Youthville by Daily Trust Tambari

YOUTHVILLE TRUST

ISSUE #68

...young at heart

Friday, March 4, 2016

Ali, 19, gifted in welding, fuel tanks construction

Being creative speeds up business — Zara TText ext by Latifat Opo Opoola @LatifatOpoola

oving from f just a fun thing to a ffull-fledged business may b be challenging but for Zara Sa Sada, the owner of StyleCakes, “It was a whole new experienc experience with a lot of more respon responsibilities.” Th The Katsina State lady sta started her baking b business in October 2 2012 at home. She told YOUTHVILLE that she wanted to be unique and so, she took extra lessons at a renowned baking school to improve her skills. She said: “I know there are many bakeries out there, b but I am offering s something unique

Prize for Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs award now $100,000 31 >>

and different and because of that I enrolled in bakery schools in both Dubai and Nigeria,” she said. The Political Science student of Kaduna State University said the knowledge and expertise she gained from Dubai which she is applying to her business is what makes her baking style to stand out. Zara who said she bakes cakes herself without using additives added that her aim in the business is to expand from the home bakery to a household brand. “I want to be a household name not just in Abuja, but also in the country and the world at large,” she noted. Starting with a capital of N100,000, Zara recalled how she loves the art of mixing flavours and sketching creative designs, a fun-thing that has actually blossomed to a business. Affirming the lucrative nature of her craft, Zara urged youth to ensure they have the interest and the drive in whatever they embark on for them to

fully excel. “Your career is what you are passionate about, so find something you love and go for it, you will surely succeed with prayer and perseverance,” she said.

Street dance: Justine emerges winner after four attempts

32 >>

REFLECTIONS

YOUTHVILLE Friday, March 4, 2016

Page 31

Ali, 19, gifted in welding, fuel tanks construction

Isa Ali earned the nickname “Small” when he started learning welding at age eight, being a child then. He is now 19, maintains a medium stature and has built many underground tanks for fuel stations while training youths older than him. Isa spoke to YOUTHVILLE about how it all began! Text by Ibrahim Hamza Muhammad

sa Ali, a young Igom boy from Dungu Village near Begi Town in Nasarawa state is building on the efforts of his father in making a living from constructing large underground tanks at various fuel stations. Growing up in the village, they later relocated to the town where his father enrolled him at a welding shop to acquire the skills at an early age. Isa was introduced to Welding workshop owner called Oga Jona, because he cannot add much value to the macho-man’s job of welding. ‘Small’ then served as a fulltime errand boy in the workshop. On the first day at the workshop, he was left to destiny as he was not told to avoid looking at bright light. This is the habit of welders when they have a new comer. Small suffered from red-eyes and serious itching due to contact with the very bright lights emitting from the welding sparks. This made him to cry through-out the night and unto the

following day. He told his father that he will not go back to work because of the pain. But his father flogged him and took him back. His seniors told him he has learnt his first lesson. He wanted to dump the training to enjoy his pastime, but the fear of the flogging from his disciplinarian father made him to focus on the job. Small said his first master, Oga Jona welded gates and other metals for houses. After spending one and a half year with his master in the state, he left for Kano when he was just about ten. Surprisingly, his name, ‘Small’ followed him at the new place in Kano. He went into a more complex welding job of fabricating tanker for fuel trucks, goods-conveying trucks and building underground tanks for petrol stations among others in Kano. Describing his job role, Small said it takes him three to four days to finish an underground petrol tank used in petrol stations as long as he has

Backpack

Youth foundation seeks Buhari’s endorsement on world biggest bag Text from Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

youth-focused group, Lightup Foundation has initiated a global tour of its World biggest canvass bag even as it seeks the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari to increase awareness for the campaign. Otherwise known as Bag of Hope (BOH), the world biggest canvass bag measures 9.36m height, 10.32m length and 2.65m width. Its handle also measures 14.4m length and 0.6m width. At a press briefing in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Aina Olasubomi said: “We embarked on the creation of the BOH because we are attracting global awareness to the plight of children and young people in the world. And it will interest you to know that precisely on November 24, 2015; the BOH was officially adjudicated as the Largest Canvas Bag in the world by the Guinness World Record Team. “The second phase of the project is to now take this bag on a tour across different countries

of the world, thus create further awareness about the plights of children and young people, while allowing them to make designs on the bag,” Olasubomi said. He added that they want to kick-start the campaign and seek the President’s endorsement because it all started from Nigeria and because the 2015 UN Refugee agency report identified the country as being among those with a high population of internally displaced children and young people due to insurgency.

