NETAD National Youth Forum, Abeokuta 2011

Memories of the 2011 Network for Talent Discovery's National Youth Forum which took place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State (South Western Nigeria) capital comes to mind.

The NETAD National Youth Forum is a gathering of youths aimed at creating an opportunity for youths to interact with one another and our role models, towards ensuring self discovery, talent development, effective leadership and patriotism among youths in the African region and beyond. Apart from the aforementioned, the forum is meant to create opportunities for young, uncelebrated prodigies to explore their talents and share their creative thoughts and to create in Africans, the consciousness of tailoring skills and potentials towards the progress of the continent.

The Abeokuta session of the NETAD NYF held on Tuesday, 22nd November, 2011 at Ogun State (South West Nigeria) had the theme 'Discovering the YOU in you'. The event had Prince Yomi Otukoya (Executive Director, Art Kingdom, South Africa), Chris Omotosho (Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors, Ogun State), Olumayowa Okediran (Clerk, AIMUN-African Union Pan African Parliament), Akinola Solanke (Director, Building Our National Project - organisers of Nigeria's maiden and only National Flagday celebration) as guest speakers.

The event had in attendance and representation the First Lady of Ogun State, the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, dinstingiushed Nigerian writers, talented prodigies, ladies and gentlemen of the press, students and youths, among others.

Relax as you peruse series of pictures taken on Tuesday, 22nd November, 2011.

Click here to peruse the photo album.

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Young Journalists Award 2011: Call for entries

Nominations are invited for the 5th Nigeria Young Journalist Awards 2011 from media organisations and individuals. The award, initiated by media career services, a media training and consultancy outfit dedicated to the development of the carer of journalists in Nigeria, is to recognise and encourage young journalists in the country.

A judging board made up of top media professionals will choose winners of the awards who will get media career enhancing prizes.

Awards Categories For The Year 2011 Are:
A. Young Journalist of the year 2011.
B. Student Journalist of the year 2011.
C. Mass Communication Department Journal of the year 2011.

Submission Of Entries

Interested journalists for category (A) should have a maximum of three (3) years journalism experience and must not be older than 30 by December 2011.

They must submit three (3) of their published or broadcast work between January and December 2011. For entries for the print category, entrants should photocopy their works into four (4) sets while entrants from the broadcast should also submit three duplicates of their works on compact disk, the synopsis of such works should also come in four (4) sets.

Such entries must be supported with a nomination letter from the journalist’s editor or supervisor and curriculum vitae (also in 4 set).

For category B, entries must be a student of a tertiary institution with active participation in campus journalism. He or she must have at least three published or broadcast work in campus or other medium focusing on campus issues between January and December 2011. Sample of the published works should be photocopied into four (4) places.

A nomination letter by relevant authorities and curriculum vitae is required. These should also come in four (4) places.

For category C, submitted training newspaper/magazines of Mass Communication departments will be assessed on the basis of content and production quality. A nomination letter by Editorial Advisers will be required. Samples should be in four (4) sets.

ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO:
The programme coordinator,
Young Journalist Awards 2011,
Media Career Services,
C/O International Press Centre,
11, Dideolu Court, Dideolu Estate,
Off Ijaiye Road, by Sweet Sensation,
Ogba, Lagos.
Tell: 08033374017, 08023000621, 08023626281

Closing date:
All entries must be received on or before Friday 17th February 2012.

Organised by:
Media Career Services
Publishers of Stop Press, the career moulding newsletter for journalists.
www.mediacareerng.org

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Dual Sept (Poetry) for Kongi

Sept numbered the wonders,                      
Ecstasy within, I wonder.
Chosen among your brothers
To be more, but a wonder.

Days, sept a week,
Watched grow you a septuagenarian.
And rose did you to the peak,
Oh Penkelemesi grammarian.

Numbered in perfection
As odds you had overcome.
Blessing you are to the nation,
And a model to our generation.

Longevity in perfection,
Prosperity in profusion,
To divinity in requisition
As you number dual sept.

