Youthville by Daily Trust Tambari

YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #100

Friday, October 14, 2016

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youthville@dailytrust.com

YOUTH is wasted on the young. – George Bernard Shaw

...young at heart

Health: It pays to do regular check-upS, Pharmacist, Arinze says

Fighting for the rights of the disabled: Apolmida’s

Pharm. Arinze Awinigwe is a clinical/ bio-pharmacy graduate and Chairperson at the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), African regional office 2016/17. He spoke with YOUTHVILLE about his achievements and how it pays to do regular check-ups. Excerpts:  Apolmida Haruna Zamani

Text by Latifat Opoola (@LatifatOpoola)

T Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun & Eseohe Ebhota @EbhotaEseohe

ow were you inspired to run your advocacy activities? My advocacy activities surround my long time participation and work with an advocacy organization called the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), the largest global organization for Pharmacy students and recent graduates of pharmacy. Before now, I had a passion for public health which took me for an internship at the Regions of Climate Actions (RAC) firm in Switzerland. During the two months internship, I was encouraged to become an executive member of IPSF. I then became the first Nigerian/West African elected to the position of the chairperson of the African region office of the organization for 2016/17 period. How are you contributing to healthcare issues in Nigeria? Climate change is real and we know that it really affects the people and it has a lot of impact on them. So what we do at RAC is to know the effect it has had on people and how it can be

tackled. My experience working there gave me an insight on what is being done to tackle it as well as know the impact of climate on the environment an d how some national and international governments are taking measures to mitigate the effect of climate. So it was a really nice experience. It increased my passion to work more for the global health organization. You organized a healthcare campaign during the recent World Pharmacists Day. What were the achievements? The World Pharmacists Day is an event instituted by the International Federation of Pharmacists (IFP) with its headquarters in Switzerland. It was done to emphasize the role of pharmacists in the healthcare profession. So the day gives us the leverage to announce to the world that we are pharmacists and we can tell you about the medicines you take, their side effects, how best to take them. Marked every 25th of September, the event took us to a number of places. In Abuja, we provided free healthcare services to Federal Government workers at the Federal Road Safety

Corps (FRSC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Population Commission (NPC). Over 400 persons participated in the campaign and the results were incredible. It was amazing to see how this people asked questions about issues such as their Body Mass Index (BMI), body water percentage and we also had to give them some counselling on lifestyle changes. As a pharmacist, have you observed if Nigerians do regular check-ups? The dangers for not doing regular check-up are quite much. I also want to believe that it is a general mind-set that people only go to a healthcare facility when they are down. Not a lot of people out there make the time to check their Body Mass Index (BMI), body water percentage and other necessary tests. These things really matter a lot because they’ll tell you whether you have high calories/cholesterol. It is high time Nigerians cultivate that ‘culture’ of going for regular check-ups rather than waiting till when they fall ill.

UniLag leads top searched Nigerian varsities Text by Bamas Victoria @ BamasVictoria With about two months left to finish the year 2016, YOUTHVILLE went down memory lane to bring to you key words and phrases that rocked the internet in the previous year. According to Google trends, the University of Lagos topped the list on Nigerian universities searched on the internet in 2015 followed by

the Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Nigeria Nsuka. The fourth to tenth places were taken by the University of Ibadan, National Open University of Nigeria, Covenant University, University of Ilorin, Babcock University, University of Abuja and Kogi State University. Surprisingly no indigenous fashion brand made it to the top

searched list from Nigeria. Instead foreign brands like, Gucci, Chanel, Versace, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Prada, Cartier, Tom Ford and Givenchy made the list. On health-related searches, ‘cancer’ topped the list followed by ‘diabetes’ and then, ‘depression’. The fourth to tenth places were held by ‘acne’, ‘herpes’, flu, ‘back pain’, ‘AIDS’, ‘burns’, and ‘diarrhoea’.

