YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #123
Friday, March 24, 2017
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youthville@dailytrust.com
...young at heart
World Poetry Day: Young, vibrant Nigerian poets on the rise
In celebration of the World Poetry Day which was marked on the 20th of March 2017, YOUTHVILLE spoke to some young Nigerian poets making meaningful impacts among their peers and in the society at large. By Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria IYANU ADEBIYI Iyanu Adebiyi is a writer and spoken words artiste with a number of viral poetry videos to her credit. She is also known for her Instagram Pic-poetry. The law graduate who resides in Abuja is currently working on "The Road Leads Me Home" a collection of poems. How have you benefited from poetry? Poetry has become the process through which I get to know and interact with myself. It has given me the opportunity to touch lives and make a difference in society in a creative way. I have benefited from the platforms it has brought and the sheer joy of living out my purpose. How is benefitting from poetry? I think that the benefit of poetry to Nigeria grows daily, because I see a formidable army of young poets rising up and this really excites me. Through poetry, people are speaking up, telling the Nigerian story to the world the way they see it and this is something really beautiful. Poetry is affording the Nigerian youth a means of livelihood, a sense of purpose and a voice. It is not just writing about emotions anymore, poetry has become many things to many people and I see it taking centre stage when it comes to nation
Iyanu
SADDIQ M DZUKOGI Saddiq M Dzukogi, is a poet and an editor. He also mentors young kids at the Hilltop Art Centre in Minna Dzukogi is among the 10-man shortlist of poets in the running for the 2017 Brunel International African Poetry Prize. How have you benefited from poetry? Poetry is to my body what the heart is to my body. It is that existential entity that my body concretized within itself in a bid to function in a world that constantly seeks to prove that it is an unjust one. Poetry is that formula that keeps the equation of my body balanced. I mean it is why I exist, and why I am able to keep a clear head in this cruel but beautiful world. Poetry allows me that access to the beauty of the world, and through it I know how creation works, that what is destroyed can be recreated. That there is no impossibilities. That is the enormous benefit I have been allowed to tap into. So you see, there is no end to its benefit, no number of pages can adequately afford me enough space to express these benefits. What can Nigeria benefit from poetry? A lot. Nigeria is quite a chaotic place to live in, but for me, poetry has given me the eyes to see the beauty of it. And I believe a lot of folks have that eyes through which they see and appreciate the country. No wonder we are "suffering and smiling".
KUKOGHO IRUESIRI SAMSON Kukogho Iruesiri Samson is a poet and a poetry promoter, he runs one of the most successful Nigerian websites on poetry alongside several platforms for writers, authors to showcase their work, wares and events. He is the 2012 winner of Orange Crush Poetry prize and is currently working on his third book "Words of Eros." His other books are, "What can words do" and "I said these words". How have you benefited from poetry? Poetry has been my way of escape and expression. Through poetry, I have been able to escape from some world realities that may be more unpalatable than not. Inside the verses of my poetry and those of many other wonderful Nigerian poets, I find a source of infinite pleasure. Poetry has also given me to ‘say-my-own’ in the sense that I am able to get my voice heard on societal issues in a creative and sort of safe way. Aside this, poetry has also helped me as an individual, professionally. With two books and a few awards, I can say I have had a few Saddiq moments in the spotlight, thanks to poetry. How has Nigeria benefited from poetry? It is not arguable that the majority of Nigerian youth have found an escape in poetry, especially since the advent of social media which connected them to fellow poetry enthusiasts and demystified poetry from the esoteric art to the people’s art. Keeping young minds engaged is very important to society, just as much as giving them an outlet, a voice of expression. As such, I would encourage individuals, bodies and governments to Basir support the poetry movement.
BASIRU S. AMUNENI Basiru S. Amuneni, who goes with stage Samson name 'Bash' is an Architect by training, and now a banker, who is also a page and a performance poet. Bash has an audio collection of poems titled 'Freedom' and a collection of poetry "There is a lunatic in every town". How have you benefited from poetry ? I have benefitted in terms of monetary value, exposure, travel and friendship. The idea that your work is appreciated by people is also an immeasurable benefit. How has Nigeria benefited from poetry? It is an industry that is still budding. However, Nigeria can benefit from the potentials therein- which is replete in person and content, to create jobs, sell the Nigerian brand, which can greatly improve tourism and a generous sense of identity.
