Youthville by Daily Trust Tambari

YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #86 6

...young at heart

Friday, July 8, 2016

Success is a process, not a destination, says young poet Habib Akewusola, 26, is a final year student of Religions at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Habib who is a rising poet with a fleur for social criticisms was short-listed for the Poet of the Year category of the 2015 Nigerian Writers Awards. In this interview, he spoke about how youth can make the most out of their lives. Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun

hat’s the story behind your rise in the creative world? Writing started unconsciously for me, at secondary school I wrote a lot of love letters for friends, still, I never took writing serious. At the lowest point of my teenage years, when I had issues academically, friends left me, family insulted me, my only refuge was to write, writing became an avenue to empty my heart, wipe away my pains and then motivate myself, after passing through this stage, it was time to use my writing in given hope to others experiencing the same condition. Reading a lot of newspapers and literature text during leisure time quickly upgraded my writing skills, since I wasn’t writing for myself; the joy was to see my works published in newspapers and online literary blogs worldwide. I did get reviews both positive and negative. I eventually noticed my ink gets were my legs can’t, and made the needed differences. What are the basic traits required to succeed in

poetry? Artistes are born; it takes a lot of practice and vibrant reading to be made. One also needs to be careful on the kind of literature we consume, because everything a writer reads reflects in his/her work. To attain a new height, I try much to maximize my efficiency by the day, so most times I seek for knowledge on my own. Do you consider yourself a success so far? I think success is a process and not a destination, so I don’t consider myself to be one, but every Nigerian/ African writer should have it in mind that the immediate market doesn’t read (Africans). So, let us try to write in a universal language, not only by telling our already commercially success stories of (Slavery, Oppression and racism). I would love to read African stories with clarity on how we intend to prepare for our future to the understanding of generality, also, to create pleasure for mankind. What projects are you currently working on? I am seriously working on a campus newspaper, to give Nigerian/African youth a

”Fashion industry has so many lucrative business opportunities for anyone to invest in said young entrepreneur, Sessi Koshoedo. Ms Koshoedo who started her fashion line by releasing her first capsule, “Clearly Invincible” earlier this year told YOUTHVILLE that nothing comes easy and hence, starting a business itself is a challenge. “One shouldn’t go into it thinking everything will be perfect,” she said. The 18 year old who took a year from school to attend a three month course on fashion at Nobel Afrik said she started the business with about N90,000, money she saved from working at a photography studio and

Nigerian youth lack leadership skills – Fr. Agbagwa Text by Clement A. Oloyede

common voice and keep the youths involved in politics with importance of service to humanity. What is your advice for youth, many who are still unemployed? Success starts from a pinch, there are no express way to riches. Let us embrace agriculture as quick as possible, since we

are full of energy. According to father Africa, Nelson Mandela, he said “Poverty is manmade”, which I strongly agree, and we must agree that half of poverty is lack of food. Immediately we depend on agriculture, Africa wouldn’t be tagged a hungry continent anymore. Look well, your challenges are miracles in waiting.

‘Starting a business itself is a challenge’ Text by Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola

Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever. - Keri Russell

contributions from her dad. “I had to pitch my idea to my dad to get the balance from him. I did my PowerPoint presentation with budget and break even charts. I broke everything down to detail for him to agree” she said. “Í took a year off to start the business. This will give something to fall back to after my studies in school considering I will be studying fashion design and marketing at the University and I hope it will give me a clearer guidance and perspective as to how to go about the business after my studies” she added. Sessi also confirmed the business is a lucrative one considering the patronage and positive feedback her work has been getting from social media.

She also says the whole experience for her has been a challenge but is thankful because it has been a learning curve for her all through. “My outfits are such that they are suitable for any event. They are the sort of outfit you pick out when you feel like you have nothing to wear,” she noted. She therefore called on youths to be detailed in their planning and expect the unexpected adding that in business a lot of things happen that one does not plan for. “Have a positive outlook, things may be difficult but there is always a way out. Because to achieve your dreams you must have the passion and always be ready to do things differently,” she assured.

