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Tag: youths

  • U.S. envoy urges youths to impact their communities

    U.S. envoy urges youths to impact their communities

    U.S. Consul General, Jeffrey Hawkins, has urged alumni of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI) to continue to impact on their communities.

    He spoke when he hosted some youths, community and business leaders at his home last Saturday.

    The Carrington Youth Fellowship Alumni Network (CYFAN) was launched at the event.  It is made up of young leaders who previously participated in the CYFI, a year-long programme in which outstanding young Nigerians are selected as fellows and grouped into teams to design and implement a project with social impact.

    In a statement by the U.S. Consul, Hawkins said he was optimistic that the alumni network would add value to the initiative and continue impacting on their communities.

    “CYFI exemplifies the way in which the United States and Nigeria fit together.  I have no doubt that the alumni network’s energy and enthusiasm will allow the programme to continue its success,” he said.

    CYFAN President, Rhoda Robinson, said that the network would help young people making efforts to solve society’s problems.

    “We have pulled our collective energy into the Alumni Network to create a platform where young Nigerians can access support and build their capacity in addressing society’s development challenges,” she said.

    Named after a former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, CYFI is a youth-based initiative that was launched by the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos in 2011.

    It brings together Nigerian youths of exceptional vision, skills and experience to design and implement projects that have a positive impact on Nigerian society.

    CYFI Board member and Political Officer Erica Chiusano, said the initiative exploits the resourcefulness of young people to make a difference.

    “Youth can be the world’s greatest innovators.  Ask Carrington alumni, and they will tell you about a time they solved a problem in their community. And if no organisation existed to solve that problem, they created one,” he said.

  • Cleric advises youths on talent use

    Cleric advises youths on talent use

    Representative of The Living Word Family, David Babajide Nadi has emerged the overall winner of LAGOS SHIFT 2015 Ambassador organised by the National Youth Affairs of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). It was held at the Cricket Arena, the Tafawa Balawa Square, (TBS) Lagos.

    The event, which was tagged: Exceeding Expectation drew together thousands of youths and was held simultaneously in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja featuring comedy, dance expression and music. Nadi emerged winner after winning the music category and Precious Uban, an 11-year-old boy from the Mountain Top Secondary School won the round up prize. Dance Evangelists, a group comprising six members won the dance category. There were auditions held in seven centres around the country before selection of about 10 contestants for the final phase of the competition. Winners emerged from different categories of performance such as comedy, dance, public speaking and singing.

    The Special Adviser to General Overseer of RCCG on Personnel and Administration, Pastor Johnson Odesola said that programme is aimed at harnessing the gift of today’s youth toward a brighter future.

    He noted that the anomaly in today’s world could be corrected by this generation that has enormous abilities, vigour, talents and skills which when utilise on godly principles would create a more just, equity and peaceful society.

    He blamed the increasing spate of insurgency as a result of long years of neglect, marginalisation and indifference to the well being and development of young people.  Odesola said that ‘records have shown that between the ages of 15-17 years old, boys are being used by members of the Boko Haram sect in the name of Alamagris to foment mayhem and terminate innocent souls because government and other stakeholders failed to catch them young’.

    He went further to appeal to the new ambassador to keep the light shining and represent the interest of Jesus Christ in all that they do.

    He continued: “RCCG is quite doing a lot in that regard, to empower the youth who are talented in various professions. Various programmes are being mapped to make this happen”.

    National Youth Pastor of RCCG, Pastor Belemina Obunge said that the faith based initiative which is aimed at discovery and harnessing the talents of young people started in Lagos in 2012 and has spread to other parts of Nigeria and the world.

    He also said that the shift initiative has gone beyond Nigeria and has visited Dubai, Istanbul, Nairobi, South Africa, Ghana in the past 4 years.

    Obunge noted that the programme helps to expose youths to morally and ethically sound ways of living so they in turn can influence others as well as offering them opportunity to express themselves by showcasing their talents, gifts and creative abilities.

    He said ‘as Christian youth of this generation, our best is yet to come. We are trusting God to break more grounds, do more exploits, reach out more for the lord and be the best in all that we do’.

    Human Resource Management Consultant, OluJimi Tewe challenged the youths to leverage and explore their talents, skills and the ability in them for the betterment of the society. “You are the solution to your generation and until you understand that, you will realise that you cannot save your generation,” he said. He noted that the world is facing hard times as all the sectors of the nation’s economy is yearning for change, new ideas, concept and critical thinking, which can be done by a solution driven youths.