The secret of eternal youth is arrested development. – Alice Roosevelt Longworth
POETIC CORNER — UNITY Coordinated by Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria Ayo Isookan — Yoruba By Ayoola Emmanuel Oju ojo dan bi arewa obinrin Awon eye n fo Ewe n lefo loju omi Ariwo ayo n so Agogo ayo n dun Ayo wa kun Ayo isookan Ayo ifowo sowopo eda Igba otun de Ogu na Mgba — Igbo By Valentine Onyeka Ogunaka (Brainbox) Chefuo na aha nna yiri nnam b Ogunaka Abum onye udo buru onye enyemaka... Site na ugbu a N'ime akk nke dorom anya B otu ajj maka Obodoanyi, Obodo zuroke ma br na anyi kupuru Ogu na mgba Ogu na mgba Onye k'onyere aka? Kemgbe n'isi n'bido uwa Onye ka'o malitere na onwu? Ngwa-Ngwa site taa gawa, K'anyi kute ume na mmiri udo, Na elekta anya nwaany d ime, bu Nigeria Rayuwa — Hausa By Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi Dan uwana mu zamto dubawa. 'Yar uwata ki zamto hankaltawa. Duniyar ga mu zamto kintsawa. Rayuwarmu tana dada rushewa. Zaman gaba mu bar rika aikawa. Kabilunmu 'Hadin Kai' gyarawa. Addinanmu mu zamto mutuntawa. Tushenmu Adam-Hauwa halittawa. Shades of Unity By Stefn Sylvester Anyatonwu Like rainbow stripes, together we beautify humanity in diverse shades of unity - black, white. Like stripes on a flag sewn together in unity. The storms shall come together, we flow in the winds of time. In oneness shall be our perfect expansion.
Resist being used for electoral violence, Obiano tells Corps members From Emma Elekwa, Awka Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has cautioned corps members serving in the State against being used as tools to perpetuate electoral violence in the forthcoming elections. Obiano who gave the warning while playing host to the new State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSE), Olawale Olusegun in Awka, said the Coordinator's firmness is one sure way of guaranteeing that the corps members are not negatively used, which is inimical to their future. Speaking through his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, the governor called on the corps members to face their primary assignment squarely, pledging his commitment to completing the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in the state. Congratulating the new NYSC boss, Obiano expressed optimism that his charismatic disposition will make him more endearing to the corps members. Earlier, NYSC State Coordinator, Olawale Olusegun had thanked the governor for constantly aiding the various lined up programs of the scheme, especially prompt payment of corps members' allowance, which he said, is not obtainable in most states. On the forth-coming election in the State, Olusegun urged the state government to help educate the citizenry to see corps members as visitors, so as to be patient and supportive to them when the need arises.
DAILY TRUST, Friday, March 24, 2017
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YOUTHVILLE
Corps member donates seats to Daura school By Ruby Leo
Geeks seeks entrepreneurial potentials for ICT, Nollywood “The Geeks on A Plane” said the decision to visit Lagos, which is among the four African cities being visited is geared at awakening and unlocking the many opportunities young Nigerians can start tapping into at a time of digital revolution. “As Geeks, we are looking to develop new products and services and searching for accelerators,
From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos
G
eeks, a global entrepreneurial body, has said it is seeking opportunities for Nigerians, especially those in the Nollywood film industry so that youth can tap into potentials that new technology offers in sectors of the economy. At a briefing in Lagos, the body, operating under
investors and other venture capitalists to have more interest in the African continent and drive more technology, create jobs and of course make money,” Dave Mclure, the founder of 500 start-ups said. He said the opportunities within the sector can be tapped into to encourage entrepreneurial opportunities in the country’s film industry- the
Nollywood which stands the chance of producing great films that would be globally acceptable. The head of Africa Technology Foundation and a Geeks team member, Stephen Ozoigbo said: “We have trained 67 actors and filmmakers in Hollywood, exposing them to many things that can up their game in the industry,” Ozoigbo said.
