Youthville

YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #126

Friday, April 14, 2017

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youthville@dailytrust.com

...young at heart

Adenike speaks: How I graduated from LASU with a perfect score Babalola Omosalewa Adenike a Biochemistry graduate and serving corps member in Abuja graduated as the overall best student, and made history when she hit a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 over a scale of 4.0. It is said to be the first of its kind since the inception of the Lagos State University (LASU) in 1977. Adenike spoke with YOUTHVILLE about the feat in this interview.

By Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria

D

id you plan to become best graduate when you got admission?

No, I didn’t plan for it; I only wanted to come out with distinction.

What did you do differently that you felt gave you the edge?

I was committed and focused, I didn’t allow anything to come between me and my books because of the love I had for my course. Just like how every youth loves seasonal movies, you won’t want to miss any episode.

I really did not enjoy social life, all I did was to study. I had my textbooks both in hard and electronic copies, so I could re a d

anywhere. I never got tired of reading. I didn’t read to pass exams, I read to know.

I would prepare my study timetable at the beginning of every semester and stay faithful to it, I would set exams questions that would cover all the topics for myself and mark it, by doing so, I must know the challenging areas.

So during examinations, I would only revise.

What were the challenges you faced Well, I started facing challenges in HND II first semester, but I stayed strong; I would report everything to God who made me a woman. I was called different types of names, some said I used charm. My course mates defended me everywhere because they knew me.

What is your advice to students on getting good grades? fas Life has no rewinding or fast forwarding, as such you won’t be able to rewind the semester, make the most of it. Most students use big phones, don’t depend on you only what lecturers give you, make Google your friend, watch lectures on YouTube, these are the things I did. My course mates used to call me E-Biochemist.

Make sure you get the course

outline and work on it, prepare your own personal study time table and be faithful to it. Lecturers are always happy when you explore, don’t be complacent.

How has being the best graduate affected your life?

It changed my life totally, I met people who contributed positively to my life and encourage me. I now have mentors.

People hold the view that its easier having a perfect score in the sciences than it is in the arts. Do you share this view?

What I believe is, no course is difficult and no course is hard. It’s one’s own perception about the course. My own theory is, in as much as someone has passed a course before, I must too, because we both have one head. It is an individual thing, it’s not applicable to everyone.

What’s your perception about the dichotomy between polytechnic and university students?

Dichotomy between HND and B.Sc. is real, even after it was said to have been recently removed by the National Council on Establishment (NCE).

It appears to be only verbal and in principle. It might take Government another 10 years to implement it. The discrimination makes polytechnic students feel inferior especially in NYSC orientation camps, most corps members would not be proud to say they are polytechnic graduates.

Personally, I don’t believe only in what certificate says or any dichotomy, I believe in self-development, self-worth and ability to deliver on any assigned task.

What is your plan after the service year?

After my service year, I will like to move on for M.Sc. and later, for Ph.D

by God’s grace. I want to pursue an academic and research career.

Shoemaker charges students on growing economy

By Latifat Opoola @LatifatOpoola Laura Sule Ahman, the founder and creative designer for handmade slippers brand, Laura Ahman, taught some young students from her Alma Mata, Zamani College in Kaduna state, about entrepreneurship and what it entails.

She encouraged them to look inward and grow Nigeria economically by critically thinking hard and provide great ideas that could be useful in the progress of the country.

“I believe that in today’s world it is very important for every country to encourage its entrepreneurs in order to grow, especially those that are coming up with fresh ideas and great creative minds” she said.

The 25 year old Law graduate who

started her business in 2014 told YOUTHVILLE that she was excited to have gotten an invite from the school.

“I attended Zamani College Kaduna from 2002-2008, and was very excited when I got a letter from the school inviting me to give a lecture on entrepreneurship” she added.

On how she developed her enterprise, Laura said, “While I was at the Nigerian Law School, I developed a passion for designing shoes. I then decided to tap on the huge market available in Nigeria. I have since become very keen on encouraging youth to become entrepreneurs.”

About what she taught at the school, she said: “At the lecture we discussed

on start-up and entrepreneurship skills particularly long term investment, managing people, skills, resilience and how to be focused.”

