INT’L YOUTH DAY: AMBODE’S WIFE EMPOWERS YOUTHS WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS

By Tope Musowo

As part of its activities to mark the 2017 International Youth Day, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM), a pet project of wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Wednesday commenced a two-day entrepreneurial training programme, at its Oregun office for youths in Lagos State, aged from 15 to 34 years.

The programme, which thoroughly examined entrepreneurship education, trained more than 80 youths in skills like baking technology, piggery, fish, grass-cutter, mushroom, poultry, snail and vegetable farming, to channel the focus of the youths to skill acquisition for sustainable self-employment.

Speaking on this year’s International Youth Day, Founder of HOFOWEM, Mrs. Ambode, observed that concerted effort was needed to empower the teeming youths with relevant skills and put them in a position to generate steady income by themselves.

She said that it had become necessary to explore viable ways of generating viable employment for the vibrant and job-hungry youths, aside of strict office jobs.

“When you have a skill, it helps you to employ yourself and when you employ yourself, you enjoy the freedom and peace of mind to drive your own business. And if you are committed and hard-working enough, you will grow your business to such levels that you make more money than you can ever earn as salary from any employer. This is why we are laying this platform for our youths in Lagos State,” Mrs. Ambode said.

She urged youths to put to good use all they have learnt and be prepared for a better tomorrow, saying it was achievable and doable.

According to her, “I am very passionate and optimistic about a better tomorrow. It is achievable. It is doable. I urge you to put to good use all you have learnt. Congratulations and see you at the top.”

Mrs. Ambode, who described the programme as a pilot one for the youths, promised that many such skill acquisition training would be organized in future for their benefit.

Addressing guests and beneficiaries at the programme, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke, noted that since inception, HOFOWEM had undertaken many people-friendly programmes including widows’ empowerment, support for expectant mothers, kits for pupils in public primary schools, sponsored surgical procedures, support for sick youths and aged women, scholarship for brilliant but indigent students in public tertiary institutions, among others.

According to her, “In commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day which comes up on 12^th August every year, the founder of HOFOWEM, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the Governor of Lagos State, out of her milk of kindness, approved this entrepreneurship training programme to empower youths with various skills that appeal to their passion from which they can be financially independent as entrepreneurs rather than waiting endlessly for a white-collar job’.

She noted that just as the mission of the NGO was to touch and transform the lives of less privileged persons for sustainable living; the youths must use the opportunity to transform their lives permanently for good.

Some youths who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Mrs. Ambode for her kindness and passion for improving the welfare of youths in the State, promising that they would not disappoint her but make the best use of the opportunity presented to them.

August 12 every year was set aside by the United Nations as International Youth Day, to examine the welfare of youths around the world and explore ways of improving it.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: CESDEV STUDENTS ON SAFARI,VISIT HIPPO SANCTUARY

By Tope Musowo

In a not so long voyage, reminiscence of the biblical Paul missionary journey,the students of Center for Sustainable Development, (CESDEV) University of Ibadan, recently traveled from Wa to Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, a conserved area where large number of hippopotamuses and other see animals find a natural habitat.

A natural vegetation with different species of trees for food,herbs etc, serving as a home for about 236 birds and other biodiversities,attracting tourism like the pyramid of Hawaii,played host to the students who came all away from Nigeria to learn about preservation of the environment for sustainable development.

According to ,the Coordinator of the project,  Mr. R.Y Abudulai Issahaku,who lucidly explained the economic benefits,environmental impacts,the sociocultural influence of the sanctuary to about 4 tribes that makes up of the 17 communities around the sanctuary.

In his words,the project which started in the year 1998,initially witnessed a period of contention about meeting human daily demand for food,fiber,fuel and so on,and conserving the environment for more sustainable use.

The sanctuary according to Mr Abudulai has witnessed increase in income since 1998 to 2017,bringing about improvement in the area of health facilities ,women empowerment initiative  through shea-butter cultivation,Tamarin and Dawa-dawa,(training and harvest),moringa farming, while encouraging the male folks to give women land for farming.

With the sustainable conservation of the sanctuary,the communities have since benefited immensely from the project in a far better measure than just meeting immediate needs,as money realised from tourism is being ploughed back into supporting the community needs.

 Thus far,about 50 students have been  sponsored from Junior to Senior High School,teaching materials provided for about 15-17 primary schools,sinking of boreholes for about 13 communities,provision of solar electricity to about 550 households.

A sanctuary that house about 33 to 40 hippopotamuses,with 3 to 4 kilometre length,(18 kilometre from Wichiau community centre),sharing boundary with Burkina Faso and Cote de' Voir,enjoys community support in terms of conservation,which sets it apart from the  Bui National Park,another hippo sanctuary in Ghana.

Apart from the counting of the hippopotamuses (hippo census) which is done quarterly,(4 times a year), human activities like bush fire,businesses,habitation,deforestation,fishing and so on are not allowed in the core zone of the sanctuary, which is about 40 kilometres,these are the regulations put in place by the

Sanctuary Management Board,to conserve the environment with a constitution and bye laws governing the project.

The students in their quest for knowledge,in a rather adventurous manner,on local boats,took turn to go on the Black Volta River that serve as a boundary between Ghana, Burkina Faso and Cote d' Ivoire,exploring round the Safari,an interesting experience that worth the salt.

GO HOME AND IMPLEMENT WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT,AMBASSADOR CHALLENGES U.I. STUDENTS

By Tope Musowo
Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana,His Excellency,Amb. Olufemi Michael Abikoye has challenged the students from the University of Ibadan to go back home and implement all they have learnt during their two weeks field trip in Ghana.

The Ambassador said this while receiving the 49 students from the Centre for Sustainable Development,(CESDEV) U.I. at the Nigeria High Commission at 20/21 Onyasia Crescent,Roma Ridge,Accra,Ghana on Friday.

After a presentation made by the students to summarise all they have learnt within their two weeks stay in Ghana, the Ambassador who commended them for a brilliant presentation and good coordination by their leader,Dr. Olawale Olayide,said they should endeavor to take something home for implementation.

In his remark,the Ambassador said,"though I am impressed with your brilliant presentation,nevertheless,our problem in Nigeria has not always been lack of good presentation, because we are brilliant people, but the problem has been the implementation,we will write it beautifully well,we will present it beautifully well and we will drop it somewhere,so, what are you taking back home for implementation in all of these?",he asked. 

"Although your Coordinator said one of the reasons why you are here is to do research,but don't let it be that you just write your situation report only to get 'A' in your course and it all ends there,ensure that you go beyond academic exercise, if it is just one item you can take from all, go and implement that when you get back home",Olufemi advised.

Amb. Abikoye urged the students to start the implementation from their centre,

CESDEV,and take it to U.I,then to the city of Ibadan and beyond. He added that the students should look at the SDGs and pick out of the 17 Goals anyone they can easily handle and begin the implementation from their centre.

It could be recalled that the 49 students of Development Practice Programme (DPP) were in Ghana according to their coordinator for 5 reasons,which were captured in 5Rs; to Research,Refresh,Rebrand,Relate,and to Retreat.

The topic of their research being," Enhancing Endogenous Development and Partnerships for Sustainable Development in Ghana", they approached the research from their 4 different areas of specialisation,namely; Social sustainability,Economic Sustainability,Environmental Sustainability and MDP.

A joint presentation was made by the representatives of each area of specialisation to further understand the role of endogenous solution in achieving Sustainable Development in Africa, implications were drawn for Nigeria which they were challenged to go back home and implement.  

FARA,AFRICA LEAD HOST CESDEV STUDENTS,REITERATE COMMITMENT TO FOOD SECURITY

By Tope  Musowo The Forum For Agricultural Research in Africa,(FARA) and Africa Lead, on Wednesday played host to the students from the Center for Sustainable Development,(CESDEV) University of Ibadan ,Nigeria,reiterating commitment to food security in Africa.

Both organisations based in the city of Accra ,Ghana,with focus in Agricultural research and food security respectively, were visited by the students of Development Practice Programme,(DPP) from the premier University  who have been on a-two -week field trip to Ghana,led by their Coordinator,Dr Olawale Olayide.

While the students were in FARA, the apex continental organisation responsible for coordinating and advocating for agricultural research-for-development. (AR4D),which serves as the technical arm of the African Union Commission on matters concerning agriculture science, technology and innovation.

The Executive Director, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo ,seized the opportunity to motivate the younger generation, which according to him has always been his delight,telling them to make today count and use the opportunity of the international exposure to recalibrate their senses.

In his address, Dr. Akinbamijo said," it is only in the university you are to answer 4 out of 6 questions but in life outside the University,you will have to answer 7 out of 6 questions,which means there is no option.

Therefore,you need to be prepared and go for it,you have to be responsive,be relevant,you can't but be smart and be educated", Dr. Akinbamijo counselled.

Dr. Aggrey Agumya,the Director of Corporate Partnership & Communications for FARA,took the students through a session of presentation,intimating them with the challenges of food security in Africa,the place of FARA,how those challenges can be overcome and the feats achieved by FARA so far.

Meanwhile,at Africa Lead,Feed the Future’s primary capacity building program in sub Saharan Africa, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative.

The Regional Director for Africa,Carla Denizard,explained that,Africa Lead program works to help realize FTF’s and the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) goals of reduced hunger and poverty by building the capacity of champions, institutions and stakeholders to develop, lead and manage the structures needed for African-led agriculture transformation and food security.

Hence,the Lead Africa project in Nigeria named," Strengthening institutional Performance for An Agricultural Transformation" which started since Oct. 1, 2016,lasting till Sept. 30, 2017,is to achieve the overall goal of USAID Nigeria,through strengthening the Capacity of the Agri-business division within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).

Other targets include; to deliver technical assistance and coach FMARD staff in the ministry's regional and state offices to strengthen their M&E system. To also facilitate the joint Sector Review (JSR) process in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and to also build the capacity of key NSAs across the States in policy advocacy and engagement.

Taking a clue from the position of the President of African Development Bank,Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in his 2015 article on the subject; Unlucking Africa's Potentials to create wealth from Agriculture,where he wrote,"there is an unbelievable contrast today in Africa; How can a continent with such an abundance of arable land,water,and sunshine annually import food worth USD 35 billions?...this must change".

 In the light of this,the Workforce Development & Gender Advisor,DAI, Robyn Speed,rolled out various empowerment and support programmes available to encourage the younger generation who are interested in agri-business across Africa.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: CESDEV ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS AT UPPER WEST REGION

By Tope Musowo
In pursuance to the United Nations developmental agenda,with specific attention on the sub-Saharan Africa,the Center for Sustainable Development (CESDEV),University of Ibadan,Nigeria, is engaging various stakeholders in the upper West Region of Ghana on developmental strides.

The students of CESDEV from different areas of specialisation in the Development Practice Programme,(DPP) who have been on a two -week international field trip to Ghana, arrived Wa,Upper West Region, on Wednesday, visiting various organisations contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,(SDGs).

Their first point of call on Thursday,after eight hours journey from Kumasi to Wa,was the University for Development Studies,Wa,in Upper West Region,the campus that houses the Faculty of Integrated  Development Studies,where they were received  by the Dean of Faculty of Planning and Land Management, Dr Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile and Dr. Sylvester Gada,the Dean of School of Rural Development. 

Dr. Derbile explained that the University which was established in the year 1992 operates a multi-campus system,with the main campus in Tamale, where the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and School of Allied Health Science are situated.

According to the Dean,other campuses are in Nyankpala,North Region Ghana,where they have the Faculty of Agriculture,Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources,Faculty of Consumer Science and Communications. Other Faculties are located in Navrongo,Upper East Region,where they have the Faculty of Applied Science and the Faculty of Mathematical Science.

With a keen interest in any development Initiative,the students proceeded to Kpaguri Estate in Wa,where an NGO called,Community Development Alliance (CDA-GHANA) is doing exploit.

Executive Director of CDA-GHANA addressing CESDEV students 

The vision of the NGO reads; "We are inspired by a Vision of a “Prosperous & Resilient Community where the basic human development needs of individuals and families are met and where women and children are free from poverty, disease and inequality and enjoy good health and well-being in a sustainable fashion”.

According to the mission of the NGO,it exist to promote sustainable and resilient community development initiatives through advocacy and the application of cutting edge innovations that are culturally appropriate, gender sensitive and responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities in a sustainable fashion.

The Executive Director of the NGO,Mr. Kanton Salifu Issifu,opened the mind of the students to certain truth in area of development with reference to African developmental needs. He harped on social accountability, the need to begin to hold leaders at various level of government accountable for the resources they are holding in thrust for the citizenry. 

While reiterating the importance of appreciating the people's contributions and their culture in any developmental plan or programme,he frowned at the usual exclusion of the citizens from the business of governance by African leaders, as if the citizens are only needed during electoral process,a practice he described as "electoral democracy".

On Friday,the students led by their Coordinator,Dr. Olawale Olayide, visited an health facility in Sankana,Nadowli-Kaleo District,a Community based Health Planning and Services,(CHPS),that serves a population of about 5000 people of Sankana community.

Nurse Gifty Mimo,a health worker in the CHPS, in the company of a senior health Officer,Mr Makate Timothy, during an interactive session with the students, explained their operational modalities in the health facilities, which is the closest to the people and also the least in the hierarchical order of health facilities in Ghana.

