YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #133
Friday, June 2, 2017
08078068532
youthville@dailytrust.com
‘Top 3 winners of Calabar literary contest to get foreign trips’ From Eyo Charles, Calabar
Chairman of Brotherhood Literary Committee and Essay Writing Competition for undergraduates, Justice Osai Ahiakwo has said the top three winners of the 2017 literary contest will enjoy a one month all-expense paid trip to three countries. The contest whose entry closes on July 31, is targeted at Nigerian youth who are either undergraduates at universities or graduates, he said. Ahiakwo spoke in Calabar ahead of the annual Brotherhood All Youths Assembly (BAYA) and Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars (ABAS) convention in Owerri, Imo State slated for September. He said the competition is organised by ABAS and headed by Ambassador Thomas Commander, a youth leader, adding that the resources have been already provided by the Brotherhood to cater for the trips prize. Ahiakwo said 20 best essays written in both English and French languages would be selected and published in a compendium. While the first prize winner will spend one month in the United Kingdom, the second winner will spend one month in South Africa and the third, in Malawi. The essence of the competition, he said, is to boost reading, encourage youth to have interest in literature, and a way to contribute to socio-religious education.
Mandela Fellows rollout contest for students By Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola The Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) will soon start a national community development and entrepreneurship programme to engage young Nigerians in secondary schools. A statement said the programme ‘Beyond School Community (BSC)’ Challenge for secondary school students seeks to inspire them to improve their communities through innovative entrepreneurial actions. Guided by advisors and supported by their schools, the students take an overreaching idea and a handson entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to collectively tackle community development-oriented challenges. The Vice President
of MWFAAN, Grace Ihejiamaizu said, “Nigeria needs more social innovators and change makers who will take action towards solving problems. The question this Challenge poses to our young ones is: ‘If you could solve one problem in your community, what would it be?’” The competition is open to all students in the country between age 13 and 18; the five finalist teams will receive invitation to the pitch competition and summit in Lagos. The top three winning teams will receive exciting cash prizes, mentoring and educational grants; a Teacher Prize will be given to the most outstanding and committed teacher, it said. Students are urged to apply to the contest via the website beyondschoolchallenge. com.
Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. – Saadi
...young at heart
Corps members getting extra income with entrepreneurship skills By Mulikatu Mukaila
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o cut down the high rate of unemployment in the country, the Federal government through the National Youth Service Corps NYSC) launched the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED). The scheme was built into the activities during the three week stay at orientation camp since 2012. To commemorate the Democracy Day, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) NYSC launched the SAED programme for the 2017 batch A stream 1 corps members who are at the Kubwa NYSC camp for their orientation. The SAED scheme lasts from three weeks in the camp to six months during the service year. Participants could learn skills in ICT, cosmetology, catering, handcraft, agro and allied training, mechanical/ electrical engineering, construction, film and photography, fashion designing, and makeover. Taiwo Setemi, a corps member of batch B stream 2 serving in Abuja told our reporter that SAED has helped her to become financially independent as she continues her service year. She acquired the handcraft skill of making carpets and rugs during her orientation course. Taiwo now produce and sell those products which she said fetches quite some fortune. “I was very determined to learn the skill so I put in
more effort and commitments by learning the skills after I left camp. Today, I can make a centre rug, throw pillows, bathroom accessories, foot mats and even wall arts perfectly,” she said. When asked how much it cost her to start making her own work, Taiwo said she started with N15,000, a part of her monthly NYSC allowance. Now she gets money as she produces her products. Taiwo said she does not have to wait till month end before she gets money. Taiwo said, “I make a centre piece for N12,000, bathroom sets for N8,000 while throw pillows go for N4,000,” she reeled out her product rates. “If a white collar job comes along the way, I will be glad to take it but for now, I will concentrate more on what I have learnt thanks to the SAED programme” she noted. Eku Bethel Oyabukem, another corps member said he learnt two skills which he is applying. He said, “I learnt two skills, I learnt how to produce paints with local materials, and I can also make a solar energy
box generator that could power a room.” Mrs Funmilayo Adeola, 29, is another empowered mind. Funmi who served in Nasarawa State learnt the craft of making caps, beads and other ornaments. Left with no meaningful employment yet, she has found consolation in the craft which she said fetches her some five figure income every month. The FCT NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Abdulrazaq Salawu in his comment said SAED was initiated as a response to the global problems of youth unemployment. He said, “One of the objectives of NYSC scheme is to encourage and empower youth to be self-sufficient and self-employed, and become employers of labour rather than job seekers. The SAED will help them become independent even for a life time.” Director of the programme, FCT NYSC, Mrs. Chinyere Ekwe urged the new entrants to be committed to acquiring skills to become empowered even after the service year.