The secret of eternal youth is arrested development.

– Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Oshiomhole tasks youth on unity for national development

By Chidimma C. Okeke Immediate past Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has urged Nigerian youth to be united for national development.

He said they should not allow the elites who were the cause of their problems today to deceive them.

Oshiomhole spoke at the recent 1st Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia memorial lecture tagged, “Nation Building and Development in Nigeria: The Ogbemudia Factor”, organized by University of Abuja.

He noted that the elites who supervised the restructuring of Nigeria from three regions to 37 states today are responsible for the problems in the country.

“These old men had no right, having messed up your yesterday and responsible for the confusion of today, they have no right to divert your attention to a feasible Nigeria for posterity,” he said He said, “The task of nation building must not be compromised by our elites who have benefitted from Nigeria through education and more.”

The Nigerian people according to him are united by poverty, adding, “The poverty in Igbo is the same poverty in the north, the poverty in the east is the same poverty in the west, but when it comes to sharing money there is no Igbo, Yoruba or Hausas among them, they are united in looting.”

He commended the University for recognizing the contributions of Ogbemudia.

Group strategizes against radicalism in Benue From Hope Abah, Makurdi A group known as Next Generation Youth Initiative International (NGYII) has mapped out strategies to curb youth restiveness and build community resilience in Benue State.

Partnering with CLEEN Foundation, it started a three year programme with the formation of a Makurdi Resilience Forum which brought together stakeholders expected to act in one voice against violence through community engagement.

At its inaugural workshop in Makurdi, the Executive Director of NGYII, Ambassador Johnson Onoja, said that the initiative would address challenges of growing violence and insecurity in Benue State which has become a threat to individuals as well as communities.

He said: “The community resilience forum is one of five pillars of our project initiative for peace and violent-free Benue state which would run for the next three years as a pilot project,”

DAILY TRUST, Friday, April 14, 2017

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YOUTHVILLE

Nile varsity: ‘17% of our undergraduates on scholarship’

By Latifat Opoola (@LatifatOpoola) & Chidimma C. Okeke The Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof.

Dr. Huseyin Sert, has said 17 per cent of the undergraduates are on scholarship, especially those who excelled in JAMB, WAEC and others who won medals from international olympiads.

In an interview, Prof, Sert said the university will also start its Ph.D courses from August, to add to the number of academics in the country.

He said: “The students are chosen from JAMB the top best, WAEC and all overall best students from the Unity Schools,

and also students with international medals from international Olympiads can also come and join us,” he said.

The VC added that the institution is looking at increasing the scholarship provision to 20 per cent to encourage more students from less privilege homes to study harder.

On the new Ph.D courses, he said, “We are going to start PhD programmes in August/ September. This is our future development.

We have also applied for Information system technology especially for the PhD programme, it is very important in bringing academicians to the nation.”

Philanthropist lauded on job creation, youth empowerment

By Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun A rural development activist in Benue State, Comrade Noah McDickson has lauded Chief Mike Onoja, a former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence for his role in supporting government’s job creation and youth empowerment drive.

Speaking in Abuja while marking the conferment of doctorate degrees on Chief Onoja, the activist said, “He is also a quintessential leader who accords a high priority to the economic independence and educational development of his people.”

Chief Mike Okibe Onoja had the Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) conferred on him recently by two universities in recognition of his support and contribution to educational development.

“The University of Mkar, in 2009, conferred on him Honorary Doctor of Management Sciences. The

University of Abuja at her 21st Convocation ceremony conferred on him Honorary Doctor of Letters in February, 2017. And in March, the Benue State University (BSU) added another Honorary Doctorate Degree to his profile,” McDickson said.

While calling on more elites to join in the job creation and youth empowerment project, McDickson who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zone C chapter in the state said, “Onoja has influenced the employment of several jobless youth in Idoma land and beyond. He has maintained consistent connection with his people by creating jobs or influencing the employment of the youth.”

Chief Onoja who vied for the state Zone C Senatorial Seat in 2015, left the civil service after 31 years of service, he was conferred with the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 1999 due to his services.

