress toward mastery, and apply evidence-based teaching strategies that address individual learning styles, interests, pace of learning, degree of content mastery and special requirements.

    Inculcating career education into teaching models, according to him, would assist students to develop and execute career plans that would help them to achieve their career goals by taking appropriate courses at the secondary level or other relevant steps and training after the secondary level that would qualify them for particular occupations.

    He said the growing population of  school learners showed the need to introduce and improve on the learning models, adding that teachers should incorporate digital platforms and resources into diverse learning models and teaching strategies.

    The lecture was part of the 60th anniversary  of the school, which turned out to be a happy reunion for the old students. The four-day celebration, which attracted over 200 old students, featured a fund raiser for school development projects, unveiling of old students association logo, unveiling of the association’s constitution and school magazine, unveiling of association membership crest, car stickers, donation of 50 laboratory stools by 82 class set, inter house sports competition, award presentation, thanksgiving service, among others.

    At the AGM, which held at the school premises  penultimate Saturday, St. Patrick’s College, Oka Old Students Association (SPACOOSA) President, Dr. Dele Oludare said  the celebration, which included the inauguration of some completed projects and laying of foundation of new ones as well as an onsite physical interaction of the staff and old students would enhance better relationship among the old and new students.

    “The SPACOSA has very formidable finance and welfare committees that will put our financial resources together to actualise our various projects within the school. The association also aims at enhancing love and unity among members and particularly, to be our brothers’ keeper. In the spirit of oneness, brotherly love should exist among old students. The older generation should assist the younger ones in whatever capacity they can like getting jobs for young graduates or admission into university for secondary school leavers.

    “Education talks could also be organised by individuals or sets on topical issues to help the current students in their overall development,” he said.

    The association agreed on critical decisions about the development plans for the school, which included the setting up of a three-man Electoral Committee, which comprised Mr Mike Adara as Chairman, Felix Aponbiede and Leo Olatunji. The committee was charged with  providing guidelines for the election of the association’s next executive on March 16 and 17, next year.

    Also, the association pledged to honour deserving Patricians and other personalities, who contributed to the growth of the school. Awards were given to members and class sets for their contributions to the school.

    At the events were the Olukun of Ikun, Oba Olokunbola Adedoyin; Regent Asin of Okaland, Princess Adekemi Omorinbola; Hon. Mike Adara; wife of SPACOOSA President, Mrs Omolade Oludare; Lanke Odogiyan (SAN) and Rev. Fr. Ogidiagba Joseph.

    Others were PTA Chairman, Patrick Daramola; the school Principal, Rev Seun Ojamo; Rufus Alejo; Jerome Tolorunlogo; Akindele Salami; Albert Adeola; Otunba Dele Ologbese; Akin Dawodu; Dr. Muyiwa Olusa; Julius Ajowele; Meshack Atere; Christopher Oluwabusola; Stanley Arogunjo; Jerome Ogungbe; Segun Ologundudu andTessy Adodo.

  • Obiano, Obi of Onitsha call for emergency on youth empowerment

    The Anambra Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, have called for declaration of emergency on youth empowerment in the land.

    This, according to the duo, will end joblessness, restiveness and crimes among the youths in the society. Obiano and Igwe Achebe spoke in Onitsha during the International Breweries Hero’s Foundation where the youths were trained and empowered by the foundation The event which used to be a yearly affair for only South-East states for youths between the ages of 18 and 35 has been extended to other states like Delta, Edo, Benue and Rivers. Already, the foundation had fished out budding talents numbering 44 in the said states and had equally spent N84.5m  to set up their businesses.

    The monarch and the governor called for synergy between the government and corporate organizations in the country. Some of the youth are engaged in fishery, poultry, tailoring, bead-making. According to Otunba Michael Daramola, the Group Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, “The ultimate aim of the programme is to instill a culture of entrepreneurship among young people thereby reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria ” The programme, according to a member of the Board of Trustees, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, was first launched in South Africa in 1995 as poverty alleviation initiative, and has also been implemented in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Tanzania.

    For Obi Achebe, who is the chairman of the foundation, he expressed joy that the foundation was able to run another successful Hero’s Foundation Kick-start Programme. He urged the awardees to use their business grants and all they had learned during the business training to create value for themselves and the society. “Running business is not for the faint-hearted, especially in Nigeria. Do not relent and make the best use of this amazing opportunity you have been gifted to create value for yourself and the society” Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by his Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, thanked International Breweries Plc, for continuing to train, empower and encourage young entrepreneurs in the country.