Note: Sept is a French word meaning ‘Seven’.
(C) July 2011

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YORUBA LITERATURE WRITING COMPETITION

SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS

In collaboration with

AFRICAN HERITAGE RESEARCH LIBRARY AND CULTURAL CENTRE

YORUBA LITERATURE WRITING COMPETITION

For Writers using Yoruba Language to write between the ages of 15 and 40.
The competition is organized by the Society to rekindle the interest of Young Writers writing in Yoruba language in Nigeria. Also to motivate and encourage writing in indigenous languages among young Nigerian Writers. The competition promises to be an exciting display of Yoruba Culture, Traditions, Norms and Values.

Prizes to be won include

• Fagunwa Prize for Prose Writing – 20,000
• Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola Prize for Drama – 20,000
• Tunbosun Oladapo Prize Poetry – 10,000
• Dr. Adebayo Faleti Prize for Drama – 20,000
• Elder Supo Kosemani Prize for Poetry – 10,000

Conditions of entry
1. The competition is opened to anyone aged 15-40
2. Works should be in Yoruba Language, unpublished and not currently submitted

or accepted  for future  publication
3. They must not previously have been awarded a prize in any competition nor

may be simultaneously entered for any competition other than this one.
4. Works must be your own original work.

5. Works must be on a separate sheet of A4 size, which must not bear your name,

class, age and school.
6. No entry form is required but on a separate sheet of A4 you should show your

name, address, title of the work submitted  and please tell us where you heard

about the competition.
7. Entry should be sent to the following e-mail:  societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com. The

closing date is 1^st of March, 2011, as results will be sent out in April 1^st, 2012.

8. The Judge’s decision will be final; no correspondence can be entered into
10. Unfortunately, submitted works cannot be returned so remember to keep a copy.

Wole Adedoyin
National President
08072673852

For more information, click here.

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Five books at 18, still burning to write

For 18-year-old Damola Morenikeji, Muse is one good force that he is not in a hurry to end his friendship with. This is because since they had a contact when he was nine, the ink of his pen has been flowing ceaselessly, with five books to show now.

The Federal University of Abeokuta student, who hails from Ogun State, says his writing skill was discovered by his parents when he was six years old.

He states, ‘‘They encouraged me and simultaneously taught me that there is a time for everything. In 2002, while I was concluding my primary school education – at the age of nine – I was challenged to write my first book. That challenge gave birth to the book, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’. In 2003, while preparing for a promotion examination, I wrote another book titled ‘The Glorious Child’, a book that talks about the erroneous belief people have about educating the female child. In 2004, during the long vacation, I wrote the third book titled ‘No Other Chance’.

According to him, the titles of his other books are ‘A stroll to the Animal Kingdom’ and ‘The evil that Money do.’ His latest work is ‘The So-Called Police,’ which he says, has yet to be published.

The author, who studies Plant Physiology and Crop Production says that they are plays but he is still working on prose and poetry. He adds that he writes to effect positive change in society.

He, however, notes that it had not been easy publishing the books due to the challenges he often faced with funds. ‘‘It is quite unfortunate that after several budding writers get their manuscripts prepared, they do not many publishing outfits willing to publish their works. Most times, they have to fully bear the cost of production,’’ he explains.

Because of the impact of his works Morenikeji emerged the Second runners-up during the 2006 Artiste of the Year Award of Excellence organised by the state.

 Note: The above article was published by Punch newspaper on Tuesday, 24th January, 2012.

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Watch out for Joba Olanrewaju; a 14 year old artist



Joba Olanrewaju

 His art was first noticed a long time ago. Unfortunately, like many other, it remained unexployed. Oluwajoba Banabas Olanrewaju, born on Tuesday, 27th May, 1997 in Ibadan, Oyo state - located in the South Western part of Nigeria - is a prodigy meant to be celebrated over time.

The youngster, who is been encouraged by his immediate family seeks a career in creative arts. Apart from improving his prowess in painting and drawing, the young lad also lays his hands on customising materials like clothings, banners, key holders among several other things.

In a chat with Aanu Damola Morenikeji, Joba - as he is fondly called - dreams of a positive future in creative arts. He advises parents to assist in developing technical talents in their wards and enroll them in technical workshops, promoting self sufficiency.



Voters queuing to perform their obligation. 

 Relent not Joba; there lies ahead greater days.

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