     

  • Group plans leadership skill for 300 youths

    Group plans leadership skill for 300 youths

    As the Ramadan fasting period approaches, a Muslim group, Bodija Muslim Youth Forum (BOMYOM), has been inaugurated in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to promote Islamic virtues and to engage 300 youths in intensive studies.

    The group will also collaborate with other organisations to serve Muslim youths and enhance capacity building, among others.

    The chairman of BOMYOM, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun said theý focus of the group is to ensure that Muslim youths regain their glory and excellence, adding that membership of the group is open for any Muslim youth from the secondary school age.

    “It is obvious that the youth of any country constitute the chunk of the population. Nigeria is no exception as the youth; especially the Muslim youths constitute the large majority in the society. Thus, the Bodija Estates and its Environs Muslim Community (BEEMC) though it wise not to neglect this important segment of the Ummah and the future leaders.

    “So, creation of BOMYOF for the youth in the community and its environs was in line with local, national and global practices. It is to fill the vacuum and cater for the spiritual, social, economic and moral development of the youth,” Balogun said.

    According to him, the challenges that need to be confronted by Muslim communities are very real. He said they include lack or absence of islamically marriageable partners, bad partnering, lack of opportunities and jobs.

    He further said illiteracy, lack of true Islamic knowledge, poor education systems, countering violent extremism, and lack of empowering programmes for women, call for urgent attention.

    Part of the activities to be used to address this anomalies by the group include “organisation of extra mural classes aimed at helping the younger ones in their academic pursuit and other vocational training.

    ”As part of our family-centered core value, we intend to have series of marriage counseling and networking, family picnic and other forms of halal social interaction, recruiting, training and developing the leadership skills of Muslim youths to conduct peer education and advocacy, developing trainings for staff and community members to enhance programmes that address the needs of Muslim youths and increasing awareness of the issues affecting Muslim youths on local, national and international levels.”

    Prof. Ayo Hammed, a Lecturer in the Department of Guidance and Counseling, University of Ibadan, urged stakeholders to engage youths productively towards building a safer and more just society.

    While delivering a lecture entitled “Challenges Facing the Muslim Youths in the 21st Century,” Hammed said stakeholders should join hands in strengthening the youth, while also engaging them in policies, programmes and decision-making.

    He stressed the need for investment in the youth during the childhood and adolescent stages, adding that it was the time life-long patterns of behaviour begins.

  • Angry youths shut airport for alleged marginalisation

    Activities at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri were yesterday grounded when youths from the host communities of Logara, Obiangwu and Umuohiagu, all in Ngor-Okpalla council area stormed the airport.

    The angry youths accused the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of short-changing them in the ongoing recruitment.

    In a petition by the President-General of Onyeaghalanwannea Youth Movement, Comrade Chukwuma Anufuro and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Managing Director of FAAN, the youth alleged that FAAN converted the quota meant for the host communities to settle outgoing political appointees in Abuja.

    The petition reads: “Nine youths from our communities were invited by FAAN for the recruitment test upon which they incurred huge cost and at the end, they were short changed. So we are demanding that they be given automatic employment since they attended the test.

    “The expenses incurred by the families of these youths cannot be quantified, hence, we resolve to seek any means within the ambit of the law, including total shutdown and occupation of the airport until justice is done.

    “We want to warn that we will begin to make the airport community uncomfortable immediately the shortlisted names are called for documentation and orientation”.

    A senior official of FAAN who pleaded anonymity said they received the petition and have forwarded same to security agencies and FAAN management.

    “The recruitment exercise is still on and we don’t have the powers to recruit except at the head office. We have held several meetings with the youths to resolve the situation,” he said.

     

  • Philanthropist to transform Oshodi youths

    A philanthropist and safety management trainer, Mr Oluwole Ben Eweoya, has expressed optimism over the prospect of improving the lives of young people in Oshodi Local Government area of Lagos State.

    This, he said, is achievable through The Forwarders, a non-governmental foundation committed to developing the community by stirring the interest of youths in education and personal development.

    Eweoya, who holds an LLB (Law) and MBA (International Business) from the University of Westminster, England, told reporters that he was inspired to come up with the initiative as a result of his dissatisfaction with the turn of events in the community.

