YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #136
Friday, June 23, 2017
08078068532
youthville@dailytrust.com
...young at heart
How Instagram inspired me to start BEVERAGE line Deborah Kaikeh, from Kaduna State is the owner of ‘Shiyas Cocktails’, a growing catering outlet that offers mobile bar services and cocktails in Abuja. The entrepreneur in this interview spoke on why she prefers to be self-employed and the successes of the business so far. By Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun
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ow did you conceive this business idea? I remembered when we have events at home years back; I always wanted to help with mixing drinks which at the end turns out balanced. I always try to balance ingredients so it is enjoyable, so my friends advised that I turn it to a money-making venture as they were impressed with the drinks. I also saw on Instagram that many people are doing the act of mixing (Mixology). I was scared at first and kept procrastinating on starting it. I sought for training but found it difficult. My elder brother advised I search on YouTube to learn the basics and improve from there. I finally took the bold step and started six months ago and it has been rewarding. What were your experiences when you decided to start? As a start-up, I face a lot of challenges like funding the business and so on. Nobody is willing to help so there has to be a way out of that. Again, getting people to believe in what you do is another challenge. Then pricing too; a lot of people will not understand that ingredients used in making these drinks are quite expensive as well. Some clients would say that they have another vendor that can do way cheaper than yours but I always tell them I use quality ingredients for my drinks. And the end result always proves the point. To sustain the tempo, I had often
designed new ways so I don’t run out creativity. I try to brainstorm on ways to make my brand outstanding because when you see jobs done by your colleagues in the same industry your game has to be tight. I also engage in other activities aside my business while seeking for constructive criticisms for the business. What are you doing to empower other youth in this business line? With time, I will hold trainings for people who are passionate about this craft and give tips on how to run a successful cocktail business. But for now, that is on hold How do you market your brand? I have social media platforms like the Instagram:@shiyascocktails, BBM channel and Facebook: Shiyascocktails, where we upload pictures of jobs we have done and try to engage people. Word of mouth marketing has helped me too. What are your short term outlooks? I believe our clientele base would have expanded and we would have become one of the foremost cocktail catering coy in Nigeria by God’s grace. What would you tell other unemployed youth? Always believe in yourself, never give up on your dreams and learn a skill. I bet the journey is not rosy but it is worth it at the end. To startups like me, never give up and don’t forget the reason you started in the first place. Be consistent, work hard, improve on your craft always and be a genius in your business.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a Flexx Hub at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in Edo state. The Hub is a mini branch where basic banking transactions can be carried out, while also serving as an exclusive banking arena for FCMB’s customers who hold its
youth account, known as Flexx. The Flexx Hub, which is the third of such structure to be unveiled by the Bank, is one of the innovative strategies adopted by FCMB to simplify banking services. The Flexx proposition is also designed to meet the overall financial and other socioeconomic needs of young people within the age range of 16 and 25 years. This is summarised in the description of Flexx as, “An app, a card, an account”, features which give account holders the freedom to bank on the go, using the Flexx Mobile App. The opening ceremony had activities such as appearances by popular celebrities, motivational speakers, music, game shows, dancing competitions and talent contests. Declaring the Flexx Hub
Group seeks Sallah holidays for Muslim cadets From Bashir Liman, Jos The Muslim Youth Society of Nigeria (MYSC) has urged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris to as a matter of fairness and justice start granting Sallah holidays to Muslims Cadets in the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State. The group made the call in a statement signed by its President, Nasir Ahmad noting that “Since the inception of the Academy in 2013, the management of the Academy has been violating the rights of the Muslims Cadets. It added that over these years, Muslims Cadet have never been allowed to go home to celebrate Sallah with their families while each year, during Christmas their Christian counterparts are allowed to proceed on long vocation. The statement further alleged that often times during examination, the management fixed exams for cadets during Friday Juma’at prayers which denied Muslims Cadets to attend prayers. The group however called on the IG to proffer solution to this so everyone would be entitled to holidays during religious festivities.
Salem varsity alumni mentor undergraduates on career From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos
Bank opens Flexx Hub at UNIBEN, creates youth platform From Sunday Michael Ogwu, Lagos
The duty of youth is to challenge corruption. – Kurt Cobain
open, the Regional Director, South-east/ South-south of FCMB, Mr.Okey Ezeala, said it will promote financial inclusion in university campuses and the communities. “Ultimately, the goal is to demystify and remove the perceived rigours of banking thereby reinforcing our values as a simple, reliable and helpful financial institution anchored on the culture of excellence,” he said. Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Professor Osasere Orumwense, said, ‘’We are delighted with the presence of FCMB at UNIBEN. This is a strong demonstration that the bank is truly committed to support the development of students, education and Nigeria.” The bank also organised a contest, tagged, ‘#FlexxYourCreativity’, for young fashion accessories designers. The winners smiled home with various cash rewards as capital to grow their businesses. It also offered five young Nigerians opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the business world following their victory in an online contest, tagged #FCMBFlexxtern.