supplies of steel, work tools, constant power supply, food, and water. Isa said he is building 16 tanks of 45,000 litres assisted by AbdulRahim Ahmad, a welder with him for eight years, Yusuf Yusuf who has a three year experience, and Yakubu David who is a mason turned welder. Young Isa said he now works in a larger metal construction firm, Agibawa Company in the Kumbotso area of Kano state. At his place, Isa said he has trained nine other boys in the art of heavy duty welding. His recent job was at a new fuel station along the Airport Road in Abuja where he and his colleagues constructed the roof and are now working on the underground tanks. He said he will move to another location once he completes the job at hand. Isa ‘Small’ now a great construction welder said he still respects his former Master Oga Jona who still fabricates garage gates any time they meet in his Nasarawa village.

Prize for Africa’s youngest entrepreneur award now $100,000 ...as nominations for 2016 open Text from Ibrahim Kabiru Sule, @ikabirsule

ominations and applications for the 2016 Anzisha Prize for Africa’s youngest entrepreneur are now on, with the ultimate prize for the award now increased to $100,000. The 6th Anzisha prize, after five years of success, is investing further to find, celebrate and expand the award to the very youngest entrepreneurs in Africa. According to African Press Organisation’s statement on Tuesday, entrepreneurs across the continent are invited to apply for this year’s top 12 entrepreneurs recognition. Applicants can visit the website for their application (http://www. AnzishaPrize.org) as the search is on “to find Africa’s youngest, most innovative social and business entrepreneurs under the age of 22. African Leadership Academy (ALA) and The MasterCard Foundation – co-hosts of the Anzisha Prize – are also excited to announce a significant increase in the support available to selected entrepreneurs over the next five years, it said. “Each of the 12 finalists,” the statement said, “will now receive a $7,500 USD fellowship package with

Results will show up when you do –Jill Koenig

the ALA’s Youth Entrepreneur Support Unit (YES-U) which includes the Anzisha Week boot camp, mentorship and consulting services, travel opportunities to network and business equipment. “In addition, a new $25,000 USD prize category has been created to recognize Anzisha Fellows who have created further social and economic value through their ventures by effectively leveraging the opportunities provided by the fellowship with ALA. “This brings the total prize pool to $100,000 USD annually, with the Grand Prize Winner taking home $25,000 USD, 1st Runner-up receiving $15,000 USD and 2nd Runner-up receiving $12,500 USD. The remaining nine finalists will receive $2,500 USD each.” Programme Manager for the Anzisha Prize at The MasterCard Foundation, Kofi Assouan said “It is essential that we nurture young, African entrepreneurial talent if we want to see the economic gains we all hope for in the future. The prize is open to any African national under the age of 22 with an active project, social venture or forprofit business based on the continent.

SHOWTIME

YOUTHVILLE

Friday, March 4, 2016 Page 32

FASHIONNEWS>>

SHOWTIMENEWS>>

Stay glamorous in gladiator sandals

Street dance: Justine wins after four attempts Text by Victoria Bamas @sinach360

Text by Eseohe Ebhota @sleek_diva88

oung Justine Chima Unanka is the victorious winner of the RAW! Street Dance battle. The competition which took place last weekend at the Silverbird Galleria in Abuja had ten participants with eliminations after every genre of music and dance. Chima who is also referred to as ‘Dance Machine’ said he has been competing in RAW street dance battle since its inception. “I feel very fulfilled and honoured, because since the inception of RAW I have been competing for the past four seasons; and today I finally won,” he said. The Dance Machine

he defining characteristics of gladiator sandals are the straps. These shoes make a very strong fashion statement. They can be worn for any event, occasion, or even to work. You can enjoy it more in these three ways: Adding some glamour: Since it is very comfortable, it is best suited for a casual outfit. To add more ‘drama’ to your look, keep an eye for metalic gladiator sandals that can make you really stand out. Creating a casual look: Wearing something free could be either gowns, shorts and T-shirts, these sandals can add a little bit of extra style to enhance even the most casual of outfits. Going for what fits you: These sandals do not look good for everyone. Too many straps on them can make your legs look short and your feet look wide, so if those areas pose a problem to you, you could wear low-cut sandals. So what would your style be this weekend? Why not try looking glamorous with the gladiator sandals and you’ll be glad you did!