Senator, NITT to train 50 Bauchi youths in welding From Balarabe Alkassim, Bauchi The senator representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Mallam Ali Wakili has entered into an agreement with the National Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) to train 50 Bauchi youths in Welding. He said that the training is part of his
plan to empower youths from the seven local governments of his senatorial district and to fulfil the promises he made during his electioneering campaign. He added that youth empowerment in various sectors of the Nigeria’s economy would help them overcome many challenges and help in diversifying the
nation’s economy. Wakili further informed that the 50 youths would be trained for three months and shall be equipped after the training. “The training is to empower our teeming youth towards becoming selfreliant. NITT will undertake the training here in Bauchi with Alheri Welding Institute to training the 50 youths from Bauchi, Bogoro, Alkaleri, Tafawa Balewa, Kirfi and Toro. In his remarks, the NITT Director General, Dr. Aminu Musa, said that empowering programs were in the line of the federal government change mantra to reduce unemployment among youths. Also speaking, the community head of Jahun, Alhaji Ayuba Garba appreciated the lawmaker for empowering youths in order to relieve them of idleness and eradicate poverty. Abdullahi Toro who spoke for other beneficiaries said the training would be an avenue to change their status from dependency to independent group of youth who would be entrepreneurs shortly.
Group launches campaign against drug abuse among youth By Simon E. Sunday, Latifat Opoola, & Bamas Victoria The Centre for Ethical Rebirth among Nigerian Youth (CERANY), a voluntary organization has launched an awareness campaign to fight against what it called the alarming rate of drug abuse among Nigerian youth. The group is doing this through a voting system called ‘I Vote for Time to Quit’ by meeting
stakeholders in the health and security sectors to vote for the fight against drug abuse. Such stakeholders on voting, make commitments on how they would use the best resources at their disposal to support in the fight against the malaise, the National President, Chuks Akamadu explained when he led his team to the headquarters of Media Trust Limited in Abuja last Monday.
Akamadu who lamented that substance abuse and the illicit trafficking in drugs is an evil in the society and disorientation among a majority of the youth warned that if nothing is done to tackle the menace it will eventually consume majority of them. In view of the growing menace, and the deterioration of the quality of life of youth, the president said it is planning a conference slated for June
26, which instinctively falls on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to raise more awareness on the huge effects of drug abuse. He noted that the campaign marks a beginning of a sustainable nationwide movement to curb the current drug abuse trend in the country to make people aware and emphasize the hazards of drug addiction and illegal trafficking.
A serving corps member, Franklin Onwubiko has donated a set of class room seats to Government Girls Secondary School Daura, in Katsina state. Onwubiko, a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said he was moved to do the project whe he observed students seating on the floor in the school. “I thought of what to do, I had no money in my account. This became a burden but I was committed to ameliorating the plight of the students.” He said the project was supported by the CEO of Capital Oil and Gas, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah adding that, “He’s indeed a pillar, a blessing to this generation and a great inspiration.”. The Honourable member representing Daura in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Nasiru Yahaya, commended the Corps member for his love and passion in his service to his fatherland. He urged others to emulate him. The principal, Hajia Raulah Lawal said the donation would go a long way in solving the most pressing need of the school. She prayed God to bless the Corps member, while calling others to imbibe a life of legacy which the young man is living. Onwubiko had earlier flagged off a sickle cell disease awareness campaign in secondary schools in the zone. He said it was targeted at sensitizing the students on the need to go for genotype tests before marriage. He is targeting five senior secondary schools as the programme continues in March till April when he passes out of the Service.
‘Use social media to achieve academic excellence’ By Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun The Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Building NIOB-FCT Chapter, Bldr Peter Ameh has called on building technology students of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa to use the social media to achieve academic excellence. The vice chairman, who made the call when NIOB officials attended the orientation ceremony of Building Technology students of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, said students must be diligent in pursuing their objectives as students of building. “Don’t wait till exam time to start studying. Although the social media has negative exposures, but it is still a viable tool for students as it will enable you get information that will help in your studies. So please use the social media to advantage. Chairman, FCT NIOB, Bldr James Ogbagha commended the HOD, Building Technology (BT), Bldr Mrs Halima Abubakar, Nasarawa Polytechnic for creating the platform for the professional interaction with prospective students of building. President, National Association Of Building Students (NAOBS), Comr Friday Ocheje commended the FCT Chapter of NIOB for its commitment to professional development of building students.
If you sleep in youth, you’ll cry in your old age – Sardinian Proverb