    “I am concerned because I was born and bred in Oshodi. I attended Mafoluku Grammar School and there is nowhere people will see me as an illiterate. I am not blowing my own trumpet, but mention the same Oshodi anywhere today, people will run away because they see it as a haven of touts. Those are the kinds of impressions people have about Oshodi that we want to change.”

    Disclosing the strategy for realising the vision, the grassroots politician fondly called Imole by his admirers, is starting from the grassroots by reaching out to youths in public primary and secondary schools with various activities.

    Already, the group has provided laboratory equipment to schools and organised seminars on safety and the environment, not leaving out inter-house sporting activities and book reading to encourage reading culture among primary schools’ pupils.

    Schools which have benefited from these activities are: Mafoluku Grammar School; Ikeja Grammar School and St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Mafoluku.

    Lamenting that some children in the community now see warlords as heroes, Eweoya said he embarked on the book reading project to broaden the minds of the pupils.

    “I personally do one hour every week in some of the schools at the moment. I believe in reading because it helped me while I was growing up. Oftentimes when I go to their schools and discuss their future ambitions with them, I get shocked. This is a function of lack of role models in the community,” he said.

  • Arewa youths back Saraki for Senate Presidency

    Northern youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) have thrown their weight behind Senator Bukola Saraki’s bid for the Senate President.

    Its President, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, said: “Saraki’s leadership traits make him eminently qualified to lead the Upper Legislative Chamber and deliver democratic good to the Nigerian citizens”.

    He added: “We admitted that in both the Senate and House of Representatives, we have vibrant and amiable personalities bubbling with energy to embark on duty to turn around Nigeria for the better. In this vein, I would want to digress and go personal to call on personalities such as Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to avail himself to provide leadership in the Senate. This call has become imperative when we look at track records and capacity to deliver which leaves no one in doubt about his capability and competence.”

    According to Yerima, the incoming administration must hire capable hands to help translate the resolve of and determination of the humble General, Muhammadu Buhari to bring about the much desired and anticipated change in all ramifications.

    He added: “We wish to call on committed patriots and genuine lovers of our nation to present themselves for leadership positions in both the Senate and House of Representatives.  As we all know, the legislature plays a vital and significant role in a democracy, it is indeed a citadel. That is why we must do everything possible to ensure that we have not only capable hands but those that can deliver.”

    While noting that Nigerians were full of desire for the government to deliver the much anticipated change in a short time possible, Yerima said, “what is on ground clearly shows that Nigerians must give time, exercise some patience or even moderate the high expectations because we are sure people are aware of the level of decay and rot in the system.”

    This, Yerima said, “it may require utmost circumspection and careful approach to issues which will obviously require time, patience and understanding.”

  • Our youths have future, says Vector

    Our youths have future, says Vector

    OLANREWAJU Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector tha Viper, has said that the Nigerian youths hold so much promise, if given the right platform.

    He said, “I’m excited for the future of Nigerian youths. I know it can only get better if the youths actually voted by the ratio that counts, because their votes matter a lot.”

    The hip-hop artiste, in recent times, has kept a low profile. He has released two studio albums, namely State of Surprise (SOS) and a follow-up. He is the voice behind the Sprite commercial that airs on most radio stations across Nigeria since 2009. In anticipation of his second studio album, he released a mix tape titled Bar Racks. He released his second studio album titled The Second Coming in 2012.

  • Tuface pledges more support for peace among youths

    Tuface pledges more support for peace among youths

    Hip hop star, Tuface Idibia has pledged to continue promote the values of peace and love among young people through his music.

    Idibia made this commitment at the Vote Not Fight review and media roundtable organised yesterday by the Tuface Foundation and Youngster Foundation with support from National Democratic Institute in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Vote Not Fight is a youth non-violence voter education campaign that promoted peaceful participation by Nigerian youth in the 2015 elections. The campaign encouraged youths to make a commitment to shun violence and embrace peace. It is hoped that Nigerians from all walks of life will commit to peaceful elections by signing a non-violence pledge.

    Idibia, who expressed his satisfaction at the Vote Not Fight campaign initiatives that reached over 68 million Nigerians during the just concluded elections said, “I have resolved to continue to work for peace, particularly among young people in Nigeria.”

    He said, “Vote Not Fight campaign has done a lot to contribute to the peaceful outcome of the election and am so happy. It is driven by the Nigeria people who are tired of violence.”