    She said: “The Hero’s Foundation has taken upon itself the mission to instill the culture of entrepreneurship in our youth by empowering them with much needed training and funds to start up new businesses or expand already existing ones ” “This brilliant purpose has pleased the governor, as well as fellow members of his administration because bridging the gap between the youth and productivity is a project we embark on with sincere passion.”

  • Cleric, others advocate youth empowerment

    The Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, has urged the country’s leaders to do more by creating employment for the youths.

    Speaking at a service held by the Church of Resurrection, Victoria Island, Lagos, last weekend, the cleric said youths are the future leaders.

    Olumakaiye, therefore, urged wealthy Nigerians to help empower the youths, adding that government cannot do it alone.

    His words: “There is need for us to be passionate about youth development, because we believe that many of our youths are neglected, and are not brought up properly.

    “We believe that oil, gas and agriculture are not the greatest resources of a nation; the youths are the greatest resources for the development of a great nation.

    “We believe that they are the future of our great nation. In actual fact, they are the posterity; they are the hope of our future in this country.

    “We believe that it will be proper for us to have a holistic approach to youth development. If we do that we are actually building great leaders.

    The Brand Manager, Emzor Pharmaceutical, Mr. Olugbenga Obaparusi, urged the government and the church to intensify efforts at creating employment for youths.

    “We need to intensify our efforts on youth empowerment and development. The rate of unemployment is alarming and an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

    “The government and the church should create employment for the youths. If they are empowered and engaged, the rate of drug abuse will be minimised, if not eradicated,” he said.

  • ‘Youth empowerment, leadership solutions to insecurity’

    Nigerian former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has urged the Federal government to curb the challenges of insecurity going on in the country through youths empowerment.

    She lamented the leadership style prevalent in most African countries. She added that  the continent has faced so much crisis in the past, adding that there is need to urgently address the situation before it goes out of hand.

    Speaking as guest lecturers at the Women of Essence Programme which had African Women in Leadership in a Troubllet Era as theme at Eko Hotel, Lagos, the former minister said corruption has taken over the entire system of governance in Africa and should be fought.

    Citing Nigeria as an example, she said the country is badly affected because of the selfishness of the human heart, adding that everybody is jostling to become a political leader and occupy an office but when voted in, they don’t deliver the dividends of democracy to the electorate.

    She said: “The country is full of deceit. Nowhere is safe, most especially with the killings by  herdsmen and Boko-Haram killings.

    “Singapore got independence same year with Nigeria but Nigeria has been so backward because of the height of corruption in leadership style in Nigeria. We are not developing rather we are reducing in terms of styles and size, if everybody is killed in Nigeria who are they going to govern.

  • Technical & Vocational Education as Imperative for Youth Empowerment

    Text of a Lecture delivered by Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, at the 2018 National Alumni Lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, in Trenchard Hall, Ibadan, on Friday, August 3, 2018.

    It is indeed a great pleasure to return to this great institution, an intellectual haven that molded me in the very best traditions of research, leadership, administration, the arts, understanding of the values of life and the centrality of human progress as the measure of labour.

    I would like to thank the National President of our Alumni Association, Dr. Kemi Emina for the invitation to deliver this lecture today. I acknowledge the outstanding leadership that our Alumni Association has provided to Nigeria and the contributions that it continues to make to the growth and development of the University of Ibadan – Nigeria’s premier university.

    Before I make my comments on the importance of technical and vocational education, please permit me to make some preliminary comments:

    Firstly, the notion of youth empowerment implies a deliberate commitment of   government to involve the youth in the socio-economic and political development of the Nation.  Unfortunately, despite the continuous “youth agenda” propaganda, not much has been achieved since independence even under civilian rule.

    Most of the hundreds of skills acquisition programmes in the country are disconnected from the evolution of the labour market demand as well as the societal evolution of the country. Few states have realized this and are taking steps to develop robust technical and vocational programs.

    The fundamental reasons for this rather low level of youth involvement include policy inconsistency and the lack of a disciplined planning process.  Today, we have an army of unemployed, underemployed and unemployable youths that threaten both national stability and security. We are now faced with the reality of what to do with them and for them.

    Secondly, a response to the youth challenge requires credible leadership. Leadership must, through policy, programmes and politics, critically insert itself into the realities of our young people with an understanding of their needs, peculiarities, expectations and aspirations.

    Such leadership, in collaboration with the private sector should be tasked with the development and implementation of a sustainable roadmap which transcends personalities and regimes.  This establishes a firm basis for sustainability, innovation, mass participation, and development of relevant programs.

    Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, we have neglected technical and vocational education for far too long.  The discrimination that polytechnic graduates still suffer after graduation is a clear illustration of this situation.  Many technical schools have been converted to regular schools to produce all sorts of “certificates”. Others are simply glorified institutions with nothing technical about them; certainly not in the curriculum, not in technology nor in the faculties, facility and general infrastructure.  In this way, we have gradually lost the vision and mission of producing a cadre of skilled young Nigerians to perform technical responsibilities in government, industry and general services.

    It is no wonder therefore, that many foreign investors bring their own staff using legal and underhand tactics to comply with or evade the quota system for expatriate labour.  In other cases, Nigeria-based businesses are forced to spend huge sums of money recruiting and re-training graduates.

    We may all be familiar with the fact that if you require the services of good tailors today you go the Republic of Benin or Ghana.  When you want to build a gazebo in your compound, roof a house or lay tiles, the recommendations we receive are for skilled artisans from neighbouring countries.

    In similar vein, many of us have patronized hotels, restaurants, shops, carpenters, welders, and mechanics in contemporary Nigeria.  In many cases, the service you receive must have brought you close to tears and at great cost.  This is because, many of these artisans received peripheral apprenticeship with a so-called master and “graduate” with no proper certifications or experience.  This is a further illustration of the predicament we have found ourselves in Nigeria today.

    The manifestation of the institutional failure to provide jobs for our teeming youths has become a critical push factor in the current phenomenon of human trafficking and irregular migration.

    As you might be aware, Edo State was almost becoming synonymous with human trafficking.  Today, the story is different.  We have admitted that it is our challenge.  From our investigations we now have a better understanding of the root causes, the push and pull factors, etcetera.  Our analysis and research from the data that we have gathered have assisted us tremendously in understanding the size, scope, demographics, travel routes and the communities most prone to trafficking. In other words, we now have a better understanding of how complex the problem is.

    Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, amongst other findings, it became obvious that the absence of a robust, well-modeled and adequately monitored technical and vocational system to offer opportunities for youths to get decent work and jobs is a key factor responsible for the massive movement of young people abroad in search of greener pastures.

    In recent times, over 50,000 young men and women have left Edo State for Europe making the perilous journey through war-torn Libya, the Mediterranean Sea and on to Europe.  We estimate that over 15% of them may have died in the course of the journey. Of the over 3,500 that have returned so far, many remain traumatized with tales of woe and frustration.

    While it is true that there are other pressure points that tend to push our young people to other lands, the fact remains that as a nation, we have failed to provide hope for a better future for our young people who constitute the majority of our population.

     

    Edo State: Technical and Vocational

    Education as Priority

     

    Around the world, countries have been able to enjoy comparative advantage in productivity and economic growth as a result of the strength of their Education systems.

    The Nigeria solution to technical and vocational education has been articulated in various documents such as the National Policy on Education, the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and Vision 20:2020.

    The strategy expands the role of education as an investment tool for economic, social and political development to include education as:

    1)  An aggregate tool of empowerment of the poor, and the socially marginalized groups;

    2)  An effective means of developing the full capacities and potential of human resource, and

    3)  The development of a competent work force through the acquisition of practical life skills relevant to the world of work as a veritable means of developing sound intelligent learning societies, fit and relevant to the 21st century.

    To achieve this, the transformative nature of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) became apparent. Consequently, the mission and vision of TVET was defined to cover:

    1. Technical Colleges
    2. Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VEIS)

    iii. National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF)

    If properly implemented, TVET was expected to offer compatibility between labor demand and labor supply because Technical Education that emphasizes acquisition of skills as well as vocational knowledge would offer our youths empowerment for self-reliance, self-determination, economic and financial independence and economic development of the society.

    Unfortunately the aspiration of TVET has been thwarted over the years by:

    • Lack of funding
    • Poor basic education
    • Lack of facilities/instructional materials equipment, tools for teaching
    • Nonchalant attitude
    • Vandalism of equipment, tools by both the beneficiaries and community inhabitants.

