Youthville

Zango’s letter to producers causes stir in Kannywood

>>> ISSUE

#38

YOUTHVILLE

...young at heart

Friday, August 7, 2015

Male folks harassed me, but I was determined – Barakat, mechanic

‘Vulcanizing is a business worth doing’

Young Rukayya among 500 Obama’s YALI participants

From the

TEAM

YOUTHVILLE Friday, August 7, 2015 Page 30

Hello readers,

@latifatopoola

@Sinach360

SUNDAY EBHOTA SULE BAMAS OPOOLA

@SimonEchewofun

@sleek_diva88

@ikabirsule

It is our pleasure to bring to you another exciting edition of your favourite youth friendly magazine, YOUTHVILLE. Without a doubt, this week’s edition would surely inspire you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself.

Our cover personality this week is 27 year old Barakat Irekiola, a female mechanic. The engineering graduate speaks on how she battles it out with male mechanics in her job line.

Kannywood actor, Adam A. Zango’s post: “Open letter to Kannywood producers” is drawn several reactions from fans and colleagues. Many know corn to be a starch concentrate, but experts have revealed the sweet side of this tropical cereal crop. Get the feelers and more on YOUTHVILLE Showtime!

On the business line, vulcanizing takes the lead with young Nurudeen Adewale disproving the held belief that many young people hate dirty or energy sapping ventures. In Sportsville, the Nigerian female basketball team just lost to Egypt. What stage was that? Flip to the BIZWIZ/SPORTSVILLE for exciting reports.

There is a need to redefine the age bar for youths. This was the conclusion of youths recently in Abuja; young Rukayya Nasir Sani is among the 500 young African undergoing a training in the United States under the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Don’t you think you can make it too? Read how she made it in BACKPACK. Read not YOUTHVILLE only, be the news, be the inspiration that takes your generation to the next level. Ready? Then contribute your quota via youthville@dailytrust.com and on Facebook: DAILY TRUST YOUTHVILLE and Twitter: @DT_YouthVille. You can also drop your comments on our timeline.

Keep a date with us for fresher, interesting and exciting stories next week……Have a gracious W.E.E.K.E.N.D!!!

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Stanley B. Bainta

3RESORTS 1 2 3 TOP

Ogbunike cave, Anambra Divided into segments, the Ogbunike Cave is among nature’s wonders. Its various segments have their peculiarities which are better explained by the local tour guides. Ogbunike Cave is about an hour’s drive from the market town of Onitsha, Anambra State.

Ulli Beier Museum, Oshogbo Ulli Beier Museum is an art gallery and art school in Oshogbo, Nigeria.

It was established by the artists Ulli Beier and Susan Wenger. Today it is an important contemporary African art gallery, hosting the work of talented and aspiring artists from the Oshogbo area and across Nigeria.

Anwase-Abande Ranges Located in Kwande local government area on the NigerianCameroon border, it has a boundary with the Obudu-Cameroon range. The Anwase-abande Ranges has a temperate weather condition, hills, many flowing streams, scenic forests and valleys. It offers breathtaking views and is ideal for camping and picnic.

TOP COMMENTS

GLANZ

Facebook >>> RE: I left College of Education when poverty struck – ‘Keke’ rider Nasiru Mohammed Mannas: With that Keke, you can finance yourself to university.

Odi Ifeanyichukwu: That is the fate of youths in a country that does not have plan for tomorrow.

Mansur Muhammad: How did you get the Keke?

Musa Ibrahim: @mansur I am sure your type hardly have pity for the downtrodden.

Re: 470+ days in captivity, Chibok rep fears for youngsters Bawa Tafida Adamu: Debi, your labour in the Lord will not be in vain in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Salisu Yusuf: I keep wondering why only Chibok girls are taking into consideration what of the remaining people that has been abducted by those terrorist? Are they not Nigerian?

Alhassan Dutse: Great!

Hamza Muhammad: May Allah see us through.

TRENDING

The new heads for NNPC, NCC

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari appointed Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to replace Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha and Professor Umaru Garba Danbatta as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

NCC is statutorily chaired by Nigeria’s Vice President. Professor Danbatta takes over from Dr. Eugene Juwah. This generated a buzz on the social media as some netizens applauds the appointments and some proffering possible agendas for the new bosses.

Oniyide Bamidele posted “All we need is diligent action with transparency in all his dealings, he

should remember, he owes Nigerians a duty, which he must discharge with sense of responsibility not business as usual.”