Nigerians do not prepare for leadership, and that is why we do not have the values and skills, the President of Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE), Rev. Father Godswill Agbagwa has said. Agbagwa who spoke recently in Abuja argued that even as leaders are trained in developed countries of the world, there is no conscious and systematic effort to train and redirect the young ones in Nigeria. He said mingling with university students in Nigeria in the past three years have given him a disappointing realization of the way things are. “If we do not have a road map of how we are going to change these students, things are going to be worse. I have been with University students in Nigeria for three years, I realized that things are very bad in Nigeria. If nothing is done, Nigeria will be worse than what we are seeing today,” he said. He said the President Buhariled anti-graft war is commendable but more is still needed to be done especially in order to tackle the situation at the root. “I am very happy that the new administration is doing anti-graft but if you arrest everybody and keep the money, the younger ones will go and steal it again, that is the problem. By the time you arrest everybody, there will be no room again in jail,” he said. Agbagwa said they have come up with campus-based project called Emerging Leaders Project (EPL) to mentor youth and help them build capacities, competencies and character for positive social change in Nigeria.

DAILY TRUST, Friday, July 8, 2016

YOUTHVILLE

Nollywood: Build a character to manage fame - Iyke Text by Bamas Victoria @Bamas @BamasVictoria

ollywood actor, Iyke Adiele has called on upcoming actors to build a chara character to enable them managec fame. Speaking to YOUTHVILLE, YOU Iyke said, “The first thing to build as an upcoming actor is a character because when the roles start coming in, if you don’t have a character yet, you might not be able to manage ffame. “He added that it is important to stay focu focus when pursuing a career in acting because p pursuing a career in acting is a lifetime thing th and a constant battle “It is not always going go to be rosy, so you have to tell yourself I want to do this, this is what I want.” Iyke w who was nominated for Best actor in Niger Nigeria Movie Award for the character ‘Sam’ he played in the movie ‘Broken’ said that “Gr “Great actors must have a flexible and expressive voice and body that connects to express highly developed d imagination.” Iyke said he is currently working project that he expects will be a on a p blockbuster and get movie lovers excited. blockbu He had starred in movies like, ‘Diary of a triplet’ triplet, ‘Labour room’, ‘Broken’ among others.

Nigerian fashion fast gaining global recognition – Da Viva Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun

he Marketing Manager, Da Viva, Mr Steven Dutton has said Nigerian fashion and its exquisite style is fast gaining global recognition. Mr. Dutton who promotes the brands of the fashion outlet with office in Lagos told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview this week that Nigeria is now the destination of choice of fashion enthusiasts. He said, “I think it is fantastic, I think it is becoming so well known internationally now, and it is having a bigger influence on world fashion. “Nigeria ladies particularly, they are very fashionable people and they are really developing very quickly and their group influences is growing. I hope that we can also be joining them as Da Viva and giving them fantastic fabrics,” said Dutton. He urged Nigerians to patronise locally produced fabrics, adding that they were of a higher quality than imported ones, and that it would help greatly to enhance the profile of the local textile industry. Dutton also urged the government to intensify efforts to stop the influx of smuggled textiles into the country to  Da Viva's product at a London ensure protection of our local industry. show in 2012

Sahara Group, Afolayan initiate film mentorship contest

Text from Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

ahara Group Ltd and ace Nollywood actor, Kunle Afolayan have initiated a film mentorship initiative that seeks to nurture young film makers in Nigeria. At a briefing to announce the commencement of the competition in Lagos, Sahara Group Managing Director, Anthony Youdeowei said the whole idea is to provide a platform for youths who are 35 years below to gain real and life-time experience and acquire knowledge from a professional like Afolayan. ”Under what we called extraprenurship at Sahara Group Ltd which is a focal point of our Personal Social Responsibility, we have designed this to enable young Nigerians who have innate ability and seek to develop it in film making but lack a platform to nurture it. Youdeowei said as the Group turns 20, it is working on raising a new breed of Nigerian scholars who are passionate about innovation, creativity and innate ability. Its spokesman, Mr Bethel Obioma said to participate, young talents should submit a short documentary of 15 minutes that captures Nigerians working in different communities across the country. He said at the close of entry

