YOUTHVILLE ISSUE #94 4
Friday, September 2, 2016
08078068532
youthville@dailytrust.com
...young at heart
I started PHOTOGRAPHY with a camera of N18,000 — Soji Oni
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ow did you start your venture? I started photography out of passion and willingness to get a job. After my university days, I faced challenges because I didn’t want to go home and start asking for money. I had to turn my passion for taking pictures into a photography venture. I then started with a mini camera of N18,000 and an IT printer of N26,000 which prints pictures instantly. What did it cost you to learn the art of photography? Photography is an inbuilt thing, even in the present day, anybody that has camera phone should be able to take picture and the beauty of it is that there is never a bad picture. In photography, if you turn the camera upside down and take a picture, that is how you want to take it. I started by taking series of pictures until when I relocated to Lagos and I met some people and got trained under them for like two years. I later proceeded to New York Photography Institute, New York City, for advance photography course. What is your specialisation in the photography field? I specialize on event photography, especially wedding photography. I
‘Indolence, Idleness major challenges for youth empowerment’ Text by Abubakar Haruna
Soji Oni, 33, is the Chief Executive Officer of Soji Oni Photography. In this interview with Daily Trustt YOUTHVILLE, Soji spoke on how he started photography and how his passion for taking picture fetched him a lucrative venture. Text from Kehinde Olufowobi, Lagos
Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible; and suddenly, you’re doing the impossible! – Francis of Assisi
specialize in wedding photography because I enjoy to capture people’s moment. That doesn’t mean if you call me for other events I will not be able to do it, but I try as much as possible to stay on the line of wedding photography. For a willing youth, what skill must he acquire to become a professional? The person must have passion for what he wants to do. He will need to learn the art and the business aspect of it. When you have your camera, you can operate it and determine your lightening, you can determine the way you want your picture to be, then you have got the basic skills needed to be a good photographer. What is your ambition in driving your business? To be a household name in wedding and event photography. A name that people reckon with in terms of photography. If you are having one hundred weddings in a day in Nigeria, Soji Oni Photography should come first. That is my photographic ambition. How do you market your business? Marketing of this business has gone digital with the advent of social media. I have been leveraging on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc, to market my business. Aside from
social media, major marketing skill which I have been using is referral. Once you do a good job for someone, he or she will refer you to another person. I think that is the best form of marketing strategy for me. What are the challenges facing photographers in Nigeria? High cost of equipment, lack of stable power supply, these are some of the challenges facing photographers in Nigeria. Without electricity power supply, photographers would not be able to charge their equipment and produce successfully. An equipment could go as much as $3,500, so getting good and affordable equipment to carry out our job and lack of stable power supply are our major challenges. What advice do you have for those who like this venture? There are so many photographers outside there, but the industry is wide and open. There is no one person that can cover it all. In Lagos today, we have hundreds of events everyday which need photographers to cover them. So, I will advise such persons to be courageous. The beginning might be rough but God has promised to bless the work of our hands in as much as we are truthful and passionate about it.
Nonchalant attitude toward solving problem has been a major challenge of the country’s youth. The General Secretary of a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Hope Foundation, Kenneth Uvah, has observed. Uvah who is also the Assistant Coordinator of Hope Foundation made the observation in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust, in Abuja. He said some youth have complained about problem but they wouldn’t know how to approach it. He traced the issue to laziness and lack of approach towards solving these problems. Uvah said youth should be engaged in various programmes that would inspire them to be productive in the society. This he said would encourage them to avoid complaining and nagging to identify and solve their problems. He said though the present administration had initiated programmes on youth but more has to be done to address the challenges.