“Welcome on board, Prof. Danbatta.Kindly curb the excessive charges of telephone service providers to give service users respite, please” posted Sahid Umar. while Melvin Aondofa Apeku wrote “Great to see a thoroughly breed Telecoms Engineer heading the NCC, I can still remember his lectures on BTS optimization.” and Evaristus Chukwuka Udeani posted “Well deserved technocrat in the oil industry.”

Ahmad Ismail has a prayer for them “Congratulations and wishing them God’s guidance as they discharge the assigned duties”

BY AKILA JIBRIN

REFLECTIONS

YOUTHVILLE

Friday, August 7, 2015 Page 31

“

Male folks harassed me, but I was determined – Barakat, mechanic

Twenty seven year old Barakat Irekiola is a female mechanic who loves her profession so much. Having read mechanical engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the 2011 graduate is a scarce sight to behold as she struggles it out with male counterparts in the auto-mechanic field.

Barakat who is from Kishi town in Irepo local government area of Oyo state, opens up to YOUTHVILLE in this interview on the challenges she face as a roadside mechanic.

Words by Mulikatu Mukaila

W

hy did you choose to become a mechanic?

I read mechanical engineering, but before I went for it, people got me discouraged along the line saying the course is too tedious for a lady, but I had this believe in me that if a man could study this course, then I could even do better, so I went for it, thank God, I started and even ended well.

Also, if I tell people I read mechanical engineering, they have this belief that you can drive or you know all about cars,

but there are different aspects of the course. However I chose to go for Automobile.

Why go the automobile way?

New model of cars are being produced everyday all over the world and even in Nigeria, we get to see new brands of car all the time, so I chose to dwell in automobile because I will also one day love to come up with my own car in this country.

How did you start as a female mechanic?

I started as a road side mechanic that was after I had

graduated from the University and was through with my one year period in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

I thought of what to do if I didn’t get a job immediately, as we all know the issue of unemployment Nigeria, so I decided to go out to the streets to hunt for job, and I got a road side mechanic work and started fixing cars alongside with the other mechanics there.

What challenges do you face on the job?

When I started work at first

as a female mechanic, I got harassments from my male colleagues but I didn’t let that get me discouraged at all because I was determined to learn. I later left there for a training school and after that, I was moved to Abuja to work in an automobile company.

What was it like when you first worked on a car?

The first thing I did was changing of plugs, and I wasn’t nervous at all, I did it perfectly well and tested the car.

Are you affected by the

I intend to continue as a mechanic and even establish my workshop.

I also intend to expand my horizon by going back to school to study more on automobiles. issues of gender equity?

Most of our clients I must say are very comfortable with me handling their cars but also, some will at first be doubtful but after a first trial, they become relaxed.

How do you feel among the male peers at work?

We all work as a team and they are very nice to me.

Do you regret choosing the automobile engineering career?

I don’t have any regret at all because I intend to continue as a mechanic and even establish my workshop. I also intend to expand my horizon by going back to school to study more on automobiles.

Are you married, and how does your spouse see you?

Yes I am. He is very comfortable but initially had his own little complains about my profession as a mechanic saying it’s a man’s job but he didn’t have an option when he saw that even his talk wouldn’t change my mind and we were together one day when his car developed a fault, just an ordinary battery was too difficult for him to fix and I had to help him out and he was so happy and since then, he has been encouraging.

What have you achieved in this line of profession?

I have achieved a lot because I can diagnose a car, troubleshoot and even fix the problems properly. I also feel fulfilled because I have read my dream career and my father whom was the brain behind it all is so proud of me.

What is your advice to youths on finding jobs for themselves?

My advice to young and promising youths is that they should never be discouraged in whatever career path they choose to follow. When they put efforts in everything they do, then success will come to them.

Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger. – Ben Okri

SHOWTIME

YOUTHVILLE Friday, August 7, 2015 Page 32

HEALTHNEWS >>

CELEBNEWS >>

Zango’s letter to producers causes stir in Kannywood Words by BASHIR LIMAN @Bashirmusaliman & BAMAS VICTORIA @sinach360

W

ords by Kannywood actor Adam A. Zango whose post “Open letter to Kannywood producers” has been trending amongst Kannywood pundits came under fire on social media about starring in movies with 2 million naira budget and above.

The ‘Basaja’ actor had posted on his Instagram page on Sunday at 11:00 that he will no longer star in any movie which total budget does not exceed 2 million naira. He wrote: “Open letter to Kannywood producers, am done with two million budgets films in my career.”

Adams explained that he took the decision so as to help and give room to coming up actors “Let us give a chance to upcoming actors so that we will be like other industries

Adam A. Zango

like Hollywood and Bollywood.”

Zango has since apologized for the post saying, “I’m sorry if my statement hurts someone among my colleagues.”