     

    Edo State Strategy:

     

    The State Government has designed a development strategy based on widespread consultation with stakeholders. The 6 thematic pillars in that strategy are

    • Institutional Reform – emphasizing transparency, accountability and building human capacity, systems and processes
    • Economic Revolution- utilizing our rich endowments and comparative advantages to drive economic growth in areas like agriculture, services and manufacturing
    • Infrastructure Development – to enhance mobility of goods and people and improve economic and social efficiencies
    • Socio-welfare Enhancement – to make quantum leaps in education, health and other services to ensure inclusive growth and support the weak.
    • Environmental Sustainability – to protect our environment particularly our forest endowment
    • Culture and Tourism – use our rich culture and history to Place Edo as Nigeria’s foremost tourism destination

    To fulfill these pillars, we have, as a government, undertaken several ground-breaking action and initiatives over the last 20 months since I took over the governance of Edo State. Amongst the multitude of actions, policies and programs, those that have multiplier effects in stimulating the economy and attracting private investments include, the design and the development of a 996 hectares Industrial Park and development of the Benin River port. We have also successfully launched a new industrial program including revision of incentives to investors, introduced technology in revenue collection, established a Public Private Partnership “PPP” office and an Edo Investment Promotion Bureau, initiating an Ease of Doing Business campaign.

    During my electioneering campaign, I promised the people of Edo State that I would invest heavily in Education and to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs by 2020.

    In order to fulfil my election campaign, we need to reverse the trend of unemployment of our youths and must equip them with skills to fulfill investors’ demand. Our plan is to utilize the potential of TVET for youth empowerment, therefore the Edo State government has ensured that we accord high priority to technical education in our reform agenda. This was expressed clearly to stakeholders when in my first day in office as the Governor of Edo State, I paid a visit to the Government Science and Technical College in Benin City.

    To overcome the challenges with TVET I have highlighted above, we have undertaken a well-articulated approach to the challenge.

    In February 2017, we held a major workshop with stakeholders from within and beyond the state. We discussed the critical issues on how to reposition technical and vocational education in the state.

    Next, we conducted a state-wide assessment of vocational schools.  We found out that many of such centers claiming to be offering catering, hairdressing and related courses were just camps for human trafficking.  We are closing down such institutions and have already begun repurposing them (converting their programs using self-sustaining models in partnership with the private sector).

    Critically, we have proceeded to close and redesign the Government Science and Technical College in Benin, and we are currently rebuilding it to reflect contemporary requirements for a full-fledged technical college.  The World Bank being impressed by these strides has contributed 1.2 Million Dollars (400 Million Naira) to this project and is set to invest an additional 2.7 Million Dollars (1 Billion Naira) in the coming year.

    We are also carrying out surgical restructurings of the tertiary institutions that provide such educational opportunities.  We shut down the state-owned College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, paid-off the staff and sent the students on Internships with large corporations such as Presco, Okomu, and Leventis.  The Government pays them N20,000 monthly while on the Internship.  In the meantime, we are restructuring the curriculum, rebuilding the institution and upgrading the facilities, and will be recruiting truly qualified faculty for the new three campuses of the College of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi (Edo South), Uromi (Edo Central) and Agenebode (Edo North).  Incidentally, we are involving the private sector in the design and management of the programmes of the Colleges.

    Similarly, the Edo State Polytechnic in Usen (formerly Institute of Management and Technology) is being repositioned to teach relevant courses that will enhance the employability status of each graduate.  We have put in place a new management and we are in the process of redesigning the entire institution to serve the needs of the state and the private sector. These are just some of the steps that we have adopted to privilege technical and vocational education training in Edo State.

    We realise that if the foundation on which the educational system is weak, we cannot produce students who are technically strong. Therefore we are transforming Basic education in Edo State through EDO – BEST (Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation). In Edo BEST we are overhauling our entire basic education by retraining our teachers, improving the governance of our schools and utilising technology to improve both pedagogy and learning.

    In order to further create stronger linkages between industry and job seekers. One of the first initiatives of my government was to create “EdoJobs”, an initiative that has now evolved into a Skills Development Centre.  The objective was first, to obtain data on the numbers, qualifications, location, and interests of Edo youths.  Second, was to provide training and employability support, and the third was to match the trained youths with private sector employers through the new synergy we have established. So far, over 45,000 jobs have been created through self-employment or placements with the private sector.

    We are also liaising with the private sector in Edo to build a direct linkage between the schools and their skills requirement.  We are inviting the private sector to be part of the development of a new program for instruction and training; support technological innovation; and create opportunities for internship and eventually recruitment.

    Edo State is emphasising practical, skills-based certifications.  We are not only going to ensure that the schools have accreditation, but we are also planning to ensure that the students write the international examinations to acquire global certifications. This way, those that wish to travel abroad can do so legally and be sure that they can find gainful employment abroad.  In this way, we check human trafficking and irregular migration.