he society needs to understand the issues surrounding persons living with disability and the stigmatization, said Apolmida Haruna Zamani. The advocate for the rights of people living with disability especially women and children, who is also one of the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow told Daily Trust YOUTHVILLE that the Nigerian society tends to have a particular mindset about those with disability. Apolmida, who was impaired at the age of two said it is due to the provisions of the society that she and others who suffer from similar conditions are disabled. “Disability is what the society has put in place to discourage me from doing what I normally do” The young Lawyer told our reporter she was drawn to advocacy when she served under the disability desk officer of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) during her National Youth Service year. “I picked interest on issues of disability and since then I have been trying to encourage people to rise above their disability. “Because myself being one, if I did not see myself as a normal person I wouldn’t be where I am today. The society limits those of us with challenges but then we have to encourage ourselves, and must find the strength within us to fight,” she said. Apolmida campaigns against the practice of reducing disabled persons to charity cases. She has faced the challenge of people despising her because of her condition while growing up. “My parents believed in me and sent me to school unlike others who aren’t lucky to go to school. Parents also need to stop the stigmatization and start believing in their children with these conditions, because you will be amazed how much potential they have only waiting to be tapped.” The YALI alumnus called for unity among persons with disability stating that it is only when they speak with one voice that they can effectively drive their agenda forward. She also said government must learn to take their issues in the forefront like it is done in other countries therefore calling for the signing of the disability bill into law. Apolmida who spoke of her experience at the Mandela Washington Fellowship said, she met different people, learnt different cultures and observed that the American society may not be perfect but supports persons with disability. She therefore advised those with disability to accept their challenge, struggle and stand above it. “You must always believe in yourself, fight for your right and what you believe in,”

DAILY TRUST, Friday, October 14, 2016

YOUTHVILLE

How I’m surviving riding Keke – Female undergraduate, Obianuju

Skye Bank CEO urges financial literacy for youth

Miss Obianuju Umeadi, a part-time undergraduate student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, said she decided to a tricycle riding business popularly called keke-NAPEP within the state capital to support her parents in sponsoring her education.

Text from Emma Elekwa, Awka Why I started riding ‘keke’ started two weeks ago. I didn’t want to be a burden to my parents by depending solely on them. I felt I need to be meaningfully engaged to support my parents who are not really financially buoyant. Nobody taught me the art; I had

ridden motorcycle for about a year. But for the keke, I kept on observing those who ride it. I was also asking them questions on the areas that seem confusing. It took me about two weeks to master it before I eventually took up the challenge. How I’m navigating a ‘masculine’ venture There is no success without

challenges. I didn’t just jump into the business. I spent time to ruminate over this before I eventually made up my mind. The first few days I started, when people see me they expressed surprise, shouting “See a woman riding keke”. Some others, especially the guys hail me. Other keke riders have also been supportive. For now, I’m the only woman riding keke in this town and I’m enjoying it. I find the venture lucrative for now It was not a bad start anyway, though I had made up my mind that no matter how discouraging it was, I would not give up. Combining this job with studies is tedious I’m fortunate that my lectures fall at weekends. I will work from Monday to Friday, but would close by 2pm on Fridays so I could prepare for lectures at weekends. I often would use the night to study. The key thing is the determination I have and that is the key to success.

Firm stages 3-day fashion exhibition in Lagos Text from Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

he Meriden International Fair Organization has declared its readiness to stage the 2016 edition of its annual international ready-towear exhibition in Lagos. The firm’s Managing Director, Paul Olugbade, in a statement issued said the exhibition which is expected to come up between October 31 and November 2, 2016 will host exhibitors from different parts of the world. “This year’s edition, like previous years shall have international exhibitors from different part of the world to showcase their unique products. Indeed, over 100 exhibitors are expected from countries such as Republic of Turkey, Dubai, Italy, China, Egypt, UK, Nigeria, among others,” a part of the statement read. The firm however called on Nigerian fashion designers, distributors, wholesalers,

 A Fashion Show in Lagos, recently

agents and major retailers who are driving demands as well as the final consumers who love fashions to see the exhibition as an opportunity to invest in emerging fashion designs. Expected to be displayed at the exhibition are women’s

wear, men’s wear, children’s wear, knit wear, leisure wear, leather wear, cocktail wear, evening dress, body and beach wear, sport wear, lingerie, bags, foot wears, caps, ties, accessories, hosiery, women rhinestones, among others.