    Idibia noted that young people are always the tools used by politicians to foment trouble during and after any election in Nigeria.

    Although, he was not seen to be campaigning for any politicians like his colleaguesin the entertainment industry, Idibia said, “if there was no peace after the 2015 election, nobody will enjoy the money.”

    While he noted that entertainers who were seen campaigning for politicians during the campaign has the fundamental right to do so, said “The Vote Not Fight is a non-partisan initiative and I had to show a worthy example by talking to everyone on the table to vote and not fight, no matter their party affiliation, to keep the dream alive.

    “I had to pay the price. I try to keep myself in a position to do the right thing and not mislead people. I am for one love for all Nigerians, no matter their tribe, religion, language or culture,” he said.

    The Programme Officer of National Democratic Institute,  AnnabelUgwoke said that the institute will continue to support of the campaign by leverage on the skills, passion and commitments of all Nigerians especially the youth until we have a violence free election.

  • Youths shut down crude oil production in Bayelsa

    Youths yesterday shut down crude oil production at two flow stations of the OML 29 (oil mining licence) oil block near Nembe, Bayelsa State.

    The protesters, who are opposed to the sale of the block, stormed the flow stations at 10am in about 30 speedboats, climbed the fence at one facility with no resistance and dodged security at the other. It was not yet clear how much production was shut in.

    Royal Dutch Shell Plc sold its stake in OML 29 and the accompanying Nembe Creek trunk line in late March to Aiteo Eastern E&P Co for about $1.7 billion.

    French oil major Total SA and Italy’s Eni SpA also agreed to sell their minority stakes in both assets, giving Aiteo a 45 percent stake.

    A spokesman for Shell said he could not immediately comment and Aiteo could not immediately be reached.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Sale of our wealth by Shell is theft against mankind”; “We are angry” and “Nembe people reject sale of oil field”.

  • Activists, others seek re-classification of youths

    Activists and stakeholders in youth development have called for the review of the 1999 Constitution to legally  re-classified  youths as persons between the ages of 18-45 years and accommodate them within the constitutional age requirements for elective positions.

    The demand was made at one-day summit of the Nigerian Arise/Nigerian Youth Think-Tank Group Summit, Western Region Summit, themed: “Generation Change and Transformation in Government: Nigerian Youths and Young Professionals Arise: re-write your history, take your destiny in your hands, looking beyond 2015”, held at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja.

    The Nigerian 2009 National Youth Policy defines youth in Nigeria to include all members of the Federal Republic of Nigeria aged 18–35.

    Activist and Lead Advocate, Constitutional Rights and Peoples Development Advocacy Initiative (CRAI), Ikechukwu Ikeji, in his paper titled: “An Analysis of  Youths and  Young Professionals Involvement in Governace from the first republic: The prospects in 2015 and beyond”, called for an immediate review of the Nigerian National Youth Policy of 2009 to reflect changes taking place around the world and the setting up of a National Youth Commission to serve as the regulatory organ for Youth Affirmative Action.

    Ikeji advocated for a Youth Affirmative Action in political and elective positions for at least 35 per cent representation of youth in all structures, positions, committees and congresses of political parties, and that which would ensure that at least 35 per cent quota is reserved for young people in all elective and non elective positions as well as reserving the position of national youth leader in all political parties for young persons within the age bracket of 20-45 years.

    Drawing from experiences from European countries, Ikeji argued for more involvement of youths less than 50 years of age in the governance of the country and cited various studies to buttress the fact that productivity in the elderly persons declines by the time they attained 55 years.                                                                                                                                                             According to him “a  study on  “Age and individual productivity: a literature survey”, by Vegard Skirbekk, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, 2003 found that people’s numerical and reasoning abilities are at their best in their 20s and early 30s; that a study for America’s Department of Labour showed job performance peaking at 35, and then declining while another study by Fredrik Nerbrand of HSBC, a bank, shows that  worker’s productivity peaks somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50, and declines more quickly after the age of 55″.

    To buttress his argument, he cited Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, who assumed office at 43 years of age; British Prime Minister, David Cameron who was 43 years when he became Prime Minister 5 years ago; American President, Barack Obama became President at 46 and Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi assumed office at age 39, among others.

    He lamented that the nation’s laws, including the Constitution completely excluded the youths from participating in the governance of the country.