Reacting, Armaya’u Abdullahi, a kannywood fan wrote in Hausa “It is ok but why is it that you don’t engage young actors by making films for them the way it was done for you? When you make your own films you feature as the lead character and on the issue of not acting in movies below 2 million budget.”

Mujittapha Hamisu equally asked Zango in Hausa: “If truly you meant what you said why is it that that you are not supporting upcoming actors the way you were supported when you started, you are always the main actor in your own films, why?”

Not everyone was against Zango’s stand as Abdullahi Yahaya Saad Zaria posted in Hausa “This is good thinking. I pray people should reason with you and Allah should fulfill your dream.”

Top fashion tips aspiring actress must know!

Words by BAMAS VICTORIA @sinach360 Gina Castel is a fast rising actress and a freelance fashion designer who has worked alongside Nollywood big names and directors. She starred in Private Lies, Pump Price, When is it Enough and EmilyK. Gina spoke to YOUTHVILLE about vital fashion tips a potential actress should know about.

She said “No matter where you go even if it’s just the market or super market always take your simplicity to the next level, it comes with the career path you’ve chosen, always look put together no matter how

Gina Castel simple your attire is, you are an actress so you can’t be dressing like a market woman -even though some market women

are fashionable so take note.”

Another point to note according to Gina is “Always have chewing gum (sugarfree),wipes and perfume in your hand bag, you never know when you’d be called to work ,you don’t want to have an interview where your breath stinks or you have a bad smell (odor). You always have to try and look fresh and clean at all times.”

In addition “As an actress, always be sure your nails are well manicured. if you don’t use extension, make sure you nails are clean and well cut, same thing applies to your toe nails always; they should look clean and healthy. Do not give the paparazzi unnecessary fashion-

don’ts to ride on.

Finding out what works for is another tip Gina talked about.

“Stay true to your fashion style and if you don’t have one try and get tips and find out what best works for you. Find out what you are drawn to what appeals to you, that way people can identify with your fashion style. Stay true to you.”

Lastly Gina pointed out that potential actress should take care of their hair. “They say a woman’s hair is the beauty to the whole package. Whatever hair style you are carrying make sure it’s either simple, stylish or doable. Not everything trending fits every body type or shape so don’t get carried away with that.”

MOVIEREVIEW >> Reviewed by ABUBAKAR HARUNA Album: Na Farko Producer: Ibrahim Aya Abdullahi Director: Dan Kwalisa The message was clear, simple and direct while the lyrics were glaring and memorable.

It was a new album titled, ‘Na Farko’ consisting of five tracks. Abdullahi fondly called Dan Kwalisa is an upcoming Hausa hip-hop singer residing in the Agege area of Lagos state.

The difficult task of producing and directing in music was the reason why

Ibrahim titled his album, Na Farko meaning ‘The First’. He had challenges while producing his album like that of composing the lyrics.

Despite this challenge, he prepared and proved that he could do it.

The simplicity of his ‘Yan Agege’ track made it catch many ardent listeners’ attention as it completely describes the way of life in the Agege community.

Abdullahi in his comments said he decided to produce the album to prove to the public that he is a good singer. “I want to prove to the public that I can sing. I have the talent and what it takes to sing. I also want to educate, enlighten and entertain the public,” he said.

Abdullahi

How corn horns you to calories, energy

Words by ESEOHE EBHOTA @sleek_diva88 & PRISCA EKOKUJE EMADU Many have wondered what health benefits you get from eating corn. Corn is a popular food in Nigeria and presently is in season. Known as masara in hausa, Its unique ability to be eaten on a cob and its varied styles of preparing it for consumption range from roasting to boiling, all to the pleasure of eaters.

It also comes in two colours, yellow and white. Knowing the actual classification of corn can be complex but it is vital to know that it has starch and should be less consumed especially for those who want to lose weight.

However that is not to say that the grain doesn’t have loads of nutrients. Some of its nutrients include: Carbohydrates, fat and protein.

One of the health benefits of this grain is that, it is a rich source of calories and can be turned in for a quick weight gain.

Another benefit is that corn aids in reducing risk of hemorrhoids, the amount of fibre aids in alleviating digestive problems such as constipation.

Fibre has been ascertained as a way to reduce colon cancer risk and corn as a whole grain is one major source of getting it.

The yellow corn has a high content of beta-carotene which produces vitamin A in the body and is essential for the maintenance of good vision and skin. Corn has loads of health benefits which many don’t know and as such, should not be seen as a snack but a grain filled with nutritional values.

