Tourism: Youth should grow skills in the sector 36 >>>
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YOUTHVILLE
...young at heart ...youn
Friday, November 20, 2015
Why youngsters should learn the fun way – App creator,
Rachael
With fabrication, I got a business, degree – Engr Musa 37 >>>
Regent School students win Abuja History Competition 38 >>>
From the
YOUTHVILLE
TEAM
Friday, November 20, 2015 Page 34
Dear Readers,
@latifatopoola
@Sinach360
SUNDAY EBHOTA SULE BAMAS OPOOLA
@SimonEchewofun
@sleek_diva88
@ikabirsule
Welcome to this week’s edition of Nigeria’s foremost entertaining, educative and exciting youth-friendly magazine YOUTHVILLE. We have some of the best stories from the education, entertainment, business and fashion world. get yourself doused with them Rachael Ejoke is our personality this week. She reflects on why youngsters should learn English adopting a fun-filled strategy. Rachael launched her App, ‘Words Barn’ recently where youngsters can learn words and compete for prize. Get the details on the REFLECTIONS page. Its tourism this week. Charles Sablah, a young Ghannain could not afford a university education, he however embraced historical research about his locality which turns out to be a resort. The Tour Guide is earning a living from this as he takes surfers around for an hourly pay. This and more are on SHOWTIME! Fabrication is business too but known to only those that have the zeal for the craft. 28 year old Aliyu Musa started this, opened a shop and went to study it in the university… complete this on the BIZWIZ. We’ve got SPORTSVILLE staring as a tournament, Ghana Nigeria Youths has been held in Ghana to unite their youth and ours. Who is behind this initiative? And in BACKPACK, Students of the Regent Secondary School, Abuja emerged overall winners of the Senior category of the 2015 Know your History competition recently. Find out how they did this and the runner up. Be Motivated, Be Creative and Be an inspiration to others. How? Just tell us your story and we’ll do the rest. You can get in touch with us via our mail: youthville@dailytrust.com . Join our growing community on Facebook: Daily Trust YouthVille and on Twitter: @DT_YouthVille. Watch out for more entertaining and inspiring stories next week….. The team wishes her fans and readers a splendid W.E.E.K.E.N.D!!!!
www.dailytrust.com.ng youthville@dailytrust.com 08078068532 (sms only) @ @DT_YouthVille
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Daily Trust YouthVille
Moh’d N. Yahaya
3RESORTS 1 2 3
Facebook >>> Re: It’s right to pay stipends to the unemployed, says young Economist, Bala Yakubu M. Umar: Point of correction, it is not University of Gwagwalada but University Of Abuja. I am totally against the opinion of my colleague in the university (the young doctor) over the stipends issue. Ismail Namadi: My Prof. Yussuph Ayinla: I love that!
RE: We’ll fight unemployment to halt, says Ngige Dahiru Manchok: Don’t fight with unemployment because we don’t need fight but we need change, reduce it by fighting with the Godfathers and corrupt officials then you would have a chance to fight unemployment alone. Yerima
Abdallaah:
are there for the job and we believe you will never ever disappoint us. Basheer Harun: We are looking forward to seeing that happens! Ngozi ChuksAction: Please Mr Minister, a least within the first 100 days in the office, let’s see something positive.
You
TRENDING
Dasuki: Facebook swells over response to arms probe
Nigerians took to Facebook few minutes after a published report on embattled former National Security Advsier (NSA), Sambo Dasuki said ex-president Goodluck Jonathan approved all contracts for arms deal. Dasuki who was quoted in a statement said allegations of fraud leveled against him by a presidential committee probing arms purchases as NSA then is baseless. “Contrary to this claim, Dasuki was not the NSA in March 2012 and he could not have awarded any contract in whatever name,” it read in part. More than 100 netizens have shared, liked or commented on the report via Facebook, with
most demanding where the arms are. One Mohammed Salihu Anuhi posted “Forget about the president’s endorsement where are the arms?” Musa Ya’u: “Agreed Fmr President approved the contract for the small arms where are the arms now?”, Momoh Ezzu Yahaya “Yes Jonathan endorsed it...... Where are the ‘yams’ pls?”, Mohammed Hassan: “Mr Dasuki we are not doubting the approval but where are the supply?” Read some of the inquisitive posts. Expressing pain over the issue, Ibrahim Suleiman posted: “You, former President Goodluck and all the Service
Chiefs that served under him will surely rot in Jail and later in hell for allowing Boko haram to slaughter innocent people for your selfish interests.” Others felt the Presidency should leave the issue and be focused. “The former had done his work - good or bad. Do your work. #buhari face your work,” posted Jacobs Egoh. However, some sections want the probe(s) to continue. A post from Chris Nden is a sample to this: “Anybody who is not happy with what our President is doing is on his own. For me, I commend him for his job well done. Probe anybody in position of public fund and jail them.”