Involve youth in governance, Group advises govts Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun A socio-political organisation, Forward Nigeria Group (FNG), has called on governments at all levels to involve the youth in governance as a means of resolving insurgency and militancy in the country. The group stressed that engaging the youth in policy making would guarantee them a sense of belonging and they would be willing to protect rather than destroy the country through violence. A statement issued in Abuja quoted the group’s National Coordinator, Mr Alex EbiEdim, as saying that FNG envisioned a nation where all people, even in the most remote areas of the country, would hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others. The statement said that the Secretary-General of the group, Mr Kim Danja, at the just concluded stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, observed that youth empowerment was a veritable tool in resolving insecurity globally. He expressed belief in engaging the youth in government activities to stop youth restiveness occasioned by neglect, poverty and unemployment.
Nigerians want youth development accorded global priority Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun Following the visit of the United Nations (UN) S e c r e t a r y - G e n e r a l ’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi to Nigeria last week, young people are calling for youth development issues to be a priority on the global development agenda. Over 60 youth representatives who spoke at a workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from UN, raised issues including a
clear framework for youth development in Nigeria. They requested that the next United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Nigeria reflects young people’s issues and addresses them in a comprehensive manner. They also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider putting young people’s development high on the global development agenda, under the leadership of the United Nations. Speaking on behalf of the UN system in Nigeria, Dr
Bilali Camara, the UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria and Focal Point for ECOWAS said, “I am very pleased with the Nigerian authorities for showing the world that young people’s issues are very important in the national development processes and are global issues. “Nations will become stronger only when the potentials of young people are fully unleashed,” Camara was quoted in a statement from the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) country spokesman, Oluseyi Soremekun.
From Right: Dr Bilali Camara, UNAIDS Country Director for Nigeria and Focal Point for ECOWAS; Mr Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth and Dr Victoria Isiramen, UNICEF HIV Specialist - Adolescent Team Lead.
DAILY TRUST, Friday, September 2, 2016
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YOUTHVILLE
AHF seeks treatment for 30,000 AIDS patients by 2020 Text by Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria The Country Programme Manager, for Aids HealthCare Foundation (AHF), Dr. Adetayo Towolawi has said experts are working to ensure that 30,000 people are placed on Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) by 2020. Addressing journalists in Abuja, he said the foundation aims to get “cutting edge medicine and advocacy regardless of ability to pay because either rich or poor HIV does not discriminate.” Dr. Towolawi said there is a global call-toaction to place at least twenty million people with HIV on life saving treatment by 2020 and to achieve this “We need to address the global testing gap, so that everybody who needs to be tested get tested. “In Nigeria we want to place 30,000 people
Movie, ‘Remarkable’ premiers in Abuja Text by Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria A new movie ‘Remarkable’ debuted in the last week of August in Abuja, with the central focus of showcasing the trials and triumphs that can face a new couple while proffering possible solutions. The movie shot in Abuja by High Definition Films Academy (HDFA) debuted with 2013 Script-2-Screen Best Female Actoress, Titi Joseph for her first lead feature film and 2014 AMVCA, AMAA Awards Best Actor Tope Tedela, 2016 African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) and AMAA Awards Best Actor, Daniel K. Daniel, and Nita Byack. It was premiered alongside short films like ‘Oddity’
‘Hateful Love’ and several others made by the academy students and a short film made by kids and teens. Speaking on Nollywood being concentrated in Lagos, a facilitator at HDFA, Actor Iyke Adiele said, “Even though Lagos is said to be the hub for movie industry, we are pulling our weight here in Abuja.” The producer/director, Bright Wonder Obasi, said the event was three pronged as it marked the fifth anniversary of the Academy and also presented awards to the 2016 script-2-screen participants. On the market expectations, Obasi said, “I trust that the society will embrace it, Nigerians will love the movie and also fans and viewers globally would embrace it.”
on Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) by 2020 and we can achieve this by doing periodic mass testing and linking people to care,” he said. He said testing positive for HIV should not be seen as a death sentence as there are lifesaving treatments and care. The Senior Manager, Public Relations and Advocacy, African Bureau, of AHF, Oluwakemi Gbadamosi said the Nigeria government needs to do more in the fight against HIV. Oluwakemi gave the instance of South Africa that runs the biggest antiretroviral (ARV) care globally, largely dependent on public funding whereas Nigeria’s is largely dependent on donors. “Nigeria has recently adopted the ‘test & treat’ policy but the issue is where will the money come from? For us to achieve eliminating aids in 2030, there is need to increase funding,” she said.
