Youthville by Daily Trust Tambari

YOUTHVILLE TRUST

ISSUE #77

...young at heart

Friday, May 6, 2016

Agriculture, antidote for economic woes — Bawa

Nigerian teen admitted to eight Ivy League schools, picks Harvard Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun

Nigerian, Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna, in her teens has been accepted to all eight Ivy League Schools she applied to. She has chosen the Harvard School from the many options. Augusta who resides at Long Island, New York in the United States received all the acceptance letters but chose Harvard where she’ll attend college later this year. In a special event with her classmates clad in their college choice T-shirts, Augusta approached the podium and unzipped the black jacket she

was wearing to reveal a crimson T-shirt revealing her decision: Harvard. The Fox6 news site quoted Augusta saying making the decision to pick one of the schools was not easy but getting into all the schools she applied to has been an “exciting and surreal experience.” The report said her choice was informed by the school’s “strong Nigerian presence”. She recently attended the White House Science Fair, where she got to meet President Obama. She was also named as her school’s valedictorian and was a finalist at the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search for her research on cement that could

‘Over 1,000 children die daily from water-borne 26 >> diseases’

help prevent underwater oil rigs from rupturing. Augusta is the second Elmont Memorial High School student in two years to gain acceptance at all eight Ivy League schools. The class of 2015’s Harold Ekeh who achieved similar feat chose to attend Yale. Her Principal, Kevin Dougherty said hardworking students and families, a supportive community and administrations past and present deserve the credit for the school’s accomplishments. “They put their blood, sweat and tears into making sure Elmont is successful and these kids reach their fullest potential,” he said.

Top Nigerians on Forbes young African entrepreneurs list

27 >>

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YOUTHVILLE

Friday, May 6, 2016 Page 26

Agriculture, antidote for economic woes — Bawa When Mahmud Bawa Mansur graduated from the he Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of Bayero University, ity, Kano in 2010, his mind was made up that unlike several of his contemporaries who were dreaming of joining some of the blue chip companies in Nigeria, his ambition was to become an entrepreneur in his field. Text by Mansur Abubakar

hese thoughts from Bawa led to the actualisation of MB Farms, a year later which continues to be a source of joy to Kaduna-born agriculturalist who hopes to take his project to the next level in the coming months. “I made up my mind on what I wanted to do, a long time ago, even when most of my classmates and friends at the university were discussing getting employment with this and that company, I knew nothing would give me joy like having my own business, which will not only cater for my needs but employ people as well,” Bawa told YOUTHVILLE. Located in Kano metropolis, MB

Farms is a combination of fishery (all sorts) and some little tomato and vegetable farming section. Maintaining the place hasn’t been easy according to Bawa who said people like him should be assisted in order to galvanise Nigeria’s economy. “We all know how difficult things are for most people at the moment. The solution to the present economic challenges lies in entrepreneurs, if the government can give us the necessary assistance for our businesses, it will not only help us but the rest of the society,” he said. On some challenges to his business, Bawa said: “The biggest challenge, is that of funding. As we all know, there’s nothing you can do without adequate funding. I have been wanting to expand for a while now because this

Backpack Group to empower 74 entrepreneurs from Abuja, states Text by Taiwo Adeniyi

group, ASK ME Health Aid Foundation, has unveiled plans to empower 74 young entrepreneurs nationwide including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The group’s Chief Executive Officer, Angela Brown, in Abuja said the group would train and empower two entrepreneurs to be selected from all the states in the country including the FCT. Brown said the entrepreneurs would be selected and trained on the trade of

their choice and then empowered. She said the group would run the business in conjunction with the person for two years, “then you buy us out so that others can enjoy the programme.” The group will also engage in other programmes including campaign against drug abuse which, she said, was prevalent among northern youths. She said 45 per cent of Nigerians are into drugs, cocaine, heroine, kiss me, codeine among others. “Nigeria is the biggest importer of codeine and it is affecting a lot of people especially

northerners. People of between 13 and 45 years old are on drugs, then who are our future leaders?” she queried. She attributed heavy reliance on drugs to accelerated cases of robbery and other societal ills. “What we are about is to help and that is our goal,” she added. One of the group’s directors, Mrs Hadiza Sheikh Umar, said there are plans to sink a borehole, build a school and primary healthcare centre in Lanto, a community in Kuje Area Council once the council boss grants approval.