BY AKILA JIBRIN
Connections Follow us:
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Akodo Beach, Lagos This is the ultra-modern Eko tourist beach resort. It is one of the most visited beaches in Lagos city, equipped with modern facilities, chalets, amusement parks and rides, and a serene swimming beach are features of this resort. Fifth Chukker Resorts, Kaduna It blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings set on 130 hectares of land. The resort is undoubtedly one of the finest facilities to play the artistic sport of polo. It is usually opened to members; and during tournaments to the public with tickets. Marshall Caves, Bauchi They are 59 dwelling caves dug into sandstone escarpments years ago. They were discovered by P.J. Marshall in 1980 and have become an attractive resort till date. There are rock paintings and engravings in zig-zag form and in straight lines across the caves.
REFLECTIONS
YOUTHVILLE
Friday, November 20, 2015 Page 35
Why youngsters should learn the fun way – App creator, Rachael “Education must not be restricted to the classroom neither should it be boring. Learning should be made attractive with games to motivate young ones.” This was the view of Rachael Anwurika Ejoke, a young lady launched her ‘Words Barn’ App early this month to stir youth to learning through games. The founder of Starryclassix Limited told YOUTHVILLE that the game (App) is helping young ones to master various English words that could improve their vocabulary and their use of English.
Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun
W
hat inspired you to get into games and App creation? Asides being an Entrepreneur and the C.E.O of Starryclassix Limited, I have a Bachelor degree in Microbiology and a certificate holder of Millennium Development Goals Advocacy Project. Although being a Microbiologist, I was most inspired by my deep desire to add value to the African continent educationally and socially. I observed that there is an obvious declining English reading culture, an eroding culture in proper spelling of English words caused by the prevalence of shortening words in today’s fast paced techworld, and the great need for Africa to harness positively the power of the internet in this age. How did Words Barn App come up? I was motivated to invent the ‘Words Barn Card Game’ to run the Words Barn Literacy Campaign/Competitions. The aims of this campaign is to help advance - the English spelling, reading and the internet usage culture. In 2014, before the development of the App, the competition was held using the Words Barn Game Cards through our website: www. starryclassix.com, and it has been growing from there. How
are
you
attracting
sponsorship for thiss campaign? During the websitee d competition, I had sponsors includingg n ActionAid Education n Department, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd and other reputable organisations. I also got newspaper reviews from pupils and students who are ardent users of Words Barn Card Game and such honorary acknowledgements fuelled my determination. This year 2015, I was invited and listed on page four of the Attendee Directory of the prestigious Digital Book World Conference and Expo 2015, alongside executives from Apple, Google, Macmillan, HarperCollins Children Publishers and others from highly reputable on organizations in Hilton Manhattan, New York. As I received personal commendations from Suzanne Murphy; the Vice President of Disney Publishers Worldwide, I was moved to intensify my efforts in introducing a National Competition of the Words Barn Game. Have you had challenges lately in advancing this course? Although it has been difficult, am glad to finally say the App can now be
d downloaded from w wordsbarn.com or d directly from Google P Playstore to promote N National Competitions. The App was launched o on November 5, 2015 b by Mrs Grace Zacks w who represented Mr. P Peter Jack, the Director G General, National In Information Technology D Development Agency (N (NITDA) and I. NITDA was the Pl Platinum Sponsor of th the Competition as it prepares Nigerian yo youngsters to be in tune w with their international pe peers in harnessing the be benefits of this Internet an Telecommunication and Ag Age. It also gives a m modern approach to ac acquiring education thr through educative games.
