The Nation Newspaper

Tag: youths

  • Predictions, forecasts and our youths

    Predictions, forecasts and our youths

    In January 2005, it was widely reported that the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) predicted that Nigeria would no longer be in existence by 2015. The CIA received criticisms and bashing from most Nigerians who rubbished the ‘prediction’. When the Boko Haram (BH) insurgency started, we all suddenly became political and security analysts as we tried to analyse the prediction using BH as a point of reference.

    Since the release of the purported American prognosis, there is hardly any other day you do not have commentaries in leading newspapers and the broadcast media about it. Prominent political leaders even keyed into it, using it when it suits them to showcase their contrived patriotism.

    With the conflation of the crises rocking the PDP (which led to five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aggressive permutations for the politics of 2015, more people are talking about this supposed American prediction. The prediction also came alive vividly during our 12th Campuslife capacity building workshop held last weekend.

    One of our workshop speakers, Mrs. Adesuwa Ifedi, country director of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Nigeria, in her presentation, dubbed the present generation the “Caleb generation”. Borrowing from the story of Caleb and Joshua in The Bible, Mrs. Ifedi pointed out that Caleb, alongside his colleague Joshua, differed from their 10 colleagues who formed the party of spies sent out by Moses to explore the promised land. Because of his boldness, foresight and determination, he was able to convince Moses and the Israelites that they are able to occupy the promised land despite the fact that the inhabitants were more powerful than they were.

    While asking a question, one of our students pointed to the 2015 purported CIA report. Mrs. Ifedi wanted to know if he had also seen the June 2010 report by McKinsey and Co on the potential of African economies – including Nigeria – and how they will grow by 2020. As the exchange between speaker and student went on, it became apparent that the student was more comfortable in believing the CIA ‘report’ than McKinsey’s because he believed that events in the country point dangerously to that prediction coming true.

    I need to point out here that not even the denial by the former United State’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Terrence McCulley in February, this year was able to douse the flame of the report. McCulley had said in an interaction with journalists in Ibadan: “No US government official predicted that Nigeria will break up by 2015. That statement must have emanated from a private agency, but clearly not from the government. I must state at this point that the US is interested in Nigeria as a very important country in Africa. We have been impressed by the role played by Nigeria in the peace process in the sub-region. Let me say a bit about the forecast here. Titled: “Lions on the move: The progress and potential of African economies”, it examined the sources behind Africa’s economic growth acceleration since 2000, analysed the prospects for future growth, and identified some of the most compelling business opportunities ahead. It also developed a framework for understanding of how growth challenges and opportunities will differ for Africa’s 53 individual countries.

    Because of the ruckus it created, I reviewed the document last year. The 17-page report turned out to be a summary of the outcome of a one-day conference of ‘US experts on Africa’ convened in January 2005 and sponsored by the country’s National Intelligence Council to discuss likely trends in Sub-Saharan Africa over the next 15 years. This document titled, ‘Mapping sub-Saharan Africa’s future’ is freely available on the Internet.

    My concern is this: like my student, some Nigerians still use the “report” as the “road map” for the future of our country. Just like the altercation that went on between the speaker and the student, some Nigerians are not taking the McKinsey’s report serious because they are like Caleb’s 10 other colleagues that the Bible did not even mention their names.

    Because of time Mrs. Ifedi did not go into details, but rightly pointed out her fears – which are mine as well – that the forecast may come true, but it would be foreigners that would reap the benefits and not Nigerians.

    Why did the researchers believe things will improve in Africa? They said Africa’s collective Gross Demestic Product (GDP) in 2008 stood at $1.6 trillion, roughly equal to Brazil’s or Russia’s. Africa’s combined consumer spending in 2008 was put at $860 billion and the number of new mobile phone was put at 316 million subscribers. Africa also have 60 per cent share of the world’s total amount of uncultivated, arable land. The number of African companies with revenues of at least $3 billion was put at 20.

