YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #158
Friday, November 24, 2017 08078068532
youthville@dailytrust.com
Youthfulness is about how you live not when you were born. – Karl Lagerfeld
...young at heart
Kannywood: How I produced ‘Abu Hassan’ — Zahraddeen Sani
Zahraddeen Sani is the executive producer of ‘Abu Hassan’ one of the latest films ms in the Hausa una state indigene movie industry, Kannywood that got people talking. In this interview, the Kaduna ng the film. spoke about the motivation and the challenges he encountered while producing From Richard P. Ngbokai, Kano
H
ow did you begin your acting career? To be honest, I must say I drew my passion for acting in Kannywood from my childhood addiction to visual images. I watched a lot of movies from Bollywood, Nollywood, Hollywood since when I was a child and in fact in our house everybody knows that when I start watching films I don’t sleep until I finish. As time goes on, with the development in mind, I started getting more inclined to some actors from our local industries which eventually led me to Fati Mohammed. Fati Mohammed introduced me to Ali Nuhu and other prominent figures in the Kannywood. My first appearance in acting career was in a film produced by Ali Nuhu, it was an old film called ‘Makamaci’. What was your first appearance on set like? Laughter….ah! It was a very challenging experience. I didn’t know it was that tasking. When I mounted the stage I was unable to even speak for ‘fear of the camera’ so to say. I was very timid and shy, I spoke with quivering lips, my dialogue shaky typical of a novice. Ali Nuhu had to come to my rescue in several occasions. He calmed me down and told me what to do to overcome the fear and gradually I adapted. Your latest film, ‘Abu Hassan’ has gained fame. How did you conceive it? I must say so far in my acting career with the Kannywood, I have never produced a film that met my need as ‘Abu Hassan’. I have produced many films but this is my favourite. It was my story. I came up with the story idea by observing the way people, innocent Nigerians are being kidnapped on daily basis by some group of individuals who gang up themselves to hold the nation to ransom. These unfortunate events actually inspired the story line for the film to showcase the resilience of Nigerian
forces including the military and the police to tame the wave of terrorism. The central idea was to show the world that there are individuals in the Nigerian illing to armed forces and the police who are willing sacrifice their lives for the country. What was the central message the film tried to pass? ate with The message I was trying to communicate this film, is that kidnappers or anyone who has held this country to ransom should no longer be given listening ears through the law. They should be killed ow they up-front silently before the public even know have been apprehended. cing this What challenges did you face in producing film? ccessful Well, Alhamdullilahi, the shooting was successful e, Adam as none of the casts gave me any headache, e helped A. Zango cooperated with me totally and he tandard. to see that the result meets the desired standard. o did his The film director, Mohammed Alfa Zazi also ected of part excellently; everybody did what was expected n I took them on location. The challenge came when ked why the film to the censorship board. They asked ld them it should be named ‘Abu Hassan’ but I told hem I got nothing was special about the name. I told them my title from an old Indian film produced in 1975 ‘Ali Baba and 40 thieves’, there is also a novel to that film nd Imam and the actors of the film are Dramandra and Alik. The name of the boss was Abu Hassan and that was how I picked the name. nd arms How did you obtain those costumes and used in the film? k for the Well after we had finished the paper work ed heavy film, I observed that the character would need clothing and military hard ware to make the film look real so we started thinking of how to go about it. he attire For Abu Hassan’s boys we bought some of the ms used they wore but the military wares and the arms ou know were borrowed from the authorities. But you
To start a business, write down your plan, says entrepreneur, Amirah By Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola In starting a business, one needs to create a business plan. It will help t h e m define their
business, and set goals” twenty year old Amirah Yusuf has said. Amirah who owns a budding business: 'Cakes n Bakes' said the business plan will also startu to "find ways to help startups re generate revenue, list expenses, cu identify customer base and exam ex amin ine e competition. co examine soc The sociology student at St Kaduna State University said she started baking immediately after high school in 2014 to bore escape boredom. mak myself busy, I “To make b began to bake and engage in severall ca catering activities. I p made it a professional business 2015, Amirah who now early 2015,” employs two other young persons sai said. Althoug the entrepreneur Although taught he herself the basics she had to go g for professional lessons later, la she noted. She sourced d her funding from her mother who has been nurturing the business to growth.
