YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #125
Friday, April 7, 2017
08078068532
youthville@dailytrust.com
...young at heart
Only I can change my LIFE. No one can do it for me. – Carol Burnett
I fancied being a tanker driver, but became a pilot, says Abdullahi, 25 By Latifat Opoola (@LatifatOpoola) & Mulikatu Mukaila
H
ow rigorous is it to becoming a pilot? It was not really rigorous but very tasking. I always tell kids I try to mentor that anything that feels difficult is worth doing well because they will always feel good about achieving the result at the end of the day. There are times when we come back from flight instructions and nothing seems to go right, but that is the best time to calm down and regain your confidence and the purpose of your being there. Now two years after, it’s like it never happened. I am glad I braced those challenges with determination and zeal because I envisioned what my end result should be and Alhamdulillah with where I am right now. What was your first flight experience like? It was amazing; I was with my flight instructor. Once we took off I grabbed the yolk so hard, which is like the steering wheel of a car, that I started losing blood flow in my fingers. It was terrifying, but after the first few tries, I realized with just a finger, one can actually fly an aero plane. What did you aspire to be as a child? I wanted to be a tanker driver. I liked the idea of huge trucks bringing water to the house every week and the men looking really large and husky
Abdullahi Abdullahi, 25, is a co-pilot with Air Peace Limited. The Katsina state youth holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Coventry University in the United Kingdom. He then enrolled at the Flight Safety (aviation school) Florida - USA in 2013 for his certification. Abdullahi who has spent three years with the airline told YOUTHVILLE in this interview about his motivations for the aviation profession.
was fascinating to me. Later I came to the realization that aeroplanes are better tankers because they transport people, cargos, you name it. When I was 10 years old, my uncle who was a pilot took me on an adventure flight. I sat at the back seat listened to the radio and all I was hearing was really confusing. But then and there I knew I wanted to be flying planes. And now 15 years later I am here achieving my dreams. Should youth often depend on parents to choose their
career paths? O u r parents are always there to guide and s, support us, ns our decisions otect and protect us. When I found i the interest iin fl flying, my parents supported me 100 per cent and nurtured me. I will advise youth to always respect their parents at all times as they want the best for us.
Do you fly internationally? Not yet, but I intend to be an international pilot. I wish to show to the world that Nigeria isn’t all about insurgency or 419. We are great people with great minds achieving great things, and as a pilot considering we get to go to different destinations, I believe it will be easy to achieve that. What advice do you have for youth? They should always put God first in all their affairs. In every profession, God is the pilot, we are the copilots. We should allow him dictate our lives and only then we can fully achieve our purpose and goal. Also in whatever we set ourselves to achieve, without the interest and the passion, it would be very difficult to succeed in it.
4,900 youth trained on entrepreneurship From Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna The Centre for Human Resource Development and Empowerment Initiative, Kaduna said it has trained over 4,900 youth on entrepreneurship and computer skills to tackle youth restiveness and unemployment. The centre which was established in 2010 is aimed at guiding future generations from the shackles of examination malpractice, cultism, drug abuse and other menace. The founder, Dr. Muhammad Ali at the 16th graduation ceremony where 253 youth graduated after a six-months Basic Computer Science course under the Centre for Entrepreneurship studies and Lifelong Learning National Open University of Nigerian (NOUN), said 12 female students were sponsored to study medicine at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU). Four others are studying Physiotherapy in the University of Lahore in Pakistan, he said, while commending NOUN for the affiliation. “There is no doubt that the Centre has come a long way judging by the calibre of students we have trained these past years,” he said. The governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello represented by his Commissioner of Education, Jacob Sunday, charged the graduating students to use what they have acquired to empower themselves and others. and encouraged wealthy Nigerians to use their wealth to train people instead of using it to cause ills in the society.