    So, what would things look like by 2020? The reports forecast states that Africa’s collective GDP will rise to $2.6 trillion in 2020, consumer spending will rise to $1.4 trillion, there will be 1.1 billion Africans of working age in 2040, 128 million households would have discretionary income by 2020 and 50 per cent of Africans would be living in cities by 2030. Can you begin to see the potential if it materialises?

    Despite this report, most Nigerians are concerned with the purported CIA report about the breakup of the country. But just like our speaker pointed out at the workshop, there are questions we should ask ourselves: why are Nigerians in Diaspora returning home? I make bold to answer that they are seeing the potential we are not seeing because of our cynicism that nothing can work in the country. I’m afraid that her prediction may come true –as is becoming quite evident – with the takeover of the commanding height of our economy by foreign concerns while we look on helplessly.

    Perhaps I need to point out that Africa’s economic pulse has quickened, infusing the continent with a new commercial vibrancy. Agreed, many of the 53 individual African economies face serious challenges, including poverty, leadership, disease, and high infant mortality. Yet, Africa’s collective GDP has been rising since 2008. As I pointed out to the students, it’s high time they started preparing themselves for the future.

    Thank you Coca-Cola Nigeria and NBC Campuslife started as a four-page pull out in August 2007 through the determination and doggedness of an Amazon and initiator/pioneer editor, the late Mrs. Ngozi Agbo. Overtime, it grew to a 10-page weekly pull out that it is today. Through her determination and courage, Ngozi was able to singlehandedly convince Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigeria Bottling Company to start sponsoring the segment.

    The Coca-Cola System has thus been sponsoring the pages for six years and they deserve commendation for this. Since the pullout made its debut, it has remained the leading national publication amongst Nigerian undergraduates as well as other students, both at the postgraduate and pre-tertiary levels. Campuslife is also a trailblazer. Since it hit the news stand, almost all newspapers in Nigeria now have segments dedicated to campus issue, thanks to the vision and foresight of Ngozi.

    I want to seize this opportunity to acknowledge some individuals who have been at the forefront of this project. I would like to identify Mr. Clem Ugorji, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria; Mrs. Yanju Olomola, External Affairs Director, (NBC); Ms. Yomi Onakoya, Corporate Communications Manager (NBC); Mr. Emeka Mba, Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria and Ms. Bisi Aweda, Communications Officer (NBC).

    Thank you all for providing the platform to positively impacting on a generation of Nigerian undergraduates who would be eternally grateful for your support through the capacity building workshop/Awards held twice every year.

  • Group holds seminar for Youths

    Minds and Moments Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, has held a motivational seminar for youths with the theme: Setting the track. It held at Royal Bird Hotel, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    Some of the facilitators, who spoke at the event included Dr Wilson Thomas, Olusola Amusan, Awi Ayodele and Michael Malomo.

    While challenging youths to be creative and not rely on government for jobs, Dr Willson said: “It is only in Nigeria that we have people relying on the government to put food on their table and that is certainly not possible. The development of every nation is a collective responsibility of every individual. Without the people, there can never be a nation. The people make the nation.’’

    Olusola Amusan, a staff member of Orange FM in Akure, challenged youth to take positive steps in moving the country forward.

    “If every individual can take positive steps towards bringing about positive changes, the change we need will eventually come. In Nigeria, things are the way they are simply because people have refused to take responsibility and that has made them to be a liability to the nation,” he stated.

    Awi said: “For Nigeria to develop, certain principles, beliefs and mindset need to change. Youths must rise up to take necessary steps that are geared towards bringing the needed change. We must be ready to contribute our own quota towards the development of our country.”

    Malomo, a presenter with Adaba Fm in Akure, identified leadership as the bane of the present Nigeria.

    He said: “It is our duty as youths to choose passionate and selfless leaders in different leadership positions. We need leaders that truly understand what leadership is all about. We need leaders that can distinguish between serving people and serving their personal interests.’’