Amirah who said the business is lucrative only when one is determined, and is attentive to the job. “It is time consuming so one needs to really pay attention; creativity also matters,” she added. The budding business woman said the motivation behind the business were her family, especially her mum who helped in shaping and designing the progress of the business. She is hopeful her electricity and transportation bills would reduce sooner because they both pose challenge to her business. Amirah said sometimes customer satisfaction should be paramount because it is key to keeping customer base. “Patience! They should be patient and be determined. My field of business is not as easy as it seems; so for someone starting, there is also the need to be hardworking, friendly, creative, active,” Amirah advised.
borrowing something like that, you have to satisfactory give reason, you have to explain convincingly what you want to use them for. That of course was part of the challenges we faced.
Fidelity Bank, entrepreneurs’ group partner on advisory services From Sunday Michael Ogwu, Lagos Fidelity Bank Plc and the Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) have partnered to empower Nigerian entrepreneurs with advisory and technical services. Signing the pact this week, the bank said the ties will enhance the competitiveness and dynamism of young entrepreneurs. With a network of over 12.6 million members in Africa and 1.6m Nigerians, AYE is the largest network of entrepreneurs in the world. The organization uses conferences, workshops and motivational talks to share practical information on how to develop and manage businesses. As one of Nigeria’s top lenders operating out of over 240 business offices and other numerous e-channels. The bank’s CEO, Mr
Nnamdi Okonkwo told newsmen that was in line with government’s economic diversification plan. “The partnership was made possible because we share the same ideals on entrepreneurship and job creation,” he said. The group said its third Annual Conference will hold with the support of the bank in Lagos next Thursday. President of AYE, Mr Summy Smart Francis said the conference is a platform for accomplished business leaders to network with perhaps the brightest entrepreneurs in Africa. “It provides ample opportunity for individuals with vibrant business ideas to network with established industry leaders, policy makers and outstanding investors from around the globe to draw priceless, lifetransforming inspirations from success stories,” he stated.
DAILY TRUST, Friday, November 24, 2017
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YOUTHVILLE
Youth should listen to Islamic Youth group creates 300 business songs daily — Waka Queen ideas to empower others By Opeyemi Kehinde, @kennysous For most young music lovers in Nigeria, religious songs may not top their daily charts. But with her enchanting voice and moral teachings embedded in her lyrics, Miss Kuburat Oritoke Sanusi has drawn many closer to God, having carved a niche for herself with her passion for Islamic songs. Popularly called ‘Waka Queen’, she found love and inspiration in Islamic music at a tender age and by 18, she released her first album titled ‘Igara Anobi’ in 2011. “I have been singing right from my childhood; even when I was in Islamic school, my Alfa always insist that I lead the procession whenever we have any occasion to sing and dance. And that was when I started my music career,” she told Daily Trust Youthville.
Now aged 24, she said she chose that genre of music “because of my love for Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W); I always cherish Him and I’m always thankful that I have Allah in my life.” “I really love Islamic music, because the music is just inspirational. And due to my religion, there is no other song that I have passion for like Islamic music and that is the reason why I’m into it,” she said. Waka Queen added that she draws inspiration for her song lyrics from happenings in the society. “Mostly when I am washing or if something happens around where I live, I really feel motivated and inspired. For instance, I got my first track which I titled ‘Kayebinu arawa’ while in my neighbourhood. It means “we should stop beefing ourselves; we have to start helping ourselves. Life is
By Philip Shimnom Clement The Chairman, Board of Trustees of Youth Renewness Foundation, Abdallah Suleiman Katsina said the Foundation funded a project to identify 300 business ideas with which can empower themselves. Mr Katsina who spoke when he led his team to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in Abuja advocated for improved youth empowerment through vocations and skills acquisition to curb crimes, restiveness and agitations. Part of the ideas his team identified include agro-allied businesses, tourism, general services, entertainment, and the
not all about beefing every time,” Kuburat opined. She claimed her music is aimed at changing wrong perceptions about life and the attitude of people in the society. Currently a student of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in Lagos, where she’s studying Business Administration, Miss From Abdullateef Aliyu, Lagos Sanusi urged youth to acquire entrepreneurial Dana Air Limited has crowned skills alongside education. two of its staff members- Collins Emeka Ginika and Ifeoma Adaka as ‘Mr and Miss Dana Air’ to celebrate its ninth anniversary. The duo who are in the cabin hunt. Those who were good, crew emerged after a fashion show we brought them in, got organized by the airline during the them a house, got them a anniversary dinner in Lagos. driver and put them on a The winners also got a crown salary. I tell you this is a way and N100,000 each after they beat of getting people off the 10 other contestants to win the street,” Fatoyinbo said. prizes. He expressed gratitude It was an evening of glitz and for being able to reach out glamour as the contestants to people that wouldn’t displayed their fashion skills come to church through musical groups. The album adorned in traditional and corporate outfits which they which was recorded in South Africa is making wave showcased to the admiration of guests and members of staff of the with the group preparing airline in attendance. for world tour, the pastor Like a typical fashion show, noted.