As the Group turns 20, it is working on raising a new breed of Nigerian scholars who are passionate about innovation, creativity and innate ability submission, 20 finalists will be selected and at the end of the day, one ultimate winner will emerge who will undergo mentorship training under Afolayan for six months. “Alongside the mentorship will be other incentives that would “change the life of the lucky fellow forever,” Obioma noted. In his remarks, Mr. Afolayan said, “I find this partnership with Sahara Group Ltd very important. On my part, I have always wanted to give back to the society. I understand that making film is one craft, making money is another. If you are able to combine both, you will be making both good film and good money.”

NBC boosts youth careers with campus expo From Mohammed Shosanya,Lagos

o further engage and welcome young talents, the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) recently held a Campus Career Expo at the University of Benin, Edo State (UNIBEN) to kick off the 2016 Campus Career Drive. The event which took place at Professor Festus Iyayi Hall in UNIBEN, witnessed a large turnout

of students from different faculties. The students interacted with top management executives from NBC, as well as learned about the company and its well-loved brands. NBC Public Affairs Manager, East & Central, Mr. Ekuma Eze said, “The NBC campus career drive is designed to identify and prepare young talents in different institutions of higher learning across the

country and groom them to be business and industry leaders in different fields of endeavor The NBC campus career drive provides a unique opportunity for undergraduates who are highfliers to start and grow world-class careers in a world class organisation. The Company is committed to welcoming new talents, developing employees and engaging people

from outside as part of its organizational renewal. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Osasere Orunwense, represented by the Deputy Registrar, Harris Osarenren, commended NBC for choosing UNIBEN for the career expo. He advised students to always be guided by the University’s motto - ‘Knowledge for Service’, adding that, the knowledge acquired in the University is to prepare and

Let us live for the beauty of our own reality. – Charles Lamb

empower them for service to humanity. NBC Country Manufacturing Director, Anthony Njenga, who was also present urged the young talents to be part of the actualization of NBC vision, hence the great opportunity the Career fair offers to join NBC, after fulfilling necessary academic requirements expected for their various degree programmes.

DAILY TRUST, Friday, July 8, 2016

YOUTHVILLE

Cosmetics: The beauty of henna Text by Eseohe Ebhota @sleek_diva88

ody art is one form of makeup that never goes out of fashion. This is where Lalle comes into the picture. Made from the henna plant, lalle is a form of body art that is well appreciated by Northern women of all ages. For those who live in the North or who were born there, especially the ladies, they also appreciate the beauty of lalle. It is even more appreciated during festive periods like Sallah and occasions like weddings, suna (naming ceremonies) etc. During these joyful occasions, beautiful designs are drawn on the body to give it an awesome look, something to be admired by people when they look at you.

“To bring out the beauty of the designs, the drawings have to be done by someone very skilful and creative”, said Lami Baba who had some on her hands. “I love having this designs on me, I don’t have to wait for any special occasion before I have them on”, she added. Abebe Ifesinachi told YOUTHVILLE why she likes them. “These designs are very beautiful and because I grew up in the North, It made me love them so I make sure I have them on anytime I’m free or less busy. I just go to a woman I know who is very creative and she does it very well for me”. “And it’s also natural too”, she added. So why not do something away from the ‘usual’ makeup we are all used to and go traditional this weekend by giving body art (lalle) a try.

Expert urges youth on exploring Agric opportunities Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun

n expert and the Country Manager of Harvestplus, Dr Paul Ilona has urged youth to explore opportunities in biofortified crops so they can leverage on the Federal Government’s home-grown school feeding programme. Ilona said this in a statement issued by the organisation’s Communication Officer, Mr Ikechukwu Onyewuchi, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan. It stated that Ilona made the call in Akwa-Ibom at the pro-vitamin A cassava pastry training programme for women sponsored by DFID, Market Development for Niger Delta (MADE) and Harvestplus. Bio-fortified crops such as vitamin A cassava and vitamin A maize have been integrated into the programme to produce highly nutritious staples, it said. The statement said it was

