YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #116
Friday, February 3, 2017
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youthville@dailytrust.com
...young at heart
Finding the best
teachers can be a ‘hit-and-miss’ — Digital Artist, Rodney
Abuja based self-taught Photographer, Digital Artist and Creative Consultant, Rodney ‘Avo’ Omeokachie spoke to YOUTHVILLE on photography, the market, taking advantage of Youtube, the gains and challenges of being in a creative business.
Text by Bamas Victoria @ BamasVictoria
W
hat is Avotography all about and what was the motivation behind starting it? Avotography is the umbrella under which I put all my creative endeavours. The motivation was simple: I have a very particular set of skills. So I thought. Why not charge for it? Where did you get your training? YouTube. It all started there. I’d spend hours copying what looked good to me. I was very conscious of the fact that I didn’t want to the same stuff I saw the pros make. I just wanted to learn their techniques and make my own style. although I read International Relations and Journalism at Monash University, South Africa. There’s so much information on YouTube. How do you figure out what is useful? That is a skill on its own. Tutorials
on YouTube come in different formats, lengths and styles. Finding the best teachers can be hit and miss but the way YouTube works, the longer you spend looking for a certain type of video, it eventually suggests the best ones. As you get more skilled at exploring YouTube, you start to know which videos are not worth your while just by looking at the thumbnail or the video title. What would you say is your style and what differentiates you from other photographers? For most photographers, pressing the shutter button is the end. For me, it’s the beginning. I try to create something I would want to hang on my wall. I like my work to be closer to art. I’m blessed with a unique set of eyes in that, whenever I see a picture, I always think to myself how can I take it to another level. As a young entrepreneur what is your definition of success? Success is, first and foremost, achieving or surpassing the very specific goals I set for myself. If in the process of achieving my goals, other people succeed as well, that’s a welcome bonus. I’m very pragmatic in my thinking. What do you think is the place of business such as yours in Nigeria? The Creative industry in Nigeria -- which consists of photography, marketing, advertising music and movies is yet to reach its potential because there is not enough focus on truly remarkable work. This will not always be the case, though. A revolution is currently underway. It won’t be long. What are some of the experiences that left you bewildered on the job?
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. - Aristotle
A common occurrence – and probably the most frustrating – is when the client requests that you create something similar to another artist’s. No profession or venture is without its’ challenges and gains. What are the gains and challenges of being a young entrepreneur? Being young, the gains and the challenges are one and the same. When you’re young, it’s in your best interest to make mistakes and make them fast. If you’re self-aware, you will learn just as fast. By the time you get to your 30s you have enough experience to really go for gold. It’s like training a muscle. If you see challenges and gains in the same light, you have a leg up whatever you do. What are the skills, set and equipment required to be successful in the business? A thick skin and elastic heart. Photography and business in general require you to deal with people more often than you’d like. Having a thick skin so you don’t let the disappointment, drama and uncertainty get to you. An elastic heart to not give up when the setbacks eventually do get to you. Advise to young persons who want to follow your footsteps Don’t follow mine. Follow yours. Find what’s important to you and adjust to fit your circumstances. Looking back, the series of events that have led me to where I am and will lead me to where I want to be, are extremely unique to me. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to the game.
NYSC members tasked on creativity Text from Emma Elekwa, Awka Corp-members deployed to Anambra state for their one-year national service have been challenged to be creative by breaking new grounds in order to surpass the achievements of their predecessors. The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano who gave the advice during the swearingin ceremony of the 2016 Batch ‘B’ stream II corpers at the Orientation camp, Umunya, also urged them to participate actively in the development efforts of their host communities through the careful integration with the people. Represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, the governor enjoined them to take advantage of the three week training to equip themselves for self-employment after service. “You must know that the success of every service year depends on the foundation laid during the orientation exercise and is crucial in providing the requisite platform for your physical, mental, emotional as well as psychological preparation for the challenge ahead” he stated. Earlier, the State Coordinator of the scheme, Olawale Olusegun said a total of 2,207 corps members were registered in the camp, comprising of 866 males and 1341 females.
Community wants abandoned electricity transformer fixed Residents of Shere community Gauraka, Tafa Local government, Niger State has called on the state government to complete the abandoned electricity transformer project in the area. The 500KV transformer which was supposed to provide 24-hour electricity in the area has been left to rust. Expressing dissatisfaction, the youth leader of the area, Joseph Yerima urged the state government to come to the aid of the community. “The transformer was installed for more than two years now and the engineer who is handling the project has been playing with our intelligence. He kept saying he has not been authorized to handle the project to Abuja electrical distribution company. “Sometime ago, the youths resolved to contribute some agreed amount of money so that we can fix the transformer but was rebuffed by the elders in the community” Yerima explained. John Enock Gwamnati, Student of Mass Communication Department, Fed Poly Bida, Niger State.
Lagos Church awards scholarship to less-privileged youths 12 Nigerian students enter for the doctrine Christianity preaches. Text from Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos $2 million Lafarge construction award “Awarding scholarship to indigent The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Divine Blessing Cathedral (DBC), Alagbado area of Lagos State has awarded hundreds of scholarship to less-privileged youths in the community and beyond. The leader-in-charge, Special Apostle John Oyeku made this known while briefing journalists about the church’s seven year journey and the commissioning of a 5000-capacity auditorium. According to the Special Apostle, the church found it worthy to extend hands of fellowship to the less privileged because doing so is part of
students has been a priority for us because we believe in the future of our youths. Many of them have benefited from our scholarship programmes while many others have been assisted one way or the other,” Oyeku said. The Chairman of the Church’s Building and Infrastructure Committee, Special Apostle Emmanuel Awode further explained that as part of the church’s commitment to the youth wellbeing, 750-capacity Youth Fellowship Chapel, a theology school, library as well as Information and Communication centre, have all being put in place for their usage.
Text From Sunday Michael Ogwu, Lagos Twenty-six participants from Nigeria (14 professionals and 12 students) have submitted entries for the international Lafarge-Holcim award which commenced on July 4, 2016. This edition of the sustainable construction competition is seeking smart solutions for cities and the built environment; engineers, architects, builders, planners, construction firms, project owners, students and NGOs. The award which is free, is open in 90 countries where the Lafarge-Holcim group operates.
Expressing delight that more Nigerians are tapping into the opportunity offered by the award, Lafarge Africa plc Group Managing Director, Michel Punchercos said: “Nigerian professionals and students participating in the competition live and work in some fastest growing cities in the world and the competition is an opportunity to address the myriad of challenges of urbanization as it develops.” The competition seeks projects and ideas that embodies and target issues for sustainable construction; the 5Ps: progress, people, planet, prosperity and place.
DAILY TRUST, Friday, February 3, 2017
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YOUTHVILLE
18 year-old fashion designer dreams BIG
UniAbuja Medical Students to mark Health Week
Text by Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola
Text by Chidimma C. Okeke
M
aimuna Rabiu Usman, a computer science student at Al-Hikmah University Ilorin, Kwara state, is the CEO of Munah Couture. Maimuna who specializes and makes bespoke, ready-to-wear female clothes, and also sells fabrics started the business about a year ago when she was in her second year. The 300-level student who finds balancing business and school at the same time challenging said she started the business from putting to practice her creative skills. “I actually didn’t learn from anybody. It’s just my creativity. Since I was 12, I always dreamt of becomimg a fashion designer, creating my own business line.’ “When I was about to start, I took a loan from my mum roughly N20000, which was my starting capital”. The 18-year old fashion designer, who states that her business is a very lucrative one also warned that one
ed must be dedicated p and focused to reap the reward. Maimuna told YOUTHVILLE she attracts customerss a using social media e and also others come through referral. She also said the arnt best lesson she learnt e business since starting the ering her was never considering loss be failure, “every disappointment iss a ”. blessing in disguise”. pes On where she hopes to be in 5 years, she had this to say “to be honest, I would like to see my business as a very successful b u s i n e s s c o m p e t i n g p alongside other top fashion companies such as Versace, Gucci in 5 years.”
University of Abuja Medical Students Association (UMSA) has set February 20th - 25th, 2017 as its “Health Week” during which members would engage in activities that promote health within and around the University community. A statement by the Deputy Registrar (Information & Publications) Waziri Garba, said the President of the Association, Mr. Kingsley Emeka Onwuka noted that the week was an annual event organized by all medical schools across the country aimed at addressing certain health challenges in
Students express worries over MMM, despite comeback
Association spends N3.9m on youth empowerment Text from Romoke W. Ahmad, Ilorin The Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) recently empowered hundreds of youth and women with N3.86m across the five local government areas of the Ilorin Emirate community to reduce poverty and unemployment. This year’s programme was the third of its kind where succor was given to the downtrodden and lessprivileged. Aside the small and
medium scale enterprises, the association has carefully selected indigent students from the five LGAs whose SSCE and JAMB registration fees would be paid. The President, IEYDA, Alhaji Abdullah Babatunde, appreciated the support of every member and various other community associations for their contributions towards moving the association forward. The guest lecturer, Alhaji
Ustaz Muritador Ottan called on the well to do in the society to give back to the community that produced them. He emphasized that giving lawfully doesn’t end wealth but purifies it. The Chairperson of the occasion, Hajia Sadat Moronike Hassan, the CEO Mustoy Films Production, represented by Alhaja Nimota Sulaiman Awodi, promised to always make use of this platform to give back to her community.
Ministry, school working to avoid Shortfall in salaries — FPB Rector The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Bida (FPB), Dr. Abubakar Dzukogi has appealed to staff of the institution to be patient and steadfast as the shortfall in their salaries will soon be over. He made the appeal during a congress meeting of the Academic staff
union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bida Chapter, which held in the polytechnic auditorium recently. According to the Rector, the issue of shortfall in salaries was not a lost case as the school authority has being pursuing it and were optimistic that the it will soon be over. “No Rector will
be happy to see a deduction being made on staff emolument because it affects productivity. On its part, the ministry is also working to avoid a repeat of the problem”. Speaking on the 7% academic allowance, payment of which has being stopped with effect from June, by the Federal Ministry of
education, the Rector said “ A man’s word is his bond and we hope to honour our agreements and pay for the month of May which is being owed to members of staff. Njoba Bridget Ogonnaya is in HND II, Department: Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Bida.
Displaced persons get relief materials Text by Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola As part of its New Year activities, the Mandela
Washington Fellowship Alumni Association, Nigerian chapter donated relief materials to the internally displaced persons at Masaka, Karu local Government of Nassarawa State. T h e settlement, located in Z h e w u n Community Masaka is largely inhabited by IDPs from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno
the communities. He said the theme of the Health Week is “A Healthy Life: Stemming the Scourge of Viral Hepatitis” and would feature activities such as free medical check-ups, free testing for the Hepatitis virus, free vaccination and counseling, lectures and talk shows, among others. According to Onwuka, the choice of the theme was informed by the frightening statistics where more than 2 billion people the world over were infected by the Hepatitis B Virus with 4 million acute cases recorded every year and more than one million deaths recorded.
State. The event which took place in January was part of the association’s way of reaching out to the less privileged. Zonal Coordinator, Hauwa Liman noted that about 318 IDP members benefited from the drugs, food items, mosquito nets and medical supplies that were donated. Other items include shoes and clothes. Ward head of the IDP, Mr. Tanimu Nagnayi along with some elders from the community who welcomed the group appreciated them for the warm gesture.
Following reports that that Chuddy Ugorji, the number one guider of MMM’s Nigeria has relocated to Philippines with his wife, students of the Federal Polytechnic Bida have expressed worry over their inability to recover the money they invested in the scheme. This is due to the fact that despite MMM comeback in January, after a one-month freeze of all confirmed accounts, they are yet to receive any payments. Ode Sunday, a HND I Banking and finance student who invested his allowance and school fees in the scheme said “I am finished: “I regretted.
I invested N100,000 my parents give me for registration. My admission is at stake now since I have no other money to pay”. Another ND 1 student Ahmed Yusuf said he has been sleeping in the classroom because he invested N90,000, his tuition and accommodation fees. Damilola, a HND II student is still hopeful of recovering her money. A lecturer of the institution who pleaded for anonymity said he had warned students against investing in the scheme. Ebenyi Chidiebere E. writes from Mass communication department FPB, Niger State.
Residents demand for public schools in Akute-Ajuwon LGA Residents of Akute-Ajuwon LGA in Ogun state have called on government to provide more public schools. The call was made due to the high cost of tuition for private schools which they believed had taken over the education sector in their communities. A resident and proprietor of New Hope Academy, Mr. Omoyayi explained that parents cannot afford the high range educational standards being implemented by private schools. “It is clear that free
government schools are available in some communities and not available in other communities, even where such schools are available the students are more than the facilities,” Omoyayi explained. Another resident who pleaded anonymity said that the cost of education can be brought down if the government provides more schools. Moses O. Daniel is a Student of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Bida.
I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn - Albert Einstein