Mr & Miss Dana Air emerge at fashion contest
‘Why our music talent hunt targets youth on the streets’ By Francis Arinze Iloani A music talent hunt launched in 2016 by the Commonwealth of God Assembly (COZA) is meant to identify gifted youth and take them off the streets, the Senior Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo has said. Fatoyinbo who spoke recently at the launch of an album, ‘Hello World’, by the Gratitude Music Group which benefited from the hunt, said the annual hunt is open to young people across
Africa. Before launching the album, the Gratitude released a single, ‘Rabababaeh’, which topped musical charts globally with secular songs, the organisers said. The pastor said he decided to realise his 20 year old dream in October 2016 when he called for musical auditioning to select young people with talents for music. “We called for people that were interested all over Nigeria. We deed a talent
Facebook to train 50,000 Nigerian SMEs in 2018 By Simon E. Sunday with agency report Facebook said it will train and support over 50,000 students, small businesses and creative entrepreneurs across Nigeria in 2018. Its Public Policy Director, Africa, Ms Ebele Okobi during a briefing in Lagos, said the training would be through a series of digital skills and other programmes. In a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, Ms Okobi said, ”This set of initiatives is aimed at helping to develop and nurture communities, including small businesses, the tech and
start-up ecosystem, youths and creatives. ”In Nigeria, more than 22 million people use Facebook every month and 87 per cent of SMEs say that when they hire, digital skills are more important than where an applicant went to school,” she noted. The programmes would include Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Jobs for Youth, Boost your Business, Creative Entrepreneurship Training, and Online Safety + Digital Literacy Training in schools and universities. She said a study done by Facebook in Nigeria on social media impact shows that nearly 1 in 2 small businesses on Facebook say they built their business on the platform. ”Sixty-two per cent stated they have been able to use Facebook to help find employees for their business. Over half (58 per cent) of small businesses on the platform say they have been able to hire more employees due to growth since joining Facebook,” she said. Founded in 2004, Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.Facebook has 1.37 billion daily active users on average worldwide and 7.2 million daily visitors from Nigeria.
literary aspect. He said the group supports youth with exceptional business ideas and innovation inventions and people evolving ways to solving social menace in the country. He expressed the foundation’s readiness to partner with stakeholders that champion youth development. In his remarks,the Ministry’s Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion, Mr. Kunle Oduyebo reiterated the ministry’s commitment in engaging youth on creativity and entrepreneurial development that will bridge the unemployment gap and aid them to become self-sufficient.
the contestants who majestically walked on the red carpet were rated by judges on their fashion sense and brilliance in responding to quiz questions. The two winners representing the male and female categories expressed delight with the management of the airline for the recognition. Accountable Manager/Chief Operating Officer of the airline, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo said the introduction of the fashion event was to encourage its staff. He said, “This dinner is for our staff. Contestants were from security, accounts, commercial, but for some reasons the winners are cabin crew. It shows that our cabin crew is actually the best in this country. The price wasn’t so wonderful but it would go a long way to encourage them”.
Youth urged to develop passion for creativity From Emma Elekwa, Awka Youth in Anambra state have been urged to show more interest in the creative industry in view of its great potential in creating employment opportunities. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Mr Uche Nworah, made the call at the grand finale of an Insight -Writing and Story-telling competition in Awka. Nworah, who was represented by Mr Eze Onwuji, expressed the readiness of the broadcasting house
to partner with young people in promoting their talents. The organizer of the competition and Head of public Affairs, Road to Fame Nigeria, Mc-Anthony Okeke stated that he was inspired by the need to involve the youths through engaging story-telling to bring positive changes to the Nigerian society, especially in promoting more indigenous writers in the African narrative. The Winner of the competition, Miss Triumph Nwabanne, a student of Pharmacy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, expressed joy for participating in
the event, hoping that their stories would create a positive change in the country especially in the affairs that concern the children. The event which was tagged “Tell the Story of the Nigerian Child” attracted about twenty finalists selected from different parts of the Country after a screening exercise on their online platform. The winner of the competition went home with N100,000 cash prize, a book, a one year internet subscription and an opportunity for her story to be converted into a movie script.
The youth need to be enabled to become job generators from job seekers - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam