Participate in ‘Promoting Youth-centred activities in raising awareness and mobilising public support for Food Security and Livelihoods Protection’

Do you know that small holder farmers produce about 70% of food consumed in Nigeria and their average age is 60 years?

According to a report by the National Economic Summit Group (NESG), the average age of small scale women and men farmers that grow 70% of the food consumed in Nigeria is 60 years. Going by the statistics, it therefore becomes pertinent that there is an urgent need to continually assist these farmers in their operations for their optimum production; and also encourage the younger generation to embrace agriculture and its allied services as a viable source of livelihood. This remains the only and sustainable means of reducing the country’s susceptibility to food crisis

Considering the 2011 population pyramid by the National Population Commission and World Bank Growth, 47% of Nigeria’s population is between the ages of 20 and 40. This presents a huge potential resource for the nation which if properly harnessed, portends a solution to developmental issues such as food security and job creation in the country.

In light of this, HEDA Resource Centre through the Voices for Food Security (VFS) campaign (with support fromOXFAM GB) and the Osun State Government through her Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme are implementing a week-long programme titled ‘Promoting Youth-centred activities in raising awareness and mobilising public support for Food Security and Livelihoods Protection’ in Osogbo, Osun State in September. The objectives are to:

1. Increase young people’s voices in campaign for Food Security and protection of small scale farmers (SSFs) livelihoods
2. Increase young people’s access agricultural information and awareness on empowerment opportunities available in the agric sector
3. Influence positive perception of agriculture among young people

This programme will include among other knowledge impacting activities, a seminar to sensitize young people on Climate Change and threats to food production; a tour to agricultural institutes and farm projects in Lagos, Oyo and Osun States to expose participants to the agricultural value-chain and an advocacy visit and interaction with parliamentarians to seek support for small scale farmers. The advocacy component will be complemented with the participation of some of Africa’s young musical icons.

Criteria for applications:

Interested applicants must be:

1)       An internet savvy young person (male and female)

2)       Residents of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States.

3)       Passion for agriculture/ food production matters

4)       Willing to learn about agriculture value chain and/or how to earn a decent living from it.

5)       Willing to help improve the earnings and welfare of millions of small holder Women and Men farmers across Nigeria.

In addition to all these, prospective participants should also be team players, committed to the project, disciplined, motivated, dedicated and active in one or more social networking media platforms.

Also, the trip holds second week of October (7th-13th); when applying, your availability during that week is paramount.

To be a part of this programme, an online application form is available for completion and submission at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/czsob93

NOTE: Spaces are limited and the deadline for application is 18:00hrs on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Successful applicants will be duly notified and further details on participation provided by Friday, September 30, 2012.

For further inquiries and information, please contact:

Adeola Abodunrin

Project Officer,

Tel: 08034190027, 08050923259

Email: adeolatinuke@gmail.com, hedanigeria@gmail.com

Source:http://www.hedang.org/?p=450

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Youths discuss participation in qualitative governance at the NETAD Young and Emerging Leaders Summit

In recent times, the idea of youth participation in governance has become a popular discourse in Nigeria. Young people are getting more interested and sensitised on the need for active participation in the decision-making process. It is on this note that over 3000 youths across the country met last Thursday to chart a way forward.The colourful event, tagged, "Young and Emerging Leaders Summit", was organised by Network for Talent Discovery (NETAD), an organisation committed to making positive contribution in ensuring talent discovery and development, leadership development and fostering patriotism among teenagers in the African continent and beyond.

The morning rain could not deter the participants who were already seated by 10am at the magnificent Aduke Maina Hall, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Some of them were youth leaders from Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Gombe, among other states. Members of the Youth Parliament, Ogun State, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society were also at the summit.

Students of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Premier Grammar School, Abeokuta and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta were also present in their numbers.

In her keynote address entitled, “Youth Participation in Qualitative Governance:Mirage or Reality?”, wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun charged the youths to get themselves involved in the process of evolving a better future, adding that the act of good or qualitative governance is not an exclusive preserve of a particular generation.

Mrs. Amosun, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ogun State, Dr. (Mrs.) Rasheedat Salisu, said: “ As a mother, I see our youths as the pivotal pillars with abundant and fresh energy that can help us build a great future. It is a truism that ideas rule the world. Our youths are full of ideas and they have responsibility to come forward to make those ideas available so as to take our society to the next level.

“The theme is very apt and timely, considering leadership challenges our dear nation is passing through. Though these challenges are not insurmount-able, it requires our concerted efforts to bring forth new ideas in order to transform our society.”

The facilitator and Executive Coordinator of NETAD, Aanu Damola Morenikeji thanked the participants for the success of the programme. And in his presentation tagged: “Emerging Societies, Emerging Leaders”, he described leaders as people who are able to think and act creatively in non-routine situations and who set out to influence the actions, beliefs and feelings of others to achieve set goals.

The 18-year-old Ogun State Youth Coordinator, Nigerian Red Cross Society, and winner, Ogun State 2012 Youth Award for Excellence in Health and Community Service, noted that 10,000 new leadership positions shall emerge over the next de-cade in different fields.

“The world is changing. The world is emerging. Everything is shifting, even nature. Only those who change along with it shall survive. Only the unique folks, visionary leaders shall emerge to rule in the new world order,” he asserted.

Morenikeji, who is an author (having written six story books) and motivational speaker, told the participants that “the three things that can stop you from becoming your dream is you! you!! and you!!!”

Another speaker, Ogunbowale Oludayo made a stimulating presentation. Speaking on “Participation is you;Encouraging blue ocean participation”, Oludaya who is President, DESPLAY Af-rica Republic, Season 7, defined youth participation as young people getting involved in what happens around them and decisions that affect their lives and well-being.

He enumerated corruption, bad governance, non functional education, hike in fuel pump price, poor health care, unemploy-ment, inequality, among other problems, as some of the reasons that call for their participation.

“Get involved today in social change and what’s happening around you! Nigeria, democracy, your community offers a unique space and possibilities....what do you offer as youths? To live is to participate!” he charged.

Similarly, National President of The Young Journalists Fo-rum, Ayodele Samuel Ayokunle pointed that there are over 45 million young people in Nigeria, yet 90 per cent of these populations are not involved in decision-making process while less than 50 percent have access to one form of social media.

Making a presentation on “Youth Participation in Gover-nance and Decision Making; Using the Social Media Effectively in Nigeria," Ayokunle urged the tech-savvy young Nigerians to gear up to use BlackBerries, mobile phones and social networking services such as Twitter and Facebook to contribute to decision making process.

Interestingly, budding artistes, comedians and others displayed their talents to the admiration of everybody in the hall.  Participants were, however, given certificates.

NOTE: The above article was written by Leonard Okachie and published by National Mirror. Click here to view story.

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Register: NETAD Young and Emerging Leaders Summit holds on 21st June in Ogun State (Nigeria)

The role of young people in nation building cannot be over-emphasized, thereby providing a dire need for youths to be prepared for challenges ahead towards strengthening our leadership and participation skills.

Acting on the above, Network for Talent Discovery (NETAD)- an organisation committed to talent discovery and development, leadership development and fostering patriotism among teenagers and youths in the African continent - is organising a Young and Emerging Leaders Summit meant  to engage young and emerging leaders in leadership deliberations towards exploring strategies and concepts of leadership through participation, and  fostering active youth participation in decision making processes, thereby aiding quality governance.

In a release signed by the Executive Coordinator of the organisation, Aanu Damola Morenikeji, it was learnt that the summit, which has the theme 'Building Tomorrow Today' is scheduled to hold on Thursday, 21st June, 2012 at the Aduke Maina Hall of Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State (Nigeria), commencing at 10am prompt.

Facilitators at the summit include Kingsley N.T. Bangwell (Team Leader, Youngstars Foundation, Jos) and Oladayo Ogunbowale  (President, DESPLAY Africa Republic). The keynote address titled  'Youth participation in qualitative governance; mirage or reality? will be delivered by  Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun (the Ogun State First Lady).

Expected at the summit are Rt. Hon. Adekunbi Suraju; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Olugbenga Otenuga; Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ogun State, members of the Ogun State house of assembly, Dr. Ozuzu Promise; President, International Youth Council, Nigeria among others.

Also expected at the venue are members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, International Youth Council, Nigeria, National Youth Council of Nigeria, States Youth Parliament, executives and members of youth organisations and students' organisations, other young and emerging leaders.

Intending participants are however advised to register online via http://bit.ly/LPmigX. Participation for the summit is totally free.

It is true that one voice can make a difference, but a million can change the world. Make a date with history and development at the summit; it is time to emerge!

…..Together we learn,  together we emerge!

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SHOW OF TALENTS BY THE DISABLED; SECOND EDITION SPECIAL Invitation/SUPPORT

On behalf of a wonderful group of people that the society classified as hopeless and helpless, I humbly invite you Specially to the 2nd Edition of “The Show Of Talents by The Disabled”.............discovering the abilities in our disability................ An initiative of REACH-OUT INTEGRATED (ROI), A Community and Social Welfare Development Organisation in cooperation with the JOINT ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (JONAPED) Ogun State Chapter.

DATE:         Friday 25th May 2012
VENUE:       June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun  State.
TIME:          11am-2pm...(strictly 3hr show)

SPECIAL FEATURE:  The Paccelli School for the Blind
CHAIRPERSON:  Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, Wife of the Governor of Ogun State.
SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOR: Hajia Zainab Maina, Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development.
FATHER OF THE DAY: Sir Kessington Adebutu, CON, KJW, FISM.

There is power that lies in each of us to reach out to someone and change a life and thereby change the world. We count on your support and generous donations. For cash donations please pay to:
REACH-OUT INTEGRATED (TALENTS)
STERLING BANK PLC, ABEOKUTA............NOS: 408-244199-1-1-0
Thank you in advance for your willingness to support the effort of Reach-Out Integrated (ROI) to make a difference in our community.

Signed;
Doyin Ogunbiyi
 JP, FNIPR, FNITAD, FICAdmin, MNIM.
President - Reach-Out Integrated (ROI),
Life Patroness - JONAPED – Ogun State Chapter.
Tel: 08087343631, 08123759008, 039-773631
E-mail: cedroi@yahoo.com.


 
SHOW OF TALENTS BY THE DISABLED SECOND EDITION MAY 25, 2012

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LASSA fever - what really is it?

The past few months have been filled with rumours, coupled with enlightenment about what is called the 'Lassa fever'.

Of recent, some states, Ogun State (Nigeria) inclusive declaimed claims of recording the deadly fever.

Lassa fever is an acute viral infection associated with persistent high fever caused by the Lassa Virus. It was discovered first in Lassa, Borno State, Nigeria in 1969. However, it can be found in other places, especially in West Africa e.g. Liberia, Guinea and Seirra Leone.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?
People become infected by eating infected bush rat or eating food contaminated with the rat excreta/urine deposited on surfaces such as floors, beds, household utensils or in food and water (eg. grains spread out to dry along the roads by farmers). Person to person spread also occurs by direct contact or inhalation of infected body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, throat secretion etc..

WHO CAN BE INFECTED?
All age groups. Persons at greater risk are those in areas of poor sanitation and health workers managing such cases.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
The illness usually starts with fever, general weakness and malaise. Other signs and symptoms are headache, sore throat, pain behind the breast bone, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, abdominal pain and red spots. In severe cases, it may progress to swollen face, bleeding (from mouth, nose, and vagina), gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure.

HOW CAN LASSA FEVER BE PREVENTED?
Avoid contact between rats and human beings;
Keep your house and Environment clean.
Cover all foods and water properly.
Cook all foods thoroughly
Block all rat hideouts
Do not spread food where rats can have access to it.
And as soon as you suspect Lassa fever, or you have persistent fever not responding to the standard treatment for malaria and typhoid, report to the nearest Health facility.

TREATMENT OF SUSPECTED CASES
Early treatment with Oral Ribavirin is recommended. In severe infection, injection of Ribavirin is used. Barrier nursing is highly recommended.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHERS.

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