place isn’t the required standard but the money to do that isn’t available.” The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently launched the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIED-P), an initiative designed to unlock the ingenuity and resourcefulness of youths to drive the economy. Under the new pilot scheme, CBN said about 1,000 youth would be targeted and one million direct jobs in productive activities would be created within the next four years with special credit line of up to N3 million made available for each eligible youth. But to Bawa, he has heard that several times before but the right people hardly benefit from the laudable scheme which is aimed at supporting projects like his.

“When I heard it (the CBN initiative) I was optimistic but the only thing is that I hope it won’t end up like the YES or Sure-P projects of the past administrations where only a few party loyalists were able to get their hands on the funding,” Bawa noted. Bawa is still making big plans for MB Farms in the next few years. It is clear the young man is goal driven and has set target for himself. “My plan is to make it the biggest in Nigeria, employ more people and get access to foreign markets but all these wouldn’t be possible without government intervention. This government should do all it can to support young businesses like mine. It’s the only way out of the present economic quagmire,” Bawa said.

‘Over 1,000 children die daily from waterborne diseases’ Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun

xperts in water sanitation and hygiene have said 1,000 children die every day from diseases caused by drinking unsafe water across the world. A senior executive of Procter and Gamble (P & G), Temitope Iluyemi, who re-echoed this at the 10th billion litres clean water delivery event in Abuja said its non-profit Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Programme which started in 2004 has delivered over 175 million litres of potable water to reduce the high death rate. She said: “Access to clean water is still one of the greatest challenges our world is still facing. Nearly 1,000 children die every day from diseases caused by drinking unsafe water.” The company said its Purifier of Water technology has been quite efficient in Nigeria as a sachet disinfects polluted stream, river and well water within 30 minutes making it fit for the

Results will show up when you do — Jill Koenig

consumption by a family of five in one day. Iluyemi, who is the Associate Director for Global Government Relations, P & G Sub-Sahara Africa, said the company targets delivering 15 billion litres of clean water by 2020 around the world as it keys into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Coordinator of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria, Mr. Kanan Nadar, said in 10 years’ time, water scarcity will be the highest risk for Nigeria if the challenge is not addressed now. Representing the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, the Director of Water Quality, Mr. Emmanuel Awe, said, “In 2015, access to safe drinking water was 61% which indicates that the 39% others drink unsafe water.” The Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) initiative has delivered clean drinking water to communities including emergency relief in the North and high risk areas in the Niger Delta.

SHOWTIME

ENTERTAINMENTNEWS >>

Top Nigerians on Forbes

young African entrepreneurs list

Friday, May 6, 2016

Page 27

Buhari pledges huge investment for youth Text from Abubakar Haruna, Minna

Text by Victoria Bamas @sinach360

ive Nigerians and four businesses made it to this year’s Forbes list on the “30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa 2016.” A Forbes contributor, Mfonobong Nsehe, said “The people featured on this list are building remarkable companies in food manufacturing, engineering, technology, hospitality and other industries. They are incredibly motivated, panAfrican in their thinking and ultimately nurse global ambitions.” The list which was published this April on the Forbes site is meant to identify African entrepreneurs below the age of 35 who are building thriving million-dollar businesses. Olatorera Oniru 28, who is on the list is the Founder of ‘Dress Me Outlet’ a Nigerian e-tailer of fashion products, health & beauty products and home-goods. Dress Me Outlet ships worldwide. The company now employs more than 20 full-time employees. The duo of Ogunlana Olumide and Chukwuwezam