BB Naija: Plateau youth plan 4-day welcome event for Efe From Lami Sadiq, Jos Youth in Plateau State have prepared a four day itinerary for the winner of the reality TV show, Big Brother Nigeria, Michael Ejeba popularly called Efe when he arrives Jos, the Plateau State capital.

At a press conference, coordinator of 'Team Efe' in Jos, Ismaila Yakubu noted that though not certain of the winners actual date of arrival in the State, there is however a line-up of events including street jam, media parleys, orphanage home visitations and a home coming concert in his honour.

Yakubu thanked youth and governments of Plateau and Delta States for their support for Efe. “We encourage all youth who are struggling to be successful not to give up and remain resilient and humble as opportunities abound within them,” he said.

Easter: Olamide, others to THRILL Awka, (P/H) residents From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

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eading Nigerian artistes, Olamide, Flavour, P-Square, among other prominent musical and comedy acts have been billed to thrill thousands of residents of Awka and Port Harcourt in Anambra and Rivers States respectively at the Saturday Easter edition of the Glo Laffta Fest.

The organisers in a statement said artistes like Timaya, Yemi Alade, Runtown, Omawumi, and Di’ja will be also putting up performances.

Comedians also billed to perform in Port Harcourt are Arinze Baba, Acapella, Bovi, Basketmouth, Gordons, Bash, and Salvador.

“The Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour will be holding at the Marble Arch, Awka, in Anambra State on Saturday, April 15 and will be featuring most of Nigeria’s brightest and best musicians.

“The following day, the fun continues at Aztech Arcum Hall, Port Harcourt, Rivers State with Glo Laffta Fest,” it said.

The idea behind the Glo event is to give subscribers, especially the youth unlimited fun and excitement, using prominent known artistes,

they said.

The shows will go round 27 cities including Kaduna, Abuja’s Kubwa and Suleja. Glo will also include other mega stars like RMD, Patience Ozokwor and Victor Osuagwu.

Children take over vaccination campaign

By Judd-Leonard Okafor @Judd_leonard The next message you get about vaccination would probably have been crafted by a secondary school student.

Dozens of students selected from 20 schools in the FCT for their creativity went into competition— to draw, paint or write around the theme, ‘Value of vaccine and immunisation financing.’

It is part of a global campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for African Vaccination Week.

“There is untapped opportunity with young children,” said Shola Dele-Olowu of Direct Consulting and Logistics, which consults for

the International Vaccine Access Centre.

“Nigeria’s bill for routine immunisation is expected to top $600 million by next year.

That’s the bill for immunizing a cohort of some 7 million children born every year, with the number expected to reach 10m by 2020, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).”

The challenges with getting more parents to immunise their children and getting the government to ensure vaccines remain free is the core of the Vaccination Week competition.

“We feel that children coming together to draw, paint, write, come up with poems and articles that

speak on the value of vaccine and immunisation financing in Nigeria will turn powerful advocacy material to government and the public to increase demand for vaccine and vaccine financing in Nigeria,” said Obinna Ebirim, senior technical adviser for Women Advocates for Vaccine Access.

Creations from the students is “not changing advocacy but an additional strategy to carry on the work of advocacy,” said Adamu Nuhu, director of advocacy and communication at NPHCDA. The creations are whittled down to 12 and uploaded on the net where voters vote all entries down to three final winners. But all participants get a consolation prize.

14 corps members bag excellence award in FCT

By Mulikatu Mukaila About 14 corps members from the 2016 stream 1, batch A of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were presented an award of excellence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on their passing out last weekend.

They were described as active corps members during their services in the various primary areas of assignments during the one year period.

Speaking during the Passing out parade (POP) on Friday at the NYSC camp Kubwa, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello represented by the FCTA, Director for Youth Development Department, Ereodiochukwu Anulunko charged the Nigerian youth to bring out the creative talent which they possess to enable them stand independents in their various endeavours adding that white collar jobs these days are not easy to come by.

The FCT NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Abdulrazak Salawu also called on all the youth corps members to hold on to the training skills they have learnt during their one year’s stay.

He added that it will help them to start an independent life and create more market for Nigerians.

A man is great by deeds, not by birth - Chanakya