Text from Sunday Michael Ogwu, Lagos he Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Tokunbo Abiru has disclosed plans by the Bankers’ Committee to continuously improve on the level of financial literacy among the youths. Speaking after the Committee’s meeting in Lagos, Abiru said the committee unanimously agreed that the banking industry should act in unity to ensure that financial education is promoted in schools across the six geopolitical zones. He said the committee agreed that each of the commercial banks takes at least, two schools in each of the six geopolitical zones. “Part of what we discussed was the need to continuously improve on financial literacy. And one of the resolutions is for the entire industry to act as one, to play an active role in the forthcoming World Savings Day Celebration on October 30. “We suggested that at least 12 public schools will be taken up by each bank for this years’ event,” he said. Abiru also disclosed the Committee’s commitment and plans to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “We also talked about Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), general commerce, general commerce, manufacturing, micro-finance bank and other banking-related products so as to create awareness as our nation gets older and stronger in banking services,” he said. Skye bank’s officials were recently at Biedomo Premier School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to teach the students the fundamentals of financial planning, investment instruments and the need for imbibing the savings culture at an early stage.

Youth Conference calls for value reorientation Text by Victoria Onehi

he President, Guardian of the Nation International and Host, Leadership Clinic, Mr Linus Okorie has said Nigerian youth can only make a difference when they have a clear vision of who they are and invest in their leadership capital. Okorie was guest speaker at the National Youth Leadership Conference with the theme “Nigerian Youth: Reorientation to the Rescue” held at the Baze University, Abuja yesterday. “Nobody can succeed without having a vision. Once your vision is clear, you must build a learning system around you. Leaders who want to make a difference always re-invent themselves. You must develop a reading spot. Begin to read, begin to research, then you can

create impact,” he said. Okorie added that for any nation to make progress, they must invest in their youths. “Nations of the world that have made progress today are nations that invested in the leadership capital of their youths. No investment in the leadership capital of the young people, no prosperity for any nation,” Okorie said. The Head of the organising team of the conference, Miss Chimdi Neliaku in her welcome address said the conference was organised to help instil the right values in the youths in order to develop Nigeria. Former Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka in a goodwill message said young people and Nigerians in general have the potential to be what they want to be adding that Nigerians are greater than their problems.

Style: Why young ladies love low cut hair Text by Eseohe Ebhota @EbhotaEseohe

rowing up, we would cry when my friends and I were made to cut our hair; because we thought boys were the only ones who should do that. But this isn’t true anymore as more ladies and even young girls have joined the ‘low-cut train’. Most ladies who keep low cut would say it is one of the best ways to remain simple and still look great. Their reasons? Having hair cut short will

mean less time to spend on it and the products too will be fewer as well as reduced costs. Mimi, an undergraduate at the University of Abuja said, “I just love the way I look with this hair. I feel so free; I don’t have to stress myself of either brushing or combing my hair. It’s even cost effective.” Two reasons kept Ujor Onah, an applicant in Abuja doing low cut: “I decide to cut my hair now because the weather is really affecting it, especially

my frontline. I want to give the hair sometime to regrow again,” she said. Ladies who decide to have low cuts do so for two reasons: 1) To regrow their hair or 2) Just because they are tired of maintaining a long hair. Whatever the reason is, Ladies it is still your right to look good, classy and feminine. Whatever you decide to do to your hair this weekend, it’s your choice. Just ensure you stay classy, ‘chic’ and beautiful.

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art. – Stanislaw Lec