They explained that they deal more in preventive measures than curative, by going from house to house to educate people on basic health tips,while attending to other ailments like malaria,diarrhea,skin rashes,minor injuries,and baby delivery handled by the matron, etc,while they refer other cases to higher health facilities. 

An interesting aspect of the story is the collaboration between government and the herbalists,Traditional Medicine Practitioners,Traditional Birth Attendants and the fact that the community leaders also join hands with the government to prevent primitive practices that increases infant mortality rate, by enacting  bye law that compels whoever give birth at home to pay a fine of 30 cedes (approximately 140 US dollar).

While the students of Masters in Sustainable Practice,(MDP) and Social Sustainability specialisation were at the CHPS,at the same time,the Economic Sustainability and Environmental Sustainability students were at the WA school for the Deaf which is currently training about 255 students with different degrees of hearing impairment.

The head of the school, Mr Babilah Samuel took time to explained the structure of the school from the kindergarten -2 years,Primary -6 years,Junior High School - 3-4 years, and the last stage,which is the vocational training in; Carpentry,Weaving,Block Laying and Concreting,and Crafting.

Following the theme for the programme,which is "Enhancing Endogenous Development and Partnership for Sustainable Development",the students concluded their activities for the day at the palace of the traditional head of Wa Kingdom,Naa of Wa,His Majesty,Wa Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV.

It was explained that Naa of Wa is a paramount ruler who oversee about  Ten different kingdoms and chiefs who comes to pay allegiance to the King. The King who was glad to receive students all the way from Nigeria traced back their ancestral home to Nigeria,he said the people of Wa migrated from Zamfara State in Nigeria some centuries back.

His Majesty, while responding to questions posed by the students as regard the cultural background and economic activities of Wa Kingdom, he explained that the people of Wa are predominantly farmers. Addressing the process of marriage, he emphasized the place of Kola-nut (12 pieces) in the engagement process. While 30 pieces of kolanut is to be presented as a penalty for daring to approach their daughter without firstly informing the family. On how the colonial activities has affected the economic fortune of the people,he said the advent of the Europeans came with both positive and negative impacts.       

Musowo Temitope J

Development Communication Expert

U.I., CESDEV STUDENTS STORM GHANA,VISITS KNUST

By Tope Musowo

The postgraduate students of the University of Ibadan, Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV) have stormed the nation of Ghana on an international field trip as part of the requirements for graduation in Development Practice Programme (DPP).

CESDEV students numbering 49 who arrived Accra Ghana Airport yesterday around 12:50pm Ghana time made way straight to Kumasi where they passed the night to begin their activities for the two weeks field trip the following day.

According to the Coordinator of the Development Practice Programme (DPP), Dr Olawale Olayide, the purpose of the visit is summarised in 5Rs; Research, Refresh, Re-brand, Relate and to Retreat,this is actually coming barely two weeks after the students finished their first semester exam.

As part of the activities slated for the field trip, the students in the company of their coordinator on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the office of the Vice Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, where they learnt about the workings of the Institution and Ghana as a nation.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso who was represented by the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Rev. Prof. Charles Ansah, while fielding questions from the students from different areas of specialisation of the DPP, (Social Sustainability, Economic Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability and the MDP) took time to answer all the students' question.

Prof. Ansah, however, in his address reiterated the importance of development-related courses with respect to the peculiarity of African developmental challenges, while he expressed the willingness of KNUST to partner U.I. for exchange programme.

After the visit to the V.C's office, the U.I students continued their journey to a village in Jamasi district where they visited a company,called "The Yonso Project" where bicycles are being made of bamboo trees.

The C.E.O of the bicycle making company, Mr. Kwabena Danso took the students round the factory, explaining how the new innovative technology has evolved over the time, how its already gaining global recognition and the feat achieved so far.

A company with the mission to produce high quality and affordable bamboo products which have both economic and social benefits to customers around the world and with a vision to make bamboo a number one global resource and to become world's leader in the bamboo manufacturing industry.

Addressing the issue of skepticism about the durability of the bamboo made bicycle, the CEO explained  that in the year 2014, two German tourists who came to the company for test ride, rode from Germany to China, and another German named Martins this year who rode across West Africa  on the bicycle having toured 75% of the entire world, noting that bamboo tree is the strongest wood in the world.

Meanwhile, an undergraduate student from a University in the Netherlands currently studying International Development, Anna Van Smeden who is doing her two months internship at the company, explained how she is researching on how the work is affecting the livelihood of the people in the community.

Musowo Temitope

Development Communication Expert