    These are just some of the steps that we have adopted to privilege technical and vocational education training in Edo State.  I have said it severally that if I have N100 to spend on Education, I will allocate N40 to technical and vocational education, N20 to basic education, and N40 to tertiary education.  The point is not that we do not appreciate the importance of other levels, rather, it is to underscore the critical position of TVET to my government. Over the years, TVET simply slipped off the education map and coupled with poor public perception in the country, it became neglected.  In Edo State, we are changing the narrative and in couple of years, the results will become obvious.

    Edo State has signed an MOU with the Nigerian Institute of Welding to support our technical colleges and help re-train most of the artisans with no certifications. This will be extended to other sectors where we plan to provide opportunity for skills update for artisans and give them the needed certifications to enhance their businesses.

     

    Conclusion

     

    For us in Edo State, we are determined to bridge the skills-gap in our market.  We recognize that to solve the unemployment challenge, we need to encourage people to look more at technical and vocational training to empower themselves.  We also recognize that we need to do a lot of work to change public perception about TVET.  One way of doing this is to give it full public support, redesign the institutions and programs and put them under qualified management.  In addition, we have deliberately set out to work in partnership with the private sector so that our demand-driven strategy will promote higher options of employment for our products.  Through our economic programs, we hope to expand our economic activities to also absorb those that opt for self-employment. We are working to ensure that such graduates are provided with starter-packs and soft loans to enable them to establish their businesses.

    Lean resources cannot be the excuse for not prioritizing and investing in technical and vocational education training.  Leaders must take it upon themselves to change the wrong public perception. There are no more government jobs available to absorb the thousands of graduations that our higher institutions produce every year.  If we truly want to work for peace, stability, growth and development in the interest of our people and nation, this is the time to wake up and reposition TVET in Nigeria.  For us in Edo State, we have recognized the challenges and we are confronting them frontally.  If we succeed in Edo State, it may inspire similar transformations elsewhere.  We are open to new ideas and I urge you all to think of innovative ways to assist us to meet our goals to serve our country.

    I thank you for listening.

  • LSETF, ATC partner on youth empowerment

    The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) in partnership with Jobberman and ATC (one of Nigeria’s leading independent owner, operator and developer of wireless and broadcast communications real estate), has graduated 62 trainees within the Makoko community in Lagos, and has succeeded in attaining 44 per cent job placement for them.

    The partnership, which kicked off in October 2017, is aimed at training and providing job placements for unemployed youths within the various communities  in Lagos State, with the initiative kicking off with Makoko. Youths, who possess a minimum of SSCE certification, will receive an intensive training in life skills, entrepreneurship and information and communication technology (ICT). The training will include digital skills such as graphics and web designs, digital marketing as well as photography and videography.

    This is in line with the Fund’s key mandate of bridging the huge unemployment gap in the state, by providing skills development and job creation opportunities for thousands of unemployed youths in Lagos State and to ensure effective learning and individual coaching, the training partners will admit and train 36 youths monthly in six months cycle across the state.

    Commenting on the initiative, the LSETF Executive Secretary, Akintunde Oyebode, said “The Makoko youth has been entrenched in the minds of Lagos residents as the poster child of indigent living conditions and lack of opportunities. So, as change agents, our choice of starting this initiative with Makoko is straight forward. We aim to make an impact in the very heart of where the problems of poverty and unemployment are most manifested.

    “With this initiative, we intend to create a pipeline of very young competent professionals, who would inspire the younger generation of youths in their community to aspire to a life of meaning and opportunity. There is no better way than to equip them with life and digital skills, which are today, the most relevant requirements in the digitally-driven businesses and economies,” he said

    Aside this partnership, the LSETF is currently working with the United Nations, Development Programme (UNDP) through the Lagos State Employability Support Project. Already, the programme has graduated over 1134 trainees and has helped with job placement of 263 of the certified trainees.

     

  • 500 youths renounce cultism in Bayelsa, join volunteer service

    Over 500 youths yesterday gathered in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital and denounced their membership of various secret cult groups.

    The youths, who hailed from different local government areas in the state, said they were moved to take the action following various opportunities created by the State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, for youth empowerment.

    Lamenting the evil of cultism, the youths said they were deceived to join secret associations by some of their leaders, but thanked the governor for bringing them out of darkness.

    They also vowed to assist security agencies and the State Government to fight crimes in the state.