The aim of this campaign is to help advance - the English spelling, reading and the internet usage culture
Who are the targets for thi competition? this W target a range of We chi children from five to 17 years and more because we believe that is the period to help them have a solid foundation in the English language. They can simply follow these steps to download the App and be part of the exciting fun in practicing the game so they can be freely enlisted in the forthcoming National Words Barn Competition in April, 2016! Are there challenges in hooking up to this App? Basically, users should
Even if you are little, you can do a lot - Matilda
ensure they have good internet connectivity when playing. Besides, it cost nothing to be part of this game and competition. They would only need to register and follow the prompts on the App. The subscription is free at 0.0 naira (also known as NO PAYMENT). With the App, they can also stay updated on the set date for competition which will add to their motivation for learning. Consistent users of the App would also be giving their school a Popularity Status as they participate in the GIST Section where they can chat on why their schools rocks or why it is fun! How can the public contribute to this endeavour? Still in collaboration with NITDA, Starryclassix is seeking the support of more organisations and stakeholders to contribute through their Corporate Social Responsibility as we target the engagement of children between the age five and 17 years in advancing their reading, spelling and internet usage cultures. What are your words of motivation for our readers? It is very important to build a system of influence in achieving your goals or dreams. Each Reader is invited to test their potential to influence these children to join their Team on Words Barn App. However, it is not restricted to them as everyone can download the App and be a part of the literacy campaign.
SHOWTIME
YOUTHVILLE Friday, November 20, 2015 Page 36
FASHIONNEWS >>
Text by Eseohe Ebhota @sleek_diva88
Looking good in statement jewelries
J
ewelries help to bring life to what you wear. They bring out your best features. Their beauty is that it only takes a piece to make you whole outfit stand out. As such, it is key is to keep it simple and either work your outfit around one big eye-catching piece, or to work well-coordinated statement accessories into your look by striking the right balance. But how can you stand out in these jewelries? Here are some tips: Bold pieces should be allowed to stand out. Do not overwhelm your looks by wearing them too close to each other. Thus, wear just one at a time or if you must wear more than one, do not wear them together (statement rings and bracelets, earrings and necklaces).
FOODNEWS>>
Keep it simple: Do not wear ‘busy’ designs when wearing bold jewelry. Remember that your aim is to stand out so wear these items wisely. Wear the right necklace, earring: To make sure your necklace stands out, ensure that it is worn on the right neckline. Clothing items that would let your jewelry speak are strapless or V-necked dresses or tops. Watch your bracelets: When wearing a statement piece, cuff bracelets are the best. Keep your arms open as this would draw some attention to you. Another great option is wearing bangles. However, if you decide to wear them, stick to one hand only and wear a maximum of six. Mixing gold and silver bangles wouldn’t be a bad idea too.
Ladies, to lock in your looks this weekend at a wedding or any other social gathering, floral outfits, long/classy flowing gowns, a cool black dress would be just perfect with these accessories.
Text by Eseohe Ebhota @sleek_diva88
Banga soup: Eaten in the S/South, relished in the East
I
ndigenous to the southern part of the country, Banga soup (Ofe Akwu - Igbo, Banga - Edo/ Delta, Abak - Ibibios), the methods of preparation, herbs and spices differ with each ethnic group. This delicacy has its health benefits. One of such is that one of the mineral it contains - Betacarotene is converted to vitamin A in the body,
TRAVELNEWS>>
and it is responsible for many bodily functions which includes the development of the bones and reproductive system. In addition, the Palm oil in banga soup is very rich in vitamin K, magnesium, and vitamins A and E and is free of cholesterol. There are natural anti-oxidants that protect one from cancer and give the skin a fresher look. Red palm oil is a potent natural antiinflammatory, and as such helps to prevent inflammation in the
artery lining. Science has now confirmed that inflammation in the arterial linings is the major cause of cholesterol buildup! Red palm oil naturally improves cholesterol and lowers high blood pressure. Ofe - Akwu can be eaten with rice, semolina, fufu, pounded yam and boiled yam. As you settle into a beautiful weekend, give yourself a treat with any of these dishes accompanied with Ofe - Akwu.
Text by Victoria Bamas @Sinach360 who was in Accra, Ghana
Tourism: Youth should grow skills in the sector
A
young man from Ghana, Charles Sablah loves meeting new people so he started welcoming couchsurfers into his home several years ago. What started out as a passion has metamorphosed into one of Ghana most rated tourist walking tours. A quick search on the internet for tourist attractions in Ghana will give you Nima Tours. Armed with the basic knowledge of the internet Sablah has a website and several social media accounts targeted at potential tourists he uploaded pictures of his community and offered to show people around for a small token. He charges by the hour. He said: “I am a tour guide. I do walking tours around
Nima and tell them the history. I take people to the community market, schools, neighborhoods, to give them the idea of how different ethnicities co-exist and another side of Ghana.” Sablah who did not get the opportunity to get a university education did not rest on his oars but researched the history of Nima. This working knowledge has “ensured he gets good reviews online” which translates into more clients as people often surf the internets about a place when visiting for the first time. He said the walking tour is not without it hitches as the conservative people in the community feels it is intrusive but he surmounts this problem by ensuring that
“We (him and the tourist) do not offend people by taking indiscriminate photos and we abide by all rules and norms.” While Sablah said it has helped to disabuse people’s perception of Nima a poor and dangerous community. “I have been able to make people see the plight of Anani Intl Community school that caters for the less privileged kids and who inturn often help out in one way or the other,” he added. To fellow youth, he said they don’t need much to start-up a tour business. He said: “If you have passion to do something you always have to push it forward and after the initial sacrifice it will pay off. And don’t always wait for someone to come and give you a boost on that.”
Music can change the world because it can change people – Bono
BIZWIZ/SPORTS
YOUTHVILLE
With fabrication, I got a business, degree
Agripreneur: ‘Unemployed youth should be told farming benefits’
– Engr. Musa Text by Abubakar Haruna
H
e started fabricating pots and some little utensils at an early age in Zaria town of Kaduna state. In no time, Engineer Aliyu Musa the Biu - Borno state indigene grew to like the vocation which he rode to acquiring an engineering degree. The 28 year old youth said he read Metallurgical Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna state and is doing his Youth Service in Government in Plateau State. He told YOUTHVILLE about his challenges and why he opted for this line of business. It was tasking doing this business and going to school I faced a lot of challenges but there is one secrete in life, if you plan and arrange your time you will succeed. I plan my schedules so that my studies and the business don’t clash. I have time to go to my shop I also have time for my studies. I read for four to six hours daily and devote other time to prayer and my vocation. Lack of fund was one of the major challenges I faced when I was in the university. I had to stop boarding in the campus and continue with my fabrication work at home. Since then I discovered that I can’t do without my fabrication work. After NYSC, I would go for a
master’s degree and expand my craft I have this intention to work but after my Service Year, I will go for a master’s degree first. From that, I would look for capital to expand my shop. I want to redesign my fabrication work to international standard. My major challenge now is lack of fund. I want to buy fabrication machines from China and other foreign countries. Even if I have a salary job I would do it to raise capital for my work. My aim is to become an entrepreneur who will create more employment opportunities for fellow youth. A challenge that toughened my mind on the business There was a time when I had poor sale. Our sales dropped significantly and almost ran out of fund. I then realized that if I could change the environment, things may pick up. So I quickly relocated to Abuja and continued my fabrication work. It worked! I saved some money and went back to school to complete my project. I will never forget this incident in my life because I
Friday, November 20, 2015
Page 37
Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun
A
suffered a lot but it sharpened my business acumen. My advice to those striving to a earn a certificate My advice to them is to understand that education is very important. Education is life. They should bear in their minds that whatever they want to become in life they should embrace hard work, honest, focus and diligence especially if they are succeed in a self-driven business where you are your boss.
farmer, Mr Eniola Ajewole last Wednesday urged the three tier governments to enlighten unemployed youths on the benefits of farming so they can embrace the vocation. Ajewole who is the Director of Ajelak Farms Ltd in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikole, Ekiti state said their engagement in agriculture would provide employment for millions, who are jobless. He said enough sensitisation and awareness on the need to embrace agriculture should be carried out by government agencies, saying that youths required attitudinal change towards farming to make them embrace it. A great percentage of unemployed youths see farming as a profession meant for illiterates and rural dwellers. “Many of them, even those who studied agriculture courses in tertiary institutions, believed that offices were the only places they can work,” he stressed. Seeking for more sensitization, he said: “Government needs to orientate them through series of workshops, talks and awareness campaigns to let them know that farming is beyond what they think.” The economic crisis, high cost of food and unemployment scourge, Ajewole said started after the country neglected its farming culture. He also urged government to take urgent steps to revive the sector and make adequate budgetary provision in 2016 to implement its agricultural policies.
SPORTVILLE ‘Sports aimed at uniting people’ Text by Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola
T
he just concluded Ghana Nigeria Youths Tournament was aimed at uniting Nigerian and Ghanian youths through sports. The Public Relations Officer of All Nigerian Community-Ghana, Comrade Barry Nwaihim, commended the teams that participated for showing interest and urged for more participation in the next year edition.