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, the convener, Joel Adeniyi, said: “The event was organised to change the mindset of the youths prepare them for the task of nation building,”

     

  • 8,000 youths benefit from Akwa Ibom integrated farmers scheme

    The Akwa Ibom Government has said more than 8,000 youths in the state benefited from its sponsored Integrated Farmers Scheme (IFS).

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Godwin Afangideh, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo that more than 80 per cent of the beneficiaries were trained in animal husbandry.

    The commissioner said the beneficiaries of the scheme were doing well in poultry, piggery, rearing of rabbits, grass cutters and snails.

    He said the scheme had contributed immensely to the supply of animal protein and creation of employment for the youth in the state.

    Afangideh said the state government planned to build a modern poultry farm and hatchery in the state.

    He said the hatchery would have the capacity to produce 540,000 day-old chicks monthly.

    The commissioner expressed regretted that all the day-old chicks sold in the state were brought from other states in Nigeria.

    He said more than 4,000 women were trained and empowered under the state Women Agro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WAEDEP).

    Afangideh said 70 per cent of the beneficiaries of WAEDEP, which grants stood at N250,000 each, was also involved in animal husbandry.

    He said the rest were in crop production, processing and marketing of agro-based products.

    Afangideh said the state government was committed to making agriculture an attractive business venture.

    The IFS started in 2003.The programme was, however, re-invigorated by the current administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2007 by increasing the beneficiaries’ grant from N300,000 to N500,000.

  • Youths shower love on elderly

    Youths shower love on elderly

    Those who think the elderly around them cannot be appreciated may need to ask the youths of Assembly of God, Kings Cathedral Parish, Mile 1 Dioub, Port Harcourt, how best to celebrate with the elderly ones. They will teach them how to love, care and appreciate our aged mothers and fathers.

    It was a day to honour the heroes and heroines of faith when the youth of Assembly of God gathered the elderly members between the ages of 60 years and above to shower them with the love and adoration they deserved.

    The programme was aptly tagged: “Indeed God is Faithful”.

    The youths were given the opportunity to tap blessing from the aging fathers and mothers and by so doing were also sowing seeds for their own old age. The elders prayed for their younger benefactors to live good lives that could sustain them with enough grace to get older than the celebrants.

    There was enough to eat for both the elderly and the youths, the celebrants were also given the opportunity to present special songs, dance and to declare blessings and favour upon the youths and children of the church.

    Speaking at the special service to honour the elders, Rev. Chigozirim Amadi, lamented that elderly in the society were made to beg on the streets to survive because of lack of care from the younger generation who they helped sustained.

    “I thanked God that the youths are honouring all of you here today. It is a good thing that the young ones recognize that our parents who have attained the age of 60 and above deserve recognition and appreciation. But I want to tell you something, I have discovered that why some old men and women beg on the street is because they did not live a good life, some of them were wicked and did not help anybody while they were young because if you are a good person even if you don’t have children somebody somewhere will make you his or her mother or father. “

    Rev. Chigozirim advised the youths to live good lives so that at their old age they will be favoured, love and cared for. He reminded the youths to know that how long they stayed on this earth depend on how they live their lives, adding that there is no other way to live a better life than to live a worthy life and be committed in the things of God.

    Dr. Chidi Agbarakwe, while speaking with the Niger Delta Report, noted that the elderly is an age at which functional capacities of systems are below installed capacity where chronic and non- communicable diseases are common.

    “This includes diabetics, hypertension, chronic, airway disease and cancer, the elderly that is happy to be old will live happy than one who lives with regret. Don’t forget the most common elderly illness is poor vision, dementia (loss of memory) urinary incontinence. The women may have problem with menopause which gives them night sweats, irritability, facial flush and labile emotion. Above all the elderly must endeavour to serve God with joy and gratitude in his or her heart in order to live happily here on earth and make heaven at last

    Some of the celebrant who also spoke to Niger Delta Report said they are delighted to be honoured by the young ones in the church. “I am happy that God kept me till today to be part of this programme. I want to thank the youths for recognising that we are still important for them by organising this programme to honour their mother and father. May the Almighty God continue to favour them and give them the grace to get older than me. Although many people did not witness this programme maybe because they are sick or not alive but at 75 years, God has continued to make me stronger” Mrs. Evelyn West said.