    The youths took their stand against cultism at a brief ceremony organised by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Volunteers (BSV), Prince Douye Koroye, at the BSV’s office in Yenagoa.

    They were received by Koroye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Boma Sparo-Jack; Majority Leader, State House of Assembly, Dr. Peter Akpe; the Central Zone Chairman, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Tare Porri and other Dickson’s aides such as Jeremaiah Owoupele and Bonny Aya.

    Koroye declared that the youths, who took anti-cultism oaths administered by Sparo-Jack and signed denunciation forms, would be enlisted into the special squad of the state volunteer service.

    He said Dickson desired the youths to steer clear of crimes to enable them achieve their potential and contribute positively to the development of the state.

    He said the amended anti-cultism law passed recently by the House of Assembly was a demonstration of Dickson’s commitment to end cultism as it strengthened punishments for convicted cultists.

    He said persons, who voluntarily renounce cultism with a sincerity of purpose, would not be penalised, adding that the state required peace for development.

    Akpe in his keynote address urged the youths to rise above cultism to take advance of various opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

    He said Dickson was doing everything possible to destroy “the cancer called cultism”, adding that cultism is demonic since its activities take place mostly at night.

    Addressing the youths, he said: “Cultism will take you nowhere and that is why your decision to renounce it is in the right direction. It is a killer of destiny. It is a destroyer of lives. Nobody in his true senses will decide to stab and shoot people. It tells you that there is an evil force behind you.”

    Also advising the youths, Sparo-Jack went down memory lane on how he worked hard to rise from grass to grace through manual labour, trading and schooling.

    He told the youths that by dint of hard work, he rose to become the first Bayelsa State Director, Department of State Service (DSS).

    He appealed to the youths to develop their talents by taking advantages of various opportunities created by Dickson in education and other sectors.

    Porri in his part commended the youths for their bold steps and warned them against going back to cult-related activities after their denunciation.

  • Boosting cassava production through youth empowerment

    Boosting cassava production through youth empowerment

    Efforts are on by Harvest Plus, an international organisation, through its partners, to promote youth involvement in cassava production and create a sustainable means of livelihood for them. The goal is to transform cassava into a money spinner, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Cassava is driving industrial development while delivering incomes to farmers. This is coming on the heels of the rising demand for garri, feed and other derivatives. Stakeholders, however, believe Nigerians cannot meet its potential for growth if it does not increase production and opportunities along the value chains are not explored.

    Harvest Plus, an international organisation, is offering Nigerians income-earning opportunities in the cassava industry to pursue their farming businesses. Among the beneficiaries are young people and women.

    Working with Harvest Plus, Director, Development Dynamics, Owerri, Imo State, Dr. Jude Ohanele,  said the organisation was collaborating with the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) and the Rotary Club of Aladinma, Owerri to get young school leavers and undergraduates to take to agriculture and become successful entrepreneurs.

    The partnership is anchored by a student body, ENACTUS.

    He said the organisation was promoting cassava as a viable agri-business for undergraduates in FUTO, and also encouraging youth enterprise.

    Ohanele said the organisation was determined to promote youth enterprise, using opportunities provided by Vitamin A cassava.

    His firm helps youths to reposition for entrepreneurship and employment by exploring business opportunities in bio-fortified foods introduced by Harvest Plus.

    It works in villages, providing training, and organising field days with extension specialists and farmers.

    Akwa Ibom State University’s (AKSU’s) partner and cassava enterprise development specialist Dr. Edna Akpan said the partners were promoting business opportunities through the sale and distribution of  pro Vitamin A weaning formula for babies.

    The producers tapped into the nutritional content of Vitamin A cassava to produce what they  hoped  would “tackle the challenge of malnutrition.”

    She said the level of adoption of Vitamin A cassava in the state was huge and demand high, creating opportunities for farmers and processors who wanted added value to Vitamin A cassava.

    Since Harvest Plus started working on improving the cassava  value chain for small-scale farmers in the state, Dr Akpan said  their income and livelihood had improved as well as their knowledge of the market.

    Apart from scaling out hectares of improved cassava varieties, she added that the group has distributed cassava stems to 200 farming households. In addition, she said  there was  focus on training  youths on improving cassava yields and output, primarily to increase national food security. This is achieved through distribution of bio-fortified and higher-yielding cultivars to them.

    She said the AKSU,  Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Project (AKADEP) the United Kingdom’s Department of International Development (DfID) Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE)  are working in partnership with HarvestPlus Nigeria to mainstream vitamin A cassava into the state’s business space.