Netherlands holds fair for 2,100 prospective students From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria said it is holding an education fair in Lagos where 2,100 prospective students are expected to learn about 2,100 courses taught in English language in the country. The Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, John Groffen who briefed newsmen identified his country as one that has numerous opportunities for youth who are desirous of
quality education. Groffen said unknown to many people, Netherland offers greater academic opportunities for prospective international students. He said already, the country has become a choice destination many other students across the world and prospective Nigerian students can explore the opportunities being offered. “Just like students from other parts of the world, Nigerian students who come to Netherland can tap into the
country’s rich study tradition,” he said. The Fellowship Officer/ Consular Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, Temitayo Akinbiyi said at the ‘Study in Holland Education Fair’ is slated for June in Lagos. He noted that students from Nigeria study in the Netherlands annually, joining nearly 90,000 international students from Germany, China, Belgium, Italy and Spain, and other international students from over 190 countries.
JIBWIS urges youth to join Farmers’ League From Bashir Liman, Jos The Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) has urged Nigerian youth to join Farmers’ League to complement government’s efforts in ensuring food security, self-reliance and economic diversification. The National Chairman, Ulama Council, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir said this during the closing ceremony of the 24th Annual National Seminar
held in Jos. JIBWIS advised youth to be prepared to accept the challenge of assuming leadership by demonstrating hard work, obedience to parent, leaders and constituted authorities. The group urged youth to shun moral decadence, violence, crime and anti-social tendencies which Islam condemns in unequivocal terms. The group called on government to revive industries for teaming youths roaming the streets to be employed.
DAILY TRUST, Friday, June 2, 2017
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YOUTHVILLE
Staying healthy during Ramadan
By Eseohe Ebhota @EbhotaEseohe
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amadan, the Islamic holy month is here again. It is that time of the year when Muslim faithful reflect on their relationship with God and also draw closer to him. During this period, they abstain from food until a certain hour. But while reflecting on our relationship with the Almighty, it is also important to stay healthy. Therefore YOUTHVILLE has some ideas that can help you remain healthy during the
holy month. Drink lots of water with your healthy fruits. This will help the brain to work faster and also keep you hydrated. Fresh fruits & Vegetables are high in water and low in calories especially sugar calories. Berries, Cucumber, Watermelon, and Oranges are good idea. Akamu /pap is also a good option because it keeps you full. It can be taken with masa, Waina or even moi-moi/Kosai (bean cake). Avoid energy-sapping activities that could leave you
feeling drained after engaging in such activity. Eat healthy snacks like dates (Dabino), kunun aya (tiger nut milk) or kunun gyada. These snacks provide the necessary vitamins the body needs to function properly. Above all it should be noted that maintaining a balanced diet by eating healthily has a vital influence on your wellbeing. As the Ramadan begins, this should be uppermost in our minds. Wishing you all a happy and healthy Ramadan….. Ramadan Kareem!!!
New strategy, PANTS teaches kids to deal with abuse By Judd-Leonard Okafor @judd_leonard A new mnemonic known as Pantosaurus’ Five Easy Rules for Staying Safe is in vogue to help children learn to deal with sexual abuse. The rules, disseminated to mark this year’s Children’s Day by the Action against Child Sexual Abuse Initiative, spell out “PANTS”—each letter addressing points of vulnerability that must be addressed for children to stay safe from sexual abuse as part of the #youcanprotect me campaign. P is “Privates are private. Sure a doctor, nurse or family member might have to look in your underwear but they should always explain, and ask you if it is ok first, the rules say.