    Evangelist Oluchi Onyekwere, one of the celebrants said, “I am very grateful to be part of the celebrant today, the most thing that excite me today is that I am living a life that pleases God. That is the more reason why God is helping me and my family. Even my children are born-again Christians including my late father he gave his life to Christ after hearing the word of God many years ago. One thing in this life is that whatever God says you will be that is what you will be. I did not have the opportunity in life to go to school but today you can see me speaking English because I just concluded my elementary six this years.”

    Another celebrant, Awom Ishmael, said being honoured by the youths has increased his faith in God.

    “I am very happy more than ever before, since my life I have never been honoured this way. I am glad to be among the elders honoured here today by the youths, but what has happened here today definitely has increased my faith in God.”

    For Samuel Nwanka, the courage by the youths to celebrate the elders in the church makes him to feel younger, “I am not just happy I am glad to be honoured and I feel like a young boy today. Let me say this, in Assembly of God as a whole this kind of celebration has never happened before. To be sincere, this is the first time I am seeing this kind of things and the programme has taught me that the lives we live at the young age determine how we live at the old age.”

    The high point of the celebration was the cutting of the cake by the celebrants, and the presentation of souvenirs to all the celebrants.

  • ‘Youths are development partners’

    New Commissioner of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Ogun State, Prince Lanre Tejusoho has urged youths to become agents of transformation in the country. He gave the charge last week at the opening ceremony of the Batch “C” members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Sagamu.

    Prince Tejuosho, who represented the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle  Amosun, welcomed  the Corps members from various states of the federation.

    He said: “The NYSC plays a vital role in promoting skilled manpower, cultural integration and rural development. It is pertinent to note that the youth are a major force for driving national development.”

    The state Coordinator of the scheme, Theresa Ifeoma Anosike appreciated the support of the state towards improving the programme.

    “As you may be aware, every Corps member is expected to undergo a 3-week training to help them in developing resilience for confronting future life challenges. I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to build yourselves into enviable persons in the society.”

    Justice Elizabeth Oshinuga, who represented the state Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade administered oath on the Corps members.

    The event was attended by the Commissioner of Police in the state, represented by DCP Aliru Gwandu; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor, Mr Segun Adesanya; Chairman, odogbolu Local Government Area, Olawale Shittu; Oba of Makun Sagamu, Oba Micheal Adesanya; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of youth and Sports, Mr Adedeji Tajudeen and officials of the national service scheme.

    The event witnessed a parade and short presentations.

  • Youths trained in vocations

    Youths trained in vocations

    No fewer than 329 youths are relishing a new life, thanks to the vision of the chairman of Olorunda Local Development Area, Lagos State, Hon Abudu Amida.

    The youths were enrolled in a vocational training programme to learn various skills. Now, they have completed the training and the council has presented them with certificates. They gained the skills at the Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola Skill Acquisition Centre, Ibereko, Badagry Lagos.

    The graduates were trained in different departments such as beads and hat-making, hair dressing, computer engineering, fashion designing, desktop publishing and catering, among others.

    The graduation ceremony featured a special exhibition led by the council’s head of education, Mr  Olayiwola Adebayo.

    In his address, Hon. Abudu Amida said he was happy that that the council youths took advantage of this initiative. He said that the administration’s interest in investing in human capital development prompted the establishment of the skill acquisition centre “that we are witnessing the graduation ceremony of its successful candidates today.”

    He spoke further: “The need to engage our youths in productive venture cannot be over-emphasized. It should be stressed that with this programme we have succeeded in taking our youths away from the streets.

    “Since it is not possible for everybody to get a white collar job, as a proactive government we opted to create an alternative by establishing a standard skill acquisition centre for our teeming youths, thereby making them self-reliant.