    Harvest Plus’ Country Manager Paul Ilona urged the partners to ensure that their efforts caused the desired change in agricultural practices, nutrition and enterprise, noting that much as there desired to expand to other states, there was a need to strengthen relations among partners in the state.

    A  partner, Mrs Martha Akoje  in Benue State  said her team has been able to distribute about 40,000 bio-fortified stems to farmers.

    She  said farmers received planting materials to multiply and were trained on how to ensure the highest yields and healthiest crops.

    To stimulate partnerships for investment in the food and agricultural sectors, Ilona said the  organisation‘s annual Nutritious Food Fair (NFF) would hold between November 9 and 11 at Tinapa and the Calabar International Convention Center (CICC), in Cross River State. Expected guests at the event include  Cross River State governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade; his Anambra State counterpart, Chief Willie Obiano; Ministers of Agriculture and Health, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Prof. Isaac Adewole, respectively and World Food Prize Winners, Dr. Howarth Boius and Dr. Jan Low, among others.

    He  said the event would hold in Calabar and that there was no commercial intention in organising the fair which aims to bring together heavy weights in the industrial sector, food processors and farmers, so as to create necessary linkages and forge partnerships in the nutritious foods value chain.

    “This year’s event would hold in Calabar. It is titled: Multisectoral Partnership To Promote More Nutritious Crops and Foods. We, as always, do not have a commercial intention. We want to create linkages to promote partnerships in the nutritious food sector. We are providng a platform for conversation on and around nutrition, not in terms of quantity, but quality. We are using the fair as medium to get big industries to explore home grown sources of nutritious staples as raw materials for their products,” he said.

    Ilona said yields and nutritional quality were important factors from a household food and nutrition security point of view,  which  the organisation was offering Nigerians through bio-fortified maize and cassava.

    Harvest Plus leads a global effort to breed and disseminate micronutrient-rich staple food crops to reduce hidden hunger among malnourished populations. It is an inter-disciplinary programme that works with academic and research institutions, civil society organisations, governments, and the private sector in more than 40 countries.

  • Edo North art expo: Boost to youth empowerment

    Edo North art expo: Boost to youth empowerment

    Edo State Commissioner for Education Mr. Gideon Obhakhan has described the recently concluded Edo North Art Expo 2016 as a timely boost to the war against the increasing rate of youth restiveness and unemployment in the country. He said the expo would not only reawaken art consciousness and creativity of the youths, but would also reveal its essentialities in contemporary society.

    “Let me reassure all of us that Edo State Ministry of Education is in support of psychomotor domain of learning that embraces manipulation of skills which give birth to arts and crafts. The ministry recognises the role of art and craft to nation-building to the extent that two of its departments are now assigned to handle arts related matters,” he said.

    The commissioner, who was represented by the Chief Inspector of Education, Etsako West Local Council, spoke at the maiden edition of Edo North Art Expo, which held on July 12 and 13 at the main auditorium, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. The theme of the expo was Reawakening the art consciousness of Edo North. It featured no fewer than 40 exhibiting artists, and performances were organised by Merit Interior Gallery in collaboration with School of Art and Industrial Design, Auchi Polytechnic. Curator of the expo was Dr. Helen Uhunmwagho, while Otunba Usman Charlton Magaji, the Samari of Auchi Kingdom, was the chairman of the event.

    Obhakhan reassured that Edo State is irrevocably committed to ensuring quality and all- round education for her citizenry. This drive, he said, has informed government’s commitment to the massive renovation of schools across the state in order to make learning environment conducive for pupils and students. According to him, this has, no doubt, raised the tone  the public schools and boosted the morals of the teachers.

    “Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME), which are now the fulcrum of any emerging economy, mainly involve artistic works. Therefore, if the high rate of unemployment of our youths must be dealt with, artistic skills must be acquired and encouraged alongside the conventional cognitive domain development of the individuals. Our youths must recognise that self-sustaining disciplines like the arts and crafts are long lasting, compared to the popular white or blue collar jobs that are no longer there,” he noted.

    In his paper, Engaging cultural production as social activism: multidimensional approaches to regional advocacies in an art world, Prof Frank Ugiomoh of University of Port Harcourt stated that in many cultures of the world, art is appreciated in such a way that its activities evolve into global annual events or two-yearly and three-yearly events.

    Ugiomoh cited platforms such as Dakar Art Biennale and Life in My City Projects as examples of consistent art events that have succeeded in attracting participants from across the globe.