It stresses, What’s in your pants belongs only to you. Samirah Bello, among conveners of the #youcanprotectme campaign in Abuja, says “When it comes to a child, their private parts are from their head to their toes.” A is to remember a child’s body belongs only to them— and no one should make them do things that make them feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. N is for “no means no” and stresses a child always has the right say no even to a family member or someone they love, the rules say. T encourages children to talk about secrets that upset them. If a secret makes a child feel sad or worried, it’s bad—and you should tell an adult you trust about it straight away.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Anambra State Coordinator, Olawale Olusegun has called for repairs of the road leading to the temporary orientation camp in Umunya, in Oyi local government area. The Coordinator also complained of the dilapidated
structures in the camp spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2017 Batch ‘A’ orientation course. Olawale appealed to the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano over the timely completion of ongoing work at the permanent site located at Umuawulu/ Mbaukwu, Awka South local government area. He said the call has become
By Mulikatu Mukaila Abuja based Helpline Foundation for the Needy has urged parents and guardians to do more in protecting the interest of a girl-child so she can become sustainable in the society. The president, Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu during an event tagged, ‘Girl Realize your Potentials’ to mark the children’s day celebration recently. Ahmadu said every girl has the power and potentials to transform their life regardless of the challenge they face on a daily bases adding that they can find strength and rise with the best possible guidance. “I was inspired to choose this topic through a girl’s plight. There was a 14 year old girl who almost died from attempted abortion arising from influence of bad peers. We came to her rescue and there are more of these girls out there who need someone to put them through on personal hygiene and reproductive health,” she said. Ahmadu further urged parents to enrol their children especially girls in skills acquisition training during holidays to keep them away from bad companies. A public health professional Dr. Amina Dorayi who currently works under a DFID funded program in Nigeria said that a society is judged by the way women and girls are being treated adding that government should come up with more policies that will totally address challenges of girl.
Kaduna Electric donates furniture to school By Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company said it recently donated 200 units of two-seater classroom furniture to Sardauna Memorial College (SMC) in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna state. The Managing Director, Engineer Garba Haruna while presenting the furniture to the principal described the gesture as “the fulfilment of the Company’s corporate social responsibility to it franchise area”. Haruna called on the school
authority to ensure that the furniture are put to proper use for the benefit of the present crop of students and even the future generation. The Principal, Malam Baba Sidi Sunusi was grateful to the firm and promised to ensure that the furniture are properly maintain for long lasting benefits to the students. President of the SMC Old Boys Association (SAMOBA) represented by the Vice President, Mr. Joshua Gambo called on other stakeholders to emulate the “patriotic disposition” of the firm.
Students convert cassava peels to feed in FCT By Chidimma C. Okeke
S is for speaking up, so someone can help. “We are stepping up to say, we need to fight for children,” said another organiser, Juliet Obiora.
Anambra NYSC Coordinator wants Camp road repaired From Emma Elekwa, Awka
Foundation urges parents, guardians to protect girls’ interests
necessary in view of the setting in of the rainy season which has badly affected the link roads to the camp and some of the structures dilapidating on daily basis. Olawale said 1,942 corps members comprising 878 males and 1,064 females registered in camp, expressing satisfaction at their attitude.
Students of Junior Secondary School, Jikwoyi in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), operating under Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) have converted cassava peel waste into high quality poultry feed. The SAGE group in the school produces high quality ‘Gist Feeds’ which sell for as low as N2,800 for a 25kg bag of starter feed as against other brands of starter feeds which sells for N4,000. They said there is high demand for their feeds as it attracts both small and big poultry farmers including the school’s poultry farm. The students also engaged 16 women in Kilankwa community near Jikwoyi recently to process High Quality Cassava Peels (HQCP), a major ingredient in cassava based feed production through their outsourcing arrangement. SAGE’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the school, Deborah Ephraim said, “We are happy we are touching the lives of rural women by empowering them to produce processed HQCP for our feed milling. Their livelihoods and income have increased since we started our project in Kilankwa community.” President of the SAGE group, Gifa Nartey, said, “We are young but aware that empowering our rural women is a way forward out of the vicious cycle of poverty in rural Nigeria.” The Principal, Princess A. A. Adesiyakan said the project was in line with the vision of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and that it will empower the predominantly female team. Mrs. Liyatu Ibrahim, leader of the Women Co-operative Society in Kilankwa Community commended the students for the initiative saying, they now know the usefulness of cassava peels.
Believe you can and you’re halfway there – Theodore Roosevelt