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Obanor, both 24 are the founders of ‘PrepClass’ a Nigerian academic solutions provider offering online test prep software, full-length ve tests, and a Cognitive (CBT T) behavioural therapy (CBT) milar experience similar n to that of Nigerian university pre-entry exams. Kasope LadipoAjai, 29, is the co-founder of ‘OmoAlata’ a Nigerian brand that processes 3 and packages locall nd Nigerian spices and ip is peppers. Its flagship ppermix the OmoAlata Peppermix which is a blend of fresh organic tomatoes, onions and peppers. Abiola Olaniran, 27, is the founder and CEO of ‘Gamsole’, a Nigerian gaming company, Olaniran founded the companyy ng in 2012, and it has venture backing nd. from 88mph, a Kenyan seed fund. The company’s games now have more than 9 million downloads both locally and internationally on the Windows Phone store.

He noted that government was determined to consolidate on the existing infrastructure and open up new frontiers to engage youths in enterprises that can generate substantial employment opportunities. The Niger State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Bolade Loto, said the state has provided 500 beds to the camp which can accommodate 1,000 corps members.

resident Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his administration is determined to make huge investment in youth. The president who spoke at the swearing in ceremony of the 2016 Batch ‘A’ double stream orientation course at the NYSC orientation camp, Paikoro, Niger State said the collapse of industries and the eventual overbearing pressures to grab public jobs has put the nation in a sorry state in terms of employment. Represented by the Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, Buhari said his administration placed high premium on the youth. He also urged them to embrace the prevailing  President remedial strategies put in Muhammadu place by public and private Buhari institutions.

SPORT VILLE D’Tigers face Turkey, Argentina for Rio Olympics berth

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Kasope Ladipo-Ajai Chukwuwezam Obanor Olatorera Oniru Abiola Olaniran

HEALTHNEWS >>

HIV campaign: AHF trains corps members in Abuja Text by Victoria Bamas @sinach360

ome Corps members undergoing orientation at Abuja’s Kubwa camp in Abuja have benefited from the training programme of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to raise awareness level on HIV. AHF Abuja Clinic site Coordinator, Dr Kema Onu, said the training which is done with support from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) HIV and AIDS unit is “to dispel myths and misconceptions of the modes of transmission of HIV.” The coordinator said transmission can be prevented

when a partner has the virus and the other does not. Kema said the corps members would further undergo training on HIV testing services and would be expected to stimulate and mobilise staff and community at their Places of Primary Assignment (PPA) in their service year. Another expert, Dr Egonu Benedict at the training site said the programme could help create more awareness so that people can be aware and know the basics. “This is important because people have a wrong understanding of HIV and such can lead to making wrong decisions,” he explained.

He added that proper information can aid in stopping stigmatization of people living with HIV & AIDS. One of the corps members at the training, John Victor, said he had been a peer educator for the campaign from secondary school through his university days. “In Adamawa State, with the help of a partner group we were able to test the university community every three months as they provided the test kits, the knowledge we need. They also provided the counselling centres where those tested positive can go for support,” he said.

Text by Ibrahim Kabiru Sule @ikabirsule

igeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigers, will play two warm-up games against Turkey in Istanbul on May 27, and Argentina on June 8 that would be preceded by a training camp in the capital Abuja. Nigeria had claimed a thirdplace finish at AfroBasket Women 2015 and as a result secured a place at the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) in Nantes, France to be held from 13-19 June. D’Tigers head coach Scott Nnaji told the International Basketball Federation website that the country’s basketball federation was doing its best to meet the needs of the team and put it in a position to succeed. The Nigerians last played

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture – Martin Mull

in the Olympics in 2004, and in order to reach the Rio Olympics will need to claim one of the five places at stake in Nantes. They have been drawn in Group C along with Belarus and Korea. If they win at least one game in the group, and two more in the final phase, they will secure a place in the Rio Olympics. “We expect the players to come to camp ready to face the challenge ahead,” he said. Nnaji is expected to reveal Nigeria’s preliminary squad in early May. He admits he was leaning towards making changes from the team that went 6-2 in Yaounde, Cameroon last October. It’s been 10 years since Nigeria last faced a European team in an official competition. At the 2006 FIBA Women’s World Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil, they lost 84-50 to Russia.