    “I urge the all graduates to make judicious use of the acquired skills, contribute to the development of the LCDA and Lagos State in general. We are aware of happenings and events around the world. The economic challenges of great nations like Greece, United States and emerging economies such as China, India and Japan are examples of the how we need to start looking inward as we are creating means to survive. These few countries notably must have developed this same attitude to draw attention and create the enabling environment where people are taught skills, thereby creating employment.

    “We have to ensure that we are working in harmony with core values and principles because the youth are the systems which give a sense of meaning, moral and social purpose to the ways in which they can use their skills and knowledge, hence they also play an active role in the social-economic development of the community.”

    Hon. Amida encouraged the youths who have not taken the advantage of the skills Acquisition Centre to take a cue from the graduates.

    The council chairman said he is also focused and  dedicated to bringing change  to the council.

    One of the recipients of the professsional certificates, Miss Aisuedion Avis exclaimed: “This is exciting; I’m happy like many others.”

  • Youths trained in vocations

    Youths trained in vocations

    No fewer than 329 youths are relishing a new life, thanks to the vision of the chairman of Olorunda Local Development Area, Lagos State, Hon Abudu Amida.

    The youths were enrolled in a vocational training programme to learn various skills. Now, they have completed the training and the council has presented them with certificates. They gained the skills at the Engr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola Skill Acquisition Centre, Ibereko, Badagry Lagos.

    The graduates were trained in different departments such as beads and hat-making, hair dressing, computer engineering, fashion designing, desktop publishing and catering, among others.

    The graduation ceremony featured a special exhibition led by the council’s head of education, Mr  Olayiwola Adebayo.

    In his address, Hon. Abudu Amida said he was happy that that the council youths took advantage of this initiative. He said that the administration’s interest in investing in human capital development prompted the establishment of the skill acquisition centre “that we are witnessing the graduation ceremony of its successful candidates today.”

    He spoke further: “The need to engage our youths in productive venture cannot be over-emphasized. It should be stressed that with this programme we have succeeded in taking our youths away from the streets.

    “Since it is not possible for everybody to get a white collar job, as a proactive government we opted to create an alternative by establishing a standard skill acquisition centre for our teeming youths, thereby making them self-reliant.

    “I urge the all graduates to make judicious use of the acquired skills, contribute to the development of the LCDA and Lagos State in general. We are aware of happenings and events around the world. The economic challenges of great nations like Greece, United States and emerging economies such as China, India and Japan are examples of the how we need to start looking inward as we are creating means to survive. These few countries notably must have developed this same attitude to draw attention and create the enabling environment where people are taught skills, thereby creating employment.

    “We have to ensure that we are working in harmony with core values and principles because the youth are the systems which give a sense of meaning, moral and social purpose to the ways in which they can use their skills and knowledge, hence they also play an active role in the social-economic development of the community.”

    Hon. Amida encouraged the youths who have not taken the advantage of the skills Acquisition Centre to take a cue from the graduates.

    The council chairman said he is also focused and  dedicated to bringing change  to the council.

    One of the recipients of the professsional certificates, Miss Aisuedion Avis exclaimed: “This is exciting; I’m happy like many others.”

     

  • NGO seeks role for youths at confab

    A call has been made for an active role for the youth in the proposed national dialogue in the country.The call was made by the president of Akwa Indigenes Development Initiative (AKIDI), Prince Ubong Etuk, at the confirment of patron of on the former Minister of Lands,Housing and UrbanDevelopment,Chief Nduese Essien in Lagos.

    AKIDI is a non-governmental organisation, whose objective is to develop youths and make them have a say on national issues.

    He said government should include the youths in the dialogue because they are the ones who will implement and be the major beneficiaries of the outcome of the conference.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, Technical and Strategic Planning of AKIDI, Mr. James Ekane urged President Goodluck Jonathan to remain focused in order to ensure that the conference does not become a futile effort like previous ones.

