Youthville by Daily Trust Tambari

YOUTHVILLE TRUST

ISSUE #69

...young at heart

Friday, March 11, 20 2016 01 16 6

Blogging poorly tapped to grow the entertainment industry — Maryam See story on page 31>>

Airtel launches TRACE Music Star Season II Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun

he next season of Airtel Trace Music Star, has commenced in Nigeria with American singer, Keri Hilson as judge and mentor for the show. Airtel Nigeria, and its partner, TRACE TV which announced this recently in Lagos said the show is the biggest pan-African talent search competition, Airtel’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ahmad Mokhles said the firm is passionate about creating a platform that discovers the talent of

Dogara to launch discount card for 31 >> corpers

youth. “The sponsorship of TRACE is yet another eloquent testimony of Airtel’s commitment to empowering young, talented Nigerians. As Nigeria’s smartphone network of choice, we are always excited to enter partnerships that connect the Nigerian youths to their dreams,” he added. Trace Music Star Managing Director for Nigeria and AngloAfrican countries, Sam Onyemelukwe, said the contest recorded 2.3 million calls when it debuted, hoping that this Season II would be bigger.

In this phase, Niger joins the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia as the newest African states in the show from February 1, 2016. The best singing talent in each territory will be identified, rewarded and put in competition to run for the title of best African music talent. Contestants should dial 5678 from their mobile phones, record their songs to stand a chance to become the next big music star in Africa at the finals in Lagos, June 2016, the organisers said.

Abuja’s football tournament holds 32 >> in April

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YOUTHVILLE Friday, March 11, 2016

Page 31

Blogging poorly tapped to grow the entertainment industry — Maryam Maryam Amba Laushi is a multimedia blogger and an advertising executive who takes out time to be a volunteer with YIAGA under the Young Legislator’s Accountability Project.

Text by Victoria Bamas @sinach360

he is doing whatever she can to encourage women empowerment through talks, writing and events. In a chat with YOUTHVILLE, Maryam said, “I’m a great supporter of The Girls Show by Mrs Olamipeju Lawal, which brings young girls together and helps to build on their dreams and self-esteem.” Maryam who hails from Adamawa state, holds a Bachelor degree in Advertising and Media, and a Master’s degree in Marketing Management from the Coventry University, United Kingdom. She said her blog Amba Imprint was birthed to create positivity online and out of a need for original content that she could call her own. “It is a platform that seeks to uplift and create

Backpack Literacy: Firms target 60,000 pupils in 100 schools Text from Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

wo non-profit firms, Oando Foundation (OF) and Qatar-based Educate A Child (EAC), have launched a partnership to provide quality primary education to 60,000 Out-ofSchool Children (OOSC) in Nigeria by 2018. Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the organizers said the three-year project is a timely intervention on access to quality education, increased enrolment and an integrated school environment. Head, Oando Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke, said 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school, the largest globally according to the UNESCO report. “These children, the majority of whom live in the most marginalized areas of society, have no access to quality primary education due to the tremendous obstacles they face including extreme poverty, limited resources aong others,” she said. Senior EAC Education Specialist (Africa), Michael Cacich said, “By 2018, the partnership would have achieved the placement of 60,000 OOSC in 100 schools, 46 of which will be in the North; improved the learning experience of 60,000 pupils in public schools, enhanced educational infrastructure in 100 schools,” Cacich said. The northern states include Adamawa, Bauchi, FCT, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, Niger Plateau, Taraba and Sokoto states

a culture of consciousness and positivity with its audience,” Maryam explained. In the course of her job, she has interviewed Zahra Buhari, Asa Asika, Yusuf Tumi Abubakar, Bello El-rufai and other prominent young Nigerians. On the place of blogging in Nigeria and the entertainment industry, Maryam said bloggers globally are influencers who connect with people in basic ways. “In Nigeria, it is a great way to reach out to people but it is still untapped in the entertainment industry. Many political bloggers made a difference during the 2015 elections with blogging,” she disclosed. Maryam’s encounter with a man wielding a machete while on the job was one experience she will hold to. She said: “The most baffling experiences