    He noted that regional spaces such as Auchi and the Northern Edo cultural space can overcome their provincial setting through the expo, adding that all it requires is a commitment and a funding plan. According to him, the gains remain inestimable and it is important to buy into a project like the Edo North Art Expo, which aims to re-awaken the region’s art consciousness.

    “This annual project may not be able to build this consciousness in the desired way where supporting events are not organised through the year. To this end, I encourage diverse activities centred on art that would engrain and build community consciousness regarding the subject and its cultural value. This is where a multidimensional approach comes to play in the set agenda for this vision.

    “The Northern Edo region is endowed with regards to the practice and appreciation of the arts right from time. The initiative set forth by the current programme is well seated in the cultural history of the region. The siting of the Polytechnic in Auchi thus is a boost to this agenda. However, a variety of activities aimed at sustaining and building the consciousness of the people is required to sustain the initiative,” Ugiomoh said.

    He observed that in Nigeria, there is no gainsaying the reality that Lagos has a domineering hold on cultural production and allied activities. But that the status of cultural production of Lagos makes other epicenters of culture in Nigeria inactive. “However, they indeed are inactive when the inventory of activities in Lagos are placed side by side other cities in Nigeria,” he said.

    Proprietor, Merit Interior Gallery, Mr. Chris Ogiebo recalled the challenges he went through to seek sponsor of the expo, describing it as monumental.

    He pledged that the expo will hopefully be an annual event that will bring artists, connoisseurs, art lovers and collectors to discuss and share ideas. “We intend to use this event to cause a revolution. Not a blood flowing revolution, but a mind-renewing revolution that will open Edo North to the creative world. This is timely, especially now that the Federal Government is diversifying our economy. If the cultural element across the country is properly harnessed the revenue will surpass that of oil,” he said.

    Dean, School of Art and Industrial Design, Auchi Polytechnic, Mr. Oladapo Afolayan said Edo North is not new to art and craft world  as it parades an array of famous art and artists both modern and post-modern cultures. He stated that in contemporary Nigeria, Edo North  have records of the first generation artists such as Mama Ugiomoh (traditional textiles) and Ms. Clara Ugbodaga-Ngu (painting), General Bolivia and Waziri Oshioma and a host of high-life musicians.

    “Auchi Art School is ever in the good news of contemporary art scene. We also parade so numerous artists, who are creating waves and are cynosure of Nigerian art. We could hardly count five contemporary Nigerian artists in any area of art specialisation without Auchi alumnus mentioned,” he added.

  • D’banj, others gear up for OSMD’S Youth Empowerment Summit

    D’banj, others gear up for OSMD’S Youth Empowerment Summit

    As OSMD Network prepares for its inaugural youth empowerment summit come August 11, a couple of Nigerian artistes have been earmarked to speak at the occasion. Among those who have declared interest to participate in the event are D’banj, Gbenga Adeyinka, Tee A, and Tosin Ajibade.

    According to the organisers, the bi-annual event, which promises to be fulfilling, will reward over 20 promising Nigerian youths with career building mentorship in their aspiring fields of focus.

    OSMD Network, a non-profit organisation dedicated to Nigerian youths, has tagged the conference What Is Your Hand: A Strategic Tool. The summit will kick off at Conference Hall, Mauve 21, Ring road, Ibadan, Oyo state.

    Multi-talented entertainer and entrepreneur D’banj and experienced stand-up comedian Tee-A will be the MCs of the event as award-winning writer and filmmaker; Chris Ihidero will moderate the conversations.

    Heavyweight integrated marketing communications expert Tunji Olugbodi and CEO and business mogul Ubong King are the keynote speakers.

    Ali Baba, Steve Babaeko, Ayeni Adekunle, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, Tosin Ajibade, Fashie Fizzie, Akin Oyebode, and Gbenga Adeyinka will take part in the panel discussions.

    Ali Baba is a veteran Nigerian comedian generally known as the first real stand-up comic in Nigeria. He is popularly known as the father of Nigerian comedy known to have mentored a number of Nigerian comedians.

    Gbenga Adeyinka is a comedian and versatile MC. He is the publisher of Nigeria’s first comedy magazine, LaffMattazz Magazine.

    Speaking on the maiden edition of the summit, the Founder, OSMD Network, and Convener, OSMD Network Youth Empowerment Summit, Abisoye Fagade stated; “We believe Nigerian youths to be critical to the growth and development of any given community and state at large. At OSMD Network, we are of the opinion that the empowerment of these individuals will bring about gratification and an eventual change and development in the future.”