NGO takes anti-child trafficking campaign to Bwari Text by Bamas Victoria @BamasVictoria
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ellers and Buyers at Bwari central market in Abuja were the recent beneficiaries of a sensitization and enlightenment awareness on child abuse and child trafficking. The Bold Heart Campaign project of the Weinspires Global Foundation is meant to fight child abuse, human trafficking and rape. The founder, Shelly Chinwe Ogbu said, “We came to enlighten them about child abuse and trafficking on how to tackle this issue that is affecting our community and the world at large, So that people will know what to do not to become a victim tomorrow.” On the choice of Bwari market, Shelly said “We came to Bwari community because they needed to be enlightened unlike people in the city who easily have
access to such information. “We choose Bwari market because there have been a lot of cases of child rape and child abuse,” she explained. She added that victims should not be ashamed, while enjoining parent to take care of their children. The Market Leader, Alhaji
Shehu Mohammed said, “Child abuse and trafficking sensitization is a good programme, because there is a need to create awareness.” He said most child abuse and trafficking cases can be blamed on the failure of a parent to fulfill their responsibilities.
41,161 graduates empowered through GIS, says trainer Jidenna debuts album in Nigeria, to tour W/Africa Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun An expert and a key facilitator of the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Nkem Okoro has said about 41,161 graduates have benefitted from the scheme since it started. Mr. Okoro told Daily Trust YOUTHVILLE that his firm, Freshmed Nigeria Limited has just concluded a three day Orientation and Employability Skills Training for Interns under GIS at Jimeta, in Adamawa state. He said among the total number of beneficiaries from the scheme, 68 per cent were males, 31 per cent were females and 1 per cent of them were the vulnerable. “Over 35,000 of them have exited the scheme, with thousands of them having secured jobs,” Mr. Okoro noted.
Describing the scheme’s activities, he said it is focused on the unemployed graduates adding that “It presents an opportunity for graduate interns to gain employment in organizations where they worked, in other organisations or selfemployment. “With the monthly stipend paid to graduate interns, it has demonstrated high prospects for achieving the social protection and inclusive growth objective of government,” he explained. The scheme seeks to build skills and create jobs for the non-oil sector including non-oil export trade, ICT, agriculture, community health, construction, financial inclusion, amongst others. “Many of the graduates have set up cooperative associations, some of which have transformed into SMEs. Rather than seeking for work, they are now becoming employers,” Mr. Okoro disclosed.
Text by Simon E. Sunday @SimonEchewofun Nigerian born American pop singer, Jidenna has said he is working on recording a song with Wizkid. In an interview with Pulse Nigeria on his arrival in Lagos this week, Jidenna said they had connected in the US, and spent hours working on new music for both their albums. “It was great, me and him vibed for hours. It was very easy actually. We both have the same process when we are in the studio; the way we come up with melodies, the song concepts and what not. So we did some work on each other’s albums, I don’t know what will happen on it, cause you never know,” he said. The Grammy nominated singer said
coming back home is a special feeling, but this one is different due to all the cameras and activities that surround his homecoming. Jidenna popularly known for his hit song, ‘Classic Man’, had an exclusive album launch party at the music hub of Nigeria (Lagos) yesterday. He was debuting his album “Long Live the Chief” at Hard Rock Café. He disclosed that he will be touring Africa for a series of exclusive performances, album release parties and the filming of a BBC documentary, which will chronicle his homecoming journey to Nigeria. See more of Jidenna via: http:// pulse.ng/buzz/jidenna-wizkid-and-irecorded-for-our-albums-us-singersays-id5439050.html
What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows – Ralph Marston