NUGA qualifiers kicks off at Gombe varsity ‘Many people die without From Haruna Gimba Yaya, Gombe @haroungimba The Zone E preliminaries for the forthcoming Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) has commenced at the Gombe State University (GSU). Nine out of the 17 universities expected from the zone are competing in 13 games jointly hosted by the GSU and the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), for ticket to represent their respective universities at the finale scheduled for April 1930 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State. In a welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of GSU, Professor Ibrahim Musa Umar, said the games is a forum where students converge to compete as well as foster long lasting friendship. He said the games will provide
an avenue to produce sports men and women who would represent their universities both within and outside the country. Professor Umar urged the competing teams to show discipline and sportsmanship and also cautioned them against conduct that is inimical to the spirit of the competition. President of NUGA, Professor Stephen Hammafyelto, who represented the Vice Chancellor of UNIMAID, described GSU as the fastest developing university in the North-East sub-region.
“I believe h o s t i n g NUGA will give GSU the opportunity to include sports in its curriculum. This will also give the university an opportunity to upgrade sporting facilities and to bid for Hosting the NUGA finale,” he said. Two teams each are expected to qualify for each of the 13 competitive games, with 26 teams from universities in the zone, to be at the NUGA competitions in Makurdi. Some participating universities from NUGA Zone E include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Adamawa State University, Mubi, and the University of Jos.
fulfilling destiny’ From Dotun Omisakin, Lagos A Life Coach, Mr. Sola Olagbemi said about 98 per cent of people die without fulfilling their destiny. On this basis, he urged youth to aggressively pursue their dreams irrespective of the challenges that might come their way. Olagbemi who spoke while presenting his books in Lagos, said many youth failed to realize their dreams due to lack of determination and tenacity of purpose. He said the book titled, “Destiny Demystified” would help launch readers into becoming a member of the two per cent that fulfil their destinies. “When you consider
our society at large, it’s obvious that many are living without any sense of purpose except to eat and drink. Statistics conducted by a group called ‘Wealth Research Group’ shows that 98 per cent of people die without actually fulfilling their destiny. “You can imagine that. It means only two per cent of the world’s population actually live to fully become what they’re created to be. Now, the question is, which of the two categories do you belong: the 98 per cent majority or the 2 per cent minority?” he said. Explaining how he conceived the idea, he said it was borne out of his desire to assist those who are oblivious of the purpose of their creation.
DAILY TRUST, Friday, April 7, 2017
26 ExxonMobil donates biology lab to Jigawa College By Judd-Leonard Okafor @judd-leonard Government College, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa is the latest public school to get a new biology laboratory installed by the firm Esso, an affiliate of ExxonMobil, to improve science education. Esso and the civil society group Community Health Empowerment Foundation (CHEF) reconstructed and refurbished the lab’s interiors and procured clinostats, human development models, microscopes, island benches and baby in-utero models to equip the lab. “We expect that this laboratory will both enhance the quality of teaching of
biology as well as the outcome of the external examinations in Government College, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State”, said Nigel Cookey-Gam, manager for government and business relations at Esso. He said ExxonMobil’s subsidiaries have invested more than N8 billion in education in Nigeria in the last 20 years, including N57million on secondary school scholarships for indigent students in Akwa Ibom and N4b on undergraduate scholarships. Executive director of CHEF, Ernest Nwokolo, praised Esso’s consistent effort to improve the study of sciences in secondary schools.
Rotary seeks protection for youth against abuses, violence From Abdullateef Aliyu & Alumo Joy Iember, Lagos The need for protection from all forms of abuses against Nigerian youths came to fore on Wednesday at the Youth Protection Lecture Organized by Rotary International District 9110 covering Lagos and Ogun States. The lecture which had as its theme, “Youth Protection, Security for the future” was hosted by the Youth Protection Committee on the organization. About 25 secondary schools across Lagos state were invited with over 100 pupils in attendance.
Women Rights Activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin who spoke on gender based violence says it contributes significantly to maternal mortality rate in the country. Represented by the Coordinator, Research and Programmes, Women for Change Initiative, Mr. Gbenga Ganzallo called for school based advocacy programmes to stop GBV in the country, saying ample education would reduce the risk posed by domestic abuses. District Governor of Rotary, Mr. Patrick Ikheloa said rotary believes in protecting the youths whom he said are the future of Nigeria.