occurred during elections and being out there interacting with people, a man wielded a machete at us in the car because he wanted a thousand naira.” Relating on ways to improve volunteering and advocacy in Nigeria, she said the problem is lack of awareness on what it means to be a volunteer. “I think many Nigerians are not aware of what and where to volunteer and it would be great if many of us take out time to volunteer for causes we are passionate about or gifted in,” Maryam said. The young blogger advocated for uniqueness and originality as she urged other youth to be original in what they do. She said: “Try not to copy others because they seem to be doing well but instead create a unique path. Set no limitations for yourself, and let God guide you.” she advised.

Bank to sensitise Bank of Industry bank initiates YES to tackle parents on better schools youth unemployment Text from Sunday M. Ogwu, @Sundaymichaelog

terling Bank will tomorrow hold its third edition of Parenting Workshop to sensitise parents on picking the right schools for their wards. The initiative organized in collaboration with Caleb Group of Schools under the Bank’s One Education Initiative is to help parents and guardians to deal with issues of upbringing and training of their wards amidst current realities. With its theme, ‘Picking the Right School for Your Child’, the organisers have assembled seasoned technocrats including Dr. Abimbola Ogundere, Mrs. Risikat Balogun, and Dr. Funmi Oboye among others as speakers for the programme. The Bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola said in a statement that the sustained sponsorship was because parents turned-out much in the first edition, adding that the Bank will continue to invest in initiatives that add value to the lives of people in line with its purpose. “Our focus on education is strategic. We are looking at all players in the value chain and this is why we set up an education desk to look at the total value chain of education, from suppliers of inputs to the end users,” Atilola said.

Text from Kayode Ogunwale, Lagos

he Bank of I n d u s t r y (BoI) has initiated the Youth E n t re p re n e u r s h i p Support (YES) programme to train and fund 1,200 youth annually. The Acting Managing Director, Mr. Waheed Olagunju who spoke while signing a pact with entrepreneurship capacity building facilitators in Lagos this week said the YES-Programme is designed to address youth unemployment in Nigeria. He said the programme will be launched in Abuja on March 17, 2016 noting that it entails building the capacity of youth by equipping them with the requisite entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, and funding their business plans to become selfemployed. He said

participants would be drawn from aspiring entrepreneurs of ages of 18 and 35 years with innovative ideas who must have a minimum e d u c a t i o n a l qualification of an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) or its equivalent. “It would lead to promotion of self-employment among graduates of institutions of higher learning, thereby changing their jobseeking mind-set. And it will deepen financial inclusion by de-risking the young aspiring entrepreneurs and making them eligible for small business loans to be provided by BoI. “About 10,000 online applications will be solicited nationwide, from which 2,000 would be selected for the online training component,” Olagunju said.

Dogara to launch discount card for corpers Text from Ibrahim K Sule @ikabirsule

peaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara will on March 24 launch a global on-line discount card for youth serving under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. The innovation was aimed at subsidizing expenses of serving corps members as well as students of tertiary institutions in the country, the initiator of the concept, and former member of the House, Bimbo Daramola said. Addressing National Assembly correspondents, he said the online platform is similar to what obtains in the United Kingdom and was introduced to the Nigerian youth out of the economic hardships being encountered during the period. He said the NYSC management, committee of Vice Chancellors and the student group have endorsed the innovation. The card with an embedded security chips, he said, would be accepted by more than 50 private companies that agreed to offer discount to the youth on their services or goods. “The effect of our current economic realities on our youth is harsh, so, it is our responsibility to look for safety nets to shield them from crimes and criminality.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect – Zoey Sayward