Youngsters are the most discerning audience. They want entertainment, they want issues. – Shahrukh Khan

BIZWIZ/SPORTS ‘Vulcanizing is a business worth doing’ Words by LATIFAT OPOOLA @LatifatOpoola

M

ost youths shy away from certain kinds of businesses because they consider them dirty and without prestige but not Nurudeen Adewale, BizWiz discovered this week.

Although he got interested in the trade when he couldn’t further his education, Adewale said of all the trades to pick from he fell in love with patching tyres.

‘I fell in love with the trade because I didn’t have the money to further my education and I didn’t

want to live an indecent life’ he said.

The young businessman who started the business as an apprentice said he started with just N25000 which he used to get his equipment for the business but acknowledged that the machines he use are obsolete and would need a sophisticated one to improve his customer’s confidence on his job.

Adewale who discerned that vulcanizing business is very lucrative noted that people always looked down on the job because it isn’t a prestigious one.

Egypt trounce Nigeria to reach FIBA U16 Q/finals Egyptian U16 team at the ongoing 2015 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Africa U16 men’s championship in Mali has reached quarterfinal stage of the tournament after beating Nigeria’s U16 team 107-46.

With the result, Egypt alongside the host, Mali, became the early quarterfinalists following

Friday, August 7, 2015 Page 33

Why we opened Eliel eatery in Kano – Couple Words from IBRAHIM MUSA GIGINYU, Kano Young and enterprising, Mr. Abayomi Ogbago has opened his much planned modern restaurant and catering house in Kano, as they said it will create avenues for them to becoming self-reliant and creating jobs for others.

Speaking to newsmen while opening the place, Chairman of Eliel Restaurant, Mr. Ogbago said judging from the Nigerian economic trend, it has become apparent to individuals to device a means of contributing to development.

He added that it was on that spirit that he and his wife, the Managing Director decided to pooled resources and opened the restaurant which he said has over 20 employees under its care.

“It’s is a venture that we have spent years nursing as young couples. We have succeeded in pulling resources together to come up with the restaurant. Right now we have over 20 able youths male and female working under the restaurant as part of our contribution in the economic development of this nation.

“We hope to dedicate all our efforts in uplifting the business standard to a global perspective that will gradually become a household name globally,” said Mr. Ogbago.

He added that it is usually trades like this which youths relegate that usually have immense economic benefits to some people.

‘I am situated in a strategic area which helps me get more patronage. I sometimes make up to N2,000 in a day, but when there is less work I make N700 or there about’.

Adewale who now has two employees called on youths to always persevere, endure and always be hardworking in whatever they set out to achieve.

SPORTVILLE

Stories by IBRAHIM KABIRU SULE @ikabirsule

YOUTHVILLE

their back-to-back victories against Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea respectively.

The Malians who, dominated debutants Equatorial Guinea, went on to beat their opponent 89-29 in their Group A games on Day 4, said FIBA website.

As has been the case since the start of their campaign, Egypt got off to a great start and had a commanding 58-19 lead at halftime.

They maintained that same rhythm after the break as the maintained their domination in all aspects of the game, getting 32 points off their opponents’ 22 turnovers.

Nigeria is placed in Group A, alongside the host, Mali, Egypt, Rwanda, Algeria and Equatorial Guinea, in the 12-team tournament.

The Nigerian team still nurtures hope of quarterfinal as the top four teams from each group will qualify to the stage.

The 2015 FIBA Africa U16 Championship is a qualifier for the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship, as the two teams that reach the final of the event in Bamako will represent Africa at next year’s U17 World championship.

Over 250 girls enrol into football in Tanzania The first Live Your Goal (LYG) program, an initiative of FIFA to promote women’s participation in football, has taken place in Tanzania, with over 250 young girls taking part in the event.

The festival, which took place at the Nyankumbu Girls Secondary School in Geita signalled the continuing acceptance of the initiative which enjoys greater popularity in the East African nation.

The event in Geita, said FIFA, laid the foundation for the world governing body’s target

of organising at least two LYG festivals per year to help continue the growth of women’s football in Tanzania.

“The national team’s captain Sophia Mwasikili, goalkeeper Fatuma Omary and longestserving player Esther Chabruma were on hand to welcome the girls to the festival and share all kinds of footballing tips and tricks with these promising youngsters.

“More than 250 girls of all ages attended the event, kicking a ball around and competing against each other on small pitches,” it said.

Young Malawian girls playing netball

The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. – Albert Einstein

BACKPACK

YOUTHVILLE Friday, August 7, 2015 Page 34

Youth confab: ‘Minimal age should be 16, not 18 in Nigeria’ Words from ABDULKADIR SAMBO

N

igerian youths converged in Abuja last weekend to chart a course for youth empowerment.