unfortunate that the average child mortality in Nigeria was 2, 300 everyday while 145 women die at child birth. “Without training, one will follow the bandwagon of failures, DFID, MADE do not want that, hence the investment in this training. Youth must be innovative and work hard to be successful,” it said. According to the organisation, if youth leverage on the schoolfeeding programme, they would become pioneers as a new market would be open to them. It stated that youths in Oyo State had invested in confectionaries and on the average make net return of N15 per sachet. The model, it added, ensures business and economically viability. The Gender Officer of MADE, Mrs Unyime Johnson quoted in the statement said “The improved cassava variety has contributed immensely in uplifting households and providing a means of livelihood to many.”

Africa Achievers award holds today Text by Bamas Victoria @ BamasVictoria

Personality of the Year, Wo m e n / L e a d e r s h i p Empowerment In Africa amongst other category. According to the organizers, the focus is to recognize, celebrate and motivate all African leaders including the future leaders through recognizing the persons and organizations that have contributed remarkably to the development of Africa.

A Malawi media, Nyasa Times reports that Malawi’s president will also be honoured at the event. It reads “Malawi President Professor Peter Mutharika will this week receive an accolade of honour at the 2016 African Achievers Awards for the ‘visionary leadership’ which is laying good ground for the country’s next generations through sustainable development.”

he 2016 Edition of the Award in Africa is scheduled to hold Today in Abuja, Nigeria. The event which will take place at International Conference Center will be hosted by Nigeria Veteran Actor Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), TV Presenter, Peace Hyde, Radio Presenter Andre Blaze and Central African Actress Solange Yinka. The theme for the 2016 award is ”Securing a stable Energy for Africa.” Last year’s award which was held in South Africa saw winners in the Young Achiever of the year, Fastest Growing Entrepreneur in Africa, Business Innovation, Tourism  Winners of the previous edition

Three young leaders get Women Deliver grants

Text by Judd-Leonard Okafor

hree Nigerians are among 20 “young leaders” each awarded $5,000 seed grants by the global advocacy organisation Women Deliver to support six-month projects aimed at advancing girls’ and women’s

health, rights and wellbeing in their communities. Olaoluwa Abagun is behind Safe Kicks Initiative: Adolescent Girls Against Sexual Violence. Some 592 out of 845 female patients at Mirabel Centre, a sexual assault referral centre in Lagos, between 2013

and 2015 are adolescent girls, many of them resident in Kosofe and Alimosho Local Government Areas. “Through the education and empowerment of 250 adolescent girls, as well as the mobilization of key members of the community to adopt a Community Action Plan, Olaoluwa hopes that the project will prevent sexual violence against adolescent girls in Alimosho by 2017,” Women Deliver said of Abagun in a statement. Boris Nwachukwu, the second Nigerian on the list, wants to work to build capacity of 5,000 students at the University of Port Harcourt on comprehensive sexuality education and contraceptives choice. The ultimate goal is to ensure that at least 25% of the entire student population of 40,000 will benefit from the youth centre. The third awardee, Isaac Ejakhegbe, a monitoring and evaluation volunteer at the Women Health and Action Research Centre, has a project “My Body, My Right”, which aims to advocate against female genital cutting, still widely

practised among many groups in Nigeria. “With half the population in the world under the age of 30, the voices and choices of young people is absolutely crucial for people and planet. “With the new Women Deliver seed grants, 20 inspiring young leaders from 15 countries can catalyze action and improve the lives of thousands of girls and women in their communities,” said Katja Iversen, Chief Executive Officer and President of Women Deliver. The three young leaders are not new to activism. Abagun, now with a law degree, entered advocacy world at 13 with a nomination to the Nigerian Children’s Parliament, and then founded Girl Pride Circle in 2014. The seed grant is the first ever grant she’s received and has given “my ideas wings to fly,” she said. Nwachukwu’s passion for protecting the health rights and welfare of women and girls follows stories he heard from his mother, including of her near escape from harm when heavily pregnant.