ENTERTAINMENTNEWS>> Juliet Ibrahim stars in Kannywood movie Text from Bashir Liman, Kaduna

amous Ghanaian actress and singer Juliet Ibrahim has starred in Kannywood movie, ‘Ladan Noma’. Produced by Faidhat Muwaddat Production of Kano state and shot in Kaduna and Abuja, the film has Juliet as the lead actress. Speaking with YOUTHVILLE at location in Kaduna, she said, “I was apprehensive when

HEALTHNEWS>> Text by Eseohe Ebhota @sleek_diva88

I read the script that we are going to a village in Northern Nigeria, the fear of Boko Haram struck me hard, but after Uzee Concept assured me about my safety I became less nervous.” Juliet won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2010 Ghana Movie Awards for her role in 4 Play. A-Listers Magazine in 2013 said she was the Most Beautiful West African Woman. Her challenge of speaking Hausa in the film was overcome with her talent, she said.

219 trained in ICT Student wins

Why we should eat mangoes he mango fruit is one of the most popular, nutritionally rich fruits with unique flavour, fragrance, taste, and heath promoting qualities, thereby making it the foremost among functional foods. Being a seasonal fruit, Mango has a lot of healthy and useful benefits. It can be enjoyed all alone without any seasonings/additions. They help to improve eyesight as they contain Vitamin A. They are also good sources of Vitamin C, iron and calcium which are some of the main sources of body building nutrients. A mother of three who simply gave her name as Mrs. Joy told YOUTHVILLE that her children love mangoes a lot. “When the mango season comes, I

attri attributes h i s success to dedication despite failed attempts. Chima who works as a dance and fitness instructor told YOUTHVILLE that he has been dancing since he was five years old, but started competing professionally in 2010. “I gave myself one month

of intense training before the competition. If you know what the competition is, you need to prepare earlier,” the young winner explained. Mima Angulu the CEO of Krump Dance Studio which powered the event said they are using RAW dance battles and other similar events to change the wrong misconceptions about dancers.

allow my children eat 2 daily because they love mangoes a lot. I allow that because if it goes beyond that, it could lead to stomach upset. I also eat about 2 daily.” She added that she eats it in different ways. “Sometimes, I make mango juice or I make it a part of the fruit salad when I prepare it. Mangoes are really nutritious because they help to develop the body with vitamins”. The fruit has proven to be beneficial over the years for fruit salads, juicing with ice cubes; blended with milk, it becomes ‘mango-milk shake’. Mango fruit is also used to prepare jam, jelly, ice cream and in sweet-candy industries. The unripe one is used to prepare pickles (marmalade for bread).

Text by Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola

n a bid to tackle the scourge of unemployment, A3 Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) graduated 219 youth of the 500 being trained for free in Information technology essentials (CISCO) in Abuja. CEO of the foundation and former wife of Kogi state governor, Ambassador Aisha Audu-Emeje during the graduation in Abuja, said, “Empowerment of these youth does not end with the training as the foundation is in partnership with state governments and other agencies to absorb them into secured job placement.” She further advised the graduants to seize every opportunity and ensure that they are entrepreneurial, stressing that “it is only when they have something to offer that contacts and connections comes to look for them”. Onoja Emmanuel one of the graduants, said he was an electrician and will now use the new skill to assemble and fix handsets and computers. Sam Papi another graduant said the foundation not only trained him on the basics of ICT but on entrepreneurship. Nankling Mercy Sude said the training has boosted her qualifications giving her competitive edge in the corporate world.

entrepreneurship prize Text from Kayode Ogunwale, Lagos

300 level Computer Science student of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia state, Miss Blessing Ijeoma has won a multimillion naira entrepreneurship scholarship and prizes to expand her ventures. The student who owns a freelance trade platform, ‘Hoursspent’ was declared winner of the scholarship at the national final competition and seminar held in Lagos by the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO). Founded in 1987 by young entrepreneurs, the agency enables business owners to learn from peers, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. EO which has a

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture – Martin Mull

network of 10,000 leading entrepreneurs in 150 chapters and 50 countries, with a combined $600 billion in annual revenue honoured some Nigerian youth with the “Global Student Entrepreneurs Award” (GSEA). Besides competing for global award with a price tag of $100,000, Blessing got N1 million and other prizes including a free entrepreneurship course in Netherlands, mentorship course with EO Global, Washington DC and others. President, EO Lagos, Mr. Vincent Molokwu said the national winner and two runners up will be connected to businesses in the US that will continue to mentor them and ensure that they are on the right part.