Graduates fabricate paint mixing machine at Bida Poly A group of Chemical Engineering graduates of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida in Niger State have designed a paint mixing machine. The project supervisor, Engr. Chidebelu Ibeme said the students were National Diploma graduates whose effort to achieve success on the construction of the paint mixing machine was tremendous and have added to the glory of the institution. Engr. Chidebelu further explained that, some of the components were made up of a 60litre chamber which housed an impeller driver by a one-horse
power motor. He also explained that the paint mixer revolves. “The moment the mixing is done with the aid of the valve, incubated with some chemicals, the mixed paint is brought out,” he said. The project was done with the use of available materials like plastic and metal parts. He however advised Nigerian students to be prudent in their endeavours as government is ready to support technological advancement in the country. Report from Peter Ene Christiana, HND II, Mass Communication, Fed. Poly, Bida.
YOUTHVILLE
You can turn your
PASSION
INTO A LIVING
— Beadmaker By Latifat Opoola (@LatifatOpoola)
T
h e lucrativeness of bead making is still being explored by entrepreneurs. Until one ventures into it, you won’t see the worth, Fausat Mustapha Bunmi who makes bead slippers told the Daily Trust YOUTHVILLE. Bunmi started ‘Bumsy Beads’ in 2015 and since then, she has recorded steady growth and profit. “I had this passion for bead making, as part of a quest to empower myself and to gain financial freedom. “Then I was learning how to make bead necklaces and bangles. I developed interest in beaded slippers, and learnt the art during holidays
from different online tutors,” she noted. Bunmy said she started the business with just N10,000 and now makes a turnover of N1,5000 daily or more. Her major challenge is managing her time considering she is still a student and hence juggling school and work hasn’t been easy. Bumsy Beads she said, has already employed one person and is aspiring to grow her customer relations management, considering many people are already in the field. “With improved feedbacks, I will know where I need to make improvements and also encourage me,” she added. The young startup urged other youth
to do some soulsearching to know what they truly want in life and determine what their passion is, stressing that it’s
in true passion that one gets satisfaction – “that is when real success can begin to manifest,” Bunmi advised.
FCMB tutors youth on financial literacy, savings culture From Mohammed Shosanya, Lagos The First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has organised interactive training sessions on financial literacy for students of 30 secondary schools to encourage the adoption of savings and other financial management techniques at an early age. The sessions were anchored by top officials of FCMB and simultaneously took place in five secondary schools each in six states, namely, Anambra, Kebbi, Cross River, Ondo, Nasarawa and Taraba states. A statement from the bank said the development formed part of the Bank’s activities to commemorate the 2017 Global Money Week and Financial Literacy Day celebration, with the theme, ‘’Learn, Earn and Save’’.
In his presentation to students of St. John of God Secondary School, Awka in Anambra state, FCMB’s Regional Director, South-East/ South-South, Mr. Okey Ezeala, said imbibing financial principles at an early age will help students to work hard, and manage their resources effectively. Mr. Ezeala, who represented the Managing Director, Mr. Adam Nuru, emphasized that youth are the hope and future drivers of Nigeria, adding that his bank is desirous of letting them understand and appreciate the importance of prudent management of resources. The Principal of the school, Lady Anthonia Nwaniki, commended the CBN and FCMB in particular for committing both human and financial resources to execute the Financial Literacy Day.
Entrepreneur wants inventors’ institute established By Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun A business entrepreneur has called for the exposure of young inventors to modern technology and the establishment of inventors’ institute of technology that will groom upcoming inventors. The convener of Proudly Nigerian Expo, Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu made the call yesterday in Abuja during the Technology and Innovation 2017 Expo organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and advocated for the review
of school curriculum to accommodate innovation both at primary and secondary school levels. “The organisers of 2016 Proudly Nigerian Expo are passionate about the growth and development of indigenous technology. Since last year, we have followed up progress reports of some of our exhibitors during the expo especially these young inventors. “Last year, we noticed that some of the toy cars exhibited were not mobile, but today we can see great improvement as the toys are being remote controlled
by battery. With further encouragement from both public and private sector, these young inventors will go places,” she said. One of the young inventors who invented a toy aircraft, Master Yahaya Hussani said he was inspired by flying objects, just as he lamented lack of support from relevant agencies of government. Hussani who is an SS1 student of Government Secondary School, KaruAbuja said, with the right environment, the technology can be improved upon to compete favourably with global standard.
I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my DECISIONS – Stephen Covey