Some alumni of the Salem University Lokoja, have organised a mentorship training programme for undergraduates of the University. The alumni who were invited by the varsity management to address newly admitted students cited personal experiences as well as academic and entrepreneurial skills acquired from the institution as some of their secrets of success stories. Gideon Ekom, an alumnus of the University and a founder of the Wear With Style perfumes and two other firms, said in a statement made available to Youthville, that the varsity’s academic and practical engagements all combined to give him an edge at the labour market. “This institution is not just an educational learning hub but truthfully a transformational, leadership training ground for optimistic, innovative, goal driven minds imbedded in the teachings of Jesus Christ,” he said. Godwin Awojobi, another alumnus and senior software engineer with Biscom, said “Salem University has helped me grow my skill-set and put me in a position to succeed and also help others to succeed.” Also, a 2014 graduate of Microbiology of the institution, Nnadozie Sandra, who is now an Operations Manager in an international networking company said she learnt quite a lot from the effective leadership segments, seminars and programmes held while still at the University. The Chancellor, Dr Sam Amaga, described the institution as a moving train that is determined to transform so many lives in the years ahead. “We haven’t really started. This is a moving train. By the time God is through with us, we would have transformed millions directly and indirectly,” he said.
DAILY TRUST, Friday, June 23, 2017
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Young people lead research into youth marginalisation By Judd-Leonard Okafor A group of 18-24-year-olds are leading landmark research into how young people can cause societal change. The research commissioned by Voices for Change (V4C) at the start of this year had peer researches investigate the participation of young people aged 18 to 24 and their engagement with the change process in Nigeria. They set the agenda, including investigating adult perception of young people, collected data from Kaduna and Lagos and analysed the results, which are undergoing validation before public release. The survey found young people aspire and want to make changes but feel unable to, even when they have ideas and opinions. It found a lack of opportunities and spaces for involvement for young people. It also found gender norms, stereotypes and adult unwillingness to listen caused barriers for young people. Shakirah Alaga, one of the youth researchers called the peer-led research a “rehabilitation process for young people if more young people can go out there and see what is happening.” “After this research, I feel like I’ve been living in my own bubble. The fact that people are not even aware they have a problem is so sad,” said Alaga. “I learnt the difference between hearing and listening. I have learnt to dream about a better vision with my eyes open.” Jo Feather, a UK-based consultant who consulted for UK-funded V4C on the research, said the programme uses different methodologies to gather evidence. “When we decided to focus this research on young people, it felt appropriate to have this research led by young people,” said Feather. “Not many groups train young people to do peer research.” V4C works to “build their skills and create leaders in the future.”
YOUTHVILLE
I earn money from doing what I love, shoe designer, Okoh Twenty four year old Gabriel Okoh from Benue State is seeking to leave a mark in the footwear industry with his handmade shoes under his design Label, ‘MajorDezigns’. The Youthpreneur spoke to YOUTHVILLE years in the business. about achievements after three yea By Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria
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ow did you start ‘Majordezigns’ as a business? Majordezigns is about making nice and strong footwear, basically simple slippers and sandals for both male and female, I started it because I love and enjoy what I do. Funding is usually a problem for start-ups, how did you raise capital? It wasn’t easy getting the start-up capital but because I know what I wanted and where my passion lies I had to work in an eatery and also a recreational centre and that is how I was able to raise the initial capital need for the start-up. What have you encountered in doing this business? The fact that I do what I love and get paid for it is first and foremost a gain for me, and when people who buy my work send commendations I get immensely satisfied that I was able to meet a person’s need. In addition working for myself gives me a bit of time flexibility but note that sometimes I have to work none-stop for hours to meet a customer’s deadline. The challenges are of course are getting enough capital to be able to compete with the known names in the industry. Another challenge is getting a person to patronize your work for the first time. What are your sales strategies and how do you retain your customers? I sell to my friends and family members, from them I get more referrals. I also make free shoes for some models and people I know that have potentials of bringing me more customers. And as we are in the digital age I take advantage of the social media to advertise my work which also bring me customers. What does it require to start a business like yours? The minimum basic equipment you will need are A sewing machine –industrial- is preferable, A filling machine a hammer, a puncher, cutting tools then consumables like shoe nails, thread, different colours and types of leather both natural and synthetic shoe then before all these you should have a creative mind and of course acquire the necessary trainings.
Firm launches Abacus, Brain Gym educational tools in Abuja By Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun An educational firm, Educraft, SIP Academy has launched the Social Intellectual Progressive (SIP) Abacus and Brain Gym educational tools in Abuja to enhance the learning of mathematics among Nigerian students. Chairperson of the firm, Mrs. Omolara Omontuenmhen said she go the franchise from Malaysia to replicate the Abacus method in Nigeria to teach mathematics in a fun way. It would take children through how to understand the basic things (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) within the shortest period, she noted.
“This is a Programme we have brought from Malaysia to aid our children in schools, especially at the elementary stage when they bring Abacus to teach them arithmetic in a fun way. This is because in schools these days, children have phobia for Maths. Why? It is probably because of the way Mathematics is being introduced,” Omolara disclosed. On brain gym, she said children need to know how to put an analytical process down in a domestic way. The brain gym prepares the child for learning as it helps in the coordination of the child to be able to receive learning, she explained. The Malaysian High Commissioner, Mr Datum Lim in his speech said introducing SIP Abacus would
help strengthen the bridge in mathematical learning in Nigeria. Lim said, “Mathematics is what students are usually afraid of, the introduction of SIP Abacus in Nigeria will help strengthen the bridge in mathematics.” The Founder of SIP Abacus Worldwide, Mr. Kelvin Tham, said SIP is a way of aiding learning with the use of Abacus which has been used to coach 500,000 kids between five and twelve years since 1993 in Asia, Southern Africa and the United Arab Emirates. “Every child is born smart, all they need is skills. Everyone in Nigeria will have good learning skills with the help of Abacus,” Tham said.
Forty is old age of youth. Fifty the youth of old age – Victor Hugo