SHOWTIME

YOUTHVILLE

Friday, March 11, 2016 Page 32

EVENTNEWS>>

FOODNEWS>>

Abuja’s football tournament holds in April

Get peppery with Nigerian pepper soups Text by Eseohe Ebhota @sleek_diva

Text by Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola & Victoria Bamas @sinach360

he fourth edition of the youth friendly football tournament, AGON will hold on April 2, 2016 in Abuja, the founders have said. Abdulhaqq Yahaya, Bashira Hassan and Nosike Nwigene during a visit to the Daily Trust said the event which holds every first and last quarter of the year is another way of socializing with friends as it is aimed at bringing friends together for a day. It is well known for its football tournament is not just about football but laced with numerous side attraction and economic activities to busy guests

and participants while the tournament is going on. “It isn’t purely a football tournament, calling it that will be a misconception, there are other things that revolves around it because while the tournament holds, there will be free blood sugarlevel test, genotype screening, buying and selling and a host of other fun activities, and not forgetting making new friends”, the organisers said. They said the business is a sustainable one as it balances itself out in terms of cost. The trio whose priority is to achieve growth, said “we have been growing; we want to grow more exponentially

SHOWTIMENEWS>>

epper soup is one of the most delicious and popular Nigerian foods which can be prepared in different ways with different ingredients and they also have health benefits. Because it is a versatile recipe, this week the YOUTHVILLE food train decided to share some of its health benefits. - It is a very reliable s source of protein. This is b because protein sources s such as fish, meat and c crayfish are used in its p preparation. - Special herbs and v vegetables such as U Uziza which contains v vitamins are among the in ingredients used in its p preparation. - Because of the spices u used in preparing them, th pepper soup can be the u used to heal common il illnesses like cough and catarrh, sore throat, as well as boosting the immune system. - It can also improve the digestive system and prevent indigestion Give yourself a treat this weekend with any tasty Nigerian pepper soup.

and hopefully get a lot more people involved, as we aim to be a household name in the nearest future.” In giving back to the community, AGON organizers said they partner with NGOs like the Sickle Cell Aids Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to counsel the patients. The organizers have added a little spice this year to make it different from previous ones which includes the wet arena with water guns where the kids can jump and play on fountain castles and a base ball event at the side. They are calling on youth to be creative and embrace entrepreneurship stressing that they must take the chance to do something.

SPORTSNEWS>>

Uni-Ilorin to host Nigeria can youth games in August repeat ’96 feat Text from Sikirat Shehu, in Rio Olympic Ilorin he University of Ilorin and we have graciously has been offered the accepted. So we’re looking — Amunike hosting rights of the forward to seeing all of you

2016 edition of the National Youth Games holding between August 24 and September 11. The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), disclosed this at a dinner in honour of Kwara athletes who excelled in various sporting events at the national and international levels last year. Represented by the Deputy Vice–Chancellor (Academic), Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Ijaiya, the Vice-Chancellor said, “The University of Ilorin has been offered the hosting right of the 2016 National Youth Games

converging on the University of Ilorin very soon.” Athletes under the age of 16 years from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will participate in 22 sports, with cricket featuring as demonstration sports, at the 2016 National Youth Games. The Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, who represented the Governor said government had approved the revival of the state sport festival, which its last edition held in 2007.

Text by Ibrahim Kabiru Sule @ikabirsule

inning goal scorer of the Nigeria’s ‘Dream Team’ of 1996 that won Olympic gold medal in the United States, Emmanuel Amunike has expressed confidence that the present team featuring in this year’s Rio de Janeiro, Brazil could repeat the feat recorded 20 years ago. Nigeria’s team stunned Argentina 3-2 in the 1996 final in front of about 90,000 spectators near Atlanta city

to become the first African football nation to win Olympic gold. Amunike, in an interview with FIFA website on Tuesday, however acknowledged that there has been clear differences between the present crop of player and the 1996 victorious ones, but such differences would not be enough to dash any hope of a replica of success in Brazil. “Don’t forget we had some players who featured for the

senior national team at the 1994 World Cup. But beating Brazil boosted our confidence because it was a dramatic match. We were almost out, but we fought and pulled it off. “There is nothing to indicate Nigeria cannot repeat the feat of 1996. It was a beautiful thing that we laid the foundation and others have followed our path, and I think our current team can repeat that success,” said Amuneke.

If you THINK you are too small to make IMPACT, trying going to bed with a MOSQUITO – Anita Roddick