At the three day event under the aegis of the National Youths Reform Conference (NYRC), youths leaders and students’ union leaders gave a new dimension to youths and students activities in the country.

The youth made key recommendations at the conference some of which are, that the federal government should recognize a youth as one from the age of 16yrs to 35yrs, instead of the 18 to 35; the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP), National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) and the National Youth Council’s leaderships be checked and probed, as it was noticed that bad leadership exist there. They also advocated that a National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) be establishment

Cross section of Nigerian youths perform in Abuja recently by present Buhari’s government.

Speaking to YOUTHVILLE, Samuel Kunkur Bature, a student union leader from Jos said, “The time where old people

occupy places meant for young people is over, the Nigerian youths are more informed and ready to participate actively in the development of Nigeria.”

Internet.org launches next phase, more nations to join Words by JUDD-LEONARD OKAFOR @judd_leonard

Facebook has launched a new phase of its Internet.org, allowing mobile operators in any country to sign up for and turn on the free internet access for users through a partner portal.

Developers can also easily create

services that integrate with the platform.

Chris Daniels, Vice President of Internet.org. said, “We look forward to working in partnership with more mobile operators and developers to bring internet access and relevant basic internet services to the unconnected in the months to come.”

The new phase marks one year since Facebook introduced the Internet.org app to bring more people online.

Internet.org is a Facebook-led initiative focused on providing affordable internet access to the two thirds of the world’s population that is currently unconnected, the service announced in a press release marking its one year.

“By providing people with access to free basic services through Internet.

Also another participant, the founder of Campus TV, a project which seek to unify and produce television content Nigerian higher institutions, Suleiman Hassan Dutse, said, “Nigeria youths are the wealth of the country and that the earlier the youths realise their potentials the good it will do to the development of Africa at large.”

Hassan added that, the youths are solution to the problem of Nigeria and advice all young people to become more patriotic to country by building better leaders.

Highlight at the conference Includes paper presentations from prominent youth activists including Japthet Omojuwa and a book launch by Tochi Okafor among others.

Sambo, is a young reader and writer. He reported from the Shehu Yar’Adu Centre, Abuja. Reach him via: hassanstone@ yahoo.com

CAMPUSGIST >>

org, our goal was to bring more people online and help them discover the value of the internet — and it’s working,” said Daniels.

“In the past month people using Internet.org accessed health services more than a million times, which speaks to the ultimate goal of Internet. org — helping to make an impact in people’s lives.”

Since its launch, the service has opened in 17 countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Senegal, Zambia, Ghana, Angola, India and Malawi.

Its one-year anniversary featured a developer conference in Nairobi, where teams of developers will work with and mentor young developers charting the course for an internet future.

FUT, OWERRI

Rusticates 500 students over violations About 500 students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri have been rusticated for violating rules and regulations.

The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit, FUTO- ACTU Chairman, Prof N. Okeudo disclosed this in an online report. He said the school shows zero tolerance for corrupt practices by rusticating the students, banning of sale of handouts and punishing lecturers indicted for intimate harassment of students.

“Our actions had led to the rustication of over 500 students for various offences. We are working against illegal sales of text books and handouts,” he said.

Success Corner!

Young Rukayya among 500 Obama’s YALI participants Words by WORDS BY LATIFAT OPOOLA @LatifatOpoola Dr. Rukayya Nasir Sani is one of the 500 young African selected from among 30,000 applicants, currently undergoing leadership training for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

The training which is part of United States President Barack Obama’s Mandela Washington Fellowship is aimed at empowering and providing African youths with the opportunity

to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.

Rukayya who is from Kano state is a member of the Kano hub of the Global Shapers Community, which carries out various community projects, including a recent clothing donation campaign for internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

From rght, Rukayya, arrowed among the 2015 YALI team Her community and volunteer work through Project Pink Blue, offers community outreach to increase awareness about breast and cervical cancer,

and free cancer screening services, earned her the opportunity to be selected to be one of the fellows.

For the last four weeks she has been part

of a group of 25 young African leaders from 20 sub-Saharan countries studying civic leadership; community and nonprofit organizations at Wagner

College, in the New York City borough of Staten Island.

“We believe that true leadership has less to do with power, rank or authority and more to do with the ability to bring together diverse groups of people in a common purpose and a shared vision of a better world.”

“Strength in diversity’ is one of the philosophies driving the success and growth of New York City, Staten Island, Wagner College and its Port Richmond Partnership, as well as the Mandela Washington Fellowship,” Rukayya said.

It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life. – Barthold Georg Niebuhr