    He said:“President Jonathan should be focused on what he has set out to achieve. He should note that Nigerian state is no more a three tribes’ affair; other minor ethnic groups should be recognised.

    “The National Conference should be all-encompassing, such that all stakeholders including all ethnic nationalities should be involved, ” he said.

    He further called on government to consider the possibility of ensuring that Nigerians are no longer engaged as casual workers. . This, according to him, is oppressive, dehumanising and exploitative.

    “The conference agenda should completely look at the possibilities of eliminating the casualisation and contract staffing of Nigerians in the labour market.”

    The group called on governments at all levels to be alive to their responsibilities by providing quality leadership.

    AKIDI urged politicians to always fulfil electioneering promises. This, according to the body, would disabuse the minds of the people that politics is a dirty game meant for dishonest people.

    “They should remember that they signed a social contract with the electorate during elections and need to deliver on their promises, especially in areas of youth empowerment.”

  • Youths urged to embrace education

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the 1 GAME Campaigns, has said that its activities in Nigeria’s North-East region were aimed at building a new generation of children who will stand against violence and terror due to the education they had acquired.

    The organisation recently launched campaigns aimed at supporting school children with learning materials and improving enrolment into western schools in Borno and Gombe states situated in North-East Nigeria, a region that is so vulnerable to terrorist attacks and whose attackers campaign against western education.

    Addressing Muslim youths in the southern city of Calabar during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, founder of 1 GAME, Philip Obaji said it would be almost impossible for children to be recruited into insurgent groups in North-East Nigeria if every child is educated.

    “I hear some people say the reason for the insurgency in the North-East region is political. Some say it’s a fight over supremacy of religion while there’s a debate about the actual reason for the insurgency. No one has argued about who the foot soldiers are.

    “Isn’t it clear that they are the ignorant children and youths who have been talked into taking their own lives by fighting against western culture just because they lack basic education?

    “That is exactly what I see; ignorant children fighting against a culture that has saved many of us from hunger, poverty and disease.

    “Is it easy to ask an educated child to pick up arms to fight for no meaningful reason? Again, is it easy to ask an educated child to pick up a bomb and take his life along with others just because of a dislike towards western culture?

    “So, you see where the problem is. People mislead our children because they are ignorant and uneducated,” he said.

    Obaji also called on Nigerian youths to play a leading role in the fight against violence by inspiring children into embracing education and supporting initiatives that are helping to put kids into school, saying “it’s the simplest way to defeat terrorism in Nigeria.”

    “Yes the military is fighting to defeat terrorism. But like I’ve always said, military action alone wouldn’t solve the problem. We need to ensure that the current generation of children shuns this evil. That can only be achieved if we give them the right education, which is what we are fighting for,” he said.

  • Lagos Council, youths partner on blood donation

    The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kosofe Local Government chapter, Lagos State, has partnered with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC) on voluntary blood donation.

    During the council’s International Youth Day celebration which had as theme : “Youth presentations and blood donation exercise,” the Chairman of the council, Prince Yisa-Adeniji Akanbi, said he donated last 15 years ago.

    “I donated my blood because I have the passion to assist and save lives. I felt light and happy after the donation,” he stated.

    The Chief Orientation and Mobilisation Officer of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos, Mrs Ogunaike Oyeyemisi, another donor, also said she initially felt weak after the exercise but felt better after.

    She described the process as easy. “It’s not a big deal and I will donate again,” Mrs Ogunaike said.

    Supervisor of Education, Kosofe Local Government Aremu Adewale Abdul, who represented the Chairman of the Local Government, Hon Afolabi Sofarta, urged everyone to donate blood, saying that nobody knows who the next victim could be.

    A member of the LSBTC, Mr Solomon Eka, said people’s response to voluntary blood donation was encouraging, stressing that the availability of blood in hospitals is still very low in proportion to the need for blood.

    He said: “We need our opinion leaders to donate and be role models to their followers. I urged everyone to donate blood voluntarily. Blood expires at one time or the other in the body of humans and it is passed out as waste products.”