Nwaihim who notes that sports unifies people said that was what informed the theme for this years event “Uniting Nigerian and Ghanian youths through sports”. As organisers of the programme, the Community urged young people to eschew violence and any negative attitude that has the tendency to bring disunity while assuring those with great display of talent of their groups willingness to assist them climb high in any chosen career. He called for
government and private sector support for more such initiative aimed at fostering unity among the two great countries in West Africa. The President of National Association of Nigerian StudentsGhana, Mr Muhammed Katagum congratulated the winning team and urged those who lost not to see their loss in bad faith but rather go home and work hard so they can win the next year edition. Additional info: TheNigerianvoice.com
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. - Steve Jobs
BACK PACK
YOUTHVILLE Friday, November 20, 2015 Page 38
Innovation:
Williams Nwokoma, is the brainchild behind the website, Tracker.NG. He gives an insight into the creation of the platform which he said is helping to tackle car theft and empower other youths. Excerpts:
How I developed online platform to stop car theft Text from Abdullateef Aliyu, Lagos
H
ow did you conceive the idea for the platform? One day we were sitting down at the office and the papers came in and we went through the papers and saw this tragic story of one Emmanuel Okota, who was shot at Asaba in Delta State by armed vehicle snatchers. It caught my attention and got me thinking; this could have been avoided if he had a vehicle tracker installed in his vehicle. We contacted car owners and other providers of car tracking service in Nigeria. What we got
was kind of revealing because the car trackers’ companies we contacted, a good number of them are all market representatives and not the owners of the technology. We realised that over 12million registered vehicles are in Nigeria and 85% of that are untracked. So we saw the need to make owners of vehicles have more control over their vehicles. We have had a launch recently and we are happy to announce that vehicle owners can now track and monitor their vehicles at
very low fee. How did you get the knowledge of doing it? Vehicle tracking is nothing new and like I said before, it has always been there but the only thing new there is that we are bringing out excellent service at low cost prices because our commitment is to make it
affordable to all and this is the extent we have come forward to make that possible. Has this platform help in empowering Nigerian youth? Yes. We are going to be creating more opportunities for employment to be done across the country. The challenge of unemployment is not only peculiar to the Nigerian government but it’s in other parts of the world. So this is a reality that has come to stay because IT (Information Technology) is taking over. This tracking equipment, for example, performs the work that 40 to 50 people are supposed
to do. But what government should be considering about this is to create an enabling environment that can aid people to take advantage of that environment and create jobs. What other projects are you working on? We are going to launch a child tracking service by January, 2016. We are very excited about it because there is no one running such service in the country presently. What we hope to achieve is to give parents peace of mind, helping them to track their children anywhere anytime.
CAMPUSGIST >> UMYUNI
Yar’adua University, Katsina Releases 2nd admission list
From left: The Vice President, Nigeria Women in Ethiopia (NWIE), Mrs Nwabundo Okafor, wife of the Nigerian Ambassador in Ethiopia, Hajiya Binta Baraya, NWIE Financial Secretary, Mrs Jane Babatunde and the founder of Trampled Rose ( charity), Ms Becky Kiser, after the group donated items and cash N750,000 to cater for the one year education of 15 less privileged girls recently in Ethiopia.
Success Corner!
T
he Umaru Musa Yar’adua University in Katsina state has released the 2nd list of admission for the 2015/2016
academic session. The list is available online via http://umyu.edu.ng/2nd_ admlist2015/.
Text by Latifat Opoola, @ LatifatOpoola
Regent School students win Abuja History Competition
S
tudents from the Regent Secondary School, Abuja have emerged overall winners of the Senior category of the 2015 Know your History competition which took place in Abuja last weekend. Other students from Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Gauraka in Nasarawa state got the first prize for the Junior category. The competition organized by the Know Your History Organization and the youth wing of Buharian Culture Organization (BCO) was tagged ‘Change and transformation in
History’. President of the BCO youth, Abdulhameed Dankyarko said the essence of the competition was for students to know their history and learn their culture. He said, “The competition was organized to correct those things we are borrowing from western culture and for the students to reflect on our past and revive its good moral values and principles.” A winner in the Senior Category, Muskaan Alimchandani told our reporters she only used three weeks to study for the competition said
she was glad and excited to make her school proud. “I only used about 3 weeks to study real hard for this competition but before then I read books and materials on history because I love learning about past events, so it wasn’t a hard one for my team,” she said. The competition which started in the south some years ago was the first in Abuja (North), but the organizers said it will be a yearly event. The final of the national competition will hold in February 2016 with winners from both zones competing for the grand prize, they said.
PHOTO MacJohn Akande
From Left: The competition’s National Coordinator, , James Onimisi, President BCO, Abdulhameed Dankyarko, winners from Regent School and the Vice President BCO, Habibat Salani at the event in Abuja recently.
The capacity to learn is a gift, the ability to learn is a skill. The willingness to learn is a choice. - Brian Herbert